HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!  Shall we begin with a trivia question?  All right, here we go…   Do they have a fourth of July in England?  (Keep in mind that we won our independence from the British.)  The answer?  Yes, they do!  In fact, they also have a July first, second, and third!  (Like everyone else.)  Since that was sort of a trick question, I will give you another…  Who was the oldest person to sign the Declaration of Independence?  (Answer:  Benny Franklin)  By the way, not to brag, but the first person to sign was John Hancock.  (The famous insurance salesman.)   Some folks think that it was Adam Gold!

If I was still living in New York, I’d be going to the hot dog eating contest sponsored by Nathan’s.  I’m kind of hungry this morning, but I don’t think I could beat the existing consumption record…..  68 hot dogs (plus the buns) in 10 minutes!  That may sound “hard to swallow,” but it’s true.  By the way, did you know that 1/3 of all the hot dogs in the U.S. come from Iowa?  I thought you might “relish” this information…

Speaking of hot dogs, did I mention that I won the Silver Medal in this year’s INDIEFAB Book of the Year Contest?  I am very grateful for the award, which represents one of the largest and most prestigious literary awards in the country.  THE SECOND MOURNING has now won 4 major literary awards in six months!  Without bribing any of the judges!  (Not that I didn’t try!)  Anyway, I was quite pleased and honored.  I don’t know what’s holding up that dang Pulitzer.

Hey, for all of you folks that may live in Austin or the surrounding area, there is a new boutique (for the ladies) opening up on Congress Avenue today.  It’s called THE COVE, and it features the most stunning outfits you will ever see, all at reasonable prices.  (It will also feature all of my mystery novels!)  The temporary location (they are building a brand new store on Congress Avenue) is at 108 Gibson Street, in the church behind Hotel San Jose.  Today is the summer “pop-up shop” opening, from 12 noon to 7 p.m.  Be there or be nowhere!  (I’ll be signing books from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

For those of you anxiously awaiting news about the next “Adam Gold Mystery,” you might be thrilled to learn that book number five has been finished and is now in the hands of my most capable editor.  (Blind Lemon Lefkowitz.)  The book is titled, A RUN FOR THE MONEY.  As the name suggests, it has something to do with equine insurance.  If you love horses or horse racing, then you will really enjoy this book.  The proposed date of publication is January, 2016.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:  If you have a short fuse, do not play with fireworks.

Here’s a little fact that you will get a “bang” out of…..   Did you know that 99% of fireworks sold in the U.S. come from China?  (When they’re not making suits for Donald Trump.)  How the heck did we lose the firecracker market to those people?  I demand an investigation!  Never mind, the hot dogs are ready…..

Here’s hoping you and yours have a safe and happy 4th of July.  On a serious note, take a moment to think about our military, those serving and those who have served.  It is because of these folks, and their enormous sense of patriotism, that we remain the land of the free.  God bless them all!

And good tidings to the rest of you rascals…..   Love to all,

Doc Yanoff

P.S.  Lovely Caribbean photo attached!