So, tell me, do you remember the above tune from “The Sound of Music?”  The actual title is “My Favorite Things,” and this little gem was written by the dynamic duo – Rogers & Hammerstein.  I actually saw this musical way back in 1962, four years after the show reached Broadway.  (My family lived on Long Island, 45 minutes east of Manhattan.)  The reason I mentioned this song is because a large number of my blog followers (two ladies from Malaysia) have repeatedly asked me to discuss some of my favorite “things.”  Thus, since your wish is my command, here is a partial list submitted for your consideration:

Favorite ethnic food:   Italian

Favorite adult beverage:   Bourbon  (Blanton’s)

Favorite travel destination:   Italy  (I’m starting to see a pattern!)

Favorite musician:   Jerry Jeff Walker  (Love the Stones & Beatles, too!)

Favorite author:   Elmore Leonard

Well, there you have it folks.  Some of my favorite things.  Another one of my favorite things is having my first history book, THE SECOND MOURNING, revised and re-published by Murder Ink Press, in association with Penguin Books!  This is being accomplished as we speak, complete with a new front and back book cover, displaying the five gold medals the book has won!  I am currently working on the final galley edition, and I hope to be finished by the end of March.

You might wonder why this is taking so long…  well, oddly enough, I am also working on the final rendition of my second history book, titled, TURBULENT TIMES.  (The Remarkable Life of William H. Seward)  The publisher and I have been trying to finalize permission to use a number of wonderful historic photographs, each of them “owned” by the Library of Congress or the National Archives.  Lord, do these folks move slow.  Ah well, good things come to those who wait.

Meanwhile, I try to entertain myself by engaging in philosophical pursuits…  For instance, as I was cleaning up the Garfield book, I began to wonder…  How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?  I mean, what’s the cutoff?  The Senate?  The House?  Who knows.  Not I. Also, how deep would the ocean be if there were no sponges?  Just curious.

Well, as you’re pondering the above, please don’t feel sorry for me.  I am in a rather joyous mood today, as my youngest daughter, Rebecca, just announced her (long-awaited) engagement to her beloved Peter.  Naturally, he asked for my blessing, and since he was able to provide a sound financial statement, I gave it to him.  (Hey, a Dad has to be careful nowadays!)  Miss Rebecca is now the proud wearer of a stunning pear-shaped diamond, which appears to be real.  (I won’t know for sure until I get the test results!)  In the meantime, we are thrilled and delighted to have Peter join the family, and I look forward to losing my last tax deduction.

You know, I was just thinking that my family is like fudge.  Mostly sweet, with a few nuts.  But enough about me!  I hope that each and every one of you has a safe and joyous week, and I look forward to chatting with you in the near future.  If you want to help me pay for the upcoming wedding, please send a check to my home address, and make sure you include plenty of zeros!  (I love those round numbers.)

Finally, this blog post is dedicated to one of the true loves of my life, Mrs. Margaret Bell.  Whenever I think of Miss Margaret I am reminded of Lord Byron’s lyrical poem, “She Walks in Beauty.”  The title fits her perfectly.

Well, be careful out there!  Love to all,

Doc Yanoff