An Update on a Sunny October Afternoon

Lest you, my legion of well-wishers think me the a self-aggrandizing tooter of her own horn that I am, let me take this opportunity to thank you all for your wonderfully encouraging words. I may yet buy that little villa along the Costa del Sol (with a sea view) with the staggering proceeds from my book! Huzzah!

I am muy excited. (That had a little bit of Spanish slipped in it. Did you notice? I am preparing for that little villa along the Costa del Sol [with a sea view).]

My publisher has just advised me that he would like to push the publication date of my little missive up up up by several months so that Stealing Fatima's Hand may find its way under Christmas trees and menorahs the world over. As in the holiday season 2009. Fortunately, Islam's Eid el Kebir is in November, so the world's sheep will be spared having a copy of my book tucked under them before they are ritualistically hugged, prayed over, and then have their throats sliced open with a knife. (Although, admittedly, my book may bring them some comfort.)

No estoy very sure how I feel about that news. (That had a little bit of Spanish slipped in it too. Did you notice? I am really preparing for that little villa along the Costa del Sol [with a sea view).] I haven't received any proofs yet and it is almost November. I think I may be very busy soon what with weeping over his edits. It's not that I don't accept criticism well ...

Anyway ... now that I have tooted my own horn in a self-aggrandizing way, let me just say that the purpose of today's post was to apologize for not blogging much of late. I plead a mild raging indisposition: I have a cold, and when I have a cold, the world stops.

And speaking of tooting, I must now go blow my nez. (That had a little bit of Spanish slipped in it as well. Did you notice? I am diligently preparing for that little villa along the Costa del Sol [with a sea view).] Again.