Dear Readers,
Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news, though for some of you it will be good news and even better news.
The good news is that I’m close to getting a publisher for my book. The bad news is that the publisher would like to see my final draft later this summer. This means I need to do something I rarely do — I’m not sure I even know how to do it — which is to hunker down.
So I’m sorry to say that all that hunkering is going to take its toll on YSDA. I’m going to have to take a hiatus from all of this spot on political and cultural analysis until further notice. (Ok, One Eye, you can stop cheering now.) I’d expect to be back at it sometime late this summer or early fall. Labor Day-ish might be a good bet.
For a while I thought I could do both. After all, I can usually rip off one of these puppies in less than 45 minutes. But the truth is that the time it takes to search for the day’s topic, the editing, the searching for an image and all that adds up so that it consumes a good chunk of my mornings, which is prime writing time. I find that after noon I can’t write a shopping list.
In the meantime you might want to check out some other Wisconsin bloggers. John Torinus has a similar point of view, though he is a better person and so writes with considerably less snark. David Blaska writes with even more snark, if that’s possible. David’s views are to my right, but he shares my contempt for Donald Trump and my bewilderment at the actions of the Madison School Board. And if you like outdoor writing you can’t do much better than Pat Durkin. I plan to keep updating the News Feed landing page for this site and I’ll keep writing my Citizen Dave blog twice a month for Isthmus.
I make this move with some trepidation. I feel like the school year’s over, we’re going our separate ways and, come September, you may have moved on to other commentary. (There’s a song about this.) If so, I understand. It’s been nice. We’ve had some good times together. Treat your new blogger well.
But for everybody else, I’ll see you back here before the leaves fall.
Have a good summer.
Dave
Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos 
It’s good to take an extended break once in a while. As for writing your book, here’s some advice from Scott Adams, the Dilbert cartoonist, from his book Reframe your brain:
How to start something big:
Usual frame: The effort is so big and daunting I can’t even start.
Reframe: What’s the smallest thing I can do that moves me in the right direction?
Scott has written many books and knows how hard it is.
And of course my advice: don’t be afraid to get help from AI.
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Dave,
Thank you for your wisdom, opinions, and the investment in time to help spread a bit of ‘purple-ism’. As an avid reader, I wish you much success on your book!
I can only assume you will share details of your book when you get a chance. Buying an actual hard copy, will be the first physical book I will own in well over a decade or more. Kindle, Public Library system have been my mainstay for years. Hundreds and hundreds of novels have already gone the way of Dane County Humane Society and Frugal Muse. Wishing you much success! And at least Chris Rickert has taken an interest in actual journalism regarding MMSD!
Best Wishes,
David
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You deserve the break and opportunity to finish the book. I truly appreciate your daily observations-perhaps because they are so similar to my own – and I feel like I’m not totally alone here.
Good luck with the book. Thanks for the suggestions for other authors.
Ken Streit
Get Outlook for iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef
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So happy you are writing another book. You have at least one sale.
I am writing one, too. Mine is on startups â 27 under my belt.
Get âer done â and then run for governor. Iâm serious. We need a centrist in mansion. Kine and I would support you.
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I always enjoy your posts and will miss them this summer. I am center left and my husband is center right – you have given us many topics to agree (or disagree) on. Personally you are my daily dose of sanity – 95% of the time 😊 Kim Renfert
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Good luck with the summer writing.I look forward to having the chance to buy a copy of the book.Robb Carter (414) 217-5746
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Good luck with the final draft,Dave.
I was going to write something clever, but “clever” took the day off.
As far as your readers, if you love them set them free. If they are true, and loyal, they will return. In this turbulent world, as events pop up daily, their thoughts will be drawn to YOU, as they wonder what your opinio ………… look, a squirrel !!!
See you in September!
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Good luck with your publisher and final draft Dave.
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I will miss YSDA, Dave, but am excited for the book.
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