A Book of Hmmms; an amusement park for the mind, is a place to go for a few hours, where virtually everyone can find something they enjoy while taking a break from everyday demands. The book is a collection of thoughts, ideas, anecdotes, stories, quotes, questions, observations, and essays, ranging from downright silly to thought provoking. It began many years ago with the first entry on page one (seriously, why IS 'Jack' a nickname for 'John'?) and grew to a point at which I had to get it out of my mind, and off of the various sticky notes, five cent spiral notebook pages, and random scraps of paper (including junk mail envelopes and those tiny convenience store receipts) on which it was written - and ultimately into book form. I think it is best in small doses; a few pages, or a chapter at a time. Reading it all at once, for me, would be like staying on the roller coaster for ten rides in a row, without ever getting off to see the rest of the park. My stomach isn't that strong but if that appeals to you, go for it My preference is the Ferris Wheel approach, which affords a leisurely view while waiting for the chairs to exchange occupants one at a time. Either way, you are always free to revisit your favorite attractions. Beyond entertainment, my ulterior motive is to vicariously enjoy the imagined vocal utterances many of the entries are intended to provoke. I've yet to meet a reader who has not chuckled or said (or at least thought) "hmm," "uh-huh," "oh, yeah " or "eww," for example. (Would you like to learn how to kill flies with your bare hands?) Those responses and their many cousins are part of the reason I chose to share some of my thoughts, feelings, secrets, dreams, and fears with the rest of humanity; a slice of my contribution to the world. And (never start a sentence with a preposition - oops, too late ) perhaps with a book to put on my shelf, I can justifiably declare myself an author and move on to other long awaited projects. As det