Books I've Read

Neurasthenia (pg. 231) -- A condition that is characterized especially by physical and mental exhaustion usually with accompanying symptoms (as headaches, insomnia, and irritability), is believed to result from psychological factors (as depression or emotional stress or conflict), and is sometimes considered similar to or identical with chronic fatigue syndrome. I think I've got it.

Several ducks waddled promptly over expecting to be fed. They were brown ducks for the most part except one which had a green head and was probably a male duck, though I wasn't sure. I didn't know a hell of a lot about ducks. (pg. 286)

Lisle (pg. 50) -- A fabric made of lisle thread, which is a smooth tightly twisted thread usually ade of long-staple cotton. You didn't know this?

Sere (pg. 102) -- Being dried and withered.

The street was lined with eucalyptus trees that sagged heavily, their branches nearly touching the ground in some places. (pg. 104) I can't visualize eucalyptus trees looking like that.

The trip wasn't a total waste. I was able to stop at a Dunkin' Donuts near the Redstone Shopping Center and had two plain donuts and a large coffee. Failing to learn anything is hungry work. (pg. 83)

It was a lovely December day, brisk and sunny. Unfortunately it was the first week in April. (pg. 93)

"Sometimes your cynicism achieves Shakespearian resonance," I said.
"Coming from you," Hawk said, "that a real compliment." (pg. 117)

"He going to bring donuts," Hawk said.
"I don't think Sean ever ate a donut," I said.
"Then how much help he going to be?" (pg. 135)

hire another Hawkshaw (pg.53) -- Slang for detective, probably from the comic strip Hawkshaw The Detective, by Gus Mager.

The trouble with being up and at 'em bright and early was once you were up most of the 'em you wanted to be at weren't out yet. (pg. 143)

"How come it takes you all that time to find the right donut?" I said. "They're all the same."

"No two donuts are alike," Chollo said. "You had Indio blood, you'd understand." -- pg. 192

On the other hand, I couldn't think of anything some donuts wouldn't help. -- pg. 206

Quem Quaeritis (pg. 41) --Quem Quaeritis? (literally, "Whom do you seek?") refers to four lines of the medieval Easter liturgy that later formed the kernel of the large body of medieval liturgical drama.

Dramaturge (pg. 41) -- A specialist in the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical representation.

Deracinated (pg. 70) -- To remove or separate from a native environment or culture; especially : to remove the racial or ethnic characteristics or influences from. Uprooted.

Chacun à son goût (pg. 191) -- Everyone to his taste.

It wasn't like talking to a dumb seventh grader, it was like talking to a pancake.

Scanlan took in some more smoke. I knew so few people who smoked anymore that it was kind of fascinating to watch him.

The 428 cc would really go if you stood on it. (pg. 246) I think that should be "ci", for cubic inch.

zocalo (pg. 5) -- A public square or plaza.
narcotraficantes (pg. 5) -- Well, NOW it looks obvious. Drug dealers.
Cyclone GT (pg. 243) -- Huh, it's a Mercury, 1970 vintage. Never heard of that model.
El Verdugo, which means The Executioner (pg. 268) -- Well, that's what it means, all right.
Miramar Navy Base (pg. 348) -- It's Marine Corps Air Station, and has been for nearly ten years before this book was published.

He'd seen old, and it looked like hell. (pg. 353)

Lupercio stood on his back patio and watched the tumbleweeds shiver against the chain-link fence. Beyond the fence a dirt devil augured across the desert floor, then spun itself out. The sun hung red and wavering and his outdoor thermometer read 104 degrees. (pg. 115)-- Good ol' Adelanto, just as I remember it!