Jim Nolan's Blog

For Father's Day: The Secret of Math

A snap of my dad's old dog, Smokey, running down a 1930s Buffalo street, back before leash laws. As I recount in The Secret of Math below, Smokey could say "I want one!" according to my father. When I told my kindergarten teacher that maybe some animals could talk, specifically Smokey, I was laughed out of class by her and my classmates. This led me to question some of my father's other claims, for instance, that the secret of math was "a sharp pencil." Now, a YouTube video has shaken me to the core. A dog that can say "I love you" as clear as day, here. And there are countless other posts of talking dogs.

My father was telling the truth after all. So the secret of math is a sharp pencil? My hair was too long? Dad, I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Happy Father's Day to the World's Greatest Dad.

Click here to hear The Secret of Math

Fear Cartoon

Cartoon by Isabella Bannerman. For reprints see King Features. 

Seems like this could be an appropriate subject for "Mythbusters." Too late--they already did it. 

"Night of the Grizzly," Read Live at Talking Leaves Books in Buffalo

 

From a reading at one of the best bookstores in the world. You can spend hours there discovering great books you never heard of. The story is in Smokey the Talking Dog, which you can order by clicking on the cover to the left. You can hear other stories from it, including "Your Wind Song Stays On (What's Left Of) My Mind," here. 

Smokey the Talking Dog CD

You can now buy the CD, MP3 album, or any of the individual stories like "1970s Teenage Human Shield" by clicking here, or by going to http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimnolan. The CD is beautifully designed by Kanad Banerjee and masterfully engineered by Ken Meyer. There's also an easy-to-use tab to the store on the "Smokey the Talking Dog" Facebook Page.

6,000 Downloads and Counting

Smokey the Talking Dog episodes downloaded at Podiobooks.com and iTunes. Ebook available for Kindle, Nook, and iPad/iPhone. You can also use the links in the blog's left column to get you there.

4,000 Audio Downloads for Smokey the Talking Dog Audio Episodes

You can download them for yourself at Podiobooks.com, PodcastPickle.com or iTunes. They're free.

Episode 11 of "Smokey the Talking Dog" Up at iTunes and Podiobooks.com

Hear two free stories not included in the book: "Bittersweet Memories," about the many thrills of pruning; and "Dad, By Any Other Name," about the unfortunate nicknames my 3-year-old used to have for me. More information at the Smokey the Talking Dog Facebook Page.

iPad eBook of Smokey the Talking Dog

 

 99 cents cheap. Also for iPhone.

Nook Version of Smokey the Talking Dog Now Available at B&N.com

Nook lovers, you can now download Smokey for 99 cents cheap here. Kindle users here. Paperback people can order a copy here, in stock and ready to ship. Buffalonians can visit Talking Leaves Books' Main Street or Elmwood Avenue stores. Thanks!

Video of Jim Reading at Talking Leaves Books

From the Smokey the Talking Dog reading in Buffalo on July 15, 2011. Emilio Pucci Ban deodorant commercial recalled with scary accuracy by my friend Jon Gardner off camera. 99 cent eBooks available here in multiple formats. Free audio podcasts available at iTunes or Podiobooks.com.