Wolf Blitzer

Wolf Blitzer - It sounds like a book by Jack London.

Blame

Some people say you can't blame yourself for what happens to other people but sometimes you can.

Choices

Life is all about choices. What we decide now will impact the rest of our lives. Have you ever wondered what your life would have been like if you had made different choices? One different choice that could have changed your whole world? Take that job or not? Join the military or not? Marry that girl or a different one? Decisions can be be or small but all might lead to different experiences. Choices not only affect you but also your friends and family with good or bad results. It could change your way of life but also theirs. Have you made wrong choices? Will my future choices change who I am now?

"The Moonshine War" by Elmore Leonard

This book reminds me of pirates looking for buried treasure. Except in this case the pirates are moonshiners and the buried treasure is moonshine. It is an easy to read book which leans to our perception of backwoods people and moonshiners in particular. I enjoyed the story although I felt that it ended too soon. It could have used another chapter. I look upon a story as an historical event and I want to know the outcome, how the characters made out. I need the story to have an ending, happy or otherwise. 

Self Isolation

I'm free! I'm free! Well, that ends two weeks of self isolation. It was the result of my short trip to Florida as a guest of the BlueJays and West Jet. The two weeks weren't much different than my normal life if you can forget about going to church, shopping, eating out, going for coffee with friends etc. 
There is shopping for seniors from 7 am till 8 am. I don't know if there was any lineup before hand but there was the normal amount of customers in the store by the time I got there. What I noticed the most was that there was no couples and probably more men than women. Women pushing their cart with toilet paper and paper towels. The men had wagons full of food. I guess their wives will get the toilet paper tomorrow. 
We had snow last and now we have a ton of slush. Probably gone by the end of the day. 
I can't say that I will catch up on my reading, as I am never behind when where you are is arbitrary. Now that we have access to movies and shows from all over the world, there is also never a lack of T.V. to watch. No baseball to watch. It was supposed to be opening day. I was already to sit with my new hat and shirt but, I guess not. 

Shopping

What a world this has come to, when you have to wear rubber gloves just to go shopping.

Image

People try to protect their own image so they can get to sleep at night.

Opinions.

Have you ever noticed that every opinion has experts?

Blond Model

This is an original 1968

Maidenform Girdle

Magazine Ad

Measures 14" x 5 1/2"

https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

Memories

The memory we have of our past is always distorted. We always want to think of ourselves in the best light. Wrongs will be exaggerated, as well as our good deeds. 

"Last snow" by Eric Van Lustbader

Too many Russian names. I had a hard time finishing the book. It just seemed to go on and on. At least there was an explosive ending.

United Nations

The United Nations uses up a lot of time and money but doesn't seem to accomplish very much. It seems to be another level of trough feeders tucked in among the elite. Friends paying friends on our behalf. 

This is an original 1964

Kent Cigarette

Magazine Ad

Measures 8" x 11"

https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

Blogging

I've read that blogging is considered to be graffiti with punctuation. For some, graffiti is a form of art. I guess it follows that blogging can be considered to be an art form.  

That's Life

It's not what you've done in your life, it's what others think you've done. Right or wrong, make believe seems to be more important than truth. Many are impressed by celebrities, whose life may be more wretched than their own.

Seal Team

On the TV show "Seal Team", my favorite actor is the dog. 
(Dita the Hair Missile Dog is the dog portraying Cerberus on SEAL Team (TV Series). Her pet holder is Justin Melnick. Trivia Justin Melnick is a police officer from Indiana, and is the real owner of his K9 partner Dita.)

"Ramage & the Freebooters"

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder but I am inclined to think that it makes the heart wander. This is the synopsis of the latest "Ramage" novel. Away from his love, he finds that the presence of beauty can overwhelm fading beauty. This book contains a sprinkling of humor as well as the expected violence of naval warfare.

Thoughts

What you think about is what makes you happy or unhappy.

Toronto Blue Jays

It all started out when my son won a contest to watch the Blue Jays at Spring Training. There were 5 winners so there was 10 people. On the 10th. of Mar. we flew to Toronto and then on to Tampa, Fl. We were met by Jaclyn from the Blue Jays and Adam from WestJet. They took us to our hotel, the Fenway in Dunedin where the team has its ballpark. As we stepped out of the mini-bus, Adam handed us $100. for meals. Later on, John and I took a walk down to the ballpark, it only took 10 min. Took some photos and ate at a restaurant close by (Blue Jays money). Back at the hotel they gave us our goodies. Each of us got a Blue Jays back pack containing WestJet sun glasses, a BlueJays pen, hat, a button down shirt with Bichette on the back (a $189.00 shirt by the way).
Next morning free breakfast because John has Gold Card with Marriott. (Saved BlueJays money). We all walked to the park, saw batting practice, saw the players, autographs, etc. (Had Bo sign my hat).  Then we had a tour of the park. While at the Flight Deck, I looked out back and saw another ball field behind the ball park. All the players were there, practicing at their positions while the Orioles were doing batting practice.
When we entered the park, they gave us a picture pass and a yellow wrist band. The wrist band let us eat any food in the park. I had to have a ballpark frank, after which I had a large salted  pretzel with mustard and then Cracker Jacks.We had to pay for our own beer. (BlueJays money). It was the first time I saw beer glasses filled from the bottom. You can watch my link.
At the game we had seats in the 6th. row, a little to the right of home plate. They were perfect. Bo was first batter up. First pitch, home run. He scored three home runs that game. 
BlueJays won 14 - 2.
The next morning it was free breakfast and we bought breakfast (BlueJays money). The free breakfast we packed for lunch at the airport. No big deal at the airport, no one coughing, so off we go. Got to the runway but navigation didn't work, so it was back to the gate. Took an hour or more so I feared the worst, missed flight. Lo and behold, at flight time we were back on the same plane, just different seats. Now, sitting it out at home, just in case.

Closed Churches

When churches shut down because of the virus and then reopen, will just as many people return as had left?

Cruise Ships

Seeing the vulnerability of cruise ships, being a tour guide may be taking unnecessary risks. 

"Sleepers: by Mark Dawson

"Sleepers"is a story of remnants of the Cold War with a modern twist. It is an appropriate title for spies who seem to be semi-retired. They are supposed to fade away, except some times they don't. Old hatreds still linger and new ones are born. Murder is still avenged, whether it is at home or abroad. This book is a real page turner with unexpected twists and moments of high action. It is not 100% action oriented but leaves room for Milton's inner dilemma and his attempt to find a road to redemption.

To Know Ourselves

We never really see ourselves for what we really are. We only see what we think we are.

"Caravan to Vaccares" by Alistair MacLean

When I saw a synopsis of this book I thought it had possibilities. In Provence, with Gypsies, might be a good read. But, I'm afraid, I couldn't get through it. Had to quit at 15% read. 

Nose Hairs

I've read this.

Folks love to go into their noses. But I tell people about the "triangle of death" — the triangle between your nose and mouth. If you go in there and pull that hair out, you get a little blood lost in there. Blood allows the bacteria in your nose to grow in there. Since veins in the facial area lack protective valves, the bacteria could theoretically enter your bloodstream and lead to infections elsewhere in the body. Don't ever pluck nose hairs.

Toilet Paper

Why are all these people buying  so much toilet paper? Are you supposed to wrap it around you so it will protect you from the virus?

"Lieutenant of the Line" by Philip McCutchan

"Lieutenant of the Line" is the second in this series. A soldier's life in the 1890 British army in India is a far cry from life at home. The life of the ordinary soldier is one of hardship coupled with cruelty from superiors. The higher the rank, the more the indifference towards the lower ranks. The book is a great description of  British aristocracy playing at war. 
James Ogilvie lives by the choices he makes. With a combination of bad luck and his own willingness to misinterpret orders, he always seems to be on the edge of ending his career or life. But miracles can happen. 

Travel

At least not on cruise ships.

"Escape From Five Shadows" by Elmore Leonard

As a western you would expect a story of cowboys and Indians. It is, but with a twist.
"Escape From Five Shadows" is a story that recalls movies from the 50's. Instead of a town and a rancher's daughter, it's a prison and a stage depot manager's daughter. You would expect the hero to be rugged and good looking and he is. To escape prison and run away with the manager's daughter may be  the gist of the story, but it is also a story of justice and injustice, western style.

Wisdom

Wisdom is not the knowledge of one subject but the knowledge of life.

"First Daughter" by Eric van Lustbader

"First Daughter" is the first in the Jack McClure series. With a handicap like Dyslexia, does it help or hinder a government agent? This book takes us from the childhood of Jack McClure to late adult, focusing on love, family, work and his handicap. He is overly concerned with his handicap which helps him rather than hinder him. 
If you are looking for a story that goes from beginning to end, this is not the one. There are continuous flashbacks, not just for one character, but all of them. At times it's hard keeping track of where you are. 
Jack has a dislike for all organized religion and a profound dislike for the Catholic church and priests. This may be a bit strong, but the book seems to be inclined towards atheism.
Putting aside my criticisms, I still like the basic story and am giving it four stars. 

Judgments

Do we make judgments because we don't understand?

The Walking Dead

Had a dream last night that has to do with current events. I remember a lot of my dreams. As I remember this one, I was driving in Halifax. On the sidewalk I saw some people walking in Johnnie Shirts. You know the ones, with the opening in the back, where you desperately try to keep your ass from showing. As I pulled up to a red light and stopped, they started walking towards me. Seeing them, I said to myself, "I don't care if it is a red light, I'm getting the hell out of here." Obviously the Corona Virus was on my sub conscience and I suppose this was the modern version of the walking dead.