To Be Said

Is there anything left to be said or has it all been said?

Free Money

The government is giving $500. to eligible seniors. I volunteer to be eligible.

Zoom

A friend of mine had an anniversary last week and he got together with his family on Zoom. Asked him how he liked it. Said he didn't, too much lag time. Hoped he never had to use it again.

Regrets

We all have silent regrets.

History

I love reading history. The only problem is that there is so much of it.

New To Baking

A lot of people taking up baking for the first time. For most of them, the novelty will soon wear off, when it becomes work instead of fun.

"Twelve Days (John Milton #14)" by Mark Dawson

John Milton is a recovering alcoholic, ex government hit man who is unable to find his place in the world or peace within himself. He returns to England to check on past friendships and becomes embroiled in the world of boxing. The tension moves higher and higher as he tries to do what is right and after some stumbles, he is able to accomplish this. 
It is a good story, although  it is prone to having too many cliche descriptions. It all turns out well in the end and he even gets a good Christmas dinner. 

Prices Going Up

Shortage of meat on the horizon so prices are going up. This is no surprise, we've seen prices going up forever. But, when have you ever seen prices go down? Once they go up, they rarely come down.

"Circus" by Alistair MacLean

This is a book of Cold War intrigue but not a book to keep you up late to read the next chapter. To steal plans from a lab in eastern Europe, you would expect an elite team to be sent in or at least a James Bond. In this story, they are sending in a circus. The first thing I noticed was that the author was getting rid of characters fairly soon, narrowing the field for heroes. 
The main character is an aerialist and mentalist whose feats are far-fetched and greatly exaggerated. I find the character unlikable. The main female character is an inept CIA agent, chosen for her looks rather than her intelligence. It's an easy read and might even be considered a YA yarn.

Swear Magnet

I think my wife is a swear magnet. I'll explain. I'm watching a movie on TV and she will walk through the room. At that moment someone on TV will say the four letter word. It may be the only swear word in that movie but it will happen when she walks through that room. I'm thinking that as soon as I see her coming, I should cut the sound.

Snowbirds Flypast: A Short Story

Heard them. Went out. Gone.

Military Budget

Funds for protection are always reduced in the times of peace when there are no problems. Why spend money on the military? It seems like such a waste. That money can be put to better use. Only hindsight will tell us what a mistake we have made. Of course then it is too late. And when the danger has passed? Have we learned a lesson? Probably not. 

Fish

When it comes to killing fish, I'm a pacifist even though yesterday I had smelt for lunch and fish cakes for supper.

"The Lion's Den" by Philip McCutchan

This is episode four in the James Ogilvie series. In this episode, the story confronts the subject of homosexuality in the British army and the stigma attached to it. Throughout the whole book, it is the underlying story with a sad ending.
It starts of with Ogilvie getting away from crawling over dead bodies to take up teaching native recruits. Even then he still ends up at the Khyber Pass with snipers and skirmishers, outnumbered and fighting his way out. A good story with not as much blood and gore as usual. 

Knock On Wood

I have to knock on wood. I wonder if pressed wood is OK?

"The Big Bounce" by Elmore Leonard

This  is the story of a washed up baseball player, now a petty criminal, neither career amounting to anything, looking for the next score. He meets his match with a seductress who pushes her boundaries and drags him along. It is not a western as I first suspected but tries to be a crime novel that comes off more like a bunch of juvenile delinquents. More talk than action.

A Great Question

It seems like a plague. Every time a reporter asks the guest a question, he is answered with, "That'a a great question." Can't they be truthful sometimes and say, "That's a stupid question." Or, "Why would you ask a question like that?" Makes me wonder if they are rewarded with a great answer.

Anxiety

For one reason or another, everyone has anxiety. The Corona virus may cause it now, we all had it before the virus came along. For some of us it may be caused by stress or financial concerns. For others, it is always a part of their daily life.

Need A Haircut

My wife gave me a haircut yesterday. It was kind of scraggy. She used the clippers on the back and did the rest with scissors. When she was finished, I rubbed my hand over my head and it didn't feel much different than when the barber cut it. I can't see it and no one else cares. At a time like now, I will hardly be seeing anyone. This is not the first time she cut my hair. She did it for a number of years. I can't remember why we stopped. Anyway, good for another month. 

"The Wettest County in the World:" by Matt Bondurant

This is a slice of American history brought on by the depression, lack of education and alcoholism. Violence is a given. It follows the American tradition of making outlaws into folk heroes. It is a good story but I had a problem with the sequence of chapters. The numbers were in sequence but not the content. It kept jumping back and forth between the years making it hard to follow. If you like this era of history, you will enjoy the book.