James Bond's "M"

In the James Bond movies they should have promoted Bond to "M".

PUEBLO FLUTE DANCER

This is an original 1952

Santa Fe Railway

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Sweeping The Floor

This morning I caught my wife sweeping the floor with her slippers.

Maori: A Novel by Alan Dean Foster

This book is what you expect - white men, natives, a clash between their cultures. It is not up to par with other epics I have read. It is a sum of facts overrun by fiction. There were some interesting parts about the Maori culture but it was mainly about English settlers and greed. I found that most of the characters had a violent ending. When I attempted to anticipate where the story was heading, I was always on the wrong track. The story moves along at a fast pace, right up to a disaster at the end.

Future

Everyone falls down but what is important then, is what happens next.

Food Truck

This is a 1966

Volkswagen Bug

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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.