Police State

In a book I am reading, there is a part that concerns the French Revolution. It describes neighbors informing on neighbors and the consequences for the neighbor. It brings to mind the conditions the exist here at the present time. People who inform on those not wearing masks, not social distancing, or not standing on the right spot or in the right line in supermarkets. I've heard of women walking around stores to see if they can confront someone and feeling so righteous. Easy to see how life happened in East Germany or other Communist states. Just this far away from a police state and we would then wonder how it was possible.

Don't Know Jack (Hunt for Jack Reacher, #1) bu Diane Capri

This book is written close to the style of Lee Child. Jack Reacher, who never appears in the book, is used as a come on to attract his readers. The story is fast paced with an FBI agent who seems unable to control her emotions or her life. With a car or plane she races from scene to scene. Where would the story be without Reacher?

Green Bin

Yesterday I heard a heck of a racket outside. Went to have a look and there was a string of cars  going by, all blowing their horn. I think it is the new reality of a birthday party. 
The other noise was my neighbors green bin being cleaned. They hook it up to the back of a truck, tip it and power wash it. Talked to the guy. He liked his job. I clean my own bin with my own power washer. Then I put a brown bag inside, so it doesn't really get too dirty. I also have a compose bin in the back yard which takes care of a lot of stuff. 

Age and Consequences

                                                                       The older I get, the less people there are that are my age. 

True Grit

Read an interesting article in "True West" magazine about "True Grit" the movie with John Wayne. Jay Silverheels AKA Tonto was in that movie but without a speaking part. At the beginning of the movie they were hanging three Indians, he was one of them. I guess a payday is a payday. No residuals though because he didn't say anything.
Glen Campbell was a co-star, his first movie. It was supposed to have been Elvis but his manager, Col. Parker said that Elvis would require top billing, his name above John Wayne. Out the door with Elvis. John Wayne won an Academy Award, his one and only.

"The Fourth Man" (Jack Reacher, #23.5) - by Lee Child

A short story. Short and to the point. A fast and satisfying read.  

"Mr Majestyk" by Elmore Leonard.

A well written book, easy to read. A plausible story with our Rambo like hero. Lots of action.

Light Bulbs in Japan

From "The Economist" magazine I learned that Japan has both 50 & 60 Cycle generators. This came about because at the time of installation, some of the parts were bought in the U.S and the rest in Germany. It is also the only place that has 100 volt power, not 110 or 220. Japan has ten electric companies and they don't cooperate which makes it hard for any moderation to be done.

"The Way to Dusty Death" by Alistair MacLean

Behind the scenes Formula 1 racing. A background of criminal activities, rather than about the racing. Lots of mystery until we finally figure it out. An arrogant hero and a leading lady who acts like someone from "The Perils of Pauline".Their conversations are like those from a Sat. afternoon serial movie.

"The Highway" (Highway Quartet #2) by C.J.Box

I was surprised at the number of negative reviews of this book. I thought it was a great story with excitement from beginning to end. Maybe these people should switch to Amish stories. One item in the book was a great surprise to me. It certainly changed the direction of the story and any books in the future. 

Deadwood

Read in "True West" magazine that "Deadwood" is coming back as a movie. Although it is based on fact, it's a shame that a lot of it is untrue. It gives the audience a warped picture of history. Honest men are sometimes pictured as a villain. An example from "Deadwood' would be Randolph Hearst. Although cast as the villain, in real life, he and his wife were much loved and did a lot of good. The least they could do is change his name.
And the swear words? Most of them were unknown at that time.
I watch German shows with English subtitles. The 'F' is always used but in German there is no such word. There big swear word is "shit" (scheisse).
I've read a lot of history and when I watch a show I want it close to the truth as possible. I don't need them to add crap just to make it exciting.

Face Masks

Who ever thought that face masks would become a fashion statement. I've seen then advertised from 5 to 50 bucks. They go well with a bikini.

Random Thought

I wish I had a time machine so that when I see a photo, I could drop in, invisibly, to hear what the conversation was.

Is there truth in politics?

I don't believe there is 100% honesty in politics. It ranges from being slightly dishonest (still dishonest) to a down right thief. Within the spectrum, there is a small percentage at both ends, with the majority in the center. Most start out basically honest ( at least I hope they do) until it benefits them to be dishonest. Just something small, no one will notice.Then greed takes over. Once over the threshold, there is no going back. No longer working for the good of the people (if he ever did) but working for his own benefit.

Ramage's Prize (The Lord Ramage Novels, #5) - Dudley Pope

The only thing that kept my interest in this book was the information on the Packet Boats. Although it is based on true events, we have to take it with a grain of salt. I skimmed through pages of descriptions and conversations, like the discourse with the agent in Lisbon. Just a jumble of words. If the next book doesn't improve, I'll have to ditch this series.

This is a photo of my neighbors lawn.

Last year he had the pipe break that brings water into the house. So he ended up digging up the lawn to replace the pipe. That was the end of the beautiful lawn. He took very good care of it. This year he put down some new top soil and seeded it. Unfortunately the new grass is not the same color as the original as you can see from the photo. Don't know what he will do now. Maybe he will spray paint it.

History

History is written by winners although in this time period, it seems to want to be written by losers.

Crooked River (Agent Pendergast Book 19) - Preston, Douglas

This was a great book. I could hardly put it down. It gives us a much more in depth look at Pendergast and his ward Constance Green and their feelings for each other. Pendergast comes on as a bit of a snob while Constance rises to height's I hadn't expected and gives us an insight into her feelings for Pendergast. She steals the show. I'm looking forward to more of her story.

I've mentioned before

about the frequency of seeing or reading the same thing from two different sources. Take for instance yesterday, I read an article in "The Old West " magazine about the Indian who put the arrow in Gen. Custer. Last evening I was reading a book by Douglas Preston and one of the characters was an Indian in the F.B.I. He mentioned to his partner that his great - grandfather knew the Indian who put the arrow in Gen. Custer. Weird eh?

Statues

As we all know, there has been a rash of statues being torn down. What surprised me the most was the number of statues planted about the U.S. I don't know if the rioters see any purpose in it than to do some kind of damage.
From statues they will move on to something else. I'm thinking books. There are a lot of books that can be put into the racial category, Of course burning a book is not a big item, it doesn't make a very big splash. Maybe they will just burn down the whole library. I don't imagine that a lot of these people read a lot of books. That being the case, someone will have to tell them how bad books are. Then watch the fires.
From book burning, where will it go? Not to times of peace. It's too late for that. The fall of the Roman empire, all over again. Communism or Socialism. (You do know the Nazis were Socialists, right?)