I finished reading:

"Spy Hook" written by Len Deighton. 339 Pages.

This is the first book of the second Bernard Samson Trilogy.

33rd book of the year, 10863 pages at 329 per book.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Hitler's Death March" written by Morris Krantz with Louis Aster. 235 pages.

This is the story of Krantz's survival of the Holocaust. Reading it is staggering that people could be treated like this, that it could actually happen and that it still happens in the World today. My small brain cannot comprehend such hate, such illogical discrimination and above all how so many people could just follow to allow it to happen and how today some people can just deny it actually happened.

The 32nd book of the year for 10524 pages at an average of 329 pages.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"City of Gold" written by Len Deighton. 408 pages.

Book number 31 and 10,289 at 332 per book.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Cannery Row" written by John Steinbeck. 123 pages.

The 30th book I have read this year, 9881 pages at 329 pages per book.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Dreadnought - Britain, Germany and the Coming of the Great War" written by Robert K. Massie. 908 pages. A big book, but a very good and enjoyable history.

This is the 29th book I have read this year for 9,758 pages at an average of 336 pages per book.

-Richard

The next cat was Fiesta. He was adopted out as a kitten, but, was unfortunately returned. He was a very playful, friendly black boy. He came into is October 13th 2006 and got his second chance at a home on December 3rd that year.

-Richard

Saturday was my first 4th of July as an American Citizen. A proud moment in a many ways as I am very happy to be a Citizen of this Country. However, there is still the English side of me that has the conflict. This made me think of the day we spent and the day and the two sides of the US we experienced.

For lunch we spent at a picnic organised by a local Christian Ministry called Love Wins Ministries
The idea of this was to meet with homeless people in Raleigh and try and give them the experience of the 4th. In the evening we went to watch a spectacular fireworks display. A different group of people with different lifestyles. This made me think about freedom and what it is all about.

Two Americas

The crowds are gathered
The parking lot
Waiting with anticipation
For the first explosion of light.
Fireworks in the sky above
To celebrate the freedom they enjoy.

The crowds are gathered
Waiting in line
With all their possessions in hand
For a chance of a hot dog,
Water melon and drink
Their only relief in another day
Of hunger, poverty and no roof.

Two events, one day
Two sides of this country
As it celebrates Independence.
Some free to enjoy it
Others tied to bad fortune
"God Bless the USA",
But we forget those in the street!

-Richard