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

I finished reading:

"Patriots, The Men Who Started the Revolution" written by A.J. Langguth. 563 Pages.

This is the 28th book I have read this year for 8850 pages at an average of 316 pages per book.

-Richard

I think I am now becoming a redneck. I assume it's the natural progression after becoming a Citizen and living in the South?

A couple of weeks ago we went to see George Strait in concert in Raleigh. A great concert by a great artist. Then Memorial Day weekend I went to my first NASCAR race, the Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway near Charlotte, NC. It was fun and despite the first day being completely rained out and the the race only eventually going 227 of the 400 laps I think it is something I would do again. Part of the the fun is chosing a driver. In my ignorance I chose Tony Stewart. Not for any particular reason except I heard an interview with him on a radio and I was impressed how the
"bad boy" became a team owner.

On top of this we are now back in Texas for a vacation and my love for Texas is still as strong as ever.

So, from North-East Englishman to a Southern US Redkneck???

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Only When I Laugh" written by Len Deighton. 241 Pages.

"Circus" written by Alistair MacLean. 192 Pages.

These are books 26 and 27 of the year for a total 8287 pages at 307 pages per book.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Jungle" written by Upton Sinclair. 412 Pages.

This was a very good book which I really enjoyed. Some of the conditions described at the turn of the century was awful. A lot of things have improved, but, unfortunately some things haven't such as continuous strive for greed not worrying about who or what is in the way. One quote from the book I really liked was, talking of Socialism "It was the new religion of humanity - or you might say it was the fulfillment of the old religion, since it implied bit the literal application of all the teachings of Christ."

This is book 25 of the year for a total of 7854 pages at 314 per book.

-Richard

I listened to:

"The Best of Elgar". I do not normally listen to these "compilation" CD's. However, it was given to me by a very good friend, Pauline, who I haven't seen for a long time and now lives in Great Malvern where Elgar lived. This CD has the following works on it - "Pomp and Circumstance March in D major, Op.39, No.1", "Nimrod from Enigma Variations, Op.36", "Introduction and Allegro, Op.47", "Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85 - Adagio", "Salut d'amour, Op.12", "Symphony No.1 in A flat major, Op.55 - Andante nobilmente e semplice", "Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op.20 - Larghetto and Allegretto", "Violin Concerto in B minor, Op.61 - Andante", "Pomp and Circumstance March in G major, Op.39, No.4" and "Cockaigne Overture (In London Town), Op.40"

"String Quartet in C minor, Op.18 No.4", "String Quartet in F major, Op. 135" and "String Quartet in F minor, Op.95 'Quartetto serioso" all composed by Ludwig van Beethoven performed by The Pavel Haas Quartet. This CD came with the BBC Music Magazine.

"Symphony No.2 in B flat major, Op.52 'Lobgesang'" composed by Felix Mandelssohn performed by Veronique Gens (soprano), Pamela Helen Stephen (mezzo soprano), Robert Tear (tenor) and The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales conducted by Richard Hickox.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Good Earth" written by Pearl S. Buck. 360 Pages.

"The Stranger" written by Albert Camus. 123 Pages.

"Death of Salesman" written by Arthur Miller. 152 Pages.

Doing a cross country trip has some benefits. Reading!! Being back in California always seems surreal. By that I mean being back there it seems amazing and unreal that we actually lived there.

These books were 22, 23 and 24 of the year for a total of 7442 pages averaging 310 pages per book.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Hoover's FBI" written by William W. Turner. 310 Pages

-Richard

I listened to:

"Il Tabarro" composed by Giacomo Puccini. It was performed by The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra et al and conducted by Gianandrea Noseda.

This CD came with the BBC Music Magazine to which I subscribe.


-Richard

The next cat we fostered was Silky. She was a return from a home. I can't remember the reason why. She came in August 13th 2006. Fortunately she was adopted out again very quickly, three weeks later. For a return from home the sooner they get re-adopted the better as it is easier for them to adjust. I wish people could see the affect on their cats when they return them, or abandon them from the home where they were safe. Our first cat, Jubilee was a return that was so freaked out we took her home.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Alistair MacLean's Nightwatch" written by Alastair MacNeil. 315 Pages.

This book was conceived by MacLean but he died before he wrote it so MacNeil actually wrote the book.

The 20th book of the year for 6497 pages at an average of 325 pages.

-Richard

We are starting a new blog for Snowflake Animal Rescue. We are going to use it announce new cats, events and other things we are doing. Check it out.

-Richard

The search for a new Church that we and Mike and Yvonne, the other couple in our small group started out at the beginning of the year is over. We are very happy to have settled on a small, modern non-denominational Church called Connections. Why? Apart from feeling that this is where we are meant to be, we like the Pastor who is genuine and a good teacher. Also, the Church is more concerned with living the Christian life as a reflection of Christ in everyday life and not worried about ritual and religion.

I am excited about this new page of my Christian life. It's been a rough few weeks, especially at work where I am at the point of totally hating my job. I know this is harsh under the current climate, but, that's how I feel. Having said that I believe that my faith needs to be active there as well, so having a few, challenging Church will help this and everything else and I have faith that God will give me peace in whatever I do.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Last Temptation" written by Val McDermid. 481 Pages

This is the 19th book of the year for 6182 pages at an average of 325 pages.

-Richard