A Musical Interlude

 

Books I'd Recommend

Some of the books I read recently. In no particular order:) 

Duncan Falconer Mercenary

A British secret agent murders a CIA colonel in Washington. The investigation brings two FBI men to a small Latin American country where they learn a tragic story of corruption and betrayal. A great book written by a British man (under pseudonym) who used to be a secret agent himself. It warms one's heart to know that at least one bastard in this world got his just deserts (in fiction, of course). This is a recent book from 2009 (translated into Dutch in 2012).

Dick Frances Rat Race

My mother and her friends used to be great fans of Dick Frances but this is a first book of his that I read. This is a story of a commercial pilot Matt Shore who finds himself in reduced circumstances after his divorce and has to accept a job as a flying taxi pilot which brings him in contact with the world of horse racing with its dark secrets. Will he find his true love there? The story was very interesting and even touching but the end is somewhat open and unclear. Written in 1970 just before the "s8xual revolution" it presents a refreshing contrast to modern morals (or lack of them).

Alex Rowson The Young Alexander

I'm actually quite proud of myself of reading this quite intellectual book in its original language;) It's been a long time since I had read something similar. Despite its title, the book is more a story of King Philip than his son. You could probably summarise it with one phrase: the wages of sin is death. King Philip had 7 official wives and who knows how many unofficial affairs with as the palace gossip went, the persons of both s8xes which finally led to his dramatic demise. If you are academically minded, this book is for you. It is also quite recent, as it was first published in 2022. 

Terry Deary The Prince of Rags and Patches

A part of a mystery series written for younger teenagers about the times of Elisabeth the 1st, it also deals with the story of King Richard and two Princes in the Tower. It is a great story and funny, too. I'll just leave you with this quote to give you a general idea of the style:

"...he...sent me to gather a group of the best six armed men in our garrison. Naturally I chose the men of Marsden Manor. They would murder their own mothers if I told them to - and they would murder me if someone paid them enough money. Loyal men. Honest Men. Vicious men".

(p.46 of 2005 Dolphin paperback edition. Originally published in GB in 1997)

Alistair MacLean San Andreas.

Probably one of the last books written by him it nevertheless tells another great WWII story with a nuance I have not expected from this author actually hinting at noble allies' war crimes in that conflict. One of the most sympathetic characters is a wounded German pilot whose love interest, a nurse taking care of him, is half German herself. San Andreas is a hospital ship relentlessly pursued by the Germans apparently for no reason and it's only in the end that we find out what the story was all about. Highly recommend as most anything written by this author (one of my favourite). 

Well, that's about it for today:)

 

Here's Another Conspiracy

As you probably have heard, it appears that the Taliban just banned the internet in Afghanistan, together with mobile communication. While various MSM were predictably writing articles about "women and girls being hardest hit" (I guess men and boys in Afghanistan don't use it then) the Taliban themselves deny the report. 

The reasons behind the blackout are still not completely clear but there are comments on social media claiming that it has something to do with them preparing for an outside attack. So here is the latest conspiracy theory for us to ponder. I guess we learn soon enough what everyone is up to...

I Know It Sounds Crazy

 but I think I've seen a wolf today in an empty building lot quite close to my house. I went back to look again and he disappeared. He was dark grey in colour, of about the same size as a German shepherd. We don't have stray dogs over here, mind you. But may be it was some kind of a shepherd dog who ran away. He had no collar on. I mean how do I know what it was? And should I keep my cat home at night? 

P.S. He looked a bit like a picture below but I thought timber wolf was an American sort.

Should The Government Police Speech

An interesting article and discussion. 

P.S. I keep having these strange blog visitors, btw. The previous post was viewed nearly 2000 times. I mean what the heck?

Weird Things Happening

 There has been some strange activity around my blog lately. All the recent posts (and they were nothing special) are suddenly getting thousands of hits on Google stats, while the other program I use somehow fails to reflect them but shows regular visits from Applebots.

What's going on really?

Holy Cross Day

It's not only for Catholics:

 

In September, the church changes her focus to the End Times and our Lord’s final victory over sin, death and the devil for us on the cross. These themes are reflected in two feasts: Holy Cross Day on Sept. 14 and St. Michael and All Angels on Sept. 29. Both focus not on a moment in Christ’s life or a human saint, but on the accomplishment of Christ’s salvific work.

On Holy Cross Day, the church contemplates the cross on which Jesus died. Christ’s crucifixion happened in real time and space — it is historical reality, not legend. Thus, Christians cherish the cross as the foremost symbol of the faith, prompting prayer and thanksgiving for Christ’s sacrifice.

Hi!

 Hi! I'm back! Comments moderation is switched off.

Short Personal Notice

Well, you have probably guessed it already. We are going away on another sort of vacation, for a week. I promise to post more when back;)

See you all later and God Bless

P.S. Comments moderation will be on till my return.