Been readin’ me some novels

NewMexiKen read both of the above these past few days. Both are from series, Blood of Victory (2002), from Furst’s succession of World War II espionage books, and Tularosa (1996), the first of McGarrity’s Kevin Kerney mysteries. It’s the third of Furst’s books I’ve read; the first of McGarrity’s.

Furst’s books describe the kind of world we know from the back story of Casablanca — individuals in small groups, possibly with some sort of “official” sanction or support, doing what they can to thwart the Nazis from one end of Europe to the other. They ride trains, have love affairs, smoke cigarettes, and blow up stuff. All in black in white, too.

McGarrity’s Kerney is the detective novel’s typical ex-cop, wounded in duty, loner, but respected. In Kerney’s case he’s an ex-Santa Fe cop, raised in the Tularosa basin (site of today’s missile range). He drives a pickup, rides horses, wins fights, loses fights, saves the girl, gets the bad guys. Good reading, if somewhat predictable. I expect to try another in the series soon. And another.

Probably not a good idea to fill up the tank in La Jolla

Photo from The New York Times.

Of course, if you can afford to live in La Jolla, the price of gasoline is not likely to be much of a concern for you.

(That absurd 9/10ths of a cent still hanging in there.)

Update: AAA says the AVERAGE price of a gallon of regular gasoline nationwide went up 4.4 cents since yesterday. I want my 18.4¢ tax rebate! (Gas has gone up TWICE the amount of the tax since McCain and Clinton first proposed suspending the tax last month.)

I’m doomed

Three years ago today NewMexiKen reported that I’d learned that stress can cause your brain to shrink.

I found that depressing.

Then I learned that depression can cause your brain to shrink.

I found that stressful.

Harry S Truman National Historic Site (Missouri)

. . . was established on this date in 1983.

Harry S Truman National Historic Site includes the Truman Home in Independence, Missouri, and the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri.

Harry S Truman (1884-1972), 33rd President of the United States, lived here from 1919 until his death. The white Victorian style house at 219 North Delaware Street was built by the maternal grandfather of Bess Wallace Truman (1885-1982), and was known as the “Summer White House” during the Truman administration (1945-1953).

National Park Service

10 best road-trip cars

Just in time, Kelley Blue Book has provided a list of the top 10 new vehicles best suited for road trips. Based on factors such as driving enjoyment, passenger comfort, cargo space, and — perhaps most important — fuel economy, the experts suggest travelers consider the following options. To sweeten the deal, we’ve offered some fun destinations to consider.

The Top 10
Audi S5
Bugatti Veyron
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Dodge Grand Caravan
Ford Flex
Infiniti EX35
Mini Cooper Clubman
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Eos

The 10 best road-trip cars and where to take them from the Los Angeles Times.

A Celebration Interrupted

“A wedding photo shoot at a deserted French missionary church in Pengzhou in southwest China’s Sichuan province immediately after the earthquake struck on May 12.”

Seven photos from The New York Times.

The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor

Where would NewMexiKen be without The Writer’s Almanac to help with the birthdays? Nice to see that site with a bright new look today.

Now if only Hullabaloo and The Daily Howler would get makeovers.

May 23rd — the Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Guess he’s flip-flopped on this one

John McCain with Jim Lehrer on News Hour in 2000:

“Well, in 2004, I expect to be campaigning for the reelection of President George W. Bush, and by 2008, I think I might be ready to go down to the old soldiers home and await the cavalry charge there.”

Crooks and Liars has the video.

Best line of the morning

“Whether McCain is hiding anything or not, this gives us all an insight into just how open a McCain Administration would be.”

Functional Ambivalent on the very restricted release of John McCain’s medical records.