I like funny, frothy novels in the summer. I think you would love The Reavers by George MacDonald Fraser(he also wrote the Flashman novels) The Reavers is a derring-do novel from a different era(well sort of a different era...other eras silently creep into the 17th century) A casket of jewels, an accidental murder, an estate at risk, and a plot to overthrow the king are all part of the story. Lady Godiva makes an appearance as does Bonny Gilderoy(think of Johnny Depp on a horse). You must read this one.

Any of Ben Rehder's books will keep you laughing all summer. His latest in the Blanco County, Texas Mysteries is called Holy Moly and it involves the discovery of a new dinosaur skull on the property being readied for the church of one of those creepy Televion ministers. The finder ends up dead by backhoe(it's later found out he really died by arrow.) A half dozen folks hope to cash in on the money that the skull would fetch. Infidelity, murder, mayhem, and new love from an unlikely source play a part as well. Look him up on the web. http://www.benrehder.com

If you like thrillers try Yxta Maya Murray's two novels. Queen Jade is the 1st one. Her newest is called The King's Gold. Dynamite. If you liked DaVinci Code and all of the others that followed, you'll love this one and it's so much better.

The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff is a wonderful read. A young woman, thinking she's pregnant goes home to Templeton(think Cooperstown which is what the town is fashioned after and the author's hometown). On the day she arrives home a large monster surfaces in the town lake, causing quite a stir as you might imagine. It serves as a catalyst for the rest of the story which involves the young woman looking for answers to a few questions and finding them by the end of the book. The author is a born storyteller.

I won't be voting for president this year. I don't think Obama or McCain will make a good president. I think Obama won the nomination not by qualifications or rhetoric(just because you have a good speech writer doesn't a good president make) but because some Democrats didn't want another Clinton in the White House. And another thing I've noticed is when Obama talks off the cuff he sometimes can't put two good sentences together. I don't want a president who can imitate a pastor or one who hypnotises the people with his latest catch phrase. I'm looking to the next election..4 years from november. And no it's not sour grapes because I wanted Hillary to win. I would have voted for Gore, or Howard Dean or Dodd. It's a sad day for me.

I love the new artwork on some of the posts. Who is the artist. Give them two high fives from me.

The blog just keeps getting better and better and in My Humble Opinion it's the best blog around. Great work guys.

Jo-Ann

I think it's a grape squisher for making wine

"Where's Bullwinkle When You Need Him?

"I did not have sex, with that shecat, Miz Purrrlinsky!"

"Whatdaya mean, I'm not an upstanding cat?"

"I stand for all the mithunderstood kitties of the world!"