Assegai

My favorite genre to read is historical fiction, and my favorite author without a doubt is Wilbur Smith. I picked up my first Wilbur Smith novel while in Hawaii on vacation in 1996. Since then I've read most of his books, enjoying nearly every one. Assegai was released this year and is a follow up to Triumph of the Sun published a few years ago. Smith writes a few different series of novels all taking place in Africa. Last year's book, Warlock, was from the Egyptian series, and by far my least favorite of his novels. However, Assegai returns to the Courtney's of Africa and is a thrilling and fun adventure of a book. The story is filled with interesting characters, big game hunting, and events surrounding the start up to WW1 in Africa. These are "man" books where men are full of courage, determination, and usually armed with really big guns to shoot elephant, lions, or whatever gets in their way. I loved the book and would recommend anyone interested in a fun and informative read give it a try.

Maylene @ The Glass House

Another AMAZING concert by Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. Here is the set list:

Waiting On My Deathbed
Memories Of The Grove
Tough as John Jacobs
Listen Close
Raised By The Tide
Step Up (I'm On It)
Darkest Of Kin
Caution: Dangerous Curves Ahead

You can check out their new video at Rolling Stone.

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

The Looming Tower

The Looming Tower is the first book I have read about Al-Qaeda and the 9-11 attack, and it is amazing. Lawrence Wright writes in a narrative format that is extremely accessible. The names are complicated and sometimes difficult to keep up with; but the author includes a detailed guide to each principle character and extensive notes at the end of the book. I can strongly recommend this book to every thinking American who wants to better understand the world we actually live in.

New Mapping Website

Getaway

My wife and I spent last night at the Morongo Casino Resort. Awesome and very affordable. We spent yesterday afternoon by the pool, enjoyed a good dinner, and even gambled a little. Best of all we were alone together for the first time in about 5 years!

Tour de France

Happy Independence Day!

The Tour de France also starts today. Keep up with the action online here: TDF

Around the Saddle

View 7-2-9 (23.3 mi) in a larger map

Summer Rain

I woke this morning at 5:30 to the sound of summer rain. I was up at our house in the mountains that is in escrow to be sold. The moving process seems endless. My goal is to be out by the end of this month. We should close escrow by Labor Day, and then it will be done.