Interesting Statistics

• Today's 1,125 billionaires hold more wealth than the wealth of half the world's adult population.
• The wealthiest 7 people on earth control more wealth than the combined GDP of the 41 poorest nations.

Are we okay with this? Are the strict capitalist ready to argue that the rich people worked 3,000,000 times harder than the poor? Source: The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision.

Two Book Reviews

I read two books recently that are considered important classics in American Literature.

(1) All the Pretty Horses by Comack McCarthy -- My friend Dave recommended that I read a book by McCarthy because he is such an important figure in current literature. I told him that I strongly prefer books with happy endings, and he suggested "All the Pretty Horses". Dave may not realize this, but when the hero has to leave the love of his life and settle for a life of riding the deserts of the southwestern US --- THAT IS NOT A HAPPY ENDING!!! However, the book is one of the best I've ever read, which is especially remarkable when you consider that I hate books with unhappy endings and lots of horses. Very, very well written -- grade: A- (N.B., this is the first part of a trilogy that I plan to finish some day -- if the hero ends up with the girl, I'll give this book an A, and if he stops riding horses, I'll give it an A+).

(2) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck -- this is a very short, character driven book. If you like books with interesting and unique individuals, and not much of a plot or suspense, this is the book for you. Grade: B-

My screen door saga....

I would like to thank Tiffany and Chris G. for their excellent customer service in helping me with my screen door issues. Chris G., in particular, should be referred to as "The Employee of the Month".