Jim Plumb

I just finished reading the latest Spenser novel, Cold Service by Robert B. Parker. I’ve read all the Spenser books, many more than once or twice. I’m a fan of the earlier ones. The later books have just become a little too “preachy” and full of psychoanalysis. I’d rather Spenser work out his “issues” on his own time. The witty banter though, keeps me coming back. Well, Cold Service gave me hope that the old Spenser is back. Hawk has been shot in the back by some Ukrainian thugs while trying to protect some bookie (who was killed) and any issues that have to get worked out are Hawk’s as he has lost some serious face. Only Hawk’s way to work them out are simple, revenge, and a find a way to insure support for the son of the murdered bookie. That’s Hawk, a murderer with the heart of gold. In any case, the book is worth reading. I don’t buy all the posturing tough guy stuff but it’s good to see Hawk is once again at peace with the world as he sees it :).

Or is it Terri? In any case, I’ve read all sides of the story and finally got to look at some video of her. Someone’s there! Anyone who would want to kill this woman should be shot themselves. Sure, she’s not up to playing piano, but she’s not a veg either. From what I can see she looks severely retarded so I guess the problem becomes, who wants to take responsibility for her, especially the $ costs. If Jeb Bush wants to take responsibility for her why not? And the husband who doesn’t want her? Get a divorce. Keep Terri alive and you never know, a miracle for Terri Schiavo could happen. My $.02.

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to live on a deserted South Pacific? Well, Tom Neale did just that. After a stint in the New Zealand navy, Tom decided to bounce around the Cook Islands and jumped at the chance to make his life alone on Suvarov, a tiny atoll miles from the nearest civilized island. You can read about this fascinating 6 year adventure here. Look for “An Island to Oneself” in the e-texts area.

A quick note to get going. I’m currently reading River Horse by William Least Heat-Moon. However, it’s been so busy lately that I haven’t been reading much. Mr. Heat-Moon wrote previously about a trip he made around the country: “Blue Highways”. River Horse is a journey across America as well, only this time it’s by boat, more specifically, a 22′ C-Dory. His intention is to sail (or motor) from the Hudson River in NY Harbor, across the country, through rivers and lakes, and end up at the Pacific. This is definitely a worthwhile book to read if you’re the least bit interested in American history It’s also quite an adventure. At times the book drags a bit, just as his journey did I’m sure, but I love his commentary as he progresses first, up the Hudson and then through the Erie Canal, etc. He brings out many nuggets of local lore and goes over the history of the areas he travels. I can picture the times before roads when the rivers were the superhighways, the freeways, the commercial arteries of the country.