Daniel > Recent Status Updates

I don't like Nathan Stark.
That's a problem ...
seeing as how that's the
name of the book and series.
However, it's still the
awesome Johnstone writing.

Been chompin' at the bit for a long while to start my long-overdue re-read of prob'ly the best US historical fiction series ever written. Read my grandpa's hardback set when I was about 14/15. Bought the whole set on sale for Kindle about a year ago. Gonna take my time and savor it this year.

Can you believe I've NEVER read Tolkien?!? 🤯 Seen all the movies multiple times ... never read the books! Time to rectify that injustice and this was literally on my February to-do list ... so let's to-do this! 👊

"We was the very first mountain men. It was us who was first to make friends with the Injuns and the first to do near ’bouts everything else that’s been done by white men out here. So the way I look at it, this little adventure we lookin’ at now won’t be nothin’ compared to what already lays behind us.”

“You shore do talk nice when you’re a mind to do so.” Beartooth was so moved he wiped a tear from his eye.

"I know Burke and Dipper. I figured they’d hook up with us. Who’s them others?”

“Jennings and Penn rode with the Hawkins’ gang up in the northern territories. They’re good boys. Halsey and Wilson busted out of jail back in St. Louie in the winter. Olson’s a farm boy from back east. He’s wanted for murder.”

“Who’d he kill?”

“His parents. I think he’s a good man.”

“Sounds like it."

“I signed on to scout for the Army. I think the lieutenant is gonna ask you to help out with the wagon train. That foolish wagonmaster was kilt last night.”

“The lieutenant can go kiss a buffalo. You think I wanna lead them pilgrims through the wilderness? Do I look like an Israelite? I’d be a stark ravin’ lunatic ’fore we got there.” Preacher threw back his head and roared, “Where’s my gawddamn clothes?”

"Where in the hell is our clothes?”
“They burned ’em,” Greybull said mournfully.
“Burned ’em! Why didn’t they just boil ’em good? I ain’t had them clothes on more’n a month.”
“You feel all right, Preacher?”
“Oh, hell, yes, Bull. I’m fine. I’m sittin’ here nekked as a jaybird, a gaggle of females done burned my clothes, and a half-crazy woman is makin’ improper advances toward me. I never felt better.”

Audiobook ...
should make a nice, cozy bedtime story 😉

(audiobook)
✔️'Wonderful Wizard of Oz' - 4.25 stars
✔️'Marvelous Land of Oz' - 4.50 stars
✔️'Ozma of Oz' - 5.0 stars (loved it!)"
✔️'Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz' - 3.5 stars

"You know what else I learned?"
"What?"
"They’s people in the cities back east puttin’ crappers in their houses! I mean like a regular room where they go to take care of business.”
“You mean they shit in their house?”
“Right next to where they sleep. I think it’s disgustin’. Who’d wanna do something like that?”
"I bet they’s some of them same people that say folks like you and me ain’t civilized."

Ngl ... this is really disappointing so far. I don't care about either Wolfe or Eric and I'm just bored 😴.

“I mean yeah, it’s alright, I guess.” Zee’s tail swept back and forth, attempting to play down his excitement.

Toby snorted. “It’s probably not as grand as your hotel. You’re welcome to make yourself at home.”

“It’s great.” I couldn’t have hidden my grin if I’d tried. “Thank you.”

The shower had two heads. Two! For two people showering together. That’s a thing humans had thought of. And this house had it.

Yikes!

“Open it,” Darghis ordered. Petyr balanced the box, flipped the latch, and revealed a beautiful leather valise stamped with the Czar’s coat of arms.
“Oh,” Petyr said.
“Oh indeed. Your people do lovely work with animal skins. Drop the box. Bring the item. And Petyr?”
“Yes?”
“If you vary your path to my ship in any way, I’ll use your skin to make my own bag. My people are quite good with leather, too.”