Pujols hits home run #700 and James and I were there

 James and I went to see the Dodgers v. Cardinals play at Dodger Stadium yesterday, 09/23/2022, Friday night.  We got quasi-nose bleed seats up in the reserve deck down the first base line.  We got to see big Albert Pujols hit home run numbers 699 and 700.  We also saw Hanser Alberto, the second baseman, pitch to one batter in the 8th inning and gave up a home run.  The Dodgers were blown out 11-0.  Had it been a little league, it would have been called early.  No matter.  The Dodgers are still a great team this year and we hope for big things in the post season.  But we like the Cardinals too.

Up Country by Nelson DeMille (2002)

 Spy thriller/ murder mystery set in then current day 'Nam but for a murder that happened by an American during the war. It's an interesting way to learn the history, geography and politics of the place, and the main character can get in some zingers. 

By the way, I'm giving myself double credit for this book because it's 700+ pages.

Educated, a Memoir by Tara Westover (2018)

The author, Tara Westover, grew up in a home in rural Idaho raised by Mormon survivalist parents.  As a kid, she did not have consistent medical treatment, education or even a birth certificate.  The book is about her journey from that upbringing to someone who got an advanced education at fancy schools. It is someone transitioning from one person to another, or not, and is a great read.

Farming Dissenters by Carole Watterson Troxler (2011)

This is a somewhat dry but informative account of the Regulator Movement in North Carolina in the 1760's and 1770's. The Regulators were a group of backwoods farmers who objected to excessive fees to obtain deeds to their land.  It gets into the courthouse rings etc.

Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero (2007) Jeff Pearlman

 Biography of Barry Bonds. Interesting character.  Lots of talent, and yet he cheated.  I like the parts that describe his workouts.  Read it!

Walden on Wheels: On the Open Road from Debt to Freedom (2013) by Ken Ilgunas

 Memoir of guy who put himself through grad school at Duke University without debt by living in his van.  Very interesting guy. He worked as a ranger in Alaska, worked at Home Depot and others. It's philosophical and also kind of a hands on account of how he did it. This should definitely by read by anyone who wants to get through school and life with as little debt and as much independence as possible.

No Limits (2008) MIchael Phelps with Alan Abrahamson

 This is an assisted autobiography by the great swimmer, Michael Phelps.  He has some great tips in there about how to compete and train and some interesting info about swim meets etc but I got lost in some of the inside swimming minutiae.