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I was too busy last weekend to find time to post, and the weekdays just slip away, so let's try to catch up today...

A while back, a friend posted a recommendation for a graphic novel which I managed to scare up, called Orc Stain set in a world overrun by orcs. I found it fairly amusing and a quick read.

After that, I finished reading Osprey Fortress #27: French Fortresses in North America 1535 – 1763: Quebec, Montreal, Louisbourg and New Orleans. Now, my education as a child in Wisconsin mostly taught me that the colonization of North America by Europeans was done by the work of the English, with a bit of Spanish influence as well. Somehow they never really discussed the French all that much. This book reminds me of how extensive the French presence really was. Pretty good.

Next, I read Osprey Men-At-Arms #65: The Royal Navy 1790 – 1970 which honestly is too big a bite to reasonably chew in this small format. Not the best Osprey that I've ever read.

Then I started to catch up on the Lewrie series of books by finishing A Hard, Cruel Shore, another Napoleonic sea story. Not as exciting as some of the earlier books, but the protagonist is working his way up the Navy List and is no longer in frigates. Apparently the new book of the series was released Tuesday, so I'm only a little behind. I will continue to read these, though I'm not sure where the author is going with it (which might be a good thing...).

Finally I finished reading Osprey New Vanguard #34: Sturmartillerie & Panzerjager 1939 – 45. If you don't read German, basically the book deals with German assault guns (essentially tanks that gave direct support to the infantry) and tank destroyers (tanks that are defensive in nature, heavily armed but not particularly agile). In truth I found the book really clarified this whole topic for me, so this is a good one!

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It's been so long since I last posted, I'm sure to miss out on some critical things that we did. I'll try to peg them all, but I'm not hopeful that my memory will manage here.

Anyway...

The Monday of Memorial Day we spent the evening at the Ground Control Anniversary event at Union, so that was pretty delightful. We hung with a few folks, sang at a distance (not on stage), and came home happy.

The next evening was a delightful dinner with the Axelsens. Good food, and good conversation.

Later in the week we had the opportunity to go to an early showing of Wonder Woman, a film that we really enjoyed. I urge anyone who hasn't gone yet to get out there and see it!

That Friday night we went out with a couple that we've newly met, the owners of the equestrian center where Bridget has been enjoying some horse camaraderie. Once again we had a wonderful time, with tasty food and interesting talk.

Sunday was the get-together with my sister Laurel for her birthday, and she wanted a stroll through the Huntington Library, and lunch there. It was a lovely day, and we spent time in a variety of the gardens as well as seeing a display of materials from the author Octavia Butler. I put in several miles of walking there...

Last Thursday night we got out to do the weekly food truck event at Gate One of the Fairplex. I had a delicious lobster roll, followed by a dessert crepe from a different truck. It's a beautiful setting with plenty of parking.

I had to work Saturday, but when I got home our friends the Archers showed up to take us to a restaurant called Neptunes in Artesia; the food once again was very good. Following that, we went to a horse auction where my wife was disappointed that the prices were a bit on the ridiculous side.

Next Sunday is a Guardian episode at Dungeonmaster, and I encourage you to join us!