I’m almost done reading Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.

If Catcher in the Rye was the rich boy’s All the Pretty Horses, then Oil! is the rich guy’s The Grapes of Wrath.

The two books take place in different time periods, but the similarities between the two are significant. I also don’t think I would have noticed them if I hadn’t read them so close together.

Also, I think maybe I’ve become more introspective now that I am in my 50th year.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I don’t know what I am going to do, probably nothing. I haven’t put too much importance on my birthday for a few years now. Not because I don’t think it’s a special day, just because I don’t need the attention.

Have a big celebration when I turn 100; you have 50 years to plan.

A few weeks ago, my sons and I noticed a new claw machine arcade over by the Barnes and Noble. We tried to go there, but it wasn’t open. Yesterday, my oldest and middle son and I went to Barnes & Noble and noticed the claw arcade was open.

We went and checked it out, and we all won stuffed animals from almost every machine we tried. Later, after my youngest was home from school, we went back and won some more stuffed animals.

It was a good experience.

That’s all for me today. Everyone, enjoy your Friday.