I recently obtained the latest Del Rely Ballantine book in the Star Wars universe, 501st by Karen Traviss.

Check my website to see what I am reading, have read, or will be reading in the Star Wars Universe at my website.

With great difficulty, I had to let go of Rachel, my faithful canine companion for almost 15 years.

Rachel (1995-2009)

She was diagnosed with liver cancer last year and had responded well to my vet’s holistic treat for the past 15 months.  But, I found out two months ago that the cancer had grown in her liver and spread into one of her kidneys.  The past several months she seem to battled well with new holistic treatments.  However, the cancer slowly won this battle.

I will surely miss her unconditional love every day.

I recently obtained the latest Scholastic book in the Star Wars universe, A New Hope: The  Life of Luke Skywalker by Ryder Windham.

Check my website to see what I am reading, have read, or will be reading in the Star Wars Universe at my website.

I recently obtained a new novel from Del Rey Ballantine Books  in the Star Wars universe, Death Troopers by Joe Schereiber.

Check my website to see what I am reading, have read, or will be reading in the Star Wars Universe at my website.

Update 25 October 2009:

A dark plague awaits the prison barge  Purge as it seeks repairs in the outer reaches of the known galaxy.  Unknown to the crew, this plague come from a known source, the Empire.  However, it has already affected many of crew on the Purge with the exception of two brothers, a doctor, and Imperial guard.  The horror filled events will keep the brothers and the doctor on the run as they seek answers to why the dead keep coming back to life and seek them.  In attempt to get off the ship, the doctor finds two confined prisoners who may be helpful in escaping this deadly plague.  Will they make it?

Unlike any previous Star Wars novel, this horror story will keep you on your toes on how these brave individuals escape this deadly trap and find the answer to this deadly Imperial weapon.

I recently obtained a new free e-book from StarWars.com in the Star Wars universe, Lost Tribe of the Sith – Skyborn by John Jackson Miller.

Check my website to see what I am reading, have read, or will be reading in the Star Wars Universe at my website.

This e-book continues the back drop for the Fate of the Jedi series.  We learn of native planet dweller’s belief of Skyborn and how they meet the Sith crew who crash landed on their planet.

I recently obtained a new free e-book from StarWars.com in the Star Wars universe, Lost Tribe of the Sith – Precipice by John Jackson Miller.

Check my website to see what I am reading, have read, or will be reading in the Star Wars Universe at my website.

This e-book provides the back drop for the Fate of the Jedi series.  We learn about the origins of the Omen and the Sith crew who crash landed on the planet.

Since the death of Charles M Schulz in 2001, I was happy to learn in 2003 that Fantagraphic Books was re-publishing the entire Peanuts comic strip in hard back over 12 1/2 year period. Just recently, I finished the twelfth volume of the series, The Complete Peanuts 1973-1974,  with a forward done by Billie Jean King.

In this installment, Mr Schulz presents interesting topics.  Charlie Brown’s baseball team give him a testimonial dinner.  In typical fashion, we learn what always happens to Charlie Brown.  Later, Charlie Brown has to go to camp in order to get baseball off his mind.  Peppermint Patty invites herself to spend time at Charlie Brown’s guest cottage.   Sally starts talking with the school building.  A birthday wish is sent to Amy on the August 5 panels.  By the way, who is Amy?  And of course, Snoopy deals with a relationship issue with Woodstock over $6, gives  hand puppets performances, and gets lost in earning his Beagle Scout badge.

The previous volume can still be purchased in the US.  Amazon.com still carries these volumes. The official current list of available The Complete Peanuts volumes can be found at Fantagraphic’s website.

I recently obtained the fourth book in the Rebel Force series from Scholastic Inc  in the Star Wars universe, Rebel Force Firefight by Alex Wheeler.

Check my website to see what I am reading, have read, or will be reading in the Star Wars Universe at my website.

Update: 12 October 2009

X-7 has not given up on his mission to destroy Luke Skywalker.  Avoiding going back to his commander, X-7 turns to renegades who are expert fliers and can take on the Rebel’s best squadron, Red Squadron.  In efforts to locate a secret Imperial weapon on the planet of Kamino,  Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca may be walking into a trap.  However, they will soon discover it will become a battle for survival.  After crashing on the planet’s surface, the leader of the mercenary fliers, Lune Divinian, makes a deal with the young Skywalker, to work together in an effort to get off the planet alive. Unfortunate for X-7, Divinian has a secret that could turn his promising victory into a devastating defeat.

Hockey is back as pre-season and training camp comes to end tonight.  So, October begins the 2009-2010 NHL season.  Looking forward to seeing if the Pittsburgh Penguins can defend the Cup from all challenges this season.  The action starts tomorrow on Versus with some keys games, Washington and Boston, and San Jose and Colorado.  Joe Sakic’s 19 jersey is officially retired in Denver tomorrow night.

And in Europe, Detroit and St Louis and Chicago and Florida are starting their season with double header games on Friday and Saturday.  Should be great action.
I look forward to watching HNIC on NHL Network (US), but I have heard rumors that the network may reduce the number of games.  From Yahoo! NHL Sports Blog, The two line pass posts in What We Learned:

Minus of the Weekend

This week the award goes to not a person, but a thing. Steve Lepore reported that the NHL Network would no longer air every Hockey Night in Canada of the season. What’s the matter, need to squeeze a few more replays out of that 2009 Stanley Cup Final?

We’ll almost never get the late game, and we won’t get Coaches Corner and the Hotstove ever week. Granted, we’ll get a couple extra games a week instead, but this is still a terrible decision that, like all decisions made by the NHL, will only serve to upset hockey fans. It’s not like they couldn’t do both.

Good work as always, National Hockey League.

I will be disappointed if this true, but the network website appears to have HNIC games scheduled for most Saturday in October and November.  So, we’ll see what the future holds.

Susan Boyle sang this jazz classic on the Britian’s Got Talent show this past spring.  I recently obtained a free iPod version of the song done by Jaimee Paul, a great up and coming jazz singer.  However,  some say that Julie London’s version made this song the classic it is.  Enjoy.

Today is the day of the big game in the state of Iowa. As a native Iowan and a Cyclone fan, I will be watching this game on FS Midwest at Noon.  Iowa is 8 point favorite to win this game, but I hoping for an entertaining and close game. So, check back for my input on this state rivalry game and battle for the Cy Hawk Trophy.

Update 12 Sept 2009 11:38 AM:

Getting ready for kick-off in less than 30 minutes.  I am wondering how many fans will be wearing cardinal today?  Should be an interesting site to see on TV.

Update 12 Sept 2009 12:58 PM:

After 1 quarter, it is Iowa 7, Iowa State 3.  The two teams traded turnovers, but neither team was able to capitalize.  Iowa State was able to get the ball moving in the latter part of the quarter to score a 45 yard field goal.  However, the gamble on the onside kick failed and two penalties allowed the Hawkeyes to score a touchdown.  It has been a good game and sea of cardinal looks good on TV.  Go STATE!

Update 12 Sept 2009 1:46 PM:

Well, it’s halftime.  Iowa 14, Iowa State 3.  Not a very good quarter of football by the Cyclones.  A lot of mistakes being made which led to turnovers.  One of the turnovers resulted in the Hawkeyes’ second touchdown.  A touchdown that may have been offensive interface, but after seeing it several more times, I can see why it was a no call – both players seem to push off.  The second turnover in the quarter by the Cyclones was also unnecessary.  They were moving the ball well towards the end of quarter, but the quarterback made a poor decision.

Turnovers and penalties are hurting the Cyclones.  The quarterback needs to make better throwing decisions.  They need to come out with a good drive and keep this game close.

Update 12 Sept 2009 2:41 PM:

Iowa 28, Iowa State 3. Not a pretty start to the second half.  Turnovers by the Cyclones led to 14 more points by the Hawkeyes.  It looks like it will be a long fourth quarter.  I hope to see a more respectable result, but I will not count on it.

Update 12 Sept 2009 3:23 PM:

It is a final.  Iowa 35, Iowa State 3.  Another turnover leads to 7 more points for the Hawkeyes.  The Hawkeyes won this game and over came their early mistakes (2 turnovers).  Six turnovers killed the Cyclones.  The Cyclones quarterback need to make better decisions.  Otherwise, it will be a long season.  Until next season.

I did not post anything yesterday about 9/11. Yesterday was tough day in dealing with my dog’s health. But, I see that other bloggers had 9/11 on their minds and have said it better than I could. Check them out:

MM: Eight years later: Rememberance and resolve

MM: Eight years later: Listen

MM: Project 2996 Honoring John J Chada

Hot Air: Remembering 9/11

Hot Air: Remembering 9/11 A view from the heartland

Hot Air: Remembering 9/11 United 93

Green Room: Quotes the Day Remembering of 9/11/01

American Thinker: I Remember

Well, fall is approaching and that means a new batch of my favorite apple, Honeycrisp.

In a recent Yahoo article, I learned something about the Honeycrisp development. It was created by the University of Minnesota.

So, I was surprise that the University of Minnesota has announced a new variety called the SweeTango.  Read the story here.  It has some of the characteristics of my favorite apple, Honeycrisp, and another UofM variety – Zestar!

Although it will be a year or two before this new variety hits our markets, I envy those in Minnesota who will get a sample of it this fall.  I hope you enjoy it!

I recently obtained the third book in the Fate of the Jedi  series from Del Rey Ballantine Books  in the Star Wars universe, Fate of the Jedi Abyss by Troy Denning.

Check my website to see what I am reading, have read, or will be reading in the Star Wars Universe at my website.

Update 7 September 2009:

In the third installment, Luke and Ben Skywalker enter the Maw Cluster to continue their search of what led Jacen Solo to his dark fall.  While in the cluster, they will also need to find the answers to why a strange illness are affecting so many of the young Jedi on Coruscant.  The current journey to the truth may be a fatal one for the father-son duo.

As the battle between the GA Chief Natasi Dalla and the Jedi Order continues, the stakes of the cat and mouse game reaches a climax.  The Jedi Order find a way to protect those young Jedi who are experiencing a mental breakdown and elude GAS forces.

Yet, as Luke and Ben find the answers to Jacen’s downfall, a threat approaches.  This new threat is bent on bringing the end of the Skywalkers.  By removing the Skywalkers, they can restore a great hidden dark power of the Sith.

A little something for my friends I met at Breaking Through Part II two weekends ago.  Enjoy.

BEAUTIFUL IN MY EYES (Joshua Kadison)

You’re my piece of mind, in this crazy world
You’re every thing I’ve tried to find
Your love is a pearl
You’re my Mona Lisa
You’re my rainbow skies
And my only prayer is that you realize
You’ll always be beautiful in my eyes…

The world will turn
And the seasons will change
And all the lessons we will learn
Will be beautiful and strange
We’ll have our fell of tears
Our share of sight
My only prayer is that you realize
You’ll always be beautiful in my eyes…

You will always be beautiful in my eyes
And the passing years will show
That you will always grow
Ever more beautiful in my eyes

And there are lines upon my face
From a life time of smiles
When the time comes to embrace
For one long last wine
We can laugh about how time really flies
We won’t say goodbye
‘Cause true love never dies
You’ll always be beautiful in my eyes…

You will always be beautiful in my eyes
And The passing years will show
That you will always grow
Ever more beautiful in my eyes

The passing years will show
That you will always grow
Ever more beautiful in my eyes…