Well, When You Look at It THAT Way: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. I

 

STAR WARS FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: 40 Stories Celebrating 40 Years
Various Authors

On May 25, 1977, the world was introduced to Han, Luke, Leia, a pair of droids, a Wookie, an old wizard, a villain in black, and a galaxy full of possibilities. Forty years on, Star Wars remains an unparalleled cultural phenomenon, having inspired and influenced generations of fans and creators. Decades of rich storytelling were sparked by one film, in part because the Star Wars galaxy feels alive. Strange and wonderful characters fill the edges of the screen and make us wonder: What are their stories? This unique anthology celebrates that legacy, as more than 40 contributors lend their vision to this retelling of the original film. Each of the 40 short stories reimagines a moment from the film through the eyes of a supporting character.

I stumbled onto the sequel to this volume, based on The Empire Strikes Back, while browsing the library shelves and thoroughly enjoyed it. (Read about that by clicking here.) I vowed to back up and read this as well ... and well ... here I am.

This collection does a much better job than the first book I read (which is the second book in the series, blah blah blah...) of revealing the thoughts and off-screen activities of characters you actually remember seeing. It tells the tales of a member of Jabba the Hutt's house band, the stormtrooper whose mind was tricked by Obi-Wan ("These are not the droids you're looking for"), Greedo, and even the creature in the trash compactor that nearly drowns Luke. If you're a fan of the movie, I think you'll end up enjoying these short stories, too.

First Line: "What is it they've sent us?"

Page 56 / Line 5: She cast about until she found a long, heavy bar with a notch at the end.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: It is strange, still, to think of death as only the beginning of wisdom.

Last Line: Princess Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plan that can save her people and restore freedom to the galaxy.

The First Time I've Ever Recommended a Podcast

ONCE WE WERE SPACEMEN
A Podcast with Nathan Fillion & Alan Tudyk

"Since co-starring on Firefly, they have also been aliens, mystery writers, veterinarians, superheroes, chickens, robots, and policemen. 

Now, they’re doing a podcast where they get to know their fellow creatives, learning about who they once were and what they’re up to now.

So, if you are looking to learn something new that will alter the course of your life, or discover something that will change the way you see the world, or you are simply looking to better yourself… keep looking. 

But, if you’d like to have the feeling of hanging out with two old buddies… You’ve come to the right place."

Can't argue with the final two paragraphs of this podcast's self-description. I've listened to the first six episodes and it is abundantly clear these two guys formed a lasting, hilarious bond when they worked together on the short-lived and much-missed TV series, Firefly. In those six episodes, they have had a guest half the time, but I've got to say I have a slight preference for the episodes where they are just chatting with each other.

There is talk about the unglamorous realities of an acting career, least-favorite auditions, how to not be a jerk, and plenty of mutual admiration that sometimes dissolves into self-deprecating humor and sarcastic digs into each other's humble egos.

So far, there hasn't been much PG-13 language, which I appreciate, so I feel fairly safe in recommending the show to the adult members of the elite group of friends who read Dewdrops.

You can find the show practically anywhere you find podcasts, but here's a link to its website and the YouTube introductory trailer.

Song Sung Blue: Proving There's More to Neil Diamond Than "Sweet Caroline" (And It's Not Even a Biography)

 

SONG SUNG BLUE: Inspired by a Legend. Bound by a Dream.
Starring Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson

"Lightning and Thunder, a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, experience soaring success and devastating heartbreak in their musical journey together."

When I first saw the poster for this, I thought it was a biopic, and I thought, "What a perfect choice for someone to play Neil Diamond!" Then, when I saw the trailer and realized it wasn't actually about Diamond but about, in the words of Kate Hudson's character, "Not a Neil Diamond impersonator, but a Neil Diamond interpreter," I was a little disappointed but still no less enthusiastic about the casting.

In terms of the overall effect of the movie, it is really "just" another love story with obstacles to overcome and troubles to live through until love conquers all, but the added spice of Neil Diamond's music and Jackman and Hudson's musical chops made it more fun than that description sounds. There were moments of pure joy and also times when my tears almost broke through.

And then, on top of that, add the fact that it's all based on fact.

Cool.

Weird Thing: I don't know if it was like this in the theaters, but watching this through Fandango at Home, there were times when the lip-syncing to the pre-recorded vocals was PDB: Pretty Dang Bad.

4 out of 5 stars

Watching and Weeping in the Land of the Free

 

I know, I know, I said I was going to avoid “current events” in my posts, but when a trusted friend shares something so unimaginable, to say nothing feels like complicity. FATHER GOD, open our eyes to what You would have us do in these troubling times!

From my friend: This is a hard post to write but last night I was in an ICE ambush raid & witnessed the abduction of 5 U.S. citizens. 

This horrific ICE abduction was the most violent assault on human life I have ever seen in my life.

No due process was followed. Not one ICE agent identified themselves. Not one ICE agent asked for names, legal status, or paperwork. These “men” were masked & heavily armed and immediately & viciously assaulted the young Latino men, workers from my local Mexican restaurant. 

They immediately attempted to try to also illegally seize me, a U.S. citizen and legal observer, but by a true miracle I was able to get into my car and lock the door. The ICE agents were ripping at my doors and threatening me and the other peaceful observers with huge guns like AR-15s, handguns, tasers, batons & devices to break car windows. They attempted to box me in with multiple vehicles but I escaped. The other car of men was violently broken into & taken. 

This is NOT the land of the free. Watching firsthand as U.S. citizens are brutally beaten & dragged by a paramilitary group of 8 unidentifiable men is unconscionable. This is not the FREEDOM my husband, my grandpas or my friends fought & continue to fight for. I am appalled and you should be too. This is both unconstitutional AND illegal. If you’re not already, wake up to this reality right now of ALL U.S. citizens, regardless of OUR skin color. 

It could be you next.

To Post or Not to Post

 

I'm struggling.

It seems like every day, there is a shocking event or executive order or tragic occurrence that overtakes the news cycle and results in a flood of social media posts:

• The Left Wing decries the echoes of Nazi Germany and the waves of racism and authoritarianism and, yes, I'll say it, Trumpism.
• The Right Wing explains how the tragic event wasn't really tragic, the illegal action wasn't really illegal, and the nonsensical rant really made sense . . . besides, if a Democrat had done it or said it, the News Media would be praising it.

And me?

With a very few exceptions, I have avoided weighing in. Pouring gasoline on a fire seldom results in the fire going out. That has proven to be true on the occasion of those few exceptions.

Besides, I honestly am more interested in people falling in love with Jesus than in hating Trump or Woke Culture or whatever either side views as The Enemy.

In addition to that, what will my cries into the void change or accomplish, anyway?

But then I think of the famous quote from Martin Niemöller:

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

I really have been struggling, but I think that writing this down has helped me come to a conclusion.

I think the long-term betterment of life as we know it will be best served by me if I lift up the name of Jesus and pray for his words in John 12:32 to be fulfilled:

"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."