In life, he lived long and he prospered.

Leonard Nimoy died this morning.

Best known and loved for playing Mr. Spock on Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy was also a director, a musician (to some degree), and a writer. He was born in 1931 and lived 83 years. He was a proficient smoker when he was younger, but in recent years has spoken out against smoking. It was what eventually killed him, for it gave him chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

He played Mr. Spock for nearly 50 years. He starred in Star Trek The Original Series, and is the third lead actor to die (the others being Jimmy Doohan, who played Scotty, and DeForest Kelley, who played Dr. McCoy). Out of all the old actors and musicians I love, I didn't think Leonard Nimoy would be the first to die.

He has become a legend in Geekdom. Not only did he play one of the most iconic characters on television, but he also sang one of the geekiest songs out there:

In addition to acting in Star Trek The Original Series, Leonard Nimoy acted in seven of the twelve Star Trek films, and guest starred in Star Trek The Next Generation. He also directed two of the Star Trek films. To learn more about Leonard Nimoy's life and accomplishments, read this article by Star Trek.com.

His acting career has spanned many, many television shows and movies.

And he had a winning smile.

I'm wearing the appropriate color to choir today:

There's only one thing left to say:

"I will take it! I will take the ring to Mordor!"

I'm here to do a tag today! Jack tagged the first 11 people to comment on her post... which included me. So, once again, I present to you... ME! to do the Liebster Award (you know the one... the good, old elevenses tag).

They changed the award picture. I like it.

Rules:
A. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
Thank you, Jack!

B. Answer 11 questions which they give to you:

1. Have you ever listened to the Snoopy vs. The Red Baron songs?
I didn't know there was a song! But I'm listening to it now, so can I say "yes"? I have seen and read the cartoon if that gives me bonus points.

2. What's tatters?

PO-TA-TOES. Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew!

3. What would be your opening lines to your Great American Novel?

CALL ME ISHMAEL!

Wait, that's already taken? Okay... How about:

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.

...That one's already taken too?? Okay, how about:

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.

That's a Great British Novel, you say? Ugh! Um, I'm going to have to get back to you on this one, Jack.

4. Are you over Tadashi yet?

NO.

That scene (and subsequent ones) is right up there with the death of Nemo's mother is terms of sadness. (Please tell me I'm not the only one who still had to fast forward through that scene?)

5. How well can you crash a plane?

I don't know, I've never tried. Hmmm...

"Relax, I interviewed a pilot once."

6. What color are the socks you're wearing right now?

Black socks, they never get dirty the longer you wear them the blacker they get... Sometimes, I think I should wash them, but something inside me says don't wash them yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. (You're welcome.)

Not just any black socks, though...

Beatles black socks!

7. What is the one thing you always carry with you and why?

I usually take a book everywhere I go. And a pencil. I take my purse quite a few places, too; and in my purse I always keep a Bible, the Constitution of the United States, and a deck of cards.
 

8. Are you six foot something with a scary nose?

No... although I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing... No, I'm a 5'2" something with a roundish nose.

9. What's the stupidest thing you ever done which inflicted pain on yourself?

I literally can't think of anything. This is horrible! The thing is, I lose my balance a lot, but I never fall (wow, that sounds like a song lyric). I run into things, but I never hurt myself (I'm sensing a trend here. I may just have to write a song about this).

I tripped up the stairs once and skinned my knee... I forced myself to read The Old Man and the Sea... I picked up my dog and she scratched me. (That rhymed! I'm unintentionally writing a song here, people!)

Wary. Is Abbey going to pick me up or is Abbey not going to pick me up, that is the question.

10. Do foods which don't go bad scare you?

Not terribly, no. I wouldn't want to eat them... but they don't scare me. Why? Should they? 0_0

11. How well do you get along with cockroaches?

I've never met a cockroach, but if I ever did, I don't think we'd be the Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin of our generation.

C. Give 11 random facts about yourself.

1. I can count the amount of times I've teared up during a book/movie on one hand. The Benji movie, the Doomsday Doctor Who episode, Feathertail's death in the Warriors books, aaaandd... there's one more, but I can't remember what movie it was. It must have made a huge impact. Ha.

2. Even thought I'm not a book/movie crier, I tear up when I get really excited, when I see a really good pun, and when something really epic happens in a book (whether it be an epic word picture, an epic snarky remark, or an epic spelling/grammar fail). But I only tear up when I start to TELL someone about it, never when I'm just reading it to myself.

3. I can't wait for Once Upon a Time to come back this Sunday! I mean, what WAS that huge break all about?

 
4. I really really really really REALLY hope that we get a picture of Lewis and Louis in Haphazardly Implausible #3. Actually, can we just get a huge cast picture of everyone? Is that too much to ask? Like this picture from Scott Westerfeld's Manual of Aeronautics:

5. I want to be... under the sea... in an octopus' garden... in the shade.
Well, maybe I don't want to be under the sea, but I certainly am longing to be near the sea.

6. I want some cereal.

7. I got cereal.

8. In music lessons I'm singing "The Jewel Song, from Faust." MWAHAHAHAHAHA. It makes me feel powerful.

9. I'm watching the Frasier episode where Noel teaches Frasier a Klingon blessing instead of a Hebrew blessing and Frasier says it at his son's bar mitzvah.

10. Speaking of the Jews... in my reading-through-the-Bible-in-one-year study, I've hit the part of the Bible where God is detailing all the sacrifices the Israelites are supposed to do.

11. I deleted the Netflix off my computer. So far, it has been a very good decision.

D. Nominate 11 bloggers.
Anyone who wants to may answer all or some of the following questions on their blog or in the comments.

E. Give said bloggers 11 questions to answer.

1. What kind of cereal do you like to eat?
2. If you could write a song, what would it be about?
3. Do you know any Klingon words?
4. Have you ever read the Haphazardly Implausible books by Jack Lewis Baillot? You should, they are great!
5. Do you prefer going to the city, to the beach, to the woods ("Into the woods without delay, but careful not to lose the way..."), or staying at home?
6. What do you wish?
7. Night or day? Moon or sun?
8. Have you ever interviewed a pilot (be it once or more than once)? Do you "get that reference" (or how about that one?)?
9. Have you ever heard Bernadette Peters sing a Broadway song (or any other type of song)? You should, she is great!
10. What's your favorite Aesop's Fable?
11. What's your favorite mystical/fantastical creature/race/being?

Live long and prosper!

P.S. Funny story... I went looking for an song lyric to be the title of this post and somehow ended up listening to music from the musical Cinderella... and I still don't have a title.
...Thought of one. Because, you know, someone has got to do these tags. We can't leave those 11 questions unanswered. So, like Frodo, I took on the burden. But now I am tired. Who will take the weight of the ring from me? Who will answer my eleven questions??

Book Spotlight: My Kingdom for a Quest, by Kendra E. Ardnek

I made a mistake last week during Kendra's blog tour... I forgot to include information about the book! So it gets its own post:

Back cover blurb:

Arthur is the rightful king of Briton, but his Uncle Mordreth refuses to give up the regency.   Arthur and Grandfather are now returning with allies to wrestle the kingdom from his uncle's grasp.  But not all is as it seems among his allies, and everyone has secrets.  New loves, old loves, lost loves, kingdoms conquered and kingdoms stolen.   Who is the real "rightful heir" and will the nearly forgotten sword in the stone finally answer this question?

Here is a snippet to whet your literary appetite (it also happens to be one of my favorite scenes in the book):

“Only twelve hours! Leo, there is no way to escape Briton Dungeons. No way!”

“That’s what they said in the dungeons of Fronce, too,” said Leo absentmindedly, taking a sip of his gruel. “Now be quiet while I think. And eat up. We’re going to need our strength!”

“Dungeons in Fronce!” Gavin squeaked.

“Yes, now those were dungeons! Now be quiet.”

Gavin fell silent and simply stared in the direction of his friend, the look on his face (had it been visible in that dark cell) a mixture of confusion, awe, and horror.

“You wouldn’t have happened to have fallen in love with any young lady who would be able to arrange for a soldier to play traitor and get us out of here, now would you?” Leo suddenly asked.

“No…”

“Ah, well, I suppose that not every young lady can be so obliging. And now that I think about it, it’s as good a way into the dungeon as out. Now where was I … No, bribing the guards is out of the question. All we have is gruel to call our own, and I’m sure they have much better food in the soldier’s quarters.”

“We’ll never get out of here!” Gavin moaned.

“That’s what you think. That’s what everyone thinks,” said Leo. “But I tell you, there’s a way out of every sticky situation. You just have to be observant and look for it.” Leo frowned as he set his now-empty bowl to the side. “It’s too bad Mordreth doesn’t have any daughters for us to charm. Only that good-for-nothing Kew, and I really don’t see him helping. And Arthur’s gone, so that’s out of the question.”

“If Prince Arthur was here,” said Gavin, “we wouldn’t be in the dungeon.”

“Good point,” said Leo. “As I was saying, we could always try to steal a key and unlock the door, but that can be a very tricky business, and it’s very easy to get caught. And then where would we be? Probably talking about death sentences some more. Honestly, they don’t bother me, just all this talk about them. It’s enough to drive a man mad.”

Where to buy the book:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Quest-Bookania-Quests-Book-ebook/dp/B00RN7T004

Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4322491

Author person:

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways.  She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings.  Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog, knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23563093-my-kingdom-for-a-quest

Kendra's Bookania Quests series is ideal for middle grade readers (short, easy to read), but—like any good book—can be enjoyed and read by readers of any age. Kendra weaves fairytales and legends into her own storyline; in this, the third, Bookania Quest, Arthur (who was introduced in book two) tries to reclaim his rightful throne. The tale is filled with exciting developments in the lives of characters readers have come to love from the first two books. We get a peak into Robin's relationship with her new husband (what dark secrets are hidden in their respective castles?), we get to travel the land of Bookania, we get to meet new characters, and we get to witness a showdown between Arthur and his Uncle Mordreth. And what is with the sword in the stone, anyway? All this and more in My Kingdom for a Quest by Kendra E. Ardnek, a thoroughly enjoyable read.

If you want to read my review with Eric, one of the characters, click the LINK.

If you want to read my interview with Miss Author Person, click the LINK.

Live long and prosper.