The Professor!
Jan. 3rd, 2026 05:52 pmHappy birthday, sir. Your memory and inspiration go ever on and on.
"Courage is found in unlikely places. Be of good hope!"
Gildor, The Fellowship of the Ring
"Courage is found in unlikely places. Be of good hope!"
Gildor, The Fellowship of the Ring
Happy New Year!
Dec. 31st, 2025 06:58 pmHappy New Year, everyone! I'm grateful for this brave, supportive, creative, and fascinating community of friends, writers, readers, thinkers, dreamers, travelers, nurturers, and magic-makers. You light up my life. May 2026 be healthy, happy, and gently sprinkled with unexpectedly delightful Adventures.
((((((ALL OF YOU))))))
((((((ALL OF YOU))))))
Joyous Yule, my friends!
Dec. 23rd, 2025 03:07 pmHappy Holidays to one and all, and may my precious friends enjoy a peaceful and health-ful end of year. May you be warm, safe, and loved. Here is a hobbity Yule ficlet from a while back. I hope you enjoy it. :)
The hobbits (and Gandalf) gently introduce Yule to Tol Eressëa
Characters: Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo, unnamed elves
Word Count: 440
Getting to Know You
The elves living near the hobbits' dwelling were quite puzzled at first, for even with their sharp ears they had heard no movement outside their homes. Yet in the morning they found that small bags had been hung on their posts or door latches, filled with unusual but wonderful-smelling confections. The baked goods had been fashioned in various sizes and shapes of people or trees, and decorated in bright colors. Because the anonymous gifts arrived only a few moon cycles after the arrival of the Ring-bearers, the elves hurried to the Istar, Gandalf, to consult with him.
“Ah, these are rare treats, my friends!” Gandalf informed them, peering into the bags and parcels and inhaling appreciatively. “They are gingerbread-hobbits and sugar-elves, and the trees are those most beloved by the hobbits. Frodo and Bilbo are wishing you a joyous Yule, a festival that falls about this time in Middle-earth, when their folk give thanks for the year’s bounty, and share sweets and small gifts with their neighbors.”
“What are we to give in return?” the elves queried anxiously.
“The hobbits expect nothing, I assure you,” Gandalf told them. “It is their joy to give of what they have, and I am certain it gives them comfort to continue a tradition that reminds them of their home. Merely convey your thanks and wish them a blessed Yule when you see them...” He paused, then smiled knowingly. “Wait, there is one thing more that they might like.”
That evening, Frodo and Bilbo sat together on the small bench outside their dwelling, as they did each night after supper. They sipped warm drinks and talked quietly, enjoying the bright stars as they appeared and the perfume of night-blooming flowers. After awhile, Bilbo laid his head on Frodo’s shoulder, and Frodo stroked his white curls very gently.
As the night grew darker, they saw with surprise and great joy that their neighbors had set candles in every window of their homes, and were lighting them one by one. The multitude of soft, flickering lights shone with warmth and a peaceful glow. And the hobbits' attention was caught by strings of colored jewels that had been hung amidst the branches of a noble fir tree, interlaced into the shape of a star. As the brilliance from Elbereth's stars hit each faceted surface, the gems sparkled brightly.
“It's lovely here, isn’t it?” Bilbo asked happily. “I did so hope it would be.”
“It is lovely,” Frodo agreed softly, and he smiled. “Good neighbors make for a good home, as Aunt Dora would say. Happy Yule, Bilbo."
“Happy Yule, dear boy,” Bilbo said with a sigh of contentment.
** END **
The hobbits (and Gandalf) gently introduce Yule to Tol Eressëa
Characters: Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo, unnamed elves
Word Count: 440
Getting to Know You
The elves living near the hobbits' dwelling were quite puzzled at first, for even with their sharp ears they had heard no movement outside their homes. Yet in the morning they found that small bags had been hung on their posts or door latches, filled with unusual but wonderful-smelling confections. The baked goods had been fashioned in various sizes and shapes of people or trees, and decorated in bright colors. Because the anonymous gifts arrived only a few moon cycles after the arrival of the Ring-bearers, the elves hurried to the Istar, Gandalf, to consult with him.
“Ah, these are rare treats, my friends!” Gandalf informed them, peering into the bags and parcels and inhaling appreciatively. “They are gingerbread-hobbits and sugar-elves, and the trees are those most beloved by the hobbits. Frodo and Bilbo are wishing you a joyous Yule, a festival that falls about this time in Middle-earth, when their folk give thanks for the year’s bounty, and share sweets and small gifts with their neighbors.”
“What are we to give in return?” the elves queried anxiously.
“The hobbits expect nothing, I assure you,” Gandalf told them. “It is their joy to give of what they have, and I am certain it gives them comfort to continue a tradition that reminds them of their home. Merely convey your thanks and wish them a blessed Yule when you see them...” He paused, then smiled knowingly. “Wait, there is one thing more that they might like.”
That evening, Frodo and Bilbo sat together on the small bench outside their dwelling, as they did each night after supper. They sipped warm drinks and talked quietly, enjoying the bright stars as they appeared and the perfume of night-blooming flowers. After awhile, Bilbo laid his head on Frodo’s shoulder, and Frodo stroked his white curls very gently.
As the night grew darker, they saw with surprise and great joy that their neighbors had set candles in every window of their homes, and were lighting them one by one. The multitude of soft, flickering lights shone with warmth and a peaceful glow. And the hobbits' attention was caught by strings of colored jewels that had been hung amidst the branches of a noble fir tree, interlaced into the shape of a star. As the brilliance from Elbereth's stars hit each faceted surface, the gems sparkled brightly.
“It's lovely here, isn’t it?” Bilbo asked happily. “I did so hope it would be.”
“It is lovely,” Frodo agreed softly, and he smiled. “Good neighbors make for a good home, as Aunt Dora would say. Happy Yule, Bilbo."
“Happy Yule, dear boy,” Bilbo said with a sigh of contentment.
** END **
Random picspam
Dec. 18th, 2025 07:12 amThis was the back of my house two days ago, after 6" of snow was followed by a drop in temps to 15F/-9C. I knocked them all down so nothing would suddenly fall on Rena-pup!
And a special picture for![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
amethyst_witch, who asked to see the soft squishies I'm giving my three-year-old grandnephews (twins) for their birthday. They love these things... and ooooh, they feel like velvet.
And a special picture for
amethyst_witch, who asked to see the soft squishies I'm giving my three-year-old grandnephews (twins) for their birthday. They love these things... and ooooh, they feel like velvet.The Dog Days of December
Dec. 13th, 2025 06:50 amRena's been with me for almost a year, and she's been an affectionate, frisky, VERY smart, and wonderful companion. And on chilly nights she loves burrowing into HER blankies. I call this "The Morning Emergence".
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 27th, 2025 06:42 am
Happy Thanksgiving to my dear friends. I hope you enjoy this little Lord of the Rings story I wrote years ago.
Title: Giving Thanks
Summary: A Bywater farmer and his wife tell their children how they know the Shire has been healed.
Word Count: 794
( Giving Thanks )
It's a birthday!
Nov. 11th, 2025 05:57 amHappy Birthday, just_ann_now! I hope it's a wonderful day. When is your cataract surgery?
(I just discovered that I haven't been seeing your posts on my friends page. I think I fixed it!)
just_ann_now! I hope it's a wonderful day. When is your cataract surgery?(I just discovered that I haven't been seeing your posts on my friends page. I think I fixed it!)
It's a birthday!
Sep. 28th, 2025 06:27 amHappy Birthday to claudia603, my wonderful friend who brought me into the LJ/DW world! Many loves, dear one.
I spotted two hearts for you. ♥ ♥
claudia603, my wonderful friend who brought me into the LJ/DW world! Many loves, dear one.I spotted two hearts for you. ♥ ♥
Happy Hobbit Day!
Sep. 22nd, 2025 07:36 amHappy Birthday, Frodo and Bilbo! May you both still be joyously celebrating, and having a wonderful time today and every day. I'm wishing everyone here a most excellent September 22nd. Let's honor the hobbits with food, fun, friendship, and the simple pleasures of life.
Graham Greene
Sep. 3rd, 2025 07:24 amI'm sad to hear about the passing of Graham Greene. He was exceptional and unforgettable in "Dances With Wolves".
Oh, Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.
I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be superior to my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes,
so when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit will come to you
without shame.
Lakota Prayer. Chief Yellow Lark, 1887
Oh, Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.
I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be superior to my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes,
so when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit will come to you
without shame.
Lakota Prayer. Chief Yellow Lark, 1887
For friends of lbilover
Jul. 9th, 2025 11:09 amThis is the link for the Zoom recording of Ellen's Celebration of Life on the 29th. (Her brother had never done this before, so it's far from a professional recording.) My couple of minutes start at 43:00, if anyone's interested. :)
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/eMECuAFB2oU9Ax3_SQ-ieRKU6nUrLFU0qkskwpL9JbOd6F5YgAmcLeRyD1O6F3z7.330xtAc884TFqewW
Passcode: q!Nmy09#
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/eMECuAFB2oU9Ax3_SQ-ieRKU6nUrLFU0qkskwpL9JbOd6F5YgAmcLeRyD1O6F3z7.330xtAc884TFqewW
Passcode: q!Nmy09#
For friends of lbilover
Jun. 30th, 2025 02:27 pmI attended the Celebration of Life for lbilover yesterday, and it was lovely. She passed on November 24, 2024. It was held in the library in northern New Jersey at which she worked for many years, and there were 40-50 relatives, friends, and co-workers there from all over. Folks from her beloved Deerhound community also came, as did students from local schools who met Ellen when she brought whippet Winston -- “Fastest Dog in the USA 2023” -- to meet them. Ellen’s passions were so numerous – nature photography, sighthounds, education, workers’ rights (she was a proud President of her Library Union), hiking, bird watching, training and showing dogs, and of course writing. Her sister Lisa presented a slideshow of Ellen’s life, accompanied by music from “The Fellowship of the Ring” in honor of her longtime passion for Tolkien and her many extraordinary stories and friends around the world. Several of us in the audience, as well as folks watching the service via Zoom, spoke about their love and respect for Ellen. I spoke about our tight-knit fanfiction community, as well as my delight and astonishment when meeting her gentle Deerhound Gandalf for the first time – he was so tall he looked me right in the eyes.
I brought my Rena, and there were four other doggies in attendance including Ellen’s whippets Kivrin and Clementine, who were adopted by loving families. Her Winston and Deerhound Wren had also found good homes, as had tortoises Fred and Ginger.
When the service was over, we gathered at tables or around a buffet area to talk talk talk more about Ellen and what she meant to us. I especially enjoyed my conversation with a lady who had read Bilbo’s moving poem “I Sit Beside the Fire and Think” during the service. I always get emotional reading it myself, and hearing it read this way created a wash of emotions.
I enjoyed Rena’s companionship on the way home (about an hour’s drive). :)
Ellen’s nephew said he’d send out a notice if he’s able to get the Zoom presentation online, so if he does I’ll let folks know how to access it.
Namárië, dear Ellen!
lbilover yesterday, and it was lovely. She passed on November 24, 2024. It was held in the library in northern New Jersey at which she worked for many years, and there were 40-50 relatives, friends, and co-workers there from all over. Folks from her beloved Deerhound community also came, as did students from local schools who met Ellen when she brought whippet Winston -- “Fastest Dog in the USA 2023” -- to meet them. Ellen’s passions were so numerous – nature photography, sighthounds, education, workers’ rights (she was a proud President of her Library Union), hiking, bird watching, training and showing dogs, and of course writing. Her sister Lisa presented a slideshow of Ellen’s life, accompanied by music from “The Fellowship of the Ring” in honor of her longtime passion for Tolkien and her many extraordinary stories and friends around the world. Several of us in the audience, as well as folks watching the service via Zoom, spoke about their love and respect for Ellen. I spoke about our tight-knit fanfiction community, as well as my delight and astonishment when meeting her gentle Deerhound Gandalf for the first time – he was so tall he looked me right in the eyes.I brought my Rena, and there were four other doggies in attendance including Ellen’s whippets Kivrin and Clementine, who were adopted by loving families. Her Winston and Deerhound Wren had also found good homes, as had tortoises Fred and Ginger.
When the service was over, we gathered at tables or around a buffet area to talk talk talk more about Ellen and what she meant to us. I especially enjoyed my conversation with a lady who had read Bilbo’s moving poem “I Sit Beside the Fire and Think” during the service. I always get emotional reading it myself, and hearing it read this way created a wash of emotions.
I enjoyed Rena’s companionship on the way home (about an hour’s drive). :)
Ellen’s nephew said he’d send out a notice if he’s able to get the Zoom presentation online, so if he does I’ll let folks know how to access it.
Namárië, dear Ellen!
