A Walk In The Shire

MyMiddle-earth The Vision

2011-09-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

I Will Give You What You Asked For

2011-08-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

'Yes, yes, my dear sir--and I do know your name, Mr Bilbo Baggins, And you do know my name, though you don't remember that I belong to it. I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me! To think that I should have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna Took's son, as if I was selling buttons at the door!'

'Gandalf, Gandalf! Good gracious me! Not the wandering wizard that gave Old Took a pair of magic diamond studs that fastened themselves and never came undone till ordered? Not the fellow who used to tell such wonderful tales at parties, about dragons and goblins and giants and the rescue of princesses and the unexpected luck of widow's sons? Not the man that used to make such particularly excellent fireworks! I remember those! Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve. Splendid! They used to go up like great lilies and snapdragons and laburnums of fire and hang in the twilight all evening!' You will notice already that Mr Baggins was not quite so prosy as he liked to believe, also that he was very fond of flowers. 'Dear me!' he went on . 'Not the Gandalf who was responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures? Anything from climbing trees to visiting elves--or sailing in ships, sailing to other shores! Bless me, life used to be quite inter--I mean, you used to upset things badly in these parts once upon a time. I beg your pardon, but I had no idea you were still in business.'

'Where else should I be?' said the wizard. 'All the same I am pleased to find you remember something about me. You seem to remember my fireworks kindly, at any rate, and that is not without hope. Indeed for your old grandfather Took's sake, and for the sake of poor Belladonna, I will give you what you asked for.'

'I beg your pardon, I haven't asked for anything!'

'Yes, you have! Twice now. My pardon. I give it you. In fact I will go so far as to send you on this adventure, Very amusing for me, very good for you--and profitable too, very likely, if you ever get over it.'

'Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you. Not today. Good Morning! But please come to tea--any time you like! Why not tomorrow! Come tomorrow! Good-bye!' With that the hobbit turned and scuttled inside his round green door, and shut it as quickly as he dared, not to seem rude. Wizards after all are wizards.

'What on earth did I ask him to tea for!' he said to himself, as he went to the pantry. He had only just had breakfast, but he thought a cake or two and a drink of something would do him good after his fright.

Gandalf in the meantime was still standing outside the door, and laughing long but quietly. After a while he stepped up, and with the spike on his staff scratched a queer sign on the hobbit's beautiful green front-door. Then he strode away, just about the time when Bilbo was finishing his second cake and beginning to think that he had escaped adventures very well.

Hobbit in 5 - Extended Edition Screening, Bean Bar Brawl, NZ Earthquakes

2011-06-17T22:24:00.000-07:00

Don't Believe In ENTS?

2011-05-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

So Don't Believe In Ents?

Well, I went out to St Francis in Gulf Breeze, Fl. yesterday and look at what I saw. A Great Big Ent flexing his muscles. And wearing a Huge Cross around his neck. So There! You've seen an Ent ;-)

Cheers!
~ Bilbo ~

We Are Plain Quiet Folk And I Have No Use For Adventures

2011-05-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

All that the unsuspecting Bilbo saw that morning was an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which his long white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots.
'Good morning!' said Bilbo and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.
'What do you mean?' he said. 'Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?'
'All of them at once,' said Bilbo. 'And a very fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain. If you have a pipe about you, sit down and have a fill of mine! There's no hurry, we have all the day before us!' Then Bilbo sat down on a seat by his door, crossed his legs, and blew out a beautiful grey ring of smoke that sailed up into the air without breaking and floated away over The Hill.
'Very pretty!' said Gandalf. 'But I have no time to blow smoke-rings this morning. I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.'
'I should think so--in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and I have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can't think what anybody sees in them,' said our Mr Baggins, then stuck one thumb behind his braces, and blew out another even bigger smoke-ring. Then he took out his morning letters, and began to read, pretending to take no more notice of the old man. He had decided that he was not quite his sort, and wanted him to go away. But the old man did not move. He stood leaning on his stick and gazing at the hobbit without saying anything, till Bilbo got quite uncomfortable and even a little cross.
'Good morning!' he said at last. 'We don't want any adventures here, thank you! You might try over The Hill or across The Water.' By this he meant that the conversation was at an end.
'What a lot of things you do use Good morning for!' said Gandalf. 'Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won't be good till I move off.'
'Not at all, not at all, my dear sir! Let me see, I don't think I know your name?'

Cheers!
~Bilbo~

Hobbit in 5 - The Hobbit Hits the Stage, HBO's Game of Thrones, Characte...

2011-04-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

Hobbit in 5 - Gollum helps direct The Hobbit, Howard Shore's score, Game...

2011-04-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

By Some Curious Chance One Morning

2011-03-28T01:01:00.000-07:00

By some curious chance one morning long ago in the quiet of the world, when there was less noise and more green, and the hobbits were still numerous and prosperous, and Bilbo Baggins was standing at his door after breakfast, smoking an enormous long wooden pipe that reached nearly down to his woolly toes (neatly brushed)--Gandalf came by. Gandalf! If you had heard only a quarter of what I have heard about him, and I have only heard very little of all there is to hear, you would be prepared for any sort of remarkable tale. Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion. He had not been down that way under The Hill for ages and ages, not since his friend the Old Took died, in fact, and the hobbits had almost forgotten what he looked like. He had been away over The Hill and across The Water on businesses of his own since they were all small hobbit-boys and hobbit-girls.

PS: Click on the post above and see a funny old drawing. Click on this line and see another cool drawing of Gandalf.

What Is A Hobbit?

2011-03-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

The mother of our particular hobbit--what is a hobbit? I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us. They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves. Hobbits have no beards. There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off. They are inclined to be fat in the stomach: they dress in bright colours (chiefly green and yellow): wear no shoes, because their feet grow natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curly): have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice a day when they can get it). Now you know enough to go on with. As I was saying, the mother of this hobbit--Bilbo Baggins, that is --was the famous Belladonna Took, one of the three remarkable daughters of the Old Took, head of the hobbits who lived across The Water, the small river that ran at the foot of The Hill. It was often said (in other families) that long ago one of the Took ancestors must have taken a fairy wife. That was, of course, absurd, but certainly there was still something not entirely hobbitlike about them, and once in a while members discreetly disappeared , and the family hushed it up; but the fact remained that the Tooks were not as respectable as the Bagginses, though they were undoubtedly richer.

Not that Belladonna Took ever had any adventures after she became Mrs Bungo Baggins. Bungo, that was Bilbo's father, built the most luxurious hobbit-hole for her (and partly with her money) that was to be found either under The Hill or over The Hill or across The Water, and there they remained to the end of their days. Still it is probable that Bilbo her only son, although he looked and behaved exactly like a second edition of his solid and comfortable father, got something a bit queer in his make-up from the Took side, something that only waited for a chance to come out. The chance never arrived, until Bilbo Baggins was grown up, being about fifty years old or so, and living in the beautiful hobbit-hole built by his father, which I have just described for you, until he had in fact apparently settled down immovably.

A Well To Do Hobbit Named Baggins

2011-03-26T22:20:00.001-07:00

This hobbit was a very well-to-do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses have lived in the neighborhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is the story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained--well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.

THE HOBBIT or There And Back Again

2011-03-26T13:34:00.001-07:00

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

P. S. Click the text and see a real hobbit house. Click the title and see a listing of several hobbit houses. Enjoy;-)

It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube-shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats--the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill--The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it--and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining-rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left-hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep-set round windows looking over his garden, and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river.

Hobbit in 5 - Production Begins, TheOneRing Hall of Fire, and Frodo Baggins

2011-03-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hobbit in 5 - Nesbitt Talks, Lord of the Rings Extended Blu-Ray, Bilbo a...

2011-03-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Don't let your heads get too big for your hats. BILBO

2011-03-06T21:23:00.000-08:00

On Fairy Stories by JRR Tolkien (Excerpts)

2010-12-01T21:13:00.000-08:00

Cover of J.R.R. Tolkien

The ‘consolation’ of fairy-tales has another aspect than the imaginative satisfaction of ancient desires. Far more important is the Consolation of the Happy Ending. Almost I would venture to assert that all complete fairy-stories must have it. At least I would say that Tragedy is the true form of Drama, its highest function; but the opposite is true of Fairy-story. Since we do not appear to possess a word that expresses this opposite–I will call it Eucatastrophe. The eucatastrophic tale is the true form of fairy-tale, and its highest function.

The consolation of fairy-stories, the joy of the happy ending: or more correctly of the good catastrophe, the sudden joyous ‘turn’ (for there is no true end to any fairy tale): this joy, which is one of the things which fairy-stories can produce supremely well, is not essentially ‘escapist’, nor ‘fugitive’. In its fairy-tale–or other world–setting, it is a sudden and miraculous grace: never to be counted on to recur. It does not deny the existence of dyscatastrophe, of sorrow and failure; the possibility of these is necessary to the joy of deliverance; it denies (in the face of much evidence, if you will) universal final defeat and in so far is evangelium, giving a fleeting glimpse of Joy, Joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant as grief.

It is the mark of a good fairy-story, of the higher or more complete kind, that however wild its events, however fantastic or terrible the adventures, it can give to child or man that hears it, when the ‘turn’ comes, a catch of the breath, a beat and lifting of the heart, near to (or indeed accompanied by) tears, as keen as that given by any form of literary art, and having a peculiar quality.

The peculiar quality of…’joy’ in successful Fantasy can…be explained eas a sudden glimpse of the underlying reality or truth. It is not only a ‘consolation’ for the sorrow of this world, but a satisfaction, and an answer to that question, ‘Is it true?’ The answer to this question that I gave at first was (quite rightly): ‘If you have built your little world well, yes: it is true in that world.’ That is enough for the artist…But in the ‘eucatastrophe’ we see in a brief vision that the answer may be greater–it may be a far-off gleam or echo or evangelium in the real world.

Rally of Hope to support filming of "The Hobbit" in New Zealand (Trailer)

2010-10-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Frodo The Wise

2010-10-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia"I don't think the Shadow gave life to the orcs, it only ruined them and twisted them." ~Frodo

And so it is with all evil. It cannot give life. It twists, and distorts and slowly destroys with an eternal death.

Shire is fit for Hobbitation again: Old Lord Of The Rings set revamped ready for latest Tolkien blockbuster

2010-09-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

Shire is fit for Hobbitation again: Old Lord Of The Rings set revamped ready for latest Tolkien blockbuster

On Time, From Someone With Perspective

2010-09-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Never is too long a word.

Treebeard

I Found Rivendale

2010-07-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Tolkien Professor

2010-07-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

I am currently going through the lecture series of Dr Corey Olsen on the writings of JRR Tolkien. It's an incredible resource and a lot of fun.
Just punch the title above and you're a click away from a boatload of resources. Enough to fill up any elven boat.
You can click ITunes and download the lectures and listen at your leisure, which is what I've done.
Thank You Dr Corey!!!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - Trailer 1 - 1...

2010-06-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

Gandalf Goes to the World Cup

2010-06-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

On The Passing of Time

2010-05-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

The passing seasons are but ripples ever repeated in the long long stream. ~LEGOLAS~

The 'immortality' of the Elves is a subject of endless fascination for the mortal races, usually motived by jealousy or a lack of understanding. Being uninhibited by old age and death, Men or Dwarves would finally achieve the scope to indulge in endless, productive action, but the Elves (especially those of the Third Age) have no such ambition. For them, reminiscing about and preserving the light and beauty of the Elder Days - fighting 'the long defeat' in Galadriel's words - is enough.

The multicultural nature of the Fellowship, and Sam's confusion over the length of their stay in Lorien, provides a rare context in which to discuss the Elvish perspective on time. Legolas obliges, and it is no surprise that his explanation is a string of proverbs.

Time does not tarry ever,
but change and growth is not in all things and places alike.~LEGOLAS~

Yet beneath the Sun all things must wear to an end at last.

By David Rowe

Born of Hope - Trailer November 2009

2009-11-24T17:14:00.001-08:00

Andy Serkis (aka Gollum) Playing Screwtape

2009-11-13T23:08:00.000-08:00

Oh, yea, Click The Title!

The Leaves They Fall

2009-10-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

Image by Professor Bop via Flickr

Leaves of brown they fall to the ground
And it's here, over there leaves around
Shut the door, dim the lights and relax
What is more, your desire or the facts

Pitter patter the rain falling down
Little glamor sun coming round
Take a walk when autumn comes to town

Little stroll past the house on the hill
Some more coal on the fire will do well
And in a week or two it'll be Halloween
Set the page and the stage for the scene

Little game the children will play
And as we watch them while time away
Look at me and take my breath away yeah

You'll be smiling eyes beguilding
And the song on the breeze
Will call my name out and your dream

Chestnuts roasting outside as you walk
With your love by your side
The old accordion man plays mellow and bright
And you go home in the crispness of the night

Little later friends will be along
And if you feel like joining the throng
Just might feel like singing Autumn song
Just may feel like singing Autumn song

You'll be smiling
Eyes beguilding
And the song on the breeze
Calls my name out in your dream

Chestnuts roasting outside
As you walk with your love by your side
And the old accordion plays mellow and bright
And you go home in the crispness of the night

-- Van Morrison --

Beowulf & the Anglo-Saxons

2009-09-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

A fresh look at JRR Tolkien's work. It stirs the blood and fires the imagination!
For loading reasons, I've put the link into the title for your enjoyment. Just click the title.

Beyond Narnia

2009-08-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

Image by mino_andrade via Flickr

We have from @JohnPiper a 55 minute streaming dramatized biography of CS Lewis. It is well done. I hope you enjoy it. Just click the title and it will take you there.

The Hunt For Gollum

2009-08-29T14:30:00.001-07:00

For Shire Lovers Everywhere.

MTV: PJ not planning on third ‘Bridge’ movie

2009-08-17T17:09:00.000-07:00

MTV: PJ not planning on third ‘Bridge’ movie

A Real Hobbit House In Wales

2009-08-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

This is a real beauty of a home. I want one. Click the post Title to read the story with pictures. Then scroll to the very bottom. It will say: For high resolution images, please click here. Click and enjoy a peek at the family and the building of their Hobbit Home.

All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter

2009-07-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

Uganda 2009

2009-06-01T07:22:00.001-07:00

A good friend and ole singing buddy of mine, Fr John Wallace took a group of Florida State students and others to Uganda. They just got back. Check out the video. Look into the eyes and see. Be Blessed and feel.

'The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun'

2009-05-23T21:08:00.001-07:00

If you have been over at Roger's The Oxford Inklings, you will know there was a group before the Inklings. Before the Inklings, before the Hobbit, Tolkien led a group on Northern Mythology where they spoke Old Norse and read the old myths to each other. Late into the night around their coal fire they walked in the cold expanse of the north. Lewis when he came to Oxford, learned of this group and was thrilled to finally find kindred souls.

How did this slip by the real Tolkienites. We had read about this for years, and now here it is. Enjoy, be inspired, be enriched!

The site address is in the list: Through the Shire Gate.

Top 4 Organic Sprays

2009-05-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

Use of organic sprays are more friendly to the environment. They are comprised of common organic materials, soaps and occasionally other environmentally friendly materials. They are often home brewed recipes that you can make and save money along the way. Or, if you are not inclined to make up a batch of your own, they are readily available at most garden supply stores.

If you have a "recipe" for home made insecticides or fungicides, please email us so we can share it with others and do our part for the environment!

1. Insecticide Garlic Spray

Ingredients:
1 Garlic Bulb
2 Cups Water
1 Gallon Water

Instructions:
1. Take an entire garlic bulb and two cups of water and blend in blender.
2. Mix at high speed for 1-2 minutes.
3. Pour into a container and set aside for up to one day.
4. Strain liquid through a cheese cloth.
5. Mix liquid with one gallon of water.
6. Apply liberally on top and bottom of leaves.

2. Insecticide Soap Spray

Ingredients: Liquid Dish Detergent

Instructions:
1. Put one tablespoon of dish detergent per gallon into a sprayer.
2. Apply liberally on top and bottom of leaves.
3. Re-apply after rain or one to two weeks.

3. Hot Pepper Spray

This can be used to repel, deer, rabbits and other pests from your flowers and some vegetables. Note, use caution with vegetables as a peppery taste may remain on the fruit.

Ingredients:
6 Hot Peppers, the hotter the better
2 Cups Water
1 quart Water

Instructions:
1. Put hot peppers and two cups of water into a blender.
2. Mix at high speed for 1-2 minutes.
3. Pour into a container and set aside for up to one day.
4. Strain liquid through a cheese cloth.
5. Add liquid into a one quart container. Fill container to top with water.
6. Apply liberally to plants. Re-apply every week to two weeks or after a rain.

4. Fungicide Powdery Mildew Spray

Ingredients:
1Gallon Water
3 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon Bleach
1 Teaspoon Dishwashing Liquid

Instructions:
1. Snip and remove leaves that are worst affected.
2. Mix ingredients with water.
3. Spray remaining leaves top and undersides.
4. Apply a heavier dose on leaves that have signs of infection and only lightly on unaffected leaves as bleach can actually harm and discolor the leaves.

Extremely important:
Do not use too much bleach! Use no more than 1 part bleach to 10 parts
water. We hesitate to recommend using bleach as it can harm your plants if too much is applied. Use it at your own risk and try to avoid spraying it on healthy leaves.

Got Milk?
Some scientists believe milk has germicidal properties, and is effective against Powdery Mildew?
Hard to believe? Try it out.

Others

Marigolds and Nasturtiums are commonly grown as companion plants as they keep pests away. Try putting some of the leaves and stems in your blender. Let it soak for a day, drain, add water to dilute and apply liberally.

If you are in to experimenting, look up other companion plants and give them a try. You just might invent a new recipe to share with us!

The Gospel According To Tolkien

2009-05-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

I just read one of the finest, clearest and simplest views on Tolkien's world view and his work.

Just click on the Title above to go to the post and enjoy! It will blow you away.

Whitly Hall at Three Oaks

2009-04-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

I hope you guys enjoyed The Tea Cup. I love old "fairy tales" that pack a good story with a deeper meaning.

Here's some gardening shots again, in fact I'm thinking of starting a gardening blog and moving this to word press. What do you think? Any Preferences?

Thank you to the Harvest Garden Group that came over and tilled up around my bird bath. Ah, now to design a wagon wheel style bed. I'm still thinking it thru.

Mia is our Wonder Dog, Siberian Husky, enjoying the deep warm sun.

The third shot is of a yellow variegated pink pampas grass (Cortidaria Rosa) It's one a kind and hasn't bloomed yet. It will this fall. It's about 3ft. high and looks beautiful. This is a terrible shot.

The Tea Cup

2009-04-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both
liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding
anniversary.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup.They said, "May we see that?
We've never seen one quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't understand," it
said. "I haven't always been a teacup.

There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and
patted me over and over and I yelled out, "let me alone", but he only smiled, "Not yet."
"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun
around and around and around.Stop it! I'm getting dizzy! I screamed. But the master
only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'

Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn
me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I
could read his lips as He shook his head, 'Not yet.'

Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'There, that's better,'
I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I
would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'

Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot
and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I
could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'

Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But
the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he
handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that
couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'

'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I
had left you alone, you'd have dried up.

I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would
have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't
put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done
that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any color in your life.
And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven,you wouldn't survive for very long
because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are
what I had in mind when I first began with you.

God knows what He's doing (for all of us). He is the Potter, and we are His clay. He will
mold us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His
good, pleasing, and perfect will.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he
will not tempt you beyond what you can bear; but with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
(Author Unknown)

Postcards From Whitly Hall

2009-04-03T20:40:00.001-07:00

We took these today as the Wisteria is starting to bloom after the rains. I was gazing into our Palantir when I happened to see this view over my right shoulder. It's evident the camera wasn't held too steady, or straight as the case may be. The last one is beautiful if you click it.

There's some talk going about in the Shire that there may be three movies in the upcoming Hobbit series.

First Rose Queen Elizabeth

2009-03-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

I picked the season's first rose and brought it in yesterday evening. Then I realized it needed a picture or three. It is a Queen Elizabeth Rose (first introduced in 1954) The natural colour is of the one on the rock. These are unretouched, of course.

A long walk in the woods today and the cool wind sweetly blowing through the trees. It wakes a deep yearning in me to climb the high ridges of distant mountains, and sit thoughtfully with friends around a campfire sharing the journey.

Spring Has Arrived In The Shire (With Chick Me Photos)

2009-03-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome Weary Travelers

2009-02-10T17:37:00.001-08:00

Welcome weary travelers
Come and take a rest
breathe a while
dream a while
before your hero's quest

Take some time
to stroll with me
and kindle what you love
of hope and peace
and deep release
Come lift your eyes above

Then sharpen skill and sword
and walk upon the way
of truth and life in fullest light
as love inflames your days

Breathe deep the depth of passion
Let flames ingulf your soul
O Live a life of passion
and meet your earnest goals

Bilbo

Tolkien Interview

2008-12-09T15:58:00.001-08:00

Here's the visitor I promised. Sorry for the delay, my monotor died. It's a bit difficult to hear but wonderfully insightful!!!

Field Observations

2008-11-30T19:50:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you strolled through the woods?
When was the last time you lay down in the grass and looked up, watching the clouds sail on by?
Went on a picnic? Or watched the birds sail from tree to tree?
Or listened to the crickets sing as the wind russles through the leaves?
Or been outside on a cold day, smelling the fresh air?
Or smelled the smoke of a distant oak wood fire?
Or you came inside, feeling the warmth, smelling a fresh baked apple pie?
Or smelled the perfume of your own true love?

Sit down in a field and wake up to the wonders around you. Expand.

Into The Cupboard--Hobbit Resources

2008-11-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

What a Glorious weekend! Cold, Crisp, Clear, Windy and Breathtakingly Sunny!
Here are a couple of cool resources to check out: To your right is: A Shire Guide Through The Gate- Scroll to the bottom entry: Shire and click.
Next: Go to ITunes and type in jrr tolkien, Choose: Seattle Pacific University More Lectures, Then get #37 C.S. Lewis and The Art of Storytelling by Earl Palmer Excellent! and Free!
#39 C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien Scholars and Friends by Christopher Mitchell Gives us a peak into their private world, and also is excellent. Explore and Enjoy! Until next time...Here's To The Shire!
Bilbo

PS Click on the picture above for a large view.

The Road To Autumn

2008-11-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

I walk beneath a canopy
of dying leaves
Still clinging to the trees
Down a path of golden memories,
I follow into autumn where it leads
Elaine George
Photo: Della LeBlanc
Click to enlarge

Name This Plant

2008-11-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hobbits treasure the small forgotten flower and are suitably impressed with the large and the grand.

A Golden Afternoon Of Late Autumn Sunshine

2008-10-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

The sunset is piercingly clear and beautiful. We went from almost 85 to 38 in a little over one day. That's almost a 50 degree drop. We went from late high summer to late fall or early winter. With the yellows, greens, browns and reds of Autumn, a passage tickles my memory as it does each year at this time. No picture can do it justice, so just sit back and listen and walk with Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin as they come out of the Old Forest...
" After stumbling along for some way along the stream, they came quite suddenly out of the gloom. As if through a gate they saw the sunlight before them. Coming to the opening they found that they had made their way down through a cleft in a high steep bank, almost a cliff. At its feet was a wide space of grass and reeds; and in the distance could be glimpsed another bank almost as steep."
"A golden afternoon of late sunshine lay warm and drowsy upon the hidden land between. In the midst of it there wound lazily a dark river of brown water, blocked with fallen willows, and flecked with thousands of faded willow-leaves. The air was thick with them, fluttering yellow from the branches; for there was a warm and gentle breeze blowing softly in the valley, and the reeds were rustling, and the willow-boughs were creaking."
From: The Fellowship of The Ring, The Old Forest

Now You Know

2008-10-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

Back in the Winter of 65, two friends Jeff, Keith and I were off on a climbing/camping trip to a granite dome mountain, 'Rocky Face'. On the peak, we held our mountain climbing friend, Keith , who by the way had climbed these mountains (above), 'hostage', until he read us The Hobbit.
As night fell, all I had was this old Sears cloth sleeping bag. The temp. was falling into the teens, so I wrapped a rock from the fire circle into a towel and put it in the bottom of my bag... Warm and Comfy! Later they started calling me Bilbo. Now you know.
I borrowed this recent shot of the Misty Mountains (The Grand Tetons) from a wonderful friend and a fine photographer: Della R Leblanc. This is my present screen saver.

Come Join The Walk About!

2008-10-21T18:39:00.000-07:00

I was walking yesterday and couldn't resist getting these two shots!
The top is a honey bee on Solidago or ' Goldenrod'. The second is another native,' Pink Muhley' (Muhlenbergia capillaris) while the plant behind it is a variation of 'Pink Muhley' called 'White Cloud'. This fan display is really spectacular in the early morning breeze.
P.S. Thank You so much, I love your comments!!!

The Road Goes Ever On And On

2008-10-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow if I can.

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whether then? I cannot say.

Durin's Day

2008-10-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

'Then what is Durin's Day?' asked Elrond.
'The first day of the dwarves 'New Year,' said Thorin, 'is as all should know the first day of the last moon of Autumn on the threshold of Winter. We still call it Durin's Day when the last moon of Autumn and the sun are in the sky together.
I took this picture from 'the Chimney's' at Table Rock, NC

Blazing Star

2008-10-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

This is Liatris spicata commonly called Blazing Star, Gay Feather, or Colic Root. I came across this Perennial Beauty yesterday. It is a wonderful addition to the fall garden of any well respected Hobbit. It is a good companion of Corepsis Moonbeam or even Golden Rod (Solidago). The name Colic Root tells us what ancient lore used it for. It blooms from the top down as it sways in the wind. It's a great native. Click on the photo to get a better view.