“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
– J.R.R Tolkien
Showing posts with label JRR Tolkien. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JRR Tolkien. Show all posts
Monday, October 21, 2024
Monday, October 14, 2024
Monday, October 7, 2024
Monday, September 30, 2024
Monday Quote
War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. ~ J. R. R. Tolkien
Monday, September 23, 2024
Monday Quote
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
~ J. R. R. Tolkien
Monday, September 16, 2024
Monday Quote
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
~J. R. R. Tolkien
Monday, September 9, 2024
Monday Quote
I've always been impressed that we are here, surviving, because of the indomitable courage of quite small people against impossible odds. ~ J. R. R. Tolkien
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Hobbit Day
Luke Shelton shared some ideas on things to add to your celebration:
https://luke-shelton.com/2019/09/21/last-minute-tips-for-making-hobbit-day-memorable/
https://luke-shelton.com/2019/09/21/last-minute-tips-for-making-hobbit-day-memorable/
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
There and Back Again Day 3
Side note/update: Caught up on emails and blog posts. Did I mention that I disconnected from the world? My little phone is able to make calls and texts. That's it. I only sent texts to let family know where I was. No phone. No computer. No television (by choice). No radio. I'm also realizing that I sometimes note something on one day when it was on another, a bit of blending. I'm endeavoring to be as accurate as possible. Should have taken better notes. Oh, wait! I took notes. I can't find them. *pfft*
On the road again.
We woke between 5:15 and 5:30 AM, dressed, packed the Suburban, and ate breakfast at 6 AM. At 6:30 AM we picked up our fourth hobbit, who did the driving. S has driven the route so many times she could do it in her sleep. We didn't use the interstate but two-lane back roads.
It was beautiful driving through northern Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. We arrived at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, Kentucky, in the afternoon. We settled in. L, J, and S in the sitting room, which included a couple of overstuffed armchairs, an ottoman, and a couch. I was given the bedroom as I was the only one who loves the orthopedic foam mattress. Woohoo!
My walls were covered with costumes:
I wore the brown stretch velvet with lace sleeves above. The costumes were mostly L's, and she generously shared with me.
L wore these. Those are my bedtime socks on the bed and my carryon bag.
I wore these to dinner, combining them into three different outfits.
We met one of our online friends, T, and went to dinner together at the Old Owl Tavern. I wasn't particularly hungry. I looked at what was available that I could eat. The joy of being allergic to all things pepper, of any kind. The only possibility was a kale and poached pear salad. Really? I wasn't thrilled. Not a fan of kale or greens for that matter. A firm reminder that "I'm going on an adventure," which included food (within reason), and I ordered the salad. It included goat cheese and bacon. Oh. My. Goodness! It was delicious. I'd order it again, without hesitation.
One more stop before heading home, Krogers, to pick up a few things. They had my newly discovered Vitacoco water, on sale. Now the tricky part. I had a store card for the grocery store that sells Kroger products in Arizona. Would it work in Kentucky? Yes!
Home, and I was ready to go to bed at 10 PM. I'd adapted quickly to the three-hour time difference.
On the road again.
We woke between 5:15 and 5:30 AM, dressed, packed the Suburban, and ate breakfast at 6 AM. At 6:30 AM we picked up our fourth hobbit, who did the driving. S has driven the route so many times she could do it in her sleep. We didn't use the interstate but two-lane back roads.
It was beautiful driving through northern Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. We arrived at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, Kentucky, in the afternoon. We settled in. L, J, and S in the sitting room, which included a couple of overstuffed armchairs, an ottoman, and a couch. I was given the bedroom as I was the only one who loves the orthopedic foam mattress. Woohoo!
My walls were covered with costumes:
I wore the brown stretch velvet with lace sleeves above. The costumes were mostly L's, and she generously shared with me.
L wore these. Those are my bedtime socks on the bed and my carryon bag.
I wore these to dinner, combining them into three different outfits.
We met one of our online friends, T, and went to dinner together at the Old Owl Tavern. I wasn't particularly hungry. I looked at what was available that I could eat. The joy of being allergic to all things pepper, of any kind. The only possibility was a kale and poached pear salad. Really? I wasn't thrilled. Not a fan of kale or greens for that matter. A firm reminder that "I'm going on an adventure," which included food (within reason), and I ordered the salad. It included goat cheese and bacon. Oh. My. Goodness! It was delicious. I'd order it again, without hesitation.
One more stop before heading home, Krogers, to pick up a few things. They had my newly discovered Vitacoco water, on sale. Now the tricky part. I had a store card for the grocery store that sells Kroger products in Arizona. Would it work in Kentucky? Yes!
Home, and I was ready to go to bed at 10 PM. I'd adapted quickly to the three-hour time difference.
Friday, October 6, 2017
There and Back Again Day 2
The first room had little roaches running around on the desk. We were given another room. We woke around 5:30 AM. I was last. We readied for the day, packed the Suburban, and ate breakfast at 6 AM.
On the road again, we finished crossing Louisiana, long bridges over huge areas of water. We crossed Mississippi into Alabama and headed north. We cut across to Atlanta and took the loop around, hitting some road construction. It slowed us, but it could have been worse.
We continued on to Dawsonville, Georgia, and met our fourth adventurer. The four hobbits went to dinner, and I ordered a hamburger on ciabatta and French fries. It was yummy. I think it was Ruby Tuesday. Again, I wrote notes and have no idea where they ended up.
The company laughed and planned. Another hotel. No roaches, blessedly.
I didn't see much of the countryside because walls of trees lined I-10.
Sugarcane fields.
On the road again, we finished crossing Louisiana, long bridges over huge areas of water. We crossed Mississippi into Alabama and headed north. We cut across to Atlanta and took the loop around, hitting some road construction. It slowed us, but it could have been worse.
We continued on to Dawsonville, Georgia, and met our fourth adventurer. The four hobbits went to dinner, and I ordered a hamburger on ciabatta and French fries. It was yummy. I think it was Ruby Tuesday. Again, I wrote notes and have no idea where they ended up.
The company laughed and planned. Another hotel. No roaches, blessedly.
I didn't see much of the countryside because walls of trees lined I-10.
Sugarcane fields.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
There and Back Again Day 1
I debated how to write this. Should I make one long write up? Or break it up?
Coming home to around 700 emails (spread over several accounts), I appreciate the short posts, so short it is.
I attended the ALEP 4, also known as 4LEP. I attended the first ALEP (A Long Expected Party) nine years ago. They occur every 3 years. The following 2 events occurred when I had deadlines. When I realized I'd have no deadlines for the 4th event, I began planning, almost two years ago.
Friends at the first event invited me to attend, offering to share a room. I registered last year, in July, as soon as it opened. One of them, L, later asked if I'd drive with her, from Texas to Kentucky. With my back, I hesitated. However, Goggins had become a part of my life, and I decided to do what I needed to do to make it possible. I upped my workout so I'd be ready and said, "Yes!"
Thinking about it as a vacation was stressing me out. I knew it wouldn't be relaxed. It would be busy. Things would go wrong. It's a Lord of the Rings event. I made the mental connections and declared, "I'm going on an adventure!" Completely changed my perspective.
Then L asked if we could bring a guy along, J. I knew them all from a previous LOTR event. Sure. Her husband had wanted her to bring another woman along so she wasn't alone. I appreciated having a man along. Three was safer than two. Then it was decided we'd pick up a fourth friend, S, in Georgia.
Austin, Texas, to Dawsonville, Georgia: 1,013 miles or 14 hours and 46 minutes. Dawsonville, Georgia to Harrodsburg, Kentucky, a bit south of the Shaker Village: 331 miles 5 hours and 45 minutes. Almost 22 hours of driving, after my 2-1/2 hour flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to Austin Texas.
I was all in. "I'm going on an adventure!" It wouldn't be comfortable. It wouldn't be perfect. It would be worth it.
I wrote lists and checked them off and wrote more lists. I made purchases. I sent a list of things for L to buy so I wouldn't have to worry about packing them, things like shampoo and conditioner, etc. We texted and messaged back and forth about our plans. I was as prepared as I knew how to be.
Sunday morning, 23 September, my dad woke me at 3:30 AM. My alarm was set for 3:45 AM. He was excited for me and didn't want me to be late. Check in was at 5 AM for my 7 AM flight on Southwest (my favorite airline and the only one I'll use).
I worried about security. I hadn't flown since the increased security. The TSA agent informed me I'd already been cleared for Pre-check! Woohoo! I didn't know where to look on my ticket. The agents were helpful and didn't harass me about my nervousness. They did have to check my suitcase as the x-ray machine showed beans. Why beans are a problem, I don't know. Doesn't matter. The man opened my suitcase, and I explained that the bean-filled stuffie was my aromatherapy dog. His look was doubtful. I explained that it smells like lavender, and I sleep with it close to my face. Understanding replaced confusion and I was sent on my way.
The flight was a little late. Maintenance. My first reaction was panic. I couldn't be late. People were waiting for me in order to head east.
"I'm going on an adventure!" Give the battle to God and praise Him in the storm.
The problem was cleared up in a few minutes, and we were on our way. I arrived pretty much on time. Since I only did carryon, a bag and a backpack, I was outside in no time, and we were on our way.
Austin to our first stop. Lunch at a steakhouse L wanted to try, only it wasn't a steakhouse anymore. L had asked me what type of food I wouldn't eat. Mexican because it almost always includes peppers of what kind or another, to which I'm allergic. What had the steakhouse become? Yep, Mexican food. Best Italian pasta I've ever eaten. I took notes. Do I know where they are? Nope.
From there we headed for the loop bypassing Houston. My friends pointed out the water line on the trees, from Harvey. Garbage was still stacked outside many homes. Houston to the other side of Baton Rogue, it was dark and we stopped for the night.
The first picture I took on my adventure. Somehow I failed to take a single picture the first day. This is day two, and it's raining. I took the picture through the front windshield in the comfortable 2002 Suburban. L drove during the day. J drove when it was dark. I navigated.
Coming home to around 700 emails (spread over several accounts), I appreciate the short posts, so short it is.
I attended the ALEP 4, also known as 4LEP. I attended the first ALEP (A Long Expected Party) nine years ago. They occur every 3 years. The following 2 events occurred when I had deadlines. When I realized I'd have no deadlines for the 4th event, I began planning, almost two years ago.
Friends at the first event invited me to attend, offering to share a room. I registered last year, in July, as soon as it opened. One of them, L, later asked if I'd drive with her, from Texas to Kentucky. With my back, I hesitated. However, Goggins had become a part of my life, and I decided to do what I needed to do to make it possible. I upped my workout so I'd be ready and said, "Yes!"
Thinking about it as a vacation was stressing me out. I knew it wouldn't be relaxed. It would be busy. Things would go wrong. It's a Lord of the Rings event. I made the mental connections and declared, "I'm going on an adventure!" Completely changed my perspective.
Then L asked if we could bring a guy along, J. I knew them all from a previous LOTR event. Sure. Her husband had wanted her to bring another woman along so she wasn't alone. I appreciated having a man along. Three was safer than two. Then it was decided we'd pick up a fourth friend, S, in Georgia.
Austin, Texas, to Dawsonville, Georgia: 1,013 miles or 14 hours and 46 minutes. Dawsonville, Georgia to Harrodsburg, Kentucky, a bit south of the Shaker Village: 331 miles 5 hours and 45 minutes. Almost 22 hours of driving, after my 2-1/2 hour flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to Austin Texas.
I was all in. "I'm going on an adventure!" It wouldn't be comfortable. It wouldn't be perfect. It would be worth it.
I wrote lists and checked them off and wrote more lists. I made purchases. I sent a list of things for L to buy so I wouldn't have to worry about packing them, things like shampoo and conditioner, etc. We texted and messaged back and forth about our plans. I was as prepared as I knew how to be.
Sunday morning, 23 September, my dad woke me at 3:30 AM. My alarm was set for 3:45 AM. He was excited for me and didn't want me to be late. Check in was at 5 AM for my 7 AM flight on Southwest (my favorite airline and the only one I'll use).
I worried about security. I hadn't flown since the increased security. The TSA agent informed me I'd already been cleared for Pre-check! Woohoo! I didn't know where to look on my ticket. The agents were helpful and didn't harass me about my nervousness. They did have to check my suitcase as the x-ray machine showed beans. Why beans are a problem, I don't know. Doesn't matter. The man opened my suitcase, and I explained that the bean-filled stuffie was my aromatherapy dog. His look was doubtful. I explained that it smells like lavender, and I sleep with it close to my face. Understanding replaced confusion and I was sent on my way.
The flight was a little late. Maintenance. My first reaction was panic. I couldn't be late. People were waiting for me in order to head east.
"I'm going on an adventure!" Give the battle to God and praise Him in the storm.
The problem was cleared up in a few minutes, and we were on our way. I arrived pretty much on time. Since I only did carryon, a bag and a backpack, I was outside in no time, and we were on our way.
Austin to our first stop. Lunch at a steakhouse L wanted to try, only it wasn't a steakhouse anymore. L had asked me what type of food I wouldn't eat. Mexican because it almost always includes peppers of what kind or another, to which I'm allergic. What had the steakhouse become? Yep, Mexican food. Best Italian pasta I've ever eaten. I took notes. Do I know where they are? Nope.
From there we headed for the loop bypassing Houston. My friends pointed out the water line on the trees, from Harvey. Garbage was still stacked outside many homes. Houston to the other side of Baton Rogue, it was dark and we stopped for the night.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
The problem with memes...
The other day was Mental Health Awareness Day, I want to share something I believe is important.
I love quotes, little sayings that cheer me, lift me, inspire me. I've seen some wonderful memes. I've also seen some I believe to be disturbing. "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" is an early meme, and not what we used to call those short, in-a-nutshell sayings.
I've never forgotten a quote I saw in the newspaper, decades ago: "A philosophy that fits in a nutshell should probably stay there."
By the way, the "Cleanliness" meme is quoted like it's from the Bible. It isn't. Bible study isn't simply about learning what's there. It's also about learning what isn't there.
I've seen a new meme going around on FB and Pinterest lately. It makes me cringe.
"Happy girls are pretty girls."
First glance, my reaction was 'great!' Close on the heels of that reaction was recognizing all the damage done by saying something so insensitive.
I've worked with three different counselors, over the years. None of them wanted to diagnose me with anything. They didn't want me to be labeled and limited. However, reading through a list of someone with C-PTSD, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I fit every item on the list. I believe the powers that be in the world of psychiatry are changing the name. No matter. I state this not to brag or to say I'm an expert in anything but dealing with my own upside down world.
On the heels of 'great' came the thought "Unhappy girls are ugly girls."
Followed by: JRR Tolkien wrote, in Return of the King, "Not all tears are an evil."
Dealing with depression isn't about choosing happy or unhappy. Dealing with depression is about choosing depression over anger, rage at the helplessness of being abused and having no power to protect myself and no one to protect me. Depression isn't a healthy choice, but it is a healthier choice than uncontrolled fury. Depression is about suppression of emotions. It can be a healthy choice on a short-term basis. It allows for processing time. It is not a healthy choice for the long-term, but it is healthier than allowing emotions to run rampant. The difference between turning inward and turning outward. There's time to work on helping yourself. Once you've lashed out at someone else, you have no control over how they respond.
The danger lies in assigning labels of good, bad, positive, or negative to any emotion. Emotions are neither good nor bad, positive or negative. Emotions simply are. They happen, to everyone, unless a person disassociates, which is not healthy.
The epitome of beauty is Jesus Christ. Jesus wept. He was also angry. He was passionate about His mission on earth. He felt deeply. He mourned, and He rejoiced.
It isn't the emotion that determines whether it is good or bad, it is what you do with the emotion.
One of the ugliest things I've ever seen is a person who is happy when someone else fails. I want to clarify that I'm not talking about competition where you cheer for your team and wish the other team to lose. I'm also not talking about being happy when evil fails, which is healthy. I'm talking about the Roman citizens cheering the Christians being fed to the lions. Laughing when someone stumbles in their life. Cheering someone's downfall, not because they are evil but because they're too happy, too wealthy, too successful.
One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen is a dying patient's last video, recorded for the purpose of comforting those left behind when they depart this mortal sphere.
Ugly: People happily making fun of someone who's fat or slow or somehow less than the world's definition of acceptable.
Beautiful: A firefighter attempting to save a dog rescued from a fire, even if it's hopeless.
I've seen numerous examples of both posted all over the internet.
There is skin-deep beauty and soul-deep beauty.
There is nothing wrong with skin-deep beauty. The trick is remembering that skin-deep is not an indicator of soul-deep. I don't appreciate roses any less because they have thorns. I accept that they have thorns and protect myself accordingly.
Soul-deep beauty comes from a light within. Babies are born with it. Somewhere along the journey of life, many bury it or allow it to wither away. It requires work and effort to maintain it. However, if it's lost, for whatever reason, it is possible to reclaim. Being able to see and appreciate it sometimes is easy, but most of the time it also requires work and effort.
Some people possess both. This isn't a point of envy.
Know this: What you see and how you respond says absolutely nothing about the other person and everything about you.
Seeing the word envy reminds me that some emotions are more desirable than others. However, rejecting an emotions is rejecting a part of yourself. An emotion like jealousy is an opportunity to look into your heart and explore why you feel "less than." It certainly isn't about what the other person has and you don't. Every single person in the world has something you don't.
Emotions are all about you. How you perceive yourself and your world.
I keep stumbling over the need to be happy. Happy is not a constant state. Emotions come and go and come again.
I want to be beautiful, which is why those "pretty" memes grab me. I want to be pretty. Skin-deep is not a possibility, but I can be beautiful soul-deep. It isn't something someone can define for me because beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. How do I see myself? How do I want to see myself?
I've been working on trusting God. This is not easy, especially for an abuse survivor. Trust is shattered in every possible way and used as a weapon.
Honor and trust are intertwined.
God's greatest power is His honor. He is unchanging, immovable, everlasting. He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.
Maybe it will fit and maybe it won't, but I want to try this definition of beautiful:
Beautiful is trusting God enough to know no matter what happens He is in control and aware of me.
I love quotes, little sayings that cheer me, lift me, inspire me. I've seen some wonderful memes. I've also seen some I believe to be disturbing. "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" is an early meme, and not what we used to call those short, in-a-nutshell sayings.
I've never forgotten a quote I saw in the newspaper, decades ago: "A philosophy that fits in a nutshell should probably stay there."
By the way, the "Cleanliness" meme is quoted like it's from the Bible. It isn't. Bible study isn't simply about learning what's there. It's also about learning what isn't there.
I've seen a new meme going around on FB and Pinterest lately. It makes me cringe.
"Happy girls are pretty girls."
First glance, my reaction was 'great!' Close on the heels of that reaction was recognizing all the damage done by saying something so insensitive.
I've worked with three different counselors, over the years. None of them wanted to diagnose me with anything. They didn't want me to be labeled and limited. However, reading through a list of someone with C-PTSD, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I fit every item on the list. I believe the powers that be in the world of psychiatry are changing the name. No matter. I state this not to brag or to say I'm an expert in anything but dealing with my own upside down world.
On the heels of 'great' came the thought "Unhappy girls are ugly girls."
Followed by: JRR Tolkien wrote, in Return of the King, "Not all tears are an evil."
Dealing with depression isn't about choosing happy or unhappy. Dealing with depression is about choosing depression over anger, rage at the helplessness of being abused and having no power to protect myself and no one to protect me. Depression isn't a healthy choice, but it is a healthier choice than uncontrolled fury. Depression is about suppression of emotions. It can be a healthy choice on a short-term basis. It allows for processing time. It is not a healthy choice for the long-term, but it is healthier than allowing emotions to run rampant. The difference between turning inward and turning outward. There's time to work on helping yourself. Once you've lashed out at someone else, you have no control over how they respond.
The danger lies in assigning labels of good, bad, positive, or negative to any emotion. Emotions are neither good nor bad, positive or negative. Emotions simply are. They happen, to everyone, unless a person disassociates, which is not healthy.
The epitome of beauty is Jesus Christ. Jesus wept. He was also angry. He was passionate about His mission on earth. He felt deeply. He mourned, and He rejoiced.
It isn't the emotion that determines whether it is good or bad, it is what you do with the emotion.
One of the ugliest things I've ever seen is a person who is happy when someone else fails. I want to clarify that I'm not talking about competition where you cheer for your team and wish the other team to lose. I'm also not talking about being happy when evil fails, which is healthy. I'm talking about the Roman citizens cheering the Christians being fed to the lions. Laughing when someone stumbles in their life. Cheering someone's downfall, not because they are evil but because they're too happy, too wealthy, too successful.
One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen is a dying patient's last video, recorded for the purpose of comforting those left behind when they depart this mortal sphere.
Ugly: People happily making fun of someone who's fat or slow or somehow less than the world's definition of acceptable.
Beautiful: A firefighter attempting to save a dog rescued from a fire, even if it's hopeless.
I've seen numerous examples of both posted all over the internet.
There is skin-deep beauty and soul-deep beauty.
There is nothing wrong with skin-deep beauty. The trick is remembering that skin-deep is not an indicator of soul-deep. I don't appreciate roses any less because they have thorns. I accept that they have thorns and protect myself accordingly.
Soul-deep beauty comes from a light within. Babies are born with it. Somewhere along the journey of life, many bury it or allow it to wither away. It requires work and effort to maintain it. However, if it's lost, for whatever reason, it is possible to reclaim. Being able to see and appreciate it sometimes is easy, but most of the time it also requires work and effort.
Some people possess both. This isn't a point of envy.
Know this: What you see and how you respond says absolutely nothing about the other person and everything about you.
Seeing the word envy reminds me that some emotions are more desirable than others. However, rejecting an emotions is rejecting a part of yourself. An emotion like jealousy is an opportunity to look into your heart and explore why you feel "less than." It certainly isn't about what the other person has and you don't. Every single person in the world has something you don't.
Emotions are all about you. How you perceive yourself and your world.
I keep stumbling over the need to be happy. Happy is not a constant state. Emotions come and go and come again.
I want to be beautiful, which is why those "pretty" memes grab me. I want to be pretty. Skin-deep is not a possibility, but I can be beautiful soul-deep. It isn't something someone can define for me because beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. How do I see myself? How do I want to see myself?
I've been working on trusting God. This is not easy, especially for an abuse survivor. Trust is shattered in every possible way and used as a weapon.
Honor and trust are intertwined.
God's greatest power is His honor. He is unchanging, immovable, everlasting. He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.
Maybe it will fit and maybe it won't, but I want to try this definition of beautiful:
Beautiful is trusting God enough to know no matter what happens He is in control and aware of me.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Saturday Sharing links...
Writers In The Storm blog shared writing tips from one of my favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkien:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/08/10-bits-of-stellar-writing-advice-from-j-r-r-tolkien/
A problem Christian fiction writers face is that there are those who accuse us of creating lies and wasting our gift. Rebeca Seitz shared an inspiring post on stories:
http://rebecaseitz.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/stories-lies/
Holley Gerth is an inspirational writer. I discovered her through DaySpring, a card company. I also follow her on FB.
http://holleygerth.com/prayer-feel-broken/
Over at The Writer's Refuge, an interesting question is asked:
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/talent-or-tenacity-which-is-most-important-for-a-writer/
Second part of Genesis 5020's series:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/how-mackinac-island-is-like-our-spiritual-lives-part-2/
God bless.
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/08/10-bits-of-stellar-writing-advice-from-j-r-r-tolkien/
A problem Christian fiction writers face is that there are those who accuse us of creating lies and wasting our gift. Rebeca Seitz shared an inspiring post on stories:
http://rebecaseitz.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/stories-lies/
Holley Gerth is an inspirational writer. I discovered her through DaySpring, a card company. I also follow her on FB.
http://holleygerth.com/prayer-feel-broken/
Over at The Writer's Refuge, an interesting question is asked:
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/talent-or-tenacity-which-is-most-important-for-a-writer/
Second part of Genesis 5020's series:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/how-mackinac-island-is-like-our-spiritual-lives-part-2/
God bless.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
March 25 is Tolkien Reading Day...
I've lived in Arizona all my life, with a few odd trips here and there. This past weekend, my California friends celebrated Tolkien Reading Day. They gathered together and read passages from various Tolkien works. The Hobbit was the main focus, of course, what with the release of the DVD, last Friday.
This was the third year I missed.
For eight years, I went to L.A. once or twice a year, only for a weekend. I stayed with a couple of dear friends. Most of our activities were Lord of the Rings related. We talked. We laughed. I relaxed.
The first few years, there were no trips to the ocean. I didn't want to go. My memories of the ocean were of the northern California coast where the waves crashed so loud I couldn't hear myself think. I wanted to turn down the volume. It drove me crazy I couldn't make it stop.
Finally, one of my dearest friends talked me into eating at the Belmont Brewery, right there on Belmont Beach. We walked in the sand afterward, listening to the soft whoosh, whoosh of the tide. I was enchanted. Every time I visited thereafter, it was arranged for me to spend at least a little time at Belmont Beach, walking in the sand. I discovered the pleasure of walking close enough to the ocean for the tide to wash over my feet.
I've missed my friends in L.A., and I've missed walking along the beach. I've also missed the Reading Day event. There were two passages I particularly enjoyed sharing, the crossing of the ford and the destruction of the Ring. I was honored to be asked to do the latter several years in a row.
I miss the laughter. I miss the friendship, the camaraderie, the sense of belonging. I miss the sense of peace that always encompassed me.
Now, whenever I see L.A. on some television show, like NCIS Los Angeles, the first thought to race through my mind is "When are you going home?" I can't explain it. I only know that every time I fly there, there might as well be a giant magnetic force. As we fly over the mountains into the Los Angeles Valley, my heart sings, "Home. We're home."
This was the third year I missed.
For eight years, I went to L.A. once or twice a year, only for a weekend. I stayed with a couple of dear friends. Most of our activities were Lord of the Rings related. We talked. We laughed. I relaxed.
The first few years, there were no trips to the ocean. I didn't want to go. My memories of the ocean were of the northern California coast where the waves crashed so loud I couldn't hear myself think. I wanted to turn down the volume. It drove me crazy I couldn't make it stop.
Finally, one of my dearest friends talked me into eating at the Belmont Brewery, right there on Belmont Beach. We walked in the sand afterward, listening to the soft whoosh, whoosh of the tide. I was enchanted. Every time I visited thereafter, it was arranged for me to spend at least a little time at Belmont Beach, walking in the sand. I discovered the pleasure of walking close enough to the ocean for the tide to wash over my feet.
I've missed my friends in L.A., and I've missed walking along the beach. I've also missed the Reading Day event. There were two passages I particularly enjoyed sharing, the crossing of the ford and the destruction of the Ring. I was honored to be asked to do the latter several years in a row.
I miss the laughter. I miss the friendship, the camaraderie, the sense of belonging. I miss the sense of peace that always encompassed me.
Now, whenever I see L.A. on some television show, like NCIS Los Angeles, the first thought to race through my mind is "When are you going home?" I can't explain it. I only know that every time I fly there, there might as well be a giant magnetic force. As we fly over the mountains into the Los Angeles Valley, my heart sings, "Home. We're home."
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Something to cheer me...
This is a link to one of the movie trailers to The Hobbit movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGsB9dORBg&feature=fvwp
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey/trailers/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-theatrical-trailer-30640778-30640778.html
Tolkien is an amazing storyteller. When I first started writing again, I aspired to be like Tolkien. If I could write even a fraction as well, I thought it would be quite an accomplishment.
So if you wonder about my style, now you know from whence came my first inspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGsB9dORBg&feature=fvwp
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey/trailers/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-theatrical-trailer-30640778-30640778.html
Tolkien is an amazing storyteller. When I first started writing again, I aspired to be like Tolkien. If I could write even a fraction as well, I thought it would be quite an accomplishment.
So if you wonder about my style, now you know from whence came my first inspiration.
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