Bilbo's Poem

Hubby, son and I are all huge "LOTR" fans...we've all read the books, at least twice, watch the movies as often as we can and have even learned a few of the elvish words. Who would have thought, that in amongst all this fantasy, intrigue and war, hubby and I would find one of our favorite poems...ever...

Bilbo sings this song while in Rivendell, just before Frodo leaves on his quest...

Bilbo's Fireside Poem

I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
In summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall ever see.

For still there are so many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think
of people long ago,
and people who will see a world
that I shall never know.

But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.

To lighten your day...

Spend a few moments with Jim Meskimen quoting Richard III by Shakespeare with a whole host of famous people...

Books and Stories

My family moved quite often as I was growing up. Although I learned about different parts of the southeastern US, it became hard for me to make friends. Having felt the pain of leaving once too often, it became easier to merely be nice and polite but not to get too close. As a replacement for these people, I fell in love with reading.

The characters in the books could go with me wherever...they too could move at the drop of a hat and never change. If I became particularly lonely, I could re-visit a book that I had read before and feel comfortable in the familiarity of the story.

In High School I was introduced by one of my English teachers to JRR Tolkien via his epic works...first The Hobbit and then The Lord of the Rings. For those who have read these stories, you know they are a world unto themselves with right, wrong, good, bad, humans, elves, dwarfs and other creatures. Since this was before the days of Internet, it was hard to find others to discuss the books with but in time, it was my great pleasure to introduce them to my husband and son. Both of them brought their own interpretations and opinions and went spent much time in conversation about every aspect of the story.

There was joy and trepidation when we heard the Lord of the Rings would be made into movies. How could anyone hope to put the depth of each character on film and do justice to the work? Needless to say we were thrilled with Peter Jackson's vision (the Ents were just as I had imagined them!) and bought them all when they became available on DVD.

There is much in the words of these books that can apply to our life as Christians. Two of the characters that didn't make it into the movies were Tom Bombadil and his wife Goldberry (the River-Woman's daughter). They were quite lovable and unique but it was obvious that there was more to them than meets the eye. At one point, Tom rescues Frodo, Sam and the other hobbits from Old Man Willow (a tree with evil intent and interesting powers). The hobbits had called out for help when they realized they were trapped and Frodo assumed that Tom had heard their cries. But Tom says” Eh, what? Did I hear you calling? Nay, I did not hear, I was busy singing (a favorite pastime of his). Just chance brought me then, if chance is what you call it. It was no plan of mine, though I was waiting for you.”

We can apply this to our Christian walk...we know God is there and in prayer we interact with Him. But, by and large we go about the business of our lives without much thought that there is a plan far greater than we are able to know. Although God is not so busy singing that He does not hear our cries for help, He still operates on His time, and with His knowledge of what we need. We are called to trust and know that evil only affects us if we allow it and that He will rescue us when we have need.

Victor Hugo...

209 years ago today Victor Hugo was born.

In High School my French teacher gave us an assignment to read a book by a French author (not in french...it was just HS after all)! I chose "Les Miserable" by Victor Hugo. Although I knew nothing about him or the book prior to my choice, I was thrilled with the story. It touches every human emotion.

Years later the story was adapted and became a world famous play. I was privileged to see the production and sat spellbound...once again I was wrapped in the story but this time with words and music...It is a fabulous production and well worth your time if you ever have the opportunity.

While I know Hugo never dreamed of such, in honor of his birthday a song from the play...enjoy!

Phrases you know...

While I would like to take credit for compiling the following list, I did not...(may I also mention I would love to have the time to compile such a list...perhaps someday when I have less than two jobs, no children to raise, no housework or garden, come to think of it, I like things just the way they are so I'll continue to post other peoples work from time to time..but promise to give them the credit!)...

The following commonly used phrases are thought to be originally coined by William Shakespeare (many say these combinations of words did not appear in print before Shakespeare’s works):

All that glitters is not gold
All’s well that ends well
Bated breath
Dead as a doornail
Fancy-free
Fool’s paradise
For goodness’ sake
Good riddance
Heart of gold
In a pickle
Knock knock! Who’s there?
Laughing stock
Love is blind
Naked truth
Neither rhyme nor reason
One fell swoop
Star-crossed lovers
Pomp and circumstance
Pound of flesh
Primrose path
Too much of a good thing
Wear my heart upon my sleeve
What’s in a name?
Wild goose chase
The world’s my oyster

I was quite amazed at the number...but for such a prolific and eloquent writer it should be no surprise. By the way, the Pioneer Woman published the list...she has a really fun blog!