Tolkien Blog Party 2024 | My Tag Answers

Well, folks, another Tolkien Blog Party is drawing to a close.  Today is the last day of Rachel's shindig, and therefore, high time for me to post my answers to this year's tag. 

Before we begin, though, a moment of silence for the end of a (sort of) era.  For the last several years I've used collages from a gorgeous Tumblr series as graphics for my tag answers, but at long last, I've used all or most of them at least once before.  I don't particularly want to recycle them, so I'm not including any in this post, but I think that Tumblr creator has made other Middle-earth inspired collections, so maybe I can scope out some new ones to use in coming years!  Anyway.  RIP, "modern LOTR aesthetics".  You did us a solid. ✌

On a cheerier note, read on for the 2024 tag questions and my answers thereto. 

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1. The Shire: What place in Middle-earth do you think would feel the most like home for you?

Well, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it?  I lean toward the Withywindle Valley, Ithilien, or the Shire itself, but I don't think I could ever feel at home without mountains nearby, so maybe Rivendell would be a more correct answer.  In any case, those are my favorite Middle-earth locales, so I'd probably be pretty happy in any of them.

(Of course, in a perfect world, I would be married to Beorn and therefore living with my cool beekeeping vegetarian husband on his idyllic estate in Wilderland between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood.  Ahem.)

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2. Bree: If you could create a Middle-earth-themed restaurant, what would you serve there?

My instinctual answer is Beorn's honey cakes, but does The Hobbit ever explicitly state that Beorn serves honey cakes?  *ruminates*  Well, even if it doesn't, he probably does, so I'm sticking with my answer.  

(FYI, in my mind, the honey cakes are light and wafer-like, probably made out of some kind of pastry, almost a shortbread consistency or a Napoleon cake situation.  Not a rich/moist birthday cake texture.  I don't actually like the taste of honey in that form.)

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3. Rivendell: Where in Middle-earth would you like to hang out with your friends for a week or so?

Maybe Lothlorien or Dale, because I wouldn't necessarily like to live long-term in either place, but I would like to visit both.  I think Dale would be especially interesting.

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4. Moria: Have you ever delved into the history of Middle-earth (or the history of Tolkien's creative process)? If so, did you learn anything cool you'd like to share?

A bit!  Not very exhaustively, but I did glean some interesting insight into Tolkien's creative vision and priorities from Tolkien's Sacramental Vision (Bernthal) and A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War (Loconte).  I've also perused the appendices to The Lord of the Rings and learned fun family lore for some of the characters, like Elrond, Eomer, Merry, Pippin, etc.

A friend and I also briefly tried our hand at learning one or two of the Elven languages via an app.  All that I've retained are a few terms of endearment, like "melda" ("dear") and "mire" ("treasure," "precious," etc.), and "namarie"("farewell"). 😉

5. Lothlorien: Would you like to sleep in a tree?

I'd like to sleep in a flet, I think, but I'd prefer some kind of cot to just sleeping directly on the wooden floor.

6. Edoras: Do you like horses?

Of course, though I haven't interacted with them very much.

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7. Minas Tirith: Have you ever dressed as a Tolkien character, whether for a convention or Halloween or anything else? (Bonus fake internet points if you share a photo!)

Not as a specific Tolkien character, but I did (attempt to) dress as a Tolkien-esque Elf for a trip to the movie theater once.  I believe it was for one of the Hobbit films?  Can't remember which one, though.

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8. Erebor: Do you have any Middle-earth merchandise you particularly treasure?

YES.  One of my brothers gave me a sterling silver replica of the Evenstar necklace as my Secret Santa gift one Christmas, and I treasure that because of how thoughtful and generous that was of him.  (And also because of the item itself.  I mean, that's a stunning piece.  I don't wear it much because it feels too special and I prefer smaller necklaces for everyday wear, but I still love it.)

I also printed out all of the collages in that Tumblr series that I mentioned at the beginning of the post and am adding those to my omnibus copy of The Lord of the Rings so that I have them to gaze upon while I'm reading. 😍

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9. Mordor: Have you ever read anything by Tolkien that wasn't about Middle-earth?

Yep.  I've read Farmer Giles of Ham, Smith of Wootton Major, Roverandum, and (I think?) Leaf by Niggle.  Maybe more; I can't remember for sure.  I think I liked Farmer Giles best.

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10. The Grey Havens: How long has it been since you last ventured into Middle-earth via book or film?

Well, I commenced my Lord of the Rings reread on the 22nd in honor of our beloved hobbits' birthdays.  Before that, I actually can't remember.  I know I watched at least part of The Fellowship of the Ring last Christmas season, but I don't recall whether I watched or read anything from Middle-earth since then.

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What is your favorite Middle-earth location?