Meanwhile, in Rivendell . . .

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.  ⸻ 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?...

HELLO HI I'M VERY CONFLICTED.  Top ten lists are often difficult for me, but it feels especially wrong, this time, to exclude some of the characters I've excluded.  In an attempt to assuage my conscience, I've included a pool of honorable mentions at the end of the post, but still. In the end, I've had to console myself with the thought that these are just my ten favorites at this specific moment in time.  They may shift over time, and their rankings certainly do.  So, before you come for me for ranking one character ahead of another, just know that I'm probably even more upset and confused about it than you are.  I'm 100% confident of the #1 spot.  That's . . . that's about the only one, though. I've absolutely no more time to dither over this list, however, as today's the last day of the 2023 party, and if I don't get this post published this year, I shall be Quite Put Out. Forth, Eorlingas! ⸻ #10.  Eomer I've run out of time to wax loq...

I am once again asking for your  financial support  enthusiasm in celebrating Rachel's annual  Tolkien Blog Party , which began yesterday and which always brightens my September considerably.  This year, I have a couple of additional posts drafted for the party and am very much hoping to get them polished and published before the festivities conclude on Saturday. For now, here are my answers to this year's tag questions, accompanied by our beloved aesthetics, courtesy of an insanely talented Tumblr creator !  (There's one "outsider" among all of these, actually, and I don't know for sure who made that one, but I'm running out of the original series, so we're making do.) ⸻ Which of each pair do you prefer, and why? 1. Rohan or Gondor? Hmm.  Starting out with a tricky one, for me.  Neither are among my favorite Middle-earth locations, so it's hard to say.  But I suppose it'd be Rohan, because it's more rural as a first impression (as opposed ...

Greetings, all!  I've been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award by my pals Ivy Miranda and Rachel , and they've come up with some fun questions.  Thanks loads, ladies! The rules are pretty basic:  just thank the person(s) who nominated you and link to their blog(s), answer the questions they asked you, nominate eleven blogs yourself, and give your nominees eleven new questions.  As has (unfortunately) become my wont, I'm not going to nominate anyone new, partially because most of the people I'd nominate have already been so.  But!  I did very much enjoy answering these questions and wholeheartedly invite you to do so yourself if you haven't already. Let's get into it.  [My graphics game is chaotic today (not a cohesive aesthetic in sight), so, be forewarned.] ⸻ ✵  Ivy's Questions   ✵ 1. What's your favorite memory of 2023 so far? Don't know that I can choose one specific one, but, generally:  taking trips to/with friends, hiking, se...