The import of Autumn

[mark12_30]

As the sky turns a clearer, deeper blue, and as the air becomes refreshing and keen...

I find myself pondering longer walks, and perhaps choosing an oak branch to attatch a leather strap to for a walking staff.

I find myself reconsidering the woolen cloaks I made long ago (pretending of course theat they were from Lorien) and pondering the brooches I have already, and wondering whether one of the cloaks deserves a Lorien Brooch.

I find myself thinking that a brown velvety waistcoat and jacket might be a good investment.

I find myself wishing I had a few other hobbits to walk with once in a while.

And I find myself jealous of those people in California who are going to celebrate Frodo and Bilbo's birthday with a huge bash. If I have a celebration myself, it will more resemble the day before Frodo's departure, I am afraid; a humble meal, a quiet toast.

What Tolkienish impact is Autumn having on your life?

[Elenna]

I find myself more willing to leave the Shire (aka Pittsburgh) and long to travel to lands far away.

I also wish I had a place to go like Rivendell, with a fire and old friends waiting for me.

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

The desire for a pack of Ents to come upon the smelly, overpopulated city I am in and let me actually experience the nature of Autumn. I miss apple orchards (sniff).

[Tirned Tinnu]

What a nice idea for a thread. Thank you, mark12_30. Now I shall wax poetic. smilies/smile.gif

A few weeks ago, on a walk to the store I looked up to see two swans flying overhead. Their wings whistled quietly in the wind as the headed south for the evening. I pondered on this, the first sign of Autumn, and shook it off.
No, it can't be, I thought. Too early. On my return, I saw three Canadian geese arrive at the lake near my home, and had my thought confirmed. Canadian geese only arrive as a stop here, on their way south. Truly, as I approached home, I smelled a fresh breeze come down from the North, it's scent of green forests and cool night.

Since then, the trees had begun to brown, and tips of red can be seen at the very tops of the maple trees. Fog comes ever now in the morning, and glistening dew dripping from the roof greets me too, as I sit and write this, drinking my morning tea. It's been a long time since I adored a cup of hot liquid, and surely my thirst for it signals the approach of the coming season.

Now, like, you, Mark, I am feeling the urge to go out on long walks in the cool of the night, when all have said their goodnights, and the neighborhood is silent, but for the wind in the tall oak trees overhead.
Slowly the sound of the crickets is dwindling, the spiders hang their webs for one last time, in the cold of the approaching night. I see the stars as I have not for months, twinkling brightly against a sky of velvety blue, and the moon hangs as a sickle, heralding the harvest.
Thank you, Eru, for Autumn! I await thy colors!

[akhtene]

What Tolkienish impact is Autumn having on your life?

At present - only one. I wish I had hobbit's hairy feet!!! It's freezing in the room, the temperature has dropped 10 degrees in just 2 days.
And I'm only sure that some black-haired ork will again steal my blanket... smilies/frown.gif

[GreatWarg]

I, too, have a very poetic description for autumn.

At night, I also tend to take long walks, or rather (because of time) I sit in the backyard on the damp grass like I have done so many times during the summer and think. The stars shine ever brighter, and the foreboding breeze of autumn can be smelt. Green leaves which have swayed in the gentle summer breeze are now fading into lesser yellows, oranges, reds, and golds. I expect the oncoming drift of the coloured leaves soon. And (again, when I have the time) I find myself gazing out of the window at the pale, clear, blue skyk, clouds hovering in the distance over the mountain tops. I know soon the last of the summer harvest will be over, and indeed the early autumn harvest has begun. It is a time that reminds me of the waning of the Elves. Soon, many other days will come, and the Council of Elrond on October 25th, where I shall sit by myself outside, with my lazy beagle at my side, and give a toast to Yavanna, Giver of Fruits. Then my mind will drift into random thoughts, watching the leaves go drifting down, silently landing. And at last, homework shall break my reverie. A toast to autumn!

[Liriodendron]

I am waiting for that first frost to come kill all the West Nile mosquitos, so I can take walks in the evenings! I am going to drag out the sewing machine and make some long skirts (to the ankles) of heavy fabrics, so I can dress in a fair, middle earth manner. A cloak should be simple enough also! I read a book called "Tasha Tudor's Gardens", Tasha Tudor (if she is still alive, she is very, very old) wrote and illustrated childrens books in a Middle earth kind of style. She sews her own rustic, old style clothes and walks barefoot in her gardens three seasons of the year. I love that book! smilies/smile.gif

[ September 20, 2002: Message edited by: Liriodendron ]

[Neferchoirwen]

Alas! For where I live has no autumn!

But every 3:30 pm to around 5 pm, my room lights up. My windows face Southwest, and every 3:30 to 5 pm, the sun travels into my room and bounces off the light pale gold walls of my room. At those moments, I am taken to Rivendell.

[Arwen Imladris]

Well, how about this. I am going back to school. Wait this is tolkien related. Somehow. I have to go through a lot of pain and agony like Frodo did. There. Other then that, not really doing much. Sorry.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Fortunatley, this time last year, a light shower or a chill air came over where I live. Unfortunatley, global warming has caused the weather to remain hot and humid, with no rain since tropical depression hannah. But the sun shines lovely colors of orange and red when the sun rises every morning before I am shipped off to school. If I stand in my driveway I can see the tall treetops being hit with the first rays of light, and I am beginning to feel the chill wind of autumn. At my table in the cafeteria, and at my paritular seat at the round, eight person table, I can feel and see the sun watching me through its post in the high wall-window. Autumn in....Maryland...though much beauty I saw in the fields in Scotland when I lived there as a child, I suppose MD is better than Arizona, where heat dominate and snow is almost never seen. *Smacks her head* ok Im done talking for this...ive taken up enough space.

[Beren87]

As the chill of the wind rattles my flesh, I wish for a warm pub and fireside to tell stories of old with friends near. I wish for a tall ale to slowly sip listening to those around me singing in old norse.

[ September 21, 2002: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

[Raefindel]

Oooh, Fireside sing-alongs are good!

Let's start with an old Dwarf tune "Hi-ho, HI-ho! It's off to work we go!" Everyone!...

[mark12_30]

Oh, Rae, you broke my heart.

[Elenna]

Well, there is that whole "back to school" thing tainting the poetry of autumn, but my favorite part of this season is getting up in the morning and walking to my bus stop. The sun is just coming up and birds are singing. The air is cool and smells like falling leaves and that inexplicable sweetness that is always in the air. I always just take a moment to stop at the corner and look up, appreciating how beautiful it is.

I also plan to, when the leaves fall, rake a big pile of them and jump in them. One of the things my inner child and I love to do together.

And for all of you who are burned out because of school or work, just buy some apple cider, pour a mug full, and put a cinnamon stick in it. Then heat it in your microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Can't get more fall-ish than that.

[Faye Took]

Autumn is drawing nearer. I find my self wishing I was back in Oregon to see then green trees again and being able to walk on the green grass, and seeing the leaves change colors and fall from the tree's high in the sky. My favortie thing to do was gather all the leave's together and jump into them. But I am stuck here in California with the dry hot weather and the dead grass beneath my feet. I feel empty insdie now. For all is lost, Oregon was my Middle-Earth. Trees and Wildrness all around. Now nothing.

[Raefindel]

Oh, Rae, you broke my heart.

I'm Sorry; I've got some super glue here... It works great...really...

I am sorry for cracking jokes on your beautiful thread. It was so nice till I got here. My kids are taking me out back to punish me now.

[ September 22, 2002: Message edited by: Raefindel ]

[mark12_30]

Not necessary, Rae. But you did have a great point about fireside singalongs. How about Psalm 144? (Just got back from band practice.) Or we could do the song that they sing after the fall of Barad Dur, when the eagles come back and fly over the city singing. Yeah!

It's raining hard outside, that chilly autumn rain. Muggy inside though. Too early for a fire. But it won't be long! I love my woodstove, and all through Lent I went down there to sing. I bet Bilbo and Frodo sang by the fireplace all the time in Bag End; how else did Frodo learn the longer songs? And his elvish runes...

TIme to go and check the bacon-and-mushrooms dish that's starting... "a mighty dish of mushrooms"...

[Raefindel]

I didn't know anyone knew Psa. 144 but me! I haven't gone to a church that sang it for 20 years.

I love to sing!

[mark12_30]

I'm addicted to Psalm 139. But any psalm can be sung, if you learn the catholic trick of chanting them. Ever been to a monastery during The Hours? Very beautiful. And cool.

So you love to sing! Me too... that's what got me hooked on elves-- they sing in the woods. And Bilbo grew in coolness because of his walking songs in LOTR. And Frodo could sing, and Sam could sing... Ergo, they rocked.

I always loved Frodo's response to elvish singing-- that "peirced to the heart" bit. Very spiritual.

[Birdland]

Happy Autumnal Equinox, everyone! It is now officially fall.

(Birdie throws a handful of leaves in the air and wishes she could fly South.)

[mark12_30]

Call me a knucklehead, but I never equated Frodo's and Bilbo's birthday with the equinox and the beginning of fall.

Tolkien, you... you GENIUS. Pardon me while I go away and sob. --Helen

[Neferchoirwen]

Oooh, singing is what I live for.

This morning, I heard brids in our backyard. We've got about 7 or eight trees back there, and I've never heard actual birds flapping their wings and singing right at home.

Speaking of birthdays, it's my friend's birthday today. And I just envy her for being born in Autumn.

And like Mark, I marvel at Tolken's genius for placing Bilbo and Frodo's births at the very first day of autumn.

Wish I weren't living at a tropical place right now smilies/frown.gif

[Elenna]

Well, for heaven's sake, people! Tolkien WAS a genius in every respect! Why on EARTH do you think this website exists?

Anyway, yes, Psalms are beautiful. My Catholic church does not sing them, so I get together with friends and we sing them. My favorite is Psalm 23, just because it is so applicable and everybody knows it.

[Raefindel]

We are having a rare dry spell here in the Emerald city. I walked to a creek that runs into the bay the other day and there were maybe 30 salmon in a pond waiting for the rain so they could go up-stream. The water level is too low.

[mark12_30]

I think I am more in 1421. I went to the bay today on my lunchbreak and watched the grey waves lapping the shore, and felt like I wasn't at all where I wanted to be in life. "Ship, my ship! I seek the west..."

*That* anniversary is only a couple of days away. Sept 29.

[Lush]

With the import of autumn, I am looking for ways to get warm. smilies/wink.gif

And, uh, re-reading the Silmarillion, of course.

[Elenna]

Well, mark, staring at the cinder block walls of my high school, I have much the same feeling. I start wondering what the Havens were like.

And I do have the sea-longing in my heart all the time. I live in land-locked Pittsburgh, and all the time I wish to "hear the cries of gull o'er shore".

However, today was an absolutely beautiful day; cool and crisp with the bluest sky I have ever seen. I felt okay to still be in Pittsburgh when I saw that. Of course, I had my face practically pressed into the grass with big people jumping over me (my gym teacher is an ex-drill sergeant for the Army Rangers)

[Raefindel]

Oh, Elenna that makes me sad to think you are land-locked and have a sea-longing. I love living by the water and missed it when I lived in the desert.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

SInging Singing Singing...LoL that is my life....almost....nevermind LoL

I used to be in chruch choir, but they disbanded it....if you could actually say that...and I'm not actually sure why..

But now I love to try and play songs on the guitar and piano and try and put a tune to some of Tolkiens...erm...songs/poems. I love singing, always have always will.

I actually wrote a tune that sounds pretty cool to the song Legolas sings about Nimrodel.


Anyway!!!!Fall though....anyway....Autumn is sooooo pretty in Maryland, but it hasn't really started looking like fall yet. When I lived in Scotland, it always looked like it was fall (exept in the winter.) and I would sit in the fields of a farm nearby and watch the sun go down. I always brought some bread because the chikens got hungry.

And to top it all off, lots of nights in Scotland someone or other would be on a hill nearby, playing their bagpipe, and it would just make my whole day better, no matter how...erm...gloomy.

I love autumn

[mark12_30]

"From the Lone Shieling of the Misty Isle
Mountains divide us, and the waste of seas;
Yet still, the blood is strong, the heart is highland,
And we in dreams behold the Hebrides."

...and I've never even been there yet. Someday I'll go. Every rain, every fog reminds me of the windswept moors and mountains. Aylwen, I envy you that you lived there.

Singing, piano, guitar, church choirs, and tunes for The Lay of Nimrodel? We are sisters, I think. Have you put any of your tunes on paper? I'd be interested in your tune for Nimrodel! I've used: "Jock o' Hazeldean" and it works well; try "The Lea Rig" with Aragorn's song about Luthien and Beren!

I'm headed for Maryland this weekend, my sisters and I will probably sing more than one scottish song (and maybe a LOTR song) before we are thru. Mary taught me to play guitar, and then I began to teach Kate.

[GreatWarg]

I find myself singing some of Tolkien's poems to tunes I never heard of... oh my, getting like my Elven counterpart Khelek! Birdie, how could this be?! And I suppose I have a sea-longing still unstirred, yet when i write about it (especially for the lonely Star and Khelek smilies/wink.gif ) I feel like I would want to find the Straight Way. Maybe I'll get a ship and name it the Lonely Star and sail out to the West.

Yet for now, I am content with the autumn. I think I'll plan my trip for the exact date the Three Rings passed away for ever.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Long lost sisters...LoL. Well, I've just been so into music and everything to do with the arts...and writing is another hobbie. Maryland?? What for?? No one comes to maryland that much, its not a very...well....popular state. Populated, but its very boring here. My parents were in the US navy so we moved around.

I havent gotten around to writing the music on paper, but I plan to this or next weekend, If Soccer and Karate and teaching (teaching my friend to play guitar...) allow me time to do that.

I'll try it!! I never thought of using "The Lea Rig" but thanks for the idea!

Its raining now...which I love very much because it reminds me of fall in Britain, we never wore shorts there...well nevermind, thats to be expected. But I was all pretty and nice in my soccer uniform for pictures but then they canceled them because of rain.

But all in all, Im glad its autumn...

[mark12_30]

Aylwen: Why Maryland? Business. Software integration and test. But the way-cool thing is that my sister's house is only a town or 3 away! Time to sing.

Writing? Whatcha been writing?

GreatWarg: My sea-longing is no longer dormant, it activates whenever I read The Grey Havens.

Singing is good. The Sea is good. Ships are good. The Straight way is good... ***sigh*** when you've found The Lonely Star, drop me a line. How are you going to celebrate the departure of the Ringbearers(Sept 29)?

[ September 26, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Neferchoirwen]

Ah, singing. I'm a music person, too. Singing is what I was born to do, and I'd say music is my religion. smilies/smile.gif (well, I'm quite depressed because my violin got broken)

Aylwen, I am so green with envy that you actually lived in Scotland. But I'm happy that you had such an experience. I wish I'll get to visit Scotland in a few years.
smilies/biggrin.gif

[mark12_30]

Nef, what happened to your violin???

I grieve with you. May it swiftly return to your hands and make music again.

[Neferchoirwen]

*sniff* I can't even bear to opne un the case and look at it... When i opened it one afternoon, I found the end part of the finger board right ontop of the vioin's body, when it's supposed to be above it. When I looked closer, I found out that the two pieces of wood that hold the finger board and neck together are apart. (my violin terminology is screwed: I used to play the viola, and that was four years ago, so I hope you get the picture)

...I'd do anything to play "Concerning the Hobbits" again smilies/frown.gif

Oh well, at least I can sing.

Thank you for grieving with me, Mark. I shall play again!

[mark12_30]

Nef, you released the strings, right? That's happened to two other violins that I know of. Dd the glue harden and powderize?

Loosen the strings right away if you haven't already. Then get it to a repair expert for some TLC. Poor thing!!! You and the violin both!

I was just reading about Dairon the flute player, in Lays of Beleriand. He played for Luthien. Melody R Us.

Keep singing!

[Eruwen]

Autumn makes me want to be in the shire. Or in Lorien when the leaves turn gold. Oh, now you people got me wanting to leave earth again. smilies/mad.gif

Oh well. I guess I can always dream. smilies/smile.gif

[ElanorGamgee]

The import of Autumn...

I wake up at 5:30 am on a Monday and venture into the bathroom, trying to wake up. At 7:45 I am locking the door to my dorm room, my backpack weighing down on my shoulders and hair still damp from a shower, still trying to wake up. I approach the side door and push it open, and suddenly I am awake as the frigid air reminds me that, even in the middle of Texas, summer cannot last forever. I grumble mentally and hurry toward my first class, remembering that being a college student is not all fun and games and that the ten to fifteen minute walks across campus are going to be less than pleasant for a while...time to dig out the sweaters again! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Bêthberry]

Helen,

*coughs*

but I never equated Frodo's and Bilbo's birthday with the equinox and the beginning of fall.

That's what the Picnic at the Bonfire Glade is about. smilies/wink.gif Preparing for the darkness ahead.

Bethberry

[Neferchoirwen]

4:30 pm was again so captivating today. I thought my room turned into a portal to Rivendell. I sat on the floor, faced the window and thanked God for everything. My room, my life, my voice, my friends, and for anything that waits me. I thanked God for Tolkien, too. smilies/biggrin.gif

Thanks for the advice, Mark. I think my brother loosened the strings. I guess I was too shocked to do anything.

I'll be singing at church soon. After two years of not singing for anything in particular, I'll finally be doing what I was born to do. Autumn was a good omen for me this year smilies/wink.gif

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Oh my gosh, this morning was beautiful. My dad knocked on my door and I got out of bed (didnt step on anything either, my room was very clean...YAY) and I walked downstairs, and I was blinded by the orange yellow light coming through the windows. I looked outside, and I could see the sun just going up, and I could feel the cool autumn air on my face, as the windows were open. I took a bunch of pictures on my digital camera, and the leaves were all gold, yellow, red and orange..

Autumn is still my favorite.

Today I have an audition for a singing and dancing role in a play for a local theatre. YAY!!! My friends and i also decided to do two things. 1) we will record more songs on one friends brothers computer equipment. 2) we will petition to start the church choir back up.

Singing and Autumn just go together, I guess.

Aylwen

[ September 29, 2002: Message edited by: Aylwen Dreamsong ]

[ September 29, 2002: Message edited by: Aylwen Dreamsong ]

[Beren87]

How was the sun going down in the morning?

[mark12_30]

Autumn is hunting season, too. I'm trying to convince my husband to build a flet (talan) above the deer path that runs through my back yard. He could sit up there, arrow on string, and wait for Voracious Bambi to come by and browse on my forsythia. And the rest of the time, I could sit up there, pretending to be Frodo in Lothlorien on Haldir's flet, listening to Sam snore, or say, "Once I fall asleep, I shall stay asleep, whether I fall off or no. And the sooner you stop talking the sooner I'll drop off, if you take my meaning."

I'm supposed to be too old for this stuff. But it seems that the older I get, the more childish things I do. Or is that, the more hobbitish things I do?

[Neferchoirwen]

Mark, imagining your hubby with a bow and arrow while you sit in your back yard is just cute. He reminded me of Legolas, while you, reminded me of when I'd camp out under a shade in our backyard as I play with all of my dolls.

Man, I miss our hammock. It's the rainy season. (the sun and the clouds and the rain are having a love-hate relationship at the moment; in the evenings it's the moon they pick on)

Yoga is so great to do at out backyard (especially at my fave time of the day: 4.30 pm), but everytime I roll out a mat at the back, our crazy dogs run towards me and crash the mat. If I force myself to the yoga in spite of them, I end up smelling like them. eeesh

[ October 05, 2002: Message edited by: Neferchoirwen ]

[Elenna]

Hah - Voracious Bambi.

Personally the only thing I DON'T like about autumn is high school football. It's really big at my school, and I'm the only one who hates it, apparently.

Instead of going to the games, I climb the tree in my backyard and write poetry. Not very good poetry, but it makes me feel peaceful.

[Melichus]

Aside from the rigors of school, autumn...

is my favorite season, with winter at a close second and spring in third. Bringing up the rear is hot-muggy-disgusting, mosquito-and-various-other-annoying-gnat-type-creatures-laden, humid, dog-day summer.

But as for autumn, I love taking walks, especially in late afternoon and dusk, watching the turning leaves slowly dim in the softening twilight. I love the cool, crisp air filling my lungs, I love apple cider (I prefer cold...it seems my taste in drinks is similar to my taste in weather--cold, biting, but refreshing...) and carving pumpkins. Walking on old country roads at sunset, looking over the fields of corn husks and the forests beyond as leaves crunch underfoot, and going on a run late at night, which is pretty fun. I frequently re-read my favorite books in autumn, too. Generally, I am happiest in autumn and have some beautiful memories of this time of year.

If you've ever read the Redwall series by Brian Jacques, he's got some stunning passages devoted to just describing the ancient forests and fields in autumn. I recommend him wholeheartedly.

[Raefindel]

You mean I'm not the only adult to climb trees? Maybe when I get a new home I'll build a flet in my tree. Of course, my home will have many trees, and I will have to have several flets and I'll invite other Elves and Hobbits over to sing and play music in the trees, and hope the Neighbors won't call the police.

[Daisy Sandybanks]

And I find myself jealous of those people in California who are going to celebrate Frodo and Bilbo's birthday with a huge bash.

What?! I didn't know about that! I need to get out more....

Heh, anywho....
I wish that I could be in a snug little Hobbit hole, insted of this big, hollow, freezing house.

Hmmmm... I don't wish for much else, Iv got all that I could have for a plesent Autum: Loving family and friends, calm deep sunsets over the vast blue ocean, warm clothes, and the excitment of feasting on pumpkin pies and turkey thats soaked in gravey. And let me not forget the much anticipated, pleasurable and up and comming Harvest Faire.
Yup, this will definitly been a wonderful time of the year! smilies/smile.gif

[Birdland]

I was out in my garden yesterday, putting it to bed for winter, and wondering how Sam and the Gaffer ever got all of this work done without the help of electric trimmers, weed-wackers, etc. (I always think of good old Samwise when I'm working in the garden. smilies/smile.gif )

Then I cut trough the extention cord with the trimmer, and I found out!

So here's to Sam and all other gardeners. May you have a lovely Harvest Home, a peaceful winter, and sweet dreams of spring.

( smilies/eek.gif The weatherman just said frost tonight!)

[Liriodendron]

I really love that first frost! Though my garden looks fab now, I'm always thinking ahead. The first frost gets the dahlias and celosia's, all the tomatoes and peppers I quit picking weeks ago, and the cleome and balsam. I wonder if Sam and the gaffer had a "man's garden". You know, straight rows, neat and tidy.I somehow imagine hobbits let mother nature have her way a bit more than "Suburban Joe". That's why they didn't whack weeds or use a chain saw! Remember the clippers Sam held, in the movie, those little sqeeze jobs, probably very sharp! I bet the gaffer didn't let any weeds take hold in his garden! I love fall, cause I can work in the garden and not get all sweaty, really spending some serious time sculpting or changing paths!

[Raefindel]

Then I cut trough the extention cord with the trimmer, and I found out!

I've broken a trowel,and a pair of pruners, but that's one I've never managed! LOL!

My tulips are all tucked in for the winter; or were till a mole came along...next time I set that trap I'm praying over it!

[mark12_30]

....amen, Rae... But if the trap still fails, plant them in a wire cage.... (THey're probably voles, not moles. )

Yesterday afternoon, in a lovely gust of wind, I drove through falling leaves, for the first time, and thought that Frodo walked through them. Maybe from Bree or so, all the way to Weathertop... By the time they got to Rivendell, the normal leaves must have been mostly fallen. I wonder if Rivendell leaves stayed on longer, due to being in a valley, or maybe due to some elvish influence...

[Raefindel]

I'm not sure I like the idea of the leaves staying on the trees till spring like they did in Lothlorien. It kinda ruins fall! Walking in the leaves in the fall is an unmitigated pleasure!

[Birdland]

Yeah, Raefindel. Why should Elven children be denied the pleasure of jumping into a big ol' pile of leaves? smilies/biggrin.gif

And I don't care if you are immortal; nobody could get tired of the smell of burning leaves. (Which I haven't actually smelled in a long time. Dumb ol' city ordinances. smilies/frown.gif )

[amyrlis]

Ah, Autumn is also my favorite time of year too! As the nights get colder and the leaves blow through the grass, I find myself thinking of Frodo's journey to Bree. It would be difficult to dislike autumn, in all it's cool, colorful beauty. Usually it is a fleeting season here, if you blink, you may miss it. It seems the trees change color and lose their leaves in an instant. They say it's due to this summer's drought, but whatever the reason, the fall has lingered and been more brilliant than ever. I journeyed through the "Misty Mountains" a few weeks ago, and although the snow fell one morning, the sun arose to reveal the beauty that has somehow escaped me these past years. The high peaks of the evergreen mountians were crowned with white and the vivid yellow and orange aspen were like fire climbing their sides. In the cool, clean air I could smell the fallen leaves and wood burning stoves and fully behold the richness of the season. I am thankful to have experienced the glory, for it is my last autumn amongst these hills. As Frodo left The Shire and went East to Rivendell, my path is set East as well, and I do not know when I will see my "front door" again.

[mark12_30]

Poignant, amyrlis ... I always thought that the Aspens would have made a much better "Golden Wood" than whatever forest PJ used for Lorien... Ah, well.

Today I am at home. And today is apparently Goldberry's Washing Day here in Southern New England.

And I have the BBC CD set to listen to! Which I purchased mainly for the songs... They mention Bilbo's Last Song on it. I wonder if there's a tune...? watch me load the last CD first...
smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Neferchoirwen]

It rained every 4 pm for 4 days since Sundays. smilies/frown.gif

But it seemed like God knew I'd be grumpy if it rained on Thursday. I visited one of my former professors on Thursday (I was actually asking for a favor...and the other faculty ended up asking me a favor, too! Imagine that!). I was waiting for her (my prof) to finish the letter I needed from her, and it took her for about less than an hour to finish. Within that span of time, I was worried that I might come home all wet (the winds are a menace). However, when I turned around to see the windows, the semi-closed blinds showed an orange-red lit tree branch, and the gorgeous rust-colored light was fighting the blinds to come in. When I finally got the letter, I walked out of the faculty office and into the hall. The hall had all the doors one side of the wall, and the other side was just half concrete and half windows.

The sky was a mix of pink and light orange, and the clouds looked like pink cotton candy strips. All of a sudden, a groups of birds flew across the view. And below, the buildings looked pleased to be parched, smiling at the setting sun, relieved not to hear thunder nor to see lightning, and most of all, thankful, as I was, that it did not rain.

It's just one of those things that makes me feel closer to God more than I ever.

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Neferchoirwen ]

[Gandalf_theGrey]

* Rides up in a pony cart laden with fresh-hewn Dwarvish beams of wood smelling of sawdust, an assortment of hammers, nails, adzes, and other carpenter's tools, a large black iron cauldron, new-shining but dented up so it looks like it's been through a war, several smaller kettles of copper and tin, and various other bundles wrapped in coarse blue cloth and tied with thin grey ropes. *

Good greetings Mark12_30, Raefindel, Elenna ...

... and all else present who share the love of the Galadhrim for abiding in trees. I bring wood enough to make our own flets. smilies/smile.gif ... With plenty left for a campfire to warm our hands and spirits.

* Grabbing up an armload of wood, Gandalf leaps down onto springy long grass dotted with leaves of red, orange, and yellow to set a fire blazing in the same cheery hues. All the while Gandalf gives a running description of the contents of the pony cart: The large cauldron is for mulled cider. The small kettle, for brewing cranberry tea. There are also potatoes and ears of corn to bake and roast at the base of the fire, along with squashes and apples. *

Ah, Harvest Time! smilies/smile.gif And then at night, white shooting stars cut an arc through the air's crisp veil, to add their own warmth to eye and memory reflecting against a background of frosted leaves.

Gandalf the Grey

[Birdland]

(Birdie rummages through the bundles of food and cauldrons)

"Hey! Where's the marshmallows?"

[Gandalf_theGrey]

* removes a tightly-capped vial from his pouch and shows it to Birdland *

At present, my friend, I carry only sap from the root of the marshmallow plant, not the candy in its final form. Are you a confectioner, perchance? * hopeful look * smilies/smile.gif

[mark12_30]

Gandalf, dude, you rock! ... er... (ahem) ... My dear Gandalf, how kind of you to think of all this and stock up your cart so. Why, look, here's a hammer (how thoughtful of you to bring one.) Which tree shall we start building in? After the campfire gets going, of course.

Bethberry, m'dear, you whip up those marshmallows; I'll unhitch the pony, and go buy the hershey bars and graham crackers. For dessert. And how about some brown sugar for that squash? Be right back.

**curtseys**

--Helen

[ October 12, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Raefindel]

Gandalf! How thoughtful of you! And I was away and didn't know you came with gifts!

Yes, Lady Rae and Sir Graycloak were celebrating our 18th anniversary. He took me to the Oktoberfest in Leavenworth, Wa. The drive was beautiful; the splashes of red, orange and gold through the mountains was breathtaking.

Thank You, Gandalf for your generous gifts. I happen to be a confectioner and have actually made marshmallows from scratch, they're a pain, and they really don't taste any better, but Hey...I was curious!

*Rae starts a fire and puts on the cider and starts a kettle for tea.*

Here Birdie, Have a marshmallow,the fire's just right.

So Gandalf, I don't suppose you brought some plans or scematics or something like that? *Rae picks up a hammer and swings it* I'm anxious to get started!

[ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: Raefindel ]

[mark12_30]

Rae!! So good to see you!

I like the simple rectangular plan. How about that tree over there, the one that overlooks the deer trail?

How high up? Mmmph mmmph. Here, have a s'more. Gandalf, how's that mulled cider coming?

[ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Gandalf_theGrey]

Post One of Two: Describing an Actual Fall/Autumn Experience from Today

Note: (Will answer mark12_30 and Raefindel in the next post!)

So there I was, sitting ashore near the campfire because the canoe was packed with people and I was happy enough to stay behind with the fire, food, and peacefulness. (Well, two out of three aren't bad.) I took up a position nearly right on top of the fire, directly in the path of its wind-borne smoke. What can I say? I love the smell of campfire wood and smoke, so I purposely got as close as I could the better for my clothing to soak up the aroma.

I was reading a book of ancient lore called "Early Native American Recipes and Remedies" by Duane R. Lund. So engrossed in the book, that a sudden heavy gust of wind brought the tent crashing down on me unawares. One of the ladies tending the fire told me she was glad I was sitting there, or the tent would have instead crashed into the kettle of split pea soup!

For an even more cosmic (comic?) fall story about this infamous kettle of split pea soup (and the things that "fall" into it or "be-fall" it!) smilies/smile.gif, please see the thread called "13th Warrior" Vs. "Lord of the Rings" in the Movies forum.
http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=001148

Gandalf the Grey

[ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]

[Birdland]

Mmmmmmmmm, home-made marshmallows... (Marshmallow catches on fire and falls into the pea-soup pot. Birdie pokes it to the bottom with a stick.)

"Well, time to get going on that flet!"

Finished my fall bulb planting today, and my fingernails now bear a striking resemblence to those of "movie frodo's" - i.e. - broken and dirty.

Planted seven Allium giganteum, and I can't think of a sillier, more Hobbitish flower to have in the garden. I can't wait til spring.

[Gandalf_theGrey]

Post Two of Two

mark12_30:

Ah, you've come back bearing brown sugar for the squash I see. Many thanks, my friend. smilies/smile.gif

Which tree for our flet do you mean, exactly? We have our pick among maple, aspen, willow, ash, elm, oak ... In any case, a rectangular plan will do nicely. smilies/smile.gif As for the mulled cider, it's brewing up nicely, simmering away, ... why it's ready now.

* The wizard thinks quietly to himself, back to how a certain wraith made off with an entire batch of cider from this very cauldron the last time, then drop-kicked the cauldron so that it dashed against jagged rocks and acquired its dents. No need to mention the incident however. For the cauldron has been meanwhile thoroughly cleaned, made fair once more, and can be counted on to be free from any taint of Morgul poison. An Elf who'd come to Gandalf's assistance that other night could vouch for the safety of the cauldron and its contents. *

Raefindel:

Well met ... and a merrier occasion now that our paths have crossed. * bows a friendly greeting * smilies/smile.gif Long I've observed you, admiring your eloquence and wisdom from afar. Congratulations on your celebration of 18 years of marriage to Sir Graycloak.

You're quite welcome to share in this small harvest feast along with mark12_30, Birdland, and any others of the Three Kindreds (Elves, Dwarves, and Men) who wish to join us, as well as other allies thereof who be creatures of goodwill.

* stops to wrinkle his nose at Birdie's fallen marshmallow, then continues *

So kind of you to prepare the marshmallows, Raefindel! As for schematics, the Dwarves from whom I obtained the wood provided none. They rather laughed with mirth when told of the lumber's intended use, at the curious (to them) thought of cutting down trees only to lift them back up into the air again as Elves are wont to do. But no matter, we'll manage.

* Meanwhile, the orange warmth of the fire glows comfortingly. The blaze stands firm against the stiff chill breeze that's blown up around it, as people pull cloaks a bit more tightly around shoulders and seek to warm their hands, the better to wield hammer, nail, cider mug, and marshmallow stick. *

[ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]

[Neferchoirwen]

*Nef sheepishly finds a place to sit by the fire*

Greetings, Gandalf! Your incident with the tent and the split pea soup is funny and heartwarming...and if we might share germs with one another on this camp out, I wouldn't mind.

[mark12_30]

Hullo, Nef!

Er... share germs? Well, why don't you just have some squash instead? Here, shoulder it. Who needs forks? Mulled cider washes it down quite well.

Oops, I just got melted s'more on my hammer.
smilies/biggrin.gif

Gandalf, did I say oak? Beech would be more elvish but (ooc: looking out my window) these are on the small side. The oaks are good and big. Especially THAT one.

Birdee, got any crocuses planted this year? Cause I haven't. You could plant some for me, and then PM me in the spring and tell me how they look. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Birdland]

Crocuses? (croci?) You bet. Sieberi tricolor planted around my redbud tree, outside the living room window where I can sip mulled cider and see them when it is too miserable to go outside.

And lots of daff-a-down-dillies to brighten the walk to the garage come spring. Tulips, oxallis, dwarf iris, crocosmia...put me a plant store come fall and I go plum bulb crazy! I must have some Dutch in me. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Raefindel]

I did not plant any new Daffs this year, but over 100 tulips. The moles got them last year and it looks like they tried having their way with them again this year. I'll have to wait till spring and see what's left.

My Bearded Irises were so prolific this year I gave over 100 away! ( I even gave some to Samwise) They are my favorite. They grew to almost 5 feet this year!

Greetings to you as well Gandalf. Have I been sharing wisdom? I was not aware of it. I have a tendancy toward silliness, and tend to avoid "serious conversations". Maybe someday I will get brave enough to join you in an RPG.


Oh, Thank You Gandalf, for the Anniversary greeting.


An as for flets, I prefer this design.


http://www.quintessentialwebsites.com/lordoftherings/torn_lutzimages/4323_cls.jpg

[ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: Raefindel ]

[Gandalf_theGrey]

Neferchoirwen:

Hail and well met! * would bow a greeting but is crouched over ladling steaming cider into glazed earthen mugs in shades of light sand and deep blue * So you think the collapsing tent and split pea soup incident was funny? Careful then, where you sit, and what you eat or drink. But then, one of the finest imports of autumn is, it's the season for treats and tricks. * hands you a full mug with a mischievous grin * smilies/smile.gif

mark12_30:

How about we go with Raefindel's planned flet? As for the variety of tree, I'm certain there's never been an Elf who met an oak he didn't like. smilies/smile.gif

Raefindel:

But the silly and the sublime are kin, and so too wit and wisdom. And I commend you on your choice of flet. smilies/smile.gif

As for flower planting, to do so, one must have a home and garden. I've neither, but only the two rows along either side of my road whence to view the wildflowers.

~~ Gandalf the Grey

[Birdland]

Poor ol' Grey Wanderer. No garden. Here...(Birdie hands gandalf a crocus bulb) No! Don't add it to the soup pot!

Put it in a saucer with some gravel and water and place it on your writing desk. Then you'll have a crocus to look at when you tire of pondering Elvish Lore.

[Gandalf_theGrey]

Why thank you, Birdie! smilies/smile.gif

* accepts the crocus bulb with a half-bow from a sitting position *

Writing desk, writing desk ... * looks around, while duly placing the bulb on a sandy-blue earthen plate, adding dirt (as it happens, mixed with ashes) and dousing it with water from a nearby bucket * ...

Ah, there's a good portable desk. * gets up, sets the planted crocus bulb plate down for a moment, grabs up an axe, cleaves a log asunder, and sets the plate upon the stump *

[ October 15, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]

[Birdland]

Nooooo, Gandalf...on a desk that's inside, where it's warm.

(Sigh) Silly Wizard.

Silly Wizard?...Time for a song!

John Barleycorn to the sea has gone, in a ship both stout and new,
The thirst to slake of Captain Drake and all his loyal crew.
He'll venture brave through wind and wave, the Spanish for to halt,
And though he'll die by Spanish grape, he'll live as English malt.

So we'll cut him down and we'll wind him around
And we'll serve him worse than that.
We'll grind his bones between two stones
And we'll bung him in a vat.
And we'll drink his health in nut-brown ale,
And we'll drain our tankards dry,
For before that he can live again,
John Barleycorn must die!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Oooooooooh, marshmallow s'mores - can I come too? I don't get those here... I offer my skills as a split-pea soup cook - mine tastes great, even without the stranger ingredients you've mentioned, Gandalf. And I can share my autumnal LotR moments: First one was driving through a street lined with trees; the trunks went way up, branches starting very high and leaves just turning golden-green. I felt like I was in Lothlórien.

Second was gathering edible chestnuts (marrons) that had fallen from the trees planted in beds by the street where we live. Preparing them felt very hobbity, though I must say it got more and more tedious to shell them, especially removing the skin. But they tasted wonderful baked with Brussel sprouts (recipe courtesy of my trusty and much-used 'Joy of Cooking' - no other cookbook has basics like that - including a recipe for making marshmallows, by the way!). Hey, I could pick up some more and bring them along for roasting! I'm sure the chore of shelling them is more enjoyable together with others, sipping mulled cider. And we could sing "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." - oops, it's a bit early for that one!

[mark12_30]

Estelyn, here, have a s'more... double-chocolate, double-smushmallow. Every now and then I skip the graham cracker altogether. Gooey though.

Chestnuts? Excellent. I do believe that Tolkien approved of Chestnut trees, especially their blooms in the late spring.
What gives me that impression, I can't say. Hmmm. Perhaps some cider will jog my memory.

Rae, do you have a design for that eye-shaped flet or are we just going to eyeball it? (waving saw around) And how high do we want to build it?

[Neferchoirwen]

Gandalf:Thank you, Gandalf *recieves mug with a mild grin, but keeps an eye on Gandalf* But I also mentioned that I found the incident heartwarming--I've had my own tent memories *smiles and sips from the mug*

Oh thank God! It didn't rain today! But I never got to see the sunset. Too cloudy smilies/frown.gif

[Raefindel]

*Rae unrolls the plans*

You like that, do you? Yes, I prefered the shape of these ones. I'd build it just above the lowest branches, so we can watch passers-by and either serenade them or laugh at them whichever seems appropriate.And we'll make another just above it but around to the side just a bit so we can separate the strings from the woodwinds. I brought my violin, but I won't play until we have a flet built. Hey, Hey, Hey... don't step on the mushrooms! The Hobbits'll have your head for that!

How are the marshmallows? When you make them from scratch they are easy to make into shapes, see I cut them into squares to fit on the graham crackers.

[mark12_30]

Ah! Silly me. I thought you cut them into squares so that they would fit better on the chocolate bars. They are delicious, of course.

[Raefindel]

Mark12:30 (AKA Helen) reminded me of this thread. It was 6 years ago and I have now celebrated my 24th anniversary. How time passes!

It's nearly the winter equinox, now and this morning I saw mushroom...frozen in the snow. Do hobbits eat them frozen?

[mark12_30]

I wouldn't eat them frozen, but I might thaw and cook them...

I STILL want to build a flet. Now that I have two boys, I have a reason.

Okay, an excuse.

Last night I made lembas-- the pizzele kind. Wheat free.

[Raefindel]

I never made a flet either. Although I now have a home, I don't have a reasonable tree.

I want to meet your boys! Not fair! You know my kids!

Must visit Hobbits! I can smell the lembas!

[mark12_30]

Indeed you must. What is it, a mere three thousand miles? If you start walking tomorrow morning... I will have time to plant grain, water and weed it, harvest it, grind it, and bake more lembas by the time you arrive.

[Raefindel]

OK, it's a plan! Afterall, Elves don't mind walking at all!

Should I bring anything with me?

[mark12_30]

Those amazing wheat-free chocolate chip cookies. Hobbits love those.

Of course, during a three-thousand mile walk, you might eat them anyway. Perhaps you'd best bring the recipe, and we will make them when you get here ;)

And bring the cool tree-stamps. Just a few.

[Raefindel]

Will you have the flet built by that time?

[mark12_30]

Hmmm. Good question.

If not, we could go hunting for just the right boards.

And I think we should aim for a young hobbits flet and a grownup hobbit and elf flet above it. If we can find all theright boards...

[mark12_30]

We could decorate my house.

[Raefindel]

That's a plan!

Guess what I found? My Hubby working on a secret Christmas gift...HE'S SENDING ME TO HOBBITON! I'LL BE SPENDING A WEEK IN AUG WITH MY FAVORITE HOBBIT! YEA!!!

Yes! let's decorate and build a flet and bake lembas and hike and sing!

Right now I'm snowed in and about to start reading. ..what shall I read?

[mark12_30]

You found out?!?!? How did you find out?!?!? He's been pretty careful!!!

.....can't WAIT! YIPPEEEEE!!!

[Raefindel]

He didn't lock the door and I walked in on him when he was making an "airline ticket".

So excited! HelenHobbit here I come!

[mark12_30]

You're kidding-- he DIDN'T LOCK THE DOOR?

Goofball. Tell him I love him anyway.

Oh well-- so the surprise was a week early.

***trumpet blast***
LO! APPROACHING FROM THE FAR WESTERN SHORES-- AN EMISSARY OF ONE!
***more trumpet blasts***


HURRAH!!!!!!!!

As far as decorating goes: I've done a little surfing and I just so hesitate to spend money. I haven't been on any dragon expeditions lately with which to fill my coffers. So I have a suspicion that we'll be doing simple things, maybe a few curtains, and maybe a few borders around doorways, with vine stencils or vine/leaf stamps, or something. But I'm all ears for ideas. Anyway, do you think you could pack your leafy/ viney stamps? I have... um... four. Total.

Otherwise, I'm all ears for idea(r)s.

Garlands...? Where can I get inexpensive garlands? Should I start with green (I'm a big green fan!)

I'm seriously considering bringing one (or two) of my Ficus trees home from the office, for the bedroom. If you can't move the bed into the trees, move the trees close to the bed???

ALso there is the chaos factor. What to elves do with piles of Stuff?????

[mark12_30]

...maybe we should move this to the decorating thread...

[mark12_30]

How the seasons do pass.

The beech leaves have passed through yellow to gold, and the stars are glittering cold, tangled in the branches. The clouds race. THe sky is cold sapphire, the air brittle. Sunset is swift and the evening pitch dark.

Pass the Miruvor!