[mark12_30]

I guess I should elaborate....

First, I've had several characters in RPGs that ended up adopting children. Lindo adopts Tem, Tocca, and Retya; Phura adopts Kemba; Gamba adopts Little Maura, Ban, Asta, and Roka. (I'm currently processing adoption paperwork myself.)

One of the things one does with adopted children is work on eye contact. I did not know this when I wrote all about the Staring Game between Sindo and Lorien, in The Fairy Wife, but thinking of it now pretty much amazes me..

In The Lonely Star, Lindo adopts Snowhobbits. (I am adopting two hobbits from a very cold place indeed. One of the hobbits reminds me of Phura (very much.) The other reminds me of Gamba (very much.) I feel that I could accurately call these two 'snowhobbits', Phura and Gamba. )

And then there was the whole Bolco story; all about the shock of American culture in the life of an unsuspecting little hobbit. I see this, also, on a daily basis.

I could go into lots of details, and provide lots of examples, but for now..... I'll just say it gives me pause.