Thanks to everyone for celebrating #Tolkien #HobbitMonth with me! This was fun and I enjoyed your lovely comments each day.
If you enjoyed my paintings, perhaps you'd like to add my book to your honored Tolkien shelves. Happy Hobbit Month, my friends, and keep sharing the good lore!
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
The core Tolkien theme of hospitality continues today as the hobbits arrive at The Prancing Pony where the host takes great care of their comfort. In Middle-earth, gracious folk welcome and serve the wanderer. One by one, they contribute to victory.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
By the 20th century, hobbits had become hard to find, but once the Big and Little Folk lived side-by-side at Bree. To me, a better modern Middle-earth would be a return to a Bree-like coexistence, with hobbits feeling free to come out of hiding.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit
Tonight the hobbits will eat their second supper with Tom and Goldberry, where dance, song, and laughter turn simple food and water into a feast. A celebration of earth, rain, and the hospitality of nature. Everyone belongs at this table.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
Merry's hobbit ponies know a friend when they see one, and here they react with joyous vigor to the arrival of Tom Bombadil, who knows their names. I'm so glad Tolkien lets us know these ponies make their way back to Tom after fleeing from Bree.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit
Even on a dark road, hobbits still sing in their baths. It says something about who they are, even when some of the world around them is out of step with their goodly, kindly ways. They are little lights.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
After his night amongst Gildor Inglorion's folk, Sam awakes with new gifts that are apparent to Frodo...rather as readers do on each subsequent read of The Lord of The Rings. Spending time with elves can broaden the sense of what is possible here.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
Tonight, the hobbits will have this first "more than chance meeting" and I've spoken to many fellow readers for whom this scene is a major contributor to why The Fellowship of The Ring is their favorite. It is truly enchanting!
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILBO! HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRODO!
And thank you, dear Professor Tolkien!
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
A brand new print celebrating how the old lists of the Ents make the nature of Arda come alive in new ways for the hobbits and for us. More links in comments! #TolkienArt www.miriamellis.com/product-page...
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
How do Middle-earth inns get their names? I thought The Green Dragon might be partially set into a long hill reminiscent of a great beast. Also, if you look closely here, you may see Erebor and Smaug suggested by the clouds in this windy sky.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
In painting the Cottons, I decided to carry on Professor Tolkien's witty Gamgee Cotton textile reference by making the family fabric fiber farmers and dyers. Hobbits' bright garments must begin somewhere, perhaps with flax, woad, weld, nettles, etc.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
Concerning Hobbits and The Scouring of The Shire are core sources of hobbit lore, but there is so much more to learn from Tolkien's letters. If you've never read them, they are a treasure! Commission for the TCG's Guide to Tolkien's Letters:
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
See the tiny fire in the background? The hobbits were meant to be asleep while these venerable figures stayed up late into the night on the road west. But I think Frodo was awake to have later written about this astounding scene in the lore books.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
One of Professor Tolkien's own favorite books was a guide to the flora of England. I think one way he showed his love for the hobbits was in surrounding them with gardens and countryside. It was like he was taking care of their needs.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit.
When Strider chants the Tale of Tinúviel to the hobbits, they're hearing a story that is 6000+ years old. I wonder if rumor of these events reached hobbits during the Elder Days and they're hearing a tale their ancestors knew. Hobbits lived then, too.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
Going to a moot is a bit like getting to visit Michel Delving. Even if you don't travel or are a shy hobbit, you realize there are lots of hobbits everywhere! A consoling experience. PPP Moot is put on by my favorite Tolkien podcast. See you there?
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
Every November 2nd, The Horn of the Mark was winded at a feast to commemorate the rousing of Buckland. This silver, dwarven horn was gifted to Merry by Éomer and Éowyn and became an heirloom of his house. Horns were a special feature of Buckland.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
Closeup of a saltbox in Bilbo's pantry. Where do you think hobbits go their salt? Rock salt from Quarry in the Eastfarthing or from the Blue Mountain dwarves? Or could Thorin's folk have been getting sea salt from the coast? Thoughts?
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit
Tolkien said that mentions of hobbits being 2 feet tall referred to later diminishment, but I wonder about Daddy Twofoot (2nd from L here). Surely most hobbits had two feet (not warranting a special surname). Were some families were always shorter?
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit.
What is the mysterious door on the east side of Bag End? Some burrowing creatures have multiple escape doors and I've wondered if there might be a secret passage under The Hill for Bilbo to escape from unwanted Sackville-Bagginses. Your ideas?
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
How much do hobbits know about flora? So much that they can specifically identify that Goldberry's gold chain belt features flag iris and forget-me-nots in its design. I love their attention to plants. I'll share a close-up in the comments!
Today's #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
The hospitable teapot at Bilbo's left bespeaks his home-loving Baggins side, while the mustard pot at his right hints at his spicy Tookish side. So many Tolkien readers I know are like Bilbo: prizing simple comforts but having a taste for adventure!
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
Bilbo loved maps but needed Elrond's help to realize this one had Moon-letters on it. Even the most devoted Tolkien readers can have the joy of noticing details they've overlooked when they listen to others. Community is a gift!
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth tidbit:
Bilbo spends his life giving things away: the arkenstone, his fair share of the treasure, Dain's necklace, and he's free with his money at home. He's not just the one who finds the ring, but more importantly, the one who gives it up. Admirable!
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit:
Climbing trees is considered an adventure by hobbits. Gandalf was known to have done so with lads and lasses, but Bilbo had to scale this one on his own while the dwarves grumbled below. His courage was rewarded with sun, wind, and butterflies.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth Tidbit as #Oxonmoot begins!
Gathering with fellow readers is our chance to be a Window on the West for one another, giving a glimpse of light and hope on life's challenging journey. May our hobbit hearts be lifted in the company of good folk.
Today's #Tolkien #HobbitDay #HobbitMonth tidbit:
Did you know that some English churches still strew their floors with rushes and that craftspeople still weave matting of them, just as in the house of Tom Bombadil? So fresh and beautiful!
It's September! That means #Tolkien #HobbitDay + #HobbitMonth. I'm challenging myself to post a Hobbit tidbit each day of this month in hopes of sharing a little happiness.
I like to start my annual read of The Lord of the Rings in September because it's when Frodo's journey begins. How about you?
