The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien - The One Ring

by **Hero's Song** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 5:31 am

Hello to all kindred spirits and bosom friends out there. My purpose in starting this thread is that I have bumped into many people on TORC over the past three years who quote "Anne-isms" frequently and are obviously fans of this awesome author. We seem to have several things in common: 1. an optimistic attitude about life "God's in his heaven - all's right with the world.” 2. a belief in God. 3. a deep appreciation of the beauty of nature. 4. a love of words - both prose and poetry. 5. a great imagination - hence our love of fantasy and Tolkien's work. Here's a list of members we have as of March 26: Hero's Song Old Begonia Lidau Larindyl MeganBaggins LalaithUrwin Arwen_Sol Aragorngirl Innocent Evil PatriotBlade Night NimrodelSong Luthien_elentari ShieldmaidenofRohan Lady_Galadriel786 Elara Elendil Jaxon Undomiel Lorraine Elf_Princess_Buttercup Vision These are just a few of the things we have in common. As a way of introducing yourself to our group - please answer the questions below and I will start by introducing myself. Your actual age 41 as of June 11 How old do you feel? ie. How old's your spirit? About 17 Where do you live? Southeastern Indiana Describe the beauty spots around your house- think "Anne-ish" descriptions, now! My house bravely faces the north. Along the front of my porch I have two clusters of dancing yellow daffodils. Next to them I have an artificial rabbit who peaks out from behind a shrub. Further down, in front of my kitchen window, there are beautiful yellow and orange-striped tulips all in bloom and some narcissus flowers. At the edge of my house is a small purple lilac tree abounding in fragrant blossoms. In my back yard there is a large magnolia tree that is just past its peak of loveliness. I have a swing in my front yard where I can read or just dream and look up into the blue sky or the stars and listen to the birds and crickets. Anne had six children - If you have some, please tell us a little about them. My oldest son is 20 and a junior in college. My second son will turn 17 next month. He is severely autistic and doesn't talk and lives in a group home in a nearby city. My daughter is 12 and her middle name is Ann. I pleaded to add an "e" but my husband's desire to name her after his aunt "Ann" won out <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif"border=0>. Age when you started reading Anne of Green Gables I was about 24 or 25 and had already seen the Disney TV movie when I read the books. After I fell in love with them I found out they were favorites of my grandmother who died when I was 5. She was an orphan too and very Anne-ish. They say I look and act a lot like her. How many of L.M. Montgomery books have you read? I've read the Anne series several times. I think I've read almost everything else Montgomery wrote once and I'm starting in on them again, having just finished Emily of New Moon. What is it about L.M. Montgomery's writing that appeals to you? I am always amazed at how that woman could create such vivid characters with just a few short sentences. Her physical descriptions were excellent, but the way she could describe what was in a person's heart and soul and what motivated them is just mind boggling to me. And her wonderful sense of humor! All those hilarious scrapes Anne and her children got into. I still crack up when I read them, even though I've read them many times over. I also love her optimistic look at life. Bad things sometimes happen to the characters, but there is a resilience of spirit there that is so admirable in this cynical age. Describe an "Anne" moment you've had. When I was driving to an after prom activity when I was in high school. I was looking out the window while some of my friends were talking. It had been raining earlier in the evening, but the sky was clear and the stars so brilliant. Without thinking, I thought aloud and said "My, aren't the stars pretty tonight!" Everyone kind of looked at me like I was an alien, and I got teased for that comment over the next year by my date and class clown, but it was the true me and I never apologized for saying it! ------ I look forward to hearing from you and having many fun talks with other kindred spirits who are "Akin to Anne."

by **Old_Begonia** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 10:07 am

Okay, here goes… Your actual age: well, if you must know, I’ve passed the half century mark this year. Last week I went to a Gospel Quartet convention and one of the groups who had performed the two previous nights sort of apologized for the oldie they were about to sing, but he said they had had so many requests for it they felt they had to. Then he said, “Old people like old songs, I guess”, and every one laughed. And so did I, as I looked around at all blue-ish white hair, walkers, wheelchairs and hearing aids. But then it suddenly dawned on me: my children think of me in this ‘old people’ category, after all, I am fifty! How old do you feel? not much more than 20, I don’t think. Mostly that’s because I find myself coming up short in worldly experience. I remind myself that’s not a bad thing, but it can feel awkward when one doesn’t quite know how to behave. How old’s your spirit? somewhere between infancy and eternity Where do you live? Northern California Describe the beauty spots around your house- think "Anne-ish" descriptions, now! I live in a resort house. Well, not exactly. But there are seven palm trees on the lot of this modest suburban house in the Central Valley. The back yard there is no grass. It is completely taken up with a large swimming pool, at one end a diving board beckons. The yard is surrounded by a cinder block retaining wall as the houses behind are on higher ground. The dull gray bricks are completely overhung with ivy in many shades of green, from spring to deepest forest. Last year Bill and I visited the mission at San Juan Capistrano in May where we found the garden in spectacular bloom. I nicked some fallen seed pods from beneath the hollyhocks and Bill planted them late last fall. They are quite tall now, thick with green blooms, with one showing bright pink already. At their feet, coral geraniums contrast boldly with the copper-green stain of the pool. In the front yard, last year’s aging geraniums struggle bravely to put on a spring show along the brick wall, with the Martha Washington pelargoniums succeeding handsomely. Anne had six children - If you have some, please tell us a little about them. I have five children. The oldest, a girl, is 26 and spends some of her free time acting in children’s productions at the local community theater. The second, a boy, is a classical guitar major. Next, a girl, is a vocal jazz major. Then, surprise! Twin sons still in high school. Age when you started reading Anne of Green Gables thirty something, I think How many of L.M. Montgomery books have you read? Just the first one, but I can see I have to get the rest and get the whole picture. What is it about L.M. Montgomery's writing that appeals to you? Anne. There are so many things about this character that ring true in me. Describe an "Anne" moment you've had. I walk around outside looking straight up. Especially on my lunch break when I go from this Norman-looking two story office building with arrow slit windows, where my desk faces an inside wall, (the room is known as ‘The Cave’). Any time I get outside, I look up and take a deep breath. Doesn’t matter if there are clouds or clear blue sky, I gotta look up. I expect I’ll have more ‘Anne’ moments to share as time goes by. I suppose that may be a lot of what this guild will consist of. Maybe I’ll tell you about ‘beach access only’…

by **Lidau** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 10:35 am

Well, it seems like I will be the first one to answer, so here I go: I am 43 and will be 44 in August. I feel anything from 15 to maybe 21, depending. I live in the north of Germany, where I rent an appartement. My living room has a wonderful big window facing south; if you look out, there is a small hill to be seen and just below a very old church, belonging to a monastery. There is a balcony in front of it and in summertime there are a lot of plants out there, oleander, bougainvillea, everything that needs a lot of sun. Unfortunately I do not have that much time to sit there and enjoy it. Unfortunately I do not have children, although I love them + do Sunday school teaching. I have actually only now started to read Montgomery´s books, I think it was even sparked by a remark you made in another thread, Hero´s Song. I just began the third book. I like the beautiful description of nature, but also the things that happen, and sometimes I find thoughts of wisdom that help me on (I´ll give examples later). Moments like her I cannot describe right now, maybe later. That´s all for now. Lidau

by **larindyl** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 11:38 am

Hi - I tried to post earlier but it wouldn't let me. Your actual age 18 - and you're lucky cos only just otherwise I wouldn't be able to post it. (TOS) How old do you feel? 18 really. Sorry to be boring! Where do you live? England UK, near Cambridge Describe the beauty spots around your house- Well I do live in the english countryside, which is very lovely in itself. My very favourite place in the world was down the bottom of a field about 5 mins walk away. There's a little stream, and its covered with trees, and you have to clamber through some bushes and down a steep bank and there was a flat piece of ground about 2 m wide and the river trickled round it and there was a tree to lean against. The whole place was covered in trees and I was quite sure no-one else had found it, and I used to love going there when I wanted some quiet. I talk in the past tense, because recently they cut down all the trees to build a housing estate and the water got stagnant. Since then I've searched further and further afield but found nothing anywhere near as good. Still I'm moving away to uni soon, but it's still a shame. Anne had six children - If you have some, please tell us a little about them. None, but then I am only 18...give me time...<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Age when you started reading Anne of Green Gables 9 or 10 I think. I've read them all, and have them all except Rilla of Ingleside, which happens to be the one I adore. Anne of the Island is my other favourite, but they change as I get older. I've kind of grown up with Anne! How many of L.M. Montgomery books have you read? I've read Emily of New Moon, and the Story girl (as well as the Anne books), but libraries round here are rubbish and getting hold of this sort of stuff is hard. I read Rebecca of Sunnybrook farm, expecting the same sort of stuff, but found it rather different, and not as good in my opinion although i did enjoy it. What is it about L.M. Montgomery's writing that appeals to you? Erm... Gilbert Blythe!!? It's true, I think he's lovely. He and Edmund from the Narnia books are my storybook heroes. And also they are Very very good stories. I can't analyse the writing, and I don't want to - I do enough of that at school and don't want to risk ruining the magic. Describe an "Anne" moment you've had. Gosh - I can't think at the moment. I did have a carnation given to me once that felt very human and I sometimes imagined talking to it - I guess that counts! I'll think of more overnight. And I have been known to say 'thank you' to the cash machine! Lari xx

by **Hero's Song** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 2:00 pm

Welcome kindred spirits! We have quite a global representation here so far (Indiana, California, Germany and England) and I am thrilled to have you join me. Old Begonia - I visited the mission at San Juan Capistrano in May where we found the garden in spectacular bloom. I nicked some fallen seed pods from beneath the hollyhocks and Bill planted them late last fall. I've been to San Juan Capistrano! When I was 17 (and remember, I still am) I saved my money up to take a trip to California solo to visit some cousins in Glendale (Los Angeles area for the Europeans in the group). They took me so many fabulous places, but one of the best days was when we headed south to the old mission and then went to on to San Diego to Sea World. I have a picture of me sitting in the beautiful gardens of San Juan Capistrano. I was there in August and it was truly beautiful! Lidau - -- I have actually only now started to read Montgomery´s books, I think it was even sparked by a remark you made in another thread, Hero´s Song. I am so humbled that a comment I made may have caused you to discover these books. Discovering Anne was like finding a little bit of my true self - one that I'd kept somewhat hidden (remember my prom story) and now I embrace it. Larindyl - My very favourite place in the world was down the bottom of a field about 5 mins walk away. There's a little stream, and its covered with trees, and you have to clamber through some bushes and down a steep bank and there was a flat piece of ground about 2 m wide and the river trickled round it and there was a tree to lean against. The whole place was covered in trees and I was quite sure no-one else had found it, and I used to love going there when I wanted some quiet. This sounds like it must have been a wonderful place! It's such a shame about it being ruined! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif"border=0> I love little streams like this. Anne and Montgomery's heroines loved bodies of water of all types. Here's a thought provoking question for everyone: If you could live near a body of water (river, creek/brook, pond, lake or ocean) what would it be and why. My choice would be a creek. I grew up playing and fishing in the little stream that ran behind my grandma's house. It was fed by numerous springs and was always ice cold and crystal clear. I loved to sit and watch the tiny fishes swimming around and the water bugs skating across the top, but more than anything I loved the sound the water made as it flowed over the rocks. What about you?

by **MeganBaggins** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 5:57 pm

Hello fellow L.M. lovers! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0><img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0><img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> My actual age Under age.<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-rolleyes.gif"border=0> How old do I feel? 10 years old <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Where do I live? Minnesota Describe the beauty spots around your house- My home is a small cream Tudor cottage with blue trim that reminds one of the icing on a cake. In the back yard, a quite immense Forsythia stands; and when spring comes it bursts into golden yellow blossoms that seem to shine with a light all their own. About three blocks from my home is a small, trickling creek that reflects the sky on cloudless afternoons. Beside the creek are large Willow Trees, perfect for climbing, which whisper like ghosts when the wind blows them. Anne had six children - If you have some, please tell us a little about them. Well, I don’t have any...yet. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Age when I started reading Anne of Green Gables 10 How many of L.M. Montgomery books have you read? All of the Anne books, Pat of silver bush, and have just finished Emily of New Moon. What is it about L.M. Montgomery's writing that appeals to you? Her ability to create places and characters with such imagination...and yet such down-to-earthness. Describe an "Anne" moment you've had. Last summer, I was on a trip to Chicago with a group of friends. It was a beautiful day and we were enjoying the sun in a small park; In a moment of “Anne-ness” I said, ‘Isn’t this day just rapturous?’ My friends looked at me like I was insane...but it was true, the day was rapturous. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Funny thing, My Mother loves the books so much that my middle name is Anne after the one and only: Anne of Green Gables! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

by **LalaithUrwen** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 7:19 pm

Yay, HS! It's up and running! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> I love reading everyone's answers. How perfectly fascinating. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> It's so neat to find out more about everyone and so cool that others share my love for Anne's world. So, here are my answers. Your actual age 31 How old do you feel? ie. How old's your spirit? About 17 Where do you live? Southwestern Ohio Describe the beauty spots around your house- think "Anne-ish" descriptions, now! While I can think of better places in my surrounding area, I’ll stick to my house (if I have to! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif"border=0>). I have a little area in my backyard that I just finished last summer. We put bricks around the base of a silver maple tree in a lovely, curving shape (from the house, out around the tree a few feet, then back again to the house). I have a few birdfeeders there, pebbles on one half, and flagstones meandering throughout the whole thing for stepping stones. The other half has some plants growing, including my very favorite flowers—violets. (I have pink, purple, and white-and-purple violets.) I have a few other favorite spots around the house: our crabapple tree is in full bloom now and quite beautiful, my lavender, my coral bells, etc. Anne had six children - If you have some, please tell us a little about them. I have two children. My oldest daughter is 7 ½, and my youngest daughter just turned 4. They are both precious, beautiful, smart, funny, exacerbating, etc. Neither of them inherited my red hair, which was a bit of a disappointment, especially since my husband’s father and both of his brothers have red hair. I can’t wait to introduce them to Anne for real when they’re old enough. (They already know about her, though!) I only wish I could've convinced my husband to let me name one of them Anne. Age when you started reading Anne of Green Gables I was 12. My best friend, Kathy (also a redhead) introduced them to me, and we both turned into Anne freaks. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> It really shaped our lives in many ways. I can remember the two of us going on walks in the woods, pretending to be Anne and Diana (only problem was, since we were both redheads, it was hard to decide who got to be Anne!); we wrote letters to each other in high-falutin’ language, pretended our crushes were Gilbert, we believed in fairies, etc. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> All sorts of silly, wonderful, romantic stuff! How many of L.M. Montgomery books have you read? I’ve read them all, and I have them all (as far as I know). I have 26 of them anyway, if that’s not all. Hey! She was my first obsession before LOTR! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> What is it about L.M. Montgomery's writing that appeals to you? I love her vivid descriptions of people and places. I love the optimism and beauty which permeated her writings. Anne’s adventures were funny and dramatic, and we always hoped we could have ones just like hers. We wanted the loves of our lives to be like Gilbert. (And, in many ways, mine has been.) Her stories just seem to glow. It’s hard to describe. Describe an "Anne" moment you've had. My friend and I were absolutely overflowing with joy over the first beautiful day of spring one year. We decided to go for a walk in the woods behind her house, so we traveled up through the stream. We pretended to be Anne and Diana as we wandered in the wildflowers. (We had named all of the places around our houses after the places in the book.) We kept going and walking on and on. After a long while in the woods, we came to a different part of the stream, one that was much deeper and swifter. (After all, it was spring, and we’d had a lot of rain.) Bravely, we decided to cross this stream, as we began to realize we had wandered very far from home and needed to get across to get back home. Kathy went across first with little problem. I followed, but I must have picked a much deeper part of the stream to try to cross because before I knew it I was in nearly over my head. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-rolleyes.gif"border=0> I survived, obviously, and when we finally emerged from the woods, we discovered that we had walked all the way over to the next county into the next city over from ours! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif"border=0> (Not that far now, probably about 2-3 miles, but it was a long distance to us then.) So, we tramped home, drenched, muddy, but perfectly thrilled with our adventure. To make it even more exciting, it was just at that moment when there was a full eclipse of the sun. Pretty good adventure, I’d say. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> As for the water question, I would love to live near a real creek. (We have a little creek just across the street, but b/c we live in the suburbs, they've concreted the whole thing in. Just this past summer they came in with huge machines and destroyed every single vestige of vegetation, which broke my heart. We had a muskrat living there, and I enjoyed taking the girls over to see him.) But, I would also love to live near the ocean--not the tropical ocean, but something like the North Atlantic, just like Anne. Blessings, Lalaith

by **Hero's Song** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 7:23 pm

Welcome MeganBaggins! Well,if your name really is Megan and your middle name is Anne, then you and my daughter have matching names (except my Megan doesn't have the "queenish" 'e' <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>) It sounds like you belong here. Isn't it great that we're all different ages. As you know, since you've read all the books, Anne never really grew up and delighted in many of the same activities she enjoyed as a girl - at least until she was old enough to be a grandmother and we can presume all of her life. Welcome! I've just started reading Anne of Green Gables again to refresh myself and to get some discussion going in this guild. BTW - I couldn't help but notice you had the words "Jesus Freak" in your sig. I had a bumper sticker with JF on it on my last car <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>. We would love it if you would join us in the II Followers of Eru Guild (a guild for Christians). That invitation goes out to everyone else too! Until tomorrow - Good night!

by **Hero's Song** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 7:38 pm

Wow, Lalaith - didn't mean to leave you out. I went to brush my teeth before I hit the sack and came back to the 'puter to see of my note to MeganB went through and there you were! It sounds like you win the prize (so far) for being the biggest Anne-freak of us all. I wish I had known about Anne as a girl. I was overly fond of Laura Ingalls Wilder stories, but they don't even begin to compare to the richness of Anne's stories or the hundreds of other characters L.M. Montgomery created. I enjoyed your remembrances of your friend Kathy. I would have loved to have had a "bosom" friend like that, but I didn't. I had friends, but they didn't understand my passions. It is really only through TORC and a Christian music camp I am counselor at every summer that I have found true kindred spirits, like yourself. It sounds like you almost had a "Lily-maid moment" - too bad Gilbert wasn't there to rescue you! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> ) Lalaith - with you in southwestern Ohio and me in southeastern Indiana - we've just got to get together sometime (maybe with my sis Nunke) and go traipsing through the woods in search of flowers or mushrooms or other adventures sometime!

by **Arwen_Sol** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 12:58 am

Good morning everyone! (atleast it's morning over here <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>) Your actual age? 19, I'll be 20 in December How old do you feel? Ageless but very young at the same time if you know what I mean. Where do you live? Canada, B.C (Never been to P.E.I) Describe the beauty spots around your house My house is a gorgeous sunshiney yellow and overlooking the porch is the most beautiful sight! Wide open skies and a particular mountain range that look like the face of a wise and wrinkled old woman. On the porch there's a porchswing from which I can gaze at the stars or read or draw and find inspiration. children Not yet <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> though I'm hopeful yet Age when you started reading Anne of Green Gables It was when I first moved to Canada, I was 12 that year and Anne is an offical Canadian trademark so you can't live there and not read Montgomery <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> How many of L.M. Montgomery books have you read? The entire Anne series. What is it about L.M. Montgomery's writing that appeals to you? The people she writes about are so real and their emotions so authentic. She really captures that time when things like caring and polite-ness meant something and it makes me happy to think that those things exist even today. Describe an "Anne" moment you've had I'm not sure if this would be an "Anne" moment but there is a trail at the back of my house and I was walking along it with my best friend and it was silent except for the rustling of the breeze and animals and the sun was filtering softly through the trees overhead and it just reminded me of Anne and Gilbert walking together. Well, have a fun and exciting day everyone <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> *~Arwen

by **aragorngirl** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 8:49 am

We seem to have several things in common: 1. an optimistic attitude about life "God's in his heaven - all's right with the world.” 2. a belief in God. 3. a deep appreciation of the beauty of nature. 4. a love of words - both prose and poetry. 5. a great imagination - hence our love of fantasy and Tolkien's work. This is great - all of these things describe me!! Your actual age - 41, I will be 42 in September. How old do you feel? ie. How old's your spirit?- about 25. Where do you live?- Northeast Ohio Describe the beauty spots around your house- think "Anne-ish" descriptions, now!- My house is a little red brick ranch - it is a small house, but has a huge back yard! We get all kinds of little animals (squirrels, rabbits, sometimes deer) wandering into our little corner of the world! In the morning, the sun shines so brightly into our house - I have a window in my front room that I love to sit in front of and read or write or just pray and contemplate life! Anne had six children - If you have some, please tell us a little about them.- I have two beautiful daughters: Megan is 13 and a typical teenage girl and all the angst that goes with it! She also has red hair like me. Jenny is 11 and (fortunately) hasn't entered that "angst" period yet! Age when you started reading Anne of Green Gables- I have to confess, I haven't read the books; I fell in love with the Disney movies about Anne. I have the books and my oldest daughter has read them, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. The other questions I can't really answer, since I haven't read the books, but I love the character of Anne Shirley! I love her optimism and her ability to carry on in the face of adversity.

by **MeganBaggins** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 8:55 am

Wow, there are alot of Megan's in this world!<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0><img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Funny, I am a redhead too (when it is not dyed brown<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>)

by **Hero's Song** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 6:32 pm

Welcome to Arwen_Sol and Aragorngirl into our little group. Both of you truly sound like kindred spirits. Arwen_Sol - our first Canadian! Welcome! Your house sounds lovely. Yellow is my second favorite color (next to green). A porch swing is indeed a great place for dreaming. I couldn't help but wonder when I read your name - Arwen_Sol. I'll bet you're a fan of Robin McKinley too! Am I right? Aragorngirl - glad you see you found your way over here. We're are really close in age and we both have daughters named Megan and they're about the same age. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I couldn't help but note that the actress who played Anne in the Disney production's first name was Megan too (although she spells and pronounces it differently). O you really must read the books. If you start on the Anne books right now, we could be reading them together. It would really help because I want to talk about things in the books in this guild, but I'd hate to spoil them for those of you who haven't read them yet. They really are just as delightful, if not more so, than the movie. I love some of Montgomery's chapter titles. Even those of you who have only seen the movie can appreciate these: "Mrs. Rachel Lynde is Properly Horrified" "A Tempest in the School Teapot" <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> He called me carrots! "Diana is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results" (one of my personal favorites) "A Good Imagination Gone Wrong" "Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves" "An Unfortunate Lily Maid" <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> "The Reaper Whose Name is Death" <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif"border=0>

by **Arwen_Sol** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 6:58 pm

Thankyou for the welcome Hero's Song, Green is the colour of things growing so I love it as well, the inside walls of my house are varying shades of green as are the tiles in the foyer. I am indeed a fan of Robin McKinley <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> are you as well? I have a thread in the 'Other Authors' forum where we talk about Damar and such if you're interested <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> we'd be pleased to have you in our discussion. I never watched the movie, is it of the entire Anne series or just the first book? I remember there was an 'Emily of NewMoon' TV mini-series a while back but I never really got into it. I think the books were probably way more interesting. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> What I wouldn't give to be a redhead, I think I was one, perhaps in a past life. My skin is too dark to have freckles, despite Anne's misgivings, I've always thought them cute <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Did anyone else here cry over Walter? <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-crying.gif"border=0> *~Arwen

by **Hero's Song** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 7:57 pm

Arwen_Sol - Yes, I am a fan of Robin McKinley. I have written some posts in a thread about her in the other authors section before, but with the search feature down, someone probably started a new one. I found a Web site with a transcript of the speech she gave when she accepted the Newberry Award. She gives Tolkien credit for creating the character of Eowyn, that inspired her to write fantasy with strong female lead characters. I posted it in that long ago thread. I guess my favorite would be The Hero and the Crown. I also really enjoyed Beauty. I can't believe you haven't seen the Dreamworks movies. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif"border=0> They were wonderful. Meagan Follows was perfect as Anne. She was a real fan herself. The actors who played Mrs. Lynde, Gilbert, Diana and many of the other characters were just perfect. Colleen Dewhurst did a great job of playing Marilla, although she should have been skinnier and Richard Farnsworth was a perfect Matthew, although he didn't have a beard. Your really must see them. There's a lot of condensing, etc. especially in the sequel - Anne of Avonlea - but they are marvelously done and were filmed on PEI. A word of warning - be prepared to fall in love with Gilbert all over again <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> The actor was so appealing, especially in his obvious love for Anne, you just couldn't understand HOW Anne could snub him all those years!!!

by **MeganBaggins** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 9:55 pm

*Swooooon for Gilbert* heh heh, he was quite the good looking actor who played him!<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Arwen_Sol: I can't believe that you would want freckles! They are a pain in the butt and I would give anything to be rid of them. (Hmmm...reminds me of a certain redhead from a certain book...)

by **Lidau** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:18 am

A warm welcome to all who joined! HS, concerning your question of living near a body of water: I think I would choose the ocean. Last summer, I spent my vacation on the Baltic Sea; there was a forest that came right up to the beach and was only accessible on foot or by bike. I just loved those storm-bent pine trees. I found an example for what I earlier called wisdom in the books: In the second book, when Anne starts to teach, she is very nervous. Marilla says something to her like: You don´t fail or succeed completely in just one day. I am like that: if I make a mistake, I think I´ve blown it for always and ever. So that stayed with me and I think it´s very true: hardly anyone fails completely (and vice versa). Lidau

by **aragorngirl** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:19 am

Thank you for the warm welcome, everyone! It's great to be here! HS - I think there is something about red hair and the name Megan! They just seem to go together. It's funny, too, because my Megan sort of reminds me of Anne - she's very dramatic and pretty much marches to her own drum! I would love to read the books - I have a couple books I have to finish, then I will start reading them. The movies are excellent, though, for anyone who hasn't seen them. PEI is so beautiful; the characters were perfect. Meagan Follows was the perfect Anne! "Diana is invited to tea with tragic results" - I also like that one!<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>

by **aragorngirl** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:20 am

Thank you for the warm welcome, everyone! It's great to be here! HS - I think there is something about red hair and the name Megan! They just seem to go together. It's funny, too, because my Megan sort of reminds me of Anne - she's very dramatic and pretty much marches to her own drum! I would love to read the books - I have a couple books I have to finish, then I will start reading them. The movies are excellent, though, for anyone who hasn't seen them. PEI is so beautiful; the characters were perfect. Meagan Follows was the perfect Anne! "Diana is invited to tea with tragic results" - I also like that one!<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>

by **aragorngirl** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:22 am

Thank you for the warm welcome, everyone! It's great to be here! HS - I think there is something about red hair and the name Megan! They just seem to go together. It's funny, too, because my Megan sort of reminds me of Anne - she's very dramatic and pretty much marches to her own drum! I would love to read the books - I have a couple books I have to finish, then I will start reading them. The movies are excellent, though, for anyone who hasn't seen them. PEI is so beautiful; the characters were perfect. Meagan Follows was the perfect Anne! "Diana is invited to tea with tragic results" - I also like that one!<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Edit: Sorry - I didn't mean to post three times - I didn't think my post went through, so I clicked enter again. Again, sorry!

by **larindyl** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:11 pm

I have to say, I read the back of the film box, and got annoyed with the drastic change of ending in the last one. I loved the first one though. Yes, I cried over Walter! I forgive myself, I think I was 10 at the time! And I just love the phrase 'half-past sixteen' which is at the beginning of 'Anne of Avonlea'. I remember when I was 'half past sixteen' - isn't it gorgeous? And I loved the imagery of the Piper at the end of 'Rainbow Valley', that thrilled me like it thrilled Walter. Of Anne's children I liked Nan best I think, although I liked Rilla too - the episode with the cake was just too funny!

by **Harvestar** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 4:19 pm

Thank you so much, HS!! ((BIGHUGS)) <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Your actual age: 24 (almost 25) How old do you feel? ie. How old's your spirit? It changes fairly often. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I go from 5 to 25. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Although I loved the part in Anne of the Island (or perhaps it's earlier) where Anne goes running down to Diana's and Rachel Lynde says "There's a good deal of girl in her yet" and Marilla retorts "But there's a good deal of woman in her too" (or something like that <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif"border=0> ) I feel like that a lot of the time. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Describe the beauty spots around your house- sigh... Living in the desert there's not too many trees which remind me most of Anne. However, some of the cacti are in bloom giving yellow, pink and red to the brown and green desert. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> At my undergrad university (Penn State), there was an ornamental cherry tree there - a large weeping tree that was cascades of pink in the spring and waves of green in the summer. It was a lovely place to sit and dream. Even in the winter it was pretty with it's stark branches against the grey sky. Anne had six children - If you have some, please tell us a little about them. none yet. Perhaps one day. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Age when you started reading Anne of Green Gables My brother got the first 3 boxed set for me for my 12th birthday. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> My mom and I started reading them together. How many of L.M. Montgomery books have you read? Lalaith, I'm with you on this one! All of them! I'm still looking for her Autobiography and her book of poetry, but all the stories and collections of short stories I have. I reread them every time I go home (not all of them, but a selection). I NEED to bring them out with me to grad school... I miss them all. I still look for any new collections of short stories when I go to the book store. What is it about L.M. Montgomery's writing that appeals to you? Just the wisdom and love contained in those pages. And the characters. I've learned so much and been shaped so much by her stories. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> And oh, the crushes I had on some of those guys: Teddy (Emily of New Moon's love), Jingle (Pat of Silver Bush), Barney (The Blue Castle), Owen Ford (Anne's House of Dreams), Ken Ford (Rilla of Ingleside - my personal favorite)... Describe an "Anne" moment you've had. 2 of my high school friends were also very much into Anne. We even had an Anne Party one night - we made macaroons (or attempted to!) out of the Anne of Green Gables Cookbook, wore old fashioned night gowns, slept on the spare room bed (ok, the living room sofa bed), and stayed up late to watch the movie. As for the question about water... well, right now ANY type of water would be appealing to live next to! Being in the desert really makes me miss water and trees! But I'd have to say an island in a small lake - like in The Blue Castle! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> But a brook would be nice too. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> And there's no shame in crying over Walter. I SOBBED uncontrollably when I read that. I still cry even though I've read it umpteen times.

by **MeganBaggins** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 5:22 pm

Hey all! As to my answer to the water question: I already live by a creek and several lakes...So I guess my choice would be Ocean. ooh I love the ocean. *dreamy smile* *sigh*

by **Hero's Song** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 5:30 pm

Welcome to the group, Harvester! Sounds like you are also a BIG Anne fan! In answer to MeganBaggins' question: Of course I cried over Walter<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif"border=0> (those of you who haven’t read the books haven’t a clue who we’re talking about, but I’m afraid we may spoil some things for you in the future). I also cried over Matthew and Ruby and little Joy. I have what some might call a “sensitive nature” and “burst into tears” quite easily. Someone mentioned Rilla and the cake - love that "To be seen CARRYING A CAKE <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif"border=0> 0h, the humiliation <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>!! Another one of my favorite part of the Anne books is in Anne of Windy Poplars. Remember when she visits the family whose father is mad and refuses to say a word to anyone? The oldest girl has a suitor there and is totally humiliated because her father won't talk and Anne "gets the Devil in her" and tells the visitor that the father "suddenly went deaf the other day" and the family tells all kinds of wild tales on him, finally shaming him into talking <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> It is ROTFL-worthy! I have a book a friend got for me at a used book sale. It's called "Aunt Maud's Recipe Book" and has photos and stories and, of course recipes, from L.M.Montgomery. I was surprised to learn she went by "Maud." I've always thought that was sort of an ugly-sounding name, whereas Lucy is lovely. Maybe I'll copy a recipe in here sometime for you.

by **MeganBaggins** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 5:37 pm

ROTFL I loooooove that part! I laugh so hard whenever I read it! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0><img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0><img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> oooh *sob* Walter. There is a line from the movie you've got mail about the Anne books that is so true: "Read them with a box of Kleenex's"

by **Old_Begonia** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 7:05 pm

I don’t remember answering the water question. Ocean. Definitely ocean. I’m fond of Bodega Bay. Some of you may remember it from Hitchcock’s, ‘The Birds’. It’s grown since then, of course, but Bodega Bay in June is simply one of my favourite places to be. There is just something profound about standing at sea level, with my feet on the cold, wet sand, the wind blowing salt into every pore of my face, the briny smell, the breakers booming away down on the head, the endless, endless roll of surf. Whooooossshhhhhh…whhooooossshhhh…..whhooooooosssshhhh…(quiet rumble in the distance)…whhhooosshhhhh…sea gulls swooping and diving, popping up somewhere else, bobbing up and down between waves...descrying the nearly indiscernible line between blue-gray sea and gray-blue sky. When I leave, the sounds drift away behind me. Yet later, like now, as I sit here typing, I know the surf is still there, whooshing away, hour after hour, day after day… Oh...but.... But then there’s a certain mountain lake near Mt. Lassen. It looks like a 3D postcard. Last summer I sat next to it in the moonlight, the surface was like a mirror, eerily reflecting the snowcapped mountain across the way. I was wearing my cloak, the one that is greeny/brown butter suede that looks sorta silver in certain lights... Okay, the Anne books are on my list. When TTT leaves theaters re-reading Silmarillion comes first. Then Anne.

by **LalaithUrwen** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:55 pm

Mae govannen, ArwenSol, AragornGirl, & Harvestar! It sounds like you win the prize (so far) for being the biggest Anne-freak of us all. I wish I had known about Anne as a girl. I was overly fond of Laura Ingalls Wilder stories, but they don't even begin to compare to the richness of Anne's stories or the hundreds of other characters L.M. Montgomery created. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Well, I’ll take that as a compliment. (Let’s see “Anne Freak,” “Jesus Freak,” and “Tolkien Geek.” Yep, sounds about right. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> ) But, I think I have some competition for the title. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> (Harvestar, you know who you are.) I loved Laura, too; I think her books are perfect for a younger girl, and they shaped my life in many ways as well. (BTW, if you’ve never read Laura’s book Little House in the Ozarks , I highly recommend it. It’s a collection of her writings, mostly from her newspaper column, and I was astounded by the amount of wisdom they contained.) I wish that everyone could have a bosom friend, as I did; it’s been harder as I’ve gotten older. Kathy and I are still friends, actually, and though we grew up in North Ridgeville, we both ended up here near Cincy. (Catch that Aragorngirl? I grew up in Northeastern Ohio!) Unfortunately, she moved back to the Cleveland area and now I’m alone. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif"border=0> So, I totally sympathize with the fact that it is through TORC that I’ve discovered some new bosom friends. No one, absolutely no one, within my immediate sphere of family and friends really understands the whole JRRT thing. My husband comes the closest, but even he thinks I’ve lost it. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> Now, I have fellow Tolkien friends who also love L.M. Montgomery! (Maybe we all just have a thing for authors with initials. ??? I also love C. S. Lewis. See?) It sounds like you almost had a "Lily-maid moment" - too bad Gilbert wasn't there to rescue you!) <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Yep! Exactly our thoughts. I'll definitely add my swoon for Gilbert. Swoon! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I love Ken, though, too. I would absolutely love to get together with you and (Nunke, if she’s game)! We need to think of somewhere wonderful in the middle, but you have to wear your cloak. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> I loved the chapter title reminders! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I don’t think I can pick a favorite, but I can relate to the carrots’ incident. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> I love the Diana tragic tea chapter, too. Aragorngirl, don't worry about the triple post. You're not an official TORCer till you've done at least 2 of them. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> Megan, I love my freckles! Repeat after me: "You must embrace the freckles; they are your friends." <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> (Besides, you can't get rid of them, no matter what.) And, yes, I sob for Walter and Little Joy and Matthew and all of them every time I read them. O_B, your description of the ocean makes me miss it so much. Lidau, your place sounds absolutely beautiful, too--wild and untamed. You know, hearing all of you talk about your favorite parts and favorite books makes me want to take them off the shelf and reread them again. In fact, I think I'll do just that. (I've been reading _The Letters of JRRT_ and could use a little diversion. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> ) It's been an especially long time since I've read _The Blue Castle_ or the Pat series or Jane of Lantern Hill. (Skips off to bask in the glow of Anne.) Blessings, Lalaith

by **LalaithUrwen** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 9:02 pm

Forgot to add: I have a book a friend got for me at a used book sale. It's called "Aunt Maud's Recipe Book" and has photos and stories and, of course recipes, from L.M.Montgomery. I was surprised to learn she went by "Maud." I've always thought that was sort of an ugly-sounding name, whereas Lucy is lovely. Maybe I'll copy a recipe in here sometime for you. HS, it sounds wonderful! How lucky for you! Yes, please give us a sample; I've never heard of this book. (And, heavens, yes, I agree. Why would the woman go my Maud rather than Lucy?) Lalaith

by **Hero's Song** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 5:51 am

Good to hear from you again, Lalaith! I was just "talking" with Nimrodel's Song in the Followers thread and she wants to get together with all of us sometime. We need to plan something! Here is a recipe from my book. It is for "Lemon Crumbles" and the author says lemon was one of "Maud's" favorite flavors and this picnic-time recipe was well used: First prepare the filling: 1 c. sugar 1 T. flour 3/4 c. water 1 egg (slightly beaten) 1 lemon - grated rind and juice In a saucepan mix sugar and flour and stir in water and egg. Cook, stirring constantly until smoothly thickened. Remove from heat and add lemon rind and juice. Cool while mixing the following as base and top: 3/4 c. all purpose flour 1 t. baking powder 3/4 c. butter 1/2 c. white sugar 1 c. medium flaked coconut 1 1/2 c. cracker crums (regular soda crackers) Sift flour and baking powder together. Mix in butter. Then add sugar, coconut and cracker crumbs. Spread 1/2 of this mixture on top. Bake in a moderate oven until nicely browned. 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Cut in small squares when cool. Sounds yummy <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I just read the chapter about Anne and the Sunday school picnic. It reminds me of another of my Anne moments. I also like to "fly on the wings of anticipation" as Anne says. One year it was getting close to time for our church's annual S.S. picnic. I was about 13 or 14 and was so excited because there was a swimming pool, great food and a boy I particularly liked was going to be there. I couldn't wait!! Then the morning dawned with torrents of rain. You guessed it - everything was cancelled. I "thudded" quite heavily and "burst into tears" accordingly, lying prostrate on my bed for a good 15 minutes. I haven't totally gotten over the habit of the thrill of anticipating things (I believe it's part of having an optimistic nature). You can imagine how worked up I get over the advent of these movies (I'm sure all of you can relate). I have a count-down on my desktop at work and today I get to change it. I think we have 33 more weeks to go, friends <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

by **Old_Begonia** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 5:23 pm

HH, you do know about <a target=new href="http://www.clockdown.com/'">clockdown</a> don't you? It's absolutely free and I've had it and its predecessor and have experienced no problems from it, (unless you count my husband deleting it because he hates it when I stick things to the desk top. He could just close it...but noooooooo...<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-rolleyes.gif"border=0>)

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