Photo Scavenger Hunt #7

I've been photo hunting all month long--and here is what I've found.



see more wonderful results at Kristi's Photo Hunt Challenge.  I promise you will be amazed :)

photo's by




Hosted by Cecily

Thursday's with Tolkien: Book Three

The Lord of the Rings
by
J.R.R. Tolkien

Volume Two: The Two Towers
Book Three

The thing I like best about the Two Towers is that the fellowship is divided—and thus the story is naturally divided. I like how Tolkien did not chapter hop from what was happening in the west with Aragorn and company to what was happening in the east with Frodo and Sam. This allowed me as a reader to concentrate on the events of the story. I did like how Tolkien would occasionally sync time with the group in the west at times wondering what was happening with Frodo. Then during the account of Frodo Tolkien would refer to events in the west that were happening simultaneously. Even though the stories are separate the reader still feels connected to each half of the fellowship.

*warning spoilers*

The word I would use to describe Book Three is action. From the time that the Fellowship is ambushed, the hobbits are captured, Frodo and Sam depart and the death of Borimir the story is on the run—literally. The run is exhausting as Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli hunt the Orcs in an attempt to save Merry and Pippen. One event leads to another in a very quick pace rather like a mud slide that begins with a little earth giving way and by the time it reaches the bottom of the hill a great event has occurred. I won’t recount all the events in this book—you should read the book if you are at all curious about what they are.

I did discover something interesting as I re-read this book. There was the constant reminder that the time of Elves was past. Frodo and Sam pass them in the shire heading for the havens. The Fellowship receives counsel and items to assist them in their quest but the elves (except for Legolas) do not assist physically in this endeavor or battle. They leave things to men, as the age of man dawns in Middle Earth. In the movie they show the elves coming to assist in the battle at Helm’s deep—but in the book they do not come. The host of men that do arrive to help right at the beginning of Book Five are the Rangers of the North—Aragorn’s own.

I do love how Aragorn’s journey through Book Three is a journey of self-discovery as he commands and makes decisions and grapples in thought with the Dark Lord himself. For me Aragorn becomes a king in the pages of Book Three.

In Book Three we are introduced to Eowyn—who cannot love Eowyn. She has nothing to live for and everything to give. My heart breaks for the shield maiden who is not allowed to fulfill her role.  She longs for battle and instead is left to "mind" the women and children, the old and the weak. Her story continues in book five, a tragic tale all its own. One thing I do love about the movie that enhances the book for me is the music of the Rohirrim. I do love its strange plaintive call. It reminds me exactly of Eowyn’s mournful tale.

A review of Book Three would not be complete without a mention of Fangorn, both the Ent and the Forest. I think this is one of the reasons Bombadil and the old forest was in the beginning of the book so that Merry and Pippin could more easily accept the wild impossibility of living trees and beings that care for them. I think Tolkien’s imaginative powers are manifest in a wonderful way as this overlooked part of middle earth literally saves the day.

The reunion of the hobbits with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimili at the gates is wonderfully written with all the hobbit eccentricities showing their colors. It is a very comforting portion in the narrative. Amidst all the wreck and ruin of war—normalcy can peek through.

Of course my favorite part of Book Three would be the return of Gandalf—nothing tops that!

There he stood, grown suddenly tall, towering above them. His hood and his grey rags were flung away. His white garments shone. He lifted up his staff, and Gimli’s axe leaped from his grasp and fell ringing on the ground. The sword of Aragorn, stiff in his motionless hand, blazed with a sudden fire. Legolas gave a great shout and shot an arrow high into the air: it vanished in a flash of flame. ‘Mithrandir!’ he cried. ‘Mithrandir!’. . . Aragorn stirred. ‘Gandalf!’ he said . . .

’Gandalf,’ the old man repeated, as if recalling from old memory a long disused word. ‘Yes, that was the name. I was Gandalf.’

The book ends as it began with everyone on the run, racing to Gondor to assist the besieged city.

This portion of the Tolkien read-a-long hosted by Shelf Love

you can read more of my posts about The Lord of the Rings by clicking here

Wednesday Wanderings: Spring Walk

a short walking path through the gardens at a local assisted living villa

the railing is on a stairwell leading into the building

hosted by Mary

photo's by

Tuesday Teaser: Poems by the Bronte Sisters

Pomes by Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily), and Acton (Anne) Bell (Bronte)

This book is a collection of poems written by the Bronte sisters under assumed male pen names as was the custom of the day since women weren't often published. The book was published at their own expense and only sold two copies. Following the death of her sisters Charlotte wrote a press release disclosing their true identities. the following is an excerpt from the introduction to the poems:

"I have, then, culled from the mass only a little poem here and there.  The whole makes but a tiny nosegay, and the colour and perfume of the flowers are not such as fit them for festal uses."

The Bronte sisters grew up in Haworth, near Keighley in West Yorkshire

Charlotte writes, "The scenery of these hills is not grand--it is not romantic it is scarcely striking.  Long low moors, dark with heath, shut in little valleys, where a stream waters, here and there, a fringe of stunted copse."

From the poem: The Wife's Will by Acton Bell (Anne Bronte)

"Yes, close beside thee let me kneel--

Give me thy hand, that I may feel
The friend so true--so tried--so dear,
My heart's own chosen--indeed is near;"

Teaser Tuesday hosted by Miz B at Should be Reading

Monday Movies: Narrator

hosted by Molly at the Bumbles

Today's Topic is . . . Narrators

When I first read the topic the two voices that popped into my mind were James Earl Jones and Morgan Freeman.  But I couldn't really think of anything I'd seen that they had narrated.  I'll have to do some research.

But I did think of three movies that were narrated that I enjoyed quite a bit

Sandlot (1993) narrated by David M. Evans--A timeless classic about boys playing baseball on a vacant lot

Babe (1995) I didn't see a credit for a narrator, but I'm pretty sure this story was narrated--It's all about a pig adopted and raised by a sheep dog.  He learns to herd sheep.  cute story.

And the epic film How The West Was Won (1962) narrated by the immortal Spencer Tracy. This film features a cast full of the rich and famous as they depict their version of how the west was settled.

I recently did a post about an adventure my grandchildren had with the narrated movie Milo and Otis.(narrated by Dudley Moore)  You can read it here.

Over the weekend . . . I finally got to watch the much talked about "Avatar"  I simply loved it.  the animation was great. I loved how they morphed the actors and the avatars.  It was very imaginative and inspired the imagination of the girlies three.  They tied tails to their pants, found sticks for bows and arrows and climbed the "trees" all over in my house.  They nearly drove me to distraction!  My daughter says she'll take me to the re-release in 3D in the fall.  Can't Wait!

Portions of this film were narrated by Sam Worthington who also played the part of Jake Sully.

There and Back Again, A Years Pictorial Journal: Week 17

here we are to week 17 . . .

my mother-in-laws daffodils are blooming

(April 18)

My youngest and her fiance went camping with his family over the weekend

when she came home she had something to show me

(April 19)

She's a little bit of a non-traditionalist and blue is her favorite color

so he gave her a sapphire instead of a diamond

It's now official!

On Tuesday we went for the second bridal fitting

(April 20)

Wednesday I looked out the window and what did I see?

(April 21)

"Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree"

The neighbors decided to take a vacation

(April 22)

we are dog-sitting

Heidi is working this week making prom flowers

sweetings and little bear went with me to school to pick up the kids

(April 23)

Mr. J put primer on the family room walls this week

texture is scheduled for the stairwell this week

(April 24)

see more of my project 365 here

photo's by

Sunday Scripture
Post Script--April 25

Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.



Exodus 16:4-5
LDS Web Edition

In Sunday School my teacher taught us that we also need to be like the children of Isreal and gather "bread from God" daily. She compared the bread to the word of God which is found in the scriptures.
 
Yes Mary, these little pictures taken daily help me to look for the good in my day.

Hosted by Chris

Photo Story Friday: Life

last week I posted this image I had taken while hiking the Devil's Garden Trailhead in Arches National Park. with this poem.

The phoenix hope,
can wing her way
through the desert skies,
and still defying fortune's spite;
revive from ashes and rise.

~Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

I titled the post "Looking Upward" and chose the poem because it painted the same picture in my mind that the photo did. 

The desert is not dead--it is teeming with life--despite the arid conditions, life has adapted and thrives.

Here is a slide show of some of the life we found that day.





Hosted by Cecily

Book Review: The Remarkable Soul of a Woman

The Remarkable Soul of a Woman

by

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

About the book
(Seagull Book)

In our world of change, challenges, and checklists, it can be diffi cult to keep up. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf shares two principles to help us find a path to peace, hope, and joy-even during times of distress. Offering reassurance and accented with inspirational images throughout, this book is the perfect gift for every woman in your life.

About the Author
(From the Book)

Dieter F. Uchtdorf is the second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This book is an adaptation of an address delivered at the general Relief Society meeting on September 27, 2008.

My thoughts:

Elder Uchtdorf is one of my favorite religous speakers.  I loved this talk when he originally gave it.  The text of the book is interspersed with detail work similar to the cover art featuring scriptures pertaining to the subject matter.  There are also beautiful pictures throughout the book.  I purchased an e-book so I was afraid I would miss out on the beauty of the book--but surprisingly the pictures and details were scanned in and looked very nice--I'm sure the e-book is not as beautiful as the the hard back version.  This talk reminds women everywhere how important and how loved they are by their Heavenly Father.

words of inspiration challenge  #1

e-book #11

Thursday's with Tolkien: Book Two

Volume One: The Fellowship of the Ring

Book Two

Book Two is the story of the official “fellowship” that is organized to assist Frodo in the task of destroying the one ring of power. Following Frodo’s near death and recovery the council of Elrond is held in Rivendell. The history of the ring is recounted and options are weighed. It is in this council that Frodo volunteers to take the ring to its doom.

An overwhelming longing to rest and remain at peace by Bilbo’s side in Rivendell filled all his heart. At last with an effort he spoke, and wondered to hear his own words, as if some other will was using his small voice. “I will take the Ring,” he said, “though I do not know the way.”

Elrond chooses eight companions so that the fellowship is the same number in strength as that of the Ring Wraith’s. Gandalf volunteers because it is his great work. Aragorn goes because he desires to and it is his mission to journey to Minas Tirith. Borimir a man who has traveled from Minas Tirith to seek answers to a riddle will also travel with them. Gimli a dwarf will travel as far as the mines of Moria so that he can discover what has become of his kin. Legolas an elf from Mirkwood who came to report that Gollum had escaped also volunteers to travel with the group. The three Hobbits bring the number up to nine.

The Fellowships success depends on secrecy and so the group sets out. If you’ve read the books you know that all does not go well, troubles befall the group while still in the Elven realm or Eraidor. Storms on the mountain passes force the group to go through Moria. Moria is not the fair kingdom of the dwarves that it once was and passage through the mines is rather dark and dangerous. I have to say that the events of Moria are the best in the book.

*warning- spoilers*

I can still recall the feelings I had the first time I read “The Fellowship of the Ring”. I felt anxiety rise as Gandalf read from the book on Balin’s tomb. My heart began to race as the drums began to pound. When Frodo was speared I gasped for fear he was dead. When Gandalf turned to face the Balrog I shuddered with dread. When Gandalf fell I cried out in disbelief! My heart hurt! I read and re-read the scene on the bridge over and over willing it not to be. It was so shocking to me. I mourned with the fellowship as they rested in Lothlorien and proceeded down the Anduin. It seemed only fitting that the fellowship would dissolve under circumstances of misfortune. I remember feeling that the mission was doomed. I couldn’t wait to pick up “The Two Towers” so I could find out what would happen to the now separated members of the fellowship and put my mind at ease!

Even now when I read Book Two I read it like I’ve taken a deep breath holding onto it until I can’t manage anymore. (Once I hit Moria it only takes a few hours to get to Lothlorien) The book is that tense, even when I know how everything turns out.

I did have a surprise during this re-read of the book. In the movies the characters of Gimli and Legolas are developed quite a bit and the relationship between them is very entertaining. It is a facet of the movie that I enjoy immensely. In the book the characters and relationship of Gimili and Legolas are not that well developed. I kind of missed that. Gandalf, Aragorn and the Hobbits are the principles in the book with most of the attention for character development spent on them.

I was very glad to have my images and feelings about Galadriel restored as I read this book. For me she is the ultimate vision of the best kind of being, I love her character. I thought the movie made her a little bit freaky.

Book Two for me is fraught with anxiety. I find myself on the edge of my chair, totally engrossed and reading quickly. I simply cannot put the book down once I’ve begun.

My favorite scene in the book: Gandalf and the Balrog

The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand Glamdring gleamed, cold and white. His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But Gandalf stood firm.


You cannot pass,” he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. “I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the shadow! You cannot pass.”


The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall; but still Gandalf could be seen, glimmering in the gloom; he seemed small, and altogether alone: grey and bent, like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm.
“At that moment Gandalf lifted his staff and crying aloud he smote the bridge before him. The staff broke asunder and fell from his hand. A blinding sheet of white flame sprang up. The bridge cracked . . . and broke . . . the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunged down and vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizard’s knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. “Fly, you fools!” he cried, and was gone.

Read more of my Tolkien posts here

this portion of the read-a-long hosted by the literary ominivore

Book Review: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird


by


Harper Lee


About the Book
(from the jacket)

The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior - to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

About the Author
(Barnes and Noble)

Nelle Harper Lee is known for her Putltzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, her only major work. In 1999, it was voted "Best Novel of the Century" in a poll by Library Journal. Ms. Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contribution to literature in 2007. Her father was a lawyer who served in the Alabama state legislature from 1926 to 1938. As a child, Lee was a tomboy and enjoyed the friendship of her schoolmate, Truman Capote. After completing To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee accompanied Capote to Holcomb, Kansas, to assist him in researching his bestselling book, In Cold Blood. Since publication of To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee has granted very few requests for interviews or public appearances and has published no other novels.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading "To Kill a Mockingbird".  At first I was bothered by the intelligence of Scout--after all she was only in first grade.  In fact I found myself re-reading the beginning just to make sure she was only six.  I finally decided to let that go and just enjoy the story.  And it was worth reading.  I can see why the tale is timeless.  The author wrote using plain common sense in an era of our country's history that had none when it came to racism.  I especially enjoyed the relationship between Atticus and his children and between Jem and Scout.  The familial ties in this book were very tender.  I also loved how the the author ended this book with Scout having a look at her street through new eyes.  I would recommend this book to all readers.

Take Another Chance Challenge #2
blog Roulette
from literary omnivore's blog roll I selected A Striped Armchair and from her 2009 wrap up post I chose this book.

Wednesday Wanderings: Devil's Garden

Recently our family had a day trip to Arches National Park.  The scenery is breathtaking and the rock formations amazing.  This was taken on the Devil's Garden trailhead.  You can see a little slot canyon wandering back between the two massif's of rock.  The slot canyon is formed by erosion, as are the arches in the park.  Last week I posted a dead tree, you can see its black limbs just to the right of this picture.  Life is actually very abundant in the desert.  This picture shows two different species of pine in the foreground. I love living in the desert with it's deep contrasts of natural sepia with dark green and brilliantly blue skies.  I also love the reminder that life flourishes in the bleakest conditions.

and since today is "sepia scenes" hosted by Mary . . .

here is that same shot in sepia.

Tuesday Teaser: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

by

Harper Lee

My name is Jean Louise Finch--but I'd rather people called me "Scout".  I live in Maycomb, Alabama with my father Atticus, my brother Jem and our cook Calpurnia.

"Son," he said to Jem, "I'm going to tell you something and tell you one time; stop tormenting that man.  That goes for the other two of you."




hosted by Miz B at Should be Reading

read my review

Monday Movie's: Politics

Monday Movies hosted by Molly at the Bumbles

Today's Topic is all about . . . Politics



Since I love Harrison Ford the first movies I thought of were "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger".  Ford played Jack Ryan a member of the CIA.  The first involves the Irish Patriots and the second is the President's personal vendetta against the Cart-ail of  South America.  So then I had to include "The Hunt for Red October" a story of a Russian defecting to America even though Jack Ryan was played by someone else.  All three were great stories of political corruption and intrigue.

I really liked Enemy of the State with Will Smith and Gene Hackman. Will Smith accidentally picks up an item that makes him an Enemy of the State.  I thought the whole story was well done.

I am also a big fan of Denzel Washington--I thought "Manchurian Candidate" was a very intriguing political drama, although a little creepy!  Meryl Streep was outstanding in her role as well.

I don't know if this is a political movie, but last year I watched Kevin Bacon in a movie called "Taking Chance".  If you haven't seen it you should.  It was very moving and I thought it was one of Bacon's best roles.