Lord of the Rings Quotes

Tolkien week is coming to a close! We've looked at some things Tolkien but not my favorite of all favorite things.

What's my favorite? Quotes of course!

I am constantly quoting LotR and anything else that hapoens to have a good line. I'm quite good at quote games actually!

So what do you say to a quote game?
I'll start and you can comment with a quote and we'll see how far we can take it!

"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"

Your turn!

A Lord of the Rings Prompt

Since today is Thursday and I've been failing at the prompts I post, (That's right. I never finished last week's. I'm a failure.) we're going to do something a little bit different.

This time, I'll just show a picture and you can write whatever you want about it. Story, description, emotion. Whatever you like. Write for 10 minutes and post the piece in the comments. And I WILL do it this time!

Since it's Tolkien week, the picture is from Lord of the Rings.

Feel free to share this post with others! The more the merrier!

When you've posted your piece, take a look at some others! What do you like about them? What don't you like as much? Tell the author about it. Feedback is always appreciated!

Okay! For the picture!

Tolkien's Genius

source: pinterest

Can we talk a little bit about Tolkien's genius?

This man did so many amazing things in his lifetime. As a reader and a writer, I can't begin to appreciate his works enough. I can't imagine doing half his work with even half his skill and mastery.

What all did his genius entail? Let's make a list.

1. He wrote an entire language. Can we just pause to think about that? He wrote. An entire. Language. Uh, that's crazy cool. Just sayin.

2. His mastery of words was beautiful. No one could describe or sound the way he did. He could paint such spendor and elegance into his words.

3. John Ronald Reuhl Tolkien. I mean, he didn't have much to do with naming himself but that's quite the name!

4. He invented hobbits. And hobbits really are amazing creatures. Somehow I can imagine Tolkien as he was writing the books, thinking something along the lines of what Gandalf said. "You can learn all there is to know about them in a month, and yet in a hundred years, they can still surprise you."

5. He could write the most amazing characters. They all had such depth, such emotion. No other characters can jump off the page and seem so concrete to me. Even the ones I don't like, they all have a certain depth that fascinates me. It's beautiful.

6. And lastly, what I really wanted to talk about, Tolkien was a master of poetry. I love poetry. It just makes my heart want to sing.

These three poems are my favorites. (Sorry if there's weird formatting.)

Gandalf is mumbling this song when Frodo first talks to him in the Fellowship of the Ring movie. I think Bilbo wrote it in the book. (I clearly need to read them again.)

"The Road goes ever on and on
  Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
   And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
   Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
   And whither then? I cannot say."

This poem was a message the lady Galadriel sent through Gandalf to Legolas in the Two Towers(?) book.

"Legolas Greenleaf long under tree
    In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!
    If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
    Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more."

It came true too. Legolas couldn't rest until he could sail away to the undying lands. But he took Gimli too, don't worry.

This one was a walking song Pippin sang before they had even left the Shire in the Fellowship of the Ring book. Sadly, only a portion was put into the movies. Happily, it was well done in the movies. I'm conflicted, it's okay.

"Upon the hearth the fire is red,
Beneath the roof there is a bed;
But not yet weary are our feet,
Still round the corner we may meet
A sudden tree or standing stone
That none have seen but we alone.

  Tree and flower and leaf and grass,
   Let them pass! Let them pass!
   Hill and water under sky,
   Pass them by! Pass them by!

Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun.
 
   Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,
   Let them go! Let them go!
   Sand and stone and pool and dell,
   Fare you well! Fare you well!

Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Then world behind and home ahead,
We'll wander back to home and bed.

   Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,
   Away shall fade! Away shall fade!
   Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,
   And then to bed! And then to bed!"

What's your favorite thing about Tolkien? Do you have a favorite poem of his? Fun facts regarding his genius? Do share!

What I've Learned From Tolkien

Tolkien has been a huge part of my life for a long time. When I was little, my dad read me the books, starting with the Hobbit. 

My sister and I fell in love with the books. We talked about them, begged dad to read them when he was tired, and altogether fell in love with them. 

After the books, we watched the movies. And that was my new obsession. I loved the imagery, the music, the characters. Everything about it made the world brighter to me. 

It got so I could quote them to a T. I wanted to learn more about the actors and how the movies were made. We bought the extended editions and I devoured them. 

And all the while, I believe Tolkien was teaching me valuable lessons. 

This is a list of some of the things Tolkien has taught me. I hope he's inspired and taught you as much as he has me.

1. There is beauty in the simple things of life. In good tilled earth, being with friends, second breakfast. Life's too short to speed past these things. 

2. No matter what, there is always hope. No matter how many obstacles you have to face, you can always believe in hope and in God. 

3. There can be humor in even the bleakest situations. Learn to laugh a little. 

4. There is nothing quite so exciting as traveling. Of being in a strange place that can make you feel so insignificant and so important all at the same time. 

5. Music feeds the soul. You can always enjoy good music. Even if you "have no songs for great halls or evil times". 

6. Friendship trumps all barriers. If you have a friend you can count on to have your back, you have almost everything. 

7. Something evil would probably "look fairer and feel fouler." 

8. The world is so much more vast and mysterious and exciting than I could have ever guessed. There's always something new to see and do. 

9. And lastly, when you're hungry, it rains apples. ;) 

What has Tolkien taught you through his stories?  How has he impacted your life? 

Lord of the Rings Meme

I'm participating in a blog party at The Ede of the Precipice to celebrate Tolkien week. This meme is a link up. Check out the original post here:

http://theedgeoftheprecipice.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-tolkien-blog-party-of-special.html?m=1

So sorry this post is so late today. (Midnight! Ack!) My day filled up with so many things I could barely think! But I'm writing it now at least! 

1. Have you read The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit? If so, how many times?

I've read the books a few times. I don't know exactly how many. I've read the hobbit more often than the others though. 

2. Have you seen any movies based on them?

All of them. More times than I can even count. I could probably hold whole conversations with just quotes from them. 

3. Who first introduced you to Middle Earth?

My dad read me the books when I was maybe...10? It was a while ago at least. 

4. Who are your three favorite characters? (Feel free to elaborate on whys.)

Oh man...ummm...hard to pick just three!  I adore Aragorn. He's so brave and noble. Sam is absolutely amazing. The greatest example of a friend in hard times. He did so much for Frodo! And...Gimli I guess. He's just funny. Legolas would be my fourth. If, you know, I was allowed to list four. 

5. What's your favorite Middle Earth location?

Either the Shire or Lothlorien. 

6. If you could belong to one of the races of Free Folk (Men, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Ents), which would you choose?

Elves because of their grace and beauty or hobbits for their love of simplicity. 

7. Would you rather eat lembas or taters?

Hmmm...lembas. :) 

8. If you lived in Middle Earth, what weapon would you prefer wielding?

A bow and arrows! I've always wanted to be an archerer! 

9. What draws you to Tolkien's stories? (The characters, the quests, the themes, the worlds, etc.)

I love the characters and the fierce struggle between good and evil. It's so deep and thought-provoking

10. List up to five of your favorite lines/quotes from the books or movies.

"I do not believe this darkness will endure."

"Please Mr. Gandalf sir. Don't 'urt me. Don't turn me into anythin'...unnatural." 

"Smeagol will staaaaaaaarve!!" 

"That still only counts as one!" 

"It's the deep breath before the plunge." 

I could go on but it says up to five so I should stop. But there's so many more that deserve the spotlight! 

What are your favorite things about LotR? (Characters, themes, races, weapons, etc.) Let's talk about them in the comments! 

Concerning Hobbits

Guess what today is?? It's Hobbit Day! It's a day to celebrate Hobbits! Best holiday ever if you ask me! You can go barefoot all day, dress like a hobbit, do LOTR movie marathons, eat seven meals, whatever you like to do to honor Tolkiens creations. (Some people go really extreme!)

I haven't done much for it sad to report. I was with friends all weekend so I got distracted and forgot. But im going to go barefoot the rest of the day and watch at least one of the movies! I get REALLY nerdy when it comes to anything Tolkien so this day is awesome! 

"What is a hobbit though?" A hobbit is a short person with hairy feet.

"They would be small, only children to your eyes." -Aragorn

But there's so much more to them than that.

They're kind. They love good tilled earth and fine ales. Pipeweed is their favorite. Well, actually food might be their REAL favorite.

"They say a hobbits only real passion is for food." -Bilbo Baggins

They enjoy quiet and peace. Adventures seem rather too exciting for them. (Most of them.)

"Before you came along we Baggins' were very well thought of. Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." -Frodo Baggins

They're sweet and have good, noble hearts. But they can be foolish at times.

"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" -Gandalf

I love the simplicity of a hobbit life. Sometimes I wish I could have that.

I love so much about hobbits it's hard to list it all.

This week is Tolkien week so we'll be talking a lot about Lord of the Rings and hobbits and things. There's so many fun things we could do! I'm pretty excited about it!

If you would like to guest post sometime this week I can still fit you in! Just e-mail me at rainbowsandpenguinsblog(at)gmail(dot)com with any ideas you have. If you would like to guest post but dont have an idea of what to write, that's fine! I'll help you come up with something!

Have a very happy Hobbit Day!

What's your favorite thing about hobbits? Are you doing anything to celebrate hobbit day?

A Sunday Quote and Fabulous News

Today's quote is from J.R.R. Tolkien. And there is a specific reason for that. I will explain in a moment.

“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places.
But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now
mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater." J.R.R. Tolkien

 Okay, let me explain...no. there is too much. I will sum up.

The reason I picked a quote from this particular man is that a week from today, next sunday, is Hobbit Day! And the week that follows, Tolkien Week! I'm pretty excited! (I have been a LOTR nerd for pretty much my whole life and so this is pretty much the best thing ever!!)

Here at Rainbows and Penguins, we're going to be having a hobbit worthy party!

To start off the week... well, I won't spoil it. ;) But suffice to say, it's going to be fabulous!

There's going to be posts about hobbits, food, movie vs. Books, and some more things I cannot spoil.

So prepare yourselves, it's coming!

Note: If you would like to be a guest poster here next week, just shoot me an e-mail and I'll see if I can fit you in! Anything about LOTR will do. My e-mail address is rainbowsandpenguinsblog(at)gmail (dot)com!