The Girdle of Melian

olkien Reading Day! Hosted by the Tolkien Society !   "Wednesday 25th March is Tolkien Reading Day 2026 and the theme is Unlikely Heroes. What will you be reading? Tolkien Reading Day is held on the 25th of March each year. The date of the 25th of March was chosen as the date on which the Ring was destroyed, completing Frodo’s quest and vanquishing Sauron. It has been organised by the Tolkien Society since 2003 to encourage fans to celebrate and promote the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien by reading favourite passages. We particularly encourage schools, museums and libraries to host their own Tolkien Reading Day events." Join the free online event ! Here are my posts over the years (there have been some great themes!), since the start of the blog: 2025: fellowship and community , and Ireland photos 2024: I didn't mention it on the blog! I would have, if I'd known I was breaking such a long streak. I did celebrate a new book release ! 2023: travel and ...

hat I was reading 10 years ago... AnnaBookBel had a fun post the other day, What I was reading 10 years ago , and now I have two new books on my wihslist because of it! Back in 2016, I still had lots of time (ha ha) and wrote up my annual books read statistics at the end of each year. Let's see what was going on 10 years ago... Books Read : 268, including the following (roughly): 118 novels 45 board books (which involve ongoing rereads, including the board books from last year) 30 essays and non-fiction and comics 28 short stories 25 poems 15 YA/MG books 4 anthologies 1 play over 30 books in the Folio Society collected works of Beatrix Potter (counted as one in total count) Journal of Inklings Studies and Tolkien Society’s Amon Hen and Mallorn issues (also counted as one) Apparently, this was slightly higher than average, and I accounted for it by the fact that I was reading more on my commute, instead of writing (or knitting). Authors Read : 130, but 103 wit...

pring! We've been having warmer weather, and lots of flowers coming up! I'll try to take more blossom photos in the next few days (snowdrops! Primroses! Marionettes! Others I don't know the names of!). Meanwhile... A puzzle we picked up last year this time, in Ireland Cold brew coffee tasting! I made chocolate pudding! More coffee... Playing with domino tiles... Which flowers do you notice first, come spring?

oday is... Insecure Writer's Support Group Day ! Insecure Writer's Support Group A database resource site and support group for writers and authors. Featuring weekly guests and tips, a monthly blogfest gathering, a Facebook group, and thousands of links – all to benefit writers! #IWSG Website / Facebook Group / Fast Five Free Gift - Mobi / Epub / Pdf “Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each ti...