The New Hobbit Hole

[HairOfTheDog]

Welcome to The New Hobbit Hole
Concerning Hobbits
The New Hobbit Chronicles

This is a continuation of the infamous thread New Zealander Builds Hobbit Hole originally posted on January 26, 2001 by John Farson, who at the time undoubtedly thought he had found a rather obscure article that would elicit a few replies and die out. Without knowing it, he became the founder of the Hobbit Hole. For reasons incomprehensible to some, the thread grew to over 4100 replies. It became the place for hobbits and friends of hobbits to chit chat and share LoTR news and views, hang out, and talk amongst ourselves in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

In keeping with the new posting guidelines, the thread idea is continuing here, as will the Green Dragon Inn, our more structured spin-off thread, as soon as we figure out how to move all the good discussion that has been had there. As for the Hobbit Hole, we will just start fresh, bringing only a few mathoms such as the picture above with us to make it feel like home, and perhaps a walk down memory lane:

Our discussion has been light:

It very well may be that a thread named "New Zealander builds Hobbit hole" will end up being the longest Tolkien thread of them all, with some of the best heartfelt content... Sorry John, but I would have rather it had been one with a more distinguished title!… post 252 - HairOfTheDog

However, I can still celebrate, with quiet dignity, the fact that what started as a laugh about some wacko in New Zealand has mutated and grown into a multifaceted discussion of the art, literature, and philosophy that is Tolkien. And now that I've managed to write the most pompous sentence of my entire life, I agree, Rosie… post 506 - JenB

Hah! I was number 1000!! (Elvish victory dance... wait, no; that would be too flitty) … post 1001 - BibChr

Real men don't have to be afraid of being flitty! Go for it. – post 1011 – HairOfTheDog

Seventeen years to research one mystical object seems a bit excessive… post 1007 - JenB

Okay...who's the wise guy who didn't renew Gandalf's research grant?… post 1024 – Overtaxed

To the very philosophical:

…Judas Iscariot obviously was a good man, or he wouldn't have been chosen to be one of the Apostles. He loved Jesus, like all of the Apostles, but he betrayed him. Yet without his betrayal, the Passion and Crucifixion would never have occurred, and mankind would not have been redeemed. So without his self-destruction infinite good would not have been accomplished. I certainly do not mean this to be irreverant but it seems to me that this describes the character of Gollum, in the scenes so movingly portrayed above… Lucius Cornelius Sulla

To fun but heartfelt debates about the integrity and worth of some of the characters…

…Anyone else notice how Boromir treats the hobbits? He's very fond of them but he seems to think of them as children - ruffling Frodo's hair, calls them all 'little ones'. He likes them, but I don't think he really respects them… post 1536 - JenB

Yes... Tolkien told us not to trust Boromir right off the bat when he began to laugh at Bilbo, until he realized that the Council obviously held this hobbit in high esteem. What a pompous dolt… post 1538 - HairOfTheDog

…I think almost every fault of his can be traced directly back to his blindness to anything spiritual or unseen. He considers the halflings as children, because that is what they look like. He considers the only hope of the ring to be in taking it and using it for a victory in the physical realm. He cannot see what the hobbits are truly made of, he cannot see the unseen hope of what the destruction of the ring might mean--the destruction of Sauron himself, and he cannot see the unseen danger that lies in the use of the ring itself… I just feel sorry for Boromir--he is like a blind but honorable man, trying to take the right path on the road but missing the right path entirely because he simply cannot see it… post 1548 - Penny1

Boromir isn't a jerk, he's a jock… post 2401 – Overtaxed

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Oh, I think by the time Frodo reaches the Cracks, he's not even himself anymore! I think he's not only on the brink of a dangerous place physically, he's on the brink of losing himself completely during the exchange with Gollum. But for some reason, the take-over isn't complete till he actually has to throw the Ring in. The person speaking to Gollum is not Frodo, but the "Wheel of Fire" that Sam sees. After the Ring is destroyed, Frodo not only comes back to himself, but comes back with the unbearable (to him) knowledge of what it's like to be completely without compassion. I think that's why it's so important to him to be compassionate in the Shire… post 2506 - 2Jedismom

…Regarding Frodo's compassion... it's a little too much at the end. Even Merry tells him that he's going to have to quit being so darn nice. But you're right. He's learned a lesson about evil that very few ever learn since it wasn't an external lesson but an internal one. (Those kinds of lessons have the greatest impact) Not only did he totally succumb to it, but he was rather ruthless to my little Smeagol… post 2516 - carton253

Well that Frodo was a big mean bully! (to Smeagol)… post 2519 – Overtaxed

So as you can see, everything JRR Tolkien (and Peter Jackson) is welcome here in our New Row, our soon-to-be familiar New Hobbit Hole…; philosophy, opinion, good talk and frequent silliness.

[JenB]

I haven't heard of that program... my mother actually tailored our education to each of us pretty well. I got a ton of factual stuff - textbooks, research papers, and loads of essays. My younger sister got more hands on things, and the youngest of us girls had artistic-type stuff. The boys do more unit studies and "history through literature".

In fact the only two things we all, without exception, have used, are Saxon Math and a grammar book called "Easy Grammar", I think.

[2Jedismom]

It won't be too long till he is done with third grade math...I was thinking of putting him into Saxon this next time, but I don't think he'll be ready for the 54 yet...he'll be right at the end of "3rd grade" math. What do you suggest?

[JenB]

I would suggest getting the book, looking it over, and deciding for yourself. Possibly give him the first test and see how he does. You know what he's ready!

The one thing that's important is that Saxon is a textbook; you have to do the work seperately, copy the problems and write down the answers, that sort of thing. If he's not used to this it could give him some trouble.

[2Jedismom]

Right about the math and language arts skills...it's our main focus. The science and history/geography and the "health, safety and manners" are more fun stuff...I do a lot of the reading out loud for it...more like lecture than workbook stuff.

The "health, safety and manners" is everyone's favorite. Joshua has a first grade book and Matthew has 3rd grade. We hunker down on the couch and go over it and discuss it...but not just during "school"...just any time we think of it.

Reading is my big thing...we enjoy trips to the library and I love to read aloud and also get audiobooks for them to listen to after "lights out".

Joshua, although not a whiz-kid like Matthew (who was reading sentences shortly after turning 3)is still doing quite well...can write his name, knows all his numbers and most all his letters, can say the alphabet song and the pledge of allegiance...

I love homeschooling...can you tell?? LOL

[2Jedismom]

They make him do that in A/O too...he has to re-write the problems and work them. But they give them the space to do it.

[JenB]

There's a series of books called something like "Wisdom and the Millers" about a Mennonite family that we used for health, safety, various things like that. They were interesting little stories.

We did so much read aloud, and my mother often snuck in history as well as just literature. It's odd how you can get learning in without knowing it. And we have a library of several thousand books. I had practically free run of it and have read almost all the books. Of course, reading is dangerous, like Pringles, once you start you can't stop. I remember especially reading some of Dad's SF when I was 13 or so that I knew I shouldn't read but.... well, I'm sure you understand what I mean.

[2Jedismom]

When Matthew was as little kid...just turned 4...I would write sentences on his computer scrolling marquee...like "The candy is on the bed". I would just leave it...not say anything and just wait to see if he would figure it out. I'd see him standing in front of the computer, staring at the words...then pretty soon, here he'd come chewing the piece of candy! LOL

[JenB]

Right - great way to makre reading fun rather than a chore! I'm very excited; my youngest sister is really getting into fantasy and my 8 year old brother is going to rival me for "most books read" in a few years. Meanwhile I'm the person everyone goes to when they want a good book. Sometimes I even let them read something off of my shelves.

Class is over... see you tonight, maybe. I'll be here around 6.

[ksen]

Have either of you ever heard of G.A. Henty?

My Josh, who is 8, is reading In Freedom's Cause - A Story of Wallace and Bruce. He is loving it. The book is pushing the limit of his reading ability, but I quiz him every now and then about what is happening to make sure he is comprehending what he is reading.

[2Jedismom]

Yes, these are very popular, but I must admit, I've never got any for Matthew...I'm convicted to do it now! I'm going to check out library online right now!!

[carton253]

William Wallace and Robert the Bruce?

When I was growing up there was a series of books called Young Biographies. It tells the stories of famous people, but mostly through the childhoods. Maybe two chapters are given to their exploits.

I loved those books. I read them all Amelia Earhart was my favorite. I must have checked that one out a dozen times.

[Corin Stormhands]

Sorry if I missed anyone on the pings. I'm in a bit of a hurry.

My father-in-law passed just about an hour ago. Thank you for your continued prayers. I'll be gone over the weekend and back by Monday or so.

Corin

[g'nad]

via con dios, mi amigo... my prayers go with you and yer family... come back safe, bro...

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, prayers now for peace in your family and strength for your wife and mother in law, and for you during this time.

[ksen]

Go with God my friend.

[Sam Cree]

Here's my 2 cents worth on eating an animal that I kill myself.

I go out in the woods and spend hours in the cold figuring out where the deer will be, then hours more sitting perfectly still, in very cold weather usually, from four or five in the morning, watching the starlight give way to morning, watching the woods creatures awaken and start their tasks.

If I am lucky I may kill a deer. I personally take the life of a large sentient, beautiful mammal, I watch its death agony, I remove its entrails with my own hands and watch steam escape its body cavity as the cold air hits it. I smell the way it smells and see the destruction wreaked by the high powered bullet. When it's hung and dresed out, my family eats its flesh.

Some of the folks I hunt with regard the whole process as a blessing, I agree with them.

I think a hunter may have more right, having witnessed and caused the death, to eat meat than the person who so often criticises him, the person who buys meat in a supermarket that is killed and packaged by someone else.

Carton, I know you are not arguing this point, your posts make your understanding of it clear. Many feel they would not enjoy killing a large beautiful animal.

Once I dreamt at night that I was the deer, I was looking for thick woods them to hide myself and my family.

[Sam Cree]

The best, Corin

[RMDupree]

Corin - prayers are coming from all directions to you and your family.

May God comfort you all.

[SuziQ]

God's Peace for your wife's family and for yours, Corin. With his faith and all the prayers for him, I'm sure your fil is in God's loving arms right now.

[SuziQ]

Kenneth Branagh is one of my favorites

One of mine, too. We're going to the first showing tomorrow morning!