The Hobbit Hole IV – The Road Goes Ever On…

[My back yard]

Denethor "loved [Boromir] greatly: too much perhaps; and the more so because they were unlike."

I was just talking about this to someone the other day -- how the disappointment of Denethor for Faramir reminds me of other father/son relationships I know -- where a less favored son is often the one most like the father. I see that a lot. I think it is because the particular son has more traits that the father tries to overcome himself.

[2Jedismom]

This is where my computer is and where Matthew does his school. It is also our "Safe Room" in case of chemical spills or a need to shelter in place.

The closet. Note bottled water and duct tape. I used to have food provisions in here too. But we ate 'em...

This is Matthew's desk where he does most of his schoolwork. The window has plastic sheeting rolled up and can easily be rolled down and sealed with the duct tape from the closet. The vent is the same way, has a piece of sheeting rolled to the side.

[Prof Engineer]

LOOK at all that empty shelf space just waiting for clutter!

[2Jedismom]

LOL!! All that stuff on the shelves now used to be sitting on the floor! We got rid of all the stuff on the shelves and now I have room for the stuff that ought to be on the shelves!

It used to be nothing but old books that we didn't even want any more.

[My back yard]

My biggest problem is getting rid of stuff that I don't want, but it was given to me as a gift. Like when people come to visit these things should be there displayed, but I just want to pitch them.

[Darksheare]

Iarwain Ben Adar?
He's an interesting figure in Tolkien's work.
He's important to the first book, and at the end of the last book when Gandalf 'vacations' with him.
In the first book, he 'tricks around' with the ring, and it doesn't do anything to him. And he can see Frodo while Frodo is wearing it.
Frodo asks him, "Who are you, master?"
He answers, "Eh? Who are you when you are alone, yourself, and nameless?"
He gives them good advice, but they get into trouble with the Barrowight anyway.
And Tom shows up to save them there, then gives them their swords from the barrow hoard.
He sits inside self-imposed borders which he doesn't go outside of.
Tolkien doesn't say who what or where he comes from, so it's speculation as to his kind.
I'm guessing that he's a Maiar or a Vala that stayed there in eastlands (As opposed to going and staying at Valinor).
But if he was a Maia, he'd have to be far stronger than Sauron.
Sauron's origin was as a Maiar of Aule, so it's more likely then that Tom would be a Vala.
Or something else entirely?
Tolkien's unfinished works mention some things and allude to ideas he never fleshed out.
He also wrote the book, "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" (Title?) and Smith of Wooten Major. (Farmer Giles of Ham..)
Which I haven't read yet.
Having to dig into deep memory here, since it's been awhile since my last read through of Silmarillion and Lost Tales.

[Wneighbor]

Whenever I come to something like this...I always think of MEND. They are our local abortion alternative organization and I really want to support them.

That is a good organization to assist 2J. I gave all my maternity clothing to a place like that in Waco. They also used to have a Thrift Store along the lines of Salvation Army that I used to donate to. But, it moved and I never located the new place so switched to Salvation Army.

[2Jedismom]

I'm off! My folks are having me over for supper!

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

I just wondered... your remarks about bouncing through and being a thread wanderer made me think of Bombadil... but I didn't know if you'd be comfortable with the comparison. ;)

[The Iguana]

Well said.

Tolkien was at times a keen student of human nature.

[Wneighbor]

The house almost looks like we've moved out! LOL

I am still surprised at how much stuff I have after the loads and loads of stuff I've gotten rid of in the last 2 years! Most of it I shed on moving... and then the last few months I've rid myself of more! But, I've still got a fully equipped house.

My biggest problem is that I have way too many hobbies. I've got large amounts of things stored for a variety of different hobbies from sewing and crafts, cooking and camping gear in the house to kayaking and motorcycling in the garage, gardening takes up my work shed and part of the garage.... and then there are all the books.....

To really get rid of a lot of hard to store stuff - I'd have to give up a hobby! Not happening!

[Wneighbor]

My biggest problem is getting rid of stuff that I don't want, but it was given to me as a gift. Like when people come to visit these things should be there displayed, but I just want to pitch them.

Mathoms dear. Those are mathoms. Make great Christmas gifts. Now if only I could follow that advice!

[Darksheare]

*chuckle*
Hmm, hoo now.
The bouncing would be a good comparison, but Tolkien described him as being somwhat thick bodied.
I'm, unfortunately, skinny as a beanpole.
*chuckle*
What I wouldn't give to be able to gain a few pounds and weigh in at 135.
(Though Tolkien's descrip makes me think Ol' Tom weighed just a tad more than that, and was much heavier with the footfall than I. I think the words were, "great stumping like a cow going to water" or some such. I'm sometimes told I walk too quietly.)

Sure, it may be worth the usage. ;-)

[Wneighbor]

I lean toward the thought that Tom is one of the Vala. Partially because of the ring having no affect on him. But, also because of his mastery over all the things in middle earth.

Also, keep in mind from the Silmarillion the Girdle of Melian. That is the most mindful thing of Tom and his realm. Of course I realize that she was a Maia also, but I can also come to terms with different Maia having differing amounts of power. After all, we have a power structure given as to which of the Valar are more powerful and which are weaker. And each of the Valar had power over different areas. Maybe Maia are the same way and Bombadil is more powerful than Sauron in that manner.

I still think more that he's of the Valar. I wonder if he could be an as yet unnamed Vala. Judging from the numbers who came from the presence of Iluvatar to Middle Earth I think there could have been many more than just 14 Vala. Ummm... .. I dunno, 14 Vala and all the rest Maia doesn't sound right to me.

Oh, last thing of reasons I think Tom is Vala. He doesn't get involved in the affairs of the ring. I think if he were in any way and equal of Sauron that he would involve himself. I know, there are a number of explanations about that but, seems to me he was a major player in the singing of things into existance. And he knew the ending. So, he knew he needn't worry.

Mind rambling over. 2 cents paid.

[Wneighbor]

Oops. I thought we really wanted to go for the Bombadil discussion again. My bad. That subject's been talked to death.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Physicality isn't as important as personality!

Lots of the "elves" here don't physically resemble elves... and none of the "hobbits" or "dwarves" are actually three feet tall, after all! ;)

[Darksheare]

Wish Tolkien had explained more about Tom, but at this point in time without having read some of his other work, like the ones mentioned previously, I'd say he is Vala, for the reasons you mentioned.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Which subject hasn't? :)

I agree with you though, I think he was probably a Maia or Vala... or one of the "other spirits" that descended to Middle Earth at the same time the Maiar and Valar did.

[Overtaxed]

Good news! It came.

Bad news. It'll have to wait until after the game.

[Wneighbor]

I have finally obtained books 1 through 4 and 6 of the HOME. I began book 1 but, when everyone got involved in Master and Commander I decided I'd go along with that first. Then, new textbooks for upgraded software came in and I've got piles and piles of them to at least browse through. (I find some of my best ideas for classes in textbooks that I don't use because they aren't comprehensive enough) So, I'm just itching to see if I have some time to get through my textbooks, finish that first Master and Commander book and dedicate my winter to HOME. Oh, am also re-reading LOTR for my pre-ROTK release read. Almost through TTT.

Why is there never enough time to read? If I read enough, I wouldn't be the number 1 poster week after week though! :-)