The Hobbit Hole III - Journey to the Cross-roads!

[HairOfTheDog]

Welcome to The Hobbit Hole!

Journey to the Cross-roads
The Two Towers Edition

Come on! Come in! -if you would like to have some seedcakes and a pint and relax a while. (If it is a special occasion, we still have a few bottles of the old wineyards left!)

Our first thread ( New Zealander builds Hobbit hole ) reached 4,100 posts, and we thought that was big. Our second thread (The New Hobbit Hole ) held us for over 48,000 posts, and we loved it dearly. We talked about moving to a new thread for the last 38,000 posts, but we are really slow to muster! Finally, the time has come. Tomorrow (at 12:01 am, to be precise!) The Two Towers comes out, and we start a new chapter.

[HairOfTheDog]

I forgot to ping you when I finally got around to saying good morning!

Good morning!

I'm game.

Hokay!

[Overtaxed]

I have some more "firs" to saw up. :) And then there's the garden....when it finally dries out enough.

[RosieCotton]

I should finish fixing up my house...still have plenty of rooms where I need to scrape off wallpaper and paint and all that.

But I like housework even less than exercise! What to do, what to do...

[Overtaxed]

...and then there's the bedroom and bathroom that need painting...papering...something.

[My back yard]

I just got this in email, hadn't seen it before so if it is old then pardonez moi. --

A story about a Viet Nam vet and movie star Ann Margaret which was written by the veteran's wife -- unique and well worth reading.

Richard, my husband, never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy,
8x10 black-&-white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book-signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo, so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the
7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage.

Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home.

Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as
2nd in line, it was soon Richard's turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for "my gentlemen." With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.

Later, at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet.

I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that one small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say Thank You to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.

I HOPE THIS GETS AROUND TO JANE FONDA !!!

[HairOfTheDog]

What a great spot in time that was!

That is a good story, MBY... I have not seen it before.

[RMDupree]

Ruthy, Prayers and good thoughts for you! - If you need us, let us know!

Thanks Hair!

[RMDupree]

But, best of luck, Ruthy, I am guessing that you will prevail.

With God, all things are possible.

With the friends that God has provided, it should be a cinch! *wink*

Thanks Sam!

[Corin Stormhands]

Great story MBY. Ann-Margaret has a class and style that Hollyweird lost a long time ago.

It's sad, but there's no one to fill Bob Hope's shoes.

[jdontom]

Thanks for the Ping....rb don't know if you've ever seen this thread, I found it a few days ago by accident....Off to never..never..land

[g'nad]

Mmmmmmmmm.... Ann Margaret...

[RMDupree]

I'm looking at Drew Carey as a possibility. Nowhere near Hope, but he can sing and tell jokes and is an all-around great guy, IIRC.

[ksen]

You guys just all seem so nice.

Getting to know us better should fix that.... ;^)

[RosieCotton]

Getting to know us better should fix that.... ;^)

seem is the key word there, you mean?

[ksen]

Here's an idea. If you are a Hobbit Hole Lurker, then put an "HHL" in your tagline so we know you when we see you out "there."

Either that or make yourself known and get the free "HHD" Platinum upgrade.

[ksen]

seem is the key word there, you mean?

>;^)

[300winmag]

Thanks, I've seen a bit about it, and that fills in some more info. Butt ugly, but ingenious. I have the Kel-Tec Sub9 fold-up rifle just because it's so ingenious. It's fun to shoot, and shoots rather well. It's just plain "cute".

My current pet plinker is this guy. Amazing what you can do with a pre-ban lower and aftermarket accessories.

[My back yard]

I liked her especially in Bye Bye Birdie. I was 12, and really wished my mother would let me wear those outfits. lol

[Sam Cree]

Hey, Kevin, did you get down to Melbourne? And Tami is OK, I guess?

[g'nad]

shweet!... my only semis are an SKS and 10-22...

been meanin' tuh get an AR-10 or 15... With the AR-10, I was gonna try and get a 6.5x.308 upper... the Precision Weapons guys here are havin' awesome results with that...