I bet you all thought we forgot the Baggins Birthday Bash amongst all the other things falling by the wayside during COVID-19. We did not, we’ve just been working out a fun way to move it online. The advantage of moving it online is that everyone who has wanted to come to LA for the party each year but could not, can now celebrate with us.
When, you ask? The Baggins Birthday Bash is going to take over TORn Tuesday, and extend it.
When: Tue. Sept. 22, 2020, 5:00-7:00pm Pacific Time/ 8:00-10:00pm Eastern Time. That puts it at 1:00-3:00am UK time/12:00-2:00pm New Zealand time.
Where: All the normal streaming places like FB live, YouTube, etc that you normally find TORn Tuesday on. We will post links on Tuesday, like usual, so you can watch, chat, and maybe skype in, or zoom in. This will be a multi-media event so that as many people as possible can participate, one way or another.
Birthday cake from 2013
We can still have some similar fun and games as the ‘in-person’ party, such as costumes, trivia, readings and Middle-earth themed desserts, only we can’t share those desserts. You can wear a costume and watch the live event, and maybe we can zoom some of you in, or you can send in photos of costumes that we can share. Same goes for Middle-earth themed desserts. We normally have a context to judge the best looking or best tasting, but in a virtual party, all we can do is look at the dessert and judge that way, so take a photo and send it to us. And if you have other Middle-earth inspired recipes, such as Lembas Bread, Poppyseed Cakes, stuffed mushrooms, etc, send them in and we can share them, and if you take a photo of the food item, send that too.
Feel free to email at Garfeimao@TheOneRing.net if you wish share costumes, Middle-earth decorated cakes or cupcakes, or any other Middle-earth inspired recipes. Let’s make those two hours on Tueday, September 22 a Virtual Party to Remember, full of fun and good fellowship.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
An escape
by D.McGlinchey
In a hole in the ground lived a Hobbit. In a house in a street lived a boy. In a book on the shelf lived adventure In adventure there lived so much joy.
In a world full of hardship and sorrow In a land far away there sprung hope In the pages lay truth and redemption And in this lay the means for to cope.
~~ * ~~
Pipeweed
By Andrew Wittemann
As I breathe in that sweet, fragrant smell, I am reminded, as if, by a ringing bell, Of lovely lazy days in the shade by the porch, Where that hot summer sun shan’t my fair skin scorch.
Yet here I am, far far from home, And through the dry leaves of the two barrels comb, My fingers, feeling the familiar sensation, Of Old Toby – My what compensation!
Our journey has brought us to the brink of death, When always we thought, “Is this my last breath?” And now we sit – a barrel for you and for me, Smoking as happily as Hobbits can be.
~~ * ~~
Princess of the Lavender Mist
In the fading light of day, she twirled her purple gown, rippled by soft winds, she cast aside her pine-tree crown.
As the stars came out, as the darkness fell, the princess of the fairyland, went dancing through the dell.
In deep dark waves of violet, through luminous lavender mist, she flew above the forest, searching for her prince to kiss.
Calling to the silver stars, singing to the full moon, her flight through the night was long, and morning would return soon.
So the princess left a message, formed of tears she’d cried, so that her wandering prince might read it, on his morning ride.
The princess returned to the hill, where she’d cast aside her crown, and back to sleep she went, wrapped up in her purple gown.
In morning light a dawning, her prince rode among the trees, indeed he read her message, glistening upon the leaves.
He waited until lavender, once more painted the sky. And after the sun had set, they danced long into the night.
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Big thanks to everyone who entered the contest run by our good friends at Oscha Slings, to come up with a new Middle-earth design! We hear there were many lovely entries, and it was very hard to make a choice; but we can now announce the winner. Here’s what the folks at Oscha tell us:
‘We’d like to thank everyone who entered the competition, it was wonderful to see the range of ideas and talents! The winner is *drumroll*….
‘Cari Johnston with her (yet unnamed) mirrored depiction of the journey to Lake-town and the Lonely Mountain, from The Hobbit. It’s such a clever design, with so many story-telling elements, that has been well executed to work as a baby sling.
‘We could see a lot of enthusiasm for designs that were already on our list, so hopefully you will eventually get something that you’ve been dreaming of, for instance horses, eagles, and Gandalf!
‘We hope you can agree that Cari is a worthy winner, and that you will look forward to seeing the design woven!’
Congratulations to Cari, and thanks to all who entered. Don’t forget to check out the many wonderful Middle-earth goodies (including face masks!) at Oscha Slings.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Lady Forest
Kissed by the sun, embraced by the morning, The Forest sheds her cloak of Night. She slips into a gown of mist, She wove herself, by Morning light.
In Amber rays, the Forest dances, In hidden glens within the hills. Barefoot, she glides through open meadows, Tip-toes her way past silver rills.
Her gown of mist trails behind her, Fluttering in the morning wind, Adorned with gems and sparkling jewels. The rising sun did surely send.
Through fire and water falling. Burning, Freezing. Holding on and letting go for life. No quarter asked, No quarter given, Shadow and flame against pure light clash. Into the abyss they fall headlong, Rending, Slashing. Sword and talon take equal toll. Still waters shaken, Fires quenching, The stone foundations jarring courage. Up endless stairs the Shadow flees. Hunting, Chasing, To the final clash on the mountain peak. Shattered, broken, Thrown down in defeat. Pure spirit released to live anew. Through fire and water rising, Transcending, Evolving. Returned back at the turn of the tide. The storm rages. Hope is renewed. Though only in the will of the fool.
~~ * ~~
Till Our Next Meeting
by: Bassam K.
My Dear Friend, Valleys and Mountains, forests and rivers, You conquered them all, shook them off like shivers. I always knew you were made of mithril, I always knew you were capable of more, Greatness cannot be hidden under a hill, It needed a little nudge out of the door. For that, I am not sorry. You were more than a means to an end. I believed in you. You were special.
My Dear Friend, There were times when I wasn’t anywhere near, Times when I left you stranded surrounded by fear. It wasn’t ideal when I put the world on your shoulders, Charged with a group of stubborn strangers, I hadn’t thought about when you would be older, In the hands of time with the scars from danger. For that, I am sorry. You were more than a piece of the puzzle. I needed you. You were special.
My Dear Friend, The journey there was hurried and full of peril, You cut evil webs and were the rider of barrels. We lost some folk but you earned your stripes, You showed courage now and then, I enjoyed this night when we puffed our pipes, Just as our journey back again. With that, I am proud of you. You are more than just a Hobbit. I love you. You are special. Till our next meeting.
~~ * ~~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
The forming mist
by D. McGlinchey
I saw it forming in the mist. Like veiled curtains unravelling No more the dread of the unseen hand Nor the burdening weight of a growing fear. For there it was now, as clear as day. A day where the colours had been drained away.
I saw the eyes of a former man. Like glowing ice with an inner fire. The forming mist his shroud like clothing. Tightening, flowing, drawing in. His ghostly face in the mist appearing. Staring wide eyed, teeth clenched, leering.
All this I saw in the forming mist. Lost and alone with my mind transfixed. Danger now has come to life. Out here in the wilds on a wind swept night. Friends around, yet no one near. The forming mist giving life to fear.
Oh why, oh why did I accept this quest? This terrible burden to undertake? Abandoned now to this cruel dark fate, The forming mist is moving in. Surrounded now I begin to cry As it hisses slowly ‘Time to die!’
Out of nowhere burns a searing flame. Purifying the air as it sweeps and cleans. And the forming mist breaks and fades, Driven apart to drift slowly away. Friends they have rallied in the wilds on this night. With new courage, fears facing, the grim spectre takes flight.
But alas I am wounded, pierced deep to my soul. As a blade from the mist has been found. A serpent striking with its dying breath, Its poison now igniting my veins. I think of the precious clenched tight in my fist. As my spirit turns slowly to the forming mist.
Calling all creative fans of Middle-earth! Our good friends at Oscha Slings, purveyors of items of great beauty, are holding a contest!
This is your chance to create a unique Lord of the Rings or Hobbit themed design to be woven into a scarf, shawl, baby sling or throw. Whatever realm of Middle-earth inspires you, now is your chance! The only limitation is that it must be book inspired rather than movie inspired. You have a month to create your design; then submit it via the google form below, by midnight BST on 26th July 2020.
To view the existing range and get inspiration visit Oscha Slings. Oscha are looking for a new pattern that they haven’t done before, and something that is clearly iconic of Middle-earth. They welcome entries that have a strong illustrative style, beautiful line work, and creativity! You’ll find more guidance about what makes a good design in the Terms and Conditions at the google form.
Be sure to read the guidelines and Terms and Conditions carefully on the form before submitting your entry! Click here to enter.
The folks at Oscha say they can’t wait to see what you come up with; and we look forward to seeing it, too! Get those pencils out and get doodling!
