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Miss Dora Baggins' Book of Manners  by Dreamflower 10 Review(s)
Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/20/2016
My dear Miss Dora, and Dreamflower,

Thank you for this excellent chapter on Birthdays. I know I rambled on a bit about my Mother's Birthday in particular, so I have one question now:

As I said a few chapters ago, I feel I am 'stuck' in my Tweenage Years of development. Would it be Reasonable, do you suppose, for me to Hope that my Masters and Mistresses might Settle me, while teaching me their Crafts, and that in somewhat less than Two Years, upon my own Thirty-Third Birthday, I might hope to feel I have Come of Age? Should I then host a Coming of Age Party to share with my closest friends? I do certainly aspire toward *feeling* I am an Adult, and hope One Day I might be Treated as One. But I also Fear losing my Playful Side.

I look forward to what Advice you both might Give.

Your friend and Reader,

Kaylee

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 10 on 11/3/2009
Dear Miss Dora,

Once Again I have reviewed Two Chapters at Once. I will merely say I find Hobbit customs quite Sensible and will try to employ more of Them!

Your Reader,

Kaylee Arafinwiel

Author Reply: Dear Miss Kaylee,

I am convinced that you are a Young Person of Remarkable Good Sense, and that you are able to recognize Good Cusoms when you see them! I am very pleased with you!

Sincerely,
Miss Dora

Miss Dora is quite convinced now that you will show more interest in Hobbits than in those Odd Elves! I told her not to count on it, but she just sniffed.
Dreamflower

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/27/2006
Can Miss Dora ever forgive me for being late responding? In my defense, I've been working on two term papers.

Anyway, very proper advice, as always. Given all the rules surrounding Hobbit birthdays, I bet that this is the chapter that the book always falls open to.

Author Reply: If you can forgive me for being so late in replying. We are in the midst of selling our house and moving, so things are rather hectic around here in RL!

I hope your term papers went well!

I'm sure it's one of them, anyway! LOL!

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/24/2006
I do love Miss Dora's guide - so very 'Jane Austen' in tone, just like those wonderful 18th century guides to the social minefield. Love the mention of joint birthdays - wonder if she was thinking of Bilbo and Frodo? I know I was!

I've always chuckled at the concept of a 'Twelve Mile Cousin'

Author Reply: I'm glad you caught that. I've always imagined a sort of Regency air about the gentry of the Shire.

Well, I would not be surprised if she had her two closest relatives in mind--I know *I* did!

*grin* Yes, I've always thought that very humorous!

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/24/2006
Now I need to visit the Shire so I can make good use of all this advice :-) This is wonderfully written and so well researched and thought out!

MEWD, Dreamflower!!

Author Reply: *grin* Wouldn't we all love to do that!

I'm glad you like how I've thought things through. Some of it is easy enough--but some is pretty hard to figure out.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/24/2006
This is delightful. Full of sense, common or otherwise! I especially like the advice concerning shared birthdays.

Author Reply: *grin*

I thank you, and Miss Dora Thanks You!

SlightlyTookishReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/23/2006
I'm glad Miss Dora has returned and with so much great information too. This is a wonderful series :)

Author Reply: Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/23/2006
Lovely detail in the advice. When this is done I may well find myself printing out a copy for myself, if that is all right with you.

Author Reply: Of course it is! Help yourself!

And I'm glad you like the details. That's one thing I love to do, is puzzle out details--and that's all this fic *is*, really, LOL!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/23/2006
To which Guests must one Present a Gift?

The Brief Answer to that pressing Question is All of Them.


LOL!!! Aunt Dora is wonderful, and her answers are wise indeed!

Well, actually, I share my birthday with my uncle. Last year, when I turned 33, it was his 77. birthday. Funny, isn't it? We should really celebrate our birthday together. That way I would never have to think about a suitable toast ;-)


Author Reply: *grin* I got a little giggle myself when I wrote that part! I do get a kick out of writing Miss Dora!

That is so cool! You're like Frodo and Bilbo--you *should* have combined birthdays! Give out presents and have fireworks!! LOL!!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 10 on 10/23/2006
Very wise words from the doyenne of Shire manners. And actually - the idea of giving presents on your birthday is a very sweet one. I thoroughly approve and agree with Miss Dora that the birthday hobbit should not let the Expectation of Receiving overshadow the Giving.



Author Reply: I've always loved that particular hobbity custom. It *is* sweet, and in a way makes more sense than just *getting* presents on your birthday. As Miss Dora writes this I've been trying to figure out the reasons and philosophy of some of the Shire customs--and I think, from the way JRRT describes it, that it is indeed about being grateful for your life.

I've always written my hobbits as taking great delight in giving presents, and even my very young ones get more excited about what they will *give* rather than what they will *get*.

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