Andrea
· 8 October 2005
· Chapter 5: The Perfect Place
Just beautiful!
Rufus must be an extraordinary cat, if he even allows the girls to play "healers" with him ;-)
"Everywhere was nice, he thought, and the perfect place was wherever he happened to be at the time."
With such a philosophy one can indeed be happy!
And with these Rufus-stories your Dingle will never be forgotten, I'm sure.
Author's reply
Yes, I think Rufus is extraordinary - I'm sure he would tolerate the girls' attention for a while, especially if they bribed him with food. Being a cat he would stick it for a while, until the boredom grew too great.
That philosophy strikes me as a good one, and I'm sure Rufus is a very happy cat.
Yes, I hope Dingle lives on. All cats are special but he was extra-special.
Andrea
· 23 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!
LOL! Pippin raiding his own pantries! But after all, a raid is a raid ;-)
"Here's to us too, Mer. To pantry-raiding, mushroom stealing and pipe-smoking. May we never be too old for any of it!"
I just love that toast!
Author's reply
Well, if Pip can't raid his own pantries, whose can he raid? I'm sure those two never stopped their mischief!
Larner
· 23 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!
Lovely image of two staid yet still pantry-raiding Hobbits. And love the toast to Frodo.
Author's reply
I had such a vivid picture of the two of them that I had to write it. And I'm sure they wouldn't forget to toast their much-loved cousin.
I think those two would never quite abandon their tweenage mischief, even as Master and Thain.
Grey Wonderer
· 22 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!
I loved this. I'm hungry now, but I did love it. I like to think that Merry and Pippin never did get too old for a bit of mischief.
Author's reply
No, never too old to raid a pantry and grab extra food. Writing it made me hungry too! :-))
Dreamflower
· 22 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!
Oh my, I did love this! Just so very Merry-and-Pippish, and never mind that they are gaffers themselves now. Delightful, Baggins Babe, just delightful!
Author's reply
Very difficult to imagine Merry and Pip as boring old gaffers - they would retain a certain degree of naughtiness, no matter how old they were.
The idea for this came to me yesterday while I was out, and I could hear their conversation in my head. I wrote it as soon as I came home. (Not that I think about the characters at all). LOL!
shirebound
· 22 September 2005
· Chapter 4: Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!
What a sweet birthday story!
:D
Author's reply
I felt I couldn't allow the Baggins birthday to pass without marking it in some way. Glad you enjoyed it.
Andrea
· 4 August 2005
· Chapter 3: A Silly Moment
"Sometimes she thought she had seven children, not five."
Wonderful! When Frodo and Sam are able to behave like children again, peace has come to all of Middle Earth at last :)
Thank you!
Author's reply
I thought it might be nice to see Frodo and Sam behaving like a pair of scamps - usually it is Merry and Pip who do that. It would be wonderful to think of Frodo being that impish once again - he does have quite a sense of humour in the early chapyers of LOTR, before the Ring and his trials crush it out of him.
Glad you liked it - and dear sensible Rose to keep an eye on them!
Daynawayna
· 1 August 2005
· Chapter 2: For Eyes To See..........
WOW. You ARE a cat, aren't you? LOL Where did you get such insight into these beautiful animals? And can you work your magic on my two brat cats? LOL I love this story! It's wonderful! I'm obviously a cat person and this just makes cats so 'elvish'! LOL THANK YOU!!!
Author's reply
Last time I checked I hadn't grown a tail, but you never know! I was a veterinary nurse for nearly 20 years and I did cat rescue for even longer, so I've been surrounded by them for a long time. I never tire of watching them and each one is different and unique.
I agree that cats are very elvish. They're so graceful and mysterious, old and young at the same time. I really enjoyed exploring what Rufus might think of his family.
Daynawayna
· 1 August 2005
· Chapter 1: A Mishap in the Kitchen
I just love the family dynamic here, Babe. What insight and depth! And the cat! You must have cats because you NAILED Rufus catness perfectly! OH my goodness I love that cat! Killing the onion indeed! :D LOL
Author's reply
Oh yes, I have cats - not as many as I used to, but I adore them. Their actions have been making me laugh for years.
Thank you for such a lovely review and I'm so glad you enjoyed the family life of Bag End in my favourite AU.
Larner
· 31 July 2005
· Chapter 3: A Silly Moment
No, none the worse for that--definitely none the worse for that!
Dreamflower
· 31 July 2005
· Chapter 3: A Silly Moment
Oh how cute and sweet! LOL! Some of those flower names *do* sound like exotic swear words, don't they?
As a side note, did you know that JRRT would stubbornly spell "nasturtiums" as "nasturtians". He said that was the way they were pronounced when he was young, and he refused to change it, LOL!
Author's reply
Nasturtians is the spelling given in some old English herbals, and I suppose the archaic spelling would appeal to JRRT. We can be a stubborn lot! :-))
Hope you've managed to surface from the fluff!
shirebound
· 31 July 2005
· Chapter 3: A Silly Moment
Rose shook her head and laughed quietly as she took washing off the line and folded it. Sometimes she thought she had seven children, not five. Did lads ever grow up? Little boys all their lives, but none the worse for that.
Adorable! And "bluebells" to you!
:D
Author's reply
Bluebells - that's one I forgot! And daffodils to you too! Glad you enjoyed another little peek at Bag End.
lovethosehobbits
· 20 July 2005
· Chapter 2: For Eyes To See..........
What a great story and wonderful take on what cats really see. I was worried, at first, that you would have Fro' die, which is something I can't stand and relieved that he was seen as I have always felt he would be...full of beautiful light. Lovely my dear, just lovely
tree
Author's reply
Oh goodness me no - can't kill off Frodo. That bit was Rufus' take on the flashback events in 'Reunion in Minas Tirith' when Frodo was very ill.
Frodo is a very special and beautiful spirit and Rufus would be aware of that.
I think cats see far more than we do, and they are psychic creatures, full of mystery.
Thank you so much for your comments. Hope you keep reading.
Tigger
· 19 July 2005
· Chapter 2: For Eyes To See..........
I. Loved. This. Wonderful, wonderful story. Cats really do seem to know who is a good person and who to stay away from, don't they. I'm a cat lover too and loved this POV from Rufus' side of things.
Oh and you've got to figure out a way for him to meet Aragorn and Arwen. Have him sneak into the wagon as the family heads for the Bridge to greet the King and Queen on their first visit North. You've got to do it. Don't make me take my replica of Hadafang off my chest of drawers now. ;o)
This was just adorable. Thanks for sharing it w/us!! :o)
Author's reply
Well, I suspect that we may see a meeting between Rufus and Aragorn sooner than that. It may be that a certain Ranger will find his way to the Shire in my current longer tale 'Birthday Surprises.' We shall see..........
Cats know who to avoid, I think. They have an uncanny knack of reading these things. I also like the way they make for people who are genuinely afraid of them! :-))
frodo16424
· 18 July 2005
· Chapter 2: For Eyes To See..........
This has to be my favorite story! Loved the idea of Rufus being able to see the auras of the hobiits and the lack of same of the ruffians. Am so in love with Rufus, LOL! Thank you so much for the story. Now everytime I see a cat, I'll wonder if they can see our auras. I certainly hope so. I also hope King Elessar gets to meet our favorite feline!
Author's reply
Wow! Flattered to think you liked this story that much, as you inspired it. I'm sure cats can see auras.
As for King Elessar - we may see that meeting soon.......... Now that would be intriguing, Rufus' opinions of our favourite monarch.
Larner
· 18 July 2005
· Chapter 2: For Eyes To See..........
A lovely look at the inhabitants of Bag End through Rufus's eyes. Thank you. And love how the lights and their colorings are seen as similar by so many of us.
Author's reply
I often wonder how my cats see me, and it would be lovely to find their musings scribbled down somewhere.
Nice to know you enjoyed hearing what Rufus thinks of the Bag End residents.
Andrea
· 18 July 2005
· Chapter 2: For Eyes To See..........
"I do not need to open my eyes or turn my head to know where he is, for his light calls to me clearly, a beacon of love and duty, demanding no less in return." - Just wonderful, Baggins Babe!
Cats are remarkable animals, they cannot be controlled or trained like dogs. And as you say it, *they* choose their master - and Rufus chose very well.
These lines made me laugh:
"Why, only this morning little Merry sat with me under the table and offered me his dish of porridge. I have heard that diseases can be spread by sharing plates in this way, but he looks clean enough and I am sure I will not catch anything." Cats are really remarkable :)
Thank you!
Author's reply
I have shared my life with cats - and dogs - for many years, and I find them all remarkable. I love their independence and the way they cannot be 'bought' which makes their affection all the more valuable.
I'm sure Rufus will be quite safe in sharing a plate with Merry-lad. :-))
Dreamflower
· 18 July 2005
· Chapter 2: For Eyes To See..........
I like Rufus! What a wise and thoughtful cat he is! And he describes his family so lovingly.
And I am glad that he won't catch anything from little Merry-lad, LOL!
Author's reply
I am glad you like Rufus - he has become a real character. As for not catching anything from Merry-lad, I think we can all be glad about that!
So pleased it made you laugh.
shirebound
· 18 July 2005
· Chapter 2: For Eyes To See..........
Now he takes part in the life of the Shire and plays with the children and grows stronger, and as he strengthens so does his light. He is a rare one - tender-hearted, compassionate to all life (I kill my prey quickly because he does not like to see them tormented), reluctant to judge, slow to strike, quick to comfort and heal. I do not need to open my eyes or turn my head to know where he is, for his light calls to me clearly, a beacon of love and duty, demanding no less in return.
A lovely chapter! If only everyone could see as clearly as Rufus.
Author's reply
I always think that cats are very wise and they see very clearly. Rufus is a very perceptive creature.
Thank you for your kind words.
Dreamflower
· 16 July 2005
· Chapter 1: A Mishap in the Kitchen
Thought I was *never* going to get on SoA today!! I tried to be patient, since I knew they've been doing site maintenance, but I was eager to see this after I got my notification.
This is just hilarious, from beginning to end. I feel sorry for Frodo, though--every time he cries or gets the least bit upset, Sam goes bonkers! Rose keeps them anchored however. Did I ever tell you how much I love your Rose? She treats Frodo like the sister he never had.
Oh, and I could just *see* Rufus stalking that onion!! LOL!
Author's reply
Ah, I've been waiting all day for your thoughts.
Yes, Sam does tend to over-react, doesn't he? Perhaps this incident will teach him to calm down and think before he goes careering into things.
I'm so pleased you like Rose. I was shocked to find that a number of people hate Rose - for taking Sam away from Frodo I suppose - because the book says how well she and Sam look after Frodo. I love writing her - she's so sensible and warm, as a farmer's daughter would be. That is how I see her relationship with Frodo - Sam is the brother he never had and she is the sister.
Thank you for a lovely review, and nice that you could see Rufus. He's becoming a real character in his own right.
Larner
· 16 July 2005
· Chapter 1: A Mishap in the Kitchen
Rufus does have a responsible position, doesn't he? Laughing.
Author's reply
Yes, subduing rebellious onions and naughty cotton reels takes time and care. :-)) I've always loved cats and mine provide me with endless amusement, so I'm glad it made you laugh.
harrowcat
· 16 July 2005
· Chapter 1: A Mishap in the Kitchen
What a great way to end a good day (It's 10.45pm here now). Had trouble accessing SOA earlier. Can't you get Rufus to hunt down gremlins as well as onions and cotton reels? Loved this.
Author's reply
Yes, I had problems yesterday trying to access the site - I was starting to think it was me!
Glad you liked it and thanks for all this feedback. I was giggling as I wrote it.
lovethosehobbits
· 16 July 2005
· Chapter 1: A Mishap in the Kitchen
What a hoot! Such a pleasure to see a light hearted fic...wish I could write these, but they just don't seem to be my muse's desire....am sending this onto Shirebound, it's just her cup of tea....
tree
Author's reply
Shirebound's review is just below this one, and you're right. It was her cup of tea.
Hope the tale made you laugh. I like angst and I can write it, but I enjoy giving Frodo some fun.
shirebound
· 16 July 2005
· Chapter 1: A Mishap in the Kitchen
Frodo has so many attentive guardians, including a cat as diligent as Sam ever was!
"Fwo not sad!" the little lad announced, to cheers.
Adorable! I love this happy family.
Author's reply
Yes, a cat's work is never done, as mine keep telling me. It is tough having to subdue rebellious onions and mean cotton reels, without having to dodge falling fruit.
I knew you'd like this one. *looks round for Dreamflower*
frodo16424
· 16 July 2005
· Chapter 1: A Mishap in the Kitchen
ROFLOL! Oh my! Sam using bad words - I bet he did - especially if Merry taught him! Absolutely love the stories with Rufus - he is quite a character in his own right. I think he deserves a story all by himself. Thanks for the laugh starting my workday.
Author's reply
I enjoy writing about Rufus, and that is a good idea, to have a story especially for him. Will have to see what sort of plot bunny turns up!
I love cats and he is certainly a very real character.
Glad the story gave you a laugh. :-))