Reviews (188)

Andrea · 23 February 2010 · Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen: When Mistakes Are Made

Great chapter! In the case of the Latter, when such Persons cannot be Politely Avoided ( for this may sometimes be the case when there are Family Connexions), it is best to Maintain One's Dignity. The Art of Doing this was Perfected by a certain Meriadoc Brandybuck who turned an Insult into a Compliment when Lobelia S.B. called his cousin Frodo a "Brandybuck" ;-)

Larner · 22 February 2010 · Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen: When Mistakes Are Made

I rejoice as always to acknowledge Aunt Dora's wisdom! Hooray for the old girl!

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 22 February 2010 · Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen: When Mistakes Are Made

Dear Miss Dora, It is Wonderful to see yet another Chapter of your Book is Finally Published! It is well for me to Know about how one might offer Apology to those I might Offend, though I would most Certainly not do so Purposely. (Well, I can think of maybe One or Two exceptions, but your Gentle Reader assures you, Miss Dora, they Deserve being Cut.) I am so very glad your Estimable Scribe, Dreamflower, has consented to Write More. I look forward to More CHapters soon! Your faithful Reader, Kaylee Arafinwiel

shirebound · 22 February 2010 · Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen: When Mistakes Are Made

I always think that your current chapter is the best, so this one is of course my current favorite! I love Aunt Dora. No wonder hobbit society is so well ordered, and it's obvious now why it's so unusual for someone to act in ways that are Other Than Expected.

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: On the Writing of Letters

My dear Miss Dora, Thank you very Much for writing about the writing of Letters! I have used your Advice as much as possible in writing these Reviews for your Book. I hope that Dreamflower and yourself shall be Inspired to continue the Book, for I have enjoyed it on every reading. Your faithful reader, Kaylee Arafinwiel (Who needs to finish getting ready for School as my ride shall be here any Second)

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve: On Funerals

Dear Miss Dora, My dearest Friend suffered a Bereavement in her Family Recently. I too have Lost loved ones. Thank you for helping me know what to Write to others who may Suffer such Losses. Your reader, Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: On Weddings

Dear Miss Dora, I have not been to many Weddings, nor am I Married yet; I have not even been Properly Courted. But I know well the Dangers of putting the Dessert before the Main Course and would under no circumstances Do So! I believe that Someday I will find the right Person to spend the Rest of my Life with. Of course, if one has Certain Problems, as I do, one may Question whether it is Appropriate to Wed or Bear Children; I admit being afraid that my Conditions may hurt any potential Children of mine. I want a Family of my Own very much, but also Fear for any Potential Problems. What would you advise, Miss Dora? Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: On Birthdays

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

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: On the Giving of Gifts

Dear Miss Dora, I will take this Advice on Gift Giving, and though I admit among my people it is Usual to Give Gifts for Birthdays and Weddings on the Actual Day, I think at my next Birthday (I shall be Twenty-Five) I will make a Point of Giving Gifts to my Guests instead. Yours Loyally, Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: On Being A Guest

Dear Miss Dora, I see I covered my response to Both Chapters in the Last One! I hope that does not offend. I will merely thank you Once More for the Excellent Advice on Being a Guest! Your loyal reader, Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: On the Receiving of Guests

Dear Miss Dora, Indeed, Hospitality is a thing not to be Squandered! Thank you for teaching me the proper way to Receive Guests and how to Be a Proper Guest as well. I will put this Advice to good Use when I have the Occasion (and Time) to go Visiting. Loyally as ever, Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 6: Chapter Six: Mealtimes and Manners, Part Two, Festivals, Feasts and Celebrations

Dear Miss Dora, As my Schedule is so Busy with School, I have not had much Time to attend Occasions such as These. However, I do like Festivals and other Parties very much, and will keep all these in Mind for the next time I may Attend One! (Forgive me the shorter Reply, my Ride to School shall be coming soon.) Your Loyal Reader, Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Mealtimes and Manners--Part One, Basic Manners and Everyday Meals

My Dear Miss Dora, I am well pleased to see that my Mealtime Manners are quite Correct, though I blush to think I have already missed First Breakfast and only had a handful of chocolate Biscuits for Second Breakfast (which is not a proper Breakfast at any rate!) I also missed Elevenses, much to my consternation. Well, it is 11:38, so perhaps I may find something for a bit of Elevenses Late, and be excused on that ocunt? At any rate, I need Something to eat, as my Classes begin promptly at One (giving me no time whatsoever for Luncheon) and run straight through to Five O' Clock (though I have a break in which I may take Tea or nibble on Something, from Three to Three-Thirty). I then must wait for my Transportation to arrive to take me Home, as I live too far from my School to walk there. It arrives between Five and Five-Thirty when on Time, but possibly Later. As such, my Meals are most horribly Interrupted, and though I do my Best to take them Properly, I fear I am most Inadequate at it. Please Advise me how to Proceed in this Case! (I am not permitted to Eat between One and Three, or between Three-Thirty and Five, except for the occasional Sip of Water. The Classroom does not permit Food otherwise. At All.) Your loyal Reader, Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Upon the Rearing of Children, Part Three--Tweenagers

Miss Dora, I myself am Twenty-Four, so this information on Tweenagers is most interesting! I trust that when my Elfling reaches his own adolescence, he will be reined in so as not to cause any Problems. He will be Prince by then, and Because of his Station many Expectations will be His. I hope he will Survive! Your devoted reader, Kaylee Arafinwiel (P.S. Dreamflower, I'm 24 in human years of course *wink* I forget what that is in Elven so I didn't translate it...it's 24 x 2.33...Math hates me this morning. ~Kaylee)

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three: Upon the Rearing of Children, Part Two--the Childhood and Teen Years

Miss Dora, I write once again to you and your esteemed scribe Dreamflower. This chapter was one of my favorites, as it covers the period now being written into the elfling's Tale. I find it very useful, and so does our elfling's Great-grandfather (He has, in fact, written a quite Similar Volume!) Indeed, children at this stage of life ought to be quite old enough to play alone.I must inquire, however, what to do if such a child is Teased. (I know, of course, you have covered this, but I had a particular Question.) The particular Elfling in question is a child of the Sindar, whilst his Tormentors are children of the Noldor. Their fathers and his are both Advisors of their King. (Let us say for comparison, if the Thain's Heir and the Master's Heir were not in Accord with one Another.) The elflings' Fathers also do not get along well, and so there is no one who can solve the Problem Amicably. What would you suggest, Miss Dora? Your faithful reader, Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two: Upon the Rearing of Children, Part One, Infancy to Faunthood

Dear Miss Dora, I have examined this chapter with great Pleasure, as one of my dear Friends and I are compiling a Tale dealing with a Child of such age. Admittedly the Youngling is an Ellon, but the elven lad has just Passed this Period of his Life and your Book helped us greatly. I particularly admired the Questions at the end and your Answers: Questions which are often asked about infancy and faunthood: What if the Mother does not survive the birth of her babe? In this terribly Unfortunate Circumstance, it is best to find an Aunt or female Cousin who has recently given birth, and ask her to share her Bounty. In this case the child who must share his or her Mother would be the other child’s milk-brother or milk-sister, a circumstance which can lead to very close Family Ties. Only if there is no available Blood Relative to take on this sad duty should an outsider be engaged. Indeed I agree. The Elder Cousin of our elven Child lost his Mother at the age of just a few Weeks, and it was necessary to engage an Outsider as none of his Female Kin had survived. Unfortunately his Father was not as wise as Miss Dora in engaging said Outsider! What if the child is born with a Problem? This too, is a sad Circumstance. Oftentimes the poor wee thing does not survive his or her first few months. However, sometimes the child does survive, and such children can often prove singular blessings, as they often seem to be even more affectionate and sweet-natured than other Children. In such Event, it behooves the rest of the Family to rally around and help to take care of the distraught parents. I myself was born with some Problems, and I nearly did not survive. My Mother also nearly Faded, but luckily we both pulled Through! Many of my Classmates in the School I attended were also such Children. How does one deal with the jealousy of an older sibling when the younger child is born? This is Normal. However, it is to be discouraged. Fortunately such a stage does not often last long. Such jealousy may be discouraged in two ways-- the parents should give much attention to the older child so that he or she will not feel the new baby has Usurped his or her place in the Family, and also encourage the older child to take care of and feel protective toward the younger. These feelings of protectiveness, luckily, come naturally to most children, and once the babe is old enough to cuddle with them and sleep with them the jealousy soon disappears. In my Case, my younger Sibling became as an older Sibling to me when she had matured a bit, since she was regarded as the 'Normal' Child (I am afraid my Father in particular spoiled and stifled me, but my Mother was more Sensible.) How does one teach one’s child to Talk? By talking to him or her, of course. It will sort itself out naturally, and usually when the child wants something enough the first word will emerge, most frequently “Mama” or “Da”. Apparently my first word was Ada, though my first word I could *read* was Book. What is the best way to deal with a temper tantrum? Hobbit children are not prone to these for the most part. If a child is normally biddable and good-natured, and then suddenly has a fit of screaming and crying because he or she has been denied something, it is well to seek the reason: he or she may be over-tired or fearful for some reason. In such cases a nap may be in order, or the source of the fear removed. However a child who makes a habit of these displays is in serious danger of becoming spoiled. On no account should you give in to such a child, and the best way to deal with such behavior is to put the child in a corner and ignore as best you can, the Bad Behavior. Sooner or later it will come to an end. Very true, Miss Dora. In fact the Child in our Tale was prone to these and was Disciplined Accordingly by the previously mentioned Older Cousin, who often had charge of him. Your faithful reader (and Dreamflower's!) Kaylee Arafinwiel

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 3 November 2009 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword

Dear Miss Dora, I have read and re-read this volume many times. It is a veritable fount of Good Advice, and I have, when applicable, tried to implement such Advice as you have given. I sincerely hope this volume will one day be Completed, as I see two chapters are Missing! I admit I am no hobbit myself, but an Elven-lass; still, I find such books quite Helpful and Admirable! As yet I have no children, yet I am sure when I do, I will take your Advice on them into account, and I have already begun to implement your Advice on Proper Meals as I will explain in replying to Relevant Chapters. An admirer of your Writings (and those of your estimable Scribe, Dreamflower), Kaylee Arafinwiel.

Eärossë · 2 May 2009 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Mealtimes and Manners--Part One, Basic Manners and Everyday Meals

Thank you for adding the question about Hobbits with Adverse Reactions to certain Foods. I am allergic to wheat, and I am quite happy that Ms. Dora understands that. Please send her my thanks.

Robert · 20 June 2008 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword

All these chapters are excellent - good hobbit sense wrapped delivered with just a touch too much certainty. Dora has good intentions, but her evident high opinion of herself is clear - lady bountiful graciously enlightening the less fortunate in the true Victorian style. There is, however, at least one social minefield Dora's projected outline does not cover, that concerning respectable behaviour in inns. Naturally, what the malefolk get up to in inns, in the absence of female company, is not something Dora would concern herself with, much, but their are times when respectable hobbit matrons must enter such establishments. When visiting relatives beyond a day's travel, one cannot always overnight with relatives during the journey. Their guest rooms may already be full, they may be themselves visiting elsewhere, or one might simply not have suitable relatives in that village. In such cases, it becomes necessary to stay in a inn, where there are many trials to be negotiated. It would not be seemly to look too comfortable in such a place, of course, but one does not which to give offence to the innkeeper either. The other customers will include people with who one would not normally mix, and some may be under the influence. One's husband may also be tempted to act as if in his local, which can be the cause of much embarrassment, and any tweens in the party will require suitable handling. Further, one may encounter Dwarves. While there are few of them in the Shire at any one time, it is on the main road from west to east. Why, there might be as many as a hundred dwarves passing through the shire each year, from the mountains of the far west to Bree and beyond. Rare though they are, compared to humans and elves they are practically commonplace. Any hobbit matron who does much travelling might expect to encounter dwarves perhaps once or twice a decade. I'm sure Dora has much good advice to give on such matters.

Andrea · 29 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: On the Writing of Letters

How does one know if one is Sending Letters too Often? If the Replies one Receives match the Description above, then one may be Fairly Assured that one is sending Too Many Letters to that person. LOL!!! Dear Aunt Dora is Great! And always Polite :) I attended an English course this year and one important part was about (Business) Letter Writing. Now, with all those tips and tricks from my wonderful English teacher and your Aunt Dora, nothing can go wrong ;-) Although I prefer e-mail! It's much quicker. I'm quite sure, as a passionate letter writer Prof. Tolkien would have loved this chapter.

Baggins Babe · 28 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: On the Writing of Letters

Ah yes, the wonderful Miss Dora. Letter writing was an art for her and those like her. I can certainly see her following her own advice if she had to write to Lobelia! Great chapter, Dreamflower!

harrowcat · 28 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: On the Writing of Letters

Keeping up a Lively Correspondence with one’s Friends and Relations is an Amusing and Rewarding Activity. There is nothing More Pleasant than Receiving News from afar from one’s Loved Ones, and there is no Better Way to Receive Letters than to Send them! And who would know better than Aunt Dora! *g* I would love to hear her opinion of the decline in letter writing and the rise of e.mail etc!

Larner · 27 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: On the Writing of Letters

Aha! The queen of Shire letterwriting gets to the heart of her own obsession! And a Lovely Bit of Wisdom does she Share with all who Need to Know! Thank you for such a wonderful chapter to start my Shire day upon! Heh!

Lindelea · 27 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: On the Writing of Letters

How very hobbity! (Now every time I add to Sam's packet of letters, I will be thinking of Dora...) I especially chuckled at this: The New Parents will have more than enough to do, after all. Is the inception of the Shire post a matter of record, or did you have to dig through the dust at the Mathom House to find your facts? Yours most cordially, Lin

shirebound · 27 June 2007 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: On the Writing of Letters

One may see here that the Request is worded as a Question, and that it is not Taken For Granted that the Reply will be in the Affirmative. A Time and Day for both Arriving and Departing are given, as well as the Number of Persons in the Travelling Party. One hopes that Cousin Uffo will find the visit Congenial. I love Aunt Dora so much. She does everything in her Considerable Power to ensure that the Shirefolk are civil, responsible, and well in touch with their family and friends. :)