PSW · 18 November 2015 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
These were all fun, thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Thank you so much!
Discoveries by shirebound
Reviews (57)
PSW · 18 November 2015 · Chapter 4: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
All that other stuff is bad enough, but traveling with people w more fingers than they should have? What is Arda coming to?? :-P
Author's reply
The logic of young hobbits is so delightful to explore. :)
obsidianj · 11 February 2011 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
I can so feel with Sam. English spelling was always the bane of my existence in school. Like Sam said, it makes no sense. A very cozy, warm scene.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I loved writing this scene.
GamgeeFest · 28 December 2009 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
“Who invented this spelling, sir? It’s rather daft, if I may say so.” “You may, and I have no idea!” Frodo laughed. “It’s quite confusing, isn’t it?” “Darn near impossible,” Sam grumbled. “Why, a turnip has more sense than to spell all these different.” LOL! Such a Sam thing to say, and so very much like Frodo and Bilbo to keep encouraging him to be curious and ask questions.
Author's reply
This was a fun conversation to write. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Larner · 15 December 2009 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
I love it, Shirebound. And if Westron indeed was the "common tongue" it is very likely that it, like English, adopted words and spellings from different languages, leading to a similar mishmash to our English spelling rules with its different applications from words of various origins.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner. And I think the hobbits, especially, would have absorbed and adapted much of what they heard and encountered.
Baggins Babe · 15 December 2009 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
Lovely story, Shirebound. Sam is a lively and curious lad. Getting to grips with the peculiarities of English spelling and grammar is not easy, but Sam will get there, with help from Frodo and Bilbo. I just love your stories! I feel warm and fuzzy now.
Author's reply
Thank you, my dear friend. May the 'warm and fuzzy' go ever on and on, for both of us! I hope your holiday season is peaceful and happy.
Althea · 14 December 2009 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
Spelling is hard. This is precious. I love the homey comfortable feeling you've described.
Author's reply
Thank you, Althea. Bag End is my 'happy place'. :)
Cairistiona · 14 December 2009 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
What a lovely Yule vignette! The English language (or I guess I should say Westron!) is definitely full of exceptions to the rules. I could all but smell the gingerbread, reading this!
Author's reply
*That's* what I forgot to put on the shopping list! I adore gingerbread. Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed this wee tale. :)
Antane · 13 December 2009 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
What a sweet story - your specialty! :) I love it, especially Bilbo's words about curiosity, the end about Gandalf and Frodo's smile at the beginning. Cheers! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Antane. I appreciate knowing what parts you enjoyed most! I do tend to be rather insatiable when it comes to gentle fluff. :)
Andrea · 13 December 2009 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
“They sound nearly the same, but are spelled different!” Sam said in frustration. Yeah, and what about "flour" and "flower"? They sound *exactly* the same, but that's about the only aspect they have in common ;-) But I should not complain, for my native language also features lots of exceptions! Bilbo is a wonderful teacher. He always knows when it's time for a compliment and - which is even more important - when it's time for a break :-)
Author's reply
I think we're all amazing to have learned these crazy 'rules'! 'Flour' and 'flower' are terrific examples. Thank you for your comments. Praising your students and challenging them... isn't that a great type of teacher? When Tolkien writes in FOTR that the Gamgees were on "very friendly terms" with Bilbo and Frodo, I imagine that Bilbo was very fond of the children... and that the children enjoyed being around him.
Kara's Aunty · 13 December 2009 · Chapter 5: The Magic of Words
Hello shirebound, oh, that was so sweet. And funny! I remember the frustration of learning my 'letters' too. Sam has a point: a turnip HAS more sense than to spell all those words differently when they sound the same... Thanks for the lovely read. M :
Author's reply
Thank you so much. It's fun to imagine how these lessons might have gone, and I do believe Sam would have been an eager and diligent student.
Queen Galadriel · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 4: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
ROTFL! Six-fingered dwarves! I knew it was going to be what it was...oh too cute!
Author's reply
You're one of the few who guessed correctly! :)
Queen Galadriel · 26 March 2009 · Chapter 3: Holiday Blessings
Awwww! *melts* I feel like I've just received a little bit of Christmas on the edge of spring. This is so lovely and warm and delightful...thank you, Shirebound, even if my thanks are late.
Author's reply
It's wonderful to hear from you. And thanks are *never* late! They're always greatly appreciated. I'm so happy you enjoyed this.
cookiefleck · 17 October 2008 · Chapter 2: Baby Talk
Looking through some of your older stories and saw this... very funny and quite true, LOL. And, OMG, lemon bread! Those lemons keep sneaking in.
Author's reply
I think lemons snuck into "Reflections of the Past", too. What fun. Thanks for reading! :)
Andrea · 26 May 2008 · Chapter 4: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
“Frodo, my dear lad, where did you get such an idea? Tom Cotton gave that to Scamp today when we visited him.” “Farmer Cotton?” Frodo asked. “Why would he have a dwarf glove?” ROTFL!!! When an idea is "stuck" in a young hobbit's mind it's obviously very complicated to get rid of it! And I thought young Pippin was known for his huge imagination :)
Author's reply
This was such fun to write, Andrea. Living with Bilbo would let Frodo's imagination soar, I would think. :)
Neilia · 25 May 2008 · Chapter 4: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
Hahahaha! You made my Sunday eve, shirebound! Love this story. How did you get the plot? Something out of childhood? Sure is a great example of children's active minds. Hugs, Neilia
Author's reply
Glad to give you a giggle, Neilia! I've seen so many baby animals nursed with bottles, I thought a soft glove would give the concept a more warm and fuzzy "Shire feeling". :)
Baggins Babe · 25 May 2008 · Chapter 4: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
“I’d hate to think he was out adventuring with folks with more fingers than they ought to have.” *giggles* That is just so Sam! Lovely, Shirebound. I loved the ideas as to what this strange object might be, and the explanation was well worth waiting for. Of course it was for the puppies! I love that Scamp is still so attached to it too. I've bottle-fed litters of kittens and they always remember the syringe, years later.
Author's reply
Heee, that's my favorite line! :) Thank you, BB. How I love these 'gentle adventures' for our lads.
Linda Hoyland · 25 May 2008 · Chapter 4: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
Whhat a sweet explanation to the mystery!A good thing Gimli was'nt there when the conversation was taking place!
Author's reply
It might make an amusing story for Frodo and Sam to tell Gimli, a few years later. :)
Larner · 24 May 2008 · Chapter 4: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
Not a glove, but a puppy nurser? How cute! And she remembered! Wonderful little mystery.
Author's reply
Thank you! :)
harrowcat · 24 May 2008 · Chapter 4: The Six-Fingered Glove Mystery
I hope I told you how much i loved this the first time but I had to tell you again anyway. ooh, snuggly puppies! Snuggly ORPHAN puppies - want one, want one, want one!
Author's reply
You did, and I really appreciate it. I hope we BOTH get our snuggly puppies someday. Want one too!
Antane · 29 December 2007 · Chapter 3: Holiday Blessings
There was always a mutual admiration society between Gamgees and Baggins, wasn't there? So sweet. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
Thank you. I think there was, too!
Linda Hoyland · 21 December 2007 · Chapter 3: Holiday Blessings
Very sweet and warm hearted.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda. :)
harrowcat · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 3: Holiday Blessings
I haven't defluffed so I am safe reading this again. Awww.. Happy holidays Shirebound!
Author's reply
Smart move. The fluff is still flying! Happy holidays, harrowcat. :)
Baggins Babe · 19 December 2007 · Chapter 3: Holiday Blessings
Reading one of your stories is always a delight, and this is lovely. The friendship between Sam and Frodo is so sweet and genuine. I'm all warm and fuzzy now. Thanks Shirebound!
Author's reply
It's a pleasure to give you the same warm fuzzies you always give me, BB. Happy holidays!
Grey Wonderer · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 3: Holiday Blessings
Just had to read it again! I just love how very much you can see the close friendship between Sam and Frodo in this. Happy Holidays!
Author's reply
Thank you, GW. Yule always brings out my fluffiest plotbunnies. Happy Holidays to you! :)