Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between July 24 and July 30, 2014. All but the last are from The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“He that flies counts every foeman twice.” One of the scouts to Theoden, referring to the force ready to come down on them as they flee toward Helms Deep. This is from the book, not the movie.)

“Trust not to secret ways.” Theoden to Eomer, warning that Sauruman may have scouted out the hidden paths in Helm’s Deep.

“The world changes, and all that was strong now seems unsure.” Theoden, usure of the safety of the “unconquerable” Hornburg after the Deeping Wall has fallen.

“One who cannot cast away a treasure at need is in fetters.” Aragorn to Pippin, as he returns the brooch Pippin cast away as a sign to any tracker.

“Luck served you there, but you seized your chance with both hands.” Gimli, referring to the cutting of the bonds on the hobbits’ wrists.

“It is difficult to know with these evil folk when they are in league, and when they are cheating one another.” Aragorn, referring to the question of whether Sauruman and Sauron are working together or in rivalry. Note that this and the two previous quotes are at Isengard, after its overthrow by the Ents.

“Just wait until you get hungry enough.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Marna to Cinda, after Cinda has found a very strange looking creature she hopes in inedible. (They are stranded on Mirror, without food.)

North Pole Weather 7/28/14

The sun will rise today at 4:34 in the morning, and set 18 hours 38 minutes later at 11:15 this evening. We’re losing almost 7 minutes a day, now. The weather is still cool and wet; we might get back into the 70’s by midweek.

July probably won’t set a new record for precipitation, but it will be close. Right now we’re sitting on 5.78” for the month, and I think another .2” would push us over.

Red Lynchis

Pink Lynchis

Possible hybrid

The lawn and garden are lush, and the weeds are thriving all too well. The squash aren’t doing as well as they would if it were a little warmer, but they have reached the harvestable stage. The delphiniums are getting indecently tall—two or three feet over the 7’ top of the lattice. I think I have three varieties of Maltese cross: the dark red I bought, a much smaller-flowered pink I started from seed, and a few volunteers that I think are hybrids: large like the reds, but a distinctly lighter color. I wish it would warm up and stop raining, though.

Weekend Writing Warriors: Rescue Operation

It’s time for another snippet from Rescue Operation, the end of the Council meeting deciding what to do about Horizon. For links to snippets from other authors click on the logo above for Weekend Writing Warriors, or on the logo below for Snippet Sunday. Sorry I didn’t get around tyo everyone last week, but I was away at a family reunion.

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Source: Hubblesite.org

Two more of the swing voters spoke, again in reluctant agreement. Good, if any were using CP, his blocking was effective. Even he, poor as his CP was, knew that Horizon would not respond to the bluff—but it wouldn’t be a bluff. Zhaim already had slavers on the ground.

“I’m against it,” Dax growled—but then he rarely used mind-touch. Afraid his feelings would be read.

“Shall we vote?” Zhaim asked, but he already knew the result. Eleven to nine in favor of slaving on Horizon, and there was no way Roi would be able to get the seventeen votes needed for a reconsideration, however much he might love the planet.

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And Roi is off planet, out of touch, and doesn’t yet know anything about this. Next week I’ll jump to his reaction when he does return.

 

Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents: Both Sides Now

Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents is a Saturday blog hop with up to 200 words from something we’re writing that has elements of both Science Fiction and Romance. (Click the logo above for rules and links to other participants.)

Both Sides Now is science fiction, adventure, politics and a dollop of romance. Here we’re getting acquainted with the hero, Kevi (as Doc thinks of him) who is the first to speak.

“Well, that’s changed if I can just get word to those I trust on Central. Zhaim’s kidnapping me turns the whole situation on its head. But I need to stay out of Zhaim’s hands long enough to contact someone I trust, and for that I need a hiding place. Confederation forces here on Horizon will be loyal to Zhaim.”

“Terry figured you’d need that. But the group’s small, and keeping those most vulnerable to slaving out of sight leaves us short-handed. You’ll be noticed if you don’t pull your weight.”

To Doc’s surprise, Kevi grinned. “Anything but cooking,” he said. “It’s not that I mind the drudgery, I’m just a lousy cook. I’ve got medical training, and I’m good with kids and animals. But I’d better darken my hair and eyes. My coloring’s unusual, even for this planet.”

“Looked in a mirror since you woke up?” Doc said, waving toward a piece of polished metal on the wall. “We darkened your hair on that road, and Terry left me some brown contact lenses.” He started rummaging through a cupboard. Now where had he put the contact lenses?

Jarn’s Journal Year 10 Day 195

Year 10 Day 195

Photo Source

I am beginning to think this polar ocean may very well be landlocked, or nearly so.

I am flying along the shore of the huge land mass to the northeast.. Now and then I fly north, and find drift ice. Sometimes I don’t even need to fly north; ice extends to the shore. If I fly south I can find stunted trees. But mostly I find low vegetation: low bushes, sedge, grass, and bog. Occasionally I see reindeer, huge hairy elephants, animals like buffalo or other really strange ones with large noses, but they are relatively rare. Nothing that looks like the People.

Frankly, it is even more boring than the desert coast I was exploring a few years back.

Today is the southward equinox, the start of autumn here. The sun is setting at the North Pole; I teleported there to see the sun roll around the horizon. I’ve come more than a third of the way around the planet, and it’s getting cold. Already I’ve seen one snowstorm. At least I now know that the mountains far to the west are on a peninsula, rather than an island.

I think I’ll wait until the northward equinox to continue mapping this coast.

The Race that Wasn’t

Ever heard of the Red Green Regatta? It’s held every year in Fairbanks as part of Alaska Days, scheduled this year for July 20. The idea is a short race on the Chena River (downstream) between “boats” made of whatever, incorporating the Red Green theme (you do watch the PBS show, don’t you?) and held together with duct tape. This year, as I’ve mentioned before, it’s been wet: 5.45″ in July through last midnight and raining right now. The Chena was so high the race was cancelled. Not that the judging of the boats was cancelled! Photos were posted by our local PBS affiliate, KUAC, and I couldn’t resist stealing one and linking it to their site. So just click on the picture for more!

 

Quotes from Andre Norton

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling from July 17 through July 23. The first six are from The Warding of Witch World, by Andre Norton.

“To see a demon come to life is no light thing.” Stymir, comparing chilling tales told by the fire with what seems the reality of those tales.

“The end was always worse than even the stupid fool who fell to the wiles of evil could imagine.” Audha’s thought as she realizes that she may be in such a bargain with the Dark.

“Do you not understand even yet that it was because of your hate and anger you opened the door to me?” The “Demon” to Audha.

“To fight on enemy territory when one knows nothing of the odds has never availed any attacker much in the end.” Simond’s comment as they try to decide what to do about their “demon.”

“Certain things cannot truly die.” Frost, speaking to Strymir with the message that war is not always the answer.

“We cannot go on if our bodies fail us, no matter how our spirits urge us.” Inquit’s council that they stop and rest.

“You don’t have to be a young aristocrat if you don’t want to, but you can act like one.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Lai’s advice to Roi at his birthday reception

North Pole and Estes Park Weather 7/21/14

My 2nd cousins and their spice. (Hint–what is the singular of mice?)

The sun will rise in Fairbanks at 4:33 am, and set 19 hours 25 minutes later, at 11:39 in the evening. I won’t see either one, though I’ll get back to Fairbanks just before midnight. I may catch a glimpse of the sun just before the plane starts to descend.

Where am I? Well, this weekend is our family reunion at the YMCA of the Rockies, near Estes Park, Colorado. At Denver, a bit south and east of my current location, the su2ndn will rise at 5:49 in the morning and set 14 hours and 34 minutes later at 8:23 this evening. And it gets dark here!

I even went horseback riding, though at 73 I needed some help getting on and off the horse. The actual riding went fine, though for some reason the photo I took of the scenery from horseback refuses to upload to wordpress.

I have internet access at the camp, but no e-mail, I’ll expand this and add some photos. One thing I know: the July precipitation for Fairbanks as of the end of last Saturday was 5.41” compared with the July record of 5.96”, and the forecast then was for more showers.

Weekend Writing Warriors: Rescue Operation

Enjoy meeting new authors and trying snippets of their work? Click on the logo above to find the links to others from the Weekend Writing Warrior signup list, and on the logo below for Snippet Sunday.

I’m posting again from Rescue Operation, continuing from last time, when Zhaim suggested slaving to collect dues from Horizon, which has threatened to leave the Confederation. We’re still in Zhaim’s point of view.

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Source: Hubblesite.org

Besides, it’s really just a threat. With that over their heads, they’ll find a way to pay their share. I know them. After all, I’ve been Guardian there for almost fifty years.

Well, if it’s only a threat …. That was Ramil, one of the swing votes he’d been plying with worries about the possible spreading influence of Horizon’s not paying its dues.

Ania nodded. Sometimes children have to be threatened for their own good.

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Somehow I don’t think it’s going to be that simple.

Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents: Both Sides Now

Saturday, and time for Science Fiction Romance Brigade. Click the logo above to find links to other participants.

I’m quoting from a WIP, Both Sides Now. Doc is answering Kevi’s question of how long he has been unconscious.

“About four fivedays.”

“Any idea of the Confederation date? I lost track of time in Zhaim’s hands.”

Doc waved toward a Horizon calendar on the wall. It was a paper calendar—he didn’t have power to waste for electronics here. But he’d kept the days crossed off, and it had Confederation dates marked at intervals. Kevi got up and examined it, and then shook his head. “Over a year,” he said. “It seemed like forever. But things have gotten a lot worse, if Confederation troops are attacking civilians.”

“They have,” Doc replied. “That was Terry’s main argument for trying to rescue you.”

Kevi looked down. “And I suppose you think I was responsible for the slaving in the first place. Indirectly, I suppose I was. But it was oversight, not intention. I never supported slavery. I was born a slave myself. I hate the whole institution. The Horizon slaving was passed behind my back when three of my closest supporters and I were off planet, and I’ve never quite been able to get the seventeen votes I need for reconsideration.”