Tag Archives: tolkien

As We Enter the Dark

Good Friday is upon us. For followers of Christ who have already “seen the other side,” that is, who know Easter is right around the corner, unlike the apostles, who did not understand and were in despair over the death … Continue reading

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“To the Professor!”

‘Tis the 119th Birthday of JRR Tolkien, that master of storytelling who brought us The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.  The Tolkien Society advocates taking part in the Birthday Toast, explained here. I myself will certainly raise a … Continue reading

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The Chronicles of Oxford Part 2: Standing Up

It is the second day of my program at Oxford, and the third day that I’ve been in town.  Much has happened in that time and within that time a sense of the inability to actually sit and write down … Continue reading

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Off to Oxford

I am pleased to report I have won a scholarship to attend the English Literature Oxford Summer School program at Exeter College in July.  I’ll be spending three weeks under the spires where JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, and the rest … Continue reading

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The Paradox of Christianity, or Wandering Tree Remains

Of the myriad thoughts which have bounced around in my head lately, an urge to change the name of this blog has surfaced and warrants consideration.  On my “About” page, I describe myself as “the tree who has troubling standing … Continue reading

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Mariette in Ecstasy

Currently reading Mariette in Ecstasy by a new author I have just discovered, Ron Hansen. Hansen has been on the map since the 80s, with books such as The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (recently a … Continue reading

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Filed under Culture, Literature, monasticism, Random

Chesterton via Lewis

In reading The Narnian, Alan Jacob’s bio on CS Lewis, I came across a great quote by GK Chesterton worth pondering by any English teacher: “Literature is luxury. Fiction is a necessity.” Jacob explains: “…the stories most greatly treasured, and … Continue reading

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