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Happy Birthday J.R.R. Tolkien

January 3, 2023January 17, 2023 Rabbit Trails

Today is the inimitable J.R.R.Tolkien’s birthday, and to celebrate I’ve chosen a fun favorite of his poems from the Lord of the Rings series. This one appears in Volume 1 The Fellowship of the Ring, in the chapter entitled “At the Sign of the Prancing Pony.” This is the chapter in which the Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin take shelter in an inn recommended by Tom Bombadil, and meet the mysterious Ranger named Strider. If you’ve relied on the movie version, this won’t be familiar to you. The plot was shortened for the movie, so the scene in the movie … Continue reading Happy Birthday J.R.R. Tolkien

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Prayer for 2023

January 1, 2023January 1, 2023 Rabbit Trails

I love the prayer by Oswald of Northrumbia that I’ve shared previously on the blog. Years later it is still a popular download. This year however, I chose two prayers that I think go well together. The first, by Dimitrii of Rostov, a 17th century monk, speaks to our need for a Savior and our need to give our Lord Jesus Christ our complete homage. I don’t know about you but with recent upheavals in the financial market, at the gas station, the grocery store, social media (wow ~ the Twitter files), and the truth finally being revealed in health … Continue reading Prayer for 2023

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Second Sunday in January ~ Epiphany

January 10, 2022December 30, 2022 Rabbit Trails

We drove home on Epiphany. Many people seem to have no awareness of Epiphany. The revelation to the gentiles (that’s us) as signaled in the visit of the Wise Men (Matthew Chapter 2) is typically compressed chronologically and clumped together … Continue reading Second Sunday in January ~ Epiphany

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A sea change, rich and strange

December 17, 2021December 14, 2021 Rabbit Trails

On a morning walk not too long ago, Mr. Garner and I were discussing social media. He doesn’t partake of it, and I was telling him about a few things seen and heard, and I offhandedly mentioned that I had … Continue reading A sea change, rich and strange

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But every Herod dies…

January 10, 2016December 30, 2022 Rabbit Trails

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.“Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search … Continue reading But every Herod dies…

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Christ in the stranger’s guise

November 29, 2015December 30, 2022 Rabbit Trails

Celtic Rune of Hospitality I saw a stranger yester’en. I put food in the eating place, drink in the drinking place, music in the listening place and in the sacred name of the Triune He blessed myself and my house, … Continue reading Christ in the stranger’s guise

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A Blessing and a Prayer

January 1, 2014December 30, 2022 Rabbit Trails

Starving for fresh air, wide open sky, a hike and some quality time enfolded by creation, I pretty much pushed my family out the door today. We drove to nearby First Landing State Park and took a long slow walk … Continue reading A Blessing and a Prayer

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Elusive Sleep

November 11, 2013April 17, 2021 Rabbit Trails

A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by One after one; the sound of rain, and bees Murmuring; the fall of rivers, winds and seas, Smooth fields, white sheets of water, and pure sky – I’ve thought of all by … Continue reading Elusive Sleep

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Christmas Opera for Children – Amahl and the Night Visitors

December 15, 2021March 22, 2022 Rabbit Trails

I have loved Gian Carlo Menotti’s one act opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” ever since I was introduced to it as a child. One year, our elementary school learned the charming Shepherd’s chorus selections “Emily, Emily” and “Olives and … Continue reading Christmas Opera for Children – Amahl and the Night Visitors

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Christmas Operetta – Laud to the Nativity

December 14, 2021March 22, 2022 Rabbit Trails

There is no question that music is an enormous part of the holiday season. We all have favorite Christmas carols, Joy to the World, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Veni Emmanuel, O Come All Ye Faithful, although we might disagree … Continue reading Christmas Operetta – Laud to the Nativity