The L. M. Montgomery Tag

This is the tag for the We Love L. M. Montgomery Week hosted by Hamlette's Soliloquy over here.

1. Who introduced you to L. M. Montgomery's writing? Tell us the story!
No one or maybe everyone since I heard about the 1985 Anne of Green Gables movie and then decided I want to read the books.

2. What LMM books have you read?
I read all 20 novels (The Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily Starr trilogy, Pat of Silver Bush & Mistress Pat, The Blue Castle, Jane of Lantern Hill, A Tangled Web, Magic for Marigold, The Story Girl & The Golden Road, and Kilmeny of The Orchard) which is really all of Montgomery's novels. I might have read some of her short stories but I have forgotten which. I recently read The Alpine Path which is a series of essays that Montgomery wrote for a magazine.

L.M. Montgomery books

3. What movies or shows based on her books have you watched?
The 1985 movies (they call them mini-series) but I don't like the last two movies all that much as it does not follow the books at all. I don't get why the sudden need for an original new stories but who knows what the director/writer was thinking?

4. Which LMM character is your kindred spirit, the one you'd like to hang out with in real life?
Anne Shirley but she's probably not my kindred spirit, that is, if you think of kindred spirit as someone similiar to you but I would like to hang out with Anne anyway but also any of the Blythe children from Rainbow Valley will also be kind of fun to hang out.

5. Which LMM character do you relate to the most? And why?
Una Meredith or Matthew Cuthbert as they are both shy people but underneath, they can be daring or even quite tenacious.

6. Have you ever been to Prince Edward Island?
No. Sadly, I doubt I would ever go. It seems now it's more of a tourist attraction rather than a real place but if I can go back in time, I would definitely visit the island.

7. Who is your favorite LMM heroine?
I like to say Anne Shirley but I don't know. I find all the females characters quite strong and sort of heroic in their own way, even Marilla Cuthbert, so I don't want to choose.

8. Who is your favorite LMM hero?
Matthew Cuthbert or maybe Mr. Carpenter (a teacher from the Emily Starr series) but I find most of the male characters not quite as matching up to the females as I think they are way too old fashioned.

9. Do you have any fun merch related to her books? If so, please share some photos!
Books are merchs also. I certainly treasure them like gifts.

10. What are some of your favorite LMM quotations?
I can't remember any of them but the two I do remember from The Blue Castle:

"I've stayed on earth in my dreams."

"You see — I've never had any real life. I've just breathed."
- which is spoken by Valancy Stirling. (Originally: "You see — I've never had any real life," she said. "I've just — breathed. Every door has always been shut to me.")

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here's the LMM Tag questions if you would like to answer them:
1. Who introduced you to L. M. Montgomery's writing?  Tell us the story!
2. What LMM books have you read?
3. What movies or shows based on her books have you watched?
4. Which LMM character is your kindred spirit, the one you'd like to hang out with in real life?
5. Which LMM character do you relate to the most?  And why?
6. Have you ever been to Prince Edward Island?
7. Who is your favorite LMM heroine?
8. Who is your favorite LMM hero?
9. Do you have any fun merch related to her books?  If so, please share some photos!
10. What are some of your favorite LMM quotations?

Some baffling and weird L. M. Montgomery book covers

For We Love L. M. Montgomery Week (Feb. 20-24), I am sharing some book covers that aren't what you call classy covers. As you might know, most of Montgomery's books are in the public domain so anyone can publish them if they have the text. This list consisted of mostly books published by unknown publishers and probably books I wouldn't buy not just for the bad covers but also for the not-so-great text formatting. I'm not going to make links to the books but if you're interested in checking them out, they can be found at amazon. If you're an ebook reader, you can find some of  Montgomery's books at Project Gutenberg here. Check out We Love L. M. Montgomery Week at Hamlette's Soliloquy here.

01 - Mistress Pat
If they were trying for a bland cover, this got it right. This says nothing about the book although if you see those curved shapes as faces, then it's just plain weird.

My Favorite L. M. Montgomery Characters & More

For We Love L. M. Montgomery Week (Feb. 20-24), I'm listing my favorite characters and characters I wish I like more and know more of plus characters that I sort of of love to hate. This list is based on the 20 novels of Montgomery's that I read. I'm using five words or less to describe each character and then what I think of them plus a quote from one of the books. (Note: There will be minor spoilers so don't read my notes if you prefer not to know them.) Check out We Love L. M. Montgomery Week at Hamlette's Soliloquy here.

My favorite characters:

Una Meredith, my interpretation

01 - Una Meredith from Anne of Green Gable series
Five Words: sweet, loyal, kind, shy, tenacious
Note: I find Una quite likable. I think she's eight or nine years old in the Rainbow Valley book but it doesn't say. Later, we got a glimpse of her in Rilla of Ingleside which I thought was not a kind fate for her.
Quote: "She was so shy that to ask a favour of anybody was agony to her." — Rainbow Valley

The Tenth Annual Tolkien Blog Party Tag

This week (Sept. 18-24) is the Tenth Annual Tolkien Blog Party hosted by Rachel at The Edge of the Precipice. This is in celebration of all things related to J.R.R. Tolkien - the books, the movies, the world of Middle-earth. I'm not a big fan but I am somewhat a small fan ever since I saw the movies. I only read The Lord of the Rings this year. Today, I decided to answer the tag. For more about the party, go here.

1. Who first introduced you to Middle Earth? 
I have no idea but I probably saw a commercial for one of the movies. The Lord of The Rings movies were my first time that had anything to do with Tolkien.

2. Has your love of Middle-earth affected your life?
Not that I can say but I do appreciate the idea of such a place in existence even as a fictional place.

3. Have you ever dressed up like a Tolkien character?
No, but if I were to dress as one, I would prefer dressing as Lady Éowyn in armor.

4. What people in your real life would you want in your company if you had to take the ring to Mordor?
None I can think of as I do prefer to have people who knows magic and someone knows how to use a sword and can fight really well. I don't know anyone who could do those things.

5. What Middle-earth location would you most like to visit?
Rivendell? But only because it's the one I can remember aside from the Shire. The Shire sounds like a good place for a quiet visit. I think any place but Mordor, even if the evil people are gone from there, I doubt it would be a pleasant place for a visit.

6. Are there any secondary characters you think deserve more attention?
Treebeard, I really like his people's way of not rushing through things, never hasty in making decisions.

7. Would you rather attend Faramir's wedding or Samwise's wedding?
Sam (I always call him Sam) because there would be lots of food and one would not feel like they have to be too careful about what they touch or say. Let's just say Faramir's wedding would be a far too serious affair for one to truly enjoy.

8. How many books by J.R.R. Tolkien have you read?
If you count The Lord of the Rings as three books, then three, if not, then one.

9. Are there any books about Middle-earth or Professor Tolkien (but not written by him) that you recommend?
None that I can say.

10. List up to ten of your favorite lines/quotations from the Middle-earth books and/or movies.
There are many but I'll just list two from the books:

"I almost feel that I dislike you both, but do not let us be hasty." - Treebeard to Merry and Pippin, The Two Towers

"There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark." - Aragorn, The Two Towers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are the questions if you want to answer the Tag:
1. Who first introduced you to Middle Earth? 
2. Has your love of Middle-earth affected your life?
3. Have you ever dressed up like a Tolkien character?
4. What people in your real life would you want in your company if you had to take the ring to Mordor?
5. What Middle-earth location would you most like to visit?
6. Are there any secondary characters you think deserve more attention?
7. Would you rather attend Faramir's wedding or Samwise's wedding?
8. How many books by J.R.R. Tolkien have you read?
9. Are there any books about Middle-earth or Professor Tolkien (but not written by him) that you recommend?
10. List up to ten of your favorite lines/quotations from the Middle-earth books and/or movies.

Rain Girl's B-B Party 2022: Wrap Up

Well, lovely guests, it's the end of the party. It's been very delightful to have you all here. I'll maybe, probably, do this again next year but perhaps make it a two-day event instead of a five-day event. I don't know why I thought five days is a good idea. Plus I threw these posts together rather quickly. I didn't really thought any of these through. Anyway...

Thank you for coming, lovely guests. Before you go, I have bad news to announce: First, your shoes had been slightly chewed on by the baby unicorn but the good news, whomever wore the crocs shoes, those are free of bites. Second, whomever owned the red corvette must fetch a tow truck or someone with a very tall ladder as the car is now up in a tree in my neighbor Lillypod's yard. We have no idea how the car got up there or why it appeared a bit damaged but Lillypod did said she noticed the car was parked illegally in front of her driveway. But don't worry, we know some really good mechanics. If needed, we'll even recommend some nice fairies who will help you if you can't get your car down.

Here is a list of things you might have missed (click on the text to go to each post):
• January 21 - Welcome
• January 22 - Scavenger Hunt
• January 23 - Let's Play Question Tag  
• January 24 - Cat Hunt & A Giveaway
• January 25 - Alphabet This or That
• January 26 - Have your futures read

Before you go, and if you're incline, answer this question: What is the best present (for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc.) you have ever got?

As they say, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here. Good night, goodbye and don't forget to take your shoes.

Rain Girl's B-B Party 2022: Have Your Fortunes Read

Lovely guests, gather around this little round table. See this lovely crystal ball? Can you guess why it's here?

Okay, no need for guessing. We have a very special guest today. Please give a nice round of applauds for the notoriously grumpy, sometimes fierce, always artful, possibility mad, the famous fortune teller and sometimes psychic, Lady Fortuna, also known as Tina Jane Fatuna Smother but we are not to call her that unless you are planning to pay her a large sum of money.

Today Lady Fortuna will predict a fortune for you completely free. All you have to do is give her a word or two and she will predict a fortune related to or something to do with those words. Remember this fortune might or might not happen depending on many factors but believe Lady Fortuna is telling the truth even if nothing happens. Leave your comments and I will convey Lady Fortuna's message for you as she is rather picky who she talks to and also, she finds it undignified to speak to peasants such as all of us, including me but I am paying her with a lifetime supply of chocolate so she has deemed me worthy just a tiny bit.

Please note: This is just for fun and not to be taken seriously, unless you want to. You probably know this but it's just me making up stuff and picking out random numbers.

Rain Girl's B-B Party 2022: Alphabet This or That

Lovely guests, it has be quite delightful to have you here. I hope you have been enjoying yourself. Just one thing to announce - the person who left the baby wolf fish in the upstairs bathroom, please remember to take it home or else it will become part of our family and you will not have any visitation rights, thank you. Here are some choice questions for you in alphabet format. You may choose to answer all or a few or just one or none and make up your own.

A. Attached or Single?
B. Blue or Black?
C. Cats or Dogs?
D. Down 10 flights of stairs or Up to 2 flights?
E. Email or Snail mail??
F. Fairytales or Nonfiction?
G. Gain a pound or Gain some money?
H. Hop on one foot or Jumping jacks?
I. Ice cream or Ice cones (aka snow cone)?
J. Juice or Water?
K. Kiss a frog or Hug a bear?
L. Lose your heart or Lose your mind?
M. Music or Silence?
N. Nuts or Chips?
O. Oatmeal or Cereal?
P. Pizza or Spaghetti?
Q. Queen for a day or Quiet for a day?
R. Rain or Sun?
S. Steak or Salad?
T. Talk to a stranger for a minute or talk to your enemy for an hour?
U. Unicorns or Unicycles?
V. Vanilla or Chocolate?
W. Walk or Run?
X. Xray vision or Power to fly?
Y. Yoga or the Gym?
Z. Zipper or Velcro?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
For Cat Hunt answers, go here to see the image with the cats in circles.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rain Girl's B-B Party 2022: Cat Hunt

Lovely guests, come over here and take a look at this picture. The woman here was one of my distance relatives who lived in a castle-like house full of turret yards where she resided with her cats. It was said that she was a princess once but none of us knew if that was true nor are we certain she wasn't a witch that turned people into cats if they trespassed her place without her approval. But let's not dwell on history. In this picture, can you find the cats that are (mostly) hidden? (Click on the image to view the larger version.)

backyard nook

Lovely Giveaway
Today, the 24th, is my actual birthday, so here's a giveaway. Three (3) winners will get to choose from one of these prizes:

Option 1: An original art/creation from me. Just give me a theme or an idea or something to draw but no portraits unless you want to take the chance. It will completely be digital so you'll get a high resolution file large enough to print or use it for any purposes but you may not sell it. Satisfaction with the art piece is not guaranteed and it may take a month to complete.

Option 2: A design for your blog such as a header or sidebar item or a design such as a logo or some graphic for something but know you will a digital file in the end.

Option 3: A book of your choice from Book Depository for 20 (U.S.) dollars or less.

To enter in this giveaway, simply leave a comment. Last day to leave a comment is January 31.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
For Cat Hunt answers, go here to see the image with the cats in circles.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rain Girl's B-B Party 2022: Let's Play Question Tag

Lovely guests, are you feeling sleepy? Don't worry, if you like to take a nap, just go lay down on any of the cushions and a blanket will be provided for you if you care for one.

For those still awake, let's play a question tag game. How it works is, one person (which will be me) starts with a question, someone answers that question but then they also have to ask a question and so on. If the question is answered and you want to answer it, feel free but you'll have to ask a question with your answer. Simply put, answer a question and then ask a question. My question will be posted in the comments.

Rain Girl's B-B Party 2022: Scavenger Hunt

Lovely guests, today, we are going on a scavenger hunt. Find the items listed below that somewhat represents the descriptions. If you like, you can take a photo and post it on your blog (leave a link in the comments if you do) or skip that all together and list the items you have found in the comments. I trust you not to lie about finding these things. And no need to do this in one day, take the time until January 27th. Let the hunt begin!

Scavenger Hunt items to find (you may combine some of these into one item):
01. something with numbers on it
02. something that sparkles or shines
03. something that is heart-shaped
04. something that is a varieties of colors
05. something with eyes or two circles that looks like eyes
06. something that has a triangular shape
07. something made of ceramics or looks like it's made from ceramics
08. something with NY written on it, the letters does not have to be together
09. something that has an animal shape
10. something smaller than your fist
11. something long and narrow
12. something orange

Here's a handy graphic for you to download and print out.

Rain Girl's B-B Party 2022: Welcome

Welcome, lovely guests, to my birthday bash.

I'm your host, Rain Girl. Please place your coat/hat/outer wear on your left and on your right, your shoes. Wear shoes, no entry. Grandma's rule.

I have good news to report. First, there will be cake served. I do not know what kind so I'll just say it's a mysterious flavor that might tasted like the best cake you'll ever have or it could taste like rubber boots but we can be certain, you'll taste some something. The cake and all the other sweets you see here on these tables are made especially by the kind gnomes who lived in the tunnels beneath the city. Don't worry, it's not at all poisonous. Unless you drink milk after eating one of the pieces. Sadly, there are no drinks but there is tap water if you're thirsty. The second good new is, no one will be arrested for trespassing or making too much noise. I am assured by my neighbor, Lillypod, she will not call the police even if someone steals her glass eye. Do feel free to roam about the space and even check out some of Uncle Jack's bus stop knickknacks he swore he got by legal means.

So, tell us something about you, anything at all so we can all get to know you better and if you're incline, use your name to describe you. For example, Lissa, can turn into Listless, Insolent, Stubborn, Slightly-Mad, and maybe Adventurous.

Let the party begin!

(Oh, by the way, do not feed the baby unicorn in the backyard. He's in a bad mood and will bite. Only go near him when he has turned any other color but black.)

You're Invited...

You're Invited to
Rain Girl's Mostly Delightful, Slightly Zany, Slapdash Birthday Bash

Join me for a slapdash birthday bash (aka blog party) celebrating my 27th (don't ask if I'm actually that age) birthday. It begins on Friday, January 21 and ends on Thursday, January 27 and will be right here on this blog.

No need to RSVP or get dressed up, just come as you. There will be no cakes, candies or drinks but feel free to consume any caffeinated drinks you have on hand. There will be presents (aka giveaways) and miscellaneous things & games that I throw together because I'm too lazy to plan. So mark your calendar for January 21 through January 27. I'll see you here until then.

P.S. Since we all love acronyms, I'll shortened this event's name to Rain Girl's B-B Party (B-B as in Birthday Bash). I used to be or perhaps I still am, a rain girl though I no longer take rain photos or aim my thoughts at rain. (So maybe bash means the same as party but don't bother to correct me.)

P.P.S. Here's the list of posts which I will add the link as they are posted. The question marks will be filled once I decided what that post is about.
• January 21 - Welcome
• January 22 - Scavenger Hunt
• January 23 - Let's Play Question Tag
• January 24 - Cat Hunt & A Giveaway
• January 25 - Alphabet This or That
• January 26 - Have your fortunes read
• January 27 - Wrap Up

Tolkien Blog Party 2021 - Tag Answers

Rachel at The Edge of Precipice is hosting a Tolkien Blog Party celebrating all things Tolkien. You can visit the party here.
    I'm not a big fan of Tolkien but I am a fan of The Lord of the Rings movies and I do plan on reading the book (it's not a series as I just found out, it's a long book divided in three volumes). I wasn't going to join in but after much thought and some lunch, I thought I answer the tag Rachel had created to sort of join in. All my answers are from The Lord of the Rings movies because that is the only Tolkien thing I know. You can also answer the tag in your blog.

1. Aragorn: Favorite Tolkien hero/heroine
My favorite heroine is Eowyn but mostly because she is the only female character I can remember from the movies that I like but I also like that she's bold and strong and can fight just as well as any man.

Eowyn

2. Boromir: Favorite Tolkien character arc
I wouldn't say I have any favorite arc or story. I like the ones where he/she doesn't die at the end. I'm all for happy endings that doesn't involve death.

3. Frodo: Favorite song or poem by Tolkien
I have no idea. I have not heard any songs or read any poetry by Tolkien.  

4. Gandalf: Favorite wise Tolkien quotation
"It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life." - Bilbo Baggins

5. Gimli: A Middle-earth location you'd like to visit
Anywhere but Mordor. The whole time Frodo is trying to get to Mordor which makes me believe it's not a place for the faint of heart, definitely not a place for a tourist.

6. Legolas: Favorite Middle-earth Weapon
I like bow and arrow but not because of Legolas but I've always liked archery.

7. Merry: Favorite way to celebrate Tolkien's stories
Watch the movies instead of reading the books? I suppose if I read/know more of Tolkien's books, I might have an answer. Maybe with the movies, we can play 'Which male character have the best hair? or which character suffered the most?' - it might be fun.

8. Pippin: Favorite funny Tolkien quotation
"Certainty of death, small chance of success... What are we waiting for?" - Gimli

9. Samwise: A Middle-earth food you'd like to try
Funny, but I do not remember any of the food in the movies. It always seems like everyone's eating some unidentified grub. I guess dessert that looks good with nothing moving or crawling about, I would try but then again, I'm not that adventurous when it comes to food.