Today is the first day of fall and Bilbo and Frodo's birthday. The combination of the two make this one of my favorite days, and a little introspective, so here are two thoughts for your day:
And yet less thanks have we than you. Travellers scowl at us, and countrymen give us scornful names. "Strider" I am to one fat man who lives within a day's march of foes that would freeze his heart or lay his little town in ruin, if he were not guarded ceaselessly. Yet we would not have it otherwise. If simple folk are free from care and fear, simple they will be, and we must be kept secret to keep them so.
--Aragorn, The Council of Elrond, FotR
"The 22nd day of September, in the year 1400, by Shire-reckoning. Bag End, Bagshot Row, Hobbiton, West Farthing, the Shire, Middle-earth. The Third Age of this world.
'There and Back Again: a Hobbit's Tale' by Bilbo Baggins. Chapter One: Concerning Hobbits.
Hobbits have been living and farming in the four Farthings of the Shire for many hundreds of years, quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the Big Folk. Middle-earth being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count, Hobbits must seem of little importance, being neither renowned as great warriors, or counted among the very wise.
In fact, it has been remarked by some that Hobbits only real passion is for food. A rather unfair observation, as we have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of ales, and the smoking of pipe-weed. But where our hearts truly lie is in peace and quiet and good-tilled earth. For all Hobbits share a love of things that grow.
And yes, no doubt to others, our ways seem quaint. But today of all days, it is brought home to me: It is not bad thing to celebrate a simple life."
- Introduction to Hobbits, spoken\written by Bilbo (Special Edition, "Concerning Hobbits")
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