Courage, Dear Heart.

Evening Dress

c. 1850

Silk satin with silk and metallic-thread supplementary patterning and silk net with metallic-thread embroidery

my unruly ass:

middle earth isn’t saved because no one faltered or came close to despairing or who sank to their knees in weary defeat. it’s not saved by pride or conviction or even strength. it’s saved because enough people do what they have to do even if they have to do it in the darkness. in the dust. with the ashes of hopelessness and bitterness in their mouths. because enough people took another step. Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Theoden, Boromir, Faramir, Merry, Pippin. And many don’t. For every hero there is someone who gives into the “reasonableness” of despair—Saruman, Denethor, Grima, even Gollum—but enough. Enough people said “it doesn’t matter if we lose, I will keep fighting” and then they do.

And that GETS me. It is the most hopeful thing about the lord of the rings to me. There is so much that sums up its spirit, so many beautiful quotes and moments, but to me it’s never been the most famous of the quotes about hope and love that hit me hardest but a line from the films. Before the battle for Minas Tirith, one of the soldiers says “we cannot defeat the armies of Mordor” and Theoden answers “no. but we will meet them in battle nonetheless.”

middle earth isn’t saved because no one faltered or came close to despairing or who sank to their knees in weary defeat. it’s not saved by pride or conviction or even strength. it’s saved because enough people do what they have to do even if they have to do it in the darkness. in the dust. with the ashes of hopelessness and bitterness in their mouths. because enough people took another step. Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Theoden, Boromir, Faramir, Merry, Pippin. And many don’t. For every hero there is someone who gives into the “reasonableness” of despair—Saruman, Denethor, Grima, even Gollum—but enough. Enough people said “it doesn’t matter if we lose, I will keep fighting” and then they do.

And that GETS me. It is the most hopeful thing about the lord of the rings to me. There is so much that sums up its spirit, so many beautiful quotes and moments, but to me it’s never been the most famous of the quotes about hope and love that hit me hardest but a line from the films. Before the battle for Minas Tirith, one of the soldiers says “we cannot defeat the armies of Mordor” and Theoden answers “no. but we will meet them in battle nonetheless.”

cleaning or wipe your bare feet

breaking off a piece of bread and handing it to someone

putting the weight of a basket on your hip or head

eating nuts or berries while hunched over close to the ground

seeing something startling just out of your line of sight and very quickly stepping or leaping on to a larger object to get a better view

cupping your hands into running water to wash your face

the unanimous protection of a baby or child in a public space where women are present

Touching someone’s face with the back of your hand to see if they have a fever

Stopping to watch animals moving in groups (geese, fish, horses, butterflies, bees)

huddling together for warmth when it’s cold

marveling at sunlight through leaves

wonderment at the brightness of a full moon

1, “It’s been said that there’s a cookie for every occasion, and if that’s the case, then this must be the cookie for when you descend into psychosis.” 

2. “This is not a cookie. This is a wrong way to make oatmeal.” 

3. “I relate to sprinkles because they’re dainty, frivolous, and let’s face it, just a little bit limp-wristed.”

4. “It tastes like summer camp. Like ‘baby bottle pop’ nostalgic.” 

5. “What, you’ve never put cereal in a blender before? Calling yourself a chef?” 

6. “If you’ve never had a prune, good! Best not to engage with the enemy.” 

7. “I tell you, cheese makes everything better. Except car accidents. Trust me, I’ve tried. The police got very mad.” 

8. “I don’t like boxes. People get buried in them.”

9. “If it looks like oil, it must be good.” 

10. “This is pretty good, but you gotta have some strong chompers.”  

11. “Please remove the wrappers. Aluminium has no nutritional value.” 

12. “This has no right being this satisfying.” 

13. “My fingers are stuck.” 

14. “That’s long enough. I want ice cream!” 

15. “Cornmeal bothers me. On the one hand, it’s vegetable dust, and on the other hand, I have… fingers.” 

16. “I’m baking soup.”

17. “I don’t know much about Texas. I’m told things there are large.” 

18. “I can feel my teeth falling out of my face right now.” 

19. “We start with two big packs of jell-o, because one would be too easy and three is a felony.”