I am all about making handy tools and resources for #Tolkien scholars and fans. An example: this sentence diagram showing that one of the main references to wings for the balrog in #LOTR is clearly a simile:

There is something quite luxurious, upon realizing all one’s work shirts are in the laundry basket, to just grab a brand new shirt off the pile in the closet, unwrapping it and putting that on for the day.

I had a print of this painting hanging in my college dorm room (for reasons). I found this thread on the history and context of the painting really interesting.

Really really really good thread of reflection on the portrayal of Isildur and his choice in the Jackson films.

Today, on this World Day of Consecrated Life, Feast of the Presentation, and National Groundhog Day, be sure to take the time in prayer to thank God for our consecrated men, women, and ground squirrels

I went there exactly once (I was a B&N guy). I had a good time browsing, and came away with a copy of the Norton Critical Edition of Conrad's Lord Jim.

The rubber plant in my office keeps on growing, and the Canon Law Society of America of America keeps on delivering. #canonlaw #pottedproceedings

unfortunately in order to cast the Rosary spell, your attention needs to be undivided for five turns. If you're distracted, the spell fails and you have to restart.

Always ranch. It's already always ranch.

It just occurred to me that anyone named "John Paul" is *almost* certainly going to be younger than I am. Not an absolute, but a pretty safe bet.

GIVEAWAY: I have three copies of my book, A Joyful Outpost, that I’m giving away, shipping included! All you have to do is LIKE this post, REPOST it, and FOLLOW me on Twitter/X. Winners will be announced TOMORROW morning.

The choice of Vance as running mate seems striking to me most of all in the economy of graphic design it facilitates. Only two letters need to be swapped out, and all the old TRUMP-PENCE sign and shirt designs can be recycled without any re-formatting.

Big if true.

This is fantastic.

This is for a niche corner of my audience it just struck me as amusing.

Amazing.

This is the best thing I have read in quite some time. I've had many of these same thoughts, much less formed and articulated, floating in my own head for years, and I am so glad to see them so well presented. Much to ponder in this lengthy read. thelampmagazine.com/issues/issue-2…

This is the first I have heard of any controversy surrounding this: one more reason to be grateful I got out of high-churchery when I did.

Maybe the fanciest medieval eel recipe was the French "reversed eel." How do you make it? Well... First, you skin & debone the eel. Then, sew it back together inside out, stuffed with bread crumbs, meats & spices. Then, cook it in red wine. Kind of a super-fancy eel hot pocket!

That works for me. I always want my words to be my own.