In the past few days, my bum ankle has been hurting more than normal.

Today, I drove around in my car with the windows down - not because I have no A/C - but because it felt wonderful outside.

Our lawn is starting to collect leaves.

There are fewer mosquitoes chomping on my legs when I take the dogs out.


This is my round-about way of acknowledging that Fall has officially begun. I'm not the first to do it - in fact, my facebook feed and a couple blogs that I follow have been lit up with joy and expectation about the change.

I, too, am excited. This is probably my favorite time of year. You can tell by how excited I sound. I don't sound excited at all - but I am, trust me.



In other news - I finished the Lord of the Rings. There are many parts of the Return of the King that stuck out to me. For one - I enjoyed *reading* the end of the Ring itself much more than I did seeing it. Also - the whole reclamation of the Shire is amazing, and I am sad that it was not in the theatrical release of the film (If indeed, it wasn't - my memory of the third film is slim). I don't yet know if it is a part of the extended version - but I have hopes.

Side note - Saruman is a jerk.

I also got a little bit choked up when I read the last line of the story.

"He drew a deep breath. 'Well, I'm back,' he said."

That you are, Samwise, that you are. I like it for many reasons - Bilbo's own titling of his adventure "There and Back Again," quite a new a beginning for Sam, and how simply he states after all he's been through. I felt it was quite fitting.


Also, this description by Gandalf of what Sauron would become should Frodo succeed, "If it is destroyed, then he will fall; and his fall will be so low that none can foresee his arising ever again. For he will lose the best part of the strength that was native to him in his beginning, and all that was made or begun with that power will crumble, and he will be maimed for ever, becoming a mere spirit of malice that gnaws itself in the shadows, but cannot again grow or take shape..."


Also, I am getting a haircut tomorrow. By someone who gets paid to give haircuts. This is highly momentous - because I have not had my hair cut by such a person in about 4 years. I hope I look snazzy afterward.