One, two, three, Tree! Sometimes I get there first. In this made up game with the Grands, we run fast to the numbered tree. Sometimes, oh but sometimes I see…

Treebeard. Do you see him too? Only a Lord of the Rings fangirl like me would look over her shoulder and wonder if this Ent is looking for the lost Ent-wives. My grandchildren call this Ent tree, number 5.

Another game we have worn out is “The Bad Guys are Coming”. We have an unspoken signal by second and third finger strokes on either side of our nose that there is danger and we must find a place to hide. We escape to the woods. Would we see Elves in this Mirkwood?

As we journey, we find seed pods and dried flowers. Those of like passion for wild nature agree to know this as treasure. Ah, perhaps, may it once have been under the Lonely Mountain?

Bilbo’s greatest adventure was a trip to his pantry, until Gandalf found him worthy to carry out the mission. Bilbo and Frodo were ordinary Hobbits, not of noble birth or royal means. They become heroes in the LOTR monomyth to rescue Middle Earth. I pray that my grandchildren will rise up strong. My prayer is that they will use the talents God gave them as their journey may take them into Mordor or the like. May they indeed be Grande.

Some real life notes:

The dinosaur garden (Grande Garden I) was a huge success! It survived two seasons. We had a wedding at our house and during this time there were three great unsolved mysteries, one being that all the dinosaurs went missing, never to be found to this day.

The hobbit hole was half eaten by the dog. Fortunately, it was the back half.

The green grass of the Shire all died.

Many of the figurines become broken, what do you expect?

This lovely fern is living on from Grande Garden I, the dinosaur garden! For this garden girl, a nice reminder of Ada Mae graces the outdoor table.