I always feel especially
Hobbitish when I am actually reading the
Books, but I try to live my life in as Hobbitish a way as I can. To take pleasure in little things like
food (regardless of the caliber of the meal), entertaining company, going on long walks and looking at
trees/gardens, and especially doing a lot of gardening myself. I feel that Shire-folk really knew what made a good and peaceful life.
I often go for walks in my neighborhood, a mid-sized Midwestern U.S. town, that has lots of lovely old trees and many people that put a lot of effort into their yards. During these walks I am always looking at
peoples flowers and gardens as inspiration for my own, which both gives me immense pleasure and makes me feel quite Hobbitish.
There is an area in a park not far from my house that is set a bit aways from the path. It's a big open field that has a ring of five enormous Oak trees, and in summer I always end up taking off my shoes and wandering through the trees barefoot. Just enjoying the feel of the breeze and the ancientness of the trees around me makes me practically buzzing. I did so just this evening in fact, and thought of
Hobbits while doing so.
I have also put A LOT of time into my yard and gardens. My wife and I grow a lot of our own food (carrots, beets, lettuce, melons, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants!), but I have also continued to plant lots of flowers. I try and think what
Bilbo and
the Old Gaffer would say about my garden and try to do what would honor their love of things that grow.
I will see if I can find and post some before and after pictures of my yard, so you all can see what we've accomplished in the two years we have had this house!
