Devondancer update

[peeplj]

"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased--thus do we refute entropy."

This is what's known as "Callahan's Law."

They were true words when Spider Robinson first wrote them, and they are still true today.

Our thoughts are with Lesley and with you, now and always.

--James & Shannon Peeples, the Four Fantastic Furries, and the One Cantankerous Cat

[Cork]

...I know that I was not that person, to start with...

Oh, but you really are that person!

Granted, all of this experience during the past several months has no doubt been of considerable trial for you, yet, simply because you are the person you are, you have somehow managed to pull through this great trial, and your contributions, both to Lesley and to the members of this board, especially in terms of your frankness, have been, and are, entirely commendable, sir!

Simply, you owe no apology, none at all.

[devondancer]

Thank you both.

I'm off to bring her home!

Ro

[gregdidge]

Welcome Home Lesley!!!

(since I couldn't put up a banner at the house I put one up here! )

Glad you are both back home.

[mutepointe]

Of course Lesley & Ro changed. That would be like saying Frodo & Sam hadn't changed after their big adventure. Now Lesley & Ro need to get to the Shire and stay at the Shire.

[devondancer]

The Shire sounds good, mute, and Lesley will definitely appreciate that idea, being a huge fan of the books. She has never managed to watch the film - goes to sleep immediately - but reads the books at least once a year and can quote for hours! She says they are friends she grew up with.

Greg, the banner is great! She is HOME. We have only been here about an hour (1815 now) as Lesley had a bad night and they wouldn't let her out until they were satisfied that she was OK. She was so pleased when she eventually escaped. I think she has just had enough of hospitals for a while and was really desperate to get home. I also think her consultant knew that, and could see that she was more anxious while she waited for the decision.

SHE IS HERE. Not yet in bed, but flopped on her sofa doing absolutely nothing, resting her head on a very comfortable heart-shaped cushion which she loves. She looks shattered, as usual, but is so happy to be here. She knows that she nearly wasn't here, again. We will do the bookends bit for a couple of days - sit on our sofas and watch each other. A great pleasure. She is so amazing. I must go and feed her, and have another look at her. I need convincing that she is here, too!

Thank you all. She will write soon, I know.

Ro

[cowtime]

I am so glad you are both home.

[peeplj]

I am so glad you are both home.

I understand about the Lord of the Rings: those books have been steadfast friends since I was a young teenager. Through thirty-something readings, they have delighted me, thrilled me, and scared me, while at the same time teaching me so much about ethics and morality and decency. There is incredible depth to those books, with each new reading, I still find that there are subtleties which I hadn't picked up on before.

I enjoyed the movies for what they were. They are a derivative work based upon the Lord of the Rings. What they are not, and never will be, is the Lord of the Rings itself. They are enjoyable, but lack the depth, scope, and subtlety of the books themselves. They also omitted some rather important material, and there are glaring errors in what is there. Lesley hasn't missed that much by not seeing them.

There are others on these forums who have more than a passing familiarity with Tolkien's works. When Lesley is feeling better, if she ever wants to "talk Tolkien" online, there are many here who can discuss the stories, not only as stories but also on a deeper level. I would love to be part of such a discussion!

I'm glad she's home, and I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts.

--James

[anniemcu]

Here's to "Home", with a capital 'H', and all the comforts.

May you get to stay there a goodly while this time!!!

Hugs,
Sarah

[lalit]

WELCOME HOME, both of you! It's a wonderful feeling, to know you are there again.

[devondancer]

Thank you all so much, for your kindness and friendship, your support for us both, the great "welcome home" banner and your other welcomes! It is good to be home! I promise to try and stay here, this time. Hospital is boring. Stupid Stick has been rather subdued, in the presence of Zimmer frames and wheelchairs, but is rapidly regaining his piratical nature. Perhaps I should stand a Zimmer frame in the corner to keep him under control. I don't trust them either, though - we would probably end up with a conspiracy.

I must be one of the few who hasn't managed to watch LOTR on DVD, James! I have it, and manage a small part of the Fellowship, then I fall asleep. I know them too well, having grown up with them. My father read "The Hobbit" to me when I was about 9, then gave me LOTR in bookclub hardback, and I have never looked back! I read it at least once a year and, like you, see something new in it each time. When my brain recovers from anaesthetic overdose I should like to join in the chat!

Ro is going to take me to the sea later, so I must go and be good for a while, to earn my treat.

Thank you all, so very much.

Lesley

[Azalin]

It's good to see you back in here, Lesley.

[izzarina]

HOORAY!!!!

That's all I really have to say on that matter

[SteveShaw]

We're in East Budleigh on Wednesday. If we shout "Hellooooo!" loudly enough you might just hear us!

[tansy]

I'm happy for you two,
always all the best I wish for my Devons!
Tansy