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Moments in Time  by Larner 16 Review(s)
PSWReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/5/2016
That is a good metaphor! Transplanting...

I enjoyed this little look into Frodo's thought processes. Very nice, thanks for writing!

Author Reply: Thank you! I do believe Frodo liked it as a metaphor.

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2007
I know I read this someplace before and just absolutely loved it. Or else it was here and I was stupid and didn't put in a comment.

But here's my two cents - absolutely delightful, gorgeous, well-written, good characters. Lovely!

Author Reply: You've read it in the review process on HASA, I think. I'll give it a good time longer before I'll try putting it up for review again, so that the memories of the kafoofle from the last time have been well forgotten.

Am so glad that YOU like it, and that you love the characterizations. And thank you so for the vote of confidence. And I'm glad some are looking at the older stories in this collection. Thanks so much for all the encouragement you've given me.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/9/2006
I think I might have started this story once but never finished. Well, I finally did! I love the idea just as much as Frodo that he was going to be transplated and bloom elsewhere, since he could no longer bloom in the Shire.
Beautiful imagery - leave it to Sam, so much the nurturer. Nice to see that smile!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you finished it at last, then, Antane. Yes, Sam is ever the one who seeks to help Frodo make the most of each day given to him; and Frodo has found the proper appreciation of what it is he does for himself--not being discarded, but placed where once again he can bloom in health and beauty, until his dearer-than-brother comes and they can look at going on together.

Thanks so much, dear.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/27/2006
Read this several months ago, but my screen reader gave me a sudden, unpleasant surprise and I had to shut down very quickly before I got a chance to review. So now I'm going to try and go through all of these I missed and review them, wonderfully free, hopefully, from surprises.

I had to chuckle at little Frodo. "Why? Why? What's the difference between this and that? Why do you do that? How?" LOL! But I think he really wanted to know and wasn't just asking questions for the sake of asking them, as so many children will.

I don't believe Sam would ever throw away the extra bulbs, especially after seeing what Mordor was like-no clean water, no clean air, no plants or insects other than those ugly thorns and those horrible flies.

For some reason the ending brought tears to my eyes. I think maybe it's partly a carry-over from TLO earlier today. It's somehow sad that Sam didn't realise, but then maybe that's a good thing. And it was nice that Frodo could have some much-needed peace. But still, I wish he hadn't had to make the decision at all.

This was beautifully done, and I can't wait to read more of these-though I just can't do any more sad stuff tonight, and I'm going to get through TTOF first. Yes, I'm still there. :)
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: Not every story on here is sad, but the first two definitely are. I truly think Frodo would want to know WHY? and wouldn't be fobbed off with glib or airy answers; he'd be a trial for those who don't truly know and would prefer to give the glib ones. Nor do I think Sam would throw away extra bulbs. But, if Frodo's introduction to thinning was by one who did usually dump the unneeded bulbs and plants (you certainly don't replant carrots and trees when thinning, after all, which I'm actually more practically experienced with than thinning bulbs, after all), then it is strongly possible that Frodo would be surprised by the idea of just replanting the extras.

Unfortunately, too many folks at HASA took exception to this story because they don't particularly like Frodo-angst, and it's been declined there twice. Have decided not to try with it again for a time after all that. Give it a year and a slight intro, and maybe I'll then try it again.

esamenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/11/2005
“Well, I found a good place to move the excess lily bulbs to, t’other side of the Hill. Nice shady spot it is, and it’ll be beautiful as we enter the orchard in the comin’ years with the lilies growin’ each side of the path, like.”

Oh, wow, this gave me shivers. I saw where you were going right away. Nice, nice work. Gorgeously done.

You are a wonderful writer. Your dialogue and pacing is great. I love your stories! Please write more!

On to the next chapter . . .


Author Reply: Thank you very much for the kind evaluation. I'm so glad you like the dialogue and that you feel the pacing is right. It is always nice to hear this. And I'm so glad you like this one. The next one is a bit sad, I think, and the third I hope will give you a chuckle. As for the fourth--wasn't sure I'd post it, but some of the kinks worked themselves out today. Hope it is appreciated.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/14/2005
Very good idea to post here such little fics which don't belong to or fit in with the longer ones!

This one was beautiful, even if a bit sad. I think it was very like Sam to plant the removed bulbs somewhere other, and it was so nice how it gave Frodo a new view of his situation. He needed the reassurance, and I think it brought him some peace as well.
Sam's father had probably often no easy time to explain to little Frodo what he was doing - Frodo was not the type of child which was content with a short, simple answer. He wanted to know every little detail and a lot of 'why', which is not always easy to explain.

Author Reply: Nor do I think Frodo's "why" would be pointless just to keep attention fixed as is true with that of many children I know. I suspect his why would be heartfelt.

And Frodo did need some reassurance that he was making the right choice. It would have been difficult for him without having a more positive image to take with him as he made his choice, I think.

Thanks so much for your response.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/14/2005
I enjoyed this very much, Larner. I was different than I thought it was going to be, but I like the idea of being transplanted. It touched me becuase of some personal things I'm dealing with. Nicely done!

Author Reply: Glad it moves you so personally, then. And hope your own transplanting, however it might affect you, ends up positive.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/14/2005
This is such a thoughtful story, wistful and sad but with a great hope for the future. How like Sam not to throw away the bulbs but share them with the rest of the Shire. What a wonderful way to look at Frodo's departure too - a transplanting.

Beautiful, Larner.

Author Reply: For Sam this would be a natural response--when one finds too much, share rather than dump. And Frodo needs a positive context in which to put his decision.

Thanks so much for responding.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/14/2005
I'm glad that you have found a place to share with us the bits that don't fit - In a way I hope there are lots to come but on the other hand you need the bits to fit to make your wonderfully crafted longer stories!
This is lovely in it's own right and the metaphors of thinning and transplanting just perfect for Frodo. Not everyone can bloom where they grow but thinning is hard to do without damage to both those left behind and those being moved. In his depression I think Frodo may be understimating the pain his leaving will cause for all. But it has to happen for all to thrive and grow.

Author Reply: I think there would have continued to be emotional and spiritual growth in Sam's family even had Frodo stayed, but I doubt he'd have been able to grow where he was planted. I know I've gone from the idea that Frodo's physical as well as his spiritual and emotional health were impaired by his experiences, and here I'm working from the reality of the experiences of many who've survived severe trauma such as Holocaust survivors. But, even had his physical health remained stable, still Frodo himself was most likely withering away spiritually due his inability to openly deal with his experiences, he reluctance to share them, the inability of the others to realize they needed for him to be shared for him to turn the corner and grow himself.

He needed the transplantation more than Sam and his family needed thinning, I think.

Thanks for the response.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/13/2005
Oh Larner...This was lovely. I can so see Frodo as one of those precocious children who is forever asking questions. Really liked how you had the Gaffer explain to Frodo what he was doing and why. I can also easily see Frodo grieving for the beauty that wasn't allowed to come forth. Also liked how Sam told Frodo he had transplanted all those bulbs he had thinned that morning and why. It gave Frodo some badly needed peace and in turn, brightened Sam's day as well.

All around a wonderful read. Thanks for sharing it!!

Author Reply: Yes, Frodo was undoubtedly precocious and caring from the start, I think. So glad you appreciate the imagery and heart of the story so. Thanks so much for respondig to it.

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