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Trials and Tribulation by Larner	34 Review(s)
Eirinn Leigh	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 7/21/2015
As someone considered a bit 'off kilter' by most I meet, and who is trying to find where I might fit as a square peg in a mostly round world I greatly appreciate Tribulation and her story. Let her know I would dearly love to hear more from her? After all, the 'tame hobbits' are never the most interesting! Author Reply: I am sorry it's taken so long to respond to this comment. Have been fighting diabetes getting worse and frustrations on several sides, and a shoulder that decided to get so sore on me I could barely write for weeks. I've worked with disabled individuals as a teacher and now as a caregiver since I was a teenager, and so many develomentally delayed individuals are yet gifted in strange ways. Also, being perceived as a gifted individual who was yet way to amall and socially immature, I too well understand feeling like a square peg in a mostly round world. And hopefully she will show up again! She does appear at least twice in my Moments in Time collection. Thank you so much for your comments! I so appreciate them!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/29/2008
Ah, no! Sorry... I was going to say: And on another note, I don't know the correct way to say this, but now that I know some of the facts, I'm impressed with the way you take something like Down's out of our own current world, and transplant it right into the Shire, and while there are undoubtedly Hobbits with tendencies toward bullying and meanness just as there are men, the sad trail of petty (and definitely not so petty) nastiness that seems to have followed it through our own history falls away. I love that. You make it look soooo easy, too...But that's probably my own perception, as of now very biased, I'll admit, by a truly nerve-racking character-development experience. I didn't find it amusing the first time, but now I find myself laughing at the Broadloam males' "cleverness." Maybe it's not funny, but it has to be admitted they're experts. grins And I love the way you describe the clock in the beginning! Brilliant. You have me hearing my grandparents' grumpy old clock they used to keep wound. God bless, Galadriel P.S. Where is that other Tribbals story--I can't remember the title, but it had something to do with her trying to make/do something exactly as Frodo had. I want to say it had to do with hearts, but I have a feeling that was in a review or a reply... Author Reply: Thanks for the note, my Lady. I have one client who has Down syndrome who owns her own house, and another who is very self-sufficient in almost everything. Both are true kicks to be around. I've had students with the condition, also, of course, ranging from the profoundly retarded to the very, very capable. Some characters appear to come to us fully formed, and some develop over time, I've found; and a couple I'd thought would be very nice have turned out right nasty, such as Vorondil in "The King's Commission." Often in smaller communities disabled folks have a better chance to prove themselves, as eventually something will happen to show of their more important abilities and suddenly they can become important. However, they can also fade into insignificance, it seems. If it became known that Tribbal Broadloam could bake cookies, I'd think that she would in time come to be seen as an important part of the community; and Frodo knew well how difficult to be one of those who is different, and how it takes someone to be an exemplar of acceptance to get others to accept that individual. So, he has her father show how he treasures her, will feed her imagination, and will protect her openly before the children in the community. And that clock is based on one my mom inherited from her stepfather. My stepdad, the one who studied to become a concert pianist before turning instead to airplane engineering, would literally cringe every time he heard it strike. I'm so glad it strikes a note of recognition in others as well.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/29/2008
Just skimming a little tonight. I've wanted to reread this for a while, but thought to wait till summer; but I've finally followed through on my intention of reading a bit about what "moon-touched" really is, and I just had to come back and visit Tribbals tonight, couldn't wait till summer. I know I've said it before, but I have to again: she is sooooooo cuuuuute as a little girl! Oh! Who wouldn't "feel better?" And on another note, I don't know the correct way to say this, but now that I know some of the facts, I'm impressed with the way you take something like Down's out of our own current world, and transplant it right into the Shire, and while there are undoubtedly Hobbits with tendencies toward bullying and meanness just as there are men, the sad trail of petty nastiness

Lúmë	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/25/2006
Wonderful to see how the Broadloams made the best of what Frodo gave them. In my experience that happens very rarely. But then, I live in Africa where the wealthy West pours money into upliftment projects just to see it vanish with no results whatsoever. I guess I'm a bit cynical about it :-) Anyway, another beautiful story of redemption and growth and sacrifice. I should have read it much sooner! Author Reply: I know. As a special ed teacher, I've seen some families given everything on earth only to squander all their chances away until they lose their children; I like to think that with Quince's influence this time some good sticks and they find a level of respectability in their own eyes as well as in the eyes of Whitfurrow. So glad you did read it at last.

Lúmë	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/25/2006
The Broadloams seem to be related to the Dragonlance Kender (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kender) :-) I could just imagine Tasslehoff Burrfoot going through a smial :-) This is a practical application of the "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" philosophy (Lao Tzu). Although I suppose giving them chickens and pigs will only work if they have some sense of responsibility still. Nicely written and engaging as usual :-) Author Reply: I've read only one Dragonlance book, and that was LONG ago. Never met the Kender. But have seen pickpockets ply their skills, and it's fascinating. But this story was there in my heart for quite a while before I finally began writing it out, and then Tribbals wanted a brief introduction elsewhere before she'd let me finish this one. So glad you appreciated the thought--teaching responsibility does take time, but it seems to me Frodo would do his best to bring out the best in all he had to deal with.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/5/2006
I enjoyed this story very much. I, too, have seen families like this and it was nice to see someone take an interest in them and help them out, although it doesn't always work and in our world we tend to either look the other way and hope they'll go way or throw money at them instead of trying to teach them a different way. Tribbals was a very real character that grabbed me by the heart... well done! :) Author Reply: Am so very glad you recognized the reality of such families and such children as Tribbals. Instead of throwing money at them, such families need serious intervention. And I think such a child as Tribbals would speak to Frodo's compassion and caring. Am so very glad Tribbals has found her way into so many hearts. She's been teasing me for months!

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 9/3/2006
Now I wonder why I never got this update. You say "...I find my profession creeps constantly into my writing." That's a very good thing! I noticed it from the time I read "Choice of Healing" and it still impresses me. You've made Ruvemir, Tribbals, Ferdi, and Ririon particularly the kinds of people one doesn't forget. And it's needed, it really is. It's hard to understand something you haven't experienced, and sometimes even harder to know how to react, and to me, stories like yours help. I met some people this summer who had some very...uh, shall we say, interesting and sometimes laughable reactions to seeing a whole bunch of blind people doing ordinary things (or sometimes just one or two of us, that is the CCB summer group) It was mostly all funny (at least to me), but some of the really silly stuff got annoying after a while, like the bus driver who was always, always, always afraid to drive on when some of us had to stand on the bus. But then I'd find myself remembering the girl who used to live down the street from me. She had a mental disability of some kind. I saw her on occasion and talked to her, but I used to get so nervous because I couldn't understand more than half of what she said, and I didn't know what to do. So if we can learn and teach through fanfiction, I say go for it! :) "I suspect she might appear now and then, but she’s already let me know that if she does it will only be because she wishes to be included. She’s let me know she’s not a tame Hobbit. (Apologies to C.S. Lewis.)" chuckles Well, well. Even if Miss Tribbals does know exactly what she wants, she should know that she's famous now and she's won a good many hearts in a short time. grin God bless, Galadriel :) Author Reply: The one disability that truly makes me uncomfortable is spastic cerebral palsy, a most horrible thing to confess, I find--although it does so far less now than it did when I was young and foolish. Trying to understand how those who are different from ourselves experience the world isn't easy, but is certainly necessary. And dealing with those insensitive enough to differences and the need for accommodation and acceptance can be horrible. I do try to educate, but sometimes it's as if the words my students, friends, and I utter just fly right over heads or in one ear and out the other with no stops between. I'm certain you understand, my Lady. If this short story helps even one individual to realize that no matter what disabilities another person may have that person also has gifts to offer, whether it's Greencap's stories or Frodo's compassion or Ferdi's perceptiveness or Ruvemir's artistic abilities or Tribbal's appreciation of love, then it's done its job, and I'll be content. And, thanks, my Lady.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 9/2/2006
Do I need to tell you how much I appreciate the way how you include persons with disabilities in your stories? They are the richer for it, and it is good there is someone who is able to include them in a believable way. It is always obvious you know about what you talk. Well, Ruvemir is already one of my favourite OCs ever, and I'd like to read more of Tribbals here and there. Author Reply: I am so glad you appreciate seeing disabled folk in my stories, for they're certainly a good part of my life, of course. Disabilities are a part of life, and whether the individual is born with disabilities or comes by them via disease or accident or war, they need to be dealt with constructively. Frodo recognized how damaged he'd been by his experiences; that he'd try to help others live fulfilled lives in spite of their perceived limitations just seems logical and right for him. Thanks so much for the feedback. (And I, too, love Ruvemir.)

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 9/2/2006
For some reason this hasn't come up on my author alerts Larner. I am always glad to read your author notes as they help to make the stories come alive even more. Please thank Tribbals for allowing this part of her story to be told and assure her that we would love to see more of her from time to time. Please make sure that she knows she is invited to my birthday tea in early October - I will bake the cookies especially carefully in her honour. Author Reply: I will pass on the word to her, and see what she'll agree to do. And I do hope the cookies are shortbread! Love to your folks and Jet--and your students.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/2/2006
I was impressed about the way how Frodo supported the Broadloams silently and helped them to find a honest way to earn their living. He did a great job in this. And Tribbals turned out to be doing surprisingly well, considering her condition. I was very touched by this chapter. She responded so obviously well to the love she saw from Frodo and others and thrived in the care for the animals and her bakery. Quince did very well in teaching her. Author Reply: I've always seen Frodo and Bilbo as quietly helping others along the way, and leaving this as a legacy to Sam. I wrote the description of the process out at length in "For Eyes to See as Can" and "The King's Commission," how in my idea of the Shire Hobbits employ bankers of discretion to assist in setting up business arrangements in which the silent partner may be anonymous but can offer an honorable means for folks to set up small business enterprises and take a small share of the profits in return. I've seen some such individuals do so wonderfully in their lives, and so I could imagine Tribbals amazing the Shire with her own brand of sensitivity. That she'd expect Sam to adopt her great nephew just seemed natural to me, and when he pointed out he was too old to do so, she'd settle for one of his grandchildren, as long as the ones doing the fostering were tied through Sam to Frodo. And those individuals with such disabilities who do best usually do have very involved parents to help them along the way. Quince is also a tribute to many of those I've honored for what they've given their children.

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