So, back to Rabbit 1.

[05.015] xx and when he said gollum xx he made a horrible swallowing noise xx in his throat. xx That is how he got his name,

Is that how he got his name from Bilbo?? Or was that something that the goblins called him? And in the latter case, then how could Balin say:

[08.127] xx ‘Gollum! Well I’m blest! 

Hmmm. I think that it must be Bilbo who created the name when he told the story of his escape from Chapter Five.

[06.019] They were particularly interested xx in the riddle-competition, xx and shuddered most appreciatively at his description of Gollum. xx

[06.023] xx The dwarves looked at him xx with quite a new respect, xx when he talked about dodging guards, xx jumping over Gollum,

[08.125] xx But very soon they began to ask questions. xx They had to have the whole vanishing business carefully explained, xx and the finding of the ring interested them so much xx that for a while they forgot their own troubles. xx Balin in particular xx insisted on having the Gollum story, xx riddles and all, xx told all over again, xx with the ring xx in its proper place.

[08.126] xx All except Balin. xx Long after the others had stopped talking xx and shut their eyes, xx he kept on muttering xx and chuckling to himself. xx

[08.127] xx ‘Gollum! Well I’m blest! xx So that’s how he sneaked past me, xx is it? xx Now I know! xx Just crept quietly along did you, xx Mr. Baggins? xx

[05.019] xx ‘I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins. xx I have lost the dwarves xx and I have lost the wizard, xx and I don’t know where I am; xx and I don’t want to know, xx if only I can get away.’xx

But Gollum never introduces himself, of course.

Some lovely colleagues are helping me work through this one. Here’s the beginning of a small puzzle:

[05.015] xx ‘Bless us xx and splash us, my precioussss! xx I guess it’s a choice feast; xx at least a tasty morsel it’d make us, gollum!’ xx and when he said gollum xx he made a horrible swallowing noise xx in his throat. xx That is how he got his name, xx though he always called himself ‘my precious’.xx

Friends, I’m excited to have found this article by Anders Stenström, which I’ve tried to put my hands on for about five years, relevant to the paragraph numbering system!

Friends, I have re-read as best I can. I (and the computer) can’t find “lied”, and every case of “lie” and “lies” appears as a case of the verb about reposing. Of course, there are letter clusters as in “supplies”, as well.

So I leave you this morning with the words of my Nana: “There is a lie in Belief”

Just thought you’d be interested in my progress. I have a suspicion that the word “lie” as in “prevaricate” does not appear either! More proof needed.

Friends, to my surprise there are fewer than 200 instances of lie, lies, lying, lain, lied, lay, lays, laying, or laid. I’ve corralled them all, and I feel that I must go with much deliberation through the list. I like knowing that you’re on this journey with me. If I have missed a Modern English form of any of the three words under consideration (“lie” as in down, “lay”, and “lie” as in prevaricate), please do remind me.

Friends, I’m delighted to announce that the meditation manual is available which accompanies the days from Imbolc (tonight or tomorrow or next week, depending on your calendar; or in August, depending on your hemisphere) to Ostara (the spring equinox).

This time of the year is difficult for me, and I imagine it is for many. Will you join me on our meditations and walks and imaginings? Our Morning Meanders are available through Kindle.

Word Fans, you know how much I want to sort these words! Some of you also know how I need to honor the darkest days with rest (and fish and berries and a cave). I’m going to not push myself to do lie/lay/lie until I have the time to make it a pleasure – resting for the holy days of darkness.

Until seeing,
Sparrow