Live from Middle Earth

We've been watching this new series that's been on lately, one broadcast live from Middle Earth.  Okay, so that might not be true - it's a prequel to the prequels of "The Lord of the Rings," or if you want to get all technical, a series that takes place during the Second Age of Middle Earth.  The locations are generally the same, or at least look the same, but all the characters are not around yet, or at least many of them aren't.  There are notable exceptions, various elf characters that are in fact here, and do appear later on in the trilogies.  These sort of serve to ground things somewhat to the movies, as does the overall story, which is presumably about the rings of power.  I gather this because the show itself is entitled "Rings of Power."  That's a pretty good hint right there.  Anyway, we've all sat down to watch the first two of these episodes, and I had the bar set really low on this one, fairly unsure of what to expect.  But, all that said, we're actually enjoying it and anxious to watch the next episode shortly.  This very well may set us on the course for a new marathon of movies... eventually.  These are, of course, a really big investment in time!

Maddie had taekwondo tonight, and of course we got to watch her in leadership class, as well as her black belt class.  Also there was a couple of leaders from an ATA location in Augusta, who we spent pretty much the entire session talking with.  They have an inspirational student named Izzy, who Marvel chose to do a special about.  We streamed that when we got home, and it was a rally great video, and of course we got to see the guy we were talking to tonight on our television too.

It was a quiet day today.  I got the skit done for Maddie and the KidPak gang this weekend, and it should be fun.  We're continuing our theme of "The Path of the Warrior."  There was a fairly large funeral today at the church, one for a beloved staff member and friend.  It was cancer, again.  Each time this happens, it is awful.  It's a reminder of a season of our lives too, of course, and a reminder that Mom is still with us, and that God's grace intervened for us to have her.  I have no answers to anyone as to why this person and why not others, as at this point the most righteous of prayers don't go answered the way we wish.  We won't know the answers, sometimes, and we can't lean on our own understanding.  This is all related to an anniversary too, one we're aware of in this house from two years ago, one we dare not bring up to Nana.  Of course, she reminds us throughout the day all day long anyway.  But a reminder from us would be especially potent, so we'll refrain from bringing up the topic.  Nevertheless, its' there, and Mom of course quite sad about that.  

We said our prayers tonight, and we read too.  It was a quiet day, but we've got a full day planned tomorrow!