Today I've mostly bin...

[Scurra]

No, there aren't. It's been a traditional point of contention that Tolkien didn't include many female characters - but he's hardly the worst culprit! Peter Jackson triggered off something of a row when he* introduced a female Elf into the Hobbit movies (and increased the role of Galadriel) for exactly that reason.
Although to be fair, it's entirely possible that some of the dwarves are, in fact, female...

*well, he and his co-writers who are, of course, both women!

[Bunnylump]

Female dwarfs? Didn't they all have beards?

I might have to work on that for a while...

[Scurra]

Terry Pratchett had fun with that idea (female dwarves with beards.) But false beards are more fun anyway.

[Bunnylump]

Is this a confession? Is your beardage actually nylon?

Anyway, isn't it about time you shaved it off? After all, beards are horribly trendy right now...

[Scurra]

I'm just waiting until they stop being trendy again.
Apparently, we've passed "peak beard" already.

[Bunnylump]

I must say I did laugh at what one of the young teachers at school posted on Facebook earlier...

Best Beard Comment by a Pupil of the day: "you should be on a boat catching whales"

[Bunnylump]

Not actually what I've been doing today, but just saw this amazing murmuration photo on the Guardian site and thought I'd share it.

[LAT]

That is really beautiful.

Re your previous post, I thought at first it was a comment by the Pupil of the day and was thinking what a nice idea to make someone 'Pupil of the day' each day. Then I realised it was more likely to be a Comment of the day by a pupil.

[Bunnylump]

We have just started a programme of awarding commendations for kindness to others at school. I like that one - it means that they're all holding the door open and offering to carry things for me!

[LAT]

...Packing!
Off to the airport shortly.
See you all in a week or so.

[giraffe]

Ooh where are you off to? Is this the China trip?

[Bunnylump]

My friends John and Carole can answer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGz7VVXBoD0

[giraffe]

We had the call we have been expecting all week this morning, to say my mother in law has died.

[Bunnylump]

So sorry to hear that Giraffe, but in one way, at least the horrible waiting is over with and she is now at peace. Do send my condolences to all the family.

[LAT]

And from me too. As bunny says, at least the waiting is over now and she is at peace but that doesn't make the sadness any less.
Love to you all.

[chazzie]

So sorry to hear your news Giraffe......thinking if you all

[Bunnylump]

Feeling insignificant...
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=738726312840195

N.B. I wouldn't usually share Facebook postings of videos, but this one was something else!

[giraffe]

......in London for a couple of days with Lally and my husband. Very good party on Friday night, although I seem to have reached the age where the music is too loud at these things. The cast from Thriller came and did some of their songs from the show as the main entertainment. Lally and I went to the tower of London on Friday and saw most of the poppies and then had a nice stroll along the Thames taking photographs of reflections in puddles for her gcse art. Yesterday we went to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the theatre.

[Bunnylump]

Wow,sounds like an action packed weekend, Giraffe! I've been making a quilt! Never done one before, so quite pleased with myself, especially as I made it up as I went along...

[Laura]

Very nice! How many hours went into it?