Various ramblings by the small hobbit

The Education Meme (Part 3)

2026-02-19T13:01:37Z

Final part of the meme originally posted by used_songs [TS = The Son, TD = The Daughter, MH = MiniHobbit aka Granddaughter]

For the most part, you were able to study and complete assignments without any struggle.
Me: Yes, I don't remember any major difficulties
TS/TD: As far as we could tell TS was doing okay, the school didn't tell us of any problems. He didn't do as well at his GCSEs (age 16 exams) as he and we'd hoped, but he probably wasn't working as hard as he should and there is only so much one can do with a teenager. After a few months he was struggling with his post-16 education, so we agreed he could leave and start work. TD did the essential work as quickly as possible since she was keen to be out and about in the evenings - she was very involved in guiding/scouting. She sailed through her post-16 college because she was academically more able than many of those there, but at the same time the teaching staff pushed her to achieve more than she would have done.
MH: As far as I am aware she is - she's only 9 so there's a way to go.

Test-taking came easily to you.
Me: Yes, in the majority of subjects
TS/TD: Both coped but neither is naturally academic.
MH: I don't think there's a problem

You read at grade level or above.
Me: Definitely
TS/TD: TS could read well and enjoyed reading - apart from Jane Austen at age 15 (no, teacher she is not wonderful for a teenage boy). TD refused to read and at one point I was starting to get concerned, until she received a bank statement and discovered that she'd been taxed on her tiny bit of interest. It turned out she could read perfectly well if she needed to.
MH: Currently about two years ahead of her actual age.

Your mathematics skills were at grade level or above.
Me: Yes. I have a maths degree
TS/TD: Both were quite competent
MH: Yes

Adults responsible for your care supported your academic journey for the better and for the worse.
Me: Yes, I passed the 11+ (I am that old), so got to grammar school Both my parents were pleased and supported me in all I did.
TS/TD: We did our best for TS and when he wanted to do his post-16 education at school we agreed, although it might not have been the best solution for him. That was where his friends were and he was reluctant to go elsewhere. Since then he's gone on to gain a lot of practical experience, including relevant qualifications. He was far happier than if we'd pushed him to finish his post-16 education and go to university, so yes, we did support him. We encouraged TD to go to a practical college, which was what she wanted, and then we supported her as she looked at her future career, went to university to study nursing and got her degree. Then ten years later she changed to train as a paramedic, so had to do a second degree, which she passed with first class honours. We cheered her on and went to her graduation.
MH: Yes. It will be interesting to see where she ends up.

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The Education Meme (Part 2)

2026-02-18T14:12:21Z

Continuing with the meme originally posted by used_songs [TS = The Son, TD = The Daughter, MH = MiniHobbit aka Granddaughter]

You typically attended school adequately clothed and fed.
Me: Yes Like many there were hand-knits and second hand items, but in those days it didn't stand out.
TS/TD: Yes. Again coats etc were sometimes second hand, especially school blazers since we couldn't afford new ones, but neither was bothered because they didn't stand out as 'new'
MH: Yes.

Adults responsible for your care were able to help you make decisions when it came time to pursue higher education.
Me: No. Neither of my parents had pursued higher education. My father left school at almost 14 in 1938, and my mother left school at 16 in 1946. They supported me in my wish to go to university, but where and to study what was left up to me.
TS/TD: Yes, although TS left school at 17 without staying on for his qualifications. We understood his reasons and supported his decision, simply saying he had to get a job if he left - which he did. We'd supported TD to take her 16-18 education at a college offering practical subjects, rather than staying on at school, and then we supported her when she chose nursing as a career and therefore had to obtain a degree. So we were able to help with decisions even if there was limited or no wish to pursue higher education.
MH: Will get support. Her mother has a degree - she's also a nurse, and TS will always support her in pursuing her goals.

If you were disabled and/or neurodivergent, you were classified by your school and received support through the education system.
Me: It wasn't considered when I was at school
TS/TD: Neither were, although TD may have neurodivergent traits.
MH: Isn't, but would receive support

You generally felt physically and emotionally safe at school.
Me: I assume so. I don't remember any major problems
TS/TD: TS was picked on when he started secondary school because at that time he was small. However, he also regularly rode a pony so he was both fit and strong, which he demonstrated and was then left alone. TD was bullied in her village primary school, so we ended up moving her to another school. She had few friends in secondary school but got on well with those she met at scouts.
MH: She does now. There was one occasion when she was bullied by a child in her class who had definite additional needs, but the school rapidly stepped in.

You were in relatively good physical and mental health.
Me: Yes
TS/TD: TS was although went through typical teenage boy angst, so producing melancholy music through the kitchen ceiling, but all part of growing up and nothing serious. TD broke her arm age 8, spent 3.5 weeks in hospital on traction and then took a while to regain her fitness. She's very much her own person, so doesn't necessarily fit in, which did cause problems, but she was find outside the basic academic setting.

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The Education Meme (Part 1)

2026-02-17T17:25:37Z

used_songs posted this meme, and I thought it would be interesting to have a go. Because I've decided to answer for myself (Me), our two adult kids (TS/TD) and my granddaughter, aka Mini Hobbit (MH), I'm splitting it into three parts over the next few days.

Adults responsible for your care actively helped facilitate your early learning. (Reading at bedtime, playing educational games, going to child-friendly museums...)
Me: Yes - I was read to, played card games etc, and was taken places although child-friendly hadn't really been invented then. I do remember one gallery in the Science Museum in London with knobs to push and twist which was very exciting.
TS/TD: We always read to the kids, and they had educational games to play, which we played, and we went to various places, including seeing the mammoth in the National Museum Cardiff.
MH: Her parents have always read to her, played games and they go places like St Fagans National Museum of History

You had a library card.
Me: Yes. My mother would take me to the library in the town and once they built a new branch literally down the road from us and I was a bit older I took myself.
TS/TD: Yes. We either visited the mobile library which came to the village or we drove up to the nearby branch.
MH: Yes. TS takes her to their local library.

Adults in your life involved you in tasks that involved mathematical skills.
Me: No idea, but probably. Both my parents were accounts clerks so were used to working with numbers. I doubt they specifically considered that we did things involving mathematical skills, more that these things came naturally.
TS/TD: Again both husband and I worked with figures, so we tended to use them automatically rather than specifically.
MH: I don't know. But she's doing fine with numbers at school so I presume she does.

If you started falling behind in school, you received help from a private tutor.
Me: I didn't, and if I had that wouldn't have been possible.
TS/TD: It turned out that both were better at practical skills than purely academic ones. So we encouraged them in those areas. Their basic skills were fine so we never felt the need to push, which since both were very determined, wouldn't have worked anyway. When I saw a teacher to discuss TD's post-16 prospects he asked me what grades she needed to get for her GCSEs. I told him and he said, 'and that's what she'll get'.
MH: As far as I'm aware she isn't. The school have provided extra support for her handwriting. (When TD had poor handwriting I resorted to bribery to get her to practise, which worked.)

You went to a well-funded school.
Me: I had standard state funded primary school, so have no idea. I do remember they had a rebuilding project at my first infant school (in north London). They knocked down one wall and we all had to stand on the other side of the playground - it was a while ago. Secondary was well-funded.
TS/TD: Yes. Their secondary school was well-funded and popular, which no doubt helped.
MH: Yes. She's due to go to the same secondary school as TS.

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AO3 works tags meme

2025-11-09T14:19:35Z

Copied from greerwatson

From your AO3 Works page, look at the tags and find the answers to these questions. I'm Small_Hobbit on AO3.

1. Under what rating do you write most?

G - 1085 (73%)

T - 398 (27%)
M- 5

2. What are your top 3 fandoms?
Sherlock Holmes (ACD) 385 (26%)
Sherlock (BBC) 281 (19%)

Spooks (MI5) 275 (18%)

3. Which character do you write about most?

John Watson (ACD) 319
Sherlock Holmes (ACD) 299
Lucas North 271

4. What are the 3 top pairings you've written?
Adam Carter/Lucas North 144
Sherlock Holmes/John Watson (ACD) 87

Sherlock Holmes/Stanley Hopkins (BBC) 42

5. What are the top 3 additional tags?
Alternate Universe 44
Alternate Universe - Werewolf 42 (Werewolf!Lucas series)
Retirement 35 (Sussex retirement series)

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A03 meme

2025-03-27T14:41:14Z

Everyone seems to be doing this, so I thought I'd join in. Copied from brumeier who got the code from china_shop

1. Most Hits:
The Salutation which is a Lewis/BBC Robin Hood crossover and the position makes no sense

2. Second Most Kudos:
Gandalf's Small Mistake which is a Hobbit fic and shows the effect of a popular pairing/trope in a popular fandom. 6 of my top 8 kudoes fics are Hobbit. It also proves that being changed into bunnies is popular

3. Third Most Comments:
A Production Diary ACD Sherlock Holmes, written for watsons_woes July writing prompts and therefore with one entry per day for 31 days. It ties with The Casebook of Dr J H Watson which was similarly written

4. Fourth Most Bookmarks:
Broken Dreams BBC Sherlock Sherlock/Greg and one of my own favourites

5. Fifth Most Words:
Midsomer Mars Life on Mars/Midsomer Murders crossover. Written for a Life on Mars BigBang which had 12,500 word minimum - I managed 12,501 by introducing a purple gonk. This was one of my first AO3 entries

6. Fic With Second Fewest Words (That's Not a Drabble):
I've also ignored poetry. That's Not Our Consulting Detective Sherlock Holmes (ACD) the latest in the popular line of toddler books

7. Seventh Most Common Relationship:
James Hathaway/Robert Lewis (Lewis TV)

8. Eighth Drabble Posted:
Keep on Running Spooks (MI5) Lucas North my first entry for fan_flashworks

9. Ninth Most Common Character:
Ros Myers from Spooks (MI5)

10. Tenth Mature and/or Explicit Fic:
Irrelevant, I haven't written that many!

11. Eleventh Most Recent Completed Fic:
At the Cocktail Party Spooks (MI5) featuring werewolf!Lucas

12. Twelfth Most Recent Story in Your Sixth Most Common Tag:
The Photographs in the Attic Sally Donovan (BBC Sherlock)/Sherlock Holmes (ACD) characters as ghost

13. Favorite Title That Isn't from a Poem or Song or Shakespeare or The West Wing:
War Casts A Long Shadow Spooks(MI5) 1920s AU

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Letter meme

2025-02-14T17:19:25Z

alexcat gave me the letter T:

Something I hate: Tedious people, who go on at length and act as if they are the only ones who matter.

Something I love: Tigers - my favourite animal

Somewhere I have been: Tewkesbury, several times as its just north of us. It has an interesting abbey.

Somewhere I would like to go: Tarragona or Toledo in Spain

Someone I know: I have a nephew called Tom

Best Movie: The Third Man

If you want to play, ask for a letter and I'll give you one!

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AO3 tag game

2024-07-03T10:47:45Z

I got this from meridian_rose who got it from kitarella_imagines

1. What rating do you write most fics under?
General Audiences 970 of 1,361 works

2. What are your top 3 fandoms?
Sherlock Holmes (ACD): 355; Sherlock (BBC) 265; Spooks (MI5) 245

3. What is your top (3) character(s) you write about?
John Watson (ACD) (294); Sherlock Holmes (ACD) (280); Lucas North (242)

4. What are the 3 top pairings?
Adam Carter/Lucas North (131); Sherlock Holmes/John Watson (ACD) (79); Sherlock Holmes/Stanley Hopkins (BBC) (42)

5. What are the top 3 additional tags?
Alternative Universe (34); Alternative Universe - Werewolf (33); Christmas (31)

6. Did any of this surprise you? e.g. what turned out to be your top tag.
Not particularly. Given that I write a lot of case fic and crack, both of which tend to be G rating I'm not surprised two-thirds of what I write is at that level. Regarding pairings, a lot of my ACD Holmes stories Holmes and Watson may be in a relationship, but it's irrelevant to the particular content. The only surprise is the additional tags, but since I don't often use them except to specify AUs or for werewolf!Lucas it's not really surprising.

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Return of the Five Questions Meme

2022-11-23T19:16:08Z

Questions from annofowlshire

1. Where in the UK have you not been that you would really like to visit?
Shrewsbury, Chester and the area around North Wales is one area I've not managed to visit. I'd also like to see more of Scotland.

2. What is the crafting project you're most proud of?
Probably the Klimt garden cross stitch, which took about 20 months to complete

and Mini Hobbit's unicorn cardi:

3. What has been your enduring fandom? Why?
Sherlock Holmes (ACD). I began in BBC Sherlock, and from there read/re-read all the original Holmes stories. I found there are so many possibilities and can either remain in Baker Street or retire to Sussex. Plus it's the setting for the Ferret and the rest of the gang, which allows me to entertain myself in all sorts of ways. I've also made some great friends through the fandom.

4. Which play that you've seen performed has had the most impact on you? Why?
I'm not sure there is anything which stands out. Plays have meant something at the time but looking back I wouldn't say there was anything in particular. For me, it would be old style musicals, Top Hat, An American in Paris, 42nd Street, Singing in the Rain and White Christmas, all the feel good favourites, which do just that. Plus Sir Matthew Bourne's productions, with their combination of story, dance and music.

5. What led you to help out with Brownies?
I began with Guides, when the Daughter's guide unit needed helpers and I volunteered. I became a guider and then took over the unit at a later stage. A change of job meant I could no longer run the unit, which had to close as no other volunteers came forward. I took a short break, but then joined the local Brownie unit as an assistant, which was much less time consuming. When we moved to Gloucester I wanted to continue, because I enjoyed the activities with the girls, and was put in touch with the unit in Kingsway. I was there for 11 years, before retiring in the summer. I thought I might miss volunteering with the Brownies, but I'm now co-leading a family based group at the church one afternoon a week, so I still have involvement but in a different way.

Perpetuate the meme: I'll leave five questions for the first five who leave a comment asking!

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Five Happy Things

2022-08-07T19:33:35Z

therealsnape posted about five things which make her happy, so I'm pinching the idea.

1. Progress is being made on mini Hobbit's cardigan - I have finished the mermaid on the right front, which means the rest of the front is straightforward (so long as I remember to do the shaping) so I can ease up for a while, if I want to concentrate on other things.

2. Similarly I've prepared all the cross stitch cards I need to do for the rest of this year, and can start work on those for early next year. And because of that, and since it's been a quiet weekend I've made good progress on the cross stitch for my mother and should have that ready for when I see her on Thursday.

3. I'm due to meet a good friend at the end of this month - we haven't seen each other since pre-covid. Also, the same week I'm hoping to meet someone from the Shedunnit book club who will be in Gloucester.

4. SM made blackberry jam yesterday, which is delicious. That was the end of last year's blackberries, just in time to pick this year's crop.

5. I now have five New Adventures posters on the bedroom wall. This isn't specific to today/this week, but I can see them every day and they always make me smile.

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The Backstory Meme

2022-04-09T10:18:12Z

Taken from ride_4ever

1. First name: I am the Small Hobbit, which is all you need to know
2. Age: Retired, slightly early but that gives you some idea
3. Location: Gloucestershire - my local places tag will give you some idea
4. Occupation: See answer to 2 above
5. Significant other: Currently making a cup of tea
6. Kids: The Son, the Daughter, plus Mini Hobbit. Also Son's wife and Mini Hobbit's mummy (we communicate regularly and far more efficiently than via the Son)
7. Siblings: No
8. Pets: Have had cats in the past, plus the obligatory fish, gerbils and hamsters
9. List the 3 biggest things going on in your life: Gloucestershire Bundles (I'm speaking at a local concert tonight where the retiring collection will be for us); family (we're actually seeing them all of them over the Easter break); everything else
10. Where and for what did you go to school: Mostly in Basingstoke - education was compulsory
11. Parents: I did indeed have them
12. Who are some of your closest friends: While I am friendly with people I meet, my actual friends all live at a greater distance

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2021 Fandom In Review

2021-12-19T15:06:05Z

A couple of my flist have done this (sixbeforelunch and kingstoken ) so I thought I'd have a go.

1. Your main fandom this year?
It has to be ACD Sherlock Holmes, yet again

2. Your favorite film watched this year?
Since I don't watch films particularly, I'm going for the three musicals/dance performances I've seen live this year: Singing in the Rain; The Midnight Bell (Sir Matthew Bourne) and White Christmas

3. Your favorite book read this year?
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain. Albert, a postman about to retire, has spent his whole life not admitting that his gay. He finally comes out and sets out the boyfriend he had as a teenager. Highly recommended.

4. Your favorite TV show of the year?
Call the Midwife

5. Your best new fandom discovery of the year?
The Midnight Bell. I may well be in a fandom of one, but there are so many possibilities with the characters.

6. Your biggest fandom disappointment?
Lack of theatre

7. Your TV boyfriend of the year?
Lucas North (Spooks - MI5)

8. Your TV girlfriend of the year?
Miss Marple

9. Your biggest squee moment of the year?
Being back watching live theatre

10. The most missed of your old fandoms?
Lewis. The actor who plays Hathaway is such a moron that he's tainted the stories for many.

11. The fandom you haven't tried yet, but want to?
No idea

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Yuletide Meme

2021-12-13T16:26:11Z

A Yuletide Meme swiped from corvidology

1) First year you signed up for Yuletide
2016

2) Last year you signed up for Yuletide (other than this one)
2020

3) Have you signed up this year?
Yes

4) Have you skipped signing up any years since you first took part?
No, but then I have only done five years before this year.

5) How many years have you defaulted by the default deadline?
None

6) How many years have you treated in addition to your assignment?
None - there's too many other things to write at this time of year

7) How many years have you treated but not signed up?
None - see answer to 6

8) How many different canons have you covered in your Yuletide stories?
Five:
Life on Mars (UK)
Whitechapel
Temeraire
The Red House Mystery
Agatha Christie's Poirot

9) What AO3 ratings have you covered in your Yuletide stories?
One T - due to subject matter, Life on Mars had a dead body. The rest are G - no surprise there.

10) What AO3 categories have you covered in your Yuletide stories?
One M/M - Temeraire, the rest are all G, because the plot was the important part.

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30 Questions

2021-10-16T09:43:07Z

Meme copied from adafrog but I've also read in others' blogs (my own take, of course!)

1)👱🏻♂️ Brothers: None
2)👩🏻 Sisters: None
3)👶 children: Two The Son and The Daughter, also one grandchild Mini Hobbit
4)☀️ Tattoos:0
5)💍 Piercings: 0
6)🌴 Been to an island: apart from the one I live on, Isle of Wight, Guernsey, Sark and Herm, Minorca, a couple of small islands off the French coast whose names I have forgotten (it was a long time ago)
7)✈️ Flown on a plane: Yes
8)🚑 Ridden in an ambulance: Yes, with TD when she broke her arm and the ambulance was used to transfer her from A&E to the children's ward - shortest ambulance ride ever. TD is now an ambulance technician so spends many hours every working day riding in ambulances
9)⛸Ice Skating: in my long distant youth
10)🚢Been on a Cruise: no, but expanding this to say Been on Ship/Boat many times
11)🏍Ridden on a Motorcycle: no, but husband and TS have both owned them in the past
12)🐴Ridden on a horse: see answer to no 9
13)🚓Ridden in a police car: No
14)🏥Stayed in a hospital: twice when having the answer to no 3, plus with TD see no 8
15)👀Eye Color: Grey
16)📱Last phone call: TD to say she was talking to me (hands free) as she was driving her new car home
17)☕Coffee: No thank you
18)🥧Favorite pie: apple, cherry, rhubarb, steak, chicken (I don't have them often)
19)🐕favorite dog: cat
20)☀Favorite season: autumn
22)🎅Favorite holiday: autumn, we tend to go away either for our anniversary (as this week) or my birthday. It's a holiday without obligations to do anything for anyone else.
23)👮♂️Ever been handcuffed: by a cop? No
24) 🍓Favorite fruit: raspberry
25)🍺 Favorite color: blue
26)🚜Can you drive a tractor: no, but TS learnt to drive on one
27)🚛Can you drive stick: Of course (and for anyone writing fics in British fandoms, this is a gear lever, dogs are the only ones who drive sticks)
28)🚂Have you traveled by train: Often
29)🍲Favorite food: Cheese and cake
30.)🚁 Have you ridden in a helicopter? No

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First Lines Meme

2021-04-04T13:12:49Z

Various people have tried this, so I thought I'd have a go. List the first lines of your last 20 stories. See if there is any pattern. Choose your favourite opening line.

Shortly after Hopkins had departed, I looked out of the window and groaned. Beresford & Drake (ACD Holmes) [Chap 3, which is where I picked up the WiP.]

"Dolly, are you up to a little walk before dinner?” Miss Marple asked. Miss Marple's News

Adam Carter was driving back towards London, at the conclusion of a job, and discussing the probable fall out with Ros, who was in the passenger seat. Smoke in the Mirror (Spooks)

He stood on the railway station platform. No Going Back (Hobbit AU)

"Hi," Adam Carter said, as Lucas North came in through the front door. A Long Day in a Long Week (Spooks)

People used to ask Audrey why she had stayed friends with Addie, when there were so many easier people to be friends with. We Don't Hold Hands (A Kind of Spark - Elle McNicoll)

“Come on,” Adam said, “it’s a beautiful day, we’re going for a walk!” Snippets of Love (Spooks) [Chap 3 - this is a collection of ficlets, not one complete fic]

“Sheep!” Michael said. For Reasons Thad Don't Need Exploring At This Junction (Staged)

“Get your snout out!” Adam said, tapping the werewolf on the muzzle. Lucas' Birthday Cake (Spooks Werewolf AU)

Trixie Franklin looked critically at the outfits hanging up in Lucille Anderson’s wardrobe. Yellow (Call the Midwife)

When Adam came into the bedroom, he found Lucas curled up in a tight ball. Chocolate Biscuits (Spooks)

“Hudson’s Modelling Agency … Could you repeat that, please? … A little slower … Hudson's Modelling Agency (BBC Sherlock AU)

"Excellent," Claudius said, looking up from the letter he was reading. From Elsinore to Verona (And Back Again) (Hamlet/Romeo & Juliet AU)

"I haven't seen Stanley for a while,” John Watson commented. Adventure in Rotherhithe (BBC Sherlock)

It was a few days after Esme and Inspector Hopkins had been forced to run from some attackers, that at about 11 o’clock in the morning, Esme heard someone knocking at the front door. The House on St James Street (ACD Holmes) [Chap 5, which is where I picked up the WiP]

Tigger was waiting for Rabbit to come home from visiting various of his friends and relations, and wondering what to do, when he noticed the mirror was flashing. Tigger Holmes and the Case of the Shrunken Prince (Winnie-the-Pooh Tigger Holmes 'verse)

"Regency outfits for all three of us, in less than a week,” Aemelia Vole said. Buttons and Bows (ACD Holmes, MMI 'verse)

"Are there any other ideas for stalls we could add to our sale?” Shelagh Turner asked. The Button Stall (Call the Midwife)

Adam Carter lay in his bed and tried to sleep. Snippets from Werewolf Life. (Spooks WerewolfAU) [Chap 14, most recent ficlet/drabble]

Val Dyer collapsed gratefully onto the kitchen chair, a cup of tea in one hand, a chocolate biscuit in the other. Trouble at Baldwin Flats (Call the Midwife)

Half of these begin with some form of dialogue, and of the rest, most launch directly into the story. And 16 introduce one, and sometimes two, of the main protagonists of the story. Which, given that few of them are very long is hardly surprising. Yes, this is what I would have expected.

My favourite line has to be: “Get your snout out!” Adam said, tapping the werewolf on the muzzle.

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Post About Interests - You Can Play Too

2020-12-09T18:48:02Z

From alexcat

1. Comment on this post by saying Rhubarb! in the comments and I'll pick three things from your interests, tags or profile post (include a link if you like).

2. Make a post in your journal (or comment here) and talk about the words/phrases I've picked.

My response to alexcat

Brownies: I've been involved with guiding since the daughter was 11, so 18 years now, first as a Guide leader, and for the past 13 years as a Brownie leader. I think being a Brownie offers the girls an opportunity to try out new things, still in a structured environment, but in a different way from at school. We aim to provide a variety of activities, which caters for the likes of all the girls over the term, while still following the basic guiding programme. Being a Brownie gives the girls a chance to get to work with people they don't see every day at school. For some village packs, most of the girls may go to the same school, but out of our 24 Brownies we have girls from 8 different schools. It also gives them a chance to slowly take on more responsibility from when they join age 7 to when they leave as 10 year olds. Even now, when we are restricted to zoom meetings, we're giving the girls something different to do in the week.

Crafts: I've really got into crafts in the last few years. Now, I'll either knit or cross stitch nearly every day, and sometimes to both, depending on what else I've got on in an evening. I also enjoy occasional card making and other glue based activities. I've even taken out a subscription to a knitting magazine and tried a cross stitch one, although that didn't impress me. When I cut back my work hours one of the things I was looking forward to was more time to do crafts, because I really enjoy the challenge of physically creating something.

Theatre: My favourite activity, and sadly the one I haven't been able to enjoy since early March. I've streamed a couple of specially performed plays, but neither really grabbed me, despite starring Jonathan Slinger in one and Andrew Scott in the other. For me, there is something very special in being in a theatre and watching a performance. Yes, I will be watching both The Red Shoes and Uncle Vanya on the television this Christmas, but what I'm really looking forward to is hopefully next summer sitting in front of a real stage enjoying a live performance.

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Meme Answers (Part 2)

2020-10-18T12:52:58Z

Adam Carter and Tigger Holmes go on a picnic. What food do they take and where do they go and do they have a good time? nagi_schwarz

Clearly they go someone in the Hundred Acre Wood. Adam packs a picnic basket with all the things he likes, plus some things especially for Tigger, like little pink cakes with icing on them. They have an interesting time, as Adam finds it slightly strange to be consulting Tigger Holmes, but when he leaves he’s much more hopeful than when he arrived.

The inhabitants of Nonnatus House and Tigger Holmes are married, but Hamlet is trying to get the nuns’ attention. What happens? jormiwillingham

This is not a marriage in the regularly accepted way, because nuns aren’t allowed to marry and even if they were a small toy tiger wearing a sou’wester would not be the normal partner for them. However, the current arrangement suits everybody very well. Hamlet, who believes that women should be kept in a nunnery to prevent them having unsuitable relationships, by which he means those he doesn’t approve of, is told to get with the times and accept that people have a right to live their own lives. Hamlet whines that no-one understands him, but Sister Monica Joan says that people do understand him, they just don’t agree with him, and Tigger Holmes suggests he look outwards a bit more, instead of always looking inwards. It turns out Hamlet is still cross because while he was busy being introspective Horatio and Ophelia have gone off together.

Greg doesn't believe in werewolves. Well, Bilbo Baggins has a surprise for Greg - are they a werewolf or someone both Bilbo and Greg know? What happens? luthienberen

Bilbo Baggins has known Greg for over a year now (they originally met over a similar occasion last year in which their quiet weekend away was gatecrashed by several others). So Greg has come to associate Bilbo with the odder events in life. However, Greg doesn’t believe in werewolves. Which is a shame really.

Once again they decide to go away for the weekend. It will be purely platonic, separate rooms (Bilbo is in a steady relationship with Thorin), just a chance to have a quiet weekend in the country. Except that Bilbo brings a large, wolf-like dog with him, saying he’s taking care of it for a friend.

This time, instead of an attempted robbery, they find themselves on the periphery of a case involving the secret service (Greg’s fairly sure he recognises the fair-haired man who appears to be in charge of the operation, although his dark-haired partner doesn’t seem to be around.) As it is, Bilbo’s dog manages to trap one of the enemy agents, and everyone is happy.

That night, when they go to bed, Bilbo asks Greg if he would mind having the dog in his room. Somewhat surprised, Greg agrees. It’s a twin bedded room, and the dog goes to lie on the second bed. When Greg tells it to sleep on the floor, the dog growls, so he decides to let it stay where it is.

In the morning, when Greg wakes up, he discovers the dark-haired partner of the man who had led the operation asleep in the other bed.

Greg now believes in werewolves.

Thorin Oakenshield knits a sweater for Mrs Hudson. How does this work out and why does Sherlock find the resulting garment hilarious, while Lucas North feels somewhat offended? debriswoman

To be fair, Sherlock isn’t the only one who finds the knitted sweater hilarious, although no-one else voices their thoughts to Thorin’s face. Mrs Hudson says it’s lovely and puts it away in a cupboard until such time as she can find a good use for it. That good use turns out to be the day Lucas arrives at 221B looking like a drowned rat and Mrs Hudson lends the sweater to him. Sherlock tells Lucas that his new dress doesn’t suit him, but that if he were looking to find a suitable disguise he would give him some tips.

Images once more by the lovely moth2fic

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Meme Answers (Part 1)

2020-10-17T19:58:58Z

As promised, here are the first four answers to the Meme Questions. In addition, moth2fic made me some stunning spooky images from the photos I took at Tintern, so they are interspersed with the answers:

( questions, answers and spooky pics )

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Annual Meme

2020-10-04T11:27:14Z

I haven't done this meme this year, so I thought it might be entertaining.

I have a list of 15 characters, all of whom I regularly write (prompted by yesterday's entry) numbered from 1 to 15. What I would like you, dear flist, to do is ask a question, such as:

One and Two go birthday shopping for Three. How successful are they and is Three happy with their present?

Please post your questions in the comments, and in a couple of weeks I will reply.

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My Annual Fic Analysis - Year Five

2020-10-03T13:24:41Z

Have I been consistent in my main writing over the past year? Figures for 2016 - 2019 are included for comparison.

Total works to date 956 [825, 692, 543, 400].

What's your first and second most common work rating?
General: 631, [532, 430, 320, 223]
Teen & Up: 321, [290, 259, 217, 171]
Remarkably consistent.

How many fics have you written in each relationship category?
Gen: 483, [422, 346, 264, 191]
M/M: 426, [368, 315, 247, 181]
F/M: 55, [38, 33, 30, 25]
Other: 3, [3, 3, 2, 2]
F/F: 2, [1, 1, 1, 0]
M/M up slightly against Gen, but I suspect that's partly because it's a toss up whether I label something Gen or M/M when the relationship is there, but not relevant to the plot. An increase in F/M, but there's no one pairing which stands out - it includes Romeo/Juliet, Little Red Riding Hood/Prince and Gertrude/Claudius.

What are your top four fandoms by number?
Sherlock Holmes (ACD): 240, [212, 173, 121, 79]
Sherlock (BBC): 231, [215, 192, 176, 156]
Spooks: 140, [109, 87, 60, 32]
Lewis: 61, [60, 54, 48,45]
At last ACD Holmes has exceeded BBC Sherlock. Otherwise, my main fandoms are entirely consistent. Having just done a quick comparison, this year my top four fandoms represent about 60% of my output, with 40% spread over another 20+ fandoms.

Who are your top seven characters?
Sherlock Holmes: 368, [339, 290, 234, 184] (ACD 193, BBC 175)
John Watson: 347, [312, 267, 217,167] (ACD 177, BBC 170)
(Greg) Lestrade: 221, [209, 187, 172, 147] (ACD 59, BBC 162)
Lucas North: 138, [107, 85, 59, ?]
Stanley Hopkins: 100, [88, 76, 61, ?] (ACD 52, BBC 48)
Adam Carter: 98, [?]
Mrs Hudson: 96, [86, 75, 60, 49] (ACD 51, BBC 45)
Adam Carter has overtaken Mrs Hudson, which is why I've gone to seven characters, because Mrs Hudson does not intend to be left out! If the split between the two Holmesian fandoms is included, the top seven becomes: Holmes,Watson, Sherlock, John, Greg, Lucas, Adam

And top six relationships?
Adam Carter/Lucas North: 86, [62, 51, 29, ?]
Sherlock Holmes/John Watson: 66, [56, 47, 37, 25] (ACD 50, BBC 16)
Sherlock Holmes/Stanley Hopkins: 45, [42, 34, 28, 18] (ACD 9, BBC 36)
John Watson/(Greg) Lestrade: 33, [33, 32, 32] (ACD 12, BBC 21)
Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield: 32, [27, 23, ?, ?]
Guy of Gisborne/Much: 25, [25, 25, 20, ?]
Which in reality is:
Adam/Lucas: 86
Holmes/Watson: 50
Sherlock/Stanley: 36
Bilbo/Thorin: 32
And shows that pure relationship fic (apart from Adam/Lucas) really isn't what I write.

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Drabbles for Sunshine Challenge

2020-08-02T17:57:09Z

I received five requests for drabbles when I posted my response to this prompt. My responses are:

( 5 drabbles )

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Sunshine Challenge Post #7

2020-07-25T11:36:39Z

Three things which are violet or purple:

1. Some of the flowers in our back garden

A small buddleia, a very determined verbena and some of the pansies. The clematis flowered in the spring. Plus what I think may be a bellflower which has self-seeded.

2. Lavender

I dislike the plant - the smell makes me cough. (Not as bad as lillies though). But although Eeyore was a grey donkey, he's often shown as being lavender, and the daughter was (and still is) a great fan of Eeyore, so that's a plus!

3. A significant number of female characters in Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories

Because clearly Doyle had the same problem we all do in finding suitable character names. James, perhaps?

And on that note the Sunshine Challenge is encouraging participants to offer gifts. So, if anyone (long-time reader or new arrival) would like a drabble, drop me a reply in the comments (I'm Small_Hobbit on AO3).

Fanfics I've written with violet/purple:

The Purple World BBC Sherlock AU

Welcome to the SS Violet Holmes another BBC Sherlock AU

Two Cakes Call the Midwife, with Violet Buckle

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Sunshine Challenge Post #6

2020-07-21T14:38:50Z

Three things which are ~~indigo~~ nope, let's go for rainbow instead:

1. The classic rainbow in the sky

Sun through the rain. I'm not an eternal optimist, but I am generally glass half full. I also don't fit smoothly into a lot of groups I belong to, because the rainbow inside me isn't just one or two colours. It may also explain why I will change memes/challenges when they don't quite fit what I want to do - on the basis it won't spoil things for other people.

2. Currently the symbol for support of the NHS

I have very personal connections to the NHS. My daughter-in-law is a nurse in our local hospital. My daughter up to three months ago was a pediatric nurse in a hospital in Warwick. She's now a student paramedic training with West Midlands Ambulance Service.

3. Pride

I am white, and het. I also believe that all people, no matter what race or sexual orientation, or anything else, should be equal. And I am trying to live that way.

Fanfics I've written with multi-colours:

The Colours of My Mind Lucas/Adam, written for inspiring_tables Colour table

Coming Home Lucas/Adam again, this time an attempt at sentinel/guide

Plus:

Not What Brown Owl Expected Sally Donovan was once a Brownie

The Black Stallion Sherlock is currently a horse

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Sunshine Challenge Post #5

2020-07-17T13:27:11Z

Three things which are blue:

1. The sea and the sky

Yes, I know the sky isn't really blue and can be black and grey and ... And similarly the sea isn't blue, the Blue Danube is a myth put about by Johann Strauss II, and in fact water in general isn't blue. But that's the conventional colour, and if you draw a map the water is shown as blue.

2. My clothing

Blue is my favourite colour - it always has been, with the occasional temporary blip. By default I wear blue clothes. If I wear a different colour it's a deliberate choice. For instance, I have a number of red coats/jackets but each time it's been a specific choice.

3. Girlguiding uniform

In the UK Brownies wear brown and yellow (makes them easy to spot in a crowd) and Rainbows wear red, but from Guides up to adults the uniform is blue. I'm an Assistant Leader in a Brownie pack, and have been in a leadership role for about 16 years. I began with Guides, taking the traditional way in (the daughter's guide unit needed an assistant leader), and I ended up running the unit, before a change of job meant I didn't have the time. After which I joined the local Brownie pack, helped set up a new Guide unit and we then moved to Gloucester, where I joined my current pack nine years ago.

Fanfics I've written with blue:

Once in a Blue Moon a werewolf!Lucas fic (Lake)

River Police a BBC Sherlock AU series where DI Stanley Hopkins is a member of the Met River Police (Sherlock/Stanley) (River)

A Case of Penguins more BBC Sherlock, this time a Penguin AU series (Sea)

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Sunshine Challenge Post #4

2020-07-13T16:14:19Z

Three things which are green:

1. The neighbourhood

Photos taken on my afternoon walk:

( greenery )

2. My car

The little green bug. Everyone knows which car is mine!

3. Pixies

Which was the six I was in as a Brownie, many many years ago:

( Pixie )
My current Brownie pack has hedgehogs, badgers, moles and squirrels.

Fanfics I've written with green:

It's Green where the Ferret (ACD Holmes, Ocelot Tales) objects to the colour of his outfit

Mr Potter's Museum of Curiosities which also features the Ferret and Mouselet

Breakfast! one of several fics featuring cats with green eyes

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Sunshine Challenge Post #3

2020-07-09T15:10:08Z

Three things which are yellow:

1. A sweatshirt and a duvet cover

While I like yellow, I don't own much of that colour. However, I have a yellow sweatshirt featuring Winnie-the-Pooh, which says 'I wish there was another day between Saturday and Sunday'. And the duvet cover I bought last winter is yellow, with white rabbits on it. Because all the green duvets (which would have gone with the walls and curtains) were boring and the yellow goes perfectly well.

2. Sunshine

Now, I know technically sunshine doesn't have a colour, but traditionally the sun is painted yellow. And sunshine generally means an uplift in the mood, so it's a distinct plus. Although, as a true Brit, I am also capable of saying 'It's too hot!'

3. Daffodils

Bright yellow and a confirmation that it's spring. So another feel good sign after a long, cold(ish) and grey winter.

Fanfics I've written with yellow:

Mary's Little Secret an updated version of ACD's The Yellow Face for BBC Sherlock, written pre-series 4

Wordsworth an ACD Retirement era ficlet, in which daffodils play a part

The Casebook of Tigger Holmes which includes Pooh Bear as one of the Watsons, (the other is Eeyore) in homage to David Burke and Edward Hardwicke in the Granada TV series

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