Jack of Harts

Both of my parents grew up on farms. I did as well, though I was too young to be a farmer myself when we moved into the cities for better jobs. That upbringing gave me a farm’s perspective on animals. Animals are not pets. Every animal has a job, and it must profit the farm, or it will not remain on the farm. Usually extra training can turn it around. Other times you can find another home for it. Sometimes it is the water bucket. And yes, sometimes you put a firearm against its head and pull the trigger so it won’t suffer. That truly is a part of farm life. Bragging about it is not. Doing it in anger is not. Every animal deserves compassion on its final day. Do not trust those who brag about it.

I grew up reading The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. In a paraphrase of C.S. Lewis, I saw shining knights and great heroes standing up to fight the bad things every child knows is out there. From the small but indomitable Hobbits to the great kings that rose to the time that required, to sad and shining elves whose time was fading. I loved them all. And then the movies came out and they found actors that played those characters so well. Brought them to life so well. In a pantheon of great actors who did the characters proud, Theoden shone bright. And now the man that brought him to life has passed into The West. Hail and Well Met, Theoden King. We will remember you always.

I grew up a Star Wars fan, watching the movies as a child. I even wore out a tape of Return of the Jedi I watched it so much. And of course I read the books when they came out, finding out about the continuing adventures of Luke Skywalker and the other heroes as they continued their long fight to defeat the Empire and build the New Republic into a functioning galactic power. And of course we celebrated Star Wars day every year. The Fourth of May. And so, in the ways of my people, May the Fourth Be With You.