My voice is pretty hoarse with the tail end of this cold.

It makes for some interesting characterizations whilst reading to Sam. Worked out pretty well for the gruff Farmer Maggot, and the nasty, snuffling Black Rider, fairly well for Old Tom Bombadil with all his merry songs, but not nearly so apropos for Goldberry and her 'clear tones like the wind rustling the flowers by the river'-I'm afraid her songs sounded more like a sore-throated toad pretending to be an elven maiden!

Sam had an interesting guess as to who the Black Rider was, due partly to my voice-'I know that voice', he said,' it's Gollum!' Hmmmph, I guess I'll have to differentiate a little more... Similar sneaking and sniffing and creepiness, but very different creatures!

I didn't correct him directly, but I did point out that the Rider is a BIG person.

It's been fun reading so far. I look forward to showing him the movie, when we're done with the book.

He's happily reading Rowan the final Bone book at the moment.

We've got her for the day. Sam spent the morning boobytrapping all the doors in the house so she'd walk into surprises when she got here.

What a gorgeous day-not only sunny, but it even feels warmish! P'raps I'll take the monkeys to the beach...