Tolkien’s world and works entered my life in 1974, through a high school English class and I have loved them ever since. The films brought them to life for me in a new way and I especially love the music and visuals. Among my collection of Tolkien-inspired items are Narsil, Hadhafang, a beautiful reproduction of Thorin’s map, two (admittedly simple) costumes.  I decorate eggs with Middle-Earth-themed designs. My friends and I formed NERDS (Numenorean Education Research and Development Society), which held Reading Day events for 10 years and mostly exists now to share our love of all things Tolkien (and fantasy in general). I live in Northwestern Ontario (Canada) where my husband and I love to take nature photos, read, celebrate our Ukrainian heritage, enjoy life as “foodies” and sip Scotch. We have three grown sons and by day I am a semi-retired psychotherapist.