Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. Presently residing with my cats in Chester, Mass.

I am a retired tool maker. My main interests are reading, building stone walls and Lepidoptera. I also have a taste for Classical Music and Classicist paintings. My favorite artist is John William Godward.

Trivia challenge for LotR movie fans: Identify the genus and species of the silk moth which Gandalf speaks to on the top of Orthanc Tower.

I first read Lord of the Rings in 1970 while in Vietnam. At the time, I was a big fan of Sci-Fi and fantasy novels. My interest in LotR was reinvigorated by the release of Peter Jackson's films, encouraging me to read the trilogy again.

I am presently working on a Middle Earth novel, set during the decade following the War of the Ring, as well as short stories featuring original characters created for the novel.

My favorite character is Arwen.

Some favorite quotes:

"The world is my country, humanity are my bretheren, and to do good deeds is my religion."
--Thomas Paine

"The mariner does not pray for wind. He learns to sail."
--Gustav Lindborg

"There is no expedient to which man will not resort in order to avoid the necessary labor of thinking."
--Sir Joshua Reynolds

"Men fear time. Time fears the Pyramids."
--Egyptian Proverb

"If you wish to be a writer--write!"
--Epictetus

"Soldiers fight and die to advance the wealth and luxury of the great, and they are called masters of the world without having a clod of earth to call their own."
--Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus

"I expect to pass this way but once; any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now...for I shall not pass this way again."
--Etienne De Grellet

I would like to correspond with other members. I can be reached at karlmir@verizon.net