[Rhovaniel]

The Chronicles of Rhovaniel, Dúnedain Ranger

 

Volume One: Wintering

 

The Winter Solstice, marking the beginning of Winter, has come. The days will grow steadily longer, yet for now the long nights and cold winds reign. This is well. It is the natural ebb of the seasons, a time to look within, to seek rest and prepare for the year ahead.  

 

 

Hello and welcome, brave adventurers, to my Battle Log/Challenge amalgamation. For some reason, winter has truly captured my imagination at the moment. Maybe it’s because we had a few days of snow followed by a week in the Lake District that fell on the Winter Solstice, where the sun was down and it was dark as night by 4pm (in the South of the UK, we get a little bit more usually). But I was more aware of it and decided that it aligns well with both my desire to live a little more in tune with the rhythm of the seasons, my sense of turning everything into an adventure and also where I find myself at the moment: Needing rest, to seek healing for some physical ailments and to train. Train for the coming adventures.

So, this is Volume One of my Year’s challenges. The Chronicles if you will. I am borrowing heavily from the great rangers on here that go before me:  @Tanktimus the Encourager’s consistency challenges  have been an inspiration, as has @Rurik Harrgath's sheer badassery and thematic challenges. I’m fairly sure I’m stealing the Chronicles idea from him too. My apologies. It would be a Battle Log, but I’m a social introvert and I wanna hang out with all the adventurers in the challenges  

 

With that in mind, I’ll try and link this first one in the start of all subsequent challenges, as another inspirational ranger has done (talkin’ bout you, @Jarric, and your goal setting). And those goals will focus mostly on the season. A mix of skill work, studying, training and just for fun goals.

 

This Winter, the Goals are Thus (Runs till March 20, which google tells me is the ‘true’ start of Spring). I'll give updates on these when and where I can, but essentially this is it. No 'smart' goals here, just a slow and quiet onward progress.

 

Rhovaniel’s Winter Goals

-         Read by candlelight at least 3 times

-         Read the Ranger’s Apprentice, book 1

-         Read the Ranger’s Apprentice, book 2

-         Re-read The Fellowship of the Rings

-         Re-Read The Two Towers

-         Re-Read the Return of the King

-         Watch all 3 Hobbit and all 3 LOTR films (/6)

-         See doctor about leg pain and be able to run again (and hike!)

-         See doctor and try to sort out my sinuses (maybe even regain my sense of smell?)

-         Be able to run 1 mile by Spring

-         Reach 77-78kg by the Spring

-         Finish knitting cardigan

-         Read stock book and start training on stocks

-         Repair jeans

-         Plan and sew one project to completion

-         Finish chapter 2 of Masters in History (my deadline is actually the end of Feb for this)

-         Plan 2023 Spring/Summer Adventures

-         Start writing again, in the small cracks of time I can find amongst other projects.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Wow, that's a lot of fun winter stuff. I approve.

Here to follow. Consistently  

[Elastigirl]

I love the cozy feeling of this challenge!

[Jarric]

5 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

Read by candlelight at least 3 times

 

I really love this goal, it really made me smile.

 

6 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

Read stock book and start training on stocks

 

I'm intrigued. Stocks and shares? Boiled bones and leftover veg? Medieval punishment devices?

 

I really like the idea of running your challenge with the seasons too, feels properly rangerly. 

[Salinger]

Hey Rho! Merry Christmas

 

your challenge looks amazing and I can’t wait to see you reach your goals xx

[Knightwatch]

Oh gosh, I just love love love this.  What a neat idea, the reading by candlelight thing!  I'm going to have to try that myself, and in fact, I wonder if a whole occasional Evening By Candlelight would help reset my system a lil'.

 

Good luck on your Challenge this month, can't wait to see what you accomplish! 

[Heidi]

Season-driven challenges get the Druid seal of approval!

 

Looking forward to cheering you on as the days lengthen.  

[Sovalis]

So very here for this. 🙂

[Rhovaniel]

On 12/24/2022 at 3:46 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Wow, that's a lot of fun winter stuff. I approve.

Here to follow. Consistently  

Hey Tank, good to see you!

 

On 12/24/2022 at 4:51 PM, Elastigirl said:

I love the cozy feeling of this challenge!

EG! Thanks, it feels like I'm ready to hibernate in a cozy tavern near the fire, so cozy is definitely by vibe at the moment!

 

On 12/24/2022 at 9:05 PM, Jarric said:

 

I really love this goal, it really made me smile.

 

 

I'm intrigued. Stocks and shares? Boiled bones and leftover veg? Medieval punishment devices?

 

I really like the idea of running your challenge with the seasons too, feels properly rangerly. 

Thanks Jarric! Yeah, the candlelight reading is definitely my favourite goal. Since I got a candle holder from one person and a jar candle from another this Christmas, I'm well equipped for it now too!

 

On 12/25/2022 at 9:00 AM, Salinger said:

Hey Rho! Merry Christmas

 

your challenge looks amazing and I can’t wait to see you reach your goals xx

Merry Christmas Sal! Thank you, it's good to see you here!

 

7 hours ago, Knightwatch said:

Oh gosh, I just love love love this.  What a neat idea, the reading by candlelight thing!  I'm going to have to try that myself, and in fact, I wonder if a whole occasional Evening By Candlelight would help reset my system a lil'.

 

Good luck on your Challenge this month, can't wait to see what you accomplish! 

It's so lovely when I do it, but I don't do it often enough, hence the goal! Depending on the candle and the amount of light it gives off, you might need a couple for sufficient reading illumination. 

 

And thank you!

 

6 hours ago, Heidi said:

Season-driven challenges get the Druid seal of approval!

 

Looking forward to cheering you on as the days lengthen.  

Aww, thanks Heidi. My DnD character is a druid, I think I'm learning some good habits from her!

 

6 hours ago, Sovalis said:

So very here for this. 🙂

Good to have you!

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Yuletide everyone! 

[SkyGirl]

I love these goals!! And here to follow and cheer you on!  ❤️ 

[Gemma]

Goals are beautiful, perfectly winter-appropriate. 

 

On 12/24/2022 at 4:05 PM, Jarric said:

I'm intrigued. Stocks and shares? Boiled bones and leftover veg? Medieval punishment devices?

 

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was curious about the context here  

[WolfDreamer]

Now THAT is an amazing way to spend a winter. Following of course!

[Salinger]

Hope your Boxing Day was full of love and rest. 

 

Any plans today (Tuesday!) xx

[Rhovaniel]

16 hours ago, SkyGirl said:

I love these goals!! And here to follow and cheer you on!  ❤️ 

Thanks Sky! So so glad to have you here!

 

13 hours ago, Gemma said:

Goals are beautiful, perfectly winter-appropriate. 

 

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was curious about the context here  

Thank you!

 

Ah, sorry @Jarric, I missed this yesterday. The boring kind, I'm afraid. I have a little bit of inheritance sitting in my bank doing very little, so I'm looking at whether low-risk, long-term stocks might be a good investment. 

 

8 hours ago, WolfDreamer said:

Now THAT is an amazing way to spend a winter. Following of course!

Thanks Dreamer! I'll be glad when things calm down a little and I can get to achieving them!

 

4 hours ago, Salinger said:

Hope your Boxing Day was full of love and rest. 

 

Any plans today (Tuesday!) xx

Love, yes. Not much rest! I went to see my sister and her kids on Boxing Day. Fun, but they're very boisterous and it was quite a draining day. But lovely too. Hope you're doing okay?

 

Today's plans: See my Dad. It's pretty much the last day of Christmas-stuff for me, thankfully it's a quieter one. He's coming to me, we'll go visit his Dad's grave (my grandad, but I never met this one, he died when my Dad was young) and then out for a meal. I'm also back to work tomorrow, so I'll need to get myself together, mentally as much as physical prep. 

 

 

 

I did however, make some progress towards my goals already. I'm not too sure how I'll keep a running track. I might just edit the first page and then note here what I did. Or I'll see if editing the signature each time isn't too unwieldy. Anyway. I'm currently about to follow Frodo and company into the Old Forest (chapter 6 of the Fellowship of the Ring) and last night I managed to read a few chapters by candlelight. It was lovely and peaceful, but ideally I don't want to have to light 4 candles (fork handles? no, 4 candles!*) each time. So I'll experiment with other candles I think. 

 

*I think this might just be a British thing 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

Goal Progress:

 

Read by Candlelight at least 3 times (1/3)

 

[Salinger]

Fork handles skit reminds me Of my mum and dad haha 🥰

 

x

[MaeradCase]

On 12/24/2022 at 8:54 AM, Rhovaniel said:

This Winter, the Goals are Thus (Runs till March 20, which google tells me is the ‘true’ start of Spring). I'll give updates on these when and where I can, but essentially this is it. No 'smart' goals here, just a slow and quiet onward progress.

 

Rhovaniel’s Winter Goals

-         Read by candlelight at least 3 times

-         Read the Ranger’s Apprentice, book 1

-         Read the Ranger’s Apprentice, book 2

-         Re-read The Fellowship of the Rings

-         Re-Read The Two Towers

-         Re-Read the Return of the King

-         Watch all 3 Hobbit and all 3 LOTR films (/6)

-         See doctor about leg pain and be able to run again (and hike!)

-         See doctor and try to sort out my sinuses (maybe even regain my sense of smell?)

-         Be able to run 1 mile by Spring

-         Reach 77-78kg by the Spring

-         Finish knitting cardigan

-         Read stock book and start training on stocks

-         Repair jeans

-         Plan and sew one project to completion

-         Finish chapter 2 of Masters in History (my deadline is actually the end of Feb for this)

-         Plan 2023 Spring/Summer Adventures

-         Start writing again, in the small cracks of time I can find amongst other projects.

Oh my gosh, I love these reading goals!

I haven't read Ranger's Apprentice since 2010 when I would read them to my brother. 😆 My current throwback reread is a series that starts with Dragon's Milk. I might take a point of inspiration from you and make reading them a goal so I don't have to feel bad about wanting to relax and enjoy winter vibes. 😆

[Rurik Harrgath]

On 12/24/2022 at 9:54 AM, Rhovaniel said:

as has @Rurik Harrgath's sheer badassery and thematic challenges. I’m fairly sure I’m stealing the Chronicles idea from him too. My apologies.

 

 

Borrow away!  The greatest honor is to inspire and in turn be inspired   

 

Quote

-         Read the Ranger’s Apprentice, book 1

 

This really ought to be Mandatory New Year Reading for all Rangers 😆

[Salinger]

How you getting on today Rho?xx

[Rhovaniel]

3 hours ago, Salinger said:

How you getting on today Rho?xx

Thanks for checking in Sal. I'm doing alright  

 

 

 

I am resisting the urge to narrative this challenge because I am full of pep and enthusiasm at the start but the long, dark days of winter and responsibility still lie ahead and I am learning. I will cave if I try to do it all, and then I'll be peeking my head into a challenge a few months from now somewhat guiltily after I fell off the boards again. So I will just imagine myself in a dimly lit corner, scratching these updates into a weathered journal  

 

 

Yesterday was nice, my Dad's illness and inability to work have taken their toll on him mentally, so I think the catch up did us both good. Going to dinner was very nearly a disaster. Sharks circling an entire 19 days early is just plain rude and required an emergency wardrobe change but the food was good. We went to his Dad's grave first to lay flowers, which is always good for him. Not so much going to the grave, I think. He was very young when he passed (I mean, I'm only 3 years away from the age my paternal grandad was when he died, for reference) so my Dad doesn't have that many memories of him but he loves to drive around the village he grew up in, and point out all the things he remembers from there. Tell me all about seeing the Flying Scotsman when it came through the little train station there, point out where his Dad used to work, talk about his nan's antics (she was, apparently, 'a character', and it sounds like I'd get on well with her). He's told me all these stories many, many times, of course. But he never tires of telling them and I like that he shares them with me. I did also light my candles and read before bed too. BUT I'd like to read by candlelight elsewhere too. For one thing, having to open the windows for a few minutes to waft out the burning smell before I sleep kinda negates the relaxing feel that would otherwise help me drift off! (Side note: one of my candles refuses to stay lit, and gives off barely any light. It's a yankee candle, the other ones I have all burn just fine. Anyone have any idea why this one won't?)

 

Back to work today. Usually Wednesdays are my college days, so it was a bit of an adjustment for my boss, who seemed to forget repeatedly what day it was, and kept thinking we were only on Tuesday  I got in early and spent a chill, quiet hour studying for uni and making some notes for the next chapter. I also booked an appointment to see about my leg. Spoilered because honestly, it's probably boring to everyone else. 

 

Spoiler

The appointment was this evening (work perk includes having access to this 24/7 GP service thing, but they only gave me the option to talk to a physiotherapist first). She thinks that the issue is because of muscle weakness in that leg. I'm not 100% convinced. I mean, these legs can still walk 30+ miles a day on ultra walks and she didn't seem to take much consideration of the pins and needles/prickling sensations I'm having in that leg. But she gave me something to work with (foam roll gently, then try tiny, tiny calf raises to build strength, followed by gentle stretching) each day, then review in a couple of weeks to see if there's any difference. On the phone, she had me do a calf raise on each leg and as if on cue, my right leg (aka, problem leg) cramped up immediately and I ended up hopping round the room to clear it. SO the bar is almost on the floor, but we will see. If no progress, at least one thing has been tried and I will hopefully be a step closer to answers)

 

And that's it. I took a walk this evening and I need to get the foam roller out for the new regime of daily torture  then I am going to bed, because I am tired and I want to get up early for the gym tomorrow. It's hit or miss what will hurt at the moment (I mean, squatmas was fine but a single calf raise was hella painful) so I'll play it by ear. If nothing else, at least there's arms to train! Training at this point will be about the habit and tomorrow, mental distraction. Tomorrow will mark 8 entire years without the man I respected and loved most in the world. My Dad wasn't there for large parts of my childhood, but my Grandad on my mother's side, and my grandma, they raised me. Losing Grandad was the first real grief I had ever known. And it still hurts like it was only last year or something. And since I will be at work, distraction is how I will deal with the ache until I am done with work and can let it out. I usually light a candle on each of their anniversaries, but not to read by. Just to let them know, if they're there, that I still care. Annnnd now I'm teary and need to change the subject on myself. 

 

 

-         Read by candlelight at least 3 times (2/3) (Going to up this to 10 times, because why the heck not, it's a good goal and very enjoyable)

-         Read the Ranger’s Apprentice, book 1

-         Read the Ranger’s Apprentice, book 2

-         Re-read The Fellowship of the Rings (In progress)

-         Re-Read The Two Towers

-         Re-Read the Return of the King

-         Watch all 3 Hobbit and all 3 LOTR films (/6)

-         See doctor about leg pain and be able to run again (and hike!) UPDATE: First step taken, review in 2 weeks)

-         See doctor and try to sort out my sinuses (maybe even regain my sense of smell?)

-         Be able to run 1 mile by Spring

-         Reach 77-78kg by the Spring

-         Finish knitting cardigan

-         Read stock book and start training on stocks

-         Repair jeans

-         Plan and sew one project to completion

-         Finish chapter 2 of Masters in History (my deadline is actually the end of Feb for this)

-         Plan 2023 Spring/Summer Adventures

-         Start writing again, in the small cracks of time I can find amongst other projects.

 

 

 

[Rhovaniel]

On 12/27/2022 at 10:16 AM, Salinger said:

Fork handles skit reminds me Of my mum and dad haha 🥰

 

x

 

On 12/27/2022 at 7:06 PM, MaeradCase said:

Oh my gosh, I love these reading goals!

I haven't read Ranger's Apprentice since 2010 when I would read them to my brother. 😆 My current throwback reread is a series that starts with Dragon's Milk. I might take a point of inspiration from you and make reading them a goal so I don't have to feel bad about wanting to relax and enjoy winter vibes. 😆

No one said goals had to be all work and no play  

 

On 12/27/2022 at 8:12 PM, Rurik Harrgath said:

 

 

Borrow away!  The greatest honor is to inspire and in turn be inspired   

 

 

This really ought to be Mandatory New Year Reading for all Rangers 😆

Thanks Rurik! I am looking forward to getting stuck in. I read the first book a few years ago, but recently acquired the second, hence the goal. 

[Sovalis]

Hugs for you if you want them. Grief is a tricky thing. 🫂

[Rhovaniel]

On 12/28/2022 at 9:40 PM, Sovalis said:

Hugs for you if you want them. Grief is a tricky thing. 🫂

Thanks Sovalis. It never really goes away, but it does sort of get easier. The grief isn't so sharp, just heavy. 

 

 

So, a bit of an update. I got up late, still half in a weird dream and did not make it to the gym. So that was a bummer, but honestly, I am learning that I do need to take things slow right now. My leg is still giving me pins and needles and tingling sensations throughout the day, so I'm focusing on being nice to my body, doing the foam rolling and stretching and slowly working out what is and is not helpful. 

 

Anyhow. Got to to work, and one of my first jobs of the day was to go to the medical gas manifold and check stuff like the panel pressures, no alarms, etc. So I get there and the lock doesn't look right. I open it, there's a bunch of tool marks on the lock and steel door frame. Someone literally cut out the steel bolt that locks the door. It took me an EMBARRASSINGLY long time of staring round the manifold, checking all the copper wiring into the various gas cylinders to realise that we, in fact, were robbed. They got three big cylinders of nitrous oxide, which is apparently able to be abused as a party drug? Idk. But dealing with that took up a fair bit of the morning and mental energy. As well as me wondering how in the hell I managed to miss the fact on my first pass through that we were missing three big blue cylinders. They were spares, so they were not physically attached to anything, unlike all the others which have pipe work attaching them to stuff, so on first glance nothing looked wrong. Nat 1'd that investigation check! CCTV showed it happened on Christmas Day, and the guy wore a balaclava when breaking in to the stores - but not when he got out of his car to do check there was no one around. So hopefully they'll catch him. 

 

Anyway, once all the relevant people had been contacted and it was passed on to others to deal with, it was a nice, relatively quiet day. So quiet that I was starting to run out of things to do! In my previous position, I was always trying to find something to keep me busy because there was often nothing to do, a slow afternoon now made me realise how awful that job was for me. 

 

And that is it. A rather boring update, and today was pretty much the same. Except without the break in drama. This weekend, I work on making my winter retreat more cozy. A suitable place for a ranger to prepare for the coming adventures of the new Spring. Which is a fanciful way of saying I need to do some laundry and clean out my study  

 

 

 

[Salinger]

Yes, laughing gas it is called when used as a drug .... !

 

Hope you had a nice day mate?

Enjoy your eve and HNY xx

[SkyGirl]

Happy New Year, Rho!!  ❤️   And that is a bizarre robbery - so glad you weren't in the office when it happened!

[Rhovaniel]

4 hours ago, Salinger said:

Yes, laughing gas it is called when used as a drug .... !

 

Hope you had a nice day mate?

Enjoy your eve and HNY xx

 

1 hour ago, SkyGirl said:

Happy New Year, Rho!!  ❤️   And that is a bizarre robbery - so glad you weren't in the office when it happened!

 

Thank you! Yeah, it definitely reinforces why we have a buddy rule. You don't go out to the manifold or gas stores alone. One, because if a gas leak occurs, one is the canary, one can go get help  and the other is safety. Most of us would present an easy looking target to a gang determined to get into the stores. Especially as we're having to reinforce the locks. 

 

New Year's Eve has been quite nice. I've never been the type to revel in parties or going to the pub or anything like that really, so my evening was well spent in my candlelit (newly half-cleaned) study, reading. I still lit four candles, but different ones and these gave off a decent amount of light. The odd flickering every now and then was half annoying, half a gentle reminder that the candles were burning and throwing out their soft glow. Read a few chapters, then put some popcorn in the microwave, got my favourite hobbit mug out (okay, it's literally just a mug I bought at Hobbiton in New Zealand, but hey, it makes me happy), and put the extended edition of the Fellowship on. I don't really go in for those 'if you start the film at exactly this time, midnight will strike as this happens', mainly because I would stress over timings and such, but weirdly one neighbour decided to go nuts with the fireworks at the exact moment Gandalf made a stand against the Balrog, so that was both dramatic and a good cue to take a break till they settled down. In general, I don't like fireworks. Many of my ptsd symptoms have thankfully settled, some are just background noise. But fireworks (actually any loud, sudden noise) will still make me jump violently. The weird thing is, noise shouldn't be a trigger. My trauma wasn't war based or anything like that. But the startle reflex happens anyway, so I get through it as best I can. 

 

I must admit, I have been a little reflective. I keep seeing all these memes about 2020 - 2022 being so awful and my Dad saying how 2023 'can't be much worse'. Understandable, given his diagnosis. But the memes don't reflect the fact that there is always the trend to say the last year was awful. Even before the pandemic. And you know what? Yes, there's been bad bits, there's been awful times. But I also found my strength this year. I made it through the most painful and mentally challenging year I've ever had. I have felt grief with the loss of Willes, whose friendship I miss dearly. I found the courage to face the mental demons I carried since childhood, and the very real, human monster responsible for many of them. I battled through severe suicidal thoughts and, thanks to some amazing friends, fought through it. I got to therapy and found my way to healing. I accepted what happened, I learned to accept also that I am a strong and resilient person, that I do not need to fear challenges the way I did, because I am capable of so much more than I ever thought I was. I was a warrior in 2022, and that is not something to dismiss in 2023. It is something to build on.

 

Anyway, it isnow the new year. I am going to post and then I am going to bed. Once the fireworks finally end. Goodnight!

 

May you all have a blessed year ahead