Darrell Curtis

Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Story and Strength

I glanced at the calendar and saw “Native American Heritage Month” sitting there like it always does in November. This time, instead of just scrolling past, I stopped and started digging. What I found turned a quiet square on the calendar into something alive: real people, deep roots, and stories of resilience that still echoContinueContinue reading “Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Story and Strength”

Observing an Anniversary: Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings (1978)

I first stepped into Tolkien’s world through a boxed set of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings sometime in the mid-70s. Taking on the larger-in-scope-and-theme Lord of the Rings was daunting, but I made it through and was captivated by the characters and the story. Today I’m marking the 47th anniversary of a film that left a mark onContinueContinue reading “Observing an Anniversary: Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings (1978)”

November 11: ‘The Two Towers’ Turns 71

Some journeys are long, some perilous, some quiet. And some teach us what it means to endure. The Two Towers (1954) The story continues the epic saga of courage, friendship, and endurance in Middle-earth. On November 11, 1954, the second volume of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, was published. TheContinueContinue reading “November 11: ‘The Two Towers’ Turns 71”

Veterans Day Reflection 2025

Before the stories unfold, before battles are fought in pages or fields, there are journeys that test heart, resolve, and endurance. November 11 is Veterans Day, set aside to honor those who have served in the armed forces. The holiday traces its roots to the Armistice that ended World War I at the “11th hour ofContinueContinue reading “Veterans Day Reflection 2025”

November 10: The Fall of Númenor And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth

Some stories linger quietly on the edge of legend, waiting for readers to trace the rise and fall of kingdoms, the forging of powerful artifacts, and the choices that shape history. The Fall of Númenor (2022) A curated collection of Tolkien’s Second Age writings, where ambition, courage, and consequence shape a world. The Fall ofContinueContinue reading “November 10: The Fall of Númenor And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth”