Today also is the birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of Dwarves and Elves and all of Middle-Earth, who was born this day in 1892. I hope everyone will participate in The Tolkien Society's International Birthday Toast for 2008. Thank you, Professor, for your words!
Last but definitely not least, happy birthday to The Shire's Virginia Lórien, a.k.a. Virginia, the world's most beautiful Boston terrier and our very best friend, who was born this day in 2002. We love you, Sweetheart!
Here is the picture with which she won the title of Cutest Pet of 2007 at Lenoir-Rhyne College; they added the crown to the photo after she won, and then they hung it in the Student Center for the entire fall semester.

More pictures of Virginia are here.
The quote for the day is from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, and one of Virginia's favorite songs (because, after all, it mentions part of her name):
"Gandalf's Song of Lórien"
In Dwimordene, in Lórien
Seldom have walked the feet of Men,
Few mortal eyes have seen the light
That lies there ever, long and bright.
Galadriel! Galadriel!
Clear is the water of your well;
White is the star in your white hand;
Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land
In Dwimordene, in Lórien
More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men.