Happy Eleventy-Third Birthday

J.R.R. Tolkien
b. 3 January 1892
d. 2 September 1973

Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament... There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death: by the divine paradox, that which ends life, and demands the surrender of all, and yet by the taste (or foretaste) of which alone can what you seek in your earthly relationships (love, faithfulness, joy) be maintained, or take on that complexion of reality, of eternal endurance, which every man's heart desires.

from a letter to Michael Tolkien, 6-8 March 1941

The Tolkien Society invites you to toast The Professor at 9pm your local time.

"For those unfamiliar with British toast-drinking ceremonies:

To make the Birthday Toast, you stand, raise a glass of your choice of drink (not necessarily alcoholic), and say the words 'The Professor' before taking a sip (or swig, if that's more appropriate for your drink). Sit and enjoy the rest of your drink.

If you would like to add your name and intended drink to our list, post your toast entry here."

The Society notes that the organisers of the Toast "do not condone drinking alcohol if it endangers the health or safety of the drinker or others, or contravenes the law."