Poohday historical ramblings

Today is the birthday of A.A. Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh, and a bunch of other books that no one pays attentions to anymore. He was born in 1882, nineteen years before Walt Disney. 1882 was the year legislation was passed in England that allowed married women to buy, sell, and own property, and to keep any money that they had earned themselves for the first time. Some women were allowed to vote in England in 1918, the vote was open to all in 1928. It took until 1920 for American women to get the right to vote. Both of my grandmothers vividly remembered the first time their mothers voted. It was not that long ago.

A jar of honey for the ladies, please, Pooh!

It is a cold and dreary day here, so dark that I have the lights on up here in my loft. I think I will light a few candles, too, and brew more tea. I will snuggle under an afghan and lose myself in research.

52 Replies to “Poohday historical ramblings”

  1. how quickly people are able to forget the most important character in Winnie the Pooh.. jeez. Even you mom, I’m upset.

    I love you Roo, even if no one else does.

  2. how quickly people are able to forget the most important character in Winnie the Pooh.. jeez. Even you mom, I’m upset.

    I love you Roo, even if no one else does.

  3. how quickly people are able to forget the most important character in Winnie the Pooh.. jeez. Even you mom, I’m upset.

    I love you Roo, even if no one else does.

  4. Happy Pooh Day! It is a perfect day for candles and tea and cozy afghans, isn’t it? I do wish it would decide what season it wants to be!

  5. Happy Pooh Day! It is a perfect day for candles and tea and cozy afghans, isn’t it? I do wish it would decide what season it wants to be!

  6. Happy Pooh Day! It is a perfect day for candles and tea and cozy afghans, isn’t it? I do wish it would decide what season it wants to be!

  7. cold, dreary days

    I introduced your book to my Junior English class. My teacher had heard of it, but didn’t know what it was about. I introduced it as ‘a book that I relate to’ since the project was supposed to be about me as a person. They asked what it was about. I was nervous, because it’s sort of a subject that most teenagers don’t like to talk about, and escpecially not adults- (from what I’ve learned) but I worked up the courage and gave a summary. I hope I did it some justice.
    Did you ever have a problem with managers groping you? If so, how would you/did you deal with it?
    I’ve mentioned it to a few people, as if it was a scenario, and they said to tell whoever is over his head, but it really isn’t that simple. I even smacked him, and I’ve said stop many times, but he seems to think it’s a joke or something. He’s 26, and already on probation for seducing a minor over the internet, so I know that he knows better…
    I just need a word of advice, if you get the chance.
    Julia

  8. cold, dreary days

    I introduced your book to my Junior English class. My teacher had heard of it, but didn’t know what it was about. I introduced it as ‘a book that I relate to’ since the project was supposed to be about me as a person. They asked what it was about. I was nervous, because it’s sort of a subject that most teenagers don’t like to talk about, and escpecially not adults- (from what I’ve learned) but I worked up the courage and gave a summary. I hope I did it some justice.
    Did you ever have a problem with managers groping you? If so, how would you/did you deal with it?
    I’ve mentioned it to a few people, as if it was a scenario, and they said to tell whoever is over his head, but it really isn’t that simple. I even smacked him, and I’ve said stop many times, but he seems to think it’s a joke or something. He’s 26, and already on probation for seducing a minor over the internet, so I know that he knows better…
    I just need a word of advice, if you get the chance.
    Julia

  9. cold, dreary days

    I introduced your book to my Junior English class. My teacher had heard of it, but didn’t know what it was about. I introduced it as ‘a book that I relate to’ since the project was supposed to be about me as a person. They asked what it was about. I was nervous, because it’s sort of a subject that most teenagers don’t like to talk about, and escpecially not adults- (from what I’ve learned) but I worked up the courage and gave a summary. I hope I did it some justice.
    Did you ever have a problem with managers groping you? If so, how would you/did you deal with it?
    I’ve mentioned it to a few people, as if it was a scenario, and they said to tell whoever is over his head, but it really isn’t that simple. I even smacked him, and I’ve said stop many times, but he seems to think it’s a joke or something. He’s 26, and already on probation for seducing a minor over the internet, so I know that he knows better…
    I just need a word of advice, if you get the chance.
    Julia

  10. Re: cold, dreary days

    Wow – thanks for telling the teacher about the book! If she’s thinking about ever using it in her classroom, you can show her a bunch of teacher’s guide material to it on my website.

    I think every woman at one point or another has had to deal with groping/harrassment at work. For me, there were two different professors in college who tried it. I wasn’t smart enough to talk to someone older, but I told them to stop and they did. Looking back, I wish I had reported it to their bosses, as well.

    He is breaking the law, pure and simple. In America, it is illegal to touch someone who does not want to be touched. It is even more illegal if that person is someone who works for you. It is even MORE illegal if that person is under 18. So he’s looking at three different kinds of charges.

    Here is more information… and more, with tips about how to handle this at the very end.

    If you were my daughter, I’d tell you to quit. There is something wrong with this guy and I wouldn’t want you near him. if you were my daughter, I would also be calling the police and everyone who is in charge of this guy. Harrassment won’t stop until we all learn how to speak up effectively. When they know their actions have harsh consequences, these jerks will start behaving like respectful, responsible men instead of dogs.

  11. Re: cold, dreary days

    Wow – thanks for telling the teacher about the book! If she’s thinking about ever using it in her classroom, you can show her a bunch of teacher’s guide material to it on my website.

    I think every woman at one point or another has had to deal with groping/harrassment at work. For me, there were two different professors in college who tried it. I wasn’t smart enough to talk to someone older, but I told them to stop and they did. Looking back, I wish I had reported it to their bosses, as well.

    He is breaking the law, pure and simple. In America, it is illegal to touch someone who does not want to be touched. It is even more illegal if that person is someone who works for you. It is even MORE illegal if that person is under 18. So he’s looking at three different kinds of charges.

    Here is more information… and more, with tips about how to handle this at the very end.

    If you were my daughter, I’d tell you to quit. There is something wrong with this guy and I wouldn’t want you near him. if you were my daughter, I would also be calling the police and everyone who is in charge of this guy. Harrassment won’t stop until we all learn how to speak up effectively. When they know their actions have harsh consequences, these jerks will start behaving like respectful, responsible men instead of dogs.

  12. Re: cold, dreary days

    Wow – thanks for telling the teacher about the book! If she’s thinking about ever using it in her classroom, you can show her a bunch of teacher’s guide material to it on my website.

    I think every woman at one point or another has had to deal with groping/harrassment at work. For me, there were two different professors in college who tried it. I wasn’t smart enough to talk to someone older, but I told them to stop and they did. Looking back, I wish I had reported it to their bosses, as well.

    He is breaking the law, pure and simple. In America, it is illegal to touch someone who does not want to be touched. It is even more illegal if that person is someone who works for you. It is even MORE illegal if that person is under 18. So he’s looking at three different kinds of charges.

    Here is more information… and more, with tips about how to handle this at the very end.

    If you were my daughter, I’d tell you to quit. There is something wrong with this guy and I wouldn’t want you near him. if you were my daughter, I would also be calling the police and everyone who is in charge of this guy. Harrassment won’t stop until we all learn how to speak up effectively. When they know their actions have harsh consequences, these jerks will start behaving like respectful, responsible men instead of dogs.

  13. Re: cold, dreary days

    I know that I won’t report it… But I am going to make sure it stops- and if it doesn’t I’ll get help. Thank you so much for the information. It’s good to read the laws in place and know that it isn’t okay- and that I have a right to stand up for myself. Sometimes it’s just hard to feel like I have the right to say no- I don’t know why, it’s sort of a mental issue I’m thinking…
    But if it continues- which I hope to goodness that it will not, I know that I can stop him now.
    Thank you so much for the advice. You are a huge help.

    Julia J.

  14. Re: cold, dreary days

    I know that I won’t report it… But I am going to make sure it stops- and if it doesn’t I’ll get help. Thank you so much for the information. It’s good to read the laws in place and know that it isn’t okay- and that I have a right to stand up for myself. Sometimes it’s just hard to feel like I have the right to say no- I don’t know why, it’s sort of a mental issue I’m thinking…
    But if it continues- which I hope to goodness that it will not, I know that I can stop him now.
    Thank you so much for the advice. You are a huge help.

    Julia J.

  15. Re: cold, dreary days

    I know that I won’t report it… But I am going to make sure it stops- and if it doesn’t I’ll get help. Thank you so much for the information. It’s good to read the laws in place and know that it isn’t okay- and that I have a right to stand up for myself. Sometimes it’s just hard to feel like I have the right to say no- I don’t know why, it’s sort of a mental issue I’m thinking…
    But if it continues- which I hope to goodness that it will not, I know that I can stop him now.
    Thank you so much for the advice. You are a huge help.

    Julia J.

  16. Re: cold, dreary days

    I beg you to report this guy.

    I know it’s one of those situations where it’s easy for me to tell you what to do, because it’s not me who has to do it, but it’s not too late to tell someone. Not only for your sake, but also for the girl who he will inevitably prey on in the future. You are actually in a very powerful position if you think about it.

    Best of luck-

    Peace,
    Jobes

  17. Re: cold, dreary days

    I beg you to report this guy.

    I know it’s one of those situations where it’s easy for me to tell you what to do, because it’s not me who has to do it, but it’s not too late to tell someone. Not only for your sake, but also for the girl who he will inevitably prey on in the future. You are actually in a very powerful position if you think about it.

    Best of luck-

    Peace,
    Jobes

  18. Re: cold, dreary days

    I beg you to report this guy.

    I know it’s one of those situations where it’s easy for me to tell you what to do, because it’s not me who has to do it, but it’s not too late to tell someone. Not only for your sake, but also for the girl who he will inevitably prey on in the future. You are actually in a very powerful position if you think about it.

    Best of luck-

    Peace,
    Jobes

  19. First of all I’d like to thank you for being an author that keeps a public blog. It’s quite a delight to read about how published authors write, revise and simply live; they’re real people just like us. (I’ve known that all along, but I actually just recently realized it.)
    I also recently finished reading Prom. (EXTREMELY good book, by the way, most definitely on my “best books to always reread list.”) You really captured Ashley’s character. It’s so nice to read a book about normal people for a change. They’re the majority of the population and they hardly ever receive a decent tribute. I simply adored every word and I even hid the book under my desk during classes so I could finish it the day I started it; your books always have that effect on me. (I hope there’s a new one coming soon ^.^).
    I only have one question. It has been about two/three weeks since I finished the book. I’ve skimmed it over about ten times searching and scouring for the names of Ashley’s parents. Every time I’ve failed. I was hoping that while kindly receiving my good review you might be able to add the first names.

    Thank you, again, very much for sharing your talent with the world and being such a kind writer.

    Riley.

  20. First of all I’d like to thank you for being an author that keeps a public blog. It’s quite a delight to read about how published authors write, revise and simply live; they’re real people just like us. (I’ve known that all along, but I actually just recently realized it.)
    I also recently finished reading Prom. (EXTREMELY good book, by the way, most definitely on my “best books to always reread list.”) You really captured Ashley’s character. It’s so nice to read a book about normal people for a change. They’re the majority of the population and they hardly ever receive a decent tribute. I simply adored every word and I even hid the book under my desk during classes so I could finish it the day I started it; your books always have that effect on me. (I hope there’s a new one coming soon ^.^).
    I only have one question. It has been about two/three weeks since I finished the book. I’ve skimmed it over about ten times searching and scouring for the names of Ashley’s parents. Every time I’ve failed. I was hoping that while kindly receiving my good review you might be able to add the first names.

    Thank you, again, very much for sharing your talent with the world and being such a kind writer.

    Riley.

  21. First of all I’d like to thank you for being an author that keeps a public blog. It’s quite a delight to read about how published authors write, revise and simply live; they’re real people just like us. (I’ve known that all along, but I actually just recently realized it.)
    I also recently finished reading Prom. (EXTREMELY good book, by the way, most definitely on my “best books to always reread list.”) You really captured Ashley’s character. It’s so nice to read a book about normal people for a change. They’re the majority of the population and they hardly ever receive a decent tribute. I simply adored every word and I even hid the book under my desk during classes so I could finish it the day I started it; your books always have that effect on me. (I hope there’s a new one coming soon ^.^).
    I only have one question. It has been about two/three weeks since I finished the book. I’ve skimmed it over about ten times searching and scouring for the names of Ashley’s parents. Every time I’ve failed. I was hoping that while kindly receiving my good review you might be able to add the first names.

    Thank you, again, very much for sharing your talent with the world and being such a kind writer.

    Riley.

  22. Movies

    One of your previous entries had Max talking about turning your books into movies.That would be totally awesome! I haven’t read Prom yet, but I just finished Catalyst two days ago.The book was so interesting, i finished it in an hour! I haven’t gotten a chance to see the movie version of Speak, but I’m trying the best to get it! Keep on writing, because I’ll read everything you got! ~Alexandra

  23. Movies

    One of your previous entries had Max talking about turning your books into movies.That would be totally awesome! I haven’t read Prom yet, but I just finished Catalyst two days ago.The book was so interesting, i finished it in an hour! I haven’t gotten a chance to see the movie version of Speak, but I’m trying the best to get it! Keep on writing, because I’ll read everything you got! ~Alexandra

  24. Movies

    One of your previous entries had Max talking about turning your books into movies.That would be totally awesome! I haven’t read Prom yet, but I just finished Catalyst two days ago.The book was so interesting, i finished it in an hour! I haven’t gotten a chance to see the movie version of Speak, but I’m trying the best to get it! Keep on writing, because I’ll read everything you got! ~Alexandra

  25. The humor of Pooh

    I am a happy reader of AA Milne and especially the poems- they were memorized in my house and breakfast with my grandmother never went by without a recitation of “The king said to the queen and the queen said to the dairymaid, “Is there any butter for the royal slice of bread?” or “James James Robinson Robinson W George DuPree, took great care of his mother though he ws only three.”
    Thanks for the birthday remembrance- he gave a great deal to children everywhere.

  26. The humor of Pooh

    I am a happy reader of AA Milne and especially the poems- they were memorized in my house and breakfast with my grandmother never went by without a recitation of “The king said to the queen and the queen said to the dairymaid, “Is there any butter for the royal slice of bread?” or “James James Robinson Robinson W George DuPree, took great care of his mother though he ws only three.”
    Thanks for the birthday remembrance- he gave a great deal to children everywhere.

  27. The humor of Pooh

    I am a happy reader of AA Milne and especially the poems- they were memorized in my house and breakfast with my grandmother never went by without a recitation of “The king said to the queen and the queen said to the dairymaid, “Is there any butter for the royal slice of bread?” or “James James Robinson Robinson W George DuPree, took great care of his mother though he ws only three.”
    Thanks for the birthday remembrance- he gave a great deal to children everywhere.

  28. Thank you for the kind words about PROM. I do not have any copies here at the house (our kids tend to make books disappear), so I can’t double check… but I’m pretty sure the mom’s name is Mary Alice, and for the life of me, I can’t remember dad’s name. You’ll probably find it in the scenes with Mom’s sisters.

  29. Thank you for the kind words about PROM. I do not have any copies here at the house (our kids tend to make books disappear), so I can’t double check… but I’m pretty sure the mom’s name is Mary Alice, and for the life of me, I can’t remember dad’s name. You’ll probably find it in the scenes with Mom’s sisters.

  30. Thank you for the kind words about PROM. I do not have any copies here at the house (our kids tend to make books disappear), so I can’t double check… but I’m pretty sure the mom’s name is Mary Alice, and for the life of me, I can’t remember dad’s name. You’ll probably find it in the scenes with Mom’s sisters.

  31. Thank you for the mom’s name. That sounds about right. I actually just returned the book to the library yesterday….
    Oh well, my teacher will just have to live with “Dad Hannigan.”
    Thank you 🙂

  32. Thank you for the mom’s name. That sounds about right. I actually just returned the book to the library yesterday….
    Oh well, my teacher will just have to live with “Dad Hannigan.”
    Thank you 🙂

  33. Thank you for the mom’s name. That sounds about right. I actually just returned the book to the library yesterday….
    Oh well, my teacher will just have to live with “Dad Hannigan.”
    Thank you 🙂

  34. Re: cold, dreary days

    Okay. I did it. I finally worked up the courage to tell a superior on him. You know what it took? It took another girl telling me that he’d stalked her. That he’d obsessed over her and thought that she was in love with him. That he was starting the same pattern with me.

    You know what’s happened to him so far?

    Nothing.

    So life goes on for him. He gave me this look like he was going to strangle me. I don’t want to go to work.

    But at least I worked up the courage to say something. Maybe they’ll do something to him eventually. Not today though. And my guess, is not tommorow either.

    Julia

  35. Re: cold, dreary days

    Okay. I did it. I finally worked up the courage to tell a superior on him. You know what it took? It took another girl telling me that he’d stalked her. That he’d obsessed over her and thought that she was in love with him. That he was starting the same pattern with me.

    You know what’s happened to him so far?

    Nothing.

    So life goes on for him. He gave me this look like he was going to strangle me. I don’t want to go to work.

    But at least I worked up the courage to say something. Maybe they’ll do something to him eventually. Not today though. And my guess, is not tommorow either.

    Julia

  36. Re: cold, dreary days

    Okay. I did it. I finally worked up the courage to tell a superior on him. You know what it took? It took another girl telling me that he’d stalked her. That he’d obsessed over her and thought that she was in love with him. That he was starting the same pattern with me.

    You know what’s happened to him so far?

    Nothing.

    So life goes on for him. He gave me this look like he was going to strangle me. I don’t want to go to work.

    But at least I worked up the courage to say something. Maybe they’ll do something to him eventually. Not today though. And my guess, is not tommorow either.

    Julia

  37. Re: cold, dreary days

    Okay. I did it. I finally worked up the courage to tell a superior on him. You know what it took? It took another girl telling me that he’d stalked her. That he’d obsessed over her and thought that she was in love with him. That he was starting the same pattern with me.

    You know what’s happened to him so far?

    Nothing.

    So life goes on for him. He gave me this look like he was going to strangle me. I don’t want to go to work.

    But at least I worked up the courage to say something. Maybe they’ll do something to him eventually. Not today though. And my guess, is not tommorow either.

    Julia

  38. Re: cold, dreary days

    Okay. I did it. I finally worked up the courage to tell a superior on him. You know what it took? It took another girl telling me that he’d stalked her. That he’d obsessed over her and thought that she was in love with him. That he was starting the same pattern with me.

    You know what’s happened to him so far?

    Nothing.

    So life goes on for him. He gave me this look like he was going to strangle me. I don’t want to go to work.

    But at least I worked up the courage to say something. Maybe they’ll do something to him eventually. Not today though. And my guess, is not tommorow either.

    Julia

  39. Re: cold, dreary days

    Okay. I did it. I finally worked up the courage to tell a superior on him. You know what it took? It took another girl telling me that he’d stalked her. That he’d obsessed over her and thought that she was in love with him. That he was starting the same pattern with me.

    You know what’s happened to him so far?

    Nothing.

    So life goes on for him. He gave me this look like he was going to strangle me. I don’t want to go to work.

    But at least I worked up the courage to say something. Maybe they’ll do something to him eventually. Not today though. And my guess, is not tommorow either.

    Julia

  40. Re: cold, dreary days

    YAY FOR YOU!

    You rock! It is awesome that you did that! ::dances::

    Give it a week. If nothing happens, find out who his boss’ boss is, then the two of you should write a written complaint to that person. You are taking charge. I know it’s hard to do it for yourself, but if you can shut him down, think of the hundreds of girls you will be protecting. And think of how good it will feel to stand up for yourself. You deserve it.

  41. Re: cold, dreary days

    YAY FOR YOU!

    You rock! It is awesome that you did that! ::dances::

    Give it a week. If nothing happens, find out who his boss’ boss is, then the two of you should write a written complaint to that person. You are taking charge. I know it’s hard to do it for yourself, but if you can shut him down, think of the hundreds of girls you will be protecting. And think of how good it will feel to stand up for yourself. You deserve it.

  42. Re: cold, dreary days

    YAY FOR YOU!

    You rock! It is awesome that you did that! ::dances::

    Give it a week. If nothing happens, find out who his boss’ boss is, then the two of you should write a written complaint to that person. You are taking charge. I know it’s hard to do it for yourself, but if you can shut him down, think of the hundreds of girls you will be protecting. And think of how good it will feel to stand up for yourself. You deserve it.

  43. a final update (backdate)

    He was fired.
    Which was a nice thing I suppose. He can’t hurt me anymore- which is good.
    I just hope that if he tries this thing again, he get’s caught. Albertsons didn’t do a whole lot to insure he doesn’t do this to someone else, so I guess that it’s out of my hands. I just want to put a sticky note on his back that says “Been known to obsess and feel up young women- careful.”
    Thank you for your encouragement. It truly gave me the power to take care of things.

    If nothing else, I slapped him with a dustpan, and scared the crap out of him. It feels good to stand up for yourself. It really does.

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