Digging too deep

Winnie the Pooh

And fond childhood memories 

Deep in the hundred acre woods, where Christopher Robin plays. . .

Are you the child whose parents cuddled you at night and read chapters of Pooh's Adventures and other bedtime tales.  Or were you plopped in front of the screen and in went the VHS? (don't tell me it was DvD yet, it wasn't!)  Either way this stuff n' fluff really means a lot to you.  What if I told you that characters aren't created out of thin air, but are mixed from something more.  (Yes, even I know that the writer's son was Christopher, and that he had stuffed animals.)  Where I'm going is much deeper so hang on tight!

Let's look at the character traits of seemingly simple playmates.

Did you ever just want to super-glue his tail on?  Or at least use a screw?

Eeyore:  This one is most obvious, sad, gloomy and nothing ever goes right.  It almost sounds like "emos," even in a make-believe world,  reality is leaking through the pages.

He is always watching out for Roo.

Tigger: Happy, fun loving, bouncy, don't forget just a little bit spacey. This describes clearly someone I know.  

He is always in his garden.

Rabbit: Bossy, always planning, means well and is very organized. Thinks himself very clever.

(this is mostly me I'm, shall we say "strong willed.")

Dyk he can't spell "Owl?"

Owl: You try and be polite, and he really does know something. He just talks. So. Much.  On and on about nothing.  Are you starting to see my point? I hope so! 

P.S. I love his tree house!

Piglet's good times

Piglet:  S-c-cared s-s-stiff-f no matter how hard you try and help them. (If you pay them any attention, they are the best friends)

Roo having fun

Roo:  I don't care what age you are, there is always someone younger looking up to you. 

Whenever we see Kanga we see Roo!

Kanga:  That sweet person you know, maybe a Mother, grandmother, or neighbor.  

And for some reason It always bothered me that she was the only girl, unless you read the books and then there is “Lottie” the otter.  (Sorry, if you have always thought Piglet was one, and I burst your bubble.)

Everyone's favorite bear.

And Pooh. . . Loves the sweet things in life, maybe a little slow, but he's always there for  you.  Even “a bear of very little brain” shows courage.

Gopher and his stick

Gopher's not in the book, but we see workaholics everyday.  His amazing network of tunnels. 

This would be the kind Heffalump.

This fellow looks sly.  

Don't forget those Heffalumps and Woozles “. . .because they covet everything thing you prize.”

These are not all the characters and if you see common links between life and the plushy stuffed creatures, then comment below to add them to the story. 

I hope you at least get a glimpse at what I see in these beloved children's books. 

Italian Scandals~

I have just finished reading "A Farewell to Arms," a 1929 book by Ernest Hemingway. 

Before I go on about the book, I feel I must mention the author and a bit about how his life might have influenced this story.  I am finding his biography on this website. Also info on his Nobel Prize.

Ernest Hemingway was born in Illinois in 1899,  at seventeen years old he started writing for a newspaper office in Kansas City.   Think about this!  At 17 yrs. old, he lived a whole state away from his hometown, and he was a paid writer.

After the United States entered the First World War, he joined a volunteer ambulance unit in the Italian army.  Serving at the front, he was wounded...    All this before even reaching twenty!  When you go to most high schools, and colleges, it's not likely that you will find a student ready to join a war, let alone for another country (learning to speak fluently) and serve at the front lines.  But in times as these it seemed not all that uncommon.

Understandable that he would write about a young American fighting for the Italian army, and give the character his perspective as an ambulance driver.

The clear morals (or lack thereof), of the main characters is very disconcerting and normally I wouldn't read such a tale of graphic depression, love, death, seduction, and pain.  Having said all this reading "A Farewell to Arms" for school is quite possibly the only way I would have ever read this book.  

Hemingway's "Heros" to put it loosely, are portrayed as strong and tough with good thoughts about intentions.  When confronted with the hardships of life, they are always losing hope and faith. . .  well more like the notion of trust in others, and concepts of some better life.  It is as if Lieutenant Frederic Henry, has seen the happy lives of others (although few characters in the book have such), and Henry desires their good fortune for his own, but refuses to become an upstanding moral person, highly principled and a thought to actions have consequences.  Even in the end, when Henry's life is crashing down around him, Ernest Hemingway doesn't allude to anything more, or remorse for choices, only Henry's bitter cry against death, man's struggle to prolong his life, and how one can only dull the pain throughout life and that is all.
This idea is seen through a powerful analogy at the very end of the story.  The problem I have with Ernest Hemingway's ending, is while he is a literary genius deserving of his Nobel prize,  I believe he missed a very important message that is woven through his story even though it is evident, the characters (and Hemingway himself) fail to see what is right in front of them.
A stronger hope, the life beyond our own, willingness to believe there is more then ourselves and even when we toil throughout life, life itself is greater then us.  An excellent literary example would be "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë,  where Jane is beaten down by life, has more then a rough time, but understands when given the choice of "anesthetic" (read Hemingway's book), even in longing desperately for an easier way, Jane choses to place her trust in God.  There is a stark contrast in these two books, one a dark tale of hopelessness and pain, the other while full of hardships gives sight to a deeper meaning in humanity and the comfort that one is never alone and is dearly loved.

Ernest Hemingway has written a detailed account of war, and perhaps he creates this feeling of defeat as a way of pointing to more.  My thoughts rest on that of redemption and a new tomorrow.  Reading "A Farewell to Arms" has given me a fresh look on life, and an understanding of other's pain an sorrows.  I hope it shows something to you as well.


The sun will come out tomorrow, 

Are you going???

Prom, Homecoming, Fall/Winter/Spring Formals, Holiday Dances, Galas, Balls, Costume Parties, you name it, and teenage girls will show up in short short dresses ready to dance.

Guys, I'm sorry I need to vent, so please save yourself the trouble and just read the sports blog at: http://hometowndiscount.blogspot.com/  Unless you want to attempt to understand the female mind.

Let's find out which type you will be for this dance.
Here is a list of problems, BEFORE you ever end up on the floor. (answer truthfully)

1. Shopping for a Dress.
    A."I just love shopping!" Not sure what I'm looking for...
    B. Mom wants me to use last my easter dress that still fits.
    C. I'm looking for the one I saw online, but could always use more!

2. You found a great dress but...
    A. The "perfect" dress is a 14, you are a 7.
    B. Your conservative and you can't wear that!
    C. It's so long you can't dance.

3. Are we going solo or do we have a "Date?"
    A. I'm going with my 5 besties, we shopped together too!
    B. You facebook/text making sure your friends are going.
    C. Wow! He asked, and he asked, but HE didn't till the day before!

4. Having second thoughts about the dance...
   A. I got asked out and... I just wanted to go with the girls.
   B. I have to drive a sibling???
   C. What? Second thoughts, no way!

5.  How to get to the dance.
    A.  My friend's older sister is driving... or her friend.
    B.  Mom and/or Dad will be driving.
    C.  Photo time at HIS house first!


If you answered...
Mostly A's: You are ready for a great nigh with what sound like great friends! Get out there and Dance!
Mostly B's: You sound a little stressed, it's fine, it's just a dance. Relax and have a great time!
(It's ok, I fall into this category a lot!)
Mostly C's: Sounds like someone has every dance planed from the morning till the last song ends!  Your eagerness will pay off, here's to a wonderful evening.
  

This was just a silly quiz, but I hope you get the idea.  If you don't want to go have someone make you, you will feel miserable!  Everyone else, GO, have fun, dance the night away, hang out with friends, what is the purpose of dances any way?  To enjoy friends and have fun!
(To anyone hoping for some profound answer, sorry there isn't, if you come one with one let me know at any time!  Really, I am always interested in deeper meanings and will likely be so happy I'll bake you cookies)



Hoping your shoes will serve you as well as Cinderella's did,