Since this series began in January 2018 there have been over 1000 Posts from Your Archives where bloggers have taken the opportunity to share posts to a new audience… mine. The topics have ranged from travel, childhood, recipes, history, family and the most recent series was #PotLuck where I shared a random selection of different topics.
In this series I will be sharing posts from the last six months of 2020
It is an opportunity to showcase your writing skill to my readers and also to share on my social media. Which combined is around the 46,000 mark. If you are an author your books will be mentioned too, along with their buy links and your other social media contacts. Head over to find out how to participate: Posts from Your Archives 2021
This is the first post by Joy Lennick and she explores the power of words that can bring joy or to tears.
Words, Wonderful Words…
Every now and then I pontificate on the power and magic of words. Those twenty-six little letters have faithfully served us ever since “Adam” said Ugg to “Eve.” And, in what variety! True and Fairy tales… Sci-Fi and Paranormal, Murder and Mystery, Love and Romance, Historical, et al – all cater to different literary tastes.
What led to writing today’s post was reading about Alan Alexander Milne and his Pooh stories. The House on Pooh Corner (1928), and Winnie the Pooh in particular. Without Milne, Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and the rest of the gang, would have been lost to so many fans. Christopher Robin, Pooh’s human companion, was named after Milne’s own son. Sadly, Christopher was not happy about his inescapable connection to the popular books as he grew older. Winnie the Pooh was based on his teddy bear. Also on his infant bed, were a stuffed piglet, a tiger, a pair of kangaroos and a downtrodden donkey. (Owl and Rabbit were added for good measure.) Hundred Acre Wood closely resembles Ashdown Forest near to Milne’s home.
Milne went to Cambridge University to study maths but focused on writing. He pursued a career as a writer and contributed many humorous pieces to Punch magazine, later becoming Assistant Editor at Punch in 1906. Having served in WW11, despite being a Pacifist, he suffered illness and was declared unfit for service at the front, going on to join a secret British Propaganda unit: M17b. He also turned to playwriting. Deemed successful, he changed Wind in the Willows into the acclaimed Toad at Toad Hall.
It seems especially sad that Milne was estranged from his son, Christopher, who rarely saw his father, despite him having a stroke and spending his last few years in a wheelchair. He was ever conscious of his disliked association with the Pooh books. I feel it was his great loss.
When I read the Pooh books, way back, I knew nothing of their creator, but re-quoting some of the content, I can’t help thinking he was a man with his heart in the right place.
I had the warmest glow, when I read:
“My spelling is wobbly. It’s good spelling. But it wobbles and the letters get in the wrong places.”
And “A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey inside.” And
“I always get to where I’m going by walking away from where I have been.” And
“We’ll be friends forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet.
“Even longer.” Pooh answered.
And, this one made me cry…
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.”
Thank you Mr. Milne. Very much!
Other books by AA Milne: When we Were very Young, Now we are Six, The World of Pooh Collection, The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh.
© Copyright Joy Lennick 2020
My Gentle War a memoir, is about my paternal and maternal families and some of my experiences as an evacuee, especially to Wales, which still owns a chunk of my heart! Some of my Dad’s diary entries are included as they were such a contrast to mine!
It is the story of a young girl and her family. Ripped away from the home she loved, from her friends, and familiar surroundings, she spends her formative years in the comparative safety of the Welsh Valleys. With the World at War, and her father sent to the battlefields of Europe, her war is fought holding back tears whilst waiting for news of her father, never knowing whether she will see him again. This is the story of a young girl learning to live a new life, holding her family together in unfamiliar surroundings, all the while dreaming of the father that was forced to leave her. My Gentle War is Joy’s story.
One of the recent reviews for the book
This memoir focuses primarily on the years 1939 through 1941 when the author was 9-11 years old, a child living in Wales with her younger brothers during WWII. The children were sent to Wales to escape the more dangerous areas around London.
This isn’t a harsh story. It’s a recounting of life from the perspective of a child and is, therefore, full of fun and imagination and resilience. There are “ear-wigging” glimpses into the adult world, news of the war, and letters from the author’s dad who was serving in France. The sad and confusing realities of war surely intrude on daily life, but the focus is on friends and relatives, memorable gatherings and events. There are new trousers, dance performances, and games of truth or dare!
Lennick’s writing is witty and conversational, and she includes a handful of poems commemorating particular memories. Perhaps my favorite part of the book was the brief jump ahead at the end to the conclusion of the war. The feeling of joy is palpable in the pages.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US
Also by Joy Lennick
Read the reviews and by the books : Amazon UK – And : Amazon US – Follow Joy : Goodreads – Blog: Joy Lennick at WordPress – Twitter: @LennickJoy
About Joy Lennick
Having worn several hats in my life: wife, mum, secretary, shop-keeper, hotelier; my favourite is the multi-coloured author’s creation. I am an eclectic writer: diary, articles, poetry, short stories and five books. Two books were factual, the third as biographer: HURRICANE HALSEY (a true sea adventure), fourth my Memoir MY GENTLE WAR and my current faction novel is THE CATALYST. Plenty more simmering…
Supposedly ‘Retired,’ I now live in Spain with my husband and have three great sons.
Thanks for dropping in today and I know that Joy would love your feedback… thanks Sally.
I remember this post from Joy and loved reading it again. Pooh was (and is) a favorite character. When I was ten, I wrote a letter to Milne and got a reply! A form letter but incredibly thrilling! It is sad to learn about his estrangement from his son. And a wonderful book from Joy. I was actually looking at it yesterday as I browsed my bookshelf. Great choice for a share, Sally. 🙂
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Thanks Diana and it touched a spot for me as a book I grew up reading. As always Joy has a wonderful way with words.. hugsx
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You wrote a fan letter to AA Milne–how wonderful!!
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I did, Liz. I think it’s the only thing I remember for grade school. Ha ha. 🙂
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Hmm, that’s a very telling statement about the educational experience. 🙂
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I had a girlfriend who could perform Pooh stories perfectly. Those wise words speak in a language we ordinary folks understand. Thanks for this background.
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Thanks Jacqui… such an amazing legacy and those stories still being enjoyed by children today…x
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I grew up with the Winnie the Pooh books. They will always have a very special place in my heart, both the words and EH Shepherd’s wonderful illustrations.
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Me too Chris.. and a lovely post by Joy.. enjoy your week…
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Yes, indeed! You too, Sally 🙂
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More sincere thanks winging their way to you,Sally. Take care. Hugs xxx
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Delighted to share Joy…hugsx
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Lovely choice to re-share, Sally and Joy. Hugs on the wing!
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Thanks Teagan.. hugsxx
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A terrific share, Sally. Thank you.
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Thanks John..hugsx
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This is a beautiful post that reminds me of how much I love Winnie the Pooh and friends. The examples Joy gives are universal truths understood and appreciated by everyone, and my children and grandchildren have all fallen under the spell, too.xx
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Thanks Alex… a very heartwarming post.. glad you enjoyed..hugs
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Thank you, Sally. This was a lovely jaunt. 😊
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Joy always entertains…hugsx♥
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A fabulous post from Joy, Sally. I remember when I was in primary school, my friends and I were always talking about those books. Toni x
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A wonderful introduction to books and what a legacy A.A. Milne left for children through the decades. When I was working in a boarding school as the housekeeper/cook back in the 1970s it was on the edge of Ashdown Forest and I visited the special places in the stories. xx
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How fantastic, Sally x
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Winnie the Pooh is one of my favorite literature characters and the one I would most like to meet (and have for a friend!) in real life. He is such a gentle soul. Winnie the Pooh is the first book I read on my own.
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A wonderful book.. Glad it brought back happy memories for you Liz..anyone would love Pooh as a friend. x
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😀
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Marvelous post! I especially like the last two quotes that Joy shared. Sad to hear about his relationship with his son.
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Thanks Pete.. I agree.. such a shame especially as he brought so much pleasure to millions of other children.. perhaps that did not help…xx
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I love Milne’s poems as well as Pooh and his gang. I pulled out When We Were Very Young just a few days ago. Heartbreaking that he and his son were not close. Thanks for your post.
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Thanks Carol.. happy you enjoyed.. Joy did a lovely piece.
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This was one of my favorite posts!
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Do love Pooh… Joy did an amazing piece…xxx
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She really did. I reblogged it a while ago. 🙂
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♥
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A wonderful post, worth reading again. We have at least 4 generations in our family enjoying the words of AA Milne.
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That is certainly some legacy…wonderful to think that books will be loved across the generations..hugs
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I remembered this beautiful telling from the first time I read it. ❤
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Joy does have a way with words Debby…♥
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Certainly ❤
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