Q Dear Miss Abigail: I would like to become a witch. It seems very stupid and funny, but it is what I would like to learn more about. I fill that I have some potential to make that possible. Please advise me where to start. Signed, Yola A Dear Yola: Choosing a career is often […]
Month: August 2010
Books
And now, an ode to books. This is from Edith Mae Cummings’s book titled: Pots and Pans and Millions: A Study of Woman’s Right to Be in Business. 1929: Books Books are often the best companions. They make it possible for us to walk through the streets of ancient cities, to talk with scientists and philosophers, […]
Fear Not, Retiring Woman
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I am eligible to retire but cannot get myself to “drop my papers” as they call it in my business. For one thing I am afraid. I have no life. I cannot get any of my friends or acquaintances to bike ride, canoe, go for walks in the woods, etc. People […]
Why Girls Go to College
Just got back from a jaunt to Southern Ohio to visit some relatives and learn more about our Moore and Patterson ancestors. We visited the old family farms, saw the house where Grandma Bailey was born, and tried to remember who was who on the family tree. Not easy! One favorite ancestor: Mae Patterson, who […]
Trying Your Hand in Writing
While written with journalists in mind, this one seemed quite appropriate for this column as well. It’s from a book called Mother’s Guide and Daughter’s Friend, written by an “old practitioner” ~ otherwise unidentified ~ in 1890. 1890: Trying Your Hand in Writing There will be no harm . . . in trying your hand at […]
How and What to Read
Since I have a great love of books, I thought that I would feature some words about books and reading, brought to you by C. H. Fowler and W. H. De Puy from Home and Health and Home Economics. It is interesting that in their preface they state: “The preparation of these pages has been a […]
Fuzzy Math
Q Dear Miss Abigail: A man bought a number of eggs at three a dollar and as many eggs at four a dollar and sold them all at the rate of seven for two dollars, losing one dollar in the bargain. Find the number of eggs he bought. Signed, Sreekumar A Dear Sreekumar: I’m sorry […]
My Peers Don’t Like Me
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Why do I feel that everyone is laughing at me just because I don’t hang around with them? If I do hang out with them, I never know what to say. I feel I’m not liked by my peers, but I’m not sure where I’m going wrong. Please help! Signed, Andrew […]
Do People Like You?
Okay, everybody, it’s quiz time again! Get those pencils sharpened, because being liked is a most wonderful thing, and I sure want all of you to be as likeable as you possibly can. This self-analysis tool was published in Unit One of the Personality Development Series, written by Estelle Hunter. And in case anyone was wondering, […]
Feuding Friends
Q Dear Miss Abigail: My friend and I are fighting. I want us to continue being friends, but we’re both stubborn. What should I do? Signed, Vanessa A Dear Vanessa: You don’t mention why you are fighting, but I have a feeling it might be related to some common issues that all friends seem to […]