I’ve read a lot about the benefits of laughing, but I think this is the first I’ve seen on crying. When I saw this paragraph, Al Gore and his groaning and sighing in the presidential debate [years ago] came to mind, so I thought it was appropriate to share. It was written by C. H. Fowler […]
Month: August 2010
Qualities of a Good Doctor by a Doctor
My sweet sister is paying a quick visit to the hospital this week, so doctors are on my mind just a smidgen. Good doctors, that is. They better be very good doctors! They can just take this as a warning ~ don’t mess with Miss Abigail’s family! Oh, sorry, where was I . . . […]
Miscellaneous Health Notes
This time I have pulled out a few notes from 1880 about health. I thought it was important to let you know about the dangers of cold water. Be careful out there! 1880: Miscellaneous Health Notes Pine Woods and Health. The pleasant odor emitted by fir-trees in a sunny atmosphere has long been thought serviceable […]
To Live Without Sex
Q Dear Miss Abigail: The prospects for men are not good in my life ~ I fear I’ll ever have sex again. How does a woman in my situation cope? Signed, Flo A Dear Flo: With such a horrific situation like yours, it only seems appropriate to refer to the writings of a housewife who […]
Why Aren’t You Married?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: What are some good responses for a single woman to use when she is constantly hassled about her non-marital status, for example, “You are so young, and beautiful, why aren’t you married?” I have found that my own personal response of “I like my independence, dammit!” has proven inadequate. Please help! […]
None of the Guys Like Me!
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I really haven’t had a boyfriend and my best friend gets a new one every time she breaks up with one. I was told it’s because I look like I beat guys up but I don’t. None of the guys like me. What do I do? Signed, Seeking Love A Dear […]
A Morning Revelation About Dating
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Being an aged person of fifteen, I had thought I had a great deal of experience with relationships. However, this morning I realized that I had NEVER HAD A BOYFRIEND! NOBODY asks me out. I am really desperate to know why ~ I am pretty okay looking if I do say […]
Forever Lonely ~ Or Not?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Will I stay lonely forever? Signed, Maris A Dear Maris: I cannot say whether you shall remain lonely forever, my dear, for I do not know you or your situation. But Dorothy Dix’s words on the dateless girl (from a chapter in How To Win And Hold A Husband) offers some things […]
Those Who May Not Marry
This week’s selection is from a book published by Dr. Warren Bowman, who was, at the time, pastor of a church in Miss Abigail’s home base, Washington, D.C. You’ll be relieved to find out that Home Builders of America (as I read in the introduction) “wholly avoids ‘pornographic paragraphs,’” and that “no one, indeed, would have […]
Pleasures of a Single Bed
This selection comes from Live Alone and Like It: A Guide for the Extra Woman, written by Marjorie Hillis. I think I need to do a bit more reading about the “extra woman,” don’t you agree? 1936: Pleasures of a Single Bed It is probably true that most people have more fun in bed than anywhere […]