The Ladies TeaStop in and grab a quick cup of tea! All sorts of ladies issues are disscussed here. Both Ladies and Gentlemen are welcome to join in the conversations.
Although married to a good man, Virginia, who's last name was spelt "Woolf," suffered from mental illness. She and her husband, Leonard, made a pact at the beginning of World War II that, in the event of a Nazi invasion, they would kill themselves. After the final attack of mental illness, Woolf loaded her pockets with stones and drowned herself in the River Ouse near her Sussex home on March 28, 1941. On her note to her husband she wrote: "I have a feeling I shall go mad. I cannot go on longer in these terrible times. I hear voices and cannot concentrate on my work. I have fought against it but cannot fight any longer. I owe all my happiness to you but cannot go on and spoil your life." Leonard Woolf died in 1969.
You are absolutely right. I have had to read so much literature that I forget these details. There have also been suggestions that Woolf's mental state had been affected by sexual abuse in her childhood. Are you a fan of Virginia Woolf? If so, which of her stories do you like best? (By the way, you do not mean "spelt," which is a variety of wheat, in your first line, but "spelled," the past tense of "spell.")
LongstreetLass, here I am after leaving abruptly the parlour due to journeys and the usual computer difficulties. I think I'll follow Zou's lead and create a writing thread... so see you there for more comments on the art of writing!
As for your latest comments about men: we diverge on this one, because I believe we've (allow me the plural) fought a war also over equality of all people... men included. Since I demand equality to be granted to me, I'm ready to consider men my equals (while allowing for differences, as has been rightly pointed out), thus encouraging the best of them to extend to me the same courtesy. My tolerance, of course, ends when somebody of any gender and race and religion willingly and maliciously crosses my path... then it's the bayonet.
Dear LL, I'm not trying to change your views, rather to point out the awkwardness of mentioning them in this situation. Your remark about men being inferior is just slightly more diplomatic than Butler's ordinance about the women of New Orleans! How are the esteemed gentlemen who so kindly came to our parlour supposed to feel now? This kind of things only convinces men more and more that women are (as I was writing above, hoping to be mistaken) their natural enemies, and causes diffidence and hatred even towards the best-intentioned women. After all, after centuries of being told *we* are inferior, isn't this what we came to think about men? Let's not pass on the side of the wrong. Even if we really considered it a war, provoking the adversary into disrespect towards us, giving them more reasons to hate us, is counterproductive. If Butler is too extreme an example for you, think about Sherman. I'm not getting into whether he was wrong or not, but do we really want to come to this?
First, I wonder if you have read any Woolf. She may actually be considered a 20th-century Modern. However, her sensibilities are very Victorian, having grown up in Victorian England (which makes the thing of child sexual abuse all the more painful, if, indeed, this piece of conjecture is true). I happen to like her, "Mrs. Dalloway."
On the subject of female superiority, I was responding to your post of Wednesday, October 9th, and somewhat in jest. My point was not what you represent above, at all. Rather, it was an attempt to point out that it does not matter what women, as women, tend to think about themselves or about men because it will not change the fundamental differences between the sexes. I also know that men think women whine, not that I believe it; but this is a common perception on the part of men, for right or wrong; and I doubt that we are going to get them re-wired any time soon.
As for the incomparable men who visit our parlor, I would be surprised, indeed, if they did not know how much I adore them. Unionblue and the Dark Prince are veritable lights in my little CWT life. I can name others, too, who, for their own reasons, are not showing up here, but for whom I hold an equal love and respect, for their passion for the history of the War the Between the States and for their gentlemanly kindness to me. I also would not offend you as my partner in passions of the heart. Why, whatever for? You are a true joy to me.
I'm not offended at all, LL, it's always a pleasure discussing with you. Rather, I'm the living example of how one should never be too subtle in making a point, lest someone like me should understand the contrary. I haven't read Virginia Woolf but that's another point on my reading list. I still have that writing thread on my mind but lately I'm a bit hard-pressed for time and I may disappear once again for some days.
PS - Do not spurn Kat: she actually knows someone whose ancestors met General Garnett. Who by the way is cropping up more often in my posts. Probably the effect of that other thread I'm heading for right now. Is my discretion slipping?
Yes, your discretion has slipped a little. Still, I always consider what you say. What business you may have with anyone else at CWT is strictly your own business.
As for me, I asked a moderator to intervene and to have the posts in question removed, as they spoil the kind of atmosphere we intend to have in the parlor. There are rules, and responsibilities, by which we all must abide in using this website.
Also, I would sincerely appreciate it if you re-read your own post to me of October 9th. I was responding to your very clear and straightforward remarks that women of the CW era might have considered men to be "babies" and "silly" and that today women despise men and men are afraid of women. It was these remarks to which I addressed my later post to you.
What I am really trying to get across, Redeye, -- and it may just be a matter of opinion about which we never agree, -- is that there are intrinsic differences between men and women, and we would do well to attempt to understand those differences in order to truly respect each other.
I honestly believe that men are not easily offended by women. They are not easily offended by another person's opinion, unless -- and I emphasize unless -- that opinion holds consequences. Men are focused on the endgame, the result, the consequences. (And I do hope the guys check in to tell me if I am right or wrong!)
Anyway, dear Redeye, let's think on that road trip since tight clothing after a while gives me the itch -- got to get out of this pink dress and into some fishing clothes.
Redeye -- Gee, was I spurned?! I had no idea! Imagine. You make one little post in jest and things start to pop. Too bad I missed it! That'll teach me to check in more often!
I'm having dinner with my friend, Gar, on Monday. I will again try to get the story of the Garnett connection. He shows no interest in either the Civil War or family history, so it will be a bit of a struggle -- I'll see what I can find out!
LL, I utterly agree on the differences and the need to understand them. I'm uneasy when it seems that these differences are used as excuses, which doesn't seem the case of anybody here. My meaning may have come across as muddled and my understanding of the posts may have been skewed, also because I've been fighting with a computer that lately stopped working, and have to use other people's machines, and do it very fast. To quote another thread, I think my computer even runs Windows 63, the one that Armistead and Hancock used to exchange e-mails across the lines. It's operated by a crank and powered by steam.
Kat, thanks, and ladies, don't think me nosy, I'll stay out of the question from now on. Sometimes I naively blunder in on things that catch my attention and shouldn't. It is my very very very personal opinion that disputes can be solved individually with common sense and humour rather than with moderators, but I also understand that it's not my business. Pay no attention to me.
Really signing off now, at least until Monday. Sigh!
Hi, Blackirish... I'm temporarily back, it seems my computer has been fixed, but I could have other pressing engagements in the next few days. So I'm catching up with what I can while I have time. Thanks for leaving your calling card.
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I haven't read Virginia Woolf but that's another point on my reading list. I still have that writing thread on my mind but lately I'm a bit hard-pressed for time and I may disappear once again for some days. 
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