tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post4526166137305465825..comments2024-03-29T06:53:43.620-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: In Praise of Teddy BearsJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-61495642755980337072022-02-05T11:53:31.974-05:002022-02-05T11:53:31.974-05:00My whole library is filled with "toys," ...My whole library is filled with "toys," some seasonal, e.g., Christmas is a time when my inner child comes out with enthusiastic abandon. My library makes me smile when I enter. I like "dolls," i.e., clay sculptures or art figures, but I have a small handmade, fabric Christmas bear. I love Eleanor Roosevelt. She would fit perfectly into one of my creative spaces. She could hang out with my Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas paper dolls.Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1747429510799059482022-02-04T10:56:41.816-05:002022-02-04T10:56:41.816-05:00How cute!!How cute!!Happy Camper OBXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05752332200128933632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60760487456686365952022-02-02T17:27:19.751-05:002022-02-02T17:27:19.751-05:00I used to have an extensive PEZ dispenser collecti...I used to have an extensive PEZ dispenser collection in my office. Definitely cheered me up. Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09405057318844899062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16708750727102832622022-02-02T15:33:07.004-05:002022-02-02T15:33:07.004-05:00Late to the party again! I love teddy bears. I h...Late to the party again! I love teddy bears. I have had my teddy bear since I was a baby. I think someone gave me a teddy bear when I was born? I still have a collection of cute Christmas stuffed animals like a small penguin.<br /><br />Thank you, Rhys, for sharing photos of your dollhouse and the teddy bears. I like your Eleanor Roosevelt.<br /><br />DianaBibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70604343449382650622022-02-02T15:18:53.108-05:002022-02-02T15:18:53.108-05:00I had a few dolls as a kid, but I always had a zoo...I had a few dolls as a kid, but I always had a zoo full of stuffed animals!Lisa Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02191911897090277718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66300234577017756282022-02-02T14:28:03.403-05:002022-02-02T14:28:03.403-05:00I do. I have a set of three floating shelves in my...I do. I have a set of three floating shelves in my bedroom and the bears take up almost all the space.<br /><br />The dolls used to be there. I'll get them fixed one of these days.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80801919480203198702022-02-02T13:36:16.574-05:002022-02-02T13:36:16.574-05:00I was just talking to a friend about what a child ...I was just talking to a friend about what a child I still am, as I love toys so much. The conversation came up because I was showing her a picture of the new groundhog I bought from Build-a-Bear. The groundhog is adorable, and I have him dressed in pajamas, because, well, he is probably going to want to sleep a bit longer. For Christmas, I ordered myself a porcelain badger reading a book. It's a wee thing, and shows my love for small fun pieces, too (like the goat I bought in Key West). These are not cheap trinkets. They cost a fair penny, but I don't buy a lot of them either. I love old games, too, still having an old Clue game and and old Aggravation game. I have my seasonal Beanie Babies I put out at Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day. An addiction that I developed last year was Funko Pop figures, but I've almost quit now. However, my Funko Pop Christmas figures--Betty Boop, Yoda, and Santa--were lots of fun. And, my Halloween Funko Pops included the witches and a few other characters from Hocus Pocus movie, the Mummy, Frankenstein, Casper, and more. And, I have an Edgar A. bobblehead and a small Shrek toy. Oh, and I have a few vintage toys from childhood. And, did I mention the blanket chest full of my childhood Barbie dolls and outfits? So, it's safe to say that I will never grow up.<br /><br />Rhys, I love your traveling bears and the house you made them. I need to have a traveling friend like that. Maybe my Beanie Baby goat would be a good choice. I love goats. <br /><br />Rhys, Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21504405938868862302022-02-02T13:16:58.595-05:002022-02-02T13:16:58.595-05:00What a marvelous collection, Rhys! I have critters...What a marvelous collection, Rhys! I have critters who demand my attention, constantly, so I don't have many toys in my office. A Lego version of Big Ben and a Lego Wonder Woman, the Hooligans prized stuffed animals - a teddy bear for H1 and a dog for H2, and that's about it. Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13589365995413467367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88209555171087521082022-02-02T13:15:10.061-05:002022-02-02T13:15:10.061-05:00Coralee, 70 in stuffed toy years is probably somet...Coralee, 70 in stuffed toy years is probably something like 140. They deserve the rest.Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846039203123720312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6235403414984580692022-02-02T13:14:45.483-05:002022-02-02T13:14:45.483-05:00I love your toys, Rhys! And I covet your Zen garde...I love your toys, Rhys! And I covet your Zen garden--but probably a no-go in my house with three cats! I didn't play with dolls as a child, only stuffed animals from as early as I can remember, and I had a zoo full! I can't remember every having a teddy bear, though, until one I bought in London as an adult. I named him Gordon, and he's still in my office, along with my beloved Paddington. But it's George the Green Elephant that I sleep with every night.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54279449528950801122022-02-02T12:59:34.356-05:002022-02-02T12:59:34.356-05:00A laughing bag showed up on my college halls back ...A laughing bag showed up on my college halls back in that same time frame. It probably was my frame of mind that night, but it freaked me out. I was begging them to make it stop.Libby Doddnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56898430146591459402022-02-02T12:24:23.719-05:002022-02-02T12:24:23.719-05:00I don't tend to play with toys any more. But ...I don't tend to play with toys any more. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. After all, I can't say anything since I watch Disney movies every chance I get. I may not play with toys, but I still love kid's movies.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54409297480373046872022-02-02T12:22:36.914-05:002022-02-02T12:22:36.914-05:00My son had an ewok instead of a teddy bear. And I ...My son had an ewok instead of a teddy bear. And I think Gizmo. He slept with that ewok for years!Pat Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12732230586783432052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64106130509353308812022-02-02T12:21:31.409-05:002022-02-02T12:21:31.409-05:00When I was little I had a blond teddy bear and big...When I was little I had a blond teddy bear and big brother had a reddish brown one. I assume our parents gave them to us. When I turned 4 I was given a panda bear as big as me. Loved my critters! Mom purged the house of stuffed animals when it turned out our next younger sister had allergies. She didn't even ask or offer to store them. Just poof! Gone. I had plenty of dolls. My aunt gave me a Ginny doll with red hair like mine. Later I had Madam Alexander dolls who I designated Nancy, Bess, and George. Then Barbies. My dolls never had names. They were just whoever I had them acting as. And then poof. Gone again. Mom gave them to my little sisters while I was away at college. Now I have a Dilbert, two Curious Georges, and an Army teddy bear my son gave me last year. My office area displays dinosaurs, fossils, seashells, and a butterfly in a dome. My sister did give me back two dolls with loose heads, no clothes, and certainly no pink trunk full of doll clothes. Her kids did a number on them. Such is life. Fortunately, I like her kids, grown now.Pat Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12732230586783432052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76231795542456994242022-02-02T12:01:07.782-05:002022-02-02T12:01:07.782-05:00I love your toys, Rhys! I, too have the Edgar Alle...I love your toys, Rhys! I, too have the Edgar Allen Poe bobblehead, sitting next to a plush Poe doll who looks like he'd like to have tea with your Mrs. Roosevelt. And I still have my old teddy bear, Susan Bear, who has lost a lot of stuffing from being well-loved by two generations.<br /><br />The biggest "toy" thing in my house is Youngest's extensive doll collection. It includes the international dolls my parents got for me when we were traveling hither and thither in the military, historical costume dolls, dolls with amazing ringlets and velveteen party dresses, and, the queen of the collection, a Scarlet O'Hara doll, complete with green dress made from the curtains. Scarlett, who was a raffle prize, is in her own glass and mahogany container on the desk in the library - or rather, the library desk is the pedestal for Scarlett. The rest are in Youngest's room.<br /><br />I've warned her she may wind up needing an apartment/condo/house with its own dedicated doll room if she keeps acquiring them. Or, I could wind up with the majority of them still in her old bedroom after she's left for good. We shall see. Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72748913553926410052022-02-02T11:32:43.354-05:002022-02-02T11:32:43.354-05:00Amanda, I might've been the cool uncle back th...Amanda, I might've been the cool uncle back then. But not now for sure...long story.<br /><br />Thanks Edith! The funny thing is except for some edits suggested by my mom when she read them, the stories were written relatively quickly and always seemed to hold together coherently.<br /><br />Rhys, I did always keep a copy of the story. My mom saved them in a file in her desk in the den. They are clearly written for a kid so they aren't high literature or anything but I always gave the bears names, a small backstory and had characters who were responsible for having "written" the letters. Like the Princess of Peppermint Candy Canes, Vinnie the Valentine Substitute, King Brien of the Leprechauns and a number of others.<br /><br />Jay Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11409350742317719903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52038027696286941722022-02-02T11:16:38.533-05:002022-02-02T11:16:38.533-05:00I don’t remember having stuffed animals in my yout...I don’t remember having stuffed animals in my youth. I think they were not “ a la mode “.<br /><br />When my husband left, after 25 years, I had difficulties to sleep alone. My daughter bought me a big, 3 feet long teddy bear to sleep with and it solved my problem. After a time , I bought a body cushion to sleep with because I didn’t want to wear it down but it still rules on my bed.<br /><br />While I worked, the place received a 3-1/2 feet stuffed pink panther ( from the films, you know ). It was the logo of a rock wool company and we sold a lot of their stuff. The boss picked names out of a box and I won it. It still sits in my daughter’s room.danielle-momohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02004302871652952720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72909850006987649462022-02-02T11:15:38.518-05:002022-02-02T11:15:38.518-05:00My cats ate him, sheesh - too late in the day for ...My cats ate him, sheesh - too late in the day for typos. Back to work.Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67295109494488748342022-02-02T11:15:09.815-05:002022-02-02T11:15:09.815-05:00Oh, I love this! Rhys, I cannot believe there is a...Oh, I love this! Rhys, I cannot believe there is another person on the face of the earth who received their first Teddy bear as an adult. My parents were lovers of all things Steiff. I had giraffes, tigers, lions, a penguin - but no bears. While I treasured my collection, I wanted a bear. Finally, in my early 30s a boyfriend gifted me with the Paddington books and a Paddington Bear. I loved him. My cats at him eventually, but that didn't stop me. I have a collection of TY bears now, and a lovely little bear that was a birthday gift from a friend in the late 1990s. Yes, bring on the bears. Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8077741299106387722022-02-02T11:13:40.712-05:002022-02-02T11:13:40.712-05:00My favourite toys have been gifts. I was about 18...My favourite toys have been gifts. I was about 18 when I mentioned to my mother that I had never had a Raggedy Ann doll. I got one for Christmas. She's long gone. The first thing my husband ever bought me was a stuffed white tiger. Her name is Tasha. She lives high up on the dresser so the dog can't reach her. My favourite thing might not be quite a toy. We were wandering around curio shops as a way to jolly me out of a dissertation-writing funk. Suddenly, I laughed out loud. My husband came from around the corner. "I don't know what that was but we are going to own it," says he. It was a mug depicting Winnie the Pooh and the phrase "I am a bear of little brain and big words bother me." I still love it. I wouldn't say that I play with them but they certainly have meaning.c d moultonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17899545521206329219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21801352853829658132022-02-02T10:57:13.441-05:002022-02-02T10:57:13.441-05:00I have many bears that are figurines, many of them...I have many bears that are figurines, many of them and those just sit there. and are stuffed teddy bears in my home. Yes, that is plural - bearS. It started in high school when I found instructions to crochet teddy bears. It is the same bear, in three different sizes. (Goldilocks was not included). I've reproduced this bear several times, to give away. I have other bears that have been gifted to me throughout the years. I do travel with a bear. If on a plane, I have a long necklace with a bear that has arms and legs that move. In the car - Darrel travels well. The others stay at home. Deana Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093854261937772980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9767467050359785852022-02-02T10:36:50.510-05:002022-02-02T10:36:50.510-05:00Needs must, Rhys. Needs must, Rhys. Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846039203123720312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9550852519951934412022-02-02T10:22:42.046-05:002022-02-02T10:22:42.046-05:00I do not remember having a single stuffed animal. ...I do not remember having a single stuffed animal. Dolls, yes. Nothing I've kept. But I know better than to give away ANY of my daughters' stuffies without asking them first. Molly loved her Spotty Leopard. And Naomi adored a stuffed pig. Name? Cannot remember. I'm pretty sure they're still kicking around... somewhere.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10154536995392850572022-02-02T10:03:13.095-05:002022-02-02T10:03:13.095-05:00Rhys, I just love your bears. I was born during th...Rhys, I just love your bears. I was born during the war and was given my first bear when I was 4. It was an unexpected gift from a woman traveling on the same boat as my parents and I. We were on Our way to Trinidad for my fathers first job after his army service. I still have him or perhaps it’s her or thou as has always worn dresses made by my Ma. But I also have a sit up bunny which I think was my baby toy. Then as a part of his PT after an operation near the end of the war, my father made me a purple felt Bambi and a brown and beige felt Kanga and Roo. I still have them all. I also have my ma’s Boozo? Dog with a jacket and tie. I realise I know nothing about him. Celia Wakefieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14880208621796600180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63629860819465685042022-02-02T10:01:56.195-05:002022-02-02T10:01:56.195-05:00Nooo, but I was literate at age 5 and knew about D...Nooo, but I was literate at age 5 and knew about Dickens.. <br />Karen .. they continue to slumber these days. <br />Coralee Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06691335135691119400noreply@blogger.com