Oh, Bother! It’s a Pooh Day!

…Winnie the Pooh that is!

Right, gather ’round, “honeys”. It’s that time of year again – a time for honey pots, hunny-related puns (prepare yourselves), and celebrating the bear of very little brain, but a very big heart: it’s Winnie the Pooh Day! Yes, January 18th honours A.A. Milne the famous author whose birthday was on that date back in 1882, and honestly, what better excuse is there to embrace a bit of childlike joy in the middle of January? (Apart from, you know, surviving January in general).

Now, if you’re unfamiliar with Pooh (have you been living under a Heffalump?), let’s have a quick recap. Winnie the Pooh isn’t your average bear. He’s a bear of simple pleasures: honey, friendship, and wandering around the Hundred Acre Wood with his pals. He’s not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed (he once got stuck in Rabbit’s doorway after eating too much honey – a relatable experience for many after the holiday season), but his gentle nature and unwavering optimism make him utterly endearing.

And his friends? Oh, his friends. There’s Piglet, the perpetually anxious but loyal companion; Eeyore, the ever-gloomy donkey (who, let’s be honest, we all have a little bit of Eeyore inside us); Tigger, the relentlessly bouncy and enthusiastic tiger; Rabbit, the organized and slightly exasperated gardener; Kanga and Roo, the mother-and-son kangaroo duo; and Christopher Robin, the boy who brings the whole Hundred Acre Wood to life with his imagination. It’s a whole menagerie of personalities that somehow just works.

What makes Winnie the Pooh so enduring, though? I think it’s the simple messages woven into the stories. They celebrate the importance of friendship, the power of imagination, and finding joy in the small things. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, Pooh’s world offers a comforting escape. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones shared with friends, even if those adventures mostly involve searching for honey or getting stuck in a badger’s house.

Think about it: Pooh’s biggest problem is usually running out of honey. Compared to, say, existential dread or the complexities of modern life, that’s a pretty sweet problem to have (pun intended, couldn’t resist). The Hundred Acre Wood is a world where worries are fleeting, and the biggest disasters can be solved with a bit of ingenuity and the help of your friends. It’s a gentle reminder to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and maybe even indulge in a pot of honey (or two).

So, how can you celebrate Winnie the Pooh Day? Well, there are many ways to embrace your inner Pooh:

• Have a Hunny Feast: Gather your friends (or your teddy bears) and enjoy a picnic with honey-themed treats. Honey sandwiches, honey cake, honey on… well, pretty much anything. Just maybe avoid getting stuck in any doorways.
• Re-read the Books: Curl up with a copy of “Winnie-the-Pooh” or “The House at Pooh Corner” and rediscover the magic of Milne’s writing.
• Watch the Movies or TV Shows: There are plenty of Winnie the Pooh adaptations to choose from. Whether you prefer the classic Disney cartoons or the more recent films, it’s a great way to revisit the Hundred Acre Wood.
• Go for a Walk in Nature: Take a stroll in a local park or forest and imagine yourself wandering through the Hundred Acre Wood. Look for signs of Heffalumps and Woozles (though hopefully, you won’t actually find any).
• Simply Be Kind: Pooh’s kindness and gentle nature are at the heart of his character. Take a page out of his book and spread a little kindness in your own life.

Ultimately, Winnie the Pooh Day is a celebration of the simple joys in life. It’s a reminder to embrace our inner child, cherish our friendships, and find happiness in everyday moments. So, go ahead, treat yourself to some honey, gather your friends (or stuffed animals), and celebrate the bear who taught us that sometimes, doing nothing often leads to the very best something. Oh, bother, it’s time for some hunny!

Dominus Owen Markham

And for those of you who would like to see and read what was the very first Winnie the Pooh publication back in 1926 – Look below, read it here or download it (this is a public domain file from Project Gutenberg and therefore can be shared).