Elizabeth Reynolds Ripley 11/16/00

Today is my sister Betty's birthday.  Betty was much more than just my sister, she was my dearest companion throughout our childhood and is, to this day, always in my heart, no matter what the distance.

It greatly pained me that she died before me.  It was not just that she was younger - by 18 months or so - it was that when we were growing up and as young women, she was always so remarkably young in spirit.  When I would be sitting reading a book, Betty would be out climbing a tree or kicking up a ruckus. 

We were together in good times and bad.  The period from when Papa's health started deteriorating to when he became a convalescent to when he died was, I think, about from when I was 17 to just past 19.  For Betty, that would have been from 15 to 17.  Imagine being her age and helping tend for a beloved, declining parent. 

We were always close, but that time when Mom was back in Baltimore trying to replace Papa at the office and the three of us - Papa, Betty and I - were tucked away in the “Come Again Cabin” in Bryn Athyn brought the two of us even closer. 

We were each other's support and comfort in what seems, looking back, an impossibly difficult time.  Both Betty and I were in school and yet – until he moved up the road to Cowley’s - we were responsible for taking care of Papa, the little house, and school. 

I still grieve that I was not able to give Papa better care and I am sure Betty carried that sadness with her too.

I like to think what life would be like if Betty was still alive and if we were living close to each other.  I like picturing long talks over coffee at Barnes & Noble or in the kitchen at Squirrel Haven.    The two of us splitting a can of Progresso Turkey Noodle Soup and some fluffy biscuits.  The two of us just being together.  I would have liked that, I would have liked that a lot.

Happy birthday, Betty.  Your sister loves and misses you.   - Cossie -

2 fine Fuzzies 11/15/00

After our glorious four days at DisneyWorld, Elsa and I decamped for several more days with Bob & Lois Furry, the hosts with the most.  They have a marvelous little big  house right on the edge of a nature preserve.  Lois has tales of crocodiles walking along the edge of their property. 

Instead of a deck out back, they have a luxury of luxuries - a cozy little pool.  I love water, whether it is the ocean, a lake, a river, a stream - or a pool.  It was lovely looking out at it, and I felt sad I had not packed a swimming suit. 

When I think of Lois and Bob's house, the word tranquility comes to mind.  It is a soothing place.  We liked it right well. 

Having those days of just being with friends, taking our ease, gave us a chance to recoup and recharge. Bob and Lois treated us like royalty. 

What I remember most - aside from my favorite part, which was shooting the breeze over coffee in their cozy dining nook - was going to Cypress Gardens.  Oh, what a beautiful place.  The flowers were out of this world.  We all commented on how John would have appreciated the outdoor railroad.  My favorite part was the conservatory filled with all sorts of beautiful butterflies.  It was beyond words.

DisneyWorld was a never-to-be-forgotten experience, but our stay with Bob and Lois was a special time I'll keep forever in my heart. 

Their loving friend - Kay

It's a Small World 11/13/00

Since 1964, Elsa was certain sure that one day I would see It's A Small World.  She saw it that year at the New York World's Fair.  Her brother, Peter, in an effort to get her performing "closer to her potential," offered to pay her $10 for each A and $5 for each B (princely sums in 1964) ~ AND ~ promised her a visit to the World's Fair if she passed all her subjects.  She came through and Peter, Elsa and Mim went to the fair.

It's A Small World was introduced at the World's Fair.  It was Coca Cola's exhibit, produced by Disney, a fact that I can remember because Elsa was delighted to go to the VIP lounge where there was free Coke.  Elsa and Mim had a ball, especially since Peter had a friend who lent him a press pass so they got all sorts of privileges including entry to the VIP lounges at the various exhibits and they did not have to wait in line.

Thirty-three years later and down in DisneyWorld, Elsa did not have a press pass but she did have the next best thing - me in a wheelchair.  I had a grand old time being wheeled about and we always got to go in special entrances and avoid the long waits.

On our last day, we finally went to the Magic Kingdom.  We did not have a lot of time, but I could not leave without seeing It's A Small World.  Well, I looked at that little boat that you have to get onto and I did not think I would make it - this was one ride where you cannot just wheel the chair on and off.  I did manage, although I have no idea how.  It was no small feat!

As I have described and remember, many things about DisneyWorld went straight to my heart, but none so totally enchanted me as It's A Small World.  It is innocent.  It is charming and entirely captivating, but most of all, it is innocent.   After the ride ended, part of me wanted to do it all over again and part of me wanted to remember forever a perfect moment. 

I am glad that we saved that for our last full day. It was, for me, the crowning glory.  I remember when Walt Disney opened DisneyWorld back in the 1950s and dedicated to the children of the world.  I loved Epcot and had a wonderful time at MGM Studios, but for me It's A Small World is DisneyWorld in microcosm.  I will smile remembering it for all of my life. 

Nite nite and God bless you, whatever part of the world you're in - Grandma Lockhart

p.s. - I thought I had no other "dream trips" left but one.  Not any more - I know now that I have got to, before I make that final crossing, take at least an overnight trip somewhere with Gail Reuter Cooper.  Who else but Gail would think to count how many different variations of Mickey Mouse butter pats were served in DisneyWorld?  Sorry,  Pete, you will just have to wait a little bit longer.  (And the next spring, Mom got in that overnight trip, the two of us with Gail & her daughter, Aline, rambling around Philadelphia’s Main Line!  ~elm~)

the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 11/11/00

Armistice Day, or Veteran's Day as they now call it in the USA, the day we honor all who have served in our nation's armed forces, in peacetime or in war. 

The Armistice, ending what we now refer to as World War 1, was signed on November 11th.  I can still that after we got the news, Bets and I banged away on the piano in wild celebration (I would have been all of 8, she would have been around 6).

Last Saturday, Elsa came home from shopping with a card that she knew would tickle me.  It was a Veteran's Day card honoring those who served in the Navy. 

I immediately thought of Jack Peddicord, who served in the Submarine service during World War II.  She had been thinking about Mike, who served in the US Navy in the early 1960s.   I love Jack dearly and am proud as all get out of him, but sent the card to Mike.

Some of you have heard my story about Jack's stint on a submarine.  It seems that crews were so small, various sailors took turns doing mess duty.  It can get pretty grim on morale when a submarine is submerged for long periods of time. 

Jack was doing kitchen duty during one of these long stretches.  The men were turning into a sorry bunch, with not a smile among the whole crew.  Jack thought it would boost their spirits to have something a little special, so he made the spiffiest dessert he could - jello with fruit cocktail. 

He was pretty proud of his efforts and you know what they say - pride goeth before the fall.  Well, apparently he was focused on his giggly concoction and not on where he was going because he tripped on a step leading up to the mess and - kersplat! - his face landed smack in the big pan of jello.  When he brought his head up, grapes and cherries and bits of pineapple and peaches were all over his face. 

Well, as Jack tells it, the crew  went into gales of long-overdue laughter, so Jack got the results he hoped for.

Michael, as I think I mentioned around Memorial Day, served in the Navy during the Cuban Blockade.  What a nail biter.  It was a scary time, but none of us had any idea how close to war we really and truly were.  

Mike served on the USS Enterprise, the largest aircraft carrier and the first to be nuclear powered.  I still get chills remembering Mike talk about a Russian ship that approached the Enterprise and how, when it got too close for comfort, the sights (sites?) of the battle guns on the Big E's escort destroyers raised up in preparation of firing.  The Russian ship backed away.

Those moments must have seemed an eternity to the men on all the ships.

Love and hugs to one and all, especially all the brave men and women of our nation's armed services, past and present. 

Dona nobis pacem.   - - Kay Lockhart

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E 11/10/00

When I think about going to the various parts of DisneyWorld, I feel

overwhelmed.  It was such a...  well, such a big experience is the best way to express what is in my heart.  I expected to have a really good time, I did not expect to be as moved as I was or feel so at home.

The 10th annual Teddy Bear Convention was taking place in DisneyWorld while we were there.  One evening, Elsa and I headed to the bar in Wilderness Lodge for a nightcap.  As we sat there, talking, with my small black bear, Sasha, with us on the table, an attractive couple who looked to be in their 40s came up.   They asked if we were there for the convention.  It took me a moment to realize that the man was tenderly holding an even smaller bear in his hands.   No, we were not there for the convention, but yes, we were definitely among our own kind. 

I thought that “the happiest place on Earth” was just an advertising slogan.  We learned it was simply the truth.  In the 4+ days we were in DisneyWorld, I did see a single parent snap at a child, nor did I hear a single child whine or complain. 

When I think of the children, I think of the little kids who were having the time of their lives with these water jets that came up through the pavement in one part of Epcot.  I can see the smiles and hear the great hoots of glee - what a treasured memory.  I see the little children gathered around the storyteller in the "England" part of Epcot as he leaned on his staff and spun a tale.  I see the children - and the parents and the grandparents - when they spotted Pluto or Tigger or Donald Duck or the biggest and best of them all - Mickey himself - walking around. 

I was there and Elsa was there, but in my heart so were Mim and Ian, both of whom watched the Mickey Mouse Club back in the 1950s.  Mim was a bit old for that sort of thing, being in her early teens, but she did so much with the "Top Yard" and other neighborhood children, watching it was an extension of her interaction with them.  Yes, both of them were very much with me.

Ever since Pete and I went to England, I dreamed of going there with Elsa.  We might not ever make it across the Atlantic together, but we did make it to the Rose & Crown, a pub that certainly seemed like a bit of transplanted England.  We sat outside and had the jolliest waitress.  We have a picture of her with yours truly, both of us grinning away like mad. 

Elsa and I ordered a “flight” (sampler) of ales along with our ploughman's lunch.  We polished them off between the two of us quite easily.  Time out of time and place out of place. 

What a gal that waitress was - I can't remember which part of England she was from. but the memory of her sets me smiling.  My blessings to her, wherever she may be.

Elsa "blew the wad" by staying at Wilderness Lodge to give me the freedom of staying put where we were - or - adventuring afield.  As you have heard, I definitely went adventuring.  However, if I had to pick my favorite spot in all of DisneyWorld, it would be Wilderness Lodge.  I loved going out onto our balcony and seeing trees stretching out as far as my eyes could see.  I loved sitting in that stunning yet cozy great hall.  I enjoyed the people. 

I loved it when Elsa bought us plastic “travel” coffee mugs that I could refill for free as many times as I liked. 

I loved watching the families walking to and fro, always happy. 

I loved that the staff unobtrusively kept everything spic and span. 

I loved looking up and up and up at carved eagles and bears and

other animals tucked here and there through that magnificent structure. 

I loved the awesome - an understatement - fireplace. 

I loved every nook and cranny of that magical place. 

All I have to do is close my eyes and I am back in its shelter and I am happy and smiling.

This smiling Grammie is heading up the wooden hill, with loving thoughts of DisneyWorld and you to keep me company. 

Nite nite and God bless..