Subj: Social whirlwind
Date: Thu Aug 31 00:04:32 EDT 2000
What a week it was.
Last Tuesday, Rebecca came by and we had a pleasant visit.
Wednesday evening, Erin and Louise made a surprise visit and about 15 minutes after they left, Bob and Margaret arrived for dessert, as scheduled. (That was an incredible evening, which I would like to write more about sometime down the road.)
Thursday night is always an UNsocial time for me, since that is the night John & Elsa see their communication coach and it is just me and the dolls & stuffies here at Squirrel Haven.
Sunday, we had another delightful surprise visit, this time from Cheryl, Dave & Candy.
Then, last night, Adriene, a delightful young friend of Elsa's (she is 26 and looks like she strolled right out of the '60s - not pretending to look that way, but really that way inside), came for supper.
The best was saved for last - a card AND e-mail letter from my granddaughter, Karen, filled with her energy. She wrote about several Hurstville gals, one of whom is in the USA (Colorado) and the other will be here soon, so they count as guests, too.
With all the energy and affection pinging around these walls, it is no wonder that Dave says he found me in better shape than he has in some time.
Oh - I reactivated my participation in an online discussion group that helps keep me on my toes.
Life is good.
Love from a night owl ~ Cyber Gram
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Cyber Gram's birth
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
MY OWN TRUE LOVE 01/01/01
Subj: my Own True Love
Date: Mon Jan 1 21:20:41 EST 2001
Pete, who is never far from my thoughts, has been constantly on my mind and in my heart over the past two days. You see, we met on New Year's Eve - Pete was an extra man brought by one of my best friends and her beau.
Not a New Year's Eve goes past without long and loving thoughts about that first night and every night thereafter.
My thoughts were also on Pete because of a letter from my #2 son that I came across yesterday morning in a drawer I rarely rummage through, one stuffed with photos and notes and memorabilia like graduation programs and clippings.
Mike wrote it almost seventeen years ago, just over nine years after Pete's death. It captures the Pete I loved so beautifully that I am taking the liberty of sharing parts of it with this list. Those of you who knew Pete will recognize him. For those of you who never knew my husband, this might give a glimpse of my OTL.
- - - - - - - - -
15/5/83 (May 5, 1983)
Dear Mother -
I just finished listening to the tape of Dad's service back in 1974... I realized by what Bishop Pendleton said that Dad was a great man. He was someone to be looked up to, because of his love for other people and not for himself. I am only sorry that I didn't take the time to get to know him better...
I think he (Mike's older brother, Peter) and I watched Dad seem to give his all and get little back. I know now how he got more than we ever realized. He was happy with life and found giving to others was worth more than fine gold. We look at success as getting material wealth, whereas Dad found his wealth in loving you, and us, and believing in the Lord. I hope I can do as much. And now his real success comes in meeting the Lord with B-Boy (Mike's younger brother, Ian), as we all must some day. I only hope that when I pass to the other world, I am remembered with as much love as the world has for my Dad. For you were lucky to have so much together and share in so many ways...
Love - Michael
- - - - - -
I felt Pete's presence so strongly as I read and reread that letter, a letter I have not seen for many, many years. It is interesting that it just happened to show up on New Year's Eve, of all days. A lovely bit of serendipity, don't you think?
Love and hugs to one and all, especially to Pete's friends and acquaintances and most especially to our grandchildren, Whitney and Chad, Reynolds, Scott and Kimberly, and Karen.
~ Mrs. Raymond Lewis Lockhart, ADPOI ~
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the centenary of Mrs. Raymond Lewis Lockhart's birth
ADPOI - And Damn Proud Of It
Date: Mon Jan 1 21:20:41 EST 2001
Pete, who is never far from my thoughts, has been constantly on my mind and in my heart over the past two days. You see, we met on New Year's Eve - Pete was an extra man brought by one of my best friends and her beau.
Not a New Year's Eve goes past without long and loving thoughts about that first night and every night thereafter.
My thoughts were also on Pete because of a letter from my #2 son that I came across yesterday morning in a drawer I rarely rummage through, one stuffed with photos and notes and memorabilia like graduation programs and clippings.
Mike wrote it almost seventeen years ago, just over nine years after Pete's death. It captures the Pete I loved so beautifully that I am taking the liberty of sharing parts of it with this list. Those of you who knew Pete will recognize him. For those of you who never knew my husband, this might give a glimpse of my OTL.
- - - - - - - - -
15/5/83 (May 5, 1983)
Dear Mother -
I just finished listening to the tape of Dad's service back in 1974... I realized by what Bishop Pendleton said that Dad was a great man. He was someone to be looked up to, because of his love for other people and not for himself. I am only sorry that I didn't take the time to get to know him better...
I think he (Mike's older brother, Peter) and I watched Dad seem to give his all and get little back. I know now how he got more than we ever realized. He was happy with life and found giving to others was worth more than fine gold. We look at success as getting material wealth, whereas Dad found his wealth in loving you, and us, and believing in the Lord. I hope I can do as much. And now his real success comes in meeting the Lord with B-Boy (Mike's younger brother, Ian), as we all must some day. I only hope that when I pass to the other world, I am remembered with as much love as the world has for my Dad. For you were lucky to have so much together and share in so many ways...
Love - Michael
- - - - - -
I felt Pete's presence so strongly as I read and reread that letter, a letter I have not seen for many, many years. It is interesting that it just happened to show up on New Year's Eve, of all days. A lovely bit of serendipity, don't you think?
Love and hugs to one and all, especially to Pete's friends and acquaintances and most especially to our grandchildren, Whitney and Chad, Reynolds, Scott and Kimberly, and Karen.
~ Mrs. Raymond Lewis Lockhart, ADPOI ~
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the centenary of Mrs. Raymond Lewis Lockhart's birth
ADPOI - And Damn Proud Of It
Sunday, August 29, 2010
"GENTLE" 11/05/00
Subj: “Gentle”
Date: Sun Nov 5 19:33:02 EST 2000
Elsa whisked me out of the house today, up to Newtown for breakfast at Pat's. We got there at the tag end of their serving hours, so we were seated at once. Our regular Saturday friends were there, which was a lovely surprise. They had their son and his son and baby daughter, too.
We were seated upstairs and they were seated down, so we did not talk to them a lot. The little boy, who I peg at around 2 1/2, came upstairs (two steps up is all) and was reverently touching some china objects on a very low table. His papa came up and I was very impressed by the young man, who looked down at his son and said in a very loving voice, "Gentle."
Not, "Don't touch." Not, "Be careful." He said just that one word, "Gentle." That positive, reinforcing message went straight to my heart.
After we finished up and headed out to the car, we saw our friends helping the young father get his children into his car. After he pulled out, his dad leaned against our car, his arm thrown over the roof and a hand on the passenger’s side door handle. He sort of looked like he thought it belonged to him, so Elsa said, "It's ours." thinking theirs was similar.
Oh, they had walked, he explained, then waited for me to get to the door, opened it for me, helped me in, said "Tuck in your foot" just like John or Elsa would, even fastened my seat belt. I was touched and surprised.
Elsa gave him a big hug and one to his wife. They talked a bit, then the couple headed out to State Street and home.
When Elsa got back in the car, I mentioned how floored I was by his tenderness. "And you didn't even see him crying," she replied.
It turns out that his mother - whom he misses every day - had the same sort of car and he was showing me the tender loving car he showed her.
Our Saturday breakfast outing brought home to a simple truth: we never know what impact we are having on others by just breathing, by driving a certain car, by showing the tender loving care of a son to a mother.
It was a good day. Best wishes to you all for a good night, with special blessing to Dick for being a loving son.
xoxoxox - Mum Lockhart
reposted in sweet memory of KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mum Lockhart's birth
Date: Sun Nov 5 19:33:02 EST 2000
Elsa whisked me out of the house today, up to Newtown for breakfast at Pat's. We got there at the tag end of their serving hours, so we were seated at once. Our regular Saturday friends were there, which was a lovely surprise. They had their son and his son and baby daughter, too.
We were seated upstairs and they were seated down, so we did not talk to them a lot. The little boy, who I peg at around 2 1/2, came upstairs (two steps up is all) and was reverently touching some china objects on a very low table. His papa came up and I was very impressed by the young man, who looked down at his son and said in a very loving voice, "Gentle."
Not, "Don't touch." Not, "Be careful." He said just that one word, "Gentle." That positive, reinforcing message went straight to my heart.
After we finished up and headed out to the car, we saw our friends helping the young father get his children into his car. After he pulled out, his dad leaned against our car, his arm thrown over the roof and a hand on the passenger’s side door handle. He sort of looked like he thought it belonged to him, so Elsa said, "It's ours." thinking theirs was similar.
Oh, they had walked, he explained, then waited for me to get to the door, opened it for me, helped me in, said "Tuck in your foot" just like John or Elsa would, even fastened my seat belt. I was touched and surprised.
Elsa gave him a big hug and one to his wife. They talked a bit, then the couple headed out to State Street and home.
When Elsa got back in the car, I mentioned how floored I was by his tenderness. "And you didn't even see him crying," she replied.
It turns out that his mother - whom he misses every day - had the same sort of car and he was showing me the tender loving car he showed her.
Our Saturday breakfast outing brought home to a simple truth: we never know what impact we are having on others by just breathing, by driving a certain car, by showing the tender loving care of a son to a mother.
It was a good day. Best wishes to you all for a good night, with special blessing to Dick for being a loving son.
xoxoxox - Mum Lockhart
reposted in sweet memory of KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mum Lockhart's birth
Saturday, August 28, 2010
23 DAYS TO GO 08/22/00
Subj: 23 days to go
Date: Tue Aug 22 21:17:40 EDT 2000
Some vital statistics about the Olympic torch, making its way around Australia:
* Days it will be on the run - 100 nationally/31 in New South Wales (NSW)
* Distance - 27,000 kilometres in Australia/5,393 kilometres in NSW
* Torchbearers - 10,000 nationally/3,141 in NSW
* Cities, towns and villages it will go through - 1,000 nationally/300 in NSW
* Official community celebrations - 180 nationally/61 in NSW (and countless unofficial celebrations)
reposted in sweet memory of KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 5/14 centenary of Mom's birth
Date: Tue Aug 22 21:17:40 EDT 2000
Some vital statistics about the Olympic torch, making its way around Australia:
* Days it will be on the run - 100 nationally/31 in New South Wales (NSW)
* Distance - 27,000 kilometres in Australia/5,393 kilometres in NSW
* Torchbearers - 10,000 nationally/3,141 in NSW
* Cities, towns and villages it will go through - 1,000 nationally/300 in NSW
* Official community celebrations - 180 nationally/61 in NSW (and countless unofficial celebrations)
reposted in sweet memory of KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 5/14 centenary of Mom's birth
Friday, August 27, 2010
WILD GEESE FLYING 09/11/2000
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 22:21:19 EDT
Subject: Wild Geese Flying
That is the name of one of Ian's favorite books. It should not surprise me that John, who is so like Ian in many big and small ways, dearly loves wild geese. Elsa claims that he can hear any that fly within honk distance of Squirrel Run, even in his sleep.
The only time I have ever known John to get up at daybreak was last year, when he and Elsa went to the Churchville Nature Center several times, as the sky was just suggesting dawn, to watch the geese taking off from the little lake, hundreds and hundreds of them.
I rarely get to see the geese, although just hearing them can make me smile, too. It takes me too long to get to the door or the window from where I sit in the big chair in the living room. This morning, though, as I sat on my bed getting ready for the day, I heard the familiar honking coming from the south (probably the bit of a pond near by) toward the northeast and I looked out the window. There was a magnificent V of Canada geese, winging their way toward Langhorne. It was beautiful.
It felt like a special blessing from the Lord. I am having the first of two
cataract surgeries tomorrow, I am not sure on which eye. I had been dreading
it for some time and had sort of worked it so that other people would call it
off, but every obstacle was overcome and surgery is still set for tomorrow.
Yesterday I was very nervous and even afraid, but today I felt excited.
I believe that is the effect of the geese, realizing that after the surgery, if all goes as planned, I will have my wings back - I will be able to read again. I miss reading.
John is taking me - at 7:10 a.m. - to the hospital and will stay with me, the
dear lad. Elsa could not get off any time, due to a heavy work load. John is so sweet, he almost makes it sound like he is honored to take me -- John who normally gets to bed at 4:00 a.m. and gets up after noon.
It will be an adventure.
The geese I saw this morning are settled down somewhere and soon I will be doing the same.
Love to you all, especially to my loved ones in Hurstville and Loftus NSW - we are separated by as much distance as anyone can be, but my heart is very much with you, fired by The Torch and my love for you all.
Grandma Lockhart
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grandma Lockhart's birth
Subject: Wild Geese Flying
That is the name of one of Ian's favorite books. It should not surprise me that John, who is so like Ian in many big and small ways, dearly loves wild geese. Elsa claims that he can hear any that fly within honk distance of Squirrel Run, even in his sleep.
The only time I have ever known John to get up at daybreak was last year, when he and Elsa went to the Churchville Nature Center several times, as the sky was just suggesting dawn, to watch the geese taking off from the little lake, hundreds and hundreds of them.
I rarely get to see the geese, although just hearing them can make me smile, too. It takes me too long to get to the door or the window from where I sit in the big chair in the living room. This morning, though, as I sat on my bed getting ready for the day, I heard the familiar honking coming from the south (probably the bit of a pond near by) toward the northeast and I looked out the window. There was a magnificent V of Canada geese, winging their way toward Langhorne. It was beautiful.
It felt like a special blessing from the Lord. I am having the first of two
cataract surgeries tomorrow, I am not sure on which eye. I had been dreading
it for some time and had sort of worked it so that other people would call it
off, but every obstacle was overcome and surgery is still set for tomorrow.
Yesterday I was very nervous and even afraid, but today I felt excited.
I believe that is the effect of the geese, realizing that after the surgery, if all goes as planned, I will have my wings back - I will be able to read again. I miss reading.
John is taking me - at 7:10 a.m. - to the hospital and will stay with me, the
dear lad. Elsa could not get off any time, due to a heavy work load. John is so sweet, he almost makes it sound like he is honored to take me -- John who normally gets to bed at 4:00 a.m. and gets up after noon.
It will be an adventure.
The geese I saw this morning are settled down somewhere and soon I will be doing the same.
Love to you all, especially to my loved ones in Hurstville and Loftus NSW - we are separated by as much distance as anyone can be, but my heart is very much with you, fired by The Torch and my love for you all.
Grandma Lockhart
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grandma Lockhart's birth
Thursday, August 26, 2010
...PETE'S BIRTHDAY 04/23/01
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 22:17:02 EDT
Subject: Yesterday was Pete's birthday
Pete would have been 89 yesterday (I robbed the cradle). I felt his presence
especially close to me throughout the day.
Then, last night, something happened that made me feel him so near to me I could almost hear his voice and feel the touch of his hand. The classical music station started playing "Rhapsody in Blue." That was Pete's favorite piece of music. I could not believe when it started playing.
Sitting there in the big chair in the living room, I thought about one of my favorite newspaper cartoons, Family Circus. A running theme has to do with the grandparents, the grandfather who died several years ago. The cartoon will show the angel grandfather watching over the family and his beloved wife.
That is how it felt yesterday, like Pete was right there with me, only I hadn't the eyes yet to see him. What a lovely present from the birthday boy to his best girl.
Elsa called from work today and said, "Let's go out for supper tonight to celebrate Dad's birthday!"
The three of us had a lovely time - we went to Mike's Street Road Grill. It practically felt like a family celebration, since we used a gift certificate that Peter had given Elsa for Christmas. So, we celebrated my Pete while Elsa sprang for dinner using a gift certificate from our Peter. Our bill came to just $1.95 over the amount of the gift certificate. Not bad planning, especially since we all started with a drink (I had a lovely merlot) and John not only got the grilled salmon, he also got a side order of french fries and ice cream for dessert. A man after Pete's heart. Oh, and we ordered stuffed potato skins.
It was a just a few days ago that I confessed to Elsa that I had a craving for stuffed potato skins, with cheddar cheese and bacon and sour cream. That is exactly what we got tonight. Six well-stuffed skins arrived and we each ate two. John did not finish all of his and Elsa left a few morsels, but I ate every bite of mine.
I am a potato skin fan from way back. In the Reynolds-Lockhart house, when we had baked potatoes we'd scoop out the innards and throw it away, then butter up and eat the skins. Heavenly.
My favorite potato skin story begins with a Thursday night visit by Elsa and myself to Brittingham's. The group who were supposed to be playing that night had cancelled, leaving two very disappointed ladies. Then Elsa had a plan to salvage the evening - she suggested we go to Morley's in Norristown for a pint of Harp and a platter of their wonderful stuffed potato skins.
Well, Chris Morley was so surprised to see us show up on a Thursday, you could have knocked him over with a feather. While we were waiting for our skins to arrive, he could not resist coming over and asking what brought us there on a Thursday night. Elsa looked him straight in the eye and said, "Mom had a craving for your potato skins." Well, bless the dear girl. Not the whole truth, but the best version. After that explanation, which completely left out any mention of Brittingham's, I could do no wrong as far as Chris was concerned.
Morley's was a special place. When Elsa went for music and stayed late, Chris always saw her out to her car. People would sign $1 bills and Chris put them up on the walls, like wall paper. We took Gay (Pendleton) there and she gave him a $2 bill signed by Bill Simon. Dave and Candy had their $1 bills up and so did other friends we took over. Elsa said she had to mind her step at Morley's, what with the presence of family and friends looking over her!
I miss Morley's, which had great music, great owners and great food, but I am certainly glad to have experienced it - and enjoyed their outstanding stuffed potato skins.
With all this activity today - and with summertime-like weather (mid-80s today) - this Gramster is ready to head up the wooden hill. What a lovely way to fall asleep - with the taste of the potato skins just a memory away, Pete tucked away in my heart, and lovely thoughts of Chris and his crew.
Nite nite and God bless - Pete's Girl
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Pete's Girl's birth
Subject: Yesterday was Pete's birthday
Pete would have been 89 yesterday (I robbed the cradle). I felt his presence
especially close to me throughout the day.
Then, last night, something happened that made me feel him so near to me I could almost hear his voice and feel the touch of his hand. The classical music station started playing "Rhapsody in Blue." That was Pete's favorite piece of music. I could not believe when it started playing.
Sitting there in the big chair in the living room, I thought about one of my favorite newspaper cartoons, Family Circus. A running theme has to do with the grandparents, the grandfather who died several years ago. The cartoon will show the angel grandfather watching over the family and his beloved wife.
That is how it felt yesterday, like Pete was right there with me, only I hadn't the eyes yet to see him. What a lovely present from the birthday boy to his best girl.
Elsa called from work today and said, "Let's go out for supper tonight to celebrate Dad's birthday!"
The three of us had a lovely time - we went to Mike's Street Road Grill. It practically felt like a family celebration, since we used a gift certificate that Peter had given Elsa for Christmas. So, we celebrated my Pete while Elsa sprang for dinner using a gift certificate from our Peter. Our bill came to just $1.95 over the amount of the gift certificate. Not bad planning, especially since we all started with a drink (I had a lovely merlot) and John not only got the grilled salmon, he also got a side order of french fries and ice cream for dessert. A man after Pete's heart. Oh, and we ordered stuffed potato skins.
It was a just a few days ago that I confessed to Elsa that I had a craving for stuffed potato skins, with cheddar cheese and bacon and sour cream. That is exactly what we got tonight. Six well-stuffed skins arrived and we each ate two. John did not finish all of his and Elsa left a few morsels, but I ate every bite of mine.
I am a potato skin fan from way back. In the Reynolds-Lockhart house, when we had baked potatoes we'd scoop out the innards and throw it away, then butter up and eat the skins. Heavenly.
My favorite potato skin story begins with a Thursday night visit by Elsa and myself to Brittingham's. The group who were supposed to be playing that night had cancelled, leaving two very disappointed ladies. Then Elsa had a plan to salvage the evening - she suggested we go to Morley's in Norristown for a pint of Harp and a platter of their wonderful stuffed potato skins.
Well, Chris Morley was so surprised to see us show up on a Thursday, you could have knocked him over with a feather. While we were waiting for our skins to arrive, he could not resist coming over and asking what brought us there on a Thursday night. Elsa looked him straight in the eye and said, "Mom had a craving for your potato skins." Well, bless the dear girl. Not the whole truth, but the best version. After that explanation, which completely left out any mention of Brittingham's, I could do no wrong as far as Chris was concerned.
Morley's was a special place. When Elsa went for music and stayed late, Chris always saw her out to her car. People would sign $1 bills and Chris put them up on the walls, like wall paper. We took Gay (Pendleton) there and she gave him a $2 bill signed by Bill Simon. Dave and Candy had their $1 bills up and so did other friends we took over. Elsa said she had to mind her step at Morley's, what with the presence of family and friends looking over her!
I miss Morley's, which had great music, great owners and great food, but I am certainly glad to have experienced it - and enjoyed their outstanding stuffed potato skins.
With all this activity today - and with summertime-like weather (mid-80s today) - this Gramster is ready to head up the wooden hill. What a lovely way to fall asleep - with the taste of the potato skins just a memory away, Pete tucked away in my heart, and lovely thoughts of Chris and his crew.
Nite nite and God bless - Pete's Girl
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Pete's Girl's birth
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
A MOTHER'S BILL of RIGHTS 06/10/00
Subj: A Mother's Bill of Rights
Date: 6/10/00 9:30:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time
I have read my fair share of books and articles about relationships, personal responsibility and parenting. What with Mother's Day and all, now's a good time to share something from a book by Dr. Charney Herst about enriching and repairing the bond between parents and adult children. Here is Dr. Herst's "Mother's* Bill of Rights"
"I have the right...
> ...to be treated with respect
> ...to control my own life as long as I can
> ...to an explanation of my children's feelings ~ I cannot intuit their thoughts
> ...to be sad or angry without hiding my feelings to protect my children
> ...to say no
> ...to reminisce and be sentimental
> ...to talk to my children about my problems. I do not expect them to provide solutions, just listen
> ...to buy nice things and go places
> ..to my own opinions. I do not expect my children to agree with all of them
> ...to miss my children. It does not mean I want to control them
> ...I have the responsibility to respect each of my children and to grant them the same right I expect for myself."
My thank to Dr. Herst. Blessings on you all - Ma Lockhart
* I think it applies to Dads, too
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Ma Lockhart's birth
Date: 6/10/00 9:30:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time
I have read my fair share of books and articles about relationships, personal responsibility and parenting. What with Mother's Day and all, now's a good time to share something from a book by Dr. Charney Herst about enriching and repairing the bond between parents and adult children. Here is Dr. Herst's "Mother's* Bill of Rights"
"I have the right...
> ...to be treated with respect
> ...to control my own life as long as I can
> ...to an explanation of my children's feelings ~ I cannot intuit their thoughts
> ...to be sad or angry without hiding my feelings to protect my children
> ...to say no
> ...to reminisce and be sentimental
> ...to talk to my children about my problems. I do not expect them to provide solutions, just listen
> ...to buy nice things and go places
> ..to my own opinions. I do not expect my children to agree with all of them
> ...to miss my children. It does not mean I want to control them
> ...I have the responsibility to respect each of my children and to grant them the same right I expect for myself."
My thank to Dr. Herst. Blessings on you all - Ma Lockhart
* I think it applies to Dads, too
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Ma Lockhart's birth
Monday, August 23, 2010
HIGHLAND MISTS
Subj: Highland Mists
Date: 5/20/00 4:03:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time
When I got up this morning, there was a light rain, more of a heavy mist than a drizzle. The house was quiet, Elsa having left at 7:00 a.m. for a craft lesson in Reading on beading bobby pins, barretts and hair ties.
Sitting at my big-armed chair with a cup of coffee and a raisin cinnamon role, I went through the piles of letters that seem to spring up on, over and around the coffee table. Sifting my way through, I came across a flyer for the Fairhill (MD) Highland Gathering, being played today. Looking out at the weather, it seemed to me perfect weather for Scottish Games.
Between Pete's Scottish bloodlines and my Welsh ancestry, a lot of Celtic corpuscles pump through my childrens' hearts.
Mimmy suggested going to our first Scottish gathering, the Delco Scottish Games held at the Devon Horse Show Grounds. That must have been over 25 years ago. I remember how stirring the massed bands were - and how baking hot it was under a blazing summer sun.
On the opposite end of the barometric scale, the three of us headed down several times in early December to Alexandria VA's Scottish Walk, a long drive but well worth it.
One summer about 15 years ago, Elsa and I took in three (3) Scottish Games - in Fairhill in May, in Alexandria in July (we even stayed overnight, but that's another story), and in Pipersville (PA) in the fall.
The Fairhill Games are held on a large meadow; the ones in Alexandria took place on a high school campus, with the massed bands parading in the stadium; the Pipersville Games - the smallest by far of the lot - were held in a glen.
I loved the games in Pipersville best of all and can still see & hear & feel the band as it came the hill toward us at the bottom of the glen. It was a rare perfect moment.
Recently, it was delightful to see Lyt Patterson, Whitney's paternal grandfather, at her wedding fully kilted out in his clan's tartan and to watch her walk up the aisle on Peter's arm as a bagpiper played several stanzas of "Highland Cathedral."
What is it about the swirl of bagpipe music and the swing of a kilt that stirs my blood? I hope this Ancient One gets to see another Highland Gathering, to hear the thrill of bagpipes at least one more time.
My goodness, all these memories stirred from a misty, moisty morning.
Love to my dear laddies & lassies - Grammie Kay
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grammie Kay's birth
Date: 5/20/00 4:03:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time
When I got up this morning, there was a light rain, more of a heavy mist than a drizzle. The house was quiet, Elsa having left at 7:00 a.m. for a craft lesson in Reading on beading bobby pins, barretts and hair ties.
Sitting at my big-armed chair with a cup of coffee and a raisin cinnamon role, I went through the piles of letters that seem to spring up on, over and around the coffee table. Sifting my way through, I came across a flyer for the Fairhill (MD) Highland Gathering, being played today. Looking out at the weather, it seemed to me perfect weather for Scottish Games.
Between Pete's Scottish bloodlines and my Welsh ancestry, a lot of Celtic corpuscles pump through my childrens' hearts.
Mimmy suggested going to our first Scottish gathering, the Delco Scottish Games held at the Devon Horse Show Grounds. That must have been over 25 years ago. I remember how stirring the massed bands were - and how baking hot it was under a blazing summer sun.
On the opposite end of the barometric scale, the three of us headed down several times in early December to Alexandria VA's Scottish Walk, a long drive but well worth it.
One summer about 15 years ago, Elsa and I took in three (3) Scottish Games - in Fairhill in May, in Alexandria in July (we even stayed overnight, but that's another story), and in Pipersville (PA) in the fall.
The Fairhill Games are held on a large meadow; the ones in Alexandria took place on a high school campus, with the massed bands parading in the stadium; the Pipersville Games - the smallest by far of the lot - were held in a glen.
I loved the games in Pipersville best of all and can still see & hear & feel the band as it came the hill toward us at the bottom of the glen. It was a rare perfect moment.
Recently, it was delightful to see Lyt Patterson, Whitney's paternal grandfather, at her wedding fully kilted out in his clan's tartan and to watch her walk up the aisle on Peter's arm as a bagpiper played several stanzas of "Highland Cathedral."
What is it about the swirl of bagpipe music and the swing of a kilt that stirs my blood? I hope this Ancient One gets to see another Highland Gathering, to hear the thrill of bagpipes at least one more time.
My goodness, all these memories stirred from a misty, moisty morning.
Love to my dear laddies & lassies - Grammie Kay
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grammie Kay's birth
Sunday, August 22, 2010
POO-POOING POSTERITY 05/18/00
Subject: poo-pooing posterity
Date: 5/18/00 10:10:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time
I heard someone at the party refer to my nocturnal postings as "for posterity." I aoubt it - people will little note nor long remember what I have written on these electronic pages.
Why do I write? Because I miss the sense of connection that was as natural as breathing back in my younger days, when all of my neighbors were people I knew going back generations and when I hoof it to the grocery store (at Heath's, then Soneson's Store), to BA post office, my childrens' schools, and even two (2) train stations.
One of my children recently brought to my attention the possibility that most people would not interested in my ramblings. Going one step further, even I know that you may have more e-mail than you know what to do with.
Please do not hesitate asking me to take you off the list, without prejudice, as they say in the courts. You will always be in my heart and that is what matters.
So much for this posterity nonsense. I am enjoying the here & now far too much.
Nite-nite and God bless - CyberGram (as JPR says)
in an unusual digression from the norm, am including some responses to Mom's 5/18 posting...
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 08:13:36 EDT
Subject: Re: Mindwalkers - poo-pooing posterity
Dear Mrs. Lockhart I check my mail every day now. I love listening to you.
I feel very privileged to be on your list I sometimes feel like a voyeur which comes with the privilege. I have always felt that you are such a wonderful human being, and now to share this stage of your life is a gift that help me to love my grandparents even more.
How I wish my mother was still alive and doing what you are doing now. No one ever thought of it though and so we lost out. you are a wonderful women and I am so pleased to call you my friend. Thank you ME Peggy
From: DJN
Subject: Re: WOMEN: Mindwalkers - poo-pooing posterity
Dear Kay,
I, for one, do not find your stories boring or out of line. And, yes, I hope someone IS keeping hard copies of your messages (privately, of course).
One of our most intriguing and useful sources of information about times gone by are diaries kept by women who never expected anyone would read them. These women certainly did not consider themselves history-writers! But the view of the world at that time is invaluable to our understanding of the reality of that time.
So please don't take me ff your list - I'm prompted to think, to reflect, to enjoy, by your postings.
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 08:37:14 -0400
From: MYG
Subject: Re: Mindwalkers - poo-pooing posterity
Dear Aunt Kay,
Please do not take me off your e-mail list. I love hearing from you even thought I don't respond very often. I know that Est feels the same way.
Your messages are wonderful! E-mail is a great way to stay in touch even though we are separated by space.
Your party was memorable! May you have many more.
Love,
M & B
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 10:13:27 -0400
From: GRC
Dear, Dear Grammie Kay--
Every day when I come in to my office and turn on my computer, I wait happily for the latest installment from Mindwalker. For those of us who share your need to connect with the past, these wonderful memories you have are a treasured gift.
I have always believed that those of us who do not have the opportunity to share in the memories and wisdom of our elders are so much the poorer for it. It is part of the Lord's order, that these things be passed on. Thank heavens for email, which makes it so accessible, when we are bound to our homes by work, business, or infirmities.
I love stepping back in time to an earlier Bryn Athyn, an earlier world, with your memories. It satisfies my need to time travel!
It is my sincere hope that the only thing that will stop these wonderful messages will be when Mindwalker makes the Final Journey. Until then, don't hesitate to believe that there are many of us for whom your messages are a wonderful way to start
the day.
Those who don't want to share can just hit the delete button! I doubt there are many of us.
I look forward to your next message. G
Date: 5/18/00 10:10:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time
I heard someone at the party refer to my nocturnal postings as "for posterity." I aoubt it - people will little note nor long remember what I have written on these electronic pages.
Why do I write? Because I miss the sense of connection that was as natural as breathing back in my younger days, when all of my neighbors were people I knew going back generations and when I hoof it to the grocery store (at Heath's, then Soneson's Store), to BA post office, my childrens' schools, and even two (2) train stations.
One of my children recently brought to my attention the possibility that most people would not interested in my ramblings. Going one step further, even I know that you may have more e-mail than you know what to do with.
Please do not hesitate asking me to take you off the list, without prejudice, as they say in the courts. You will always be in my heart and that is what matters.
So much for this posterity nonsense. I am enjoying the here & now far too much.
Nite-nite and God bless - CyberGram (as JPR says)
in an unusual digression from the norm, am including some responses to Mom's 5/18 posting...
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 08:13:36 EDT
Subject: Re: Mindwalkers - poo-pooing posterity
Dear Mrs. Lockhart I check my mail every day now. I love listening to you.
I feel very privileged to be on your list I sometimes feel like a voyeur which comes with the privilege. I have always felt that you are such a wonderful human being, and now to share this stage of your life is a gift that help me to love my grandparents even more.
How I wish my mother was still alive and doing what you are doing now. No one ever thought of it though and so we lost out. you are a wonderful women and I am so pleased to call you my friend. Thank you ME Peggy
From: DJN
Subject: Re: WOMEN: Mindwalkers - poo-pooing posterity
Dear Kay,
I, for one, do not find your stories boring or out of line. And, yes, I hope someone IS keeping hard copies of your messages (privately, of course).
One of our most intriguing and useful sources of information about times gone by are diaries kept by women who never expected anyone would read them. These women certainly did not consider themselves history-writers! But the view of the world at that time is invaluable to our understanding of the reality of that time.
So please don't take me ff your list - I'm prompted to think, to reflect, to enjoy, by your postings.
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 08:37:14 -0400
From: MYG
Subject: Re: Mindwalkers - poo-pooing posterity
Dear Aunt Kay,
Please do not take me off your e-mail list. I love hearing from you even thought I don't respond very often. I know that Est feels the same way.
Your messages are wonderful! E-mail is a great way to stay in touch even though we are separated by space.
Your party was memorable! May you have many more.
Love,
M & B
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 10:13:27 -0400
From: GRC
Dear, Dear Grammie Kay--
Every day when I come in to my office and turn on my computer, I wait happily for the latest installment from Mindwalker. For those of us who share your need to connect with the past, these wonderful memories you have are a treasured gift.
I have always believed that those of us who do not have the opportunity to share in the memories and wisdom of our elders are so much the poorer for it. It is part of the Lord's order, that these things be passed on. Thank heavens for email, which makes it so accessible, when we are bound to our homes by work, business, or infirmities.
I love stepping back in time to an earlier Bryn Athyn, an earlier world, with your memories. It satisfies my need to time travel!
It is my sincere hope that the only thing that will stop these wonderful messages will be when Mindwalker makes the Final Journey. Until then, don't hesitate to believe that there are many of us for whom your messages are a wonderful way to start
the day.
Those who don't want to share can just hit the delete button! I doubt there are many of us.
I look forward to your next message. G
Saturday, August 21, 2010
GRAMMIE'S DAY 05/16/00
Subj: Mindwalkers - Grammie's Day
Date: 5/16/00 10:20:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Lots of ladies get Mother's Day cards from their grandchildren. Hit the jackpot with my GRAMchildren - the dolls & stuffies inside Squirrel Haven and the birds & rabbits & especially squirrels outside.
A small pile of cards from them and J & E awaited me at dinnertime tonight (a delayed celebration to give it full due), along with beautifully wrapped presents ~ a lovely book from the "kids" about grandmothers compiled and printed by the Victoria magazine publishers, from John & Elsa a cd by Phil Coulter - my favorite pianist (his title rendition of Whitney's processional, Highland Cathedral, gave me chills), and a book called "Small Miracles" which came with a promise from Elsa to read it to me untiil I have my cataract surgery.
Before dinner, it was great fun to hear Elsa's reactions as she came upon cards that John had tucked here & there for "Mama" Budgette – in the den (from those darn mice we can't seem to get to vacate the premises), on the screen door leading out to the porch (from the "Backyard Kids"),perched against the screen in the kitchen (from her Own True Budgie), waiting for her at her computer (from the dolls & stuffies).
The love represented by the stuffies that seem to rule the roost keeps our home full up with smiles and happiness and snuggles waiting to happen.
Bed awaits! Love to all - Sissy et al's GRAMMIE
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Sissy et al's Grammie's birth
Date: 5/16/00 10:20:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Lots of ladies get Mother's Day cards from their grandchildren. Hit the jackpot with my GRAMchildren - the dolls & stuffies inside Squirrel Haven and the birds & rabbits & especially squirrels outside.
A small pile of cards from them and J & E awaited me at dinnertime tonight (a delayed celebration to give it full due), along with beautifully wrapped presents ~ a lovely book from the "kids" about grandmothers compiled and printed by the Victoria magazine publishers, from John & Elsa a cd by Phil Coulter - my favorite pianist (his title rendition of Whitney's processional, Highland Cathedral, gave me chills), and a book called "Small Miracles" which came with a promise from Elsa to read it to me untiil I have my cataract surgery.
Before dinner, it was great fun to hear Elsa's reactions as she came upon cards that John had tucked here & there for "Mama" Budgette – in the den (from those darn mice we can't seem to get to vacate the premises), on the screen door leading out to the porch (from the "Backyard Kids"),perched against the screen in the kitchen (from her Own True Budgie), waiting for her at her computer (from the dolls & stuffies).
The love represented by the stuffies that seem to rule the roost keeps our home full up with smiles and happiness and snuggles waiting to happen.
Bed awaits! Love to all - Sissy et al's GRAMMIE
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Sissy et al's Grammie's birth
Friday, August 20, 2010
BONE WEARY 02/29/00
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 19:05:21 EST
Subject: Bone weary
What a long morning. Preadmission testing started at 8:00 a.m. and it lasted until noon. Luckily, Elsa rustled up a wheelchair and zipped me from pillar to post. We really made tracks around that hospital.
I was supposed to go back at 2:00 p.m. for a preadmission physical by my GP, but decided I was too plumb tuckered out. That posed a problem - I need a general physical and my GP's seal of approval to have surgery, but there was no more time available the rest of the week.
What to do, what to do??
A light at the end of the tunnel - John goes to the same GP and had an appointment for a physical tomorrow. Had. The dear lad handed over his appointment time to me. My hero!
By the time we left Holy Redeemer, I was famished (blood work meant I had to fast). I craved a turkey hoagie, so we swung by Wawa and picked one up on the way home. It tasted to me like the best hoagie in the world!
After polishing off the last crumb, it was time for this well-fed Grammie to wend my way up the wooden hill for a well-deserved nap. I was so tired, I did not know if I could make it, even with help.
Ah, my bed felt so good. The joy of stretching out my legs and just being flat. Bliss.
After Wednesday's physical comes the arteriogram on Thursday. It turns out that it is a pretty big deal, which I had not expected. I was thinking it would be like a cardiogram.
Not so. More’s the pity.
The procedure itself is only about an hour, but I have to stay flat for 6-8 hours afterward. It is a little scary, with a remote but real chance of stroke, due to my age and physical condition, but if I am going to have the shoulder replacement, it has got to be done. It will start at approximately 8:30 a.m. (EST). Your prayers and kind thoughts most welcome.
This is nothing what I thought all day I was going to write tonight. It was going to be about tulips and the complexities & marvels of family and include a recipe for fudge.
Thanks for indulging - for some reason, putting what is happening into words makes it more real and somehow less scary.
I know this is already too wordy, but I MUST take a moment to welcome some extra special people to this merry little band of online friends and relations - Gerry & Linda, Shauna, JJ and Keilly Gallagher, our wonderful neighbors.
They are a great family to have next door and do so much to perk my spirits just by being (Linda's parents' property is catty-corner to their back yard, so there are lots of intergenerational comings & goings, which is dear to this family lover's heart).
This afternoon after my nap, I sat in the big chair and watched JJ playing basketball on the driveway while Linda did her best to give 2-year old Kielly some freedom without detours out onto the beckoning road.
I not sure who got the better work out - JJ or his Mom!
Love to you all - The Gramster
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of The Gramster's birth FYI - Mom never did have the shoulder surgery!
Subject: Bone weary
What a long morning. Preadmission testing started at 8:00 a.m. and it lasted until noon. Luckily, Elsa rustled up a wheelchair and zipped me from pillar to post. We really made tracks around that hospital.
I was supposed to go back at 2:00 p.m. for a preadmission physical by my GP, but decided I was too plumb tuckered out. That posed a problem - I need a general physical and my GP's seal of approval to have surgery, but there was no more time available the rest of the week.
What to do, what to do??
A light at the end of the tunnel - John goes to the same GP and had an appointment for a physical tomorrow. Had. The dear lad handed over his appointment time to me. My hero!
By the time we left Holy Redeemer, I was famished (blood work meant I had to fast). I craved a turkey hoagie, so we swung by Wawa and picked one up on the way home. It tasted to me like the best hoagie in the world!
After polishing off the last crumb, it was time for this well-fed Grammie to wend my way up the wooden hill for a well-deserved nap. I was so tired, I did not know if I could make it, even with help.
Ah, my bed felt so good. The joy of stretching out my legs and just being flat. Bliss.
After Wednesday's physical comes the arteriogram on Thursday. It turns out that it is a pretty big deal, which I had not expected. I was thinking it would be like a cardiogram.
Not so. More’s the pity.
The procedure itself is only about an hour, but I have to stay flat for 6-8 hours afterward. It is a little scary, with a remote but real chance of stroke, due to my age and physical condition, but if I am going to have the shoulder replacement, it has got to be done. It will start at approximately 8:30 a.m. (EST). Your prayers and kind thoughts most welcome.
This is nothing what I thought all day I was going to write tonight. It was going to be about tulips and the complexities & marvels of family and include a recipe for fudge.
Thanks for indulging - for some reason, putting what is happening into words makes it more real and somehow less scary.
I know this is already too wordy, but I MUST take a moment to welcome some extra special people to this merry little band of online friends and relations - Gerry & Linda, Shauna, JJ and Keilly Gallagher, our wonderful neighbors.
They are a great family to have next door and do so much to perk my spirits just by being (Linda's parents' property is catty-corner to their back yard, so there are lots of intergenerational comings & goings, which is dear to this family lover's heart).
This afternoon after my nap, I sat in the big chair and watched JJ playing basketball on the driveway while Linda did her best to give 2-year old Kielly some freedom without detours out onto the beckoning road.
I not sure who got the better work out - JJ or his Mom!
Love to you all - The Gramster
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of The Gramster's birth FYI - Mom never did have the shoulder surgery!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
GOOD GRIEF, CHARLIE BROWN 03/07/00
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 23:41:00 EST
Subject: Good Grief, Charlie Brown
A discussion group that I have been part of for some time has included some interesting thoughts recently about grief. Seems a lot of people (including minsters and doctors) feel uncomfortable addressing the idea of grief over the loss of a loved one.
Why is it that people think telling someone in the freshness of loss that they should be happy because the loved one is "in a better place."
Grief is not frivolous, it is an important part of living. Well, yes, people who grieve like Queen Victoria did - in an all-consuming fashion - do seem to be going overboard and forgetting the living. But normal grief at the loss of a loved one is an important growth step.
This was recently brought home to me by something Elsa told me. A very young friend's grandmother died after a long and sad illness. The little girl was, naturally, feeling desolate and was unusually somber in school. Instead of just letting the little one feel the sense of loss, her teacher - with the best of intentions - said, "Don't be sad!" in a light and caring tone. She, I am sure unintentionally, sent the message that it is not okay to be sad, even when your Grandma dies.
When Pete died at the relatively young age of 61, a doctor friend of ours, someone I respected and whose opinion I valued, said to me at, "Well, Kay, it's been six months since Pete passed away. Time to be getting on with life." Luckily, I just thought he was bonkers. Life would never be the same, just as it was never the same after Ian died. Oh, the sun came out and happy times returned, but the sky was never quite the same shade of blue.
Several years after Ian died, Peter said to me incredulously several years when tears welled up in my eyes over some small reminder, "You still miss him, don't you, even after all this time." He just couldn't get over it. When his own son turned 11 years old, Peter told me, "I understand now. I cannot imagine what I would do if anything happened to Reynolds."
For weeks after Pete died, I just sat in the big chair in the living room and felt at a complete loss. I had just lost my heart. The grief was not for Pete. How many people do you know who grieve on behalf of the person who died? Not many. I grieved for a loss beyond my comprehension.
When parents or siblings have a terminal illness or injury, the adults discuss what to share with the children. Truman Capote was permanently scarred by his adored grandfather's death - not wanting to traumatize the child, the adults told him his grandfather "went away." Unimaginable.
Then again, I have heard some strange tales from friends within my own church about how adults in their lives handled what they were told or not told about a loved one's death.
There are different forms of grief:
There is the personal grief when a loved one dies.
There is community grief, as when a young person dies in war. I remember the sadness that swept over Bryn Athyn when Richard (Pat) Walter died in World War II - it brought us together and many of his classmates called their sons Richard in his honor. Including, I believe, Richard Simons, whose death in Vietnam brought Bryn Athyn together in grief.
There is national grieving, as when Charles Schultz and Jim Henson passed away.
There is even international grieving. FDR, JFK, Diana come to mind. Cynics label it hysteria, but total strangers coming together in sadness, leaving bouquets outside wrought iron gates or tossing flowers at a passing hearse, can be healing.
Did you grow up thinking about grief as a normal part of life or did you get the message to "be happy" instead of feeling the loss? It is 41 years since Ian died and I still miss him. It is 26 years since Pete's death and I miss him every day.
How do I hope my family and friends will grieve when this Ancient One finally shakes these mortal coils? With a sense of loss, longing for the good times we shared, forgiveness for the bad stuff, and - hopefully - lots of partying.
It is very, very late (almost midnight EST) & I must hie this tired body off to beddy bye.
Love to you all - Mum
reposted in sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mum's birth
Subject: Good Grief, Charlie Brown
A discussion group that I have been part of for some time has included some interesting thoughts recently about grief. Seems a lot of people (including minsters and doctors) feel uncomfortable addressing the idea of grief over the loss of a loved one.
Why is it that people think telling someone in the freshness of loss that they should be happy because the loved one is "in a better place."
Grief is not frivolous, it is an important part of living. Well, yes, people who grieve like Queen Victoria did - in an all-consuming fashion - do seem to be going overboard and forgetting the living. But normal grief at the loss of a loved one is an important growth step.
This was recently brought home to me by something Elsa told me. A very young friend's grandmother died after a long and sad illness. The little girl was, naturally, feeling desolate and was unusually somber in school. Instead of just letting the little one feel the sense of loss, her teacher - with the best of intentions - said, "Don't be sad!" in a light and caring tone. She, I am sure unintentionally, sent the message that it is not okay to be sad, even when your Grandma dies.
When Pete died at the relatively young age of 61, a doctor friend of ours, someone I respected and whose opinion I valued, said to me at, "Well, Kay, it's been six months since Pete passed away. Time to be getting on with life." Luckily, I just thought he was bonkers. Life would never be the same, just as it was never the same after Ian died. Oh, the sun came out and happy times returned, but the sky was never quite the same shade of blue.
Several years after Ian died, Peter said to me incredulously several years when tears welled up in my eyes over some small reminder, "You still miss him, don't you, even after all this time." He just couldn't get over it. When his own son turned 11 years old, Peter told me, "I understand now. I cannot imagine what I would do if anything happened to Reynolds."
For weeks after Pete died, I just sat in the big chair in the living room and felt at a complete loss. I had just lost my heart. The grief was not for Pete. How many people do you know who grieve on behalf of the person who died? Not many. I grieved for a loss beyond my comprehension.
When parents or siblings have a terminal illness or injury, the adults discuss what to share with the children. Truman Capote was permanently scarred by his adored grandfather's death - not wanting to traumatize the child, the adults told him his grandfather "went away." Unimaginable.
Then again, I have heard some strange tales from friends within my own church about how adults in their lives handled what they were told or not told about a loved one's death.
There are different forms of grief:
There is the personal grief when a loved one dies.
There is community grief, as when a young person dies in war. I remember the sadness that swept over Bryn Athyn when Richard (Pat) Walter died in World War II - it brought us together and many of his classmates called their sons Richard in his honor. Including, I believe, Richard Simons, whose death in Vietnam brought Bryn Athyn together in grief.
There is national grieving, as when Charles Schultz and Jim Henson passed away.
There is even international grieving. FDR, JFK, Diana come to mind. Cynics label it hysteria, but total strangers coming together in sadness, leaving bouquets outside wrought iron gates or tossing flowers at a passing hearse, can be healing.
Did you grow up thinking about grief as a normal part of life or did you get the message to "be happy" instead of feeling the loss? It is 41 years since Ian died and I still miss him. It is 26 years since Pete's death and I miss him every day.
How do I hope my family and friends will grieve when this Ancient One finally shakes these mortal coils? With a sense of loss, longing for the good times we shared, forgiveness for the bad stuff, and - hopefully - lots of partying.
It is very, very late (almost midnight EST) & I must hie this tired body off to beddy bye.
Love to you all - Mum
reposted in sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mum's birth
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
LAKE DAYS & LOCKHARTS 03/11/00
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 21:22:22 EST
Subject: Mindwalkers - Lake Days & Lockharts
This morning felt like an inverted "lake day." Lockharts have long used the term "lake day" or "a real laker" to describe a bright blue summer day with a
certain special quality in the air.
Today felt like a laker, but the type where you woke up to grey, overcast skies and a chill in the air. We would bundle up in warm pants and sweaters and take walks along the rocks that line that part of the lake or head into Hawley for the morning.
The weather usually worked itself around to a sunny afternoon and the Lockhart brood would exchange their warm duds for bathing suits and beach towels and head down to the lake.
If the raw weather hung on through the day, I would make hot cocoa and we would haul out the board games.
Anyway, this morning had the feel of a grey "laker."
Speaking of Lockhart children, Peter and Mim called this week. It did my mother's heart good to hear their voices. I assured them that Elsa & John take good care of me and enjoyed getting caught up on their lives. Was it November or early December they last rang up? They are both very busy.
Mim, who lives in central NJ, explained she has been laid low with a particularly nasty cold. Poor lass, her clients still expect her to turn up to work with their children (a social worker, she does wonders with autistic children), no matter how under the weather she is. I wish I could get myself over there to brew her a nice hot cuppa chamomile tea.
Peter, who lives in Hatboro, mentioned coming to the hospital during the surgery, but (oops) didn't call to confirm or find out when the surgery was scheduled for, just showed up at Holy Redeemer. What a pickle - he was there, but I was not (surgery was canceled)!
Interesting fact - when you get to be an old biddie like me, memories of children as youngsters and visions as they are now ~ in their 40s, 50s and 60s ~ somehow jumble. It often seems easier for me to see them as they were back in our family's glory days in the '50s than as they are now, if that makes any sense at all. Good heavens, you will think I am in my dotage!
Thanks for putting up with my rambles.
Love to one and all, am heading up the wooden hill and so to bed - Grandma L'
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grandma L's birth
Subject: Mindwalkers - Lake Days & Lockharts
This morning felt like an inverted "lake day." Lockharts have long used the term "lake day" or "a real laker" to describe a bright blue summer day with a
certain special quality in the air.
Today felt like a laker, but the type where you woke up to grey, overcast skies and a chill in the air. We would bundle up in warm pants and sweaters and take walks along the rocks that line that part of the lake or head into Hawley for the morning.
The weather usually worked itself around to a sunny afternoon and the Lockhart brood would exchange their warm duds for bathing suits and beach towels and head down to the lake.
If the raw weather hung on through the day, I would make hot cocoa and we would haul out the board games.
Anyway, this morning had the feel of a grey "laker."
Speaking of Lockhart children, Peter and Mim called this week. It did my mother's heart good to hear their voices. I assured them that Elsa & John take good care of me and enjoyed getting caught up on their lives. Was it November or early December they last rang up? They are both very busy.
Mim, who lives in central NJ, explained she has been laid low with a particularly nasty cold. Poor lass, her clients still expect her to turn up to work with their children (a social worker, she does wonders with autistic children), no matter how under the weather she is. I wish I could get myself over there to brew her a nice hot cuppa chamomile tea.
Peter, who lives in Hatboro, mentioned coming to the hospital during the surgery, but (oops) didn't call to confirm or find out when the surgery was scheduled for, just showed up at Holy Redeemer. What a pickle - he was there, but I was not (surgery was canceled)!
Interesting fact - when you get to be an old biddie like me, memories of children as youngsters and visions as they are now ~ in their 40s, 50s and 60s ~ somehow jumble. It often seems easier for me to see them as they were back in our family's glory days in the '50s than as they are now, if that makes any sense at all. Good heavens, you will think I am in my dotage!
Thanks for putting up with my rambles.
Love to one and all, am heading up the wooden hill and so to bed - Grandma L'
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grandma L's birth
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
MAY THERE BE A BLESSING 02/26/00
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 23:19:56 EST
Subject: May there be a blessing
I am so very sad to have missed Ceri Holm and Eric Stein's wedding. That blasted shoulder! Ceri is very dear to my heart and Eric looks promising (dashing & funny!).
Elsa has been on the go with wedding to-dos since early this morning. From what I understand, it was the most magnificent wedding she's seen, and she has seen quite a few. We hardly ever missed a Bryn Athyn wedding when she was a young girl; Elsa always sat on the aisle so the bride's train could swoosh over her shoe.
I remember David & Elaine's - Ceri's parents - wedding, He cut such a dashing figure in white tux. Elaine was so shy, she kept her eyes down.
As they came back down the aisle, after the vows, David kept leaning down to her, encouraging her to look up. Finally - and I still feel it in my heart - he took her hand firmly in both of his and just beamed for both of them!
Ceri, dear, you are probably reading this well after your wedding, but I just want to say how much I wish I was with you today, and that I send you and Eric all my love and dearest wishes for all the wonders life holds for two people in love and partnership. May there be a blessing!
Nite-nite & God bless to you all ~ M/G/N/K/AK
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLD LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev on the 05/14 centenary of Mom/Gocky/Nan/Kay/Aunt Kay's birth
Subject: May there be a blessing
I am so very sad to have missed Ceri Holm and Eric Stein's wedding. That blasted shoulder! Ceri is very dear to my heart and Eric looks promising (dashing & funny!).
Elsa has been on the go with wedding to-dos since early this morning. From what I understand, it was the most magnificent wedding she's seen, and she has seen quite a few. We hardly ever missed a Bryn Athyn wedding when she was a young girl; Elsa always sat on the aisle so the bride's train could swoosh over her shoe.
I remember David & Elaine's - Ceri's parents - wedding, He cut such a dashing figure in white tux. Elaine was so shy, she kept her eyes down.
As they came back down the aisle, after the vows, David kept leaning down to her, encouraging her to look up. Finally - and I still feel it in my heart - he took her hand firmly in both of his and just beamed for both of them!
Ceri, dear, you are probably reading this well after your wedding, but I just want to say how much I wish I was with you today, and that I send you and Eric all my love and dearest wishes for all the wonders life holds for two people in love and partnership. May there be a blessing!
Nite-nite & God bless to you all ~ M/G/N/K/AK
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLD LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev on the 05/14 centenary of Mom/Gocky/Nan/Kay/Aunt Kay's birth
Monday, August 16, 2010
PARTY GIRL 05/09/00
Date: Tue, 9 May 2000 22:26:00 EDT
Subject: Party Girl
Is my mantra really, "Uuuummmmm - party, party, party. uuuummmmm, party, party, party."?
Well, it is true that this Ancient One loves a good celebration.
John & Elsa are grand masters of celebration. Looking back, the past ten years seem brimming over with celebrations, from birthday parties for Sissy to major out-of-town toots. One reason I am still around and somewhat hale & hearty is a fear of missing a special bit of fun.
Life is good.
This tired and HOT grammie is off to bed.
Nite-nite & God bless - Kay, the party girl
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of the Party Girl's birth
Subject: Party Girl
Is my mantra really, "Uuuummmmm - party, party, party. uuuummmmm, party, party, party."?
Well, it is true that this Ancient One loves a good celebration.
John & Elsa are grand masters of celebration. Looking back, the past ten years seem brimming over with celebrations, from birthday parties for Sissy to major out-of-town toots. One reason I am still around and somewhat hale & hearty is a fear of missing a special bit of fun.
Life is good.
This tired and HOT grammie is off to bed.
Nite-nite & God bless - Kay, the party girl
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of the Party Girl's birth
Sunday, August 15, 2010
IT'S IN THE CARDS 05/06/00
Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 22:36:45 EDT
Subject: Mindwalkers - It's In the Cards
Some mornings, when I am alone, especially if Elsa forgot to cue up the classical music station before heading off to work, I feel that I am slowly dying (which we all are, of course, but you know what I mean). Then I'll eat a lunch that would feed two people!
I had a chuckle on myself the other day. Realized that I can't die now or anytime before at least mid-December ~ I haven't used up all my Christmas cards!
Am up the wooden hill. We are talking about maybe getting me to Contemporary
Service tomorrow. What a treat that would be!
Fingers crossed - KRL
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of KRL's birth
Subject: Mindwalkers - It's In the Cards
Some mornings, when I am alone, especially if Elsa forgot to cue up the classical music station before heading off to work, I feel that I am slowly dying (which we all are, of course, but you know what I mean). Then I'll eat a lunch that would feed two people!
I had a chuckle on myself the other day. Realized that I can't die now or anytime before at least mid-December ~ I haven't used up all my Christmas cards!
Am up the wooden hill. We are talking about maybe getting me to Contemporary
Service tomorrow. What a treat that would be!
Fingers crossed - KRL
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of KRL's birth
Saturday, August 14, 2010
BRIDE WALL 05/02/00
Date: Tue, 2 May 2000 23:00:27 EDT
Subject: Mindwalker - Bride Wall
It was always a special treat to go up to Gay and Willard's bedroom and pass the bride wall that Gay had outside their master suite. All the Pendleton brides proudly displayed on the walls, looking so beautiful. It always created for me an especially lovely sphere.
Our own first Lockhart bride wall was at Cherry Lane, with Pam and then Kerry's portraits. They set up residence at 2501 Woodland Road outside our own master suite. Pam and Kerry were joined by a beloved wedding portrait of Elsa Asplundh Acton and then by Brenda. Here at Squirrel Haven, those four were joined by wedding portraits of Sarah Acton Shere, Elsa, Shannon Stevens King and Erin Stevens Connors.
One day, I came down to find that Elsa added two of my own wedding photos and two of Betty's, including one of Betty and Paul that I consider the best picture ever taken of both of them. And - wonder of wonders - I took it!!
Of course, recently we've had two additions. Whitney & Chad gave me a wonderful black & white photo of the two of them taken by at the time of their engagement by a good friend (and good photographer) with Whitney leaning against a tree and Chad right next to her. They both look so very, very happy. Until we get a wedding photo, that beautiful picture is just right.
I love the photo of Scott & Kimberly taken at their reception by one of the Heldons. It is the same photo that was in the Hurstville Society online newsletter, so some of you might have seen it. They look relaxed and happy. I know that I will love whatever photo Kimberly chooses for us to include on "the wall" but until then I just smile and smile and smile whenever I look at the two of them smiling at me.
The pictures on the bride wall/china cabinet cannot be changed, but Elsa has changed almost all of the other photos in the living room over the past few days, as we gear up for my 90th birthday bash.
As you walk in and see the book case, she has spotlighted grandchildren - by blood and through heart strings - including a beautiful picture of Mike & Kerry and Karen taken at the Scott & Kimberly's wedding, along with my favorite from the wedding, a group shot of the wedding party with the Australian flag unfurled behind them. It has a lot of happy energy, which I especially like. There is the official studio portrait of Whitney that she used for her engagement announcements, a picture of Reynolds and his Gocky (me), and "snaps" of various Zeiglers and Lindrooths.
I am a little sheepish when it comes to telling you what that daughter of mine did with the rest of the framed photos in the living room (and anyone who has been to Squirrel Haven can tell you the living room is awash with photos of family and friends)~ she replaced them all with pictures of me. Most of them were taken over the past 15 years, with the overwhelming majority taken over the past 10 years.
At first it felt disconcerting to face all the pictures be of me, but I am now actually enjoying it, since each one brings back such happy memories.
But my eyes always linger the longest at the bride wall. We await Whitney's and Kimberly's "official" portraits, and I know that both Elsa & I wonder - who will be next?
Must get my face scrubbed, teeth washed and so to bed.
Love - Grammie K.
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grammie Kay's centenary
Subject: Mindwalker - Bride Wall
It was always a special treat to go up to Gay and Willard's bedroom and pass the bride wall that Gay had outside their master suite. All the Pendleton brides proudly displayed on the walls, looking so beautiful. It always created for me an especially lovely sphere.
Our own first Lockhart bride wall was at Cherry Lane, with Pam and then Kerry's portraits. They set up residence at 2501 Woodland Road outside our own master suite. Pam and Kerry were joined by a beloved wedding portrait of Elsa Asplundh Acton and then by Brenda. Here at Squirrel Haven, those four were joined by wedding portraits of Sarah Acton Shere, Elsa, Shannon Stevens King and Erin Stevens Connors.
One day, I came down to find that Elsa added two of my own wedding photos and two of Betty's, including one of Betty and Paul that I consider the best picture ever taken of both of them. And - wonder of wonders - I took it!!
Of course, recently we've had two additions. Whitney & Chad gave me a wonderful black & white photo of the two of them taken by at the time of their engagement by a good friend (and good photographer) with Whitney leaning against a tree and Chad right next to her. They both look so very, very happy. Until we get a wedding photo, that beautiful picture is just right.
I love the photo of Scott & Kimberly taken at their reception by one of the Heldons. It is the same photo that was in the Hurstville Society online newsletter, so some of you might have seen it. They look relaxed and happy. I know that I will love whatever photo Kimberly chooses for us to include on "the wall" but until then I just smile and smile and smile whenever I look at the two of them smiling at me.
The pictures on the bride wall/china cabinet cannot be changed, but Elsa has changed almost all of the other photos in the living room over the past few days, as we gear up for my 90th birthday bash.
As you walk in and see the book case, she has spotlighted grandchildren - by blood and through heart strings - including a beautiful picture of Mike & Kerry and Karen taken at the Scott & Kimberly's wedding, along with my favorite from the wedding, a group shot of the wedding party with the Australian flag unfurled behind them. It has a lot of happy energy, which I especially like. There is the official studio portrait of Whitney that she used for her engagement announcements, a picture of Reynolds and his Gocky (me), and "snaps" of various Zeiglers and Lindrooths.
I am a little sheepish when it comes to telling you what that daughter of mine did with the rest of the framed photos in the living room (and anyone who has been to Squirrel Haven can tell you the living room is awash with photos of family and friends)~ she replaced them all with pictures of me. Most of them were taken over the past 15 years, with the overwhelming majority taken over the past 10 years.
At first it felt disconcerting to face all the pictures be of me, but I am now actually enjoying it, since each one brings back such happy memories.
But my eyes always linger the longest at the bride wall. We await Whitney's and Kimberly's "official" portraits, and I know that both Elsa & I wonder - who will be next?
Must get my face scrubbed, teeth washed and so to bed.
Love - Grammie K.
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grammie Kay's centenary
Friday, August 13, 2010
SEVENTEEN 05/11/00
Date: Thu, 11 May 2000 07:27:49 EDT
Subject: Mindwalkers - Seventeen
I keep looking at a photo that Elsa copied and framed and put on the hutch cabinet next to where I sit for most of the day. It is a formal yearbook photo of Pete taken when he was around 17 in his last year at Harrisburg Academy.
When I look at it, my maternal feelings make me want to put my arms around him and tell him everything will be all right. He just looks so vulnerable.
Pete's adored mother, Lillian, died when he was 12 after a lingering illness, following a stillborn birth.
Imagine how close a mother and only child would be.
Then, heaping unimaginable heartbreak on top of the tragedy of losing his mother, his father remarried in just over a year; Pete's step-mother was the woman with whom his father carried on a long-term relationship ~ including while his mother was alive. (Pete always believed that the cause of his beloved mother's death was due to a broken heart ~ she just gave up.)
When Pete was given his choice of prep schools, including Haverford, he chose Harrisburg Academy. It was far enough away that no one would expect him to come home over weekends.
It is not surprising, given his background, that his view of an effective family was based on stability and caring support rather than big salaries and fancy fittings.
When he fell in love with me, his step-mother told me she was so glad that I was going to marry Pete because he was starving for love.
Well, he got it, alright! It war a pleasure.
Give a loved one an extra hug for me tonight - Pete's Own True Love
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Pete's Own True Love's centenary
Subject: Mindwalkers - Seventeen
I keep looking at a photo that Elsa copied and framed and put on the hutch cabinet next to where I sit for most of the day. It is a formal yearbook photo of Pete taken when he was around 17 in his last year at Harrisburg Academy.
When I look at it, my maternal feelings make me want to put my arms around him and tell him everything will be all right. He just looks so vulnerable.
Pete's adored mother, Lillian, died when he was 12 after a lingering illness, following a stillborn birth.
Imagine how close a mother and only child would be.
Then, heaping unimaginable heartbreak on top of the tragedy of losing his mother, his father remarried in just over a year; Pete's step-mother was the woman with whom his father carried on a long-term relationship ~ including while his mother was alive. (Pete always believed that the cause of his beloved mother's death was due to a broken heart ~ she just gave up.)
When Pete was given his choice of prep schools, including Haverford, he chose Harrisburg Academy. It was far enough away that no one would expect him to come home over weekends.
It is not surprising, given his background, that his view of an effective family was based on stability and caring support rather than big salaries and fancy fittings.
When he fell in love with me, his step-mother told me she was so glad that I was going to marry Pete because he was starving for love.
Well, he got it, alright! It war a pleasure.
Give a loved one an extra hug for me tonight - Pete's Own True Love
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Pete's Own True Love's centenary
Thursday, August 12, 2010
TERWOOD ROAD/MEMORY LANE 05/08/00
Date: Mon, 8 May 2000 22:04:32 EDT
Subject: Terwood Road/Memory Lane
It has been a lot of fun as Elsa takes envelopes of photos to photocopy for my birthday party. We have a wonderful time when she brings home the goodies and starts cutting them out for framing.
A frame that usually holds three pictures from our 1997 trip to DisneyWorld now holds some treasured black & white snapshots - a wedding picture of Pete and myself in the center spot and two photos of the family on a walk.
The pictures of the walk brought back ancient memories. Mim looks like she was around two, which would have made Mike four and Peter around eight. The four of us are pretty bundled up, so it was probably in the fall. The five of us - including Pete - had walked up Fettersmill and down Terwood Road. As we walked toward Welsh Road, we met Randolf Childs coming in the other direction.
"It's so good to see people walking outside of Bryn Athyn!" he greeted us. "Lots of folk just never leave our little boro. Seems to me they don't know much about the larger world and want to know even less. They don't know what they are missing!"
This from one of the staunchiest pillars of the church - I was dumbstruck!
I always liked Randolf Childs, even though I was very much in awe of him.
He did not suffer fools gladly. I recall the story of a couple who made an
appointment with him. They laid out their problem and he neatly summed up the situation and gave them his advice, all within a few minutes.
The husband and wife looked at each other and quietly conferred - they valued
the advice, but had expected him to take longer to get to his conclusion. The
husband fished out two dollars and, explaining that since it didn't take Mr. Childs very long to figure out the solution, it must have been a pretty easy problem, so two dollars was about what he and his wife thought it was worth.
Mr. Childs, from what I was told, drew himself up and said, "All I have to sell is my mind. What I know is worth a great deal more than $2.00." And handed back the money.
Mim was so taken with Randolf Childs as a little girl - he was tall and distinquished looking and a kind man - that she named one of her dolls "Randolf" in his honor.
To return to my opening - every day, I enjoy getting ready for this party more & more. If the event is half as much fun as the preparations, it is going to be beyond words.
Love to all - the soon-to-be Birthday Girl
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of the soon-to-be Birthday Girl's centenary
Subject: Terwood Road/Memory Lane
It has been a lot of fun as Elsa takes envelopes of photos to photocopy for my birthday party. We have a wonderful time when she brings home the goodies and starts cutting them out for framing.
A frame that usually holds three pictures from our 1997 trip to DisneyWorld now holds some treasured black & white snapshots - a wedding picture of Pete and myself in the center spot and two photos of the family on a walk.
The pictures of the walk brought back ancient memories. Mim looks like she was around two, which would have made Mike four and Peter around eight. The four of us are pretty bundled up, so it was probably in the fall. The five of us - including Pete - had walked up Fettersmill and down Terwood Road. As we walked toward Welsh Road, we met Randolf Childs coming in the other direction.
"It's so good to see people walking outside of Bryn Athyn!" he greeted us. "Lots of folk just never leave our little boro. Seems to me they don't know much about the larger world and want to know even less. They don't know what they are missing!"
This from one of the staunchiest pillars of the church - I was dumbstruck!
I always liked Randolf Childs, even though I was very much in awe of him.
He did not suffer fools gladly. I recall the story of a couple who made an
appointment with him. They laid out their problem and he neatly summed up the situation and gave them his advice, all within a few minutes.
The husband and wife looked at each other and quietly conferred - they valued
the advice, but had expected him to take longer to get to his conclusion. The
husband fished out two dollars and, explaining that since it didn't take Mr. Childs very long to figure out the solution, it must have been a pretty easy problem, so two dollars was about what he and his wife thought it was worth.
Mr. Childs, from what I was told, drew himself up and said, "All I have to sell is my mind. What I know is worth a great deal more than $2.00." And handed back the money.
Mim was so taken with Randolf Childs as a little girl - he was tall and distinquished looking and a kind man - that she named one of her dolls "Randolf" in his honor.
To return to my opening - every day, I enjoy getting ready for this party more & more. If the event is half as much fun as the preparations, it is going to be beyond words.
Love to all - the soon-to-be Birthday Girl
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of the soon-to-be Birthday Girl's centenary
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
IN PRAISE OF PADDINGTON 05/07/00
Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 19:51:28 EDT
Subject: In Praise of Paddington
Many, many years ago, Margaret York (now Gladish) - knowing my special fondness for Paddington Bear, gave me a Paddington bank to save money toward a trip to London with Elsa.
We never got to the UK, but we have used Paddington ever since for spare silver, toting it up for use on special occasions.
Within the past year, Paddington proved to be a real life saver.
When I took my tumble in late September, it had been many moons since we had last taken the loot from Paddington (collected in Gevalia coffee cannisters). That extra money saw us through some lean weeks, when Elsa delayed starting her new job and John had just started work on an assignment that would not pay out until completed in early December. Our household finances would have run dry were it not for that generous bear.
Paddington came through again this weekend. Elsa gathered up what silver there was and went to one of those automatic coin sorters and walked away with $86.46 for plants to landscape our front lawn.
She had hoped that Peter - a gardener supreme - would be able to take an interest and lend a hand, but he is unavailable. As it turns out, she was grateful for the opportunity, even if it was a hot & sticky one (the temps being in the low 90s today).
The front of the house looks better than it has in over 20 or more years. In the top wall planter, Elsa transplanted the potted pink geraniums from Whitney's wedding reception (many thanks to Pam for thinking of me) and mixed in coral impatients. I was impressed and surprised - she mixed in soil supplement (I did not even know she knew what soil supplement was), used potting soil and Miracle-Gro with each transplant, made sure they were well watered.
On the lower level, she has beautiful deep blue-purple salvia, a favorite of hers.
Next to the steps leading up to the door, she has a double-hooked shepard's hook with a basket of pink and one of reddish impatients. A hummingbird (well, a hummingbird banner) seems to be inspecting the salvia.
I found myself thinking how different things would have been if Peter HAD been available. Elsa would not have the deep sense of satisfaction found in a job well done. I think he would be proud of the beauty of it all and that we worked in the flowers from Whitney & Chad's wedding.
If I look to the left, I can see the flowers Elsa planted and if I look to the right I am almost on top of the rhodedendron which is just coming into bloom.
I am one happy lady.
Love to you all - Auntie Kay
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Auntie Kay's centenary
Subject: In Praise of Paddington
Many, many years ago, Margaret York (now Gladish) - knowing my special fondness for Paddington Bear, gave me a Paddington bank to save money toward a trip to London with Elsa.
We never got to the UK, but we have used Paddington ever since for spare silver, toting it up for use on special occasions.
Within the past year, Paddington proved to be a real life saver.
When I took my tumble in late September, it had been many moons since we had last taken the loot from Paddington (collected in Gevalia coffee cannisters). That extra money saw us through some lean weeks, when Elsa delayed starting her new job and John had just started work on an assignment that would not pay out until completed in early December. Our household finances would have run dry were it not for that generous bear.
Paddington came through again this weekend. Elsa gathered up what silver there was and went to one of those automatic coin sorters and walked away with $86.46 for plants to landscape our front lawn.
She had hoped that Peter - a gardener supreme - would be able to take an interest and lend a hand, but he is unavailable. As it turns out, she was grateful for the opportunity, even if it was a hot & sticky one (the temps being in the low 90s today).
The front of the house looks better than it has in over 20 or more years. In the top wall planter, Elsa transplanted the potted pink geraniums from Whitney's wedding reception (many thanks to Pam for thinking of me) and mixed in coral impatients. I was impressed and surprised - she mixed in soil supplement (I did not even know she knew what soil supplement was), used potting soil and Miracle-Gro with each transplant, made sure they were well watered.
On the lower level, she has beautiful deep blue-purple salvia, a favorite of hers.
Next to the steps leading up to the door, she has a double-hooked shepard's hook with a basket of pink and one of reddish impatients. A hummingbird (well, a hummingbird banner) seems to be inspecting the salvia.
I found myself thinking how different things would have been if Peter HAD been available. Elsa would not have the deep sense of satisfaction found in a job well done. I think he would be proud of the beauty of it all and that we worked in the flowers from Whitney & Chad's wedding.
If I look to the left, I can see the flowers Elsa planted and if I look to the right I am almost on top of the rhodedendron which is just coming into bloom.
I am one happy lady.
Love to you all - Auntie Kay
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Auntie Kay's centenary
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
BLESSING FROM STAR 05/03/00
Date: Wed, 3 May 2000 23:32:58 EDT
Subject: Blessings from Star
It is late. In fact, it is - for me - very late. I feel reluctant to let the day, which has been so blessed, end.
Today was filled with so many different blessings.
I went to a cathedral service for the first time in over two years. I would have to have been unconscious to miss Star's memorial service, or celebration, as I like to think of it.
It was interesting to sit in the cathedral and experience the general sphere, without being able to hear the specifics of what Robin Childs was saying. The aura, which was all I could connect with, was intense and strangely happy.
I felt Star's blessings all around. Just being there, in my beloved cathedral, was my first, followed by so many more.
Fate guided the two of us to where we sat, as it turned out I was in direct line of sight of Mim, sitting at the end of a pew several rows up on the other side.
As you can imagine, my motherly instinct was to reach out to her, but we were separated by people and other things. As she wiped away tears, I was grieved that I could not be there to comfort her. Then a long arm came around her shoulder - Peter was sitting next to her, offering comfort and caring support. I felt so blessed at that moment. For the two of them to have gotten as close as they clearly have is truly miraculous.
A favorite saying of mine is "When God closes a door, He opens a window." I was happy to experience how happy my spirit was realizing they can turn to each other, if not to me, for emotional support. Another blessing from Star.
Watching her husband, Bob, release the single balloon after the service, with a calypso-beat version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World It Could Be" in the background, was cathartic. It felt like watching Star's indomitable spirit soaring.* There was so much love gathered in the sunshine outside the cathedral. Still another blessing from Star.
It had not dawned on me that there would be so many people who are especially dear to my heart. Person after person who has touched my life for decades and decades and decades came up for a hug. So many blessings!
If it startled Elsa when I asked her to drop by the house to pick me up for the service, she got an even bigger surprise when I told her after the service that I wanted to go to the reception. My energy levels have to so low, I haven't been able to handle sitting in a regular Sunday service, yet this afternoon, I seemed filled with energy. Would you believe that I ended up being among the last to leave! Another blessing from Star. With each person who came up to give a hug or to chat, it felt as if I got stronger. Instead of feeling worn out, I felt revved up. That went beyond blessings to downright miraculous!
I am a thoroughly happy woman.
I watched two of my children giving and accepting loving support. That is a big thing.
I was washed over with love from so many wonderful people.
I even managed to hear at least one fully heavenly moment - when Margie Cranch Echols and her family sang a beautiful song, a cappella. I felt so uplifted, I expected to see my feet had come off the floor.
Tonight, I feel light as air. So many feelings, they are impossible to even attempt describing them. Words make them seem so much smaller than the way they feel in my heart.
Good night, Star. May you bless our lives forever.
Much love - Mrs. Lockhart
*I'd like a balloon released at my own memorial celebration, with "When You Wish Upon a Star" followed by Willie Nelson singing, "On the Road Again"
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mrs. Lockhart's centenary>
Subject: Blessings from Star
It is late. In fact, it is - for me - very late. I feel reluctant to let the day, which has been so blessed, end.
Today was filled with so many different blessings.
I went to a cathedral service for the first time in over two years. I would have to have been unconscious to miss Star's memorial service, or celebration, as I like to think of it.
It was interesting to sit in the cathedral and experience the general sphere, without being able to hear the specifics of what Robin Childs was saying. The aura, which was all I could connect with, was intense and strangely happy.
I felt Star's blessings all around. Just being there, in my beloved cathedral, was my first, followed by so many more.
Fate guided the two of us to where we sat, as it turned out I was in direct line of sight of Mim, sitting at the end of a pew several rows up on the other side.
As you can imagine, my motherly instinct was to reach out to her, but we were separated by people and other things. As she wiped away tears, I was grieved that I could not be there to comfort her. Then a long arm came around her shoulder - Peter was sitting next to her, offering comfort and caring support. I felt so blessed at that moment. For the two of them to have gotten as close as they clearly have is truly miraculous.
A favorite saying of mine is "When God closes a door, He opens a window." I was happy to experience how happy my spirit was realizing they can turn to each other, if not to me, for emotional support. Another blessing from Star.
Watching her husband, Bob, release the single balloon after the service, with a calypso-beat version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World It Could Be" in the background, was cathartic. It felt like watching Star's indomitable spirit soaring.* There was so much love gathered in the sunshine outside the cathedral. Still another blessing from Star.
It had not dawned on me that there would be so many people who are especially dear to my heart. Person after person who has touched my life for decades and decades and decades came up for a hug. So many blessings!
If it startled Elsa when I asked her to drop by the house to pick me up for the service, she got an even bigger surprise when I told her after the service that I wanted to go to the reception. My energy levels have to so low, I haven't been able to handle sitting in a regular Sunday service, yet this afternoon, I seemed filled with energy. Would you believe that I ended up being among the last to leave! Another blessing from Star. With each person who came up to give a hug or to chat, it felt as if I got stronger. Instead of feeling worn out, I felt revved up. That went beyond blessings to downright miraculous!
I am a thoroughly happy woman.
I watched two of my children giving and accepting loving support. That is a big thing.
I was washed over with love from so many wonderful people.
I even managed to hear at least one fully heavenly moment - when Margie Cranch Echols and her family sang a beautiful song, a cappella. I felt so uplifted, I expected to see my feet had come off the floor.
Tonight, I feel light as air. So many feelings, they are impossible to even attempt describing them. Words make them seem so much smaller than the way they feel in my heart.
Good night, Star. May you bless our lives forever.
Much love - Mrs. Lockhart
*I'd like a balloon released at my own memorial celebration, with "When You Wish Upon a Star" followed by Willie Nelson singing, "On the Road Again"
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mrs. Lockhart's centenary>
Monday, August 9, 2010
SLEEPY HEAD 07/20/00
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 21:28:32 EDT
Subject: sleepy head
Babies and old people - we both need an incredible amount of sleep.
The weather continues to be nice, knock wood. Last summer was nasty,there is no other word for it. This summer has been cooler and we are not dry as a bone, as we were in 1999. I think we have had the air conditioner on about four times so far, and we are over half way through July.
I do wish I had more vim and pep and vigor. It is dispiriting to want to go to bed right after supper, as I am tonight.
I ordered a darling stuffed lamb from Avon, which arrived today. We were kidding that since I call my commode "Lamb" we should call the lamb "Commode." I must confess to christening her Loo-Loo. I think I will set her aside to give to my first great grandchild.
That is a lovely thought to go off to bed on.
Nite nite and God bless - Ma Lockhart
Subject: sleepy head
Babies and old people - we both need an incredible amount of sleep.
The weather continues to be nice, knock wood. Last summer was nasty,there is no other word for it. This summer has been cooler and we are not dry as a bone, as we were in 1999. I think we have had the air conditioner on about four times so far, and we are over half way through July.
I do wish I had more vim and pep and vigor. It is dispiriting to want to go to bed right after supper, as I am tonight.
I ordered a darling stuffed lamb from Avon, which arrived today. We were kidding that since I call my commode "Lamb" we should call the lamb "Commode." I must confess to christening her Loo-Loo. I think I will set her aside to give to my first great grandchild.
That is a lovely thought to go off to bed on.
Nite nite and God bless - Ma Lockhart
Sunday, August 8, 2010
WHEN GOOD VEGETABLES GO BAD 08/02/00
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000 22:27:07 EDT
Subject: When good vegetables go bad
We are lucky that there is a fresh produce stand ten minutes from Elsa's work. We have enjoyed the most succulent peaches. She brought home yellow squash, peppers, zucchini and cucumbers, as well as lovely home grown tomatoes.
We were surprised when one of the peppers went bad and two of the squash. It took awhile to hit home that we have become accustomed to supermarket vegetables, with their extended "shelf life" and questionable
nutritional value.
These vegetables are as Mother Nature meant them to be. God bless them!
Good night, one and all, on this hot & humid evening - Grammie Kay
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grammie Kay's birth
Subject: When good vegetables go bad
We are lucky that there is a fresh produce stand ten minutes from Elsa's work. We have enjoyed the most succulent peaches. She brought home yellow squash, peppers, zucchini and cucumbers, as well as lovely home grown tomatoes.
We were surprised when one of the peppers went bad and two of the squash. It took awhile to hit home that we have become accustomed to supermarket vegetables, with their extended "shelf life" and questionable
nutritional value.
These vegetables are as Mother Nature meant them to be. God bless them!
Good night, one and all, on this hot & humid evening - Grammie Kay
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grammie Kay's birth
Saturday, August 7, 2010
WIRELESS 08/13/00
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 22:29:13 EDT
Subject: Wireless fall preview 2000 catalogue
Elsa jokes that her generation is stuck in time - so many shows she grew up with are shown daily on cable stations. If she went by the time impression given by TV Guide, she would be back in the ‘60s & ‘70s, walking up Alden Road to school instead of driving to work.
Now, I know how she feels. The newest Wireless catalogue has arrived and I feel like I am a time traveler. There is a fondue pot right out of the '50s. A record turntable that plays 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records. (Do you young folks out there even know what a 45 RPM record is?) A Burma Shave shaving kit, complete with mug, soap and brush. A 1949 Ella Fitzgerald poster. A model of the Memphis Belle. A framed baseball card of Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. Bubble Christmas lights. Seeing them all makes me feel like a kid of forty.
My favorite item is current. Let me assure you that I love the Serenity Prayer and that it has pulled me through some tough moments. There is, however, a parody on it that made me laugh when I read it. It is the Senility Prayer.
God grant me the senility
to forget the people
I never liked anyway,
The good fortune
to run into the ones I do,
And the eyesight
to tell the difference.
Signed - wisely - ANONYMOUS
With that tweak of the spirit, am up the wooden hill and off to bed -
Retro Grammie
Subject: Wireless fall preview 2000 catalogue
Elsa jokes that her generation is stuck in time - so many shows she grew up with are shown daily on cable stations. If she went by the time impression given by TV Guide, she would be back in the ‘60s & ‘70s, walking up Alden Road to school instead of driving to work.
Now, I know how she feels. The newest Wireless catalogue has arrived and I feel like I am a time traveler. There is a fondue pot right out of the '50s. A record turntable that plays 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records. (Do you young folks out there even know what a 45 RPM record is?) A Burma Shave shaving kit, complete with mug, soap and brush. A 1949 Ella Fitzgerald poster. A model of the Memphis Belle. A framed baseball card of Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. Bubble Christmas lights. Seeing them all makes me feel like a kid of forty.
My favorite item is current. Let me assure you that I love the Serenity Prayer and that it has pulled me through some tough moments. There is, however, a parody on it that made me laugh when I read it. It is the Senility Prayer.
God grant me the senility
to forget the people
I never liked anyway,
The good fortune
to run into the ones I do,
And the eyesight
to tell the difference.
Signed - wisely - ANONYMOUS
With that tweak of the spirit, am up the wooden hill and off to bed -
Retro Grammie
Friday, August 6, 2010
DRENCHED 08/30/00
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 21:11:48 EDT
Subject: Mindwalkers - Drenched
From early this evening to just about a few minutes ago we were drenched with torrential rains. It was scary watching water rush in torrents down Pheasant Run.
I was scared stiff when Elsa announced she was going out in it. My flourinef medicine had run out and she was togging up to head out into the wet. Little did I know that it would be 90 minutes before she got back from what should be a 30 minute drive.
It was so frightening, sitting in the living room waiting and listening to the occasional police and fire sirens. She called once she got to the pharmacy, but then it took her 45 minutes to get home.
Philmont Avenue was flooded - she expected that - but so were all the other major roads leading home. The only way she made it was by working her way through the developments. I was so glad to see her.
The rain has stopped, but there is still the occasional siren. I am glad that Faithful Scribe is back and I hope that all the drivers still out there arrive in their homes like she did, damp but safe and sound.
Love from a relieved - MOM
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mom's birth
Subject: Mindwalkers - Drenched
From early this evening to just about a few minutes ago we were drenched with torrential rains. It was scary watching water rush in torrents down Pheasant Run.
I was scared stiff when Elsa announced she was going out in it. My flourinef medicine had run out and she was togging up to head out into the wet. Little did I know that it would be 90 minutes before she got back from what should be a 30 minute drive.
It was so frightening, sitting in the living room waiting and listening to the occasional police and fire sirens. She called once she got to the pharmacy, but then it took her 45 minutes to get home.
Philmont Avenue was flooded - she expected that - but so were all the other major roads leading home. The only way she made it was by working her way through the developments. I was so glad to see her.
The rain has stopped, but there is still the occasional siren. I am glad that Faithful Scribe is back and I hope that all the drivers still out there arrive in their homes like she did, damp but safe and sound.
Love from a relieved - MOM
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mom's birth
Thursday, August 5, 2010
,,,I am the GABBY ONE TODAY 07/23/00
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 22:25:22 EDT
Subject: My goodness, I am the gabby one today!
A 2nd posting! Forgive me, I could not help myself.
Elsa drove John down to Philadelphia so that he could pick up some art supplies at Pearl on South Street. She brought me home a sweet surprise - a luscious lemon bar from the Pink Rose.
So many wonderful memories of the Pink Rose, just a block down from ultra "hip" (I call it just plain wierd) South Street yet a world away in its elegance and style. Elsa and I would drop into the tiny pink and lace jewel box of a shop about once a year for one of their sublime pastries, served with a hot cup of tea - in a bone china tea cup.
I loved watching one of the young staff bring over our selections, served on a white doily on a dessert plate. It satisfied all the senses.
My days of indulging in their decadent Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Tart (with fresh raspberries, which would kill me now), luscious carrot cake,incredibly rich white chocolate cheesecake, to-die-for chocolate-dipped macaroons or intensely toothsome cream-filled pastry horns are long past.
Lemon bars are about all I can manage now - thank goodness I love them and do not consider myself abused.
I know I am old when one little pastry can bring back enough memories for a second helping of Mindwalker postings.
Nite nite and God bless - Grandma L'
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, on the 05/14 centenary of Grandma L's birth
Subject: My goodness, I am the gabby one today!
A 2nd posting! Forgive me, I could not help myself.
Elsa drove John down to Philadelphia so that he could pick up some art supplies at Pearl on South Street. She brought me home a sweet surprise - a luscious lemon bar from the Pink Rose.
So many wonderful memories of the Pink Rose, just a block down from ultra "hip" (I call it just plain wierd) South Street yet a world away in its elegance and style. Elsa and I would drop into the tiny pink and lace jewel box of a shop about once a year for one of their sublime pastries, served with a hot cup of tea - in a bone china tea cup.
I loved watching one of the young staff bring over our selections, served on a white doily on a dessert plate. It satisfied all the senses.
My days of indulging in their decadent Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Tart (with fresh raspberries, which would kill me now), luscious carrot cake,incredibly rich white chocolate cheesecake, to-die-for chocolate-dipped macaroons or intensely toothsome cream-filled pastry horns are long past.
Lemon bars are about all I can manage now - thank goodness I love them and do not consider myself abused.
I know I am old when one little pastry can bring back enough memories for a second helping of Mindwalker postings.
Nite nite and God bless - Grandma L'
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, on the 05/14 centenary of Grandma L's birth
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
...AUSTRALIAN PIZZA 08/07/00
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 23:10:06 EDT
Subject: a taste of Australian pizza
A dear granddaughter-of-the-heart ~ Carolyn Heldon ~ sent me a posting that included an excellent description of typically Australian pizza. Here goes - We have a great place that is only about a ten mins bike ride away, (or a couple of mins in the car) and it makes the best pizzas that I have ever had, even in this country.
It is a place called Pizza League and the pizzas are named after Aussie Rugby league teams. The Sharks is a seafood pizza which has about five different seafood toppings; the Tigers is the meat lovers with BBQ sauce, pepperoni, salami, ham, chicken, bacon and ground beef as well. Yummy.
Then there is the Surpreme there and that is just crazy. 16 toppings. Meats, veges, pineapple, as well as the little anchovies which some people don't like.
My favourite though is the one that has banana on it. Most people wrinkle their noses up at that one but it is really nice. I didn't think that I was going to like it but it was good. It is sort of a cross between a meat lovers and a supreme with a few little extras.
All the regular pizzas isn't counting the gourmet ones either. The ones with turkey and avocardo with extra cheese and pineapple. I would say that all of their pizzas are about two inches high off the base. That is what I call a great meal.
The one with bananas would probably kill me, but I would die happy.
Love to one & all - Grandma L'
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy (aka Deev), in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grandma L's centenary
Subject: a taste of Australian pizza
A dear granddaughter-of-the-heart ~ Carolyn Heldon ~ sent me a posting that included an excellent description of typically Australian pizza. Here goes - We have a great place that is only about a ten mins bike ride away, (or a couple of mins in the car) and it makes the best pizzas that I have ever had, even in this country.
It is a place called Pizza League and the pizzas are named after Aussie Rugby league teams. The Sharks is a seafood pizza which has about five different seafood toppings; the Tigers is the meat lovers with BBQ sauce, pepperoni, salami, ham, chicken, bacon and ground beef as well. Yummy.
Then there is the Surpreme there and that is just crazy. 16 toppings. Meats, veges, pineapple, as well as the little anchovies which some people don't like.
My favourite though is the one that has banana on it. Most people wrinkle their noses up at that one but it is really nice. I didn't think that I was going to like it but it was good. It is sort of a cross between a meat lovers and a supreme with a few little extras.
All the regular pizzas isn't counting the gourmet ones either. The ones with turkey and avocardo with extra cheese and pineapple. I would say that all of their pizzas are about two inches high off the base. That is what I call a great meal.
The one with bananas would probably kill me, but I would die happy.
Love to one & all - Grandma L'
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy (aka Deev), in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grandma L's centenary
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
PIZZA 08/01/00
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000 23:02:00 EDT
Subject: Pizza
I remember my grandson Scott's contempt for American pizza, where people eat it plain and consider three or four toppings "the works." He told us tales of Australian pizza and the bounty of toppings they had. We would take him up to Mom's Pizza in Newtown if we were ordering pizza because he could let loose, although I think he never got past considering three or four topping a pretty skimpy pie.
While "surfing" last night for Canberra web sites, we came across a study that ran on an Australian TV station. It was about which pizza chain has the most toppings. Domino's and Pizza Hut, which have invaded Australia, had the most meat and cheese but lagged way behind when it came to vegetables and other toppings. They were also the most expensive.
Personally, I would like those two American "carpet baggers" to leave Australia's sunny shores. I liked Scott's description and pride in his native pizza.
On the other hand, maybe contact with the more creative toppings so popular in "Oz" will work their way back to the States.
A pleasant thought with which to go off to bed.
Nite nite and God bless - Nan\
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy (aka Deev), in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Nan's birth
Subject: Pizza
I remember my grandson Scott's contempt for American pizza, where people eat it plain and consider three or four toppings "the works." He told us tales of Australian pizza and the bounty of toppings they had. We would take him up to Mom's Pizza in Newtown if we were ordering pizza because he could let loose, although I think he never got past considering three or four topping a pretty skimpy pie.
While "surfing" last night for Canberra web sites, we came across a study that ran on an Australian TV station. It was about which pizza chain has the most toppings. Domino's and Pizza Hut, which have invaded Australia, had the most meat and cheese but lagged way behind when it came to vegetables and other toppings. They were also the most expensive.
Personally, I would like those two American "carpet baggers" to leave Australia's sunny shores. I liked Scott's description and pride in his native pizza.
On the other hand, maybe contact with the more creative toppings so popular in "Oz" will work their way back to the States.
A pleasant thought with which to go off to bed.
Nite nite and God bless - Nan\
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy (aka Deev), in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Nan's birth
Monday, August 2, 2010
TODAY IS MY 64th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 07/18/00
Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2000 07:26:05 EDT
Subject: today is my 64th wedding anniversary
You got a late night posting yesterday and an early morning one today. It is wonderful to start this day by writing about my anniversary and remembering Betty & Paul's (they were also married in July, but two years after ours).
July 18, 1936 ~ so long ago, but it does not seem so. I am remembering all the happiness and wonderful anniversary celebrations over the years.
In our early years, we were just so happy to be married. Maybe we would get a bottle of wine to toast our happiness. In later years, we would head out for a special dinner.
For our 25th annivesary, Missy (Mimmy, Mim) got in cahoots with Jim & Kit Peck and put on a whoop-dee-do surprise party, which she called the wedding reception we never had*. Pete and I were floored. That gal can really put on a party. There was a wedding cake, and Missy and Elsa with big cheeky grins on their faces, and lots and lots of friends. It was lovely.
In our later years, when Pete and I started taking vacations just the two of us, we often planned them so that we would celebrate Our Day on the road. My favorite was an anniversary that we spent in Portland, Maine.
We were on our way to Bailey's Island, right off Bath, ME, and had stopped overnight. In the morning, we ordered breakfast in our room. When the young lady brought it in, Pete and I were sitting at the table by the big windows that looked out at the harbor (bay?), watching the boats and ships threading their way between the islands. As the young lady laid out our breakfast, we told her we were celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary.
"My God!" she said, then apologized. She had just celebrated her 1st.
I looked over at Pete and said, "When you are with the right one, it just gets better and better."
It did and still does. Pete is very much with me. John and Elsa always fuss over me on our anniversary. They invited me out to dinner tonight - wherever I wanted – but I asked instead for the seafood salad from Super Fresh (I love it) and an anniversary shower.
I am back to bed and, hopefully, sweet dreams of my O! Best Beloved, or Own True Love, as Gay always said of Willard (another July anniversary).
Love to you all - Mrs. Raymond Lewis Lockhart, ADPOI
~elm~ 08/**/10 ~ an incredible, literally unbelievable story of its own. Dad’s step-mother was so sure their friends would do mischief to the bride & groom, she insisted they SKIP their own reception! And they agreed! After their cathedral wedding, they waited in on the little bench outside the driveway door, suitcases at their feet, waiting for Norma & Gar to go to the reception (in Germantown!), stay there as hosts, then drive all the way back to take Mom & Dad to their honeymoon location, a charming country inn outside of Doylestown. Small wonder my magical older sister felt they were owed a proper reception on their 25th anniversary!!
Subject: today is my 64th wedding anniversary
You got a late night posting yesterday and an early morning one today. It is wonderful to start this day by writing about my anniversary and remembering Betty & Paul's (they were also married in July, but two years after ours).
July 18, 1936 ~ so long ago, but it does not seem so. I am remembering all the happiness and wonderful anniversary celebrations over the years.
In our early years, we were just so happy to be married. Maybe we would get a bottle of wine to toast our happiness. In later years, we would head out for a special dinner.
For our 25th annivesary, Missy (Mimmy, Mim) got in cahoots with Jim & Kit Peck and put on a whoop-dee-do surprise party, which she called the wedding reception we never had*. Pete and I were floored. That gal can really put on a party. There was a wedding cake, and Missy and Elsa with big cheeky grins on their faces, and lots and lots of friends. It was lovely.
In our later years, when Pete and I started taking vacations just the two of us, we often planned them so that we would celebrate Our Day on the road. My favorite was an anniversary that we spent in Portland, Maine.
We were on our way to Bailey's Island, right off Bath, ME, and had stopped overnight. In the morning, we ordered breakfast in our room. When the young lady brought it in, Pete and I were sitting at the table by the big windows that looked out at the harbor (bay?), watching the boats and ships threading their way between the islands. As the young lady laid out our breakfast, we told her we were celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary.
"My God!" she said, then apologized. She had just celebrated her 1st.
I looked over at Pete and said, "When you are with the right one, it just gets better and better."
It did and still does. Pete is very much with me. John and Elsa always fuss over me on our anniversary. They invited me out to dinner tonight - wherever I wanted – but I asked instead for the seafood salad from Super Fresh (I love it) and an anniversary shower.
I am back to bed and, hopefully, sweet dreams of my O! Best Beloved, or Own True Love, as Gay always said of Willard (another July anniversary).
Love to you all - Mrs. Raymond Lewis Lockhart, ADPOI
~elm~ 08/**/10 ~ an incredible, literally unbelievable story of its own. Dad’s step-mother was so sure their friends would do mischief to the bride & groom, she insisted they SKIP their own reception! And they agreed! After their cathedral wedding, they waited in on the little bench outside the driveway door, suitcases at their feet, waiting for Norma & Gar to go to the reception (in Germantown!), stay there as hosts, then drive all the way back to take Mom & Dad to their honeymoon location, a charming country inn outside of Doylestown. Small wonder my magical older sister felt they were owed a proper reception on their 25th anniversary!!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN 08/11/00
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 22:51:03 EDT
Subject: World turned upside down
It will be, in September, when Sydney hosts the Summer Olympics. My favorite "city around the bay" will be at the top of the world, if you know what I mean.
The world's eyes have been turning to Sydney for months now. People who did not know a lot or did not know anything about this remarkable city are seeing its spirit and energy. As a Sydneysider myself (for a time), I know firsthand its special charm. My goodness, "charm" falls short. San Francisco has charm, London has charm, Bryn Athyn has charm - I do not know what adjective could do Sydney justice.
When I was a young woman, it was popular to say that everyone should visit Paris before they died. Today, that would be Sydney. If my health and medical insurance permitted, I would be on a plane down there tomorrow. I am happy that I will get to see so much of my much missed home away from home during the Olympic coverage.
I have noticed that differently Sydneysiders seem to be responding to playing host to the Games compared to Atlanta, four years ago. (For 2nd-to-none Olympic coverage, check out smh.com.au - the Sydney Morning Herald; gives me chills to count down the torch relay - 34 days to go.) Anyway, Atlanta turned itself inside out with pride that the Games gave the city world class status. In the case of Sydney, they already know they're world class, with or without the Olympics. In this prejudiced Nan's opinion, the Games are as blessed to be taking place in Sydney as Sydney is honored to host the Games.
Come September, my favorite piece of jewelry will be the Southern Cross!
I remember when I visited Mike & Kerry that first time. I was at some gathering and - being a sky watcher - went out on the deck and looked up at a sky full of stars. I laughed at myself and said out loud - "Oh, I forgot that you do not have the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper." It seemed like a chorus of voices rang out with, "WE have the Southern Cross!" To my delight, dear John Sandow - who is a meterologist - came out and pointed out to my wondering eyes the Southern Cross.
I wish I could describe how it felt looking at it that first time. Like finding the right adjective for Sydney, my vocabulary falls short.
At least I know how to tell you all how much you mean to me.
Love to all my dear friends, in whatever hemisphere you may be, with special hugs to current Sydneysiders, Kimberly & Scott - Nan Lockhart
Subject: World turned upside down
It will be, in September, when Sydney hosts the Summer Olympics. My favorite "city around the bay" will be at the top of the world, if you know what I mean.
The world's eyes have been turning to Sydney for months now. People who did not know a lot or did not know anything about this remarkable city are seeing its spirit and energy. As a Sydneysider myself (for a time), I know firsthand its special charm. My goodness, "charm" falls short. San Francisco has charm, London has charm, Bryn Athyn has charm - I do not know what adjective could do Sydney justice.
When I was a young woman, it was popular to say that everyone should visit Paris before they died. Today, that would be Sydney. If my health and medical insurance permitted, I would be on a plane down there tomorrow. I am happy that I will get to see so much of my much missed home away from home during the Olympic coverage.
I have noticed that differently Sydneysiders seem to be responding to playing host to the Games compared to Atlanta, four years ago. (For 2nd-to-none Olympic coverage, check out smh.com.au - the Sydney Morning Herald; gives me chills to count down the torch relay - 34 days to go.) Anyway, Atlanta turned itself inside out with pride that the Games gave the city world class status. In the case of Sydney, they already know they're world class, with or without the Olympics. In this prejudiced Nan's opinion, the Games are as blessed to be taking place in Sydney as Sydney is honored to host the Games.
Come September, my favorite piece of jewelry will be the Southern Cross!
I remember when I visited Mike & Kerry that first time. I was at some gathering and - being a sky watcher - went out on the deck and looked up at a sky full of stars. I laughed at myself and said out loud - "Oh, I forgot that you do not have the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper." It seemed like a chorus of voices rang out with, "WE have the Southern Cross!" To my delight, dear John Sandow - who is a meterologist - came out and pointed out to my wondering eyes the Southern Cross.
I wish I could describe how it felt looking at it that first time. Like finding the right adjective for Sydney, my vocabulary falls short.
At least I know how to tell you all how much you mean to me.
Love to all my dear friends, in whatever hemisphere you may be, with special hugs to current Sydneysiders, Kimberly & Scott - Nan Lockhart
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