I was lucky enough to be a part of my Grandmother Elizabeth Carsey's last 40 years. We played countless card games, read books, played dress-up and many other games at her house. My family spent almost every holiday with her and Grandpa (until his death in 1985.) She was loved by the entire neighborhood and was often referred to as the Neighborhood Grandma. I held a special pride in the fact that I could call her mine!
Through her simplicity, she taught me the basics of life and the things which make you happy. Love your family, your church and music. The only thing worth crying over is beautiful music. And above all else, approach life with a sense of humor. I have done my best to live up to her expectations and pass those lessons onto my children.
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No Post today: But good news. The America’s Cup stays in the U.S:
NEWPORT, R.I., Sept. 25. — The America’s Cup will remain in the United States. The most bitterly contested series of races for the famous old yachting trophy ended today when Rainbow, the defender, boiled over the finish line fifty-five seconds ahead of Endeavour.
No Post today. She is teaching 8th grade in Roswell NM and is playing the organ at church. She should be perfectly happy but is not. More adventures to come. We will find out where she will spend Thanksgiving and with whom.
Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:
No Post today. She is probably playing the organ in church today. Still ahead she comes home one October night to find strangers in her room!
So you have obviously figured out that my grandmother was a big part of my life. Many of my earliest memories are playing cards with her or listening to The Billy Goats Gruff – my favorite story that she read to me daily. You see, I went to her house every day after pre-school while my mother went to college. Actually, I went to her house regularly up until I could drive because she lived in a great neighborhood and we lived 7 miles out of town in the country. Her house was much more fun!
Even though my children only met her as babies, I must talk about her quite often. Below is a story my daughter wrote in fourth grade. Her promt was – something suddenly woke you out of a deep sleep, tell what happens next. I was brought to tears when I read it – knowing grandma is still with us – being passed down through memories and stories.
Whoosh! Whoosh! That was the sound of a mysterious balloon landing in the front yard on top of my mom’s florescent flowers.
For starters, it was very early on a Monday morning when I heard sounds in the wind and leaves cracking in my front yard. I didn’t want to stand-up and take a glimpse out my window but my legs forced me. I slowly wobbled like a penguin, over to my window. “WOW” I had whispered. Right in front of me was a gigantic neon hot air balloon! I quickly galloped over to my closet and threw on a neon green top with jean shorts, then ran down my curvy steps. I sneaked past my mom and dads room and out the door. I jumped into the chocolate brown basket and pulled on a snowy white rope.
Next thing I knew, I was in the bright blue morning sky. Out of nowhere I heard a rustling in the wind. I thought it was only the balloon so I dismissed it. Next I saw something as thick and puffy as a cloud. I became a little worried. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I was terrified. I shakily turned around. There stood, right in front of me, God himself! He told me to explore. So I did what he told me. You won’t believe who I found! I found my great-grandma there. She showed me around and we played board games together. I forgot I was in a balloon until it popped and I landed in my bed.
To wrap up, I had an awesome adventure in heaven. I feel happy that I hopped in the balloon. I learned the route of (to) heaven. I hope I will be able to visit again soon.
Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:
Ludwig Müller was proclaimed the supreme head of the German Protestant church at the Berlin Cathedral, despite hundreds of opposition pastors denouncing him from their pulpits.
No Post today. She is wrapping up her first month of teaching 8th grade in Roswell and still waiting to receive a letter from Carsey. Things really pick up in October including her social life and her letter writing!
Still it was a Saturday 80-years-ago and this was what was on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post
Here’s what else was happening 80-years-ago today:
266 dead in Gresford Disaster
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gresford disaster
The memorial at Gresford Heath, incorporating the old pit wheel, commemorating the victims of the Gresford disaster.
underground explosion (exact cause not determined)
The Gresford Disaster occurred on 22 September 1934 at Gresford Colliery, Gresford near Wrexham, in north-east Wales when an explosion killed 266 men and boys. The cause was never proved but an inquiry found that a number of factors such as failures in safety procedures and poor mine management contributed to the disaster. Gresford remains one of Britain’s worst coal miningdisasters and mining accidents. Only eleven bodies were ever recovered. The remains of the other victims were left entombed within the colliery’s permanently-sealed damaged district
And here is a list of Science News from September 22, 1934…anything look like it could be on today’s top google search?
No Post today. She is wrapping up her first month of teaching in Roswell NM. Still to come she goes to the fair with a date!
As I look through old newspapers, I am surprised to see how many times the name of my Great-Grandfather comes up. He was a Methodist Missionary, but seemed to get a lot of press. His name comes up regular in church news, but he also received a lot of press about the Mexican Revolution. You can tell he was well respected and also well loved by his congregation and when he passed away in 1963. I found his picture printed in the center of the front page of the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. See below.
October 11, 1963
Here is what else was happening 80-years-ago today:
The Muroto typhoon struck Japan, killing over 2,700 people.
No post today. She seems to be having a bit of trouble adjusting to her new job as a teacher in Roswell. She admits that her heart is longing to return to her Mexico Summer of 1934. Unfortunately for us, she is not writing nearly as much and is leaving us in a bit of a lull. I decided to skip ahead a year to see what was happening 79-years-ago today. Just to see how she was doing. Luckily she was in the writing mood that night..
September 20, 1935
Letter from Ty-Ty* telling me to have nothing to do with Girls Chorus if possible and to move next year to another job! Rather rare for her to say such a thing. Had another bridge lesson and am beginning to really get some points to contract!
by Ford Madox Ford
Got “Ladies Whose Bright Eyes” at the Library by Ford Maddox Ford – haven’t read much of it but can’t get interested.
*Ty-Ty is her aunt/step-mother. Ty-Ty stepped in to assist with the children after her sister’s (Elizabeth’s mother) sudden death in 1919. Ty-Ty married the Rev. JP Lancaster (Elizabeth’s father) in 1921.
Here is what else was happening 80-years-ago today.
Wrote to Vegas to see about credits for a renewal of certificate- Wrote to Mahota- she is the only one who can listen my hearthrobs! What a relief!
Here is what else was happening 80-years-ago today. ( I find these poitical cartoons amusing – so little has changed – except of course we have to hear it on TV!)
No-Post today. She gets back into the swing of things in October with more posts, more adventures, letters and dates!
Morning Avalanche (Lubbock, TX) on 25 June 1932, page 1
In the meantime, this is an article found by a friend of the family about the death of my grandfather’s , AKA Carsey‘s, first wife. Keep in mind this tragedy happened 2 years before Elizabeth took up her pen and wrote Mexico Summer. It’s hard to imagine the death of a 23-year-old, but then again, where would we be if she lived? I would not be blogging thats for sure. Its the same thought that went through my head as I was reading the Escape from Mexico article for the first time. The entire family was so close to death – a scary thought then – so surreal now. Still, its intriguing that grandpa was married to someone else.
Lucille Carsey Gravesite
I wonder what she looked like or if she had a great personality like my grandmother? I have so many questions about this poor soul who lived such a short time and unfortunately was buried in an unmarked grave. I’m sure his experience with her somehow led him to find Elizabeth. There must be a reason…..
Here is a look at what else was happening 80-years-ago today.
The Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Texas) 18 September 1934 • Page 1
Carsey family 1953: From left: Alan, Norman Elizabeth, Tommy, Arnold, Frank
No Post today..but my Uncle Norman (second from left) submitted this message in response to the Escape from Mexico page. Imagine what these two woman talked about!
Many years back during one of my visits with Mom in Flagstaff she began telling me a story that happened when the Lancasters were traveling across Mexico by train, and were stopped in Chihuahua for several days due to the street fighting associated with the Mexican Revolution.
Mom said “from the hotel room she heard the popping sounds of gun shots, and from the window of their room she could see machine gun emplacements on rooftops of adjacent buildings.”
Wedding photo of Pancho Villa and Austreberta Rentería 1921
During the short stay she met the wife of (the late) Pancho Villa, who was also staying in the same hotel, I might add that Pancho Villa had several wives, this wife was the last one. Mom said that she spent some time with the late Pancho Villa’s wife, they talked a lot (no details) and she escorted Mom down to the garage and showed her the car Pancho Villa was riding in when he was killed. Mom said the car was riddled with bullet holes, and blood was visible on the seats.
Frost Dodge, with bullet holes Erica Asmus-Otero, New Mexico State Parks
I think that Mom was not the only Lancaster child that befriended Villas wife, but I can’t remember who else was involved, also Mom said that the Villa’s wife did not seem very old, possibly late teen or early 20s.
This is all I can remember. Norm
Has anyone else heard this tale?
*note- Officially Villa was married twice although 5 woman showed up at the funeral claiming to be his wife another website claims he was married 26 times. Only Austreberta Renteria pictured above and Villa’s first wife Maria Luz Corral received widows pensions.
Here is what else was happening 80-years-ago today.
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