As the Disney song says

It's a small, small world (and it is.)

I use to tell people that I lived in a little town north of Pittsburgh, figuring they would at least be familiar with Pittsburgh. But ever since an experience I had at the Rose Bowl in California (where the guy had never been to Pittsburgh..... only Dempsytown and Oil City where I taught) I now proudly say where I'm from.

Today we had that experience again.  For the past week we've been at Disney World (sadly tomorrow is our last day.)  As we were riding the bus back to our resort (to take an afternoon nap...... we ain't what we use to be) we struck up a conversation with a young couple and their children.  When they asked where we were from, our friends said..... "A little town north of Pittsburgh."  Then he decided to say Oil City and their mouths dropped open.  The wife was from Oil City.  They still had family there and that's where they were married.  My friends knew their relatives and the wife's brother is married to the sister of one of my friends.

I actually had the wife as a student when I taught elementary art.  I did remember her after she said her name.  (They have a way of changing from when I had them in elementary school.)

The vacation is over and it's back to work.  I have several commissions to work on and a silhouette machine to master so come back often to see how that's going.  It's time to get back on track with the metal clay posts.  (But vacation was fun while it lasted and Disney World is amazing.)

It really is Magical!

There weren't any posts lately as we were on vacation all last week in Disney World. (I even missed the Transit Harvest Gala.) It's been many, many, many years since we've been there. (So many that we didn't remember much about it.)

But this time we went with the whole family. There were eleven of us (six adults and five children who ranged from ages 1 to 7.) We stayed at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground in two adjoining sites. The campground is the nicest we've ever stayed at. It was "soooo" clean and beautiful. Well worth it and it was a short boat ride to the Magic Kingdom. To get to the other parks, we just hopped on a bus to the main outpost of the campground and caught a connecting bus to where we wanted to go. Everything was well marked and ran so smoothly. (The Disney Corporation sure knows what they are doing.)

With all the music, lights and color, who wouldn't feel like dancing, which is exactly what we did when the parade went through. (I'm glad no one got a picture of me dancing!)

It was a great week with the family (although a little stressful at times trying to keep track of all the grandchildren. Didn't want to lose anybody.) The littlest members didn't appreciate the fact they could ride in a stroller all day and relax. No..... they wanted out and when they got out they ran! (Man those kids can move!)

Two year old Cody was so excited on the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom. He could see the castle and he knew what it was. We could hardly contain him. His favorite word for the week was Whoa (repeated in succession.) His pick to remember the trip was Buzz Light Year. (One year old Beau chose Buzz too.)

Olivia was thrilled to meet the Princesses. Her highlight was having dinner with five of them and getting her picture taken with each and everyone. (I need to study Disney's marketing techniques. They certainly have it down.)

Tyler who is the oldest was intent on getting autographs and pictures of Disney characters in his book while his brother Ethan wore his mouse ears everywhere. (Even to bed.)

The vacation was magical and Disney world is full of magical moments. We'll be back. (After we save up more money. That place is expensive..... but worth it.)

Now back to work. I'm taking part in a metal clay challenge. We are to make a piece that illustrates a favorite fairy tale. I'm doing Jack and the Bean stalk. Stay tuned for photos. It's already started.