The Three Little Bears

Dear Diary,

Karen was just moving into her new house and is still sorting through boxes.  She pulled out two little stuffed bears and I pulled out some wonderful memories.  I made my "grand tour" of England 26 years ago and her two daughters were taken to London the same year by an aunt.  I had bought the same little Beefeater Bear at the Tower of London to bring home for a little friend and the conductor bear reminded me of my two trips on the Orient Express during my stay.  She was going to put them in a yard sale but I took them home instead.

They sit on my great-great grandfathers traveling trunk next to Aloysius Cornelius Vanderbear, a bear I bought on Nantucket 35 years ago.  I named him Aloysius after the bear in "Brideshead Revisited" one of my favorite PBS series.  When I was in England I visited Castle Howard, where the movie was filmed.

So, three little bears and three happy memories.  I walked by them this morning on my way downstairs and they made me smile.  I'm not certain but I would swear I saw them smile back!

ps.  Of course I had to name my two new bears.  The conductor I christened Percy and the Beefeater bear is now Reginald, who I named after an Old English Sheepdog I once had!