Two recent outings brought ideas for the letter C this week. First, on July 19th my daughter and I crossed the border to Point Roberts and toured around a bit. One stop was to the local cemetery. Some people don't like going to cemeteries because they think they're spooky or creepy. But I don't mind wandering around, careful not to step on the areas under which the bodies lie. I try to be respectful but find it fascinating to read the engravings on the stones. There are some spots that I think to myself, "Oh drat, they got that spot first!" Crazy, right? For me, wandering around a cemetery is peaceful, sometimes sad, and at times even evokes a smile. It's pretty humbling to realize the countless beings who came before us, all of whom felt they were the center of the universe and now are just memories to those who loved them.
Here are a few shots of some lovely resting places. You can tell these people were dearly loved. We'll start with the gate, but be sure to watch for the following - the Canadian flag and a Canadian football player, twin boys who lived only a day, and brightly coloured rocks at the Poirier gravesite. Apparently, all their children and grandchildren made them, lovingly placing them there for posterity. I also smiled at the "Gone Fishing" memorial and the lovely angelic poem.
Now, on to classic cars! On July 21st, daughter and I attended the Classic Car show at a local winery's annual "Summerfest." We had a blast wandering around looking at the awesome cars while listening to classic rock music played by a live band called "The Centaurs." We took in a quilt show and a model railway show in the barns and chatted with vendors at their little markets stands. It's an outing that we will attend next year and I'll also go to their shop to buy Christmas presents in December. Here's some of what we saw that day. Be sure your speakers are tuned up so you can groove to the theme of "Peter Gunn."
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| Finally, thanks to that classic and charismatic Mrs. Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday. She and her team of capable, caring and clever teammates will charge over to your posts to comment on your conceptualizations. See you all next week at ABC Wednesday for the letter D. |
35 comments:
I LOVE cemeteries! (And always remember that it has only E's, no A's.)
I love cemeteries too! Old ones are really interesting and love the ones you photographed! There's one near us that we like to walk through because the headstone inscriptions are so interesting!
:)
I love cemeteries! the oen near us has a long pathway up a hill, lined by yew trees. Gorgeous!
Cemeteries are pretty cool.
When I was doing research in Switzerland, one of my Turkish Muslim colleagues was taking pictures of the cemeteries. When I asked him why, he explained "They're beautiful. Our markers are just posts. You build monuments like pagans."
Cool post! Also like the cars!
Chris H
ABC Wednesday
C is for Chirality
I also love cemeteries. I love looking at the names, dates, epitaphs. I love the serenity...
Too funny. You've reminded me of my Grade 9 history teacher who'd drive his classic care to old cemeteries and take pictures of it there among the tombstones. I hadn't thought of him in years. My story this week is called Culmen ’79 but you already know that!
Most of my childhood days were spent playing in the Turlock Cemetery across the street where I lived.
Hide n Seek, "Johnson" tag (lots of Swedes) If you touched a headstone with "Johnson" on it you were free! Silly games, but we loved playing on the cool grass before they became "Memorial Parks" with gates and rules. That's why I love OLD cemeteries.
I also love to visit cemeteries.
I so enjoyed the one in Boston on Beacon Hill. There were some of the oldest markers I had ever seen.
Adore wandering cemeteries! So many wonderful stories and interesting headstones! Love your collection, especially the "panda" one! And classic cars are definitely a favourite with me!
I love wandering around a cemetery I think there is so much history and love in there.Nice pics Leslie.Love Jill xx
Hello.
I'm not a fan of cemeteries, but nice photos. Thanks for sharing.
The Confidence Of A Man
I find cemeteries interesting and you took some good shots. Also love the classic cars. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
I like exploring cemeteries; my mind travels far reading epitaphs. These are really charming shots you shared. Thank you. The classic car show - wow. I've never been to a show like that, maybe similar as I've been to an antique cars show.
Great to find people who love cemeteries! Some of my friends think it's weird, but I find them beautiful...so tranquil and a real window to the past...:)
Lovely takes for the theme!!
I love the atmosphere of old cemeteries - we have some wonderfully atmospheric ones in the UK too. My husband would probably prefer the classic cars!
I hardly go more than twice a year to the cemetery where my husband lies. It is not far from my house but it upsets me always. The idea that it is the place where I will eventually will be laid down, is horrible. I know that he is not there and I find more of him in my house and heart.
Cemeteries are for my places of sadness and bereavement.
But your entry is very respectful and beautiful. Thanks!
My C is cemeteries too! I do like to walk around them as well, although your choice is a better one to walk around on than mine.
I once walked around on a French cemetery in Montmartre (Paris), so many graves you couldn't even see them all in one day!
Oh thank god, I thought I was the only weird guy who loved cemeteries !! I just feel at peace there and yes my favourite time is the night
PhenoMenon, ABCW Team
That reminds me: There's an old cemetery not far from our house that I've always wanted to have a wander through!
very creative photography ~ great post for ABC ~~ thanks, namaste, (A Creative Harbor)
That's what I like to visit cemeteries to read beautiful words and photos. Thanks for the visit I do appreciate it.
Kim,USA
I like a mooch around an old cemetery with their worn lettering and lichen. Modern ones used to be very regimented but today people go for a more personal and decorative remembrance so as you have shown a peaceful and reflective photo journey.
I suspect I would have spent more time with the quilts and blueberry pie eating than the cars beautifully gleaming though they are.
Enjoyed your photos Leslie, - I find the 'gone fishing' idea very appealing.
A very unusual combination, but, it worked! I love reading the headstones even though my heart breaks for the ones that left all too soon. Wondering if Olga had passed yet and they just have her stone ready for her.
I love visiting cemeteries. We don't' have any moss growing at ours though.
It is only in the last few years that I have found cemeteries to be really, really interesting! While i still think of the sadness on the day the person was buried, the history, as you so beautifully pointed out with your photographs, is rich with human drama. Car shows are fun as well and Roy's comment about his history teacher sure did fit your post like a glove :)
I love visiting cemeteries--so facinating. I love the messages engraved and the names and ages. I do the geneology for my family and love to travel accross the country to see where they are laid to rest. On a trip years ago to CA with my grandma there was a very tall narrow stone and all it said was "ANNIE DIED". No year or anything--isn't tja
I've loved exploring cemeteries since I was little, and I still enjoy them, especially the old and photogenic ones. I have many blog posts featuring cemetery photos! It's nice to see your readers share an appreciation for them too! I find cemeteries to be peaceful places full of stories and art, and don't think it's a bad thing to be reminded from time to time that in the great scheme of things, our stay is brief and we should make the most of it. I especially liked the hand painted rocks on the Poirier grave, and the shady bench with the pretty red geraniums.
Summer really brings out the classic cars on both sides of the border, eh? :-) Love the Peter Gunn music, and the eye candy of some of those great cars! I'd swear there is one exactly like the that copper and cream Mercury Montclair that drives past our house from time to time! Fun post, great "C" themes!
Nice post. Love how you've highlighted all the C words to bring it all together♫♪
Love all these shots. Catching up with ABC.
C is for...
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
PS.. COMMENTS makes me happy!
It was a real pleasure for me to read this post and to look at your photos. In my country, Turkey, Muslim and Christian tombstones from the past centuries (Ottoman, Seljoukide, Byzantine, Roman eras) are very gently built, ornamented and they often bear interesting messages. But, since the 1960s, tombstones are prototype and just show the identity of the person who is burried under. This is not an official rule, but people just do not spend money on tombstones. It's a pity that we abandoned our tradition of ornamented tombstones. On the other hand, your photos of old car collection are gorgeous. As I said, I enjoyed very much this post :)
Cemeteries are a 'dying' custom. Sorry, couldn't resist that. But they really are. Some churches have a rose garden or something similar where ashes can be scattered. In addition my husband has performed quite a few scattering of ashes at sea.
I have always found cemeteries alluring, like a big rock garden. As a little child I constantly asked if we could "go there". A funeral must have looked like a party to me.
Leslie, It is a coincidence--the poem about tears and bringing you home again! I checked your blog after your message to me today on my "D" post.
Great with detailed information. It is really very helpful for us.
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