Design Your Own Tombstone

 A few Halloweens ago I found these online (but cannot remember where!)  In thinking I was going to use them as Halloween party invitations, I erased all the inscriptions on the tombstones. Sometimes I'll fill in a tombstone and attach it to an email to a friend, saying something like "CALL ME!". I'm sure you can think of a much better use for them, though!

Conneaut, Ohio Graveyard

On my trip to Ohio, I had originally wanted to go to Champ Chase Confederate Cemetery in Columbus , but ran out of time. Instead I stumbled upon a Cemetery in Conneaut, located conveniently enough next to the Dairy Queen (they had mint dilly bars!) . It seemed pretty well tended, but they had some anomalies I've never seen before:

Broken stones piled together & one upside down! The upside down one worried me a bit. I'm sure Mary would not approve!

Some lovely, thoughtful graves.

 

Revolutionary soldier and a super nice font.

There were several that looked like they hadn't always been flat, and now were being eaten by grass. The one on the right was so lovely, it could have been made by Tiffany.

Funeral Hearse

I went to the funeral of a firefighter at The Victory Memorial Park in White Rock. I did not know this person, but went with my mum to keep her company. I felt a bit creepy going, like Harold & Maude, because I really wanted to see a funeral with pomp & ceremony. My mum said he had a perverse sense of humor and wouldn't be offended at all... so I went & ogled. There were cops & firefighters lining the driveway, which was something I have never seen before. BUT, what was really interesting was the Victorian hearse in the back hall. It was made in Ontario in the 1870's and beautifully restored. My mum and I tried to be discreet taking photos, but someone always kept coming around the corner! If only I had worn my 1880's mourning gown!

A Visit To the Mariposa Cemetery

 If you are in Northern California, perhaps on a visit to Yosemite, I urge you to visit the Mariposa Cemetery. Its right off of the main drag, behind the Catholic church. They have a little pamphlet for 50¢ that gives you a wonderful tour of the tombstones.

Left - Augustus L. Castor Occupation Tin Shop owner on Main St., Mariposa 1860s.
Right - Bridget McGreer - Bridget married Robert McGreer on March 27th, 1864 when she was only 16. Seven and a half months after the wedding she died of typhoid fever on November 13th, 1864 along with her unborn baby. Note the tiny tombstone in front of hers.

Left - Etta Grosjean - Miss DeMoss married Davis Grosjean on March 10, 1900. On October 20th, 1900 she died in child birth at the untimely age of 17. Reminds me of the poem:

16 years a maiden,

One short year a wife,

6 hours a mother

And now I've lost my life.

Right - Bernard Hillen, a native of Ireland. Has my favourite dedication - Requiescat in pace.