After an enjoyable and educational day with Marsha (AlwaysWrite), Jodie (Jodie’s Touch of Style), Jodie’s husband (and photographer), and Leslie, one of her models, Marsha and I planned a museum trip for Friday morning before I headed home. Dicovering the museum was closed (opening, naturally, the next day), we changed direction, heading for the IOOF cemetery. What’s that you might ask? I guessed it meant International Order of Odd Fellows. Almost. The “I” stands for “Independent” rather than “International.” But cemetery it was either way and I do enjoy browsing through cemeteries, especially older ones where there are interesting headstones. Here are a few that caught my eye.
I’d guess that Petra was Catholic as this is a very Catholic headstone. You’ll see more of this type of presentation in European cemeteries.
I found H.C. Tyler’s stone intriguing. Was it made this way or did some part break off? Perhaps H.C. was a lover of rocks and stones. OK, probably not but you have to admit it’s not the usual, either in stone or lettering.
Marsha warned me that the cemetery wasn’t well-kept and unfortunately, she was right. Here’s an excellent example of that. Someone spent a lot of money on a beautiful mosaic remembrance and not only was it breaking up, it was covered with branches and dead leaves.
You can see from the inscription and the choice of a headstone that wasn’t the usual bland stone that Allie was indeed beloved.
As we walked back to the parking area, a small grave caught my eye. Even though it looks big here, it was at most a yard in length, not very wide, and almost hidden by bushes and the tree. Reading the inscription (following photo) tugged at my heart.
How difficult to buy a son less than two when he passed away! We have an almost 10-month old grandson now and I can’t imagine the grief we and his parents would feel were this to happen. If you have children or grandchildren, give them a hug if you can, send a text filled with love, call to tell them your love them, and thank God that you can.
We didn’t have a dessert after this but we did have an excellent lunch with Marsha’s husband, after which I drove back home. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. We were missing a couple of blogging friends, Lisa from Micro of the Macro and Donna of Wind Kisses. I did however have coffee and lunch with Donna on my way up, always a wonderful time.
Jo’s Monday Walk 1.16.23
This, that and the other thing 
Struggling with my laptop today, Janet. There’s an imperfect link but you’re there. Catch up with you soon 😁 💗
See you then. Good luck with your laptop.
A good cemetery walk thanks janet 🙂
You’re welcome, Brian.
such interesting memorial displays – must have been fascinating to see
It was, but what a shame that it was in such bad shape.
yes
What an extraordinary place, Janet. And how lovely to have a gathering with blogging chums.
I’ve been to several recently, and they were a lot of fun.
Gatherings, not cemeteries. 😁
An interesting walk. Cemeteries are such a lesson in history. It is a shame there isn’t a youth group of historical society to keep it tidy. Interesting just the same. A nice weekend for you. I am going to meet my daughter and granddaughter at Elevate today. Fingers crossed the rain stops. I thought she would enjoy riding her tricycle outside the cafe. lol. Yes…love…
The history is what I like and imagining the stories. Enjoy the meet up and good luck with the rain. Looks like it will continue here most of the day. Good thing I did all the yard work Saturday! Best to your daughter. ❤️
Thank you. We do need the rain, so that is welcome too.
True. At least it’s not like California!
I’m glad you had a great trip.
Thanks. It wasn’t long in time but long on fun and friendship.
That’s the best! 😀
How intriguing. As good as a museum – and you would probably Neve discovered/taken the time to go in if the museum had been open. Old cemetery walks are great. enjoyed the variations of era headstone. Real history and glimpse of people’s lives. Have a great week!
It’s a living museum although without docents or more information. 🙂 You’re right that we wouldn’t have gone if the museum would have been open, although we might have gotten there another time. You have a great week as well.
That cemetery tour might have been more interesting than the museum, in the end. Thanks for sharing your discoveries. When I was a small kid, there was an Oddfellows club next door to my grandmother’s house. It seemed mysterious and for the grandkids it was a source of scary stories, because none of my family knew what kind of club it was and they imagined all sorts of superstitious and scary things happened there. As an adult now, and from looking at these headstones, I would have guessed they were an interesting bunch of folks.
I guess they were odd. 🙂 The museum was the Museum of Indigenous People, so that would have been interesting as well, but this was an excellent substitute. I don’t know if you have to be an Odd Fellow to be buried in the cemetery but any cemetery tells or hints at interesting stories, which I enjoy.
I have spoken to all my children today!
Ha!
For me it’s also the graves of the babies and children that bring a lump to my throat. Not having known them makes no difference; so it must be because I imagine the heartache their passing caused.
Parents shouldn’t have to bury their children.
I like headstones, too. They can be works of art. Interesting post!
Many of them are works of art and the history and stories are, to me, fascinating.
Agree!
I rented an apartment on the 9th floor of a high rise (years ago). It overlooked a green w/ lots of trees park.
My BF came over and said, “Oh, your apt. overlooks a graveyard.”
I never saw the graveyard until he pointed it out.
It is an antique graveyard with amazing headstones and crypts. No room to bury anyone anymore. So old, in the summer the trees and growth did over take the image.
In the winter when there was no leaves on the trees and no other green, I would look out upon it.
It looked like a Chess Game, but with different men.
I always thought, the Chess Game of Life in Death.
My old high school history professor was very annoying that I didn’t want to study history at university afterwards – thought it was a waste of talent not to do so. Directly called me a fool for that reason, a very special but really great guy imho. Second after mathematics, it was my favorite subject. Always looking for history and cemeteries known or traveling – wonderful basis for stories. 🙂
There are some wonderful cemeteries in Europe and I’ve enjoyed visiting many in France when I visited there. Since my s-i-l now lives in Norway, I’ll have new things to discover. 🙂