Since I did my cemetery visiting and blogging over the weekend, I’m going to post flower photos today. All are Lensbaby shots. And yes, I know fleabane is a weed, but it’s pretty, and I can’t bring myself to pull it from my flower bed.
Coral Bells
Columbine (Rose Barlow)
Fleabane
Iris
Sweet William
Mary Wife of P. Jarvis Born Feb. 10, 1809 Died Mar. 16, 1889
Philip Jarvis Born Nov. 8, 1806 Died Mar. 24, 1888
This was by far the largest monument in Palestine Cemetery. Or, it would be if it weren’t in pieces. When I got there, the side with Mary’s inscription was facing out. I thought it was likely, since Philip was mentioned in her inscription, that the opposite side–the one resting against the monument’s base–held his inscription. But that’s a really, really, really big hunk of stone (about 3 feet tall, to give you some idea of scale). And it was hot as hell–about 90F. Not exactly the best weather for trying to move giant pieces of stone. But, I managed to tilt the headstone backward enough to get a photo of the back side. Just barely. So that’s why the angle on the last photo is so wonky.
Gateposts
This was the second of three cemeteries I visited yesterday, and by far the most visually appealing. It’s on a narrow gravel road, and the entrance is nearly hidden by trees. The cemetery itself, while along the roadside, is completely ringed by trees, with deep woods on three sides. Very atmospheric. And, unfortunately, also very neglected. It had been mowed recently, but the stones were in pretty poor condition. The largest monument was lying in pieces. Most of the headstones were small, including a couple of fieldstone markers. There were also a few markers that were worn completely smooth.
Corner Post
Palestine Cemetery, Palestine Cemetery Road, Vandalia, Owen County, Indiana
J. C. Cline Co. D. 28 U. S. C. I.
Jos. Walden Co. D 28 U. S. C. T.
J. M. Wilson Co. D 28 U. S. C. T.
J. T. Wilson Co. D. 8 U. S. C .I.
One of the women I work with is from Owen County, and she told me about a little cemetery there with African American burials. And when I say little, I mean tiny. There are maybe 10-12 headstones, some of which belong to Civil War soldiers. The abbreviation U. S. C. I. stands for United States Colored Infantry; U. S. C. T. stands for United States Colored Troops.
Walden Cemetery, Hillcrest Drive, Spencer, Owen County, Indiana
Spider on Grave Marker
There’s nothing as refreshing on a hot day as chilled grapefruit with just a pinch of salt. Bliss!
Sweet William (dianthus)
The tomato seedlings in this pot are about twice the size of those in the other pot, but that may because they’re different varieties. I planted both sandwich tomatoes and Romas, but I can’t remember which are which, so I’ll have to wait and see.
More of the deer bones I got from my mom. I took the photos out on my patio, and the guy one floor up and one section over was standing on his balcony, watching me. He didn’t say anything, which makes me wonder what he was thinking about the weird person playing with a pile of bones.
One year ago today, I brought two naughty kittens into my home. They immediately commenced to turning everything upside-down and inside-out, like it was their job. And I suppose it is.
red paper boat 