Beyond Day SixMy sometimes-daily blog of a photograph or two with a few words, celebrating all the days of life that flow through creation into perspiration, inspiration, reflection, sabbath, and resurrection. Pizza in a Cemetery
It was the first time for me.
I've made a lot of visits to cemeteries, mostly professional in nature. Usually, it has been a somber occasion. Following the funeral at the church or a funeral home, there had been a procession to the burial site. I had a few words to say, several scriptural verses, a prayer, the commital service, and usually ending with The Lord's Prayer in unison. Sometimes I would invite the family and friends to offer their remembrances. And then frequently, people would hesitate to leave. They would talk in groups and hug and visit nearby stones that marked the grave of other loved ones. I heard a novel reason to visit the local cemetery as Mrs. McKemie told us when my daughter was learning to drive that she taught her kids to drive in the Benton City cemetery. There were paved roads with no traffic and the people residing there wouldn't object. But last week was the first time I ate pizza in any cemetery. My sister-in-law had told Judy of the unique stones in a rural cemetery and that we ought to go see them. We picked up a Domino's pizza and Diet Cokes and drove into the country. They were several carved stones, more than 125 years old, that depicted stories of the departed. This one is for a teen-aged boy with a baseball bat, cap, books, and his favorite chair sculpted in stone. I suspect that this was an expensive stone at the time, but wouldn't it be fun if this was a typical marker? It would be an art gallery in the outdoors, a place for pizza, and learning to drive, and I'm told for "parking".
ParadeThis is a parade like no other.
If you have driven across Illinois on US 24, you may have seen this parade on the south side of the road, in the middle of a field. I don't recall how many discarded horses are lined up there. I suspect the parade continues to grow in length. Kids have outgrown their rocking horse and the plastic steeds have escaped to a field in Illinois, joining in the parade. I think this is a better destination than the dump or stored in a windowless garage or the corner of a dark basement. Horses are supposed to be free, roaming the wide open spaces. Gallop away! Lorna's Gift
In just a few weeks, this daylily will begin to bloom in front of our house.
Daylilies have pedigrees, with a registered year of introduction and the name of the hybridizer. Lorna's Gift was introduced in 1996 by Nona Ford. But there are several daylily photos that show up when googled that don't look like the above. So I was on a quest last week to find out its authenticity. And to make a long story short, Ms. Ford's cousin, Richard, verified that the flower above is correctly identified as Lorna's Gift. I suspect that there is a story behind the name. I could make one up. It'll bloom in early June so I've got a few days to concoct a worthy tale. Day TripWhen we lived in Effingham, it was a full day's drive to Destin. My folks started spending the winter there in 1977.
So we would often head south for the week after Christmas, or if we could squeeze in a winter vacation with school holidays, and travel to Destin. It's changed quite a bit over the years. More traffic and taller condos, and less sand dunes. And the bridge is new. But the views are still spectacular. And now it's only about 7 hours from our house to Destin. I see a lot of stickers on the back of cars that testify that their favorite spot is south Walton County. And last February, I found out that a full day's drive could get you to Sarasota, Florida. Imagine how close distant spots would be if you could fly! MoonlightWhile this photo was taken last summer, it could have easily been this week.
A friend who visited recently said that the pictures don't do this house justice. I find it amazing myself that I get to live her. And we have two guest rooms!! But I find peace here. And joy. The previous owners built the house and the extras so that they could feel like they were on vacation at home. Must be why I find it difficult to leave during pool season (May through September). And we enjoy sharing it. PassageSometimes, the obstacles appear enormous.
And the possibilities are so foreboding. I'm convinced that there is another passage, a different option, even waiting for the right time, that will provide hope. SearchingDawn seems to come awfully early.
And when low tide is before dawn, you have to get up pretty early. And someone has often been there before you. Just enjoy the moment. HeroYou may not know it.
But I am an honorary Superman. I have the certificate to prove it, signed and presented by the mayor of Metropolis. I even modeled for the statue in the town square. Oh, wait. He has hair. But I do have the certificate. |
