Thursday, May 10, 2012

Cemeteries: People are Just Dying to Get In

The fence around a cemetery is foolish, for those inside can't get out and those outside don't want to get in. ~ Arthur Brisbane


Frank and I took a short day trip a few weeks back, and found ourselves wandering through an old cemetery, proving the above quote at least partially untrue.


lovely trees on guard
The first thing to catch my eye was the row of lovely trees running parallel to the fence. Beautiful old sentinels for the departed.




graveyard
Many of the gravestones were touching to read. There were far too many children buried there.




war is hell
And soldiers.




water pump
There were some unusual items of interest to catch the eye, here and there.




towering tree
And that tree was mighty impressive up close and personal.




beauty
My attention quickly shifted to this beauty who was watching me from the other side of the fence. I was surprised and delighted by this lovely creature.




N-pretty tulip
It was a bit of an unusual way to spend the day, though I know through your blogs, that many of you also enjoy strolling through cemeteries. Thanks for sharing in my day.

More photos in a few days.

44 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

Great quote about the fence. It's amazing the number of children in old cemeteries. Times were tough then.

ellen abbott said...

I don't care for modern cemeteries. The headstones or plaques are all the same, boring repetition. But that a beautiful picture of the tulip.

CorvusCorax12 said...

great picture..where i lived in Germany the cemeteries are like parks and some quite old, i always liked waling along and reading the old stones and yes a lot of children.

Brian Miller said...

i like walks in the cemetary...our city cemetary has lots of cool relics of the city and some pretty unusual headstones...

Out on the prairie said...

a bit of serenity for me, I enjoy walking through them. I started decorating a few near me.

Christine said...

I love cemeteries, especially small old ones. There is something so peaceful about them.

And, I love the shot of the tree :)

LadyFi said...

Beautiful shots. I do enjoy cemeteries - they teach me to value life.

messymimi said...

New cemeteries sometimes don't have as much character as old ones, which are usually fascinating and sad and beautiful all at the same time.

This one was worth your time, thanks for sharing it.

Gail Dixon said...

I love to take photos in an old cemetery. You have some great shots here. :)

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Ah, the horse made my day. I don't think I'll ever outgrow my love for them. We regularly walk in the cemetery across the road from us, and there are usually some Amish draft horses in the field bordering the cemetery, which adds interest to the walk.

yaya said...

I love cemeteries! I enjoy just walking around reading the headstones. Last year our beautiful cemetery here in Ashland had a "cemetery walk"..that's where people dressed up as some of the early citizens that helped settle this town. They stood in front of the graves and spoke about "themselves" and how they contributed to the community way back when. It was fun and I learned alot about where I live. They're doing it again this year and I will not be able to stay away! Sounds weird, but true!

Maggie May said...

I also enjoy looking round grave yards but it is a bit sad to see so many children died years ago.
I love your heading! I'm not dying to get in!!!!!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Kittie Howard said...

Beautiful photos in a peaceful setting. I also like an occasional stroll thru a cemetery, can't really tell you why. A friend in Arizona said she saw an old tombstone with "I told you I was sick."

stephen Hayes said...

The liveliness of the inquisitive horse is a great contrast to the cemetery.

Red said...

I like wandering through the cemetery at home. Out on the bald prairie we don't have majestic trees watching over our family. Only the wind sweeps over the land both summer and winter.

Robin said...

I used to love strolling through cemeteries when I was younger - reading the inscriptions and dreaming of the stories surrounding the families represented there. Interestingly, I visited a tiny family cemetery just last weekend - and was touched by the heart-felt inscriptions on the tombstones.

NitWit1 said...

I love old cemeteries, the older,the better. And once in awhile you will find a private family cemetery sitting in a field or subdivision. There is one of each within a short driving distance a few miles from here.

I love cemeteries in New England as they are 200+ years old.

Mental P Mama said...

I love cemeteries, too. So peaceful....

Country Girl said...

I don't think it's unusual at all. Different from some, and very respectful. And interesting ~

Cloudia said...

I too enjoy lingering there.

Magical horse-soul!


Warm Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

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Joanna Jenkins said...

My dad always used to call the cemetery "the dead center of town". Now I visit him there every time I'm in Ohio. It's a small cemetery that dated back to the Civil War. i've seen many deer and a fox or two when I vivid but never a horse! What a pleasant surprise.

xoxo jj

sage said...

That looks like a Yucca plant in that one photo, but it can't be if it's in Canada, can it? Nice shots.

Rob-bear said...

Cemeteries are places where there have been lots of grave undertakings. I've done many of those myself, over 40 years in ministry. But no, I'm not dying to get in there myself.

They are peaceful places. And with a horse as guardian, what could be better?

Blessings and Bear hugs.

Gillian Olson said...

Beautiful shots, it is a lovely setting.

Suldog said...

Cemeteries are lovely spots, usually. Hey, they're built to be pretty and peaceful, so the only thing bothering most folks is some sort of notion about the dead resenting their presence. Personally, I think the souls of those departed welcome the company.

Daryl said...

i am a taphophile

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I find cemeteries to be bittersweet places but always peaceful -- and often photogenic.

Zuzana said...

Dear Hilary, look who is back?;)))
As you probably recall from my own writing, I love cemeteries. There is something very ethereal, tranquil and solemn about them... Beautiful images as always, missed your fantastic photography.;)
The love of my love is deployed for 4 months. Our separation started 3 days ago and these have been the 3 most difficult days of my life, but I hope it will only get better with time.
I hope you have been well, looking forward to catch up with you and everyone else and to start blogging on regular bases again.;)
xoxo

Reb said...

Just today I noticed, whilst on the bus, that the city has built a bream between a very busy road and a cemetery. I guess they don't want to disturb the occupants. Sadly no camera with me.

Reb said...

Lovely shots, the horse and the tree are wonderful.

Mage said...

I've always been fascinated by cemeteries. Big or small, they have such richness. You inspire me.

Pauline said...

A cemetery is usually a calm and peaceful retreat. One near a former residence of mine was my favorite place to go when I needed time alone.

Indrani said...

I don't feel very comfortable in cemeteries. I have been to a couple of them and taken some shots.
You got good shots.

Shammickite said...

Not an unusual way to spend the day at all. I have wandered through many graveyards, reading the inscriptions and wondering about the lives of the inhabitants. Too many small children buried in the pioneer cemeteries. It must have been a hard life.

photowannabe said...

I love to go to cemeteries to look. They always make me wonder about the people and their stories.
Lovely pictures, especially the single flower.
Looking forward to more photos.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful and vivid photos, thanks Hilary.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots... cemeteries are so peaceful!

Dave said...

yes, cemeteries are interesting and can give us a snapshot of history. Here for example we had a flu epidemic which claimed many lives early last century - many adults, but also many children died. Good shots Hilary - Dave

Betty Manousos said...

serene places...

lovely shots, thanks hilary!

Shrinky said...

There is something enchanting about a cemetery that I can never resist. It's our history and our future, I guess! What a treat you've served up for us.

Unknown said...

oops, somehow I missed this?

Such a fabulous collection of photos Hilary.

Reena said...

What a surprise to see the horse. Cemeteries always intrigue me ... often they hold a lot of beauty!

SandyCarlson said...

We need these places to put our own lives in perspectives. The Victorians were right to turn them into parks and walk around in them.

Loria Schleiff said...

Your shots are amazing! That cemetery is definitely a place worth visiting. I love how you captured those trees - they look absolutely stunning. Who wouldn’t get mesmerized with a cemetery that beautiful? I’d love to go there if given a chance. ;)