Friday, October 24, 2008

An October's eve stroll through the cemetery...


“A cemetery is a history of people – a perpetual record of yesterday and sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering – always.” (William Gladstone 1809-1897)

Cemeteries, especially at this time of year, are often portrayed as very spooky places (which, of course, they are not)… I actually love walking through cemeteries and I took my camera along this last time in case you wanted to join me... Most of these photos were taken as the sun set and the moon rose above the trees...
You'll always find a wide variety of religious statues and artwork while strolling through a cemetery...










And you'll find yourself surrounded by angels of all shapes and sizes...







Many stones, especially older ones, are chiseled or cut to form crosses, some very simple and some quite intricate...















But what tugs at my heartstrings most are the everyday garden statues, most likely a personalized token of love from a family member or friend...




Well, the sun has now set, after painting the sky with beautiful peaches and pinks, and the moon is now out, so I suppose we should be going. (Even though cemeteries aren't spooky places, I don't think I want to be here in the dark!!) But thank you for joining me on this early evening stroll...


Donna

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

What interesting pictures. I think cemeteries are interesting too. I guess the most interesting one I ever walked through was one in New Orleans. It was so different with everyone buried above ground level.
I came over here from Linda's Blue Gate. I've enjoyed your blog.
Charlotte

Esther said...

I too like cemeteries. In our town they have cemetery walks at night where you have a supper and a walk through the cemetery while someone who has studied up on it, tells you about the life of someone who is buried there. I haven't been yet but I'd like to go. My family think I'm crazy.

Cynthia's Cottage Design said...

wow Donna, that was amazing! such beautiful and moving photos! and the one with the moon and clouds forming were stunning! Thank you! I especially love the Deers , so peaceful looking! I hope you werent alone, lol ;) while they arent spooky places at all, id still want someone with me :) guess ive seen too many movies, lol ;)

Thanks for sharing such beauty!

~ Cynthia ~

Rhondi said...

Hi Donna
What beautiful statuary in the cemetery. I am having a giveaway. Make sure you stop by.
Hugs, Rhondi

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

I'm so happy to see that I'm not the only one who finds the beauty in cemeteries.
The pictures were beautiful. Thanks for the tour. Have a great day!

Victoria Lynn said...

Donna,
Thank you for taking me along...what a beautiful tour of the cemetery! I love the picture with the autumn colors in the trees with the moon in the background! Have a fabulous weekend!
Hugs,
Victoria Lynn

Joanne Kennedy said...

What a beautiful post. Those statutes are lovely. You know I adore going through old cemeteries and just dreaming about everyone who is there. The history of thier life and who they were often make me feel so peaceful and calm there.

It's like there isn't a care in the world when you are at a cemetery. Strange that I love them so much. Guess one day I'll end up there for ever.

Hugs,
Joanne

joyh82 said...

Spooky to walk thru the cemetary..
but the statues are beautiful.
I love angel and madonna statues the best.

Cottage Rose said...

Hey Donna; Those are some lovely photos, such beauty in them. They seem comforting some how. I so enjoyed the walk thank you.

Hugs;
Alaura

Tea Time With Melody said...

Great blog. Every single time I go into a cemetery it reminds me of the movie "Night of the living Dead" that scared the crap out of me when I was little. Turned out to be my favorite movie too. You on the other hand, gave me a different view, I never just looked at the statues etc. Thanks, for now when I go I will focus on something else. :)

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Donna!
Your post brought tears to my eyes. My dad & I loved strolling through cemeteries and looking at the names and dates, the simplicity of some, the "cost is no object" of others, the art of the stone cutters. And the babies & children always tugged so deeply at my heart strings.
Your photos are wonderful, and your post is very sweet.
Hugs, Sherry

Life on the Edge said...

Wow, this was a FANTASTIC post with incredible pictures! Those are such beautiful statues! Isn't it strange that you can find such beauty in a cemetery? I remember when I lived in Pittsburgh and my boyfriend at the time decided to take some pictures in a cemetery there. It was just incredible! There were some very elaborate tombs and stones and statues.

Great job here!

Kady

House On Long Hill said...

Loved the cemetery pictures...my husband and I also enjoy visiting old cemeteries and photographing tombstones. We have enjoyed this partly because of our love of history and partly because of the immense amount of learning that can gotten using old gravestone records.

Last week we found a tiny rural cemetery with several gravestones listing dates of both husband and wife being 88 to 95 years or older at time of death! Everyone did not die young previous to the 1900's!

Jean Tuthill said...

The pictures you took are beautiful, especially the last one with the moon and the clouds. It looks celestial and angel-like. You are very artistic and take beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Donna,
What a lovely post..... I too find cemeteries an interesting place ..... and you found such exquisite beauty there.... very touching...
HUgs
Linda

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love cemeteries too! I do volunteer work at a very historical cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. We're finding information about Civil War veterans who are buried there and ordering headstones from the VA if they do not have one. It's a project that has been going on for 6 years and the volunteers ahve found over 3,000 vets!