Another hot, humid, breeze-less day in Indiana summertime. Cranky and yes, a little whiney, I was not amused when DH asked if I wanted to do something.
Not really. I just want to stay inside and sew.
“How about going to Mass Ave or Fountain Square?”
Nah. Too hot and I’m feeling broke.
“Bike ride?”
I don’t want to get sweaty.
“A visit to Crown Hill?”
Well . . . I don’t know . . . maybe . . .
“How about ice cream and THEN Crown Hill?”
Ooo. Double whammy.
Now, don’t judge.
I love the monuments and mausoleums, the rolling hills and the mish-mash jumbled layout – even the crumbling, illegible limestone and marble markers in the oldest parts of cemeteries.
The symbolism and the history, the texture – the aura. What’s not to love?
(Don’t get me going on ice cream. Single cone with chocolate dip. Or my ultimate diet buster – hot fudge and nuts. Thanks, Mom.)
First we found the “Eastman Angel” which is the theme for an art challenge at our church this fall. She’s a beauty.
I have an idea for an art quilt for her – can you see a white on white “pen and ink” style quilt? Hmmm.
Since she’s in the high rent district of Crown Hill, lots of local notables live nearby.
This is main marker in front of the Col. Eli Lilly mausoleum. I think it’s a little bit of an odd figure – there are so many truly beautiful angel statues and this lady looks a bit, well, weird. Like a strong wind has her pinned up against the granite.
But there are more Lilly monuments:
This fabulous obelisk marks the sites of other Lilly family members:
Col. Eli Lilly’s son – and here is Josiah’s wife:
Seriously.
As we were walking through the grounds toward a large tree, we scared up another visitor:
She stayed close by so I could take her picture several times with my old camera:
She darted under a large tree where we found:
Lots more Lilly family markers hidden under the branches! So odd – I couldn’t see them from the street:
Our little girl hung out here for a while:
before disappearing into the wooded tree line. So cool!
Walking back we discovered this treasure:
The marker for a Mr. Perceival Wiggins. OK, I love the name. Sounds like he should have a plaid suit and a bowler hat, doesn’t it?
And something else I’ve not seen before:
Can you see the tattered Bible? It reminds me of the “prayer flag project“. The idea is to create outdoor flags with prayers and wishes inscribed on them – either with words or symbols – and allow the wind to break them down and carry the prayers into the universe – sort of like Tibetan prayer flags.
I love the idea of the prayers being dissolved into the wind as the paper wears away.
I’ve been thinking about the prayer flag project for months. Why did I find this here, now?
And who should greet us on the way out the gate?
Lots to think about -
All the best -
Chris
I love cemeteries. They are so peaceful and timeless. And powerful, sacred reminders of where we come from… from dust to dust.
You’re right! I feel very connected to the past, to all who have come before. I try to understand what they might have thought of as important, what their family relationships might have been – its a humbling experience. I end up trying to make light of it because so many people don’t understand. Thanks so much for stopping by.