Sideshow vegetables:
People in costume:
Dogs in costume:
A house up the road had an interesting doorman:
(It's a bit hard to see - but he's a lifesize "Uncle Festor" holding a lightpost.)
And I picked up a broom at a shop on the street where the market was being held. The proprietor had all her seasonal items half off. Beau approved after a close inspection.
In keeping with the theme of the day, I embraced the oddness and headed to a cemetary above the next town that a friend had told me about. A tiny thing, surrounded by houses and orchards, the cemetary had some interesting headstones (not to mention plenty of heaving and cracks - I was a little worried about falling under in places!)
If anyone has any insight into the symbols on the stones, I'd be interested to know more. For example, is Gladys here a Pagan? Mason? Who else uses pentagrams? Underneath her dates, is the word "Mizpah." I found this page where that word is explained.
How about this one? Looks like cash to me, but with an extra line thrown in, it starts to look like a cell/prison. Thoughts of Ebeneezer Scrooge abound.
All in all, not a fruitful farmers market, but a very interesting day nonetheless. I think I may bundle up on my couch, grab some snacks and watch a creepy movie, just to tie it all together.
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
14 comments:
My guess would be that those symbols are related to clubs/organizations to which the deceased belonged. In order, I would think they represent (1) Daughters of the Eastern Star, (2) Masonic Lodge and (3) Independent Order of Oddfellows. Perhaps someone else will know for sure?
Unique post today. I take it the vegetable is a radish?
I to like visiting grave sites. Seems you have found an interesting one.
You live in an interesting area. You always come up with things that are different and pictures I like. X.
I thought the upside down pentacle signified satanic worship. Off the top of my head!
Very interesting post! I'll check back to see what shakes out.
I always like the Farmer's Market!
Happy weekend Rue!
Mizpah means a bond between persons who are separated. Wikipedia.
The inverted pentagram is the emblem of the Order of the Eastern Star, which is the women's branch of Freemasonry. "Mizpah" is a word that Masons use, but I have no idea what its context here would be.
The dollar sign thing is a monogram of IHS - a Catholic symbol.
And of course the linked rings is, as Debra said, the emblem of the Oddfellows.
A lot of those graves probably date from the beginning of the 20th century, I'll bet. Fraternal organizations were very big then.
I love the mutant radish, and Uncle Fester is truly inspiring. Imagine having him greet you every day when you get home!
Cool! Sometimes it's not about the veg. :)
Wow how cool are those headstones!! What a fun and interesting day it sounds like!
Ditto on the Order of The Eastern Star. Here, we have lots of graves with masonic symbols; some have inlaid color, they're very pretty! Not so much women, though, usually men.
What an interesting farmers market! I've never seen those symbols on tombstones before, very interesting. Great pictures too! Thanks for sharing.
Many blessings
The word Mizpah does have a different conotation in Masonic terms. I have always loved the term. But have never seen it on a headstone before like that. Very cool post, thanks.
my first time here...came via octoberfarm...when i saw "halloween in may" i just HAD to stop by...and boy, did this make me HAPPY...loved all of it...got such a halloween off of it....
i see some of my blogger buddies here too...
happy to stop by and happy to follow
kary and l'il teddy
(named after joyce's teddy of octoberfarm)
what a cool day! the upside down pentagram is definitely the order of the eastern star. their are OOTES rings on ebay all the time. now i am ready to crack out my halloween stuff. we are more than half way there already!
I hope you got your snuggly afternoon on the couch in - what cool finds you were blessed with! And I am loving mizpah.
Andddd ... I gave you an award
http://mamasthyme.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-first-award-woot.html
You most definitely had an interesting day! ^-^
I lovelovelove your broom! And those are some of the most unique headstone markings! My graveyards aren't nearly so well or strangely decorated... o_O
Hope you're having fun with your scary movie! Which one did you watch?
XOXO
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