Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

July 24, 2025

Double Digits!

First of all - GOOD NEWS!  
Tractor Supply put most of their stuff on sale!  Not ON Sale as in $$ off, but as in available to purchase!
Saw this on IG a couple days ago...
"Halloween hits different in a farmhouse"
LOL!!!
I also noticed the deer skeleton isn't listed anymore.....

I already expected to spend an embarrassing amount of money here, once I saw all the skeletons - but I didn't spend as much as I thought I would!  I also got a whopping 5% off for being a "Hometown Hero" - that's their military "discount" altho on certain days they kick it up to 10%.  And also free shipping since I'll be picking everything up at the local store - that saved a ton of $ right there. 
I couldn't resist these hand towels!  
I've already gotten the text that these are ready to be picked up, but everything else is due on Monday 7/28 so I'll just wait to get everything at once. 

Now onto the skeletons! 
Decided on only one goose.  I have 2 smaller ones from Michael's already. 
I am having feelings about only getting one, kinda wish I'd gotten two.
It's hard to tell scale, but this is the bigger of the possums.  
Only got one of those, too
However - I got 5 baby possums!
I know they show 4 here, but if the last one doesn't fit, I'll figure something out.   I'm not sure just how they have them attached, but I always have zipties around so I'll make it work.
Lastly is the racoon babies!  I got 3 of them because why not?  
I thought about getting another "big" one, but I already have 2 from Michael's and one from Oriental Trading.  And destiny spoke when I went to put it in my cart and it said it wasn't available for pickup OR delivery at this time.  So no more big racoons for me! 


I'll be in Ohio this weekend and as usual, I was looking thru Find A Grave to find some cemeteries to explore.  I found 2 of the coolest little cemeteries!  One has only 30 burials, stone walls, all sorts of cool ambiance.  Noted as being the oldest cemetery in the county.  The other has 56 burials.

But then I see notes that they're both on private property and to get permission first.  
From WHO???  HOW???  WHERE???  

The one appears to be in the woods behind a church, so other than it being Sunday morning when I plan to visit, I don't think that one would be difficult to get permission.  But the other is most definitely on private property.  So I'm not too sure about that one. 

I sent a message to the peeps at Find A Grave, asking how to find out this info. They suggested contacting the county historical society.  OK.  While I was looking for the historical society info, I came across the website for the county recorder (which I get the impression is the Ohio version of the county clerk) Noted, especially after seeing detailed plat maps of veteran's graves at these cemeteries!  The historical society had no idea other than go knock on doors.  Ummm, no thanks!  They also suggested contacting the genealogy department at the local library.  Also noted.  But I opted to contact the county recorder   He sent me a little bit of the backstory on the one behind the church and suggested contacting the church and then basically going to knock on the door for the other.  Ugh.  Anyway, I'm waiting to hear back from the church peoples.  

I also looked up the person on FindAGrave who has taken a lot of the photos at these cemeteries.  His bio says he's doing a lot of family genealogy in the county and since he's been to where I want to go - I messaged him, too!  Fingers crossed. 
Oooo another thing I'm slightly miffed about (not really) I've mentioned before that I volunteer on a search & rescue team (yes - we look for missing people).  Anyway, we to do ton of training and basically jump on any courses that become available to us.   We just found out that 2 very important courses are being offered this fall - one all day on October 25 and the other the whole weekend of November 7-9.  This is besides Halloween Camp that usually happens the first weekend in October. 
That's squeezing into my Halloween time!!  
Dammit.


May 02, 2025

Halfway to Halloween!!

Happy Half-o-ween!  

It's funny how different people have different ideas of what the halfway point is.  
Half of 365 is 182.5.  Today is 182 days - so close enough! 

I made up a "perpetual calendar" so I can always see right at a glance how many days to go.
 Moving on! 
I ordered a few things a while back, and the Spouse would put the boxes in the garage.  So, by the time I got home from work, I'd forgotten about them!   So, they stacked up and I got to open them all at once.  Now we're all caught up. 

First - I didn't think I needed any more skeletons (HA!!)
but I was poking around HalloweenCostumes.com and happened to see a 6' Frankenstein's monster skeleton on clearance!  
Regularly $90, on sale for $40, plus 15% off and some rewards?  Couldn't pass him up! 
Hey there!

My only issue is that his head is loose and spins around very easily. I'll have to fix that somehow.
And I don't even remember seeing IRL all the colors on the skull, but they're clearly there.  The picture on the website showed them much brighter. 
Next was this guy from Michael's. 
Had a $10 voucher that I needed to use and an online sale. 
He's 5' tall with the stake, so fairly substantial. 
Lastly - a couple years ago I got a white wooden cross from the dollar store.  You know, the kind you see on the side of the road, etc?   I wanted to get a couple more to add to the cemetery, to spruce up the look some.  Do you think I've been able to find any???   I looked at a couple different dollar stores last year, concentrating especially on the weeks leading up to Memorial Day and nothing.  

Then I searched & searched online and couldn't find any for less than $20!!

I don't know if I was using the wrong search words or what, but suddenly I found them for $7 at Walmart.   I grabbed them up in case they disappeared again!
I actually really like the sunflower one.  
I got 2 of each flower design.
I had planned to put them back in the box for storage, but 
Hurricane Grandson happened. 

**********************************
Thoughts to ponder..... 

Halloween is on a Friday this year.
Normally, the Spouse and I both take November 1 off work so we can take the cemetery down, move everything to the back yard and get the yard cleaned up.  Then we can put everything away at our leisure.
Do we continue that trend?  Or do we leave the cemetery up for the weekend and take Monday off work?  Not that we need any excuse to take time off work, but it would be easier because the Spawn and grandkids will be at daycare / school. 

OOooooooo - speaking of.....the grandson will be starting kindergarten this fall!  I wonder if his school will be having a Halloween party & costume parade?  Is that still a thing?  I sure hope so!  He'll be going to the same elementary school that his mom (aka the Spawn) attended, and I went to all of her's.  Can't wait to find out!

**********************************
I thought this was kind of funny.  I volunteer on a search & rescue team and each week our K9s train at different parks around the county.   This was found in a pavilion.  Somehow, I don't think this is the variety of human remains they were searching for! 
Since they all know about Chuck, 
I immediately commented back that all of my skeletons were accounted for!

**********************************
OH!  and let's acknowledge that May is also Cemetery Appreciation Month! 
 
Doing a quick Google search, it looks like Iowa is the only state that actually acknowledges it - good for them!  Iowa legislators created the State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries in 1996 and their governor signed the proclamation.    Rhode Island also has an Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries... and apparently the town of Warwick gives you the opportunity to go on a cemetery scavenger hunt...????  That would be AWESEOME!!!! 

I wrote a post back in 2021 about the Seven Historical Cemeteries in the town where I live.  
Maybe it's time to revisit them? 

I found a nice post from the NecroTourist listing 30 ways to celebrate. 
So get out there and appreciate!! 

November 26, 2024

Glenwood Cemetery, Flint Michigan

So last weekend's travels led me to Flint, about an hour or so northwest of me.

But first, my usual disclaimer - I just like to explore cemeteries.  
I have no affiliation with said cemetery and if you're looking for someone's grave, I suggest checking out Find A Grave.   

Moving on, we were meeting family for a gathering and my niece told me that she & my Mom had gotten to the area with time to spare, so they drove around this lovely cemetery and showed me some pictures.  I have a couple cemeteries in Flint on my list to visit, but this was not one of them.  So I'm so glad she told me about it!

After leaving the gathering, I asked if Sis1 wanted to go with me (wise choice, having someone else with me!  Because, Flint.) and she happily agreed.  
It's a Michigan Historical Site. 
I thought this was super cool! 
I love when old cemeteries are taken care of.

We left Sis1's car at the office and she hopped in with me, since it was fairly large (6090 memorials, according to Find A Grave) and very hilly.   Plus it was in 2 parts, where you had to leave the cemetery and go to another entrance to get to the other part. 

FAG also says there are 8 "famous" people buried here.  Mostly congressmen & governors & high ranking military officers.  And one guy who was the first president of the Buick Car Company!  

Let's take a look around. 
David McIntee
1884-1955
Son of Mary
Jacob Smith
Born in Quebec
AD 1773
The first white settler at the 
Grand Traverse of Flint River Michigan 
where he died AD 1825

Wish I would have got out of the car and went closer, 
apparently the back of the stone says "wah-be-seens" which means "white swan" in Chippewa.
The Payne family stone
Henry Howland Crapo
born in Dartmouth, Mass
May 24, 1804
Died in Flint  July 23, 1869
Governor of Michigan 1865-1869
a lot of his history here
Still had some pretty leaves!
The Northrop family plot
Sarah Axford
Daughter of SM & LJ Axford
died Nov 20, 1862
aged 3 years, 11 months
Samuel M Axford MD
died Dec 10, 1873
aged 42 years
Lydia
Seventh Daughter of
Henry H & Mary A
Crapo
Died Sept 14, 1861
Aged 18 years, 2 months
27 days
Henry Booth
Born Dec 4, 1839
Died Dec 11, 1859
A member of the 
senior class in the 
University & preparing 
for the gospel ministry.  
His life was pure and 
unblameable and his 
death happy and triumphant. 
His dying message to his friends 
"Live for Christ alone"
A token of
affection and 
esteem from the
students of the 
University of Mich
& friends in Flint
to the Memory of 
Henry Booth Northrop
Son of
Rev H. H. Northrop
Pastor of Pres Ch
of this City. 
Jennie A.
Second Daughter of
The Rev. Mr. & Mrs.
Northrop
Born
Jan 13, 1844
Died
June 28, 1859
Her last words
"I am going home to Heaven
where is joy & peace, joy & peace."
Helen was another daughter of the Rev HH & MW Northrop.
Died Feb 10, 1861
aged 10
George was their son
Died Feb 5, 1964
aged 11
The Stone family plot
The Maltby family
6.7.8 American Generations
Thy Will Be Done
The Turner family plot
Brevet Major and Captain
Irving Milo Belcher, son of
Horatio and Mary A Belcher
Born Sept 14, 1842
Enlisted July 31, 1861
Serg. Co C 16th Mich Inf
2nd Lieut Aug 30, 1862
1st Lieut Apr 17, 1863
Captain July 16, 1864
Brevetted Major for 
gallantry. Gravely ill, 
rode with regiment in 
final review. Washington 
discharged for disability
May 15, 1865.  Died on 
way home Aug 1, 1865. 
Aged 23 years, one month.
****
Irving Belcher Bates
Born Feb 3, 1867  Son of 
Wm R and Gertrude Bates
Served as 2nd Lieut Co C
35th Mich Volunteers for 
duration Spanish American 
War.  Died Mar 9, 1938

So a brevetted major is a temporary, honorary promotion where one could use the title of major, but doesn't offer any authority, pay or privileges of that rank. 
William Rufus Bates
Born in Cazenovia
Madison Co, NY
June 28, 1845
Son of Aemilius Ahira and
Marie Louise Dawson Bates
Died in San Diego, Calif
Jan 5, 1921
Buried in Flint, Mich
****
Gertrude Amelia Bates
wife of William R Bates
Born in Richford, NY
Dec 10, 1843
Daughter of Horatio and
Mary Amada Belcher
Died in Flint, Mich
Aug 10, 1925
Major Horatio Belcher
Born at Berkshire, NY
Dec 16, 1816-1819
Son of Joseph Belcher and
Wealthy Whiting Belcher
Enlisted Co G 8th Mich Inf
1 Lieut Aug 12, 1861
Wounded James Island SC
June 16, 1862
Made Captain Sept 1, 1862
Cited for gallantry by
Gen JD Cox Sept 14, 1862
Made major June 3, 1863
Wounded at Cold Harbor VA
June 7, 1864
Re-enlisted July 18, 1864
Fell thrice wounded and 
died on field Aug 19, 1864
in command 8th Mich Inf
Battle of Weldon Railroad
before Petersburg VA
The 28th engagement of
the regiment in all 
of which he participated. 
Mary Amada Belcher
Wife of Horatio Belcher
Daughter of Spencer and 
Electa Dunham Hungerford
Born Feb 26, 1821 at
Caroline Center NY
Died at Flint Mich
Mar 27, 1894
****
Eugene Belcher
Son of Horatio and
Mary Amanda Belcher
Born Jan 28, 1846
in Owego NY
Died there Oct 15, 1847
After the family settled
 in Flint, Eugene's body 
was brought to Flint and 
interred in family plot. 
William A Morrison
Born in Limerick Maine
June 29, 1815
Drowned in Wild Fowl Bay
Oct 14, 1872
read more here
****
Chloe Morrison
Born 
May 24, 1816
Died Oct 6, 1901
can't make out what the line are under each of their died dates. 
the Hart family plot
not sure how this is balanced on that big rock!
Isabella Hubbard
Died Aug 16, 1856
aged 1 year
I'm sure those are supposed to be lambs, but they kind of look like ferrets!
The Moon family plot
an aluminum tag in an oak tree
309
"Resurgcam" - Latin for "I shall rise again"
In memory of 
our darling child
Jessie Newton
Died Jan 9 AD 1873
aged 11 years, 4 months, 16 days
for of such is the kingdom of Heaven
The Bishop family plot
Little fairy village in the roots of this tree. 
Edward H Thomson
born June 15, 1810 in England
died Feb 2, 1886
Lawyer, senator, colonel, mayor
The Parsell family plot
Each individual headstone looks like a tree stump with a small stone log laying across the top with their name, except for I believe Adelbert's, whose stump looked to be cut off at a 45 degree angle.  
Henry 1812-1894
Mary 1812-1893
Adelbert 1842-1887
Loretta 1839-1860
Isabell 1844-1868
Nelly 1858-1862
Clarence 1847-1909
OK, I may have giggled.
Fruit!
Editha Gay
1876-1975
I bet she saw a lot in her lifetime!
David Aitken was a congressman from 1893-1897.  
There's no actual grave photo listed - he's probably inside the mausoleum but since it's boarded up, I can't say for certain. 
The Allen family plot
the vines were so pretty!
She could possibly be still alive at 106 years old!
The Whiting Mausoleum
The Mamerow family
Yet, I doubt that Miss Minnie is still alive at 175 years!
The Bridgman family plot
The Lovejoy family plot
The Bishop-Miner Mausoleum
David M Radakovich
A humanist & freethinker
Apr 17, 1921 - Mar 6,  2011
Sophia Radakovich Ignotov
Sept 4, 1913 - Feb 9, 2008
Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me
the carriage held but just ourselves and immortality
Mary Juliana Schafer
Apr 27, 1910 - Dec 22, 2006
Nationally Acclaimed Quiltmaker
This is the "public" mausoleum. 
My car for scale. 
I wasn't expecting to get such a great pic inside the mausoleum thru the door - 
but I'm also glad nothing was looking back at me!
The Donlan family plot
I confess I didn't get out of the car to take this, so I can't read the family name on the right side of it.
The plot is set up really neat, tho. 
These kind of look like ladybugs!
The Walker family plot
Wendy Marie
"Tootie"
Apr 24, 1973 - June 13, 2023
a Daughter of the American Revolution
QR code on this Beech tree
"Fagus Grandiflora"
Mary E, Flint
wife of Dr D Clarke
died Sept 2, 1876
aged 65 years
The Taylor family plot
The Atwood family plot
The Davison family plot
Rev Isaac Newton Elwood
Member of Detroit M.E. Conference
1843-1887
("M.E." is thought to be Methodist Episcopal)
Annie Catherine, wife of
Rev I.N. Elwood
1848-1939
Daughters
Caroline Frances
1870-1926
Mary Alice
1873-1941

 
This was a very unique cemetery that I really enjoyed visiting.