October Days

Every Fall a local, historical (almost 200 years old) cemetary

hosts a "Cemetary Stroll"

and features local people dressed in period clothing

who portray the famous and not-so-famous that are buried here.

For example, I didn't know that one of Samuel Clemons' cousins,

Jeremiah Clemons, is buried here, and that he also wrote novels.

.This year there were almost 70 people that were "risen from the grave", so to speak.

This little event used to be a well-kept secret, but not anymore.

There were literally hundreds of people visiting the cemetary

on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon, each following their paper guide.

One actress portrayed Talullah Bankhead, a native-born Alabamian,

whose father was in politics.

Her mother died when Talullah was an infant and is buried here.

There were many Civil War soldiers and widows who retold their stories,

along with many prominent men and women, such as the famous madam

who donated her land to the hospital.

Then, there was the Southern belle who ordered her bridal gown from Paris

and was taking a special powder to whiten her skin. Only her illiterate maid gave her

boric acid by mistake. She became ill and called for her doctor.

When he discovered what had happened there was nothing he could do.

Still, the young couple married, she sick and dying and lying in her bed. 

When the young bride died a few weeks later, she was buried in her exquisite bridal gown

shipped all the way from Paris, France.

The last story we heard was from a famous widow well-known in my neck of the woods.

She had been married six times before the Civil War. Her first marriage lasted almost 20 years

when her husband passed away. The second one lasted six months and each husband

subsequently succumbed to some mysterious or short-lived illness. Now, this

is quite possible, seeing that this was the early 1800's, and being a strong, Southern woman,

known for her beauty (historical accounts claim that she was a beautiful woman)

she may have been smart and opportunistic.Remember Scarlett O'Hara?

Rumor has it that she had a hat rack in her foyer with a hat from

each of her husbands hanging on it.  At age 60, the beautiful widow moved to

Mississippi, after a trial involving slander and a feud with a local farmer.

 Coincidentally, the ancestors of that farmer still own that land

and now have a popular Pumpkin Patch in the Fall. See pictures below.

Oh! Another reason the widow moved away...the local Baptist preacher refused to marry her again.

I love these stories!

I never knew there were so many varieties of pumpkins. I didn't take pictures of all of them,

but I saw at least a dozen varieties.

Beautiful Mums

Baby granddaughter #3

Hope you are enjoying Fall as much as I am.

Blessings,

Anita

Fall Tidbits & More

One thing I love about Fall are the county fairs and street festivals

that abound at this time of year. There's something for everyone:

pony rides and fun activities for the children;

arts and crafts for the adults;

food and gorgeous weather for everyone.

What better place to hold a street festival except near the railroad tracks?

Believe me, that was the longest train ever!

Fall also means that I have to stock up on butter because I do more baking.

 This is "Walnut Pear Sour Cream Cake"

 found in a Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

 It's perfect with a cup of tea.

I love a bargain and found this bag for $3.99 in a thrift store.

 It looked like Fall to me.

After a long day at the street festival there's nothing like dining out and learning

how to color in the lines.

Remembering Mama

I've been thinking about my mother lately and how much I miss her, still. I wish she were here to talk to. It doesn't matter how old you get, sometimes you just need a mother. I was blessed to have her for 44 years, but I wish she could have stayed a little longer. Long enough to be a great-grandmother, for example. She would be tickled by the babies that have been born since she passed away. I wish she could have stayed long enough to enjoy her retirement years. But it wasn't to be. God gave her the rest she needed and took her home at age 62.

I was listening to a "paid advertisement" on television while reading a book. They were playing the old country songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's. My mother was a fan of country music and I grew up listening to Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Charlie Rich, and all of the popular artists at that time. Hearing those songs brings back so many memories.

Music always made my mother happy. She loved "The Sound of Music" and never tired of watching it. She would sing "Edelweis" when she though no one was listening, just as she would hum the little German songs from her childhood. Mama was shy, just as I am. When "GI Blues" is playing, I can remember Mama singing along with Elvis, " Muss ich denn, muss ich denn, Zum Stadtele hinaus Stadtele hinaus, Und du, mein schatz, bleibst hier?" Can't you see I love you, please don't break my heart in two... (Wooden Heart lyrics)

Like my mother, I sing along with the songs, if no one is listening.

Blessings,
Anita