Who's your father's father

04/24/2015

Still snow on the ground in Big Baddeck we can not start our Spring cleaning in the Cemeteries:(
Hopefully we won't find broken tombstones from the harsh winter hopefully the periwinkles will come up soon and life will conquer again...

01/14/2015

I’ve been thinking lately about how would I label my cemetery obsession...A Strange Case of Taphophilia
(“taph” from the Greek for tomb and “philia” meaning an inordinate fondness)
The cemetery is the only place that I found in which no one will stab you in the back...

12/11/2014

The other day while on the way for a hike to "Bald Mountain" we stopped to pay a visit to one of the oldest pioneer grave yards in upper Baddeck river settlement which I found dusted with snow . Such a cold feeling surrounded us from the Headstones and surroundings. One headstone in particular has a mesmerizing story to tell... a story of a complete family, 3 generations that were wiped out within one month - the story of the McLeod family that died from Cholera may they all R.I.P

11/23/2014

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.... Mary Frye

11/23/2014

Once we started to clear the ground we found a very interesting ground cover... Periwinkle with a special The Genus Vinca - from the Latin 'vincire' meaning 'to bind' - is the genus of six species. Invasive though Periwinkle can be, this gives it an advantage where disturbed ground is concerned, such as in graveyards where it often thrives. This fact cinches its association with death; wherefore it is used in various European cultures for funeral rites, especially for those of children. This association with death further links it to spirits, and imbues it with perceived magical powers. The manner in which it covers grave plots can be seen as protective, and Welsh folklore warns that anyone foolish enough to pluck a Periwinkle flower from a grave will surely be haunted. Yet for those who respect the Periwinkle, it will protect them against the dead and necromantic witchcraft, allegedly having the power to exorcise devils. Periwinkle is often woven into a wreath that may be hung upon the front door to protect the household. It is encouraged that wary travelers carry with them some Periwinkle, the guard against such ill fortune as thieves and wild animals.

11/16/2014

Weaver Cemetery - Upper Baddeck Settlement this Unique Cemetery is maintained by my dearest friend Pauline D.
Some of the cemeteries are part of Geocaching system around the world Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.
I found one at the Center Bridge Cemetery and there is one at the Weaver Cemetery as always Please respect your surroundings.

11/15/2014

Why study cemeteries and grave markers at all? For the same reasons, in essence, that we value and study artifacts which embody lasting cultural truths: to help us achieve a better understanding of ourselves –which we are, what we have been, and, perhaps, what we are in the process of becoming…."

11/15/2014

Plant and Floral Symbolism
Flower TombFlowers convey love, grief, happiness and other emotions. These symbolic connections of flowers with emotion are cross-cultural and their origins are unknown. During the 1800s, the use of floral symbolism became so popular that almost every flower known had a symbolic gesture attached to it.

11/15/2014

Symbolism in graveyards:
Relegious Symbolism - Cross Types
The ties between all religious beliefs and symbolism have always been strong. To the Christians the greatest symbolic message is in the crucifix. The crucifix or cross can generate many symbolic messages ranging from love, faith and goodness to terror and fear There are many different types of Christian crosses worldwide, but only a handful are common in North America.
Latin Cross: One of the oldest symbols of Christianity and the most commonly used form, it is also the simplest in design. In early times, it was called god's mark

11/15/2014

Symbolism in graveyards:
Body Symbolism

Hands - The use of hands in some form is very common on grave memorials.
hand
During the 1800s, another common motif was the clasped hands with an incised "Farewell" below the hands. At first glance, these hands all seem to be in the same fashion but a number of interesting characteristics stand out. First, most of the hands illustrate the right hand in a grasp with fingers overlapping the other hand while the left hand is open. This could be the depiction of a man holding a woman's hand. Another variation has the right hand with one finger pointing downward. It is possibly a depiction of a secret Masonic handshake. Clasped hands are symbolic of a farewell or last goodbye but there are perhaps more meanings to clasped hands as reflected in the varieties of this motif.

11/15/2014

Did you know that there are 10 Cemeteries around Big Baddeck Valley ? 9 of the cemeteries can be found and the 10th one Crowdis Cemetery is yet to be discovered
http://www.capebretonpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/2010-09-06/article-1728905/High-number-of-cemeteries-in-Big-Baddeck-area-related-to-limited-travel-options/1

“Big Baddeck refers to that area of Victoria County that lies northwest of the present village of Baddeck. Once a much larger settlement than the village, Big Baddeck stretched from the mouth of the Baddeck River almost to the origins of that river, and along the valley of the north branch of the ri…

11/09/2014

At the Hart Cemetery Big Baddeck- clean up day