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The Paston way footpath is all that is left of the old Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Railway line that used to run between North Walsham and Cromer in North Norfolk UK.
This section of railway was opened in two sections: North Walsham - Mundesley in July 1898, thence to Cromer on 3 August 1906.
The line was closed in the late 1950's, the rails removed some time later.
DMC-G80M - ISO 200 - 1/25sec - Olympus m.zuiko 25mmF1.8 @ f/8
My mother-in-law passed away a week ago today. I inherited her small vinatge tea cup and saucer collection. This blue one is one of my favorites. Blue Week - Day 3
The mummified remains of monk Loung Por Daeng which is on display at Wat Kunaram in Baan Saket on the island of Samui, Thailand.
Loung Por Daeng, born in 1894,was a well-respected family man within the local community on Koh Samui, and first become ordained as a monk when he was in his early twenties. He exited the monkhood, married and had six children, a few of whom still live on the island today. Upon reaching fifty, Loung Por Daeng, whose full name is Phra Khru Samathakittikhun (Dang Piyasilo), decided to dedicate the latter part of his life to Buddhism and was reordained as a monk in 1944.
Loung Por Daeng died in 1974. He is still sitting in the original cross-legged meditation position as when he died, and his skin is very white in contrast to mummies that have been specifically embalmed where the skin usually takes on a darker tone. When his eyes fell into his head (don't be squeamish), the monks at the temple fitted him with some sunglasses (Raybans, of course!) and he still wears the traditional orange robes of monkhood.
He remains in impeccable condition considering he died 33 years ago.
"Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back." -- Krapp
Happy Heavenly Mother's Day
Thinking of my mother-in-law and my mom who have both passed on. Miss them both!
Happy Mother's Day To All You Mom's Out There!
He passed away one week after Watson lost his battle with cancer. Were not sure what happened but it looks like he died of a broken heart.
We were so crushed. Loosing Watson was hard but we knew he was older and had cancer. Loosing our baby Rain- I still cry thinking of him. My little dutch baby.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou
Logan Square
Chicago IL
ODC-Past
These are photos that were taken many years ago. This is my Mom, Dad and Daughter Tiffani who have all since passed on.
Never-before-seen pictures of Michael Jackson and his children Prince, Paris and Blanket. The Jackson family are also seen posing with former US President Bill Clinton. Jackson's two eldest children, Prince Michael and Paris, are photographed posing with their mother Debbie Rowe...Pictured: Michael Jackson with daughter Paris and son Prince Michael ..Ref: SPL115487 270709 EXCLUSIVE.Picture by: Splash News..Splash News and Pictures.Los Angeles:310-821-2666.New York:212-619-2666.London:870-934-2666.photodesk@splashnews.com.
Martin Landau, the tall, intense, sometimes mischievously sinister actor best known for his roles in the television series “Mission: Impossible” and "Space 1999" as well as his Oscar-winning portrayal of Bela Lugosi in the film “Ed Wood,” died on Saturday in Los Angeles. He was 89.
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Landau last October at the Chiller Theatre Convention and was very impressed by how friendly, gracious and patient he was. He will be missed.
CLICK HERE
to view AHS 1975 Gone But Not Forgotten, Some Have Left US video
AHS Ames High School Alumni Assoc - Ames, IA
ameshigh.org - reunions - photos - newsletters - authors - calendar - news - deceased - email - letters - join AHSAA
C L I C K HERE
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#AHSSomeHaveLeftUS
#AmesHighSchool
#ameshighclassof1975 #ahs1975 #1975ahs
#AmesHighVideo
Deaceased AHS 1975 classmates prior to 2015 40th reunion
Andrew Andy Elwood 2011
Donna Jackman 2012
Bill Robertson 2011
Brian J. Lem 2002
Bruce Hanway 2013
Calvin Hemingson 2003
Carol French 1994
Donna Finnegan 2001
Eric J Amtower 2008
Gary Kingsbury 2015
George Kalnins 1997
Geraldine Gerry Hagerty 2002
Glenda Wood Deherrera 2010
Guye DeFrancisco 2012
Jeffrey Evans 2002
Jerry Peterson 1980
James Jim Davis 2004
Julia Julie Goodland 2009
Kerry Ferguson 2012
Kyle R. Phillips 1981
Larinda Babcock Fuller 1993
Lisa Thurston Hotchkiss 2012
Lorina Beach Corbin 2010
Michael Stoops 2013
Muriel M. MacBride USN 1979
Randall Randy Moore 2010
Robert Gooden 1979
Russell Rusty Young 2008
Sharon Hopper Traub 2010
Steve Knutson 2011
Stephen T. Munn 2011
Terry Kendall 1999
Vicki Knutson Butler 1997
Wayne Hedburg 2014
Wes Holbrook 1975
William Bill Rusk 2009
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Obituary for
Kerry Robert Ferguson
Kerry Robert Ferguson was born January 16, 1957 to Robert D. and Phyllis E. (Wenell) Ferguson in Ames. He graduated Ames High School in 1975 and later from Coe College with a degree in business and worked as a financial advisor with AIG. Kerry and Jennifer Rae Reusch were married April 30, 1983 at St. James United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. Kerry was a member of Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames. He helped organize his 30 year high school class reunion and was class treasurer. Kerry enjoyed golfing, fishing and boating and was a diehard Cyclone fan. Kerry worked at AIG until 2010, when illness prevented him from continuing on. Kerry passed away October 2, 2012 at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota at 55 years of age. Kerry is survived by his children, Stephanie Ferguson of Marshalltown, Iowa, Kurtis Ferguson of Peoria, Illinois, and Rebecca Ferguson of Ames; his parents Robert and Phyllis Ferguson of Ames; his brother Kevin (Vicky) Ferguson of Elmhurst, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jennifer Rae Ferguson, on November 11, 2007.
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Obituary for
Lisa Thurston Hotchkiss
Lisa Ann Thurston Hotchkiss Lisa Ann Thurston Hotchkiss, age 55, surrounded by family members, gently flew away on September 27, 2012, in Austin, Texas. Lisa was born to John and Phyllis Thurston on June 14, 1957 in Columbus, Ohio. The family moved to Saranac Lake, New York and resided there until 1961. They then relocated to Ames, Iowa where she spent her childhood and teen years communing with nature, raising butterflies on her parents back porch and walking along the Skunk River valley with her dog Patches. After graduating from Ames High School in 1975, she attended the University of Iowa completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and did extended work to obtain certification as a medical technologist in 1979. She moved to Austin, Texas and worked in medical labs until 1993 when she began graduate coursework in cell and molecular biology at the University of Texas. Through the years until 2000, she functioned as a research assistant, graduate student coordinator and assisted in teaching undergraduate classes which she found very rewarding. Her scholastic honors included University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Special Fellowship, Sigma Xi National Honor Society, Marion Elizabeth Eason Biology Scholarship and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She also participated in a publication for the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Through this period, she gave birth to her son John and moved on to become the Central Lab Quality Assurance Specialist at PPD Development until 2008, writing and monitoring lab procedures and protocols. She then devoted her time to raising her son through to his high school graduation. She was also active in community service, including environmental issues, speaking before the City Council on neighborhood integrity issues, and arranging meetings for area homeowners on road development, pond management and community garden information. Surviving immediate family members are her husband Joel Hotchkiss, her son John Hotchkiss, both of Austin, Texas, her sister Carol Martin of Ames, Iowa, and her niece Jessica Martin of Chicago, Illinois. The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to the St. David's North Austin Medical Center, intensive care nurses for their exceptional and loving care of our dear girl. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family requests her memory would be best honored by going forth into the world and pursuing everyday initiatives that make it a better place to live. REJOICE IN THE LITTLE THINGS!
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Obituary for
Sharon Hopper Traub 1956-2010
THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Sunday, January 10, 2010.
Sharon Traub, 53, of Ames, passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at home. Memorial services will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at Adams Funeral Home. Visitation will be prior to the service from 5 to 7 p.m.
Sharon Louise Traub was born Dec. 2, 1956, in Macomb, Ill., the daughter of Gordon and Barbara Hopper. She attended Ames High School and received her GED. She married Jeffrey Traub on April 9, 1978.
She was a full-time wife and mother with a wide circle of friends. She was a passionate collector with an extensive bear collection, including many Steiff. One of her many hobbies included helping others and reaching out to those in need. She was looking forward to the birth of her first grandchild.
She also loved to travel and visited places as diverse as the Bahamas, Iceland and Australia. She was a cancer survivor and lived life to the fullest.
She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Traub; her father, Gordon Hopper, and stepmom Jan Hopper; three siblings, Steve Hopper, Scott Hopper and Susan Drake; and three daughters, Ashlyn Traub, Breanne Kellner (Chad) and Chelsey Traub.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara (Drake) Hopper, in 1968.
Memorials may be directed to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
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Obituary for
William "Bill" Andrew Rusk
July 28, 1957 - September 30, 2009
William Andrew “Bill” Rusk, age 52 of Ames died Wed. Sept. 30 at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.
A graveside committal service will be at a later date at Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Bill was born July 28, 1957 in Kokomo, IN the son of Carl and Barbara (Phillips) Rusk. The family moved to Ames in 1968 where he attended Roosevelt grade school, Central Jr. High and graduated from
Ames High School and was confirmed in the United Church of Christ-Congregational of Ames. He received two degrees from ISU in journalism and accounting and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He was employed in Gresham, OR as an accounting consultant.
Bill is survived by his mother Barbara Rusk, sister Susan Blair both of Ames, brothers Richard (Edee) Rusk of Houston TX, Tim and (Sasha) Rusk of Orange, CA, 2 nieces and 3 nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Carl and an infant niece and nephew.
Memorials may be directed to Israel Family Hospice House.
On line condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.
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Steve Munn AHS Class of 1975 Obituary below
Stephen Thomas Munn
Obituary
Born: October 6, 1956
Passed: October 21, 2011
grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com/obituary/73667/Stephen...
Stephen T. Munn age 55, of Ames died Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
A gathering of friends and family will be one hour before the 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 Memorial Service at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Hyland Ave. in Ames. A private burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Stephen was born October 6, 1956 in Ames the son of Alfred (Fritz) and Joy Munn. He attended Ames Schools and received his GED. He was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking and just being in nature. He lived in Minnesota and Florida before returning to Ames.
Stephen is survived by his mother, Joy, of Ames, stepdaughter, Ashley Hansen, Children, Thomas Munn, Erika Munn, and Kristian Munn all of Story City, his brothers, Erik (Shelli) Munn of Ames and David (Linda) Munn of St. Paul, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his father Alfred (Fritz).
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established at First National Bank for Stephen's children.
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.
Visitation Details
Thursday October 27, 2011
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
1015 N. Hyland
Ames, IA 50014
Service Details:
2:00 PM
Thursday October 27, 2011
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
1015 N. Hyland
Ames, IA 50014
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AHSAA Ames High School Alumni Association Ames, IA
This pic' is dedicated to my father, technically, step father....but he was my dad....he passed away yesterday, on the warren falls trail, only about a quarter mile or so in...fucked up that we went for our health, and he's gone now...The EMT people, said, as long with my mom, cause she has medical background stuff, that it was a massive heart attack...mom said he was gone before he hit the ground...i'm planning on making a cross, to put at the spot he actually died at....he was 53 years old...born September 12th, 1958. Died June 27th, 2012. God better have had some computer fix he needed him for, cause if not, that's a sick fucking joke! An course...i can't stop myself from crying writing this...My dad was a good man. Total nerd, total technophobe. No cell phone for him. Lolz We always joke around, mostly just little stuff that happens small and everyday. It won't be happening anymore. I have to help my mom get through this..try to be strong some how...A lot has to get done...not sure where to start...but we'll have em back with us. He wanted to be cremated, and he's gonna have a great Urn to sit in if I have to chip in for the cost myself. I won't be online, not uploading anything, for a while. What I only liked about that night though....*tiny smile* He sent my a moon shot. *crying more* he gave me a moon shot and a clear sky....i got this shot as mom an I walked around the block..not really wanting to stay in the house that much...we went to bed early that night. I promise you though directly daddy...we're gonna get healthy, for you. We'll never forget you. Husband. Father. Uncle. Cousin. Friend. Goofball. *tiny smile* You'll be forever missed, and never forgotten. We Love you.
CLICK HERE to view AHS 1976 Those we have lost, Some Have Left US video
AHS Ames High School Alumni Assoc - Ames, IA
ameshigh.org - reunions - photos - newsletters - authors - calendar - news - deceased - email - letters - join AHSAA
C L I C K HERE
to view 1976 AHS Those We Have Lost deceased video
#AHSSomeHaveLeftUS
#AmesHighSchool
#ameshighclassof1976 #ahs1976 #1976ahs
#AmesHighVideo
Deaceased AHS 1976 classmates prior to 2016 40th reunion
Steve Hyer 1973
Jim Carr 1975
Rick Crom 1979
Kim Bailey 1986
Karen Kever 1989
Rob Christiansen 1991
Mitch Johnson 1993
Mark Homer 1995
Gary Smith 2003
Kurt Hansen 2003
Rhonda Nilsson 2006
Mike Besch 2006
Rick Server 2008
Chris Kauffman 2009
Roger Sydnes 2009
Ronnie Ball 2011
Lisa Fawcett 2013
Cindy Cooper 2015
Cheryl Jones 2015
Colin Tesdall 2016
Doug Fuller 2016
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Obituary
Lisa Fawcett Nilsson March 14, 1958- Jan. 3, 2013
Lisa Fawcett Nilsson passed away Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Mary Greeley Medical Center with loving family at her side. Family visitation will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave., Ames.
Lisa Fawcett Nilsson passed away Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Mary Greeley Medical Center with loving family at her side. Family visitation will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave., Ames.
Lisa was born March 14, 1958, at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. She moved to Ames with her family in 1962, graduated from Ames High in 1976, and earned a bachelor’s degree in art and design from the University of Northern Iowa in 1981. In addition to being a wonderful visual artist, she relished beauty of all kinds, passionately supported the arts, and was, above all, a loving mother.
She is survived by her parents, Audrey Lynn Fawcett, Kennedy C. Fawcett M.D., and stepmother Lori Cooper Fawcett; four siblings, Kristen Fawcett King, Robin Anne Fawcett, Mary Carol Racelis and Eric Kennedy Fawcett; and her son, Aren Johannas Nilsson.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to First National Bank, P.O. Box 607, Ames, IA, 50010, in care of Lisa Fawcett Nilsson Memorial. A meaningful memorial within Ames will be chosen in the near future.
www.amestrib.com/sections/obituaries/lisa-fawcett-nilsson...
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Obituary
Cheryl Ann Jones
February 4, 1958 - September 6, 2015
Cheryl Ann Jones, 57, of Ames, Iowa died September 6, 2015. A memorial gathering will be 5-6:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2015 at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa.
Cheryl was born February 4, 1958 in Ames, Iowa, graduating from Ames High School in 1976. She worked in the Ames area for 10 years. She then moved to Denver where her son, Brandon, was born. Returning to Ames in 2001, where she was employed at Ames Public School system until she took disability in 2011.
She is survived by her son Brandon Price; two brothers Gary Jones, Ron Jones, and sister Ruth; her buddy Taz, the cat and tons of friends.
www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com/obituary/141183/Ch...
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Obituary
Douglas Wayne Fuller
March 25, 1958 - June 24, 2016
Douglas Wayne Fuller Died June 24, 2016 at his home in Ames. The family will receive friends at Stevens Memorial Chapel, 607 28th St., Ames, Iowa from 1:30 to 4:30 Sunday July 3, 2016.
Doug was born March 25, 1958 in Ames to Evelyn (Steinford) and Wayne Fuller. Doug attended Ames Public Schools and graduated from Ames High School in 1976. He worked for six years, then enrolled at Iowa State University and graduated with a B.S. degree in Agronomy in 1986. He had a number of jobs as a technician in corn
stevens-memchap.tributes.com/dignitymemorial/obituary/Dou...
--- Obituary
In Memory of
Colin William Tesdall
June 24, 1958 - April 14, 2016
Colin William Tesdall passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2016. A memorial visitation will be held 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Stevens Memorial Chapel (607 28th St. Ames, Iowa 50010). A memorial service at 7:00 p.m. will follow the visitation. Colin was born in Ames, Iowa on June 24, 1958 to DeWayne and Debra (Anderson) Tesdall. He grew up in Ames and, after attending Ames High School, continued his education at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado.
For over 35 years, Colin worked in the roofing industry. He owned and operated Tesdall Roofing for a number of years prior to traveling the country as a commercial roofing consultant.
Colin was passionate for the outdoors and family. As a child, he spent his time fishing and mushroom hunting with his dad, brothers, and Grandpa Bill. As his outdoor experience grew, he developed an uncanny ability to navigate any deep timber or mountain forest. Colin loved to hunt, fish, and bring home a trophy-sized catch for dinner with his family. Of all the things Colin loved, nothing came close to how he loved Kyle and Natalie. He always thought and worried about them. He talked about how proud he was of both of them and everything they did. He cherished every moment together, from riding bikes to taking goofy pictures of each other over lunch.
Colin will be remembered by loved-ones as a fearless man with strong political views, a vast knowledge of wildlife, and a bold sense of humor.
Colin is survived by his children Kyle Tesdall and Natalie Tesdall and their mother Tana Tesdall of Ames, his father DeWayne Tesdall of Ames, sister Valerie (Steve) McClimon of Bolivia, NC, brothers Doran (Renee) Tesdall of Ames and Joel (Linda) Tesdall of Boone, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother Debra Tesdall of Ames, brother Ronald Tesdall of West Des Moines, grandparents Bill and Ruby Anderson of Boone, Gladys and Carl Morrison and Lawrence and Rose Tesdall of Ames.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at www.iowadnr.gov
Online condolences and thoughtful memories may be shared on Colin's page at www.Stevensmemorialchapel.com
Some Have Left Us
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CLICK HERE to view AHS 1976 Those we have lost, Some Have Left US video
AHSAA Ames High School Alumni Association Ames, IA
AHS Ames High School Alumni Assoc - Ames, IA.
ameshigh.org - reunions - photos - newsletters - authors - calendar - news - deceased - email - letters - join AHSAA
This Some Have Left Us video slideshow was presented at the Saturday Evening 40th reunion banquet Sep 23 2017.
26 Ames High School class of 1977 classmates have left us way too soon. The deceased classmates as of Oct 6 2017
Danny Anderson died 2010
Doug Braymen died 1990
Stephen Brown died 1978
Patrick Callahan died 1995
Chuck Conard died 2009
Jim Cook died 1977
Kevin Coria died 2017
Diane Durand died 1975
Beth Epstein Danner died 2010
Kim Glass Eucher died 2005
Reggie Harrington died 2001
Paula Kluge Johnson died 2006
Mari Marcum died 1977
John Mehle died 2001
Robin Nissen Groshek died 2016
Jim Olsson died 2006
Brian Peters died 2017
Pat Rasmussen died 1981
Teri Rasmussen died 2012
Rob Ratashak died 2014
Mark Sherwin died 1995
Polly Slater Wilson died 2008
Robbie Smith died 1976
Mike Temple died 2017
Doug Tschopp died 2015
Cindy Wooldridge Hockett died 2014
The Ames High School Class of 1977 40-Year Reunion was held Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 22 23 and 24th, 2017 in Ames Iowa.
AHS 1977 40th reunion info
Ames High School class of 1977 40-year post reunion summary
The 40th reunion was amazing!! The class of 1977 always has one of the strongest most connected classes out of all the graduating years at AHS, and this was no exception as more than 110 of our classmates met and re-connected on Friday Sep 22 2017
Saturday, September 23 we all toured the High School then met later that day at the Quality Inn for a banquet, group photos, a short program and then another wonderfully enchanted evening of re-connecting with old friends. It was so much fun to see classmates we had not seen for so long, in some cases not since AHS days 40 years ago. We all have journeyed 40 years to get to this spot in time. It is something ever so special to have friends that span most, if not all of your life, especially after 40 plus years. Saturday evening 40th reunion photos are here: Sat eve Sunday was an awesome picnic and then we said our goodbyes and we hope to see you again soon.
#ameshighclassof1977 #1977ahs #deceased #passedaway
Dad has passed, leaving his presence felt all over my parents house. Tools and materials are neatly organised. There was always some kind of maintenance or DIY on the go.
"When I get better I'll finish that job" he said.
...says Mum. A small shrine in the kitchen for my recently departed Dad. The J is for John. A small parcel with the model arrived the day after he died.
August 11th, 2010
You don't have to like this.
It's a tribute to my late uncle.
That's a baby picture of him in the background on the horse.
Bowbow went exploring post-earthly existence five years ago now, and I miss her still just as much as I did on the day she passed away.
Lately, though, I've encountered some writings I wish I'd had available five years ago. The words wouldn't have lessened the pain, but they might have helped me maintain more stoicism about my grief.
The words are those of the greatest orator of the 19th Century, Robert Green Ingersoll - a firmly atheistic free-thinker. He gave two eulogies in the fall/winter of 1881-82 and both of them contained the most sensible possible thoughts about death, in some of the most striking imagery and poetic and lofty language I've ever read. The first eulogy was for RGI's brother, Clark, two years senior to Ingersoll and who had suddenly passed away at about age 50.
Ingersoll said this:
"Dear Friends: I am going to do that which the dead oft promised he would do for me.
"The loved and loving brother, husband, father, friend, died where manhood's morning almost touches noon, and while the shadows still fell toward the west.
"He had not passed on life's highway the stone that marks the highest point; but being weary for a moment, he lay down by the wayside, and using his burden for a pillow, fell into that dreamless sleep that kisses down his eyelids still. While yet in love with life and raptured with world, he passed to silence and pathetic dust.
"Yet, after all, it may be best, just in the happiest, sunniest hour of all the voyage, while eager winds are kissing every sail, to dash against the unseen rock, and in an instant hear the billows roar above a sunken ship. For whether in mid -sea or 'mong the breakers of the farther shore, a wreck at last must mark the end of each and all. And every life, no matter if its every hour is rich with love and every moment jeweled with joy, will, at its close, become a tragedy as sad and deep and dark as can be woven of the warp and woof of mystery and death.
"This brave and tender man in every storm of life was oak and rock; but in the sunshine he was vine and flower. He was the friend of all heroic souls. He climbed the heights, and left all superstitions far below, while on his forehead fell the golden dawning of the grander day.
"He loved the beautiful, and was with color, form, and music touched to tears. He sided with the weak, the poor, and wronged, and lovingly gave alms. With loyal heart and with the purest hands he faithfully discharged all public trusts.
"He was a worshiper of liberty, a friend of the oppressed. ... He believed that happiness is the only good, reason the only torch, justice the only worship, humanity the only religion, and love the only priest.
"He added to the sum of human joy; and were every one to whom he did some loving service to bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers.
"Life is a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities. We strive in vain to look beyond the heights. We cry aloud. and the only answer is the echo of our wailing cry. From the voiceless lips of the unreplying dead there comes no word; but in the night of death hope sees a star and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.
"He who sleeps here, when dying, mistook the approach of death for the return of health, whispered with his last breath, 'I am better now.' Let us believe, in spite of doubts and dogmas, of fears and tears, that those dear words are true of all the countless dead.
"The record of a generous life runs like a vine around the memory of our dead, and every sweet, unselfish act is now a perfumed flower.
"And now, to you, who have been chosen, from among the many men he loved, to do the last sad office for the dead, we give his sacred dust.
"Speech cannot contain our love. There was, there is, no gentler, stronger, manlier man."
Not long after his brother's death, Ingersoll tried to help console some grieving friends by attending the funeral of his friends' infant daughter. At the father's spontaneous graveside request, Ingersoll delivered a few impromptu words while rain poured down on all in attendance.
Ingersoll said:
"My friends: I know how vain it is to gild a grief with words, and yet I wish to take from the grave its fear. Here in this world, where life and death are equal kings, all should be brave enough to meet what all the dead have met.
"The future has been filled with fear, stained and polluted by the heartless past. From the wondrous tree of life the buds and blossoms fall with ripened fruit, and in the common bed of earth, patriarchs and babes sleep side by side.
"Who should fear that which will come to all that is? We cannot tell, we do not know, which is the greater blessing -- life or death. We cannot say that death is not a good. We do not know whether the grave is the end of this life, or the door of another, or whether the night here is not somewhere a dawn. Neither can we tell which is the more fortunate -- the child dying in its mother's arms, before its lips have learned to form a word, or he who journeys all the length of life's uneven road, painfully taking the last slow steps with staff and crutch.
"Every cradle asks us 'Whence?' and every coffin 'Whither?'
"The poor barbarian, weeping above his dead, can answer these questions just as well as the robed priest of the most authentic creed. The tearful ignorance of the one, is as consoling as the learned and unmeaning words of the other.
"No man, standing where the horizon of a life has touched a grave, has any right to prophesy a future filled with pain and tears.
"May be that death gives all there is of worth to life. If those we press and strain within our arms could never die, perhaps that love would wither from the earth. Maybe this common fate treads out from the paths between our hearts the weeds of selfishness and hate.
"And I had rather live and love where death is king, than have eternal life where love is not. Another life is naught, unless we know and love again the ones who love us here.
"They who stand with breaking hearts around this little grave, need have no fear. The larger and the nobler faith in all that is, and is to be, tells us that death, even at its worst, is only perfect rest. We know that through the common wants of life -- the needs and duties of the hour -- their grief will lessen day by day, until at last this grave will be to them a place of rest and peace -- almost of joy. There is for them this consolation: the dead do not suffer. If they live again, their lives will surely be as good as ours. We have no fear. We are all children of the same mother, and the same fate awaits us all. We, too, have our religion, and it is this: Help for the living -- Hope for the dead."
Quite a bit of Robert Green Ingersoll's amazing linguistic prestidigitation can be read at or downloaded from:
www.infidels.org/library/historical/robert_ingersoll/
Bowbow, you certainly taught me all that is worth knowing about true, unselfish love. I hope that wherever you are exploring now, you are happy and free. I know that if you exist anywhere, you surely must be the same loving girl as always. I miss you.
This hole is from the drainage under our arena and sometimes after a good hard rain like we just had, it pops out a surprise. Last treasure it produced was a javelina skull and several bones. This time we got a whole skunk carcass. Lucky us. Yes, the smell is what got my attention.
Yesterday marked two years since my dad passed away.
This morning, I spotted this hearse from the Addison Red Line platform in a back alley and had to photograph it.
Wrigleyville, Chicago, Illinois.
Sunday, December 18, 2011.
and so they pass beyond the veil that was rent
Into the light that reveals how well their lives were spent
This mouse somehow walked or jumped into this hot spring, perhaps to escape a predator.If left undisturbed it stands a good chance of having its bones incorporated into the formations of the spring. I've actually seen a mouse entombed in the geyserite of a geyser at Norris Geyser Basin. That geyser (Porkchop) blew itself to smithereens, so that mouse is now part of the general shrapnel left after the blast.