I don't think we really need an introduction by now, do we?
1. Broad Street Cemetery, Claremont, NH-
Broad Street cemetery is also known as The Village Burial Ground. It is located behind the Fiske Library and the Claremont firehouse. It appears to have been founded sometime in the late 18th century. It is no longer active.
Almost all the gravestones are slate or marble. In fact, I only saw ONE granite monument! Most feature carvings of weeping willows, urns, leaves and gravestones (an etching of a grave, on a grave, how very meta!), but there are also some soul effigies, and some very interesting geometric designs and sunbursts. I didn't get to see all the graves, but I read a few interesting epitaphs, one of which belonged to a man who 'died of a burn'.
As with any old cemetery, there were several broken gravestones. Otherwise, Broad Street cemetery is in very good condition, with well-kept grounds, and mostly legible stones.
I did not experience anything paranormal in this cemetery and do not have any reason to believe that it might be haunted.
If you enjoy local history, old slate gravestones and local folk art, I would highly recommend Broad Street Cemetery. The geometric sunbursts and leaves are worth a trip, seeing as I've never seen them in any other cemetery.
2. Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bellows Falls/Westminster, VT-
Sacred Heart is a small Polish Catholic cemetery that is still active. It is on Cemetery Road, and is adjacent to St. Charles Cemetery and the high school. In fact, you can hear the school's intercom and bells from the cemetery!
The cemetery dates from the late 1920's. In fact,the earliest graves all date from 1928. The majority of early graves have Polish epitaphs. Most monuments are made from granite and cement, but there are also some marble ones.
The majority of the carvings and statues are religious in nature. There are a lot of crosses, and carvings of Jesus, Mary and the saints. There are also several gorgeous statues of the Virgin Mary, as well as lambs, and a very large monument with a statue featuring a child sitting by the holy cross.
Sacred Heart is in excellent condition. The grounds are very well kept, and ALL the gravestones were intact! There weren't any broken or damaged graves!
I do not think Sacred Heart is haunted, though I did feel uneasy a couple of times. That may have been because I was so close to the high school, though.
This is a beautiful well-kept cemetery. I was very impressed.
3. St. Charles Cemetery, Bellows Falls/Westminster, VT-
St Charles is a moderately sized Catholic cemetery next to Sacred Heart. It appears to have been found in either the late 19th century or the early 20th. It is still very active. When I visited it had three fresh graves.
Most of the monuments are made of granite and marble. There are several made of concrete. There are a lot of large crosses and two beautiful statues. The newer gravestones have very interesting etchings, some of which are very colorful. There are also a few interesting epitaphs, some of which were in foreign languages. It had less religious iconography than Sacred Heart did.
Like Sacred Heart, Saint Charles is in excellent condition. The grounds are well-kept, and I saw only two broken gravestones, and one illegible one. My favorite grave had a statue of a woman mourning by the cross.
I do not think St. Charles had any paranormal activity. It was a very calm, peaceful place, and I did not feel unwelcome. All in all, I was very pleased with this cemetery. If it hadn't been raining, I would have looked at more.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Cut-Off Points and Limits
Today, I had a stranger in McDonald's butt into a conversation my sister, mother and I were having about using pillow cases for trick or treating. We were discussing it, without actually mentioning trick or treating. She wanted to know why I would need a pillow case. Feeling cornered and annoyed, I reluctantly told her that my friends and I wanted to go trick or treating this year, adding that one is never too old for free candy.
The woman primly and stiffly replied that there was a 'cut-off point' for trick or treating? I was embarrassed. It was bad enough to have this lady butt into a conversation I was having with my family, but now it seemed like she was judging me as someone hopelessly immature and stupid. Or maybe she was just expressing her opinion, but still it sounded judgmental to me.
I tried to defend myself, explaining that I lived in a town where there wasn't much else to do on Halloween. My mother backed me up, saying that she'd rather have me go out and trick or treat, than go out bar hopping. I finished the defense by adding it's either trick or treat, or do drugs with the other kids. The woman didn't reply.
Today's little event had me pondering the whole stigma of teenagers and young adults going trick or treating. It's frowned upon. Trick or treating, by the expectations of our society is for little kids. Anyone older than twelve shouldn't be doing it. Teenagers and young adults should either stay home, or go to parties.
But what if you live in a town like Bellows Falls? A small town that has few Halloween events aimed at young people? A small town where the majority of parties end in the cops showing up?
Why should I have to give up doing something I enjoy just because some people think there's a 'cut-off point'? Why should there even BE a cut-off point? Detractors will give you a lot of excuses as to why:
They'll tell you it's creepy, they'll tell tales of teen delinquents, they'll claim it's immature.
Well, I am immature. I have ASD. I am emotionally behind my peer group. I don't feel like an adult 90% of the time. A lot of people in their teens and early twenties are in the same boat I am, ASD or no ASD. Childhood is still a fresh memory, and adulthood seems strange. So it's easier to fall back on doing something familiar, doing something you know and love. At least that's how I worked it out in my head.
Regardless of my own excuses, the point is, no one should tell you that you're too old, too young, to fat or thin, too this or that to do what you want. If you love doing something, then do it. No matter how old you are, or what you look like, or if you have a learning disorder, whatever. Do it. Go ahead and do it. Me, I'm going to celebrate Halloween the way I want, no matter what some busybody in McDonald's says, or what's considered socially acceptable.
As Eric Cartman says:
"Whateva, whateva, I do what I want."
The woman primly and stiffly replied that there was a 'cut-off point' for trick or treating? I was embarrassed. It was bad enough to have this lady butt into a conversation I was having with my family, but now it seemed like she was judging me as someone hopelessly immature and stupid. Or maybe she was just expressing her opinion, but still it sounded judgmental to me.
I tried to defend myself, explaining that I lived in a town where there wasn't much else to do on Halloween. My mother backed me up, saying that she'd rather have me go out and trick or treat, than go out bar hopping. I finished the defense by adding it's either trick or treat, or do drugs with the other kids. The woman didn't reply.
Today's little event had me pondering the whole stigma of teenagers and young adults going trick or treating. It's frowned upon. Trick or treating, by the expectations of our society is for little kids. Anyone older than twelve shouldn't be doing it. Teenagers and young adults should either stay home, or go to parties.
But what if you live in a town like Bellows Falls? A small town that has few Halloween events aimed at young people? A small town where the majority of parties end in the cops showing up?
Why should I have to give up doing something I enjoy just because some people think there's a 'cut-off point'? Why should there even BE a cut-off point? Detractors will give you a lot of excuses as to why:
They'll tell you it's creepy, they'll tell tales of teen delinquents, they'll claim it's immature.
Well, I am immature. I have ASD. I am emotionally behind my peer group. I don't feel like an adult 90% of the time. A lot of people in their teens and early twenties are in the same boat I am, ASD or no ASD. Childhood is still a fresh memory, and adulthood seems strange. So it's easier to fall back on doing something familiar, doing something you know and love. At least that's how I worked it out in my head.
Regardless of my own excuses, the point is, no one should tell you that you're too old, too young, to fat or thin, too this or that to do what you want. If you love doing something, then do it. No matter how old you are, or what you look like, or if you have a learning disorder, whatever. Do it. Go ahead and do it. Me, I'm going to celebrate Halloween the way I want, no matter what some busybody in McDonald's says, or what's considered socially acceptable.
As Eric Cartman says:
"Whateva, whateva, I do what I want."
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...
Brace yourselves, Halloween is coming. It's going to be a long wonderful month of scary movies on TV, Simpsons Halloween special reruns and Ghost Adventures marathons. The one time of year it's perfectly OK to be obsessed with weird, creepy things. The one month of the year where I'm not a freak.
Well actually, that's not true. Unlike most people, I take this holiday seriously. So seriously, that I overthink it, get too many expectations, and end up having an anxiety attack, thus ruining my night. I've had too many Halloweens end up like this.
Last year could have been better. It also could have been worse. Instead of trick or treating as I'd been doing for most of my life, my Sassy Gay Friend, Kenny and I decided to throw a Halloween party. It was going to be in the barn. We were going to decorate the barn's creepy old loft/attic and have our friends come over. There was going to be food, music and games. We planned on having some beer and Smirnoff Ice, but no hard liquor.
It didn't turn out like that. It snowed a day or two before the big night, prompting Kenny to move the party to his heated bedroom. Most of the people we invited canceled on us, and we decided against the booze, considering the fact that some of the guests were under 21.
I exhausted myself planning the party too. I'd already- wait, why am I telling you this? Do you even give a fuck? Honestly? I mean, who reads this blog? Oh, whatever, anyway...
On cabbage night, I did indeed exhaust myself. I dragged my pumpkin in from the freezing cold to thaw it, only to find that it had begun to decompose. Regardless, I carved it anyway, despite the overpowering stench of rot. Then after giving it a happy face, I covered it in fake blood.
I also spent a good chunk of my evening baking. I made two kinds of cupcake. First I made several batches of what I considered classic Halloween cakes, white cake mix dyed orange, with vanilla frosting dyed black. I used too much black dye however, and the runny mess ended up tasting like vanilla ink. I also made a few batches of 'Totally Hardcore Goth cakes'. Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting dyed purple. I decorated all the cupcakes with Halloween themed sprinkles.
Then, back aching, hands stained with fake blood and food coloring, I cleaned up and went to bed at 4 in the morning.
The next afternoon, I went to Kenny's house to help him set up the party, and get into my costume. Besides cupcakes and a jack o' lantern, I had the punch bowl and ingredients, more decorations and some party games. And on top of THAT, I had my costume pieces, and overnight gear.
Kenny's Aunt Jean had decorated the porch in high style, complete with a caged skeleton that screamed and shook. Kenny was not to be outdone, for he had decorated the stairs and his room with lights, cobwebs, caution tape and spiders. Everything looked good. The goodie table was laden with candy, Halloween themed jello wigglers, and more. I put the cupcakes on the table. As the evening progressed, I would make the punch.
After putting final touches on the decorations, Kenny and I got ready to put on our costumes. I was going as an evil fairy, he was going as a flapper.
I'm sure you don't give a shit, but first I did my hair. I put it up in a half bun, let curls run down my back. I sprinkled it all in gold glitter, then sprayed it down with hairspray. The makeup took some time. The eye makeup: eyeshadow primer, then a coat of glitter green liquid eyeshadow. I lined my eyes with black liquid liner, putting swirls and streaks down my cheeks. Then black glitter mascara (lot of fucking glitter here) And gold glitter eye creme on my brow bones. After five harrowing minutes, that part was done.I finished up by adding gold glitter to my cheeks, and then putting on black lipstick, followed by a coat of black lip gloss.
Then the dress, a black and green confection, made in stretch velvet, brocaded polyester, and fishnet. The wings, black, glittery, curling. Jewelry followed, and I was finished. It looked good. I felt good. I felt gorgeous. Kenny and I showed off to his aunt. She took pictures. Then she fed us dinner. She makes a kale and sausage soup that will send you into fits of rapture.
Our guests all seemed to be running late, so we helped Aunt Jean give out candy. It was fun. A lot of kids had very creative homemade costumes. One little girl bitched at Kenny for wearing a dress. It was chilly.
Our first guests arrived. Allison, dressed as a vampire. Then Arielle, wearing an upside down sign that said "I am Australian. This is my Costume". Ryan, wearing bloody scrubs.
The party could finally start.
We danced, we ate pizza. We played Apples to Apples. But the air was tense. Ryan and Arielle had broken up, and Arielle was ready to move on, while Ryan wasn't. Things turned miserable after an awkward game of Never Have I Ever. Allison bailed on us, needing to get home in time for curfew. I did a few tarot readings, we played with glowsticks.
The night was over before it really started. The party was a bust. The fighting was part of it, the lack of guests was another.
After Arielle and Ryan both went home, Kenny and I settled in to watch some horror movies. We watched Pet Sematary and Sleepy Hollow. Then we feel asleep.
I don't want Halloween to be a disaster again. I don't want another Halloween filled with awkwardness and tension, the fun fizzling out quickly. No fights. No hurt feelings. That's not what Halloween's about. Halloween is supposed to be about celebrating the veil between worlds, it's about food, drink and costumes. It's about magic, and feeling scared. It's the best day of the year, better than Christmas.
This year, I'm going to relax. I'm going to do what I love, with people close to the shiny red organ I call a heart. I won't promise myself that this year will be fun or perfect. If I do that, then I set myself up with expectations, which will only lead to disappointment. It'll be what it'll be. I'm gonna dress up, get free candy, have some vodka. How that will turn out, is up to fate.
Well actually, that's not true. Unlike most people, I take this holiday seriously. So seriously, that I overthink it, get too many expectations, and end up having an anxiety attack, thus ruining my night. I've had too many Halloweens end up like this.
Last year could have been better. It also could have been worse. Instead of trick or treating as I'd been doing for most of my life, my Sassy Gay Friend, Kenny and I decided to throw a Halloween party. It was going to be in the barn. We were going to decorate the barn's creepy old loft/attic and have our friends come over. There was going to be food, music and games. We planned on having some beer and Smirnoff Ice, but no hard liquor.
It didn't turn out like that. It snowed a day or two before the big night, prompting Kenny to move the party to his heated bedroom. Most of the people we invited canceled on us, and we decided against the booze, considering the fact that some of the guests were under 21.
I exhausted myself planning the party too. I'd already- wait, why am I telling you this? Do you even give a fuck? Honestly? I mean, who reads this blog? Oh, whatever, anyway...
On cabbage night, I did indeed exhaust myself. I dragged my pumpkin in from the freezing cold to thaw it, only to find that it had begun to decompose. Regardless, I carved it anyway, despite the overpowering stench of rot. Then after giving it a happy face, I covered it in fake blood.
I also spent a good chunk of my evening baking. I made two kinds of cupcake. First I made several batches of what I considered classic Halloween cakes, white cake mix dyed orange, with vanilla frosting dyed black. I used too much black dye however, and the runny mess ended up tasting like vanilla ink. I also made a few batches of 'Totally Hardcore Goth cakes'. Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting dyed purple. I decorated all the cupcakes with Halloween themed sprinkles.
Then, back aching, hands stained with fake blood and food coloring, I cleaned up and went to bed at 4 in the morning.
The next afternoon, I went to Kenny's house to help him set up the party, and get into my costume. Besides cupcakes and a jack o' lantern, I had the punch bowl and ingredients, more decorations and some party games. And on top of THAT, I had my costume pieces, and overnight gear.
Kenny's Aunt Jean had decorated the porch in high style, complete with a caged skeleton that screamed and shook. Kenny was not to be outdone, for he had decorated the stairs and his room with lights, cobwebs, caution tape and spiders. Everything looked good. The goodie table was laden with candy, Halloween themed jello wigglers, and more. I put the cupcakes on the table. As the evening progressed, I would make the punch.
After putting final touches on the decorations, Kenny and I got ready to put on our costumes. I was going as an evil fairy, he was going as a flapper.
I'm sure you don't give a shit, but first I did my hair. I put it up in a half bun, let curls run down my back. I sprinkled it all in gold glitter, then sprayed it down with hairspray. The makeup took some time. The eye makeup: eyeshadow primer, then a coat of glitter green liquid eyeshadow. I lined my eyes with black liquid liner, putting swirls and streaks down my cheeks. Then black glitter mascara (lot of fucking glitter here) And gold glitter eye creme on my brow bones. After five harrowing minutes, that part was done.I finished up by adding gold glitter to my cheeks, and then putting on black lipstick, followed by a coat of black lip gloss.
Then the dress, a black and green confection, made in stretch velvet, brocaded polyester, and fishnet. The wings, black, glittery, curling. Jewelry followed, and I was finished. It looked good. I felt good. I felt gorgeous. Kenny and I showed off to his aunt. She took pictures. Then she fed us dinner. She makes a kale and sausage soup that will send you into fits of rapture.
Our guests all seemed to be running late, so we helped Aunt Jean give out candy. It was fun. A lot of kids had very creative homemade costumes. One little girl bitched at Kenny for wearing a dress. It was chilly.
Our first guests arrived. Allison, dressed as a vampire. Then Arielle, wearing an upside down sign that said "I am Australian. This is my Costume". Ryan, wearing bloody scrubs.
The party could finally start.
We danced, we ate pizza. We played Apples to Apples. But the air was tense. Ryan and Arielle had broken up, and Arielle was ready to move on, while Ryan wasn't. Things turned miserable after an awkward game of Never Have I Ever. Allison bailed on us, needing to get home in time for curfew. I did a few tarot readings, we played with glowsticks.
The night was over before it really started. The party was a bust. The fighting was part of it, the lack of guests was another.
After Arielle and Ryan both went home, Kenny and I settled in to watch some horror movies. We watched Pet Sematary and Sleepy Hollow. Then we feel asleep.
I don't want Halloween to be a disaster again. I don't want another Halloween filled with awkwardness and tension, the fun fizzling out quickly. No fights. No hurt feelings. That's not what Halloween's about. Halloween is supposed to be about celebrating the veil between worlds, it's about food, drink and costumes. It's about magic, and feeling scared. It's the best day of the year, better than Christmas.
This year, I'm going to relax. I'm going to do what I love, with people close to the shiny red organ I call a heart. I won't promise myself that this year will be fun or perfect. If I do that, then I set myself up with expectations, which will only lead to disappointment. It'll be what it'll be. I'm gonna dress up, get free candy, have some vodka. How that will turn out, is up to fate.
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