I took the bus out to westlawn this morning, to visit some old friends. Now that i've figured out how to include scads of pictures in one post, i'm going craazy on this one. This is my walk about the grounds, in sequential photographs.(Remember, click on the pictures to see them full size).
I usually come into westlawn by the east entrance, because i walk from Jasper Place bus hub, to 163rd st.
Here's my typical view as i wander about, reading stones, towards level b, row 7.
Today though, a few new stones caught my eye, i veered a bit too south, and then felt like i was too near the mausoleum, might have missed the row i came to visit. So i turned around, and the engraving on the back of the "Wacker" stone meant i indeed had gone past row 7.(The two Naylor stones, one black, one grey, are on the other side of the "Wacker" stone, in this picture).
So i backtracked. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD.
A family shot, with the Naylor grandparents to the south.
Dad has a newish neighbour to the north, Elizabeth Burgess arrived on the scene in 2007. Her family had been by recently, she had a few flowers and things, strewn about by the wind. I put them back on her stone. She was young, only 50.
The place is crawling with birds, most especially crows, dozens of them, caw, caw, caw, constantly. Here's three, in a tree.
Though most of the non-evergreens were just starting to leaf up, this one, don't know what it is, was putting on a colourful show.
Today was the first time i walked all the way to the west side of the grounds, and discovered the veterans section, so, on this Victoria Day, here's some heroes of the Queen's Commonwealth.
I usually meander in and around the rows, reading stones, thinking of the lives they represent. One fellow, James Price, still with us, has been without his Wilhelmina for a long time. Poor guy.
And LOOK, a BUNNY!
These types of stones, one out, and 3 in, the ground, are interesting. Judging from the dates, this looks like 3 generations of family.
This inscription caught my attention, a life, of one day. Poor wee thing.
This one was sad, and inspiring at the same time. I would say two parents, Neil and Ria, their 19 year old child, Saskia, with child, and her husband, Zeke, were all taken 26 years ago, today. Likely by some type of accident. Probably by car. Very moving. A bit chilling.
And then i saw LOTS of bunnies. Hopping about. One still in his winter whites.
And, a Mr. and Mrs. Duck, waddling away.
The bunnies and the ducks all seemed to be hanging around this fellow, until i stumbled along and they made scarce.
By this time, i was chilled to the bone, so i decided to head for the south entrance...check out the temp! Brrr.
On my way to the south entrance, i could not NOT take this picture. Look at all those names. Proud defenders.
Just at the gate of the south entrance stands this large granite notice, reminding visitors, these are sacred grounds.
Then i zipped across Stony Plain Road and caught a nice warm bus back home. These trips to westlawn are very evocative for me, so i don't make them often. This was number three. I thought it was a reasonable idea to spend some time with Dad, on his, Deb's, and Dayna's Birthday.
Here's my typical view as i wander about, reading stones, towards level b, row 7.
Today though, a few new stones caught my eye, i veered a bit too south, and then felt like i was too near the mausoleum, might have missed the row i came to visit. So i turned around, and the engraving on the back of the "Wacker" stone meant i indeed had gone past row 7.(The two Naylor stones, one black, one grey, are on the other side of the "Wacker" stone, in this picture).
So i backtracked. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD.
A family shot, with the Naylor grandparents to the south.
Dad has a newish neighbour to the north, Elizabeth Burgess arrived on the scene in 2007. Her family had been by recently, she had a few flowers and things, strewn about by the wind. I put them back on her stone. She was young, only 50.
The place is crawling with birds, most especially crows, dozens of them, caw, caw, caw, constantly. Here's three, in a tree.
Though most of the non-evergreens were just starting to leaf up, this one, don't know what it is, was putting on a colourful show.
Today was the first time i walked all the way to the west side of the grounds, and discovered the veterans section, so, on this Victoria Day, here's some heroes of the Queen's Commonwealth.
I usually meander in and around the rows, reading stones, thinking of the lives they represent. One fellow, James Price, still with us, has been without his Wilhelmina for a long time. Poor guy.
And LOOK, a BUNNY!
These types of stones, one out, and 3 in, the ground, are interesting. Judging from the dates, this looks like 3 generations of family.
This inscription caught my attention, a life, of one day. Poor wee thing.
This one was sad, and inspiring at the same time. I would say two parents, Neil and Ria, their 19 year old child, Saskia, with child, and her husband, Zeke, were all taken 26 years ago, today. Likely by some type of accident. Probably by car. Very moving. A bit chilling.
And then i saw LOTS of bunnies. Hopping about. One still in his winter whites.
And, a Mr. and Mrs. Duck, waddling away.
The bunnies and the ducks all seemed to be hanging around this fellow, until i stumbled along and they made scarce.
By this time, i was chilled to the bone, so i decided to head for the south entrance...check out the temp! Brrr.
On my way to the south entrance, i could not NOT take this picture. Look at all those names. Proud defenders.
Just at the gate of the south entrance stands this large granite notice, reminding visitors, these are sacred grounds.