Just in Time for Halloween!

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Earlier this week, I found this plaque at a local thrift. It was 5.99, and even at 1/2 price, I didn't want to cough up the cash. I mean, I don't need it. But after I got home, I was still thinking about it.  It's an older piece:



and quite heavy. And sweet. Unusual, you know? So, I did some research on it and guess what?  It's part of Forest Lawn!  Yes, the Forest Lawn! Check it out:

http://www.forestlawn.com/About-Forest-Lawn/Glendale-Little-Church-Of-The-Flowers.asp

According the website below, there are more celebrities buried at Forest Lawn than any other cemetery!  http://www.seeing-stars.com/Buried2/ForestLawnGlendale.shtml

Today, I had some errands by the thrift I had seen this plaque at and it was 75% off! So, I got it for 1.50.   It is sooooooooooooooo "Hollywood Babylon" (Kenneth Anger, anyone?), I expect Jean Harlow or Thelma Todd to come floating by. 

Appropriate for the season, yes?

Happy Hollywood Halloween Hauntings!
SeSo

[Mattie]

Cemetery collectibles are hot!  I have a couple old postcards of Forest Lawn and an old book about it, too.  I'd snap that up at $5.99, no hesitation.

[Sprocket]

Great find!  My Dad owned and operated a funeral home when I was little so I have a deep-seated appreciation for all things morbid.  I love the plaque and I'm glad it was still there when you returned for it =)

-Sprock

[SecondhandSophisticate]

You guys rock on for all eternity!   

Mattie, do you keep those postcards on display? Tell me about the book. I am intrigued. I was afraid when I posted this here nobody would know the rich history of Forest Lawn.

I always think of Forest Lawn as a vast amusment park. I bet it never rains there.  It's sooooooo surrealistic because it's real, you know what I mean?  Like Goethe said way back in the 18th century:  "Few people have the imagination for reality". It's better than Disneyworld!  I think the man who founded the place had a very healthy perspective of the "after" life (or real life or the next life or a continuation of life on a different plane, or life on the blue island, etc. etc.)

Wouldn't y'all just love *leaping* on those polished, expansive lawns? 

Sprock, shades of "Six Feet Under"!  What other spooky stuff do you guys like?

Boo!'
SeSo

[tiamatgreen]

love, love, LOVE "Six Feet Under"!! And very cool find, SeSo!! 

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Very cool-- I totally would have grabbed that myself. Nicely done, SeSo!

[Mattie]

Mattie, do you keep those postcards on display? Tell me about the book. I am intrigued. I was afraid when I posted this here nobody would know the rich history of Forest Lawn.

I keep my postcard collection in photo albums.   I have waaaaaaay too many to display!  The book is called "Pictorial Forest Lawn."  It's a very large, thin paperback (about 11" x 15") that was sold at the cemetery as a souvenir.  It's been reprinted many times and you can occasionally find it on eBay (it's not expensive).  Mine is copyrighted 1970 but it includes many photos from previous editions.

[Other People s Junk]

OKay, I have to admit I have never heard of Forest Lawn, until now!  That plaque is neato, though!  I like the colors of it. 

[MrsGoodwill]

Coolness!

I really dig Dia de los Muertos stuff and, although I probably shouldn't admit this, I am fascinated by those Victorian post-mortem photos. And many years ago, I wanted to do a trip to N'awlins so that I could visit those famous cemeteries. I am also the kind of person who likes to visit old graveyards because I am fascinated by the old tombstones.

I swear I'm not crazy!

[Mattie]

Coolness!

I really dig Dia de los Muertos stuff and, although I probably shouldn't admit this, I am fascinated by those Victorian post-mortem photos. And many years ago, I wanted to do a trip to N'awlins so that I could visit those famous cemeteries. I am also the kind of person who likes to visit old graveyards because I am fascinated by the old tombstones.

I swear I'm not crazy!

Admit it...because you're not the only one.  I have a book of postmortem photos, a big collection of tombstone snapshots that I've taken at cemeteries all over northern California, and lots of cemetery postcards.  I used to work at a Halloween moonlight tour at a local cemetery, which meant I got to wander around after dark by myself before the crowds poured in.  There's nothing crazy about it.

[MrsGoodwill]

Admit it...because you're not the only one....There's nothing crazy about it.

Hooray!

[SecondhandSophisticate]

  ???Geez, Mrs. GW, doesn't everybody live like that?  You know, loving old cemeteries and Dia de Muertos and all that stuff?

I grew up in New England, and all that stuff is mandatory, you know?  Haunted houses and old cemeteries and witches and exorcisms, Halloween and the change of the seasons, unconsecrated grounds, the freedom to worship as you please, and the thinning of the veil over the next few days.

"As I was once,
So shall ye be"

Get lots of marigolds...Dias de muertos is coming up! Viva la Guadelupe!  Viva Santissima Muerte! Viva San Miguel!

Ciao,
SeSo
A BIG Marie LaVeau fan