Jackie Moon Update

Many of you will recall an entry I wrote some time back about Jackie Moon.  I had been at the local cemetary attempting to get some photographs when I ran across an odd headstone.  It was made of concrete and placed in what appeared to be an old barrel.  The name and dates had been scralled into the concrete and antique colored marbles outlined the edges as if in an attempt to add some decor to the oddly fashioned marker.  Its oddity has grabbed me and the curiousity of you has deepened it even more. 

I had to go back to investigate further... In closer examination I learned that it was not a barrel yet a hollowed out radio speaker that housed the monument for Jackie.  I could still see where the wire which covered the front had been cut away leaving sharp edges around the outside.  The stickers were still fierce there and I had once again forgotten my small garden spade I had planned to take to clear the ground before the face to see if I could find any further information in regards to dates.  Thus I will have to once again return to Jackie to investigate further.

I did however find another mystery or possibly just a further tangle to the web of Jackie's story.  Surrounding Jackies stone are 5 other stones.  All except two made of Concrete with the information written as if with a rough instrument.  All 5 of the markers of that of children, infants or toddlers and all from the same family (Wright).  In seeing this I was even more perplexed than before.

First at the tragedy that one family should suffer the loss of so many children in such short of time.  It appears that the deaths begin December of 1926 and ended March of 1943.  Although this sounds like a large span the tragedy can be seen when you realize that the losses were aproximately every 6 years.  The childrens ages range from 1 day to 9 months.  Thus it is easy to see the grief that must have accomanpanied such loss.

Yet still the question even more to me... why do these tiny markers surround an even larger mystery... That of who is Jackie Moon.  Yes believe me  I am curious and have been trying to research this as best I can.. Yet so far I have not found much to help me out.  Yet I am not one to give up easily especially when it is something that I find so intriguing.

Although I will say this.  I do not think that the finding of Jackie's marker was an accident for me.  I beleive things happen with a purpose, especially meaningful things.  These 6 people have become part of me... I can not just turn my back and think no more of them.  The cemetary they reside in is older and not tended well.  Stickers and weeds grow wild and the markers  can be easily hidden.It is apparent that no one comes to visit them or if they do it is on rare occasion.  

I learned today that in some countrys they believe in 3 deaths. (actual death of the body, burial into the ground, and when you are remembered no more).  These 6 have encounted the first 2 yet not the 3rd.  They still are alive in my memory as well as in the ones of you who have pondered on their story.  And for this I am thankful.

The Woodman's Garden - Part 4

Grace quickly hurried out the door of her room and down the staircase. She wanted to know who this man in the garden was and why did he look at her so. Even more perplexing than this, why had she dreamt about him in such a vivid manner. She went straight toward the only room in the house she knew, the kitchen. She flung open the hinged door expecting to find Millie, the frail older woman whom she had met earlier. She was surprised that instead a younger woman stood in her place. Her eyes the same green and her hair a bright auburn like her own. “Supper will be ready shortly, the biscuits are finishing in the oven.” She spoke as if answering Grace’s questioning look.

Who is that man in the garden? What is he doing here? Grace spoke abruptly. The young woman smiled “that is my father; he tends the garden for Bayless Manor. Grace returned her cheerful answer with another likewise abrupt question. And who might you be? “I am Faith, daughter of Michael & Millie Calhoun. I help my mother out in the evenings with meals and extra chores.”

About that time laughter could be heard in the hallway and shortly after through the door walked Millie and the man Grace had seen in the garden earlier. ‘Welcome home child.” He said to Grace as he came closer. It is good to finally have you here with us. About that time a young boy, no more than 7 came running thru the door also. He stopped suddenly when he became aware that the room was filled with adults. With his head hung, he took off the hat which was perched on his head and held it solemnly. “Excuse me.” He muttered softly. Faith took the cap he held and ruffled his hair lovingly, “Wash your hands before supper Thomas James and your face also. And be polite and say hello to Grace, she is James’ little sister.

The boy looked at Grace and softly said hello, holding his small hand out to her in friendship. She shook the young boys hand and returned the greeting. She could not help but think he looked like someone she once knew, yet he turned before she could figure out whom and was off to clean up for supper. “He is my son.” Faith said as Thomas left the room. Grace smiled no knowing exactly how to respond. Soon the table was set and it was time to eat. Grace had so many questions buzzing around in her head. Yet as she took her first bite of the warm stew before her she could not see the urgency in any of them at the moment. It was delicious, no it was more than delicious… it was wonderful. She could taste the fresh carrots and potatoes as they mingled together in her mouth. Hints of fresh herbs of thyme, sage, and what she thought was rosemary were also present. And the fresh biscuits, did she mention the biscuits. Her first bite was like biting into a pillow. The taste of fresh butter was evident as well as a touch of chives. She could not help but remark to Millie, “This is absolutely wonderful” she said as she continued to eat. The others smiled as Millie replied, “I thought you would like your favorite meal on your first night home.”

With that said Millie rose from the table and returned with a large platter of sugar cookies. Grace looked at the platter as it sat before her. She reached out taking one of the large cookies. As she took her first bite it melted in her mouth. Remnant of the sugar that covered each cookie remained on her lips and she licked the excess away. “This sugar… it taste different, yet familiar, what is it?” she asked. Millie smiled again, “Lavender sugar dear.” Grace continued eating until she could eat no more. She could not remember the last time she had been privileged to such a grand meal even with its simplicity.

Grace noticed that the old man had watched her intently all through meal time. His eyes were soft and caring. She could not help but feel he was a kind soul. Finally she managed the courage to speak his way. “Faith tells me you are the grounds keeper.” He smiled and nodded. “If that is what you choose to call me. I have many functions at Bayless Manor, yet the upkeep of the grounds is foremost.” I help him; Thomas broke into the conversation and added. He is teaching me all he knows. Someday I will take his place.

Grace smiled. She wondered if they knew of the petitions to tear down the manor and its surroundings. Truly nothing she had seen thus far gave her reason to see why such a thing would need to be done. She wondered why the towns’ people would request such an action. She spoke once more thanking Millie and Faith for the beautiful meal and for all they had done to make her arrival pleasant. She then turned to the old man once more and spoke.

“Would it be possible for you to show me around the manor tomorrow? I have many questions and I feel you are the one to give me all the answers I need.” The expression on his face as he gave his reply seemed to be one of joy, “Of course child, I would be honored.” “Can I come too?” Thomas once again broke in. “Of course you may.” Grace replied. With that being said, she excused herself and retired to her room to prepare for bed. As tomorrow, she felt, would be a busy day.

Story for Halloween

October is fast approaching.  Like many I am participating in Mrs. B's 31 days of Halloween as well as Domestic Witch October Blog party.  I have many different things planned through out the month of October, yet one that I would like to give you a taste of early is my on going story.  It is called "The Woodman's Garden". 

Especially written with the Halloween spirt as well as others in mind, I hope that this little morsel will bring you back for more.  Be sure and look for the next installment on October 1st. 

The Woodman's Garden

Many years had passed since last she had seen the sights that were before her now. Truly she had believed they were a thing of her past. She had left vowing never to come back or even near this vicinity again. Too much pain and terrifying memories had occurred before and finally she had escaped. She was free. Free to be whoever and whatever she wanted to be. She left on that rainy October morning with all she had: herself. And that was really all she needed.

Yet here she was 11 years later. The same thing that had made her leave all those years ago was the same thing that brought her back, death. The first time it was her mother’s passing and this time it was the untimely death of her brother James. They had lost all contact after their mother’s death yet it was as she had wanted it to be, as did he. Although they shared the same mother this was where it ended. They did not have memories of close sibling ties. On the contrary, their relationship memories were often scarce and at times violent.

It was the lawyer who had contacted her to inform her of his fate and well after the funeral. She had not even known of his illness or sudden death until that afternoon when she received the call; the call that informed her that she was the last living heir to the Bayless estate. Although honestly, she never truly felt a true member of the family.

Memories of whispers and talk since she could remember filled her mind. They never really liked her, nor her mother. Yet her mother had choose the “Bayless way” and kept silent of their reasons. When her father, Mr. Bayless, passed her mother became even more distant. It was as if she did not acknowledge her anymore. When her mother passed she wept silently and alone for she knew she would never know all the secrets that she would take with her to her grave.

After her mother’s funeral, her brother continued the same treatment towards her. The will was quickly read and it was James who was placed in control. A meager allowance was given to her yet nothing more. It was as if it was the Bayless way of solidifying their intentions and feelings towards her once and for all. So she left, for there was nothing truly which held her there any longer.

As she met with the lawyer and he began to inform her of all the assets that now rest in her possession, she was astounded to find out the accumulative wealth she had just acquired. She had no idea there was so much. As he spoke of the Bayless manor she laughed. She found it comical that he would call the simple house in which she grew up a manor. He quickly corrected her, informing her that the house which she spoke of no longer existed. It had been torn down and burned shortly after the death of her mother 11 years ago. He spoke of Bayless Manor that lies on the outskirts of town.

It was the home in which her father’s grandparents had lived in the mid 1800’s. Passing it down to her grandfather Floyd and later to her father. A second home, slightly smaller stood adjacent to the main manor. The story was that it housed orphans up until the late 1800’s when it was suddenly shut down. It had long been boarded up and to her knowledge not used for anything but possibly occasional storage since she could remember.

She was given the keys to the manor as well as to any other buildings she could possibly need access to. The home was old and had not been kept up as it needed to be by her late brother James. She was informed of a petition being circulated throughout the town to tear the old home down as well as all buildings on the property. This was part of the reason that she had arrived back in her home town. She had a short period of time to review all she had be given and decide what actions to take in regards to their futures.

As she pulled her car up to the dreary home it loomed over her like her childhood, dark and uninviting.