Table

I went for a walk in the woods and came across this table. In the woods. A long, looooong way away from any houses. With a bag on it.

Yep.

I was actually in the woods behind the former Second State Hospital for the Insane, which has been razed and is now the site of a Wal-Mart. (I always joke that it has the same clientele, only with less interesting architecture.) I was looking for a purported cemetary on the grounds that has some historical info that I'm interested in.

I've always felt very strongly about the old hospital. For one, it was a ginormous building, and extremely creepy at that, with all its Gothic architecture and dark, stone walls. Old, creepy buildings make my inner goth happy. :) Also, I feel a connection to the patients. Being (1.) an opinionated woman who can't seem to smile and look pretty and not speak until I'm spoken to, and (2.) also suffering from moderate depression (see #1,) I probably would have been labeled "insane" in the days before anti-depressants and women's rights. It happened to a lot of women who were considered to be "difficult" by their families, and my husband would be glad to tell anyone who will listen that I am, indeed, a difficult one. I'm not sure if he would have had me locked up, but I'm really glad not to be living in an era when that sort of thing happened all the time.

I wanted to find the old State Hospital Cemetary, to read the dates and gather info because I'm a nerd like that. Unfortunately, it got too dark before I got far enough into the woods to find it, but I did come across a lot of strange things -- ruins of old houses and farm equipment, gates that go to nothing, furniture sitting out in the middle of the woods... It was an interesting hike, just finding these things and wondering what stories the trees could tell if they could talk. I probably don't want to know. Nah, who am I kidding? I love local history, no matter how creepy. I would love to know!

The old asylum both fascinates me and terrifies me at the same time. Someone should write a book about it. Someone who isn't me... but I would love to be a proofreader/test audience if anybody's interested. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller.... Bueller...

Robey Theater, Spencer, WV

I stopped by the Robey Theater last night to check out "Stardust," which was an awesome movie! It is sure to become a favorite in my home, once it comes out on DVD.

The Robey is the perfect theater to see this sort of movie in. It's the oldest continuously-operating theater in the United States and has been operating since 1901! It's a gorgeous theater, with most of the original decor throughout the building. My father-in-law used to own and operate it from the late 80s- until just a couple years ago, and he showed me the old stalls that vaudeville performers used for changing rooms beneath the stage. (Many of them autographed the walls down there!)

The new owners have made some upgrades -- new seats, commercials for local businesses before the show, and the also had the neon sign fixed. The sign hasn't lit up for years, and now it looks simply gorgeous! I am happy with the changes, but glad that they're keeping with some of the old traditions, too. They even show some of the old movie trailers and commercials from time to time.

Livestock Market, Spencer, WV

Charles Fork Lake, Spencer WV

Creepy Cemetary With Cotton Candy Clouds

Sunrise, Sunset...

I caught this gorgeous sunset over Spencer, WV Friday on the way home from work. This is the same vantage point that I caught another gorgeous sunset (here.) The sky has been doing some interesting things this week!!! Of course, most of the time, I don't have my camera. When am I going to learn? Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor.

A Buffy moment

Happy Halloween!

October Sky

Taken on "Cemetary Hill," Spencer WV. I live in a little cul-de-sac just behind these trees. (You can see the power lines if you look closely.)

Black Walnut Festival, Spencer WV