California: Day 1

 

I figured I should get this all out while it is still fresh in my mind instead of trying to rehash it all with a lot of "Ummm..." "And...ummm" "I don't remember but ummm..."

Per tradition, my first visit was paid to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It really is one of my absolute favorite places to be. Beautiful grounds, peaceful, accommodating staff, and the final resting place of some of my favorite people.

And so, per tradition, the first person I visited was Renee Adoree. Her crypt is very easy to find so it is a good place to start. I just recently watched The Big Parade, so her face and her performance is still in my head so it was very touching to be so close to her. Reading the death date on her marker just reminded me how sad it was she died so young.

I also finally found Wanda Hawley's niche after assuming another crypt was hers for years. Someone my common sense pistons don't fire, I tell ya what...

 

Something that makes me really smile is to see that other people have visited graves that I go to. People that have been long dead and whose movies may not even be available have flowers and pictures and coins on their graves. I absolutely love it. I noticed that a lot today which was awesome. Henry B. Walthall had a banner and flowers, Charlie Chaplin Jr. and Lita Grey had big lilies in the wall flower holders, Seena Owen had a really cool picture, Peter Lorre had roses...and of course, Barbara La Marr and Valentino had flowers and lipstick kisses (which I of course added to). What was new though was that someone put makeup on the graves of Florence Lawrence and Virginia Rappe. I think that is the cutest thing. Florence had a little statue on hers along with foundation and a blush brush (which I used to clean off her grave) and Virginia had a compact. Wonderful little mementos for these two ladies.

I managed to find everyone I came to find...on the grounds that is. I think they were setting up for a funeral or something in the chapel/columbarium because it was locked the whole time I was there. So, I did not get to see Viola Dana which I have YET to do after all these years. I am bound and determined to visit her so I am going to go back Sunday and see if I can get in then. Can't win 'em all, right?

I sat and had lunch by Douglas Fairbanks which was nice and something I have always wanted to do. Bad thing was the geese, swans, and ducks that roam around that area. Fun fact about me: I am terrified of birds. I kept my distance but they would pass in front of me just watching me and this was after I finished eating. About two hours later when I was visiting Toto's memorial, a female duck came over to me. I thought that was cute so I sat down and was being nice to it. She was then joined by two male ducks...then four Canadian geese and then two white geese. I walked down to the pond looking like Snow White!!! I was a little freaked out by the birds but I was cracking up too because I don't know what the hell they wanted!

Alright, I need to get to bed. Going to visit Buster tomorrow and I cannot wait. I love going and just sitting there with him.

Promise to post pics later!