June 28, 2004
The Memorial Bench
Have a little thought, take a little picture and the world wide web will provide pages of extraneous information to garnish your idea. The subject of the memorial bench is no exception. There are solicitations from sites that want benches, plans for bench installations, rules for donating benches to various institutions, benches documented photographically by city , and of course there are the manufacturers of these items and their plaques . Who knew?
Above you will find a nifty little memorial bench, as these things go. It's located, as you can see, under a cut in the side of a mountain, overlooking the lake at Mohonk. You must take care to watch your noggin when standing up. The bronze plaque on the rail says "For C.L., she still sings". A look-alike bench, in the garden, reads "...and if God chose, I shall but love thee better after death" Your Sweetheart. Very romantic, for Quakers.
This is the Arthur Jones bench of icy puddle fame. It is contoured to provide comfortable seating. If it weren't polished granite, it might just do the trick. A highly recommended perch for a hot day.
It's fraternal twin, the Peter Gay bench is several hundred yards down the bluff. The Peter Gay bench has "Take time to sit by the sea" carved in stone across the back. The date of his death is 9/11/01. Last fall I took a photo of the Peter Gay with sunflowers and an American flag.
Photo note: What can I say, just like the Swiss Family Robinson , if it crosses my path I shoot it. If another one comes along, I try to tame it.