Sunday, February 06, 2005

ANOTHER ROADSIDE MEMORIAL ON HWY. 75, NORTH OF I-44 Note: In recent years, I have observed numerous manifestations of a new folk custom on the highways and byways of Oklahoma.  Little shrines memorializing people killed in a roadway accident are put up, presumably by the loved ones of the deceased, at or near the spot where the fatal accident occurred, sometimes on the very telephone pole or bridge abutment that brought someone’s life up short.  I see these memento mori quite frequently along the roadside.  I don’t know whether or not this meme is regional or more widespread.  These memorials are a bit creepy; also touching.  It seems a strange thing to do, to construct one of these things--most of them look pretty tacky as one zooms by at 60 or 70 mph--but people do strange things when they’re grieving.   THE VIRGIN BY THE ROADSIDE   THE PINK LADY Senor Torres' spirit is under the protection of the Little Mother, Tonatzin, more commonly known as La Virgen de Guadulupe. If I read the hand carved inscription aright, he did not live to see his 25th birthday. The plaster plaque quotes Ecclesiates 3:1: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. The pack of Marlboros on top of the ceramic cowboy boot is an offering, I think, not windblown trash. The deceased was evidently and without irony whatever a Marlboro man.  CLICK HERE , HERE, HERE, AND HERE TO SEE OTHER MEMORIALS 1:43:35 PM    comment []