A Drink For The Departed

In 1823 Alexander Hodge was one of 297 settlers who bought land from Stephen F. Austin in what today is Texas. His plantation was sited along a bend in the Brazos River; today the area is still known as Hodge’s Bend. This old plantation cemetery had its last burial some 80 years ago. As a teenager Alexander fought in the Revolutionary War, and this gravestone was placed by the D.A.R. sometime in the late 20th century.

During one of my visits to this old place, I saw the two beer bottles neatly tucked in at the base of the stone. Without much effort, I could imagine a balmy spring evening with two fellows, already in their cups, deciding they really should lift “just one more” to honor Old Hodge.

Little Harold Sanders

Black And White Photography, Don, Photography

“Good bye Mama! Good bye Papa!

Jesus is calling and I must go.

Come to me as soon as you can

For we do love each other so.”

– inscription on base of statue

It was a very hot (100+º F) day, and I was driving around with the air conditioning blasting, looking for some photo possibilities. I came upon a cemetery I had not visited before and drove in. It was rather desultory and not very interesting. But on my way to the gate, I came upon young Sanders. I lowered the passenger window and grabbed this image without even leaving my air-conditioned car (lazy, but comfortable).