Highgate

Monday

The view out my window

So the plaster and sheetrock are slowly letting go of the walls, and mold is reclaiming the bathroom, even with the storm windows down, there's still a noticable draft -
But we do have this view. The Masonic Temple, and Unitarian Church.

My father, a 3rd generation hardware / feed store owner, and general average joe - told me a few weeks ago, that he was now officially a Freemason - after a pause, he smiled and said "you wouldn't believe the things they have you do, but i guess i can't tell you." This guy owns 2 pair of blue jeans, and four button up plaids, he's got a carhart jacket and goes nowhere w/out his leatherman. "like what?!" ... He can't tell me... he did tell me he had to memorize a bunch of stuff, and he's got a robe now... and they use secret coded books. I asked him if he knew much about the purported history of the Freemasons, Adam Weishaupt, From Hell, and all that - he gave me a wry smile, that was supposed to be knowing and clandestine, but was more like a little boy w/ a special little secret...

19 comments:

jay said...

Your dad is a Freemason? Cool!

Those pictures are gorgeous. I can't help but feed my ego & think that maybe my solah videos may have had some influence... :)

the le duo said...

the freemasons have been eyeing your father for an assassin position for years..

Miss Molly Manglewood said...

If your dad continues to be a Freemason in good standing, that means YOU can join one day, Tanner!

The Masonic temple has windows doesn't it? Does anyone want to have a 'creeping around trespassing with listening devices' party with me? Casey?

Anonymous said...

My great-grandfather on my Mom's side was a 33rd degree Freemason. I have the documents under glass to prove it.

I really don't think he was part of a secret cabal bent on world domination, however.

Here's what the Masons themselves say about the *top* degree:

"Let's step back just a bit to explain how this '33rd' stuff came into play in the fantasies of anti-Masons.

There are three (Count 'em: 3) degrees of Masonry:

Entered Apprentice

Fellowcraft

Master Mason

When one becomes a Master Mason he has received the highest degree in Masonry.

This fact totally confounds those outside of Freemasonry who believe that when they see a higher numbered degree, it must mean that a person is somehow 'superior' in rank.

That is simply NOT TRUE!

In fact, there's NO RANKING in the number system whatsoever - except that in order to become a 2nd Degree Mason, you must first be a 1st Degree Mason - etc. However, a person who has received the 12th Degree of the Scottish Rite degree system is not particularly 'higher' in rank or stature: they've just received MORE DEGREES. If one becomes a Mark Master Mason (in the York Rite system, they've received an additional degree.... big deal!)

Of course, those who love conspiracies will argue that those non-33rds simply don't know what's going on."

Neat, huh?

emily said...

whats the big deal about laying some freakin bricks at no charge?!?

badum ching
(or rerr rerr, rather.)

Tanner M. said...

Hyuk, hyuk!

an interesting note on that Casey - a freemason's son is called a "Lewis" and can be initiated into the Masons earlier and with less difficulty...

[grabs ankles] "Thank you sir may i have another!"

Tanner M. said...

almost ever day i look up at that temple and wonder just what is going on up in those upper tower room windows... i wanna get in there, so badly. I'm thinking the Junior Urban Cartographers need to reconvene and consider this our next adventure!

Miss Molly Manglewood said...

BUT BUT BUT... can I come? I have a stethoscope and a black ski mask.

jay said...

NO GIRLS ALLOWED! :)

I'm up for a Hardy Boys-esque adventure!

Miss Molly Manglewood said...

Okay. I'll just make you some nice sammiches to take with you. You boys button up those coats now, hear? And don't forget your fiber optic cameras.

http://www.spyworld.com/

jay said...

You know about fiber optic spy cameras? OK, you're in!

jay said...

Elk's Club, y'all...

Anonymous said...

That settles it: Tanner's new nickname is "Lewis."

Who's with me?

Miss Molly Manglewood said...

Oddfellows. Has anyone been inside the Oddfellows hall in Burlington? It's pretty incredible. I'll have to do a blog entry with my pictures of all the crazy prints on the walls.

Tanner M. said...

Hmmm... Lewis, well - i've had worse nicknames, Lewis reminds me of Lewis Barnavelt, one of my favorite Bellairs characters....

Molly; i have some ties w/ the oddfellows as well; my great grandfather founded the odd fellows hall up in Highgate, and i believe many of my family members past have been old fellows... i'd be intersted in seeing those photos.

a long time ago i snuck into the attic of the odd fellows hall in highgate to poke around, i found this old roll top desk that was open and as i went to poke around the letters the top rolled shut. No joke. or maybe i was 10 years old and made it up... i do know for sure that i kissed my first girl in the bushes behind the odd fellows hall...

Miss Molly Manglewood said...

I will post those when I get home. Unless I forget. Or I'm too lazy. Or I'm intercepted by Oddfellow information suppression agents.

Tanner M. said...

To LATE! They're here in the building, get to the safe house!!!
[Struggling]
must... post.... comment.... and... add...ellipses... for... dramatic... effect...

jds said...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6970118991645626502&q=Freemasons

Anonymous said...

freemasonry is a peculiar system of mortality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols,yes a masons son is a lewis and the info on the 33 degrees is accurate but if you really want to find out the true hidden secrets you need to become a knights templar in england which for all of you will probrably never happen so just keep fantasising about spy missions on some insignificant freemason meet.