Wednesday, September 17, 2008

I Is For Ilium

Pelvis Isn’t Dead, He’s Just Stuck In Traffic

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


I must have been paying close attention during Year Nine biology classes when I was at St Joseph’s College, North Point, in the Himalayan town of Darjeeling - because I remember that the "ilium" is the large broad bone forming the upper part of each half of the pelvis.

Just before I flew out of Whitehorse, on my return to Melbourne, Margaret Goodwin of Yukon Tourism told me she knew of an unusual sight that I would definitely like to photograph. But, no, she wouldn’t reveal what it was.


She just said I would know what it was as soon as we saw it. And she was absolutely right. As soon as I saw this skeleton, artfully arranged in the driver’s seat of a rusty old car, I had to jump out with both my cameras.

It was the little details that really made me smile - the artificial flower, and the carefully arranged necklace. It seems the property (and the car) belong to a local stonemason, and I couldn’t help but make a suggestion for him.


If he ever put a tombstone beside the car, he could engrave the words "Rust in peace". I’m not sure if the owner has ever needed security to patrol his premises - but if the need should ever arise, he can rely on his skeleton staff instead.

And if you want to drive a vintage car across the Yukon, here’s a valuable lesson. Use a map or GPS, because as you can see by this photograph, it’s a lot better than, er, dead reckoning.


For the home of ABC Wednesday, go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place.

41 comments:

Jo Beaufoix said...

Blimey, what a sight. Rust in piece would be the perfect advert for his masonry skills. Fabulous as usual David.

San said...

Rust in peace. Rust in beauty.

David, that reminds me a bit of the car from which we retrieved our infamous dilapidated door of opportunity.

And speaking of ilia and phalanges and tarsals and metatarsals and fibiae and tibulae, my biology teacher drummed the name of every bone of the body into my thick cranium.

Kim from Hiraeth said...

What an 'I'gnominious rusting place for his ilia! : )

Louise said...

This one is amusing. I AM smiling, and not rolling my eyes. The pictures are hilarious.

Unknown said...

Wonderful shots and post for the letter.

Jane said...

Hilarious pictures!

Rune Eide said...

Reminds me of my studies in anatomy. We had craniums from India. Bought cheaply I was told. Nowadays it is for some reason plastic...

Cath said...

I am suffering from excessive *groan*ing. I really do feel sorry for your kids!

This is a very unusual sight! And well remembered - ilium. Little known bone.

Great shots. And puns. Yes I have to admit, and puns.

Saz said...

ah ha huh..l'm all shook up...LOL

Leslie: said...

I can't possibly top "rust in peace." What a sight/site to behold, I'm sure!

Maggie May said...

Where do you find these pictures? It is quite amazing the stuff you come across. Its not the type of thing you would see in a life time & yet YOU find it!
Brilliant pictures!

Unknown said...

I don't what I enjoyed more, your photos or commentary. Either way they both gave me a chuckle here tonight.

Buddhist in Training said...

Thank you David, a brilliant post!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, that creeped me out! I am not scared of skeletons per se, but if I am walking or driving and see that skeleton inside a rusted car (with a flower), that might cause me a shriek. =)

My "I" picture is posted here. Happy Wednesday!

holly said...

you see, this is a typical example of what happens as the result of you male types not stopping to ask for directions.

Lee said...

What fun! I'm guessing the owner is both ready for Halloween and giving a careful warning about the dangers of careless driving.

Yes, the decorations on the skeleton are very special! Someone had a lot of fun with that, besides you! :)

Cheers!

Sandi McBride said...

And on my return to Blogland, why am I not surprised to find a Skeleton Crew on board the SS Authorblog? I've missed you!
Sandi

Jane Hards Photography said...

By his age I think he should retake his driving test. Fun and inventive as always.

Pat - Arkansas said...

"Rust in peace?" "Skeleton staff?" "Dead reckoning?" You've outdone yourself, David! Loved it!

Columbo said...

I love the photos, what a great I posting for ABC Wednesday.

Woman in a Window said...

Is that skeleton giving the thumbs up?

Kat said...

Ha! Those shots really made me smile.

Lori said...

Great shots..lol..Happy WW.

The Mulligan Family said...

Fantastically creative! Love that shot... What a find.

Unknown said...

LOL this could have been me if I had stayed in London!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Hee hee...what a hoot!

Tash said...

A memorable "I" post for sure - "rust in peace" will be remembered by bloggers around the world for a long time.

Ryanne said...

how many more puns could you come up with for this one. She was right about an unusual sight. I would have been jumping out of the car camera in hand too. I only iwsh i could have seen it in person. But to pictures are great, and your story is so funny! Thanks for sharing!

Shrinky said...

This is vintage you, David, I love it.

Annie said...

Well, David, I am glad you have solved the problem for us once and for all, of where did Elvis really get to!

Annie

Bear Naked said...

Great photos and perfect commentary for ABC Wednesday.

Bear((( )))

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: What a special post and I would have stopped for some photos.

aims said...

Don't you just love some people's humour? Yours included David!

Baino said...

Gold! I have to think 'only in America'! Not that we lack our quota of rusty jalopies in Australia but I've never heard of one containing a skeleton!

BRUNO said...

Betcha' didn't think I'd find this one, huh?

Hmm---gives me an idea for the upcoming "official" halloween holiday!

My cousin's a coroner, so he should have a few bones I could borrow, as long as I put 'em back in the right place again...!

i beati said...

You always surprise me as the picture builds hahahaha great stuff sandy

Suzanne said...

Really nice and creative. Thanks for a little humor in my day.

becky aka theRAV said...

I loved this post, David!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Excellent!

Hilary said...

Hilarious! Great images.. no bones about it. ;)

Lynette said...

Thank goodness she didn't let you leave town without seeing this outrageously creative sight! Wow!