James Dempster
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cocktaillion.bsky.social
James Dempster
@cocktaillion.bsky.social
180 followers 250 following 870 posts
Heraldist, delver into obscure, arcane & occult. Photos, bad art, worse poems. Even stranger than I think I am. Lefty. All views own/odd. He/him. 🩷💛🩵
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cocktaillion.bsky.social
Such a passive aggressive headline though. Though, at least the archaeologists aren't perplexed 🤣
November 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
Not a headline I expected to see, nor one that tempts me to read the story. No sick bucket nearby.
November 25, 2025 at 1:18 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
Silhouette of a fern but in an orangey red on a black background. It consists of two fronds in a reverse L shape.
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
There's a rather good block in Aberdeen of this style with very 1930s ornamentatation over two of the vehicular entrances.
November 21, 2025 at 9:15 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
Without downloading new pics, describe your gender.
November 13, 2025 at 10:50 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
If you see this, post an album cover with a motor vehicle on it.
November 8, 2025 at 10:40 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
A film you're seen more than 7 times with a gif
November 7, 2025 at 11:35 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
The Lounge Lizards just started playing. Jazz x No Wave does produce the most strung out looking band ever.
November 7, 2025 at 10:37 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
Excuse me, what's all this "I need to go to work" nonsense?
Close up of the face of a tabby and white cat.
November 6, 2025 at 7:09 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
Every day learning something new. This opposite the title page of an art book I bought myself for my birthday.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following text contains the names of people who have died. Care and discretion should be exercised using this book within Arnhem Land, Central Australia and the Kimberley.
November 1, 2025 at 2:47 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
That music's lost it's taste, won't you try another flavour.
October 31, 2025 at 9:09 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 31 - Memento Mori.
Close up of a panel from an outdoor grave slab of greenish-grey stone, with some moss covering parts and thatch from mowing. Within a rectangle with scalloped corners is carved - from top to bottom: A cherub's head and wings. A scroll, broadly resembling a draw-knife in shape, with the words Memento Mori, all between the initials I S in raised script lettering. Below and partly between the ends of the scroll three emblems of mortality. Left to right a coffin, an hourglass, and a handbell. Slightly lower and to the left and right of the first three emblems are, on the left an emblem that cannot be easily identified due to moss - possibly a trowel, and on the right a spade with handle at the top. At the bottom is a large skull in profile between two long-bones in a V shape, the long bones and descending parts of the scroll forming a loose frame round the elements of mortality.
October 31, 2025 at 5:27 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 30 - Colour.

Nothing like lichen to add colour.
Close up of the shoulder of a curve-topped gravestone. There is a decorative carving of a passionflower in bloom between foliage. Standing out vividly against the dull, dark-grey sandstone of the stone is a large area of bright yellow lichen beneath the flower, while other patches of the same lichen splash the carved flower and leaves.
October 30, 2025 at 6:12 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 6:57 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 29 - Occupation.

You don't see many Post Horse Masters.
A white marble slab set into a grey sandstone wall memorial in the style of a rather plain picture frame. The inscription is still very crisp but if there were any paint highlighting it, it has long gone, making the inscription difficult to read. In memory of Benjamin Bruce. Late Post Horse Master. Elgin. Who died 28th February 1860. In the 51st year of his age.
October 29, 2025 at 3:48 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
I always loved the fact that Poirot used pastiches of Lempicka as part of their set design. So very on point for the whole look of the series.
October 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 28 - Column.

The broken column is symbolic of a life cut short. In this case the tragedy of a life cut short and two never begun.

The husband, who had this erected 70 years ago, only died in 2023.
A mid-grey granite broken column, all polished except the broken top. It sits on a three part polished base, the top part of which has a carved inscription highlighted in gold. Erected by Arthur R. McKerron To the sacred memory of his wife Margaret Elsie Anderson Who died 24th July 1955 Aged 20 years Also their stillborn twin sons.
October 28, 2025 at 5:51 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 27 - Tree.

An interesting tree - once you spot it.
Very simple tombstone in grey-brown sandstone. A rounded top and shoulders and smooth edges between front face and sides. There is no plinth. In top centre, on a roundel that extends just above the height of the shoulders is a stylised tree carved in low relief, the left half of which is depicted as an oak, the right as holly. Beneath this, with name all in capitals. Joe Burnett-Stuart of Ardmeallie 1930-2010
October 27, 2025 at 5:44 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 26 - Figure.

Rev. George Meldrum of Crombie, (1616-1692). Laird of Crombie, Minister of Glass 1643-64 & 1690-92. Popularly called "Bishop Meldrum" which he would have hated as he was suspended from his parish for refusing to recognise Episcopacy.
A section of a much larger memorial. The main piece consisting of a rectangular frame for a (separate half figure bust). The frame has an hourglass top left, a coffin top right and bells in both bottom corners. Between these is an ornamental border carved to resemble cloth or possibly leather curled over in the middle of each side and ornamented by leaf-work akin to a sheaf but consisting of upward and downward pointing acanthus leaves bound in the middle with a single outward facing leaf. Top and bottom curls over are carved to form grotesque open-mouthed faces, the one at the bottom extending into the next panel below. Over the main "cloth" but passing under the curls is a belt made up of pierced discs on a thread. The two bells in the bottom corners are suspended from the "cloth" on cords. Within this border is a half-bust of Rev. Meldrum, carved in the round and in a deep alcove. He wears a close fitting cap that is long at the back and he has a long beard, squared off at the bottom with rounded corners, that makes his head look twice as high as it is wide. Over his shoulders is a cape with collar. He wears a high necked doublet with many buttons and prominent buttonholes, together with a ruffled collar. His hands are in front of his body and are holding something, possibly a dome-lidded casket.
October 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
This will probably get me Bluesky jail, but - the Jugum Pen*s. Engorgement led to connection with all those sharp teeth.
October 25, 2025 at 11:58 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
By ghostkidtradingcards on IG
October 25, 2025 at 11:38 PM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 25 - Graveside Ornament.

I see quite a number of butterflies. A fairy with toadstool is a little more unusual.
Modern black gravestone with laser-etched church window with cross and pot of flowers on the window sill. On the plinth, either side of a flower holder missing its lid are a white butterfly on the left and a kneeling fairy next to a large mushroom, the top of which could be used to hold a posy.
October 25, 2025 at 4:21 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 23 - Unique Animal.

You don't see many cute penguins, and this one has possibly been at the South Pole. Wordie was son of Sir James Wordie, Shackleton's Chief Scientific Officer. In 2025, some of Sir James' grandchildren got to the South Pole following Shackleton's route.
Simple pale grey granite gravestone - rectangular with a slight point to the top edge. A rough edge and plinth with polished central portion with inscription in black. In Loving memory of George Thompson Wordie Cairnborrow Lodge 12. 7. 1927 - 25. 5. 2013 On the plinth in the centre, where there is often a flower holder sits a rather cute Emperor Penguin chick with open beak as if smiling (material unknown).
October 24, 2025 at 4:45 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
Lynd Ward (1905–1985), illustration for “The White People” by Arthur Machen
October 23, 2025 at 7:49 AM
cocktaillion.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves 👻 No. 23 - Cross.
Black and white photo of a 19th century Celtic cross with simple interlace on the shaft and cross. There is no visible inscription. The much lichened cross is on the left of the photo and stands next to a low stone wall which extends to the right of frame where two gateposts with ball finials can be seen. They suggest that the graveyard sits above an unseen road or track set in a dip which curves leftwards as it heads away from the graveyard behind bushes. In the middle distance is unfenced rough pasture and beyond that moorland stretching to the horizon. The sky is bright but cloudy and the head of the cross is semi-silhouetted against it. There is a suggestion of misty haze at the edge of the pasture.
October 23, 2025 at 5:33 AM