Parting the Mists

When preparing to start this blog, I decided to stay abreast on the latest and greatest content about all things Avalonian. So, I decided to use Google Alert to give me a hand.

For those of you unfamiliar with Google Alert, it is a tool by Google that delivers to your inbox an e-mail each day showing you links to anything posted online using a search term that you specified. Of course, creating a Google Alert for Avalon was one of the first things I did.

Smart and resourceful, right?

Yeah, no. The rest of the world uses the name Avalon in a rather lax fashion. I had expected to get at least some information about the mythic isle, though perhaps through reviews of modern fiction, but I was disappointed. Almost nothing about that. Nada

But I was sometimes intrigued by what did pop up.

I was reminded of a visage from childhood Sonic commercials – the visage known as Frankie Avalon. Of course, the Toyota Avalon was a frequent visitor to my daily e-mail, especially with the talk of last year’s acceleration problems. There was even a police report of a woman last seen in her gold Avalon.

Another frequent visitor is Avalon Waterways, which provides river cruises in the UK. That last one totally makes sense – a boat and water, right? And there is an Avalon stage at the Glastonbury Festival. That’s another one that makes sense even if it doesn’t help me out. Also on the musical front is Godsmack frontman Sully Erna’s acoustic solo album, Avalon. Side note: If you like Erna’s voice, but not necessarily the hard edge of Godsmack, you might enjoy this album. And it has some nice percussion and rhythm, which is always a plus for me.

Now switch gears.

Did you know that Avalon can show you how to make a glass jellyfish? Avalon Glassworks, that is. Really, they are more beautiful than they sound! Check them out: www.avalonglassworks.com/glassjellyfishdemo.aspx.

Then there are the services. Again, since the role of Avalon is essentially spiritual and healing service, this one makes sense to me. In nearby Joplin, Missouri, there was an Avalon Hospice (one of several retirement and hospice services). And I learned that Avalon: A Center for Women and Children was “grappling” with budget issues after funding cuts in York.

But by far the most prolific use of the name Avalon is in place names. Town after town in English-speaking areas cropped up over and over.

One of the more interesting places was a Canadian heritage site, Colony of Avalon, located in – get this – Ferryland. Seriously, I can’t make this stuff up!

Their gift shop has some fascinating items such as reproductions and replicas, including Bellarmine bottles that were commonly used for witch bottles in folk magic. The colony has several interesting features including kitchen, herb, and gentleman’s gardens; an ongoing archeological dig; a visitor’s center; aconservation lab; and more. Take a gander: www.heritage.nf.ca/avalon/default.html.

Not a town but an apartment complex named Avalon Bay was given the OK to reduce the number of parking spaces at its complex. Gee, I thought there was just one barge anyway . . .

And I read about a fundraiser held at the Avalon Golf Club. Really? Golf club? Unless they have a watery tart distributing titanium golf clubs to those who get hole in one, I feel this is pushing the use of the name a wee bit. (Oh, don’t be so serious – I realize it’s probably the golf club in a town named Avalon.)

Now for the last and best one: Avalon Correctional Facility. Now we know the truth about why King Arthur was taken to a secluded island!

OK, I’ve had my fun. Here’s hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend, and next Tuesday will feature a more serious post, I promise.

Bright blessings,

Thistle

© 2011 PJ Graham