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| St. Augustine FL 2011 |
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| embroidered raven-themed apron |
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| The Raven filled with stitched verses Edgar Allen Poe (January, 19, 1809 - October 7, 1849) was an American writer and poet best known for his tales of mystery and macabre. Poe is buried in Baltimore, Maryland, a town I visit often. The circumstances and cause of his death remain uncertain. The bar in which legend says Poe was last seen drinking before his death still stands in the Fells Point area of Baltimore. Now known as The Horse You Came In On Saloon, local lore insists that a ghost they call "Edgar" haunts the rooms above.  Adding to the mystery surrounding Poe's death, an unknown visitor affectionately referred to as the Poe Toaster, paid homage to Poe's grave annually beginning in 1949. As the tradition carried on for more than sixty years, it's likely that the Poe Toaster was actually several individuals, though the tribute was always the same. Every January 19, in the early hours of the morning, the person made a toast of cognac to Poe's original grave marker and left three roses. Members of the Edgar Allan Poe Society in Baltimore helped to protect this tradition for decades. For the first year since 1949, the Poe Toaster did not appear on January 19, 2010, leading to speculation that the Toaster himself may have passed on. Wonder if he will return on January 19, 2011?  Or, as The Raven said..."Nevermore"...   |
