Artwork: Reworking Old Images. Vol I.

Several years ago, I acquired this cast iron trivet/plaque. Despite the damage to the dove and the rough appearance I had fallen in love with this depiction of the heart in hand. It gave the appearance that the hand was giving the heart over, while still protecting it in its gentle embrace, like cradling a small bird. It is a simple yet powerful image. The bearer is both thoughtful and generous, careful yet ready to aid others. As Odd Fellows, we cannot just help anyone who comes to altar of aid.

Odd Fellowship in Popular Culture

In a way, Heart in Hand is a reflection of popular culture. Maybe it’s obvious. It should be. While making us more aware of our past it must even more importantly make us aware of our “now,” and our future. As your Conductor began working through material for this blog, he became interested in how […]

Just Tryna Join

Relieve the Damaged, Bury the Zombies, Visit the Illin’, Learn the Orphan. The fraternity of Odd Fellows dates from the 1730’s in England and over the years has spread worldwide. And perhaps now it’s needed just as much as ever, but maybe for different reasons. Odd Fellows are directed to “Relieve the Distressed, Bury the […]

One of the Things We’re Up To

One of the things we’re up to: Your Conductor has spent a lot of time perusing back issues of 19th century Odd Fellows publications. “The Ark,” and “The Odd Fellows Casket,” are two fine examples of 19th century Odd Fellows publications. However, reading them can be quite cumbersome for the modern reader. What your Conductor […]