Sunday, November 22, 2009

Totally Engrossing!


The City Concealed: Tombs & Catacombs of Green-Wood Cemetery from Thirteen.org on Vimeo.


And, I've a friend who lives in NYC- I've got to convince her to go to this cemetery for me for Tombstone Tuesday!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Coyote and My First Tombstone Tuesday


Do you ever have this sense of forboding? I knew I wanted to do Tombstone Tuesday today but felt uncomfortable to go, with all the bravado I usually try to exhibit, to the cemetery by myself.


I know, I'll just take Emerson! This is my Boxer who actually has no idea he might be a dog.


However, it didn't even feel right to take him either, so I devised another plan.


I told Tony I needed to go to the pharmacy: True.
To pick up two items: True.
And then just pop by the cemetery on the way: True.


This is what I saw when I arrived at Old Hall Cemtery.


I feel ashamed of myself because I actually said, "Score!" only because I think it's very interesting how they install a vault and a casket in the ground.
However, seeing the name on the vault, Helen Boston- made me feel sad for her...


and her waiting family...


and the last vestige of flowers she would ever receive...

and the stark reality of this truck's somber job...


This was made even more real today as my General Manager just lost him Mom last night. That woman could be Michael's mother. But no, it was Helen Boston, born in 1919.



As I went through the cemetery and saw a man I had never seen before...

and imagined he would have made a wonderful friend or a kind uncle-





But between Helen and "Dude", I began to distract myself with some signs of fall...




When, what do you think but Mr. Crafty Coyote appeared?!




My husband began loudly and repeatedly honking the horn over and over. In the cemetery!
"Are you crazy? What's wrong with you?" I demanded.
This coming from the same man who, when I say, yes, I'll be ready in 20 minutes and am certainly not, merely waits patiently for me and utters, ne'r a word.
"I was trying to warn you- to get you in the car!"
"Oh."
And that's why my two beautiful flowers growing defiantly out of this grave, are blurry!



Now, can you imagine if I had taken my Boxer instead? My Boxer who tries unmercifully to mix it up with everything on paws?
What a fine initiation into my first Tombstone Tuesday!



Sunday, November 1, 2009

Today is "The Day of the Dead"- I Did NOT Know That!




Day of the Dead - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Many people believe that during the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living. People go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed, and build private altars, containing the favorite foods and beverages, as well as photos and memorabilia, of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.[3]"


I'm wondering if I go to the cemetery today, will I find people, Mexican people, visiting graves of their loved ones?


Though I do not agree with "praying for the dead" and trying to speak to the departed- yet I do think it is very important to remember those who have died and to plan some sort of remembrance for them.


Arguably, the whole Association of Graveyard Rabbits do thus.