| Old Headstones and Tombs |
Some people may think this site is morbid, odd or
strangely perverse. A few will question my sanity.
Yet it sometimes surprises me to find what families
want us to think about their loved ones.
We often walk our Irish setter Fergus in a beautiful
cemetery (Tulocay) near our home. Its park-like
setting suits our ways; the grass is easy on his paws,
he can chase squirrels and an occasional mule tail
deer, and there's water available for his thirst. I
avoided reading headstones for months. It wasn't
out of fear or distaste. Lord knows I saw enough
mayhem and death during my career as an
anesthesiologist. It was because I concentrated on
Nature--the trees and sky, smelling fresh sod and
mulch, and enjoying the many well tended roses.
Then I realized I was missing something--the
emotions behind what was on those stones. So I
started to take notice. Then I brought my camera to
photograph the humorous, peculiar, beautiful or
odd markers. I started in Napa, my town, and have
expanded as we visit other cemeteries. If you have
something to add, please send me a message so I can
see it.
It's sobering to realize that someone's entire
life--their hopes and disappointments, success and
failures--is summarized on a flat chunk of cold
stone inscribed only with their name and perhaps a
few dates.
strangely perverse. A few will question my sanity.
Yet it sometimes surprises me to find what families
want us to think about their loved ones.
We often walk our Irish setter Fergus in a beautiful
cemetery (Tulocay) near our home. Its park-like
setting suits our ways; the grass is easy on his paws,
he can chase squirrels and an occasional mule tail
deer, and there's water available for his thirst. I
avoided reading headstones for months. It wasn't
out of fear or distaste. Lord knows I saw enough
mayhem and death during my career as an
anesthesiologist. It was because I concentrated on
Nature--the trees and sky, smelling fresh sod and
mulch, and enjoying the many well tended roses.
Then I realized I was missing something--the
emotions behind what was on those stones. So I
started to take notice. Then I brought my camera to
photograph the humorous, peculiar, beautiful or
odd markers. I started in Napa, my town, and have
expanded as we visit other cemeteries. If you have
something to add, please send me a message so I can
see it.
It's sobering to realize that someone's entire
life--their hopes and disappointments, success and
failures--is summarized on a flat chunk of cold
stone inscribed only with their name and perhaps a
few dates.
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| Here's an example of something interesting. This is a "shaking hands" design. Hands like these are seen on headstones made from the mid-1800's until the early 1900's. Learn more about hand designs on grave markers by going to my page. |
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(c) 2007, 2008 All rights reserved.
Last modified:
May 6, 2008
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