Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

VEEP

Posted on August 28, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

America’s first vice president, John Adams said this about the job, “My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.” Not exactly high praise. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves | 1 Comment

Message in Glass

Posted on August 21, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

In this stained glass window in a mausoleum in the Westview Cemetery at Atlanta, Georgia, and angel holds two Christian symbols. The torch in her right hand represents life.  The torch is also seen as an instrument that illuminates the … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Symbolism | Leave a comment

IHS

Posted on August 16, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

STEPHEN ANDREW RYAN FEB. 11, 1858 JUNE 11, 1908 On the gentle slope of a hill in the Westview Cemetery at Atlanta, Georgia, is the monument built for 50-year old Stephen Andrew Ryan, a native of Atlanta. Ryan was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | 4 Comments

Three Boys

Posted on August 10, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

FRANCESCO 1914 – 1921 PIETRO P. 1915 – 1918 VINCENZO 1917 – 1917 SALERNO This monument was created for three boys born in 1914, 1915, and 1917 to the Salerno Family. None lived into adulthood. The sculptured likeness of 7-year old … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Graves | Leave a comment

War in Heaven

Posted on August 6, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

Archangel Michael is the only named Archangel that appears in all three sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Often referred to as St. Michael, Michael is actually an Archangel meaning that he is above all other angels in rank. … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels | Leave a comment

Ivan Adams, Stone Carver, Take Two

Posted on August 3, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

Michael Shea of Rochester, New York read the gravelyspeaking blogpost about Ivan Adams—the Bloomington stone carver who carved the simple and elegant depiction of the Virgin Mary to mark his own grave. Mr. Shea has shared photos of a statue, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Angel at the Door

Posted on July 30, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

WILLIAM TALBIRD CRENSHAW AUG. 2 1858 – MAY 4, 1911 NANNIE RUCKER CRENSHAW MARCH 23, 1861 – DEC. 1, 1940 She hath done what she could.   The Crenshaw Family Monument in the Westview Cemetery at Atlanta, Georgia, was built … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Symbolism | Leave a comment

Grass Marker Beauty

Posted on July 27, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

Sociologist W. Lloyd Warner was one of the first to study graveyard iconography and burial practices. In 1959 Warner wrote a monograph, The Living and the Dead, where he asserted, “cemeteries are collective representatives which reflect and express many of … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Lovebirds

Posted on July 26, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

  Marriage is tough. So tough that in the United States one in three marriages end in divorce. That, though, is nothing compared to how mating works in the animal kingdom. The female black widow spider, which is about half … Continue reading →

Posted in Saving Graces | Leave a comment

Cat Lover

Posted on July 23, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

In Loving Memory WHITFIELD Hal 1937-1984 Jean 1936-2008 The Hal and Jean Whitfield monument in the Lake View Cemetery at Seattle, Washington, has a whimsical look and message. Atop the gray polished granite shaft sits a sculpture of a round, … Continue reading →

Posted in Epitaphs | Leave a comment