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Ok, first of all I would like to meet people who will write me! If you just want another number on your friend list, DON'T add me. If you want to add me, at least drop me a message. DON'T JUST ADD ME BECAUSE YOUR LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PRETTY PROFILE PICTURE, LOL. (Add me because you like to chat) I AM A VERY CHATTY PERSON. IF THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO YOU, WELCOME ABOARD FRIEND. Open minded, interesting individuals that are intellectual and passionate about life. Anyone who also feels like they don't belong here. people who are like-minded. People who don't litter. People that care what happens in the world. Fellow Cemetery Sleuths: This Is A Must Have Book. A Book About Cemetery Symbolism Book Review: Stories in Stone - A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography by Douglas Keister Like many genealogists, I enjoy spending a lazy afternoon wandering through a cemetery, taking pictures or just looking around. I like the sense of meditative calm that you only get in cemeteries. And each grave marker has an interesting story carved in granite or marble or some other stone. Sometimes I come across a mysterious symbol engraved in a headstone or decorating a grave. These symbols almost seem like clues to add to the minimal information usually found on most gravestones. Two years ago author and photographer Douglas Keister published a book that discusses the meaning behind many of these cemetery symbols. He called it Stories in Stone. The book is illustrated with numerous photographs and includes an alphabetical listing of acronyms and abbreviations of societies, clubs and organizations. A chapter on mortality symbols discusses everything from the skull and crossbones to the grim reaper. There are chapters on symbols of flora (plants), fauna (animals), and religions (Christian, Hebrew, Chinese and Japanese), including descriptions of different kinds of crosses. Angels, who seem to gather in cemeteries everywhere, get their own section called "Heavenly Messengers." I was especially impressed with the chapter devoted to secret societies and organizations such as the Masons/Freemasons, Woodmen of the World, Knights Templar, Knights of Columbus, Odd Fellows, Grand Army of the Republic, Shriners, and others. Each of these is illustrated with an example photograph. The book is not only useful for helping to decipher some of the symbolism found in cemeteries, it's also just fun to look through. Recommended for genealogy sleuths and cemetery lovers. Stories in Stone can be ordered online from Amazon. Or you might try your local library.
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