long time since

Just like you don't need to run a blog to read blogs, you don't need to join TikTok to watch a Tiktok video. Last October I found this and honestly I don't remember how I stumbled onto it.

 

@ladytaphos

I've got to get a better tripod for these. 😂#f#oryou #c#emetery #g#rave #t#ombstone #l#adytaphos

♬ original sound - Alicia

I'll try to explain where I'm going with this.

Visiting a cemetery on vacation

Who visits cemeteries on vacation? My wife and I do. I lost count of the number of cemeteries we have visited. Now we don't plan our vacation around cemeteries but if we have time and one is nearby, we check it out. She is the one who got me interested. I find the history and types of memorials interesting.

Cemeteries served as public parks back when they became popular in cities. Picnics in the cemetery.

It has been a long time since I posted about cemetery visits. During my posting of more than a decade, I've produced less than 10 posts on this subject. My first post about this was back in 2007 (link if you are interested).

 

If you watched the above TikTok video, you can't help but noticing the lady is cleaning the tombstone. Doing an excellent job of it too, I would say. However cleaning tombstones is not an activity of interest to me.

I personally know two people who enjoy cleaning up tombstones. That's great for them. I just don't care to join in.

Also on the topic of cleaning which I admit no qualifications to discuss, I was surprise to discover people making money on youtube and other video sharing platform by letting followers watch them clean. I find that crazy. (a link to a cleaner influencer)

Ok I need to wash my hands now. In the meantime enjoy this song by Josh Ritter. I enjoy the lyrics.

 

 

I am feeling a little peculiar

I heard a suggestion once that I should go outside and scream really loud. I don’t want to worry the neighbors with my screams. I would be annoyed if they acted that way.

“Feeling peculiar”, is that a euphemism for being pissed off?

I’m not pissed off, well not at the moment.

I’m not in the best of mood either. So what. Ups and downs, good and bad times are always just around the corner of our long winding road.

I do think the holidays amplify both the ups and downs.

Speaking of ups, below is a pic of me getting up in the captain’s chair. Great view from that seat.

Let's go that way

I found this view in a cemetery in Charleston SC. I do enjoy cemeteries with plenty of history buried there. I like how the colors mixed with the dark in this picture.

nice window

Sometime during my adulthood I started to dislike the holiday activities more than I like them. I still enjoy the time but not at a high level that apparently some do.

And so I wake in the morning
And I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
What's going on?

think outside the blog

In a blog post long ago, I asked: Do you find cemeteries interesting and even enjoyable?

We have. There’s good art to be found in cemeteries.

I’m feeling fine and it’s not sickness that has me thinking of this final dirt nap. My don’t-be-cruel wife often reads the obits in the paper. I’ve posted about it before. Today, I noticed an ad in the obit section. You never see ads for vacations in the obit section and I think that would be great place for them since a reader might want to take that last chance trip. No, it was an ad for death related services. Specifically, for cremation services. I believe cremation has benefits. If you are fortunate you get old. Why would you want to keep that old body around?

Two things caught my eye in the ad (definition of a good ad?), one was the smiling, wife arm hugging, older couple. I swear I’ve seen that stock photo in a vacation/retirement ad. Really, would any couple be posing with big smiles while deciding on a cremation plan? I might get a little suspicious and ask, “why are you so happy right now?”

The second thing gave me a laugh (good ads generate laughs and revenue). The tag line for the company - “Think Outside The Box”. That’s brilliant and funny.

While looking back at my older related posts, I came across my post about funeral theme songs. “My Way” is a popular one. I actually like “Over The Rainbow” better. (future note for any family or friends - don’t try to be TOO funny. “Highway To Hell”, might not be funny to everyone gathered.)

I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
"No, oh no not me,
I did it my way".

need directions

Going nowhere? Then you don’t need directions. The world is too interesting not to know some geography. Also I know my future lies beyond the yellow brick road. I have the knack for getting from A to B (even B to A) but trying to communicate those details to a another traveler comes with difficulty.

Just pass the big clown on corner, you’ll come to an idiot in the middle with nonstop turn blinkers on. Ignore him. Check your gas gauge because you have about another 100 miles to go and you’ll be passing gas. I mean passing the last gas station. Oh don’t use the restroom there. It’s so bad you may never breathe right again.

Now remember that big oak you saw by the clown? Don’t worry, you do know oak from evergreen right? Three evergreens and an oak tree later you fork. I mean a split in the road. Stay right. Well if you miss it and go left don't worry. You will still get there if you have good shocks and no dentures. 

Now you got gas and the right fork. Correct? Ok, don’t worry about speeding until you blow by big curve warning sign. Slow down because the oncoming traffic likes to ride the center line. If you survive the big curve and you have not been pulled over by Officer Obie you’ll probably make it.  If you are arrested have Obie call me, I haven't talked him in awhile.

Eventually you reach a cemetery (most of us do) and if there’s no funeral going on, take a shortcut through the cemetery. The buried dead are laid out to the horizons but the place is easy to get through, just stay on the straight and narrow. It’s scenic and saves you about 10 miles. If you get the strange feeling your own funeral is going on, then why are you being buried in that cemetery? I didn’t think you were from around these parts.  Snap out it.

Assuming you made it out of the cemetery before dark. Did I mention they close the gates at dusk? Take a right at the road. There is almost always a deep rut on the corner so don’t cut corners there.

Just about a mile or two (maybe 3, my odometer been stuck since 60) you will come upon a big glowing neon pig. Great BBQ. But if you are coming for dinner don’t stop unless you are buying for everyone. If so, I’ll take the pulled pork with extra hot sauce. Be sure to grab plenty of napkins.

OK, just pass the BBQ place after the road drops quickly is a dirt road on the left. Don’t worry just go pass that one. Take the second dirt road on left.  If the road sign is not knocked over (most of the year it is down) you'll notice you are at the corner of Lightning and Thunder.  Thunder is not a bad road when it's dry. Often there are dead armadillos at the corner. Watch out for deer and flooding (if rained of course).

If you happen upon the mail carrier (pink pickup truck can’t miss it) going down that dirt road, you will not be able to pass him being that it’s a one lane road that drops off to a raging river on one side. If he is coming toward you, then he will expect you to backup since he is on official business. No one else uses the road except the teenage drinkers/stoners late at night. So get there before dark but not during mail delivery time.

You will find us at the end of the road assuming you don’t get stuck in the mud.  No doorbell to ring.  We will hear the junkyard dog up the road barking before you reach our property.  Wait for me to come out.  I would not want you getting accidentally shot.  I’ll leave the light on until midnight after that go get a room somewhere and call me in the morning after 10.

friday fragment fry

Fresh fried fragments here. Would you like fragments with your blog order?

Walk right in, sit right down, daddy let your fragments roll on.
Everybody's posting about new way of fragging. Click over the Mrs. 4444’s blog to find even more fragmented bloggers.

old white rocker

I took an online survey sponsored by a company I have an account with. I don’t mind the occasional survey if they ask by email. Don’t call me. If I accidentally answer I’ll just hang up on surveys. This request by email offered a chance to win a $50 online shopping prize. That would be nice but I would rather them (I don’t think there are any laws against it) to just forget the contest and give out $5. I know the easy math says after 11 participants they will be losing money. There is the cost of running the contest that would not need to be run. Which would one you be likely to spend your time on - $50 contest or upfront $5? (oh if you answer my one question survey, all you’ll get is a thank you)

I don’t want to win this!

This is the second time I’ve received junk mail from the Neptune Society offering me a chance to win a pre-paid cremation. I have nothing against cremation. It has advantages. However I don’t want to “win” something I can’t use until I’m dead. It just wouldn’t feel like winning to me.

They announced last month’s winner as Clyde Heartfield. I’m wondering if he is burnt toast yet.

too late for your urning

Do you think Willie Nelson could make a comeback if he made a slight change to his lyrics: 

On the smartphone again. 
Just can’t wait to get on the smartphone again.

I went to the cemetery yesterday to lay some flowers on a grave. As I was standing there I noticed 4 grave diggers walking around with a coffin, hours later and they're still walking around with it. I thought to myself, they've lost the plot!! 
(that was pun sent by a friend.  I have friends in pun places.)

Having siblings is a blessing.  I'm lucky enough to have a brother and sisters.  This youtube clip came up in my search of oldies.  I didn't use it at the time but noticed it again in my youtube history.  Maybe because I have a brother it brings a smile each time I watch it.  Enjoy the crazy fun of lip syncing brothers.

it’s gonna be a long long time

I think. A long long time until I’ll be missing the earth.

I’m feeling fine. However, she-who-knows and I recently have been discussing obituaries or obits as many say. (really? obituary is too long of a word?)

My don’t-be-cruel wife has a newspaper routine of browsing through the obituaries. She found a well written funny one a few weeks ago. Didn’t know the fellow but he had a great obit. I mentioned that obituary in this recent post.

Now a month or so goes by (I feel as I slept through most of it) and don’t-be-cruel wife finds this poorly written (full of redundancies) lengthy one. Estimating from the prices we looked up for the Chicago Tribune this obituary ran way over $1000. That’s a lot beer money (or whatever your vice expense is) going to waste.

Just a side note - is there a market for obituary writer?

Take Note - the following is a Lisleman prediction -

Newspaper obituaries will be overcome and buried by online-only notices.

It’s happening already with FB. The newspapers have Legacy.com. However, best I can tell you need to submit the obituary to a member newspaper before it will show up on Legacy.com. I can see that changing. Other than the slight problem of few people still reading newspapers, the lead time for disseminating the news and information on the funeral arrangements are just too slow. Also the newspaper published obituaries are expensive. Many papers charge over $200 for just a short 3 lines small print one. Save the $200+ and buy more food for the after funeral reception. Don’t know about you but after strolling around a cemetery I get hungry.

I expect most everyone wants to think there will something left in remembrance of their lives. (bloggers can imagine their posts being re-read by future generations) It’s not like you can just leave a voicemail or tweet the news to the family.

Although I try to lighten it up the topic of death a little (you have heard jokes about death right?), it of course is a very sad and serious event. I had a cousin who died over a year ago (much too young) and her FB wall is still active. Friends and family still post messages on her wall. I don’t know if she gave the password to someone before she passed on or not. FB does have an online form for your next of kin to fill out.

Do you know being alive is not necessary to open a FB page? Roy Orbison, died 1988, has a FB page. He died before the big WWW web existed!

Forms to fill - I hope Paul Simon was wrong in his song “Afterlife”. A surprisingly upbeat tune given the subject matter.

You got to fill out a form first, then you wait in the line.

As Pablo Cruise once sang, “What’cha gonna do when she is gone?”

Seriously nobody gets out alive

Death - do we discuss it much?

Depends on the situation.

Discussing living is usually more enjoyable, but death comes around and reminds us it’s still there.  If I think about what I just wrote, I conclude that I’m just stating the obvious.  I feel obliged to ease into this subject, but death itself is not so obliged to come on a slow easy track.

Lighten up - I’m OK and so is my family.  A close friend of my mother-in-laws recently passed away and maybe that brought up the subject in my mind.

But today, I found another death related story that shows the wrong thinking about death IMHO.

Catholic Church bans footy theme songs at funerals

(footy theme songs - unless you’re an Aussie you probably need a translation - football/soccer team songs)

This headline and story comes from Perth Australia.  Now it makes no difference to me since neither I nor my family plan any funerals over there.  But if this dumb restriction spreads through the church it may ruin my plans for my funeral theme song.  What doesn’t everyone have a funeral theme song?

C’mon, where’s the “fun” in “funeral” if you don’t have a little music?

Actually my funeral theme song is not related to any sports.  I just like the song and think the lyrics are very appropriate.  It’s “Spirit in the Sky “ by Norman Greenbaum.  If you don’t recall it (or you’re too young) I’ve included a youtube clip below.

What song would like to be played at your funeral?

The Aussie story list the top requested songs.  I’ll just list a few notable ones.

• My Way, Frank Sinatra
• Unforgettable, Nat King Cole
• Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland
• Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin
• Another One Bites the Dust, Queen
• Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, The Wizard of Oz

(the last one just cracks me up)

Don’t you think your funeral should be a celebration of your life.  I enjoy music so celebrate with some music.  I enjoy jokes but bringing in a stand-up comedian might be too expensive.  But hey, if you can get a good one to stop by for free - go for it.

I love humor which is why "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" is a favorite radio show (yes I listen to a radio show).  It was that show that alerted me to the funeral music story and the following story.  

Barbarba Sue Manire is a great example of offering humor even after you have expired.

That parking meter flag is up on her tombstone and it reads EXPIRED.  Her family honored her wish of having an expired parking meter on her grave.  I do believe "her humor lives on".  Here's a bit about her story (also a few more pics of it).

do not want to dwell on it

Picture © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons

The above picture reminds me of one my wife took of me (see below).  The guy above was the Italian  philosopher, Bruno.  He was burned at the stake.  I wonder if I could hold to my convictions enough to suffer death for them.

I want to move on from my last bottom dwelling post.  I don't want to dwell on it, but I do dwell on universal questions at times.  Wouldn't it be cool to get paid as a philosopher.  I'd set up shop at a bar.  Nothing like a little drink to get the thoughts pouring out on to the floor.

I have always wondered about the world.  I thought everyone did.

I was not medicated as a child, but I ate some dog food once.  Well actually it was a dog treat.  You know those milk-bone treats?

I was curious why our dog liked them and was even willing to do tricks for them.  I still don't know why our dog ate them.  They didn't taste like a treat to me.  I missed my chance to publish my philosophy of dog treats.

I just finished an interesting thought provoking article in Scientific American.  I will post about it soon but I want to dwell on it a little.  But I don't want to dwell on the bottom.

Oh that picture - here -

St. Patrick's day update and short whatevers

Earlier in the month I posted about upcoming St. Patrick's day.  Chicago already started celebrating this weekend since it falls on a Wednesday this year (just a minute I need to grab a beer - OK I'm back).

I don't remember when or why, but I signed up for a radio email newsletter (probably got a free song) and the other day it had news about upcoming St. Patrick's day.  What caught my attention was the term "Chi-rish"  (it included a hyphen) which apparently means Chicago Irish.  Like Boston and many large cities, Chicago has a large Irish community.  But I have never heard of Chi-rish.  I'm sure it comes from a marketing meeting at a beverage company.  If any true Chicagoans (especially southside Irish) know of this term, please leave a comment.

Chicago has a green river today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rnast/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

I heard back from my Irish friend in Ennis.  I asked him to look at that above mentioned post and provide feedback.  He did and emailed me back (I don't think he cares to leave comments as many people don't).

Here's a few things he pointed out:

• Shannon river and airport are named after the Goddess of the river Sionna.
• The bodhran drum is unique in the way it is played.  Like other drums it's animal skin stretched over a frame.
• Tosser is indeed another word for wanker, but not as strong.  (many American don't know what a wanker is but if you look it up DON'T use an image search)
• They call their native language Irish, not Gaelic, and can always spot a foreigner when they call it Gaelic.
• Irish is taught in both grade school and high school.

----- Now two whatevers -----

As some followers might recall, I listen to "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" most every Saturday morning.  I love humor and people who have it.  I truly believe humor could solve some of society's problems and it's free.  I learned of a lovely humorous woman on today's show.

I didn't know Barbarba Sue Manire but I wish I had because I know from the following picture she must have been fun to be around.

That parking meter on her tombstone reads EXPIRED.  Her family honored her wish of having an expired parking meter on her grave.  I do believe "her humor lives on".  Here's a bit about her story (also a few more pics of it).

Second whatever

Unknown Mami (who I like to call umami - go ahead look that up)  alerted me to a new blogger template editor and that doesn't require knowing HTML or CSS stuff.  So I have been trying it out.  I changed some of the other blogs I have and I will be changing the template of this one too.  So if you come by here and don't recognize the place, you'll know it's been remodeled.  Let me know if you are interested in learning more about it.

hmm that beer is empty I wonder if another one is in order?  Cheers!

cemetery question

I wanted to post this before we get too close to Halloween, because you might just think it's a seasonal thing. Here's the question:

Do you find cemeteries interesting and even enjoyable?

I do somewhat, but my wife likes them even more. When you take time on vacation to visit a cemetery then I would say, you like them.

Recently there's been a few stories related to cemeteries in the Chicago Tribune. One story takes place near the Airfone office in Oak Brook. It's a story of finding a cemetery in someone's backyard. The graves had NOT been removed properly before the land was developed for homes. Another one explained how some people find cemeteries a great place to take a walk.

One of the best cemeteries I've visited was in Savannah. It's called Bonaventure. Old cemeteries are the best.

The picture above of your's truly was taken some years ago in the Chicago cemetery, Graceland.