Odessa, Delaware

Free-Range Figurines:  What is a better symbol of a free-range spirit: an eagle or a hummingbird? Consider how many people have eagles in their backyard and how many people have hummingbirds. And, this one even has a flower to hum about. Drawyers Cemetery. [2018]

Odessa, Delaware

The Last Shall Be First, and The First Last:  Here's the second of our Z names for the month of January: Zagybaylo. Say it out loud: Doesn't it seem like a whole poem in a single word? It's a Ukrainian family name (ends with O, often a giveaway) that is exceedingly rare in the U.S. What is even more interesting is that this Ukrainian couple is buried in Odessa, Delaware, a small town obviously named after Odessa in Ukraine, but with almost no connection to the Black Sea port. Drawyers Cemetery. [2018]

Dover, Delaware

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ Third Person Singular Subjective Case:  "He touched everyone with special love and kindness. Forever in our hearts. We love you." Lakeside Cemetery. [2013]

Odessa, Delaware

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ Third Person Singular Subjective Case:  "If she lives in your heart, she will never die." Drawyers Cemetery. [2018]

Port Penn, Delaware

Voices from the Land of the Living ~ First Person Plural Subjective Case:  "We'll never be the same. We miss you JoJo." Hickory Grove Cemetery. [2013]

Wilmington, Delaware

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ J:  The letter J is the 23rd most frequently used letter in the English language. Surprising: It's right down there with x, q, and z! Surprising: There seems to be no difference between Gothic capital I and Gothic capital J! Just take a look back at yesterday's initial. Can you tell the difference? Riverview Cemetery. [2017]

Wilmington, Delaware

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ F:  The letter F is the 16th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here, it stands sentry in the turret of a tomb-guarding castle (use your imagination!), no doubt watching out for the Second Coming. The diamond lenses (see them?) allow surveillance in all directions; they almost box the compass. Lombardy Cemetery. [2017]

Middletown, Delaware

Bequeathed to the Living ~ Soothing Solace:  "Life is not forever. Love is." Take a close look: Perhaps the most erotic love art ever to grace a headstone! Forest Cemetery. [2018]

Camden, Delaware

Voices from the Grave ~ First Person Singular Subjective Case:  "I needed the quiet, so he drew me aside, into the shadows where we could confide. Away from the bustle where all the day long, I hurried and worried when active and strong. . . . I needed the quiet. No prison my bed. But a beautiful valley of blessings instead, a place to grow richer in Jesus to hide. I needed the quiet so he drew me aside." Sharon Hills Odd Fellows Cemetery. [2015]

Wilmington, Delaware

'The Twelve' and Their Namesakes ~ All Saints:  Be inclusive! That's the mantra of the decade. Why not honor all saints? Why not include both genders (maybe eventually all genders)? The woman is St. Therese of Lisieux. Can you identify the men? There is a clue in the inscription: "Go into the whole world and teach all nations." Think: all nations. All Saints Cemetery. [2014]

Laurel, Delaware

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  Together they spent their life on the farm, and now they will be together forever. It was the farm that defined their life, their souls, and their family. It was with them every waking minute, and they probably dreamed about it at night. Now, the old tractor's empty. Perhaps the next generation decided they didn't want a life on the farm like their mom and dad. Odd Fellows Cemetery. [2013]

Laurel, Delaware

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  Judging from the number of buildings, this couple built a prosperous family business. Judging from the number of silos, they must have had some livestock to feed. Judging from the number of tractors, they must have had some cash crops to grow and sell. And, judging from the epitaph, they must have respected and loved the land they farmed: "A Great Love For The Land." Odd Fellows Cemetery. [2013]

Milford, Delaware

The Cemetery as an Aviary:  Speaking of ducks, here's the standard bearer: Yellow Duckie. Beloved in life; beloved in death! Don't you just wish you could add a little color, though? What does Rubber Duckie symbolize? Perhaps mirth, charm, and playfulness. Milford Community Cemetery. [2017]

Port Penn, Delaware

The Cemetery as an Aviary:  Mallards are all over the Delaware River estuary: nothing unusual, just a part of the landscape. It is no wonder that their images, seemingly in full motion, would appear on tombstones throughout the region. Mallards, like ducks in general, are symbols of decisiveness. Hickory Grove Cemetery. [2013]

Wilmington, Delaware

Spring Comes to the Cemetery:  Azaleas, buttercups, and dandelions: a perfect palette for springtime, a perfect complement to a refreshed verdure, a perfect way to celebrate May Day. Americans may ignore May Day, but it's one of the most important holidays for those from the Slavic east. Lombardy Cemetery. [2017]

Frederica, Delaware

Twas the Week After Christmas:  The end is near! Not your end (hopefully), but the year's end. What we need is a bridge that will carry us across the canyon and into 2017. The best bridge for the job is a covered bridge, and fortunately many of them are to be found in cemeteries. Barretts Chapel Cemetery. [2013]

Port Penn, Delaware

Gone Fishing:  There's only one person in that boat, and there's one big blank space where his wife's name should be. What's the story? Hickory Grove Cemetery. [2013]

Harrington, Delaware

Father's Day is Coming:  "Daddy you taught us to believe in ourselves to to be strong. And taught us right from wrong. Daddy we know you love us and will always have a place in your heart for us. Daddy we know that you're safe and well taken care of in a wonderful place. And Daddy even though we can't be with you now, we know that you are always with us, watching over us and making sure we are safe. Daddy we'll always love you and remember all of the wonderful things we did together. We miss you and we love you Daddy. Your Loving Daughters . . . "  Hollywood Cemetery. [2014]

Laurel, Delaware

Animalia Arthropoda Hexapoda ~ Insects:  There are 950,000 species of insects on planet earth. You will find some, including the butterfly, in cemeteries. Laurel Hill Cemetery. [2013]

Lewes, Delaware

Lunch Time in the Cemetery:  There's nothing better than mustard on your hamburger. But, the kind of mustard depends on your 'old world' preferences. Would you like Dijon mustard from France, Bavarian mustard from Germany, Tewkesbury mustard from England, or Tecuci mustard from Romania? Mustard is another one of those foods with deep roots in folk culture. As for 3M: she has a name fit for a board game. St. Peters Episcopal Church Cemetery. [2013]