Grand Forks, North Dakota

The Holy Estate of Matrimony ~ One Ring:  Wedding dates are often inscribed on the hoop's inside. This couple was married in June, still the most popular month for weddings in the United States (though September and October are catching up). Any issue after the wedding? Yes, they are named in the footnote. Memorial Park. [2012]

Grand Forks, North Dakota

History of Aeronautics ~ Chapter 5:  Everything points heaven-ward: the granite marker, the streamlined jet, and, of course, the departed soul. There's going to be no crash landing here. And, in this position, the airplane becomes a cross, an empty cross: no human pilot needed. Memorial Park. [2012]

Grand Forks, North Dakota

G is for Gunderson:  In 1923, Donald moved onto the list of the top ten boys' names. It stayed there until World War II. Hazel has never been on the list of the top ten girls' names, but in 1928, it ranked 59th. Rusty is currently the 25th most popular dog name for males. As for Gunderson: fits perfectly the Scandinavian ethnic islands of the Upper Midwest. Memorial Park. [2012]

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Professor Buried Here:  The University of North Dakota must have been his universe. The seal would suggest he had administrative responsibilities, too. He lived until he was 95. Don't you wonder when he retired? Do you agree with contemporary pop psychology that says: Don't let yourself be defined by your job? Or, in the case of this professor, scholar, and veteran, was the job the main ingredient in bringing him to nonagenarian status? Memorial Park Cemetery. [2012]

Grand Forks, North Dakota

"I Teach, I Touch the Future":  On this stone, no text says teacher, but it doesn't have to. Someone took their school books with them when they departed, and we might expect they were teachers' editions. Beyond history and math, however, is a book of recipes: a reminder that this teacher (and her ilk) had two full-time jobs, one at school and one at home. Apparently, she handled them well and came up smelling like a rose. No thorns on this stem! [2012]

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Markers of the Baha'i Diaspora:  According to Baha'is, Bahá’u’lláh was the last in a long line of prophets sent by God. Other prophets came before him: Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad. And, all of them are accepted and respected by Baha'is. The long quote on this grave stone reveals the high priority which the religion puts on equality and justice for all. Memorial Park Cemetery. [2012]


" . . . Verily justice is my gift to thee and the sign of my loving-kindness.  See it then before thine eyes."
Bahá'u'lláh

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Screens That Changed Our Lives ~ TV:  He must have been fully grown by the time television entered his life. Yet, it seems to have become one of his best friends. After all, it brought baseball to his living room and he got a chance to see the Minnesota Twins win twice during his lifetime! Talk about reminiscing: Do you remember when (a) broadcasts were in black and white? (b) programming ceased at midnight? and (c) no one could get more than three channels? Memorial Park Cemetery. [2012]