Bloomfield, New Mexico

Here's to Non-Conformists Everywhere!  When life presents us with limited options, how many times do we want to just scream: "None of the above!"  As you get ready to check out of hotel Earth, what kind of stone slab would you like to mark your exit route? Here is someone who just screamed: "None of the above!" Bloomfield Cemetery. [2013]

Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Obelisks as Memorials:  The definition of obelisk is provided by Merriam-Webster (headquartered in nearby Springfield): "a tall, four-sided stone column that becomes narrower toward the top and that ends in a point." Look carefully at this memorial pillar. Is it an obelisk? Or is it a daughter product of stimulus diffusion? A tapering hexagonal prism crowned by a hexagonal pyramid. North Cemetery. [2013]

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Pastor Buried Here:  The pyramid (in this case, a truncated pyramid) has forever been associated with nobility. On the American frontier, pastors were probably the closest things there were to nobles. In this case, Rev. Dr. Worcester was a noble of the Congregational Church. He served on the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. He died on the frontier, far from his native Massachusetts. Brainerd Mission Cemetery. [2013]

Frederica, Delaware

Solid Geometry in the Cemetery ~ The Cube:  It opens tomorrow: "the world's first museum exhibition about Rubik's Cube." Where? Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. Title of the exhibit: "Beyond Rubik's Cube." Untitled tombstone: "Rubik's Cube from beyond the grave." Barrats Chappel Cemetery. [2013]

Barre, Vermont

Solid Geometry in the Cemetery ~ The Cube:  A cube is a regular hexahedron. How could you use it to commemorate your regular life? A cube is one of only five regular polyhedrons, which makes it rather extraordinary. How could you use it to commemorate your extraordinary life? What would you put on each of its six faces? Words? Images? Hope Cemetery. [1983]

Chesapeake City, Maryland

Solid Geometry in the Cemetery ~ The Cube:  Building blocks, most often with letters-to-be-learned on each side, are in every child's toy box. Unfortunately, not every child gets a chance to build a life on earth. One toy, it seems, has followed its young master to his last resting place and has positioned itself forever to point towards heaven. St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Cemetery. [2013]