Visiting a new graveyard

Took the boys for a little outing this afternoon. Next to the Penfield public library is a cemetery. It's no Mount Hope, but it's a decent size and we found graves as old as 1850, which ain't bad. One has to be a little careful not to be too loudly jolly near any visitors, but if you can master that, it's a great place for a walk.

Several of the graves correspond to nearby street names (Qualtrough, Whalen, Rothfuss, etc.), and others are names we know from our congregation (Porte, Frelier, etc.) And we played the game where you try to imagine what story lies behind a given family name. The Carpenters are easy, and the Smiths. But others defy explanation or invite absurd stories, like Mr. Stumble, whose family is buried in the cemetery.

Sam commented on many of the new gravestones, which have embedded in them little color portraits of the deceased. These were exclusively on the graves of African-Americans. Something I hadn't seen before. And one grave had a little glass case embedded in it, containing memorabilia. Many servicepeople and several firemen. 

Didn't see any Jewish graves, though there was one Gentile grave with a stone on the top. And two pieces of loose change, including one dime held down with scotch tape. No idea what was going on there. 

Josh referred to some of the large stones as "monsters", prompting Sam to cower in fear from this one.

Sam, showing Josh some details. This pair of stones had nice carvings of doves.

"Isaac Bird Covey"?  Really?

Definitely a name which could fit into our congregation, whether or not it has. And like some names it sounds absolutely hilarious to a seven-year-old. Sam's favorite, though, was Yonkers, of whom there wee a smattering. I like to imagine law firms with these names: "Yonkers and Lindskoog, L.L.C., at your service."

This is the only place I have ever seen a Sitterly outside of our beloved neighbors up at camp.

Afterward, we walked to the library (or, in Josh' nomenclature, "libooby") playground, to putter and swing before dinner. You may notice some abrasions on his upper lip and nose. Josh fell face-forward while riding his tricycle last Friday, poor little guy.

Had the Manlys over for dinner Saturday, which was a great, delightful to-do. 

A random note from Susan:

When Josh asks where Daddy is and I tell him, "Daddy's at work," Josh then yells, "Booby-ball! Booby-ball!" (His word for "volleyball.") Yup. He's convinced Daddy gets to play volleyball all day. 

When I tell this to Tim, I think he wants to weep.

And even funnier, also from Susan:

Josh has named his rocking horse "Mommy." I'm not feeling great about this.

And finally:

I need to show more patience with other drivers. I was turning at an intersection the other day and heard Josh murmur from the back seat, "Come on, people, come on, people."

Have a good week! Josh begins Montessori Wednesday--one hour Wed, two on Thu, three on Fri. I expect trauma before he settles in. The environment's great, though. He'll love it once he accepts it.