Saturday, November 12, 2016

Quiet Fall Day

We had a quiet Fall day yesterday, it was a bit cooler 45F or 7C eh!

We walked in the old cemetery on the hill.  We found my Uncle Hugo’s friends grave. It was on the south side of the hill near the top.

 Anselmi Saari Veteran

The flag holder was there and the marker that Veterans get to mark their grave. Mission accomplished!

Perhaps one winter day I will head for the Becker County Historical Museum and search their records so that an obituary can accompany the photos.

Anyone that is looking for a volunteer “job” …let me tell you a cemetery is a good place, it is quiet, no one complains and the graves just keep filling up.  One thing I have noticed is that many of the markers are getting overgrown around the edges. I could spend a day or three at this cemetery just trimming around markers.  In the spring we carry a couple of old butcher knives and a bucket in the car just for that purpose, the knife cuts the sod away and we toss it in the bucket to be disposed of or to fill in a hole here and there.

I started a list of what I don’t have, which obits I need and who I should ask for photos.

My husband who is great support and a good searcher said yesterday “Maybe someday someone will appreciate the effort you put into the cemeteries.”

I wandered alone for a little while yesterday, until I smelled a skunk.  I hurried back to the car, when you smell one you know one is near.  When I opened the car door Far Guy said “Uffda you didn’t get sprayed did ya?”  Thankfully I didn’t and we headed home.

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16 comments:

Cynthia said...

I'm glad you found the grave you were looking for. Seems appropriate that you found it the day you did -- Veterans Day.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you found Uncle Hugo's friend's grave marker. Bless you and FG for all that you do and yes, there will be someone who greatly appreciates your efforts. Yikes on the skunk! Glad you gotta out of there.
Have a nice day. Hugs to Chance.

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

I read this post and your previous one with interest. It is essential to remember those that gave so much - though hopefully their service did not entirely define the lives of those that made it back. As you know, we have similar commemorations over here on 11th and the second Sunday of November. BTW, I find tending cemeteries deeply rewarding.

DJan said...

You made me laugh with your line about volunteering in a cemetery, because "it's quiet, no one complains, and the graves just keep filling up." I agree with FG that hopefully someday you'll be appreciated for your efforts in cemeteries. I am appreciating you right this minute. :-)

Patsy said...

Now that would be a (Very) peaceful day for me.
I showed my friend Anna your "Forgotten Old Photos"
blog and she enjoyed it very much, She said you are sure
doing a wonderful service.

NCmountainwoman said...

I love to wander in cemeteries. Several times a year I take my 86-year-old aunt for outings. Last time she wanted us to visit the graves of her eight deceased siblings (including my own mother). We found each of them and spent a bit of time at each, cleaning things up a bit. I loved the stories she shared with me and realized that with her passing a lot of these stories would be lost.

Rita said...

Your work is already appreciated. :)

Terry and Linda said...

I love doing volunteer work for the Dead! You are so right, they never complain.

Linda

Harriet said...

Oh my, Connie, you bet someone will appreciate all you do. As an avid-at one time-genealogy nerd, I visited many cemeteries with a bucket, old knives and pruning shears. Spiffed up many headstones always leaving a stone on top to say 'someone' came and cared.

Red said...

Anything we can add to people in the cemetery is a bonus. Some of the early baby graves here have no names.

Anonymous said...

i appreciate what you do. I've had someone from findagrave in Ill tidy up the narker for an infant cousin of mine that was born and passed before I was born. I put in a request for just a photo and the volunteer had trimmed the edges and swept. It gave me a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. So thanks for your kindness. It matters.

Granny Marigold said...

Wandering around in cemeteries is very peaceful.
Glad you didn't get sprayed by a skunk.

Linda Reeder said...

I hope your sense of accomplishment and service will sustain you even if no one ever says "Thank You". It is a good thing that you are doing.

thecrazysheeplady said...

I love that you do all this...for the living and the dead.

L. D. said...

It is an interesting thing to walk cemeteries and think about the stories behind some of the deaths. I have yet to visit my great grandmothers grave at a cemetery north of Osceola. I have photos that my brother had taken a few years ago. It is so great when they put out flags for the Veterans. I have yet worked with the Find a Grave, but want to someday.

Paula said...

I'm glad you didn't get sprayed! I love walking about in cemeteries!