💀 Aliens, Angels & Forgotten 4th of July Facts!
Patriotic tetanus? Space alien grave? Halloween in Italy?
Hi folks!
Larry and I are up in the Washington State now, visiting family and soaking up cooler temps—what a treat after the Texas heat!
Last time, I shared highlights from the Dixon Cemetery Festival, (pizza, peach ice cream, square dancing, anyone? ) but in today’s newsletter, I’ve got videos, cemetery articles, a coloring book, and bizarre facts about the 4th of July to share with you:
👽 Is This the Weirdest Grave in America?
The Texas Space Alien Grave:
My latest article for American Cemetery & Cremation magazine dives into what might be the strangest grave I’ve ever researched—the alleged resting place of a space alien.
Yup, you read that right!
This peculiar Texas tomb has taken me on some of the wildest research adventures of my writing life. If you're into mystery, folklore, or just good old-fashioned weird history, I think you’ll enjoy the read.
Oh, and check out the photos. The headstone is actually, dare I say: cute! Here’s how the article begins:
I first heard about the Texas space alien grave at a backyard barbecue. There I
was, balancing a plate of ribs and coleslaw, when a man across the picnic table
squinted at me and said, “You’re a writer, eh? Well, y’know what you should write
about?”
Now, when someone starts a sentence like that, it’s usually the lead-up to a
tale of family drama or a decades-old grudge they want me to air—strictly from
their side, of course. So I braced myself and took a big bite of food.
But then he leaned in conspiratorially and said, “Ya oughta write about that
little space alien they buried up the road a piece.”
I nearly choked on my coleslaw. “Excuse me… the what?”
👉 Read the full SPACE ALIEN GRAVE article here (Please Note: If a paywall comes up, you can still read the article, but you'll have to create a Free Account with them.)
🎆 Forgotten Fourth of July Facts
I made a 10-Minute Video about wacky 4th of July facts! Impress your BBQ guests with these forgotten facts that I compiled into a 10-minute video! Did you know:
Three U.S. presidents died on July 4th?
One president was born on the Fourth?
Denmark celebrates America’s Independence Day for four days straight? (I want to go! Who’s with me?)
And the CREEPIEST fact I uncovered? Tetanus used to claim hundreds of lives after Independence Day celebrations. It was even nicknamed "Patriotic Tetanus." 😬 (Check out those newspaper clippings I share at the top of this newsletter.)
👉 Watch my video here: Weird 4th of July Facts (Feel free to please pass it along to your friends)
🇮🇹 ✈️ Halloween in Italy: Join My Symbolism Tour!
Exciting 10-Day Cemetery Adventure Begins October 31st!
I’m thrilled to return to Italy this fall as the symbolism guide for an unforgettable cemetery tour led by the brilliant Lisa Statkus.
This year is extra special:
🕊️ It’s a Jubilee Year, meaning Rome will be bursting with rare displays and once-in-a-lifetime events.
👑 We’ve got a new pope, making this a time of fresh energy in the Eternal City.
🎃 And yes—it all starts on Halloween!
On our 10-day adventure, we’ll explore:
🪦 Ancient Etruscan tombs
🕯️ Underground Roman catacombs
🎨 Gorgeous, sculpture-filled cemeteries bursting with artistic and symbolic meaning
If you’ve ever dreamed of cemetery-hopping in Italy, now’s your chance.
👉 Get the full tour details here and join us
😇 Two Angels Seen Around the World
Want to see my 20-Minute Presentation for the AGS Conference?
If you enjoy cemetery symbolism and travel tales, don’t miss this photo-packed talk I gave for the Association of Gravestone Studies. It’s called “Two Angels Seen Around the World: The Mona Lisa of Cemeteries & Rock of Ages.”
In this 20-minute video, I trace two iconic mourning figures across continents—from Texas to France, Italy, Romania, and even Indonesia—while uncovering their hidden meanings and unexpected histories.
💬 The talk is free to watch and easy to share!
👉 Click to watch the angel talk
🎃 Get in the Halloween Spirit with Teal L. Gray!
Adult Coloring Book + The Lavender Crow Shop
My dear friend, Teal L. Gray, recently created a Halloween-themed adult coloring book to distract herself during chemotherapy treatments. It’s beautiful and spooky and packed with personality:
🖤 35 eerie illustrations: zombies, witches, graveyards, ravens, and more!
👉 Grab your copy of Coloring Halloween here
🛍️ While you’re at it, check out Teal’s eBay shop, The Lavender Crow, for:
Victorian mourning goods
Hair jewelry
Oddities and curios
👉 Visit The Lavender Crow
💸 Teal recently discounted her store items, so now’s a great time to shop.
🙏 Prefer to donate directly? Here's her GoFundMe. Every bit helps!
Thanks for reading! You’ll hear from me again around the middle of the month. In the meantime, I hope your summer is filled with cool breezes, weird history, and delightful surprises.
Until next time,
~Tui
✍️ Writer. Wanderer. Cemetery Sleuth.