Symbolism, Rock of Ages Mystery & Save the Date!
Book release party, graves in Alaska, cool symbolism newsletter & more!
Howdy,
Larry and I are back in Texas after a wonderful trip to Washington State and an Alaska cruise with our family.
Along the way, we saw whales, bears, dolphins, and even a porcupine. Traveling as a group of nine (with 3 young grandkids) is a different rhythm than traveling as a twosome, but we had a blast. 💙
Here’s a quick list of what’s in today’s newsletter:
Totem Poles & Cenotaphs in Alaska
Save the Date: Book Release Party!
Big Shoutout: Richard Waterhouse & Symbolism Lovers
From Readers: “Rock of Ages” Sighting in Texas
Is this Really a Space Alien Grave?
Halloween in Italy: Cemetery Symbolism Tour
Goodies from Teal L. Gray
🪦 Totem Poles & Cenotaphs in Alaska
We didn’t visit any cemeteries on our trip, per se, but I did see some fascinating Native American grave markers in Alaska. At Saxman Totem Park in Ketchikan, I discovered a quiet section of cenotaphs among the totem poles, each with moving stories of resilience and cultural memory.
I made a post about them: 👉 Read Totem Poles and Cenotaphs in Alaska here
✍️📚🎈Book Party: Around the World in 80 Graves
Now that we’re home, I’m cranking hard to finish Around the World in 80 Graves: Travel, Tombstones & Transformation. This book has become much deeper and more personal than I first imagined. It’s filled with stories of how cemeteries have given me perspective, joy, lasting friendships…and in some cases, even saved my life.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it!
✨🎉 🌎SAVE THE DATE! 📚🪦✨
Yee haw! I’m throwing a book release party on Friday, September 5th, 2025 at a wonderful art gallery called House of Neville in Fort Worth, Texas to celebrate the release of my new book Around the World in 80 Graves.
If you’re in North Texas (or want to make a road trip!), I would love to see you there. Time TBA, but please save the date.
📚✨ Want an Advance Review Copy of my book? ✨📚
I also plan to have advance ebooks ready by July 19th, 2025. Hit reply or leave a comment here if you’d like to get on the list! I’ll email them as soon as I can.
🌟 Big Shoutout: Richard Waterhouse & Symbolism Lovers!
My cemetery symbols penpal Richard Waterhouse kindly shared the link to my 20-minute presentation, “Two Angels Seen Around the World” in his latest newsletter.
If you love symbolism, you need to know Richard. For nearly 20 years, he’s created a rich, thoughtful symbolism newsletter. I heartily encourage you to sign up for his newsletter. It comes out on the first of every month and it’s excellent.
💡 Click here to check out Richard’s Symbolism Newsletter To sign up for it, simply email him at: rwsymbolism@gmail.com (Maybe we can convince him to join Substack? I think folks would love him here!)
“Rock of Ages” Sighting in Texas
I love hearing from readers who spot cemetery symbols I’ve covered in talks, tours, and articles.
After watching my “Rock of Ages” symbolism presentation, newsletter reader Betsy Farris sent me the fascinating history behind a Rock of Ages-themed headstone she discovered in a Texas cemetery. It’s too long to squeeze into this newsletter, so I’ve posted the full story here:
👉 Read “A Mother, A Hymn & 2 Death Dates” (by Betsy Farris) here
I found it especially intriguing that Virgie has two different death dates on official records—a reminder that headstones often raise as many questions as they answer!
If you enjoy stories of cemetery symbolism and the real lives behind the stones, I think you’ll love Betsy’s research. And if you come across a Rock of Ages carving (or other unique headstone) in your area, I’d love to hear about it for a future post.
Because every stone has a story, and sharing them keeps memory alive.
👽 Is This America’s Weirdest Grave?
For American Cemetery & Cremation Magazine, I recently wrote about what might be the strangest grave I’ve ever researched: The Texas Space Alien Grave.
It’s a crazy slice of local lore that you can read here:
👉 Read the space alien grave article here (You can read it for free, but may have to create a free account.)
🇮🇹 🎃 Halloween in Italy: Cemetery Symbolism Tour
I’m excited to return as symbolism guide for Lisa Statkus’ 10-day Italy Cemetery Tour, beginning October 31st (Halloween!).
🪦 Etruscan tombs, Roman catacombs, sculpture-filled cemeteries, and rare Jubilee Year events—it’s cemetery-lover heaven!
👉 Get full tour details and join us
🖤 Goodies from Teal L. Gray
My dear friend Teal L. Gray created a beautiful, spooky Halloween adult coloring book during chemotherapy treatments. It’s packed with personality:
🖤 35 eerie illustrations: witches, zombies, graveyards, ravens, and more!
👉 Grab your copy here
Check out Teal’s eBay shop, The Lavender Crow, for Victorian mourning goods, hair jewelry, oddities, and curios. She’s recently discounted items (again!) making it a perfect time to support her.
👉 Visit The Lavender Crow
🙏 Prefer to donate directly? Here’s her GoFundMe.
That’s it for now! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please hit the like button, leave a comment, or send me an email. I love hearing from you folks.
Meanwhile, I hope you’re finding quiet moments of curiosity and connection wherever you may be.
~Tui