On this occasion it was Janet who brought me to the Stonington Cemetery to visit my newly adopted tree. And this time I photographed her from her other side (above) and noticed something else of interest. It might be difficult to make out, but there is a stone corner post embedded in her roots and trunk. The tree must have grown around the post as she widened in circumference!
A little online research satisfied my curiosity about the woman buried in this grave with a very unique headstone (above), who died at the tragically young age of 51. She was Catherine Voorsanger, an associate curator of American decorative arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Josh has returned to England now, and Toby awaits further medical tests after an infection, for which he is being treated, clears. We’re getting lots of practice exercising patience as we wait and wait for elusive answers to our questions…
Scarby remains mostly in hiding, but Zoë is enjoying the fresh air coming in the open windows, and watching all the birds and squirrels scurrying and fluttering about near the balcony. She’s getting plenty of exercise chasing the red spot made by a small laser flashlight. Besides pony-tail elastics, it’s the only toy that seems to inspire her to play.
It won’t be too long before the buds turn into leaves and you can identify your tree! Just a thought, does the cemetery have a caretaker? If you could contact them, they may have some answers to your questions (what type of tree it is, did the tree expand around a headstone, how old is the tree…)
It’s always a worry when people close to us are experiencing difficulties. I do hope Tim’s brother’s are both well again very soon.
Will we be seeing any photos of Zoe soon? She’s sounding so happy and content now, and Olga will get there. :))
Hi Joanne, there is no office on the cemetery grounds but there is a website and a contact form, which I may use in the future, but for now I am enjoying playing detective and contemplating the various clues I am discovering. It’s a pleasant distraction, something else to focus on besides the extra stress we’ve been having of late.
And Zoë is a nice little companion, too. Sometimes she quietly sits close to me on the couch and puts one paw on my thigh. She’s not accepted my invitation to sit on my lap yet, but that little paw seems to say “I’m here with you.” I was waiting to get pictures of Zoë and Olga together, but perhaps I’ll be content to get a few of just Zoë today – and find out what she thinks of the camera! 🙂
As best I can make out, the name Voorsanger means ‘forth-singer,’ which is to say ‘cantor.’
Oh, how interesting, Steve! In what language, I wonder?
It’s Dutch, which is a close relative of English: voor matches for and sanger matches singer. You can find more on this name and others at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_surname
Thanks for the link, Steve – I love learning about the history of various surnames – part of the genealogy bug!
And I’m keen on etymology, which is the genealogy of words.
You would have had a lot in common with my dad – we were always running for the dictionary after accusing each other of making up our own definitions for words. It’s always amazing to see the origin and how the meanings of words have evolved over the centuries.
Barbara – I thoroughly enjoyed the virtual tour!
Happy to hear that you enjoyed this post, Laurie – thank you!
I also enjoyed the virtual tour. The unusual headstone seemed just right for an associate curator of American decorative arts.
It’s funny, Sheryl – now I’m wondering if she designed the headstone for herself? Perhaps had some ideas from the collection at the museum? And wondering if she was a native of Stonington… Curiosity never stays satisfied for long. 🙂
Hi Barbara. I love the line of music on the headstone. I also think it’s interesting that the tree has grown around the cornerstone. I have a tree here that has grown around an old metal hanger and I have see photos of trees that grow around toys left in the branches by mistake. Jane
I’m wondering if the needle-eye hole in the branch of the tree in the last picture was created by the branch growing around some object or other. It made me think of a pierced ear. Oh the interesting stories these trees could tell!
I sort of “like” graveyards. It something about them, especially the very old ones. Best of luck for your adopted tree.
When my daughter went to Norway in 2010 she took some pictures of a graveyard for me. 🙂 It looks very similar to our older ones here.
http://www.ingebrita.net/archives/2052
Trees can teach us patience, that’s for sure. Being in nature can slow us down–past restlessness and impatience and wanting-to-know. Thinking about all we can learn from trees. And how graveyards can inspire us to live more fully, too.
So true, Kathy. Maybe that’s why this tree succeeded in getting my attention, to teach me how to get past this restlessness, impatience and wanting-to-know. I look forward to my weekly visit and the chance to absorb some of her energy and face the uncertainty with renewed resolve.
I love exploring graveyards. I look forward to seeing your tree through the seasons.
Another kindred spirit you are, Sybil. It will be fun sharing weekly (I hope) photos of the tree – it definitely gives me something simple to look forward to.
Your tree is beautiful. I suspect you will learn a lot from it. 🙂
Thank you, Robin – I think she’s already opened up my eyes to a few things. 🙂