T Stands for Genealogy Bug

 and I think it's bitten Himself. Himself had taken a DNA test from 23 and Me and began poking around in his family tree. He asked if I would mind taking a trip to the cemetery so he could visit his grandparents' grave. Mind? He had me at cemetery.

His maternal grandparents are buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. As a kid he remembered going to the cemetery to have a picnic. Picnicking on a loved one's grave was, at one time, a common practice. Himself said they didn't actually go picnic on the grave, but stayed in the car. I suspect the picnic was a way for Himself's mother to keep her brood of 5 quiet so she could have some time, peace and quiet to visit.

Himself knew how to get to the cemetery, but just in case as it had been decades since he had gone, he turned on the GPS. We drove through the cemetery and he stopped at a double tree that he remembered. I got out and walked among the stones, but didn't find the grave. He drove a little further down and I walked. And we found the grave.

His maternal grandparents 

 are buried with his maternal great-grandparents

I had joked in this section of the cemetery, there were no Italians buried. The stones were small, similar in shape and design. No large marble monuments with large angels and saints carved on them as I have seen in other cemeteries I have visited. These were all poor Irish.  Many of the stones had a traditional Celtic cross. While he visited, I visited some of the neighbors to see if there were any unusual stones.

All I found was this one with an eternal flame carved on it. I don't think I've ever seen that motif used before.

 I told you the grave was near a large tree. Yes, you did.

but just in case you didn't notice there were other large trees in the cemetery, the grave is just before the curve of the main road.

Himself also looked for his great-aunt's grave, Nana's sister. He thought it was in the same area, but we couldn't find it.

 So a stop at the cemetery office to ask for help.

His great-aunt was buried on the other side of the cemetery with his great-uncle and aunt, the brother of his maternal grand-father.

  He's not sure of the connection of the Hogans to the Murphys or why the great-aunt was buried with them. I asked if she had been married and had any kids. Yes, her husband wasn't a good man, and they had been divorced. They didn't have any children.

His grandmother had gone blind when his mother was around 7 years old. His mother went to live with Uncle Jack, his grandfather's brother, and his Aunt May.

Or the fact that Murphys were buried with Hogans (his grandparents and great-grandparents graves) so a reciprocal Hogan (great-aunt) buried with the Murphys.  The Theory of Relativity is so complicated.

There were Murphys buried next door. Cousins. And someone still lovingly tends the graves as there were flowers planted on both.

 While he visited, I went to visit the neighbors. Sad that the stone succumbed to the weather.

Across the way was a large, polished marble stone with a coat of arms on it. Very cool.

 And a beautiful epithet: He made things better. We all should aspire to be remembered like that.

 On the way out of the cemetery I spotted these monuments and asked Himself to stop so I could take photographs. I loved the grace and classical beauty on this stone. It took us a few minutes to realize the name on the stone was Roy. What we thought was a T was actually a cross.

 The Whovians will know Don't Blink!

After the cemetery visit, we headed to the 99 Restaurant on our way home.

My silverware was magnetized! Himself said the high heat of the dishwasher was a possible cause.

Instead of bread, the 99 starts you off with a bowl of popcorn

For my beverage, I had Bubble Green Tea and Himself had a Pepsi. So much better than Coke. The restaurant also offers a special of making any entree a meal by adding soup or salad and you get a petite dessert.

 Since my entree came with Cole slaw, I had the Seafood Chowdah (chowder)

  We also ordered the Shrimp Flatbread, a special Summer menu item

The Little Princess had her usual Hot Buttered Colossal Lobster Roll 

Himself had Steak Tips with Grilled Onions and Peppers

Himself had the yucky Peanut Butter Petite Treat. He got to have it all by himself because the Little Princess doesn't really like peanut butter especially with chocolate.

The Little Princess had the delicious Lemon Square.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.