Just saw an article on tombstones. Seems that in order to save time later on some pre-need grave markers had the birthdate put on in advance along with name and marriage date as well as the 19 engraved for the death date. Not all companies did this thank goodness. But alot of them did. I do not know how they will correct this problem except maybe go over the whole date with a bronze piece. Most of the time when there is a mistake on the headstone, the company just eats it because once the granite is blown it can not be corrected. What were they thinking?

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), March 01, 1999

Answers

Shellie,

Where is the article. Is there a link?

-- Monty (looking@trolls.com), March 01, 1999.

Actually my tombstone aren't y2K compliant - if the electricity goes off, they all will defrost and the pepperoni will fall off and wilt.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 01, 1999.

Robert,

I had to go to the store and run a few errands for MaMa Bear. So good to see you were here manning the fort so that sort of thig could not get past.

-- Greybear, got snacks now

- Got Parmesan/?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 01, 1999.

Ok Ok I was honestly trying to help. Some people did buy their headstones pre-need and will now have a problem with the death date forever marked in stone. Alot of companies are going to have to correct this problem and it could be very costly. I worked at a monument company for a few years and luckily we did not do this. However, the cemetary is full of headstones this way. I am attempting to paste the article here for the person who thinks I am a troll. If this does not work then the link is

www.everything2000.com/news/grave.asp

BTW I also saw it on channel 33 wb news (DFW area in Texas) A grave Y2K problem

Eighteen months from now, grave errors will be found in cemeteries across the country. It's a Year 2000 problem that has nothing to do with computers: Headstones with mistakes, set in granite.

Here's how it happened:

Many married couples purchase a single stone to mark side-by-side graves. When one spouse dies, the name of the deceased is cut into the stone, along with the year of birth and the year of death. Often, the surviving spouse's name also is carved into the stone, with a year of birth.

Until the late 1960s, it was common for many cutters to save time - and in some cases charge a lower rate - by getting a head start on the date of death of the surviving spouse, inscribing a "19" so that only two numbers would have to be added at the gravesite later.

"They figured the less work in the field, the better," said Jim Milano of Milano Monuments in Cleveland.

"Most people, when they were burying their spouses in the '50s and '60s, said, 'I'm never going to see the year 2000,' said Andy Zelenak of Cleveland Monuments.

But many of them will. People are living longer than they used to, thanks to medical advances and lifestyle changes. Many of those "19s" on tombstones will have to be changed to "20s".

"I never even thought about it," said Catherine Lambert, who purchased a double stone in Cleveland's Holy Cross Cemetery when her husband, Robert F., a Lakewood car dealer, died at age 60 in 1965. Lambert, of Rocky River, is hoping that the "19" on her part of the stone turns out to be a mistake.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

DATE: 7/7/98

So HA HA maybe I finally posted something of interest. My last few have been pretty bad. I SWEAR I'M NOT A TROLL.

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), March 01, 1999.

Shellie - shellie - you're doing fine. Thanks, its a real problem - from an unexpected source, like most of the truly serious ones that will put down factories or shutdown power plants. As a training lesson in little places to look for trouble - you've done great. Fortunately, most solutions aren't cut in stone, and so can be recovered - if the hsips and controllers work.

But also, if we pull your leg every now and then in gentle harmony, you get a little taller, and the next effect is the same as a weight loss, and so you have an excuse to go buy more clothing.......

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 02, 1999.

Robert, In that case would you pull my leg a little bit more...I'm only 5'1" and could really use the help. Thanx for the lift

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), March 02, 1999.

Dam, Robert, does that really work? If so I need a few quick treatments. MaMa Bear said jus the other day that I'z exact me correct weight. I just needed to be 9' 8" tall.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 02, 1999.

GB: Did you "reminder" your dear lady that getting beat upside the head and shoulders shortens a person?

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 02, 1999.

Now, to truly lengthen a body requires a stretch of the imagination and senses - no heavy chores or lifting that might strain the neck, no weight on the feet or arms such as laundry or dirty dishes, head back, feet raised, a pillow under the back, a horizontal position atop the soft couch with a book in hand, and a good brew (your choice, no pressure here allowed), a little soft music or entertainment in the background, some nce dance music (few waltzs or a good slow foxtrot for dancing in the moonlight) , ....

see .... don't you feel longer 9er, taller) already?

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), March 02, 1999.

Those tombstones should be used by their intended user's as a flagstone or birdbath pedestal if they indeed survive the bewitching hour. They might also stimulate conversation around the barbeque pit.

-- John Kavaney (godsgold@hotmail.com), March 02, 1999.

I've always said that I want to be cremated and flushed down the toilet because I'm a tight old git and don't see why people should party at my expense after I'm gone, and people I don't know make a lot of money from the fancy box I'm put in. But Shellie's post has reminded me that my plans contain a fatal flaw--may be dead in the water, so to speak. Burying my head in the sand would help only a little bit. Yup, it's a grave question all right. John, er, how big is your barbecue pit?

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 02, 1999.

Shucks Git,just post yer spec's and I'll custom design ya one.Then you will have the option of either an uplifting, toasty winters ride or a cool commode summers cruise. Sorry, but you will have to spring for the shipping!.......My favorite is the choice of a friend who says "Just auger a shaft, drop me in and set an acorn on my head and fill up the hole". Plant food!...I liked that!....Still do!

-- John Kavaney (godsgold@hotmail.com), March 02, 1999.

Gallding! So profound- to aquit all comment or contenders? Say.er, Git, your still flush I 'assume', so shed some more *lite* on this poor boy! Must be 'Tombstoney2kwhiplash' catchin up! ....{just decided to go by the handle of "Outlander"..........'it fit's!.......out!...P.S..May your tombstone be worthy!....!...P,S.S...??????Is the bottom line- just a state of mind?

-- John Kavaney (godsgold@hotmail.com), March 05, 1999.

John (and I use the name seriously), perhaps it's time to start a "tombstone suggestions" bit here. It's a good way to paper over the usual discomfort of dealing with dying, so those of you who see us all as full of, er, rubbish, please don't make a stink about it. My first suggestions (dead easy):

Not Y2K Compliant

Not full of beans

Here lies Old Git Victim of JIT

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 05, 1999.

"Git outta here!"...."Yet Complacent"...."Compliant?"...."Who Me?"...."Oh!..I thought you said complaint"...."What the HELL's goin on HERE?"...."I give up!"............"Watta Ride!"...."Back to the other end"......"Over n' out!"

-- John Kavaney (godsgold@hotmail.com), March 05, 1999.

Robert,

Laughing so hard re: pizza.....please pass me a piece, hurry we dont have much time left.....You are tooooo funny...thanks again for the humor. After just watching the C-Span report, i needed it.....I'll be shopping again tomorrow now 4 sure. BTW, I'll pick up an extra tombstone....lol ----consumer

-- consumer (private@aol.com), March 05, 1999.

See, I Told YOU Something Was Wrong

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 05, 1999.

Adios, Dear Friend, No more for me, Dark Night.

Into a new trend, Shed this body all right,

No time to amend, This hulls now worms delight.

No more Gov to fend, Off to see Eternal Light

-- Greybear (greybear@home.co), March 05, 1999.

Egad, Greybear, talk about multi-faceted! From hilarious to profound in one swell foop.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 05, 1999.

Here I lay all broken hearted,

tried to skip,

but only parted.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 06, 1999.

Stop and think as you walk by.

As you are now, so once was I.

As I am now, so shall you be.

Prepare to Die and to follow me.

S.O.B.

-- sweetolebob (buffgun@hotmail.com), March 06, 1999.

They said were doomers with such dread

We only wanted our daily bread

Stime to get ready

Not to be heady

Youre just hanging here on a thread

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 06, 1999.

As you can see, here I lay

I was a victim of y2k

I never thought much about that thing

I died while waiting for the lunch bell's ring

S.O.B.

-- sweetolebob (buffgun@hotmail.com), March 06, 1999.

Greybear! That came from a WC wall! It goes back to when you could use the facilities for free but if you wanted a sit-down, then you had to put a penny in a slot on the door to get it open. The original was:

Here am I Broken-hearted Paid a penny And only farted.

There I was, daily toil, Trying to bring the beans to boil, Lodge cast iron was the pot Heavy with those beans--and hot! Lifting it I got a fit, Oops! Let's say goodbye Old Git.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 06, 1999.

OG,

The version I am familar with is close to yours, but slightly less printable.

My, how we don't get far from the basic fundamentals, even in our (alleged) humor.

Another fundamental that allows much creative work - .... ....., it makes them soggy and hard to light.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 06, 1999.

Pole in hand, and leaving shore,

Could only squese but one more.

Trolls, and a

-- Charon (Thatplace@downbelow.com), March 06, 1999.

Pole in hand, and leaving shore,

Could only squese but one more.

Trolls, and a squeemish DGI,

Here I pole, and there you Fry!

-- Charon (Thatplace@downbelow.com), March 06, 1999.

Y2K or not 2K,

That was my question.

RIP

(Rested In Prep).

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 06, 1999.

I've wondered Y and wandered 2 but never Kared for boxed-in blues. So unprepared it found me there wondering Y2Kare anew.

-- Outlander (godsgold@hotmail.com), March 07, 1999.

"Shellie01"...Y...are you "looking" for "sacredplaces"?...when "Greybar" isa chase'n "Git"...2...find "thatplace",er, something "private", or "anon". Me?......I'm a "buffgun"---"cook.r"!...."Outlander" ere sittin on godsgold -ah.. roast'n Premium YuckTooSuck chickens {at 4 P.ostM.ordem---So.along the lower ridge,at the bridge stay right till you see the top with three palms!........Call it home!.......or 'Welcome' .....Pizza too!..Git thar early!

-- Outlander (godsgold@hotmail.com), March 09, 1999.