Creativity

Because I enjoy the weirdness that the world has to offer, I like to photograph the things I see that make me laugh. Sometimes this is not possible or safe (read: weird people on the street who could also be dangerous/unstable), but signs are usually a good bet. The sign below was just such a case.


As my wee cousin Ethan would say, "That's silly." Oh Ethan, you are more right than you know.

(captured in South Jersey)

Sadly, this establishment was no longer in business. Otherwise we would've stopped and you would've had to look at several other related photographs and suffer through "weiner" type jokes. (I am not ashamed of my stunted sense of humour, and neither, might I add, were the Monty Python guys.) 


Along those lines, I dare you to try and say the name of this establishment without trying to affect either a New York or an Arnold Swartzenegger-type accent. Either one works.

The Birthdays Continue

It just wouldn't be summer without the annual trip to see the Grandparents Porter--and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins that pop over to the house on Brigantine Lane. Most  summers we don't need an excuse to visit, but in 2011, we drove many hours on the New Jersey Turnpike to celebrate Grandpop Porter's 85th Birthday.


Yes, 85th. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a "Happy 85th Birthday" card? Surprisingly harder than it is to find a "Happy 90th Birthday" card.

(Morgan wins the Get to Know You Bingo)

(Practicing not falling in the lagoon)

Not only was there plenty of cake...

...but Aunt Nan and Kelly and created t-shirts with the birthday boy's face for everyone to wear:

(Sister and myself)

As the sun began to set on a full day of partying, a few of the cousins took a walk to the beach (we were really just trying to walk off dinner so we could go back and eat and drink some more. The sea air is perfect for stimulating our appetites).

(Brick Beach)

(Just because the sun is setting doesn't mean the party's over)

(The Party's Here)

And because no party is a proper party without some kind of sparklers, my dad was forward thinking enough to bring some along. 

(Emily and Myself)

(Ceremonial Lighting of the Sparklers)

Here's to 85 more birthdays at the Porters! If anyone can live 170 years, we want it to be Grandpop (and Granny) Porter!! :-)

Greenery Round the Neighbourhood

I have a theory that most of the greenery in the city of Philadelphia is put together by the retired community. They have the time, they've most likely travelled around and gotten tons of ideas, and they are more likely to own their backyard space than those of us who are still paying off our student loans.


Case in point: this lattice work in Society Hill. Who has the time or the patience to put something like this together? Someone dedicated, that's who. 

Also spotted was this pear tree. The wee branches had been arranged and fastened to the wall to make this design.

All of this greenery just added to the ambiance of Lawrence Court. Window boxes overflowing with colorful flowers and small shrubbery give off the air of a smaller Pennsylvania town instead of the city. I'm sure all the trees really help to drown out the noise of the city buses and traffic. Walking around this area, I was amazed at how quiet and peaceful it was. 

(Lawrence Court: where we found the pear tree)

(wee parking lot outside the Jewish Synagogue)

Magnolia Garden

On a lunchtime walk with ArgyleSockGirl, we explored one of the quieter, more isolated parks in olde city: Magnolia Park. I think one of my newest goals in life is to be able to eat lunch and/or read in a park without being run over by tourists (otherwise known as the tourii) or bothered by unwashed creepers.

This park seemed like a lovely place to walk around, however, ArgyleSockGirl informed me that these white, iron benches are not comfortable (I'm not sure if you can see it, but the bars are just the right size to cause you immense discomfort). But there was quite a sizable green patch in the middle of the park where you could spread out a blanket.

On the day we went. the weather was a bit overcast, but I'm sure that on a warm day, the spray from the fountain would be lovely. We were a little puzzled over the creepy-looking grate under the surface of the water., but we chalked it up to someone's well-meaning concern over the possibility of a child accidentally drowning. 

Summer Raspberries

The latest obsession in my life would have to be raspberries.I can eat these babies like candy. And they go with anything: a cocktail, a sandwich (on the side, of course), or the perfect end to a plate of cheese and crackers.


My only problem seems to be finding them fresh enough. I can't imagine what people must think as they pass by me when I'm picking through the raspberry packages; but I'm trying to look for mold. You might be surprised at how easily these berries spontaneously combust into tiny mold balls. I have a theory that it's the bad drainage in the plastic packaging, but I can't be sure.


Still, I dream of that day I visited a farmer's market in Vancouver and walked past row upon row of those paper cartons heaped high with fresh raspberries.