2008 March 22 Philadelphia City Center

I didn't expect the weather to be great in March in Philadelphia. Still, there wasn't much of a break from wind, rain, drizzle, etc. Finally towards the last day, it was good for a real stroll through Rittenhouse Square and to hang out at the "Happy Rooster" and watch NCAA games. Things were good, though I was getting tired of all the "vote for Hillary Clinton" signs everywhere. But the site of a "Hillary for President 2008" lady G-String in the Rooster was just about too much---I did suggest to the bar-maid that I'd vote for Hillary if she'd go model it for me. Apparently I wasn't the first to come up with that.

I

2008 March 21 Benjamin Franklin's Grave

Finally made it to Dr. Franklin's grave in the Christ Church Burial ground. People passing by toss pennies (A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned) and leave several thousand dollars worth of currency; supposedly is a real help in keeping up the very old cemetary.

"Well done is better than well said."
"'Tis easy see, hard to foresee."
"If you desire many thins, many things will seem but a few." "He that scatters thorns, let him go barefoot." "The worst wheel of the cart, makes the most noise." "No gains without pains." Well said, Ben.

2008 March 18 Philadelphia Art Museum

No visit to Philadelphia would be complete with out a trip to the Art Museum to see the steps from the film "Rocky." The Rocky Statue is near the street, almost out of sight as the Board of an art museum really wasn't that excited about having Rocky steal its thunder. I wasn't in the mood for seeing a bunch of paintings, so didn't expect stay long at the museum. It was much more than paintings; many displays of medievel European art in the form of cathedral artifacts, also Indian temples. Famous paintings by Monet, Picasso, even a Duchamp painting that I once used as the subject of an English essay. Non-flash photography was allowed in some areas but not others---I got snapped at by a guard.

2008 March 18 Franklin Institute STAR WARS Exhibit

The Franklin Institute in Philly is all about learning for the kids.
But let me tell you, there was something for the big kids too---Star Wars movie memorobilia. All kinds of costumes, puppets, props from the films.
The best Star Wars relic was an authentic Land Speeder from the 1977 Original. How I wanted my own toy model Land Speeder as a kid. I recall hanging out the the Havre, MT K-mart--it was the days of Jimmy Carter and inflation---and the package had about 6 price tags on it (each one higher) and cost about $13, which was a lot of money in that time. I think I only had about $7, and could never talk my Dad into helping me with the rest. I never got my toy Land Speeder. At least I now get to touch the real thing. And then there was the princess......

2008 March 19 Masonic Temple in Philadelphia

Across the street from City Hall in Philadelphia is the Grand Masonic Temple of Philadelphia. I know little of the Masons, and they are know for secrecy; my Dad said his Dad was very suspicious of them.

The tour guide somewhat joked about misconceptions of the Masons. But the Lodge was impressive, and they were very open to allowing photography and suggested that most questions about Masonic ritual can be answered by looking online.

The movie National Treasure had numerous references to the Phily Masonic Temple; I'll have to re-watch it.

A tour of the temple:
http://www.pagrandlodge.org/tour/qtour.html

2008 March 19 Philadelphia City Hall

When one thinks of Philadelphia---a few key structures stand out: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall. No one goes to Philly to visit the City Hall, but it is impressive and offers a great view from its tower. A 37 foot tall statue of William Penn stand on top. City Hall was constructed from 1871 to 1901, and its prominence was a bit ostentatioius for a former Quaker colony. Mayor's Room was where Hillary Clinton had been just days earlier as part of the campaign for Pennsylvania primary.

2008 March 21 Battleship New Jersey

Today was a visit to the Battleship New Jersey across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Camden, NJ. Battleship was in service from 1942 to 1991. I recalled in the early 1980's when the New Jersey, a WWII era battleship, was put back in service by President Reagan and served in the Middle East. It was the New Jersey that was stationed off of Lebanon and pounded the hills over Beirut during the 1983 conflict.
I especially enjoyed the display on Bob Hope's 1983 visit aboard the New Jersey with Brooke Shields; I think I even remember watching that special as a kid. My Grandma always made a point to watch the Bob Hope specials. I also liked seeing the quarters of WWII Admiral Halsey, which had been restored. http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/history/

2008 March 22 University Of Pennsylvania Museum and Lacrosse

Took a visit to the U district of Philadelphia to see the University Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. An impressive display, but what stood out most to me was the Sphinx, third largest ever discovered. I was surprised to see the Sphinx made of red granite, for some reason I always imagined Egyptian monuments made out of more bland stone. On the way back to the Green Trolley, I stopped off at Liberty Field to see a lacrosse match (my first ever) between the Penn Quakers and Harvard Crimson. Go Quakers!

2008 March 20 Mutter Museum of Medical Abnormalities

Today in Philly was a visit to the Mutter Museum which focuses on 19th Century specimins of medical abnormalities such as gigantism, dwarfish, and various other ailments. Reminder one to be appreciative for reasonably good health and to live in an era with top notch medical science. Seeing the skeleton and story of a dwarf who worked as a prostitute and died during child berth sure makes one think that life has to be much better today than in the 1880s.

Interestin items were a piece of John Wilkes booth flesh, the "Soap Lady" skeleton, and a cast of the famous Siamese Twins.

I especially liked the display on medical issues that presidens have faced. I knew about FDR's wheel chair, but hadn't realized the JFK had Addison's deasease (adrenal problems) as well as an addication to pain killer's due to his back pain---both conveniently glossed over by the media. But there was a long history of keeping presidential ailments secret---William Taft had a secret operation on a boat to remove a growth in his thoat. Good ol' Dwight Eisenhower was open with his three serious health threats: heart attack, surgery for Crohn's Disease, and a Stroke ; in fact Ike was close to being considered medically unfit for a second term.

http://www.muttermuseum.org/

2008 March 20 Civil War Museum and Library of Philadelphia

Today was a visit to the Civil War & Underground Railroad Museum of Philadelphia. It was a peacful place to visit compared to other Philly museums inundated with school kids.

What stood out was the story of the founding of the museum itself. A group of Civil War Union vets started a group after the war to guard over Lincoln's body. Later, the group began collecting items from other Veterans in the building during the 1880s. Much of what is on the walls has been there since the 1920s and hasn't been moved since. Museum is in a creak four story building which is dimly lit, but a throw-back to a different time. A very friendly, laid back staff compared to other high-traffic museums.

A recent announcement was that the musuem will move down near Independence Park by 2010.

Some of the most interesting items were the battle monuments---a photo of General Grant looking over a map with General Meade while tropps sat on church pews, portions of trees with artillery shells embedded , such as from Gettysburg Battle. Also General George Amstrong Custer's personal flag from Gettysburg, and various Lincoln memorobilia such as a photo of the funeral processiona, and a lock of Lincoln's Hair.

http://www.cwurmuseum.org/pages/VirtualTour.htm

2008 March 17th 1908 St. Patrick's Day Remembered

2008 St. Patricks Day was on a Monday and passed like most others. But it was only a few years ago when a family mystery about St. Patrick's day 1908 came up again. My mom had asked a local geneology expert about information

on my Dad's great-grandma Mary.

The reply, "Oh, you mean the Irish woman who killed her husband on St Patrick's Day." That's just hear-say....but it did fill in some gaps on an old newspaper story that my cousin had found.

Anyway.....R.I.P. Mary and James...and Long Live St. Patrick's Day

2008 March14th St. Patrick's Day Weekend Kick-Off

Friday was the annual St. Patrick's Day weekend kick off party. Every year I wonder why bother to go to all the trouble. Then I look at the ingenious stories on previous years' banners, and smell the slow cooked Guinness Corned Beef and it all seems worth-while. Not to mention the babes who brought Irish Brown Bread, Pastry Perfection Cake, and fresh carrot sticks too.

What an animated gathering: