A cold weekend here it was. While we did get another couple fluffy inches of snow...gone are those long dark deep winters of feet of snow...at least for now. While winter is not my favorite season, I still do find beauty in it. I almost wish we could have a cover of white permanently all winter to cover up the dead and murk and mud...at least till spring. It was a down weekend, one to relax too and have some good lay ins. After our snowstorm last week with the heavy stuff, I fear one of the oldest trees on the property, a Eastern White pine may have to come down. It has to be at least 80 years old, and some 70ft tall, I'm guessing. Several branches came down during the weight of the heavy snow, and I think the tree is leaning more than it was before the storm. It's a beautiful, old, gigantic tree and will break my heart to see it go, but I worry if it uproots, it may do even more damage, I dare even say take up part of the garden and bring down the potting shed. We shall see after some experts come out. But where the hell did the weekend go?!?!?!?! Monday already?
This photo has always fascinated me of a frozen over fountain in Detroit on its Washington Blvd.
What better day to share a beautiful cathedral then on a Sunday! Back in December when I visited a good friend in Philadelphia. I took some time to go see the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul. After 23 years living in that area and never once did I go see it. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway in downtown Philly is known for its many squares with fountains, and great museums, from the Philadelphia Art Museum, Franklin Institue, Natural History Museum, The Barnes Collection and the Rodin Museum. However, the beautiful cathedral is often overlooked. The brownstone covered exterior stuck me as odd for a cathedral, but it does seem to fit well into the architecture of Philadelphia.
Above the brownstone is an oxidized copper dome that hints at things to come inside and creates one of the most interesting looking cathedrals I've seen with most Catholic cathedrals, as the painted domes are often the highlight of them. The frescoes high above I believe were done by artist Constantino Brumidi who is most famous for his work in the Capitol Dome in DC. With the passage of the Charter of Privileges in 1701, William Penn officially secured religious freedom for all Pennsylvanians. By the time America had declared its independence, nearly one quarter of all Philadelphians were Catholic, and it was announced that a cathedral would be built, Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, construction would not be completed on the building until nearly two decades later in 1864. As it turns out the wait would be worth it. Designed ny Napoleon LeBrun, the cathedral is built in the Roman-Corinthian style and modeled after the Lombard Church of St. Charles in Rome. The church was immediately recognized as a significant work of architecture. Perhaps the biggest day for the cathedral was in 1979 at a mass given by Pope John Paul II. It' said 1 million people came and stood in front of the cathedral, the mass, the largest gathering in the history of Philadelphia at least till the Black Lives Matters March took place and the mass of Pope Francis who came in 2015.
I'm not even Catholic or religious and considered a confession, but what priest would want to sit for two days listening to my sins!!!!!
However, the overall look of the cathedral is quite beautiful. As the only Roman-Corinthian style church in America, it's well worth a look at the unique building style. And given that it's located so close to some of Philadelphia's art spots, there's no reason not to pop in. And if I can enter a house of worship and it still stands, you know it's well built.
I think most people might jump at that chance to go to Boston. I have been once before, when I went with the Lad to visit the Prince Charming who you may recall, one of my past concubines, years back. When I found out there may be a possibility I may have to go open not one, but two showrooms to help with selection and layout, I was not too happy, as I had to cancel plans to meet up with several bloggers in NYC. Call me strange, but I do not find Boston a place I like to visit and not one of the friendliest cities either. I find people very hard to talk to and get conversation started with. And many seem to be pre-occupied with A-list people, the right circle and labels. It could just be me, but there is some kind of feeling or vibes I get when I visit there. I feel un-edge when I'm there, and not very relaxed. But I can always find time and the balls to go off and explore on my own if need be. Although I did catch up with the Prince Charming...we hadn't seen each other since my last visit. Even he admits the city is nice but finds it very hard to make a circle of friends there as opposed to Philly or New York City. And he's a tall pretty blond boy for pete's sake. While work took much of my time, I did take time to go see the Museum of Fine Art on the weekend and the Quincy Market. No matter the mood of the people, I can always find solace in art and food.
I did however come across this cute, if not historical pub.
Loved this sign...and it speaks the truth!!! From Abraham Lincoln.
Now that being said I will admit to spending most nights in my hotel with room service and books...it was way too cold there for me...but I did find a gay bar I liked and frequented it some nights. I may have had one nice make out session, but you don't want to hear those stories kids. I'm sure he could have showed me some sites. My second weekend spent there I booked a day at a spa for the works. That was heaven. Then there was the rough train ride back as a snowstorm started and getting sick. So there was that. Thanks, heavens, for a quick recovery... and gin.
Does anything say Valentines Day like the candy conversation hearts??? From a young age we were always familiar with them from our classroom Valentine parties, and in our little Valentine mailboxes we would make to place or hang in the classroom. I can remember giving one little boy his own box and gave him a kiss when I gave them to him, and I was immediately told little boys don't kiss other boys. I should have bit that old hag. My little friend never cared, and we even talked about it through the years till he moved away in high school. I always love seeing the little hearts, the colors are cheery. And last year for Valentines the Lad found a company where you could have the box made with special sayings. He had two sayings put on them, "That Ass Tho", and never you mind what was on the other. They gave me a good chuckle. I have been terrible with the treats lately. As I replied to someone yesterday, if I don't watch it, my buttchops are soon to look like two VW Beetles trying to pass each other on a one-way street!! But hearts and sweets.. Valentine stalwarts. And nothing wrong with some naughtiness...
