INNER TAPOPHILE

Now before you think I'm completely insane, or Warbucks and I had sex in a cemetery... people...clear that thought!!!! I do consider myself a tapophile....otherwise known as a "cemetery enthusiast", "cemetery tourist", "grave hunter", "graver" who has a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries, epitaphs, photography, art, and death. Death has never scared me, nor do I fear it. But I enjoy cemeteries so. Even right next to the Casa du Borghese is a very old graveyard dating to 1795. I once had a friend who just walking by one, would have a anxiety attack. He would never even come to stay with I and a good friend for a long weekend, who lives right off the graveyards of the Gettysburg Battlefields.  But I digress. This visit also saw us at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia for a day.

Laurel Hill Cemetery was founded in 1836 as a nonsectarian alternative to Philadelphia’s crowded, inner-city churchyards of the early nineteenth century. Intended for use by the living, as well as the dead, the cemetery’s design takes advantage of scenic Schuylkill River vistas, supported by the addition of winding paths and rare horticultural specimens.

Established in 1836, Laurel Hill is one of Philadelphia's premier historic landmarks and one of the only cemeteries in the United States to be honored as a National Historic Landmark. Countless prominent people of local and national fame are buried at Laurel Hill, including George G. Meade and thirty-nine other Civil War-era generals, in addition to six Titantic passengers, poets and authors, numerous polictians, and members of high society. Their extensive archives undoubtedly serve as a superb resource for scholars, researchers and genealogists. Moreover, Laurel Hill's natural beauty and peaceful serenity render it a bucolic retreat nestled within the city's limits overlooking,  high above the Schuylkill River. The cemetery's beautiful green space is further complimented by the breathtaking art, sculpture and architecture that can be found here. These are just some of the many attributes that render Laurel Hill Cemetery a primary destination for both residents and visitors to the City of Brotherly Love.

Even in all this restful garden of the dead...was a  sign of continuing life......

We have no idea if this fellow got here from the pond or the river, but we hoped his family wasn't far.

It was a good day.

To read other posts on Laurel Hill,  just click it in the tags.

GRANDE DAME...MISS VANJIEEEEEEEEE

Vanessa  Vanjie Mateo was always pretty known of the drag circuit and huge in her hometown of Tampa. Vanessa was named by her Drag Mother, Alexis Mateo. She named her Vanessa because she looks like Ursula's human form from Disney's The Little Mermaid  She received "Vanjie" because Alexis can't pronounce "Banjee". She is a member of the Haus of Mateo, hence her surname.  While she may be new to some, Miss Vanjieeeeeee shakes and stirs things up in Tampa and is known for her sleek ghetto, or banjie looks. As Vanessa exited the stage this season on RuPaul's Drag Race, she backed away and said her name three times in different tempos: "Miss Vanjie...Miss Vannnnjie...Miss...Vanjieeeeeeee..." This clip from her elimination lead to a  blow up of her name and creation of a popular Internet meme; fans have included the quote in image macros as well as clips from various TV shows and movies. 

Opinions were divided between whether Vanessa or Kalorie should have went home first. While some fans claimed that Vanessa deserved to stay as she was a contestant of great charm, many others considered her performance less entertaining than her opponent during the 'lip-sync. But there is no denying she is funny as hell, and has great style...and can perform apparently very well, as the Lad met her on his recent vacation back in April. I just wonder if he tried he behaved himself? To check out Miss Vannnnnjieeee click here for her site and touring schedule..

Miss Vannnnjieeeee!!!!!!

ENGAGING MUSEUM

I have to say, this weekend was a beauty of one.Right before Warbucks was going to take off, he wanted to go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to feel cultured I believe, what with a week of fine food and eating out and  just a few cock-a-tails. I love dinning out...but talk about to many earthly delights! I adore Warbucks, but between his energy, squiring me all over, and the few gift he brought, which I won't mention what they were, can be taxing after a week...but off we went anyway.

 So it was off to Philly for the day, and we were also joined by my friend Preston who stayed over night. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a art museum originally chartered in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The main museum building was completed in 1928 on Fairmount, a hill located at the northwest end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval. The museum administers collections containing over 240,000 objects including major holdings of European, American and Asian origin. The various classes of artwork include sculpture, paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, armor, and decorative arts. The Philadelphia Museum  also administers several annexes including the Rodin Museum, that I also just featured a few weeks ago and is also located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It quite a very engaging place and so beautiful. The exterior alone feels majestic and I could take pictures of just the architecture of it.

But don't ever expect me to take pictures of the damn Rocky Statue. I despise that thing!!!! I've made many a prayer to Athena to send a lightening bolt down to take that thing out. I am much more in love with the Statue of Diana in the main rotunda staircase.

My favorite things to see that day..

I  was pining over this gorgeous silver epergne .I’ve always wanted one of these - this one is spectacular. May be a bit out of my price range though, and where would I place it in my bungalow?

Two majestic works by renowned artist Ursula von Rydingsvard in the Museum’s Sculpture Garden. First constructed in cedar and then cast in bronze and urethane resin. This is one of two of them, and they were gigantic, but very cool.

Preston sent me a picture he took with a drone the next day, since we all stayed in Philly. Don't get me started on them either. I could have killed him playing with that thing while we were outside on the grounds, but since he is hot and ripped, I forgave him. But had I been the Dowager Countess, he'd got hit with my cane. But I must admit the picture is pretty cool looking, seeing toward the Schuylkill River.

The other place we visited, I'll share later for Deedles, but of course after that art viewing... as with any visit with me...

Daddy Warbucks has finally left after a 11 day visit to return to his place in Denver, then head back to main residence in Connecticut. Between working, packing overnight bag here and there, and running between the Casa du Borghese and the Raven, not to mention late nights....the Mistress needs a good lounge and rest.

For him being 61 and not needing Viagra, I will say he is impressing.

Regardless....I need to lounge now.

TODAY'S CHUCKLE

If your a RuPaul's Drag Race fan, you'll appreciate this.