Statues

I have many pictures of statues. Statues in front of the Legionnaire's Building. Statues at City Hall. Statues in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. Statues on random (to me) street corners. I tried to take pictures of them all the first day -- for Josh. Then I realized the futility of it. I can't remember the information, let alone match the correct information to the proper statue. So this is just a sampling. I hope I have the information matched correctly.

Half of a pair of Civil War statues at City Hall. If the horse is on all fours, the soldier was not wounded in battle. If the horse has one leg off the ground, the soldier was wounded. If the horse is rearing, with both front legs off the ground, the soldier died in battle. If we had more time, I would have liked to go to Gettysburg.

 

William McKinley, remembered as a martyr on at City Hall.

 

Joan of Arc, a sparkling statue at the gate of the Museum of Fine Arts. Our tour guide called her 'Joanie on a pony.' I thought that very irreverent. A city full of history, but keeps its tongue in cheek about it all. (Note the prancing horse. Joan of Arc's statue apparently doesn't follow the rule about horses feet. As far as I know, she wasn't wounded in battle. She didn't die in a battle either. Captured by the English, the French refused to pay her ransom. I think the English killed her because they didn't know what else to do with her. Horrible to be abandoned like that.)

 

Robert Morris -- he financed much of the Revolution. Without him, we would have failed. I want to know more about him. I'll have to look him up.

 

Liberty Bell

When Josh knew we were going to Philadelphia and he wasn't, the thing he was saddest about was not being able to see the Liberty Bell. I promised his to take pictures. We picked a good time. The building was almost deserted. We went at the end of a hot day.

I love to read, but Craig reads faster. (That is odd to me.) We walked the exhibits preparing us for the actual bell. I didn't linger to read everything, unusual for me. I kept up with Craig - a bit impatient to see the bell. When we left the hall and talked about why the bell held such meaning Craig remembered the information. I pondered for a bit. I remember the visual strength of the bell. It looks heavy and sturdy. The rim is rough and chipped. It looks like it could ring forever (if you didn't look at the crack). But in reality, the bell is fragile. It must be protected and guarded. Liberty is like that. It looks strong and gives the illusion that it will endure forever. But liberty is fragile, a divine gift to be guarded and treasured. I wonder how long we will enjoy the privilege of a gift we don't honor. The Founders honored God and put duty before desire. We honor ourselves above all else and place the highest worth on individual desire and ignore duty, to God and country. Liberty is fragile.

 

A better angle for the clapper.

 

Across the square, looking at Independence Hall. The old building dwarfed by modern growth. But still the heart of the city.

 

Benjamin Franklin

This city embraces Benjamin Franklin, like no other. His legends and stories take up more than half of the tour guide's information. Franklin's inventions: bifocals, Franklin stove, lightning rods, etc. Stories about his ambition. He started out nobody, he learned a trade-printing, he was driven to become the best printer in the colonies, his almanac, his philosophy on work, etc. His personal life, he "married" a woman that had been deserted by her husband. They could never confirm the run away's death, so they could never officially marry. Yet, still the couple was happy. His son that stayed loyal to the king and ended up buried in England. His spirit of philanthropy. Once he had worked hard enough to get what he needed, he never patented his inventions. He wanted to help people in need, and he had what he needed.

I am becoming his fan, more and more.

Here is a statue of young Ben working at his printing press.

 

He wanted his grave to be simple. His request was honored. A tradition to toss pennies on his grave yields from $3,000 to $4,000 a year. Money used for the upkeep of the cemetery where he and his wife and daughter and son-in-law are buried. People ignoring his wisdom of "a penny saved is a penny earned" for the moment to honor the wisdom of his era.

 

The cemetery where Franklin is buried has more than just his grave of course. These old grave markers invite reverence and contemplation. Men and women who saw our nation forged. The markers weather worn to the point that I couldn't read the names or dates. The little cemetery, a tiny square in the middle of a modern city, more majestic than the grand buildings that dwarf William Penn on City Hall. History pulsated for me as I wandered the stones.

 

Benjamin Franklin opening the 4th of July parade. The man as much a part of the city now as he was back in 1776.

 

City of Murals

I think the guide (on the Big Bus tour) said there were 3000 murals in Philly. Developers have to include in the budget a small percentage for art to improve the city. The murals were started to help fight grafitti.

The zipper building. Used to be a punk rock store called zipperhead. It has now changed locations and a ladies boutique is there now. But the zipper and ants have been called a landmark and can't be removed. The botique has to deal with it.

 

Larry of the 3 Stooges was born right at this spot. A huge mural to honor him.

 

A mosaic map of Philadelphia.

 

Modern sculpture

Josh wanted me to take pictures of every statue that I saw. There was no way that I could do it. So here is a sampling of the modern pieces.

I think this one is called 'Government'. A bunch of intertwined, bulky bodies stacked on top of each other. It is quite large and interesting.

 

A cloths pin. According to our guide the artist wanted a place for the polliticians to air their dirty laundry.

 

I have no idea. But it was calming and fluid.

 

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania named after William Penn. I found his prayer for his colony on a plaque at City Hall. A monstrous building that went forever. This prayer reminds me of Enos. Praying for desendents that had lost his earnest faith and trust in God. Philadelphia is a clean city. The people are relaxed and mostly friendly. I could see myself living there. I loved the archetecture in the old buildings and the sense of history.

 

A statue of William Penn on the tower of City Hall. For a long time the tallest point in the city. Nothing was built to be taller than Penn's hat. But, how can a modern city grow with such a short skyline. So the rule was broken and William Penn cursed the city. The city's professional sports teams stopped winning. No championship for any sport. The citizens were worried. How to appease a ghost and modernize the city. So on the top of the new tallest building in Philly, a small statue of William Penn was placed, and baseball enjoyed a victorious world series. Our guide seemed sure about curse and the cure.

 

City Hall, the former tallest building reflected in the glass of the new tallest building.

 

Back Home

Craig and I went off to Philadelphia for a barbershop convention. We left early Wednesday morning and got home late last night.

So many pictures to share and so many memories to record. Since this is becoming my journal, I will have to take some time and sort out all that happened.

But right now, I have laundry going, I'm on my third batch in the washer. I need to get the dishwasher going. I've cleaned out my email. I need to go shopping and get milk and more laundry detergent. And I still need to shower.

But it was lovely sleeping in my own bed last night. :)

We missed the kids dreadfully. They were happy we woke them up last night to say hello. They were happy with a brief cuddle this morning. They were happy as Craig made waffles this morning. And now routine has been re-established, and they are happy off doing something upstairs.