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Gosh, can you believe it's already the last week of July? This summer seems to be flying by doesn't it? And honestly, I have to say that I've really enjoyed it so far. We've had a couple of really hot and humid 5-day stretches in which I could barely breath when walking outside, but overall it's been a mild summer here. And I think the rain has had a lot to do with it.

Over the past fours weeks, I've taken a slew of photographs; capturing the colorful taste of summer in Philadelphia.

Please enjoy...


Close up shot of one of the many beautiful murals in this city


Full shot of the mural


A sailboat on the Delaware River


Outside cafe in Old City, Philadelphia


Colorful craft and flower shop in Old City


Fountain at the Rodin Museum


Close up shot of a bee


Art gallery in Old City. I love the bright sunlight and shadows in this photograph. 


Moi, taking a self-portrait in a mirror I found on the street.


Pub on Walnut Street. I took this photograph primarily because of the little puppy lying next to a water drinking bowl. Is he/she not the most ADORABLE little canine? OMG, I wanted to run across the street and hug and kiss it.


One of my favorite summertime fruits. Red grapes!

Meeting up with a Longtime Friend

About three weeks ago, a dear and longtime friend from Florida, Laurel, came to Philly for three days on a business trip and we were able to get together twice for dinner. We haven't seen each other in about 7 years, so it was such a delight to hang out for two evenings and catch up.

Laurel and I met while doing theater in Orlando, Florida almost 30 years ago. She and I were in two plays together and also appeared in a showcase, which we performed a scene from Woody Allen's movie, Hannah and Her Sisters.

Laurel is still very much involved with theater as a director.

I value Laurel's loyal friendship because no matter where our lives take us, we still manage to stay connected.

Love ya, Laurel!


On our first night, we went to an Irish pub,Tir Na Nog, and had a deeeelicious dinner. Afterwards, we walked over to City Hall and sat in the park while enjoying the most decadent Italian gelato. I ordered dark chocolate and it was so rich that I couldn't even finish it.


Later that night, I walked Laurel back to her hotel and spotted this computerized fireplace in the lobby and thought, "WTF... a fireplace in JULY?!?" So, we decided to practice our acting skills by pretending that it was actually December, snowing, and freezing.

Aren't we such AMAZING actors? I mean, you can feel the heat just from our body language and facial expressions, can't you?

*insert canned laughter*


Have a faaaaabulous week, y'all!
X


47 comments:

  1. Wonderful shots of Philly, Ron! That mural is amazing! If you don't mind me asking, where is it located because I would love to see it in person. Love the sailboat down by the Delaware! And that puppy doggie is adorable! Red grapes are one of my favorite fruits as well. I prefer them over green.

    Glad you were able to spend some time with your friend, Laurel. That hamburger of yours looks incredibly delicious. And gelato...yummy!

    I wonder why they had the faux fireplace going in the middle of the summer? Did it throw off any heat?

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  2. Hello there Elaine!

    That mural is located on 11th Street between Chestnut and Locust. Isn't it gorgeous?

    " Red grapes are one of my favorite fruits as well. I prefer them over green."

    Me too, because they tend to be sweeter than green.

    "That hamburger of yours looks incredibly delicious. And gelato...yummy!"

    That hamburger was faaaaabulous! And those French fries were cooked to perfection - hot and very crispy. Outside of being too rich, I think ate too much at dinner because I couldn't finish the gelato.

    "I wonder why they had the faux fireplace going in the middle of the summer? Did it throw off any heat?"



    No, it didn't throw off any heat, it was just there for show.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a grrrreat week!
    X

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  3. I'm blown away by that first mural!! How did they get it to look so 3D? Freakin amazing!

    All of your photos are beautiful. I love the blue and white colors of the art gallery. And that gelato looks ridiculously rich and delicious.

    So glad you got to spend time with a long-time friend. And Ron, if you wear black long-sleeved shirts and pants in the summer, then you naturally look like you need to warm up in front of a fire..........NOT! You are hilarious! XO

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  4. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comTuesday, July 28, 2015

    Wonderful shots of Philly - I love that creative tap in the garden centre. And I had to laugh at you and Laurel in front of the fake fire!

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  5. I absolutely love each and every photo, but the one of the puppy...is SO precious!! Of course...you know how much I adore puppies! I really must go to Philadelphia some day...you have made me fall in love with the city! The boat picture is fabulous...as is the one of YOU in the mirror!! Awesome job! Have a great Tuesday Ron! xo

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  6. Great pictures, Ron, especially the first mural. I love murals, they are so entertaining - and clever. A neighbouring district have decided to do similar with a subway - one of those that was filled with rubbish and adorned by awful scribblings. From what I've seen the subway now resembles an arcade, with paintings that look like framed pictures and other stuff to make people want to go in there, or should I say less afraid to go there!


    How wonderful that you have such a good relationship with your friend, Laurel. It is so easy to lose touch over the years but you two managed to overcome that.


    Oh well, back to the rain.... whatever happened to summer? Enjoy the week ahead x

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  7. Hey there Bijoux!

    "I'm blown away by that first mural!! How did they get it to look so 3D?"

    I have no idea but isn't it freakin amazing? I also took some shots of other murals I spotted which I may post later and are equally as impressive.

    "And that gelato looks ridiculously rich and delicious."

    OMG....it was soooooooo decadent and delcious but I could only finish half.

    "And Ron, if you wear black long-sleeved shirts and pants in the summer, then you naturally look like you need to warm up in front of a fire..........NOT! You are hilarious!"

    HAHA! I should have mentioned - those were my work clothes. I met Laurel for dinner on both nights right after I got out of work, so I had my "all-black work attire" on.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific Tuesday!
    X

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  8. Hello there Fiona!

    " I love that creative tap in the garden centre."



    Yes, isn't that so creative? Old City (which is where that shot was taken) is an area in Philly filled with art galleries and lots of cool little shops. It's one of my favorite parts of the city.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Happy Tuesday!
    X

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  9. ", but the one of the puppy...is SO precious!! Of course...you know how much I adore puppies!"

    Isn't the puppy SO precious, Jeanne? I was walking home from the park on Sunday afternoon and spotted him/her and just had to take a few pictures. I took them so fast that I wasn't quite sure if they would turn out.

    " I really must go to Philadelphia some day...you have made me fall in love with the city!"



    If you ever visit Philly, I'd be happy to take you on a tour. It's a small city, so you can see a lot in a short period of time.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great Tuesday!


    X to you and the girlz

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  10. Good morning Valerie!

    "...one of those that was filled with rubbish and adorned by awful scribblings. From what I've seen the subway now resembles an arcade, with paintings that look like framed pictures and other stuff to make people want to go in there, or should I say less afraid to go there!"

    That sounds AWESOME! And what a great idea! I bet it looks fantastic too!

    "How wonderful that you have such a good relationship with your friend, Laurel. It is so easy to lose touch over the years but you two managed to overcome that."



    I have several friends from Florida who we've managed to stay in touch since I left (14 years ago) and I cherish that. You're right though, so often we lose touch with friends over the years.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. Have a great week!


    X to you and Joe


    P.S. We've had a lot of rain here as well.

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  11. Wow Ron, that mural is so impressive. The detail is spectacular! I would love to see you post a series of these murals in Philly because I would find it so interesting. Amazing close up shot of the bee. And I also love your self portrait through the mirror!

    Glad you were able to meet up with your longtime friend Laurel. I have a few friends I still keep in contact with from my hometown, however most of us have lost touch over the years.


    " She and I were in a play together and also appeared in a showcase, which we performed a scene from Woody Allen's movie, Hannah and Her Sisters." That's one of my favorite Woody Allen films! What scene did you do?

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  12. Great photos, Ron! Love the mural shots, the fabulous food, and especially the Ronnie selfie! It's great that you got together with Laurel for good times and delicious eats. And even though you played with fire, you didn't get burned! Excellent post, buddy, the Philly tourist board should give you a job!

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  13. What a delightful trip to Philly this morning, Ron! Thanks for letting me tag along. I, too, love that blonde pup lying beside its water bowl -- what a cutie! And that selfie of you in the full-length mirror is a good one, too. You're getting to be quite the expert with that new camera of yours!

    I found myself captivated by those murals -- they're so lifelike! We have several in my town as well, but I'm not sure I like ours as well as yours.

    So glad you and Laurel had such a FUN visit! An Irish pub? Yep, that basket of fries gave away your location -- we found something very similar when we went to Dublin!. Your burger looks immense -- bet you couldn't finish that either, ha! So GOOD having friends visit from faraway and long ago!!

    Happy week to you, my dear!!

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  14. Wow, such color! I really love murals, especially on brick. And it has seemed like a mild summer with all the rain. But even if it is a little milder, how do you run around in long-sleeves and all-black? I'd be fainting.


    I'm glad you had a great visit with Laurel. Looks like fun. I do love me some gelato.


    Hope you're having a great week!

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  15. Great post Ron, fabulous photos. Looks like the two of you had a great time.

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  16. Love those murals! Summer in Philly looks fun and inviting!

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  17. Funny, I stood next to a real fireplace in July a few days ago, trying my best to warm up. Ahh...that was heavenly...


    Love the colorful murals. But, did you notice some weirdo tried to sabotage your photo shoot by standing in the reflection of the mirror?! What nerve. I hope you gave him a good tongue lashing!

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  18. Hiya Matt!

    "I would love to see you post a series of these murals in Philly..."

    Thank you so much for the great idea and I may just do that because I have a lot of mural photographs stored on my computer.

    I too was so glad to meet up with Laurel. I had to work the days she was here, but we were able to have dinner in the evenings.

    "That's one of my favorite Woody Allen films! What scene did you do?"

    It's one of my favorite Woody Allen films as well! We did the final scene where Woody Allen's character meets Diane Weiss's character in the record store. However, we change the scene to be in a coffee shop; spotting each other there accidentally.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a most excellent week!
    X

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  19. Hiya Mark!

    "Funny, I stood next to a real fireplace in July a few days ago, trying my best to warm up. Ahh...that was heavenly.."

    Yes...and I had to laugh when I saw that on your most recent post and thought it was so ironic that we BOTH posted similar photographs! However, it was VERY hot here that day, whereas you at least had 42 degree weather.

    " But, did you notice some weirdo tried to sabotage your photo shoot by standing in the reflection of the mirror?! What nerve. I hope you gave him a good tongue lashing!"



    HA! Yes, I did notice that but I took two shots. The second one he was standing almost directly behind me, so I decided to use the first one.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a faaaaaabulous week!
    X to you and Tara

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  20. Aren't they beautiful, Suzi? We have so many in this city and one is more gorgeous than the other.


    Hopefully, one day when you visit Philly, I can take you on a tour!


    Have a super week, my friend. And thanks so much for stopping by!
    X

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  21. Thanks, Dale :) Yes, we had a SUPER great time! And we have the kind of clost friendship that whenever we meet up, it's like no time has past.


    Have a super week, buddy. And thanks a bunch for stopping by!
    X

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  22. " I really love murals, especially on brick."

    Yes, I agree. They look especially great on brick!

    "how do you run around in long-sleeves and all-black? I'd be fainting."

    HA! I probably should have mentioned it because Bijoux asked the same thing. I wear all-black to work every day, so I had my work attire on when I met Laurel for dinner each night.

    " I do love me some gelato."



    OMG...it was so yummy but OH-SO rich decadent that I could hardly finish it.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a grrrrrreat week!
    X

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  23. Hey there Debbie!

    "I, too, love that blonde pup lying beside its water bowl -- what a cutie!'

    HA! I KNEW you would love the blonde puppy shot. Isn't he/she a CUTIE? I swear to god I wanted run across the street and hug and kiss it!

    "I found myself captivated by those murals -- they're so lifelike!"

    Are they beautiful? And we have so many in Philly; one more beautiful than the other. The attention to detail is amazing!

    "Your burger looks immense -- bet you couldn't finish that either, ha!"



    No, I actually finished the entire thing (fries included), which is why I couldn't finish the gelato because I was so full!


    Happy week to you too, my friend. And thanks a bunch for stopping by!
    X

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  24. Hey there Rob!

    "It's great that you got together with Laurel for good times and delicious eats.'

    OMG...Laurel and I were so excited to see each other again. She emailed me about a week and a half before she got here so that we could make plans to meet up. I'm so glad it all worked out so that we could meet for dinner twice!

    "And even though you played with fire, you didn't get burned!"



    HAHAHAHA!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a super week!
    x

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  25. Ron, what fabuloso photographs! Your images of Philly always make it look so interesting and appealing. What a great-looking city which such diverse architecture. That mural is amazing!


    Love the shot of the bee and flowers. Your new camera takes such awesome photographs. I also love he pic of the grapes with the water drops. Makes me want to reach inside the photo and eat one Lol!


    I can tell from the pictures of you and Laurel that you had a great time seeing each other again. Glad you were able to get together!

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  26. Thanks for letting me know about the mural, Ron. My husband and I are going to try to get into Center City this weekend and see it for ourselves.


    Can you believe the heat today?

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  27. You're so welcome, Elaine!


    OMG...the heat today was horrible. And it's supposed to be hotter tomorrow and through the rest of the week. Oy vey!

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  28. Hey ho Robert!

    Thank you :) That's one of the things I really like about Philly, the diversity in architecture. Isn't the mural faaaaaaabulous?

    " I also love he pic of the grapes with the water drops. Makes me want to reach inside the photo and eat one Lol!"



    HA! I've been eating a lot of red grapes and watermelon this summer because they're so refreshing on a hot day.


    Yes, Laurel and I had such a great time.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a terrific week!


    X

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  29. Oh Ron, I love each and every one of these photographs! The ones of the mural are magnificent! And what a great the shot of you in the mirror. How cute you look in your cap, jeans and sneakers.

    " Is he/she not the most ADORABLE little canine? OMG, I wanted to run across the street and hug and kiss it." LOL! Cute, cute puppy!


    So glad you were able to spend time with your friend Laurel. What a long and wonderful friendship bond you have. Interesting to read that you were in theater together. Do you ever miss it and think you'll go back to it one day?


    I love me some gelato!

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  30. Hola Denise!

    Isn't the mural magnificent? We have so many here in Philly. I so admire the artists who put forth the time, energy and talent to create them because they add such beauty to the city.

    "So glad you were able to spend time with your friend Laurel. What a long and wonderful friendship bond you have."

    Me too. We've been friends a long time and have shared so much with each other over the years. Laurel is such a loyal friend!

    "Interesting to read that you were in theater together. Do you ever miss it and think you'll go back to it one day?"



    Yes, I do miss it sometimes and perhaps will one day go back to it; even if it's community theater.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful week too!
    X

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  31. hey ron, just came to say i'm loving all of your photographs. keep taking them. i haven't taken any but going to eastern asia in september/october.maybe that will give me a boost.


    well you know i'm okay with the heat, rather be hot than cold. :)

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  32. Aw...thank so much for your sweet word, Val, and for stopping by :)

    " i haven't taken any but going to eastern asia in september/october.maybe that will give me a boost."

    OMG...that sounds fabulous! I visited Asia too (parts of Japan and Korea) and loved it! You're definitely gonna have a great time taking pictures.

    "well you know i'm okay with the heat, rather be hot than cold. :)"

    HA! I know, you LOVE the heat! I haven't really minded this summer so far, but it's been soooooooo these past few days.

    Have a super week, girl, and thanks so much for stopping by!
    X

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  33. Really enjoyed seeing more of your beautiful city Ron. And yes, aren't ice cold grapes just the best on a hot summer day, I prefer the green ones though.😉 Your friend Laurel looks and sounds like a special lady. You were fortunate to be able to reconnect after all those years.

    I can relate to how you felt in those heat waves...so draining but I'm enjoying the cooler temperatures here in BC while they last.

    Have a super duper weekend. 😁 And a headbonk from the Chedster too.🐱🐱

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  34. Hellooooo there Geraldine!

    " And yes, aren't ice cold grapes just the best on a hot summer day, I prefer the green ones though."

    Aren't ice grapes the BEST on a hot summer day? But once I start eating them, I can't stop - HA!

    "Your friend Laurel looks and sounds like a special lady. You were fortunate to be able to reconnect after all those years."

    Thank you. Yes, she is a very special lady and we were both so excited and happy to see each other after 7 years.

    "I can relate to how you felt in those heat waves...so draining but I'm enjoying the cooler temperatures here in BC while they last."

    The past two days have been sooooo draining because of the heat. However, it rained today, so it cooled things off a bit and I'm so happy.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantabulous weekend!

    X to you and the Chedster. Meow!

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  35. First, um, that dog. My husband is obsessed with goldens. When I was in Cali, they were just EVERYWHERE! ugh, darn happy california people and their dogs all the time. Which reminds me, I have exciting news, we are getting a goldendoodle this fall!!! He will be taking over my instagram for sure .... we have had him "hypothetically" for about two years, but we're kind of commitment-phobes lol. I LOVE friends that you can just always pick up where you left off - I have some friends like that, it's a blessing for sure!

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  36. Hey there Brit!

    "My husband is obsessed with goldens."

    Me too, I love goldens because they are the most lovable-looking dogs and have the sweetest faces.

    " Which reminds me, I have exciting news, we are getting a goldendoodle this fall!!!"

    Oh, what great news! And I bet you and your husband are so eagerly anticipating picking him up in the fall!

    Thank so much for stopping by, girl. Have a super weekend!

    X

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  37. Good morning, Ron! Long lost friend has come back to try and catch up … again.
    Haha, I liked the striped purple underwear. lol Ron would never wear anything like that either, especially being a boxer guy anyway. I'm so glad you are enjoying your job, learning new things, being busy. That's really awesome. I'm happy for you. Never saw the movie Look Who's Coming to Dinner. Sounds interesting. And, yes, love is love. xo Hmm… what else was back there that I read… OH, letter writing. Gosh, I used to love that, too! Never had the sealing wax that I can remember. I did write a letter to another blogger not very long ago, within the last year.. and sent a few little gifts in the package. Would like to do that more often, oh, but we all just get so busy and it usually doesn't happen. :(
    We've had some occasional troubles with Verizon and our cable co., too. Directv. However, neither has been bad enough to switch. We've considered it, but then people who have contracts with the other companies available to go to have their horror stories so we try to ride it out. One day, when we have our tiny house and are traveling the country…haha… we won't be so much concerned with a home phone or movie channels. Right? Dare to dream…
    So I loved all the photos here, of course!! And, sure happy to see you and your friend Laurel enjoying each other's company. Always nice to catch up with a friend. Looked like a fun time.
    Well, neighbor… I'm hoping to do a catch up post one of these days. So much happens, it's just hard finding the time and the words.

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  38. Hellooooooooo there Mary!

    Great to see ya, my friend! And thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by and catch up on my posts. You're a sweetheart!

    " I'm so glad you are enjoying your job, learning new things, being busy. That's really awesome."

    I am sooooooo enjoying the new job for so many reasons. But the main reason is that they really do care about their employees. Also, it's a great company to move up in because there are so many opportunities.

    "We've had some occasional troubles with Verizon and our cable co., too. Directv. However, neither has been bad enough to switch."

    And I completely understand that. However, I've had nothing but trouble with Verizon for the past three years; losing my internet and phone service. So I've decided to switch to another company for my internet service and then get a cell phone instead of a landline.

    "And, sure happy to see you and your friend Laurel enjoying each other's company. Always nice to catch up with a friend. Looked like a fun time."



    Thank you and yes, we had a great time meeting up last month. Laurel is such a great person.


    Hope you're enjoying your summer. Gosh, I can hardly believe it's August already. Before we know it, FALL will be here! :)


    Have a faaaaaabulous week, neighbor!
    X

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  39. I never knew Philly was so colorful! The murals are fantastic. Our summer has been a bit bipolar this year. One never knows if the day is going to be hot and humid or cool and rainy! Love the shot of the grapes. Great detail. I'm sure you enjoyed time with your friend. It looks like you had a great day.

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  40. "Our summer has been a bit bipolar this year. One never knows if the day is going to be hot and humid or cool and rainy!"


    Lisa, that's the way it's been here for the past two weeks as well. We've had tremendously high levels of humidity and heat on some days, but then it rains and cools things off. Right now it's raining, so it's more on the cool side :)



    Yes, I had a great time with, Laurel. We were chatting up a storm and catching up with each other.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend!
    X

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  41. This is like two posts in one! A bonus Two-Fer!!!! I enjoyed it so much that I scrolled through three to four times to really look at the pictures. I think my favorite is the full shot of the giant mural. Your angle is perfect on it - the colors are so perfect. My second favorite is the one of your handsome self in the mirror - what a great idea! You have a gift I wish I had in coming up with ideas for shots and angles for shots that make the photos so interesting and captivating. My third favorite is the craft shop window. PRETTY!!!!

    I am so happy you were able to see your friend again!

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  42. "This is like two posts in one! A bonus Two-Fer!!!!"



    HA! Yes, I decided to combine two posts in one since they both had to do with summertime.


    Thank you so much for your sweet words, Katherine :) One of these days when you come to Philly for a visit, I would love to take you around the city (cameras in hand) so we can both take pictures. I have a feeling you would appreciate all the urban sights. Plus, I know how much you (like me) enjoy the 'grungy decay' look that a city is notorious for.


    Have a faaaaaaaaabulous week, my friend. And thanks a bunch for stopping by!
    X

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  43. So much going on here with my father's condition, I so needed the vibrancy of this post, Ron. Love when you take the reader on a journey, or excursion. It allows me to live or visit a (your) locale, vicariously and so thoroughly as if I were scoping out all the hot spots you mentioned myself. Absolutely love the murals. Beautiful.
    Thank you, Ron, and it's the most wonderful feeling in the world, isn't it, when you can get together with an old friend. Precious memories!
    Have a wonderful weekend, Ron! Glad to read that your Verizon problem was taken care of. Technology! Can't live with it, can't live without it. ;))

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  44. Helloooooooooo there Petra!


    First, I hope all is well with your father and his condition. Please know that I am sending you (and your father) MUCH good energy and positive thoughts.


    Aren't the murals lovely? Philly has so many all over the city. In fact, they are just starting to paint a new one on a building next to my apartment building and it looks like it's going to be a beauty!


    It was so great to get together with my friend, Laurel. We hadn't seen each other in so many years, but it was like picking up where we left off the last time we got together.


    Yes, thank god I got my Verizon problem resolved. I was without a phone for over a week!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend!


    X

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  45. Since I have been out of the blogosphere so long I decided to scroll back a little to catch up with you. This post was awesome and funny because Mark has one up right now about meeting blog friends. Clearly I am behind on this little trend! I need to get out there. Philly has you and my favorite vloggers so that would be a double wammy for me!

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  46. Hello there Shae and thanks for stopping back :)

    "This post was awesome and funny because Mark has one up right now about meeting blog friends."

    I know, I thought the same thing when I read his most recent post about meeting up with a blogging friend.

    " Philly has you and my favorite vloggers so that would be a double wammy for me!"

    Anytime you decide to come to Philly for a visit, PLEASE let me know because I would love to meet up with you and show you around the city. I've always had a feeling that one day you and I would meet!

    Have a great week, my friend!
    X

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  47. Fabulous shots Ron! I particularly like the murals. :)

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