Full Week!

I have to begin with two Facebook posts from our daughter, Autumn.  We miss our family so much but we are very grateful for the technology that allows us to stay connected to a small degree. Autumn has brought smiles to our faces and tears to our eyes with these two posts: 

Etta (about 22 months old) was alone in the kitchen and apparently wanted something from the refrigerator. She opened the door, moved the chair and stood inside the frig where Autumn caught her.  She looks quite pleased with herself and happy that mom was still in control enough to take a picture!  A treasure for a lifetime. 

Edison (6 years) was unhappy because he done something that ended up badly for him and Malvin (3 years) asked him if he wanted a hug.  They ended up on the couch together with Edi's head in Mal's lap while Mal stroked Edi's face to make him feel better.  Again, what a great photo for now and forever.  Brotherly love....good job Autumn and Derrick! 

We have had a busy week but we took the time Monday after work to attend the Chinese Lantern Festival that has been happening in Franklin Square for a couple of weeks.  It began at 6pm so we worked until closing (HSP closes at 5:30pm) and walked toward the Delaware River to Franklin Square.  We weren't sure about the weather but only felt a little sprinkle here and there.  Since the weather report predicted rain there weren't many people at the Festival. 

Once they let us in, it was not exactly what I had hoped it would be but it was fun to see the different displays.  We learned that this exhibit was actually an exhibit that is from China and goes around the world.  This is the 2nd time it has been in Philadelphia.  The displays were made of a fabric material for the most part.   

The park was not very big, so it didn't take long to walk around and see the lanterns and the displays.  At 6:30pm the first show began. I was impressed with the contortionists;  young girls who obviously have been training for this for a long time.

I was curious how they kept the plates on the sticks so I looked online.  This is what I found: 

There is a ball bearing system on the back of the plates which attaches enough to the sticks that the plate has to be turned almost upside down to remove it from the stick.  This is true for many if not most Chinese performers, but not always for the magician/juggler who use plate spinning as part of their performances.  Those are different and usually include the magician/juggler tossing the plates off the stick and to an assistant.

Still, the skill is impressive and we enjoyed it. 

On Friday we went to Ed's sister's house in 

Doylestown, PA for our last time.  They (Roger and Joyce) have sold their house and are moving into a different time of their life.  They will be looking for a place to buy, probably in Maryland along the east shore. Exciting times, but lots of good memories in their house. 

On Saturday we met some of Ed's cousins at the Cedar Hills Cemetery in northeast Philadephia to see the Moulder graves of grandparents and great-grandparents.  Ed had tried to find the graves before, but had not been successful.  The oldest cousin, Bob, found them and everyone was happy to be there together. 

After some time there, we had lunch at a restaurant on the Delaware River called Maggies. 

The weather is getting warmer here but we are hoping it will still be nice enough for us to comfortably take our walk to work.  Most days it won't be too bad if we get too hot on the walk back to the apartment, but it isn't very comfortable when the day begins with being sweaty and then you get chilled because our room is kept at 66 degrees.  Our room has to stay that temperature because of the treasures. 

Although we are valued at the Historical Society, we do not qualify as treasures.  Oh well.