RECENTLY I'VE HAD A

problem with my camera.  The snafu sneaked up so quietly, it kind of took me off-guard!

I've been to every Sunday evening concert in the park since they began this season.  It naturally follows that I took footage of the fantastic performances.  Naturally, I wanted to share.

So, Listener Dear, just listen to a couple of the frolicsome sounds I recorded:

Er...uh...
yeh.  I began to realize that all that lovely foot-stompin'-hand-clappin' music had obstinately gone unrecorded!

Now, I did my best to make a little noise about the situation!

I carried the camera to the store where I had forked over good hard-earned money for the equipment.
And the guy had this to say:

.............................
(I'm quietly tearing out my hair, Dear Reader. 
[But it's also true, every now and then I make a few sounds. They are not sounds that I wish to share])

WE WERE OFF TO SEE

the wizard, The (wonderful) Yard Man and I!  Because, because, because, because, because...because of the (wonderful) things he does!  Yes, sir, Reader Dear! Here was the (wonderful) thing he did: "Let's go see The Wizard of Oz," he said.  "I hear it's really good!  I'm calling to see if they've still got tickets."

Two hours later we were taking our seats.

I sneaked one tiny photo, Viewer Dear, after they'd asked us to please do none of that!

And now I feel like an evil flying monkey for my transgression (but aren't these munchkins adorable?!)

Now, near the beginning of the show, I made a surprising discovery! Dorothy and Toto had just survived the tornado (yes, the very one that gave me nightmares, and a life-long fear of tornadoes, after my eight-year-old viewing of the movie), and had found themselves in an odd and colorful place.  Dorothy exclaims...(say it with me, Reader Dear)..."Toto, I've a feeling WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE!"

The Yard Man leaned over and whispered to me, "So that's where that expression comes from!" 
Dear Reader, my first thought was...WHAT?!
My eyes left the riveting scene below (we were in the mezzanine) and I whirled to look directly into The Yard Man's eyes.  Was he pulling my leg?!* Did he truly not know the story of The Wizard of Oz?! Was he never acquainted with Glinda, or The Tin Man, or the ruby slippers?!  While I had been sitting in my seat, just waiting for Auntie Em, Uncle Henry and the farm hands to run for the cellar, the house to land on the Wicked Witch of the East, and this sentence to come out of Dorothy's mouth...was The Yard Man really taking in  this story for the very first time?!  It would be a story, to him,  in which anything could happen--Dorothy could suffer insomnia on twelve mattresses with a single pea underneath!  Or, she might meet a Prince Charming and trot off to the Emerald City on the back of a horse!

Well, Reader Dear, I'll just tell you now: It was true.  He did not know the story!

We both found this musical production to be quite fascinating, and very enjoyable! (Wow, the acting! The costuming!  The acrobatics! The live orchestra! The staging!)  The Yard Man, however, had the advantage of watching a brand-new story unfold!

**

As for me, well...I was able to whisper a few spoiler alerts (only given at the very last second, of course)..."He's really just a fellow Kansan!"..."All she has to do is click her heels and say..."

And you WELL KNOW what she has to say, as she clicks her heels! 

Uh, don't you....Reader Dear?!

...............................................

*A favorite pastime of his!

**Sound-deficient camera renders applause non-existent (in reality, the crowd clapped wildly!)

BEER AND WINGS!

It was the order of the evening!
It was my meal out with "The Men." 
All of my sises-in-law (those who had been spending great amounts of time together while the sister from Washington State was in the area) were out-of-town.  (It's understandable; those sisters piled into a van and went to spend time with the [yet one more] sister who lives in Ohio!)

That left, of course, the men to fend for themselves.  They decided on wings and beer at a local pub, and I was invited!
Thus, here I was--the lone sis-in-law, at a table with all these brothers-in-law (plus The Yard Man and a nephew)!

(Reader Dear, I have a great big ol' grin on my face, looking at this photo of these dear XY's who are connected to me by the ties that bind!)

As the lone double-X, I decided I'd do a little research*
...........................

*On the sly (more difficult than one might suppose), I jotted down topics of conversation. Though I lost the list, I remember that sports and food were highlights.**

..........................
 **But I was such a  minority, Dear Reader, what do I know?!
Any researcher worth her salt might assume my very presence could have skewed this research project!  

IT'S MAGIC!

That is, it's Philadelphia's Magic Gardens!
Our group of seven is still here, in the city with this captivating place.
These magic gardens are quite unique, Reader Dear, and ever-so-happily I've got photos for you; otherwise, the magic would be difficult to describe!

First of all, we are pleased to walk in and find "family" there to greet us--the daughter of a cousin (nothing strictly magical about that fact, but very charming nonetheless!)

 Then, heading deeper into this enchanting wonderland, my fascination grows! 





















It is a jungle of 360-degree artwork!

And the restroom is no exception!













I marvel at the magic snapping-of-the-fingers it would take to create this space, Viewer Dear!

Let me assure you, these photos do not do it justice.
(I did my best, but I am no
magician!)
.....................................................

THE ITALIAN MARKET

It's where we were, Dear Reader.
We headed down the street.
We saw lots of meat,
and other things that Italian folks* eat.




 

However, considering our considerable amount of time spent with the Termini Brothers, nothing looked all that tempting.

We had seen the market, rain was threatening, and we had one more stop...so off we headed...


 (Oh, Viewer Dear with your clever eye,
do you spy the bicyclist zipping by [twice!]?)
.........................
*Us, too.