This was my birthday week in Philadelphia. I turned 77 years old on Friday. I don’t feel 77 but the years and adventures tell me I really have lived these past years well. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful family that has been 100% supportive of me on all my adventures. I’ve also been blessed with great friends who I have made over the years and we remain in touch. My birthday was grand with all of your wishes. Thanks to each of you who helped me in celebrating. I appreciate each and every one of you.
The week was busy. Time Capsule 2026 preparation has been going on for several weeks. It is planned to be buried at the corner of 5th and Chestnut on July 4th. At least, that’s the plan. We’ll see if that happens (I’ll let you know).
And finally, a sign explaining a tiny bit about the time capsule installation.
My schedule has begun to feel normal. You remember that first week after you begin a new job when it feels like you know what you are doing and you are in the right place at the right time. Sometimes it is months before things feel right and then there are times when it only takes weeks. Here at Independence National Park it has only taken a few weeks to feel good about my ability to make a difference. I think that has a lot to do with the degree of friendliness and the feeling of family among all the Rangers and Volunteers. There is always a helping hand next to you here.
Philadelphians are friendly as well and I enjoy the walk to and from work. Plus, feeling at home after hours has a lot to do with the fact that Melissa is here with me.
This is the Libery Bell Museum. There is no cost to getting inside but you do have to go through Security processing and that is why you see the long line. However, if you don’t want to wait in line and miss some great displays inside the Museum, you can simply look at the Bell through the viewing window.
You’ll remember I shared a picture of a bike with both wheels stolen while it was locked to a pole a couple weeks back. Well, on my way to work this week I found 2 more tireless bikes. It looks so funny to me but definitely not so funny to the owners.
Bike wheels are missing but lock held strong. Now I may have given you the impression that this happens a lot but I’ve only seen 3 of these in the month I’ve been here. I just think they look funny without their wheels but the locks are still holding on tight.
My ability to do this is certainly not without assistance and support from my family and friends. They are incredibly supportive in so many ways. I am very appreciative of each one of them. Thanks especially to my son-in-law Robert who is taking good care of my dog, Lou. I miss her very much and have taken to noticing all the dogs here in Philadelphia. They really are well behaved and very friendly. Here are my dogs of the week.
All of these dogs are just great to see and admire. Melissa says she thinks dogs are my favorites of all and I am certain she is correct. There are so many that just need love and I’ve got a lot to give to them.
We moved from the Penthouse to our new home, the one I originally rented this past Sunday. Obviously it is a lot smaller but still adequate for us. It’s a good thing we get along well but I will say if Melissa were still a teenager we might have a serious problem. We’ve learned a lot about living together in these last years and I have really enjoyed having her here. Welcome to our humble abode!
Chartered by Congress in 1816, the Second Bank played a pivotal role in the “bank wars,” which pitted President Andrew Jackson against powerful bank president Nicholas Biddle. President Jackson contended that the Second Bank was unconstitutional and dangerous to republican ideals. In 1832, Jackson’s political opponents decided to make the Bank an election issue by forcing an early renewal of the Bank’s 20 year charter, but the plan backfired when President Jackson vetoed the bill. By 1836, all of the Second Bank’s funds had been transferred to state banks.
Today, more than 100 portraits by painter Charles Willson Peale form the core of the collection. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Peale asked those “worthy Personages” who exhibited the republican virtues of public-spiritedness, self-sacrifice, and civic virtue to sit for him. These portraits, as well as other works by his son Rembrandt and his brother James were once exhibited in Peale’s Philadelphia Museum, located on the second floor of Independence Hall. By the time Peale died in 1828, his museum was struggling financially and in 1848, the City of Philadelphia purchased 86 of Peale’s portraits at auction. Additional portraits have been added to the collection through the years, including a number by British pastel artists James and Ellen Sharples.
I wish you all a good week. We’ll be busy again this week with FIFA games, and events related to 4th of July coming up the following week. I’ll tell you all about it next week. Be well and stay safe.
Blessings (and please forgive any errors).
Mara
Always enjoy your upbeat writing. Be careful on that chair!
Joan Head
Happy Birthday, Mara! You are a gift!