What a week this has been. The weather this week has been hot, humid, and with scattered storms on several occasions but the weekend was terrific. From the low 80’s to upper 90’s and a nice breeze on several days. I grew up in Indiana and this weather reminds me of my favorite summer days with temperatures in the low 90’s, a slight breeze, and absent of humidity. These days are a delight!
Things I learned this week.
1. It’s called a long “s”.
Glance at the first page of one of Franklin’s books. If you read the first page you will see it says “House of Representatives” but it appears to have ‘f’ instead of ‘s’ in some places. Well, that is the long ‘s’ which was commonly used from the 8th century to the 18th century.
While the letters we use to write English often roughly correspond to spoken sounds, two letters sometimes make the same sound in different words, like the “c” in “circus” and the “s” in “sir.” The letters themselves have changed over time, as well. One lower-case letter we no longer use, called the “long s,” developed in the 8th century. The long s, which looked like ſ or ſ, was pronounced just like the s in “sir.”
The long ‘s’ was only lower case, and most commonly used in the beginning and middle of words. The lower-case “s” we use today also existed then, but was largely used only if s was the last letter of a word, or sometimes in the case of a double s. Words like “persons,” “foolish,” and “success” might have been spelled “perſons,” “fooliſh,” and “ſucceſs.” The letter fell out of use in English in the mid- to late-18th century, though it lingered in handwriting into the 19th century and was used in German well into the 20th century.
I’m told that Ben Franklin loved using the long ‘s’ but Thomas Jefferson did not prefer using it. That could have been because Franklin was born 40 years prior to Jefferson and the use of it was waning. However, Timothy Matlack, a prominent calligrapher in the 18th century, loved it and used it when he hand wrote the copy of the Declaration of Independence that was signed. Now you know when reading documents from prior centuries why you see the long ‘s’ in print.
2. Is it time to add a 4 legged friend to our family?
Been thinking about getting a puppy once I return home. We lost our Gus in January this past year and I’ve not been ready for another. I wanted to give Lou (my younger pup) time to adjust. Will see if she is ready to be a big sister when I get home in September.
Across the street from the Ben Franklin printing office is a pet store with adoptable pets in the window. They change very often so once I found it I make it a priority to walk by every few days. Last week I walked in to speak with the manager and he told me about how much they love volunteers who come by and take the dogs for a walk. Maybe that’s why their adoption rate is so high. My last day at work this week (Mondays are my Fridays) they had a black lab in the window. I so wanted to bring him home with me but could not figure out where I would keep him since I have another month here. I’m sure he will be gone by Thursday when I return.
He is all legs! and so cute too. But he is unfortunately not meant for me. I need to check-in with Lou first. I’d sure love him though if only it was the right timing.
3. Street Cleaners who take pride in their city.
Other things I’ve learned this week (or just observed) is that it seems our street cleaners have gone away now that the city events have passed. The older gentlemen who clean each morning are still here. I talk with one each morning. He has a 2 block radius and picks us trash left there from the night before. He takes great pride in what he does. And I thank him for that each morning. Unfortunately he would not allow me to take his picture because these folks are not allowed to let others take pictures of them during work. But I did get a picture of his block.
This is 2nd street between Market and Arch Streets. These gentleman are generally retired and spend their day sweeping and picking up trash to keep their city nice. They have a lot of pride in their city and I enjoy talking with my special friend one each morning. Unfortunately I don’t eve know his name!4. Mara experiences a “security event” . . .
My last day of work this week ended up pretty adventurous. Briefing was at 8:45 and is over at 8:55 am. That is when we get our schedules for the day. I was assigned to move the Old City Hall barricades and then move on to the Visitor Center at 9:10. I get from the rangers every time these are assigned to me.
When I arrived at IVC (Independence Visitor Center) it was already opened with one ranger changing the dates on the park stamps, one picking up overnight voice mails, and the other two of us accommodating visitors waiting for information.
I really wasn’t paying any attention to what was behind me. Apparently we received a voice mail that was suspicious and that ranger activated law enforcement to look deeper into it. Again, I’m still oblivious to anything happening behind me. At 9:20 a.m. I was tapped on the shoulder and told to exit the building. NOW. So, without asking anything I did. And when I found myself outside I wondered what I should do. I walked about a few minutes, looked a bit “out of place” as no one was out there and noticed all I saw was law enforcement from the park and city police all over the place. I thought “Hmm, maybe I should help?” So I went to a ranger on the west side of the street and said “How can I help?” I was assigned to keep visitors from walking across the street to the visitor center and redirect them in the opposite direction.
At this time I still did not know what was happening but I knew it was serious. Did I mention the Visitor Center has the only restrooms available prior to 10 a.m.? People were coming to use them and not inclined to wait. As I asked them politely not to cross the street they first ignored me. Apparently my asking got a little more rigid and forceful. People walked around me, ignored me, or asked why. Please do not cross the street. You may go across the street this way but the visitor center is closed due to a security event. Some would continue on and now I became a little more commanding, especially after I saw two police K-9s arrive and go into the building,
At that point I was getting frustrated and apparently got out my mom voice, used it with the next crowd wanting to cross in spite of me, and made a visitor cry because I “yelled at her!” What I said was “You cannot cross the street this way, the Visitor Center is closed due to a security event, and we have no idea at this time when it will open.” She looked at me and started walking across the street. With my mom voice ready to fire I said, “YOU CANNOT CROSS THE STREET HERE. THE BUILDING IS CLOSED!” I said I was sorry and she said you “yelled at me and hurt my feelings”. I suggested she accept my apology. My final comment was “Just trying to keep you safe mam.”
We had a dozen or so law enforcement officers around the building with who knows how many inside. An hour later, at 10:30 am, we re-opened the building as the threat was found to be a false event. What a day!
This is as I was entering the Visitor Center at 9:10 a.m.
I cannot begin to express my gratitude to the law enforcement officers who worked to protect all of us as well as the countless visitors on that day. Their unwavering commitment to their duty, their professionalism, and their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way ensured that everyone could remain safe. Their courage and dedication are deeply appreciated, and I am grateful for their service.
Things to come:
- Melissa and I are having dinner next Tuesday with Bonnie Collins, a friend I met in San Antonio who lives here in Philly. I met her in person when I arrived here late May but we have not been able to get together since. I am looking forward to seeing her next week at The Continental, one of our favorite dining places.
- I plan to see the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial next week as well. There is much to learn about the smallest unit of the National Park Service. At .02 acres, the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial tells an expansive story about an international champion of human rights. It is near 3rd & Pine Streets.
3. I’m hoping to get a tour of the sphere inside Independence Hall. The steps are small and only 3 adults can be up there at the same time. I’ll tell you more after I get to see this area. It is the area at the highest level.
Be Well, Stay Safe, and safe travels. Blessings to all!
Hugs, Mara
(Please forgive the unintentional mistakes.)