The city from above, in today's Philadelphia Inquirer

I had planned to title this post "Two Weddings, One Singer, and a Tower," but things got rearranged this morning when it became clear that all the photos I took during my yesterday-long city jaunt are stuck on a malfunctioning photo stick. Imagine, then, that you are glancing at images of newly married happiness, Old City art, a Reading Market singer, and Philadelphia's now-famous pop-up beach. If I can rescue the photos from oblivion. I will share such things in time.

In the meantime, I moved from writing about sidewalks and nearly subterranean Philadelphia last month in the Inquirer to writing about Philadelphia from on high (City Hall) this time around. That story can be found here.

Today, following morning worship with my dad and a happy-making baby shower with dear friends, I'll be back in the city, on the banks of the Schuylkill, for the FLOW Festival with Fairmount Water Works, where a variety of artists are gathering in celebration of the river. Drip Drums, Sonic States, Splash Organ, and Fishway River Net Flood Stories will all be on display, and the day will end with a Grand Finale Light Show that will include, in multimedia fashion, words from Flow: The Life and Times of Philadelphia's Schuylkill River. Look for my neon green walking shoes, end of spectacular day.

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images from a perfect day: Julie Diana Hench, a bunny in a stroller, moon over City Hall

Julie Diana Hench takes a final bow following a most glorious last Pennsylvania Ballet dance with her husband, Zachary. Their beautiful-beyond-description children join them on stage moments after this (illegal, blurry) shot is taken. You know who Julie and Zak are even if you've never met them. They are looking into each other's eyes. They are genuinely in love.

A bunny takes a stroller ride through Old City, Philadelphia. Moments after this I find a vintage men's shop where a Centennial Philadelphia era jacket is hung on the back wall. I buy gifts for my father and husband dating to World War I.

My husband and I, following an early dinner at the fabulous Fork Restaurant, miss our train by 10 seconds and walk the length of the city to consume the following hour. We see the moon rising over City Hall. Boarders take over Love Park. The lights go on above my river.

A perfect day.

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a peaceful, proposing morning

All morning long I have been at work on a proposal for a book about my city.

It was so peaceful, sitting here.

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