Monday, December 21, 2009

The Biggest December Snowfall Since 1906 (Apparently)

This was the view from the third story front windows, probably around 2:00 (pm, clearly) Saturday afternoon.














Word is that this weekend's snowstorm was something like the second worst storm in the history of Philadelphia and the largest December snowfall since 1906, breaking the 1906 record of 20 inches with 23.3 inches (according to the meteorologists at the airport). It was just like being back in Canada. Philadelphia even got a shout-out in a news blurb up on the CBC website.

Around 8:00 pm, still snowing, Emily and I decided to bundle up and head out for a walk, to better enjoy the Christmas-lighted snowy neighborhood. Bret and Dustin thought we looked ridiculous, so Bret borrowed my photographing machine in order to capture our fashion for posterity. My winter boots were back in Brockway (as I did not anticipate so much snow in December), but the wellies worked great, specifically because of their height.














Outside! Emily!




























A few other people were out, and we had nice little chats with them. Though they were out generally for a purpose, and not just for a pleasant excursion.
































Emily and I walked down to the park at Penn's Landing, along the Delaware River, where there is a big statue of William Penn.














Nobody else had been to the park to play around in the snow at all: we made the only tracks there, as we waded through snow up to our thighs.


















The Delaware River. Somebody had built a strange open-architecture wigwam along the shore. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, all lit up, is usually visible from the park, but we could only see enough to imagine it was there. That's how hard it was snowing.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Picturesque, but Uneven

It is finally starting to feel like winter here in Philthydelphia, though somewhat sporadically. The leaves have finally turned completely brown and dull-looking, but there has been no appreciable amount of snow. I'm not in Canada anymore. Clearly.


















These are from mid-November: part of the walking-portion of my daily commute.


















Center City sidewalks. (picturesque, but uneven)






































































Thursday, December 3, 2009

Blackboard Pear Note

The Centre is actually on the second floor of an old ice cream factory in Center City Philadelphia, and the 'staff room' is a small loft over the conference room big enough for a sink, mini-dishwasher, refrigerator, cabinets, and lunch-room-type appliances. There is also a little blackboard and corkboard, where notes about exhibitions, concerts, and notes of general interest are left.

Earlier this week one of the paper conservators left the best note I've read in a long time. Sadly, by the time I returned with a camera it was already gone. Fortunately it was so good that I can easily remember it.

I'm not 100% sure but feel the pear is mine, so I am eating it. If it is yours, let me know. -SC

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

A Room with a View

The view from the back third floor windows. I can spy into everyone's gardens.