Walkabout Town

Philadelphia Holiday, Part I 

The world is vast and meant for wandering. - Anonymous

Always say, Yes, to new adventures.

That was what we did. We went on a five-day trip to Philadelphia – here documenting epic things that we did there.

Starting with a simple walkabout town, exploring sights and food haunts.

The City of Brotherly Love was a popular nickname for Philadelphia.

Now, it is more commonly referred to as Philly.

Top panel: DOUBLETREE BY HILTON where we received our iconic cookie at check-in

Middle panel, rightmost: The CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC is a private conservatory in Philadelphia that offers a performance diploma, a Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in opera, and a professional Studies Certificate in opera.

Hubby's younger brother did grad voice studies there.

Parks and tree-shaded downtown squares abound.

Costumed pups, a parade of skeletons, and a cat-lover wannabe mingled among Beggars’ Night revelers.

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,

may luck be yours on Halloween.

Every stall was a-maize-ing in its own way at the FARMER’S MARKET.

Why did the cauliflower break up with the broccoli? Because it found someone a-peeling.

Bottom left: Amazing lemon-yellow and purple cauliflowers! Photo: V.E.V. Farmers’ Market

Yes, we consecrated the Sabbath.

ST. GEORGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, located at the corner of 4th and New Streets in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, is the oldest Methodist church in continuous use in the United States, beginning in 1769.

And didn't miss the eats!

Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for dinner.

Right panel: Just a guy who loves his Philly cheese steak! GUS STEAK Sandwich stall, READING TERMINAL MARKET

Rightmost panel: Longsilog plate and ube turon. TAMBAYAN Filipino stall, READING TERMINAL MARKET

PHILLY CHEESE STEAK is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of ribeye steak  and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll.

Reportedly messy and delicious, it is said that it will have you believing in love at first bite, right before the cheese drips onto your clean shirt. It just doesn't just fill you up. It demands your full, undivided, aggressive attention.

Leftmost panel: Tamales, enchilada dinner. BUENA VISTA MEXICAN Restaurant offers a flavorful menu of traditional Mexican dishes, using old family recipes.

Left panel: Summer roll, banh mi sandwich, pho. COREY VIETNAMESE Restaurant

Sauteed pork belly and vegetables, Pad Thai. GRANDMA’S PHILLY THAI Restaurant. 

Every dish at Grandma's Philly answers to a single judge: the memory of Chef Locket's grandmother, whose Thai home cooking the chef reproduces from memory in the middle of Midtown Village.

 

(To be continued)

October's Goodbye

 Lovely October

October’s end is like a beautiful sigh, where nature’s last vibrant colors give way to the muted tones of winter’s approach. – Anonymous

Farewell, October!

You’ve painted our days with the colors of autumn and left us with memories as crisp as fallen leaves.

Clockwise from top left: Defiant morning glory, withering crabapple berries, and white-plumed pampas grass make a bold statement in an otherwise barren landscape.

 

The last of October’s delights – flowers standing resilient in the fading light and spooky nights.

Top: Asters light up the garden with daisy-like flowers.

Bottom: Snoopy makes an appearance in the neighbor’s pumpkin patch. Photos: V.E.V., October 2026

Happiness is a sunny day. Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.

Enjoying a sunny Sunday morning on the swing. Photo: A.V.H., Hawaii Kai. October 2026

In the twilight of October, nature prepares for its slumber.

Campground, Sunset View. Photo: I.T.V. October 2026

… The leaves drift away,
and colorful October slips quietly through the gates -
a graceful performer ending her show,
her golden costume trailing behind her in the wind. - Charmaine J. Forde

Each full moon is a reminder that we, too, go through phases and emerge whole.

Full Moon in October Sky. Photo: V.E.V., October 26, 2026

October’s end marks the start of winter’s embrace,

but its memories will keep us warm through the coldest nights. 

Happy Halloween, by the way!

Beggars' Night in Columbus, 2026

Far left: Would you trust this doc?

Near left: You're about to enter the world of the undead.

Haunted House. Honolulu, 2026

If you're not familiar or haven't received the infamous call yet, JOHN PORK is a viral "pig man" whose selfies are going viral in memes right now. 

 

Golden Time

 Lovely October

Imagine if there was no October! The year would never have had a golden era. - Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu

 Behold fall's golden hues, reflecting the warmth of memories and the promise of new beginnings. 

In the golden light of autumn, every moment feels like a precious gem.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. - H. Keller

 

Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.

Maine Photos: V.E.V., 2017

Picture-perfect Golden Deck View. Columbus Home, 2025

Why be broken when you can be gold?

Falling Leaves

 Lovely October

Falling leaves are the whispers of the trees.

They are nothing more than summer’s wave goodbye.

Leaves descending to the ground. Orange, magenta, green and brown
The cool crisp breezes in the air; 

Autumn season must be here. - Charmaine J Forde

Leaves are falling, autumn is calling.

You’re never too old to play in the leaves.

Meet me under the falling leaves.

Autumn Choral Concert

 Lovely October

AUTUMN CHORAL CONCERT

7^th and 8^th Grade Choirs, Gahanna Middle School East

October 12, 2026

Happiness is singing in the choir. – Charles Schulz

Short, sweet, entertaining. That was what the performance was – a culmination of a quarter’s worth of rehearsal.

Here are some fotos of Favorite Grand/D’s Gahanna Middle School East Choir Concert.

Choir Director's list of rules: (1) I lead. (2) You follow.

7^th and 8^th Grade Boys imitate the sounds of steam in the engine and steel on the track in the workman's song, Train Come Runnin' by Andy Beck. 

A rhythmic shaker and conga ostinato serve as accompaniment.

River, run me to the ocean. River, take me to the sea. River, show me to a distant shore. River, run! Set my spirit free.

7^th and 8^th Grade Girls sing Riversong by Andy Beck, a nature-inspired contemporary chorale.

7^th Grade Choir render a traditional African carol, That’s What the Music Can Do by Jerry Estes, in an exciting, rhythmic tempo.

8^th Grade Choir sing a rousing, patriotic finale, America, Of Thee I Sing, arranged by Emily Crocker - a Yankee Doodle good time and flag waving medley that's red, white and blue, through and through.

Where’s Waldo? Err…. Favorite Grand/D??! 

Look at the third row, 6^th from left. Yes, that one with the newly-dyed dark brown hair.

Flowy tresses, honest stare, perfect shot. 8^th grade school pic, 2026

Congratulations, Favorite Grand/D and the MSE Choir!

It was a grand night, indeed.

Fire Trees

 Lovely October

Maple leaves dance like flames, igniting the landscape with their brilliance. They turn, whispering secrets of the season’s transformation.

 

Deck View. Columbus: October, 2025

Pale amber sunlight falls across, the reddening October trees, 

That hardly sway before a breeze. As soft as summer: summer's loss

Seems little, dear! on days like these. - Ernest Dawson

 Japanese Red Maple-Lined Street. Photo: V.E.V. Cherry Bottom Road, Ohio, 2025

Listen to the golden trees

 Whispering secrets of the season,

painting the world in warmth.

Sunrise: My Favorite Color

 Lovely October

Ah, lovely October, as you usher in the season that awakens my soul, your awesome beauty compels my spirit to soar like a leaf caught in an autumn breeze and my heart to sing like a heavenly choir. - Peggy Toney Horton

Indeed.

Nothing more needs to be said. Let the picture-perfect fotos of lovely October do the talking.

Starting here, loving the sight of a beautiful sunrise.

********

Florida Sunrise. Photo: A.V.H. 2026

 

Here comes the sun and I say, as the Beatles do, It’s all right.

Nature unfolds her treasure at the break of day.

A thousand sunny surprises.

Top left: Pesky resident squirrel takes a morning sip from fountain.

Top right: Chipmunk Chip forages for stray bird seed.

Bottom: Morning sun steals upon the still-sleepy lilac bush.

Light dawns through maple leaves.

Sunrise, serenity in its purest form.

Morning Coffee at the Campground. Photo: I.T.V. Wisconsin, July 2025

Let the morning sky shade be your favorite color.

Let the beauty of sunrise keep your heart warm.