Here is the United States, today is a national holiday, the 4th of July. The celebration of our country’s birth. Since Philadelphia was the capital at one time, it’s a big deal. Big. The city throws the largest free concert in America with artists like The Roots, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Aloe Blacc and Ariana Grande performing. Since moving to Philly four years ago, I’ve been on the west side of town, which means traversing to Center City would be a nightmare. Not just for parking reasons, but my make-up would melt well before I arrived. Major problem. This year, I moved and I’m right in the thick of things. I’m one, two, five blocks at most from free fireworks, music and food. Why go anywhere when everything is right here? So that’s what I’ll be doing, wandering abouts my new hood, splorin’. But don’t you worry, I won’t let my sewing machines collect too much dust this weekend. Polka dot crepe de chine and forest green wool are calling my name. Rhinestones too.
I haven’t shown you much of my new stomping grounds, so I leave with with a few snaps of where I now live. Betsy Ross and I live on the same block, and if she were still alive, we’d be best buds (she was a seamstress). A killer coffee shop, Café Ole, sits at the end of my block and art galleries, vintage shops, small markets, pharmacies, restaurants and boutiques line my streets. Living here, I feel like Dorothy at the end of Wizard of Oz. Home.