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On the balcony I found my friend Bob chatting up my friend Phyllis. I used to play softball with Ball when I first arrived in Philadelphia a few years back. Bob just competed in the Philadelphia Schuylkill Ironman Competition, have you ever heard of anything more vile than swimming in the Schuylkill River (I asked him if he kicked any dead bodies or cars, he didn't). He's a brave man.
Chip is enjoying the festivities, but I really just wanted to show off my garden.
Everyone always congregates in the kitchen. At one point more than half the guys could be found here. I guess they want to be close to the booze and the ice cream sandwiches that I had in the freezer. L-R Jeremy, Mike, George and Henry. He and Chip just celebrated their 17th anniversary.
The Jeffs make another appearance, thanks for the wine, chips and oh boy cookies that I found Sunday morning as I prepared to fold the bag. I bet you were wondering why I didn't put them out last night. What the Heck is bob looking at, is it fireworks time?
OK Mike breaks out his PS3 and everyone takes a turn on the track. Next to George is my fabulous friend and man about town Matthew Vlahos
Jeff makes a point, Bob and kiss killer smile
TLA's Rich Wolf with Susan Helfrich, PIGLFF's Developmental Director Thom Cardwell with journalist Mary Patel stops by for a few. Mary is heading to Miami and is going to miss opening night of the film festival on Thursday.
The two Tim's make an appearance. We never see enough of them. They are always busy at home playing their WII
The 12th Street Gym Posse - Henry, David, Gary & Mark (These guys don't play games)
My two M's
Norbert and Deming. Deming and I have known each other since the beginning of time, growing up a few towns away from each other in N.J. and then moving to Philly within months of each other. Deming is 6'1 and Norbert is much taller much to Deming's delight.
Earlier in the evening we gathered on the terrace to watch the fireworks. They
were a bit of a disappointment this year as the barge must have been moved a tad to the left. Usually the fireworks display is right between the two crosses, oh well. The party roared on until passed midnight, and no one seemed to mind, except me.
I did notice my tomato plant has ripened. That was exciting. Were there bees on my balcony?
Jeff makes a point, Bob and kiss killer smileTLA's Rich Wolf with Susan Helfrich, PIGLFF's Developmental Director Thom Cardwell with journalist Mary Patel stops by for a few. Mary is heading to Miami and is going to miss opening night of the film festival on Thursday.The two Tim's make an appearance. We never see enough of them. They are always busy at home playing their WII
The 12th Street Gym Posse - Henry, David, Gary & Mark (These guys don't play games)
My two M's
Norbert and Deming. Deming and I have known each other since the beginning of time, growing up a few towns away from each other in N.J. and then moving to Philly within months of each other. Deming is 6'1 and Norbert is much taller much to Deming's delight.
Earlier in the evening we gathered on the terrace to watch the fireworks. They
were a bit of a disappointment this year as the barge must have been moved a tad to the left. Usually the fireworks display is right between the two crosses, oh well. The party roared on until passed midnight, and no one seemed to mind, except me.
I did notice my tomato plant has ripened. That was exciting. Were there bees on my balcony? The next day there was a double rainbow
This week begins the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. It is going to be a blast and I will be covering every nook and cranny for you to see, but right now the best way to see all that is going to be shown and the parties that you can attend can be found on Philly Gay Calendar as Steve McCann one of the best sites with the 411: http://phillygaycalendar.com/filmfest/index.php
I had Mike wear his yellow shirt for the occassion; here he is with my bro-in-law Frank, who is married to my sister Margaret.
Here's that trouble maker Ella, with her dad Joe looking on; He's married to my sister Tracy.
Here's a family shot of the girls with their kids
Laura Burkhardt was a pleasant surprise stopping up for a few moments on her was to her VIP seats to see John Legend. She was nice enough to take Bob along with her to enjoy the concert. 
Congress led the way for the encouragement of fireworks on the Fourth of July by authorizing a display on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia, a year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. “At night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons. Another colorful display took place in Philadelphia on July 4, 1779: “In the evening a sett [sic] of brilliant fireworks were exhibited, particularly excellent rockets, which, after ascending to an amazing height in the air, burst, and displayed thirteen stars.” 
The first fireworks in Boston took place on July 4, 1777. A newspaper reported: “In the evening Col. Crafts illuminated his park on the commons, threw several shells, and exhibited a number of fireworks.” Boston had another display in 1779 when thirteen rockets were fired. 
Congratulations to Carrie Nork and Dino Minelli who were married on July 5, 2008
The Jeff's had a blast
and the quaint front porched homes draped with flags, and at Halloween draped with spooky characters
But for me it's the July 4th Parade every year that is my favorite as it reminds me of my childhood and the small town innocent atmosphere that I relish, that I don't always feel in a City of more than a million people.
I love this parade for their political statements and community activism. In past years much has been said about politicians, the process or who they were supporting, this year not much about that but a lot to say about recylcing.
The best part of the parade is the kids with their decorated bikes, scooters, wagons
and riding in a convertible with the family
The Masons on parade
