Goodbye Spectrum

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So it’s really true-the Spectrum is getting torn down next year. Vet’s Stadium was torn down a few years back:


Not that I went to either place that much, but they are/were such landmarks of Philadelphia, anything new doesn’t really hold any memories for me-yet. And they won’t be the same kind of memories. I saw the Phillies play at the Vet for the first time-it was so awesome to see the grandeur of the place when you climb the stairs and take a gander at the playing field for the first time.

At the Spectrum, I saw the Flyers ice hockey team play, went to concerts-John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, Linda Ronstadt, Heart, Jackson Browne and went to a few Disney on Ice shows with a little Sean. Good memories. I’ll never hear John or Dan again and I doubt I’ll see the other performers again.

The fight scenes for ‘Rocky’ were suppose to be at the Spectrum, but were actually filmed in LA. There was a Rocky statue outside the Spectrum for a few years before it was moved to near the Phila. Art museum.

Posted: Tuesday, 15 July 2008 10:16AM

Spectrum Will Be Torn Down For A Mall

by KYW’s Mike DeNardo and Greg Orlandini

The Spectrum, for decades the South Philadelphia home to the Sixers and Flyers and the site of hundreds of memorable concerts and other events, will close next spring and be demolished.

Arena owner Comcast-Spectacor has plans to replace it with a complex of retail space, bars, restaurants, and a hotel (see related story). The 42-year-old arena, slated to shut down next spring, had been used for Flyers and 76ers games until the adjacent Wachovia Center was built and opened in 1996. It was the site of the Flyers’ Stanley Cup championship victories in 1974 and 1975, site of the Flyers’ victory over the Russian team in 1976, and the Sixers’ home when they won the NBA championship in 1983.

The Spectrum, built in 1967, is currently home to the Phantoms, Philadelphia’s minor league hockey team; the Soul, an Arena Football League team; and the Kixx, an indoor soccer team.

Over the years, some of the most notable music performers included Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, the Jackson Five, the Grateful Dead, and Kiss. (A web site called “Remember the Spectrum” has been set up by the building’s owners.)


PS-Brian and Sean are going to a Phillies game next weekend at the new Citizen’s Bank place-that should be awesome! It cost a bunch to go too!

Scenic area near my hometown

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Branch over Dam, originally uploaded by jimhpa.

Wow-this is so gorgeous! I haven’t been to this park in years and never knew it had such a pretty falls area. Brian and I went there for a few picnics when we were dating.  This is about 10 minutes from Mom’s house and two of her neighbors use to jog there. The one had a stroke in this wilderness, and lucky for him, someone with medical training was jogging that day too and he was found. He was only around 60 (it was from a blood clot caused by an injury) and is in a nursing home.

Just looked at the link I provided and there is a formal gardens there too. I must go there sometime again.
People use to go to a springs area and collect water in bottles to take home.Not sure if they do that anymore. There were also a few log cabins to represent the Colonists who settled in this area.

Yellow Gladiolus

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Yellow Gladiolus, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Thought I’d share some gorgeous glads that are blooming. You are really suppose to dig them up each year, I didn’t because of the issues I has having last fall. I’m anxious to see if the burgundy color ones come up too. Some I planted new last year didn’t come up near the irises. You win some, you lose some.
I was thrilled to see a hummingbird darting around my zinnias late this afternoon. I inched closer to flowers as he was finished checking them out, darted next to me, then stopped as to say ‘hi’ and zoomed off. Needless to say, I was thrilled with this miniature ‘wink and nod’. : ) Also saw my bunny pal plus a few Leopard frogs in the pond.

The Flickr game on Flickr

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The Flickr game on Flickr, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Carole/Pea over at Pea’s Corner did a similar game. Here’s the one I did a few weeks ago
You know the Game, don’t you? Here’s what you do:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?-Dianne
2. What is your favorite food?-chocolate
3. What high school did you go to?-Penncrest
4. What is your favorite color?-teal
5. Who is your celebrity crush?-Tim Daly
6. Favorite drink?-iced tea
7. Dream vacation?-Hawaii
8. Favorite dessert?-Brownie Sundae
9. What you want to be when you grow up?-a grandmom
10. What do you love most in life? Nature
11. One Word to describe you. Nuturing
12. Your flickr name -Dianthus_Moon

You can see the photo credits by clicking the above collage which takes you to my flickr page.

I need air!

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It was so hot driving to my hometown today. I asked my sister-in-law (while she was doing my hair) if my brother was behind at work and he is swamped. But he’s doing her brother’s car, so hopefully he can squeeze his sister’s van in one of these days. I have to wear my hair pulled back as the windows are open wide. I know, I’m totally spoiled. I would go down to mom’s more if I had air!

Sean came over my mom’s after work (he works in my hometown) and we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner(I know, I’m crazy as it doesn’t agree with me) and then we went to Barnes & Noble. I was looking for the ‘Just Cross Stitch’ holiday ornament issue. Do you know if it’s out yet? I did get the English magazine ‘Cross Stitcher’. (click link for a look at some cute freebies) It came with a magnifier which I think I need. I was looking through this issue, and there is a design I’d like to do in the next issue which said it was on sale July 4th. The one I bought seems to be the latest issue the store had. The design-a Maria Diaz design of DaVinci’s Masterpiece painting (see above)-I love it! Not to say the lion cub on this issue isn’t beautiful-but is has so many color changes. It also has the cutest geranium fairy too.

My s-in-law was saying how strong the ocean’s currents were and they had to be rescued (my niece and some other cousins) last week on their vacation. On the news tonight they said about 90+ people had to be rescued in Ocean City, NJ this week! (my family was in MD). The hurricane is doing this. Scary stuff. I got stuck in a sand bar once and couldn’t get my footing, and I remember how tired I got trying to get to shore. I think everyone should have some sort of boogie board to hold on to!

I found the loveliest card to send my late friend’s parents and CL husband. Brian found me a site that translates English to German, so I did that for Char’s Austrian parents. The card reads- In remembrance-Mourning the loss of a wonderful person who brought so much to life. With heartfelt sympathy.

My gum is still bothering me, more tonight it seems. I am hoping it calms down, but I think it’s going to need attention sooner or later. Thinking crown. : ( Drats!

Waving to brother #2 who reads my blog (I saw the print out from your meeting).

First of the crop

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It just seems like I planted the zucchini! We had it for dinner last night. I slice it up and add butter, onions and parmesan cheese to it. Really tender and tasty.

Off to get my hair done. I haven’t have it cut for a few months and it’s the longest it’s been in years. I do like to pull it back though and have to until I get my van’s a/c recharged.

Treasure ATC

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Treasure ATC, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I’m going to be seeing my niece on Tuesday, so I made her this ATC for her collection. It’s me and my brother Don, about 3 and 2 years old. We were living in Florida at the time. I love this photo as the pool is so tiny. We basically just sat there and stared at each other. There’s a good size boat under the plant that we obviously had to share.
We had a quiet day here today. Mom left about 12:30, but stopped off at a few stores (that we were just in yesterday). Shopping is her thing which drives my brothers batty.
I made a pot roast like last Sunday. Sean even asked if we had just had it not long ago. You toss the meat in an oven bag with the potatoes and things and it’s ready to eat in a few hours. Can’t beat that.

Photo Hunt-Support

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PSHunt
Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

Teeny toad, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

There are a few obvious things that ladies wear, but I won’t get into that for the ‘support‘ theme.

We support wildlife-lots of critters! We see them everyday, from the chunky groundhog munching our sour apples to the delicate butterfly landing on the same named bush.

Barbara is right, this little toad was so cute and I enjoyed taking this photo. I hope he found a nice leaf to sleep under after Bri dropped him in the grass.

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By the way, got eye drops to put in 4 times a day called Zylet-some kind of antibiotic. The assistant gave me a sample bottle and I have a prescription. My eye is much clearer today.

Something made me immune to mosquito bites last night. I count 7 of them on one leg and I wasn’t even outside that long to water things! Better use Off next time.

The guys went to Atlantic City with Bri’s dad. They have to go all the over to his house (45 min) and then all the way to get the bus-(about 20 min). Sit on the bus for 2.5 hours or so and leave about 5-6 hours later. Too much traveling for me. Sean seems to like to do this at least once a year. Bri appears not to have left me his car keys and his car has air! My mom said she’s coming out here-no sign of her yet and it’s almost 1 pm. It’s too hot to do anything outside today.

Lilies and a toad

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Lilies and a toad, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Took these photos Thursday night after a long day of gardening. Bri found the little toad in the grass and he posed for us nicely. (That’s Bri’s hand) The only lilies that aren’t mine are the white ones on the bottom from my last visit to Longwood Gardens.

Update Fri.afternoon-I’m going to get my eyes checked out in an hour. Actually the right has been getting really red off and on for about 3 weeks. The only drops that help are Clear Eyes-which may be giving me rebound red. Seems it started when I put hydrocortisone too close to my eye for a rash on my nose. Who knows?

I think my gums at least look better. See what middle age has in store for you!

I did finally figure out a virus software issue. We have one that not a lot of people have (Panda), it was recommended by a friend whose husband works with computers. It was giving me an error message in the virus protection area. I scanned the computer umpteen times and it was ok. Finally got it in my head to go to client downloads and there was a newer version and it worked. The dang thing needs to be renewed in a month anyway. I just love dilemmas like this-oy!