#schuykill river

[angesaurus]

🙃 if my husband asks me what’s for dinner one more time I am going to get into my car and drive myself into the schuykill river 🙃

[lllemonsoda]

Hamilton dump 1

1. It’s quiet uptown

2. I’ll write my way out

3. I’ll see you on the other side

4. Just you wait

5. Cabinet battle

6. Schuykill river (historical ham&wash)

7. You’ve married an Icarus

8. Ham

9. Enj and ham

[isfjmel-phleg]

Philadelphia locations in The Ray (1992 and 1994)

I tend to be curious about the accuracy of how comics depict real-life locations since I've observed that no one seems to have a clue how to draw the Denver area, so how do both volumes of The Ray do with their portrayal of Philadelphia?

Overall, pretty good! There are quite a few recognizable locations featured throughout. I might have missed some things, since I am not personally familiar with the area, but here's what I noticed.

We don't know where exactly the house that Ray grew up in is meant to be located, but I suspect that it's probably in Center City, where most of the Philadelphia-based events of the story take place.

Using some ethically dubious methods, Ray finds out that his childhood friend Jenny Jurden works at a bank on Pine Street. This is an actual street in West Philadelphia, but it's a primarily residential area (with some beautiful houses and flowering trees). The location of the bank as pictured indicates that it's downtown; the silhouette of what looks like City Hall is visible down the street, so the actual real-world equivalent location might be more like Market Street.

(The Ray 1992 #1)

This would seem to fit with Ray's zipping past One South Broad while pursuing Jenny's kidnappers. This 1930s building was owned during this time by the Philadelphia National Bank (hence the initials on the roof) and was used for offices.

While following his father shortly after meeting him, Ray flies past quite a few landmarks from Center City. These include:

Independence Hall (the civic building where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were ratified)

Statues that unfortunately I have been unable to identify (does anyone recognize them in the second panel below?)

Philadelphia City Hall, the PSFS Building (1930s skyscraper built for the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society, vacant at the time of this story but now a hotel), and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (the largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania)--seen in the background from what might be Logan Square (a nearby historical park), with the Washington Monument at Eakins Oval in the foreground

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Clothespin Sculpture

Playing Angels statues (at Kelly Drive and Fountain Green Drive near the Schuykill River)

(The Ray 1992 #2)

Later, he runs out of power at the Italian Market on 9th Street in South Philadelphia. This is far enough away from his house that he has to take a bus back.

Ray and his dad argue while flying over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, identifiable by its distinctive towers.

(The Ray 1992 #3)

Ray learns how to make light constructs in Fairmount Park and later fights with Doctor Polaris there.

(The Ray 1992 #3, 5)

But that fight begins on the dome of City Hall, notable for its distinctive statues, with city founder William Penn at the top of the dome.

Ray's cousin Hank's apartment is at the corner of Reed and Crandall Streets in South Philadelphia. Reed Street is real, Crandall is not.

(The Ray 1992 #6)

Another fight takes place near One Liberty Place (a 1980s skyscraper used as office space, controversial at the time of its building for its defiance of a long-standing gentleman's agreement not to build any structure in Center City higher than the statue of William Penn on City Hall) and the previously seen Cathedral Basilica.

After losing his first job at a burger place, Ray works as an ice cream vendor at a baseball stadium, probably the now-demolished Veterans Stadium at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.

(Black Canary 1993 #8)

A lot of these buildings from the skyline show up frequently in the background, like here when Ray and his father fly past One South Broad, City Hall, and One Liberty Place.

(The Ray 1994 #3)

Or when Ray emerges after absorbing the Light Entity's energy into the middle of the skyline, where the PSFS Building and City Hall are visible.

(The Ray 1994 #4)

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge shows up again when Ray's father attacks him after he absorbs the Light Entity's energy. A lot of conflict on/around bridges in this series.

After "losing" his powers, Ray wakes up on a park bench with the PSFS Building, the Cathedral Basilica, and City Hall visible in the distance, possibly at Logan Square or another nearby park area?

(The Ray 1994 #5)

Ray's apartment is on the south end of Center City, over a pizzeria.

(The Ray 1994 #11)

After what happens between him and Dinah, Ray execitedly dances in mid-air on his way home, giving us a good view of the Philadelphia skyline, specifically City Hall and One South Broad.

The plane that Ray tries to stop crashes in Center City in water near an overpass. This might be the Vine Street Expressway, which crosses the Schuykill River and connects with the Schuykill Expressway.

(The Ray Annual #1)

As Ray leaves work with his cousin's abandoned date, they walk through a park with City Hall behind them, the PSFS building and the Cathedral Basilica to the left, and a smaller version of the Washington Monument in the foreground. This location seems to combine elements of Logan Square (the view) with Eakins Oval (the statue).

This also implies that the Clucky Chicken restaurant where Ray works is in or near the middle of downtown.

(The Ray 1994 #13)

After taking a job with Vandal Savage's company, Ray moves into a condo, which has a view across the river to the skyline, including the PSFS Building etc. Since this is the sunrise, facing east, he apparently has moved across the Schuykill River to the University City neighborhood. There are indeed high-end places for rent there to this day, such as this location.

(The Ray 1994 #15)

There is significance to Neron's apartment overlooking the Cathedral Basilica, as seen when Ray is there about to receive an offer to sell his soul. He is losing sight of his faith and morals by being in this apartment at all.

(The Ray 1994 #19)

And finally, the (fictional) Benton Building where Ray works for Savage is near One Liberty Place, a plausible area for office buildings.

(The Ray 1994 #20)

[dutzervonmezzenbrau]

“Lemon Hill” on a bluff overlooking the Schuykill River in Philadelphia. 

built (1799).

📸.  © 𝐃𝐯𝐌. 

~ photo’d from the Philadelphia Art Museum Arms & Armor collection gallery. 

[cozycompositions]

@febuwhump Day 18: Can’t Stay Awake

i’m sorry i’m falling so behind! mental health is kicking my ass this week but i’m trying to get back on my grind! i PROMISE every prompt WILL BE WRITTEN FOR !!

This fic is based off the incident at the schuykill river… iykyk

Even though he would never admit it to anyone else, Hamilton was scared. He was unsure how long he had been wandering the woods for. All he knew was the shivering, the bitter cold, and the throbbing ache in his head where he had smashed against the boat. He must have been walking for hours, unsure if he was even moving in the right direction.

He found his thoughts wandering with him, to his men, wondering if they were safe at camp. To John and Lafayette and Burr, if they were worried or looking for him. To the General, if he was disappointed in Hamilton’s failure to return.

The next moment he comes to facing branches stretching upward. He could feel the snow against his back. When did he get on the ground? The throbbing in his head was much worse now, ten times more prevalent. No matter, it was clearly darker out now, he had to keep moving. There would be time for his medical needs later, he had to get home.

After a few minutes Hamilton manages to push himself up, walking in a direction he wasn’t entirely sure was the same as before. His vision is blurrier now, his ears ringing. He makes it a few yards before collapsing again.

When he wakes this time it is darker, he hears an owl in the distance. The sound would be almost comical if Hamilton weren’t so alarmed. He was losing hours of precious time. He had. to. go.

He manages to push himself onto his feet, swaying for a moment as his head swam violently. The world careened around him, the pain was right between his eyes. Was he even walking?

And suddenly he’s surrounded by noise, all too loud, and hands grabbing at him from all sides. Hamilton panicked, thrashing, trying to get away. He had to get back to camp, he didn’t have time for this. Let go of him!

There’s softer hands on his face, stroking the dirt away. These hands are delicate, more familiar. The voice attached to them is too… telling Hamilton to stop, open his eyes. He hadn’t even realized his eyes were closed.

Opening his eyes takes too much energy, and the light pains his head horribly. It takes him a moment too long to process who he’s looking at. John, be blearily realized, John is holding him.

Why was John crying?

Hamilton’s eyes fall closed again, he can’t help it.

[revolutionarywarhistory]

"The misfortune which ensued": The defeat at Germantown [Part 3]

Continued from Part 2

This was originally written in October 2016 when I was a research fellow at the Maryland State Archives. It has been reprinted from Academia.edu and my History Hermann WordPress blog.

© 2016-2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

Notes

[1] “To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 April 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; The Annual Register, 135. The Annual Register says that British patrols found the Continentals by 3:00 in the morning, so their attack was no surprise.

[2] Mark Andrew Tacyn, “’To the End:’ The First Maryland Regiment and the American Revolution” (PhD diss., University of Maryland College Park, 1999), 143-144; Pension of James Morris, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land-Warrant Application Files, National Archives, NARA M804, Record Group 15, Roll 1771, pension number W. 2035. Courtesy of Fold3.com; James Morris, Memoirs of James Morris of South Farms in Litchfield (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1933), 18; Pension of Jacob Armstrong, Revolutionary War Pensions, National Archives, NARA M804, Record Group 15, pension number S.22090, roll 0075. Courtesy of Fold3.com; Stanley Weintraub, Iron Tears: America’s Battle for Freedom, Britain’s Quagmire: 1775-1783 (New York: Free Press, 2005), 116-117;  Andrew O’Shaughnessy, The Men Who Lost America: British Command During the Revolutionary War and the Preservation of the Empire (London: One World Publications, 2013), 109; “Journal of Captain William Beatty 1776-1781,” Maryland Historical Magazine June 1908. Vol. 3, no.2, 110; John Dwight Kilbourne, A Short History of the Maryland Line in the Continental Army (Baltimore: Society of Cincinnati of Maryland, 1992), 14;  “From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 25 September 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; Pension of James Morris, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land-Warrant Application Files, National Archives, NARA M804, Record Group 15, Roll 1771, pension number W. 2035. Courtesy of Fold3.com; James Morris, Memoirs of James Morris of South Farms in Litchfield (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1933), 18; “From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016. The reference to no food or blanket specifically refers to James Morris of Connecticut. Washington’s headquarters was on Pennibecker’s Mill on the Skippack Road from September 26-29 and October 4 to October 8th, 1777. The Continental Army had camped at Chester throughout late September, but Morris says they camped near the Leni River. However, a river of this name does not exist, so he may have meant a branch off the Schuykill River or maybe the Delaware River, since the Leni-Lenape indigenous group lived on the river.

[3] “From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Page, 11 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016;  “From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; C.H. Lesser, The Sinews of Independence, Monthly Strength Reports of the Continental Army (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1976), 80.

[4] Tacyn, 4, 115, 144; Enoch Anderson, Personal Recollections of Captain Enoch Anderson: Eyewitness Accounts of the American Revolution (New York: New York Times & Arno Press, 1971), 44; “From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[5] Tacyn, 145.

[6] Anderson, 45.

[7] Anderson, 45.

[8] Anderson, 45.

[9] Tacyn, 145-146; Anderson, 45; “Journal of Captain William Beatty 1776-1781,” 110-111.

[10] Tacyn, 15, 209-210, 289, 291;  Pension of James Morris, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land-Warrant Application Files, National Archives, NARA M804, Record Group 15, Roll 1408, pension number W. 11929. Courtesy of Fold3.com. Thomas Carvin and James Reynolds were said to be missing after the battle. Reportedly, a Marylander named Elisha Jarvis was ordered by William Smallwood to guard the baggage train at the Battle of Germantown.

[11] Thomas Thorleifur Sobol, “William Maxwell, New Jersey’s Hard Fighting General,” Journal of the American Revolution, August 15, 2016. Accessed October 3, 2016; “From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[12] David Ross, The Hessian Jagerkorps in New York and Pennsylvania, 1776-1777, Journal of the American Revolution, May 14, 2015. Accessed October 3, 2016.

[13] “From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[14] Pension of James Morris; Morris, 18-19.

[15] Don N. Hagist, “Who killed General Agnew? Not Hans Boyer,” Journal of the American Revolution, August 17, 2016. Accessed October 3, 2016; Don N. Hagist, “Martin Hurley’s Last Charge,” Journal of the American Revolution, April 14, 2015. Accessed October 3, 2016; John Rees, “War as Waiter: Soldier Servants,” Journal of the American Revolution, April 28, 2015. Accessed October 3, 2016; Thomas Verenna, “20 Terrifying Revolutionary War Soldier Experiences,” Journal of the American Revolution, April 24, 2015. Accessed October 3, 2016; Thomas Verenna, “Explaining Pennsylvania’s Militia,” Journal of the American Revolution, June 17, 2014. Accessed October 3, 2016; “General Orders, 11 November 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016. Richard St. George and Martin Hurley of the British army were wounded and James Agnew, a British general, was killed.

[16] Pension of Jacob Armstrong; The Annual Register or a View of the History, Politics, and Literature, for the Year 1777 (4th Edition, London: J. Dosley, 1794), 129-130; Sir George Otto Trevelyan, The American Revolution: Saratoga and Brandywine, Valley Forge, England and France at War, Vol. 4 (London: Longmans Greens Co., 1920), 275; O’Shaughnessy, 110; “Journal of Captain William Beatty 1776-1781,” 110-111; Kilbourne, 17, 19;  “From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[17] “From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 7 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[18] “From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Page, 11 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[19] “From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[20] “Journal of Captain William Beatty 1776-1781,” 111; Anderson, 45-46.

[21] “From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Page, 11 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016. In his letters he said that Grant was wounded while Nash (died after the battle from wounds) and Agnew were killed.

[22] Pension of James Morris; Morris, 19.

[23] “General Orders, 5 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; Annual Register, 136.

[24] “From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 6 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 7 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016;  “From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016;  “From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[25]  “From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 6 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 7 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016;  “From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 9 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016;  “From George Washington to John Page, 11 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 15 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; Annual Register, 137. One letter says fifty British were killed and another says fifty-seven. The British Annual Register confirms that Nash was killed.

[26] Annual Register, 136-137.

[27] Pension of James Morris; Morris, 19.

[28] Pension of James Morris; Morris, 19-25; “To George Washington from Pelatiah Webster, 19 November 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 8 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016,

[29] Pension of James Morris, Morris, 23-29, 31; “To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 9 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Persifor Frazer, 9 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Pelatiah Webster, 19 November 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016. He also said that he was then shipped to Philadelphia where he served a prisoner on Long Island as a farm laborer until May 1781.

[30] “To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 9 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[31] “The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 6[–9] October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts Board of War, 24 October 1777: résumé,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[32] “To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 25 November 1777,”  Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “Major General John Sullivan’s Opinion, 29 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[33] “To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016;  “General Orders, 19 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 November 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “General Orders, 22 December 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Captain Edward Vail, 22 November 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “General Orders, 13 June 1778,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from William Gordon, 25 February 1778,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 9 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[34] Trevelyan, 249; O’Shaughnessy, 111; Christopher Hibbert, George III: A Personal History (New York: Basic Books, 1998), 154-155; “From John Adams to James Lovell, 26 July 1778,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[35] Annual Register, 137-141.

[36] Anderson, 53; Tacyn, 146; Thomas Thorleifur Sobol, “William Maxwell, New Jersey’s Hard Fighting General,” Journal of the American Revolution, August 15, 2016. Accessed October 3, 2016; “Journal of Captain William Beatty 1776-1781,” 110; Kilbourne, 14; “From George Washington to George Clinton, 15 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 27 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 26 November 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 6 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016; “From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777,” Founders Online,National Archives, last modified July 12, 2016.

[37] Journal and Correspondence of the Council of Maryland, April 1, 1778 through October 26, 1779 Archives of Maryland Online Vol. 21, 118; Kilbourne, 21-22, 24-27, 29-30, 31, 33; Tacyn, 241. Some argue that in the battle of Eutaw Springs parts of the battle of Germantown were repeated.

[rudi-is-rudi]

goodbye 2022

a look back at 2022 ~ 

I’ll remember this year as the year that I was laid off and had to do a lottttt of maintenance on my inner world. I thought that being in one place, not moving around, and finally settling down a bit would bring me peace and clarity and honestly - even though it sounds cliche - like the world was my oyster and lots of fun endeavors were waiting for me. That all changed when 3 weeks into 2022 I was laid off from my job: The foundation on which my false sense of security rested upon was pulled out right from underneath me. Even though it was terrible and lame and annoying and stressful, I still managed to do a hell of a lot of fun and cool things this year - of course, with my amazing partner by my side. Here’s some of the highlights as I look back: 

1. We got to experience PA winter in full swing! It snowed a few times and we cozied up in our new place at the beginning of the year. I think there were even some fun photo shoots in my underwear dancing around in the snow in our backyard?

2. Sean got me a Tiffany’s necklace for vday and I got him gold roses - quite boujie I’d say! We always spoil each other and this year was no different. And we had a super fancy dinner in Philly, got a free entre, and free dessert! Just our luck.

3. For Sean’s bday we fulfilled his one request - eat lots of different cakes! I think we got 5 or 6 slices of cakes from Paris Baguette and enjoyed every bite. And lottery tickets. Lots. And Lots. Of lottery tickets.  

4. I started writing movie reviews and turning them into youtube videos! It was fun for a little while.. I thought with all of my thoughts and ideas i’d be able to sustain a channel long term but that sh*t is a lot of work and in the end it wasn’t for me. HOWEVER, I did continue to make youtube videos all year - mostly doing nails which have gotten better and better all year long.

5. Living closer to home paid off. We got to spend a lot of time with my family this year. Going to the butterfly garden for my mom’s bday stands out as a highlight as well as shopping with her at Suburban Square, going to my cousin’s wedding, and seeing each other on every major holiday. I used to despise family gatherings, and now I cherish them deeply.

6. My sister was pregnant the first half of the year and I got to go to Florida to throw her a baby shower with my mom and our extended family. It was such a wholesome and fun trip. Usually the Florida sun and humidity isn’t my thing but I thoroughly enjoyed walking to the beach and experiencing being with my Grandma. 

7. We went to ITALY! Even if Japan didn’t open its borders to tourists just yet, we still made international travel happen and it was very romantic and fun. Especially Venice - what a gorgeous city, the canals, Doge Palace, aperol spritz and the fancy 10-story walk-up airbnb. We walked like 10 miles a day and throughout Venice, Florence, and Milan we stumbled upon all different kinds of hidden gems (the alchemist’s lair being very memorable, and the view from the top of that hill near our airbnb where i cried lol). The food was a solid 6.5 out of 10 (lol) with shining stars like the sandwiches in Florence and the lows being Cibreo -_- . Sean is an amazing travel buddy and makes anywhere feel like home.

8. We got more tattoos! I think Sean got 6 tattoos?! I got 2 new ones. And counting!

9. We had some solid exercise habits that started by going to the gym together like 4-5 times a week from January through May! We fell off the wagon, then got back on with Peloton, then fell off again. Lol

10. I got a LOVESAC for my bday!!! Which completely changed the game for me with reading. I read 25 books this year which blows my mind. But that was one of the ways that unemployment was productive! We also went kayaking for my bday - so serene, so nice. It was moody and cloudy that day so we were alone on the Schuykill river which was perfect. 

11. We made friends! And did things like The Bachelorette weekly watch parties, went to engagement parties and danced our pants off, hosted a labor day picnic and Friendsgiving, and I joined a book club. Friendships are a fun social outlet but Sean is still and will always be the one I love hanging out with the most.

12. We went to Cape may beach and Sean actually went in the ocean with me!!! I loved seeing his smile floating around and letting the waves sway him up and down. And we managed to not get sunburn!

13. We celebrated 3 years of dating! 

13. I made a looooooooooot of salads. Famous Rudi salads.

14. I got really into K-pop.. like more than ever before. Even got to see Blackpink which was a once in a lifetime event! Probably one of the happiest days of my life - not exaggerating! 

15. Sean got raise after raise after raise and is bringing home the bacon like I’ve never seen him before. It’s been wonderful to see him feeling secure and buying whatever the f he wants!

16. I got a job!!! And in the same month, I bought a brand new car. Goodbye rusty old volvo - hello 2023 soobie :) Adulting. 

17. I got to visit my new nephew, Juju, in San Diego and spend a week with my sister. She’s such a good mom and I can’t wait to see juju again this year! 

18. We got a PS5 and finally got to play Genshin which is now an obsession - a healthy obsession ;) 

19. Sean built an enormous tea collection, decked out his office in a bunch of cool decor & peloton, grew herbs and plants in our backyard, stood up to our cranky neighbors, discovered his new fave store (rikumo) and got us to start doing Japanese workshops, booked us a trip to Japan for 2023, and help me through a lot of mental struggles. He’s been the one constant, amazing part of my year and I can’t wait for 2023′s memories to be made. 

[dearjesirae]

April's Flowers Day 8:

Today I am grateful for nature trails. The Schuykill River trail to be specific.

Today I am grateful for journaling. A modality in which I can spend time with and talk to and laugh with and hold space for myself.

Today I am grateful for my Mother. Our connection is severed but the end on my side has healed. It's a bittersweet relationship. Such is life in that way. Harmony:)

Today I am grateful to be alive.

Day 8 of living in my success (full sobriety)

[biboocat]

Years ago I spent some time at the Philadelphia medical examiner’s office as part of my medical education. I followed the team to murder scenes, postmortem examinations, and legal proceedings. I hadn’t wanted to read much crime fiction after that gruesome experience, but I was really impressed by P.D. James’s dystopian novel, The Children of Men, and was curious to try one of her crime novels. So far it’s very good from a literary standpoint, and I’m curious to see how realistic it is. The murder in the story occurs at Martingale, a stately Elizabethan manor house. I will tell you that the medical examiner’s office was never called to a mansion on the Main Line or any other well heeled parts of town when I was there. We were called instead to low income apartment blocks, empty lots, underpasses, the banks of the Schuykill river, and places like that. I think it was P.D. James who once described the autopsy as “making a canoe out of a human body”, so even though her crime scene is atypical, I suspect she will know something about forensics.

Update: I have no complaints about the writing. However, I may have outgrown murder mysteries, because I am finding the methodical description of suspects, their whereabouts, and motives, and the detective work rather tedious.

[newtownpentacle]

assorted hands

Thursday – photo by Mitch Waxman Continuing with 2022’s “best of’s” in todays post: May started off with a visit to Philadelphia’s Schuykill River and downtown area. Back home in Queens, Dutch Kills and its collapsing bulkhead received one of what would end up being weekly inspections by me in “ugly trifles.” One did his fair share of riding the NYC Ferry, as in “ivied antique.” Long Island…

[combeferres-mothematics]

So i was watching a video on Pinterest and um....

*Cough* Hamilton after the Schuykill river incident. *Cough*

[valend]

the schuylkill river incident (1777)

alexander hamilton, henry lee and a few other people were sent to burn down a barn that the british used for their supplies but as hamilton and his team arrived too many redcoats were in the area and they narrowly escaped. the barn was thankfully close to the schuylkill river so they all got in a raft but the british shot at the raft sinking it which made everyone swim away.

meanwhile henry lee had returned back to camp and informed the rest about what had happened and told them that hamilton and his team were most likely dead although he wasn’t sure. i think that they held a speech in hamilton’s memory (not sure about it)

later that night (or the next morning I don’t remember) hamilton and his team walk back to the headquarters soaking wet just confused because why did no one come look for us huh what do you mean i’m dead what are you talking about

[schrijverr]

Riverside Stroll

On his mission to Schuykill river Alexander gets injured and barely makes it back to camp, where everyone thought he had died. Luckily they are there to catch him.

On AO3.

Ships: none

warnings: medical proceedures and wounds not graphically described. Tell me if I missed anything or if you want me to tag something!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alexander watched the mills burn. They’d just started to catch and he wanted to ensure they wouldn’t blow out after they left.

On their way to their target on the other side of the Schuykill he had spotted British troops moving and he was mulling over what their plan would be. Mentally he pulled up a map before his eyes as he attempted to estimate their enemy’s movements.

One possible target became clear: Philadelphia.

He turned to two of the cavalrymen with him and called them over as he quickly penned down a message for John Hancock of Congress. As he pressed the message into their hands, he said: “You need to get this to Congress, tell them it is urgent and that I send you under orders of the General. There is a bridge further up, use that to cross.”

The two saluted and sped off.

“What was that about, sir?” Captain Lee asked.

“The British are moving towards Philadelphia, they’re planning to march into the city,” he explained, “No matter useless they can be, it’ll be bad if Congress gets taken.”

Captain Lee nodded grimly, turning back to the flames. He commented: “It seems to be burning well, sir, but it’s a bit of a beacon.”

Alexander was about to agree when the first bullets sped over their heads. He cursed, turned to Captain Lee and ordered: “Take two man, go over the bridge,” that way if one of them became a target, the others had a better chance to get back and report to the General.

“Yes, sir,” the other saluted, ordering two men with him while Alexander ordered the twoback to their boat, hoping they would get away in time.

Luck was not on their side and they weren’t even halfway across when the British ceased their chase of Captain Lee to focus all their fire to the little boat with three men in it, managing to take out Hamilton’s horse and wounding a one soldier with him.

If they were to survive, they would have to jump.

He looked at the water with disdain. He hated the water with all his might. With the cold rain he had made his peace – it seemed it was unavoidable in this country – but he did not fancy taking a swim in the turmoiling water.

One of his men made a gurgling sound that cut off his scream as he died. With the other man already wounded, it was the last push Alexander needed to make his decision, he could not let his own hatred for the water get his last mankilled.

“Into the water, swim to the other shore,” he ordered, watching as it was folllowed.

He hesitated himself. He’d done everything to keep the people under his command safe, but he really didn’t wish to follow his own orders and jump into the cold swirling mass before him that looked so unappealing.

The moment of hesitation proved to his detriment, because a bullet hit his left arm and he let out a scream as he fell into the water.

It took a while before he had a grip on himself again. During that time the water had swept him away, tossing him around as he gained more bruises. The only luck was that he had resurfaced while our of sight of the redcoats, meaning no more bullets were whizzing around his head.

His arm hurt and the shore seemed so far away. However, he couldn't stay in the cold water either, he had to let Washington know what had happened and he couldn't do that if he was frozen at the bottom of a river.

He started to swim to the shore. It was a painful and tedious process, but he managed to drag himself onto the riverbank.

For a moment he just laid there to catch his breath as he thought of what to do now. He had drifteddownstream, which meant a longer walk, but the General did need to know about his message to Congress.

With his mind made up, he groaned as he got up from the ground. He was lucky his legs were still in working order as he started his track.

His arm was slowly oozing blood and he had wrapped his cravat around it as a makeshift bandage. His ribs felt bruised as well, but there was nothing he could do about that now, except hoping the shivering would stop as to not agitate them further.

God, he was cold.

It had seeped into his bones and he wanted it to stop. He was aware that he should probable take off his heavy, sodden coat, but the army was already low on supplies and the weight was a comfort, so he kept it on.

He was barely seeing anymore, his jaw was sore from his teeth clattering together, but he couldn't focus on anything but getting his one foot in front of the other.

Alexander hoped Captain Lee had made it out with the other two men and that they would make it back safely to camp. He prayed the same for the young man who had been in the boat with him, not wanting to have been the one to send him to an early grave.

Somewhere he thought he should take a detour to avoid any redcoats following him to keep his trail, but he was too slow and weak to actually do it.

A few miles had passed under his feet already the first time he fell. He scraped his hands and knees and just sat there for a moment. God, he wanted today to be over. He wished for a fire and warm clothes, but he couldn't have that until he was at camp.

With a groan he pushed himself off the ground and continued his journey.

The next time it had happened, he’d managed to catch himself on a tree, leaving a bloody hand printin his wake from the blood that had seeped down his arm from the wound.

Alexander was so numb, he could barely feel the bullet wound. He would have been more concerned about thatfact if he could still feel his fingers and toes or his lips.

When it happened a third time, he almost gave up. He had stumbled over a root and hit his face on the way down, breaking his nose and shaking up his head.

As he lay on the ground, watching the sky get darker, he thought about closing his eyes and taking a break. The shivers had almost stopped and his eyelids felt so so heavy. Just a break, he thought, a small break couldn't hurt.

A nap would do him good.

It would only be a moment.

Just for a little while.

He coughed, hurt shooting through his already hurting ribs and nose as he startled upwards. Though it probably saved his life, Alexander wasn’t mentally aware for that now and just cursed, before getting back up onto shaking legs.

His vision swam, but with a few blinks it became clear again. He was still in a forest, but it was familiar. He was near the camp!

Why was that a good thing again?

Oh, yes. He had to report his success at Schuykill, Lee’s probable death and his letter to Congress to the General. He kept repeating it in his mind.

Schuykill.

Step.

Success.

Step.

Lee.

Step.

Dead.

Step.

Congress.

Step.

Letter.

Step.

After about fifteen minuteshe saw the camp. He stumbled with relief, but managed not to fall as he walked the last leg of his journey back to camp.

The sentries stationed at the gate looked at him like they’d seen a ghost, which wouldn’t be so far off with how he was looking. Pale from the cold and blood loss, with it streaming down his arm and coating his face.

They did let him pass when he uttered the password and he nodded gratefully to them as he staggered over to the General’s headquarters.

It seemed there was a fire going inside, though it was strangely quiet as Alexander disregarded all protocol and just slammed open the door as he called out: “I need to talk to the General. Where is Washington?”

He immediately found the man he was looking for, because he was sat with the other aids and Lafayette with a drink in their hand, all looking quite somber instead of everyone being productive as usual.

Alexander wondered what could have gotten them into that state, before blinking heavily and focusing on the General and rattling off: “Schuykill success, Lee dead, Congress letter.”

The words he had used to keep himself walking, spilled out, before he realized who he was talking to andsheepishly added: “Sir.”

Beneath him the floor swayed and he waited for a reaction, though it seemed they were all in shock about something. He wanted to set a step forwards, maybe come shake them up, but he stumbled, causing Lafayette and Laurens to jump up and catch him.

Later, he would swear he wanted to fight them off and he could stand on his own easily and just did it to please them, but in reality, he just grunted as he slumped forwards and lost consciousness.

“Medic!” he heard the General’s distraught voice call and wondered what had gotten him so upset when there was nothing of import happening.

When he came to a bit later, he was sitting near the fire, jerking awake as someone rudely punched his nose. He protested: “Wha-”

“Oh thank God, Hammie.” Hmm, that was Laurens. What was Laurens doing here? He was- where was he?

A familiar French voice answered his unasked questions: “You made it back to camp, mon ami, but you are hurt. Laurens set your nose. It was broken. The doctor patched up your arm and ribs, but you are still so cold.”

With Lafayette’s reminder, he did feel more cold. He wanted to curl into his coat, but found his was in nothing but his, no, newer and not soaked breeches. No wonder he was cold. Though his back did feel warm.

He leaned back against the warmth and two hands came around his waist. He tried to turn his neck to see who it was when the General’s voice stopped him: “Stay calm, Alexander.”

A flush overtook Alexander’s features when he realized he was sitting on the lap of a shirtless Washington like he was a schoolboy cuddling up to his father in the middle of the night after a nightmare.

He started to struggle to get away, but was stopped by Harrison, who draped a blanket over the pair and said: “We need to get you warm, Hammie, or you won’t make it. Stop struggling.”

That stilled him in his tracks: “Not make it?” his voice sounded small and scared despite himself.

Harrison got a slap from Tillghman as he scolded him for scaring Alexander. Under normal circumstances he would protest the childish treatment, but now he just welcomed Laurens at his side who assured him: “He’s being dramatic, you just scared us all. Now stay still and it’s all going to be okay.”

Alexander sniffled and nodded. His head hurt, his arm hurt, his ribs hurt, actually his entire body just hurt and he was cold.

The General was warm behind him and there was a big hand stroking through his hair as a deep rumbling voice kept up comforts. Later Alexander would be highly embarrassed at being treated like this, but he was so exhausted and it was nice to be safe for a moment.

Everyone was safe.

Then it hit him again: Congress. Congress wasn’t safe. He’d send word to them to move, because the British were advancing and Washington needed to know that.

“Congress!” he gasped, trying to get up, “They’re under attack, probably. The red- the redcoats were coming.”

“Mon petit lion, stay still!” Lafayette exclaimed, grabbing his shoulders to keep him down,“We know, your message got through, we know. Stop struggling.”

“You know?” he checked again.

“Yes, Alexander, you can rest. We know, you did your work well, son,” Washington told him.

And with those words he relaxed again. He’d had to get the message to the General and the General had got it. He had said it was okay for Alexander to relax, he’d done well. With those reassurances he fell back asleep.

~

They’d been toasting to Hamilton’s memory, his memory because he was dead and he was not coming back, when the door had slammed open to reveal a ghost. All had sat in shock as the ghost yelled: “I need to talk to the General. Where is Washington?”

His eyes zeroed in on the General as he blinked heavily, his eyes were hazy and he sounded congested, probably due to the state of his nose as he slurred: “Schuykill success, Lee dead, Congress letter.”

He was quiet for a beat then he sheepishly added: “Sir,” as if that was the reason everyone was staring instead of his sudden resurrection.

Then he started to sway as he stumbled, lips starting to move, but no sounds came out as he started to pitch forwards.

Lafayette and Laurens were the first to react, jumping up to catch the young aide, who grunted when they made contact with him, their hands being coated in his blood. With their movement the rest started to come to and Washington yelled: “Medic!”

Hamilton was lowered to the ground, he was cold to the touch but no longer shivering. He was closer to a corpse if not for the shallow rise and fall of his chest.

His face was smeared with blood and his nose was crooked at an unnatural angle, but Washington was more concerned with the blood on his left arm and the noise he’d made when he’d been caught by Laurens and Lafayette.

He inspected the arm and found a bloody cravat tied around it. He swallowed heavily as he got the arm out of the sleeve and inspected the wound. It looked like a gash, but upon closer inspection it had both an entrance and exit wound with just a sliver of meat keeping the arm together.

That would need stitches.

Washington moved on to Hamilton’s ribs and found them battered, heavy bruising forming and a sickening slump at his lowest rib that was clearly visible on the malnourished body.

A doctor had entered and ushered Washington away from the boy as he started with stitching up the arm, ordering the fire to be stoked higher, a task Lafayette and Tilghman jumped on.

Once the arm was taken care off the doctor turned to the ribs, ordering Washington to help prop him up to wrap the bandages. While he did, the doctor said: “He needs to get warm and fast. He stopped shivering and while that is good for his ribs, it might take him down if we don’t get his temperature up. Skin on skin contact is best.”

Washington nodded and ordered Harrison to set a chair close to the fire and get new breeches for Hamilton, while he divested himself of his coat and shirt. He would save the boy the embarrassment of stripping theirbreeches, but Hamilton needed dry ones.

He let Laurens change Hamilton’s breeches, before the young aide was set on his lap. He felt warmer to the touch, though still freezing, and he had began to shiver, which was good.

The doctor dismissed himself after telling the others Hamilton needed as much bed rest as possible and double checking if Laurens was capable to straightening Hamilton’s nose.

Laurens apologized softly to his companion, before snapping the nose back in place with a wet pop. In Washington’s lap, the boy stirred as he exclaimed: “Wha-”

“Oh thank God, Hammie.” Laurens sighed in relief when Hamilton opened his eyes, looking very confused.

The boy mumbled: “Hmm, that’s Laurens. What’s Laurens doing here? Here in- Where am I?”

“You made it back to camp, mon ami, but you are hurt,” Lafayette informed his friend, “Laurens set your nose. It was broken. The doctor patched up your arm and ribs, but you are still so cold.”

It seemed that reminded the boy of where he was and he frowned, before leaning back against Washington and the warmth provided. Washington steadied him with two hands and he tried to turn his head to see. Soothingly the General said: “Stay calm, Alexander.”

Hamilton blushed and started to struggle, but was stopped by Harrison, who dropped a blanket over him, tucking them both in together as he said: “We need to get you warm, Hammie, or you won’t make it. Stop struggling.”

Immediately Hamilton stilled and his voice was so fragile when he asked: “Not make it?”

At the scared tone that they didn’t recognize on their small fierce lion, their hearts broke. Tilghman gave Harrison a harsh slap as he scolded: “Don’t scare the boy, he just woke up, you idiot.”

Laurens was at their side in no time and softly assured his friend: “He’s being dramatic, you just scared us all. Now stay still and it’s all going to be okay.”

The boy in his lap seemed even younger as he sniffled and nodded his head. He seemed to sag completely into the General’s comforting touches and whispers, with which he hoped to keep the boy still.

Suddenly Hamilton gasped and shot up. “Congress!” he exclaimed, “They’re under attack, probably. The red- the redcoats were coming.”

The struggling was hurting his ribs, he needed to be still dammit.

Lafayette jumped in: “Mon petit lion, stay still! We know, your message got through, we know. Stop struggling.”

“You know?” it seemed Hamilton had to be sure.

“Yes, Alexander, you can rest,” Washington assured him, “We know, you did well, son.”

It spoke loudly that there was a silence from Hamilton at the moniker he despised so much as he merely relaxed and slipped under again, his teeth only faintly clattering.

They sat there in silence for a long moment.

Laurens broke it: “At least it’s in line with him,” when no one responded he elaborated, “Over the top and too dramatic. He’s going to love that he crashed his own funeral when he wakes up.”

It startled a laugh out of Harrison and soon the others followed. Washington tried to keep himself from shaking too hard with laughter, afraid the fragile kid in his lap would wake up from it. He felt warmer already and his breathing shallow but even.

Some laughs turned into tears as they sat there until Hamilton was completely still and warm.

Gently Washington moved the blanket until it tucked in just Hamilton, before he moved the boy in his arms so that he could carry him comfortably.

He’d send Laurens to ahead to Washington’s own quarters to light the fire a while ago and he had come to report that the room was now warm. So now he took the injured aide there to rest until he was healed.

The General’s room was the only room with a hearth and it was closest to the offices in the building, meaning everyone could easily check up on him and everyone was close by in case something happened.

He looked small, lying in the big bed. He was pale and he’d never seemed more fragile without the fire in his eyes to give him presence.

Of course, he looked so much better that when he’d arrived. Washington didn’t think he would ever be able to shake the image of him dripping blood before pitching forwards. And, judging by the way everyone stood in the doorway unwilling to leave, he didn’t think the others would either.

That night they all slept on the floor surrounding Hamilton’s bed, taking comfort in each other and the soft breaths from their companion.

~

Alexander woke slowly, grunting against the light trying to stab into his eyeballs. He attempted to move away from the light, but that hurt even more and he grunted again.

Groggily, he took stock of his body. His ribs were throbbing and his left arm hurt like hell, his nose also felt tender at every breath and it seemed he had a muscle ache everywhere.

How had that all even happened?

Slowly then all at once the memories of the daybefore came back. The mission at the river, the bullets, the water, the walking, how he’d collapsed, the General- oh my god, he had sat in Washington’s lap, barely clothed.

He whined loudly and opened his eyes to check if he was clothed now. He was, just an undershirt and breeches, but better than nothing. He didn’t recognize the room he was in, butthe bed was warm and piled with blankets.

Before he could think about it, the door was slammed open by Laurens, who took in his open eyes with glee as he called out: “He’s awake!”

More footsteps hurried towards them and soon the whole Family was piling into the room as they talked over themselves in an effort to inquire about his health.

They fell silent when Washington walked in and asked: “How are you doing, son?”

“Not your son, sir,” came the standard reply and everyone smiled with relief to see their Hamilton back.

He asked: “Where am I, sir? How did I get here?”

“In Washington’s room,” Laurens told him with a shit-eating grin that promised no good, “He carried you here like a maiden.”

Alexander felt a blush take over his features, but one look at everyone told him his friend hadn’t been lying. He groaned and hid his face: “You’re the worst.”

“Ahw, you love me, Hammie.” Laurens teased.

“Sadly,” he commented, before asking, “How long have I been out?”

“Just a day and a half, little lion,” Harrison informed him, “You clearly needed the rest.”

Lafayette pushed through to the front and jumped onto the bed, being careful of Alexander’s ribs as he pulled him into a hug and cried: “Don’t ever scare me like that, mon ami.”

Startled Alexander hugged back, gently patting the Frenchman’s back as he placated him: “I’m fine, Laf. It’s all good, just a few bumps and scrapes, I made it.”

“You almost ne l’a pas fait, Alexander,” Lafayette cried, “We were all so worried sur toi.”

Alexander paled slightly, he had already gathered it had been worrisome, but hearing how they all thought he would die really hit it home. He was suddenly reminded of the men, who had been with him and he asked: “Captain Lee? Did he make it? He had two others with him.”

“Yeah, he made it,” somehow Laurens sounded mad about that.

“That’s a relief,” Alexander smiled, then he asked, “And Philadelphia? Do the British have the city? Is Congress safe?”

“Congress has fled the city, but the British haven’t taken it yet,” Washington told him, “We’re hoping to get as many supplies out of the city as we can, but you know how delicate that situation is. I would send you, but I don’t think you’ve recovered enough.”

Alexander wanted to protest that, but he was stopped by the pain in his ribs, so he just sighed and said: “I would recommend taking careful inventory, make sure the people know we’re keeping track of what they lost. Take all the horses that are non-vital to jobs, show them we care about their livelihood.”

He hesitated: “Sir, I know you have a distaste for the man, but Burr would probably be the best to do this. We can’t risk sending anyone foreign or brash.”

Washington sighed and rubbed his brow: “You’re probably right, Hamilton.”

“When am I not?” Alexander grinned cheekily.

“Well, I faintly remember you telling me that you we’re going to be back before dinner, but that didn’t exactly pan out either,” Laurens groused.

“Oh come on, that was hardly my fault,” Alexander whined, then he realized, “I was hardly much later, either. It was barely dark when I came back. Why were you so worried anyway?”

“Because we thought you were dead!” finally the quiet anger brewing in Laurens exploded, “We were fucking drinking to your memory, because fucking Lee said you were dead. He said you got shot and disappeared into the water. What the hell were we supposed to think?”

Alexander’s eyes widened at the revelation.

They had thought he was dead. They’d gotten word that he died. And then he’d showed up on deaths doorstep, collapsing like a damsel.

‘Or you won’t make it’

Harrison’s words from before floated through his head and he tried to imagine how he would feel if this had happened to Laurens. God, he probably would scream and want to fight everyone, anyone to get him back.

Everyone must’ve been so worried.

Guilt bubbled up in his stomach and he didn’t dare to meet anyone’s eyes. Laurens started to say something, but he cut him off: “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for. Like you said, it was hardly your fault,” Washington told him gently.

“But still,” tears of frustration were building up in his eyes and he hated that he couldn’t gesture wildly with his hands, “I messed up. I lost at least two of my men and worried everyone, incapacitated myself enough that I’m bound to a bed, not even my own and- and I just messed up. I want field command so bad, but I completely ruin it, the moment I get it.”

The tears were now falling and Alexander scrubbed them away with his right hand, hating that he was crying over this.

He looked up when the bed dipped and saw the General sitting on the edge. The man smiled gently and said: “You didn’t mess up, Alexander. You ran into some obstacles and acted in the way you saw fit, saving almost everyone in your party. You even managed to report back to headquarters despite being injured. You did well.”

Alexander sniffed again, but he did feel better: “Thank you, sir.”

“No problem, son,” Washington assured him, before patting his head and standing up again, “Now, I think Lafayette and Laurens won’t mind taking a break to get you settled with everything you need. For now rest, you’ll get to work from bed in two days.”

“Really sir?” Alexander’s eyes shone with excitement, he hadn’t thought the General would let him work so fast.

Washington sighed fondly and explained: “We both know that if I said you couldn't, you would do it anyway. I’d rather you do it safely and where I can keep an eye on you.”

It made him blush as he ducked his head, grin pulling on his lips despite the small scolding. But then Laurens jumped onto the bed next to Lafayette and pulled him into a conversation.

He smiled at them both as the others filed out of the room to let him be. It was good to be home again.

[firebunny3000]

Sunset over the Schuykill River, May 21, 2021

Taken from outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art

[toolegitvisuals]

[gatheringbones]

[“The battle over this cruising area waged on for years. Police were called in to harass and arrest folks who hung out there. Despite all of the efforts of GAA, only temporary resolutions could ever be worked out with neighbors and police. We flyered the area, asking cruisers to respect the neighborhood and keep their voices down; we met with police; we formed patrols to watch the area and report on police activities.

Meanwhile, I continued to cruise those streets, hanging out with friends and playing a cat-and-mouse game with the cops. I learned all the tricks of the trade: how to spot a police car from far off, which alleyways would lead to safety, how to warn others of the encroaching “Alice” (our code name for the police). Cruisers in this area had our own language—and it served to protect us from arrest. For instance, “Neshinew” was a straight guy prone to violence. You could spread the word about some straight thug who frequented the place without incurring his wrath because he didn’t know what you were saying about him.

The struggle for control of the “merry-go-round” was my first encounter with the issue of the right to public space. It was a battle that would re-emerge time and again. In the late ’80s, police began cracking down on a park cruising area near the Schuykill River not far from the merry-go-round. The park, nicknamed “Judy Garland Park” by cruisers, surrounded on three sides by fairly expensive houses and apartments, was a traditional site for gay male outdoor sex. The actual area where sex happened was along the river, hidden by bushes and trees, though neighbors claimed men were having sex on their front steps as well. With the help of a progressive gay lawyer, I mobilized a patrol of the area on weekend nights, leafletting men who came to cruise to warn them of the undercover police presence. The police were not pleased, but they did not stop us. We also attended neighborhood meetings to talk to residents about the situation. Our efforts managed to quiet things down and neighbors and cruisers settled down to a peaceful co-existence—for the time being.”]

tommi avicolli mecca, from its all about class, from that’s revolting! queer strategies for resisting assimilation, edited by mattilda bernstein sycamore