Anyway. The surprise party for my grandmother went really well. My aunt put out a heck of a spread, a truly impressive number of people showed up, and Grandmom was genuinely surprised and apparently quite moved. And, no, she did not keel over from a heart attack at the surprise, the way everybody I told that we were having a surprise party for a 90-year-old woman worried she might.
As well as catching up with family, we went some interesting places while I was there, including the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, where my scientific curiosity fought a pitched battle with my natural squeamishness, with variable results. I do recommend it, though, for those whose squeamishness doesn't always win out.
We also took a tour of the Herr's potato chip factory, which was oddly delightful. Man, I miss Herr's chips. At least I got to have some of those on this trip, as well as other Delaware Valley delicacies, including Tastykakes, soft pretzels, a Philly cheesesteak (emphatically not to be confused with anything you might have seen labeled as a "Philly beef sandwich" or some other ridiculous, inaccurate thing), and a Wawa hoagie. Mmm-mmm.
And because this blog never really does have enough pictures for modern sensibilities, some photos of me:
Here's an embarrassing one of me trying on my aunt's Halloween costume.
And here I am having a staring contest with a monitor lizard at the Delaware Natural History Museum. Which was tiny, but pleasant, and looked like a great place to bring kids. The museum, that is, not the lizard. The lizard looked like it might want to eat your kids.
(Hopefully people can see these pictures. I still haven't quite figured out how Google Photos handles permissions.)
I for one can see the pictures. I have to say that that first one is not a good look. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that the party went well. I think if somebody makes it to ninety without having had a heart attack then it's reasonable to consider them as being at low risk.
Yes, it's a good thing I was not born a giraffe. :)
DeleteMy grandmother does have some heart problems, but not the heart attack-inducing kind, so I was pretty sure she'd withstand the shock.
Which type of Philly Cheese-steak was it.. I remember the fights in my family about what type of Cheeze Whiz was used said what part of the area you were from.
ReplyDeleteMy family was a Charles Chips versus Herr's chips. I remember every thursday a truck would drive by and we would get 2 new cans of chips (BBQ and regular or sometimes vinegar).
The use of Cheez Whiz seems to have become much more widespread since I left the area two or three decades ago, and I strongly lament this trend, because Cheez Whiz is an abomination in my sight, and as far as I'm concerned doesn't belong in the same room as a proper cheesesteak. Personally, I prefer provolone cheese, but American will do fine.
DeleteI will go for a cheddar sauce over Cheeze Whiz any day... which makes me even less likely to be invited to the family events.
DeleteClearly you are too good for them. :)
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