Some days you're in love with the city. I had a day like that today, over at the Rittenhouse Square Flower Market, a charity event that continues tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. I remember going to this as a child and as a young adult so it's been awhile, but they still sell the trademark lemon sticks - a lemon swizzle stick in a half-lemon that you suck on and suck on, while squeezing the lemon, until a little of that tart juice inches up into your mouth and gums up your fingers. Success!
They sell a lot of other stuff, too - annuals, herbs, hanging baskets, and even baby trees, along with food and jewelry. It's for a handful of great causes - the Anti-Violence Partnership, the Caring People Alliance, the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and Variety - The Children's Charity.
It's just fun. I was in the market association's flower booth answering questions about annuals. Thanks to everyone who indulged me. I knew most of the plants but Nemesia, which many folks apparently use in their small pots on balconies in the Square, I've never heard of. We had fun discussions about container planting and living walls and fertilizer or not and I thoughly enjoyed myself.
What a day, too. Perfect weather for a people parade, which is what this is. There were line-dancing seniors, young singers from a charter school, a jazz group and more characters than you could count. It was a great display of the city in all its (good) crazy diversity. This is why we live here.
If you get a chance to go to the Square, or can slip out on your lunch break, do. And spend lots of money.
