I drove to jehanni 's house to change so I wouldn't have to drive quite so far in costume.  I figured with tights, knee sox, knee boots, 3 petticoats, a lined dress, a fur wrap, a muff and a bonnet I would be too cold in the 26 (feels like 12) weather.  And it pretty much worked, the only part that was really cold was my forearms.  My dress came out well and I was very pleased with it.  My hair was another story.  The curls which started out okay just got worse and worse and ended up more perky 1980s than romantic 1840s.  I really should have taken a page from everyone else and just put it up.  Oh well.



We met up with padawansguide isabelladangelo girliegirl32786 jennylafleur and my friends Marilee and George at Thir-Tea First Street Cafe and Tea house in Baltimore.  It was a cute decorated Victorian kind of close to John's Hopkins.  They serve tea on Sundays only by reservation so we were the only people there and had the large parlor all to ourselves.  They had  huge tea menu and scones and biscuits galore, but more importantly they had snowmen tea sandwiches.  Hilarity ensued as heads were bitten off and herbal arms removed.



Our tea was so leisurely we had to dash off to make it to the Poe's Birthday Celebration on time.  And actually we were late.  Note to self - when mapquest says 12 minutes it really means 1/2 an hour...So all eyes were on us as we entered late to our seats in the front row.  We certainly made an entrance!  But they were so happy to see us all decked out they forgave all.  The program was wonderful.  We saw a dramatic rendition of the Murders of the Rue Morgue, Miss Sarah Helen Whitman's remembrances of Poe and a special appearance of Mr. Poe himself who gave us a most thrilling rendition of his famous poem the Raven.  Do not think me too immodest, but I do believe Mr Poe (or his ghost?) flirted with more than one of us...




We toasted Poe's ghost and Miss Aubry was lucky enough to win one of the Poe cakes they were giving out.  The organizers were so delighted with us they talked with us at length about coming next year for all the bicentennial celebrations.  And one gentleman even approached us about being extras in a movie!


Afterwards we paid a visit to Poe's memorial (the mysterious guest had left the cognac and roses) and had our likenesses taken with the graven image of the master or horror.  It turns out nothing whets the appetite like a nocturnal visit to a graveyard in freezing weather so we departed Poe's grave for a nearby pub and sustenance and warmth.


I'm so glad those of you who came were able to make it, I had so much fun!  And for those who couldn't it sounds like there is a whole lot in store for Mr Poe next year!