Author Archives: LB

Mothers With … and Without

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Today, I am thinking of all the amazing women in my life and all that they have done for me and for those around them.

In particular today, I am thinking about the women without children.

They serve as guidance-givers to friends, family, and even strangers, and as role models and confidantes. They are our aunts, teachers, on-the-job mentors, and neighbors. They might not have given birth or raised children, but they’ve made a difference to the young people in their lives — nieces and nephews, and the children of their friends.

Whether by choice, or by other circumstance, these women earn just as much love and recognition as women with children.
Raising a glass to all mothers and mothers without children ❤

The Ultimate in Social Distancing

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One weekend this past March, while we were all still adjusting to the “new normal” of CoVid19, it was warm enough to ride.

 We decided that time on the motorcycle was the ultimate way to be socially distant.

Typically we ride 100 miles or so before stopping for lunch at a local pub.  In light of the times, we all packed our lunch and enjoyed each other’s company from a distance at a roadside picnic area.

Then we headed back out on the beautiful back roads of Southwest Virginia.  See those splat marks on the windsheild?

I guess it was the warm weather that had so many bugs out and about.

We rode through several rural counties, along too many back roads to count, and the wind in our faces helped us to put aside the worries of the day.

I can’t wait for more rides like this one!

Peace! and Stay Well, my friends

How Ya’ll Doin’?

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Forgive me, Word Press Friends, for I have sinned.  It has been 6 months since I last posted.

Okay, so it’s not really a sin, but it sure has been awhile! I also realized that I never finished posting about our Pacific Coast Highway Tour … someday I’ll get to it!

I’ve managed to keep up with some of you through Monochromia and others of you through Zoom.

The rest of you, I have missed, and I assume you’ve all been posting regularly.  How ARE you?  What are you doing to keep occupied during this CoVid Crisis?Please share a link in the comments of a post that you would like me to read that will let me catch up on your life and health!

 Here in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the East Coast of North America, we have had tons of rain, and unlike many who have suffered in drought, the rain has allowed the ferns, flowers, and trees to bloom in abundance!  While I still see patients everyday in my Women’s Health / OB / Gyn Office, I am no longer traveling.  This time at home has given me opportunity to photograph some of the beauty right in my own backyard.

The flowers and trees are not rare varietals, but they sure make me happy.

Japanese Maple

Red Bud

Of course, Daffodils

Dogwood – the first photo in this post is a Dogwood as well

Gerbera Daisy

Rhododendron

And … some grocery store Tulips

As I told Joe, this time with my camera has started me thinking about upgrading my gear.  Time to do some research!

Our May wedding has been postponed to September.  Fingers crossed we can proceed.

And I have found time for the bike, although not near enough!

Thus far, family and friends are healthy.  Living in a less than dense area has kept those that I love free from CoVid-19.

Again, please share in the comments how you are doing or link to a recent blog post that would update me on how you are doing!

Pacific Coast Highway Tour: Astoria, OR to Newport, OR

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We left Astoria knowing that we had less than 150 miles to drive.  Piece of cake, right?  Not on Highway 101 and not when we were stopping every few miles.

What an incredible day!  One minute it was gloriously sunny; the next it was raining, and all of it was wonderful!

I’d aleady had my feet in the Pacific Ocean off of the Washington Coast, and on this day I did the same in Oregon.

Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach

Whale Sighting!

Forgive me! I just realized that these next four images are from Cape Disappointment State Park in Washington!

The Astoria-Megler Bridge

My apologies for the lack of order of these photos! Hope you enjoyed them anyway!

In Memoriam – Patricia Fogarty

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Thank you, Joe, for putting into words what many are feeling. My thoughts are with her family and friends the world over.

Monochromia

It is with deep regret that I wish to inform our followers that my dear friend and fellow Monochromia contributor Patricia Fogarty (aka Patti Kuche) has passed away. She is survived by her loving husband Mark Fogarty and her sons Iggy, Dom and Patrick. All of us at this blog want to extend our deepest sympathy to Mark and family. She will leave a void in hearts of the many people who have had the pleasure of knowing her.

Images by Stacy Fischer

Patti was first and foremost a great street photographer. She was also a dear friend and a genuinely fun person to be around. My wife Theresa and I had a special connection with Patti. We adored her mixture of Australian and London brogue accent and I don’t think there was ever a time where she failed to make us laugh when we got together.

When I first…

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Pacific Coast Highway Tour: Port Angeles, WA to Astoria, OR

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What a thrill it is to spend the entire day driving the Pacific Coast Highway! Mile by mile of exploration with the only downside being that I wanted to stop and photograph EVERYTHING!  We had 10 days to get from Seattle to LA and we could have spent weeks!  Still, it was a gift just to be there and we will be back!

Day 2 on the road found us leaving Port Angeles, driving through Olympic National Park, and ending up in Astoria, Oregon.

This view brought tears to my eyes.

But that view came after miles of driving through fog, which was stunningly beautiful even though it blocked some of the view.

#mysawyerbracelet

At the end of the day, we found a local brewery and enjoyed a cold beverage.  Happiness!

Pacific Coast Highway Tour: 3 Hours in Seattle

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What do you do when you have 3 hours in Seattle?  After arriving by plane from Virginia, and with WAY TOO MANY options, we picked up our rental car and made a quick stop at the Pike Place Market.

 

After enjoying Fish Tacos and a local craft beer, with vows to return, we took the Edmonds Kingston Ferry to the Olympic Peninsula.

Getting Back Into It: Halloween Redux

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Like many on the East Coast of the United States, the weather was wild in Southwest Virginia on October 31st.  This photo was taken 2 days later while helping a friend hand out candy to those who came by.  The absence of costumed folks in this image, belies the fact that there were HUNDREDS of trick or treaters!

Getting Back Into It: Bike Adventures

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This year, I was able to ride into Pennsylvania, my 9th state on the bike (I also was able to visit Oregon, my 48th state overall … but that’s another story).  This image reveals my excitement about visiting Pennsylvania, Gettysburg to be specific.  I also rode through Western Maryland and West Virginia, both previously visited, during this 1200 mile ride in July.

You’ve heard me say this before, but I am FOR REAL, trying to find time for blogging!  It’ll probably just be some photography for now … but Let’s Go!

Sideling Hill

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What? Is this an actual post from LB?  Yes indeed it is!

I’m still struggling to balance work / civic commitments / some fun and blogging, and while I’ve continued to contribute to Monochromia each week, I’ve clearly not done so well here.  I’ll make it back, I swear!!

This post links to my contribution to Monochromia this week.

I took a 1200 mile motorcycle ride last week, my annual solo trip, and had the joy of riding through this gap. The Sideling Hill Road Cut on Interstate 68 and US 40 in Western Maryland, is a 340 foot deep notch excavated from the ridge of Sideling Hill.  It is notable as an impressive man-made mountain pass, visible from miles away, and is considered to be one of the best rock exposures in Maryland and the entire northeastern United States.

The image on Monochromia is of the bridge that runs over the highway.

This last image shows the cut in the mountain from many miles away.

Be back soon (I hope!)