Petals and Light
Category Archives: Evening Light
Fish Fry!
While the campaign has whittled my bike riding time down to just 6 hours per week, it has also offered me the opportunity to attend some community events. This past Saturday, after knocking 90 doors in the City of Radford, my campaign Field Director and I attended the Mt Tabor Ruritan Fish Fry.
Before joining the long line of hungry patrons, we walked and talked and enjoyed the atmosphere.
The pastoral scene,
the local music,
the opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline,
and finally, the fish, fries, and coleslaw, served up by hardworking Ruritans.
I’m tellin’ ya, that fried fish was yummy!
All you can eat for $8, in a lovely Virginia setting. Not a bad way to spend the evening.
The Mt Tabor Ruritan Club has been serving the Blacksburg and surrounding communities since July 16, 1965.
Ruritan National’s purpose is to create a better understanding among people, and through volunteer community service, make America’s communities better places in which to live and work
The word Ruritan is a combination of the Latin words for open country “ruri” and small town “tan,” interpreted as pertaining to rural and small town life
I Want to Shoot Like Liana!
Have you visited Liana’s blog? Her work inspires mine.
No, I am not the poet / writer that she is but if I can gain even a measure of her skill with the camera, I’ll be satisfied.
http://thehourofsoftlight.wordpress.com/
Many of the photographers that I follow inspire me, and I plan to highlight some of them over the next months. When one of my images aspires to the style of someone I admire, I’m going to post mine, referencing the photographer at the same time.
Life on the Bike!
Those of you who are new to my blog may wonder where the bike of Life on the Bike is. Rest assurred that the original reason for the blog is back and after being sidelined for 8 months, so are my days riding! I’ve had the bike just 3 weeks and I’ve ridden as many miles as I can squeeze into my schedule. My first ride was with my friend Juli who took me to the dealership to pick up my beautiful new bike.
My second ride was with my friends Dave and Michael, the two guys who taught me most of what I know about riding. I wrote about them here almost 2 years ago.
The other night, seeing that a storm was brewing, and thinking that the evening light might make for great photos, I headed out on the bike. It felt great to feel the wind in my face (even with my new full face helmet).
I took off down a dirt road, near the train tracks, and proceeded to happily shoot the surrounding farmland.
I couldn’t decide which of these I preferred. What do you think?
It was a lovely evening and the storm held off long enough for me to play a little longer.
Even the structure of the new bridge appealed to me that evening.
More riding photos soon!!!
Peaceful Evening
… and who doesn’t need one of those!
Not Colorado
Yep, as I was riding along in the setting sun. Red Rock. In Southwest Virginia.
The Merc
The Draper Mercantile is a lovingly restored, 125 year old building in Southwest Virginia. It currently serves as a place to hear local music, enjoy a fine meal, and as a showplace for regional arts and crafts. The Merc has been providing goods and services to Pulaski County and the surrounding communities for over a century and according to the website “visitors could purchase just about anything”.
A receipt found in a desk by the current owners summarizes an eclectic purchase: sugar, burial clothes, salmon, lemons, and a coffin. At various times, The Merc has housed a barber shop, a blacksmith, the post office, and a dress shop. In the spring the farmers brought in their lambs to sell and in the fall their hogs, turkey, potatoes etc., which went towards settling their accounts (drapermerc.com).
One evening last week, I met my friend Amy on the upstairs porch and enjoyed a glass of wine in a beautiful setting.
Some would have used photoshop to rid the images of powerlines. Despite the fact that I don’t have photoshop, I think that the powerlines add historic accuracy to The Merc and the community of Draper.
If you’re ever in the area, check it out!!
Just Add Wine
Yummy snacks
plus a designated driver
plus amazing friends
plus locally owned restaurants
plus magical light
equals another great BGs celebration, our first in Roanoke!
You Want S’More?
The temperatures are cooler, the skies are clearer, the leaves show early color change, and the smell of wood smoke is in the air. Don’t you just love fall?
My friends welcomed us to their back yard this past Sunday evening for the first fire of the fall season. Their backyard is a sanctuary of happiness … surrounded by woods, flower / vegetable gardens, an awesome fire pit, and privacy. Deb made homemade marshmellows, and we all brought the fixins for S’Mores, Hot Dogs, Kettle Corn, and a favorite beverage.
Seriously! Homemade marshmellows!
As the moon rose in the sky, our happiness deepened
.
Folks … these are the simples pleasures in life … be sure to take time to enjoy them!
And if you’ve read this far, and would like to offer your opinion: I’m researching and planning my move to an SLR. When I realize that I am more often less than satisfied with the results of my photographic efforts, I realize I am ready.
Your recommendation?
Life. Is. Good.
Not that there aren’t roadblocks and hurdles, but those challenges allow us to appreciate the peaceful, soulful times.
I am a fortunate woman.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 