Just a few more shots from the Flower Seller at the Farmers Market.
Visit Monochromia to see this first image in B&W. Do you have a preference?
#cellphonephotography
Next time I’ll bring my camera!
Triathlon
A few weeks ago, a group of friends and I celebrated a 60th birthday in a lovely cabin in Claytor Lake State Park. As we were out exercising that first morning, we happened upon the Claytor Lake Triathlon. Started in 2011, the planners of the event wanted to hold a triathlon on the open water, as opposed to a swimming pool, and in an suburban environment, away from urban traffic. 156 competitors, including those in the relay, participated in the 2016 Triathlon.
We were so inspired as we watched individuals of both genders, all ages, and various abilities swim, bike, and run to the finish.
The hardcore athletes were easy to pick out, but it was the “regular folk” who moved us to tears.
The Triathon includes a 500 meter swim
A 12.5 mile bike
and a 5K Run
I’ve never photographed a sporting event before, but I could not put my camera down. In between cheering for the competitors, and wiping my tearful eyes, I just had to keep shooting.
What an awesome support team for Dad!
Some competitors accomplished all three portions by themselves.
Others competed in a team relay, and either swam, rode, or ran.
What a thrill to watch, and what an accomplishment for these competitors.
Maybe I’ll give it a try next year 🙂
Happiness
What is it about sunflowers that make us happy?
My sister and I spent a few hours in downtown Roanoke this past Saturday while waiting on my motorcycle to get it’s 10,000 mile check.
Breakfast. Exploring the Farmers Market. Just being silly.
In addition to all that goodness, I found out that it was the Voltage Regulator that was draining my bike battery. Problem Solved!
It was a beautiful ride home! Next time I’ll bring the camera!
Sure Looks Like 60 is the New 40
A few weeks ago, we gathered to celebrate the 60th birthday of a friend. This group of women has been celebrating each other’s birthdays for many years, and as the years have gone by, we have turned an evening into a weekend.
A weekend of Incredible sunrises
Lots of time on the water – photo credit Liz Altieri since I’m the one in the cowboy hat
Yummy food and drink
Gifts and Games
60 Candles and Lots of Sparklers
A comfortable cabin with lovely views
It was the perfect way to celebrate 60!
Where in the World is LB?
She’s still here! In Southwest Virginia!
Between work and play, I’ve found it challenging to keep up with WordPress, and believe me, it is not easy to admit that! I’m not one to make excuses, but somehow, I’ve found it harder to create blog posts now than it was during the time after my motorcycle wreck and during my campaign for office.
So where have I been spending so much of my time, outside of my work as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner?
Riding in the 10th Annual Layne Creed Memorial Ride.
Photo Credit Dale Sands
The family of Layne Creed has worked hard over the past decade, raising money for local charities in memory of their loved one. It is time though for this to be The Last Ride.
I’ve been able to ride in six of the 10 rides, but this was the first on my beautiful candy orange Softail Slim.
Dining with Friends
After riding 220 miles, it was such a joy to spend the evening with friends. They served an incredible Paella, which I now know is a dish which combines vegetables, and meats. The history of Paella is that servants or peasants created rice dishes by mixing the left-overs from royal banquets in large pots to take home. The incredible food was accompanied by great conversation, in a beautiful home with generous hosts.
Supporting Local Business
I attended the first Grow & Gather, a partnership between Hazelbea Catering, the Radford Chamber of Commerce, and Farmers Market vendors.
This Radford Supper Series, offers multi-course meals sourced from local growers and paired with wine from White Barrel, a local winery.
Supporting Local also means catching up with a dear friend at Al’s on First, an independent restaurant, AND putting my cell phone camera to work.
Ah! The perfect summer drink: A Gin and Tonic
Book Group
What a welcome relief it is to spend the evening discussing an eye opening book, and to escape the media’s focus on the unfit man who is running for President.
Exercising
I’ve always been a power walker, but somehow I’ve become a runner, albeit a novice runner. The only way to fit exercise into my schedule is to start early in the morning when it is still dark.
Weekends though, give me a chance to start a bit later. As I tell each of my patients, and as you already know, exercise is good for the heart, good for the bones, and great for the energy and mental health.
In addition, I can work on my #cellphonephotography.
Finally, Civic Work
I’m involved with several groups, but one of my passions is helping to elect more Virginia women to public office. This weekend I hosted an event for Women Leaders of Virginia and Emerge, two organizations who work to train and support women running for public office.
I love the passion, the commitment, the vision, and the stimulating conversation.
Next?
I’m afraid I won’t be able to visit many of you this week, and I truly hate to miss out on the happenings in your lives. In the comment section, please leave a link to one of your latest posts, and I’ll be sure to check it out!
Choices
Life is full of them.
Work. Volunteer. Chores. Play.
And then there is WordPress. Posting our own blogs and visiting others.
After visiting as many of you as possible, it’s time to move on for the night.
I’ll be back soon with photos from time on the water and time on the bike.
Sailing Along
What a blessing it is to be surrounded by family and friends; to have good health, a steady income, and lots of civic commitment; to live amidst and enjoy nature’s beauty.
As I sail along through life’s goodness and challenges, I have not forgotten Life on the Bike and my WordPress friends.
See you this coming weekend!
Motorcycle, Bicycle, and River, Oh My!
As I sat in the river yesterday, I thought of all the items on my “to do” list. Yes, I was actually sitting in the Little River, and I was oh so happy.
I looked up to see the smoke from the grill caught in the sunlight streaming through the trees, and in addition to my “to do” list, I thought about how fortunate I was.
Surrounded by friends, on a gorgeous September afternoon, with laughter and the sound of flowing water providing amazing background music.
The only thing that I could have wanted was more time to take care of that “to do” list. Thankfully, I had an extra day off for that, and today is that extra day. I’ve spent the last 8 hours scatching items off of that list, and that means it is finally time for WordPress, a chance to relive the weekend, and a visit to all of you.
After getting off work on Friday, I stopped by Rising Silo Brewery.
Part of a ground-up movement, “the purpose of the brewery is to create fermented beverages from the best ingredients, overflowing with thought and authenticity in taste”.
Rising Silo is a farm brewery, the foundation of which is Glade Road Growing, a farm located on a conservation easement, which means that it will permanently remain open space.
How can you not love their mission: to create “an evolving space that community members near and far may gather to connect, dream, celebrate and relax. We believe in fresh food, true brews, and good people”.
Saturday morning started with a solo, 17 mile ride on the bicycle, partly along the New River,
followed by a 200 mile group ride on the motorcycle.
In my quest to improve my health, I even managed to run 2.5 miles!
And all this fabulousness brings me back to today.
If being able to run, ride both bikes, and spend time on the water wasn’t enough, I’ve been gifted with this extra day, Labor Day, to get caught up. It is so satisfying to see the “to do” list get shorter.
Labor Day, a creation of the labor movement over 100 years ago, “is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country”.
While I know that I work hard every day, how is it that I still feel a twinge of guilt for being off today?
One more great thing about this weekend? The Hokies won, too.
Photo Credit: thekeyplay.com
Yes, College Football season is here, and I’ll be watching the FSU – Ole Miss game tonight while visiting all of you.
Morning Prayers
Have you met Jim, a poet and runner over at rite2run? You’ll not regret reading this post and making a visit over to his place!
It All Adds Up
Beach
Family
Storms
Food
Drink
Exercise
Photography
Fun
It all adds up to a fantastic family vacation at the beach, one where I used the cell phone more than the camera (but you already picked up on that, huh). Blessed beyond measure!
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I spent a total of two non-consective weeks in North Carolina, a state I have boycotted since the passage of HB2. What do you do when plans have been made for over a year, and deposits were paid before North Carolina decided to pass such a controversial law? You keep your plans and contribute to Equality NC. From here on out, like the NBA, lots of musicians and corporations, I will continue to avoid spending money in NC.
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And now, I’m off to visit all of you!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 