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!