My heart is happy
Finally
My heart is happy
The Stones
Did I have you fooled for a second?
My friend Amy and I spent last Friday night in an historic theatre in Pulaski County, Va. Originally built in 1911, the Pulaski Theatre has been renovated and now hosts a variety of events. We attended the Rolling Stone Tribute Show, and had an absolute blast.
Trying to snap a few shots, in a fairly dark theatre, while dancing, singing, and jumping around, was a challenge.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
Angie
You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
Satisfaction.
Supporting a local historic theatre, hearing music that you grew up with, and hanging out friends … what a fun evening!
Have any of you seen the Rolling Stones in concert?
Oil Lamp
My contribution to Monochromia this week! Have you visited this incredible blog yet?
Started by Joe Giordano (thanks Joe!), Monochromia showcases images from photographers the world over! It’s worth a visit!
First Ride, and First Pictures, in 2016
The day dawned bright with sunshine and 40 degree F temps, and soon the text came in to ride. I worked quickly to get the groceries purchased, the Sweet Potatoes baked, and the Chicken Noodle Soup made and finally, it was time to pile on the clothing for a cold winter ride.
It should go without saying that I brought the camera, so not only did I get to ride, I got to shoot! Happy, happy me!
We stopped for lunch at Beamer’s 25, a local restaurant in Roanoke, and since it had warmed up a bit, we were able to sit outside.
We weren’t the only ones sitting outside, even though you’d never know it by these images.
The Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale was the perfect photo subject … and tasted good, too!
Don’t you love the reflections in this one? and yes, that is a photo of Coach Beamer on the wall.
My buddy, Dave, was willing to sit for a portrait, and I learned that he used to have his own light room. We’ve ridden together for years, and I had no idea!
What a great way to start off the year … 90 miles on the bike, with the camera, and a good friend. A short ride but oh so sweet!
Hope the year has started off just as well for you!
My 2015 Photography Year in Review
Thanks to Edith from Edith Levy Photography, I learned of a blog project run by Jim Goldstein of JMG Galleries. In her most recent post, Edith shared that Jim encourages photographers to post their best images of the year. Thanks Edith, for inspiring me to give it a shot. Be sure to visit Edith’s blog. Her images are wonderful, including incredible shots from Cuba and Israel.
As you know, the year started as I neared complete recovery from my motorcycle wreck, and promptly jumped into a race for the Virginia House of Delegates. At the midyear point, my medical practice closed, and I worked to start a new one from the ground up.
This has been quite the year, and needless to say, photography (and riding the bike) took a back seat. Even still, time with the camera provided me much needed breaks from the wild ride that was 2015.
Looking forward to another year of reading your stories, being inspired by your photos, and benefiting from the gift of your friendships in 2016!
As the Year Wanes …
… so does the day
Happy Hokie Holidays!
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season, and to those who celebrate it, a very Merry Christmas!
Crackers: A Family Tradition
This re-blogged post is about a beloved family tradition, and as you read this, I am traveling to Williamsburg to spend a few days with the whole fam damily (thanks Jan for that fun description!). Not a day goes by that I do not reflect upon the fact that I am fortunate to have such a great family, and the most amazing parents.
For as long as I can remember, my family has celebrated the holidays with Crackers. They adorn the table, and ultimately our heads, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. While crackers have become all the rage these past few years, my family has been celebrating with them for decades.
According to Wikipedia, crackers are part of Christmas celebrations primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, NewZealand, and South Africa.
So how did my American family come to embrace the Cracker? My Grandfather hailed from the Isle of Wight, and I am quite sure that he and my Aunt Christine brought the tradition to us.
The Cracker was created in 1847 by Tom Smith ( http://www.tomsmithchristmascrackers.com/ ). In its simplest form, a cracker is a small cardboard tube covered in a brightly colored twist of paper. When the cracker is pulled apart, a chemically treated card strip, similar to that…
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Fashions for Evergreens
For the past 9 years, the Inn at Virginia Tech has hosted Fashions for Evergreens, a Christmas Tree competition. Established in 2006, the event enourages local businesses and organizations to come up with a theme, and create a professional, designer quality Christmas tree. The trees are on display throughout the holiday season, and members of the public get to vote for their favorite tree.
After enjoying a Raspberry Martini at the Continental Divide Lounge, my friends and I took a tour of the trees.
The atmosphere was magical, filled with light and color.
Prices Fork Elementary School’s theme was a Merry Mocha Christmas
The Virginia Quilt Museum went with a blue theme
Matt Hagan Outdoors celebrated outdoor sports
The Linus Project, an organization that hand makes blankets for critically ill children, adorned their entry with blankets
Radford Health and Rehab decorated their beautiful tree with photos of residents in their younger days
Sew Biz covered their tree with hand crafted ornaments
What a fun evening, and we definitely felt the magic of the season.
Before I close, let me tell you just a little bit about the Inn. Located on the campus of Virginia Tech, The Inn is designed in the Collegiate Gothic style and like the other buildings on campus, is made with Hokie Stone.
Hokie Stone is dolomite, a mineral found in the Appalachian Mountains (pronounced Ap – uh – latch – uhn) and is prevalent in Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama. Virginia Tech’s quarry operations produce some 50 tons of Hokie Stone per week, or about 2,500 tons per year. Individual stonemasons shape about a ton of stone a day
Hope you’ve found time to enjoy the magic of the season!
Mornin’ Ya’ll
Views like this kept me walking
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 