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Bloggers Unite for Peace

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Bloggers Uniting for Peace, remembering that:

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil
is for good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke

Uncle Spike's avatarUncle Spike's Adventures

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil
is for good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke

Here are some ways to add your support to this message of peace:

1) Publish the following statement on your own blog
2) Post a link to Twitter and/or Facebook
3) Reblog this post or any post that replicates this statement
4) Request to be added to the signatory list below by adding a comment or mailing uncle.spikes.adventures1@gmail.com 

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We are normal, everyday hard-working people with a common hobby, blogging. We hail from far and wide. We reside in different lands, on different continents. We speak different languages, eat different foods, and are of varying ages, professions…

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The Snake Part 2

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If you found time to visit my last post about being back on the bike, you will know that my friend Dave and I tackled The Snake, a 33 mile ride with 489 curves.  It was a blast, and it ended up being a 285 mile day!

In addition to getting some much needed wind in the face therapy, I was also able to enjoy some photography time.  We rode over  South Holston Lake via the American Legion Memorial Bridge and found a place to park and shoot.

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These scenes also caught my eye

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If you like to ride, be sure to visit my previous post.  In the meantime, know that it’s been so, so great to visit your blogs this week!

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Back on the Bike: The Snake Part 1

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I’m back!

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Election Day has come and gone, and I did not win the day.  I challenged an incumbent, in an off / off year (one without a Presidential, Gubernatorial, or Senatorial race) when less than 30% of registered voters cast a ballot.  Even still, I garnered 42% of the vote. While I of course wish I had won the day, for healthcare, for women, for equality, and for the working poor, I am very proud of the campaign, and my team.  I consider this good, and a huge accomplishment.

The other good news?  I finally have time to ride and to shoot!!  Happy,  happy me!

On the morning after Election Day, my good friend, Dave, sent a text with the following message “sorry you didn’t win the election, however you need some riding time to put it all behind you”.  Within 24 hours, we were headed to Shady Valley, Tennessee to ride The Snake.

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 Without a GoPro, it is hard to capture images of those 489 curves on US Rt 421 as there is rarely a place to pull over.  The signage in the image below, however, offers an idea of the fun to be had on this ride.

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While I have to confess to feeling a bit stiff at first, I was thrilled to be back on the bike and getting some big time wind therapy!  It turned out to be a 285 mile day and I could not have been happier.  I came home with many images to process and that made the day even better.

Peak leaf time had come and gone but we still saw a bit of color,

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even more so, when we stopped at Holston Lake.

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The reflections on the lake kept me shooting.  Gorgeous, right?

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It was the perfect antidote to an election day loss,

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and ended with a delicious BBQ plate at Farmers Barbecue & Grill in Mountain City, Tn.  Yum!

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I’ll share a few more photos from this Tennessee ride soon!  Thanks for being here today.  I’ve missed you!

 

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It’s 7pm … Now We Wait

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It’s 7pm.  The polls have just closed, and the waiting has begun.

I wanted to let you know, right now, before the winner is announced, what an incredible opportunity running for Delegate has been.  I’ve met and worked alongside passionate, motivated people, and been encouraged by thousands of citizens throughout the 12th, and around the WP world.  I am truly humbled by the support of friends, both new and old.  This is an experience I’ll not soon forget.

And while I worked hard and feel confident that I’ll be working from Richmond in January, I want to assure you that even if I am not, I will continue to stand for healthcare, for women, for education, and equality.  The fight will not end, and I hope you’ll be there standing with me.

Thanks for everything. Now we wait!

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Suffrage

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Election day in the US is just 2 days away and I thought I’d share a photo of a gift I received after entering the race for the Virginia House of Delegates.

Like many of you, LMA from Suffragette Kitty has become a WordPress friend and supporter of my campaign.  She is a passionate feminist and supporter of the Women’s Movement, and I love her writing.  Early in the campaign, LMA sent me this collection of items from Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott.

“In the days before the 19th Amendment, a wealthy Newport socialite ordered a tea set emblazoned with the phrase “Votes for Women” to make a point to the influential guests who often dined with her. The Alcotts were ardent supporters of the women’s suffrage movement, and today we offer replicas of this tea set and other items bearing the “Votes for Women” motto” (from the Museum Store catalog).

And one more thing:  Thank you for your friendship and support, emotionally and financially, during this campaign.  I cannot thank you enough and I look forward to visiting with you soon!

❤ Laurie

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Contentment Through Photography

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The contentment that comes with this post is two fold:

remembering the bike trip through the Smoky Mountains 2 years ago that allowed me to spend two days with nature and my camera (even if the trip did result in the bike wreck)

and,

knowing that soon, in 12 days, I’ll be spending a lot more time shooting!  And with visiting all of you!

Happy Fall, Ya’ll!!

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Carrying Me Along

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In the same way that this little leaf got carried along by this big leaf during the storms and flooding yesterday, I feel carried by you.

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My WP journey has lasted over 3 years and a big part of my happiness here has been getting to know you through visits to your blogs.  It is truly my intention to spend a lot more time virtually hanging out with you … in 35 days!  I can’t wait!

Thank you for your support and encouragement!

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Finding Opportunity …

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One of the tasks of the candidate is to spend hours on the phone, seeking both votes and contributions.  As I worked this past Tuesday, my eye was drawn to the site of my keys highlighted in the waning sun.

39 Days!