Unknown's avatar

Nags Head, NC

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This woman is on vacation!  Woop Woop!!

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The 420 mile ride to Nags Head, NC included

*wonderful views and roads,

*a downpour that thankfully lasted only 15 minutes,

* riding in the dark with my way illuminated by lightning (which also illuminated the “Bear Crossing” signs –  I SO want to see a bear!),

and as always, a cold beer at the end of the ride.

I wish I was better able to express myself with words so that you would understand what it felt like to ride across the Intracoastal Waterway in the dark, to smell the water, and to see the lights in the distance, but not see the water.  To see the huge orange moon and not be able to stop and capture it with my camera.  To know that somehow I had to share the glory of that ride in words instead of photographs.

You’ll just have to trust me.

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Counting Down!

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 100 Days To Go! **

In that you have all been so supportive of my run for the House of Delegates, I thought I’d give you a look inside the campaign.  The best part?  The staff, organizers, interns, and volunteers!  Their enthusiasm keeps me energized!

They knock doors!

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They make calls!

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They are organized!

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Then there are the folks I get to meet along the way,

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the friends who volunteer to canvass for me,

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and meeting the Lieutenant Governor was pretty great, too!

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And of course, you already know about the beauty of the 12th District.

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All in all, the positives far outweigh the challenges!  Thanks for your words of encouragement and support!

**  You probably know that I am a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and when providing care for pregnant women, we calculate their gestational age based on their last menses, which gives us their EDC (their “due date”).  At the beginning of this campaign, I decided to consider Election Day, November 3rd, my due date!  Based on that, I am 26 weeks into my campaign gestation! Hee hee! Gotta have a little humor, right? **

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🙂

Unknown's avatar

Getting Around

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Yes! The campaign is affording me time on the bike! And of course that means, a teeny bit of time with the camera, too.  I’m not getting the practice I need, nor am I learning more about the camera, but it sure feels good to play a bit while working!

The 12th District in the Virginia House of Delegates includes parts of Pulaski County,

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The City of Radford,

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most of Montgomery County,

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and Giles County.

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I’ve knocked over 2000 doors, and I sure am fortunate to do it in such a beautiful place.

100 Days ’til Election Day!

(and in 7 days … VACATION!)

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Gratitude II

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It was a long time coming, but I finally had the chance to say thank you to everyone that helped me out after my motorcycle wreck.  Bad things happen, but good things can come of them.  For months I was showered with love and care and it has been a goal of mine ever since, to say thanks.

Family and friends gathered on the new porch this past weekend, and Tim captured the scene beautifully.

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Friends and family came from far and near.  For once it didn’t rain, and the sound of laughter was the only music we needed.

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Thank You.  Two simple words with a whole bunch of love all wrapped up in them.

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A New Milestone

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It’s been two weeks since I’ve posted!  Where did the time go?  🙂

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Thankfully, in between closing down the old practice, opening the new, and campaigning for Delegate, I was still able to find a few moments with the camera.

This first photo is from Carson’s Courtyard, a little resting spot in downtown Radford, created with Community Development Block Grants.

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On another day, I stopped by the American Legion Building.  Built in 1928, the building has served as a temporary courthouse, Catholic church, daycare center, Radford Arsenal hiring office, dance hall, voter registration office, polling place, and home to Main Street Radford.  The American Legion members have started a restoration drive to raise funds for this historic building.

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On July 4th, I rode the motorcycle to visit a few of the communities in the 12th District.

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One of three covered bridges in Giles County, the Sinking Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1916.

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This next one was taken with my new Samsung Galaxy.  Those of you who know me well, will realize that I have changed phones after 15 years as a Blackberry user.  Not sure it was a good move yet …

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The Newport Parade

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was followed by the Blacksburg Parade,

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and then it was back home to the City of Radford for music and fireworks.

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A few days later, the campaign office was buzzing with the sound of volunteers and staffers working the phone bank.

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So thankfully, despite the pace of life, I’m still finding moments to pull the bike over and enjoy the view.

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Next Stop:  Your Blogs!

Unknown's avatar

‘Tis Pleasing to Me

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My contribution to Monochromia today …

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Happy 4th of July to those in the States, and for everyone else … Happy Day!  And if you haven’t visited Monochromia yet, please do!

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Just 30 Miles …

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… but oh the joy!

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Sunday rides used to be 200 miles long.  These days, I’m just grateful to ride down the road and along the river!

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I’m quite sure that my bike misses me as I much as I miss it!

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Think those mirrors need a bit of a clean?

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Yeah, but if I have any time at all, I’m going to spend it riding, not cleaning 🙂

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Fish Fry!

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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.

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Before joining the long line of hungry patrons, we walked and talked and enjoyed the atmosphere.

The pastoral scene,

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the local music,

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the opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline,

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and finally, the fish, fries, and coleslaw, served up by hardworking Ruritans.

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I’m tellin’ ya, that fried fish was yummy!

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All you can eat for $8, in a lovely Virginia setting.  Not a bad way to spend the evening.

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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

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“Nothin’ to Sneeze At”

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Three years with WordPress is nothing to sneeze at!

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And what is the origin of that term, anyway?  According to the Word Detective, “To sneeze at” something or someone is a colloquial usage, first appearing in the early 19th century, to mean that the thing under consideration (Three years with WordPress) may appear modest or trivial but is actually at least somewhat important or impressive.

Impressive or not, three years with WP has had a tremendous impact on my life.  I’ll not tie you down with statistics, but instead offer thanks to all of you for being here with me.  Whether you regularly comment, or more randomly “like”, I’m grateful for all of you.  You’ve encouraged my growth as a photographer (Joe has even provided phone and text consults), have followed me on my motorcycle journeys, supported me after my wreck, contributed to my campaign, created beautiful gifts for me, and have spent time with me in Virginia.

You’ve become my friends, and my life is richer for all that you share.

Your photos and drawings, your stories and poems, your creativity and crafts, and your life lessons learned.

My sincere thanks.

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See ya on down the road!