My contribution to Monochromia today …
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!
Just 30 Miles …
… but oh the joy!
Sunday rides used to be 200 miles long. These days, I’m just grateful to ride down the road and along the river!
I’m quite sure that my bike misses me as I much as I miss it!
Think those mirrors need a bit of a clean?
Yeah, but if I have any time at all, I’m going to spend it riding, not cleaning 🙂
Just For You
Because I’ve missed you.
Fish Fry!
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.
Before joining the long line of hungry patrons, we walked and talked and enjoyed the atmosphere.
The pastoral scene,
the local music,
the opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline,
and finally, the fish, fries, and coleslaw, served up by hardworking Ruritans.
I’m tellin’ ya, that fried fish was yummy!
All you can eat for $8, in a lovely Virginia setting. Not a bad way to spend the evening.
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
“Nothin’ to Sneeze At”
Three years with WordPress is nothing to sneeze at!
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.
See ya on down the road!
Back Track
With just an hour or so to spare, I set off on the bike.
It took me awhile to find a place to pull over to capture this view, and even then I had to hike back a bit.
For once, I didn’t have my camera with me.
Not too bad for my ol Blackberry, eh?
What Edna Said
My contribution to Monochromia this week.
Thank you to the lovely Julia at Defeat Despair for introducing me to the poem First Fig by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
My last post was a reflection about the fullness of life, and this one is also about life’s challenges. Have no fear, though. All is well and I plan to be riding the bike for a little bit tomorrow.
My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—
It gives a lovely light!
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Thanks to the lovely Julia at Defeat Despair for introducing me to the poem First Fig
by Edna St. Vincent Millay
The Road Ahead
The road of life offers many opportunities and challenges,
and sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the two.
Sometimes the direction seems foggy or unclear,
with obstacles blocking the way.
Soon enough though, the way will be made clear, and we’ll see the future as it should be.
The world around us will be peaceful once again,
while the spirit, made stronger because of the struggle, soars.
This small collection of photos was taken at various points this past week, a week that was filled with far too many twists in the road, and not near enough opportunities to use my camera.
I’m quite sure that many of you experienced the same. Let’s all just breath … it’s going to be okay.
Memorial Day in Radford
At the posting of this image, I am attending our locality’s Annual Memorial Day Program.
Participation in this program is one of my most favorite civic activities. I’m honored to serve as photographer and online PR person.
Enjoy these photos from our 2014 program and I’ll share a few from this year’s event soon.
Do you know about the National Moment of Remembrance? As Americans, we are encouraged to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 