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Those Great Steam Engines

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Adventure.  Mystery.  Romance.  History.

These words are often attributed to trains in general, and steam engines in particular.

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A passenger excursion train, pulled by a steam engine, rolled into Radford last weekend (see here).  The crowds came out to ride, see, and photograph the magnificent train.  We were lucky enough to get very close to the train, so I was on the tracks and practically under the train, seeking the best image.

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This view of water, used to create the steam, dripping down and splashing on the stairs caught my eye.

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B&W images remind us of days gone by, or days we’ve only heard of, or read about.

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The next post will feature more images, but in color.

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International SkypeTea Party!

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Somehow, a Harley riding photographer from Virginia, became linked, via the joy that is WordPress blogging, with a talented, creative group of women from around the world.  When Boomdee suggested we have an international Tea Party by Skype, we all jumped at the chance to particpate.

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We each wore a hat and gloves, and were prepared with tea to drink and a poem to share.  I was tempted to wear my helmet and leather, but couldn’t resist letting my inner Lady shine through with elbow length white gloves.  You’re not surprised to learn that I had wine in my tea cup, are you?

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Despite a few technical difficulties, and most of us not being able to see the others, we were able to hear each others voices, and enjoy poems, laughter, and stories.  While I would have loved to see faces, I truly feel that I got to know these women a little better just by listening to their voices.

And before we knew it, a couple hours had passed, and we had all enjoyed a fabulous evening!!

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Please, please, please check out the posts from the other Skype Tea participants.  They have described the process far better than I – including how to coordinate a Skype session for 6 busy women from several different countries and time zones!

Thank you Boomdee, at Boomdeeadda for organizing this international Skype Tea Party. Check out her post Blogging With Friends From Far Away

Alys at Gardening Nirvana entitled her post Blogging Nirvana.  How perfect is that title?

Dani from Teddy and Tottie wrote More Lady Edith than Audrey

Pauline from The Contented Crafter described the tea in Still No Art – Just More Life

(I’ll add posts from our last two Skype Tea partiers soon).

I’m such a lucky woman and I can not wait for the next Tea Party!

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Steam Engine

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The Steam Engine came through the City of Radford yesterday!

What a thrill for the 750 folks on the train, and for all of us watching, too.

So many thoughts to process and images to edit.  I look forward to sharing more with you later.

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(click on the image for better detail)

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Youch!

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Also seen during a recent visit to the Botanical Garden:

The Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba Speciosa)

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Check out my previous two posts for more images from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, here and here.

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Botanical Gardens

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Other than the scary plane flight back home (oh my!), my time in Florida could not have been better. The company of dear friends, along with delicious food and drink, was more than enough to make me happy.  The addition of warmer temperatures, even if accompanied by rain and overcast skies, and a visit to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, made for a wonderful weekend.

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“Nested in 14 acres and amongst 12 buildings, the gardens are an open-air and under-glass museum of thousands of colorful and exotics plants.  The mission of the gardens is to provide an oasis of inspiration and tranquility, while furthering the understanding and appreciation of plants, especially epiphytes (a plant that derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and usually grows on another plant).  Selby Gardens is known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids, but it is also an established authority on other epiphytes including bromeliads, gesneriads, and other plants”.

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I’m not sure when I’ve been to a place where I’ve known so little and learned so much!  My ability with the camera did not do justice to the glory of these plants (tripods were not allowed iin the orchid house), but the photos do reveal their vibrant colors and uniqueness.

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This Fig Tree had the most incredible root system.

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Despite the focus on plant life, the Gardens are home to wildlife as well.

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I was so focused on capturing the color of this plant that I didn’t realize until later that I beheaded this little critter.

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The Rainforest Masks of Costa Rica were on display, in the 10th annual exhibition of the people of Boruca.  The masks are carved from native woods and are intricately painted in vibrant acrylic pigments.  Incredible!

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The historic Selby estate contains gardens devoted to Bamboo and Banyans, Cactus and Succulents, Bonsai, Hibiscus, Tropical Fruit, Fern, Native Florida Plants, Mangroves, Tropical Hardwoods, as well as Orchids.

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Even the gate that surrounds the property is a work of art.

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 Multiple visits would be needed to fully appreciate the gardens, a must see for plant / flower lovers.

 

 

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Pitcher Plant

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The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, is an estate garden whose mission is to “provide an oasis of inspiration and tranquility, while furthering the understanding and appreciation of plants, especially epiphytes”.  An epiphyte is a plant that derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and usually grows on another plant.

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It’s been an all too short, but wonderful visit to Sarasota, and I’ll have more photos and stories to post later.  For now, know that I’ve missed many of your posts while I’ve traveled, but I’ll catch up soon!!

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Auction: End of an Era

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The sights, sounds, emotions, and memories of auction day will long remain with me.

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The excitement of the auction process and the fascination with an industry so different from my own, had me riveted.  I very much wanted to capture the history and success of a 57 year old family business, and to portray those who make their living in this field.  It was an honor to be a part of the day, and I came away with so many memories and photographs.

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A favorite part of the day for me was hearing stories from “back in the day”.  Like a child at bedtime, I kept asking for more.  On a day that was at times bittersweet, it was a joy to hear the laughter from those who had grown to be like family after so many years working together.

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Amy’s father placed this horseshoe in the shop many years ago, but she took it down this day intending it to be a keepsake.  Instead, the horseshoe was passed on to two brothers who had started a welding business, and had purchased several pieces of equipment in the auction.

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In a sense it was like passing the torch on to a new generation.

Time goes by, economies and businesses change, but the memories of a father who created a business 57 years ago, and grew it into a success, will not fade.  Here’s to Warren G. Harris on a job well done, and to his family, for carrying on a proud family tradition.

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Now!  To grow and enhance the other part of the business: Harris Self-Storage!

harrisselfstorage.com

https://www.facebook.com/harrisrentals

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Auction: Sold!

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Those of you who have been to an auction, know the energy that pervades the room.  This auction was my first, and I was immediately caught up in the excitement.  In fact, at one point I feared that I had purchased a truck! Not because I wanted one, mind you, but because while standing on a flatbed truck taking photos, I waved across the parking lot to a friend.  Phew!

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The team from McCrawRealty used their creative bid calling chants to captivate and motivate the crowd.

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Just follow the orange flag and the auctioneer’s chant to find the current item up for bid.

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I had no idea how physically demanding an auctioneer’s job is!

The two auctioneers took turns between calling the chant and serving as the ringman.  The ringman watches the crowd, encourages the bidding, creates excitement and conveys bids to the auctioneer or brings a bidder to the auctioneer’s attention.  Others on the team (the runner) serve to move the flag, bring items to the podium, or hold items aloft (http://www.auctionsneapolitan.com/glossary).

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What did the successful bidders take home that day? I have no idea!

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Items sold included big pieces of equipment …

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and smaller items, thrown together and sold en masse

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It seemed that anything not tied down was up for sale. Seriously!

 While shooting this sign, I attracted the attention of one buyer, and the next thing I knew, the sign was SOLD!

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Fascinating!  The next, and final post about the auction will feature photos of other interesting sights seen at the auction.

Check here for the first post about the auction.

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Auction: Selling History

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A dear friend of mine recently phased out the construction / welding side of her 57 year old, family owned business, and because of that, an auction was held to sell off equipment.  I’d originally planned to serve as support person and friend, but within minutes after arriving, I knew that I’d also be documenting history.  This is the first post of two about that auction.

While understanding that this was a bittersweet process for the family, I neverless found it fascinating.  As with bikers and military families (and I’ve been part if both), the group of machinists, contractors, and welders that were present that day represented another subculture:  those hardworking folks who work with their hands, and their backs, to construct things that many of us take for granted.

The room was packed and the excitement palpable.

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Immediately energized, I jumped into the middle of the large crowd of people, primarily male, most in ball caps and Carhartt.  No one seemed to mind me and my camera, thankfully, and I enjoyed interacting with everyone.

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This young man had a little of his own cash and when I asked what he planned to buy, he said “something for my Dad”.

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This little guy was just along for the ride.

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Andthis one? Obviously, he was there for the hot dogs!

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The range of age …

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and the visions of the past

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made me feel whistful for “the good old days”.

The auction lasted all day long, inside and out.

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and ultimately, it was a huge success!

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Next Post: The Auctioneers and the Family

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Grayson Highlands Getaway

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Grayson County, located in the Blue Ridge Highlands of Southwest Virginia, was the location of this past weekend’s gathering of the BGs, a group of women who meet a few times a year to celebrate birthdays and friendship.

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We enjoy delicious food and drink, take walks, read books, play games, and sometimes do a little crafting.

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All this, plus plenty of time for talk, is typically done in a cabin or farmhouse in a rural part of Virginia.

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We worried about this little one – he seemed so sluggish – but maybe he was just enjoying being able to catch some rays on a 50 degree day.

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We surely enjoyed our time in the sun.

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Cheers! Spring is coming!