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Is it REALLY Here?

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As a woman who embraces all seasons (yes – even winter), I have none the less been ready for spring.  After snow and 20 degree temperatures last week, Spring may finally have arrived in Southwest Virginia this week.  Hurray!!

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I even planted a Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) yesterday.  The Dogwood is the State Tree of Virginia and while I have several in the woods that surround my home, I’ve never planted one (this one is a cell phone photo …)

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I hope the freezing temps are gone for the year, and I’m sending warm thoughts to those of you who are still hoping for Spring.

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Grandma

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When I think of Easter, I think of my Grandma.  Actually, I think of both of my Grandparents and the rest of my family,too.

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My sisters, parents, and I would travel to Pinehurst, NC for the holiday.  We’d participate in all the usual Easter things.

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Decorating eggs for the Easter Bunny to hide (and somehow, Grandpa always found the last one!)

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Attending services in the Chapel on the Village Green (where all the children received a potted Easter Lilly)

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Enjoying an incredible meal, which always included lamb and homemade mint sauce.

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It somehow just doesn’t seem right to not be with family this weekend, so I’m thankful that I have years and years of memories to make me smile.

Have a lovely Easter weekend!

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Train Day in Radford, Now in Color!

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Many of you agreed that a B&W format is perfect for presenting the images of a steam engine and for inspiring the feelings of nostalgia, mystery, and adventure.

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Even still, the train that visited Radford last weekend also sported pops of color.

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On the wheels, and other unknown and therefore unnamed parts underneath the train,

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on the doors and the windows,

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on the bell and lettering,

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… and by the crew members working the train that day.

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Despite the impression you might get from this gentleman’s face, the crew seemed to be having a blast, waving and smiling at the crowd as they worked.

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What a great day it was!

I’ll leave you with one final shot of our clock, set against the backdrop of historic building art, and we’ll anxiously await the return of the train in 2015.

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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