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One special moment in time….

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Mae wrote this lovely post … an uplifting moment after a terrible week.

maesprose's avatarMae's Day

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Yesterday, we flew over the storm that trapped me in Chicago.  We bumped and thumped over the clouds.  Belted in our seats, I was in the last row fighting back the urge to grab that little paper bag in the pocket seat.  I kept my dignity in tact as lunch remained where I needed it to be.

59th Street Bridge

When we landed in New York the sun was out and it was warm.  Having lived the storm that was coming, I decided to run to the park and capture some photos of the trees.  A now or never in case the intensity was the same as in Chicago.  I feared all of the blooms would be blown away.

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Central Park was beautiful and I was right to run up there to capture what already was a peak moment.  As I neared Bethesda Fountain I spied a gondola on the lake.  It was…

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Unknown's avatar

Focus on Dogwood Blooms

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The day started with the sun shining brightly, but the wind made it feel so cold.  As the hours went by, the chores were completed,  the temperature warmed, and the chance to focus on photography finally happened!

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And finally … a few Bradford Pear blooms

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Unknown's avatar

Yellow!!

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As I was getting ready to post this, I saw Jennifer’s post called Cherry Tree Six.  Similar thoughts / different color! http://giddysap.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/cherry-tree-six/

It’s so cloudy here today so these shots brightened my day!

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Unknown's avatar

Signs of Spring … in the NRV

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I’m not much of a gardener.  The colors in my yard are there by luck and happenstance (okay maybe a teeny bit of work by me).   Thankfully others, including Mother Nature, have placed color in my yard, along my drive to work, outside my office and in the farms nearby.

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Well … wine is colorful too, right?

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The New River

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Not the best photo, but those cows were watching every move I made

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Too bad about those power lines in these next two

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Guess I should learn more about photo editing

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It’s almost time for the first bike trip!!

Unknown's avatar

Military Brats Reunite at Jefferson Vineyards

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If you lived in the Northern Virginia area in the 1970s, you may very well have been part of a military family.  My father, a 30 year Naval Officer, was stationed at The Pentagon during that time and we lived in a neighborhood that, while not a military base, was full of other Navy, Army, Marine and Air Force families.  Being raised a Military Brat  is like being a part of a unique culture that only those who lived it understand. 

Military families move frequently and friendships, often made quickly, endure.  Many of the friends of my parents were like Aunts and Uncles to me and I remember them as fondly as I do some of my own extended family members.

This past Sunday, two former military families (Navy and Air Force) met for a reunion at Jefferson Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia.  The Buchwald and Maddox families became friends in the 1970s and have shared many of life’s good, and challenging, moments.

Virginia boasts over 220 wineries and has become known for wines made from the Viognier and Cabernet Franc grapes.  The Charlottesville area, a central location for most  members of the 2 families, has over 25 wineries.  We chose to meet at Jefferson Vineyards.

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Fittingly, our celebration was held one day after Mr. Jefferson’s 270th birthday.

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It was a gorgeous spring day and some of the flowers were starting to bloom (at least those that survived the snow storm last week were blooming).

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The trees were starting to leaf as well.

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We enjoyed a private tasting followed by a picnic lunch.

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I’m confident that it wasn’t just the wine that had us laughing.

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And the wine casks (which my sister kept calling caskets) provided excellent seating for group pictures.

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It was the perfect place for a reunion!  Check it out if you’re in the area!

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And no … I didn’t ride the bike … wine and motorcycles just don’t mix … at least for me!

This last photo is from the Jefferson Vineyards website.

http://jeffersonvineyards.com/

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Unknown's avatar

The Colors of …

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You thought I’d be posting pictures of spring flowers, right?  With all those bright, beautiful colors?

So what do I do instead?

I post pictures of a tree … an old tree, one covered with lichen, fungi, and damage.

But check out the colors!

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This last one is from a tree felled by a recent storm.

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Unknown's avatar

From the Deck: The New River

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The snow has stopped and spring has truly arrived!  It’s time for motorcycle rides, outdoor festivals, baseball games (that’s for you, Ralph), and Happy Hours out of doors.  Okay, and yard work.

Bull & Bones at the River (http://www.bullandbones.com/?q=river) has a wonderful deck overlooking The New River and it’s a wonderful place to enjoy a glass of wine with friends at the end of a long day at work.  And of course, the early evening light is perfect for photography.

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Unknown's avatar

First True Ride on the New Bike

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Two weeks ago I picked up the bike, rode home from the dealer, around town just a bit, and then the snow came.  So this past weekend was the first time I was really able to get out and learn the bike.  And learn it I did!

Even though this bike sits lower than most (24.5 inches) and even though I had it modified for short arms and legs, I find that there are still adjustments to be made.  Most importantly, I have to stretch just a bit too much to reach the left handlebar.  Other things such as the weight and being able to back it up, will come along with time.  Despite the low seat height, I only stand at 5ft tall, so no matter what I ride, I will be always be challenged just a bit.

Having said all that, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this bike!  It rides so smoothly and runs so well … I am thrilled!

On Sunday, I rode with friends for the first 80 miles.  We rode to Smith Mountain Lake and then I headed out on my own.  My goal was to focus on how the bike handled (and how I handled the bike) without worrying about keeping up with friends.  I thought it fitting that I took the first half of my first long ride with the guys who have taught me the most (see this post to learn about them) https://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/my-guys/.

I left the lake area, where I of course had to stop and take a few photos …

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I was really too focused on the bike to spend time on photography, but it was so beautiful that I had a hard time not stopping!  I headed over Catawba Mountain, through Ellett Valley and home through Tom’s Creek.  A total of 170 miles and a wonderful, wonderful day!

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Unknown's avatar

Something About A Window

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An organization that I belong to held a meeting at a local church last evening.  Grace Episcopal  has been a part of the Radford community for over 100 years and is a lovely old building.  As I walked up to the church, I was struck by the windows.

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From the inside they were even more beautiful, and against the setting sun, were the color of amber.

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As I left the house this morning, I decided to run by and take one more picture, this time of the the building, and not just the windows.  What a difference a day makes!!  Yesterday was sunny and bright.  Today a 6 inch snowfall!

In April!

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