A Gift!

March 10, 2013 by LB

When I first began to blog 9 months ago, I would see and read about a variety of awards that bloggers would give to one another. I was curious but didn’t know much about them. At that point (and truly, still to this day), I was just thrilled if someone other than a family member or friend liked or made a comment about something I posted!

Then I was nominated for my first award and I felt so validated! Even if it was just one person, at least that one person liked what I was doing. How cool!

https://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/validation-and-gratitude-a-blogging-award/.

I know that there are those who do NOT want to be nominated for awards, but I was pretty tickled.

And then came Meg (http://athomeworkplaydotcom.wordpress.com/ ). Like me, Meg was cherishing the new friendships she had found since joining the blogging world and she decided to let those friends know how much she appreciated them. This wasn’t an “official” award … just an incredibly lovely message that made my day. And the funny thing? I had just been telling someone about Meg the day before.

Then came another nomination, this time the Beautiful Blogger award and it was just as exciting as the first nomination. I mean really … it is so rewarding to have someone tell you that they like what you are doing.

THE RULES:

Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in in your post – CHECK!

Thank the person who nominated you and create a link back to their blog – CHECK!

Thanks so much to Susan at Gasm Travels for nominating me for the Beautiful Blogger award http://maedetera.wordpress.com/.

A traveler, photographer, writer and water color painter, Susan describes her love for traveling this way: “I was searching for the right word that would best describe my travel experience and my feelings whenever i am planning a trip or visiting a new place….that ‘ahhhh’ feeling when something excites me every time i see new things….that ‘oohh’ feeling whenever i have satisfied my curiosity….that ‘wooow’ feeling whenever i am awestruck with a beautiful scenery in front of me….that kind of exhilarating feeling that i always get every time i am on the road or upon arrival to my destination”. Be sure to visit her blog and by doing so, vicariously visit many fun and interesting places!

List 7 Things About Yourself – CHECK!

1. I love the Gonzaga Bulldogs Basketball team (Ranked #1 in the NCAA – first time in the history of the University!)

2. I have an amazing family!

3. I’ve been a nurse in one setting or another for over 27 years and for the last 17, I’ve worked as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

4. I’m passionate about reading. I NEED to have books all around me in my home (I am not an e-reader – yet)

5. I’m a community activist, especially when it comes to green initiatives.

6. I served on Radford City Council, an elected position for 8 years; this helped me to learn that I am an ACTIVIST, not a POLITICIAN

7. I did not find out until the age of 40 (yep, 13 years ago) that I am absolutely restored by water – river, lake, ocean, pool, bathtub …

Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award – CHECK!

NOW comes the hard part? How do I choose only 7 out of the many, many wonderful blogs out there?

And what qualities make a beautiful blogger anyway?

In my opinion, a Beautiful Blogger is someone who not only has a talent for writing or photography but who also has the ability to interact and connect across the blogging world … they have made me feel welcome in that world, and I look forward to hearing their comments and reading their posts. All these bloggers go beyond the likes … they engage, they comment, they share … and I love that!

http://ionicphotography.co.uk/ – Beautiful photography and conversations about our efforts to improve at the craft

http://beachbums1.com/ – a wonderful blog about one family’s travels and currently, their lives in London

http://badsphotoblog.wordpress.com/ – I love viewing Bryan’s photography and chatting about techniques / what works / what doesn’t

http://athomeworkplaydotcom.wordpress.com/ – – be sure to check out Meg’s blog … you’ll see why I like it!

http://unistudentsoutlook.wordpress.com/- I love the honest writing of this young woman and her efforts to move beyond the end of a relationship

http://boomdeeadda.wordpress.com/- While I’m not the crafter / artist that she is, I enjoy reading her blog and sending comments back and forth. Enthusiasm personified!

http://retiredruth.wordpress.com/ – a diverse blog, full of information, recipes, stories and opinions!

and just one more!

http://greenhornphotos.com/– Scott is endeavoring to post a picture a day, yet he still finds time to make and respond to comments.

Day 5-7- Williamsburg: The Warmth of Brick

March 9, 2013 by LB

It’s been an excellent conference, filled with opportunities for increasing knowledge and catching up with friends and colleagues, with time for good food and wine and even a little fun!

This morning I also found some time to get out early and shoot some of the sights around the restored area of Williamsburg. I took many photos, but what struck me the most was how warm the bricks looked with the 6:30 am sun shining on them.

I’ll post more pictures from the restored area later … for now, I hope you enjoy the early morning warmth and sunlight.

Light The Way

March 8, 2013 by LB

Opening or Closing?

March 7, 2013 by LB

Day 4 – Good Morning From Williamsburg!

March 7, 2013 by LB

Almost 500 Nurse Practitioners have gathered in Williamsburg for the 2013 Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners conference. The conference is an opportunity for learning new concepts, gaining knowledge, and advocating for improved health care for all citizens.

It is TIME for transition and change in healthcare and to move away from the territoriality that is promoted by certain healthcare providers!

For now, a few quick pictures from the Williamsburg Lodge.

Day 3 – Ashland / Downtown Richmond: More Trains & Historic Buildings

March 6, 2013 by LB

What a treat it is to have a day off during the week!

With a meeting in Richmond on Monday and a conference in Williamsburg from Wednesday through Saturday, it just made sense to stay in the Eastern part of the Commonwealth. My friend Becky lives in Ashland, and I was lucky to spend last evening with her and our friend Tim. This morning when she left for work, I left to explore the town of Ashland. I enjoyed a hot breakfast blend and a bagel while catching up on email, blogging, and bills at Ashland Coffee and Tea.

Ashland is another historic train town and much of the quaint downtown area has a train theme.

Freight trains pass through town on a regular schedule and even better, you can still take the passenger to various places in Virginia and the Northeast

Ashland is more than trains, however, and the architecture of the buildings and the neat little shops and adornments made it difficult to put the camera away and made me reluctant to leave. I adored this sculpture of J Malcolm Pace III, also known as “Jay”. The plaque reads “Newspaper Editor / Publisher, Community and Church Leader, Randolph Macon College Supporter, Musician, Friend and Family Man”. What a tribute!

And then there are the windows …

Eventually, I had to move on to the next stop: Downtown Richmond. I spent 7 years in Richmond while attending the Medical College of Virginia and I have always loved the downtown area. Too may folks who live in the suburbs never leave the land of malls and chain restaurants and what a shame that is.

Today I discovered the Canal Walk, a project to restore a canal system that was started in 1784 and was heavily damaged during the Civil War. It truly is a walk through history!

With time running short before I had to leave for my next stop, I found myself at Sam Millers Restaurant on the cobblestoned Shockoe Slip. The bartender Nathan, in addition to bringing me a yummy cup of crab soup and a Southern Tier stout, was a good source for information and directions.

Finally, I could delay no longer and it was time to leave for Gloucester to meet my friend Janet for dinner a at wonderful Thai restaurant. Gloucester would be a fun place to explore and I plan to return when it’s still daylight! But tonight, the rain began to fall and I still had one hour to go before arriving at my final destination: Williamsburg – home of my parents and the 2013 Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners Conference.

Day 2 – Richmond: A Bookstore Manager’s Suspicion

March 5, 2013 by LB

After a most excellent meeting , I found myself with 4, count ’em, FOUR, hours to myself! Amazing!

Knowing that I would have time tomorrow to look at some of Richmond’s older architecture and shop in non-chain stores, I decided to use this time to get some work done. I located a huge bookstore complete with free wifi and delicious unsweet tea. After purchasing the obligatory book (obligatory because I can’t ever walk into a book store and not buy at least buy one book), I sat down to work.

Sure enough, I was soon distracted by the sun shining through the big windows and on the various objects around me. I wandered the book store for an hour or so, shooting whatever caught my eye. I guess I attracted attention because the very nice store manager came up, introduced himself and informed me that the store did not allow photography without corporate permission. I explained that I was an amateur photographer and was practicing indoor shooting. I then showed him my pictures and offered to delete. He looked at them, was incredibly kind and said no problem – keep them.

Yeah, I’m not impressed with them either! haha!

Nah, they aren’t that bad … and his gracious attitude will be what I carry with me from that store (besides the mystery that I will read at night after long days in my upcoming conference).

Classroom Decorations

Casting Shadows

Plastic Wrapped Bibles

Through The Shade Brightly

How lucky I am to travel, explore and meet with dear friends!

What a great way to end Day 2!

Day 1 – Radford: A Home to Trains and Building Art

March 4, 2013 by LB

Why a post combining trains and building art? Mostly it’s about timing.

I am on the first night of a 7 night / 8 day, mostly business trip around Virginia. As I was trying to get out of Radford and head on down the road to Richmond, I was drawn to two scenes that I see almost on a daily basis. I’m not sure what made me stop to take pictures today, especially since I was already running late, but … have camera … well you know.

Trains and building art could easily fill several posts, but today, a few pictures will have to do.

Radford has been a railroad town since the 1850s when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad (later the Norfolk and Western Railway) came through. The population grew dramatically as did business, industry and education. Passenger rail service no longer exists in Radford, but the railroad through the city is still a major component of Norfolk Southern Railway’s Roanoke to Bristol route. As is typical of those who live in a railroad town, it is easy to become immune to the sound of the trains and their whistles as they pass through the city.

The structure pictured below sits right behind the railroad tracks. I am sorry to say that I do not know what it is … I was guessing a water tower. A quick FB call out to local Radford folks revealed that most agree, especially given it’s proximity to the rail yard. I’m hoping I can learn the date it was constructed and any other interesting bits of information as well. We’ve got some serious history buffs in our little city. I’ll pass on what I learn!

Since I posted this morning I have heard from several who tell me that the tower served to store water for use by the steam engines.

As buildings are renovated or unfortunately torn down (or fall down), art in the form of advertisements is often revealed. Radford, like many localities, has many more examples of building art than just those pictured here. These particular ads were revealed when the City of Radford took down an old partially burned out building (which even had a tree growing in it) and created a community courtyard. This lovely little area is now called Carson’s Courtyard.

This next building sits right across the street from Carson’s Courtyard and the art provides a lovely backdrop for the Farmer’s Market.

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And as you look past the brick wall, you will once again see the tower.

Day 2 – Richmond

Practicing Macro on the Signs of Spring

February 27, 2013 by LB

I love all seasons and types of weather – seriously!

If you follow my blog at all, you’ve heard me express joy for rain, ice, snow and wind, as well as sun and the beauty of fall.

What I particularly love about a seasonal change is that a new season starts arriving right when you are tired of the one you are currently experiencing (obviously, I would not be a good one for living in a southern locality).

Yesterday, I posted pictures of ice … today it’s about the signs of spring … and a few minutes practicing in the macro setting!