** Note! I scheduled this post a week ago, and completely forgot. After a week of hype and build up, I happily woke up to snow! Photos later 🙂 **
It was such a pleasure to have a little time at home, to get the house in order, to take care of some business details, and to visit with a few friends. As the day progressed, I couldn’t help but be distracted by the light.
Morning
Midday
Late Afternoon
and Evening
Thanks for your patience as I share the results of playing with the light.
My heart is happy
Did I have you fooled for a second?
My friend Amy and I spent last Friday night in an historic theatre in Pulaski County, Va. Originally built in 1911, the Pulaski Theatre has been renovated and now hosts a variety of events. We attended the Rolling Stone Tribute Show, and had an absolute blast.
Trying to snap a few shots, in a fairly dark theatre, while dancing, singing, and jumping around, was a challenge.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
Angie
You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
Satisfaction.
Supporting a local historic theatre, hearing music that you grew up with, and hanging out friends … what a fun evening!
Have any of you seen the Rolling Stones in concert?
The day dawned bright with sunshine and 40 degree F temps, and soon the text came in to ride. I worked quickly to get the groceries purchased, the Sweet Potatoes baked, and the Chicken Noodle Soup made and finally, it was time to pile on the clothing for a cold winter ride.
It should go without saying that I brought the camera, so not only did I get to ride, I got to shoot! Happy, happy me!
We stopped for lunch at Beamer’s 25, a local restaurant in Roanoke, and since it had warmed up a bit, we were able to sit outside.
We weren’t the only ones sitting outside, even though you’d never know it by these images.
The Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale was the perfect photo subject … and tasted good, too!
Don’t you love the reflections in this one? and yes, that is a photo of Coach Beamer on the wall.
My buddy, Dave, was willing to sit for a portrait, and I learned that he used to have his own light room. We’ve ridden together for years, and I had no idea!
What a great way to start off the year … 90 miles on the bike, with the camera, and a good friend. A short ride but oh so sweet!
Hope the year has started off just as well for you!
Thanks to Edith from Edith Levy Photography, I learned of a blog project run by Jim Goldstein of JMG Galleries. In her most recent post, Edith shared that Jim encourages photographers to post their best images of the year. Thanks Edith, for inspiring me to give it a shot. Be sure to visit Edith’s blog. Her images are wonderful, including incredible shots from Cuba and Israel.
As you know, the year started as I neared complete recovery from my motorcycle wreck, and promptly jumped into a race for the Virginia House of Delegates. At the midyear point, my medical practice closed, and I worked to start a new one from the ground up.
This has been quite the year, and needless to say, photography (and riding the bike) took a back seat. Even still, time with the camera provided me much needed breaks from the wild ride that was 2015.
Looking forward to another year of reading your stories, being inspired by your photos, and benefiting from the gift of your friendships in 2016!
… so does the day
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season, and to those who celebrate it, a very Merry Christmas!
This re-blogged post is about a beloved family tradition, and as you read this, I am traveling to Williamsburg to spend a few days with the whole fam damily (thanks Jan for that fun description!). Not a day goes by that I do not reflect upon the fact that I am fortunate to have such a great family, and the most amazing parents.
For as long as I can remember, my family has celebrated the holidays with Crackers. They adorn the table, and ultimately our heads, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. While crackers have become all the rage these past few years, my family has been celebrating with them for decades.
According to Wikipedia, crackers are part of Christmas celebrations primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, NewZealand, and South Africa.
So how did my American family come to embrace the Cracker? My Grandfather hailed from the Isle of Wight, and I am quite sure that he and my Aunt Christine brought the tradition to us.
The Cracker was created in 1847 by Tom Smith ( http://www.tomsmithchristmascrackers.com/ ). In its simplest form, a cracker is a small cardboard tube covered in a brightly colored twist of paper. When the cracker is pulled apart, a chemically treated card strip, similar to that…
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Views like this kept me walking
Every December, some friends of mine and I host a fundraiser to benefit local charities, and this year we held the event at Rockwood Manor.
Built in 1876, the home, now turned Bed and Breakfast, is simply stunning. I’d loved to have spent hours taking photos, but as I was working the fundraiser, I didn’t have as much time as I’d have liked.
The history section of the website notes that “the home was designed by architect Burkholder and built by contractor Pettijohn, who were both from Lynchburg, Va. Oversized brick with decorative slag were made on-site. The house boasts sixty-five extra-large windows, some with Jefferson-style openings that rise into the twelve-foot ceiling; seventeen fireplaces on five chimneys; ornate plaster work; and medallions. Outside over the windows is wrought iron on a tin metal box framework”
The perfect porch for sitting and sipping.
Parquet floors, made of alternating walnut and ash, add even more warmth and beauty.
The floating staircase
The Dining Room
The ceiling of the Sitting Room
Glasses waiting to be filled
Perhaps an old smoke house? I wish I’d had time to find out!
One of many historic items to be seen on the property.
Hopefully I can return at some point and learn more about the history of this treasured home.
Thank goodness the family knew it’s value and sought to restore rather than sell.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 