So many things draw our eyes during and after a snowfall. It was the shadows on the snow that turned my head this day.
The brilliant sun after a snowfall casts the most wonderful shadows on the snow.
And aren’t those snow sparkles fun?
They bring a smile to my face even on a zero degree morning. The sun sure helps, too!
Stay warm my friends.
My visit to Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, was all too brief, yet a vigorous walk the evening that I arrived and another the next morning gave me an introduction to this city of just under 800,000. I dropped my bag in my room, grabbed my camera, and headed towards the door of the hotel.
It was early in February, and while the northeast was getting hammered with snow, Virginia and North Carolina were experiencing a clear 50 degree weekend.
Il Grando Disco (The Grand Disc) is a coin-shaped piece of art that sits at Bank of America Plaza on Tryon Street. The piece is a large, bronze wheel with dark edges and designs etched throughout. Created specifically for the space by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, Il Grande Disco was installed on October 2, 1974 (http://charlotte.about.com)
Across the intersection is a far more traditional installation.
My friend Tim pointed out that for a brief moment, the sounds of the traffic were drowned out by this fountain.
In the previous post I shared two images of the fence that surrounds the First Presbyterian Church. Built in 1857, the church is a one-story, Gothic Revival style stuccoed brick building. The evening light was waning by the time I got there, so I’ve processed these two images differently, although they were taken just moments apart.
The power line remains in this photo, because it is a more accurate portrayal of the street scene.
The next morning, with my visit drawing to an end, I took a walk in search of coffee and breakfast.
The morning sun cast a bright light on this fountain and also of the homeless man still sleeping.
The Mariachi crepe at Hazelnuts Creperie, was filled with egg, black beans, bacon, tomato, mozzarella, onion, avocado & jalapeño cream. Oh my gosh YUM!
The only other time I’d been to Charlotte, other than for runs to the airport, was to see my beloved Hokies play football, and I didn’t see much more than the stadium. I’ll definitely return for more explorations soon!
A quick trip to Charlotte, NC offered me a chance to have a mini 12 hour vacation. The day was beautiful for driving (I very much regretted not riding the bike) and I met friends in Uptown.
How wonderful it was to walk and wander, to point and shoot, to breathe and relax.
As an aside: I wondered why the residents of Charlotte call it Uptown and learned that this is a common question, one that Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist a WCNC-NBC TV answered in this blog post.
While I have many photos to work through and share, I loved the contrast between these two. Without a tripod, I took one with, and one without, flash. The mood changed dramatically in comparison, and the second begged to be converted to monochrome.
The first evokes a lovely evening stroll …
while the second encourages you to turn around and head home.
Oh the joy of photography!
I’m three weeks into the campaign and tomorrow is the official Campaign Kick Off. Since a relaxing ride on the bike at the end of the day was not to be, a lovely non-fat latte was the next best thing.
How do they make those designs, anyway?
Morning Ya’ll!
February is American Heart Month and my practice, Summit Women’s Health, is raising awareness about the #1 Killer of Women.
1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke each year.
We’ll be celebrating National Wear Red Day with Go Red For Women on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. Why don’t you wear some red, too!
A favorite local bakery and bistro prepares the most beautiful cookies for the holidays and I couldn’t resist taking a picture!
It’s been an exciting 3 weeks on the campaign trail! This weekend though I’m taking a break to visit with friends and family in Richmond and Williamsburg! See you when I get back!
The campaign trail is going to challenge me to find time with my camera. Thankfully, I always have it with me.
Some of you may remember a post from November called Gifts, where I hinted that a major life decision had been made (it’s a post I’m particularly proud of, so please check it out if you have time). I’m finally able to reveal what that big decision is, and it will explain while I’ve not been as active on WP this week.
Yes! I’m running for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, District 12!
I’ve contemplated running for years, from back in my days serving on Radford City Council, and I am excited about this new endeavor. The election is not until November so this will be a year long journey. I plan to travel to events on my bike when able and to photo-document the journey as well.
Many of you already know Joe from three different blogs on WordPress – The Visual Chronicle, X-Tended Vision, and Monochromia. Joe has adapted a few of his photos, and one of mine so far, to use on my campaign website and FB page. Aren’t they fun?
I’m hoping that Joe will be able to find time to add this logo to more of my photos from around District 12 as the campaign progresses. How lucky am I to have Joe on my team?
It’s going to be a wild ride and I’m looking forward to it! Motorcycle rides and photography will remain the dominant focus of my blog. Yet truly, this journey is more of Life on the Bike and Other Fab Things.
If you’d like more information, visit me here:
Website: www.LaurieBuchwald.com – the site just went live yesterday so it’s still a young site
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieBuchwaldForDelegate
Many of you already think I’m a little out of my mind for being a lover of winter.
I know, I know, I live in Virginia in the US and we don’t get a ton of snow. We do get some temps in the zero to 20 degrees F but nothing like those of you who live in places further north. To my credit, I did live in Vermont and in Northern Idaho and loved almost every cold moment, even to the point of working in a woodlot in a light jacket, and going winter camping.
Ultimately though, I embrace most weather types. The beauty of Virginia is that we have a distinct seasonal change, so right when you are tired of one season, the next one comes along.
Leave it to me though to run outside this morning, in my PJs, to get a shot of the first few snowflakes (SO excited!) only to find that I had locked myself out of the house!
All you photonuts out there get it, right? Anything (almost) for that shot!
When I pulled into the parking lot, the early morning sun was shining on a simple little bush outside of my office. Frankly, I’d never really paid attention to this bush, but today it was decorated with frost and it was beautiful.
I grabbed the camera, jumped out of the truck and crouched down to take the shot.
I was excited because I’ve felt a distinct lack of time with my camera lately,
and I’ve missed the creative flow that comes when the camera is in my hand.
So, did I take a few easy shots and walk into my office with contentment? Nope.
No sooner had I gotten into position than a patient pulled up and took the one parking place that got in the way of my shot. Seriously … every other space was empty!
Cracked. Me. Up.
Welcome to 2015 everryone!
May we all learn to be flexible, to look at things from a different angle and perspective, and to find humor often.
Thanks to all of you who visit, who like or comment on my posts, and who share their lives with me. I’m so very grateful for all of you! May we all have so much goodness in our lives that we have plenty to share with those around us.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 