Fish Fry!

June 18, 2015 by LB

While the campaign has whittled my bike riding time down to just 6 hours per week, it has also offered me the opportunity to attend some community events. This past Saturday, after knocking 90 doors in the City of Radford, my campaign Field Director and I attended the Mt Tabor Ruritan Fish Fry.

Before joining the long line of hungry patrons, we walked and talked and enjoyed the atmosphere.

The pastoral scene,

the local music,

the opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline,

and finally, the fish, fries, and coleslaw, served up by hardworking Ruritans.

I’m tellin’ ya, that fried fish was yummy!

All you can eat for $8, in a lovely Virginia setting. Not a bad way to spend the evening.

The Mt Tabor Ruritan Club has been serving the Blacksburg and surrounding communities since July 16, 1965.

Ruritan National’s purpose is to create a better understanding among people, and through volunteer community service, make America’s communities better places in which to live and work

The word Ruritan is a combination of the Latin words for open country “ruri” and small town “tan,” interpreted as pertaining to rural and small town life

“Nothin’ to Sneeze At”

June 10, 2015 by LB

Three years with WordPress is nothing to sneeze at!

And what is the origin of that term, anyway? According to the Word Detective, “To sneeze at” something or someone is a colloquial usage, first appearing in the early 19th century, to mean that the thing under consideration (Three years with WordPress) may appear modest or trivial but is actually at least somewhat important or impressive.

Impressive or not, three years with WP has had a tremendous impact on my life. I’ll not tie you down with statistics, but instead offer thanks to all of you for being here with me. Whether you regularly comment, or more randomly “like”, I’m grateful for all of you. You’ve encouraged my growth as a photographer (Joe has even provided phone and text consults), have followed me on my motorcycle journeys, supported me after my wreck, contributed to my campaign, created beautiful gifts for me, and have spent time with me in Virginia.

You’ve become my friends, and my life is richer for all that you share.

Your photos and drawings, your stories and poems, your creativity and crafts, and your life lessons learned.

My sincere thanks.

See ya on down the road!

Back Track

June 8, 2015 by LB

With just an hour or so to spare, I set off on the bike.

It took me awhile to find a place to pull over to capture this view, and even then I had to hike back a bit.

For once, I didn’t have my camera with me.

Not too bad for my ol Blackberry, eh?

What Edna Said

June 6, 2015 by LB

My contribution to Monochromia this week.

Thank you to the lovely Julia at Defeat Despair for introducing me to the poem First Fig by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

My last post was a reflection about the fullness of life, and this one is also about life’s challenges. Have no fear, though. All is well and I plan to be riding the bike for a little bit tomorrow.

Monochromia

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—

It gives a lovely light!

*******************************************************

Thanks to the lovely Julia at Defeat Despair for introducing me to the poem First Fig

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

View original post

The Road Ahead

May 31, 2015 by LB

The road of life offers many opportunities and challenges,

and sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the two.

Sometimes the direction seems foggy or unclear,

with obstacles blocking the way.

Soon enough though, the way will be made clear, and we’ll see the future as it should be.

The world around us will be peaceful once again,

while the spirit, made stronger because of the struggle, soars.

This small collection of photos was taken at various points this past week, a week that was filled with far too many twists in the road, and not near enough opportunities to use my camera.

I’m quite sure that many of you experienced the same. Let’s all just breath … it’s going to be okay.

Memorial Day in Radford

May 25, 2015 by LB

At the posting of this image, I am attending our locality’s Annual Memorial Day Program.

Participation in this program is one of my most favorite civic activities. I’m honored to serve as photographer and online PR person.

Enjoy these photos from our 2014 program and I’ll share a few from this year’s event soon.

Do you know about the National Moment of Remembrance? As Americans, we are encouraged to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Comfort

May 15, 2015 by LB

As I sat outside on the kitchen door stoop this evening, I glanced over and saw that the daisies were starting to bloom.

I grabbed the camera, thinking all the while that I have very much missed the creativity of photography, and how far behind I am getting in my learning of this craft.

Deciding that the daisies were deserving of a blog post, I thought of Meg Ryan and her character’s description of daisies. It was then that I remembered that I had already used “aren’t daisies the friendliest flowers?” for a post two years ago.

Ah well, they brought a smile to my face none the less.

As did Louie. His face will make anyone smile.

Louie and Daisies.

Comfort at the end of the week … and before the long weekend ahead.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge

May 11, 2015 by LB

While on the way to meet my parents and son in Charlottesville for a Mothers Day lunch, I took a brief detour to King Family Vineyard.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the vineyard offers near 360 views.

The visit was brief (just one little sip of wine),

but the detour was worth it (even if I did get fussed at for pulling over onto the grass to catch this reflection).

The best part of the day, though? Time with my parents and son!

Hope the day was lovely for you as well!

The Wonder of Florida

April 29, 2015 by LB

When you saw the title of this post, did you think about sun, tourists, and Disney World? While those things certainly are identified with Florida, that’s not the Florida that I experienced almost 2 months ago.

Those of you who know me will not be surprised to learn that just going over the Sunshine Skyway was exciting! I wish Donna could have stopped the car but for some reason she didn’t think the Florida troopers would appreciate that too much 🙂 I do love a bridge and I’d have loved to have been on the bike!

My welcoming committee!

My three day visit was jam packed! In fact, we rarely stopped exploring. A brief, early morning visit to the beach …

… was followed by a stop at the Sarasota Farmer’s Market.

Is this not the perfect view for lunch and a cold beer?

We spent time at the Myakka River State Park and it was during our time there that I KNEW I needed a zoom lens! Visitors to Myakka can enjoy “the land in its natural state, a piece of the REAL FLORIDA”.

The Birds! The Gators! The Trees!

“Myakka protects one of the state’s most diverse natural areas. The Myakka River, designated as a Florida Wild and Scenic River, flows through 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing from a boardwalk that stretches out over the Upper Myakka Lake, then take to the treetops with a stroll along the canopy walkway”