Tag Archives: Photography

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Do You Know Bud (Redbud, that is)?

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Many of you responded to my previous post about Redbud, scientific name Cercis canadensis, by saying that you were not familiar with the tree.   Commonly called Eastern Redbud, it is a deciduous, often multi-trunked understory tree with a rounded crown and is noted for its stunning pea-like rose-purple flowers which bloom profusely on bare branches in early spring (March-April) before the foliage emerges.  

The tree is native to eastern and central North America from Connecticut to New York to southern Ontario and the Great Lakes south to Western Texas and Florida( http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ ).  Here in Virginia, we often see it in open meadows, and along roads and rivers.

My blogging pal, Pauline, The Contented Crafter, thought the Redbud looked familiar, and in doing a quick online search, found that in New Zealand they call it The Judas Tree.

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Littlesundog, writing from Oklahoma, commented that she loved the beautiful blooms and the heartshaped leaves.

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If you don’t have Redbud in your area, feel free to come visit Southwest Virginia in the spring and I’ll be happy to show you around!

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Joy

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When spring finally does come ’round, the moments of joy are endless.

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If you haven’t already done so, I’m sure you are looking forward to getting back outside, putting your hands in the dirt, and bringing color and beauty to your surroundings.  I’m so lucky to have a screened porch to enjoy while creating this blog post.

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The bees are buzzing, quite loudly actually, all around my new hanging baskets and the blossoms on the Redbud Tree, all of which have been purchased from local nurseries or greenhouses.

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The birds that have nested in the gutters over the carport are adding a beautiful song to the other sounds of spring, and FINALLY, I have found a few basil plants (if you know me at all, Basil is my summer addiction).

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I’ll have to bring the pots in every night for a few more weeks, but at least I have some!

Yes, there are chores to be done, and errands to be run, but even accomplishing those things seems easy on a beautiful Sunday in April.  So, until I can get back out on the bike and join my friends, at least I can get my hands back in some dirt, and finish what I started yesterday

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Pizza House Jam

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Southwest Virginia is home to The Crooked Road, a 333 mile stretch along scenic roadways where traditional and heritage music can be heard.  “The variety of music is amazing … old time string bands, a cappella gospel, blues, 300 year old ballads, and bluegrass” (myswva.org).

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Music can be heard in Major Venues such as the Birthplace of Country Music in Bristol, the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, and the Floyd Country Store in Floyd.  In addition to these Major Venues, there are over 60 Affiliated Venues, places where traditional music can be found, often in weekly jam sessions, where anyone with a song or instrument is welcome to join in.  Radford is home to the Radford Fiddle and Banjo Jam which was started by Ralph Berrier in 2000 and is currently located in the River City Grill (Photo Credit: Photography Intern).

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An offshoot of the Fiddle Jam is held in the Pizza House, a locally owned business since 1971.

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While not an Affiliated Venue of The Crooked Road, the Pizza House Jam is a place where local musicians gather to play and sing.

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While I can join in on singing a few of the songs, I have no talent with a musical instrument.

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The music fills the room, the folks watching tap their feet or sing along, and the faces of the musicians reflect the joy of the evening.

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And that is what music is all about.

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Pitcher Plant

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The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, is an estate garden whose mission is to “provide an oasis of inspiration and tranquility, while furthering the understanding and appreciation of plants, especially epiphytes”.  An epiphyte is a plant that derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and usually grows on another plant.

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It’s been an all too short, but wonderful visit to Sarasota, and I’ll have more photos and stories to post later.  For now, know that I’ve missed many of your posts while I’ve traveled, but I’ll catch up soon!!

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Auction: End of an Era

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The sights, sounds, emotions, and memories of auction day will long remain with me.

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The excitement of the auction process and the fascination with an industry so different from my own, had me riveted.  I very much wanted to capture the history and success of a 57 year old family business, and to portray those who make their living in this field.  It was an honor to be a part of the day, and I came away with so many memories and photographs.

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A favorite part of the day for me was hearing stories from “back in the day”.  Like a child at bedtime, I kept asking for more.  On a day that was at times bittersweet, it was a joy to hear the laughter from those who had grown to be like family after so many years working together.

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Amy’s father placed this horseshoe in the shop many years ago, but she took it down this day intending it to be a keepsake.  Instead, the horseshoe was passed on to two brothers who had started a welding business, and had purchased several pieces of equipment in the auction.

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In a sense it was like passing the torch on to a new generation.

Time goes by, economies and businesses change, but the memories of a father who created a business 57 years ago, and grew it into a success, will not fade.  Here’s to Warren G. Harris on a job well done, and to his family, for carrying on a proud family tradition.

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Now!  To grow and enhance the other part of the business: Harris Self-Storage!

harrisselfstorage.com

https://www.facebook.com/harrisrentals

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Auction: Selling History

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A dear friend of mine recently phased out the construction / welding side of her 57 year old, family owned business, and because of that, an auction was held to sell off equipment.  I’d originally planned to serve as support person and friend, but within minutes after arriving, I knew that I’d also be documenting history.  This is the first post of two about that auction.

While understanding that this was a bittersweet process for the family, I neverless found it fascinating.  As with bikers and military families (and I’ve been part if both), the group of machinists, contractors, and welders that were present that day represented another subculture:  those hardworking folks who work with their hands, and their backs, to construct things that many of us take for granted.

The room was packed and the excitement palpable.

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Immediately energized, I jumped into the middle of the large crowd of people, primarily male, most in ball caps and Carhartt.  No one seemed to mind me and my camera, thankfully, and I enjoyed interacting with everyone.

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This young man had a little of his own cash and when I asked what he planned to buy, he said “something for my Dad”.

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This little guy was just along for the ride.

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Andthis one? Obviously, he was there for the hot dogs!

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The range of age …

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and the visions of the past

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made me feel whistful for “the good old days”.

The auction lasted all day long, inside and out.

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and ultimately, it was a huge success!

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Next Post: The Auctioneers and the Family

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Grayson Highlands Getaway

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Grayson County, located in the Blue Ridge Highlands of Southwest Virginia, was the location of this past weekend’s gathering of the BGs, a group of women who meet a few times a year to celebrate birthdays and friendship.

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We enjoy delicious food and drink, take walks, read books, play games, and sometimes do a little crafting.

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All this, plus plenty of time for talk, is typically done in a cabin or farmhouse in a rural part of Virginia.

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We worried about this little one – he seemed so sluggish – but maybe he was just enjoying being able to catch some rays on a 50 degree day.

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We surely enjoyed our time in the sun.

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Cheers! Spring is coming!

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Shop Window

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The conference is over and it’s time to attend to an overfull week; a week filled with work, other commitments, and thankfully, with play. So while I’m anxious to share the photos from the auction, I’ll have to put that labor of love off for a few days.

As that long successful day drew to a close, winter’s setting sun lent beauty to dirty shop windows and the machines used to punch metal.

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Taking a Break

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This year’s Annual Meeting of the Virginia Council of Nurse Pracitioners is being held at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia.  During one brief break period, I dashed outside to feel the warmth of the winter sun and to use the camera to photograph something besides NPs in the conference setting.

The Reston Town Center has an outdoor Ice Skating Pavilion and on this beautiful, 60 degree day, I was drawn to photograph this unique facility against the bright blue sky.

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The strong lines of the human made structure against the natural clouds and trees provided a striking contrast.

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When I finally directed my gaze downward, I had to smile at what I saw.

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Refreshed and energized, I headed back inside to continue the work of the conference.

Celebrating 40 Years!!  Nurse Practitioners: Your Partners in a Healthier Tomorrow!

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