Seeking Solace

July 8, 2016 by LB

On the way to work this morning, I pulled over to find solace behind the lens.

The news out of America, each and every day this week, has been devastating. Frankly, it’s been this way for much longer than a week.

We are a terribly divided nation.

I’ve seen people asking for prayers for Police Officers, without mention of the victims of racial, gender, and sexual violence.
I’ve seen people asking for prayers for the vicims of racial, gender, and sexual violence, without mention of the Police Officers.

We cannot let violence divide us any more than it already has.

I wish the rain could wash away the hate and the violence, but since it can’t we must unite to Stop the Violence!

As I sit here, listening to the pouring rain, I am horrified by the violence. I grieve for the families.

I am saddened and frightened by the divisiveness and hate, and I am angry that we can’t seem to find any solutions to the violence.

Timing

November 18, 2014 by LB

You sit in the truck, watching the rain, and ponder. There’s no way to avoid getting the purse (with camera), lunch bag, laptop, and self at least a little wet. Then you remember that it’s just water. You take the shot, open the door … and go!

(yes … the camera was protected)

Full Circle

October 16, 2014 by LB

Family and Friends.

I’m so very fortunate to have been loved and surrounded by both this past year, and I truly believe that I would not be where I am today without them. One year ago this coming Saturday, the final destination of a 4 day fall bike trip was the Harvest Festival at a winery in North Carolina. After being struck while riding my motorcycle through an intersection, the plans changed dramatically.

As the anniversary of the wreck drew nearer, friends and I talked about ways to recognize the one year mark. If I think too much about the wreck, it freaks me out (just a bit!), so I just keep focusing on celebrating life!

My friend Amy suggested that we come full circle and “finish” last year’s trip. So despite the rain, we headed off to North Carolina’s Wine Country. Home to more than 100 wineries, we decided to visit 3 of them. Amy doesn’t ride, so we took off in the truck.

I’m sure you’ll not be surprised to hear that I have many, many photos to process, but I wanted to share a few with you today. It rained on and off the whole time but we had a blast none the less.

Thank you, Amy, for coming full circle with me!

As you read this post, I’m driving to Pittsburgh with my friend Ruth to watch the Virginia Tech / University of Pittsburgh Football Game.

Life never offers me a dull moment, and I’m doing my best to practice gratitude daily!

Fungi

October 10, 2014 by LB

We’ve had so much rain here these past few months that mushrooms are popping up all over the place.

I noticed these on the way into my office.

The shadows caught my interest as much as the mushrooms.

No complaints about all of our rain … we’re fortunate that we aren’t experiencing drought.

And just for the heck of it, I’m adding a handheld / no tripod / spur of the moment shot of the moon last night.

Mushrooms and Moons. Someone should write about that!

Between having a snake in the house, a flat tire on the truck, and an overfull work schedule, I’m way behind on your blogs! I look forward to catching up soon!

Happy Weekend, Everyone!

Home!

August 11, 2014 by LB

Hello from the very rainy Commonwealth of Virginia!

I’m back from vacation, during which I saw very little sun, but had a wonderful time! Luckily, I only rode in about 6 hours of rain, 2 of which were the final hours before arriving home. If you were to visit me right now, you would see drying bike gear everywhere!

I’m anxious to catch up with your blogs and plan to visit within the next 24 hours! And of course, soon I’ll be sharing photos and notes from my travels. I’ll hope that some of our rain pushes west in order to provide relief to the draught stricken!

That Chain … Again

February 7, 2014 by LB

What is about this chain that draws my eye when I walk outside each morning?

I’m looking forward to the weekend and more studying of the new camera.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Ever Present

July 28, 2013 by LB

The everpresent rain

has challenged me in my trip preparation

to focus on the positives

of this constant moisture

3 More Days … Hoping for sun but will ride no matter what!

For the Love of the Ride

July 21, 2013 by LB

You ride in the heat and the cold; the sun and the rain.

But sometimes you pull over and wait out the storm.

All for the love of the ride.

Sidewalk Art: Would You Have Stopped to Shoot?

July 19, 2013 by LB

Well, maybe not art exactly. Just some oil on the sidewalk, made more colorful by the late afternoon light and the recent rain.

So … would you have stopped to take the shot?

Will It Ever Stop???

July 12, 2013 by LB

The RAIN, I mean!

Honestly, I rarely complain about the weather! I walk out the door in the morning without having looked at or listened to a weather report. Hurricanes, thunder storms, floods, heatwaves … I am often unaware that they are in the forecast until I leave the house and someone fills me in. It’s easy for me to be this way; my work isn’t affected by the weather. And besides, I love the energy of a storm.

Recently we’ve been heartbroken about the loss of 19 firefighters in Arizona. I keep thinking that if somehow the western states could have gotten some of our rain, things might have ended differently on Yarnell Hill. And I’m quite sure that all the folks in my neck of the woods would be grateful to see a bit of that southwestern sun.

Our most recent storm caused some pretty significant flooding in Southwest Virginia. In fact, a pond developed in a friend’s back yard. And since I’m a long time fan of puddle jumping, and playing in the water in general, I headed out for some fun!