Sculpture in Macro

Sculpture at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts ~ Richmond, Virginia

"What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul."
~ Joseph Addison

This post is linked with Macro Monday over at Lisa's Chaos.

Creativity Gone Wrong ~ Daily Photo 9-30-12

This morning I walked up on North Mountain to check out the view of the valley. On the way back to the car, I spotted this creation. Did they not get the message.....DO NOT LITTER....Granted it was a bit creative, but in my mind it was creativity totally gone wrong.

Eye Blinding ~ Daily Photo 9-29-12

Gene and Eloise at Museum of Fine Arts ~ Richmond, VA

My granddaughter is growing up way woo quickly!

Reflections at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts ~ Richmond, VA

This post is linked with Weekend Reflections sponsored by James.

The Smokey Mts. ~ Asheville, NC ~ Daily Photo 9-28-12

After Buddy's Half Marathon race in Asheville, this is where we went for ME to drink HIS beer!

 It was a fabulous view and a wonderful day for a run. Perfect weather.

This post is linked with Skywatch Friday.

Daily Photo ~ 9-27-12 ~ Lot by Field of Dreams

It was a very foggy morning on my way to school. I pulled off to take some pictures of the field I call "My Field of Dreams," but I really couldn't see it. This lot is where VDOT keeps some of its equipment they use for winter road work out our way.

This type traveling weather is coming the rule of each day. Lots of fog.

Shadows and More Shadows

Walkway at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia

"In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe, 
and enough shadows to blind those who don't."
~Blaise Pasca

Gene and Eloise outside the Museum

"A daughter is a gift of love."
~Unknown

Gene and Eloise ~ My "Baby" and His "Baby

"Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad."
~Anne Geddes

This post is linked with
Weekend in Black and White and Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

Bud's Sense of Humor

Because of my silly old back, Buddy has had to take over my chores which involve repetitive motion like vacuuming, weeding, sweeping, loading and unloading dishwasher or washing machine/dryer, kitty litter. etc. He has been such a good sport about it. You let me do anything where I have to bend up and down over and over again or push/pull something to and from me multiple times, and I'm down for the count with back spasms. The other day he came up with this hilarious sign, and I just had to share it with all of you. It cracks me up. Hope you all get a good laugh. This is the guy that hikes up and down mountains every summer. Now he has another off-season hobby....creating all kinds of silly signs about topics that interest him using free images from online.

This post is linked with Lesley's Signs2 meme.

Crimp Haven Alpacas ~ Daily Photo ~ 9-26-12

Sunrise down the road about two miles from the house. It was early yesterday morning on my way to school, but for some reason the alpacas were not out. Our road is just one little farm after another...some with cows, one with alpacas,  and others where the farmers rent the fields for growing hay for their animals in another location. Our world is definitely one of lots of little farms of one kind or another. Here is some interesting information about alpacas from the Crimp Haven Farm site ~ http://crimphaven.info

Perfect for a family farm, alpacas are gentle and easy to handle. They are safe even for younger children to work with, as they do not bite or butt. This is a venture that the whole family can work together on.

It is our vision that alpacas can become a vital part of the American economy. Well suited to the land and environment here they are also environmentally friendly, protecting the land that we love.

• Alpacas have soft padded feet. This leaves pasture undamaged, and usable for years.
• They have no top front teeth, so they are gentle grazers.
• The alpaca does not usually eat or destroy trees.
• The average alpaca only eats four pounds of food a day.
• Although they need a regular fresh water supply, alpacas do not require abundant amounts of water.
• The herd tends to deposit their manure in one or two spots in the pasture, making clean up easier.
• Alpaca manure is a fantastic fertilizer.
• One good acre of pasture can support up to ten alpacas.
• Alpacas require minimal fencing, as they do not challenge it.
• However, be careful to have enough fencing to keep them safe from predators (we use post and no climb wire fencing about 5 feet high).
• They can produce four to ten pounds of fleece a year.
• Their fleece produces 87 to 95 percent clean fiber compared to sheep’s wool.
• People who are allergic to wool are generally not allergic to alpaca fiber.

This post is linked with 'Barn Charm" and "Our World Tuesday
.http://bluffareadaily.blogspot.com

Windy Morning ~ Daily Photo ~ 9-24-12

Trying to Learn to Use Instagram App on my iPhone

(Don't think the black bars at top and bottom are supposed to be there.)

Fog ~ Daily Photo ~ 9-23-12

Typical Morning Drive to Work

I am so exited to have found a new editing program online which is free. If you are used to using PSE, it is very similar and very easy to use. 
The name is "iPiccy."

Bridge to Somewhere ~ Wood's Creek Family Walk

The leaves are starting to fall, and it won't be long before Bud's pink shorts are put away for the winter. In a few weeks these trees will be bare. 

I cannot believe that summer ended today.

Yesterday Bud and I went on a one mile "Family Walk" along Wood's Creek here in Lexington. This is one of the bridges over the creek. If you haven't ever been on a "Family Walk," you have missed out on boocoodles of fun: babies in strollers, children, parents, old folk, people in wheel chairs, and lots of dogs on leashes.

This post is linked with Sunday Bridges & Pink Saturday.

Nanalou's Rose ~ 9-22-12 ~ Daily Photo

This post is linked with:
 Floral Friday Fotos
Your Sunday Best

Chillin' by the Creek ~ 9-21-12 ~ Daily Photo

Bud's Boots Were Made for Hikin'

A Ferry View of Seattle

View of Seattle from the Baimbridge Island Ferry 
as we were going into town for the day. 

The shot is a bit off plum, but the ferry was a wee bit bumpy that day.  

This post is linked with Weekend in Black and White.

Where are My Goldfish?

"Love the trees until they their leaves fall off,
 then encourage them to try again."
~Chad Sugg

This post is linked with Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

Fencing/Railing at Rest Stop near Erwin, Tennessee

"The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart."

Buddha

This post is linked with Jan and Jer's Friday Fences.

Skies at Rest Stop near Erwin, Tennessee

 Bud and I had two gorgeous days for driving to and from Asheville, NC, for the Half Marathon.These are pictures of the skies above the Smokey Mountains taken form the rest stop near Erwin, Tennessee.

"You can never conquer the mountain. You can only conquer yourself."
~ James Whittaker

This post is linked with Skywatch Friday.

Fall is Just around the Corner ~ 9-20-12 ~ Daily Photo

September 19, 2012 ~ Late Afternoon

Fall is 2 days away. The leaves are falling which means it is raking time again.

The Runner Wears Pink ~ Daily Photo ~ 9-19-12

Out came the little children running.

All the little boys and girls,

With rosy cheeks and flaxen curls,

And sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls,

Tripping and skipping, ran merrily after

The wonderful music with shouting and laughter.

~Robert Browning

The Asheville Half Marathon and a View of Breezemont

Buddy and the Asheville Half Marathon

This past weekend we went to Asheville, North Carolina, to their annual half marathon. I told you all that the race was going to run right in front of my old home up in the Manor Grounds, so here are a few of the photos taken that day. Here are a few fun facts: In 1965, we paid $39,000.00 for this home overlooking the Smoky Mountains. Our house payment was $130.00 a month, and we were buying it directly from the family who sold it to us. I don't think you all even want to hear what it went for the last time it sold...definitely out of my price bracket. My, how times have changed! I was so happy to see it looking so beautiful and decorated for the festivities. If any of you are interested in the historical pictures of this place, here is the link to the collection at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/mss/miles_herbert/miles_scrapbook_johnson.htm

Buddy celebrated his 60th birthday on the Sept. 12th 

and ran the half marathon on the Sept. 15th ~ 3 hours 13 minutes :-)

The Route

Start and Finish Arch

Biker Pacers at the Front

Pacer with His Baby in the Carrier

Bud Checking out the iPhone

Balloons were placed according to race times for the runners

 to gather prior to the race.

Each group had its own Pace Runner. This was Bud's. She tried her best to get me to do the 5 mile walk, but I declined. 

Quite the Clever Sign

Asheville Is Definitely Cherokee  Territory

Bud Is Off

Beer Truck at the End  

Since Bud does not partake, I got to enjoy the brewskies.

This post is linked with Lesley's Signs2 and Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

Bud's Big Race ~ 9-13-12

We are off for Bud to run in the Asheville, NC, Half Marathon. I lived there for 18 years, so I am going home even if Thomas Wolfe lived there and said you cannot go home. The most exciting news is the route changed this year and  goes up the mountain to my old home, "Breezemont" overlooking the Smokey Moutains in the Manor Grounds and then turns left to go in front of my beloved friend, Weezie's home,"Dogwood. " Then it turns to go back down the mountain. I am so excited I'm about burst. This is my Skywatch Friday post though it should be called "Bud's Race Watch."I will post pictures this weekend. Wish him well. It is a ROUGH run.

This post is linked with Skywatch Friday.