5-7-16 ~ A Morning at Explorer Park and a Mother’s Day Memory

This morning Bud ran a grim 6 mile mountain race in Roanoke, VA, and it was one of the worst 6 miles of his life. Our Buick has been mysteriously stalling suddenly when stopped at stop lights, but today it decided to quit on this narrow congested dirt road while frustrated runners were honking their cars. We had already put in a new battery, but obviously that was not the problem. Maybe it has to be something with the computer...who knows. We finally got it started, but we were already running a bit late to pick up his stuff before the race started. The whole mess did a job on Buddy mentally and physically, and to add fuel to the fire it was a soaked trail from all the rain. His poor stomach was a mess the entire run which took him a horrible 2 hours to complete while I waited in the car with my sketchbook and the motor running. We were going to go to the big Strawberry Festival in Roanoke afterwards but bagged that for fear we could stall out in downtown traffic.  I did manage to get out and walk about with the Bud's trusty hiker Canon.

GREAT REFLECTIONS

(Never have I gotten shots like these on cars. To me, they are magical.)

SHADOWS

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

In Memory of My Mother on Mother’s Day 2016

(from my art journal)

This post is linked with:

Weekend Reflections

Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Pippa's Foto der Woche

I Heart Macro

Macro Monday 2

Remembering My Beetle

Seeing a Beetle Made Me Remember

 “There are small fish and large ships. But the best ship of all is friendship.”
~Author Unknown

When I moved to Lexington many years ago, I brought with me two cars...one of them an old Land Rover like you see in Africa and the other my yellow VW Beetle. Both  have now gone to The Happy Hunting Ground for dead cars. Here’s the story of how I lost both cars:

1. Bud was giving my eldest son a driving lesson out in that big field in front of the house, but as he was turning to drive it back over our Bridge to Somewhere, he turned the steering wheel way too hard to the right causing the Rover to flip upside down into the creek. No one was hurt, but the Land Rover died.

2. Then one day years ago, my daughter had parked the Beetle on Main Street. At some point there was an accident somewhere, and one our trusty firemen came racing thru downtown in a huge red firetruck, ran a red light, hit the car which was already into it from the other direction and who had a green light. Then swerved smashing into my Beetle totaling it so it was dead. Only to me could these bizarre things happen. I just have to laugh like I always do, be thankful no one was injured in either incident, and move on.

Finally, last week I was coming out of my doctor’s office, and I saw this gorgeous VW Beetle. Well, out came the iPhone and I started taking pictures...pristine condition...a 2000. Well, as I was about to finish up, a woman came walking up speaking rather sternly...”Are you taking pictures of MY car.? "Oh dear, I thought”. I worriedly turned around, and there she was...Dorothy Perkins...a person I knew well, had been good friends with for years, and with whom I had taught. We both had a great laugh, and then I asked her if she ever was going to sell it to PLEASE sell it to me. I am keeping my fingers crossed. We shall see.

This is the icing on the cake...cool reflections I inadvertently captured in the side view mirror and the window above.

...and here is my friend, Dorothy Perkins

These pictures were shot with my iPhone 5C  - 12-17-15

Springtime Green by the Springbox

Lots of green in spite of all the snow and cold weather.

"Thousands have lived without love, no one without water.”
~W.H. Auden 

This post is linked with Weekend Reflections.

Macro Melt

This post is linked with:

 I Heart Macro

Macro Monday 2

Weekend Reflections

Wednesday morning a best friend of ours was going to Richmond to do last minute shopping so I decided to hitch a ride across the mountain. Any chance I get to go and see my 8 year old granddaughter, Eloise, even if for just overnight, I go for it!

After I went with her mom to get her from school, she went directly to the computer to do her special math homework. There were also two “ economics” papers she had to do...amazing! She LOVES her math assignments via the computer. The program is “Kirie.” My, how school has changed! She’s doing the typical 3rd grade math...times tables and division...and playing the recorder/song flute. I can remember doing all of these in 3rd grade... which now seems like the dark ages it was so long ago.

After she finished her homework, her pal, Georgia, stopped by to play and eat dinner. We adore Georgia and feel like she and Eloise are growing up way too fast. Eloise wanted a little tree for her bedroom so Mom went out after school and got her this one. She was ecstatic. This morning we all got up, had breakfast, went with Eloise and her mom to take her to school, and then my friend and I left for home.

When we got to the little town of Stuart’s Draft, the decision was made to stop at the Amish cheese shop. As we pulled into the parking lot, this sign company was there putting up a BIG new sign on the side of the building. Their truck looked huge in that little slot.

It was not until we were walking out the door that I looked around and saw the reflection of the truck, the cones, and all the cars in the window. I immediately pulled out the trusty old iPhone 4 (I refuse to upgrade because I am one of those lucky ones who has unlimited data, but if I update, I lose it!) How many times have I said...if you’ll just take the time to look around yourself, you will be surprised at what you might see. I never seem to be disappointed.

This post is definitely linked up with James’s Weekend Reflections.

Fall Reflections in Hot Tub Turned Goldfish Pond

It won't be long before the fish will go to the bottom for the winter. The surprising part is many will survive and return to the top in the spring.

I'm glad you see only the underside of the gutter and not the part already filled with leaves. This one was a Magic Hour capture.

This post is linked with Weekend Reflections.

Take Off at Big Spring

 One minute everything is still and quiet...just swimmin' along on a beautiful day.

Then, without a hint, we have take-off with ripple going every which way.

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http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.ca

http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Reflections from Douthat State Park on New Year's Day 2013

The Lake at Douthat State Park

The lake is really down right now. We are in the middle of a very severe drought here in our party of VA. Still, it was a beautiful gray skied walk for Buddy and me on New Year's Day. This is the place we go every year for my birthday party with Gene, his wife, and my Eloise. We are so fortunate that it is only 30 minutes from our home.  It has now become a tradition. Our reservations are for the weekend after my birthday on Feb. 7th. It's gonna be my 74th. Can't believe it. I hope by that time the water will be back up and there will be lots of ice on the lake and snow on the ground. PS...This mosaic went way easier than the last two. Perseverance does pay off. The nuns weren't fooling :-)

This post is linked with:
 Weekend Reflections
NatureFootstep Waters

The Reflections of Rock Hall, Maryland

A Walk Down the Main Street ~ Rock Hall, MD

OOPS....I just realized I posted the same photo twice. Tried to change it out,  but Picnik was acting up terribly and doing all sorts of weird and irritating things. After multiple tries, I just decided to leave  the “Java Rock” coffee shop in double duty. As I have been telling my students for years and years...”Oh, dear, it’s the first mistake I  ever made.”  Their reply...”Oh, sure...give me a break, Ms. R!"

This post if linked with Weekend Reflections

and Mosaic Monday.

Watery Wednesday on the Creek ~ 11-13-11

Our Latest Discovery Hidden away 

on a Back Road in Rockbridge County

Without any idea of where we were going, we headed down a dirt road, along a creek, and near the Maury River.  Buddy was driving, and I was looking for barns to post on Tricia’s Barn Charm meme. It was then that I turned to say something to Bud and saw out of his driver’s side window this gate with its reflection and those of the trees around it in the cold water.

After getting out of the car, we began nosing around the area. It was then I saw the most beautiful accumulation of texture filled rocks with light and reflections radiating everywhere (first shot). They were off to the left side of where the owners ford the creek to get to their land. I find it interesting that the color in the second shot changed when I changed my location. It is almost like these were taken on different days. You know the rest of the story. It was a quite a while later we were finally on our way to see and shoot more of the sights and scenes of Rockbridge County, VA. 

This post is linked with Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Weekend Reflections.

Saturday Morning Walk after Our First Snow ~ October 29, 2011

A Saturday Morning Walk

The sun was sending its rays down onto the road. The snow had already was pretty much gone...only posture left.

Do you see the dog crossing it?


~~~~~~~~~~


Here are a few more shots from last Saturday morning’s walk.

One of the dirt roads running off of our main road 

and down to the creek. These gravely one have more snow on them than the ones that are used all the time.

When we are walking the road, 

we walk alongside Kerrs Creek.

As we are hoofing it up and down the road, this is one of the views we have of Big House and Little House Mts. 

Finally, here is a single leaf floating atop the water left from the snow in the middle of the road in front of me.

"There is no season such delight can bring
As summer, autumn, winter and the spring."
~William Browne

This post is linked with Our World Tuesday.