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The morning is gray and overcast. I see a sliver of light just above the horizon as I drive east. I head for the Blue Ridge Parkway drinking a hot cup of Tazo Chai Tea . A combo of the tea and subtle light upon a grandiose landscape proves to be a pleasant morning attitude adjuster. I spent about 20 minutes shooting--just enough time for my hands to remember the ache and sting of winter. Got to remember to put the gloves in the Jeep. My goal for the day is to take lots of deep breaths.
I haven't come up with any great blog fodder shots to share with you o so I thought I would instead refer you to a site that has some awesome High Speed Photography images posted. Some of the shots are quite extraordinary.
I also tripped upon local blog called According to Brad. I enjoyed reading about the rescue of his iPod from a Blue Ridge Parkway overlook.
Now I bid you an adieu as I get reaquainted with my camera....
After a full day of pouring rain, a front came through as the sun set on Wednesday. The light changed in moments and I yelled for my girls to come soak up the view. We discussed weather patterns while all Harley wanted to do was to play 'ball'. We do not often get big sky scenes in the mountains as the hills tend to hold the sky up. This evening was different.
I'll be in the kitchen. I've been in the best of moods this week in the anticipation of my favorite holiday. Nothing makes me happier than being in my kitchen for hours, sippin sherry or whatever and creating a fantastic meal that will be eaten in about 15 minutes flat. No seriously. I love it. I will start making pies this evening but right now I have to go to take photos of another sort of kitchen, a meth lab. I know, it is all kind of twisted.
The photo is a re-run because it has poured rain for 2 days. I'll try harder but I'm just distracted with joy and all.
Jeez, going from a morning of being a responsible adult talking to a high school principal-- to the mall-crawlin' mom with the youths-- and then onto working for real money at an ASU basketball game throws a gal into a pyscho ward. Typical Saturday. My bright spot? All of 'em. I like the principal alot. I like my teenagers alot. And, I really enjoyed talking to L. at the basketball game tonight. A new friend found. She is young and as we sat on the sidelines, found the topics of Wacom tablets and Photoshop quite the geek-speak of the evening. She adores Converse shoes and has a je ne sais quoi attitude towards la vie that j'adore.
I took this photo on my driveway last night. I was gonna do the whole tripod thing, but I spooked myself so turned off my engine,l ocked the doors to my Jeep and placed the camera on my steering wheel to get this shot. The ring around the moon was awesome. Don't know how or why it was there so if you feel compelled share, I would be much obliged...
The girls and I saw a new flock of turkeys this morning on the mountain. About 25 hens were in the middle of our gravel road this morning. I stopped the car, asked eldest child to hand me my camera and 200mm lens from the back seat. I put on the emergency brake and jumped out of the car and took my best shot. These birds are quite skittish and I rarely have much luck in capturing a decent image. This one, I believe, is acceptable.
So, the title of this post has nothing to do with the photo above except that the photo is of the flat part of my drive-way--the part that doesn't hurt me when I run on the road.
Now for how the word 'callipygian' and how it entered upon our family vocabulary: My eldest daughter tried her feet at running on the Cross Country team this year. Prior to every race, the girls run to a quiet spot and huddle--prayers and what-not are said, but in the end there is a rather loud cheer..."Callipygous" is their call to battle. I asked my child, "What does this mean?" She replied, "It means that a quest for a perfect rear end is in suit."
I guess running 3.1 miles is a wonderful recipe for shaping the derriere. How this tradition started on this historically stong NC team has long been forgotten. I have now joined the Wellness Center and here is my new mantra: "Callipygous!"
On my way back to work from my lunch break, I passed a familiar building on Wilson's Ridge Rd. The building has 3 apples stenciled on it's side. The place is obviously a barn but it looks aged and there are a couple of old hen houses set up on the hill behind the place. I saw a man outside. On a whim I stopped. I introduced myself to Mr. Greene and he gave me a premium tour of his apple house. He's been selling apples from this spot for more than 40 years and claims to eat between 6 to 12 apples a day. He described himself as just a lonely old man because his wife of 63 years, Daisy, passed away about a year ago. As we walked past the bins full of apples, he hand picked several apples and stuck 'em in his pockets. I had to get back to work so I promised him that I would stop by every so often--He was so happy that he reached out and gave me a hug and about a half dozen of the prettiest apples I've ever seen.
***NEWS FLASH**** Earlier this morning I ventured into Avery County and as I approached the Watauga County line, I notice a spitting of snow. Nothing big at all. I can't even call the event snow flurries. Ski season can't be too far away.
I had a bad case of 'lazy camera-itis' the past couple of days. The magic light was never just right enough for me. Besides, I did do some much needed housekeeping chores done and managed to keep 5 teenagers entertained for an overnight on Saturday. And, the house is still clean so other aspects of my life were productive.
Several areas of the High Country have all received the killin' frosts over the past several days but last night's frost was a bone-chillin' one that hit everyone. The Highland Union Bank thermometer read 29 degrees at 8 a.m. this morning.
I love frost and early morning light. This oak leaf was framed with ice this morning as it greedily refuses to release it's grip from the tree.
I left the girls and my husband at home. They slept in. I snuck around the house drinking a cup of tea and prepared for an a early morning trek into Valle Crucis. The air was heavy with a thick layer of clouds in the sky. I stopped by the Mast Store to check my mail and get a cup of coffee (it costs a nickel there). The store smelled of fresh brewed coffee and peppered bacon. I was not rushed to get into work so I stopped by the Valle Crucis park and got out my camera. The sun was barely breaking through the sky. Muted peach colors clung to the horizon. I took this photos. All mornings should begin this way.
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