Sunsets of Summer

Seen going North on I495, Merrifield, Virginia

 One of the parts I love most about Summer are the gorgeous sunsets I get to witness every day on my way home from work.  I tend to work from 10-7pm, and with the notorious traffic of Northern Virginia, I find that I have a lot of time to sit and watch the sunset, via Interstate 66W in the HOV lane. :)   

Shadow Casting on I66W near Fair Lakes, Virginia

This summer's display has not been disappointing, to say the least.  We have had many 100 degree days that bring in a  late afternoon storm which to me is a perfect recipe of clouds and colors to really make a sunset spectacular.   Since I hadn't written in awhile, I thought I would at least share some of the sunset photos I have been able to capture while driving home.  I never get tired of taking pictures of the sky.  It truly is a wonderous painting.  

Sunset peaking through a Storm at Romney, WV.

By the way, I am still doing my Walkography, but as I mentioned before, we have had too many 100 degree days, so I haven't been walking much outside.  I can't wait for Fall to arrive so I can pick it back up and enjoy my walks outside once more.  Hard to believe Summer of 2012 is almost over! 

Finishing Sunset on I66W, near Fairfax, Virginia

"Nature is the art of God" ~Thomas Browne

A Walk and Sweets for a Sad Single Girl

Today I was blue.  It appears I am single again.  It's a long story...one that I don't care to go into great detail about....but today it came to my realization that it may be time to move on from a situation that, just a few months ago,  I felt was going in a great direction.  More than ever before,  I needed my daily walk to put my thoughts in check, and possibly find a little something sweet for cheer ups.  Luckily, I have a fantastic Korean bakery, called Shila, just a few blocks away.

My thoughts are that a walk to a bakery is still a walk in my book.  A Honeydew Boba tea and a few free samples later, I'm a little happier, but still feel the loss of someone I consider dear to me.

Shila Bakery is AWESOME...and dangerous! :)\

Walk-ography... From the Archives

I was unable to talk a walk yesterday due to just not feeling well....I was a little bummed, but thought here would be a perfect opportunity to share a shot taken in a previous walk.  I'm hoping to be back out on the sidewalk tonight after work, but I hear a storm's a coming!  Keep your fingers crossed for me that I might slip a quick one in before the storm hits.  OR better yet...have the storm hit first and then take a walk....I just LOVE the clouds parting and letting the sun peek back through photos! Especially this time of year,  Virginia gets some of it's best  storms and cloud formation in May. :)

So, since I have no pic from yesterday, here is a shot I took on a walk around the neighborhood April 12, 2012. If you are stopping by and read my posts...please let me know where your favorite place to walk is. :)

The Sunset sneaking up behind me :)

Walk-ography... The Street at Night 4/30/12

Peppa was too sure about going out at night.

Had a late night at work, so wasn't able to take a nice relaxing walk at sunset as I intended.  Instead it was more like 9pm which wasn't so bad....quieter streets, slight cool breeze.  My only concern was how do I get a great photo in the dark?  But, off Peppa and I went.  Liberty, my dalmatian, again wanted nothing to do with it, and chose to stay home and watch Dancing with the Stars. ;)

You never know what kind of spooky creatures you may encounter at night. :)

Walk-ography...Walney Pond, April 29, 2012

Monet always comes to mind here

I have decided recently to try and get more walking in my life.  From what I've heard and read, it's a great source of exercise for the body, mind, and soul, but how does one chic stay motivated and not get bored which I am sorely guilty of when it comes to any sort of exercise program. As I pondered, I thought.....well, what better way to stay motivated than to somehow include my love for photography during my walks.  GENIUS!
Even just to shoot one photo from each walk, and then post it here on my blog as a progress report, and, maybe, for other's to enjoy is a great idea!  So...Walk-ography (yes, I made that up) is born and hopefully will thrive. We shall see.

For starters, my criteria will be...

• Try to walk no less than 30 minutes.
• Walks will be mostly close to home in Centreville, Virginia
• Take at least one photo during my walk...equipment will most likely always be my cellphone.
• And, of course, have one or both of my pups, Peppa or Liberty, tag along for moral support.

On a Side Thought...I wonder if other photogs have done something like this? If so, I'd love to hear from you or see your adventures in Walk-ography. :) Any great walking trail recommendations in the Northern Virginia area would be fantastic, as well.

Lots of Lilly pads...almost covered the whole pond.

So, here we go! Even though I've already been trying this out for the past  week or so, my first Walk-ography post displays my walk at Walney Pond located in Chantilly, Virginia, yesterday April 29, 2012.  I love Walney Pond...such a beautifully hidden piece of nature just feet away from the congestion that is called Surburbia of Northern Virginia.  I have posted photos taken here a few years back, so I was due another walk around the pond block.

Papa and Peppa

My companions this particular walk were my friend, John, and my side-kick, Peppa Pig (aka my little chihuahua). It always fun to have willing companions.

A perfect home for a Gnome don'tcha think?

   Because I love this place..It was impossible for me to just take one photo to represent this episode of Walk-ography.  All in all, it was a great walk with perfect weather. I'll even forget about the disgusting tick I found on my body this morning.  Walney Pond is a definite addition to my walk roster.  I'll just remember the tick repellent next time. :)

Let's play the FLASH...oR No FLASH game!

FLASH...

Or NO FLASH. :)

FLASH...

Or No FLASH. :)

Spring brings Babies!!

I am typically a Fall/Autumn girl, but one thing I do love about Spring are all the beautiful flowers and the brand new wildlife babies. :)  This Spring I've been excited over a few new babies that have come into my life.

The first being this little one....

 Meet Peppa...as in the cartoon Peppa Pig.  My nephews absolutely LOVE that little cartoon, and they felt I should name this little girl after Peppa since she can be quite the little piglet at meal time. :) I've always been a Dalmatian girl, so wasn't sure if little Chihuahua would be a good fit in my home with Liberty, my dalmatian, and myself.  BUT, we have quickly forgotten that sentiment, and Peppa has made herself quite as home. :)


 Here's a shot of her with her new big sister, Liberty....

They are quickly becoming best buds...and I feel happiness again to have two babies to take care of.  After losing Odysey, the house just didn't feel the same for Liberyt and I....so Peppa has definitely added some joy back. :)





Another set of babies that I am obsessed with this Spring....The Decorah Eagles!!

OMG! Look at those faces!!! :)  I tell you. I cannot stop watching this live stream of a family of eagles in Iowa.  If you have not heard of this or have not seen, I warn you....before you dare to take a peek, know that you may be addicted to watching like myself.  It is amazing to watch nature when they don't know we are watching. :)

 
Lastly, I got a nice surprise the other day when I spotted these little beauties in my front yard...

You cannot know my excitment when I saw these blue jewels hidden in my front yard....Momma Robin was away just long enough for me to catch a peek at how many babies will soon arrive.  I can't wait, and I will definitely keep you posted. :)

WOW! I've been gone a long time. :)

Well, I wish I could say that I've been lost on a deserted island with Sawyer, but sadly, I cannot.
Mostly, I've just been sleeping, working, eating, and living life as it comes...pretty much in that order too. ;)  Then I reminded myself of my poor neglected blog, so here I am again.  I am 40 now!  I cringe every time I say that.  Where did my youth go?  LOL!  Yes, I don't look forth, or feel forty, and I think that is why I am so disturbed by it.  I mean, come on!  If you don't look it, or feel it...then you shouldn't have to be it!  Right?  Can I get a Hell Yeah from anyone out there? :)  So, I am dealing with this milestone in my life, and I can happily say that so far , so good.  I have some new people in my life, my family is healthy, I manage to keep a job in this economy, my house has not caved in around me, have my beautiful Dal-gal, Liberty to greet me at home every day, and still have my awesome Hummer, the last of her kind. So, I really cannot complain.  I just need to accept the fact that I am now too old for those micro-mini skirts, hot college boys, and pink glitter lipstick. LOL! Maybe only allowed on Halloween now....Just maybe!    Oh, and Josh Holloway is 42, so if I can find some men MY AGE such as him, then I may not miss those hot college boys so much. ;)

May Sun + Va. Wine Country + 951 feet = Good Times!!

This past weekend, I checked out a relatively new winery in beautiful Virginia countryside, just an hour's drive outside of DC, called Bluemont Vineyard....and may I just say that the view was definitely worth the gorgeous drive. 

 

 It is  at an elevation of 951 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a 50 mile view .  On a clear day, you can even see the top of the Washington Monument! 

Each of their wines are named after farm animals, which I thought was cute, and because they have a working farm at the foot of the mountain.  Their wines were quite tasty. 

Looks like the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine....don'tcha think?

 

If you find yourself wandering in Northern Virginia's wine country, it would be a shame not to add Bluemont Vineyard to your trip.  I'm going back to try their dessert wines when they start bottling in June...especially their blackberry wine.  Mmm yummy!!

Let Me Introduce.....

My newest nephew, Gabriel "Gabe" David Esposito.  Isn't he just the cutest?!? :)  Born 4/23/10 as I was flying out to Florida for work....so I had to wait several days to meet him.  I took this pic the day he and I finally got introduced.  Multiple photos and videos to follow. ;)

One of Life's Precious Moments

My beautiful Dalmatian girl, Odysey, passed away yesterday after blessing my life for 13 years.  I was able to be home, holding her when she died, and lucky enough to capture this photo of Liberty, my other Dal, telling her sister goodbye.  It was a very special moment that I will never forget.  I love you, Odysey...always.  I know you feel no more pain, but know that Liberty and I feel the loss of you.

Odysey...April 12, 2010

FINALLY! Spring is here!!

Spring has arrived to my little neck of the woods.  Thank the Lord!!  I made it!!  The winter almost consumed me.

Drug Addict....Binge-Drinker....and Now, Ego-Maniac. She is a Triple Threat!

 So I read that Lohan is suing E*trade for their cute commercial that was aired during the Super Bowl, claiming that the "milkaholic Lindsey" mentioned was clearly referring to her.  I have to laugh at this for two reasons.... ONE, that Lohan actually thinks her celebrity status is equal to the likes of  Cher, Madonna, Bono....and TWO, that Lohan knows that she is such a binge-drinking lush that she has no doubts that the commercial is referring to her because come on, who else could it be?  LOL!   Anyone with eyes can see that that cute little baby girl, in no way, represents Lohan.  I know we only see her for a few brief seconds at the end of the commercial, but it is clear that that baby is well-nourished (meaning she eats food and not pills),sober (that's a big one), AND exhibits more acting talent in the one small phrase spoken.  No similarities to Lohan, whatsoever.  Oh, LiLo, you should have stopped at Parent Trap.  I actually think the commercial is hilarious, even before reading this, and not even more so.  So...in case you haven't seen, ENJOY.




Link to the article:
Lindsay Lohan Sues E-Trade for $100 Million Over Super Bowl Commercial - DailyFinance

'Tis a Sad, Sad Day...

As a diehard fan, I mourn. :)

GM Kills Hummer

Deal With Chinese Company Falls Through

Posted: Feb, 24 2010

Do I hear dualing Lutes?

The NEW King Tut

A very interesting article today on AOL News

webpage regarding new DNA findings for King Tutankhamum who died over 3000 years ago.  Here are some excerpts from that article.

(article found on AOL News, Feb 16, 2010)

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  Flight Turbulence

  Plane Passenger 'Took a Swing' at Romney
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  Lawsuit a Go

  Judge: Facebook Page Is Protected by Free Speech
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  'Normal Professor'

  Husband: Ala. Professor Went to Shooting Range
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  Biographies

  Is Steve Jobs Finally Ready for His Close-Up?

DNA Detective Work Sheds Light on King Tut's Life, Death

Katie Drummond Contributor

(Feb. 16) --" The most famous of all pharaohs was a frail and sickly king who walked with a cane and suffered from a painful bone disease and a club foot. But it may have been a severe case of malaria that finally killed him, according to groundbreaking new genetic analysis."

"A team of researchers from Egypt, Germany and Italy also developed a definitive family tree for King Tutankhamun, including the identity of his father and grandparents and the two still-born fetuses found in his tomb. The genealogy also confirms that Tut's family was largely the product of in-breeding."

"Tutankhamun was only 19 when he died, circa 1324 BC, after a nine-year reign over Egypt's New Kingdom. His death marked the end of his family's 200-year rule, which was then replaced by a military regime."

"King Tut may have ultimately died of malaria, according to a new genetic analysis."

"The DNA tests determined that King Tut had a clubbed left foot and no use of his right foot, because he suffered from a lack of blood flow that leads to collapsed bones (avascular necrosis). Those ailments explain why 130 wooden sticks and staffs were found in his tomb."

The conditions would have weakened his body and immune system, but they wouldn't have been enough to kill him. Rather, the team suspects that Tut sustained a fall -- which explains the head trauma and broken leg discovered in a 1968 X-ray -- and succumbed to a serious malarial infection.

"Everybody knows the golden mask, but his was not an easy, glamorous life."

"Until the latest tests were performed, the king's lineage also was widely disputed. These tests confirm that his father was Akhenaten, a revolutionary pharaoh known for introducing monotheistic religion. Tut's mother, whom many speculate was Queen Nefertiti, remains unidentified -- still known as Mummy KV35YL."

"DNA analysis has yet to identify KV35YL but did conclude that the unnamed mummy is the sister of Akhenaten, as well as his mating partner."

"Some also speculated that Queen Tiye, a wife of Akhenaten whose body was also embalmed alongside Tut's, was the young pharaoh's mother. In fact, the tests revealed, she was his grandmother."

"The two still-born bodies in Tut's tomb, once thought to have been his half-siblings, have been identified as his children."

"...a long history of in-breeding might be responsible for the premature deaths of Tut's offspring."

"In-breeding in successive generations reduces genetic fitness. This would also explain many of Tut's own physical ailments, which might be caused by the sibling relationship between his mother and father."

"Knowing the secrets of King Tut's life, lineage and death lends a new perspective to royal life in Ancient Egypt,.....'Not very royal, is it?' "

My thoughts on the call for more snow this week....

Snowpocalypse!

This is just plain silly....Who needs this much snow?  Seriously?

Fortuitous Photo-Op Part 5

 

SQUIRREL!!

Great! What's Next? No Stripper Heels while Touring the Monuments?!?

(article found on change.org)

Don't Carry Condoms in D.C. -- You Could Be Charged With Prostitution

by Alex DiBranco

category: Sex Work

Published January 07, 2010 @ 08:42AM PT

UPDATE: Thanks to commenter Larry Roberts for pointing out that this is a problem in San Francisco, too. Turns out, New York City is also guilty. Stay tuned: another post and action updates to come!
Think you might get lucky tonight? Well, if you're in D.C., don't bring more than two condoms in your purse, or you could be arrested as a prostitute.
In D.C., police can declare "Prostitution Free Zones" where officers can pick up (I mean, arrest) anyone suspected of sex work. And they've been accused of using carrying three or more condoms as proof of intent to sell sex -- rather than intent to spend the weekend getting jiggy with a guy.
But as RH Reality Check points out, the real danger of this law falls to people who actually are sex workers. It pushes them to abandon safe sex techniques, putting their own health at risk as well as that of the general population. Add to this the fear of arrest or harassment that keeps sex workers from seeking health care, and you have a recipe for disaster. Everybody should know by now that the nation's capital has a rampant problem with HIV/AIDS; this backwards law contributes to its spread (at three times the rate that characterizes a severe epidemic). It's not like you can expect the johns to bring their own rubbers.
This law prioritizes making commercial areas look clean and pretty lady-free, not protecting the public's health. But the root of the problem isn't this one law: it's the criminalization of sex work. If you want to criminalize something, stick to pimping -- after all, many of these women have been trafficked unwillingly and subjected to violence. If they weren't so afraid of being arrested for stepping forward to condemn their pimps, we'd have a better chance of finding the true criminals in this situation.

2010!!! Lookin Good, So Far.

A gorgeous sunset over Leesburg, Virginia, 1/2/2010.

Wishing everyone the merriest of new years!