Landscape of Virginia

The night is cold, as many are aware of it's power to end life. The people remain in tonight. It puts me in the mood to reflect upon a bike rider I saw today. She was battling up a hill full steam and I know it was hard for her because I've ridden up that same hill years ago in the cold cold daylight with little to keep me company but my own thoughts and the chill of the air upon my exposed cheeks. I felt good for her, because I knew she was feeling very free and good bringing herself up that hill however slowly she was smiling because of her efforts of the climb. I know we need to improve our cities for such people who no matter what the conditions will brave the streets to ride instead of sit passively behind the wheel as I was this morning while watching her in my car. Here's to Her...may more join her, maybe me someday.

  It was with great joy that I spent my Thanksgiving with an old college friend and his now wife, and children by marriage...what a joy it was to be with them all. We ate well which goes without saying, but we also enjoyed some conversation that enlivened my memories of my past living in Philadelphia with him and others. We rehashed old times and it was fun. The two of us were able to bring up people and places which otherwise had escaped my memory when alone. The stay up in the West Va. mountains was especially good since they often recieve the weather we get a week or so later. Temperture wise, we are right in synic this way even today. But these folks pictured here are truly champions in my life and it was an honor to spend this Holiday with them all. The new bread actually put me to shame on the ping-pong table so there is room for more to come at another time.