Virginia Breeze

Day, like a weary pilgrim, had reached the western gate of heaven, and Evening stooped down to unloose the latchets of his sandal shoon.  ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Hyperion

I went down to the river late last week just before dark and took some photos.  Nothing spectacular was happening. But that’s good because it helps me become a better photographer.  I need to squeeze a photo out of the environment in order to progress.

And so we have these photos.  How would you grade them?  I like the way the water looks.  It almost looks like “noise” but it’s not.  It’s stuff on the river and the fading light is reflecting it up to the lens.

Today is a rainy day here in Virginia.  The dog is barking outside the window.  And my legs are starting to act up.  I probably should go outside and do something as the sun tries to make a late comeback.

I don’t know what I will decide to do.  But it’s nice to have options.  Even if you feel unmotivated to do anything.

We had a pretty nice time yesterday at Colonial Downs and now that I have had some sleep it is all coming into better focus.  Horse racing is pretty exciting.  One of the horses decided to jump a fence over in the back forty during a race.  His unfortunate rider was resting on the turf and looking up at the sky in short order.

Oh well.  Another day.  Another doctor.

Fortunately I was having a better day than this young man.  These horse are beautiful and make exciting targets for photo seekers.   So there will probably be lots of photos of stallions around here for some time.

It really is be a battle between horse and man from time to time as these photos demonstrate.  This beautiful horse didn’t want to walk in a circle and the guy leading him has his elbow in his neck while he is pulling the rope attached to his mouth with his other arm.  I’m cheering for the horse. Who do you think is stronger?  It’s really no contest except that one has an unfair advantage.

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And over in the winner’s area another horse who had won his race was freaking out about something. Who knows what goes through their minds?  But walking them a little bit tends to calm them down.  He was alright in just a minute or two.

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And people, of course, have  dispositions that they bring to these engagements.  If I was a great big, fast, impressive stallion (we can all dream) this would be the guy I would want handling me.

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He actually posed the horse so I could take his photo.  If I was a photographer this would be the guy I would want handling the horse  too.

So we all agree.  This is the number one guy.

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And this is the number one Hooters girl.  There were a lot of them around the track doing their thing.  But this is the only one who inspired me to ask for a photo.  Can you see Beth in the background trying to run fast  to get out of the shot?  Probably not.

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I have heard from Ron Dubin, Bernie Kaspers and Robin Easton today.  All three lifted my heart and made me appreciate what blogging has done for my mind and my soul this past year.  These are real friends who I have never met and probably never will meet.  (Except that Ron and I are going to go see the Nationals play in DC someday).

Each one  of them means more to me than thousands of readers who just pass by and are recorded in the stats.  I am not saying they are not important too.  But on a day when Google tried to screw me up these three  helped a lot just by being who they are.

You know what I am saying.  Here is something from an email Robin wrote.  I don’t think she will mind if I post it because she is planning to use it herself in a post.  This is just a small part.  I went into some kind of  hypnotic state when I was reading it.  It is so cool.

“Also remember that even if 100 million people drink and drink a LOT, surprisingly it still doesn’t mean it’s healthy.  Or not killing people.  LOL  X million people smoke cigarettes EVERY day, some all day long, but that doesn’t mean it’s not killing people left right and center….and yet as a species we still do it.  I invite you back into LIFE; you deserve LIFE.  We all do. I invite you to be FULLY David. You are an amazingly talented writer…EXCELLENT….you are an incredible photographer…BEAUTIFUL art.  You have years and years of your life in front of you.  If you are 60, which I think you said you are….then you are only 6 years older than me.  You have, if you want it, a whole new adventure in front of you.  Reach out and grab it. I invite you to explore life and LIVE the dreams in your heart….that your heart is begging you to live.”

_Robin Easton

http://nakedineden.com/

Being physically healthy is going to be so cool.

Here is something for my three blogging buddies.  I hope they enjoy it.  It’s a romantic song and that may not seem entirely appropriate but it’s also a song about universal love and understanding.

And it’s also very beautiful.  Like so many of the things they do.

Yes I know
My love, that you and i
Are together briefly
For just a few moments
In silence
As we look out of our windows
And listen
To the sky
And to a world
Thats awakening
And the night is already far away
Already, far away

Look at this world
Spinning with us
Even in the dark
Look at this world
Spinning for us
Giving us hope and some
Sun, sun sun

My love, you are you my love
I hear your voice,
And I listen to the sea.
It sounds just like your breathing
And all the love you want to give me
This love
That is there, hidden
Hidden among the waves
All the waves in the world
Just like a boat that….

Look at this world
Spinning with us
Even in the dark
Look at this world
Spinning for us
Giving us hope,
And some sun, sun, sun,
Some sun, sun, sun.

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AsianTiger01you really hit it out of the ball park when you created this video.  And Andrea you are a god among men.

When I listen to this right before the chorus my soul tries to burst free.   It’s a great song.

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