September 2013 – Leah Wise

a good morning

September 28, 2013September 28, 2013Posted in DIYTagged almond milk, coffee, graphic, honey in coffee, morning, typography3 Comments

surprises

September 27, 2013September 27, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged after hours, almond pave, birthday, charlottesville, downtown mall, friends, life photography, paradox pastry, pizza, surprise party, virginia, vita nova1 Comment

We threw a surprise birthday party for my boss on Wednesday. My coworkers and I gathered at a pizza place on the Downtown Mall while we waited for her daughter to find a reason to get her out of the coffee shop. Once they passed, we scampered to the shop to set up. We ate delicious pizza from Vita Nova and had Almond Pave from Paradox Pastry (delicious and gluten free!) for dessert.

She didn’t suspect a thing. She insisted I take my picture with some birthday balloons since my birthday was yesterday. I love the coffee shop staff, so it’s always great to hang out after hours.

*Photos were kept to a minimum in this post to respect the privacy of friends and family. But there are lots of great ones!

prayer

September 24, 2013September 25, 2013Posted in thoughtsTagged christian poetry, contemplation, meaning, meditation, original poem, poem, poetry, pray without ceasing, spiritualityLeave a comment

A smile between strangers.
Watching the robin hunt
for insects,
folding three loads of laundry, dropping
boiling water
into the teapot.

Writing in your journal, listening
to your spouse, sharing:
a meal, a ride,
Your load.

A cool breeze that cuts
through humid air.
The clack of boots
on asphalt. Going,
and leaving.
Habit and impulse.

Pray without ceasing –
Let this journey be
Your Prayer.

contented senses

September 11, 2013September 25, 2013Posted in thoughtsTagged contentment, original poem, poem, poetry, senses1 Comment

Contentment looks like
a sleeping mouse and
an old oak tree
Contentment
feels like
a knit wool blanket
in grass green sprawled
out on your
unmade bed.
Contentment tastes like
mashed potatoes
and buttered
whole grain toast
Contentment sounds
like crickets
and summer rain
Contentment smells
like a warm
cup of earl gray
at 4 or 4:15.

old charlottesville

September 4, 2013September 4, 2013Posted in life in photos, UncategorizedTagged belmont, black and white photos, charlottesville photography, john shepherd, lifestyle photography, nostalgia, old photos, photography, street photography, vintage photography, west main street3 Comments

John Shepherd is a Charlottesville local who focused his early photography efforts on “people on the street.” These 1970s film photographs of downtown Charlottesville fascinate me because they’re simultaneously familiar and foreign.

Where could you get a huge wig dyed all colors of the rainbow? Try the Love Wig first. That’s Batten’s Auto Parts on the left, now a consignment shop.

I don’t know who are at the counter but that’s Pearl behind the cash register. I gave her a copy of this when she retired.

Click the image to be redirected to the etsy listing. All images used with permission from the photographer.

staunton

September 2, 2013September 2, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged birthday, blue ridge mountains, cold front, day trip, mountain town, staunton, virginia photographyLeave a comment

We took a day trip to Staunton on Daniel’s birthday a few weeks ago. It’s a scenic 40 minute drive through the mountains. The cold front that weekend let a bit of fall seep in prematurely. We perused antique malls, drank iced coffees, and stopped in at Cracker Barrel for birthday dinner.