Leah – Page 6 – Leah Wise

back home again

November 13, 2013November 13, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged friendship, growing up, lakeland, officiate, reflecting, reunion, virginia, wedding1 Comment

Daniel’s friends asked him to officiate their wedding in Lakeland last weekend, so we flew down to Florida for the first time in a long time (in fact, Daniel hadn’t been back since we moved over a year ago). It was a weekend of reunions and reminiscences.

Though most of the people we hung out with are Daniel’s friends and family, I did get the chance to see my friend, Amanda, in Orlando for an hour or so.

Seeing old friends is a great reminder of the progress we’ve made. We think our lives are boring until we’re forced to summarize them to people who no longer experience our routines firsthand, alongside us. Everything is reanimated. We defend, reflect, reconsider. We begin to see ourselves as the protagonist in a grand narrative like we did when we were young and dreaming. We see each other through new eyes. We see we’ve grown up.

As we drove along the wide Florida roads, I realized that Virginia really feels like home, maybe more than Florida ever did. I am swaddled in the mountains, set at ease by this community. Life is richer here.

All I need now is for my Florida friends to move to Virginia. That would be heaven.

hiking at Shenandoah

November 4, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged adventure, appalachian trail, blue ridge mountains, christianity, fall photography, hike, landscape photography, outdoor, shenandoah national park photos1 Comment

I went on a 5 mile hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail that runs through Shenandoah National Park with friends from church on Saturday. It’s one of the best things I’ve done all year. We stopped at overlooks along the way to rest and read some Psalms, and on the last stop we shared in the Eucharist. One of the girls said that the hike felt like a prayer. I agree. Thank God for this place.

I-64 lookouts

October 30, 2013October 30, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged 64 scenic lookouts, blue ridge mountains, charlottesville, fall, landscape photography, photography, valley, virginia, waynesboro1 Comment

I-64 boasts 2 lookouts between Waynesboro and Charlottesville. Since it’s a divided highway they’re only accessible going east from Waynesboro, so I have to wait until I have reason to head out that way to take in the view. This week I remembered to bring my camera along on a thrifting excursion, so I stopped at both lookouts on my way back home.

What a lovely fall day!

I asked the Century Link man who was stopped with me to take my photo. Thanks, Century Link man!

It’s days like these that make me fall in love with Virginia all over again. I’m lucky to live here.

Click on any image to see an enlarged version.

carter mountain orchard ’13

October 28, 2013October 28, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged apple orchard, blue ridge mountains, carter mountain orchard, charlottesville, charlottesville panoramic, orchard, photography2 Comments

Today is a beautiful day! High 60s, sunlight streaming through fall leaves, a light breeze. Since I work early on Mondays, I was free to take a quick trip up to Carter Mountain this afternoon. You may recall that I first visited last year with Daniel and my friend, Andrea, at the end of the season.

Most of the orchard is ripe for picking now, so lots of people were lazily meandering through the orchards with grab bags in hand. I didn’t need more apples, so I just went straight for the trails that looked most appealing, taking pictures along the way. The air smelled like apple cider vinegar thanks to all the abandoned, rotting apples scattered throughout. I watched workers load up trucks full of fruit and bees scramble to consume a fallen apple before heading back to buy some apple cider.

monthly goals: october

October 22, 2013October 22, 2013Posted in thoughtsTagged fall goals, focus, inspiration, list, manic, monthly goals, october, orchard, skyline drive2 Comments

I’ve been manic for the past few days. I have this sudden urge to do, make, complete. But it feels unhealthy, because I’m never satisfied and I’m always on edge. Perhaps starting up a Monthly Goals post series will redirect my activity to something a bit more satisfying.

October Goals:

List items for Platinum & Rust every week.
Go to Carter Mountain Orchard.
Visit Skyline Drive and take lots of photos.
Find a nice candle and burn it often.
Finish painting bookshelves and get the library back in order.
Watch Hocus Pocus while eating homemade popcorn.
Cut my bangs.

What are your goals this month?

fall break

October 16, 2013October 16, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged autumn, blue ridge mountains, fall break, fall foliage, fall photography, mild climate, virginia, waynesboro1 Comment

Daniel’s fall break ended today. Though he spent many hours doing schoolwork, we still got the chance to unwind a bit, taking a trip to the Fall Foliage Art Festival in Waynesboro on Saturday, going on a quiet walk yesterday evening, and eating at a couple local restaurants.

The skies are bright again and the weather is mild. Judging by today’s crowds at the coffee shop and on the Mall, Charlottesvillians have fall fever. I’m looking forward to every tree adorned in fiery autumn hues (the street photo above was taken in mountainous Waynesboro; Charlottesville hasn’t fully embraced fall yet). I’m crossing my fingers that Shenandoah National Park will open again soon so I can take in the view on Skyline Drive.

take a walk

October 5, 2013October 5, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged albino deer, bee gif, charlottesville, fall, fall leaves, insect photography, landscape, mountain view, nature photography, virginia, white deer, wildflowers5 Comments

Last Sunday, I took a walk right before golden hour hoping that I’d spot the mystical white deer that roams our neighborhood. I didn’t then – though we spotted it grazing in our yard last night at around 9:40! – but I did spot a patch of wildflowers pouring out from a neighbor’s yard into the sidewalk. It was full of bees and flies and late afternoon sunlight. I love this quaint little neighborhood with a mountain view and mature trees.

october is fair trade month

October 3, 2013Posted in newsTagged artisan, conscientious consumerism, ethical living, fair trade, fair trade month graphic, human rights, localLeave a comment

October is Fair Trade Month. It’s the perfect opportunity to encourage fair trade in your life and the lives of others. Buy yourself some fair trade chocolate. Buy your friend a fair trade scarf. Read up on fair trade and the companies who support it. Boycott companies with a history of human rights violations. Buy from local, small scale farmers and artisans.

Do your part to make the world a little bit better. For everyone.

For more resources, check out Style Wise‘s Retailers and Resources tab. And don’t be afraid to Google what you want to know.

*The links above are examples of retailers and resources that can help you shop more ethically and sustainably. Don’t worry, none of the links are affiliate links.

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.