charlottesville – Page 3

snow day

March 7, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged canon eos rebel xs, charlottesville, charlottesville snow storm, end of winter, leah wise, photography, shallow dof, snow day, snow fall, virginia, winter wonderland1 Comment

We got at least 8 inches of snow yesterday in Charlottesville. The snow day would have been fun, I’m sure, if we hadn’t lost power for over 11 hours. According to The Daily Progress, 40,000 people lost power in the city and county alone.

I opted to photograph the meteorological events from inside my rapidly cooling house rather than risk opening the door and letting our lifeline of remaining heat out.

Daniel and I spent most of the day huddled inside our small library with three candles and our own body heat to keep us warm. I read, made a style collage from magazines, drank some lukewarm tea, and called my parents for entertainment while Daniel graded papers and revisited his wildlife books.

We were relieved when the power came back on at around 6:45, just after sunset. Since we don’t have family nearby, I’m not sure how we would have coped with the cold overnight.

The city quickly plowed roads and put down salt and I was able to go back to work today. I was too anxious to enjoy the snowfall yesterday, but I am greatly amused by the aftermath: snow-filled truck beds, white mountains in parking lots, slushy rivers trickling down sloped streets, and people rewarding themselves for surviving with large mochas and croissants.

snow day

January 24, 2013January 24, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged berries, blue ridge mountains, canon eos rebel xs, canon zoom lens, charlottesville, cold, landscape, ll bean boots, photography, snow, virginia, walk, winter2 Comments

Every morning I open the bedroom curtain just a bit to let more light in to do my makeup. This morning, I looked out and exclaimed, Oh my gosh!, waking up Daniel on accident. A blanket of snow covered every horizontal surface, including my car. They predict another snowfall this evening. Tomorrow may be my lucky day for capturing snow in action!

end of isolation

January 13, 2013Posted in thoughtsTagged beetle, charlottesville, fast, free photo session, goals, introspection, isolation, life, loneliness, paper lantern, photography, potluck, resolutions, winter breakLeave a comment

For the past two weeks it’s just been Daniel and me. And it’s nice to spend time together – to work and read and relax in the same room for hours on end – but almost everyone else left town and you kind of feel like you’re holed up in a room the size of Charlottesville with nothing to do and only your second half to talk to (which may really just be yourself).

Last night we broke the fast from socialization with a potluck dinner. I sat on a couch squished between two people, leaning forward to take in the conversation, and felt grateful – and lucky – to be a small part of such an interesting, dynamic, funny, and thoughtful group. The isolation was worth it for the chance to realize that.

That being said, the past few weeks have helped me think through and intensify my goals:

I’m eating (a little bit) healthier, eating in more, and saving money.
I’m taking more walks.
I’m considering delving back into the world of portrait photography (I’m offering free photo sessions in the Charlottesville area).
The advertisements I put out for my store are slowly but surely bringing in new customers and I’m staying on top of bookkeeping.
My fair trade blog venture is bringing me great satisfaction.
I’m in the process of working with Fair Trade Towns USA to approve the city of Charlottesville for their Fair Trade directory.

How do you work through periods of isolation? How are you achieving your short and long term goals?

walks

January 11, 2013January 11, 2013Posted in thoughtsTagged charlottesville, field, flower, landscape, meditation, nature, photography, telephone wire, virginia, walk, walking, winter3 Comments

It seems we’re addicted to walks, at least during this curiously warm week in the quiet days before regular life demands our attention again.

On Monday, I went for a walk by myself to clear my head, twisting and turning through residential roads. There’s been some drama – and some loss – in my circle of friends and I let it get to me. But walking is meditation. You go and you go on your own two feet. You’re tired but you keep moving. You’re farther away than you ever intended to be, but you have the stamina to press on. To compel yourself forward even when your legs grow tired and the sun glares into your eyes as it sets. Walking is uncomplicated, but not necessarily easy. I think that’s the best way to live.

by the creek at golden hour

January 7, 2013Posted in life in photosTagged 50mm lens, adventure, charlottesville, creek, golden hour, nature, outdoor, park, photography, virginia3 Comments

When our original plans of visiting a nearby park were dashed, we simply ventured over to another one. It wasn’t much for looks until the sun started pooling at that magic golden hour angle in the sky. Daniel found a beaten down pathway across the creek and we had a brief but satisfying outdoor adventure.

it’s beginning

December 24, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged 2012, charlottesville, christmas, christmas eve, first snow, gifts, ornaments, photography, snowfall, tree, virginia1 Comment

– to look a lot like Christmas!

backyard

December 18, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged backyard, canon eos rebel xs, charlottesville, fall, landscape, macro, nature, photography, shallow dof, virginia, winter4 Comments

I haven’t been able to get out much lately. Between being poor, the weather looking like the above every other day, and Daniel being bogged down with schoolwork, we’ve been hesitant to get out there and enjoy the Virginia landscape. But I’m pleased to tell you that even our meager, rented backyard holds treasures: a pebble-encrusted walkway, a rotting pumpkin, mangled vines, and a bit of yellow in the neighbor’s yard.

month in review: 11/2012

December 1, 2012Posted in UncategorizedTagged charlottesville, christmas, luray caverns, monthly summary, moving, saunders-monticello trail, shenandoah valley, thanksgiving, woodstock, workLeave a comment

November is difficult to summarize because I can barely remember what happened before Thanksgiving. I think I’m finally at the point where calling these posts, ” …months in C-Ville,” is unnecessary; I no longer think of my life here in terms of my moving date, which is a sign it really feels like home.

Thanksgiving table, sans Turkey

Last month, I:

toured Luray Caverns and Woodstock, VA with Daniel and his dad
found a limited edition, made in Israel, art print for .50 at Circa
went on an invigorating walk on the Saunders-Monticello Trail with two new friends
had to wear a jacket every single day
thrifted a ton of vintage (and a few things for myself)
drove to Richmond twice in one week to pick up and return my sister to her Florida carpool
took my car into the shop twice
watched Waitress and sipped hot chocolate with a friend
promoted Water Lily Thrift‘s first annual Black Friday sale
edited a product information email for my boss
got another raise at work
finished ballet classes for the season
wrote an article
got halfway through The Autobiography of Malcolm X
visited Carter Mountain with Daniel and my visiting friend, Andrea
spent Thanksgiving week with two friends and my sister (who also happens to be my friend)
hosted Thanksgiving
attended the Tree Lighting ceremony downtown
bought lots of Christmas gifts
hosted a church mini-potluck (where everyone brought dessert!)
bought my first real Christmas tree
began an ornament collection
tinkered with the blog layout

I’m so glad I sit down to make these lists. Without them, I wouldn’t realize how much I actually do and accomplish each month. It looks like we had quite an adventure after all! Guests, parties, outdoor trails, holidays. We’re regular Charlottesvillians, it seems – all settled in and welcoming people into our home.

December is here. It’ll be an exciting month.

end of season

November 25, 2012November 26, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged apple, apple picking, blue ridge mountains, carter mountain, charlottesville, fall, friends, hike, orchard, photography, virginia, winter2 Comments

We’ve heard a lot about Carter Mountain during the last few months. The orchard opens to tourists when apples are ripe for harvesting in the early fall. Most apples have been picked by this time of year, but we thought we’d take the trip anyway (it’s only 10 minutes away from our house) since Andrea was in town.

The view was more extraordinary than I expected so close to home and we all had a lovely time walking through the orchard (but the hike back up to the parking lot was torturous). We collectively picked one apple as a souvenir. I still haven’t eaten it. It’s probably going bad!

tree lighting

November 24, 2012November 24, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged black friday, charlottesville, christmas, downtown, downtown mall, dusk, fall, holiday, photos, season, tree lighting3 Comments

We headed downtown with my sister yesterday evening to witness the annual downtown Christmas Tree Lighting. Since we arrived early, we stopped by the coffee shop to say hello and pick up an iced mocha and mini muffins.

The tree lighting was a bit anticlimactic, but the weather was mild (though a cold front blew in swiftly last night) and the sky was teal after the sun set. After the tree was lit, we got some dinner at The Whiskey Jar, then shopped around before heading home.

I didn’t manage to get a single clear picture of the lit tree, so the above will have to suffice.

Today is my sister’s last full day in town. We plan to buy a tree and make the house festive this evening. Christmas has been a letdown for me the past couple of years. I really want to invest time and energy in the season this year – I want to do things the right way and be thankful and warm and content.

frankenstorm

October 29, 2012October 29, 2012Posted in thoughtsTagged blizzard, charlottesville, frankenstorm, hunkering down, hurricane, sandy, virginia1 Comment

Charlottesville is too far inland and too far south to get the worst of Frankenstorm, but we are currently under high wind and blizzard warnings (heavy snowfall is predicted only for altitudes above 2,000 feet, however, so we’ll likely be fine within city limits). Our neighbor’s parents, who live in the DC area, have been evacuated and are on their way here.

This is what it looks like outside right now.

I met about five Floridians in the span of 30 minutes at the coffee shop this morning. It’s my guess that they’re more willing to brave the storm than most natives. We’re not underestimating the effects of the storm in the Wise household, though. We’ve got canned goods and candles and a bucket full of water on hand in case of a power outage. Daniel’s currently making Rosemary Shortbread cookies, as well. Our pet mice are lucky to be snuggled in warm, grassy beds within their terrariums instead of out braving the cold, windy, wet weather.

Praying for those who will get the worst of the storm.

some days

October 24, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged charlottesville, confederate, fall, history, indian summer, library, monuments, springsteen, statues, sunset2 Comments

Some days are so lovely you’re nearly brought to tears with happiness.

Yesterday was perfect. I went downtown early to avoid possible parking annoyances due to the free Bruce Springsteen concert. I had planned to read on a bench somewhere along the Downtown Mall, but as I walked along its stretch I remembered that there was a whole expanse of unexplored historical territory about a block over: parks, buildings built in the early 1800s, the old courthouse, and several imposing statues. I rambled up the hill into the cobblestone square and found a little park with a Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson statue and several inviting benches (isn’t it just so wonderful that we honor Confederate soldiers? hint: no).

Pardon me if the rest of my writing becomes incoherent. I’m trying to think past the hulkish rage-crying of the four year old in the apartment upstairs.

The weather warmed to a balmy 80 degrees by yesterday afternoon, but it was mild in the shade of fall-colored trees. I took a few pictures of the orange and red leaves to send to my loved ones in Florida. I began reading Half the Church on my kindle and when that became too overwhelming (it deals with incredibly weighty issues), I went over to the library to get a library card. I haven’t had one since high school, so it brought back all the joyful expectation the library held for me then.

The work day was satisfying – we got through the after-concert rush without any major hiccups. When I work the afternoon shift, I get to see the sun set on the way to my car. It’s always beautiful; I never get tired of looking up. As dusk settled in, the sky was streaked in turquoise and orange. So many days here are like this, I’m sure, but I hardly make the time to appreciate it.

Can you believe I get to see this every day?

autumn light

October 12, 2012October 12, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged autumn, charlottesville, fall, flowers, golden hour, leaves, light, neighborhood, photography, sunset, virginia4 Comments

I took a short walk yesterday evening to enjoy the crisp air and setting sun. I felt a bit crazy walking more after being on my feet all morning and having to hike back to my car by the least efficient route due to the Dalai Lama’s visit, but I’m glad I got out for a bit. The sun sets earlier each day, but the clarity and warmth it provides during daylight hours at this time of year make up for it.

The leaves are beginning to change their colors and fall to the earth, but many thriving green leaves remain. I plucked some from their branches to use as stamps for a small craft project.

two months in C-ville

October 1, 2012November 1, 2012Posted in thoughtsTagged barista, birthday, camera, charlottesville, etsy, interior design, isle of man, life, month, monthly summary, september, staunton, updateLeave a comment

I think I’ll continue the monthly update in this fashion for 6 months. At that point, I may wrap up each month by its name rather than by how long I’ve lived in Charlottesville. To see my one month post, click here.

Daniel and I by a wildflower field

This month, I (and sometimes Daniel):

updated my license and registration. It was surprisingly easy – I got it done in one afternoon!
actually started calling people my friends, to their faces
hung out on several occasions with some wonderful people
started ballet classes
unpacked and organized (almost) everything
made 4 curtains
bought a new mouse; we named her Chantico after the Aztec goddess of “fires in the family hearth.” Yes, we are beginning to realize we are pet rodent hoarders.
finished the layout and design of the dining room and craft room
hung up all of our artwork
made a connection with a local vintage shop owner
sold lots of great vintage on etsy and eBay
joined the church choir and learned how to chant the Psalms
ate at a delicious local pastry restaurant (3 times so far!)
bought a delightful vintage tea towel
“celebrated” my 24th birthday
received a twin lens reflex camera, boots, a candle, various Bakelite pieces, and more cat coins from the Isle of Man (there’s one for every year of my life)
ate at Red Lobster with my grandparents’ gift card (thanks, guys)
visited Waynesboro and Staunton
got significantly better at making lattes
took and edited photos for my workplace’s website

This month went by incredibly quickly. I’m in disbelief that it’s October already. Things have begun to take on a consistent rhythm, which is nice and makes here feel more like home. I was struck with a small existential crisis last week, however, lamenting over the fact that being an adult is often harder than it is easy, often more annoying than it is enjoyable. There are, of course, many enjoyable moments that take place throughout each day, especially working as a barista and coming in contact with so many sorts of people. But I feel like the last several years have consisted largely of missing my childhood, of envying youth and ignorance. I’m glad to be able to think critically, be aware, and join in the conversation, but it’s mentally taxing and emotionally draining. There is so much to know, to take in, to come to terms with, to change – and we either have to do something about it or waste away. It’s a burden we have to bear if we plan on being responsible, useful adults.