Take me home country road..

It's not very often I eat out for lunch so was disappointed to get back to my office and open up my fodder from King Poilo and find out that I'd got a lot of skanky old soggy brown beans mixed in with the fresher green ones. Shan't be going back there for a while...

Beautiful snowy scenery on the way to work, and it was all gone by the afternoon.

A great little restaurant, the Rail Stop, in the next village from me. Sometimes visited by neighbor, Robert Duvall.

The cutest little paw paws ever. Kota posing for me.

Feb 18th - didn't publish...

Trying out an 8mm video camera at a store in Winchester.

Rob and I met a very interesting gentleman while lunching at a local diner. He was carrying a 22 pistol and kept us captivated with his experiences with many high powered and political people. He used to pilot a UH-1B Huey, same as shown here with the same nose emblem. He is a very cool dude and at 79 years young emits more energy and lucidity than I've seen in many 20 year olds. We're keeping in touch with him as he can definitely teach us a few things, and because he's just one of those people you rarely meet who leaves a deep impression. 

Kota Kat and Rosie Lee savoring the fresh air on their first day out since the snow started.

The last of the snow on the way home through Middleburg. It will likely be all gone this time tomorrow.

This caught my eye in the gift shop at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing where they print all our bank notes. I didn't buy one but may try to work out how it's folded.
We weren't allowed to take photos during the tour but at one point while watching the production line, I commented on how casually the staff treated the sheets of money as though they were just regular paper. As though on cue one of the staff picked up a wad of sheets, loosely folded them and then proceeded to fan himself as though he were hot. We rolled up laughing.

Made my first ever soup, beetroot, and it was delicious. This will be the first soup of many that I'll be making now I have my new hand blender.

At the Library of Congress this morning. This is the Reading Room which is only open to photographers twice a year. The place was stunning.

We went to Naked Mountain Winery to have their famous lasagne and wine lunch. A huge slab of stodge with a very orange tomato sauce. This photo isn't edited in any way. I won't go back for the lasagne but I'll always return for their Raptor Red.

Had a tour around the National Cryptologic Museum. Really cool place.

The tractor plough managed to scrape off a lot of snow but I still had 5" and deeper to shovel. Took me and another neighbor with his tractor to clear the whole hill. I think I shoveled a good 100 yds. Shoulders and forearms are feeling it. And more bloody snow to fall tonight...

Its now dual and the snow is still falling. We had over 15" and a John Deere came to plow but now the road is totally covered again. I'm going to be stuck here forever...

Marshall is really busy preparing for the storm. Everyone rushing about stockpiling. I made it home about 30 minutes before the snow started, and we're expecting about 12"

Kota flatly refusing to get in the box, knowing full well I wanted to be able to say that the cat trap worked. Not sure whether to label him clever or pig headed.

Just traveled nearly 60 miles to a camera club and not finding it very friendly so far, nor am I learning anything. May leave early...

The old theater on Main Street in Marshall. 

Enjoying a beer with a buddy at the Bust Head Brewery, a few miles from home.

The last few seconds of the sun as it drops below the horizon on the way home tonight.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Wonderful evening last night at our DCUE  photo show reception. This is Liz Roll's photo if me being interviewed next to my photo. And then when I got home I got news that another of my images has been selected for the 2014 Herndon Fine Art Photography Competetiion and will be on show in March. 

Saturday, February 1, 2014

A beautiful ceiling decoration at The Swannanoa Palace, VA. For some reason this didn't publish on Saturday...

The ice storm this morning through my window, and what's that wire weighted with icicles hanging down?

One of the presses had to stop production today as the bearings were replaced on the dryer. Looks pretty complex for just bearings to me but what would I, a mere female, know?

Torrential rain on the way to work which started at about 3am, keeping me awake as it thundered down on to the metal roof, and never let up until later this afternoon. 

Met this lovely little chap in DC and fed him quite a few raw almonds.