Richmond, Virginia

Craig Martin managing his assets.

Short Pump, Virginia

Sometimes the best image of the day is a sunset.

Deep Run, Virginia

Henry Rosenbaum pilots his balloon at sunset above Gaskins Road. It is rumored there may have been an engagement this evening between his two passengers.

Thomas Jefferson rode past Deep Run Baptist Church on his way from his home, Monticello, outside Charlottesville to the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg. It has sat along Three Chopt Road on a bluff above the stream for which it is named since 1749. Founded in 1742, it was constructed of beams held together with wooden pegs as an Episcopal chapel seven years later. It has continuously served the community since then — including duty as a hospital for wounded soldiers and meeting site for the Marquis de Lafayette during the Revolutionary War. It became a Baptist congregation in 1792. Today it also hosts a mission to Brazilians who have recently moved into the area.

West End Richmond, Virginia

Sue Warner of Pensacola, Fla., with her grandson, Austin, at the end of 17 days of travel, nearing the end of the trip of a lifetime.

Together with another grandson, they covered 4,300 miles and ranged as far west as Illinois.

Geese and ducks at a containment pond off Gaskins Road.

Gayton, Virginia

Margaret enjoying a warm summer afternoon on the porch at Spring Arbor Assisted Living.

Short Pump & Careytown, Virginia

Paul Steinberg in the Daily Grind with the canvas he is in the process of painting that features the Short Pump coffee shop.

 
Interior of Careytown's historic Byrd Theatre.

The main chandelier at the Byrd Theatre.

Jeanine blown by fan in The Glass Boat in Careytown.

Street musician along Carey Street.

Stony Point & Short Pump, Virginia

Children play in the fountain on a hot summer day at Stony Point Fashion Park shopping mall.

Tobie and Sadie enjoy an afternoon at Stony Point Fashion Park, a dog friendly shopping mall.

Anissa Haney, right, and her husband Eric  form The Haney Band. They play during a Friday evening concert at the Daily Grind in Short Pump.

The Haneys perform contemporary Christian music. Eric and Anissa write many of their songs.

Short Pump, Virginia

Evening sky over Copperas Creek.

Day lily along Copperas Creek. They are here only a short while, an ephemeral beauty.

Short Pump, Virginia

Sam at work in the Daily Grind.

Short Pump, Virginia

Hit & Run

Early morning excitement along Copperas Creek.

A drunk driver hit a neighbor's parked vehicle while speeding through the Copperas Creek community.

He drove his damaged car another half mile after the accident.

A policeman on patrol found him in his car alongside the road, its hood folded over the windshield, before calls came in notifying police about the accident.

Short Pump, Virginia

For those of you who called or emailed about Dianne's photo on yesterday's post, here she is today —patch off, feeling better, beginning to heal.

Jeanine reads to me while I upload images to the digital picture frame at the Daily Grind.

Short Pump, Virginia

.Dianne recovering from retinal surgery with the help of Sadie and Tobie.

Short Pump & Gayton, Virginia

The last farm in Short Pump quickly being turned into a high density, European-style community with retail shops on lower levels, office and living space above.

One more image — which I wish I had posted yesterday — of location filming during the 48 Hour Film Festival at the Daily Grind in Short Pump. 

Casey Hobgood, far right, reported on the week-long retreat Cambridge church youth have just returned from. Patrick Shamberger and Kevin Stewart, left, talked about housing homeless families at the church in Gayton during the month of August. Jim Riddell, center, moderates.

Derek Eichin on his last two weeks at California Pizza Kitchen in Short Pump before beginning work as an analyst for a major corporation.

Photograph of a Leica M8 taken by our cat Howie with a Canon EOS-1 Mark III.

Short Pump, Virginia

A day at the Daily Grind

Clouds build over a beautiful morning at the Daily Grind.

An artist from Cameroon — whose name I unfortunately misplaced — now living in Richmond, discusses his work at the Daily Grind. He went to college in North Dakota. When he arrived, he didn't have socks and was wearing sandals.

The Grind was selected as a location for the prestigious 48 Hour Film Festival, which is in town this weekend. Next Saturday, 7-minute films produced this weekend will be screened at the Byrd Theatre. 

Janine and Ferris play solitaire on a computer.

Short Pump, Virginia

Opening night for the films, "Mama Mia" and "The Dark Knight" at Regal Cinema in Short Pump. The crowd filled the theatre and spilled into the street.

Paul Layton at the Grape Vine Bistro in Short Pump Town Center. Joyce Layton and Dianne are in the background.

Short Pump & Rockville, Virginia

Katie in awaiting her Pad Thai at the Tara Thai restaurant in Short Pump Mall.

Curious mare with her foal in a Rockville field. She has the softest, most velvety nose. When I tried to photograph her foal, she would push my arm or face with it. The hoods are to protect their eyes and ears from flies, which were vicious today.

Short Pump & Three Chopt Road, Virginia

Photo by Guest Blogger Janine Jarrar

An example of shooting back: Janine — my favorite model — turns the tables on me at the Daily Grind. (See July 12, 2008 post.)

Susan, Beth and Kristi at lunch along Three Chopt Road.

Anxiety at the Genius Bar in the Apple Store at Short Pump Mall.

Dahlgren & Port Conway, Virginia

Afternoon on the beach at the foot of the U.S. 301/Potomac River Bridge near Dahlgren, Va.

The view toward Maryland from the beach at the foot of the Potomac River Bridge.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Port Conway, Va., built in 1860, was occupied by Union forces during the War Between the States and used as a hospital and stable.

Frank Stevens, a trustee of Emmanuel church, says it is the most heavily endowed church in Virginia. Over the years wealthy planters along the river donated enough money for it to be cared for in perpetuity. The congregation currently numbers six members.

Sunlight dapples the graveyard beside the church.

James Madison — one of the founding fathers of  the United States and its fourth president — was born in a manor house down this lane near Emmanuel church in 1751. He was also the principal author of the U.S. Constitution.