Grant visits the Daily Grind with his grandparents. He is named for an uncle who was killed in Afghanistan.
Master baker and owner Jozef Bindas in Jean Jaque Bakery and Cafe in Careytown. It's not only Richmond's best bakery but a wonderful place for a sandwich or homemade soup on a cold autumn day. Jozef is my neighbor on Copperas Creek in Short Pump.
Chad and Anna Stillwell enjoy a baby shower in their honor at Cambridge church. They have chosen not to know the sex of their child until birth.
Sophie Harver has "the look" down at an early age.
Allison Jarrar meets Dianne's mother, Margaret, in her home at Spring Arbor.
We still have moments of color scattered among the trees along Copperas Creek.
Jon Ramsey plays on Carey Street about once a week for fun and a couple of extra dollars. Usually he plays in various clubs around town and enjoys open mike sessions.
Paul Steinberg surprised us with a painting of our older daughter. His work is wonderful and we're delighted to now have an example his work in our house ... and because it's our daughter makes it even better! A detail of the painting is below.
The painting is from a photograph I took at Pope's Creek, George Washington was born place. I like the sense that Paul and I collaborated on this, Paul adding a nuance that I could never achieve with my photography.
Joyce Layton learns what happens when you mess with a photographer during a Donald Cole concert.
Shawn Jarrar takes in he artistry of Donald Cole as he waits for his debut as a performer.
Shawn Jarrar in his debut performance with Donald Cole and Paul Steinberg.
Shawn, Donald and Paul in concert. It was a night of debuts — Shawn's first and a passage of 25 years since Paul's last performed. Both were excellent.
Above and below, Donald and Paul jam together.
Above and below, Shawn and Tevor Dickerson work on cords and lyrics for future performances.
Youth of the church formed a praise team to lead the church in worship. Left to right: Elliott Richardson, Landon Sheriff, Erica West, Shawn Jarrar and Bryce Hardin.
Youth pastor Win Davis, right, interviews with Bryce Hardin,asking him about his plans for a new ministry — touring with a musical group nationally and internationally.
Faith Harvey is a soloist for the service.
Bryce Hardin's parents and friends pledge support for his new ministry during a time of commitment.
Kathryn Wesson closes the commitment time with a solo.
Church members congratulate Erin Anderson, center, for the sermon she delivered during the service.
Sunday, November 9, was Margaret's 90th birthday. It was a small celebration with her two daughters — Dianne at left — one great granddaughter, a few friends from Spring Arbor and one of her son-in-laws. Others visited earlier in the week.
Margaret at 90.
The party begins to arrive.
Margaret visited by one of her caregivers, who she calls, "Shug."
Daughter, Sherry, and great granddaughter, Angel, during the party.
This may be the last of the fall color. Trees cast their shadows across the bottoms at Roslyn Retreat Center. Beyond the trees is the Kanawa Canal, which George Washington was a partner in, and beyond it the James River.
Most of the fall color has been blown to the ground during rain and wind this past week.
The center is situated on a beautiful bluff above the river. It is a wonderful place spend time, pull away from routines and schedules, and enjoy a time of reflection.
Susan Hayes of the Hayes-Brown Project performs before the photo wall of other artists who have played at the Daily Grind. The center photo is one Wahokia took outside Budapest during a celebration of the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Hungary.
Paul Layton, left, with his granddaughter Shannon, Jenine Jarrar and her father Sam during the Hayes-Brown concert at the Daily Grind.
David Brown of the Hayes-Brown Project often performs in his bare feet.
Allison Jarrar, left, with her daughter Jenine during the Friday evening concert.
Three Chopt Road drops off the top of this hill then winds its way into the bottoms of Deep Run Creek. First an Indian trail, later one of the early colonial roads, Thomas Jefferson later followed it when he rode from Monticello, his home outside Charlottesville 50 miles the west, to the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, 40 miles to the east. Back then at its best, it was no wider than two wagons. There are trees on the hill and in the bottoms that were here when Jefferson was alive. I often wonder what the great man thought as he rode along this route, how many phrases were turned that later found their way into the founding documents of our nation.
When we moved onto Copperas Creek 13 years ago, this walnut was little more than a sapling. I almost cut it down, but hesitated. Now it towers above and and accents the house in gold each fall and its nuts supply food for the yard squirrels in the hardest season.
Rain greeted those turning out for national elections today. Crowds lined out the doors in the early hours at polling stations, then dissipated to a steady stream of voters throughout the rest of the day.
It is a disappointing backdrop for an election. Today and tomorrow it will rain. The color should be at its peak. We should have blue, northern skies — not rain and flat light — to set it off. The stage should be grand. 
But it is not to be. Rain is a veil. Peer behind it. The view is still spectacular.
Then rain tonight and tomorrow will pull leaves from branches, stripping trees to an economy of their splendor.
By the end of the rain, we will need to look elsewhere ... to the ground for a spectacular carpet. 
