Gayton, Virginia

Shawn, left, and Kenny await their baptism at Cambridge church this morning.

Hunter was the third young man to be baptized today.

Win Davis, right, pastor for youth, with Shawn in the baptismal pool. Davis baptized all three during the morning worship service. 

Members of the congregation congratulate Hunter, center, Kenny, far right, and Shawn, near right, after the service.

Short Pump, Virginia

We almost lost our dog Sadie, center, this evening. During the Super Bowl she went into our backyard. When she didn't return for an extended time, I went looking for her. She had gotten into our recycling. When I found her with her head in cereal box, its a plastic liner tightly around her head. She was collapsed on the ground, unable to move and breathing heavily. Shawn, left, Ferris and Alison comfort Sadie after her ordeal.

Short Pump, Virginia

Saturday, January 31

It has been a while since I photographed Jenine. Today she greets us for Saturday morning breakfast at the Daily Grind.

Ten-month-old Jordan makes the rounds of the tables with her mother Saturday morning at the Daily Grind.

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Dorrie Steinberg hosted a dinner party at her home north of Richmond. The painting above the mantel is by her husband Paul, one of the artists who exhibit at the Daily Grind.

Paul and Dorrie set up pictures and video of the village in Russia their adopted children come from. The have adopted three siblings, a boy and two girls.

Short Pump, Virginia

Allison Short, a Christian singer-songwriter from Washington, D.C., performs in a Friday night concert at The Daily Grind.

Shiloh, right, listens to Allison Short in a house packed for Short's concert.

There has been a fire in our fireplace along Copperas Creek nearly every evening during a spat of cold winter weather.

Short Pump, Virginia

For Sadie, left,hope springs eternal; for Dianne, right, a disbelief that her photograph is being taken while eating dinner.

Short Pump & Gayton, Virginia

Short Pump awoke to frozen precipitation and fog this morning.

Ice coated trees and limbs across the area ...

... creating a miniature wonderland.

Liam McClean treats members of Cambridge church to a concert.

Short Pump, Virginia

Second snow of the season: not enough to get excited about, washed away in rain by noon.

Sadie enjoys the fire on a cold winter night.

Tobie snuggled up next to his favorite person.

Short Pump & Richmond, Virginia

Sadie  contemplates what Darwin didn't know...whether to shred a magazine or work on a bone.

Wahokia at work in his office.

 —Roy Burroughs, guest  blogger

Gayton, Virginia

Jay Smith leads worship his first full Sunday as pastor of Cambridge church.

Kayleigh Harver listens to the childrens sermon.

Church organist Eugene Smith takes a turn at the piano. He provides a mix of spiritual, jazz and classic music on both the piano and organ each Sunday.

At the close of the service Pastor Smith welcomes Michael Banholzer who has requested membership in the church.

Month old Aubrey Stillwell—held my her mother Anna—comes to the church for the first time and meets the Cambridge family.

Margaret Bryan, well into her 90th year, looks forward to visitors at Spring Arbor Assisted Living.

A quite afternoon at Regency Mall.

Short Pump, Virginia

Jenine and Bow Bear at the Daily Grind Friday afternoon.

A new band, the Hullabaloos, perform together for the first time Friday evening at the Daily Grind.

The band quickly had the audience with them, singing covers from the '60s and '70s.

The Hullabaloos are composed of some of the finest musicians on the Richmond music scene. It is well worth attending one of their concerts.

Harry Gore is one of the best known musicians in the Richmond music scene. His vocals and guitar solos are incredible.

Rolfe Trimble is one of the best vocalists in the Richmond area. He and Harry form the core of the Hullabaloos.

I look forward to hearing this band as it continues to evolve. They played some of their tunes this evening for the first time together. 

Rolfe interacts with the audience and encourages them to  sing along.

Good friend Chris Branch—another Richmond musician—sits in with the band for one number.

Short Pump, Virginia

January 22, 2009

Jim Morris and I both got new Canon 5D Mark II. It's a beautiful machine.

Jim celebrating with a creme brulee at an excellent new restaurant in the Short Pump area, the Kona Grill.

Richmond & Short Pump, Virginia

Barak Obama Inaugural

My inaugural photographs. OK ... it is cheating. But I couldn't get to Washington, D.C. 

Michelle Obama holds the Bible on which Abraham Lincoln took his oath of office in 1861 as her husband, Barak, takes his oath 148 years later. Supreme court clerk William Thomas Carroll purchased the Bible for Lincoln's inaugural when the family Bible did not arrive in time from Springfield, Ill. Obama is the first president to use the Bible since Lincoln.

President and Mrs. Obama walk part of the route on Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House through downtown Washington, D.C., following his inauguration.

Dianne watches Inaugural night festivities with Tobie and Sadie. The evening—like the day—is cold and they enjoy a warm fire.

Gayton, Virginia

Harriet Jones — part of the Cambridge church worship team — sings as the team begins the service that says goodbye to two-year, interim pastor Jim Riddell and welcomes new pastor Jay Smith.

Children of the church pass by Jim Riddell, center, and Jay Smith, right, and say "Shalom" to each. The word means "peace" and is used as both a farewell and a greeting.

Stephanie Layton, minister to children, watches as the children pass by Riddell and Smith.

Riddell prays for Smith and the Cambridge congregation in their new relationship.

Jim Riddell, right, gives the symbols of the pastoral office to Jay Smith and formally passes the responsibility for leading the church to him.

Smith with the symbols of Cambridge's pastoral office in hand.

The new pastor and his people begin their relationship by celebrating communion.

Jay Smith ends the service with communion and begins his tenure as pastor.

Short Pump, Virginia

Sadie checks me out while I'm home recovering from bursitis in my hip.

Short PUmp, Virginia

Sadie and Dianne in conversation.

Gayton, Virginia

Christopher during prayers before dinner at Cambridge church.

Short Pump, Virginia

This is the first Christmas we have been home — and the first tree we have decorated — in 13 years. It's difficult for us to take it down.

One of last year's ornaments given to us by a colleague and good friend.

Short Pump, Virginia

Booth divider at Tara Thai restaurant.