Short Pump & Midlothian, Virginia

Short Pump

Mandy greets Dianne, left, as she arrives at the Daily Grind. The delightful little Shih Tzu is the "granddog" of Edna, rear, and one of the dogs that regularly visits the coffee house patio.

Mandy's person is Edna's granddaughter. Edna has taken care of Mandy since she was a puppy. Shih Tsus are from Tibet and for centuries were the favorite breed of the Chinese Imperial court.

Mandy checks out my camera at close range while I'm attempting to photograph her.

Midlothian

My grandniece, Angel, runs into the room and shouts, "Uncle Bill, take my picture!" After striking several poses she jumps onto the couch and snuggles up to Dianne.

Short Pump, Virginia

Margaret's Memorial Service

Portraits of Margaret stand amidst flowers on the communion table at Cambridge church this evening. To the left she is pictured as a young woman with her husband Fred when they were married in North Carolina during World War II. To the right is a photograph of her as a mature woman of 85. It is a favorite of her daughters.

Memorial services are about the living. The dead are past caring. There is perhaps none more living than the children who attend the service. There is a sense that something is passing from the oldest generation to the youngest — perhaps a candle — from a hand that can no longer grasp it into hands that are only now beginning to understand something of how they will illuminate their world. Keith, stepson of my nephew, Jay — who sits in the pew behind him — was a frequent visitor of Margaret's. He has recently lost two front teeth and is awaiting adult ones to grow in.

Olivia is my grandniece, Jay's daughter. Margaret is her middle name. A grandmother's name is a good thing to carry into the future.

My friend Craig's children — Craig Andrew, left, and Isabel, right — attend the service. There is nothing compelling them to attend, which makes their presence all the more special.

Blackstone & Amelia, Virginia

A few months ago I did an assignment for a publication called AGCO Advantage. It was one of the most enjoyable assignments I've done recently. The end result is marvelous. The treatment of the photographs and elegant design matched with text that has context made for an overall satisfying experience. It's an honor to work with people who understand publication design and storytelling.

Short Pump, Virginia

Grandniece Angel heads into the Daily Grind for lunch. My daughter Shannon follows her.

Short Pump, Virginia

Margaret Bryan

1918-2009

Dianne's mother, Margaret Bryan passed away peacefully in her sleep early this morning. She was 90 years old and had been in declining health for several years. Thanks to all of you who cared for, inquired about and prayed for her.

This is one of my favorite photos of her. She has been the subject of a number of postings on this blog since its inception. But she will be missed for much more than that. She had an indomitable spirit to the end. She was also the last remaining grandparent of my children. There is a sense that with her, the old order has passed away and the new one is not yet come.

Short Pump, Virginia

Copperas Creek

Sadie seen through the window light of our door. She and Tobie meet me here each evening when I arrive home. It's uncanny. They can pick out the sound of my vehicle from other Jeeps that neighbors drive. If you look close you can see my image reflected in the glass.

My lacrosse stick from college days. It is very different from those manufactured today. New ones are made of aluminum or graphite. Back when I purchased mine, they were made of wood and leather. The wood — usually ash — was steamed and bent to form the frame — or crosse — for a pocket of leather netting to cradle the ball while catching, carrying or passing it. The game originated in the 12th century among Native American tribes. Some early explorers reported games lasting for days with 100 to 1,000 men participating, played across fields several miles in length and width. I never played in a game of that scale.

Short Pump, Virginia

As I leave the Daily Grind this afternoon, Jenine is working out front. I sit down to take a photo. "Would you like my serious look," she asks, "or a smile?" "I'll take a smile," I respond.

Our daughter, Shannon, is in town to be with her mother during the final hours of her grandmother's life. She takes a few minutes away from the bedside for a meal at Fuson Pizza.

Both photos taken with a Leica M8.

Margaret Bryan

For those of you who care about and pray for Margaret — and have asked why I haven't posted anything new on her — she is still barely with us. The images are no longer here and I won't be posting any more at the request of my wife. They were disturbing to her sister.

Short Pump, Virginia

Saturday Breakfast Club

Daily Grind

Paul Steinberg brought his latest painting in for everyone to see. He took off and expanded upon from a photograph of mine of Shawn walking Sadie along a lake in Deep Run Park last October. His art goes well beyond the literalness of my image.

Paul sets his easel up outside the Daily Grind as the breakfast club begins to gather. It is an informal gathering each Saturday that ebbs and flows with the activities of those who attend and the addition of others who come for the first time and may or may not become regulars.

Sadie siddles up to Sam, one of her favorite people. The morning had a very European coffee shop feel to it with seven dogs in attendance at one point.

Grayson meets Sadie for the first time. Grayson is not the least bitintimidated by her ... and Sadie loves children.

Paul moves inside with the heat of the day. If only he had a better subject for his portrait ....

Jenine delivers a comment far beyond her years. I don't remember what she said, but it tickles her brother Feris.

Paul was not the only one to bring a painting to show. His daughter, Alonya, brought a portrait she did of Jenine and Alison.

Copperas Creek

Tobie and Sadie enjoy a moment in the sun. When we have company coming the office converts into a second guest room.

Shawn's graduation party

Daily Grind

Shawn Jarrar, standing behind his father Sam, graduated from high school last night. This evening there is a graduation party for him. The Daily Grind will be filled with the smells of wonderful food and the sounds of Richmond musical legend Harry Gore.

Shawn is an accomplished musician and plans to major in music at college.

Alyona Steinberg did a pencil drawing of Shawn as a graduation present.

Alyona is also a master of blowing bubbles.

The highlight of the evening was Shawn playing with Harry Gore.

Harry and Shawn work out an arrangement of a song together. Musicians amaze me. How they can work out a song they have never played together in a matter of minutes, then present it with clarity and expression moments later is beyond me.

Harry and Shawn in the midst of Meant to Live by Switchfoot ...

... it obviously goes well.

All photos taken with a Leica M8.

Short Pump, Virginia

Daily Grind

Cindy — one of the regulars at the Daily Grind — spends an afternoon reading with her grandson Jett.

Spring Arbor

Jenine is shooting up. Suddenly her legs are so long. Today was her last day of school for the year. When school opens in the fall, she will be in the second grade.

Daily Grind

Stephani, center, tries to fend off cards in her disfavor in a game of "Capitalist" with Lisa, foreground, Jerry, right, and Andrea, not pictured. The foursome are surprisingly competitive. Stephani tells me I should see the rest of their families.

Copperas Creek

The sky is beautiful this afternoon with passing clouds sailing south for North Carolina ...

... alternately revealing and covering a cobalt blue we rarely see except in Winter.

A fledgling Robin peruses a lawn along Copperas Creek.

All photos taken with a Leica M8.

Short Pump, Virginia

Sarah serves up a coffee at the Daily Grind this morning. What a good way to start a day.

A drake is paddling in the Short Pump fountain this evening. Ducks paddled here last summer. It must be coming an annual tradition. I haven't heard Sam talk Samantha — guess who named her — and Dudley D. Duck lately, the two Mallards who were regularly visiting the Daily Grind earlier this summer. I'll have to ask.

The drake turns out to be a typical male ... hanging at the fountain, checking out the chicks.

All photos taken with a Leica M8.

Short Pump & Richmond, Virginia

Short Pump

Democratic Primary

Turnout was low for the Democratic primary this morning. Charlie Fagan, a worker at Ridgefield Precinct 412 in the Columbian Center on Pump Road, demonstrates the electronic voting machine in the near empty polling place. Only 54 people had voted by 10:30 a.m.

I was surprised to find Alyona in the Daily Grind this morning. It is exam week and she only has to be in school on days she has tests. She has two on Thursday and will be finished for the summer. She is fast becoming my personal portrait photographer. The past two photos I have used for my profile were taken by her.

Richmond

Jim Riddell and I grabbed a quick lunch together at SuCasa, a favorite hangout of ours in the near West End. The food is excellent, the service fast and the atmosphere friendly.

Short Pump

Spring Arbor

Dianne and her sister Sherry, above, are spending tonight with Margaret, their mother, Margaret is in her final days. This evening she is having long periods of apnea. Her blood pressure is down and heart rate up.

 

The television reflected in Dianne's eyes reminds me of the Jawas in Star Wars. If only she had a hood to throw over her head ....

All images taken with a Leica M8.

Short Pump, Virginia

Spring Arbor

Margaret is sleeping more now. Dianne says that is part of the process. She spent most of the day with her mother.

Image taken with a Leica M8.

Gayton & Short Pump, Virginia

Gayton

Cambridge Church

It is the weekend we honor our secondary, university and advanced studies graduates at Cambridge church. The young adult praise team — all university, or soon to be, students — leads the service ...

...filling the sanctuary with sound, poetry and motion.*

Matthew awaits the children's sermon with anticipation. There is often something unusual and unexpected during this part of the service. He is not disappointed as ...*

... youth and young adult pastor Win Davis asks Steven to help by reading from Oh the Places You'll go by Dr. Seuss, a perfect passage for those leaving school and about to embark on new journeys.*

Shawn offers the invocation. He has had plenty of practice lately as he's been losing regularly at a silly game we play. The loser has to pray for the food we are about to eat.*

Members of he church file past the new graduates, offering a blessing, wishing them well.

Meg is touched when people who have known her all her life wish her the best. She has just completed a graduate degree that could lead her far from here.

Garvey Young closes the service with a solo.

Short Pump

Spring Arbor

I don't want this to be an extended, visual melodrama. However, the last days of a loved one are special. Margaret may know little of what is transpiring, but her daughters Sherry, left and below*, and Dianne, right, spend time with their mother.

Gayton

Renewal of Vows

Jason Owen, above, awaits the start of the ceremony where he will renew his vows with his wife Karla on the the 15th anniversary of their wedding.

Karla strikes a pose for the camera while waiting for guests to arrive.

Steven, left, and Christopher, right, prepare to escort their mother down the aisle.*

There Karla joins Jason and stands before Pastor Jay Smith in the sanctuary of Cambridge church.*

It is an intimate gathering of family and friends that witness the renewal of their vows.

Karla listens as Jason repeats his vows ...*

... and Jason does the same while Karla repeats hers.*

They once again exchange rings.*

Steven with his sister Lindsey in his arms leads the procession out of the sanctuary.

Around the neighborhood

Tobie being himself ...*

... and Shawn imitating Tobie.

Tiger lilies grace the yard of our neighbor on Copperas Creek.*

A fellow traveler in the back of a pickup truck on Pouncey Track Road.*

* Images taken with a Canon EOS-1D Mark III.

 All others taken with a Canon 5D Mark II.