Lens Artists Challenge – Interesting Objects

We visited the Houston Space Center in 2017 and Kennedy Space center in 2018. Both were very interesting, with Kennedy being more comprehensive. The photos below show some of our early space travel. We have come such a long way, but even then, the technology was amazing.

The first is a Lunar Training Vehicle (aka Moon Buggy) which was used on earth to train the astronauts. The “real” ones were driven on the moon in the Apollo missions of 1971 and 1972.

Next is the Mercury 9 “Faith 7”. Piloted by Gordon Cooper, Faith 7 flew May 15-16, 1963, and was in orbit for 34 hours, 19 minutes and 49 seconds, orbiting the Earth 22.5 times. With that flight, Cooper set the record at the time for spaceflight by an American.

Last is the Apollo 8 Firing Room. These are the actual consoles used during the 1968 mission.

If you ever get a chance to see either of these space centers, they are well worth the price of admission.

To join the LAPC, you can find to info here – https://pilotfishblog.com/2022/01/15/lens-artists-photo-challenge-182-interesting-objects/

Lens Artists Challenge – Favorite Images of 2021

This was a busy year for us. We welcomed a new grandson in December 2020 (close enough to 2021), bought a lot, sold our home of 33 years, moved into a one bedroom apartment and started construction on our new home. Also – I decided that this was the best time to have a total knee replacement before we move into our new place. While my images may not be the best photographically (is that a word?), they represent 2021 for me.

First the grandkids:

New grandson

Our grandson and granddaughter playing in our backyard for the last time

Swings in the backyard that provided entertainment for young and old

Our home of 33 years – sold in April 2021.

Construction started on the new home in December 2021. Now we just have to deal with delays/price increases in getting windows, doors, sheetrock, appliances etc., etc. Despite everything, I think we are going to enjoy the new home. It’s one story and less square footage. The location is beautiful, quiet and much closer to our children and grandchildren.. There is a marina down the street so I’m hoping there’s a boat in our future. Also, we are on the 13th fairway which I choose to believe will be lucky 🙂

If you would like to join these challenges, you can find the info here – https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/lens-artists-challenge-180-favorite-images-of-2021/

Cookies for Santa

Merry Christmas Everyone

Lens Artists Challenge – Celebrating

This week Amy is hosting the challenge with the theme of Celebrating. Here are 3 photos I have selected.

Birthdays are the best! My grandson LOVES construction trucks. I think has has every kind that is used in the business. Here is a construction site birthday cake his mom made for him last year.

Halloween can be a fun time with all the costumes and yard décor. We visited one house this year that had all types of skeletons sitting about. Here is my hubby having a little fun with them. Gidget seems unimpressed.

I love taking photos at Christmas! It’s fun to depict this celebration in many ways.

If you would like to join this week’s challenge – you can find the info here – https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2021/12/04/lens-artists-challenge-177-celebrating/

I’m Back with the Living

I had the total knee replacement about 2 weeks ago and outside of a scary drop in blood pressure, I am back with the living. This surgery is not for the faint hearted. I thank all of you for your well wishes. I have begun the hard work of physical therapy to get the strength up and help diminish the pain. If you ever need this surgery, my advice is to go into it in the best shape possible. Fortunately, I was able to do certain exercises before surgery to keep some muscle tone.

I am posting a photo taken about one month before the surgery. We were hiking a trail on Skyline Drive, when we saw this buck a few feet off the trail.

I’ll Be Away For a Bit

I’m recovering from a total knee surgery. See you soon!

Cee’s Mid Week Madness Challenge – Blue

This week’s topic for the challenge is the color blue. Here are a couple of photos I have chosen.

If you would like to join these challenges – you can find the info here – https://ceenphotography.com/2021/11/10/cmmc-october-color-blue/

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Future Nostalgic

Future nostalgic photos are ones we take knowing it will be enjoyed in the future. I don’t have any on my computer that are from the birth of my daughters, otherwise – they would be included in this post. The first one I will start with was taken during the lock-down in 2020 when all we had were Face Time, Zoom or Google Duo to connect. While this may not have been the best of times, I am so grateful for the technology that allowed us to connect.

Next are photos of my grandchildren shortly after birth. Grandchildren allow you re-live your inner child and allow you to connect with your adult children in ways you thought you couldn’t.

• 

• 

• 

Last is a photo of our well loved home of 33 years which we sold in April 2021. It will always have a special place in my heart since so many memories were made there. We are looking forward with great excitement to building our new home which is closer to family. Just have to finish jumping through all the hoops on the construction loan process.

If you would like to join these challenges, you can find the info here – https://ceenphotography.com/2021/11/09/cffc-future-nostalgic/

Lens Artists Challenge – Interesting Architecture

This week Tina is hosting the challenge and we are sharing photos of interesting architecture. I don’t take very many pictures of buildings however, I found a few that I think fit this challenge. The first photo is the rocket building at Cape Canaveral. The picture doesn’t do justice to the actual size of the building which is tall enough for a rocket.

The next 2 buildings are healthcare related. The first one is of the hospital where I previously worked. It’s amazing how much it has grown since I started there in the clinical laboratory in 1970. The second one is the medical science library of Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). Both institutions have national and international recognition

The last photo is one that is near and dear to my heart. This mansion has a long history in Lynchburg, VA but I remember it as Villa Maria Academy because I was a resident student there in 6th grade. The dormitories and school were behind the house along with a playground and dining hall. It was and still is a beautiful home. The house was in disrepair and fortunately it was bought and renovated back to it’s full glory.

If you would like to join these challenges – you can find the info here – https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2021/11/06/lens-artists-challenge-173-interesting-architecture/

Lens Artists Challenge – A Day of My Week

Amy is hosting the challenge this week and we are sharing photos of a day we experienced. The day I am sharing was fairly close to home and is a place where we bike ride frequently called the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. We are not competitive riders so we will stop for frequent breaks and photo moments. This trail is a former section of Virginia State Route 17, now a multiuse trail open to bicycling, walking, running/hiking, horseback riding, and boating. It is the oldest continually operating man-made canal in the United States, opened in 1805. Here are a few photos from a recent visit.

There are still some homes along the trail and there are a few strategic roads where the cars can come and go. Here is a small shed that we see on the trail.

The next photo is one I have shared previously of an old house on the trail that has had many lives in the past.

The last photos are of the nature we observe along the way.

• 

If you would like to join these challenges, you can find the info here – https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/79066/