My house was built in 1910 and around that same time, trees were planted so that the street would be lined with the most beautiful shade producing trees of all varieties. Sadly, all of these trees are nearing the end of their life and one by one, they are having to be taken down when they start to become dangerous. But living in the City of Roanoke has one more great benefit in that you can have two trees planted in front of your home on the right of way between the street and the sidewalk. This reforestation project will ensure that Roanoke remains a green city and will have avenues planted with trees that make for a beautiful streetscape.

So today was a sad day in front of my house as it was the day the city came to take down one of the last of three remaining original trees on this block. Deadwood pruning had extended the tree’s life for a while, but this year it started to drop limbs the size of large trees with one crashing down on a car parked in front during a spring windstorm. So it was time for the tree to go and late this morning came a knock on the door by the Grim Tree Reaper.

So as things progressed, I took a few shots to remember the last few minutes of the life of a tree that had served many, many generations that have come and gone on this block.

The guys who took care of things were nice enough to oblige my request for a slice of the trunk that I am going to turn into a coffee table for one of the porch chair groupings. That’ll be a pretty cool memorial and proof that trees provide a lasting benefit to everyone. Take care of your trees, they don’t grow overnight and you sure do miss them when they have to go.

I spend a lot of time in the woods, most of it on mountain bike trails (well known and secret ones, too!) all over Mill Mountain, or Carvin’s Cove, or Brush Mountain and Pandapas Pond. For me it’s a place for spiritual renewal, a realignment so to speak with the simple Earth. The simple Earth doesn’t have wireless anything, or perhaps it has wireless everything, depending on how you look at it.

For me, climbing a hill on a bike is the best part. It’s a time of focus on your effort, but it also affords the most opportunity to really look at everything around you. You don’t often see anything on the fast paced downhills, just what is immediately in front of you, and all that is a blur. But the uphill is slow and steady.

In a way, it’s almost opposite of life. In life, the uphill is the struggle and the focus where we sometimes lose our ability to see everything around us. In life, the downhill is the easy ride where we take it all in to enjoy.

Either way, cheers to all of the uphills and downhills in life. We need ’em both to get the thrill!

When I moved into the nabe five years ago, it was late one night as I was unpacking a load from the car and there came this friendly little hello from the porch next door. I couldn’t see who it was, but it was certainly a welcoming tone from the impish little voice coming through the railing. He always spoke in “uptalk” as I liked to call it, his little voice ending in crescendo with every phrase or sentence. As it turned out he would be there with the same cheery greeting whenever you saw him.

As my eyes adjusted to the light, I could see this little two year old standing there with his father, barely able to see through the railing. He was my welcoming committee, and over the next few years, he and his mom and dad would become the best friends and neighbors you could ever want.

Then the move. You hate it when people you come to know and love find circumstance pulling them away from you. It doesn’t seem fair to anyone, but you kind of have to accept it. The only bonus is when they come back to visit and you get to reconnect. Watching those kids change and grow leaves you with strange sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Like you’re somewhat a part of their history so you get credit for their future, too. Hey, I knew you when you were barely able to talk and look at you now.

It leaves you feeling a little older, too!

Well, like most young families, they grow a bit here and there. Theirs did, too. Now there is Lucy, little sister of Eli. Just as cute and about the same age now as the little fellow who greeted me from the porch all those five years ago.

Last year I snapped a few pics of them while they were here. This year, I updated Lucy’s picture while her mom fed her a bowl of cereal at my table. They’re both awesome kids, and adorable…..even with a face full of Gerber’s. Here’s to great neighbors and the people who become such a part of your life, just because you moved in next door.

I can’t even say enough about this movie to describe how beautifuly filmed, acted, edited, soundtracked……. it was perfect. In fact, about half way through it, the film jammed and burned a hole in the frame it stopped on. We all thought it was part of the editing effect. So how many movies have you seen where there was a technical failure that kept you captivated???

It was playing at The Grandin but I’m not sure it is still there ’cause I looked on their site and couldn’t find it. It was packed on Wednesday night so hard to believe that it was at the end of its run there. If it is….don’t miss it. If it’s gone…..find it. You’ll be SO glad you did.

Ok…..I can’t help it. I LOVE photographing details. If it glitters, glows, has lots of color, or is good to eat….I can’t help myself. I’m certain that eventually I will catch my camera on fire. The other day I was going through some details shots that haven’t made it to the web site yet and I thought I would give a little preview here.

Tasty color!

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Ahhhhh…….now I feel better.

Ahhhhhhh……warm summer mornings are made for waterfalls. My favorite time to mountain bike is just after the forest comes alive but before the heat of the day sets in. So what a perfect time to catch up with Jennifer and John for their eSession at Roaring Run.

When I suggested the venue which is close to their home, they were pretty excited; and neither were afraid of climbing over a few wet rocks. What a bonus to get in a little hike while getting to know another great couple.

Young love….can’ beat it!

the sun was just staring to come up through the tree line….

a cool looking rock to climb down on …

the sun was a little harsh in this spot so I thought it would make for a nice texture shot…

this is my favorite spot at the falls……

and a little fish….

and then we stopped by the old iron furnace on the way back….

See you in a few…..

Kemper