Day 83 - Five Fingered Toes

These are my feet enjoying the out of doors in my new Vibram Five Fingers shoes.  I'm not sure why they are named that - they are five toed. 

Whatever they are - they are awesome.  :)  My toes have never been so stretched.

Day 82 - Sophie in the Great Outdoors

Sometimes when the weather is nice, we let Sophie outside.  This is the top of her head.  :)

Day 81.5 - Dana in the Pool

Oh Dana.  :)  I love this picture of her.  And I love her.  I'm sure one has something to do with the other.

I met Dana at that same freshmen Bible Study in college at ETSU.  We didn't really start hanging out a lot until the next year, though.  And we were roomies our third year of college.

Dana has the purest, most infectious laugh of anyone I know.  I have often wanted to have a recording of her laughing just to play when I was in a sad mood.  I can't help but laugh when I hear her laugh.

And laughing was something we were never short on in college.  :)

Dana has the ability to see the best in people and she is trusting to a fault.  A fellow animal-lover, she and I were destined to be friends.  I'm sad we don't get to hang out as much as we used to - but time and distance and life have that effect on us. 

But I am thankful for her and her friendship.  :)

Day 80 - The Ceiling of the Bellagio

Many years ago, my friend Paul Thompson sent me almost this exact same picture.  It is one of the artwork ceilings in the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas.  I loved the picture SO much that I made it my computer wallpaper for a very long time.

I was able to attend the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas just a couple of weeks ago.  It was a great conference (made even better because I got to hang out with two of my bestest buds from vet school - Sam and Chad!)  We took only one evening to go out and really check out the 'strip.'  I was very excited to take my very own picture of the same ceiling in the Bellagio. 

But every time I see it, I will still think of my bud, Paul.  :)

Day 79 - Bee and Flowers

This one is another one of my play shots when I got my 50mm lens.  I chased this poor bee around for like 30 minutes trying to take his picture.

He just wanted his nectar. 

Day 78 - Nelson County, VA

This was taken from the driveway of a farm I was called out to look at a sick horse.  It was a gorgeous day and a gorgeous view and I just couldn't pass up snapping a picture.  Views like this are one of the many reasons I try to keep a camera on me at all times.  :)

I look at this picture and envision myself on horseback - galloping across that green pasture towards the mountains.  It's just so..... perfect.

I live in Augusta County, which is in the Shenandoah Valley of VA.  Traveling east across the Blue Ridge mountains (Afton mountain, to be exact) and then a bit more south - will bring you into Nelson County.  

The inhabitants of Nelson County, VA have provided me with some interesting stories, bizarre interactions, and some severe injuries.  But the county has also has blessed me with breathtaking scenery, interactions with some real, honest, salt-of-the earth folks, and moments of reflection on the awesomeness of my job and where I get to practice it. 

I hate that I ended that last sentence with a dangling preposition, but I am not in the mood to fix it.

:)

Yay, Nelson County.  Come visit it if you can.

Day 77 - Before and After Pond

It was so pretty after we were done.  Sadly, it is not this pretty anymore. 

But it was then.  Yay for pictures!  :)