Voice Thread - Chai to Chi (House By The Side of the Road)

It was a rather warm day in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. As I walked through a market place, I was intrigued by a group of bikers hanging out so I snapped some photos of them doing what they like to do best.

This photo reminds me of the freedom we are privy to as Americans. We have the flexibility to move or sit still, to ride or to walk, to be or not to be. These young men were foot loose and fancy free and I enjoyed the various stunts they were doing on their bikes. I liked it so much I looked up the lyrics from the band Queen, " I want to ride my bicycle," enjoy and let me know what you think.


Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle

I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like

You say black I say white
You say bark I say bite
You say shark I say hey man
Jaws was never my scene
And I don't like Star Wars
You say Rolls I say Royce
You say God give me a choice
You say Lord I say Christ
I don't believe in Peter Pan
Frankenstein or Superman
All I wanna do is

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my

Bicycle races are coming your way
So forget all your duties oh yeah
Fat bottomed girls they'll be riding today
So look out for those beauties oh yeah
On your marks get set go
Bicycle race bicycle race bicycle race

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
Bicycle race

You say coke I say caine
You say John I say Wayne
Hot dog I say cool it man
I don't wanna be the President of America
You say smile I say cheese
Cartier I say please
Income tax I say Jesus
I don't wanna be a candidate for
Vietnam or Watergate
Cause all I wanna do is

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like

Beauty Lies Beneath

As I toured the site of a public garden I could not resist the opportunity to take a photo of these lovely flowers. There is so much you can take from this visionary element.

There are dormant souls that dwell apart but come together to create a monogamous element of beauty.


Beauty lies beneath the hard work and effort of those who exert the energy and develop such a wonderful contribution of existence.

This element gives life but also is presented at death during a home-going celebration. This element silently awakens the consciousness of energy. Not only do we as humans draw from its existence but also animals who are a part of the reproduction process.

I leave with you the Lyrics of the Rose by Beth Midler

Some say it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razer
that leaves your soul to blead

Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
and you it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of wakingthat never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dyingthat never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun's love
in the spring
becomes the rose (in this case a daffodil)

Waterfall

10 July 2010 was a day of adventure and fun with my family and friends. I had an opportunity to take a photo of this waterfall at the Living Museum in Newport News, Virginia. The uniqueness of this museum is some of the animals are rescued from the wild or those who have been abandoned.

I deemed it to be appropriate to add the lyrics to the song Waterfall by TLC." A lonely mother gazing out of the window staring at a son that she just can't touch, if at any time he's in a jam she'll be by his side but he doesn't realize he hurts her so much. But all the praying just ain't helping at all cause he can't seem to keep his self out of trouble. So he goes out and he makes his money the best way he knows how. Another body laying cold in the gutter Listen to me---CHORUS-- Don't go chasing waterfalls please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to, I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all but I think you're moving too fast. Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation but he just can't see, she gives him loving that his body can't handle but all he can say is baby it's good to me. One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror but he doesn't recognize his own face, his health is fading and he doesn't know why 3 letters took him to his final resting place. Ya'll dont'hear me (CHORUS).

RAP---

I seen a rainbow yesterday
But too many storms have come
Leaving a trace of not one God-given ray
Is it because my life is ten shades of grey
I pray all ten fade away
Seldem praise Him for the sunny days
And like His promise is true
Only my faith can undo
The many chances I blew
To bring my life to a new
Clear blue and unconditional skies
Have dried the tears from my eyes
No more lonely cries
My only bleedin' hope is for the folk who can't cope
With such an endurin' pain that it keeps 'em in the pouring rain
Who's to blame for shootin'caine into you're own vein
What a shame you shoot and aim for someone else's brain
You claim the insane and name this day in time
For fallin' prey to crime
I say the system got you victim to your own mind
Dreams are hopeless aspirations
In hopes of comin' true
Believe in yourself
The rest is up to me and you."

Chorus

A Daddy's Love

Held by the hands of love, affection, and total care is an active duty service member enjoying one of the love of his life, his little girl.

Life as an active duty service members present honor, sacrifice, and commitment. As service members, they honor the country by protecting the civil liberties of the nation; sacrifice time they could be with families and friends from six to fifteen months of deployment, while their personal goals and aspirations are placed in a box until their duty and obligations are met; and maintain commitment to the mission of the armed services through courage and strength.

But, how do you explain to the crying child that Daddy is out but will return soon. How do you explain to a fifth grader who is enjoying their year long accomplishments at the annual promotion that Daddy had to work so he will not be able to make it. How do you explain to a teenager on prom night that Daddy will not be able to see you because he is observing the mission in Iraq. How do you explain to the wife who is managing the bills, the house, the broken down appliances, the water pump that went out in the car, and the yard that needs to be cut that you too must be strong and adapt to change, your sailor or soldier will be home soon.

As Americans we take for granted that we are a nation privy to various medical benefits, life styles that reflect the rich and famous, and a way of life that if you work hard you an can have most of what you want and everything you need.

We take for granted that the various rights we maintain and promote are protected and fought for by those who very seldom see their families, their friends, and those who are dear to them. On this day as you view the photo attached to this blog, imagine life through the eyes of this man who holds his child in one hand but the civil liberties of the world on his sleeve as an active duty service member. Remember when you pass active duty service member or Vet in uniform tell them thank you!

Honor, Courage, & Sacrifice

Freedom Fortress

Tucked in the unforgotten plethora of stories untold, the fort which slaves made an exodus to became a beacon of freedom. This fort for resettlement was one of the richest aspects of African-American culture that transcribed a place for slaves and seceded from the Union in a city once known as Black Hampton, Virginia.

As I walked the fort, I listened to the whispers of souls through the visual effects of the buildings. I was guided by African-American history that spilled out in droves over this fort and found myself engulfed by the rich history and beauty of Battery Church 232.

As a child, I spent countless hours in a small Baptist church learning the traditions and culture of gospel singing. While standing at attention in front of this degradated building, I found myself consumed by the Negro spirituals that succeeded through the walls of this building. It allowed me to reflect upon my childhood when we were instructed to sing the infamous Dixie Land song: " Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times there are not forgotten, look away, look away, look away Dixie Land. Oh I wish I was in Dixie! Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie Land, I'll take my stand to live and die in Dixie."

As I tried to capture the image of Battery 232, I felt a volcano of anger approaching my consciousness. I visualized the inhumane treatment of the slaves and how they were physically abused, denied food, and cheated out of the wages for their Union jobs by their supposed protectors, and though many of them may not have realized it at the time, they were excluded from the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which was directed at slaves in rebel-held territory. Technically, they remained the property of the Union until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865.

I stood there in awe but allowed myself to go back to the past in order that I may move forward to create an image that would allow my photography to be a vivid spoken word. Even though this military base is scheduled to close next year the artifacts located here will last a life time. Having an opportunity to be in the midst of history, I immediately increased my appreciation for African-American history, the contribution of slaves, Veterans, and all those who took part of the Civil War.

Tangier Island

Tucked away in the Eastern Shores of Maryland's mainland, Tangier, Virginia has a unique island that maintains their British native tongue, and culture on Tangier Island.

Founded in the early 1800's, this vast fisherman island and crab country was my choice for a date night and a visit to the Bay View Inn with my hubby.

The island is very unique with the total width of the island being two miles. The people were very friendly for an island of 500 people, mostly the elderly, 75 students in the K-12 grade school, and two unique souvenir shops. The island was made up of families with the Sir names of Crockett, Wallace, Pruitt, Thomas, Marshall, Charnock, Dise, and Parks. I enjoyed touring this small island on a golf cart. The roads are very narrow and there are probably three cars on the whole island. People mainly traveled by golf cart, mopeds, or bicycles.

The purpose of my visit was to go to the Bay View Inn Bed and Breakfast. My husband and I enjoyed the hospitality of the owners, the Wallace's. We had a personal tour of the island, visted their bed and breakfast, and enjoyed lunch at one of two restaurants on the island.

The photo is a crab shack on the island. Tangier Island is known for their crab business but since the regulation offices of Richmond, Virginia established new regulations on the fishermen, the island has decreased in population because there is little to no work.

The Old Point Comfort lighthouse on Fort Monroe

It was in the midst of the hot season and my job required that I attend a conference with the military representatives and various colleges and universities. All the while, I was wishing I could be outdoors catching the wonderful rays of sun and taking photographs of all the artifacts located at Ft. Monroe in Phoebes, Virginia. There I sat with a room full of people who wanted to go outside as bad if not worse than me.

We finally took a lunch break and I found myself outside capturing every image that was in close proximity. As time drew near, I noticed a large artifact that moved my spirit, the eleventh lighthouse established in America. The Old Point Comfort Lighthouse was built to mark the entrance to the Port of Hampton Road and to guide ships into the Chesapeake Bay. I was captivated by the size and the beauty. I found myself going back in history in my mind just to bring myself to the present so I could capture the images. I saw ships, slaves, and men warring with their souls against their egos. How wretched are we, caught up into perception but trying to survive by our mere illusions for existence.

I found myself transforming into a ship being guided by the light of connectivity to the world, a large object secured in the universe of souls of men and women. I began to wonder what impact I could make on the world if I stood still in the midst of the storm as the lighthouse; if I provided guidance to the lost, bewildered, and those without balance. Here I was in the middle of the day creating images in my mind that was beyond my control. I envisioned waves and the turbulent weather that caused men and women to get lost in a world of expectation of others. I found myself pondering on what contribution this lighthouse made to time and space in the universe at the time it was fully functional. Just for a moment, I was caught up in a blissful memory of the evolution of life. In my mind time and space stood still for an instant moment. The shutter speed on my camera was infused with light that captured the stillness, serene, and calmness of the image before me. Engulfed in a visionary world, I found myself creating an image that impressed upon my soul a path for safety.

Here I was captivated by a still structure that purified me at the thought of its existence. Through the power of now, I found myself gaining strength and encouragement from the stillness of this artifact. I saw representation of my life in this lighthouse with circumstances I am faced with; sometimes things are stable, steady, and serene but at other situations are turbulent, and unstable.

As I stand before the base of the lighthouse, I gain a true understanding of the impact it made for those who were seeking the possibilities of what lies ahead. When people see some things as darkness, on the other side there is light. The light always represent the gateway to all understanding. Yet, that which appear hidden is always present, which is in the light!

Military Matters

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the social change, organizations who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN, not civil right activist, who has given me my civil liberties.

It is my VETERAN, not the perceived possibilities, who has given me unconditional love.

It is my VETERAN, not my family or friends, who has restored my hope to freedom and expression.