#lynchburg community market

[visenyaism]

the thing about the cw’s vampire diaries getting called “southern gothic” is that it doesnt give a fuck about its setting aside from using that to romanticize the confederacy and does not really seem to have any feelings about being southern because it’s a mass market show for teenagers meant to be broadly appealing.

but where it’s set (the no-man’s-land between charlottesville and lynchburg virginia) is actually a place with a very distinct regional character in real life and could actually fit that bill if people knew what it was like. it has not changed population size (15k) since the before the civil war, there’s one stoplight in the entire county, everyone is still grappling with the generational trauma of a flood that happened in 1969 because the river swept whole communities away and isolated everyone else from the outside world for weeks, there’s just this sense that things do not change at all because everyone just grows up and dies next to the same river everyone else in their family did and also it is one of the most beautiful places i have ever been to in my life. there’s SO much there that is an actual southern gothic ass place

[harriswalz4usabybr]

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 - Tim Walz

This is the ‘official’ schedule of Tim Walz s today on the campaign trail. With some added detail for press purposes. Additionally, the Governor is traveling with Maryland's Governor, Wes Moore on this trip to gain some valuable insight into the region while traveling and meeting with voters. 

Today there will be three events across the state of Virginia that Governor Walz will be taking part in as we move forward with the Harris-Walz Campaign. Prior to the first event in Roanoke, Governors Walz and Moore will be meeting with Mayor Sherman Lea and the CEO of Amtrak, Stephen Gardner, to take a tour of the Roanoke station and talk about the complicated history of rail travel in the region.

Event #1 (Roanoke, VA) Event Location: The Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center Event Type: Campaign Breakfast with Speech Event Time: 9:00-10:00 ET

Event #2 (Lynchburg, VA) Event Location: Central Virginia Community College Library Event Type: Listening Tour Event Time: 12:30-4:30 ET

Event #3 (Harrisonburg, VA) Event Location: James Madison University Event Type: Get Out the Vote Event Time: 7:00-10:00 ET

Roanoke, VA Full-text of speech to be released shortly.

Lynchburg, VA Inspired by Hilary Rodham Clinton's 2000 Senate Campaign's Listening Tour. Those working in agriculture, manufacturing, and grades are invited to attend and share stories of success, struggle, and ideas for improving Roanoke, Virginia, and the nation. The event is slated to draw around 150 workers and while the stories may be difficult to hear at times, we believe the campaign will benefite greatly by them.

Harrisonburg, VA A similar speech to that which was used at WVU is slated for the JMU students and volunteers. Additionally, while the on-campus event is marketed as 7-10pm ET, Governor Walz will spend the last hour in a room with students and volunteers who work the event eating pizza and taking photos. The GOTV event seemed to be well received even by conservative students who didn't know how to register on their campus or their vote by-mail options on WVU's campus and we are hopeful the same will ring true for JMU.

~BR~

[septembriseur]

I’m not directly involved in this, but one of the young men organizing it is a friend of several of my Afghan friends.

The full story and a news article discussing it are available at the link; here is the summary:

“Story: In a world where education is a priceless gift, one father's unconditional love and sacrifice shine through. Bashir Rezayi, a devoted father from Afghanistan, is determined to give his daughter, Shukria, the opportunity of a lifetime. After surviving a tragic suicide bomb attack on her class, Shukria's dreams of pursuing higher education seemed shattered. However, against all odds, she received a full scholarship to study medicine at the prestigious University of Lynchburg in Virginia.

Challenge: While Shukria's scholarship is a beacon of hope, there is a significant obstacle in her path. Due to the absence of a functioning US embassy in Afghanistan, she must travel to a third country, Pakistan, to obtain a US visa. With the lengthy visa process estimated to take up to ten weeks, time is running out for Shukria to secure her spot at the University of Lynchburg.

Solution: Bashir Rezayi, who has been unemployed since the Taliban regained power, is willing to go to great lengths to ensure his daughter's education. Despite the risks and challenges, he has decided to explore the option of selling one of his kidneys to cover the exorbitant costs of a black-market visa. Bashir's selflessness and determination embody the unwavering love of a father and the immense value he places on education.

Call to Action: We invite you to join us in supporting Bashir Rezayi's extraordinary act of love and sacrifice. By contributing to this campaign, you can help secure Shukria's future and enable her to pursue her dream of studying medicine at the University of Lynchburg. Every dollar donated brings her one step closer to covering the expenses of her visa, travel costs and cost of accommodation and ensuring that her scholarship is not lost.

Join us in this incredible journey of compassion and hope. Together, we can turn Bashir Rezayi's act of love into a powerful testament of the transformative power of education. Let us ensure that Shukria's dreams are not shattered but rather uplifted by the unwavering support of a global community.

Donate today and be a part of Shukria's remarkable story.”

[lboogie1906]

Dr. Augustus Nathaniel Lushington (August 1, 1869 - February 12, 1939) became the first African American to earn a DVM from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1897. He practiced for about two years in Philadelphia and worked as an instructor in Veterinary Sanitation and Hygiene at Bell Mead Industrial and Agricultural College at Rock Castle, West Virginia. He practiced for much of his career life in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he experienced unfair treatment, but he earned a reputation as a superior practitioner in the community. He had memberships as the Statistical reporter to the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Federal Department of Agriculture, and the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce.

He was born in the South Caribbean on the island of Trinidad. As a young child, his paternal grandfather from DR Congo was brought to Trinidad as a slave to work at the sugar plantation on the island. His father, William, worked as a butcher, who raised produce for sale at the market and did farm work.

He enrolled at Cornell University to study Agriculture. He graduated with a BS in Agriculture in 1894. He started another education at the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school. When he graduated he was the only African American to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. When students walk into the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the first thing they see is a portrait of him. His portrait hangs at the main entrance of the Rosenthal building.

He and his wife had three daughters. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[johnnykera]

A Film Festival with a small-town feel.

When we think of small towns in America, we think of places like Mayberry on the Andy Griffith Show from the 1950s or images of a Norman Rockwell paintings depicting youthful American drinking a malt and having a hamburger. The small towns of America have the values of freedom, openness, charm and tradition that hold true to this day in rural America. Towns in America can be described as boring, and not so rich in culture like museums, art centers, theaters and so on, but there is a change in the horizon when it comes to art culture. What if I were to tell you that a small town in Virginia, which sits between two cities of Roanoke and Lynchburg, called Bedford have a film festival called the Bedford International Film Festival, which is held once a year in early July to promote filmmaker's work on film, documentaries and screenplays to be screened in front of local town folks and other surrounding communities.

The Bedford film festival started five years ago by a film producer and casting director Laura Willoughby, along with her son Robert Ashwell, a writer and filmmaker. Both are natives of this town and began the idea to help promote art and culture in a near fading town, that was once a city. Filmmakers and writers submit their work through a website called www.filmfreeway.com, a site that allows filmmakers to pay submission fees, gain news insights on upcoming events, and search for other film festivals around the world. The Bedford film festival also has many events such writing workshops, filmmaking workshops, acting workshops and the understanding of how the film industry works.

In addition, the film festival also creates events such as Celebrity Chef and actor Jeremy Miller conducting a cooking series from his YouTube channel and having actress Claudia Wells (Jennifer from Back to the Future) attend this year's event.

The town was established in 1782 after the United States was established as a country (1776), which made many Colonists develop businesses and homesteads. From there on, the town was turned into a city filled with local shops, grocery stores, schools, etc. the town became the City of Bedford. But a short time back, the city later became a town again when its citizens began fleeing the city to other areas of the state, county, and nation from the small-town rural America.

Within the first five years of the film festival, the town has begun to see a small population growth, fueled by Millennials, Gen Zer's and some Gen Xer's to name a few. Homes here in Bedford are quiet more affordable than Roanoke and Lynchburg combined. A few small businesses began to pop up as well, in creating a small economy. One may think that being in a small town has no need for a film festival, well, one might need to rethink that as the organization began marketing and promoting the event, creating excitement within the Bedford and other surrounding communities about the film festival.

If anyone wishes to attend this year's event in Bedford, Virginia, please feel free to check out the flier below and visit our website at www.bedfordfilmfest.com to purchase tickets.

[valartist]

What's On My Easel

What’s On My Easel

Work in progress-a beautiful mind, 2

My life was recently turned topsy turvy once again. We lost our family pet of just over fifteen years. Devastated, doesn’t even begin to describe how I am feeling. Pets are more than a pet, to me, they are family members. You raise/rear your children and a pet right along side. They are there through so many of your life events. Good, bad, sad, your faithful…

[theremightbecupcakespodcast]

“Hungry Hill Farms: Honey & Bee Supplies” 🍯🐝 Lynchburg Farmers’ Market #farmersmarket #lynchburg #virginia #lynchburgva #fountain #fishfountain #summervibes #summer #summer2020 (at Lynchburg Community Market) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD2F-IKjc0E/?igshid=urz33ixuwepx

[shantarassoapandcandles]

If you get to the Lynchburg Community Market this week, right across from our booth is a Christmas Tree for elders in the community. If you are able, please take a bulb and bless a senior in our area with a few necessities they need. Common items they listed were bath towels, warm lap robes, bathrobes, pants, socks, etc. Nothing expensive, just basic things. What a wonderful idea! #christmasforelders #dontforgetourseniorsthischristmas (at Lynchburg Community Market) https://www.instagram.com/p/B49uUoRnCp9/?igshid=o3bjtrze85u0

[highschoolharrier]

Damon Godfrey is the head boys and girls cross country coach at Holmdel High School in New Jersey.

High School Harrier: Last year your team finished 3rd at the New Jersey Meet of Champions (a school best) and 7th at NXR NE. What were the expectations going into the season and how did the team feel the season finished?

Damon Godfrey:  Last year, we felt we had the potential to be a top 10 team in the state of NJ. We had finished 13th the year before with a very young team and felt like top 10 in 2018 was a realistic goal. The highest finish any Holmdel girl's team had at MOC's prior to last year was 9th place, so we were shooting to place above that. We were extremely pleased with our 3rd place overall finish. The girl's had finished second the previous 2 weeks at both the sectional and Group championship meet to a very strong Metuchen HS team. Many people did not think that they would be able to respond after 2 tough losses back to back but they really responded with their backs against the wall on the biggest stage.

HSH: How big of a motivating factor is NXN in the training and lead up to the season for these girls?

DG: Going into this 2019 season our #1 goal as a team is to try to win the NJ Meet of Champions. We are trying not to focus on NXN and feel like we need to handle things in our own state before we can start thinking about Portland. There are so many great teams in the state of NJ that it is going to take a monumental effort to win Meet of Champions. If we are lucky enough to be in a position at the regional meet to have a chance for 1st or 2nd and make it to nationals then we would be ecstatic, but we are going to try to not focus on that until after MOC's.

HSH: Compared to last year, where do you see your program this fall?

 DG: We are extremely excited for the upcoming season. We have added some very talented girls to the mix of our team to go along with the entire group that competed last year. We had no seniors on the 2018 team. All of the girls back this year were able to get some great experience last fall in some really big races that we hope will benefit and prepare them this year for the challenges ahead. 

HSH: Do you have any athletes you believe are ready to have a breakout season?

DG: We have several girls that I think are ready to have breakout seasons this fall. We are led by seniors Emily Levonas and Claudia Zhang as well as Junior Caitlyn Joyce. All 3 are returning All-State runners and primed for a big season. We have also added 2 very talented and strong runners to the mix that are new to XC. Junior Julianna Brown and junior Margaret Wojie both have played soccer the last 2 years during the fall, but both have done very well for us on the track. Both young ladies are training extremely hard and I believe both will make an immediate impact as top 7 runners for our team this season. 

HSH: Do you have any big regular season meets your team will be participating in this fall?

DG: We have several meets this season that we think will be extremely challenging this fall. In addition to our ultra competitive Shore Conference Championships and NJ State meets we plan on competing in the Bowdoin Invite as well as the Manhattan Invitational. 

HSH: What is your philosophical approach to coaching that shapes how you run your program? 

DG: My philosophical approach to coaching is that I put great emphasis on culture and relationships. With the amount of information available today to coaches everyone is knowledgeable and everyone has the ability to come up with great workouts. I strongly believe that the best coaches have a culture in place where everyone wants to contribute and everyone is vested in the outcome of the season. Finding out what motivates kids on a personal level and trying to push those buttons each day to me is the most important thing for team success.

HSH: What is a sample week of training for your program during the cross country season?

 DG: During the XC season a typical week for us consists of a mixture of strength focused base runs and interval work. We are extremely lucky that we have Holmdel Park, which is the best park in NJ, to train at every day. I try to implement 2 harder efforts a week that involve both hills and speed. The other days of the week we focus on running together as a group at a solid pace and strengthening and lengthening the size of our pack. I am a huge fan and proponent of the motto often talked about by great coaching legend Frank "Gags" Gagliano. Strength + Speed = a champion.  

HSH: How different is your track training versus your cross country training? 

DG: The difference between our track and XC training is based around the type of workouts we do. We spend much more time doing faster interval work on the track during the winter and spring as compared to the fall. We try to keep similar mileage season to season but the winters in NJ can sometimes throw a wrench into that scenario. We try to focus much more on dissecting the different parts of Holmdel Park in the fall as well so that we feel we are comfortable and ready for the championship season there. 

HSH: Do you have a staple workout you like to do with your program?

DG: A staple workout we love to do in the fall is mile repeats on the second mile of the Holmdel Park XC Course. The second mile is where the "bowl" is located.  We will do 3-4 mile repeats at 5k race pace with only 2-3 minutes rest between each. This is a really challenging effort that we do a few times per season. 

HSH: What type of ancillary training does your team do?

DG: Our team has really focused on strength training throughout the summer to prepare for the long grind of the XC season. Many of our girls work multiple times per week with a trainer where they focus on improving core strength and flexibility. We also try to use our weight room at school during the season to try to maintain the strength that we have built up during the summer months.  

HSH: What do you think is the most important aspect of your training program?

DG: I think the most important aspect of my training program like so many others is consistency. I feel confident in myself and my staff's ability to turn kids into better runners as long as each athlete is willing to commit to our program and show up every day. If they are willing to be " all in" and work hard then I think each athlete will see tangible results that they can be proud of no matter their place on the team.

HSH: What was the most influential book or coach that helped you get to where you've brought your program?

DG: I have been very lucky to have been around some great coaches in my life that have had a major impact on me. My high school coach John Gundry, who coached NJ legend Janet Smith, was a major influence on me and helped form my desire to be a coach. My college coach at Lynchburg College, Dr. Jack Toms, also was a great mentor for me. More recently I have been extremely lucky to form great friendships with Jason Vigilante (Head Mens XC Coach at Princeton University) and Brad Hunt (Head Womens XC Coach at Princeton) Both of these incredible coaches have taken me under their wing and have been invaluable resources for me the past several years. I am always looking for their input and opinion on team related matters and feel very fortunate that I can call them friends. 

HSH: What is one habit of your athletes that you wish you could change?

DG: One habit I wish I can change of my athletes is their lack of attention to sleep and rest. I am constantly reminding them how important rest and recovery is for performance but unfortunately I feel like sometimes it falls on deaf ears.

HSH: If you could improve one area of your training program what would it be?

 DG: One area of my program that I wish I could improve is our participation numbers. Holmdel is a small Group 2 school and we are challenged during the fall season getting new athletes to join the team from the middle school level. It is difficult to compete with many of the larger Group 4 schools in NJ when they have upwards of 80 girls on the team and we have 16 or 17. It makes our margin of error very slim and forces us sometimes to be very conservative with our training.

HSH: As an aside from XC, you put on a very competitive 3200 meet in the spring. Can you say a little about that?

DG: The Holmdel Twilight meets that we put on in the spring are something we are very proud of. We try to attract the best runners not only in NJ but from the east coast to take part and we try to put on a high quality and fun meet. We are very lucky to have formed a partnership with Hoka One for our Twilight meets and they add a different level of validity to the events. We also have great partners in the owners of  Runners High Shoe Store in Freehold, NJ, who do a phenomenal job helping us market the events to the local community. 

Photo from the Holmdel XC Twitter

[realtorsherrybowman]

The best kept secrets of living in middle Tennessee

If you're looking for a laid-back place to live with plenty of Southern charm, look no further than middle Tennessee. While it's not a secret that this area is beautiful, there are some lesser-known facts about life here that might surprise you. So if you're considering making a move to middle Tennessee, here are some things you should know first.

The cost of living in middle Tennessee is relatively affordable, especially when compared to other parts of the country. In fact, the median home price in the Nashville metro area is just over $200,000, which is fairly reasonable for a major city. And if you're looking for a more rural setting, there are plenty of small towns in the area that are just as charming and affordable.

The job market in middle Tennessee is also quite strong. In fact, the unemployment rate in the Nashville metro area is just 3.4%, which is well below the national average. And with a growing number of companies moving to the area, there are plenty of opportunities for employment.

There are also a number of fun things to do in your free time in middle Tennessee. If you enjoy the outdoors, there are plenty of hiking trails and parks to explore. Or if you're more of a music lover, you can catch a concert at the Grand Ole Opry or see a show at the Ryman Auditorium. And of course, there are also a number of great restaurants and bars to enjoy in the area.

So if you're considering making a move to middle Tennessee, there's a lot to love about this region. With its affordable cost of living, strong job market, and plenty of things to do, it's no wonder that so many people are choosing to call this area home. If you're interested to know more about living in middle Tennessee, call a local realtor in middle Tennessee today!

9 Must-see sights in middle Tennessee

If you're looking for a great road trip destination that's close to home, consider middle Tennessee. There are tons of amazing sights to see in this picturesque part of the country, and you can easily explore them all in a weekend. Here are nine must-see sights in middle Tennessee that you won't want to miss according to locals, investors and real estate agents.

1. Nashville - Of course, no trip to middle Tennessee would be complete without a visit to the state capital. Nashville is a music lover's paradise, with world-famous live music venues and a vibrant country music scene. There's also plenty of history to explore, from the Civil War battlefields to the state capitol building. And don't forget to sample the local cuisine - Nashville is known for its delicious southern cooking.

2. Memphis - Just a short drive from Nashville is the city of Memphis, home of the blues and rock 'n' roll. Be sure to visit iconic landmarks like Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, and Sun Studio, where legends like Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded some of their most famous tracks. And don't miss the chance to see a live show at one of Memphis' many incredible music venues.

3. Chattanooga - Chattanooga is another must-see city in middle Tennessee. This scenic city is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and it offers plenty of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking. Chattanooga is also home to some great museums, including the Tennessee Aquarium and the Hunter Museum of American Art. And be sure to try the local specialty - Chattanooga-style chicken!

4. Franklin - Just south of Nashville is the city of Franklin, a historic town with a charming Main Street lined with boutique shops and restaurants. Franklin was an important battlefield during the Civil War, and you can learn all about it at the Carter House, one of the best preserved buildings from that era. Or take a stroll through the Franklin Cemetery, where many Confederate soldiers are buried.

5. Lynchburg - Lynchburg is a small town located in the heart of middle Tennessee. This quaint community is best known as the home of Jack Daniel's, the world-famous whiskey distillery. Visitors can take a tour of the distillery to learn about the history of this iconic brand, and then sample some of the products at the on-site tasting room.

6. Murfreesboro - Murfreesboro is another historic city in middle Tennessee. This city was an important battlefield during the Civil War, and it's home to the Stones River National Battlefield, where you can learn all about the battle that took place there. You can also visit the Discovery Center at Murfreesboro, which features interactive exhibits about the area's history and culture.

7. Cookeville - Cookeville is a small city located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This charming community is home to Tennessee Tech University, and it's also a great place to enjoy the outdoors. There are plenty of hiking trails and parks in Cookeville, and you can even go tubing down the Cumberland River.

8. Pigeon Forge - Pigeon Forge is a small town located in the Smoky Mountains. This town is best known as the home of Dollywood, a world-famous theme park. But there's more to do in Pigeon Forge than just ride roller coasters. You can also visit the Titanic Museum, where you can learn all about the ill-fated ship and see artifacts from the wreck.

9. Gatlinburg - Gatlinburg is a small town located in the Smoky Mountains. This town is best known as a popular tourist destination, but it's also a great place to live if you want to get away from it all. There are plenty of hiking trails and parks in Gatlinburg, and you can even take a scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

10. Sevierville - Sevierville is a small town located in the Smoky Mountains. This town is best known as the home of Dollywood, but there's more to do in Sevierville than just ride roller coasters. You can also visit the Smoky Mountain Speedway, where you can watch races or take a spin around the track yourself. And if you're looking for some retail therapy, Sevierville is home to several outlet malls.

These are just a few of the many great places to visit in middle Tennessee. Whether you're looking for a historic city or a scenic mountain town, you're sure to find what you're looking for in this beautiful region of the state. So start planning your trip today, and see all that middle Tennessee has to offer! If you wish to live and buy a home in one of these places, call a real estate agent today!

If you're looking for more information about the top places to visit in middle Tennessee, check out this website:

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[keyyprettyxo-blog]

Touch, but you can’t have!

Journee 

“5….4...3...2….1… HAPPY NEW YEAR!” the crowd inside of ICE Bar shouted. It was crazy because I was out with my girls bringing in the New Year and I couldn’t escape my thoughts long enough to enjoy myself. All I could think about was him. Ezra truly had my mind gone. We met way back when we both were young, dumb, and full of bullshit. I knew from the moment I met him that it was something amazing about him, but it was hidden it was like a mystery. Almost as if what was within him had to be sought after. I was ready to do just that, but for some reason I always felt like it was so deep that he didn’t want the things that shaped him into the king that he was to be exposed. We eventually grew apart, but recently we reconnected.   Everything that I had once felt came rushing right back. “Hey stranger” he said to me as my mind though back to the first night I was back in his presence. I stood giving him a hug, but he met me with a kiss. I welcomed it sincerely. I missed him so much. His lips felt the same as the last time mine touched them. It had only been a few months since I last saw him, but it was like he had transformed into a greek god or some shit. I had been avoiding this moment because I knew Ezra had a girlfriend. I would never go as far as saying he belonged to her because he was mine.  His touch was the only one that felt right to my body. It was like his hands were made just for that purpose. I stood in his arms for which felt like forever hugging and kissing him. we made our way to the bed and things escalated. He wanted me just as bad as I wanted him. Ezra was like a sex God to me. He took me to heights I had never been. I wasn't even that sexually experienced but with him I became a pornstar. His sex was amazing he aimed to please me every time. After numerous rounds, my body needed to relax. I laid down on his bed and him next to me. We did something we had never done before. we actually talked. We shared so much shit about it each,other. After our hours of endless conversation, I decided it would be best if I left. We had already spent entirely too much time together and I couldn't sit there a moment longer because my feelings for Ezra had grew so much deeper in just that small amount of time. He walked me downstairs, I made my way home. The entire ride my mind wandered. All I could think about was all the what ifs. What if me and Ezra could truly be. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" my best friend Daysha asked escaping me from my thoughts of Ezra. "Nothing" I said looking at her "why?" I asked. "uhh.. bitch because you ain't touched your food and you fucking love Ice wings." she said making me realize that I hadn't eaten anything, but I somehow managed to drink three Lynchburg Lemonades and a shot of Patron. "this is the fourth day you haven't ate" I thought to myself. I rolled my eyes in irritation. I had wasted my whole night thinking about this nigga that I knew for a fact was layed up with his bitch. Bringing in the new year giving her my dick. 

THE NEXT DAY

I finally woke up from tossing and turning all night. I checked my phone over and over. hoping to have gotten a "Happy New Year" text from Ezra. Only to find that I had nothing but messages from my mother, some friends, and a couple church members. I don't know what happened but I instantly started to cry. I had made the mistake of falling in love with a man that was already in love with someone else. 

I rolled a blunt and ran a bath, hoping that the weed and warm water would relax my mind. I turned on my playlist and of all songs. "naked" by Ella Mai filled the sounds of the bathroom. I laughed because as if my emotions weren't all over the place this song had to come on. After handling my hygiene, I got dressed. I wasn't going to sit in this house all day. I dressed in an all black body suit that hugged my curves incredibly. I was a plus sized girl so I made sure to always look good when I stepped out. I paired it with a light denim jacket and a pair of jordans. I put on my jewelry and my favorite perfume Guilty by Gucci. I hopped in my 2016 Honda Accord with no destination. I just rode. forty minutes later I found myself in Ezra's Neighborhood. I couldn't believe I was in this man's neighborhood. I parked in the back  of the community, watching his building. I wanted to see him. I wanted to lay eyes on him even if I couldn't even say hello I wanted to just feel the butterflies I felt when I was around him. I felt like a crazy ass stalker. This wasn't even in my character. I had to shake this shit. I started my engine, just as my phone began to ring.  "Hello my love" I answered. "what's up where you at?" Daysha asked. "Oh I'm leaving from Walmart" I lied. "oh I thought you said you didn't have no money... hmm .. okay" she said. I laughed to myself because she knew I was lying as she always did. It was funny because she never questioned it. I hoped on the interstate and made my way back to Virginia Beach. It was crazy because the only thing I was missing was love. I had an amazing job as an international marketer for Ulta Beauty. I had my own home and two vehicles. In my opinion all I lacked was man to love me unconditionally. I couldn't lie it was something I was honestly insecure about. I've been with a few niggas, but I've never had a real relationship where it's clear that I'm his and he's mine. Sometimes I even found myself jealous of the people around me who were living this fairy tale life that I had always pictured for myself. A husband and two daughters would be the only thing to complete my life in my opinion. As much as I wanted it, it still seemed so far out of my grasp. Shit the closest thing I had to a man was back at his crib laid up with somebody else. I checked my phone all day long waiting for a text from Ezra. As much as I wanted to talk to him I couldn't bring myself to text him. I knew what he was doing and I respected him. I guess because of the love and respect I had for him I couldn't disrespect his relationship. Call me crazy, but I wasn't interested in setting shit off, or bringing unneeded drama into his space. I wanted his life to be as peaceful as possible. Even if it wasn't with me. I pulled in to parking Garage of my building where I knew Daysha would be waiting for me. "what's up bitch" she said as we both exited our cars. "Hey" I said. she looked at me. "oh bitch.. what is wrong with you?... don't tell me you still on this Ezra shit. I told you going over there was going to be a bad idea. Look at you now, all love sick. It's dead sis. He has somebody!" she said. I listened to her, but it honestly went in one ear and out the other I couldn't except it for some reason. As soon as we entered the house Daysha made her way to my mini bar and made us a glass of wine. "look sis, I know you love this man, and I can't sit here and say that he don't love you back because I don't know how he feels. But you need to except the fact that he ain't about to leave what he is already sure of. He knows how she makes him feel and what she's done for him. He's going to play it safe. I felt the tears building and there was a lump in my throat. Daysha was telling the truth and I knew it but, I wasn't going out like that I couldn't take not having Ezra in my life. I was lost because I didn't know if I was willing to except only having half of him just to say I had him.

[valartist]

Hand dying silk scarves...

Hand dying silk scarves…

As promised on IG (follow me #valartist) and FB (#thecustombrush) I am going to write a little about the process I used to make some silk scarves.

First let me say that a lot of artist don’t “get” needing a break from painting. But I do need one, I always have. Especially after having cranked out 4 larger paintings. This doesn’t mean I’m not feeling creative, but rather I need some time to…

[valartist]

silk scarves...

silk scarves…

•Habotai Silk Scarves

•11×60 inches

•handmade/handdyed

•original designs

•$75 (includes US shipment)

SOLD

SOLD