Visual Aides: Near and Far

Bluebells Not Ringing Yet

We’ve looked, but there is no sign yet of the Virginia Bluebells we transplanted 15 years ago. They remind us of Walnut Knob where we dug them up–my first Floyd County home out on the Parkway in 1997. And they are a symbol of spring. We have not arrived, so this image will have to suffice. Mouse-over the thumbnail for enlarged view. [su_custom_gallery source=”media: 11025″]

A Matter of Perspective

I highly recommend this new look at Life, The Universe and Everything–at least to the extent that we have been able to extend our vision via the Hubble Space Telescope. This piece I come back to at low points, as a frame of reference. Funny, first time I mistyped frame of “reverence.” [Don’t even think about watching this without audio on or at less than full screen.]

[su_youtube url=”http://youtu.be/loXDVGi_lK0″]

And Closer to Earth…

And definitely worth a look for those who love, live in or long for views of Floyd County, Virginia–this new promotional video that offers a glimpse of who and where we are. The what and why are harder to portray in nine minutes.

[su_youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G140-r9r2gc&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1″]

We live in an amazing place in time and space, and walk around like numb, ungrateful zombies most of our waking ours. If we comprehended it all, our heads would explode. Reverence. Humility. Gratitude. And awe. Open those filters all the way and take another look.

Share this with your friends!
fred
fred

Fred First holds masters degrees in Vertebrate Zoology and physical therapy, and has been a biology teacher and physical therapist by profession. He moved to southwest Virginia in 1975 and to Floyd County in 1997. He maintains a daily photo-blog, broadcasts essays on the Roanoke NPR station, and contributes regular columns for the Floyd Press and Roanoke's Star Sentinel. His two non-fiction books, Slow Road Home and his recent What We Hold in Our Hands, celebrate the riches that we possess in our families and communities, our natural bounty, social capital and Appalachian cultures old and new. He has served on the Jacksonville Center Board of Directors and is newly active in the Sustain Floyd organization. He lives in northeastern Floyd County on the headwaters of the Roanoke River.

Articles: 3008

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.