Totuskey Creek

Old Grain Silos on Totuskey Creek, Richmond County, Virginia, August 2025

We pulled over because the old rusting silos on the creek caught my eye. Any pull-over requires that I put a voice to what I notice. That I overcome my reluctance to impose on my husband/driver to make a U-turn and navigate us to a safe parking spot so that I might explore the area. I wonder out loud to Dave just how many times he has patiently maneuvered the van to set me and my camera to where we want or need to be positioned. I am fully convinced that my best trait as a photographer is my willingness to get out of the car. I have plenty of shortcomings, but among my strengths is a great spirit of determination.

I take a few photos of the silos over the creek from the bridge along Route 3. I am safe as there is a wide border for pedestrians on either side of the highway. The pictures are okay, but there are electric wires running parallel to the bridge and they interfere with the cleanest composition. I can see a boat landing below, just beneath and to the side of the bridge. I make my way back to the van and ask Dave to please figure out how to get me to that landing. We make two more U-turns and he works out the directions to the boat landing. My husband has an excellent sense of direction, and I do not. From the landing, the view is gorgeous. The sky is gray and overcast but not totally washed out. I carefully underexpose my image so I can maintain some of the detail from the sky. I try hard to set the camera straight. I always have difficulty when there are multiple and diverging lines in the frame. Where the heck is straight? I make sure to include those lovely ripples in the water and the reflections. I am satisfied that I have done my best.

I make note of the name of the creek. Thankfully Virginia has signs that clearly label its creeks. Back at home, I research Totuskey Creek and I am fascinated by the history of this tributary of the Rappahannock River. Happy with myself and grateful for my husband—for making the effort to pull-over. Once again.

Christmas in July

Christmas in July, 2025

I’ve noticed a lot of Christmas in July this year. Hallmark movie marathons, craft shows, and holiday decorations for sale. I’m not one to squash another person’s joy . . . but I really do not want to rush through life, hurrying on to the next season. Can I just linger here in summer a little longer?

Polegreen Produce and Cat-Face Tomatoes

Cat-Face Tomatoes, Polegreen Produce, Mechanisville, Virginia, August 2025

We bought fresh Lima beans and homemade vegetable soup. And Hanover tomatoes. I had to ask, just exactly, what is a cat-face tomato?

Sometimes deep crevices and scar tissue will appear on the blossom end of the tomatoes. At first glance, the bottom side of such a tomato might resemble the face of a cat. This is a surprisingly common disorder found in vegetable gardens, but little scientific research has been done to definitively determine the cause of these misshapen tomatoes. The tomatoes are still perfectly fine to eat, just not quite as pretty as the grocery store variety.