virginia — vespers is nigh

Fostering Greyhounds

by alana

Back in January, we decided that one of the volunteering activities we would like to do is to foster greyhounds as they come off the track. The Humane Society estimates that thousands of greyhounds are put to death each year because they simply cannot run fast enough to win. Breeders are only interested in speed but thankfully there are many groups in the United States and internationally that work on rescuing these beautiful dogs and place them in loving homes. A greyhound is anywhere from 2-4 years old when retired from the track. Some were never raced because they failed to show potential. Others were raced until they begin to lose, sometimes by only a tenth of a second.

In the Washington, DC metro area, there are several greyhound rescue organizations available to help with adoptions:

Greyhound Welfare
Greyhound Rescue, Inc.
Blue Ridge Greyhound Adoption
GPA of Northern Virginia
Greyt Expectations Greyhound Rescue

We chose to go with Greyhound Welfare because they foster each of the greyhounds that enter their program. They focus on getting to know the dog’s needs and personality in the context of a home to help make a good adoption match. After all of our research into each of these organizations, we felt that GW’s dedication to fostering each dog they place was an important part of our decision. While we think that we will adopt that perfect match of a greyhound someday, we know that we can do a world more good by allowing some to live with us briefly on their way to a permanent home.

If you are interested in adopting a greyhound or have the resources to foster, check out Adopt a Greyhound, to find the nearest rescue group in your area.

May 4, 2008 No Comments

Awaiting a Gentle Spring

by alana

In like a lion, out like a lamb aptly describes the spring we are experiencing here in Northern Virginia this year. What started out as raining and freezing during the end of March has now reached clear skies and tomorrow’s forecast of nearly 80 degrees.

I stopped by the local garden center this afternoon and picked up the first haul of mulch for the beds. We’ve made a firm commitment to not add any new plantings until we clear the freezing period which is the beginning of May. It is so hard to wait but at the same time it will be worth it. Rather than putting in the same old pansies planted around all of the communities here, I am looking forward to the Blandy Farm Garden Fair over Mother’s Day weekend.

Blandy Farm is part of the Virginia State Arboretum and is run by the University of Virginia. It is a stunning grounds that, even during the height of blossom seasons for all sorts of plants, seems to be rather unpatronized which is a downright shame. At the Garden Fair, there are a wide variety of family activities, walks, and tours, but most important is the massive plant sale that includes local vendors and also cultivars from the Arboretum’s collection. The plants focus on native cultivars and I look forward to filling the front flower beds with a variety of native plants this year.

April 20, 2008 2 Comments

Winter Wonderland

by alana

January is always interesting in Northern Virginia when it comes to our weather patterns. The first week of the year, we enjoyed a couple of balmy 70 degree days. Everyone was out washing their cars, wearing their spring clothes, and generally enjoying a reprieve from the sub-freezing temperatures we’re usually subjected to during the season.

Weather, as we all know, is never constant. Two weeks later and we find ourselves under 4-6 inches of snow. On my way home from work, I was able to snap off a few photos as I drove down some country roads.

January 20, 2008 No Comments

Route 50 in Virginia Horse Country

by alana

Jacob and I live along Route 50, an amazing and diverse road that runs across our country from coast to coast. NPR frequently runs segments interviewing citizens living across the route to get a cross-section view of our nation’s views and opinions.

Recently I was out west of our house on a drive to Upperville, VA with my camera. My hopeful goal on a clear and unseasonably warm afternoon was to take some photos of Trinity Episcopal’s grounds. The grounds have housed a congregation since 1842 and the most recent church was a gift from Paul Mellon that was completed in 1960. But, low and behold it was Wednesday afternoon and the active congregation at Trinity was preparing for the evening worship. I passed them by and turned south to wander the country roads of Virginia’s hunt and horse country.

On another stop at the historical landmarker for where Mosby actually first inaugerated his maurading cohort of Civil War fame, the pull out is hemmed in between the bustle of traffic on Route 50 and a horse ranch. While trying to get a lovely field + powerlines to anchor the frame perspective, I attracted the inhabitants of the nearest field.

But while that chestnut ignored me blithely to munch on grass, another in the field decided that if there was going to be any adoration of horses, he obviously needed to be involved. He set off and brought the remainder of the group with him to show off.