Blog.MichaelDogan.Com

Ok… I stole that from Julia.  As always, mom has the house decorated with bunnies and eggs, and everything else Easter, as well as of course the crucifiction and resurrection.  With my Dad, brother and myself always giving her a hard time, she always does a good job of making the house warm and welcoming and aptly decorated.  Good Job Mom!

Today was another beautiful day here in Roanoke and Lauren and I took advantage of the weather and strolled through my parents neighborhood.  It’s amazing to me how green the grass is, and how colorful all of the trees and flowers are.  I guess living in the city, and traveling to Brescia, Rome, Milan, Naples, and Genoa, etc…  well, I guess I spend most of my time in the city and forget how much I enjoy the greenery.

John came over and he, dad and I watched the final round of the Masters while mom and Lauren hung out upstairs chatting (only mildly frightening)  Actually, this was Lauren’s 3rd or 4rth trip to Roanoke, and she and Mom hit it off right away, so they have no problem sitting and chatting for hours.  That’s a good thing.  I think.  =)  The final round of the Masters was amazing.  I never thought I’d get so fired up watching golf on television, but the scenery in Augusta was truly breathtaking, and the match was full of unexpected twists and turns.

We had a wonderful dinner together, and then settled back downstairs to watch the final playoff of the Masters.  Julia stopped over for a little while.  It’s always good to see her.  I really wish she and I lived closer together.  Even though its been over a decade since we lived near each other, I still miss having her around.

Almost forgot…. Hoppy Birthday Holly Maybe!!!

Cheers,

- Michael Dogan

Lauren and I headed back to Roanoke Virginia, to see Mommy and Daddy Dogan for the Easter holiday.  Saturday was a beautiful day, so we headed downtown and made a stop by the O Winston Link museum.  Winston Link was a famous American photographer, most known for his absolutely incredible black and white railroad photography.  In particular, he is famous for “The Norfolk & Western Project”, where he chronicled the N&W as the last major class I railroad in the United States to make the move from steam to diesel.  As a little nod to some of Mr. Link’s B&W RR photography, here is a picture of the RR tracks which actually run just behind the museum and right through downtown Roanoke.  If you are interested in either photography, or Railroading, I highly suggest checking out some of his work.  You can start your search at the link above, or repeated here to his museum. In recent years, Roanoke has shed its image as a “railroad town” as others have surpassed the railroad as the major employer. However, without the N&W, Roanoke might not have existed.

After the museum, the four of us headed around the old market area and went for a little walk.  We grabbed a “dog” at the “world famous” Roanoke Weiner Stand, which has been in business in the same building since 1910.  My dad actually worked across the street at the florist shop as a kid.  I enjoyed the hot dog… I’m not sure Lauren shared my enthusiasm.  We walked through the Roanoke Market building (pictured above right) before heading back to the house for dinner.

It’s nice to be home.

- Michael Dogan