dawnkinster

October 27, 2013
by dawnkinster 17 Comments

Yes I’m a pretty girl. I know.

New smells!

Katie here! Haven’t you missed reading about my adventures? Me too, cause I haven’t had any! I’ve been bugging and bugging my Mama but she says she’s working too hard to go adventuring with me. Huh. Seems an easy fix; just stop working Mama and hang out with me all the time! Problem solved!

So anyway, I’ve been working on her to take me to the park and she finally said yes, she could take me in between all her other commitments, if I was sure I wanted to go. Sure I wanted to go? Is she crazy? I’m always sure I want to go. Go ahead. Test me, say “Hey Katie, want to GO?” and see what happens.

I’m ready Mama!

Yep I’m always up for a jaunt in the park. This time we went to a park a little farther away with fresh smells. We went way in the back of the park where no one was and she let me run around off leash! That is so much fun! I always stay very close to her but it’s nice to be able to stop and sniff whenever I want.

Then suddenly she was clipping on my leash real fast and telling me to hurry up! And you know what came chugging across the field? THIS:

What the heck is that?

It was a tractor pulling kids on a hayride all around the park. I thought it was very interesting, but I don’t think I would have run after it. Well. Pretty sure.

After that we went to investigate the kids playground. Mama kept asking me to sit on these silly big dots of color. I told her I didn’t like the way it felt on my feet, and besides, I pointed out the sign said ‘NO PETS’ but apparently Mama can’t read. She did leave her glasses in the car, so maybe that was the problem.

I found a dot that matches me Mama!

At one of the dot places there was a drain and it had funny sounds coming out of it. I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

Scary! Can we go now Mama?

After that we walked past the climbing wall. I was pretty bored. Doesn’t Mama know that dogs don’t climb walls? What does she think I am, a cat??

Stupid climbing wall. Wonder what’s over THERE?

Mama kept asking me to pose in front of pretty trees and stuff.

Another red tree. Sigh.

That was boring too. I wanted to walk some more and we did end up walking a long way…but not 8 miles. She’ll tell you we did, but honestly? We didn’t.

Look! I went a long way! (kidding!)

We did some heeling practice too cause I have a trial coming up next weekend. Mama said looking down at me and my shadow it almost felt like she had two dogs.

Me and my shadow…

Daddy says I have enough personality for two dogs. And that’s why he won’t let Mama get me a brother or sister. He says I am enough. I don’t know. I might like a brother or a sister. But on the other hand I sort of like all the attention myself too.

It got kind of windy before we left. I like how the wind blows my fur around. Makes me very glamorous don’t you think?

Yes I know I’m beautiful.

My mama and I had a great time. I don’t know why I have to bug her so much to get her to take me to the park. She has just as much fun as I do. Maybe even more considering she’s always taking pictures. In fact the header up above, the one of the two leaves? She took that while we were at the kids playground. I pointed it out to her. My Mama. Always stopping and taking pictures.

Next weekend we have an Obedience Trial. I can tell she’s sort of nervous. She’s always spontaneously asking me to heel. Geeze. I get it Mama! Give me a break! I’ll be fine next weekend.

Will you be fine Mama?

Smiling at my Mama.

October 26, 2013
by dawnkinster 25 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Horizon

WordPress has issued the weekly photo challenge. You know how much I love photo challenges and as soon as I saw the topic – horizon – I knew where I wanted to look. When I think of wide open spaces and a visible horizon here in Michigan I immediately think of our Great Lakes. So I looked through my archives and found a couple of possibilities.

But the road called. I admit it…I’ll grab any excuse for a road trip. Even a short road trip. So early this morning I set out heading north and east, targeting Lake Huron for my horizon shot. I didn’t know exactly where I’d end up, but the weather guy said there were gale force winds and 10 to 15 foot waves. I wanted to see that.

Turns out the weather guy was wrong. No waves but I did find this (click on photos to see the detail):

Lake Huron

Don’t you wonder what that is out there on the horizon? Of course you do. It’s the remnants of a structure that was built in the mid 1800’s to load gypsum onto ships from the quarry onshore. Want to see it a little closer?

Originally built in 1862

There was a pier built on the big concrete pilings all the way out to the loading building which is multiple stories high. It’s huge, even from far away. If you Googlemap Lake Huron near the town of Tawas you can see it jutting out into the lake.

Here’s some information, found at a historical market near the beach.

Historical explanation.

So that’s my submission for ‘horizon.’ Except that on my drive back I stopped at another little beach and found this fisherman. I thought this was a nice way to view the horizon too.

Fishing Lake Huron

I enjoyed looking for the horizon today. The sky was interesting and the lake was, as it always is, pulling at my heartstrings. It was good to take a few moments to enjoy the view even though I didn’t get to see any giant waves.

Walking toward the horizon.

October 24, 2013
by dawnkinster 16 Comments

Scary concert

Practice practice practice!

Tuesday night was the last rehearsal before our Halloween concert. I need to practice every night. Every. Night. Last night I spent 30 minutes on a few measures of Damnation of Faust by Hector Berlioz. It’s all pretty good except for some transition triplets that, counting in two, I can’t seem to get. And it’s pretty much just us clarinets doing it…so at rehearsal it was mush. Really bad mush. I’ve written in the beats of each measure. I’ve slowed it down. I’ve counted it in four. I’ve tongued the triplets to keep track even though it’s not written that way. Sigh. I need to figure this out.

We’re also playing Vesuvius by Frank Ticheli. It’s supposed to represent a volcano. We aren’t quite there. I’ve been playing along with a recording of it for a few weeks. That helps a lot, but still this is one you have to keep counting and not get caught up in listening to anyone else. Take a moment and listen to it. It’s a pretty cool piece. If we had about 3 more weeks of practice it would work out. But the concert is next Tuesday.

And yes we’re playing some other music that we can get through with less angst. But I have to say, our concert’s title is apt. “Things that scare us.”

Cause I’m feeling plenty scared.

Fractured

Wordless Wednesday-still blooming

October 23, 2013 by dawnkinster 20 Comments

This gallery contains 8 photos

October 21, 2013
by dawnkinster 21 Comments

Happy birthday Marathon Betty!

Have you ever run a marathon? Yes, the twenty-six point two miles kind of marathon. Not many people have. You have to be a special kind of crazy to want to do something so painful, and my friend Betty is a very special kind of crazy lady. Sunday she celebrated her 70th birthday by running her 16th full marathon. It was her 53rd birthday when she ran the first one and she says this will be her last. But you never know. Our running group calls her our Energizer Betty; she just keeps going and going.

Before the race.

Another running friend, Jane, and I went down to Detroit early Sunday morning to support Betty, and friends Kim and Kathy in their marathon attempt. Jane made the great sign; one side had the birthday message, the other side was more general, aimed at motivating all the runners as they went by. We used the sign to find Betty and Kim in a massive sea made up of thousands of runners corralled before the race began.

Looking for Betty

Jane also put together a plan for getting us to different places on the course. I figured out she and I walked and/or sprinted over 8 miles as we maneuvered to see our runners before the race, then at miles 9, 19, 23 and the finish line. It was worth it.

If you’ve ever done something so much bigger than yourself, poured yourself into the preparation, done the training, mentally challenged yourself, then you know how adrenalin can push you through the event. But having support on the sidelines makes the experience even better. Jane and I, along with members from Betty and Kim’s family were determined to provide all the support we could.

The start before morning light.

The race began under a full moon. The runners were warmer than we were as we waited at mile 9 in the shadow of the Joe Lewis hockey arena. At first the runners coming by were sparse, but soon enough the street was clogged with athletes.

Happy runners at mile 9

By mile 9 the runners had already crossed the Detroit river on the Ambassador bridge into Canada, run the Canadian riverfront, then come back to the States via the tunnel under the river. Amazingly most of them were still looking good! I was so cold by the time we left mile 9 I was wishing I was running! And let me tell you, that’s pretty darn cold!

Jane and I moved on, to the other side of town, into sunshine as we waited for our friends to come by on their way to run around an island in the middle of the river at mile 19. Jane brought snacks for them, and little Cokes. Both runners were grateful for the liquid caffeine.

Running strong at mile 19!

Jane and I wanted to see them when they came off the island too, we wanted to make sure they were still doing alright. We both know that the hardest miles in a marathon begin after mile 20. So we waited at mile 23. The skies darkened, the wind picked up, the temperature dropped. We were worried that Betty was wearing a tank top and shorts. Jane shed one of her shirts in preparation to give it to Betty if she needed it. We knew they’d be running along the Detroit waterfront for most of the rest of the race and we didn’t want her to be cold.

But this is Betty at mile 23:

She knows she has this one in the bag.

She doesn’t look cold, does she. Sure she was tired and she was hurting and she was wanting it to be done. But she was smiling and she started running again right after this shot.

Inspirational.

That’s why we have nicknamed her our Energizer Betty. We all want to be her when we grow up.

Running to the finish line.

She is amazing. She is strong. She said it was the best birthday, perfect weather for a marathon, her family including husband, daughter, grandchildren, and friends were there to share it with her. Her daughter and a grandson ran her in the last couple of miles.

You can’t get better than that. You can’t ask more of life than that. To do something you love on your 70th birthday and to share it all with people you care about.

I was honored to be there.

Athlete!

October 19, 2013
by dawnkinster 18 Comments

“Walktober”

Walking along a country road.

Robin on her blog Breezes at Dawn proposed a virtual group walk a few weeks ago. We’re all going out for a walk sometime this week and then posting about what we found. I am always looking for an excuse to go for a walk, and we’ve had such beautiful weather this fall it’s hard to be inside. I chose this past Friday for my Walktober because I had the day off and because it might be the last pretty day for a long time. Rain is forecast along with colder weather. Besides…this challenge is due by Sunday!

Golden afternoon.

I thought I’d go on my favorite four mile running route. I thought I’d find one photo per mile to share with all of you. I was wrong. Even during the first 1/2 mile I found many beautiful things to show you.

Cottonwood and Oak.

How could I choose just one?

Swamp holly and maples

At the end of my road I remembered a small windmill that I see every morning when I commute to work. Early mornings when the air is cool and the water still warm a gentle mist floats up from the pond. It’s beautiful. I’ve always wanted to photograph it. I knew it was somewhere between where I stood and the next road north…approximately a mile of woods and fields away. I also knew there was no mist that afternoon. But still, I wanted to see if I could find it.

So the planned four mile walk along country roads was exchanged for a hike across country.

Old pasture.

Back behind the trees I found the old rock field fence that lined what used to be a road.

Yesterday’s fence.

I came across this little guy. I can’t remember if this means a long or a short winter. Do you?

Heading toward winter.

Eventually I moved out of the woods and found a mowed path that wound through a field and down to the pond. Such a pretty place, you’d think it would be tranquil. But the freeway was right there with it’s constant roar. The windmill was cute though!

Pretty little spot.

On my way back to the road I noted this bird condo. I wondered who has lived there and whether anyone lives there now.

Bird houses.

Then I was back on the road and walking past a little lake — enjoying the colors across the way. The pontoon boat seemed to be enjoying the pretty afternoon too as it waited for one last voyage before winter closes in.

Summer meets fall.

So I never made it around my 4 mile route. There would have been pretty things to show you if I had gone that way too. Horses, barns, sun, shadows, colored trees, woodlands. But I went the way less traveled and found new treasures.

Thanks Robin, for encouraging us to get out and see our worlds. It was fun. Hopefully we’ll do a “Walknover!”

Stepping out.

October 18, 2013
by dawnkinster 14 Comments

WordPress photo challenge – hue

This week the photo challenge from WordPress is all about hue. And here in Michigan our world is ablaze with color; everywhere we look trees are glowing. So it would seem appropriate that the photo I chose to represent the concept of hue is filled with red maple leaves glowing in this afternoon’s waning light, right in my own back yard. (Click on photo to see all the details.)

Glowing

I especially like the way the background seems to bisect the photo, winter’s blue grey on the left, the last bit of summer’s green on the right. That’s what fall is here in Michigan….summer hangs on as long as it can but inevitably we are heading toward the neutrals of winter.

Wordless Wednesday, backyard morning light

October 16, 2013 by dawnkinster 10 Comments

October 15, 2013
by dawnkinster 19 Comments

The big adventure

At a rest stop.

Katie here. I just have to tell you about my big adventure. I’d have told you while I was adventuring but I was having too much fun to blog. And then I was so exhausted that I had to sleep. A lot. Mama had to wake me up just to type this. She is wicked that Mama.

So anyway, you know how my Mama is always taking me on adventures? She gets me all excited and then we just go to my park (which I like and all, but it’s hardly an adventure!) or to the store, or worse, we tour the back yard. Well this time when she told me we were going on an adventure she wasn’t kidding around!

We drove and drove for about forty days and forty nights. (OK, it was 4 hours, maybe a little more.) We stopped at 3 rest stops along the way and I liked all the new smells a lot. But still it was a long car ride.

My chariot.

When I was just about to explode and tell her off we were there! Guess what? We went to visit Ricky! Yes, THAT Ricky!

Little Ricky!

And he has a cool fenced in back yard and we got to run through his tunnel and jump over his jumps and everything! (No pictures of that because we were all having too much fun to remember the camera.)

Ricky and I got along just fine. He showed me lots of stuff, like how to do stairs. He has a lot of stairs at his house. I don’t do stairs, unless I have to when Mama isn’t looking. But mostly I don’t have to because, as you all know, I am a princess. So my Mama carries me up and down them because I whine about it. It’s a skill.

Mama! Come get me!

But you know what the best part of the trip was? We went to Ricky’s park. It is sooooo wonderful! It has woods and a ravine and a creek and gardens! There are so many things to look at and sniff I could hardly stand it!

Me and Ricky.

Ricky and I and our Moms spent a long time there and I didn’t complain once about having to walk so far.

Pretty gardens!

And I sat in the back seat of Ricky’s Mom’s car without trying to crawl into my Mama’s lap! See? I can be a good girl.

We sat in the back seat. Together.

Ricky is a good influence on me. He’s also a good friend, and so is his Mom and Dad, cause they let me stay in his house and sleep in his room on his sofa! Well. He might not know I did that, so maybe we won’t tell him.

Our ride home was very long too…and I did not sleep not one bit. OK. maybe a little. But I didn’t put my head down until we were almost home!

Just resting my eyes.

It was a wonderful trip. Next time my Mama tells me we’re going on an adventure I hope it’s as exciting as this one. Though I don’t know how she could top it.

I don’t get my feet wet either. Just saying.

I’m off to take another nap now. Gonna have the best dreams ever!

Thanks Ricky!

October 14, 2013
by dawnkinster 14 Comments

Night music

Ceiling

I was lucky this weekend. I got to attend a Columbus Symphony concert on Saturday night. You know how much I love to listen to live symphony music, so it was a treat to visit Columbus, sit in a beautiful venue, and listen to such lovely music.

The program contained three pieces. The first, Brio: Toccata and Fantasy for Orchestra, was written by a relatively young composer, John Estacio, born in 1966. It felt like a lush movie background, perhaps the sound you hear behind one of those motion films seen on giant screens, where you’re in an airplane flying low across the country. At the beginning I could see herds of horses racing across the prairie, the majestic Rocky Mountains touched with snow. I felt the plane dip low into the Grand Canyon, then glide gently across farmland, barns glowing in the sun. Soon I was on the East Coast, swinging through New York’s Central Park, where the frenetic sounds of millions of commuters began to infringe on the calm. The piece ended, for me, in the streets of that city with people and taxis moving together in the crazy race of city life. I know these images are likely not the inspiration the composer used when he wrote this piece, but I thoroughly enjoyed imaging it my way.

Second on the program was Rachaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 in C Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op.18. It starts melancholy, contemplative, but my favorite part was the second movement, so sweetly gentle, such a familiar melody. You’d recognize it if you heard, (I linked so you CAN hear) and you’d smile. I smiled.

Ornate

The last piece of the night was also familiar; Brahm’s Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98. I thought my favorite movement of the four was the first. It’s so lush, so full, so familiar. But it turns out my favorite was the third movement with it’s grand entrance, jubilant and exultant moving into a playful dance.

Warming up

I was thinking, on the walk back out to the car, that if everyone could experience an evening like this just once in awhile the world would be a better place. There are so many bad things going on both here at home and across the world. Music like this is like comfort food. In fact I’ll risk calling it comfort music. I could feel the stress flowing out of my neck and shoulders as I sat and absorbed the music into my soul Saturday night.

I wish, truly wish, everyone could experience music live. If you ever get the opportunity attend a symphony concert one evening, even if you don’t think you like this kind of music. Just go. Close your eyes and let your mind float free. See how you feel. See what you imagine. It will expand your mind. It will let you breath.

Comfort music. We could all use a little more of it.

Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Author Archives: dawnkinster