Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Author Archives: dawnkinster


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And then there was light

You probably saw on the news that there was a very large solar event this week. Tuesday night was supposed to be stunning, with the kind of aurora lights we saw a couple years ago. Of course Tuesday night I was in band and when I got home our skies were cloud covered.

I went to bed disappointed.

In the beginning there was just the faint pink and green.

Wednesday night the weather folks and those forecasting the aurora said it wouldn’t be as spectacular as Tuesday had been, but we had a good chance of seeing the lights. And this time the skies over my head were mostly clear!

And then a pillar showed up.

The aurora last night was fickle. I watched the numbers, and went outside numerous times, once it was dark, to check using my phone to take sample images, thinking maybe, just maybe there was a bit of a pink tinge to the northern sky.

The lights faded. Maybe that was it?

Eventually the numbers got better and I dragged my camera, tripod and a chair out to my backyard. I had considered driving somewhere that would provide me a clearer view of the horizon, but lots of stuff kept me home.

But almost right away another pillar of light sprang up.

I figured if I saw it, I saw it and if I didn’t, well, I’d see a lot of images online in the morning.

And then more pillars with more intense color.

Sitting in my own backyard took a lot of the stress out of finding a place with a clear view, worrying about other people, cars with headlights, or huffing deer.

The color began to dance.

It was actually pretty comfortable, even relaxing, out there. So comfortable I didn’t spend enough time focusing on the stars, so they’re not the pinpricks they’re supposed to be. And of course the trees, that were quite close to me, are out of focus. You can’t focus on both the stars and the trees!

Imagine what it looks like from that plane.

But the color, oh the color, was wonderful … if only for a few minutes. I think I spent 30 or 40 minutes out there before the color faded and the clouds blew in around 10 p.m. This morning I read that the lights came back out later in the night, but I was long asleep by then.

And then the light began to fade again.

I don’t have the most wonderous images. I didn’t have a view of the horizon so I couldn’t see much of the green dome below the red lights. My stars aren’t in focus. There’s no great foreground.

Clouds overtake the last of the pink light.

But for almost an hour I sat in the comfort of my yard, staring at the sky and smiling. If I hadn’t taken even one image I’d still have been happy that I went out into the night searching for Lady Aurora.

TIme to hang it up.

I hope some or all of you got a glimpse too. If not….squint at these images and imagine being out under the stars. I’m willing to share.

Using my phone, handheld.

One of the cool things about an event like this is that I know so many people are out there staring up at the sky too. We’re all looking at the same big sky, and for one or two nights the rest of the crazy world falls away. I never feel alone when I’m out under the stars and I usually don’t even feel the cold until I’m back inside. It’s an amazing experience.

Another phone shot testing the skies. It was there!

All these images are pretty much the way they came out of the camera (or phone). I cropped a few, tried to clean up the fuzziness of a couple others. But mostly they’re the way they looked in the camera. You couldn’t see any of this with your naked eye.

If you ever get the opportunity, go out and watch the aurora. Take your phone or camera with you, it probably will be the only way you’ll see it. But it’s worth the adventure.


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You know you’re from Michigan if…

This weekend, I guess that means yesterday, I was busy taking pictures of my backyard birds as they bounced around in the beech tree near our feeders.

This is a very polular location. You have to wait in line to get the best stuff.

I loved the colors, the tree still hanging onto her leaves even though we are well into November now.

Sometimes the little bird feeder is especially busy and the wait is long.

It wasn’t warm outside, not like it had been through most of October, but it was still a nice, if slightly dreary, day.

I was shooting the goldfinch, but look who dropped in below. (White-striped sparrow)

I spent some of the day on Saturday painting Christmas cards to be sent to folks in nursing homes. Nothing too complicated, just simple cards painted in the hope they made someone smile.

The ten.

The goal was to get 10 painted over the weekend and mailed on Monday. Christmas comes so early when you have to get your stuff off to folks who have to do their thing to get the cards to seniors in a timely manner.

Folded, I’ll write a little note inside each of them and then send them off to the card coordinator on Monday.

I haven’t felt very Christmas-y this fall. I procrastinated on painting the cards until it was almost too late. I thought maybe I’d skip the whole Christmas card thing this time.

People ignore us little brown birds all the time too.

I haven’t put the lights up outside either. I usually put lights on one tree, the smallest of the spruce trees we planted so many years ago, at the corner of our lot.

This chunky little woodpecker had a hard time fitting through the feeder cage.

I use the smallest tree so that I can get lights clear up to the top if I stand on a ladder and use a long pole. It’s a lot of work and I don’t know if I’m up to it anymore.

But eventually he got his lunch. Might want to consider a smaller portion than usual though.

Still, the neighbors tell me how much they enjoy that tree when it’s lit on our dark winter nights. I enjoy it too. Somehow it makes the winter go by a little faster, or at least be a little brighter. So maybe I’ll get the lights up the next nice day we have around here.

Probably not today though. This morning I woke to our first snow of the season. Penny is not at all sure she was good with this new development.

Hey lady! I’d like a berry special please. Pronto!

But I am happy to see the trees and shrubs begin to be covered by this new white blanket. Pen and I might even go out and play in it when I finish this post.

The cardinal was unflappable by the robin’s flight.

Some of the birds are not as happy as I am to see the change in weather. But the snow makes me think that maybe I can put the lights up. Maybe I can paint a few cards for the season. Maybe I can get into the Christmas mood.

A festive red and green image in my own back yard.

Maybe I can.

You know you’re in Michigan when one day you’re working in the garden and the next you’re laughing over bird antics in the snow.

You can do it lady, I have faith in you.

Happy holidays, everybody. They are upon us.


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Honoring Cee Neuner

Today would have been Cee’s 64th birthday. She left us last March, but so many of us in the blogging world remember her fondly along with the photography challenges she used to host. Now other bloggers have continued her challenges and have asked us to honor Cee on her birthday.

From the Flower a Day to the Black and White Challenge many of us participated. For years I enjoyed going out weekly in search of something to meet one of Cee’s challenges. The chance to find something new to shoot was so much fun. And I was always flattered when she chose one of my photographs as a winner of that week’s challenge.

In reality we were all winners in Cee’s eyes. She supported us with enthusiasm and kind words, often sharing our work with her readers. It felt like an honor just to be noticed by Cee.

So, today, in honor of Cee’s birthday I’ve posted a black and white image. She and I shared the love of old barns, and I think they are the perfect images to process in black and white. This one is up in Northern Michigan, and one I probably used in one of her black and white challenges.

Happy Birthday, Cee. I, along with a whole lot of other people, miss you. I bet you’re out with your camera right now, finding extraordinary things to shoot. I hope while you’re busy doing that you also see all the birthday wishes and hugs floating up to you.

In fact I imagine you’re surrounded with them. What a great image that would be.


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Walktober Recap!

First was Robin who took us back to look at Octobers past with her beautiful photographs of places she enjoyed taking Walktobers over the years. She always takes such luminous photographs, you’ll enjoy going back in time with her. https://breezesatdawn.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/a-different-kind-of-walktober/

Then along came Jo, who is from Portugal but who took us for a walk in Torun, Poland! I love when people from all over the world join us for Walktober! Most of us would never see these places without wonderful people sharing them with us. https://stillrestlessjo.com/2025/10/06/jos-monday-walk-torun/

And then Karma decided a beautiful, warm, October weekend was just begging for a trip to Maine, so she and a friend went! Talk about the perfect couple of days! After reading this you’re all going to want to go to Maine for the weekend! https://karmardav.wordpress.com/2025/10/12/an-impromptu-getaway/

Penny the sheltie-girl wanted to make sure you all had a chance to see one of her parks, so she took you to Davis Lake Overlook Park, not far from our home. It was a beautiful October Sunday and she and I had a wonderful time. https://dawnkinster.com/2025/10/13/penny-takes-a-walk/

Penny here, I made my mom include a picture of me here.

Barbara took us to The North Carolina Museum of Art, where she found beautiful asters and goldenrod and a few pretty insects as well as a larger than life resident of the park surrounding the museum. https://www.ingebrita.net/2025/10/sunlight-over-the-meadow/

Debbie took Walktober to a new level, the epitome of ‘walk, drive, skip, boat, or ride!” She took us to a train museum and then we get to ride the train! https://domermom.com/2025/10/19/walktober-2025/

Mike took us to Calloway Gardens, a very special place in Georgia, no matter the season. He’s from a Northern state, so fall in the South is a bit different for him, and it’s probably different for a lot of us, so let’s go see what he found! https://mlcreationsphotography.com/2025/10/19/walktober/

For me, well, I was lucky enough to spend a week in upper Michigan, in a home along the shore of Lake Michigan itself. I shared the cats I was hanging out with and took a stroll in the small village up there. https://dawnkinster.com/2025/10/19/cats-in-northport-and-other-tales/ But after I did that post I decided it wasn’t really my official Walktober.

Eliza Waters found some beautiful color on her walk. She and her dog Wren took a lovely walk on their very own land. You can see for yourself here just what a beautiful place it is they live: https://elizawaters.com/2025/10/21/walktober-2025/

My personal Walktober was at one of my favorite places in the whole world. I debated quite a bit while I was up there whether to do my official Walktober on the beach. In the end, how could I not? https://dawnkinster.com/2025/10/23/dawns-beachy-walktober/

Mike got the chance to visit Calloway Gardens in Georgia again, during their pumpkin celebration and he takes us all along with him to marvel at the sights. https://mlcreationsphotography.com/2025/10/26/pumpkins-at-callaway/

Lisa took us for a walk around her neighborhood. From the pictures I’d say she has a pretty big neighborhood! There’s a bit of everything there! https://dailymusing57.com/2025/10/28/walktober-2/

Monkey, a very special sheltie-boy, took his mom out to see what there was to see, and you’d be amazed at the color he found! https://domermom.com/2025/10/27/walking-with-monkey-2025/

I, Monkey, taking my mom on a walk!

Natalie shows us some beautiful images from her October. She sure got a lot of beautiful images throughout the month! Go check them out: https://natalietheexplorer.home.blog/2025/10/31/october-2025-highlights-and-favourites/

Deb and her little schnauzer went on a beautiful walk for their combined Walktober. There’s nothing like seeing the trail from a little dog’s point of view: https://widowbadass.com/2025/11/02/the-sunday-schnauzer-walktober-glory/

Linda took us on a walk and found some very festive holiday color along with her regular friends at her park: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2025/10/26/a-walktober-stroll-that-was/

Carol literally takes a plane to show us a place far from her home and then she takes you back home again. Explore with Carol here: https://cjvl.wordpress.com/2025/11/01/walktober/

Penny and I hope you enjoyed all these Walktober adventures. She said I should include a picture of her and since I’m a mere sheltie servant I will.

I have the worrisome feeling I missed somebody’s Walktober. I’ve checked and double checked but I still feel like somebody got left out. So if you did a Walktober and I didn’t include it here, comment on this post and I’ll do a quick edit and get you in!

Meanwhile, enjoy all the October adventures!


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An update from Ms. Penny

Hello world!

As you read before Mom scheduled us to participate in rally trials (dog stuff) for two consecutive Fridays in a row! Oh wait. Mom says “consecutive” means the same as “in a row.” Whatever, mom.

Anyway, last week I got two legs (I need 3 to title) with a couple of sloppy runs. Mom was hoping a week off from training would help me settle down. That maybe I was just overtired last week.

Hmmmmm. Interesting theory.

Waiting in my crate for another rally trial!

So yesterday, October 31st, we went to the place I go to school to do 2 runs. Mom thought I’d be more comfortable there and hopfully earn one run and thus my Intermediate Rally Trial title. Mom had high hopes when I seemed happy and bouncy as we were waiting.

And she was happy that the course for the first run didn’t look too difficult.

What could go wrong?

Is it my turn yet mom?

We warmed up in a little room off to the side. I sat and downed and fronted perfectly. At the end of the warmup mom gave me one measly treat.

Then it was our turn.

We walked into the ring and I refused to sit next to mom. She walked me around in a little circle and tried again and I sat. Reluctantly. Mom knew right then she was in for trouble.

So around the ring we went, I’d do any sign that didn’t include sitting or going into a down. There were a LOT of signs that asked me to sit. Eventually I would concede and sit, but mom would have to ask me multiple times. And the down? Not happening, nope, not at all. There were supposed to be two of those.

The lady following behind with the clipboard kept making notes and mom got increasingly sad.

Mom says this quote was at the park just for her.

When we got out of the ring mom gave me my jackpot because, she said, I had done the best I could. We ended up with a 79 (you need 70 to qualify) which is my lowest score ever.

But we got my title, even though mom said she wasn’t proud of the way we did it. Then she elected not to do the second run cause I always do worse on my second run, and besides she was exhausted and sad.

So she took me to a park on our way home and we walked around a loop to remember that we loved each other and tomorrow will be another day and we’re going to keep working on stuff together.

Cause we’re a team.

Most of the pictures here were from our post-trial walk at the park.


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Trent McDonald

In the world of blogging friendships are made. Some people, mostly not bloggers, don’t believe people who only know each other online can be considered friends. But I’ve been writing blog posts since 2008, and I’ve made several good friends. A few I’ve even met in person. Either way, on-line or in person, they’ve all been important to me.

Trent was one of those blog writers I’ve never met in person. But I’ve read his blog, Trent’s World, and he’s read mine, for several years. This week we learned that he died unexpectedly on October 5th. It’s a huge shock. He was only 61, will always be 61, though his 62nd birthday is today.

He ran several times a week with friends, he kayaked when he was on Cape Cod. He walked his dogs daily, and had just gotten a puppy. His beloved boxer, Fiyero, died unexpectedly on September 10th, so he was glad to have a new puppy, named Ledecky, in the house again. Though he did say puppy Ledecky was, of course, a lot of work.

Picture from Trent’s blog, Fiyero and Ledesky the new puppy.

He wrote music and books, was taking singing and drumming lessons. He played trumpet and keyboard, and probably other instruments as well. He was reading a math book for fun. Yes, a math text book.

He had retired recently and was obviously enjoying his time free from work. I wish he had had many more years to enjoy all of his hobbies, his pets, his friends and his family.

Trent was always one of the first people to comment on a new post, and he always responded when you commented on his. Last November he was the first person to donate to my Giving Thursday Facebook page, as I raised funds for the Truck Safety Coalition in honor of my dad.

Trent posted twice a week, once to talk about his week, in a “If We Were Having Coffee,” where we guessed whether he was in New Hampshire or Cape Cod, and another post to talk about a smile he had enjoyed during the week, in “The Weekly Smile.”

Trent’s last blog post was October 4th, a coffee sharing post saying he was in New Hampshire. He responded to a comment on that post early in the morning of the 5th.

Nothing about any of this prepared us to lose him, and I imagine his wife and family are having a terrible time with the shock as well.

So, even if you never read Trent’s blog, please pause for a moment and think about his friends and family. I’m sure they could all use the good thoughts. I’m hoping he is with his Fiyero now, running on a beach, perhaps along with other pets and family and friends.

And I think what we could all do in his honor is share a smile. Even if it’s not every week, let’s share the things in our lives that make us smile. Trent made us smile, let’s keep the smiles going. I think he’d like that.

The next to last sentence in his last blog post: “Anyway, that is about it, I need to be on my way.”

Now he has gone on his way, much too soon.

Rest easy, Trent. (link to his obituary) You were a good guy and we will miss your writing and singing and music and short stories and books. We’ll miss hearing about your runs and your pups. Thank you for all the support you showed us, your detailed comments, your extra input when we needed it, your donations to causes that matter to us.

We are going to miss you.


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Wordy Wordless Wednesday

I was collecting seeds from my zinnias this week, cutting spent heads, tossing them into a paper bag to dry. Slowly processing the loss of summer. Preparing for our long winter.

And then a bit of light, there at my feet, caught my eye.

The nasturium leaves, round and beautiful on their own even before the orange and yellow blossoms peek out, were glowing in the last of the day’s sun.

I stood still and thought how much I wanted to hold onto this moment, this bit of sunlight, these bright colors. How I wanted time to slow down even as, for me, it’s moving faster and faster.

I stood there watching the light on the leaves and blossoms for a few moments and then I did what every photographer does. I ran to the house for a camera.

And that’s why I take so many photographs. It’s to slow time, to help remember the thoughts and feelings of a specific moment. So that later on, when winter is getting old and we haven’t seen the sun in days, I can look at this image and remember the heat on my shoulders and the warmth in my soul.


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Only the sheltie (that’s me) knows

Penny here.

I’ve been very busy, and let me tell you, mom says it’s been a roller coaster ride. I don’t even know what a roller coaster ride is, but I’m pretty sure it’s exciting. Right? I thought so.

My park trying to scare me. It’s not going to work.

Anyway, many of you know that I’ve been training in this thing called Rally. Frankly if you ask me there’s not much to it and I don’t know why mom needs all this training. If she paid better attention we could move on to something more fun a lot sooner.

Me in my basement with all these Rally signs to figure out.

Basically, she heels around a course and there’s a lot of signs with writing and yellow arrows and red stop signs and stuff and she’s supposed to follow the signs. I go along too, just to make sure she does it right.

Sometimes she reads the signs all wrong. This is not my fault.

Mom? Can you just concentrate more?

Anyway, on Friday we went to a thing called a Trial. I guess it’s a big test to see if mom has learned anything. We were entered in two runs. Mom said she hoped we’d qualify in at least one. We need three qualifying runs to earn a title at whatever level we’re working on. Right now we’re in Intermediate. At that level mom still has to be on a leash because she isn’t reliable yet.

We’re working on it but she’s pretty unpredictable.

There sure were a lot of dogs there!

Well, Friday we had to wait hours and hours for them to get to Intermediate. No exaggeration. When it was finally my turn I was pretty tired of hanging around and I didn’t want to supervise. In the ring I didn’t want to sit when mom asked me. So I stood and stared at her for awhile while she stared back at me and asked me again. Several times. Then I s.l.o.w.l.y lowered my behind. To make my point, you know, that I was in charge.

We ended up qualifying but mom said it wasn’t pretty and the judge lady was very generous. No matter, I was happy, I even got 2nd place!

These are my ribbons. I am not sharing them with mom.

The second run was similar to the first only there was more of me staring at her, pretending I had no idea what a ‘sit’ was. A couple of times I decided not to sit at all and mom sighed and moved on. We still qualified, but had an even lower score.

Mom was just relieved we had two legs toward my title.

That was Friday. Mom and I were exhausted. Saturday we were signed up to do a ‘fun run’ at another dog training facility. This is the place I go to school, so mom figured it would be OK.

Seriously, mother?!

And even though we were both tired mom packed me up and we went there and did two more runs, during which I showed my displeasure at having been rousted from my bed to follow mom around some more. I mean, if she hasn’t got it by now, I don’t think making me work on it more is going to help, do you?

Enough is enough, mother!

THEN, Saturday evening is our normal Rally class, and mom packed me up AGAIN and we went to do what is usually a fun class. But I wasn’t having it. I refused to sit AT ALL at ANY SIGN no matter what it or mom said.

Even when she pulled up on my collar or pushed down on my behind, or both.

Today mom is worried because we’re registered in a trial this coming Friday. Mom thought the hard stuff was over because we only need one leg of the two runs we’re scheduled for, and she figured, since it is in my own school, I’d do better.

Now she doesn’t know if we should even go.

I’m not worried.

Everybody has advice and it’s all different. Mom is just tired. I’m tired too. Mom says she’s going to work on repairing our relationship cause I was pretty mad at her during class last night. She says we’re not going to train this week, we’re just going to hang out together so that I remember I love her. And she loves me.

I’ll think about it.

Don’t tell her, but as she was typing this I got up off the sofa where I had been napping and came and went back to sleep on top of her foot. That’s because I already know I love her and she loves me. But I’ll let her be nice to me this week. It’s important that mom thinks she’s in charge.

As for what I’ll do next Friday? That’s the mystery, isn’t it.


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Dawn’s beachy Walktober

While I was cat sitting in northern Michigan I considered where to take you on the annual Walktober. I didn’t want to waste the fact that I was in northern Michigan, and you can’t get a better location for a Walktober than that.

Lake Michigan was pulling at me to take you on a beach walk. But many years ago I did exactly that, and if I can find it I’ll add the link to that post here. (You really should go look at it, it was an entirely different sort of day!)

I didn’t want to repeat myself. You might be bored with another walk along the same beach.

Of course back than I and the friend who lives here had wandered north. I could always take you south this year. As I stared at the lake on a warm Saturay morning that seemed like the perfect solution.

Until I got down to the dune above the lake.

A wedding was happening just to the south of me. Sure, I could walk past it. I mean people were actually swimming at the public beach right there. But I didn’t want to infringe on their moment. So I turned north.

After all, that last beachy Walktober was a long time ago. And every beach walk is different, right?

So off I went toward that point just up the way a bit.

I was immediately drawn to a footprint in the damp sand. I thought about how transient our footsteps are. How fleeting our whole lives are.

The waves were already lapping at the footprint, ready to erase it forever. I spent a long time photographing that footprint, wondering who had been there just before me.

There were plenty of other pretty things to photograph along the way. It must have rained the night before, or maybe even just before I left the house.

There were soft little sandy divots everywhere. It looked and felt something like a moon landscape.

It was a beautiful day, the sun was out, the cloudless sky was a deep blue. And on the beach were other signs of beings who had gotten outside to enjoy the day long before I had.

I wondered what kind of little animal had scurried across the beach that morning. And then I wondered what made it decide to go in a different direction.

I kept going straight, along the shore, noticing the way the light bounced off the water…

…and off a railing creating modern art on the beach.

Resting kayaks were waiting for another trip out on the lake this season, and I imagined them glad of the warm fall day, just like I was.

Chairs were waiting patiently for their people to rest and watch another sunset.

But mostly I was watching the water and the sand in front of me as I approached my destination, the point.

The lapping waves, sliding over the sand was making the most beautiful art.

And it had left behind sadly beautiful artifacts too.

And of course there were those footprints, always a step ahead of me, combining with the sand art, moving steadily forward.

As in life, once you reach your destination point you always see another point in the distance. Maybe instead of turning around I should head toward that new point, way up there.

There was bound to be more to see.

But as I got closer to that far away point I noticed someone playing with her dog.

And I thought maybe it was best to leave them be, just as I had let the wedding be. Bookmarked by a dog’s play and a wedding day, I was happy with what I had seen on my Walktober. I hope you enjoyed it too.

Oh…and the footprints… those I had been following on my slow walk north?

The owner of the prints came back toward me and we exchanged pleasantries about what a beautiful day it was and then she continued on her walk heading south toward home.

And I did the same.

There’s still time for you to get a walk in, post about it and link it to the Official Walktober post. I’ll gather them all up and do a recap post in early November. We can’t wait to see where you’ve been!