Change Is Hard

October 26, 2023
by dawnkinster 31 Comments

Don’t forget to get out and do your Walktober

Hi everybody! It’s me Penny!

I know, I know. I’m monopolizing mom’s blog. But she’s kinda slacking off and I think it’s important to remind you to get your Walktober linked up to mom’s official Walktober post so she can do a wrap-up and include everybody’s adventures.

*This is the Huron River last Sunday. Isn’t it beautiful?*

I think she said she wouldn’t be doing that until sometime in early November, so you have some extra time! I’ll try to get her to put a new end date out there so you know, but in the meantime, don’t wait for her, get outside while the getting is good!

*Sometimes mom takes pictures that aren’t me. I think this one is stunning.*

I had such a good time on my official Walktober (where I got to go on three walks!!!) that I decided to go on another one! I think it’s a fine plan to go on more than one Walktober, especially since we’ve had such beautiful weather!

I hope you are having beautiful weather too.

Last Sunday mom and I went down to Ann Arbor and met a friend and her sheltie, Finn. Finn’s mom was Queen Abby’s mom and my sister Katie and my mom and Queen Abby and her mom used to go on walks together.

I had never met Finn before but we hit it off right away. He’s 2 years old and a real gentleman. Also he’s very handsome, don’t you agree?

We walked around Island Park, in the Huron River. It sure was pretty! The trees were just beautiful. Of course that meant the moms wanted pictures of us in front of all of them. Sigh.

*We were focused on Finn’s mom who had treats!*

Finn and I aren’t experts at this posing yet. It was a challenge, my mom says, to get us both to sit next to each other and at the same time.

She thinks we’re just young.

*“OK, here’s the deal. When they get us all set up for a picture, you get up. Then the next time I’ll get up.”*

In reality Finn and I discussed it and decided we weren’t going to cooperate entirely, after all the moms shouldn’t get what they want without paying up.

Right? Right!!

*“Or….we can just make sure we’re not both looking at them at the same time.”*

Luckily for us Finn’s mom brought yummy treats and he shared them with me. I admit I am something of a treat hog. I actually stole quite a few treats that were meant for him.

*I think Finn really wanted this treat, but I’m pretty sure I ended up with it.*

It was 42 degrees and windy while we were there. Finn and I thought that was just about perfect, but the moms were cold. Not our fault, moms, that you didn’t plan very well. Next time you should wear a heavier coat, like us.

After we walked around the island a few times, dragging the moms over bridges and through the woods, the moms decided they were cold and tired and we had to go. Finn and I weren’t cold or tired at all.

*“Let’s go see what’s on the other side of the river!”*

I protested at leaving, so mom said we’d stop at another park on our way home. Turns out we stopped at her favorite park (go figure) and she took me to a part of the park she always took my sister to in the fall.

*“So…my sister Katie always sat here for you?”*

But it was Sunday and the park was busy and there were too many dogs there, so she took me to a new spot she’d never explored before. It was beautiful!

She said she was very very pleased by how good I was, posing for her and coming when I was called. She said as long as no other dogs were around she’d trust me to sit further away from her. I told her not to worry, I was laser focused on her. And her treat bag.

*The light was especially nice in the woods.*

When we finally got home I crashed for a long nap. I sure had fun with Finn and I hope the moms can find a fenced in place so we can play together. We’re about the same size and we really wanted to play off leash.

*It’s exhausting being a sheltie at my house.*

Anyway, that’s my second Walktober post, I really was just supposed to remind you to get out and do your walks before it gets winter cold! But I couldn’t resist sharing this walk with you.

*Some trees at mom’s favorite park on Sunday. Cause this is a Walktober after all.*

The trees were beautiful and I wanted you all to enjoy the wonderful day Finn and I had together!

*“Hey Penn, want to go grab lunch later?”*

Talk later.

Your Walktober-girl,

Penny.

PS: Thank you to everyone that has already posted their Walktober, human and dogs as well. I delegated keeping track of them all to mom. I hope she’s up for the task. And speaking of mom…when the heck is she going to do her Walktober?! I better get to bugging her!

PPS: I got spayed today, so I’m a little sleepy. I’ll bug her about her Walktober tomorrow.

Goodnight people!

October 25, 2023
by dawnkinster 26 Comments

Wordless Wednesday

October 20, 2023
by dawnkinster 29 Comments

Overachieving Walktober

Hi, hi, hi, HI Everybody!! It’s me, Penny!

*Me just before our walk. I think they do bonfires at this park sometimes.*

Mom was talking about Walktober this week, and I wanted to know what it was, cause I’m only 10 months old and I’m curious about everything! When Mom explained it to me I just knew I had to get right on it!

*This is me “getting ON it” on a log. Get it?* *I’m so funny*

After all, I’m a sheltie and shelties love to go for walks!

Right away I knew I should tell you all about the three great walks I’ve already had this week! And it’s only Friday!

*I love how the fall leaves compliment my coloring.*

First off, last Sunday, I got to go on a walk with mom and her friend and her friend’s dog Whisky! Whisky is an 11 month old cocker spaniel and he was very excited to see me!

*This is as close to each other as we wanted to sit on this walk.*

We walked in a beautiful little park, Dinosaur Hill, that I understand was one of my sister Angel Katie’s favorites. It had a river that ran right through the middle of it and I sat on the bridge with all that fast moving water under me without freaking out!

Mom was very happy with my “behavior” as she calls it.

Then a couple days ago mom took me to a park in town. She thought she’d photograph me around the playground stuff.

*Mom’s always telling me not to sniff other dog’s private areas. Especially if they’re bigger than me!*

But there were moms and kids playing there, so we pretty much stayed around the perimeter at first. Mom found this cool musical instrument.

*Mom played a bunch of music on this. I was not entertained.*

Mostly we walked around and read the dedications on the benches and under trees that were planted in memory of people. One tree in particular was very sad. It is for Madisyn who was one of the 4 victims at a school shooting that happened just up the road from us a couple years ago next month.

Then mom got a chance to photograph me with some playground stuff, but while we were there a big group of high school students arrived to take pictures.

*See all those students showing up behind me? That’s why my ears went flat.*

But we met a new friend! Meet Lulu! Her dad was walking her in the park and stopped by to talk. Lulu is a 5 year old mini Australian Shepherd.

*I play bowed, but Lulu wasn’t in a playful mood.*

Lulu wasn’t that into me, though we did exchange pleasantries. She and her dad wandered away and mom took me over a bridge to the park pavilion for my final portrait of the day.

*I think I have this posing thing down!*

What do you think? I’m thinking I’m growing into quite the regal young lady.

My last walk (so far) was yesterday. It was rainy outside and mom said we needed to keep training, so she took me for a walk at the Home Depot! Wow, that was a different kind of walk!

First we stayed outside and I checked out the pumpkins. Mom wouldn’t let me buy one, but they still smelled good.

We went inside and I barked at a man getting a cart! Mom said no bark, but geeze, that cart place was super noisy!

*Hmmmm, I could store my special toys in this.*

We heeled around the aisles a whole bunch. I was a little squirrely at first, but eventually I settled down. We did sits and stays too. Everybody smiled at me but no one asked to pet me. I guess they knew I was working.

*Sitting still is not my favorite thing to do, mom.*

Then on our way out mom introduced me to some tall dude in a red suit. I was not at all sure about him, no siree!

*Gotta keep an eye on anybody wearing fuzzy red clothing.*

Mom said I did really good at the busy store. I slept all the way home. And now she says I am going on an epic walk this Sunday!

Well gee, mom, I’m not sure the nice people want to hear about another walk of mine. You better be at the top of your game if you want me to share that one with them too!

Anyway, I need a snack and then a nap. In that order. I can’t wait to see where you all go on your Walktobers! Mom says she has no idea where she’s going to do her walk because she’s so busy taking me places! As it should be.

*Oh! I almost forgot, here’s some beautiful color for you from our local park!*

Hee, hee, hee.

-Your Walktober girl,

Penny.

Wordless Wednesday

October 18, 2023 by dawnkinster 22 Comments

October 15, 2023
by dawnkinster 59 Comments

Official kick off of this year’s Walktober!

OK everyone, today is the official beginning of Walktober, though if you’ve gone out exploring early, we won’t argue!

But if you haven’t yet, find a place you’d like to walk, or drive, or jog, or swim, or bike, or roller-skate or hike, or canoe, or whatever and spend some time doing just that. Then write about it. It could be an essay or a poem or a run-on sentence. It can include pictures, or you can just describe it and let our imaginations run free. Alternatively you could just show us the pictures without any text if you aren’t in a writing sort of mind frame.

*I seem to have missed a meal today, and I’m hungry!*

You have until the end of the day October 28th to complete this adventure, though if you need a few more days just let me know. I’m flexible!

*Looking for lunch in all the right places.*

Help us see a part of the world we might not ever get to see without your help.

Or show us around your familiar yard or neighborhood. Wherever you go, it’s all good.

You could spend some time in a city…..or head out into the wilderness.

Tell us why the place you visit is special, or why you don’t think you’ll go back. It’s all part of our celebration of October!

When you’re ready to post, link to this official Walktober post, and at the end of the month, probably early November, I’ll gather all the links and put them into one big post so we all can see where we all went.

I can’t wait to see what you decided to share with us all!

Today’s photos are from a drive/walk I took at the Shiawasee Nature Preserve at the end of September. I saw so many egrets there; this series of images was just one of the hungry birds.

I haven’t decided if that walk will be my official Walktober…I have so many other photos to share with you from that day so maybe I should use it. But I would really like to explore somewhere new. On the other hand, if time gets tight, I might just share the rest of this wonderful walk with you.

We’ll have to see how it all works out.

Oh, and just a fyi, Penny says she’s thinking about doing her own Walktober. Since she’s only 10 months old she’ll need a little help, but so far she thinks she can do it all on her own. Silly girl.

If you have any questions about Walktober, you can email me at dawnkinster@gmail.com, or just comment here.

Have fun everybody!

October 9, 2023
by dawnkinster 29 Comments

Pie conversations

I was talking to my mom yesterday evening. Not literally of course, as she’s been gone since July of 2004. Not even out loud because my husband and my dog were watching football nearby and the Lions were winning.

No, I was talking to my mom because I was making an apple pie with apples I’d gotten from an orchard a couple of towns west of here. It was a last minute decision to run over to Spicers Orchards to get old fashioned baking apples, on a beautiful, crisp Sunday afternoon.

My family used to go to Spicers when we were kids, in the 60s and 70s. Back then it was a one building small place with acres of apple, pear and cherry trees. I have lots of good memories of all of us there.

But it’s not small anymore.

When I arrived, late in the day, I noticed right away all the additional parking. Most of which was filled with cars. An entire field that used to be, well, a field, was parked full of cars. Not to mention the regular lot next to the building that houses the bakery and picked fruit and jelly and stuff. And another full lot across the street.

Something told me Spicers is not the same anymore.

I hadn’t worn a coat, assuming I’d park in the lot and buzz into the store, grab some apples and go. Apparently it wasn’t going to happen like that. I tromped up and down the hills and finally made it over to the store.

For the weekend (I assume just the weekend) they had moved the sale of donuts outside and the line, double wide, stretched from the back of the building, where the tables holding the donuts were, to the winery on the other side of the huge parking lot. There seemed to be nothing left of the small local orchard I remembered. It just wasn’t the same.

Inside, where apples and cider and fudge and ice cream and jelly and cookies and bread were being sold, the line went from the cash registers (now 4 instead of 1) to the back of the store. The place was packed with people.

My first instinct was to turn and flee.

But I was there, so I found some courtland baking apples and a half gallon of cider and I got in line, trying not to feel claustrophobic as people pushed by, their arms laden with goodies. I have to say those cashiers were expedient, and I was paying and back on my way walking up and down the hills to the distant car before I could consider buying a cookie.

So I was telling mom all of this while I was peeling and slicing apples, as I was mixing and rolling the pie dough. It’s not the same, I told her, just not the same.

Then, with my head in the pantry, grabbing some sugar, I had a flashback to a pie she used to make. We called it cheesecake but it obviously wasn’t. There was cream cheese and maybe lemon pudding, in a graham cracker crust. For half an instant, probably because I’d been talking to her about Spicers, I thought I’d just ask her what was in that pie.

It’s still a gut punch, even after nineteen years, when I realize all over again that I can’t ask her anything anymore. It’s not the same, mom, just not the same.

But the apple pie? It pretty much looks the same as the apple pies mom used to make for us decades ago. Mine isn’t as pretty as hers were, but I’m betting it tastes the same.

Some things, regardless of commercialism, never change.

October 7, 2023
by dawnkinster 22 Comments

Don’t forget Walktober this year!

As you read in a previous post, Robin is a little busy so I’ll be collecting your Walktober adventures this year.

If you’re new to the concept of Walktober, it’s pretty simple. Sometime between October 15 and the 28th go on a walk (or a bike ride, or a boat ride, or a car ride, or a jog, or a hike, or climb a mountain, or explore a town or show us your backyard!), take a few (or a lot) of pictures and show us around your part of the world by writing a post and linking it to my official Walktober post.

I’ll be posting the official start to Walktober on October 15th. But if you want to walk earlier, feel free to link it to this one! I’ll find it.

And sometime not too long after October 28th I’ll write a post with all the links to your walks, so that everyone can see where everyone else went! And if you need some more time, just let me know. I’ll wait to post that last compilation till you get yours written.

I can’t wait to see where you all go. I haven’t decided where to take my official walk. So many options, so little time!

Stay tuned!

Pictures in this post are from Shiawasee Nature Preserve, a walk taken a few years ago. I figured you wouldn’t mind seeing them again.

October 5, 2023
by dawnkinster 12 Comments

We can’t stop now

Long time readers know that my dad was killed by a tired trucker almost twenty years ago and I and members of my family volunteer with the Truck Safety Coalition, working to make our roads safer.

TSC is based in Washington DC, but has families of volunteers all across the country. Of course it does, because truck crashes aren’t restricted to ‘somewhere else’ like we all want to believe.

Truck crashes happen anywhere and to anyone.

*Flags at half mast for Senator Feinstein.*

It takes money to keep our organization going, to pay our small staff, to help families come to DC for conferences or important meetings, to pay for grief counseling for those that want that help, to run the website that provides information to new families, and where we post our stories about the loved ones we lost and about the lives changed forever for those injured in crashes with trucks.

It takes money.

And it’s not so easy to raise money for our cause. Organizations that might have sympathy for our families, like truck part manufacturers, can’t be seen associating with us, because many of the truck companies they sell parts to are so often on the other side of our arguments. Trailer manufacturers sell to truck companies too and steer clear of us, as do some road safety equipment manufacturers and many others.

It’s hard to explain that we aren’t anti truck, we support safe trucking. It’s important to remember that truck drivers die in crashes too, and that driving a truck is one of the most dangerous jobs in our country.

*The halls of Congress where we look for support for safety.*

A lot of our funding comes from individuals who have had family or friends injured or killed as well as survivors of truck crashes. The people that have already paid the price for unsafe policies and regulations continue to pay in an effort to make things better.

Every single family will tell you they continue to tell their stories, continue to come to meetings, continue to donate because they don’t want another family to experience a truck crash. Every single family comes to TSC with the same wish in their hearts.

To make it stop.

*The Washington Monument during a walk after our event.*

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that over 5,700 people died in truck related crashes in 2021, the latest year from which we have data. That’s a 71% increase since 2009. Truck crashes are trending the wrong way. More people are being killed every year. And injuries are going up too, over 155,000 are injured every year.

Think about that. Every single year 155,000 people are injured in truck crashes. Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, has 65,000 seats. Every year 2.3 football stadiums of people are injured in truck crashes. And the numbers keep climbing.

So this past weekend my husband and I traveled, on our own dime, to DC where we attended an evening of celebration of those that have contributed to TSC. Donors, safety advocates, board members, friends and supporters gathered together to recognize some very special people who, during this past year, have gone above and beyond to move our mission to make our roads safer going forward.

*All waiting for something. Just like us.*

It was a good evening and we raised some money. We felt warm and happy with our effort, but don’t think I won’t be asking you for support this November during Giving Tuesday. Because 5,700+ people died in 2021, and it will likely be a larger number for 2022 and 2023. Whole football stadiums of people are being injured. We can’t stop now.

*Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton graciously speaks to our group.*

Thank you in advance for supporting me, for the dollars you donate whenever I ask, for your emotional support when I’m having a meltdown, or when I’m just missing my dad. Thank you for letting me get on my soapbox once in awhile, and for not turning away when I tell you about really sad things that make me (and many of you) really angry.

*The Capitol at the end of another busy day.*

Last weekend was a time of celebration, but now it’s time to get back to work. We’re trying to get the speed limiter past the finish line at the DOT, and we’re working on getting Automatic Emergency Brakes in all trucks sooner rather than later. And don’t get me started on the minimum liability insurance issue. Or those companies that want longer trailers, and the ability to haul heavier loads. There are already triple trailers on some of our nation’s roads and we’re keeping watch so they don’t get permission to move onto more.