Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.


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Sarah and gang

Hey there, it’s me, Penny!

Once again I’m jumping online late at night while my mom snores over there on the sofa. She says if I want to write I should go get my own blog, but I say why do that when she’s already done all the groundwork?

This is mom’s garden. It might be the reason she’s snoring on the sofa.

Hey! Did you guys know I have a niece? I sure do! Her name is Sarah and she lives with my Mama S, the lady that delivered me and my four sisters two and a half years ago. My dog mom, Vivian, and her best friend Olivia live there too.

That’s me on the left, Sarah standing in back, my dog mom Vivian next and then Olivia.

She’s almost one year old and I love her so much. Last month my mom and dad took me up to Mama S’s house for a playdate with Sarah who is a bundle of energy.

Sarah loves to chase me, but I’m FAST! She’ll never catch me, no siree!

All four of us dogs and the three adult people went into the big fenced in back yard to play. Mama S had a bright orange tennis ball that Vivian and Olivia get very excited over.

Throw the ball!!!

She’d fling that ball toward the back of the yard and all four of us would chase after it, a few of us (not me) barking wildly the entire time.

Somebody get that ball!

I never once got the ball, it was mostly Olivia who did the ball handling, but sometimes one of the other two would get a chance to take it back to Mama S so she’d throw it again.

It’s a race back to Mama S!

And then we’d be off again!

Get it!

My mom and dad laughed at us a lot. Mom was busy taking pictures too of course.

A passel of shelties.

Mostly Sarah and I just ran and ran and ran. She loves to chase me and between you and me I could beat her but I let her get close once in awhile.

Sarah and Oliva the ball handler.

Then when she gets almost to my tail I take off again.

Nope, Sarah, you’re not going to get me!

We were both worn out when my folks said it was time to go home, but man, what a wonderful time we all had!

She’s gaining on me!

I’m just the luckiest sheltie girl in the whole world! I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as we all enjoyed playing!

You’ve got snacks…right Mama S?

Signing off now to dream of running in a big yard, your athlete girl Penny.

Hey! Sarah got the ball!


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Representative Gerry Connolly

Regardless of your politics, if you’d met him, you’d have liked him. Messages of love and loss are coming from across the country after Rep Connolly’s death yesterday. Most of them are from famous people, members of Congress, the Biden Administration, leaders from many walks of life.

I’m just one person, part of a safety coalition, who met him once, two years ago. But let me tell you a little about that meeting so you can understand what a huge loss this is.

Members of the Truck Safety Coalition were putting on our very first big fundraiser, and we planned on presenting Representative Connolly an award for his steadfast support of our work, particularly and most recently, pushing for a bill to require the United States Post Office to take responsibility for hiring safe carriers when they contract mail movement out.

Representative Connolly couldn’t make it to our evening dinner, so a few of us went to his office to present the award. I’ve presented a lot of awards to members of Congress in my years with Truck Safety. Many times you end up giving it to a staffer who will hand it off to the Member later. Sometimes you get a meeting with the Member, generally something short and sweet. You say your thing, they smile, and say thank you, then you pose for the obligatory picture and you’re off to the next meeting.

On that September day back in 2023, Representative Connolly’s staff ushered us into his office where we sat on his couches and waited a minute for him to arrive. Standing when he did, there were introductions and handshakes all around. We did the award, got the picture and were preparing to leave when he looked around at us and said —

“Can you folks stay for awhile?”

And so we sank back onto the couches and chatted. He told stories. We told stories. He listened. We spent maybe 20 or 30 minutes with him. One of our young mothers, who’s college aged med school son had been killed by a semi, told her story.

The Congressman cried. So did we.

When we left, all of us crammed into a small office vestibule saying goodbye, he hugged her for a long time, both of them sniffling.

That’s the man we met a little over two years ago. And listening to people’s stories now that he’s gone, I’m pretty sure that’s the man everybody met. There aren’t many of those kind of people left in Congress.

The country should stop and think of Rep Connolly this week, think of his family and his staff and his friends. They’re all going to miss him so much. And while you’re at it, think about all of us, because we’ve all lost another valiant fighter for good.

May he rest in peace. I already know his memory is a blessing.


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At last, the little birds

I took myself out to Kensington, a favorite park for bird photography, on Easter Sunday morning because I figured it would be empty.

There appears to be a lack of breakfast servers this morning, lady! – Mrs. Red Winged

And, in some ways, it was. There were no families enjoying barbecue, and no busloads of school kids enjoying a field trip.

No one was feeding the little birds.

We’ve been waiting for you! – Mr. Red Winged

But photographers? Oh yea, photographers with their long, heavy lenses are not going to let a beautiful spring morning get lost in a holiday!

My royal self does not come down just because you have food, madam. – Red Headed Woodpecker

Still I bet most of us out there that morning managed to get at least a few (dozen) great shots.

We’ll get our own meal, thank you. – TWO Red Headed Woodpeckers!

And long ago, on a previous post I promised I’d show you more birds.

I am not too proud to accept a free peanut! — Nuthatch in flight

So here you go. I’ll try to limit this to some of my most favorite from that early morning walk in the woods a month ago.

Excuse me, if everyone else has had enough, I’d like to approach the hand. — Titmouse

But it’s hard. I have so many favorites.

I’m a little shy, but I’d really like a bit of breakfast, lady! — Chickadee

As I study each of these I’m transported back to that cool morning, surrounded by hungry birds, the deer watching from further back in the trees, the squirrels hurrying so as not to be left out.

Thanks lady! Sometimes we get overlooked cause we can’t fly. — Black Squirrel

The chipmunks hoarding, the sunlight shifting.

I’d like a little more please! — Chipmunk

It’s always a magical time at Kensington, no matter what part of the park you visit.

Too busy to eat, I’m building my future family a new home! — Mrs. Red Belly

But if you want to experience wildlife in a more intimate manner, get there in the morning on a weekday before the crowds and walk the trails at the Nature Center.

It’s the interior decorating that takes the most thought.

Or early on a holiday morning. That works too.

You got to really get in there for the deep spring cleaning required prior to babies’ arrival!

So tell me, which image is YOUR favorite?

I’ll ponder that question. — Sandhill Crane


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The eyes have it

When you’re walking in the woods do you ever feel you’re being watched?

A sea monster stranded on the forest floor.

Depending on which woods I’m in, I definitely do. There’s always a bird or two hoping for a snack.

Singing for his supper.

But it’s not the birds I’m talking about. It’s the others that hang out in the woods. They’re always silently watching.

Easter morning when I was walking in Kensington’s woods I deliberately walked to the trails in the back of the park, just to see who was watching me.

I see you, lady!

And, as usual, there were the usual suspects.

I’ll take a peanut if you have one to spare, lady.

Some of which I’ve shared with you today.

A walnut disguised as an owl.


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Mother’s Day

This is the 20th Mother’s Day without my mom physically here on this earth. But I’m pretty sure she knows I’m sending a happy Mother’s Day wish up to her and all the other mothers that have moved on to the next adventure.

I don’t think there even has to be internet up there for her to see how much we love and miss her.


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Who’s hungry?

Well, I am, for one. I haven’t eaten breakfast yet, and it’s mid-morning on a beautiful day here in Michigan. Lots of garden stuff to do. Places to be. People to see.

Early morning light through spring skunk cabbage.

But I’d rather be here with you.

Remember when I was out at the heron rookery in Kensington Park on Easter Sunday morning? You didn’t think I’d just leave the park after seeing the herons, did you?

Did you???

A busy neighborhood.

Well of course not.

When I could finally pry myself away from those big nests I went for a walk through the woods. And as soon as I was off the boardwalk I heard this cardinal just singing his heart out and enjoying the morning light at the very top of a tree.

Will sing for food.

Of course when he spotted me, perhaps the first automated bird feeder to arrive that morning, he shot right down to a branch directly in front of me.

Right at eye level.

You DID bring breakfast, didn’t you?

Now cardinals don’t generally come down to my hand to eat, though one did many years ago. But I think this one might have if I hadn’t accidently dropped some seed on the ground.

He was very interested in that.

What? You dropped my breakfast?

So was Mrs. Red Winged Blackbird.

I see an opportunity here.

And so was this squirrel.

I can be faster than all of you!

And this chipmunk.

But my cheeks can hold more seed than any of yours!

In the end I dropped some more for all of them and went on my way.

I remember that some of you have requested more bird pictures. Well of course I have some. Coming right up.


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The yellow flower photo-shoot

Hey everybody, it’s me, Penny! Again!

Those of you that remember Katie know that every spring mom took her somewhere to do a yellow flower photo-shoot. It started out as a joke, since mom’s yellow flowers aren’t all that exotic.

But it turned into a fun outing for them and mom got some really sweet photos of Katie smiling at her parks.

Well now, mom doesn’t want to give that up so guess what mom and I did last week?

I suppose that wasn’t very hard to guess, was it!

Yep, mom rushed me over to Katie’s park when the sun came out one day. She had seen lots of yellow flowers in people’s yards and she figured as long as the park staff hadn’t mowed we’d be good.

And we were!

There were sooooo many pretty yellow flowers that I could hardly decide where to sit. In fact I didn’t want to sit at all.

I mean, if you’ve got the space and time, why not run through the yellow flowers with the wind in your furs? Right? So I did.

Several times.

Mom says I’m a very good model. I say as long as she has treats I’ll be a good model.

Cause if there’s one thing that Katie taught me it’s that you only have to sit for one photograph as a time and the flow of treats should be constant. And when the treats are done, so am I.

Thanks Katie-girl. You’re the best big sister ever!

Now I have to go comfort mom because she says that after looking at these pictures she realizes that I’m growing up too fast. She says she wants to slow it all down, but I gotta tell her, there’s no slowing me down!

Signing off for now, your flower girl, Penny.


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Saturday night music

Last Saturday evening I and some of my fellow Clarkston Community Band members, along with a few hundred other people, attended the Southeastern Michigan Wind Ensemble (SEMWE) spring concert. The talent in this group is stunning, it’s members are mostly current and retired music directors. People who have devoted their entire lives to making and teaching music.

I try not to miss any of their concerts, and I’m certainly glad I went to this one.

It turns out they were honoring two of their group who have passed away, Jennifer Ginther who suddenly died last December, and the other our own CCB music director who died in February of this year. Here we go, I thought, sitting out in the audience, time to focus on not crying.

But their choice of music didn’t make me to cry, not outright anyway. It was beautiful, just the kind of music Shelley would program herself. The first piece, Resplendent Glory by Rossano Galante was so very beautiful and, I think, my favorite of the evening. The link above wasn’t from Saturday’s performance, but it gives you an idea of the uplifting piece that made me smile even though I was sad.

I enjoyed all of the music at Saturday night’s concert, but especially a piece played by one of the middle school teachers, Ross Taylor, on the marimba. He was amazing. You’d have enjoyed it too, Concerto No.2 for Marimba and the Wind Orchestra, Movement 3, by David Gillingham. I could only find movement #1 on YouTube, but you’ll enjoy that movement too, and it’s similar to what we heard.

What a treat! We applauded and applauded…and then we applauded some more when he finished. The poor guy had a hard time getting off the stage, we just kept applauding.

In fact the whole concert was a treat. When I left the auditorium after the program I was still missing my friend, our music director, but I was oh so grateful to have spent time in the presence of other people who also loved her, people making music to honor her and Jennifer from a place deep inside each of their hearts.

Then, leaving the building close to 9:00 p.m., we all gasped in awe. The sky was a brilliant pink and gold. I immediately knew, at least for me, that sky was Shelley saying “Good job! I enjoyed it!” I can hear her voice and see her big, beautiful smile.

And so I smiled all the way home.


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Bird spring

I was looking at my most recent posts and realize that almost all of them revolve around birds. Even Penny has noticed my obsession.

Kensington Metro Park rookery, as viewed from the boardwalk.

But I can’t help it. They’re so beautiful, and interesting, and entertaining. I could watch them all day.

Reflecting on her anticipated brood.

Wait!

Sometimes I do watch them all day! Like Easter Sunday when I went out to Kensington on my own. I figured it wouldn’t be busy because everybody else would be getting ready for church or family dinners or both.

There’s more than just the rookery to look at, lady!

I was wrong. There were plenty of people, mostly photographers, out there. But we all work around each other and it’s fine.

Outta my way, I’ve got places to go!

I started out walking on the boardwalk near the heron rookery, an island with huge trees filled with heron nests. Every year the heron couples choose a nest and then have a set of little herons there.

It’s fascinating to watch.

Ready for takeoff!

Easter Sunday there was much heron coming and going as the couples updated their fixer-uppers in order to make them meet current esthetics. They definitely favor wood floors over carpet.

This couple appears to be going with a new build v.s. a fixer upper.

I spent a long time out there on the boardwalk watching all the work being done, and then I wandered back into the woods to see what else might be around.

This guy was snapping sticks off the tree, tossing them aside and snapping another until he found the one he wanted, then he flew back to the rookery with his prize.

Stay tuned.

Being a homeowner is so much work!