Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: Ann Arbor


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Don’t forget to get out and do your Walktober

Hi everybody! It’s me Penny!

Helllloooooo everybody!

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.

We had such a beautiful day.

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.

Meeting Finn for the first time.

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?

Handsome Mr. Finn.

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.

A little wind in our fur felt good.

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!

“This is pretty cool, mom!”

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!


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Farm dog

Hey everybody! It’s me, your Adventure-girl, Penny!

It’s a new adventure!

Guess what, guess what, guess WHAT! I got to go on my very first adventure (that wasn’t a trip to the vet) and let me tell you, there’s a whole world out there.

I can’t wait to see it all!

This is the farm where my grandma grew up.

I personally think I’m going to be very popular with the world, but enough about me. Oh wait. There’s never enough about me!

This image took mom about 15 tries to get. Mom should practice more.

ANYWAY…this week mom needed to get some photos of her (huh, that’s different isn’t it!) so she made arrangements with a photographer to meet her at the family farm down in Ann Arbor. And she took me along with her!

Mostly she got pictures of me getting up and moving. She needs to practice being faster.

I rode in the back seat of the car wearing a harness and a seat belt instead of being in my crate. So I got to watch stuff out the window and you know what? I didn’t throw up even once! Mom says I might turn out to be an awesome traveler!

This is mom’s favorite image from our farm photoshoot. I think I look good too.

After mom got her picture taken near the pretty red barns she took a few pictures of me. She says it’s a challenge, whatever that means.

I know how to pose for mom. But don’t tell her, I like to make her sweat a little.

But I’m getting the hang of it. As long as mom has treats in her pockets and patience in her heart, we get it done together.

Hey mom, are we almost done here? I’m getting tired and hot.

Mom said she was very happy with me even though I didn’t always want to look at her when she was taking pictures. Geeze mom, there was a LOT to look at and I needed to make sure we were safe from anything lurking around the backside of those barns!

Did I hear something over there?

Mom told me some stories about when she was a little girl and spent time at this farm. It sounds like she has a lot of good memories.

Just getting a little nap in on the ride home.

And now she has a new memory at the farm that includes me!


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Change

Unexpectedly I have spent the last few days down in Ann Arbor. Before I left town Saturday morning I did a quick drive through the downtown area, reminiscing about the days, more than a decade ago, when I was there every day working on my graduate degree.

I didn’t end up stopping anywhere yesterday, but I saw that my favorite bagle/fragle place, and my favorite flower shop are now canibus stores. (With home delivery!) My favorite ceramic studio and gallery is now a sushi place. And my favorite vegan restaurant is a Christian Science Reading Room.

Nothing stays the same. But I’m gonna really miss that fragle place.


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Winding through Shakespeare’s woods

Have you ever explored through beautiful woodland in search of Shakespeare? Unless you live in Ann Arbor, maybe not. But if you’re from around here you’re in luck. The University of Michigan is putting on a spectacular production of Love’s Labour’s Lost in the Arboretum below the beautiful peony garden.

The peony garden.

The peony garden.

You should go. Even if you aren’t sure you love Shakespeare. Because what could be better than to spend a couple of hours wandering in the beautiful trees and flowers of the Arboretum while watching talented people joyously telling a story of love and mistakes and confusion and confirmation?

As the actors headed down into the woods to prepare for the evening performance my Aunt and I wandered the beautiful peony garden.

On her way to find her nobleman.

On her way to find her nobleman.

It was past it’s prime, last weekend would have been perfect, but it was still beautiful, and smelled like heaven must.

Can you smell the perfume?

Can you smell the perfume?

Once the show started we followed along eagerly, as we learned that the country’s king had decided to ban women from his court for three years, while he and his noblemen studied. Women are, you know, distractions from serious study.

No women?? For three years???

No women?? For three years???

But had he forgotten that the Princess from France was scheduled for a royal visit? Why yes he had! So she and her noble women would have to stay camped in a field outside the court. She was quite put out. Which was a shame, because the King had a huge crush on her.

The ladies arrive.

The ladies arrive.

And the rest of the women? They and the King’s noblemen had crushes too. So what to do? Meet in secret, write love letters that get hand carried to the wrong people? Pine away in the forest?

Studying.

Studying.

All of that and more. And of course don’t forget the visiting Spaniard with his grandiose ideas of love and women who falls for the common milk maid.

She's a match for him.

She’s the match for him.

It was all there deep in the lush green forest. How does it all end? Does everyone get to live happily ever after? I’m not telling you. You’ll have to go find out for yourself. The play continues Thursdays through Sundays until June 26.

Playing a deceptive game.

Playing a deceptive game.

Head out for an adventure. Try something new. Wear bug spray and bring a blanket or a chair to sit on.

The women celebrate.

The women celebrate.

You’ll love it. Guaranteed.

Heavenly.

Heavenly.


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WordPress Photo Challenge: Optimistic

I’m feeling pretty lucky to be living up here in Michigan right now, as the blizzard Jonah is bearing down on the south and east. So far this winter has pretty much passed us by. Sure we’ve got a tiny bit of snow on the ground. And it has been cold for a couple of weeks, but this winter is nothing like the last two evil and nasty winters we all suffered through.

Still, this week’s photo challenge is all about looking forward from the middle of the long winter. What makes us feel hopeful that we’re headed toward warmer weather? What keeps us going when we’re tired of shoveling, scraping frost off windshields, bundling up, driving on treacherous roads?

Stopping for a quick visit at Matthaei Conservatory always lifts my winter blues. It’s tropical inside with lush green trees and flowering plants. And in the back is the dry hot air of a desert complete with intriguing desert plant life. For a little while you can lose yourself in another place. A warm place.

I always like to stop and visit a huge rotating pot full of colorful plants. The plants are changed with the seasons, but the best part of this exhibit is the kaleidoscope that transforms the colors in the pot into changeable art. I took this image through the eye of the kaleidoscope. As the pot of plants rotates the image changes.

Spring in the eyepiece.

Spring in the eyepiece.

It’s magic and always makes me smile. And smiling in winter? Well, that’s the first step on the road to optimism.

See other optimistic responses at the original link above. It’s early…so I haven’t picked out any favorites yet. But optimism is such a wonderful concept, they’re all bound to be great.

Another view...just turn the pot.

Another view…just turn the pot.