fun stuff | Change Is Hard

January 27, 2014
by dawnkinster 8 Comments

Wide weekend spectrum

Aunt and the UM bell tower

It’s Monday night and I’m just finding time to tell you about our weekend. I seem to be perpetually behind. Obviously I’m spending way too much time at work. Yea, that’s it.

Saturday evening husband and I attended the University of Michigan’s Collage Concert. You’re heard me talk about these concert in past years. It’s bits and pieces of symphony, band, small groups, soloists, dancers and actors who perform one after the next, each in their own spotlight, the light bouncing from one side of the stage to the other, then focusing on the larger groups, and back to individuals.

Lots of talent

Every person was playing, singing, dancing or acting their hearts out. Each gave their art their absolute best. The combination was fast paced, magical and eclectic. It’s wonderful. Where else could we hear an alto saxophone solo playing the contemporary “The Brass Violin“ by Creviston, transitioning into a chamber choir singing “Ubi caritas“ by Mealor (sung at the royal wedding in 2011). I give you these two examples just to show you how divergent the works were that we enjoyed.

We heard bits of an oboe sole accompanied by a soundtrack of a poem complete with the sounds of birds, a jazz ensemble playing music that had us all tapping our toes and nodding our heads, followed by six men playing classical bassoon while wearing glittery jester hats, followed by 4 trombones playing a crazy contemporary piece followed by the soft tones of the chamber choir again.

Pretty details

It keep us engaged. It kept us looking excitedly for the next spotlight. Where else could we have ever hear a full symphony play a version of “Rhapsody in Blue” woven delicately with the University of Michigan fight song? I ask you where? Only in Ann Arbor.

It was fun. It was crazy. It was beautiful. And I was more than a little sad when the symphony began the familiar strains of Ravel’s “Bolero” because I knew that was the last piece. I’ve said it before, but it is truly amazing to witness that much talent all on one stage, all in one night.

We drove home in a lull between snowstorms happy and tired. We fell into bed late, anticipating a slow lazy Sunday morning. We did not factor in Katie.

Playing!

Katie woke me up at 5 a.m. She had to go out. I did the usual “GO LAY DOWN!” She did not. Though I tried again, in the end I got up and we went outside so she could pee. Shortly after coming back inside, with me back under the warm covers she asked to go out. Again. I got up and we went back out. Again. And again a few minutes later…and again…and again. I went out with her 11 times in 4 hours.

Eventually even I had to realize this was not normal and I got a few samples for the vet. We took her to the local emergency after hours vet (because why would this occur during regular vet hours?) along with her samples.

They took her in the back to weigh her and try for a more sterile sample…and then we waited. Katie waited in her Dad’s lap where she is most comfortable when she is in a scary place.

Sleepy little sick girl

She was so tired and stressed she fell asleep in his lap. I wished I could do the same. Shortly the results were back…she has a urinary tract infection. We got her meds, paid the $300+ bill, and headed home.

She settled in at home as if just going to the vet made her feel better. She got her first pill and seemed to be as good as new, though that doesn’t seem possible. She got her second pill late Sunday night and slept through the night. Today she seems pretty much her normal self. So I’m happy we didn’t wait till normal office hours today since she got relief so fast.

Still…it was a crazy weekend and I woke today sorely wishing it was a 3 day weekend. Katie says she wouldn’t have minded another day with everyone home either. But she’ll wait till next weekend to go to the park..given it’s stinking cold here…record lows predicted for tomorrow.

I sure wish we could all stay home and be nice and warm tomorrow!

Snowy

January 25, 2014
by dawnkinster 18 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Juxtaposition

This week amid record snowfall, wind and excruciating cold I have been wistful for warmth. I’ve been dreaming of Florida beaches, remembering the smell of orange blossoms, longing for the feel of sun on my shoulders, and squinting up into reeling snowflakes to look for any sign of our own, long missing, sun overhead. So when I saw this week’s photo challenge, juxtaposition, I immediately connected the heat of a Florida orchard with the snow blowing past my window.

And came up with this:

It’s still snowing today. What was once beautiful is now viewed as something to get through. I know spring is not that far away…but from where I sit right now it feels like an interminable, never ending struggle.

I look forward to checking out other photographers’ version of juxtaposition. You could have all sorts of fun with this topic. It should be a great diversion from focusing on the weather. Give it a try! You have till next Friday to post your own juxtaposition composition. If you click on any of the links in this paragraph you’ll see a few of my favorites from this week.

I hope you go out and find something that shouts juxtaposition to you, I can’t wait to see it!

January 18, 2014
by dawnkinster 11 Comments

Park days

Katie here. Last you heard from me school was cancelled and I was soooooo sad! My mama tried to make it up to me by hugging me in the rain but that really wasn’t enough. So last Sunday I made my mama take me to the park! I made her take me today too (cause we didn’t have school this weekend either!) but it was cold and windy today so we didn’t stay long. I’ll share some photos from our trip last weekend, cause I know you want to keep current with my princess activities.

We had such a good time! And guess what? We met a lady with two shelties!

Could have been new friends!

My mama and the lady stood around and talked and talked. I wanted to go on my walk so I wouldn’t sit next to her dogs, even though they were really nice. The tri was a guy and he was 15 years old! He was really friendly.

I think he liked me!

The blue merle was a girl and she was nine. She was friendly too, but she wanted to get going on her walk just I did.

She has a beautiful face!

We were going in opposite directions so after awhile I pulled my mama away. She said I was rude, but I didn’t care, I wanted to get going!

So off we went down the path. I was very good, but my mama said something about me walking twice as far because I kept zigzagging back and forth across the path. I couldn’t help it, there were good smells everywhere!

Mama thought the tree was cool.

Mama didn’t take a bunch of pictures of me this time. I thought that was good. More time to explore! She said I was acting crazy, all excited and not paying attention. So she took out the secret weapon. CHEESE.

Were you talking to ME mama?

I heeled all the way back to the car. I’m a good dog.

And smart too.

Hello park!

January 12, 2014
by dawnkinster 27 Comments

Weekly photo challenge: Window

This week the WordPress photo challenge is something I have always really liked. It’s window. As soon as I saw the word I was excited; there are so many options with a word like that. I think back and realize I’ve shown you lots of different windows in previous blogs. Here are a few I remember off the top of my head.

There was a blog about Washington DC last spring where I showed you all kinds of windows.

There was a window in my blog about the family farm.

I used the reflection in a window for a previous photo challenge,intended to represent ‘inside.’

And of course not too long ago I asked you what was outside your window.

So I was a bit stumped about where to go to find a window I’d never shared with you before. As you know I like nothing better than to go on a little road trip looking for a photo, but the weather here is less than perfect and the roads aren’t perfect either, so I’ll have to settle for something close to home.

There’s a village cafe in the next town over. Sometimes I drive to work though the town and notice the warm welcoming light shining through it’s front window. So this morning I drove over to see what might be photographed. And I ended up with this:

Morning at the cafe.

You notice the warm light first, but if you look carefully, through the picture window, you might see the waitress in white taking an order, or a woman in a booth holding her face in her hands. Perhaps she’s reading the morning paper, or maybe she’s contemplating her coffee. Windows often allow part of the story to emerge while leaving the rest of it up to our imagination.

Go to the WordPress link above and see what other window entries have been submitted. I think you’ll find several you like. I liked this one and this one and this one, last time I looked. There are many more now.

And look again outside your own window. I bet the view has changed some since I last asked you about it.

January 11, 2014
by dawnkinster 25 Comments

School got cancelled!

Katie here. I feel a need to protest. My Mama goes off every day, all day, leaving me home alone. Well not really alone cause I’ve got my Dad here, but you know what I mean..she leaves me every day! And I only have a couple of days when she’s home each week…and Saturday is supposed to be all about me. ME ME ME ME ME! I almost always get to go to school unless I’m at doggy camp and I just love going to school.

Now I know this week was tough on my peeps because Mama’s been coming home from that place she calls work all tired and cranky and late every day. And Dad’s been shoveling the driveway and making me a path all week and that seems to make him tired and cranky too. But people! All that snow is melting! SEE?

This is my snowdrift.

Oh. You think that still looks like a lot of snow? Well…it’s where Dad piled it all up when he shoveled the driveway. Most of the snow is more like this.

And this is my yard!

Well, I guess you can’t really see, but the snow in the rest of the yard is probably only a foot or so deep. I don’t know for sure cause my Dad makes a path for me so I don’t have to walk in snow that deep. Have I mentioned I’m a princess? Probably a few times, huh?

So anyway…I was all excited and stuff because today is Saturday and I get to go to school! My Mama cut up my treats and I got to put on my school collar and she put me in my crate in the car and off we went! I was so happy my tail wouldn’t calm down. We drove and drove and I heard my Mama making squeaking noises but I didn’t pay her any attention.

After awhile the car stopped and my Mama came back to get me! I could hardly wait! SCHOOL! Then I realized we were in our own garage! What kind of trick was that! She picked me up and we went in the house. Well. I’m wasn’t going to stand for that! She was on her stupid phone texting about icy roads so I started whining. She took my out because she thought I needed to do a job, but instead of heading over to my path I headed right back to the car. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and it was TO GO TO SCHOOL! She said “No Baby, I’m so sorry,” and picked me up and rocked me as we stood there in the driveway in the rain. I was so sad.

So now I’m trying to find something to do. This is so boring. I tried helping my Mama as she sorted music for her band, but she told me I have to practice my alphabet some more because I got stuff all mixed up.

Is this music hard Mama?

I guess I’ll have to sit on this stupid sofa and give her the stink eye the rest of the day. But the weather guy says it’s going to be warmer tomorrow and she sure better take me somewhere fun. Cause I am NOT going to wait five more days until the focus is on me! No I will not. I am a princess you know (yes I guess you know) and I expect better!

This is not fair!

Yes I do. Humph.

Me and my snow.

January 8, 2014
by dawnkinster 26 Comments

Wordless Wednesday – SNOW!

January 6, 2014
by dawnkinster 8 Comments

Weekly photo challenge: beginning

This week’s WordPress photo challenge is beginning.

After much thought I realized that many things begin with this…

…so I boiled up a dozen in celebration of beginnings.

Stop by the link above and check out a few entries. See what’s your favorite. Or better yet…show us your interpretation of beginning.

Here are a few of my favorites…and I only clicked on a few random entries. There are probably lots more if I take some time and explore. Given we’re sitting under at least a foot of snow I just might do that!

January 5, 2014
by dawnkinster 32 Comments

Snow!

Waiting for summer.

We’re getting a ton of snow; they’ve been warning us about this storm system for days. Yesterday the local grocery stores ran out of food. Literally. Many shelves were so empty the whole thing ended up on the evening news because some people waited for up to an hour just to get through the checkout lanes with what little they could find.

The amount of snow we got…BEFORE the heavy snow started.

During the night we got 5 or 6 inches of snow…and that’s the first ‘light’ part of the storm. Husband and I used the snow blower to clear out the driveway in preparation for perhaps another 8 or 10 inches that is coming this afternoon and tonight.

Pushing through the snow.

Earlier Katie and I went to play in the backyard.

How deep is this snow Mama?

But the snow is up to her chest and she decided she wasn’t having that much fun. She bunny hopped her way back to the deck and now she’s napping. It will be a good afternoon for naps or baking or perhaps doing a bit of laundry.

Only bringing this back ONCE Mama!

Tomorrow’s commute to work will be interesting. Might as well enjoy the beauty of it now, there will be lots of time to curse it later.

January 1, 2014
by dawnkinster 14 Comments

Come visit the Detroit Institute of Arts!

Have you ever visited or lived in Detroit? I know most of you have heard things about the city. Probably not good things. Heck our football team can’t even get us good press. So let me show you something beautiful that resides in the city; a gem of a place that we are lucky to have.

Enjoying the art.

The DIA as we like to call it, is at risk because the city of Detroit is in bankruptcy and everyone is looking for assets to sell in order to pay off debt. Just this past election counties outside the city voted to increase property taxes so that funds could be sent to support the DIA, but even that is not enough to guaranty it is safe.

Symmetry

Let me show you a few of the treasures we found inside this past Sunday. When we first arrived we joined a short tour where the docent explained a few of her favorite pieces. It’s amazing what you can learn in a few moments listening to someone that understands the art.

Even if you think you don’t like this sort of art it’s worth going to your local art museum and taking a tour. You might be surprised by what you turn out to like once you know a bit about it.

One of the galleries had several paintings by Picasso. I was struck by the progression of his work over time.

Melancholy Woman. 1902

Woman in Arm Chair. 1923

And this one I like a lot, sort of reminded me of my library days.

Girl Reading 1938

Seated Woman. 1960

There were 4 or 5 of his pieces hanging together. You could see them becoming more and more abstract. I never knew I liked Picasso until I saw his work all lined up.

Sunday my favorite painting in the museum was this one:

The Wedding Dance by Pieter Bruegel approximately 1566

There was something about the joy, the distribution of color, the movement. Can you find the bride? We couldn’t. Turns out the bride is the only woman there without a headdress. And she’s wearing black, which was the custom back then. Do you see her now? She’s in the middle left, about 1/3 way up. See? You learn something new all the time!

The DIA has lots of classical art but lots of modern art too. Some of it was interesting, some of it was strange. Some made you think…

Play ball!

…some made you think “why is this art?”

Ummmm…

But the other big thing we have at the DIA are huge famous frescoes depicting the auto industry done by Diego Rivera.

Over the top amazing.

The art is beautiful; the two main panels show laborers working in the auto industry. Other panels show advancement in sciences and medicine.

Working on the line.

I enjoyed watching the people as they walked into the huge room and began to notice the detail, the stories that were being told, the history, the beauty of the place.

Look up there!

This museum is less than an hour from my house. I’ve only been once before, and then only to see a special show. I’ve never wandered around, never stretched myself to stand in front of something I didn’t understand and ponder, never checked the back of corner rooms or explored around the next corner before.

I’m glad we went. Granted we went in part because there is a possibility that all or most of it will be gone, sold to raise funds for the strapped city. We might have procrastinated for more years if not for the fiscal crisis. Still, it opened my eyes to what is there. I know we will go back.

Sculpture and landscape.

Look around your community. What has always been there that you take for granted? What have you not visited lately? Or at all? Maybe you aren’t sure you like whatever is stored inside. As a kid sometimes we’d say we didn’t like something. My dad would always respond – “How do you know if you haven’t tried it?” And that’s what I’m saying to you. How do you know you don’t like classical art…or modern art…or sculpture…or the symphony? How do you know if you haven’t tried it?

This new year make a decision to stretch outside your normal box. Visit some treasure in your community. See what’s there. See what you like.

I bet you’ll be surprised.

See what’s out there.

December 30, 2013
by dawnkinster 34 Comments

Weekly photo challenge: Joy

The WordPress photo challenge this week is Joy. I’ve thought about this; looked around, searched for that one image that expressed joy around here. In the end it was obvious.

Hey there Katie girl. You express joy every day. Thanks for being you!

Stop by the link above and check out a few other expressions of joy. Here and here and here are a few of my favorites. And of course stop by Robin’s blog where she shares beautiful images of joy in her part of the world.

Enjoy. And look around…what do you see that is joyful?

Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: fun stuff