fun stuff | Change Is Hard

October 13, 2011
by dawnkinster 8 Comments

Golden day in San Fran

Yesterday we wore ourselves out walking in San Fransisco, starting with the Golden Gate Bridge.

Then taking a bus tour through San Fransisco…

…leaving us on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge in Sauceleto where we wandered around and listened to street musicians.

We took a ferry back to San Fransisco…

…then walked about a gazillion blocks, past protesters at the Federal Reserve…

….and took a cable car back to the Wharf.

We are tired.

And I won’t even talk about the naked guys on the beach or protesting Wall Street bailouts in front of the Fed. Sorry, no pictures of that!

Today we’re on our way to Alcatraz.

October 11, 2011
by dawnkinster 12 Comments

Wordless Wednesday

October 11, 2011
by dawnkinster 6 Comments

Yosemite

Yesterday we went to Yosemite National Park.

Though we didn’t stay overnight at the old hotel, I could just imagine what it must have been like in the 20’s and 30’s.

We drove and walked all over the valley floor.

Magnificent!

Gotta run!

October 10, 2011
by dawnkinster 10 Comments

Not in Michigan

I don’t think I’m in Michigan anymore.

And I don’t suppose the picture above is any real kind of hint. But you can try to guess if you like.

There are a lot of hills and water.

Plus a big city.

And a bridge or two.

Really, I think that’s all the hints I can give you at this time.

October 7, 2011
by dawnkinster 8 Comments

The TV weather people said we have fog this morning, but out with the dog just moments ago the stars were bright. And as I was looking at Orion’s belt and talking to Mom a huge and gorgeous shooting star shot across the sky from north to south. It looked like it was in two pieces. I think. Or maybe my startled eye was just slow and there was only one and the memory of where the one had been a moment before.

One or two, I’m sure it was just Mom sending out a greeting to Katie and me.

October 5, 2011
by dawnkinster 5 Comments

Sunflower inspiration

Out along a country road someone plants sunflowers. They crowd each other between the corn fields and the road. They go on for almost a mile. Every year I remind myself that I need to stop and take pictures. Every year the frost gets to them before I do.

But this year I was inspired by PJ’s sunflower photo, and the one over on Gerry’s blog. So last weekend Katie and I went out specifically to get some photos. Katie had to stay in the car, but she was OK with that.

I had a great time standing among the sunflowers.

Katie was very patient.

She’s gotten used to this Mama and the camera thing. As long as she gets to ride in the car she’s totally supportive.

Treats are good too.

Wordless Wednesday

October 5, 2011 by dawnkinster 10 Comments

October 2, 2011
by dawnkinster 10 Comments

One mile in

So my training for next year’s ten mile road race starts this week, with me running/walking 1 mile 3x a week. My first mile was scheduled for this weekend.

I finished mowing the grass about 4:30 today and thought, ‘it’s a beautiful day, sunshine, cool, a nice breeze. It’s never going to get any better than this. So get yourself out there.’ I think I have been worried about how it would go, so have been avoiding the run all weekend.

I changed my clothes and got ready to leave. But Katie had other ideas. She figures, if Mama goes, Katie goes. And she has really big eyes when she’s begging. I figured I was going to walk most of it anyway, so I hooked her leash up and off we went.

We ran most of the first quarter – she thought I was chasing her and it was all a game – till she saw her first chipmunk. Then she was all business. We ran and walked the rest of the way to the 1/2 way turn around point. I was pretty proud of her. But on the way back she refused to run at all. Every time I started jogging she just stopped cold. Silly girl. So we pretty much walked back. With 1/4 mile left to go she asked to be picked up. I told her she was a woose. And I carried her a little bit, cause I’m a pushover. I told her that she should realize that I was going to have to go back out when we got home and do this all over again. She said she didn’t care.

So when we got home I made her supper and then headed back out. Ran the 1/2 mile to the turn around, walked a bit and pretty much ran the rest of the way back home. It felt good to be running. It felt really good when I got back back home and could stop running. I haven’t been this sweaty in a very long time.

Guess Katie’s walk was a good warm up. She’s sound asleep now.

Come on Mom!

October 1, 2011
by dawnkinster 7 Comments

You want me to look WHERE Mama?

I'll pose but I won't look at you

It’s cold and really windy, but this afternoon the sun came out so Katie and I took advantage of the perception of warmth and went for a drive. Mama took the camera. Katie sighed.

We went to a park that has a children’s play area. There’s a big sign filled with all the rules; one says ‘no pets.’

Not looking at you.

But since there wasn’t anyone around and since Katie can’t read we wandered in anyway.

Are you sure we can be here Mama?It smells like children! You know I don’t especially like children. They’re noisy. Noisier than me. And that’s saying something.

Hey, there’s lots of places to sniff. Wait. You want me to sit where? Under these weird things? OK. But I’ not going to look at you.

Not looking at you.

Nope just not gonna do it.

Nope.

Darn! You got me!

Now wait a minute. You want me to climb up THERE? Oh yea. I can do that! But I’m not gonna look at you. You might as well face it.

Not looking at you.

Hey Mama this is fun and everything, but can we just go for a walk out in the grass?

I sat good for all your stupid pictures, so can we, can we? Just go nose around all that pretty grass for awhile?

Of course we can baby-girl. Right after one last shot.

Ok. But I’m not looking at you.

September 30, 2011
by dawnkinster 10 Comments

Subtly of Fall

Today the temps were in the low 40’s, the wind was howling and the rain was coming down sideways. I miss summer already. Luckily Katie and I got to go to her favorite local park last Sunday while the sun was shining and the air was still warm.