snow | Change Is Hard

February 12, 2014
by dawnkinster 11 Comments

Wordless Wednesday

Shhhhhh……Katie here, don’t tell Mama I’m talking to you. This is supposed to be wordless. Yea. Right. Like a Sheltie is ever quiet, you know what I mean? Anywho… I think my Mama has been feeling a little down and I’ve done my best to remind her she has me, me me ME! And what more could she want, right? So guess what? I, me, myself and I, arranged for the sun to come out today! Just for her! (Well, if any of the rest of you see it too that’s OK, I can share.) I am, after all, nothing less than a Princess…and a Princess gets whatever she wants, right? And I wanted sunshine. So I asked, and I got it and I sure hope she appreciates it.

Now I need to go take a nap. This has all been exhausting.

You can thank me later.

February 3, 2014
by dawnkinster 14 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Object

This week the WordPress photo challenge is Object. You’d think that would be easy. Just take a quick shot of something..anything…right? All things are objects. Still. It should be more than that – maybe something that represents your part of the world, a photo that is intriguing, interesting. That makes the challenge, well, challenging.

During my drive to doggie school yesterday I saw a couple of things that might fit the challenge, but the weather was so bad there was no place to safely stop. I’ve kept those items in mind for a day when the snow is not blowing sideways, the roads not so slick with slush. You may see some of them yet.

In the end, for this challenge, I looked no further than my own driveway where the truck was parked covered in the latest snowfall. Such interesting shapes revealed themselves that I had to see whether or not the camera saw it the same way.

Rear view mirror

And because I couldn’t decide which photo I liked better, I’ll give you another.

Blinker

We are pretty tired of snow here. Sure it’s beautiful, but it was more beautiful in December. Now it’s just work. And cold.

Going nowhere.

There are so many objects to focus on for a photo study. Look around your house. You don’t have to go on a grand adventure to find something interesting. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with. As usual, here’s a few of my favorites of those already submitted. Just click on any of the links. Or you can click on the word Object at the top and go to the original post and look at lots more!

Enjoy!

February 2, 2014
by dawnkinster 8 Comments

Black and white

Morning light

I glanced out the window this early morning, a break from reading emails and blog posts, and realized the world outside looked black and white.

Before the day’s light brightens up the yard it was a study in bare trees and snow cover. For a moment everything seemed so simple, obvious. Black or white.

But as it does every day, the light changes and colors become more visible and nothing turns out to be either totally black or totally white.

And isn’t that a good thing.

Morning watch

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!

Wordless Wednesday

January 22, 2014 by dawnkinster 16 Comments

January 9, 2014
by dawnkinster 28 Comments

Getting through the cold times

Most of you…OK all of you…probably know we got socked with snow and then the “polar vortex” cold this week. It’s made just about everything difficult.

See the bird resting in the feeder?

The official amount of snow that fell in the town nearest to us is 15 inches (38.1 cm) but we measured 19 inches (48.2 cm) in our yard. The majority of it arrived on Sunday which was lucky because we didn’t have to try to get to work while it was falling.

I figured I’d just leave for work extra early Monday morning. I knew that over a foot of snow would snarl traffic no matter what work the county had done to get roads cleaned up. The roads in our subdivision hadn’t been touched by anyone other than the residents who used their snow blowers to clean out the road directly in front of our driveways. And the snow fell all night. Then the wind began to blow near midnight.

Not selling cars at the dealership.

Very early Monday Katie and I slogged through the snow in our driveway out to the road to look. No one had driven on it yet. I couldn’t tell how deep the snow was…but it looked deep in the dark. I was apprehensive and decided I needed to drive the truck because it had 4 wheel drive. Of course it wasn’t in the garage and was covered in snow. So I started scrapping snow and ice off it…warming it up while planning which route I’d take. I wanted the route that had fewer hills and curves on my way out to a main road.

About 6:15 in the morning I backed out of the driveway and headed up the road. I got as far as the next door neighbor’s house and got stuck in a huge drift. Panicking I managed to back out of the drift, back into the neighbor’s driveway, then turn around and head back home. I decided I wasn’t going to try that again, and called in to work at 6:30.

Bird bath.

My husband emerged from the bedroom about 7:15 and asked me if I had tried to go to work. I told him I did and got stuck and I wasn’t going to work. He said we should be able to make it out of the sub. I said no way. He said let’s try. So we did. We went the other way and plowed through smaller drifts, eventually making it out to a main road, then to the freeway. I arrived at work on time at 8:30…after all that, and before just about anyone else in my department. Many people couldn’t get in at all.

Tuesday the Polar Vortex arrived. Husband drove me to work again because it was -17 F (-27.22 C)and the roads were still bad. I was wearing many layers, including my running tights under my dress pants to stay warm in the building that is essentially glass. It was a long day, though more people made it to work.

Tracks of something hungry.

When husband picked me up from work that evening we stopped at a restaurant across the street from the office for a quick dinner. It turned out to be very quick because just after our food was served the power went out. We ate in the relatively romantic light of overhead emergency lights, and they comped us the meal because their credit card readers didn’t work. The commute home was long because the wind was making the roads slippery again.

Wednesday morning the temperatures were more reasonable, still negative…but not so terrible. We actually made it to double digit temperatures in the afternoon…on the positive side! I drove myself to work, but the roads were still slippery and it took me an hour and a half to get there, and an hour and a half to get home that evening.

The stress of bad commutes and understaffed work days is wearing me out. And to top it all off we have to work five whole days this week!

By the end of this week we’re supposed to get rain. That never makes the commute any easier…but I’ll take it over more snow.

The bird seed is stored in here.

Katie says she wants to go to the park and I have to remind her that the snow is deeper than she is tall. There’s a cartoon on Facebook that says something like “I’m tired of winter, next season please.”

It’s early in the winter, but that’s exactly how I feel.

Layers.

January 8, 2014
by dawnkinster 26 Comments

Wordless Wednesday – SNOW!

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.

December 28, 2013
by dawnkinster 10 Comments

Relief from winter

Katie here. You know how I’ve been thinking that maybe my Mama didn’t love me anymore because she’s never around much? Well I was wrong! HA! Mama took me to the park today! It’s been forever since I’ve been at my favorite park and today Mama said that since it was so warm – 44 F (6.66 C) – and there was sunshine too that we just had to take advantage of the break from winter cold and go for a walk! WOW! Did she say GO FOR A WALK? I’m ready Mama! (Mama says click on any picture to see more detail.)

So off we went. I just love this park. And because it’s winter it’s not even officially open. We have to park in a different spot and walk in, but that’s OK, just means fewer doggies are there. Mama said there had been a big dog there earlier in the day because she saw these really big paw prints in the snow. But we didn’t see anyone while we were there.

Sometimes Mama let me be off leash, like when we were practicing my recall. Which, if I do say so myself, is pretty darn spectacular.

Other times I still had the leash but Mama got busy taking pictures of other stuff and I got to wander around a bit. In fact once when Mama was busy taking pictures of boring grass I wandered right off the path. She told me “NO! Katie come HERE!” and I told her that sometimes a girl just has to explore a little bit. Geesh.

Anyway, we had a wonderful time. I walked almost the whole way. It was harder to walk in the snow than on grass, and near the end I asked my Mama to pick me up. My Daddy says I’m a wimp. But I didn’t see him slogging around out there in the wet snow! When we got home I told him all about our adventure.

Then I sat on the sofa next to my Mama. I did not go to sleep. I was just resting my eyes.

Oh who am I kidding.

I needed a nap.

Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: snow

Wordless Wednesday

Weekly Photo Challenge: Object

Black and white

Wide weekend spectrum

Weekly Photo Challenge: Juxtaposition

Wordless Wednesday

Getting through the cold times

Wordless Wednesday – SNOW!

Snow!

Relief from winter