Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.


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I help mom out any way I can.

Hey, Penny here again. 

Mom says you guys don’t need to hear from me so often. She says it’s her blog and shouldn’t be all about me. I like to point out regularly that her life is all about me. 

Ahem.

Mom took me to a new park last week before the snow.

Anyway, she’s had a couple important thoughts on her mind and has been meaning to blog about random stuff for awhile now. As you may or may not know, she’s meaning to do a whole lot of stuff that doesn’t get done. So I decided to help her out by putting together a random blog with some of her thoughts and some of my thoughts. 

You can judge which thoughts are most important.

Don’t worry mom, I’ll write your blog for you!

No pressure to vote for mine or anything. 

So,anyway, she watches a lot of HGTV. Mostly because there isn’t any violence or scary stuff and no one looses anything most of the time. Mom doesn’t like conflict. But she knows that most of it is staged, ’cause there’s no way all those couples can like totally opposite stuff and still be together. One wants to live in a city high-rise and one wants to live on acres in the woods? How’s that supposed to work out?

Me, I think we should all live in the woods!

Don’t you wonder if some of them are still together?

And how come so many of the women come off as so controlling and well…b****y? Sometimes mom has to turn it off because the (mostly) women annoy her so much. And how come the closets are always hers? Where’s he supposed to put his cloths? In the kids’ rooms? Maybe the garage? 

Of course mom has her own closet drama. We won’t go there.

Maybe you could store your shoes in here, mom!

I on the other hand wonder why people’s dogs don’t get to decide where they’re going to live. I think any dog would opt for lots of fenced in land to run on. I don’t know a dog around that likes to go on a walk by first getting on an elevator. And those high-rise balconies? You call that an outside space? What if a little doggie falls off? Huh??

Now THIS is a good outdoor space!

Mom also wonders about this open concept thing. It seems to be what almost everyone wants and she wonders if these people, particularly the young people, have ever lived with other people in that kind of space. 

Is this open concept?

Mom and Dad’s house is open concept. They remodeled it long before that was a thing, and in general I like it cause I can run really fast with no walls to slow me down, but mom says if you live in an open concept house you have to listen and watch whatever the other people want to listen to and watch. 

I’m a big help, right mom?

Sometimes mom would just like it to be quiet. She says she’d advise all those people looking for open concept houses to make sure they each have somewhere of their own to retreat to when they need a little quiet. 

Just image if there were a bunch of kids too! Kids and dogs racing around a big open concept house. Yep….I think that would be perfect, but mom says it makes her head hurt. What do you think?

I think having some kids to play with would be just fine.

And mom’s been thinking about the cable/internet bill. She hears so many people talking about streaming stuff, and she’s not sure she’d even know how to do that. We don’t have any of those subscription things, and sometimes something she’d like to watch is shown only on Peacock or Hulu or Netflix or any number of other services that she hasn’t even heard of. 

Is that a peacock over there?

The cable bill is big enough, why would you want to pay for more when we don’t even watch all the channels we have? Yet….maybe it would be nice to have some other options. Still, shouldn’t we be satisfied with the stuff we already have? Cause mom says we have a lot. 

Personally I don’t care one way or the other. It’s all noise to me. Just don’t have any doorbells or dogs barking on there. And nobody up on that screen better move too fast either. Cause I’ll be on guard, yes I will. I’m watching you all the time, even when I’m sleeping. Constantly on guard to protect my people, that’s me.

Always alert!

In fact, mom and I just came in from a neighborhood walk and about the time we got back to our driveway four trumpeter swans flew over. They sure make a lot of loud, weird noise when they fly! Mom thought it was cool. I just stood very still and watched. 

I’m not always brave.

After they were gone I pulled on my leash and stood up on by back feet and barked very loudly in the direction they had gone. I told them! They won’t be back any time soon! Don’t come near my mom you guys! Yes I can make myself very big, like a grizzly bear, when I want to scare something off.

Mom says I’m nothing like a grizzly bear, and I’m only brave after whatever riled me up is gone. Big brave girl, she calls me. She says this habit of mine doesn’t bode well for future camping.

Gotta keep an eye out all the time around here.

I say she needs a grizzly bear camping with her to keep her safe. What do you think?

Signing off from all this randomness,

Your clerical girl, Penny.


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Before and After – Photo Challenge

Karma, over at Karma When I Feel Like It, has challenged us to a couple of photo challenges. One of them she titled “Before and After.” 

For this challenge I was looking for something that changes…where I could show the before…

Before her adventure.

…and the after….

And after.

I honestly thought she’d be a bigger mess. We walked through snow and mud and leaves and puddles. Maybe she’s a Teflon dog. 

She says she wants to share more about her latest walk in the woods, but she’s busy napping. Maybe someday soon she’ll be motivated to finish her post.

A bit of muddy evidence.

You never know.


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Let there be snow

A couple weeks ago we got some real snow, the first of any significance this season. It came to us blowing from the northeast, unusual for around here, and it was wet, sticky snow.

The pond across the street.

It stuck to all the tree trunks and branches, outlining everything. From a distance most of the woods around here looked like birch trees.

Heading out to see what there was to see.

I wanted to get out to get some pictures. It was so pretty for so long. But the weather was also miserable for a long time, the roads covered in slippery snow, the wind blowing, the temps in single digits.

The roof of our township offices.

I don’t want to even talk about the wind chill temperatures.

The woods across the marsh, trees painted in snow plaster.

Still, I’d look out the back windows and it was sooooo beautiful. 

Up and down hills on the way to the park.

So one afternoon, with the sun peeking out from behind the typical Michigan winter clouds, and temperatures above zero, I ventured out.

Faux plaster.

I went to a park in the next township west of here. I didn’t walk very far, but I enjoyed being out there, and I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

I should have brought my skies.

Those of you that live in warmer climates….this is what you’re missing!

Red, white and blue on a pretty winter day.

Now…stop laughing, and no fair sending me pictures of blue skies and golden beaches!

Really. No fair.


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I’ve been busy!

Hi there, it’s me, Penny!

Boy I bet you’ve been wondering where I’ve been! I know I’m probably the most important concern on your minds all the time, and in the interest of getting you to relax, I’ll bring you up to date on my adventures.

Me in my chariot.

There have been plenty.

Since it’s the holiday season I guess I should start out with my walk a week or so ago. I got to go to a park with my friend Whisky and his mom. (And my mom came too.) There were Christmas lights everywhere!

My friend Whisky-Roo and his mom.

There were lots of people and their dogs walking around and I was a pretty good girl about not barking at stuff. Even when people came out of the dark and startled me.

Sometimes I get worried that Mom isn’t paying attention to all the people walking by when she’s taking pictures.

Mom said it was pretty hard to get pictures of me looking at her cause there was so much other stuff for me to look at!

We spend way too much time sitting in front of stuff when we should be walking, Mom!

Then this week mom took me to Davis Lake Overlook Park, which is near my house. I’ve only been there one time before, and that time we walked in a different part of the park.

I think we should go down the yellow trail, Mom.

So on this walk everything was new to me. Boy I had fun sniffing. I’d go from one side of the trail to the other, nose always to the ground.

I feel like I’m wearing camouflage, Mom!I blend right in!

Mom said I did very good not being scared of being in the woods. When I was a little girl the big trees kinda scared me, but I’m a big girl now, and a lot braver.

Mom asks me to sit in front of stuff all the time.I think she needs to have an intervention.

Then guess what? My Uncle P. came to visit us! It was his first visit since I moved in. He’s so much fun! I liked him right away. A couple days ago he and Mom took me back to Davis Lake Overlook and we walked on a completely different trail there. 

My Uncle Paul.

Part of it even Mom had never been on before! Mom says she might rename this park Penny’s Park. I think that’s an excellent idea.

I stay very focused on mom. When she says “OK!” I’m going in for my treat, yes sirree!

Mom says she’s still thinking about it. She says change is hard.

I think this is an excellent park and should definitely be named for me.

Anyway, we had a great walk even though it was foggy and cold. I didn’t mind that a bit of course. 

I gave her my best pose down by this little pond.It’s my Christmas present to her.

I loved walking with Mom and Uncle P. They thought they’d be wearing me out so I’d be calmer when we got home. But the joke was on them - I wanted to play, play, PLAY when we got back. 

They, on the other hand, needed a nap.

Never underestimate a Penny.

Silly people. They should know by now you can’t wear an Unstoppable Pretty Penny out!

Hee, hee.

Well, I might have taken a LITTLE nap.

Talk later, it’s time for me to go open my Christmas present, your Unstoppable Girl, Penny.


31 Comments

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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Official kick off of this year’s Walktober!

OK everyone, today is the official beginning of Walktober, though if you’ve gone out exploring early, we won’t argue!

But if you haven’t yet, find a place you’d like to walk, or drive, or jog, or swim, or bike, or roller-skate or hike, or canoe, or whatever and spend some time doing just that. Then write about it. It could be an essay or a poem or a run-on sentence. It can include pictures, or you can just describe it and let our imaginations run free. Alternatively you could just show us the pictures without any text if you aren’t in a writing sort of mind frame.

I seem to have missed a meal today, and I’m hungry!

You have until the end of the day October 28th to complete this adventure, though if you need a few more days just let me know. I’m flexible!

Looking for lunch in all the right places.

Help us see a part of the world we might not ever get to see without your help.

What are you looking at, lady?

Or show us around your familiar yard or neighborhood. Wherever you go, it’s all good.

Wonder what’s over here?

You could spend some time in a city…..or head out into the wilderness.

Hmmm, looks promising.

Tell us why the place you visit is special, or why you don’t think you’ll go back. It’s all part of our celebration of October!

Gotcha!

When you’re ready to post, link to this official Walktober post, and at the end of the month, probably early November, I’ll gather all the links and put them into one big post so we all can see where we all went.

Yum. My favorite.

I can’t wait to see what you decided to share with us all!

Now for desert…

Today’s photos are from a drive/walk I took at the Shiawasee Nature Preserve at the end of September. I saw so many egrets there; this series of images was just one of the hungry birds.

I like my desert rare.

I haven’t decided if that walk will be my official Walktober…I have so many other photos to share with you from that day so maybe I should use it. But I would really like to explore somewhere new. On the other hand, if time gets tight, I might just share the rest of this wonderful walk with you.

We’ll have to see how it all works out.

Burp!

Oh, and just a fyi, Penny says she’s thinking about doing her own Walktober. Since she’s only 10 months old she’ll need a little help, but so far she thinks she can do it all on her own. Silly girl.

If you have any questions about Walktober, you can email me at dawnkinster@gmail.com, or just comment here.

Ahhhhh….I feel better now.

Have fun everybody!


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Don’t forget Walktober this year!

As you read in a previous post, Robin is a little busy so I’ll be collecting your Walktober adventures this year.

If you’re new to the concept of Walktober, it’s pretty simple. Sometime between October 15 and the 28th go on a walk (or a bike ride, or a boat ride, or a car ride, or a jog, or a hike, or climb a mountain, or explore a town or show us your backyard!), take a few (or a lot) of pictures and show us around your part of the world by writing a post and linking it to my official Walktober post.

I’ll be posting the official start to Walktober on October 15th. But if you want to walk earlier, feel free to link it to this one! I’ll find it.

And sometime not too long after October 28th I’ll write a post with all the links to your walks, so that everyone can see where everyone else went! And if you need some more time, just let me know. I’ll wait to post that last compilation till you get yours written.

I can’t wait to see where you all go. I haven’t decided where to take my official walk. So many options, so little time!

Stay tuned!

Pictures in this post are from Shiawasee Nature Preserve, a walk taken a few years ago. I figured you wouldn’t mind seeing them again.


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Heads up, it’s almost Walktober time!

Walktober.

I look forward to it every year. Hosted by Robin over at Breezes at Dawn, it’s so much fun to go for a walk and take a picture or two (or more if you’re me), blog about it and share it with others who are also out there taking walks and documenting what October looks like in their part of the world.

This year Robin needed a little help so I’m going to host our annual Walktober for her. That just means that I’ll be collecting all your posts and will put publish a blog after we’re all done with links to everyone’s walk descriptions.

How about we say the official dates of our Walktober will be October 15 through the 28th? Of course things are pretty informal around here so if you need some extra time just let me know and I’ll wait for you. And of course you can go on your adventure prior to the 15th too!

Even more important, it doesn’t even have to be a WALK! You could roller skate, or go on a bike ride, or ride a horse, or take a drive with your windows rolled down. You could climb a mountain, or dive down to a corral reef. Show us your city, or your countryside, or a favorite river or lake. Explore your own yard or travel to another country, it’s all fodder for a Walktober post.

Just get out there and show us your world.

Go on your adventure, write about it and include photos if you want to, and then link back to my blog. I’ll post an official kickoff on the 15th of October and you can link to that. But if you accidently link to something else let me know and I’ll go collect it!

We can’t wait to see what you choose to do! Happy Walktober!