“It’s Annoying Now, But Later You’re Glad”

Laura’s 29th birthday. She says it is her FIRST 29th birthday. The family gathers on the front porch because most of them are nearby.

This year I didn’t run around and get in the photograph. Just wanted them. I’ll put it on the fridge. Look at it until we’re all together again. In the middle of winter I’ll glance at this August evening, celebrating Laura’s birthday and be glad I have the picture.

Not too many people really want their photo taken. Maybe a few. The family allows me to photograph them one more time.

They’re gracious and they love me and they know it’s what I like to do.

They probably wonder when I’ll get tired of wanting to photograph them but they don’t complain. Much. Photographing them while they ignore me is easier.

Of course, I want the shot where everyone is with me and looking pleasant on this occasion. Ha. Erika says to me, “Good luck with that!”

I get it the best I can.

Don’t want to drag it out too long, make it quick, Just SHOOT!

Thanks family. Matthew is the one who said to his friends at his college graduation ” This is what my mom does. It’s annoying now, but later you’re glad.”

Penny the Golden Doodle with Lala and James on their front porch.

And Maura and Murphy pose for Mark. Caught them from the side as he got them to look at his phone.

Flag Spinning Skills Take Practice

Here we are in Aunt Linda and Uncle Frank’s front yard. Murphy resting in the grass.

Abigail was a flower girl in Mark and Erika’s wedding almost exactly ten years ago and now she is going into high school. Here she is demonstrating how to spin a flag- there are butterflies and figure eights and she has to do it left handed and right handed and toss it in the air and catch it. Anna and Maura were watching and I know I couldn’t do it. Even with practice. Her silk flag flowing in synchronized motion will add a lot to the half time show come fall.

Bikers Greet Misty Across the Cul-de-sac

I wanted to use the word cul-de-sac on the blog ever since I’ve been visiting the family. Just don’t write or use that word in my daily life in the city. Nice for safe bike riding after supper.

Three out of four took a break to greet the neighbor’s lovely dog, Misty. We sat in the driveway and watched until the sun went down and it was time to come in and get ready for bed. Although it was a hot day, the evening temp dropped and it was a perfect summer evening.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside

Inside seems simple enough. Until you start to read all the definitions and think about the multi-meanings

Cut and pasted from Your Dictionary – the dictionary you can understand

noun

the part lying within; inner side, surface, or part; interior
the part closest to something specified or implied, as the part of a sidewalk closest to the buildings
INFORMAL the internal organs of the body, as the stomach and intestines

adjective

on or in the inside; internal
of or suited for the inside
working or used indoors; indoor
☆ known only to insiders; secret or private: the inside story
BASEBALL passing between home plate and the batter

adverb

on or to the inside; within
indoors

in or to the inside or inner part of

within the limits of: inside an hour

Murphy inside the van looking outside.

Cool enough on Friday to take Murphy to the Post Office so I could mail something. He WAS in the back seat. Moved himself up to the passenger seat while Maura and I were inside and wouldn’t budge for the short trip home. Yes, I worried about air bag deployment and the seat belt dinging alarm sound the whole way. We made it. He does have a harness that attaches to a seat belt for car trips.

We were safe inside the house as Mark held the iPad showing the violent storm while I shot the rain and blowing trees outside. This is the storm where Laura and James lost power for 5 days and Marlene and Donald( Roanoke VA) lost it for 8.

Maura waits inside looking outside for the guests.

Here is the inside of the ceramic fruit bowl Mary gave me when I visited her at Easter time.

The Jesus statue contained inside the clear box was photographed on this trip.

Old fashioned hats in Bedford Springs Resort display with the stairway banisters reflected

Challenge- How to show what one is feeling inside?

Care, Compassion and Competence Plus a Quirky Sense of Humor with a Canine Skeleton

Shoot where you are. Still Columbus. Actually, Galena, OH on Monday afternoon.

Took Murphy to the Vet down the road as he broke a toenail on his hind leg and was limping around. The family had swim championships and so Maura and I drove him up to Cheshire Road just before Sticky Fingers Ice Cream. (Isn’t that a terrific landmark?)

We were welcomed and Murphy was remembered from his last visit. Received a compliment on his good manners. He’s a popular guy. One of the women had an Airedale at home and seemed to enjoy talking with Murphy and trying to find his favorite scratching spots. He weighed in at 71.9 pounds.

We were invited right into an examination room, past the cats in the carriers and another dog with the same malady. Not much time waiting in the waiting room. Hooray.

Once in the exam room, I looked up and there on top of the cabinets, I saw this Canine Skeleton dressed for the Fourth of July. You know with a birthday on the 4th, one has an eye for Patriotic decor. This one was a stand out. I asked for permission to photograph it as I thought it illustrated a good sense of humor. Told them I had a blog. You know I’ll tell that to anyone who will listen. Ha!

I was told this is the first time the skeleton has been dressed in female attire!

One of the techs told me they change the costume for the different holidays when I asked about the decoration. She said I should see it at Easter. The teaching skeleton gets a lot of comments from what I hear. Reminded me of the Museum of Natural History. I looked it up and a dog has on average 319 bones. Obviously there is a wide range in dog breeds from Chihuahua to Mastiff. No one knew the origin of this skeletal model but you can purchase anatomical sets (I saw on the google search) I am including a link to a canine quiz about dog anatomy and the three skeletal systems, sponsored by Ohio State University. You know how teachers like to learn stuff and share. I didn’t even know there were three skeletal systems. It’s pretty interesting.

Murphy did well and he’s sporting a bandage that will come off tomorrow.

Thanks to Dr. Carrie St. Clair at Don R Mann, DVM, Inc. for such excellent care.