What Was I Thinking....

Saturday was Toby's day at the beauty shop and boy did he need it.  I have been very neglectful with Toby's grooming as of late....had a few other things on my mind.  But now, he is looking really stylish after spending an afternoon at the groomers.

While Toby was in the groomers (aka PetSmart) there was a pet adoption event going on with kittens on the inside and dogs on the outside.  Eventho I should have been on my way to drop off the pictures from a recent family shoot, I could not help but stop and look at the dogs.  That was my first mistake. I instantly fell in love with Cindy...she is too sweet not to love.  After thinking about it for a moment, I thought, what the heck.  I love dogs, Toby will adjust and I will give this precious little one a new home where she will definitely be loved.

So may I introduce you to Cinder (aka Cindy, thought Cinder fit her better).  And check out the absolutely precious new collar, couldn't resist.  Talk about "something beautiful"....she is certainly beautiful in my eyes.  Oh and by the way....she is part poodle and part schnauzer.  Toby is part schnauzer so surely they will get along....right??  Right now they are in a look-see mode.  Will keep you posted on her adjustment.

Linking with Kathy's Sonography today with the theme being "something beautiful"...perfect. And with Madge at Weekly Top Shot.

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
- Gilda Radner

Until next time.....

Thursday Things

Busy day...went to my Dr.'s for a follow-up.  Unfortunately found out that I have significant bone loss that showed up via a bone density scan.  Oh brother, this getting old is definitely a challenge.  But the good news is my blood pressure was great and my mammogram was normal...two to one, I guess not bad odds.  But now, a new medication...yurk!!  Are any of you out there in our wonderful blogland on any kind of meds for bone loss?  If you are, please share your experience with them.  I want to know the good, the bad & the ugly.

Then on to take Toby to his Dr....he was way behind on his shots, so after being poked numerous times and what a good boy he was, we took a walk around the Vet's office.  They are located in a neighborhood, with a large yard behind the building and lo and behold what did I spy....sunflowers growing so stately and tall.

Some almost spent....

Others still tight in their bud...

The Vet receptionist suggested that I walk a block down the street to a beautiful forest preserve, ofcourse Toby and I were interested in a forest preserve, no telling what delights we could find there.

Beautiful bridges...

Acorns gathering...

Interesting wild flowers in all colors...

The weather has cooled off significantly from the past few days so the walk was really pleasant.  If the temps would have been in the 90's like it has been these last few days, I fear I would have missed all this beautiful wild-life.

Still working on a couple of recent photo shoots....sharing a couple of photos.

Sharing with Kim at

"My favorite thing is to go where I've never been."  ~  Diane Arbus

Until next time....

The Best In All Of Us

Earlier this summer I had to have the crab apple tree in the front yard cut down.  It had really deteriorated over the past few years, what with apple scab and leaf blight.  And I know I will truly miss her (I say her because she had the most beautiful deep pink flowers in the early spring), there is no place to hang the bird-feeder so I can have a "birds-eye" view of all the varieties of feathered friends that would drop by.  Now I have to hang the bird feeder from the tree in the front yard...way too far to have that "bird's eye view".  I did plant a new tree in it's place, but it will be some years before the branches will be large enough to bear the weight of a full feeder.  Hmmm, think I will investigate one of those "in the ground hangers" so I don't miss my fine feathered friends.  The only problem with those is once the ground gets too wet they tip and fall, and the last thing I need is a bird feeder crashing through my front windows.  There must be an answer.

Oh do I digress....this post was supposed to be centered around the glorious crab apple tree in the side yard that is overloaded with those small red & green crabapples that are in abundance at this time of year and falling everywhere.   If I was really ambitious maybe I could figure out what to do with these sweet little apples except use them as a photo prop...

Earlier today our Wednesday morning Bible Study met for the first time this Fall.  Oh gracious it was good to be back, seeing all those smiling faces, anticipating our study together, catching up and making plans.  Wonderful.  This session we are studying a book by a local author (Wheaton, IL) entitled WITH.  Received excellent feedback from another Bible Study group, focusing on our relationship 'with' God.  Our leaders relayed that it would challenge us...and I think I definitely need a different challenge to focus on.  And speaking of that....my sweetie has settled into his new "normal", eating well, drinking well, not agitated or irritated, and that's all I can ask and pray for right now.  Thank you again for all your kindness, you don't know how much your words touched my heart.

Taking a little time out today to remember the events of 9-11, my goodness 12 years already.  Babies that were born that year are already 6th graders, living their lives knowing nothing about that awful day in our history except what they have been told.   But we remember, we know exactly what we were doing the moment we heard.  Pause, say a prayer, and remember.

"Remember the hours after September 11th when we came together as one...it was the worst day we have ever seen but it brought out the best in all of us."  ~  Senator John Kerry

Joining....


Until next time....