Lens-Artist Challenge #261 Work in progress

If you think about it, everything is a work in progress, isn’t it? So, this should be a challenge open to endless possibilities –Anne-Christine can’t wait to see what I think when I hear this phrase.

Warning super cute Golden Retriever alert! My In-laws had an antique sign up in their kitchen for the Original Elixir Moxie. This is how we decided on her name.

Moxie is a work in progress, and I am fully devoted to her. Each and every day I think about ways to keep her mind stimulated, and her body strong and relaxed. Moxie, my Golden Retriever is “Golden”.

We met at 5 weeks, and I was ready for puppy time. I had 3 weeks to get ready.

Ordered her first collar from Collars by Woofus. Her tag is from Red Dingo

Moxie has outgrown her collar, but the tag now adorns another. My next purchase was her Snuggle Puppy with a heartbeat. Moxie loves this puppy, and to this day carries it from her crate in the morning, and returns to her crate after first locating and carrying Snuggles back every night.

Puppy first comes home

Shark teeth. I wore these when playing with my pup.

Mom Phoebe and Dad Bailey live across the street, so there was no long car ride home. Now Phoebe and Bailey have Alfie, Moxie’s 10 month old brother. She visited them when I went to Pacific Grove a few weeks ago. She may have been surprised to encounter 9 four week old siblings, and 2 cats also. Moxie was gentle with the cats who are very used to Goldens, and accepted her as part of the pack.

Training Days

Fun Time

At the dog park, Moxie is fully focused on retrieving. She selects the ball of the day, and won’t be deterred. If another dog gets to her ball first, she will bide her time until the dog gets bored. Then back to “her” ball. I catch her watching television, especially if there is dog action. Food is formost in her mind. Not a picky eater, but she does have a sensitive stomach. I carefully watch what she eats. She loves peanuts. A frozen Kong occupies her time.

Moxie’s sleeping positions

After playing and trainiing hard, Moxie needs her rest time.

Moxie and I head out to explore the world

I am still working on Moxie remaining calm when we are out and about. This is a serious work in progress since I want to be able to have her with me when I travel. She is calm in the car, but trucks and motorcycles make her anxious.

Photo Shoots for the holidays and celebrations

Moxie’s many facial expressions

Moxie thinks she is a lap dog, but this summer it is too hot to sit in my lap.

I continue to have fun with my Moxie. I am always finding new ways to spend time together. We play “Find it”, a game where she sniffs out treats. Grooming takes place every other day on a grooming table. She learned to settle down in my room while I am on the computer, and she will tell me when it’s dinner time. Five o’clock! And later today I have arranged for Rosie, a Golden friend, to visit Moxie.

One thing you can learn from this post is that owning a dog is a lifetime commitment that gives me lots of pleasure. It does take a lot of effort and is always a “work in progress!”

Hot Summer Daze of 2023

Time to catch up with some summer news. August just started, and I know that I am looking at at least 2 more months of warm weather. I just need to plan for this and enjoy time inside as well as outside. I was spoiled by the wonderful, cool start of May and June. July would prove to be another story.

My son and family visited in May. We had breakfast at Mimosa House Restaurant. I had a Tropical Breeze Mimosa if I remember correctly. Well maybe not after my breakfast drink.

For my birthday in June, David, Moxie, and I took a ride up to Nevada City. We were looking for a quiet place to socialize Moxie to being calm on a leash with traffic passing. This is not the place to do this. All cars, trucks, and motorcycles travel down Main Street. I was surprised that Moxie behaved perfectly when I went shopping. I bought some fun socks for the winter.

On Mother’s Day, my granddaughter announced I would become a Great Grandmother at the beginning of next year. Well I’ll have some time to get used to this new title of Great Grandmother.

Got to celebrate my birthday with my granddaughter @ Leatherby’s Family Creamery

My photo friends got out early and visited the town of Placerville. Always something new or old to find to take photographs.

The retired librarian in me liked this metalwork.

Couldn’t help visiting this old-fashioned toy store. I practiced some environmental portraits while I bought Butterscotch Lifesavers as an homage to my father-in-law. Quick story. When Jerry was hospitalized for a heart attack I visited him in the hospital, and all he wanted me to bring him was Butterscotch Lifesavers. End of story.

T.W. Bonkers Toy Store and Candy Emporium

Rocklin had a free event just made for my grandson. Big Truck Day

Photo booth for my daughter and grandson.

More summer photos to come in another post. Moxie gets her way!

Lens-Artists Challenge #260 Overlooked

This week Janet wants me to share with you images that I think many would have overlooked. For me, that is what I often focus on, and now I get to share them with you.

I love to look at puddles and see reflections or things floating by.

These leaves came together in a heart shape

Wilted Flora

Sometimes, I arrive on the scene after the flowers have shown their best side. But I find this side interesting too.

Sunflowers are the stars when they are in bloom. Look and see the seeds.

Lost or abandoned

I currently am knitting a baby blanket for my granddaughter’s baby due in January. This will be my first great-grandchild (a boy).

I wonder who created this blanket? I wonder if it is missed?

Maybe this baseball player will remember
where was the last place this glove was seen.

I liked the splash of color on this lost straw hat.

The newspaper was left there on a bench. Perhaps to share.

You never know when an outhouse can come in handy!

Eye Glasses

In May I had an eye exam and ordered new frames. They arrived, had them adjusted, and still everything looked blurry. I returned the glasses and made an appointment to have my eyes reexamined. I had another eye injection for my AMD (macular degeneration), and on Monday I went for another exam. My vision changed dramatically, for the better. Yay! So I picked out another frame, and glasses have been ordered.

I once lost a pair of glasses. Hope the owner has a spare.

This lost pair provided a reflection of a beach in Maui.

Peeling

I am always looking at peeling paint or bark. Looking for fascinating images.

Buildings in Old Sacramento reveal its history.

It would be easy to overlook this caution sign. But don’t!

Trees tell tales

It took me a moment to remember what I saw in this image. Now I see it.

One of the reasons I love photography is that it gives me time to look at the world instead of rushing about. I hope that you enjoy the slower pace, and can find new things that you may have overlooked.

Lens-Artists Challenge #258 Fences

Post Delayed

The coast has been calling my name, and after some last-minute changes, we headed off to our favorite spot, Pacific Grove, Ca. Carly’s kennel developed Kennel Cough. I needed to make new plans. Moxie’s mom, dad, and 10-month-old brother live across the street. My neighbor was happy to have her visit. I didn’t realize that there were also 9 four week old siblings added to the family. Lots to keep her distracted. Not to mention the two cats who just accepted her as part of the pack. Another new experience. Wonderful videos and photos throughout my vacation made me feel comfortable leaving my girl. Now that I am back I have plans to photograph these pups.

Dawn Miller of “The Day After” leads the challenge and the subject is fences. While I have always been drawn to this subject, this was on my mind this week away.

Historic Fence

The San Andreas Fault defines the North American and Pacific plate movement. In 1906 Point Reyes experienced the most dramatic land shift to date. The original fence was split apart 16 feet. The National Park Service reconstructed this fence to demonstrate this.