Artists (and dogs) at the Exploratorium

I have never given much thought to whether or not I am an artist.  And the whole idea of whether or not photography is an art is a whole ball of wax that I try to avoid.  So when Pam Winfrey (whose idea it was to have the Exploratorium host the “Normal” exhibit) invited me to be part of an artist’s night, I said yes without giving it much thought.  So it was a bit weird for me to be introduced to people as one of the artists whose work was on display.  I’ll accept it for the time being but I doubt it will go to my head.  The event was pretty cool.  Since I was basically alone, I wandered around looking lost for a while before I ran into my refound friend Katie Hahren and her daughter Annie.  That loosened things up a bit.  Eventually Karen Miller and I ended up signing catalogues and chatting with guests. / One thing about San Francisco that I really like is that dogs seem to be accepted in most public places.  When I was at the Exploratorium in February I met a 4 month old black lab who was on his way to work for only the second day.  I can not imagine bringing the Pearl to an office job even now when she is 12 and mostly calm.

This is the new Exploratorium on the Embarcadero at Pier 15.  It is amazing. Go check it out if you ever get the chance.

Pearl and her Rhino

We gave this stuffed Rhino to the Pearl for Christmas.  As usual, she found it under the tree without any help from us. / Peter and I were eating breakfast this morning and I looked over and saw this.  She seems to have a wistful look on her face.  Maybe she was suffering from a bit of Weltschmerz as we all do from time to time.

More Pearl

A bit of “karma congestion” lately.  So as a default I feel like doing a Pearl post.  We never let her up on the furniture until about a year ago, but now she seems to have claimed the center section of this sofa.  It is really nice to have the wood stove going with her asleep next to you.

Cris was putting some wrapped presents under the tree yesterday, and Pearl went right to this “Mega P’nut” dog treat.  She got an early gift.

Peter is home from DC and he and I took her for a walk today.  I know I have posted a similar photo, but for some reason this still gets to me.  She wants to carry her leash everywhere.

This past year has been monumental in many ways, and next year could be equally interesting.  My very best wishes to all of you who follow this blog.  I’ll get back to some serious stuff soon, but in the meantime, ’tis the season to be thinking about friends and family and have lots of love in your hearts.

Cheers, Jon

Walk

The Pearl and I had a nice walk late this afternoon.  It was, as they say “seasonably warm”.  The cattails are starting to go to seed, or whatever it is they do.

As usual, she found some water on the way back to the car and I was happy to have an old towel to dry her off.  She is a great dog.

Dog

I shot UMASS women’s lacrosse for my friend Thom Kendall on Sunday as he was tied up with the A10 track meet.  It was fun and I even got this nice shot of a fan with his dog.

Basset Hound

Peter and I flew to London last night.  He is here working on his Union College senior thesis.  It has to do with how terraces disappeared from Premier League football grounds and the effect that change has had on supporters and organizations.  So we are here for a few days and then off around the midlands and Lincolnshire to go to some clubs and interview as many people as we can. / We were eating lunch in a pub near Putney Bridge when we heard what I thought was someone imitating a basset hound.  I looked over and saw this guy.  Amazing; just sitting there with his mistress.

I just love it how dogs hang out in pubs.  He was sweet.

Pearl and her bowl

In many ways Pearl is a true retriever.  She is not obsessed with balls or sticks but she really loves her bowl.  Since she was young she would eat and then pick it up and carry it around the house.  We never know where it will end up, and sometimes in the morning it is a pain to have to look for it.  About a year ago, I began to make her go find it before I would feed her.  She is mostly good at it, but sometimes she brings me one of her stuffed animals instead.  But she has figured out that bringing me the bowl means she gets to eat so there is some incentive for her.  The only problem is that at random times throughout the day she will get the bowl and carry it around expecting a meal.  I can mostly ignore it, but once in a great while I succumb to her cuteness and give in.

Pearl

For some reason, Pearl has become very attached to her leash.  When we walk down to the bottom of our street, we need one to cross the Amherst Road.  Just this past summer, she started wanting to carry it in her mouth.  If I have it in my hand, she keeps nudging me until I give it to her.  She is the sweetest dog.

August Walk

Peter, Pearl, and I had a lovely late afternoon walk today.  Goldenrod, cattails, and loosestrife.

It was breezy and cool, and the light was beautiful.

Lots of queen anne’s lace, too.

Mavis

Mavis Ffarquhar of Sodor  1 April, 1995 -16 July, 2011

She was a great dog.  May she rest in peace.