Mary Anne Morgan Blog

Project 365 Day 319: The Dog with Three Names

Posted on 15. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.2 aperture, 1/160 shutter, 250 ISO

When my kids were small, we read the book Three Names by Patricia MacLachlan. It is a story of a well- loved dog who is actually named Three Names. It is told in the voice of the author describing her great-grandfather and his dog. It is a sweet and peaceful story with wonderful imagery. Patricia MacLachlan continues to be one of Annie’s favorite authors.

This is our beloved Indiana, a dog whose eyes seem as if they are reading the title page of your soul when she looks at you. Intelligent and wise Indiana. She came into our lives as a scruffy little mixed breed puppy five years ago. We had recently lost our dog of 12 years, Taylor. She was an amazingly loyal and beautiful English springer spaniel. Cowboy was lonely and needed a friend. (Okay, I wanted another dog.) We bought her from a fellow home school family. She was a mix of terrier and Welsh corgi. When we arrived, her mother, an orange (also scruffy) dog named Pumpkin, was perched on the front porch steps taking in the view of all of her puppies in the yard. Laid back but attentive , (a foreshadowing of what Indie would become). Indiana was the only female left in the litter and also the only tricolored puppy they had. I fell in love with her. I scooped her up, paid a small fee for her and placed her in my lap for the car ride home. I knew she was a perfect fit for us. When we got home, Cowboy came scampering out of the house to meet us. Happy and naive Cowboy.  That is when Indiana showed her true colors. All of her hair stood straight up as she barked Cowboy back into the garage. He was 20 times her size. It  Then she promptly hid under the car shaking. Chris loved her for this from the beginning. She was a dog who showed great courage even though she was terrified.

Annie was the first to name her. She called her Independent Sunshine, two names which seemed to suit her. She was content to do her own thing. Chris then got into the name game and called her Indiana Appleseed, as only my husband would. The name Indiana stuck. Now we just call her Indie.

When Indie was only 6 or 7 months old, she became pregnant with a litter of puppies. We had no idea she was even ready for that. I can’t remember how many there were, but I do remember it was too many for her to carry. She had to have an emergency cesarean section. I got to watch them all be born, with our Ellie being the runt of the litter. When it came time to find homes for her puppies, several of our friends wanted one. To this day, we get to hear weekly reports on at least three of them. They are all great dogs. There was Buster, Judah, Ellie, Tootles, Ella, and several others that my kids could probably remember. I loved having puppies and cried when each one left. It reminded me of my childhood. We raised miniature poodles when I was little.  The smell of puppy breath is hard to beat. So sweet!

Independent Sunshine, Indiana Appleseed, or just Indie, it doesn’t matter. She is ours and she is one of a kind. I am so glad we found her.

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365 Project Day 299: Cowboy Goes Abroad

Posted on 27. Oct, 2011 by maryanne.

Canon 5D Mark ll, 24-70 2.8 L, focal length 59mm, 6.3 aperture, 1/160 shutter, 100 ISO, Alien B800 at 1/16 power in large soft box to Cowboy’s right.

Cowboy has been very patient this month while I traveled to Indiana and then to Virginia. He didn’t like it, but he allowed it. However, when he overheard me telling someone on the phone that I would be traveling to England to see Annie at Oxford, he took that big furry paw of his and drew a line. Before I knew it, he had gone upstairs, found his suitcase, and packed his favorite leopard print squeaky toy. He even put on some English-style clothing (all he could find) and walked around saying  ”tally ho!” even though I told him that wasn’t really what English people did.

Cowboy can’t really go to England. Sadly, he doesn’t have his passport. Let’s not spoil it for him though. I thought I would let him enjoy the moment. He is such a sport.:)

 

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone!

Psalm 68:3 ~ “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”

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365 Project Day 157: And the Beat Goes On

Posted on 07. Jun, 2011 by maryanne.

Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8L, focal length 145mm, 8.0 aperture, 1/160 shutter. One Alien B-800 to front/right of subject using a 86″parabolic umbrella modifier at 1/8 power.

Love this of Katie as she is just being herself enjoying the music. One of my favorite things about Katie is her consistent ability to rest in who she is. She is rarely intimidated by others, as she dances her way through life.  She is funny, graceful, a gifted singer/songwriter/worshiper of God, compassionate towards others, and will always take the side of the underdog. Chris calls her “justice” because she is always taking up the cause of the oppressed. I love all those things about her.

I think the best feeling a mother can have is the desire to be like her children. They all inspire me to be better, more disciplined, more carefree, less anxious and more joy-filled, living in the present. We have prayed that our children will surpass us in relationships, spiritual growth, excellence in their craft, and the list goes on. I feel my children are well on their way to outshining me in these areas and more. I am so grateful to be able to able to say that I want to be like them when I grow up.

Here are a few more of Katie shining, as the beat goes on.

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365 Project Day 136: Señor Cowboy

Posted on 17. May, 2011 by maryanne.

Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8L, 200 focal length, 7.1 aperture, 1/160 shutter, 100 ISO. Alien B800 to left of Cowboy using 2×4′soft box at 1/8 power. One to his right using a shoot through 60″ umbrella at 1/4 power and one on the background using a 60″ umbrella at 1/4 power. One doggie treat and lots of love and encouragement.

Cowboy has overheard several conversations about the mission trip that Katie and Johnny will be a part of this summer through 12Stone Church, so he decided to put on his international attire and show his support. He is very excited about the Guatemala trip, as you can tell.

He says that he will be praying about their trip as well as the other mission trips to Haiti, Mozambique, Israel, Liberia and New York.

He hopes you will too. Katie and Johnny’s group will be leaving June 25th and coming home on July 2. Cowboy hopes you will pray for me too, so I don’t worry too much.

He feels pretty good about all the things they will do with the people there, especially the children. He is so happy they will be handing out shoes for little bare feet, and playing games with them in Vacation Bible School. Cowboy loves children. He wishes he could go, but he realizes it is  too hot there for Golden Retrievers who have fur coats like polar bears.  He is glad they can go for him instead. He sends them all a big Cowboy hug.

Now Cowboy is tired and wants to get his treat. He hopes to be on the blog again soon. He has much to share with his public.

If you want to know more about the missions trips at 12Stone Church you can go to this link.

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