The month of May is busy with special days to celebrate. May is designated as National Pet Month and the third Sunday in May is known as National Take Your Parents to the Playground Day.
This week, Sunday Stills is all about pets and playgrounds. Why not combine these two special occasions into one fun photo challenge this week?
“It is the child in man that is the source of his uniqueness and creativeness, and the playground is the optimal milieu for the unfolding of his capacities and talents.” ~ Eric Hoffer
“I think having an animal in your life makes you a better human.” – Rachael Ray
This Used to Be My Playground
I’m sharing some images of my pets that have moved on into eternity. Don’t be sad. They enjoyed every minute.
In addition to summer vacations spent in national parks with my parents, as an adult, I spent 11 summers with my hubby in the Sacramento River Delta. Aero, Gideon, and Brodie played along with us.
Playing with Dogs at the Delta
“Our pets are our family.” – Ana Monnar
Gideon and Aero, brothers, enjoyed their delta playground for many years before Brodie came along.
The Delta was Our Playground
“Time is a game played beautifully by children.” ― Heraclitus, Fragments
Sometimes we relaxed on the beach with the dogs.
Aside from windsurfing and stand-up paddling, socializing with friends was the best of summers spent here. Parents taught their kids to sail and be safe on the water.
“The heritage of the past is the seed that brings forth the harvest of the future.” – Wendell Philips
Closer to home in Sacramento, we often visited Lake Natoma. Gideon was my daughter’s dog and she wasted no time taking him and Aero on kayak excursions.
“No one loves you as unconditionally as your beloved pet.” – Cynthia Dobesh
Both dogs passed away in 2022. They are now together enjoying their eternal playground…
…No doubt playing with these three.
This Still is My Playground
About three years ago this month, in the early days of the pandemic, we traveled from Sacramento, California to Spokane, Washington so Hans could see our property for the first time.
Enjoying our new playground near home
Nine Mile Falls boasts Riverside State Park along Lake Spokane and the Centennial Trail. We’ve taken the dogs everywhere!
“Nature surrounds us, from parks and backyards to streets and alleyways. Next time you go out for a walk, tread gently and remember that we are both inhabitants and stewards of nature in our neighborhoods.” – David Suzuki
No Pets of Your Own?
Perhaps you enjoy birds and other wildlife in your backyard or in your favorite spaces. We also look forward to their visits as if they are our pets. Trust me, we know they’re wild!
“You cannot share your life with a dog … or a cat, and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.” – Jane Goodall
Our Leisure Heritage
As I contemplate my past and present “playgrounds,” I can’t help but be reminded of the 10 years I taught at the university in Sacramento, introducing students to important leisure concepts and the importance of play.
Playground reformers in America during 1880-1920, fought to identify leisure and recreation as important to workers and their families. During this period, National Parks were established, as well as public playgrounds and parks in urban cities.
Next time you visit a national park, a public playground, or any other leisure space, say a quick thank you to these visionaries: Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir, Jane Addams, or Steven T. Mather, among many.
“Preserving parks and open spaces is a winner because it doesn’t need to be explained to everyday Americans.” – Frank Luntz
Take your pets or children to your favorite places and spaces this month and when you can.
You can nap later!
(Extra points if you can see the two dogs)
“Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.” – George Eliot
Inspiring Photo Challenges This Week
Each week I find inspiration from my fellow bloggers’ photo challenges. I enjoy incorporating these into my Sunday Stills weekly themes.
- Cee’s Flower of the Day
- Dawn’s Spring Festival
- Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday
- Marsha’s Wednesday Quotes: Heritage
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
This Week’s Featured Bloggers
Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are this week’s links from bloggers who shared their photos of pets and playgrounds. I add these all week as new links are posted.
- YOUR BLOG’S NAME HERE…
- Always Wright
- Between the Lines
- Boz Bozeman
- Bushboys World
- Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
- Cee’s Photo Challenges
- The Day After
- Easin’ Along
- Geriatrix Fotogallery
- Hugh’s Views and News Image shared in comments
- Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography
- Graham’s Island
- LadyLeeManila
- Loving Life
- Now At Home
- Philosophy Through Photography
- Roberta Writes
- Stevie Turner
- Whippet Wisdom
- WillowDot21
- Wind Kisses
- WoollyMuses
- Working On Exploring
This week tell us and show us your pets and playgrounds. Join me next week for the theme waterscapes!
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