Category Archives: Elainie

WPC – WEEK 429 – HOMETOWN

Today is Brandon’s birthday, so I need to wish him a happy birthday!


Tenderloining - Claxon's Smokehouse & Grill
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!

I hope you birthday is as great a GODZILLA MINUS ONE!

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HOMETOWN! Everybody comes from one or consider where they currently live to be one! But did enough people get a picture that represent their HOMETOWN to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, November 27, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Sara Lockner – 1 week
2-Willy McAlpine – 1 week
3-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks
4-Mary Green – 2 weeks (2)
5-Amy Peterson – 2 weeks
6-Susanna Funk – 3 weeks
7-Elainie Hernandez – 4 weeks
8-Alexis Stensland – 7 weeks
9-Scott Degeneffe – 14 weeks (2)
10-Sabas Hernandez – 15 weeks
11-Mike Vest – 21 weeks
12-Sheri Fakhouri – 24 weeks (2)
13-Logan Kahler – 25 weeks (2)
14-Nathanial Brown – 26 weeks
15-Jesse Howard – 26 weeks
16-Tamara Peterson – 29 weeks
17-Mindi Terrell – 41 weeks (3)
18-Brandon Kahler – 64 weeks
19-Linda Bennett – 70 weeks (2)
20-Sarah Toot – 71 weeks
21-Angie DeWaard – 75 weeks
22-Dawn Krause – 79 weeks (2)
23-Kim Barker – 85 weeks
24-Joe Duff – 86 weeks
25-Teresa Kahler – 97 weeks (2)
26-Carla Stensland – 97 weeks
27-Micky Augustin – 99 weeks
28-Andy Sharp – 100 weeks (3)
29-Bill Wentworth – 101 weeks
30-Cathie Morton – 105 weeks
31-Elizabeth Nordeen – 106 weeks (2)
32-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 108 weeks
33-Kio Dettman – 110 weeks

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Michigan) – 3 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Michigan)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Dallas Center, Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN -ELAINIE STENSLAND
Elainie Hernandez (Boone, Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - SCOTT DEGENEFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 15 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - SCOTT DEGENEFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 16 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 22 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa – Represents Boone, Iowa) – 25 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 26 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Boone, Iowa) – 27 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Boone, Iowa) – 27 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Boone, Iowa) – 30 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa – Represents Ogden, Iowa) – 42 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa – Represents Ogden, Iowa)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 65 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 71 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN -SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 72 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 80 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Cozumel, Mexico) – 86 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Belize City, Belize)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas – Representing Curlew, Iowa) – 87 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas – Representing Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 98 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Boone, Iowa) – 98 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Colo, Iowa) – 100 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 101 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 102 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 106 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa – Representing Bettendorf, Iowa) – 107 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa – Representing Ogden, Iowa) – 109 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 111 weeks

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa) – 533 weeks

30 participants! That is a fairly down week by current standards. I guess fewer people love the town they are in or the town that they came from than I would have suspected. That is okay. Hopefully we will rebound this week.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Belize
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Mexico
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Hawaii
+ Idaho
+ Illinois
+ Indiana
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Kentucky
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Mississippi
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Hampshire
+ New Jersey
+ New Mexico
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Vermont
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

41 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 80% of the way there! Every continental state west of the Mississippi is now accounted for.

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ Spain
+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Canada
+ Peru
+ France
+ Austria
+ Germany
+ Italy
+ Slovenia
+ Belize

The big milestone this week was Micky joining the Triple Digits Club! WooHoo! Also Jesse joined the Half Year Club!!

But it wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns. Jen and Amy’s 2 week streaks came to an end. Alexis’ streak ends at 7.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 430 - LINES
LINES

LINES! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a LINES picture? Simply a picture where a major compositional element or the subject matter of the pictures includes LINES. And of course, there are all sorts of LINES.

While considering possible subjects for your theme, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a great submission:

There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.
-Steven Wright

I look forward to your interpretation!

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of LINES in this place that is nothing more than millions, maybe billions of lines of code next Monday.

Taco Tailgate 2023

This week’s food adventure is looking back on 2023’s edition of Taco Tailgate. If you have forgotten. Taco Tailgate is the annual tailgate event for an Iowa State football game where Jorge makes me tacos. He makes tacos for other people, but I think they are mostly for me.

This was a heavily attended tailgate. By far the largest of the 3 times I tailgated this year. In attendance were (but not all at the same time):

+ Yours Truly
+ Jorge
+ Randi
+ Jesse
+ Elainie
+ Sabas
+ Derrick
+ Rachel
+ Sean
+ A few of their friends.
+ Elizabeth
+ Micky
+ Robyn
+ Katelyn
+ Aubrey

And I’m possibly forgetting somebody. If I am, I’m sorry.

Here are some pictures:


Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

I also took a few pictures at the game with a little point & shoot. Here are a few of those:


Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

Iowa State vs Iowa - 2023

I’m not sure what next Sunday’s food adventure involves. Possibly pizza.

WPC – WEEK 428 – ANIMAL

It is the last collection of submissions for the month of November, so it is a good time to revisit the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE FAQ. I’ve noticed an uptick in small-sized submissions lately. It wouldn’t hurt to review the resolution FAQ if you haven’t looked at it lately.

Award winning photographers? Really?

Yes. I can think of at least 10 photographers that participate regularly that have won a photography award of some kind.

Is this a competition?
NO.

Is there a limit to the number of submissions I can have each week?

Yes. That limit is 3. If you send me more than 3, I will post the first 3 that you send. I’m not trying to harsh your photography buzz, but any more than that starts to overwhelm the other submissions and it takes me about 5 minutes to take a picture from my inbox to code it on the website. So I have to manage my workload. This limit is tentatively scheduled to go down to 2 at the beginning of 2024. Unless there is a sudden big falloff in participants.

If you are going to submit more than one picture, I strongly urge you to choose completely different subjects for each submission. If you are submitting multiple pictures of the same subject, make sure that each picture is saying something unique.

If participation rates climb, that limit of 3 is subject to lower.

Can I send you several pictures and have you pick the best one?

No! No! NO! If those words come out of your mouth or your keyboard, I consider that to be a non-submission.

Do you ever question whether somebody’s submission fits the theme?

Meh. Only if I think somebody is clearly confusing this week’s theme with last week or next week’s theme. Otherwise, if the submission makes sense in your head, that is good enough for me. However, I would urge you to not try to fit your favorite subject into the theme. This isn’t a challenge to share a picture every week of your kid or your business or your pet. It is a challenge to take pictures of different things every week. Which isn’t to say subjects can’t be repeated, but you shouldn’t become reliant on the same ones.

Why can’t I submit after 11 AM on Mondays if the post doesn’t publish until 12:01 PM?

I go to lunch at 11 AM. I leave my office. I’m not near a computer. At 11 AM I hit “Schedule” and then I go throw food down my throat. 167 hours is more than enough time to send a submission. Okay, 166 hours and 59 minutes. You got me.

Do I have to wait until Monday morning to submit?

Absolutely not! In fact I appreciate the submissions that make it to me by Sunday evening. Makes the job of putting this together on Monday morning much easier!

Are there resolution requirements for submissions?

I won’t turn down submissions that are too small. I will probably ask you for a picture of greater resolution if it is really small. The typical 4 x 6 image posted to my website has a resolution of 1280 pixels x 853 pixels. While a 400 x 300 image might look okay on your phone, it looks like trash on a computer monitor. I prefer images that are at least 1000 pixels at their widest point, but don’t ban smaller pictures at this point.

What format should my submission be?

.JPG but .PNG also works.

If I write a description of my image will you include that in your post?

No. Photography is art that should stand on its own. Only exception is the SLICE OF LIFE theme. But if you let me know where the picture was taken, I will include that.

When will you start accepting suggestions for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE themes?

I will take suggestions only and ONLY in the comments sections of the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE posts the last week of October and the 1st week of November.

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The themes for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE have been selected. There are 53 Mondays in 2024, so there are 53 themes for Year 11. Here are the selected themes, in no particular order:

1. Necessity (Joe Duff)
2. Sentimental (Joe Duff)
3. Monochrome (Joe Duff)
4. Out-of-Date (Angie DeWaard)
5. Clothing (Angie DeWaard)
6. Symmetry (Sarah Toot)
7. Rule of Thirds (Sarah Toot)
8. Wheels (Sarah Toot)
9. 6:00 PM (Sarah Toot)
10. Ugly (Sarah Toot)
11. Emotion (Andy Sharp/Sarah Toot)
12. Animal (Shannon Bardole-Foley)
13. Passion (Shannon Bardole-Foley)
14. Anything But a Cat (Andy Sharp)
15. Leading Lines (ISF Theme)
16. Trains, Planes, and Automobiles
17. #Instagood
18. Street Photography
19. Flower
20. Slice of Life
21. Still Life
22. Art
23. Ruins
24. Road Trip
25. Sign
26. Purple
27. Orange
28. Path
29. Self-Portrait
30. Abstract
31. Games
32. Glass
33. Reflection
34. Macro
35. Hobbies
36. Work
37. Entertainment
38. Park
39. Breakfast
40. Time
41. Circle
42. Square
43. Faceless Portrait
44. Sunday Morning (Sarah Toot)
45. Science (Joe Duff)
46. Camera
47. Window View (Sarah Toot)
48. Decoration
49. Letters or Numbers
50. Places
51. Music
52. Not Your Hometown (Andy Sharp)
53. Holidays

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ANIMAL! Almost everyone loves an ANIMAL or two, but did they find one to photograph to make ANIMAL a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, November 20, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
2-Evie Gorshe – 1 week
3-Mary Green – 1 week (2)
4-Amy Peterson – 1 week
5-Susanna Funk – 2 weeks
6-Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks
7-Elainie Hernandez – 3 weeks
8-Alexis Stensland – 6 weeks
9-Scott Degeneffe – 13 weeks (2)
10-Sabas Hernandez – 14 weeks
11-Mike Vest – 20 weeks
12-Sheri Fakhouri – 23 weeks (2)
13-Logan Kahler – 24 weeks (3)
14-Nathanial Brown – 25 weeks
15-Jesse Howard – 25 weeks
16-Tamara Peterson – 28 weeks
17-Mindi Terrell – 40 weeks (2)
18-Brandon Kahler – 63 weeks
19-Linda Bennett – 69 weeks
20-Sarah Toot – 70 weeks
21-Angie DeWaard – 74 weeks
22-Dawn Krause – 78 weeks (2)
23-Kim Barker – 84 weeks
24-Joe Duff – 85 weeks
25-Teresa Kahler – 96 weeks
26-Carla Stensland – 96 weeks
27-Micky Augustin – 98 weeks
28-Andy Sharp – 99 weeks (2)
29-Bill Wentworth – 100 weeks
30-Cathie Morton – 104 weeks
31-Elizabeth Nordeen – 105 weeks (2)
32-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 107 weeks
33-Kio Dettman – 109 weeks

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 110 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 108 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Indiana) – 106 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Indiana)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Denver, Colorado) – 105 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 100 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa)- 99 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 97 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 97 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 86 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Galveston, Texas) – 85 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 79 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 75 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Baltimore, Maryland) – 71 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 41 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 29 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 26 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 26 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - LOGAN KAHELR
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 25 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - LOGAN KAHELR
Logan Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa) – 24 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 21 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 15 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 14 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - ELAINIE HERNANDEZ
Elainie Hernandez (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (West Des Moines, Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 428 - ANIMAL - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa)

34 participants again this week! A pretty good week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Colorado
+ Indiana
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Maryland
+ Nebraska
+ Texas

Thanks to Elizabeth’s Thanksgiving travels, we were able to add Indiana to the list. Down to 9 states that haven’t been represented! I don’t know we will get any of the missing states, but even if we don’t, this is still pretty impressive!

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Hawaii
+ Idaho
+ Illinois
+ Indiana
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Kentucky
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Mississippi
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Hampshire
+ New Jersey
+ New Mexico
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Vermont
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

41 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 80% of the way there! Every continental state west of the Mississippi is now accounted for.

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ Spain
+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Canada
+ Peru
+ France
+ Austria
+ Germany
+ Italy
+ Slovenia

The big milestone this weeks was Andy joining the Triple Digit Club! WooHoo! Plus Nathanial joined the Half Year Club! WooHoo! Jesse did too! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all good news. Evie’s couldn’t build on last week’s submission. Suzie’s streak ends at 3.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN
HOMETOWN

HOMETOWN! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a HOMETOWN picture? It is simply a picture that represents your HOMETOWN. It doesn’t have to be the HOMETOWN you grew up in. Or even the town you currently call home. But at the very least, it should be a picture that suggest a HOMETOWN for somebody.

While thinking about possible subjects for your ANIMAL picture, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a fabulous image:

I was eight years old
And running with a dime in my hand
To the bus stop to pick
Up a paper for my old man
I’d sit on his lap in that big old Buick
And steer as we drove through town
He’d tousle my hair
And say, “Son, take a good look around”
This is your hometown

In ’65 tension was running high
At my high school
There was a lot of fights
Between the black and white
There was nothing you could do
Two cars at a light on a Saturday night
In the back seat there was a gun
Words were passed in a shotgun blast
Troubled times had come
To my hometown

Now Main Street’s whitewashed windows
And vacant stores
Seems like there ain’t nobody
Wants to come down here no more
They’re closing down the textile mill
Across the railroad tracks
Foreman says, “These jobs are going, boys
And they ain’t coming back
To your hometown

Last night me and Kate we laid in bed
Talking about getting out
Packing up our bags, maybe heading south
I’m thirty-five, we got a boy of our own now
Last night I sat him up behind the wheel
And said, “Son, take a good look around
This is your hometown”
-Bruce Springsteen

I look forward to your interpretation!

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of HOMETOWN in this place that originates from my hometown next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 427 – PORTRAIT

A reminder that if you are looking for a Thanksgiving meal or a place to volunteer on Thanksgiving my church is hosting it’s annual Thanksgiving meal again this year. Information below:



I will be there for at least part of the day!

+++++++

I haven’t selected the 52 themes for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. But here is a list of the suggested themes:

-Science
-Remorse
-Necessity, something critical to your way of life
-Monochrome
-Tourism
-Sentimental
-Dog
-Screenshot
-Anything in the world but a cat
-Roman Numeral
-Outside your home county
– Memories/Memorial/etc.
– Clothing
– Out-of-date (I was thinking specifically of technology or items like pay phones and outhouses here, but it could be more expansive)
– Hands
– Struggle (or challenge)
– A stranger
– Fashion
– Starburst
– Symmetry
– Rule of 1/3’s
– Wheels
– Self portrait
– Emotion
– 6:00pm
– Warmth
– Candlelight
– Window view
– Ugly
– Sunday morning
-ANIMAL or PET
-PASSION

Definitely several of these will make next year’s list! Obviously ANYTHING IN THE WORLD BUT A CAT is a no-brainer!

+++++++

PORTRAIT! Everyone has taken one or been in one. But did enough people take a PORTRAIT to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, November 13, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Susanna Funk – 1 week
2-Diane Sharp – 1 week
3-Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks
4-Monica Jennings – 2 weeks
5-Elainie Hernandez – 2 weeks
6-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
7-Alexis Stensland – 5 weeks
8-Scott Degeneffe – 12 weeks (3)
9-Sabas Hernandez – 13 weeks
10-Willy McAlpine – 13 weeks
11-Mike Vest – 19 weeks
12-Sheri Fakhouri – 22 weeks
13-Logan Kahler – 23 weeks
14-Nathanial Brown – 24 weeks
15-Jesse Howard – 24 weeks
16-Tamara Peterson – 27 weeks
17-Mindi Terrell – 39 weeks
18-Brandon Kahler – 63 weeks
19-Linda Bennett – 68 weeks
20-Sarah Toot – 69 weeks (2)
21-Angie DeWaard – 73 weeks
22-Dawn Krause – 77 weeks
23-Kim Barker – 83 weeks
24-Joe Duff – 84 weeks
25-Teresa Kahler – 95 weeks
26-Carla Stensland – 95 weeks (2)
27-Micky Augustin – 97 weeks
28-Andy Sharp – 98 weeks (2)
29-Bill Wentworth – 99 weeks
30-Cathie Morton – 103 weeks
31-Elizabeth Nordeen – 104 weeks
32-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 106 weeks
33-Kio Dettman – 108 weeks (2)

The third week of each month I like to share a map of all the states that have had pictures taken in them that were submitted for this calendar year. Well, I checked my calendar and this is the third Monday of the month. Here is the map, heading into this week:



That is a lot of states filled in. In fact, going into this week, there are only 10 states that haven’t been visited and photographed by somebody that submits here. I don’t think there is any chance we will fill in the entire map this year, but we sure have gotten a lot closer than I ever would have guessed! There are 6 weeks left in this calendar year. I don’t anticipate any more states being filled in at this point. Maybe Indiana. But that is a pretty full map if it doesn’t change.

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Sonnette, Montana) – 98 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - SHNNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 107 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 84 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Jewell, Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Dobson Pipe Organ Builders – Lake City, Iowa) – 25 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT -  SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa)- 13 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 109 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 74 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 85 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 23 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Manchester, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Manchester, Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - ELAINIE HERNANDEZ
Elainie Hernandez (Ledges State Park – Boone County, Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 14 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 25 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 24 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 96 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 78 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 104 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 105 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson (Idaho Falls, Idaho) – 1 week

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 28 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (UNI Dome – Cedar Falls, Iowa) – 99 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (UNI Dome – Cedar Falls, Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (east Des Moines, Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 96 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey) – 70 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 40 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 100 weeks

34 participants! A pretty good week by current standards!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Idaho
+ Iowa
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Hawaii
+ Idaho
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Kentucky
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Mississippi
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Hampshire
+ New Jersey
+ New Mexico
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Vermont
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

40 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 80% of the way there! Every continental state west of the Mississippi is now accounted for.

This is the list of states currently missing:
+ Alabama
+ Alaska
+ Connecticut
+ Delaware
+ Indiana
+ Maine
+ Massachusetts
+ Rhode Island
+ Virginia
+ West Virginia

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ Spain
+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Canada
+ Peru
+ France
+ Austria
+ Germany
+ Italy
+ Slovenia

The big milestone this week is Bill joining the Triple Digit Club! Also Cathie joins the 2 Year Streak Club. I forgot to mention it last week when Elizabeth joined it or a few weeks ago when Shannon joined and a few weeks before that when Kio joined it! Also, Dawn joined the Year and Half Club!

But it was all good news. Diane couldn’t build on her submission from last week. Monica’s 2 week streak went poof! As did Sara’s. And worst of all… Willy’s streak ends at unlucky 13.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 428 - ANIMAL
ANIMAL

ANIMAL! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a ANIMIMAL picture? It is simply a picture of an ANIMAL. That could be a live ANIMAL. It could be a stuffed ANIMAL. It could be a box of meat. It could be a pet. It could be a wild animal. It could be something related to an ANIMAL. The possibilities are endless!

While thinking about possible subjects for your ANIMAL picture, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt that you will come up with a fabulous image:

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
-Anatole France

I look forward to your interpretation!

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of ANIMAL in this place that loves dogs and so many other animals next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 426 – FOOD

FOOD! Everybody needs it! But did enough people photograph it to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, November 6, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Suzie Brannen – 1 week
2-Elainie Hernandez – 1 week
3-Monica Jennings – 1 week
4-Sara Lockner – 1 week
5-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
6-Julie Sharp – 1 week
7-Mary Green – 4 weeks (2)
8-Alexis Stensland – 4 weeks
9-Scott Degeneffe – 11 weeks
10-Sabas Hernandez – 12 weeks
11-Willy McAlpine – 12 weeks
12-Mike Vest – 18 weeks
13-Sheri Fakhouri – 21 weeks (2)
14-Logan Kahler – 22 weeks
15-Nathanial Brown – 23 weeks
16-Jesse Howard – 23 weeks
17-Tamara Peterson – 26 weeks
18-Mindi Terrell – 38 weeks
19-Brandon Kahler – 62 weeks
20-Linda Bennett – 67 weeks (2)
21-Sarah Toot – 68 weeks
22-Angie DeWaard – 72 weeks
23-Dawn Krause – 76 weeks
24-Kim Barker – 82 weeks
25-Joe Duff – 83 weeks
26-Teresa Kahler – 94 weeks
27-Carla Stensland – 94 weeks
28-Micky Augustin – 96 weeks
29-Andy Sharp – 97 weeks
30-Bill Wentworth – 98 weeks
31-Cathie Morton – 102 weeks
32-Elizabeth Nordeen – 103 weeks
33-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 105 weeks
34-Kio Dettman – 107 weeks (2)

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 426 - FOOD - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Omaha, Nebraska) – 98 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Whistle Stop Cafe – Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD -ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 99 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Story City, Iowa) – 63 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 95 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 103 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (The Feed Mill Restaurant – Audubon, Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 77 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - DIANE SHARP
Diane Sharp (Omaha, Nebraska) – 1 week

WEEK 426 - FOOD - ELAINIE HERNANDEZ
Elainie Hernandez (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Hilton Coliseum – Ames, Iowa) – 104 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (The Feed Mill Restaurant – Audubon, Iowa) – 24 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (League City, Texas) – 84 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (League City, Texas)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 83 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 108 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 68 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 23 weeks


Micky Augstin (Iowa) – 97 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD -MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 19 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 39 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 24 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Smokey D’s BBQ – Des Moines, Iowa) – 13 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 69 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa)

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 106 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa) – 22 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SUZANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 426 - FOOD - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 27 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 95 weeks

WEEK 426 - FOOD - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 13 weeks


34 participants! A pretty good week by current standards!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Kansas
+ Iowa
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Hawaii
+ Idaho
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Kentucky
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Mississippi
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Hampshire
+ New Jersey
+ New Mexico
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Vermont
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

40 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 75% of the way there! Every continental state west of the Mississippi is now accounted for.

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ Spain
+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Canada
+ Peru
+ Puenta de la Reina, Spain
+ France
+ Austria
+ Germany
+ Italy
+ Slovenia

There were no major milestones this week. The first ever submission by Diane Sharp though!

It was a bloodbath of streaks though. Becky, and Julie couldn’t build on last week’s submission. Mary’s streak ends at 4.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT
PORTRAIT

PORTRAIT! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a PORTRAIT? It is simply a picture of somebody. Can be one person. Can be several people. Can be you. It can be a posed picture. It can be a candid picture. The options are aplenty!

While thinking about possible subjects for your PORTRAIT, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt that you will come up with a fabulous image:

My job as a portrait photographer is to seduce, amuse and entertain.
-Helmut Newton

I look forward to your interpretation!

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of PORTRAIT in this place that is a self-portrait next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 425 – SIGNS

NOTE: – THIS IS ONE OF TWO POSTS WHERE YOU CAN SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT YEAR’S THEMES. THE LAST MONDAY IN OCTOBER AND THE 1ST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER ARE WHEN SUGGESTIONS CAN BE MADE. THOSE SUGGESTIONS HAVE TO BE MADE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION OF THOSE POSTS. NOT VIA EMAIL, TEXT MESSAGE, TEAMS, PHONE CONVERSATION, SNAPCHAT. ONLY IN THE COMMENTS SECTIONS OF THOSE 2 POSTS.

THANKS TO ANDY AND JOE WHO MADE SEVERAL STRONG SUGGESTIONS IN LAST MONDAY’S (ACTUALLY TUESDAY’S) COMMENTS SECTION!

+++++++


Thank you to everybody that has helped me with Naima’s passing either through helping with her remains to bringing me food to offering to talk or offering to attend a service or to just having kind words or to posting your own pictures of Naima. It all has been helpful.

I had Naima’s remains cremated and I’m not 100% sure what I’m going to do with the ashes yet. But I’ll figure that out in due course.

Below is sort of the THE 9 EMOTIONS PROJECT image I made of Naima for one of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE themes in Year 7.


WEEK 243 - EMOTIONS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT

Don’t think this will be the last time I share a story about Naima, but I do want to share a story about when I told my 85 year-old neighbor Stan about Naima passing. She was in many ways also his dog. Back when he and his wife were in better health, they would make special trips to Ames to buy Naima treats.

Stan had a dog well before I moved in and he has never really got over that dog’s passing. He has told me before and he told me that again.

He told me that he will miss her. That she was the best dog that loved everybody and didn’t have a mean bone in her body. Of course all of that is true.

Because he doesn’t move very well any more, he kept dog treats for her on his window ledge so if he saw her out he didn’t have to go inside to get her treats.

Stan’s wife has dementia and I’ve had the same conversation with her about Naima in the past couple of years at least 50 times. She always would say that Naima is the most beautiful dog she’s ever seen. She is the most beautiful color. She wished all dogs were that color.

Stan was the first person to ask me if I was getting another dog. Which I suppose I will. I guess it isn’t a shocker that Stan was the first person to ask. Naima was his dog as well and he will miss not having a dog too.

I told him I thought I would, but it wouldn’t be anytime soon. There was a 5 year gap between Karma and Naima. There were a lot of reasons for that gap. Most of those reasons aren’t around any more.

He told me okay, he would get rid of Naima’s treats cause he didn’t think they would still be good by the time I got another dog. I told him that was okay. Maybe early next year would be the right time.

The conversation did check off another box of closure for me. A bigger box than you would probably expect.

+++++++

SIGNS! They are everywhere if you open your eyes! But did many people find SIGNS to photography to make SIGNS a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, October 29, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Amy Peterson – 1 week
2-Mary Green – 3 weeks
3-Alexis Stensland – 3 weeks
4-Scott Degeneffe – 10 weeks
5-Sabas Hernandez – 11 weeks
6-Willy McAlpine – 11 weeks
7-Mike Vest – 17 weeks
8-Sheri Fakhouri – 20 weeks (2)
9-Logan Kahler – 21 weeks
10-Nathanial Brown – 22 weeks
11-Jesse Howard – 22 weeks
12-Tamara Peterson – 25 weeks
13-Mindi Terrell – 37 weeks (2)
14-Brandon Kahler – 61 weeks
15-Linda Bennett – 66 weeks (2)
16-Sarah Toot – 67 weeks
17-Angie DeWaard – 71 weeks
18-Dawn Krause – 75 weeks
19-Kim Barker – 81 weeks
20-Joe Duff – 82 weeks
21-Teresa Kahler – 93 weeks
22-Carla Stensland – 93 weeks
23-Micky Augustin – 95 weeks
24-Andy Sharp – 96 weeks
25-Bill Wentworth – 97 weeks
26-Cathie Morton – 101 weeks
27-Elizabeth Nordeen – 102 weeks
28-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 104 weeks
29-Kio Dettman – 106 weeks

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - Elainie Hernandez
Elainie Hernandez (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa)- 1 week

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - JULIE SHARP
Julie Sharp (Whatcha’ Smokin’ – Luther, Iowa)- 1 week

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Kansas City, Missouri) – 11 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Kansas City, Missouri)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Spain) – 12 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Spain)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 19 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa) – 21 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 22 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Lake City, Iowa) – 23 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 23 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 26 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)- 38 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 62 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Poconos, Pennsylvania) – 67 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (New York City, New York)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 68 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Ames, Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 82 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS -
Joe Duff (Museum of Fine Arts – Houston, Texas) – 83 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Webster City, Iowa) – 94 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 94 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 96 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 97 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 98 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Anaheim, California) – 102 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 103 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 105 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 107 weeks

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Webster City, Iowa) – 529 weeks

35 participants! That is a great week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Iowa
+ Missouri
+ Nebraska
+ New York
+ Pennsylvania
+ Spain
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Hawaii
+ Idaho
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Kentucky
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Mississippi
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Hampshire
+ New Jersey
+ New Mexico
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Vermont
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

40 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 75% of the way there! Every continental state west of the Mississippi is now accounted for.

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ Alto del Perdon – Spain
+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico (General)
+ Isla Mujeres, Mexico
+ Riviera Maya, Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Ontario, Canada
+ Vallunareju Norte – Peru
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
+ Puenta de la Reina, Spain
+ St. John pied de port, France
+ Vienna, Austria
+ Munich, Germany
+ Rome, Italy
+ Cannes, France
+ Koper, Slovenia

The major milestone reached this week was Tamara hitting the Half Year Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all good news. Amy couldn’t build on her submission from last week.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 426 - FOOD
FOOD – SUGGESTED BY ANDY SHARP

FULL DISCLOSURE: Andy didn’t exactly suggest FOOD. He suggested like 10 different versions of FOOD and I just combined them all into FOOD.

FOOD! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a FOOD image? Simply enough, it is a picture of FOOD. Or a picture of a place that serves FOOD. Or a picture of something that is involved in the preparation of FOOD. You won’t be judge on the quality of FOOD you photograph. Or judged at all for that matter.

While considering possible FOOD to photograph, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will create a fascinating image!

Part of the secret of success is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.
-Mark Twain

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of FOOD in this place that definitely eats next Monday.

Post 5,005

I need to start this milestone post by wishing Elainie a happy birthday!


Day 57 - February 26, 2022
Happy birthday Elainie!

I hope your birthday is amazing!!

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Today is also Layla’s birthday!


Day 278 - October 5, 2021
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAYLA!

I hope you have an awesome birthday!

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Can you believe that this is the 5,005th entry in the blog known as “An Artist’s Notebook”? Every 250 posts or so I like to take a moment to reflect on where this post has been and post a lot of meaningless stats. I meant to post this post on Sunday night when it would have been Post #5,000, but you know how my week went. Not great.

As always on these posts, I like to start by quoting the very first “An Artist’s Notebook” entry that published on August 9, 2006. That first post that published 6,296 days.

That post that started with these words:

So here is the first journal entry. I felt like having as pretentious sounding name as possible for my journal. I have a few goals about this journal. My main goal is just to actually write in it. My second goal is to be as truthful as possible towards my true thoughts and feelings. I have another journal on another website, but it is really just a collection of sarcastic statements and cheap jabs at open faced sandwiches. This journal is meant to be about what my achievements and failures are in the world of art. What projects I am working on and what I have accomplished and what I have failed to accomplish. What I am photographing and what I am thinking about entering in photo contests. What I am thinking about. It might not always make sense. It might just be things I need to write down because they strike me as poignant or inspirational. This is in a small way an online “idea box”.

Since those words, I have posted 5,005 journal entries. (Normally I would do this little exercise on post #4,750, but I was in Vegas at that time.) This website is still something of an “idea box”. Sometimes I’m just working stuff out here. I don’t know why, sometimes I need to work stuff out in public. But this website is definitely more than just an “idea box”. It is a place where I post a few thoughts and a ton of pictures. I’ve gone through a few photo projects on these pages. From THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT to the 9 EMOTIONS PROJECT to THE SELFIE PROJECT to the POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT to name just a few. This website has also created a community with THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Which is one of my proudest achievements. Even if it sputtered and spit and barely survived in its first few years.

5,005 posts. I can’t even measure the elevation changes my life have taken since then. Major ups. Major downs. Peaks and valleys. 5,005 posts and I vow to keep on chugging along.

On these reflective posts, I like to publish a bunch of statistics that me and Joe Duff find interesting. So I might as well get to it.

Every post in “An Artist’s Notebook” is tagged with at least one Category. It is one of the easiest ways to navigate around the website. They are listed at the top of each post. Here are some statistics about Categories:

THE TOP 10 MOST USED CATEGORIES (RANK IN POST #4757 & INCREASE SINCE THEN)
10. Carla – 582 (#8 – +52)
9. Teresa – 590 (#9 – +65)
8. Road Trip – 611 (#6 – +42)
7. Macro – 627 (#10 – +132)
6. Formal Portrait – 638 (NR)
5. Jesse – 684 (#4 – +54)
4. Art – 744 (#5 – +122)
3. Animals – 790 (#3 – +65)
2. Flowers – 958 (#2 – +77)
1. Black & White – 1,212 (#1 – +220)

Dropping from the from the Top 10 was Shannon, a category that was #7 in Post #4757.

The 5 categories that have the best shot at making the Top 10 in Post #5,250 are Shannon, Nature, WPC-Submissions, and Candid Portrait.

It should be noted that some of these increases are caused by my working on the categories on some older posts.

THE TOP 10 NON-HUMAN CATEGORIES
10. Photoshop – 432 (#10 – +43)
9. Candid Portrait – 475 (NR)
8. Nature – 538 (+101 – #8)
7. Road Trip – 611 (#5 – +42)
6. Macro – 627 (#6 – +132)
5. Formal Portrait – 638 (#8 – +191)
4. Art – 744 (#5 – +122)
3. Animals – 790 (#3 – +65)
2. Flowers – 958 (#2 – +77)
1. Black & White – 1,212 (#1 – +220)

WPC-Submission fell out of the Top 10. It was ranked #7 in Post #4757.

The categories that are just right outside of the Top 10 are Still Life, Naima, History, and Self-Portrait and Christianity.

THE TOP 10 HUMAN CATEGORIES
10. Vest – 350 (NR)
9. Jay – 353 (#6 – +5)
8. Micky – 359 (NR)
7. Logan – 380 (#9 – +61)
6. Kim – 395 (#7 – +53)
5. Mom – 464 (#5 – +6)
4. Shannon – 576 (#2 – +37)
3. Carla – 582 (#3 – +52)
2. Teresa – 590 (#4 – +65)
1. Jesse – 684 (#1 – +54)

Dropping from the rankings was Willy and Derrick.

The categories that have the best shot at cracking the next Top 10 are Willy, Derrick, Jen, Andy, and Sara.

If you are wondering what is your best way to improve your Photography 139 Score and crack the Top 10, it is simply to be active in THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE or go on trips with me or participate in various other photo projects or be related to me. Now these aren’t necessarily the 10 people that have influenced my photography the most, but these are the 10 people that have made the largest imprint on this website.

I can tell you the people that have influenced my photography the most, but that is a tale for another time. But I’m pretty sure you can guess who.

If you have spent any time on the Photography 139 website, you know that on the left sidebar, the “Top 100 Categories” are listed. I thought I would give a little bit of coverage to the Bottom 10 of the Top 100. There are currently 203 categories used on the website. I could cover the Bottom 10, but they are mostly people that either very recently came into the life of this website by birth (Jonah Kahler) or another way (Nathanial, Mindi, Fran). Or people that I thought would be a bigger part of my life and then weren’t. No need to cover those people. The Category that is #203 probably needs to be purged.


THE BOTTOM 10 OF THE TOP 100

#10. Andree – 77
#10. Flat Earth Joe – 77
#10. Self-Portrait Project – 77
#9. Photo Journal – 79
#8. Commercial – 83
#7. Sabas – 84
#6. Becca – 89
#3. Pufferbilly Days – 91
#3. Pastor Sarah – 91
#3. House – 91
#1. Faust – 92
#1. Writing – 92

The following categories have either fallen out of the Bottom 10 of the Top 100 or climbed out of it:
Kelly, Lowell, and Suzie.

The following categories have the best shot at dropping back into the Bottom 10 of the Top 10:
Sarah Toot, Lowell, Suzie, Russell, and Nate

The following categories have the best shot at climbing up into the Bottom 10 of the Top 10:
Layla, Kelly, Vacation, Saydie, and Kalista

“An Artist’s Notebook” is part of Photography 139. The 139 comes from Psalm 139:1-12. The Photography part comes from the fact this website is supposed to be filled with photography. So, what are the most popular photo galleries on the Photography 139 website? Glad you asked:

TOP 10 PHOTOGRAPHY 139 PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERIES (LAST 365 DAYS)

To View the Gallery, Click on its Representative Image

Now I don't want your sympathy
10. Naima – 64,796 views

Tenderloin Trail 2.0 - Stumble Inn
9. Tenderloining – 75,558 views

9 Emotions Project - Elainie
8. 9 Emotions Project – 81,405 views

Day 267 - September 24, 2022
7. Selfie-Project – 2022 – 88,632 views

Rodan139: Water Works Park
6. Drone – 99,708 views

WEEK 364 - COLORFUL - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
5. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 9 – 108,852 views

Anita, Iowa
4. Town Sign Project – 118,563 views

Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Las Vegas 2023 – 169,257 views

Plymouth County - Le Mars
2. Town Sign Project Auxiliary Images – 219,546 views

WEEK 414 - ART - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
1. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 10 – 323,781 views

Galleries that fell out of the Top 10 are:
Christopher D. Bennett, Miami Beach, Jayton Poole, and Alexis Pregnancy Photo Shoot – 2020

Galleries that fell just outside of the Top 10 are:
Sleeping Angels – 2023, Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 6, Photo Journal Rejects, Iowa State Cyclones Football – 2008, and Christopher D. Bennett.

But what are the most popular single images of the last 365 days? Don’t worry, I’m gonna feed you baby birds.

Top 10 Photography 139 Images

Sleeping Angels Fun Run - 2023
10. Sleeping Angels Fun Run – 2,772 views

Maven's Birthday Party - 2022
9. Maven’s Birthday Party – 2022 – 2,820 views

Community Thanksgiving - 2022
8. Boone FUMC Thanksgiving – 2022 – 3,073 views

Color the Wind - 2023
7. Color the Wind – 2023 – 3,149 views

Celtic Dancing - Renaissance Fair - 2022
6. Renaissance Fair – 2022 – 3,302 views

Fran & Pepper - 2022
5. Fran and Pepper – 3,687 views

World Food Festival - 2022
4. World Food Festival – 2022 – 3,754 views

Howards - 2022
3. Howards – 2022 – 3,976 views

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023
2. 2023 Barbecue Contests – 4,168 views

2023 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship Game
1. Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship – 18,045 views

If you are interested in checking out some of the milestone posts of the past, I got you. Click on any of the links below to check them out:

Post 1
Post 750
Post 850
Post 1,000
Post 1,101
Post 1,200
Post 1,447
Post 1,718
Post 2,500
Post 3,000
Post 3,252
Post 3,751
Post 4,000
Post 4,250
Post 4,500
Post 4,757

I think that is enough. We will check back in, in another 245 posts.

WPC – WEEK 423 – VINTAGE

NOTE: – AT THE END OF THE MONTH I WILL BE OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT YEAR’S THEMES. THE LAST MONDAY IN OCTOBER AND THE 1ST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER ARE WHEN SUGGESTIONS CAN BE MADE. THOSE SUGGESTIONS HAVE TO BE MADE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION OF THOSE POSTS. NOT VIA EMAIL, TEXT MESSAGE, TEAMS, PHONE CONVERSATION, SNAPCHAT. ONLY IN THE COMMENTS SECTIONS OF THOSE 2 POSTS. START THINKING OF THEMES YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR NEXT YEAR.

+++++++


Today is Jonah’s birthday, so I need to wish him a happy birthday:


Canvas No. 76
Happy birthday Jonah!

I hope it is an amazing birthday!

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VINTAGE! Many people are into old stuff. But are enough people into it enough to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, October 216, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Lori Backous – 1 week
2-Pepper Duncan – 1 week
3-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
4-Susanna Funk – 1 week
5-Derrick Gorshe – 1 week
6-Evie Gorshe – 1 week
7-Layla Gorshe – 1 week
8-Mary Green – 1 week
9-Sara Lockner – 1 week
10-Amy Peterson – 1 week
11-Alexis Stensland – 1 week
12-Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks
13-Elainie Hernandez – 3 weeks
14-Scott Degeneffe – 8 weeks
15-Sabas Hernandez – 9 weeks
16-Willy McAlpine – 9 weeks
17-Mike Vest – 15 weeks
18-Sheri Fakhouri – 18 weeks
19-Monica Jennings – 19 weeks
20-Logan Kahler – 19 weeks
21-Nathanial Brown – 20 weeks
22-Jesse Howard – 20 weeks
23-Tamara Peterson – 23 weeks
24-Mindi Terrell – 35 weeks
25-Brandon Kahler – 59 weeks
26-Linda Bennett – 64 weeks
27-Sarah Toot – 65 weeks
28-Angie DeWaard – 69 weeks
29-Dawn Krause – 73 weeks
30-Kim Barker – 79 weeks
31-Joe Duff – 80 weeks
32-Teresa Kahler – 91 weeks
33-Carla Stensland – 91 weeks
34-Micky Augustin – 93 weeks
35-Andy Sharp – 94 weeks
36-Bill Wentworth – 95 weeks
37-Cathie Morton – 99 weeks
38-Elizabeth Nordeen – 100 weeks
39-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 102 weeks
40-Kio Dettman – 104 weeks

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 96 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 92 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Riviera Maya Mexico) – 103 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 24 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Disney Springs, Florida) – 100 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 65 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE -  ADAM GORDON
Adam Gordon (Vicksburg, Mississippi)- 1 week

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE -  ADAM GORDON
Adam Gordon (Vicksburg, Mississippi)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE -  ADAM GORDON
Adam Gordon (Vicksburg, Mississippi)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone County, Iowa) – 92 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Tybee Island, Georgia) – 19 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Tybee Island, Georgia)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 36 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Boone County, Iowa) – 21 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 80 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 101 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Don Williams Park – Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 81 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 105 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 66 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa)- 94 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - ELAINIE STENSLAND
Elainie Hernandez (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Riverside Bible Camp – Story City, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Riverside Bible Camp – Story City, Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Riverside Bible Camp – Story City, Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Spain) – 10 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 74 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 95 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Don Williams Park – Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Clive, Iowa)

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - HARRISON GORSHE
Harrison Gorshe (Ledges State Park – Boone County, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE -BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Center Grove Orchard – Cambridge, Iowa) – 21 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Noel, Missouri) – 16 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 9 weeks

36 participants! That is a great week! And with Adam’s submissions from Mississippi, there is another stated added to the Photography 139 submission map!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Mexico
+ Mississippi
+ Missouri
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Spain
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Hawaii
+ Idaho
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Kentucky
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Mississippi
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Hampshire
+ New Jersey
+ New Mexico
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Vermont
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

40 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 75% of the way there! Every continental state west of the Mississippi is now accounted for.

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ Alto del Perdon – Spain
+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico (General)
+ Isla Mujeres, Mexico
+ Riviera Maya, Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Ontario, Canada
+ Vallunareju Norte – Peru
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
+ Puenta de la Reina, Spain
+ St. John pied de port, France
+ Vienna, Austria
+ Munich, Germany
+ Rome, Italy
+ Cannes, France
+ Koper, Slovenia

There were a few milestones this week and 1 major one! Cathie joins the Triple Digit Club! WooHoo! Sabas and Willy joined the Double Digit Club! WooHoo! Plus the first every submission from Adam. I don’t know that it will continue, but maybe it will. You never know.

But it wasn’t all good times. A ton of streaks and wannabe streaks bit the dust. Lori, Pepper, Funk, Derrick, Layla, and Amy couldn’t make it 2 weeks in a row. Suzie’s 2 week streak is also history.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 424 - FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM
FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM – SUGGESTED BY ANDY SHARP

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM! What a great them for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM image? It is simply a picture that deals with your FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM. It doesn’t have to be of the team in action. A picture of article of clothing or the stadium they play in or any form of memorabilia. While I wouldn’t make a rule against, I would suggest doing more than just taking a picture of them playing on the television. Find something else that represents the team. It doesn’t have to be a professional or college sports team. Maybe your Tuesday night bowling team is your favorite team. Or maybe that Little League team you played for when you were 9 was your favorite team. Maybe the rec league basketball team is your favorite team. Maybe your son’s middle school soccer team is your favorite team.

I know many of you don’t even like sports. In that case, just take out the word “sports” and capture a picture that suggests your favorite team.

When considering a way to capture your FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM, meditate on the following quote and I have not doubt you will capture a great image:

I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people’s accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man’s failures.
-Earl Warren

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM in this place that is a Cyclones fan site next Monday.

Iowa State Fair Food Carousel

As I started looking through these pictures, I realize that I should have published this collection much earlier as the memory has become a bit foggy since the Iowa State Fair, which was 2 months ago. Something to remember for next year.

This food adventure is a collection of all the food I ate at the Iowa State Fair. I made 4 trips to the Iowa State Fair. One with Jen, Evie, and Layla. Another with Scottie D., Melissa, Austin, and Porter. Another one with Monica, Graham, Sabas, and Elainie. Then a final one with Jesse and Nader.

I ate a lot, so we better get to it!


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

The first thing I had was the Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Man-n-Cheese Grilled Cheese. Here is the description:

The Rib Shack’s signature Bacon Brisket Mac and Cheese is slathered between layers of American cheese and two slices of What’s Your Cheez Bacon Cheddar Bread. It is then deep-fried until golden brown and served with a signature raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce.

This was one of the 3 Finalists for Best New State Fair Food. Here are more pictures of it:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

I could only get Evie to take a nibble of it. This sandwich was pretty disappointing. It was bland and lifeless. The only thing that saved it was the raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce. However, it wasn’t the worst Best New Fair Food Finalist.

It was a short day at the Fair and the only other thing I had was ice cream:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

You know my policy on ice cream, so no reason to get into that.

On my next day at the Fair, the only food I purchased was the Grinder Ball from The Bacon Box. It was also a finalist for Best New State Fair Food.

Here is the description:

The Grinder Ball is a blend of bacon balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in bacon, rotisserie smoked and dipped in warm marinara sauce. The Grinder Ball is The Bacon Box’s new signature gluten-free take on the traditional State Fair Grinder.

Here are some pictures:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

No reason to sugar coat it, this thing sucked. Just absolutely terrible. Easily the worst food I had at the fair.

I didn’t purchase anything else, but the Roland-Story FFA gave Scottie D. and I some peach cobbler:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Seriously amazing. Maybe the best thing I had at the Iowa State Fair.

I also had some of Melissa’s Dill Pickle Flavored Cheese Curds from Brad & Harry’s Cheese Curds:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

These were great and I would definitely have again!

On my 3rd trip to the Fair, I started out with the Iowa Twinkie.

Here is the description:

“A Texas staple with an Iowa twist.” A smoked bacon-wrapped jalapeno stuffed with pulled pork, sweet corn, cream cheese and ranch seasoning. It is then glazed with Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ & Brew house-made Sweet + Sticky BBQ sauce and drizzled with house-made ranch dressing.

Here are some pictures:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

I voted for the Iowa Twinkie for the Best New Fair Food, but the Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Mac-n-Cheese Grilled Cheese won. At least that awful Grinder Ball didn’t win.

As you know, I’m a big fan of the Italian Grinder. I’m still sad when I think about the loss of Jennie’s Grinders which was always my go to when I went to the Iowa State Fair until Jennie passes away a few years ago. I decided to give Aunt Mary’s Italian Grinders a shot.


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

It was a solid grinder, but as those of us in the grinder biz say: INJGG. It’s Not Jennie’s Grinders Grinder. But I would get it again.

That was the final thing I ate on my third trip from the Iowa State Fair.

On my 4th trip to the Iowa State Fair, the temperature was off the charts hot. heat index was over 100 degrees, which isn’t great for appetite. So I mostly just drank a ton of water. I mean a ton of water. But I did eat a couple things.

The first thing I tried was the Dough Crazy Sweet Stick from Dough Crazy.


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

While this thing was delicious, I don’t think I would get it again. It was actually TOO much. This was complete sugar overload.

Then I grabbed an Iowa State Fair staple on my way out the door. The Pork Chop on a Stick:


Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

Iowa State Fair Food - 2023

There was lots of successful eating at this year’s Iowa State Fair. I’m already excited to go back next year and eat some more!

Next Sunday’s food adventure will involve breakfast up in Minnesota!