Category Archives: Family

Animals, Art, Basketball, Black & White, Elainie, Football, Holidays, Iowa State, Sabas, Shannon, State Fair, Still Life, Street Photography

Iowa State Fair – Day 3 – Delta

March 29, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is Good Friday.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. If you are looking for a place to worship tonight, you can join me at the Boone First United Methodist Church. It is a Tenebrae Service. It starts at 6:30.

What is a Tenebrae Service? From our website:

A Service of Tenebrae, or “Shadows,” is based on a twelfth–century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation on the Christian Scriptures that tell of the suffering of Christ during his betrayal, trial, and public execution. This service utilizes a mix of readings, liturgy, hymnody, and candlelight to draw our attention to Jesus’ suffering and death for the whole world.

Here is a Good Friday Devotional written by Rev. Lucky Cotto.

Good Friday

The Centurion near the Cross

Scripture Readings:

John 19:23-24
Matthew 27:50-54
Mark 15:39: When the centurion, who stood facing Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “This man was certainly God’s Son.”

Devotional

The presence of Roman soldiers around the crucifixion of Jesus Christ indicates that this was a state-sponsored crucifixion ordered by the Jewish leaders opposed to Jesus’ message. (Incidentally, the Jews were treated as slaves and oppressed.)** The opponents claimed that Jesus had deceived the Jews and that He was opposed to them paying their contributions to the empire, and that, in addition, He claimed to be the Messiah, King of the Jews and stirred up the people with His teachings.

But the Roman Empire didn’t care. In fact, Pontius Pilate could not find a reason to crucify him, all he could think of was the coming uproar against the empire. In his own words, “Pilate then said to the chief priests, and to the people, “I find no crime in this man,” and he said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who was misleading the people. I have questioned him in your presence and found nothing in this man’s conduct that provides a legal basis for the charges you have brought against him. 15 Neither did Herod, because Herod returned him to us. He’s done nothing that deserves death.” As Pilate wanted to release Jesus, he again addressed the people; (Luke 23;1-24, VV. 4,14,15,20).

Meanwhile the crowds continued to shout, “crucify Him, crucify Him” (vv21) and the priests encouraged them to ask that Barabbas be set free. They wanted a revolutionary who had been in prison for murder to go free. At the same time, the Jews could not execute anyone. So, from the legal and judicial point of view Jesus’ sentence was unjust and tainted with false accusations. It is the effective result of false narratives promoting political manipulations orchestrated by religious fanatics who could not accept the message of Jesus’ kingdom.

However, from the perspective of what God intended for humanity, and what Jesus’ sacrifice would mean for the world, Jesus bore our sin, therefore, bore our guilt, our crimes, and on the cross, as Paul wrote: “God caused the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God.”

At the foot of the cross are the Roman soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross, mocked Him, tore His clothes, and were asked to watch over Him. Finally, He died and when He expired there was among the soldiers a centurion, a prominent officer, in charge of at least 100 soldiers. We do not know if he was comfortable and in agreement with the crucifixion of Jesus, if he knew about Jesus, or if he was interested in Judaism. Surely, he saw the sign above the cross that said “King of the Jews”, and he must have heard the thief standing next to Jesus who said to him: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk.23:42). and the assurance with which Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. The centurion saw and heard everything that was happening and saw when Jesus gave His last breath and died. What came out of this man’s mouth was to praise God and say, “Truly this man was righteous.”

For Reflection

As a result of his new conviction, the centurion turned against the government he served. He had a transformation of mind and heart, even though he was one of those who wounded Jesus’ side, and executed him. Now he could see that this Jesus was truly sent by God, that he was truly who he said he was. Let us ask ourselves: Who is Jesus for me? Should we strive for people in positions of power who are guilty of committing injustice on the innocent to change in the face of an encounter with the gospel?

Prayer

God who loved us so much that You did not mind sending Your only Son to come to save us, to save humanity, help us to recognize that great love that You have for us and that we can live as Jesus lived, who, in the midst of pain had compassion and asked you to forgive us. Thank You that we can feel Your forgiveness, Your love, and Your grace. Amen.

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Time to share another collection of images from my trip to the State Fair with Monica and Graham and then Elainie, Sabas, and Tiffany. At this point in the day Monica and Graham just kinda ghosted me. I never saw them again. I hope they are doing okay, wherever they are.

I’m pretty sure this is the last time I saw Shannon. Have seen. I’m sure I will see her again someday.

Still more pictures to share from this day. I don’t think I’ll be going to the State Fair with Sabas and Elainie this year. With Elainie all preggers now, I’m sure she won’t be up for that kind of heat and activity. Maybe Sabas and I will go and we’ll send her pictures. Lots of pictures.

Christianity, Flowers, Holidays, Mom

Lady

March 28, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is Maundy Thursday, so I wish all of you a happy Maundy Thursday with the following picture:

Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples. The Last Supper was a Passover meal and so we continue to celebrate that through communion with unleavened bread and a grape drink. Jesus wasn’t a Christian. In fact, one of my favorite shirts has Jesus on it, riding a motorcycle, with the words “What the (fudge) is a Christian?” I don’t own this shirt, but I have admired it from afar.

My picture to commemorate the Last Supper is a (rather weak admittedly) imagining of Jesus’ Last Supper if he was not only a Christian, but a Methodist. A good Methodist meal would consist of a casserole. But Jesus’ status was “single” or maybe it was “It’s complicated” depending on who you listen to and how you want to interpret relationship status. So I figure Jesus wouldn’t have made his own casserole. He would have picked up a frozen one by Marie Callender and popped that in the oven. He definitely wouldn’t have had wine with it. He would have had grape juice. But not just any grape juice. It would have to be Welch’s grape juice. Or as it was originally called, Dr. Welch’s Unfermented Wine.

You still might be wondering where the Maundy in Maundy Thursday comes from. Maundy is short for the Latin word mandatum which means command. Maundy Thursday also celebrates Jesus giving us the new commandment:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).

On these holy holidays I like to share a devotional. This one was written by Rev. Dr. Luz E. Maldonado.

Maundy Thursday

Trimmed or chopped

Scripture: John 15:1-11, CEB
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me.I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.

“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.

Meditation
In the Bible we find the use of similes (indirect comparison) and metaphors (direct comparison). God uses them to bring to His people the teachings of what the kingdom of God is like and what He is like. He uses well-known examples to teach the people in these comparisons. The potter, the carpenter, in this case he uses agriculture-the growing of grapes. Whenever a seed is sown it is done in the hope that it will grow and produce its fruit. But there is a care to be taken so that the harvest is properly reaped.

Jesus teaches us what He and the kingdom of God are like by pronouncing the seven “I am’s.”

In John 10:11-14 I am the good shepherd; John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life; John 6:35-48 I am the bread of life; John 8:12; 9:5 I am the light of the world; John 10:7 I am the door; John 14:25 I am the way, the truth, and the life. And in the reading, we have chosen for today’s meditation: John 15:1-5 I am the true vine. The vine is a grape plant, it is a vine. It has a root, a trunk, branches, shoots, leaves and fruit. Jesus compares himself to that plant “He is” and my father is the vineyard keeper, He is the owner and caretaker. He is the one who takes care, who cleans, who prunes. The use of agriculture to explain the kingdom of God, and its care.

He talks about trimming: What is it and why is it necessary? It is to clean, to cut, to pull up, to remove dry leaves, dry branches. Pruning is a sign of love, God is concerned about us. He takes care of us, He removes what is not necessary, He removes what is not productive, what is not useful to us. When God is closest to us, it is when He is trimming us. When a vinedresser goes to prune, He always has the branch in his hand. God has not let you go, you have always been in the hollow of God’s hand. Pruning is not the absence of God, on the contrary, it is when He is closer than ever. John 15:2 he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit.

To be cut off: John 15:2 He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit; the branch is a new shoot. The danger of not being attached to Christ is that this new shoot will dry up. In other words, the danger of not congregating, of not being in a church, can dry us up, it does not allow us to grow, mature and bear the fruit that is expected of us. The Lord gives us a piece of advice, a commandment or recommendation in John 15:4 “remain in me, and I will remain in you”. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. He is speaking of a relationship, a friendship and fellowship. John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches” is giving us identity. He is also giving us a promise John 15: 5b “he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit”. He is telling us that we need him in order to go forward, John 15:5c “for apart from me you can do nothing”.

For reflection
Trimming is the evidence of something new in our lives. Usually when something goes wrong or we are in a time of trial we get desperate. We tend to worry too much and try to solve. The pruning in your life has as a goal that you bear fruit as it says: Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.”; 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control”. So do not stray from the vine and allow whatever the vineyard keeper desires to do in your life to be done, for the result will be a blessing.

Prayer
Blessed God, thank You for revealing Yourself to our lives with examples from our daily lives and with them help us to understand Your plans and purposes in our lives. Help us to stay attached to You and continue to work in our lives, take away what You need to take away, add what You need to add so that we may remain united to You and bear much fruit. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you want to worship an awesome God, you are welcome to join me at Boone First United Methodist Church. Our Maundy Thursday Service is at 6:30 PM tonight. And I promise you will be home in plenty of time to watch the Iowa State game.

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Lady
I’m your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am, and
I am yours

My love
There’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more

You have gone and made me such a fool
And I’m so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Won’t you believe in my song?

Lady
For so many years
I thought I’d never find you
You have come into my life and
Made me whole

Forever
Let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly
In my ear

And in my eyes (In my eyes)
I see no one else but you (I see no one else but you)
There’s no other love like our love
And, oh, girl I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long

Lady
Your love’s the only love I need
Oh, and beside me is where
I want you to be (I want you to be)
‘Cause, my love
There’s somethin’ I want you to know
You’re the love of my life
You’re my lady
-Written by Lionel Richie
-Perfected by Kenny Rogers

This week marks the 3 year anniversary of my Mom’s passing. I selected this song because she loved this song and she loved Kenny Rogers. She loved Elvis. She loved the Beach Boys. I’m not sure which was her absolute favorite, but this was one of her absolute favorite songs. And objectively, it is one of the greatest songs ever written.

I got to see a Kenny Rogers concert at the Civic Center with my Mom. It is one of my favorite memories and favorite concerts I’ve ever attended. Life, as they say, is made up of memories. Not possessions. It is a great memory.

This Thursday’s flowertography is a collection of flower images taken in my yard. I know I said I was about to finally leave my yard for the flowertography session, but then I stumbled upon this collection of flower images that I had somehow missed. I’m glad I found them.

Next Thursday we will finally leave my yard again.

Can you believe that it is almost flowertography season. I will be heading down to Pella in a couple of weeks to take some tulip pictures. The peak tulip bloom is going to be about 2-3 weeks early this year. So I’ll probably head down there in the middle of April. Let me know if you are interested in going, hitting their bakery, and probably eating some good food.

Art, Dad, Macro, Mom, Nature, Still Life, WPC - Alternate

Does She Mean You Forgot About Me?

March 26, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A few weeks back the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme was SENTIMENTAL. Thought I would share some of the spare images I took for the theme that didn’t make the cut.

SENTIMENTAL was a good theme. A real thinker! I hope everybody enjoyed it as much as I did.

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Basketball, Becky, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elainie, Elizabeth, Evie, Iowa State, Jesse, Joe Duff, Johnathan, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Nathanial, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Sheri, Steph, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 445 – HOBBIES

March 25, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

NOTES: 1. THIS IS ONE OF 2 THEMES THAT HAVE A SPECIAL, EXTRA RULE. MAKE SURE YOU READ THAT RULE BEFORE YOU SUBMIT. 2. I’VE BEEN GETTING SOME SMALL IMAGES SUBMITTED. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE FAQ ANSWER ON IMAGE SIZE. YOU MAY NEED TO ADJUST YOUR CAMERA SETTINGS OR YOUR EMAIL ATTACHMENT SETTINGS OR YOUR IMAGE TEXT MESSAGE SETTINGS OR MAYBE YOU ARE AN OVER-CROPPER. DON’T BE AN OVER-CROPPER. CROP WTH YOUR FEET. 3. AS ALWAYS, I APPRECIATE ANYBODY THAT GETS THEIR SUBMISSION IN BY SUNDAY NIGHT.

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It is the last Monday of the month and on the last Monday of the month I like to revisit our Frequently Asked Questions. Who asks these questions? I mostly ask them of myself. But that isn’t a Frequently Asked Question. These are:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

What skill level photographer can participate?

THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE is open to photographers of all skill levels. From award winning photographers to professionals to the highly ranked amateurs to those that are just beginning to those who don’t even know how to focus a camera. All skill levels are encouraged and welcome. You can’t be too bad and you can’t be too good! Everyone has room to learn and be challenged!

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. It is a challenge. There are no winners and losers. Well the people that don’t participate are losers.

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

Yes. That limit is 2. If you send me more than 2, I will post the first 2 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.

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 I start to average like 45 participants a week, I will lower the limit to 1.

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 every week. 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 (AND CAN’T EMPATHIZE THIS ENOUGH) 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. But don’t tempt me!

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. In fact, I appreciate you letting me know where a picture was taken. If you don’t let me know, I will assume the picture was taken in the state you live in.

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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HOBBIES! A great theme! Everybody has a HOBBY or 2. From making kolaches to eating kolaches, HOBBIES can really run the gamut! But did enough people have photography as a HOBBY to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, March 18, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
2-Elainie Hernandez – 1 week
3-Deanna McClain – 1 week
4-Johnathan Stensland – 1 week
5-Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks
6-Monica Jennings – 2 weeks
7-Adam Gordon – 3 weeks (2)
8-Mary Green – 5 weeks (2)
9-Stehanie Kim – 5 weeks
10-Becky Parmelee – 5 weeks
11-Sara Lockner – 9 weeks
12-Lowell Davis – 11 weeks (2)
13-Michelle Haupt – 11 weeks
14-Alexis Stensland – 11 weeks
15-Brandon Kahler – 12 weeks
16-Scott Degeneffe – 30 weeks
17-Sabas Hernandez – 31 weeks
18-Mike Vest – 36 weeks
19-Sheri Fakhouri – 40 weeks (2)
20-Logan Kahler – 41 weeks (2)
21-Nathanial Brown – 42 weeks (2)
22-Jesse Howard – 42 weeks
23-Tamara Peterson – 54 weeks
24-Mindi Terrell – 57 weeks (2)
25-Linda Bennett – 86 weeks (2)
26-Sarah Toot – 87 weeks
27-Angie DeWaard – 91 weeks
28-Dawn Krause – 95 weeks
29-Kim Barker – 101 weeks
30-Joe Duff – 102 weeks
31-Teresa Kahler – 113 weeks (2)
32-Carla Stensland – 113 weeks
33-Micky Augustin – 115 weeks
34-Andy Sharp – 116 (2) weeks
35-Bill Wentworth – 117 weeks
36-Cathie Morton – 121 weeks (2)
37-Elizabeth Nordeen – 122 weeks
38-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 124 weeks
39-Kio Dettman – 126 weeks (2)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

1. The picture must 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 and take pictures challenge!
2. There is a limit of 2 submissions per person per theme. If you send me more than 2, I will use the first 2 that you submit.
3. Deadline to submit your submission is 11 AM next Monday.
4. To be considered the photographer of an image, you have to be the one that clicks the shutter. If you hand your camera over to somebody else to take a picture of you, you are NOT the photographer of that image.
5. No screen captures. This is a photography challenge. Not a “look at what I found on the internet” challenge.

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.
3. Sometimes, for special people, for special circumstances, we can negotiate something.

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

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 127 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Honey Hollow – Summerset, Iowa) – 125 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 123 weeks

Cathie Morton (Nassau, Bahamas) – 122 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, NE) – 118 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 117 weeks

Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 116 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 114 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

Carla Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 114 weeks

Joe Duff (League City, Texas) – 103 weeks

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 102 weeks

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa)

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 96 weeks

Dawn Krause (Iowa)

Angie DeWaard (Story County Administration Building – Nevada, Iowa) – 92 weeks

Sarah Toot (Nobu – Las Vegas, Nevada) – 88 weeks

Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 87 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa) – 58 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa)

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 55 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Des Moines, Iowa) – 43 weeks

Jesse Howard (Hilton West – Omaha, Nebraska) – 43 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 42 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 41 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 37 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 32 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Bettendorf, Iowa)

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 31 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Story City, Iowa) – 13 weeks

Lowell Davis (Boone, Iowa) – 12 weeks

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 12 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 12 weeks

Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 10 weeks

Stephanie Kim (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York) – 6 weeks

Becky Parmelee (Boone, Iowa)- 6 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa) – 5 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa)

Elainie Hernandez (Ogden, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Johnathan Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Evie Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Tim Panages (West Des Moines, Iowa) – 1 week

Christopher D. Bennett (Hilton West – Omaha, Nebraska)

39 participants this week! A pretty good week! But that is a 1 participant drop from DECORATION.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Bahamas – 1
+ Iowa – 39
+ Kansas – 1
+ Nebraska – 3
+ Nevada – 1
+ New York – 1
+ Pennsylvania – 1
+ Texas – 1

Thanks to Sarah’s trip we added Nevada! Thanks to Cathie’s trip, we added the Bahamas!

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (6.5)
+ Bahamas (1)
+ California (1)
+ Colorado (4)
+ Florida (3)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (1)
+ Indiana (2)
+ Iowa (444)
+ Kansas (17)
+ Louisiana (2)
+ Michigan (4)
+ Minnesota (6)
+ Mississippi (1.5)
+ Missouri (8.5)
+ Nebraska (17)
+ Nevada (1)
+ New York (9)
+ Pennsylvania (11)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (19)
+ Vermont (1)

23 states so far! 1 foreign country! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA) – 7
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN) – 5
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA) – 4
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV) – 4
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE) – 3
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN) – 3
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE) – 3
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL) – 2
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL) – 2
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Sara Lockner (IA, MN) – 2
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO) -2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2

Andy maintains a 2 state lead over Jen to be crowned the most travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE photographer!

Becky joined the list of people that have submitted from multiple states! WooHoo!

The big milestone this week was Sara joining the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! Also the first ever submission from Tim! That’s pretty sweet too!

But it wasn’t all good news. In fact it was mostly bad news. There was a veritable bloodbath of streaks. Jen couldn’t build on last week’s submission. Her streak is over before it began. Suzie and Monica had two week streaks go poof! Mary’s 5 week streak is over!

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:

#INSTAGOOD

#INSTAGOOD! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is an #INSTAGOOD image? Here is where that special rule for this theme is revealed. An #INSTAGOOD image is simply the best image you take this week. Period. And because it is the best image you take this week (HERE IS THAT SPECIAL RULE) you can only submit ONE picture for this theme. Only one picture is your best picture.

I will add, do NOT send me multiple images and ask me to pick the best one. Remember that one rule for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE is that the picture has to be taken the week of the theme because this is not a curate your pictures challenge, this is a get off your butt and go take pictures challenge! However, this week, you will have to curate all the pictures you take this week down to one, best picture.

I look forward to your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of INSTAGOOD in this place in this place that is sometimes gets my best next Monday.

Animals, Boone County Fair, Naima, Railroad, Self-Portrait, Still Life, Street Photography

But She’s So Sweet, She’s So Pretty

March 23, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today feels like a good time to clean up the backlog from July of last year. These pictures just didn’t fit into previous entries in “An Artist’s Notebook”.

It always feels great when a little bit more of the backlog has been cleared out. One day I’ll even be caught up!

Art, Elainie, Music, Sabas, State Fair, Still Life, Street Photography

Iowa State Fair – Day 3 – Gamma

March 22, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Time to share another collection of images from my trip to the State Fair with Monica and Graham and then Elainie, Sabas, and Tiffany.

Still a ton of pictures from this trip left to share!

Basketball, Flowers, Lensbaby, Naima

I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry

March 21, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

There are only 3 hours left to get your picks in.

If you are a basketball fan, or are just interested in having fun, click on the link below to join my pool:

Roundball Oracles – Year 19

The rules are as follows:
Round 1 = 1 point + seed
Round 2 = 2 points + seed
Round 3 = 4 points + seed
Round 4 = 8 points + seed
Round 5 = 16 points + seed
Rounds 6 = 32 points + seed

The Play-in Games (AKA the First Four) don’t matter. You can wait for those games to complete before filling out your bracket. The deadline to fill out your bracket, is tip-off of the first game on Thursday. Roughly 11 AM.

Under special circumstances, I will allow you to turn in a paper bracket to me. So, don’t be afraid to ask.

Yes, your child can fill out a bracket. Your dog, no.

There were 37 competitors in 2023. A 1 person gain from 2022. Hopefully there is continued growth in participation this year, but I don’t know that I have 1 more friend than I did in 2023. It is possible I have gained even more friends since 2023. I might be a pretty great person.

*You have to be 14 years or older to win “The Sara”.

+++++++

Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I’m so lonesome I could cry

I’ve never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind the clouds
To hide its face and cry

Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die
That mean’s he’s lost his will to live
I’m so lonesome I could cry

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I’m so lonesome I could cry
-Written and Performed by Hank Williams

Hank Williams. The Hillbilly Shakespeare. Another American tragedy. Also the subject of what I consider to be the worst biopic ever made… I SAW THE LIGHT. Trust me, don’t watch it. It is dreadful.

However the song “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Certainly one of the greatest country songs ever recorded. It has been covered by Leon Russell. Elvis Presley. Jerry Lee Lewis. Johnny Cash. Connie Stevens. Bill Monroe. Al Green. Little Richard. Glen Campbell. Willie Nelson. Charley Pride. Waylon Jennings. Cowboy Junkies. John Waite. Keb’ Mo’. Townes Van Zandt. Me First and The Gimme Gimmes. Volbeat. Heck, even Terry Bradshaw covered it. Yes, Terry Bradshaw. The quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers covered it. Lynda Carter? Yes, even Wonder Woman has covered it.

However, Thursdays are for flowers. There aren’t many in this session. I took these flower pictures on July 23. There is a bonus picture of Naima in the mix.

Next flowertography meetup will involve many more flower pictures. We will begin looking at flower pictures I took at the Iowa State Fair.

Birthdays, Linda, Road Trip, Self-Portrait, WPC - Alternate

From All the Sunlight of Our Past

March 19, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is my Aunt Linda’s birthday, so I have to wish her a happy birthday.

Happy birthday!

I hope you have an amazing birthday!

+++++++

Seems like a good time to share the alternate images I took for the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme ROAD TRIP. Most of these were taken in Ledges.

Yeah, I didn’t make it very far from my home that week. It has been a busy time. But I’ll be getting back on the road more again in the future.

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Basketball, Becky, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elainie, Elizabeth, Iowa State, Jen, Jesse, Johnathan, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Sheri, Steph, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 444 – DECORATION

March 18, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

DECORATION! A great theme! Everybody loves to decorate. But did enough people like to decorate enough to make DECORATE a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, March 11, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Suzie Brannen – 1 week
2-Monica Jennings – 1 week
3-Adam Gordon – 2 weeks (2)
4-Mary Green – 4 weeks (2)
5-Stehanie Kim – 4 weeks
6-Becky Parmelee – 4 weeks
7-Willy McAlpine – 6 weeks
8-Sara Lockner – 8 weeks
9-Lowell Davis – 10 weeks
10-Michelle Haupt – 10 weeks
11-Alexis Stensland – 10 weeks (2)
12-Brandon Kahler – 11 weeks
13-Scott Degeneffe – 29 weeks
14-Sabas Hernandez – 29 weeks
15-Mike Vest – 35 weeks
16-Sheri Fakhouri – 39 weeks (2)
17-Logan Kahler – 40 weeks (2)
18-Nathanial Brown – 41 weeks
19-Jesse Howard – 41 weeks
20-Tamara Peterson – 44 weeks
21-Mindi Terrell – 56 weeks (2)
22-Linda Bennett – 85 weeks
23-Sarah Toot – 86 weeks
24-Angie DeWaard – 90 weeks
25-Dawn Krause – 94 weeks
26-Kim Barker – 100 weeks
27-Joe Duff – 101 weeks
28-Teresa Kahler – 112 weeks (2)
29-Carla Stensland – 112 weeks
30-Micky Augustin – 114 weeks
31-Andy Sharp – 115 weeks
32-Bill Wentworth – 116 weeks
33-Cathie Morton – 120 weeks
34-Elizabeth Nordeen – 121 weeks
35-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 123 weeks
36-Kio Dettman – 125 weeks (2)

Reminder. Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

It is the third week of the month and on the third week of the month I like to share a map of all the states where people have submitted from heading into today. Here is that map:

We’ve put a good dent into the United States already.

WPC - WEEK 444 - DECORATION - MICKY AUGUSTIN

Micky Augustin (Ames, Iowa) – 115 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Honey Hollow – Summerset, Iowa) – 124 weeks

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 101 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Hilton South – Kansas City, Missouri)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 86 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Suzie Brannen (Clive, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Monteagle, Tennessee) – 42 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Fort Valley, Georgia)

Lowell Davis (Iowa)- 11 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa)

Scott Degeneffe (Boone, Iowa) – 30 weeks

Angie DeWaard (State Historical Building – Des Moines, Iowa) – 91 weeks

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Nashville, Tennessee) – 1 week

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 126 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Joe Duff (Texas) – 102 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (The Breakfast Club – Ankeny, Iowa) – 40 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (The Breakfast Club – Ankeny, Iowa)

Adam Gordon (Iowa) – 3 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa)

Mary Green (Iowa) – 5 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa)

Michelle Haupt (Saint Louis, Missouri) – 11 weeks

Elainie Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 1 week

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 30 weeks

Jesse Howard (Hilton South – Kansas City, Missouri) – 42 weeks

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Ames, Iowa) – 12 weeks

Logan Kahler (Bloomington, Minnesota) – 41 weeks

Logan Kahler (Bloomington, Minnesota)

Teresa Kahler (Ankeny, Iowa) – 113 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Ankeny, Iowa)

Stephanie Kim (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York) – 5 weeks

Dawn Krause (Brass Armadillo – Des Moines, Iowa) – 95 weeks

Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 9 weeks

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 1 week

Cathie Morton (Between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau Bahamas) – 121 weeks

Cathie Morton (Between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau Bahamas)

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 122 weeks

Becky Parmelee (Bentonsville, Arkansas) – 5 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Perry, Iowa) – 45 weeks

Andy Sharp (Grand Isle, Louisiana) – 116 weeks

Andy Sharp (Gulf of Mexico – Off Louisiana)

Alexis Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 11 weeks

Carla Stensland (Power & Light District – Kansas City, Missouri) – 113 weeks

Carla Stensland (Ogden, Iowa)

Johnathan Stensland (Iowa) – 1 week

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa) – 57 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa)

Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 87 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 36 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 117 weeks

40 participants! That is a great week! Tops ORANGE for the most popular theme of Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ Florida (2)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Iowa (34)
+ Kansas (2)
+ Louisiana (2)
+ Minnesota (2)
+ Missouri (4)
+ New York (1)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ Tennessee (2)
+ Texas (1)

Thanks to the travels of Nathanial, we added Georgia to the list! And thanks to Andy’s travels we added Louisiana to the list.

Here is the Year 11 list of states where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each state):

+ Arkansas (6.5)
+ California (1)
+ Colorado (4)
+ Florida (3)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (1)
+ Indiana (2)
+ Iowa (405)
+ Kansas (16)
+ Louisiana (2)
+ Michigan (4)
+ Minnesota (6)
+ Mississippi (1.5)
+ Missouri (8.5)
+ Nebraska (14)
+ New York (8)
+ Pennsylvania (10)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (18)
+ Vermont (1)

22 states so far! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple states:

+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA) – 7
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN) – 5
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA) – 4
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN) – 3
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL) – 2
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO)
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL) – 2
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO) – 2
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Sara Lockner (IA, MN) – 2
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO) -2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2

Andy maintains a 2 state lead over Jen to be crowned the Emperor of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Travel! I’ll keep workshopping that name. But I might buy a crown for the winner. Just another idea I’m spitballing.

Logan, Jesse, Carla, Cathie, and your humble narrator all joined the group of people that have taken submissions in multiple states.

There were no major milestones reached this week. The only bad news was that Willy’s streak went POOF after 6 weeks. The humanity!

HOBBIES

HOBBIES! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

I look forward to your interpretation!

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 HOBBIES in this place in this place that is something more of one next Monday.

Andree, Andy, Angie, Baier, Basketball, Becky, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Derrick, Elizabeth, Faust, Frank, Jesse, Laura, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mark, Michelle, Micky, Nader, Robert, Russell, Sara, Sarah Toot, Shannon, Shawn Lockner, Toby, Willy

Roundball Oracles Year 19

March 17, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

It is time once again for the greatest sporting event of year. It is that time known as March Madness. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Once again, I will be sponsoring a NCAA Tournament Pool. There is no cost to enter the pool, except for pride. And if pride is nothing to you, well done.

The winner gets a trophy. The dead last place person gets a trophy known as The Sara*. Nobody else gets a trophy. I’m not made of trophies people!

By winning, you get your name etched on the List of Immortals:

PAST ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPIONS – LIST OF IMMORTALS

2023 – Will Baier
2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2019 – Becky Parmelee
2018 – Paul Golden
2017 – Paul Golden
2016 – Michelle Haupt
2015 – Derek Dohrman
2014 – Brandon Kahler
2013 – William McAlpine
2012 – Lowell Davis
2011 – Carrie Baier
2010 – Mark Wolfram
2009 – Mark Wolfram
2008 – Mark Wolfram
2007 – Tim Peterson
2006 – William McAlpine
2005 – William McAlpine

But I said that there are 2 trophies. The 2nd trophy, The Sara, goes to the adult that finishes dead last, while trying. A person can not tank on purpose and win The Sara. The reason The Sara winner has to be an adult is that I don’t want to mock children, to their face. Does that mean I have no problem mocking children behind their back? Does it make me a bad person if I say yes? Probably a better rule would be that to “win” The Sara, you have to be at least a teenager. I have no problem mocking teenagers to their face. At least, back when there was a Youth Group.

Past “The Sara” Winners:

2023 – Ben Baier
2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

The Sara doesn’t have the long storied history of the championship trophy, but it will get there. I have no doubts. This will be the 9th winner since its inception after all.

These were the final standings from last year:

1. Will Baier – 204
2. Toby Sebring – 200
3. Sarah Karber – 193
4. Tim Peterson – 189
5. Cathie Morton – 188
6. Elizabeth Nordeen- 185
7. Andy Sharp – 184
8. Russell Kennerly – 184
9. Linda Bennett – 183
10. Micky Augustin – 183
11. Carrie Baier – 180
12. Dawn Krause – 178
13. Corey Faust – 177
14. Jesse Howard – 176
15. Jason Baier – 173
16. Angie DeWaard – 171
17. Michelle Haupt – 170
18. Carla Stensland – 170
19. Jackson Faust – 168
20. Frank Meiners – 157
21. Lowell Davis – 155
22. Andree Jauhari – 154
23. Christopher D. Bennett – 154
24. Robert Henning – 154
25. Nader Parsaei – 147
26. Logan Kahler – 145
27. Rachel Gildersleeve – 145
28. Joey Randazzo – 144
29. Olivia Baier – 141
30. Jordan Toot – 141
31. JJ Baier – 141
32. Brandon Kahler – 136
33. Becky Parmelee – 131
34. Derek Dohrman – 122
35. Sara Lockner – 112
36. Shawn Lockner – 111
37. Ben Baier – 111

If you are a basketball fan, or are just interested in having fun, click on the link below to join my pool:

Roundball Oracles – Year 19

The rules are as follows:
Round 1 = 1 point + seed
Round 2 = 2 points + seed
Round 3 = 4 points + seed
Round 4 = 8 points + seed
Round 5 = 16 points + seed
Rounds 6 = 32 points + seed

Under special circumstances, I will allow you to turn in a paper bracket to me. So, don’t be afraid to ask.

Yes, your child can fill out a bracket. Your dog, no.

*You have to be 14 years or older to win “The Sara”.