Category Archives: Michelle

Four Thousand Five Hundred

It has been 5,795 days since August 9, 2006. 5,795 days since I first took keyboard in hand and started the blog portion of the Photography 139 website. The portion I pompously named “An Artist’s Notebook”. The part I started with the 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”.

Over the years this website has transitioned less from an “idea box” and more into a “show and tell”. I keep my idea box more private these days. I didn’t even publish a picture on “An Artist’s Notebook” for months.

In fact, it wouldn’t be until October 20, 2006 that a blog post included an image. This image to be exact:


Groundhog Steve

It is a picture of “Steve” the Groundhog that lived behind the Computer Mine for years.

While the format and what has posted on An Artist’s Notebook has changed several times over the years, its main goals of “actually writing in it”, “being truthful as possible”, and of course the goal of having produced something worthy as being as “pretentious sounding as An Artist’s Notebook” have remained intact.

On these periodic check-ins I like to overwhelm those that stick around this long with a ton of meaningless statistics. Today’s post should be no different. 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 #4250 & Increase since then):
9. WPC-Submissions – 455 (#9 – +38)
9. Teresa – 455 (NR)
8. Carla – 476 (#7 – +41)
7. Road Trip – 477 (NR)
6. Shannon – 500 (#5 – +42)
5. Art – 506 (#10 – +92)
4. Jesse – 579 (#4 – +50)
3. Animals – 698 (#3 – +33)
2. Flowers – 819 (#2 – +65)
1. Black and White – 918 (#1 – +99)

Top 10 Non Human Categories:
10. Formal Portrait – 381 (NR)
9. Nature – 396 (#9 – +17)
8. Portrait – 435 (#4 – -15)
7. Macro – 441 (#8 – +51)
6. WPC – Submissions – 455 (#5 – +38)
5. Road Trip – 477 (#7 – +83)
4. Art – 506 (#6 – +92)
3. Animals – 698 (#3 – +33)
2. Flowers – 819 (#2 – +65)
1. Black and White – 918 (#1 – +99)

Top 10 Human Categories:
10. Jen – 286 (#9 – +9)
9. Vest – 294 (#10 – +20
8. Kim – 297 (NR)
7. Derrick – 320 (#7 – +9)
6. Jay – 337 (#6 – +8)
5. Mom – 453 (#4 – +31)
4. Teresa – 455 (#5 – +50)
3. Carla – 476 (#3 – +41)
2. Shannon – 500 (#2 – +42)
1. Jesse – 579 (#1 – +50)

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 194 categories used on the website. I could cover the Bottom 10, but they are mostly people that either very recently came into my life by birth (Dahlia, Anela) or another way. 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 #194 probably needs to be purged.

The Bottom 10 of the Top 100:

#100. Jaycees – 65
#99. Vacation – 67
#98. Mark – 69
#97. Commercial – 72
#95. Pastor Sarah – 74
#95. Life – 74
#94. Andree – 75
#93. Lowell – 77
#92. Photo Journal – 79
#91. Birthdays – 80

Some of these are bound to slip out of the Top 100. For example, there will never be another Jaycees post. Ever. I also apparently don’t take many vacations. Mark, not really part of my life any more. Life, is a broad category that I’ve tried to eliminate over the years. Photo Journal, a project I have completed, so there will never be another post on that. Birthdays, I currently don’t wish people “happy birthday”, but maybe I will again someday.

So what has a shot at cracking the Top 100? These are the 5 that are the closest.

+ Self-Portrait Project
+ Dae Hee
+ Kelly
+ Layla
+ FNSC

So, you might be wondering, how do you improve your Photography 139 score?

The easiest way is simple. Participate in THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. You don’t even have to be around me and most people will tell you that being around me isn’t all that great. I mean look at Shannon. She is still #2 on the Big Board and I haven’t seen her in person since October 22, 2021. It can be done!

Other ways to increase your score:
+ Act as a Photo Assistant
+ Show up in THE SELFIE PROJECT
+ Go on TOWN SIGN PROJECT road trips with me… that one to Scott County is going to be epic!
+ An underated way is to assist with the FatMumSlim Photo a Day Project.
+ Doesn’t hurt to be related to me, but most of those slots are taken.
+ Doesn’t hurt to work with me, go to the same church as me, or otherwise engage me socially.

That is probably enough Category nonsense. I bet at least Joe is still here with me though.

“An Artist’s Notebook” is part of Photography 139. The 139 comes from Psalm 139:1-12. The Photography part comes from 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
Loess Hills Road Trip
10. Iowa – 35,595 Views

9 Emotions Project - Nader Parsaei
9. 9 Emotions Project – 69,259 Views

WEEK 311 - PEOPLE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
8. WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – YEAR 8 – 74,730 Views

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
7. WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – YEAR 9 – 77,929 Views

Day 134 - May 14, 2022
6. SELFIE PROJECT – 2022 – 84,763 Views

Alexis Pregnant with Anela
5. Alexis Pregnancy Photo Shoot – 2020 – 95,358 Views

Abandoned Photomosaic
4. Christopher D. Bennett – 104,433 Views

Shelby County - Elk Horn
3. Town Sign Project – Auxiliary Images – 108,873 Views

Day 282 - October 9, 2021
2. Selfie Project – 2021 – 120,185 Views

Bradgate, Iowa
1. Town Sign Project – 176,664 Views

At post 4,250 these were the 5 most popular galleries:
5. Gorshe Family
4. Town Sign Project
3. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 8
2. Selfie Project – 2021
1. Alexis Pregnancy Photo Shoot – 2020

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

Coon Rapids, Iowa
10. Coon Rapids, Iowa – 2,319 Views

Pufferbilly Days
9. Carla and Teresa – 2,379 Views

Dexter, Iowa
8. Dexter, Iowa – 2,426 Views

Scranton, Iowa
7. Scranton, Iowa – 2,484 Views

Moingona, Iowa
6. Moingona, Iowa – 2,770 Views

Howards - 2021
5. The Howards – 2,842 Views

Miami Beach Work Trip - May 2022
4. Miami – 2,920 Views

Alexis Pregnant with Anela
3. Alexis Pregnant – 3,458 Views

Day 73 - March 13, 2021
2. Me and Mom – 4,134 Views

Day 30 - January 30, 2022
1. Bellevue – 14,629 Views

The final statistic I want to share with everybody before riding off into the sunset and not boring you with these statistics for another 250 posts is the 5 people with the highest Photography Subscriber Loyalty Scores.

Top 5 Photography 139 Loyalty Scores
5. Frank Meiners – 97.0%
4. Michelle Haupt – 98.6%
3. Angie DeWaard – 99.5%
2. Joe Duff – 99.7%
1. Mary Green – 100.0%

People right outside the Top 5:
+ Linda Bennett
+ Tamara Peterson
+ Jeannette Duff

To be honest, I don’t know how this number is figured. I believe it is the percentage of emails from the subscriber list that you open within the first 24 hours of getting an email from me, but but I really don’t know if we are being honest. But thanks for doing what it is you are doing!

I think that is enough. Here is to the next 4,500 posts!

WPC – 353 – SERVICE

I want to start this post with the text of a text that Joe sent me last week.

If I haven’t said, the WPC really helps me be present and look at the world a little differently. Thanks for facilitating!

If there was a mission statement for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, that is essentially what it is. To help people be more present and look at the world differently.

Thanks for the kind words Joe. I hope it has helping other people in a similar way.

+++++++

SERVICE can feel like a bit of a more abstract concept theme, so I wouldn’t be surprised if people struggled with this one a bit. I guess you will have to scroll down to find out.

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

+ Angie DeWaard – 1 week (2)
+ Mary Green – 2 weeks (2)
+ Sara Lockner – 3 weeks (2)
+ Dawn Krause – 4 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 6 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 8 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 10 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 11 weeks (3)
+ Logan Kahler – 13 weeks (2)
+ Teresa Kahler – 21 weeks (2)
+ Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 21 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 22 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 23 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 24 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 25 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 29 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 30 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 35 weeks (3)

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 353 - SERVICE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 24 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 36 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 353 - SERVICE -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 353 - SERVICE -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 32 weeks*

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 7 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 22 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 26 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 30 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 22 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 12 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 22 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 11 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 25 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 2 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 5 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 23 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 1 week

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 14 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 9 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 31 weeks

WEEK 353 - SERVICE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest – 1 week


21 participants submitted 28 submissions. That is a good number of participants for a theme that is somewhat abstract.

Bill reached the Half a Year Club this week! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all good news. Mary Green’s steak came to a halt after two weeks. And we bid a fond adieu to Sara’s 3 week streak.

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 22 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 22 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 221 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 23 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 24 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 25 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 26 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 30 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 31 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 33 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 36 weeks

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 354 - SELF-PORTRAIT
SELF-PORTRAIT

SELF-PORTAIT! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! While SERVICE might have seemed obtuse, SELF-PORTRAIT is literally the easiest streak of this 52 weeks. All you need is a camera, which you have, and a self, which you also have. There should be at least 50 participants next Monday. Or at least 25.

A quick shoutout to Jay for helping me take this week’s theme reveal image. Thanks Jay!

But what is a SELF-PORTRAIT? Please don’t play coy. It is simply a portrait of one’s self. Now a SELF-PORTRAIT doesn’t necessarily have to be a picture of your face. It could be of your hands or feet or whatever body part. It doesn’t even have to include you at all. It can be a picture of something that is uniquely you. For example Wily keeps pretty much every pair of running shoes he has ever had. He has maybe an excess of 100. A picture of his running shoes with or without his feet in them would be a SELF-PORTRAIT. OR you could even take a picture of somebody taking a SELF-PORTRAIT.

While considering how you are going to do your SELF-PORTRAIT, meditate on this following quote:

Know yourself. Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
Ann Landers

With all due respect to Ann Landers, but she can s… I strongly disagree with her. Maybe her dog isn’t a great judge of character, but Naima certainly is!

However, I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

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.

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

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 SELF-PORTRAIT in this place that is little more than my giant selfie next Monday.

* Although perhaps Shannon should be disqualified for taking a cat picture out of spite… but it does qualify as SERVICE because as she wrote me “You defined a service as helping someone else. Well this beauty needed help. And I’m getting my cat photo in even if you don’t like my suggestion of CAT as a theme.”

WPC – WEEK 352 – CHILDREN

A quick housekeeping note: for the last couple of months I haven’t been able to email people with a Gmail account. If you have written me and I haven’t written back, I have tried, just Gmail security has been dumb. However, on Friday, I believe I finally got all the SPF stuff in the right spot and it appears that I can now email my Gmail people. This hasn’t effected the email subscription service because those emails are delivered by a third party service called MailPoet that Gmail doesn’t actively hate.

Anybody that wants to hear the exciting tale of creating SPF records, can contact me directly. I can throw in a bonus DMARC story!

+++++++

CHILDREN has proven to be a popular theme. Many people love CHILDREN, but not as many as people as love FLOWER. Which is okay, FLOWER(s) don’t grow up to be teenagers.

Submissions did flow in from all over the country. Some from Texas, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and California. I even travelled to exotic locale of Johnston, Iowa to take my picture.

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

+ Lori Backous – 1 week
+ Suzie Brannen – 1 week (3)
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Layla Gorshe – 1 week
+ Mary Green – 1 week
+ Monica Jennings – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 3 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 5 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 7 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 9 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 10 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 12 weeks (5)
+ Teresa Kahler – 20 weeks (3)
+ Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks (2)
+ Carla Stensland – 20 weeks (3)
+ Michelle Haupt – 21 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 22 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 23 weeks (2)
+ Bill Wentworth – 24 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 28 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 29 weeks (2)
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 34 weeks (3)

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 352 - CHILDREN - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 13 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 1 week

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 10 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 11 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 24 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 30 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 21 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 23 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – 2 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 22 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 32 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 25 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 35 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 4 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 6 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 8 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 29 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 3 weeks

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 352 - CHILDREN - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 21 weeks

33 submissions from 21 participants. So this answers the age old debate on whether or not people like flowers or children more.

There was a veritable bloodbath of streaks snaped this week. Lori, Suzie, Jen, Layla, and Monica all couldn’t extend there streak from 1 week to two. Evie’s 2 week streak also ended.

On the good news front, Kim joined the double digit club! Way to go Kim!

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 21 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 21 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 22 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 23 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 24 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 25 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 29 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 30 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 32 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 35 weeks

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 353 - SERVICE
SERVICE

SERVICE! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

This is a theme that was suggested by Andy. If you don’t like it, well remember that I crowdsource the themes once a year about November, so watch for that post and conduct your actions accordingly.

That isn’t to infer that I don’t love this theme. If I didn’t love the suggestion, I would have filed it in the trash next to Shannon’s suggestion of CATS. Maybe not next to that suggestion. Cause that one I threw in the trash and then stomped the trash down. Then took it to the incinerator. I didn’t even own an incinerator. I went to the store and bought one, just so I could incinerate that suggestion.

That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t make suggestions for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE when that time is nigh. Just don’t suggest CATS. Happy birthday Shannon!

But what is a SERVICE picture? A SERVICE is simply the action of helping someone else. A SERVICE picture is simply a picture of one person helping another person. Or the results of one person helping another person. Now there are many different types of SERVICE. For example the theme reveal is a picture of a worship SERVICE. I get very questionable internet SERVICE from Mediacom. A couple days last week I ate at restaurant where I received SERVICE from many fine servers.

When considering your possible subjects for SERVICE meditate on the following quote:

11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
-Matthew 23: 11-12

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

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.

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

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 SERVICE in this place that much exists only on servers next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 351 – FLOWER

FLOWER has proven to be a pretty popular theme. I’m always not sure how these things will go because I know more than a few people that just absolutely HATE flower photography or as my forthcoming book will be called, flowertography. Not only do they HATE flower pictures, they in particular HATE my flower photography. I don’t know why they don’t have any joy in their lives, but I continue to pray for them.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 30, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

+ Evie Gorshe – 1 week
+ Sara Lockner – 1 week (9)
+ Dawn Krause – 2 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 4 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 6 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 6 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 8 weeks (2)
+ Becky Parmelee – 8 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 9 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 11 weeks (3)
+ Teresa Kahler – 19 weeks (2)
+ Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 19 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 20 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 21 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 22 weeks (2)
+ Bill Wentworth – 23 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 27 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 28 weeks (2)
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 30 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 33 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 351 - FLOWER - LORI BACKOUS
Lori Backous – 1 week

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 1 week

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - LAYLA GORSHE
Layla Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – 1 week

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings – 1 week

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 2 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 3 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 5 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 7 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 9 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 10 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 12 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 20 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 20 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 21 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 22 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 23 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 24 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 28 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 29 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 34 weeks

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 351 - FLOWER - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 351 - FLOWER -
Christopher D. Bennett – 453 weeks

41 submissions. Which I think is a record. But what actually gets me excited is 26 participants! Which I think is also a record. I’ll have to check the log book.

It is indeed a new record. Eclipsing the previous record of 25 participants set a month back by #INSTAGOOD.

A major milestone this week was reached by Joe Duff, who reached the double digit club.

Also, for the first time, at least I’m pretty sure, I received submissions from a hospital bed. I mean that isn’t all great news, but it certainly shows a level of commitment.

However, it wasn’t all good news. 2 streaks did snap. Becky’s 8 week streak is a goner. Angie’s 6 week streak did not super spread all the way to Los Angeles.

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 20 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 20 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 21 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 22 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 23 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 24 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 28 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 29 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 34 weeks

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 352 - CHILDREN
CHILDREN

CHILDREN! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a CHILDREN picture? Simply put, a CHILDREN picture is any picture that includes a CHILDren or CHILDREN or anything that deals with CHILDREN. This could be a very easy theme for some people. Some people can’t throw a rock in their house with out hitting a CHILD(REN). Which isn’t to say that I endorse throwing rocks at CHILDREN. It is just a saying. Some people might not have such easy access to a CHILD(REN) or even know a CHILD(REN). No worries! That is where the “anything that deals with CHILDREN comes into play. Notice how the theme reveal image doesn’t have any CHILDREN in it, but instead is a picture of a playground, which CHILD(REN) of all ages use.

While considering possible subjects for you submission, meditate on the following quote:

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.
-Stacie Tauscher

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

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.

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

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 CHILDREN in this place that some definitely reveals my hidden child next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 350 – HISTORY

I am back from my road trip. I have to say that I saw some of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. I can’t wait to share them with you in 3-4 months.

HISTORY proved to be a deceptively popular theme despite the holiday. Most people still seemed to come up with some kind of piece of HISTORY to photograph and get to me even though it was a holiday!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 23, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Dawn Krause – 1 week
+ Mary Green – 2 weeks
+ William McAlpine – 2 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 3 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 5 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 5 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 7 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 7 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 8 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 10 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 18 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 18 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 18 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 19 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 20 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 21 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 22 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 26 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 27 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 29 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 32 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 350 - HISTORY - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 8 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 6 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 9 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 1 week

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 11 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 2 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 19 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 21 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 28 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 22 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 6 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 19 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 33 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 4 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 20 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 30 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 8 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 27 weeks

WEEK 350 - HISTORY - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 23 weeks


Christopher D. Bennett

37 submissions from 22 participants. That is a pretty good week!

Only two streaks went kaput! Mary Green’s 2 week streak went the way of the dodo bird and Willy McAlpine’s 2 week streak is also only a fond memory. I have no doubt that we will see big things from them again in the future!

Here are the current top streaks!

9. Teresa Kahler – 19 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 19 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 20 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 21 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 22 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 23 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 27 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 28 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 30 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 33 weeks

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 351 - FLOWER
FLOWER

FLOWER! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a FLOWER picture? Simply put, a FLOWER picture is any picture where a FLOWER is a major compositional element of the picture. The FLOWER can be real. The FLOWER can be fake. The FLOWER can be a artistic rendering. There are so many options!

When thinking on possible subjects for your submission, meditate on the following quote:

Take time to smell the roses.
-Proverb

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

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.

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

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 FLOWER in this place that some people already think has too many flowers next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 349 – HAT

I am back from Miami Beach! I even brought Kim and Cathie back with me sorta. Not really. At least Kim and I were on the same flight. The short answer was it was a good enough trip that involved long hours in a convention center.

I want to thank everybody that wished me a happy birthday and Kim for briefly singing to me.

Thank you Kim, Elizabeth, Jen, Sara, Anders, Teresa, Micky, Jesse, Michelle, Jay, Monica, Shannon, Elainie, Brandon, Angie, Alexis (bonus points for working in a Godzilla graphic in her birthday wish), Andree, Steph, Faust, Logan, and Carla. I appreciate it! Now on to the mission of the next trip around to the sun and making it as good-ish as possible.

I thought the theme of HAT might be a streak buster because of the unusual logistics of the week, and it did to some degree, but not to the degree that I thought.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 16, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Mary Green – 1 week
+ William McAlpine – 1 week
+ Linda Bennett – 2 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 4 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 4 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 6 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 6 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 6 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 7 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 8 weeks
+ Monica Jennings – 9 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 9 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 17 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 17 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 17 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 18 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 19 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 20 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 21 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 25 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 26 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 28 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 31 weeks
+ Christopher D. Bennett 450 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 349 - HAT - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 10 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 8 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 7 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 349 - HAT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 1 week

WEEK 349 - HAT -
Jesse Howard – 5 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT -
Jesse Howard

WEEK 349 - HAT - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 18 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 349 - HAT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 27 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 21 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT -  ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 349 - HAT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 20 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 5 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 7 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 22 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 18 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Morton – 26 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 32 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 349 - HAT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 349 - HAT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 349 - HAT - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 3 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 349 - HAT - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 349 - HAT - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – 2 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 349 - HAT - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 349 - HAT - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 29 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 19 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 18 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - WILLIAM MCALPINE
William McAlpine – 2 weeks

WEEK 349 - HAT - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

33 submissions from 22 participants. That is a good week. I’m glad to see that so many of you have an important HAT in your life.

There were a couple of accomplishments of note this week. Logan cracked double digits to enter the double digit club. Cathie hit 26 weeks to enter the half year club.

But as I feared, multiple streaks did bite the dust. Sara’s 6 week streak is gone. Suzie’s 8 week streak, only something you can read about in the history books. Monica’s 9 week streak, a distant memory.

9. Teresa Kahler – 18 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 18 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 18 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 19 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 20 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 21 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 22 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 26 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 27 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 29 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 32 weeks

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 350 - HISTORY
HISTORY

WARNING: NEXT MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY. YOU MIGHT BE OUT DOING HOLIDAY TYPE THINGS. THINK ABOUT THIS WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR PLANS TO SEND ME YOUR SUBMISSION. I ALSO MIGHT NOT BE IN POSITION TO SEND OUT ANY REMINDERS. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

HISTORY! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a HISTORY picture? A HISTORY picture is simply any picture that deals with a HISTORI(Y)cal artifact. Could be something found in a museum. It could be something found on the side of the road. It could be an old church or an old building. It could be living history. It doesn’t have to be anything as grand as the spot where a President of the United StateS spoke. It doesn’t have to be political HISTORY or military HISTORY or religious HISTORY. It could very easily be personal HISTORY or family HISTORY.

When thinking on possible subjects for your submission, meditate on the following quote:

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
-Karl Marx

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

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.

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

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 HISTORY in this place that definitely records my daily minutiae next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 348 – SLICE OF LIFE

SLICE OF LIFE got more results than I am expected. You people have impressed me!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 9, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Linda Bennett – 1 week
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 3 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 5 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 5 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 5 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 6 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 6 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 8 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 8 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 16 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 16 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 16 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 17 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 18 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 19 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 20 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 24 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 25 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 27 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 30 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 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 17 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - MONICA HENNING
Monica Jennings – 9 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - MONICA HENNING
Monica Jennings

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - MONICA HENNING
Monica Jennings

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 26 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 7 weeks
View from “The Mount” of several harden by Hermann Park in Houston

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff
“Inside the Octopus”. The main ballroom of the Octopus where countless Christmas parties, summer socials, and special evets were held.

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff
TPC Group “Octopus”, built 1959. An octagonal building with ballroom and meeting facilities. Built by employees from wood harvested on site.

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 6 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 19 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – 1 week

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 31 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 17 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - WILLIAM MCALPINE
William McAlpine – 1 week

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 21 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - CHRISTOHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 28 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennet – 2 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 4 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 25 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 18 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 8 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 9 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 6 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 4 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 20 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 17 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 6 weeks

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

31 submissions from 24 participants! That is a great week! Better than I expected, considering the extra rule for this week. Don’t worry none of the remaining Year 9 themes have a bonus rule.

Also, the following people earned this week’s bonus points by submitting a black & white image:
+ Teresa Kahler
+ Monica Jennings – 1 out of 3 anyways
+ Joe Duff – 1 out of 3 anyways
+ Mary Green
+ Kio Dettman
+ Linda Bennett
+ Angie DeWaard
+ Suzie Brannen
+ Logan Kahler
+ Andy Sharp

Be sure to check your mailbox, those bonus points should be arriving any day now.

This was an exciting week for new participants. Mary Green participating for the first time ever. As did William McAlpine. Willy’s submission came all the way from Portugal!

Also you may have noticed a couple name changes from a couple of the participants. I wonder what that means? Congratulations is what is means!

But it wasn’t all good news. 2 streaks did bite the dust. Jen’s two week streak. Gone. Dawn’s 6 week streak. Poof. I have no doubt they will be back with great submissions again in the future!

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 17 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 17 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 17 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 18 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 19 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 20 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 21 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 25 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 26 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 28 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 31 weeks

Congratulations to Elizabeth as her submissions (all the way from Florida) made her the third person to have a streak extend for half of a year! WooHoo!

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 349 - HAT
HAT

HAT! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a HAT photo? It is very simple. Just any picture that features a HAT in the image works. There are all sorts of hats out there ranging from fedoras to beanies to fedoras to bucket hats to fedoras to baseball caps to fedoras. Did I mention fedoras?

There is a warning on this theme though:

NEXT MONDAY I WILL NOT BE IN ANY POSITION TO SEND OUT ANY KIND OF REMINDERS. YOU ARE DEFINITELY ON YOUR OWN ON THIS ONE.

While considering subjects for your HAT image, mediate on the following quote:

Live your life, do your work, then take your hat.
-Henry David Thoureau

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

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.

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

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 HAT in this place where I hang many of my hats next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 347 – SQUARE

WARNING: THE THEME FOR NEXT WEEK IS THE OTHER WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE THAT DOES HAVE A SECOND RULE. READ THE DIRECTIONS CLOSELY.

Square has proven to be a pretty popular theme.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 2, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Sarah Karber – 1 week
+ Angie DeWaard – 2 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 2 weeks
+ Evie Gorshe – 3 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 4 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 4 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 4 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 5 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 5 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 6 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 7 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 7 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 15 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 15 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 15 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 16 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 17 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 18 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 19 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 23 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 24 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 26 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 29 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 347 - SQUARE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 30 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 34 - SQUARE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 1 week

WEEK 34 - SQUARE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 16 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 20 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 16 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 16 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 17 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 19 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 27 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 6 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 5 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 8 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 25 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 18 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 8 weeks

WEEK 347 - CATHIE RALEY - SQUARE
Cathie Raley – 24 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 5 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 3 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 6 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 5 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 3 weeks

WEEK 347 - SQUARE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks

I’m not going to get into who had streaks broke and how many participants there were, because Mediacom sucks. Just absolutely sucks. You are lucky you are even seeing this post, that is how bad Mediacom sucks.

There were 31 submissions. That is all you get.

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 348 - SLICE OF LIFE
SLICE OF LIFE

SLICE OF LIFE! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a SLICE OF LIFE photo? It might not be what you think. Hence this week’s special rule. SLICE OF LIFE is a reference to the photo postcard company that my Dad created. That is why (and here is the special rule) this week, the theme is NOT up for interpretation. This week’s theme is to take a picture that you could see used as a postcard. That is the only interpretation available to you.

Some of you might not live in a tourist hotbed like Boone, Iowa (no seriously, Boone has lots of tourist attractions from Pufferbilly Days to the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace to Ledge State Park to the Boone Speedway to name a few) but there is certainly something in your town that you could see put on a postcard. For those of you that are under the age of 40 you may have to ask an elder what a postcard is, but I’m sure they will be happy to tell you all about it. And also other amazing things that happened in the 80s or 70s or before.

To give you another few examples of postcards. Here are a few postcards that my Dad made that I hastily scanned this morning:


Slice of Life Postcards

Slice of Life Postcards

Slice of Life Postcards

Slice of Life Postcards

When you look at these postcards, remember that these were made in a darkroom. With film! Quite a bit harder than dragging and dumping layers in Photoshop.

So remember, it has to be the kind of image you would see on a postcard. Not a picture of your pet or your kid and then saying, this is a “slice of my life”. That doesn’t qualify this week.

Do I expect this to possibly be a streak killer for many people? Maybe, but maybe SQUARE already was a major streak killer, who knows?

BONUS: If you want to go the extra mile, this isn’t a requirement, you can take your image in black & white as my Dad’s postcards were black & white.

While considering your SLICE OF LIFE subjects, meditate on the following quote:

The world before us is a postcard, and I imagine the story we are writing on it.
-Mary E. Pearson

I look forward to seeing the digital postcards you send me.

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.

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

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 SLICE OF LIFE in this place that is nothing more than my postcard to the world next Monday.

Selfie Project – April 2022

Another month is down for THE SELFIE PROJECT. I feel that April was an okay month. I didn’t probably have as many adventures as I thought I might. But I had a few more than I thought, when I started looking back. Maybe May will have plenty of adventure. We will see how that trip to Miami works out. Right now, I’m trying to figure out how many fedoras to pack. I special ordered a baseball hat to go to a MLB game. I don’t really wear baseball hats because I am an adult*, but I feel having one special one in the rotation won’t hurt me too much.

Here are some of my favorites from April:


Day 91 - April 1, 2022
April 1

Day 92 - April 2, 2022
April 2

Day 93 - April 3, 2022
April 3

Day 94 - April 4, 2022
April 4

Day 97 - April 7, 2022
April 7

Day 98 - April 8, 2022
April 8

Day 99 - April 9, 2022
April 9

Day 100 - April 10, 2022
April 10

Day 102 - April 12, 2022
April 12

Day 105 - April 15, 2022
April 15

Day 106 - April 16, 2022
April 16

Day 107 - April 17, 2022
April 17

Day 110 - April 20, 2022
April 20

Day 111 - April 21, 2022
April 21

Day 112 - April 22, 2022
April 22

Day 113 - April 23, 2022
April 23

Day 114 - April 24, 2022
April 24

Day 116 - April 26, 2022
April 26

Day 117 - April 27, 2022
April 27

Day 119 - April 29, 2022
April 29

Day 120 - April 30, 2022
April 30

There can only be one selfie per day, so here are some alternates from April:


SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

Hopefully May is eventful in all the good ways.

WPC – WEEK 346 – #INSTAGOOD

#INSTAGOOD proved to be a pretty popular theme. Which is good, because there literally isn’t an easier theme on the Year 9 Calendar.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, April 25, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Angie DeWaard – 1 week
+ Jesse Howard – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 3 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 3 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 3 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 4 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 4 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 5 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 5 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 6 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 6 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 14 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 14 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 14 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 15 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 16 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 17 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 18 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 22 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 23 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 25 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 28 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 347 - #INSTAGOOD - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 346 - INSTAGOOD - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber – 1 week

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 2 weeks

WEEK 346 - INSTAGOOD - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 2 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe – 3 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 4 weeks

WEEK 347 - #INSTAGOOD - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 4 weeks

WEEK 346 - INSTAGOOD - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 4 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 5 weeks

WEEK 347 - #INSTAGOOD - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 5 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 6 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 7 weeks

WEEK 346 - INSTAGOOD - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 7 weeks

WEEK 346 - INSTAGOOD - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 15 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 15 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 15 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 16 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 17 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 18 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 19 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 23 weeks

WEEK 347 - #INSTAGOOD - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 24 weeks

WEEK 346 - INSTAGOOD - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 26 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 29 weeks

WEEK 346 - #INSTAGOOD -
Christopher D. Bennett – 448 weeks


25 submissions from 25 participants! That is a great week. I do believe that the 25 participants is a new record.

Only 1 streak was snapped. Linda’s streak of 5 did not make it to 6.

Shannon extended her streak to 26! That is six straight months of submissions! WooHoo!

Here is the current list of top streaks!

1. Kio – 29 weeks
2. Shannon – 26 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 24 weeks
4. Cathie – 23 weeks
5. Bill – 19 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 18 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 17 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 16 weeks
9. Teresa Kahler – 15 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 15 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 15 weeks

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 347 - SQUARE
SQUARE

SQUARE! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a SQUARE image? A SQUARE image is any image where one of the major elements of your composition is a SQUARE. Remember, all SQUAREs are rectangles, but not all rectangles are SQUAREs. If you look around, you will see that there is are SQUAREs all over the place. Once you see them, you won’t be able to stop seeing them. The next step is to photograph one. I wouldn’t even hate on you if you took a picture of your dog and used a 1:1 aspect ratio.

There are also other definitions of SQAURE you can ponder.

While thinking on your possible subjects for SQUARE, meditate on the following song lyric:

I used to be a renegade
I used to fool around
But I couldn’t take the punishment
And had to settle down
Now I’m playing it real straight
And yes, I cut my hair
You might think I’m crazy
But I don’t even care
Because I can tell what’s going on
It’s hip to be square

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

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.

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

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 SQUARE in this place that is nothing more than proof that I’m a square next Monday.