Category Archives: Macro

WPC – WEEK 403 – TEXTURE

NOTE: THERE ARE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS WEEK’S THEME, SO MAKE SURE TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THEM. JUST DON’T SKIM BY THEM. NOT THAT ANYBODY DOES THAT. EVERYBODY HANGS ON MY EVERY WORD.

TEXTURE. It is something you really have to feel. But as a theme, did a bunch of people feel it? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

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

1-Susanna Funk – 1 week (3)
2-Willy McAlpine – 1 week
3-Melissa Degeneffe – 2 weeks
4-Scott Degeneffe – 2 weeks (2)
5-Mary Green – 2 weeks (3)
6-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
7-Tamara Peterson – 3 weeks (2)
8-Sabas Hernandez – 5 weeks
9-Mike Vest – 5 weeks
10-Alexis Baugher – 8 weeks (3)
11-Mindi Terrell – 15 weeks (3)
12-Monica Jennings – 20 weeks (2)
13-Brandon Kahler – 40 weeks
14-Linda Bennett – 44 weeks
15-Sarah Toot – 45 weeks (2)
16-Angie DeWaard – 49 weeks
17-Dawn Krause – 53 weeks (3)
18-Kim Barker – 59 weeks
19-Joe Duff – 60 weeks (2)
20-Logan Kahler – 62 weeks (2)
21-Teresa Kahler – 71 weeks (2)
22-Carla Stensland – 71 weeks
23-Micky Augustin – 73 weeks
24-Andy Sharp – 74 weeks (2)
25-Bill Wentworth – 75 weeks
26-Cathie Morton – 79 weeks
27-Elizabeth Nordeen – 80 weeks
28-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 82 weeks
29-Kio Dettman – 84 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 403 - TEXTURE - SUZUE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - LAYLA GORSHE
Layla Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Bella Vista, Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Oregon) – 2 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Oregon)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Rural Boone County, Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa)

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 16 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 41 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Boone, Iowa) – 45 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 46 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa) – 50 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 54 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Altoona, Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Altoona, Iowa)

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 61 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 74 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 75 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 76 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 80 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 81 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 83 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 85 weeks

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa) – 507 weeks

Before I get into participation rates and all that jazz, I want to reveal something on I saw on Instagram from one of our regular participants yesterday. I came across one of Mindi’s posts and the caption was:

Weekly Photo Challenge has made me excited about photography again.

This is up there with one of my favorite things anybody has ever said about THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. It is up there with when Joe told me that THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE changed the way he sees the world.

To be excited about photography and change the way you see the world. These are two of the very unstated goals of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

Thanks Mindi! I’m very excited that you are a regular participant and I always look forward to seeing your submissions.
However, the answer is still “No” about starting a Facebook group. Maybe a THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE participants “party” could happen though. Probably not though.

31 participants! That is a GREAT week! That is 3 straight weeks with 30+ participants. WooHoo!

Thanks to Funk being a mountain climbing badass, Oregon was added to the map this week.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas
+ Iowa
+ Nebraska
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

27 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over halfway there!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture about 24 steps from my front door, so I continue to not contribute to expanding the map.

There were no major milestones reached this week. But there are some people closing in on some in the coming weeks. Particularly exciting this week was the 1st submission of the year from Layla! WooHoo!

However, it wasn’t all good news. There was a bloodbath of streaks, including some major streaks biting the dust. Melissa and Mary’s 2 week streaks are no more. Sabas’ 5 week streak is also no more. Monica’s 20 streak is history. Devastating. Just devastating. But perhaps most heartbreaking is that Logan’s 62 week streak is over. The longest streak to ever come to an end.

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 404 - SLICE OF LIFE
SLICE OF LIFE

SLICE OF LIFE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a SLICE OF LIFE image? This is where I normally give you kind of a broad definition of the theme, but not this week. For those that don’t know SLICE OF LIFE is the name of the postcard company that my Dad started and ran out of the basement darkroom in our house.

Here is the Trade Name documentation he filed in March of 1984:



He passed away in December of the same year.

He specialized in black & white postcards of local interest. Here is this week’s assignment. It is to take a picture that you could see being used on a postcard. Now back in the day, they used to take pictures of all sorts of things and put them on postcards. So don’t think that there is nothing in your area that would make it on a postcard. It could be a building that is interesting looking or has a historical significance. It could simply be a pretty scene. Back when I was doing THE POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT, sometimes they took pictures of downtown intersections and put those on postcards.

While I will require your submission to be a postcard like image, meaning don’t try to “interpret” Slice of Life to mean something different, I will only strongly encourage you to submit the picture in black & white and also only slightly encourage you to throw some text on the image, if you have the editing skills or software.

There is one more thing. The is the one and only theme where if you write a SHORT description of your image (like you would see on the backside of a postcard) that I will include it along with your submission.

Here are some examples of my Dad’s postcards that will hopefully inspire you (excuse the low quality of the scans):


Slice of Life Postcards

Slice of Life Postcards

Slice of Life Postcards

Slice of Life Postcard

Slice of Life Postcard

I don’t manipulate the order of themes for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. I put the 52 themes in a random generate it and then I have it generate the theme the number of times as there are letters in the name of my favorite person at that moment*. EXCEPT for this theme. This theme I put this week specifically. This week is my Dad’s birthday. So it seemed apropos to put the theme that is an homage to him during this week.

RULES

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

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of SLICE OF LIFE in this place that is a continuation in many ways next Monday.

Beginning to Feel the Years

You carry me along with you
Keep my spirit strong, you do
Maybe I was meant to be
Under your lock and key

The hard times that I had
Really, don’t seem all that bad
Yesterday is long ago and far away
And I’m beginning to feel the years
But I’m going to be okay
As long as you’re beside me along the way
Gonna make it through the night
And into the morning light

There are things I’ve said before
I don’t mean them anymore
Yesterday is long ago and far away
And I’m beginning to feel the years
But I’m going to be okay
As long as you’re beside me along the way
Gonna make it through the night
And into the morning light
-Brandi Carlile

Thursdays are for flowers and this Thursday I’m going to share another collection of tulip pictures I took when I went to Pella the week before their Tulip Festival.


Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still so many tulip pictures to share. Isn’t flowertography season the best!

WEEK 403 – REVEAL

If you are reading this, then I got too busy this morning to compile and code the submissions for last week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get started on this week’s theme.

Hopefully I will publish this week’s submissions later tonight. I’m guessing around 8:01 PM.

So without further adieu, here is this week’s theme:


WEEK 403 - TEXTURE
TEXTURE

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

But what in Wes Wallace is a TEXTURE image? Well, let’s start with the definition of TEXTURE: the structure, feel, and appearance of something (as a fabric) the smooth texture of silk. wood with a rough texture. In photography that means: the visual depiction of variations in the color, shape, and depth of an object’s surface. What you are trying to do here is to convey the feel of the surface of an object through photography.

While considering possible topics for your TEXTURE submissions, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with an amazing image:

I search for realness, the real feeling of a subject, all the texture about it… I always want to see the third dimension of something.. I want to come alive with the object.
-Andrew Wyeth

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

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

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of TEXTURE in this place that is a little rough around the edges some next Monday.

Mainstream Kid

I’m gonna fit in
I’m on the list
I’m gonna to get in
Haven’t you heard
And don’t you know who I am?
I’m with the Joneses
I’m their best friend

I’ve come to saturate the market
To perpetuate the hip kid
I was born so I can fall in the line
I am a legend in my own mind
Can I blend in with your kind?
-Brandi Carlile

Thursdays are for flowers! This Thursday I’m sharing pictures of some of the flowers I planted in Round 1 of flower planting. All of these flowers were purchased at Salama Greenhouse, of course!


Mainstream Kid

Mainstream Kid

Mainstream Kid

Mainstream Kid

Mainstream Kid

Mainstream Kid

Mainstream Kid

Solace of Ordinary Humanity - 2023

Solace of Ordinary Humanity - 2023

So Does Hope - 2023

So Does Hope - 2023

I love flowertography season!

The Things I Regret

Today is the birthday of somebody very important! You all know who it is! Happy birthday Steph!


Stephanie Kim - 2009

I hope your birthday is everything you want it to be! It has been way too long since the last time I saw Steph. That is probably mostly my fault.

+++++++

There’s a hole in my pocket where my dreams fell through
From a sidewalk in the city to the avenue
There’s a leak in my dam ’bout the size of a pin
And I can’t quite remember where the water’s getting in

But when you’re wearing on your sleeve
All the things you regret
You can only remember what you want to forget
You feel it tugging at your heart
Like the stars overhead
‘Til you rest your bones on the killing bed

With the weight of the world resting on my back
And the road on which I’ve traveled is as long as it is cracked
But I keep pressing forward with my feet to the ground
For a heart that is broken makes a beautiful sound

I walk through my days like a ghost in a dream
But the field carries on and my past follows me
It’s hard moving on from the things you done wrong
When they play in your head like an old fashioned song
-Brandi Carlile

Time to share another collection of tulip images from my recent road trip to Pella.


Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still so many pictures from this trip to share. So many pictures!!

The Eye

It really breaks my heart
To see a dear old friend
Go down to the worn out place again

Do you know the sound
Of a closing door?
Have you heard that sound somewhere before?

Do you wonder if she knows you anymore?

Did you think the bottle
Would ever ease your pain?
Did you think that love’s a foolish game?

Did you find someone else to take the blame?

I am a sturdy soul
And there ain’t no shame
In lying down in the bed you made
Can you fight the urge to run for another day?

You might make it further if you learn to stay

I wrapped your love around me like a chain
But I never was afraid that it would die
You can dance in a hurricane
But only if you’re standing in the eye
-Brandi Carlile

Time to start sharing tulip pictures I took from my recent trip to Pella!!!


Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still so many pictures to share from Pella. So… so… many!

Wherever Is Your Heart

I think it’s time we found a way back home
You loose so many things you love as you grow
I missed the days when I was just a kid
My fear became my shadow, I swear it did

You made me feel like I was always falling
Always falling down without a place to land
Somewhere in the distance I heard you calling
Oh it hurts so bad to let go of your hand

Even when you’re high, you can get low
Even with your friends you love, you’re still alone
We always find the darkest place to go
God forgive our minds, we were born to roam

Wherever is your heart I call home
Wherever is your heart I call home
Though your feet may take you far from me, I know
Wherever is your heart I call home
-Brandi Carlile

It is officially flowertography season! You might be expecting me to start unloading a ton of tulip pictures from my road trip to Pella. But I’m not. I took nearly 500 pictures in Pella. It is going to take me a minute to sort through all of those. I also hope to take a road trip up to Orange City and get to know their tulips as well. So don’t worry tulip junkies. There are tulip pictures coming. So many tulip pictures. But for today we are going to start with the hard core flower action that is going on in my yard. Now there isn’t much. Mostly the plants are starting to reach for the sky and getting ready to create flowers. However, there are some flowers in my yard right now. Mostly cherry blossoms. Also, lilacs that are getting ready to bloom.

I have yet to make my trip to Salama Greenhouse to buy annuals to plant, but that is definitely in the cards very soon.

Here are some flowertography pictures from my yard:


Wherever Your Heart Is

Shy and Lowly - 2023

Shy and Lowly - 2023

Shy and Lowly - 2023

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

Wherever is Your Heart

I don’t know if I will have a ton of cherries this year or not. Last year I didn’t, but there appears to be many more blooms this year. Although the trees definitely need some pruning. I’m not really sure what to do about these trees. I’m going to have to think on it.

I’m also excited to be around for lilac season this year. Last year I missed most of it because I was in Miami Beach for work. Not this year my friends!

WPC – WEEK 398 – ROAD TRIP

ROAD TRIP! What a great theme and an even better way to spend a day or two. Nothing calls to me like the open road.
But did it call to many other people? Or did people stay firmly entrenched on their couches? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, April 24, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Heather Courtney – 1 week
2-Scott Degeneffe – 3 weeks
3-Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
4-Alexis Baugher – 3 weeks
5-Mindi Terrell – 9 weeks (3)
6-Suzie Brannen – 14 weeks
7-Monica Jennings – 14 weeks
8-Tamara Peterson – 25 weeks (2)
9-Brandon Kahler – 35 weeks
10-Linda Bennett – 39 weeks (2)
11-Sarah Toot – 40 weeks (2)
12-Angie DeWaard – 44 weeks
13-Dawn Krause – 48 weeks
14-Kim Barker – 53 weeks (2)
15-Joe Duff – 55 weeks (2)
16-Logan Kahler – 56 weeks (2)
17-Teresa Kahler – 66 weeks (2)
18-Carla Stensland – 66 weeks
19-Micky Augustin – 67 weeks
20-Andy Sharp – 69 weeks
21-Bill Wentworth – 70 weeks
22-Cathie Morton – 74 weeks
23-Elizabeth Nordeen – 75 weeks
24-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 76 weeks (2)
25-Kio Dettman – 79 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 398 - ROAD TRIP - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - WILLY  MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MIKE PARMELEE
Mike Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP -MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 15 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 26 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 36 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 40 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey) – 41 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Mexico) – 45 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Mexico)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 49 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 54 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 56 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 57 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ROAD TRIP
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ROAD TRIP
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ROAD TRIP
Carla Stensland

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 68 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 71 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Illinois) – 75 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 77 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 80 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa) – 502 weeks

31 participants! That is a great week! I believe it ties the high for this calendar year. Strange that more people love the open road than love their friends, but maybe it isn’t so strange.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Mexico
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

24 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Thanks to Angie’s vacation, Mexico has been added to the list of international places!

I took my picture 87 miles from my front door. So Angie isn’t the only world traveler.

The big accomplishments this week… Mindi joined the Double Digits Club! WooHoo! Tamara joined the Half Year Club! WooHoo! Mike Parmelee had his first submission of the year! WooHoo! I finally got Alexis’ last name right! WooHoo !

But it wasn’t all unicorns and double rainbows. Heather wasn’t able to build her submission from last week into a streak. And most tragically, Suzie’s 14 week streak is a goner. ROAD TRIPs are her Waterloo.

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 399 - SCHOOL
SCHOOL

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

Let me tell you about IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY!

Iowa State University (ISU) is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. It was founded in 1858 as Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, and it became the first land-grant institution in the United States in 1862, thanks to the Morrill Act.

Today, ISU is a comprehensive university with more than 35,000 students and offers over 100 undergraduate majors, 112 master’s degree programs, and 83 doctoral degree programs. The university is organized into eight colleges: Agriculture and Life Sciences, Business, Design, Engineering, Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and Graduate.

ISU is known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and science, and it has a reputation for being one of the top public universities in the United States. The university is home to several research centers and institutes, including the Bioeconomy Institute, the Ames Laboratory, and the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC).

The university’s mascot is Cy the Cardinal, and the school colors are cardinal and gold. The Cyclones, ISU’s athletic teams, compete in the Big 12 Conference and they completely dominated the Cy-Hawk Series with Iowa Hawkeyes this year.

Overall, Iowa State University is a well-respected and prestigious institution of higher education, offering a wide range of programs and opportunities for students to excel both academically and professionally.

Wait. Wait. Sorry. I’ve just been told that there are more SCHOOL(s) in the world than just Iowa State. I’m not entirely sure why. But I guess you can take a picture of some other stupid school nobody cares about.

SCHOOL! So what in the Terrence Allen is a SCHOOL picture? Simply put it is any image that involves SCHOOL. From a building to a playground to schoolbooks (before they all get banned) to report cards to teachers to really anything related to a SCHOOL. There are all types of different SCHOOL(s). Pre, secondary, high, middle, junior, dance, Sunday, vocational, technical, and even sometimes I take people to SCHOOL on the basketball court. It does NOT have to be Iowa State, but I mean, why would you take a picture of some lesser school? But you do you bro.

While considering how you are going to incorporate Iowa State into your SCHOOL picture, mediate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a great picture:

Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.
– Malala Yousafzai

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

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

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of SCHOOL in this place that I like to think has a bit of educational value next Monday.

Just Kids

Were we just kids, just starting out
Didn’t we know then love was about
Were we just fooling, playing around
Were we ever gonna get out of this town

All in a moment, all in a sound
All in a day’s work, we’re tumbling down
Down by the old school, trash in the street
Searching the eyes of the strangers we meet
Asking will it get better?
Will we be alone?
Turning the wheels of our bicycles home
Over the rainbow, out in the snow
-Brandi Carlile

Thursdays are for flowers. Today’s flower collection was taken back in January. A bouquet thrown in the snow.


Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Just Kids

Would you believe that I’m out of flower pictures?

Rise Again

I need to start today by wishing Faust a happy birthday. Happy birthday Faust!


Iowa State vs. South Dakota State

I hope your birthday is filled with lots of good food. I’m not sure I even remember the last time I saw Faust in person. There is a rift between us ever since he did the unthinkable and started liking hockey. I should effort to see him this year. But I can say that about a bunch of people though.

+++++++

I’m dreaming to myself
With a tear behind my eye
For a shelter is my mind
In the quiet of the night

Ever turning all the seasons
Ever fading are the days
And if there ever was a reason
I just haven’t found a way
-Brandi Carlile

I’m not going to torture you with more poetry written by artificial intelligence today. You will get enough of me “monkeying” around with artificial intelligence in Saturday’s post. I’ll just remind you that Thursdays are for flowers and flowertography season is nearly upon us. There are plants pushing through the dirt all over my yard. The lilacs and the cherry trees are starting to bud. The long winter of our discontent is nearly over!


Garden of Love - 2022

Garden of Love - 2022

Hush - 2022

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2022

Rise Again

Rise Again

Rise Again

These were the last flower pictures I took in 2022, but don’t fear, that doesn’t mean that next Thursday will be sans flowertography. Oh no my friends, there will be flower pictures. This. I. Do. Swear!