Personal Photo Project of the Week #111



Welcome to Melbourne, Iowa

On my way between State Center and Methodist I was told to meander. So I meandered to Melbourne, Iowa. It is mostly a nondescript town with the exception of an old school that is being torn down and this fascinating viaduct under the old right of way of a long abandoned railroad.

You may not know that one of the first things that attracted me to photography was old photographs of trains. That is probably the Boone in me. So I enjoy finding relics (nearly abandoned) of a time when the steel horse dominated commerce.

So I pulled over the car and took a few pictures.

The rest of the Welcome to Melbourne, Iowa Series:


As I think about it, it might have been best to photograph this viaduct at night or in the company of another person to act as a model. Perhaps if I am ever in Melbourne’s neck of the woods again this viaduct and I will dance again.

Old Family Photos

My aunt Delores recently had me scan and order some old family pictures for her for a frame she was putting up in their new house. Here are those pictures:


She gave these to me so long ago, that I hope she hasn’t forgotten about them. Hopefully I’ll be able to get her prints to her very, very soon.

Believe it or not, this actually catches me up with Random Wednesdays! Now I just need to catch back up on Slice of Life Thursdays and Personal Photo Project Fridays! Look for that to be accomplished sometime in 2014.

Personal Photo Project of the Week #110


Sorrow and Gladness - 2012
Sorrow and Gladness – 2012

My annual trip to the State Center Rose Garden was kind of bittersweet. I went earlier than normal because of how early flowers have been blooming this year. As it turns out, I probably went too early and it was definitely too windy to get as many great pictures as last year.

Another bittersweet aspect of this trip is that I normally make this trip with my Mom. However, this year I made this trip on the way to bring her home from the hospital. We’ll make this trip again together next year.

The rest of the Sorrow and Gladness – 2012 Series:


Sorrow and Gladness - 2012 Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012
Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012

Sorrow and Gladness - 2012


I was a little disappointed to find out the the State Center Rose Garden wasn’t on Foursquare, but I have since remedied that situation. You’re welcome America!