Andy, Becky, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Elizabeth, Evie, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Shannon, Still Life, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 335 – BELIEVE

February 19, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I’m back in the Cyclone State from a whirlwind Computer Mine trip to Pittsburgh. I mostly sat on my couch on Friday night petting Naima, not wanting to move, and catching up on THE PEACEMAKER and THE GILDED AGE. I also watched the new TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. That is an experience that I do not recommend.

Now it is Saturday morning and it is time to share the submissions for BELIEVE. I thought that BELIEVE would be a streak busting abstract concept, but while it wasn’t super popular, many stalwarts had quite a few photographic examples of BELIEVE. I can’t say that I’m pleasantly surprised at how many submissions I got for such an abstract concept. Maybe BELIEVE made me BELIEVE in the rogue group of misfits just a little bit more.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, February 14, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks: (IF they did not submit a picture by one more tick of the minute hand, then their streak went poof, like my belief in southern hospitality did in a North Carolina airport on Friday. POOF!)

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Dawn Krause – 2 weeks
+ Mike Vest – 2 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 3 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 3 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 3 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 3 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 3 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 4 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 5 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 5 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 5 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 6 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 6 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 7 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 11 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 12 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 14 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 14 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 17 weeks

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates. You came to see the submissions:

Evie Gorshe – 1 Week

Andy Sharp – 7 weeks

Joe Duff – 4 weeks

Micky Augustin – 6 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 4 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Jesse Howard – 6 weeks

Carla Stensland – 4 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 13 weeks

Kim Barker – 15 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 7 weeks

Becky Parmelee

Becky Paremelee

Bill Wentworth – 8 weeks

Cathie Raley – 12 weeks

Kio Dettman – 18 weeks

Michelle Haupt – 5 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 15 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 4 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Monica Henning – 6 weeks

21 submissions from 17 participants, that is a solid week. Only 4 streaks went poof. Jen could build her streak to two. Dawn and Vest both saw 2 week streaks snapped. Logan had a 3 week streak go the way of the dodo bird.

Here is the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 18 weeks
2. Shannon – 15 weeks
2. Kim – 15 weeks
4. Elizabeth – 13 weeks
5. Cathie – 12 weeks.

Also, if you can’t tell from Cathie’s image, she got engaged last weekend. So CONGRATULATIONS CATHIE!!!

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:

STILL LIFE

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

But what exactly is a STILL LIFE image? A STILL LIFE image is simply a picture of an inanimate object or objects. The object can be manmade or it can be from nature. A flower or a plant is a subject for a STILL LIFE image. A dog or a human being is not a subject for a STILL LIFE image. Food is a popular STILL LIFE subject. The great thing about STILL LIFE photography is it allows the photographer to manipulate his subject.

Meditate on the following quote while considering your inanimate subject for you submission from one of the greatest photographers of all-time, Diane Arbus:

I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.”

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 our idea of STILL LIFE in this place that is little more than my life held still on Monday.

Scottie D., Still Life, Tenderloining, WPC - Reminder

Tenderloin Appreciation Society – Ames Field Work

February 18, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

A couple Saturdays back Scottie D. and I and his family hit up one of my favorite restaurants in Ames to try their tenderloin. That restaurant is Time To Roll. It is located in North Grand Mall and the reason I love them so much is they have a knock-off of the Crisp Meat Burrito that Taco Time used to serve before going the way of the dodo. Being a Boonie through and through, I have a very deep, nearly primal love for Taco Time and the Crisp Meat Burrito. I dare say that my favorite time, well it is Taco Time. Time To Roll has pretty much nailed the unadulterated greatness that is the Crisp Meat Burrito.

Perhaps, you never experienced Taco Time? Well if you are from Fort Dodge, imagine Taco Tico, but it doesn’t suck and instead is amazing. Dare I say, imagine it is amazeballs. If you are not from Fort Dodge, imagine whatever your local fast foot taco joint was amazeballs.

Recently, Time to Roll adding a tenderloin to their menu. However, it isn’t just any tenderloin. It is the Suburban Tenderloin. The Suburban was a restaurant in Gilbert, that back in the day served a tasty tenderloin. Or at least I am told, because I never experienced it. The one time that I tried to eat there with my #1 Tenderloin Buddy, Scottie D., it was closed. We ended up at BK’s and the rest is tenderloin history.

However, it certainly left a hole in the tenderloin resume. Which is cool, because now we were given the opportunity to plug that hole. Plug it with fried, greasy goodness.

Here are some cruddy cell phone pictures from this trip:

You’ve seen the pictures now, but how do I break down the experience. Well goes a little some like this… Hit it!

THE GOOD

+ Good bun.
+ Toasted bun.
+ Nailed the meat to bun ratio.
+ Good thickness on the cut of meat.
+ White onions.
+ Serve Pepsi products.

THE BAD

+ Standard has lettuce and onions.
+ Generally bland tasting.

THE UGULY

+ Breading has too much of a corn meal taste. It has a weird combination of being both very bland tasting and having a very strong taste of corn meal.

My final recommendation is to stick with the Crisp Meat Burrito. It doesn’t disappoint!

I don’t have any current tenderloin eating plans, but I do need to get another stamp on my Tenderloin Trail 2.0 Passport soon.

+++++++

This is your reminder that although I still haven’t published the submissions for Week 335 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, also known as the BELIEVE photos, this week’s theme this week’s theme is STILL LIFE. At the time of the publication of this post, I will be sitting in the Charlotte, North Carolina airport waiting to board a plane to come back to the Cyclone State. If things break just right, I’ll be publishing the BELIEF images at some point on Saturday.

STILL LIFE

STILL LIFE? Sounds like a great theme, but what exactly is a STILL LIFE image?

STILL LIFE photography is photography of inanimate subjects. Subjects are frequently commonplace object. Subjects can be either manmade or natural objects (food, plants, rocks, shells). One of the joys of STILL LIFE photography is that you can arrange your inanimate objects any way you want!

Happy photo harvesting!

Flowers, Mom

Wings of a Dove

February 17, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Here is another collection of pictures of flowers from my Mom’s yard. These were taken on September 16, 2021.

There still are couple, but not many more flower pictures from my Mom’s yard to share.

Andy, Olympic Sports

Kyle vs. Urbandale

February 16, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

A few weeks back I cruised down to Urbandale to watch Kyle wrestle. When I got there they told me that Boone was in the “small gym on the right”. So I went to a pretty small gym, but well lit gym on the right. But Boone wasn’t in there. Finally I had to call Andy and found out Boone was in an even smaller super dark gym on the left. It seems I can’t catch a break with lighting these days.

I still took several pictures of Kyle wrestling.

Kyle won this match 5-4 and now has more than 80 career varsity wins.

Art, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

TOWN SIGN PROJECT: POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY

February 15, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

A couple months back, on my way back from a trip to Manhattan, Kansas to watch Nate graduate from Kansas State, I cruised through Pottawattamie County to harvest the balance of their town signs.

Here are some facts about Pottawattamie County:

+ Population is 93,667 making it the 10th most populous county in Iowa. Below Story County and above Warren County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Council Bluffs.
+ Named after the Potawatomi Native American Tribe.
+ Home of the only town in Iowa that is west of the Missouri River.
+ Major highways are I-29, I-80, I-480, I-680, I-880, US-6, US-59, US-275, IA-83, IA-92, IA-165, IA-191, and IA-192.
+ Adjacent counties are: Harrison, Cass, Mills, and Shelby.
+ Currently at peak population.

The Pottawattamie Courthouse is not much to look at:

The Pottawattamie County Courthouse in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The Pottawattamie County Freedom Rock is located in Oakland, Iowa:

With Pottawattamie County conquered, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

58 counties completed. 58.6% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Pottawattamie County:

Council Bluffs, Iowa
COUNCIL BLUFFS
All-America City
Population: 62,799 (+569)

Carter Lake, Iowa
WELCOME TO CARTER LAKE IOWA
Population: 3,791 (+6)

Avoca, Iowa
Avoca
Population: 1,683 (+177)

Oakland, Iowa
OAKLAND
1882 1982
Population: 1,524 (+18)

Treynor, Iowa (Note the Cy Rip-off on the Sign)
Welcome to TREYNOR
Population: 1,032 (+113)

Underwood, Iowa
WELCOME TO UNDERWOOD
EST. 1882
Population: 954 (+37)

Neola, Iowa
WELCOME TO NEOLA
EST. 1882
Population: 918 (+76)

Carson, Iowa
EST. 1881
CARSON
Population: 766 (-46)

Walnut, Iowa
WELCOME TO WALNUT
IOWA’S ANTIQUE CITY
EST 1871
Population: 747 (-38)

Crescent, Iowa
Crescent
Est. 1856
Population: 628 (+11)

Minden, Iowa
WELCOME TO MINDEN
EST. 1875
Population: 600 (+1)

Macedonia, Iowa
MACEDONIA
Pop. 325
ORIGINAL PIONEER TRAIL
“Small In Size Large In Heart!”
Population: 267 (+21)

Hancock, Iowa
WELCOME TO HANCOCK
Population: 200 (+4)

McClelland, Iowa
McCLELLAND
1903
Population: 146 (-5)

If you are wondering, Carter Lake is the only town in Iowa that is west of the Missouri River. There is no way to get to it from Iowa without having to drive through Nebraska. Which is a fate I wouldn’t wish on any Iowan. At least by car. I suppose theoretically, you might be able to swim across the Missouri River and never be in Nebraska, but I’m sure halfway through the Missouri River you are probably technically in Nebraska. Oh the humanity!

I’ll get into how Carter Lake ended up in Iowa and the Supreme Court cases that made it so at some point in the future. But Carter Lake does have a special place in my heart as its Methodist Church was the first church that Pastor Andrea was assigned to out of divinity school.

I think this is a pretty solid collection of town signs. The only one I would consider to be flat out bad is Avoca.

I really like Oakland’s acorn sign, but I’m going to have to give Pottawattamie’s purple ribbon to Walnut. And it isn’t only because I have a soft spot in my heart for antiques because of my parents.

Walnut – Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

There are a few alternate town signs in Pottawattamie County:

Walnut – Alternate

Oakland – Alternate

Carson – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will end up in Harrison County. A county that at least a couple of people that I know have a special connection with.

Holidays, Still Life, WPC - Reminder

WEEK 336 THEME REVEAL

February 14, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I haven’t been exactly celebrating holidays here on “An Artist’s Notebook” for awhile now, but I figure I better celebrate the one true holiday that hasn’t been tainted by crass commercialism. I’m talking of course, of Valentine’s Day.

This is my way of saying Happy Valentine’s Day world!

And since it is a Valentine’s Day, I do like to share one of my favorite scenes from my favorite boy-meets-girl movie. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER.

Tom, the boy of the movie, works for a greeting card company. He is sitting in a meeting where they are discussing designs for greeting cards. One of his co-workers is pitching a line of cat cards. Tom’s response:

Well this is, and Rhoda, no disrespect, but um, this is total shit. “Go for it?” “You can do it?” That’s not inspirational, that’s suicidal! If Pickles goes for it right there that’s a dead cat. Lies, we’re liars think about it, why do people buy these things? It’s not because they wanna say how they feel. People buy cards ’cause they can’t say how they feel or they’re afraid to. We provide the service that lets them off the hook. You know what? I say to hell with it. Let’s level with America. At least let them speak for themselves, right? I mean look, look. What is this, what does this say? “Congratulations on your new baby.” How ’bout “Congratulations on your new baby, guess that’s it for hanging out, nice knowing ya.” How ’bout this one? With all the pretty hearts on the front, I think I know where this one’s going. Yup. “Happy Valentine’s Day sweetheart, I love you.” Isn’t that sweet? Ain’t love grand? This is exactly what I’m talking about. What does that even mean, love? Do you know? Do you? Anybody? If somebody gave me this card Mr. Vance, I’d eat it. It’s these cards, and the movies and the pop songs, they’re to blame for all the lies and the heartache, everything. We’re responsible. I’M responsible. I think we do a bad thing here. People should be able to say how they feel, how they really feel, not ya know, some words that some stranger put in their mouth. Words like love, that don’t mean anything. Sorry, I’m sorry, I um, I quit. There’s enough bullshit in the world without my help.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

+++++++

Around the time this is publishing, the plane that I’m on will (hopefully) make its descent into Chicago’s airport. I’m spending the week in Pittsburgh for work, so I won’t be able publish the submissions I got for BELIEVE until I return. This will happen either late Friday or on Saturday. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get to work on this week’s theme:

STILL LIFE

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

Meditate on the following quote while considering your inanimate subject for you submission from one of the greatest photographers of all-time, Diane Arbus:

I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.”

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

RULES

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 our idea of STILL LIFE in this place that is little more than my life held still next Monday.

Formal Portrait, Self-Portrait, Work

2021 Computer Mine Holiday Card

February 13, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I used to take a picture of every Computer Mine employee for the Computer Mine’s annual holiday card. It was a fun, little diversion from swinging the pick axe even if I could count on getting the same complaints from the same people every single year. “Why can’t you just use last year’s picture?” “Why do we have to do this?” “Why can’t I wear a hat?” “I hate doing this.” “Can you stand on top of the picnic table to get my angles?” “Can I have somebody hold my neck?” I actually do kind of miss it. Well, I miss some of it.

The pandemic and the fact now the grand majority of employees work exclusively from home has lead to my losing of this gig. Now, everybody takes their own picture and submits it. It is actually an improvement for the holiday card. It doesn’t look as professional, but it allows people to show off their personality. Even people who take pictures with their cat for some reason. So you know who the bad people are.

Last year, I did take my picture (obviously) and I also took pictures for two other pick swingers. Here are some of those pictures:

Next Sunday’s formal portraits will involve Kyle’s senior pictures again.

Angie, Black & White, Formal Portrait

2011-05-01

February 12, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

The pictures in the folder 2011-05-01 are from a photo shoot from when Alice turned 9 months old. I haven’t taken baby photos in a long time. Quick, somebody go get knocked up!

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entry to its original glory:

ALICE – 9 MONTHS

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve a track meet.

Dahlia, Logan, Tenderloining, Teresa

Tenderloin Trail 2.0 – Stop #7

February 11, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

About a month back, I finally started my journey on The Tenderloin Trail 2.0. If you don’t know what the Tenderloin Trail 2.0 is, here is some information on it from the Iowa Pork Producers website:

Iowans’ favorite pork dish is the breaded pork tenderloin. You can be rewarded for traveling the state and sampling these delicious sandwiches at 10 of 14 designated locations on the newest version of the Iowa Tenderloin Trail.

Inspired by the success of the original Iowa Tenderloin Trail, the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has launched version “2.0,” an update of the 2017 trail.

“It was time to feature more areas of the state that weren’t represented in the first trail,” said Kelsey Sutter, IPPA’s marketing/programs director. “There are many places to enjoy a delicious, handmade, breaded tenderloin in Iowa. After all, we are blessed with them being represented on almost every menu across the state.”

The tenderloin is an iconic food in Iowa—the nation’s No. 1 pork-producing state. The new trail includes restaurant recommendations from IPPA President Dennis Liljedahl, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and athletic directors at Iowa State University in Ames; Drake University in Des Moines; and the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

The trail also highlights restaurants’ signature drinks, side dishes, and desserts, and promotes nearby attractions as possible side visits. Sutter hopes consumers incorporate the trail into vacations, weekend getaways, or day trips.

“The Tenderloin Trail encourages Iowa tourism across the state, supports local restaurants and businesses and, of course, celebrates Iowa’s delicious pork and Iowans’ favorite way to eat it,” said Trish Cook, chairwoman of IPPA’s restaurant and foodservice committee. “I absolutely love a good tenderloin and knowing where to find one!”

Trail explorers will receive a stamp on their passport when they order a tenderloin at any of the restaurants on the new trail. If they earn 10 stamps within a two-year period, they will be awarded an “I Conquered the Iowa Tenderloin Trail 2.0” T-shirt from IPPA.

To participate in the Iowa Tenderloin Trail, diners need to download and print the official passport at www.iowapork.org/tenderloin-trail. Passports also can be picked up at the IPPA office in Clive, or at any of the restaurants along the trail.

The original trail was completed by more than 400 pork-loving connoisseurs, from June 2017 through July 1, 2021. Sutter estimates that more than 20,000 people completed some part of the trail. She noted that a Google map with the original trail locations was viewed more than 250,000 times.

The new Iowa Tenderloin Trail includes the following locations:

Birdies, Burgers & Brews at Hillcrest Golf & Country Club, Graettinger
The Buffalo Tavern, Burlington
Bump’s Restaurant at Finkbine Golf Course, Iowa City
Darrell’s Place, Hamlin
The Emerald Isle, Imogene
The Feed Mill Restaurant at Waspy’s Truck Stop, Audubon
Grid Iron Sports Bar and Grill, Webster City
Iowa Taproom, Des Moines
Jethro’s BBQ Drake, Des Moines
PrairieMoon On Main, Prairieburg
The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton
The Stumble Inn, Bradford
Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew, Luther
Wood Iron Grille, Oskaloosa

I’ve been meaning to get started on the Trail 2.0 for quite sometime, but you know, pandemic. But back in January I finally hit the place that is closest to my homestead. Whatcha Smokin? BBQ in Luther. I’m not going to review the tenderloin because it has been covered on a previous “An Artist’s Notebook” entry. It is sufficient to say that it is a great tenderloin.

Here are some pictures from my trip there after church with Teresa, Logan, and Dahlia.

I don’t have any current plans to hit a tenderloin joint, but ideally, I should hit one a month, in order to get that shirt! I’ll probably at least try to get up to the Webster City one this month.

+++++++

This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is BELIEVE.

BELIEVE! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!
I’m going to be 100% transparent on this theme. It is 100% inspired by TED LASSO. Let’s face it, if you aren’t watching TED LASSO, then you are watching television wrong! You better do something about it. Like start watching TED LASSO!

All of that being said, what is a BELIEVE image. While on the surface, this seems like a very abstract, conceptual streak killing theme, it is really quite simple. All you have to do is take a picture of something you BELIEVE in. BELIEVE in Jesus? Take a picture that reflects your Christian faith. Or whatever religion you practice. BELIEVE in your favorite sports team. Take a picture that reflects your rooting interests. BELIEVE that education is the foundation of a successful life, take a picture of that. BELIEVE in your children? BELIEVE in gravity? BELIEVE the world is flat? If you think about it, you BELIEVE in a lot of things.

Happy photo harvesting!

Animals, Flowers, Mom

My Eyes Can only See as Far as You

February 10, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Here is another collection of pictures of flowers from my Mom’s yard. These pictures were taken on August 8, 2022.

Many of these pictures were taken in a special creative mode, if you think they look “different”.

There are only a couple of collections of flower pictures from my Mom’s yard to share. This might be apropos, because as of Monday night, we accepted an offer on her house. If every thing goes like it should, the new owner will take possession on March 18. At that time, there probably won’t be any flowers blooming in her yard, maybe some daffodils. However, the person that is buying the house has said that we could come take any plants out of the yard that we want. I already took a bunch last fall, but there are some Jack in the Pulpits that my Mom was going to give Carla that she still needs to get, so the new owner being so open to that is an incredible blessing.