Town Sign Project: Jefferson County

Several weeks back I cruised around Jefferson County with Teresa harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip and Jefferson County has some interesting things in it. Stuff I’d like to revisit some day.

Here are some facts about Jefferson County:
+ Population is 15,647 making it the 48th most populous county in Iowa. Below Crawford County and above Floyd County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Fairfield.
+ Formed in 1839.
+ Named after 3rd U.S. President and slave rape enthusiast Thomas Jefferson. He also made a mean vanilla ice cream.
+ Home of Maharishi International University founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and features “consciousness-based education”.
+ Major highways are: US-34, IA-1, and IA-78.
+ Adjacent counties are Keokuk, Washington, Henry, Van Buren, and Wapello.
+ Population peaked in 1870 at 17,839.

Jefferson County has a very pretty courthouse:


Jefferson County Courthouse
The Jefferson County Courthouse located in Fairfield, Iowa.

The Jefferson County Freedom Rock is located in Fairfield, Iowa:


Jefferson County Freedom Rock

Jefferson County Freedom Rock

Jefferson County Freedom Rock

Jefferson County Freedom Rock

Not counting the special 100th Freedom Rock, I believe Jefferson County to be the final county to get a Freedom Rock.

With Jefferson County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 92 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

92 counties completed. 92.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Jefferson County:


Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield, Iowa
FAIRFIELD
Population: 9,416 (-48)

Batavia, Iowa
Batavia, Iowa
BATAVIA
EST. 1853
Population: 430 (-69)

Maharishi Vedic City
Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa
MAHARISHI VEDIC CITY
Population: 277 (+16)

Libertyville, Iowa
Libertyville, Iowa
LIBERTYVILLE
est. 1842
Population: 274 (-41)

Lockridge, Iowa
Lockridge, Iowa
LOCKRIDGE
FIRE & RESCUE
Population: 244 (-24)

Packwood, Iowa
Packwood, Iowa
Packwood WELCOMES YOU
An Active & Progressive Community
Population: 183 (-21)

Pleasant Plain, Iowa
Pleasant Plain, Iowa
Welcome
PLEASANT PLAIN
CITY LIMITS
Please Drive Carefully
Population: 84 (-9)

I hate to say it, but for the most part, Jefferson County has a terrible collection of town signs. One of the worst. But even the worst has a worst and that is Lockridge, that doesn’t even have a real town sign. Which is disappointing because Lockridge has this kind of crazy clock museum that they could have done something fun with.

Another disappointing aspect of this is that Packwood used to have a really awesome town sign and they replaced it with a fine town sign, but not remotely memorable. The golden age of the town sign is behind us and Packwood, Iowa is Exhibit B. Stuart, Iowa is Exhibit A. If I have to pick a winner in this collection, the Purple Ribbon goes to Fairfield. Which might be a bit of a shocker since it is well documented that I don’t like stone signs.


Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield – Best in Show – Jefferson County

There were a few alternate signs in Jefferson County:


Libertyville, Iowa
Libertyville – Alternate

Libertyville, Iowa
Libertyville – Alternate

Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Best in Show – Allamakee County

Centerville, Iowa
Best in Show – Appanoose County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Gilbertville, Iowa
Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

Stanley, Iowa
Best in Show – Buchanan County

Storm Lake, Iowa
Best in Show – Buena Vista County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Washta, Iowa
Best in Show – Cherokee County

Fredericksburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Rossie, Iowa
Best in Show – Clay County

Strawberry Point, Iowa
Best in Show – Clayton County

Low Moor, Iowa
Best in Show – Clinton County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Oneida, Iowa - Unincorporated
Best in Show – Delaware County

Terril, Iowa
Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Ringsted, Iowa
Best in Show – Emmet County

Clermont, Iowa
Best in Show – Fayette County

Marble Rock, Iowa
Best in Show – Floyd County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Modale, Iowa
Best in Sow – Harrison County

Swedesburg, Iowa - Unincorporated
Best in Show – Henry County

Lime Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Howard County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Millersburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Iowa County

La Motte, Iowa
Best in Show – Jackson County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Fairfield, Iowa
Best in Show – Jefferson County

Lone Tree, Iowa
Best in Show – Johnson County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Webster, Iowa
Best in Show – Keokuk County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

George, Iowa
Best in Show – Lyon County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Leighton, Iowa
Best in Show – Mahaska County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Riceville, Iowa
Best in Show – Mitchell County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

Conesville, Iowa
Best in Show – Muscatine County

Paullina, Iowa
Best in Show – O’Brien County

Melvin, Iowa
Best in Show – Osceola County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Kingsley, Iowa
Best in Show – Plymouth County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Walnut, Iowa
Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Orange City, Iowa
Best in Show – Sioux County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

Agency, Iowa
Best in Show – Wapello County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Kalona, Iowa
Best in Show – Washington County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Castalia, Iowa
Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Sloan, Iowa
Best in Show – Woodbury County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Lee County.

WPC – WEEK 369 – VIOLET

VIOLET. Purple. Lavender. I got submission sent under all those headings. But did I get a lot of them? Was VIOLET a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, October 3, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1Becky Parmelee – 1 week
2Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
3Suzie Brannen – 6 weeks
4Brandon Kahler – 7 weeks
5Linda Bennett – 10 weeks (2)
6Sarah Toot – 11 weeks
7Sabas Hernandez – 13 weeks
8Monica Jennings – 13 weeks
9Angie DeWaard – 15 weeks
10Mary Green – 15 weeks (4)
11Dawn Krause – 19 weeks
12Kim Barker – 25 weeks
13Joe Duff – 27 weeks
14Logan Kahler – 28 weeks (2)
15Teresa Kahler – 37 weeks (2)
16Tamara Peterson – 37 weeks
17Carla Stensland – 37 weeks (3)
18Michelle Haupt – 38 weeks
19Micky Augustin – 39 weeks
20Andy Sharp – 40 weeks
21Bill Wentworth – 41 weeks
22Cathie Morton – 45 weeks
23Elizabeth Nordeen – 46 weeks
24Shannon Bardole-Foley – 48 weeks
25Kio Dettman – 51 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 369 - VIOLET - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 38 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 16 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 41 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 40 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 26 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 28 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET -
Carla Stensland – 38 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 52 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 29 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – 16 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber – 1 week

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 49 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 38 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 42 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 46 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 1 week

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - SARA TOOT
Sarah Toot – 12 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 39 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 11 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 47 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 3 weeks

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings – 14 weeks


Dawn Krause – 20 weeks


Dawn Krause

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler – 8 weeks

28 participants! That is a good week.

We had submissions from (assumptions on my part mostly) Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas. My pictures was taken approximately 16 steps from my front door.

Also, Cathie’s pictures were taken in the Bahamas!

Another fun fact! 3 Sara(h)s is once again the record for most participants of one first name.

Another fun fact! On Sunday I learned that October is Pastor Appreciation Month. There were submissions from 2 former pastors of my church. I do appreciate their contributions into making me the person that I am. Hopefully who I am is appreciated by somebody, cause they definitely tried!

Also, congratulations to Kim who joined the Half Year Club! Way to go Kim!

But it wasn’t all good times. Becky couldn’t extend her streak to 2 weeks. Tragically, Sabas’ epic 13 streak ends at unlucky number 13.

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 370-  MACRO
MACRO

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

But what exactly is a MACRO photo? There is a long technical definition of MACRO photography that involves being a 1:1 ratio on 35 mm film, but for our purposes, just think of MACRO photography as getting close to your subject. On this theme you should figure out what the closest focusing distance of your camera is and be awful close to that in your closeness to your subject.

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

If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.
-Robert Capa

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.

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 MACRO in this place that is both a macro and a micro look at my life next Monday.

Jayton – Volume 10

We’re almost to the end of Formal Portrait Sundays. This is the last collection of pictures of Jayton. Since I started Formal Portrait Sunday I’ve really only taken one other set of formal portraits (depending on how you count time) and I will share those on a Formal Portrait Sunday, but as just one post. Not spread over several posts. Then Sundays will go back to being kind of a random set of pictures. Or maybe I’ll start taking Sundays off. It will be a brave new world.


Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Jayton Poole

Next Formal Portrait Sunday, we will look at the Baugher Family Photo Shoot again.

Appanoose County Aux – Vol. 2

Time for another collection of auxiliary pictures from my trip to Appanoose County to harvest their town signs. If your relationship to this website is exclusively through the email subscription service, you probably missed the first collection because the delivery search had a glitch on that day and didn’t deliver the emails that day. Which is sad, cause you missed some sweet outhouse pictures.

However… if you click on the link below, you can go back and still check out those sweet outhouse pictures:

Appanoose County Aux – Vol. 2

Here is the second collection of auxiliary images from Appanoose County:


Appanoose County - Moulton
Moulton

Appanoose County - Moulton

Appanoose County - Moulton

Appanoose County - Moulton

Appanoose County - Exline
Exline

Appanoose County - Exline

Appanoose County - Cincinnati
Cincinnati

Appanoose County - Cincinnati

Appanoose County - Cincinnati

Appanoose County - Cincinnati

Appanoose County - Numa
Numa

Appanoose County - Centerville
Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville

Appanoose County - Centerville
Centerville claims to have the World’s Largest Town Square.

Appanoose County - Centerville

I really loved Centerville. It is definitely a town I would like to visit again. Spend more time there. And photograph more. And Pancake Day is definitely on my list of things I want to hit in the future!

There is still one more collection of pictures from this road trip to share!

Pufferbilly Days Parade – 2022

This year was the first year I made it to the Pufferbilly Days Parade where I wasn’t in it, since I don’t know when. At least a decade. I decided I better photograph it.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the parade:


Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

Pufferbilly Days Parade - 2022

There is generally nothing I find more boring than a parade, except for maybe fireworks. But I got enough enjoyment from going. At least from seeing the people I knew that were in it.

+++++++

This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is VIOLET:


WEEK 369 - VIOLET
VIOLET

VIOLET! What a great theme for year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a VIOLET photo. It is simply any picture where the color VIOLET (or purple if you will) plays an important part of the composition. It can be a picture of something that is VIOLET. Or it can be surrounded by VIOLET. Heck, you can crack out a VIOLET filter and make everything VIOLET.

Happy photo harvesting!

Fist City

Usually on these Flower Thursdays, if the is more than one type of flower in the pictures, I take the blog title from a Brandi Carlile song title. Then I include some of the lyrics from the song. I point this out because I don’t really point this out. I like to leave as much mystery as I can, but recently I was contacted by somebody that thought that those little tidbits of lyrics were a poem I wrote. I do have a certain amount of writing skills, but poetry isn’t in the arsenal. While I enjoy poetry and have my favorite poets, to write poetry takes a level of vulnerability I’m not will to get to or to show the world. And that is as vulnerable as I’m going to get on the subject.

However, today’s post doesn’t come from a Brandi Carlile song. It comes from a Loretta Lynn song. Everybody knows “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Most people know “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man”. More people should know “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)”. “You Ain’t Woman Enough” is an undeniable classic. I absolutely love “You’re The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly”. But “Fist City” is the Loretta Lynn song I don’t think gets enough love and I’ve chosen to highlight here. An absolute banger from the beginning to the end!

It is my small tribute to Loretta Lynn after her recent passing.

You’ve been makin’ your braggs around town
That you’ve been a lovin’ my man
But the man I love
When he picks up trash
He puts it in a garbage can
And that’s what you look like to me
And what I see’s a pitty
You better close you face and stay outta my way
If you don’t wanna go to fist city

If you don’t wanna go to fist city
You better detour around my town
‘Cause I’ll grab a you by the hair a the head
And I’ll lift off of the ground
I’m not a sayin’ my baby’s at saint
‘Cause he ain’t
And that he won’t cat around with a kitty
I’m here to tell you gal to lay off a my man
If you don’t want to go to fist city

Come on and tell me what you told my friends
If you think you’re brave enough
And I’ll show you what a real woman is
Since you think you’re hot stuff
You’ll bite off more than you can chew
If you get to cute or witty
You better move your feet
If you don’t wanna eat
A meal that’s called fist city

If you don’t wanna go to fist city
You better detour around my town
‘Cause I’ll grab a you by the hair a the head
And I’ll lift off of the ground
I’m not a sayin’ my baby’s at saint
‘Cause he ain’t
And that he won’t cat around with a kitty
I’m here to tell you gal to lay off a my man
If you don’t want to go to fist city

I’m here to tell you gal to lay off of my man
If you don’t wanna go to fist city

“But the man I love, when he picks up the trash, he puts it in a garbage can, and that’s what you look like to me.”

OR

“If you get cute or witty, You better move your feet, if you don’t want to eat a meal that’s called fist city.”

Pure poetry to my ears.

However, Thursdays are for flowers. Here are some flower pictures:


Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Nature's Amen - 2022

Still plenty more flower pictures left to share on future Thursdays, methinks.

Although… one more thing. I do think that any Loretta Lynn tribute would be a failure if it didn’t mention that she was the most radio banned country artist in history. At least 13 of her songs were banned from radio stations here and there. But by far her most banned song was “The Pill”.

I thought I would share the lyrics to a song that got banned from at least 60 radio stations in the 1970s, and many radio stations still won’t play it today.

You wined me and dined me
When I was your girl
Promised if I’d be your wife
You’d show me the world
But all I’ve seen of this old world
Is a bed and a doctor bill
I’m tearin’ down your brooder house
‘Cause now I’ve got the pill

All these years I’ve stayed at home
While you had all your fun
And every year that’s gone by
Another baby’s come
There’s a gonna be some changes made
Right here on nursery hill
You’ve set this chicken your last time
‘Cause now I’ve got the pill

This old maternity dress I’ve got
Is goin’ in the garbage
The clothes I’m wearin’ from now on
Won’t take up so much yardage
Miniskirts, hot pants and a few little fancy frills
Yeah I’m makin’ up for all those years
Since I’ve got the pill

I’m tired of all your crowin’
How you and your hens play
While holdin’ a couple in my arms
Another’s on the way
This chicken’s done tore up her nest
And I’m ready to make a deal
And ya can’t afford to turn it down
‘Cause you know I’ve got the pill

This incubator is overused
Because you’ve kept it filled
The feelin’ good comes easy now
Since I’ve got the pill
It’s gettin’ dark it’s roostin’ time
Tonight’s too good to be real
Oh, but daddy don’t you worry none
‘Cause mama’s got the pill
Oh, daddy don’t you worry none
‘Cause mama’s got the pill

Amazing that a song that is 50 years old is still so timely.

Fat Mum Slim – September 2022

Another month done in the Fat Mum Slim Photo A Day Challenge. I have to confess that I spent some time on the struggle bus this month. I don’t know if I lost some steam or if I just want feeling some of the themes. Being sick for a few days in September didn’t help either. With that being said, I think there is still some good work in there.

Here are the September images:


September 1
September 1 – Something I Saw

September 2
September 2 – Plastic

September 3
September 3 – Paper

September 4
September 4 – Somewhere I Went

September 5
September 5 – Hobby

September 6
September 6 – Green + Blue

September 7
September 7 – Before Bed

September 8
September 8 – An Emotion

September 9
September 9 – Opposites

September 10
September 10 – I Can Hear…

September 11
September 11 – Paint

September 12
September 12 – Symmetry

September 13
September 13 – Tasty

September 14
September 14 – Odd One Out

September 15
September 15 – A Food Shop

September 16
September 16 – 12:34

September 17
September 17 – Lucky

September 18
September 18 – Car Park

September 19
September 19 – What’s on TV

September 20
September 20 – Texture

September 21
September 21 – Nature

September 22
September 22 – Tree Trunk

September 23
September 23 – Crunchy

September 24
September 24 – I Can Smell…

September 25
September 25 – Laneway

September 26
September 26 – The Moon

September 27
September 27 – Open Door

September 28
September 28 – My Culture

September 29
September 29 – Not My Style

September 30
September 30 – Sentimental

As you can tell, the woman who runs this challenge is Australian and there were some terms in there I had to look up, cause I had no clue what a laneway is.

Remember, you can follow on for my daily posts on the dedicated Instagram Account.

@fmsbennett

These are the themes for October:

1. White
2. Black
3. Green
4. Red
5. Orange
6. Blue
7. Yellow
8. Purple
9. Aqua
10. Pink
11. Grey
12. Brown
13. Pop of Colour
14. Stripes
15. Floral
16. One Colour
17. Two Colours
18. Pattern
19. Black and White
20. Rainbow
21. My Fave Colour
22. Matching
23. Natural
24. Dark
25. Light
26. Pastel
27. Bright
28. Gold
29. Fresh
30. Mellow
31. Dots

Some good ones in there. Should be a good month!

Town Sign Project: Henry County

Several weeks back I cruised around Henry County with Teresa harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip as we met up with Jodie and Doug Cue for lunch in Mount Pleasant. The only trip where I met up with somebody who lived in the county where I was harvesting.

Here are some facts about Henry County:
+ Population is 20,387. Making it the 33rd most populous county in Iowa. Below Buchanan County and above Winneshiek County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Mount Pleasant.
+ Formed on December 7, 1836 as part of the Wisconsin Territory and then became part of the Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838.
+ Named for General Henry Dodge.
+ Home of Iowa Wesleyan.
+ Home of the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion.
+ Major highways are US-34, US-218, US-27, IA-16, and IA-78.
+ Adjacent counties are Washington, Louisa, Des Moines, Van Buren, and Jefferson.
+ Population peaked at 21,463 in 1870.

Henry County has a pretty blah courthouse:


Henry County Courthouse
The Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

The Henry County Freedom Rock is located in Winfield, Iowa:


Henry County Freedom Rock

Henry County Freedom Rock

Henry County Freedom Rock

With Henry County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 91 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

91 counties completed. 91.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Henry County:


Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
MT. PLEASANT
Population: 9,274 (+606)

New London, Iowa
New London, Iowa
Welcome To NEW LONDON
Population: 1,910 (+23)

Winfield, Iowa
Winfield, Iowa
Winfield
Est. 1882
Population: 1,033 (-101)

Wayland, Iowa
Wayland, Iowa
Wayland
Est. 1880
Population: 964 (-2)

Salem, Iowa
Salem, Iowa
SALEM
FOUNDED 1835
Population: 394 (+11)

Olds, Iowa
Olds, Iowa
WELCOME to Olds
Population: 163 (-66)

Hillsboro, Iowa
Hillsboro, Iowa
HILLSBORO COMMUNITY CENTER
Population: 163 (-17)

Rome, Iowa
Rome, Iowa
Welcome to Rome Chicauqua
Est. 1846
LAND OF THE FREE
BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE
Population: 114 (-3)

Westwood, Iowa
Westwood, Iowa
CITY OF WESTWOOD
EST. 1892
Population: 101 (-11)

Mount Union, Iowa - Unincorporated
Mount Union, Iowa – Unincorporated
Mt. Union
Founded 1904

Swedesburg, Iowa - Unincorporated
Swedesburg, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome to SWEDESBURG
MUSEUM & GIFT SHOP

Henry County has kind of a mediocre collection of town signs. Not terrible, but not outstanding. The worst one is easily Hillsboro as they didn’t have a real town sign at all. Oh Heavenly Hillsboro! Do you a hole in your head or your head in a hole!

There are a couple of town signs I like in Henry County. Olds has a solid sign. As does Rome and Westwood. I definitely like Salem’s hard to find town sign. But I’m giving the purple ribbon to Swedesburg.


Swedesburg, Iowa - Unincorporated
Swedesburg – Best in Show – Henry County

There was one alternate town sign for Henry County:


Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Mount Pleasant – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Best in Show – Allamakee County

Centerville, Iowa
Best in Show – Appanoose County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Gilbertville, Iowa
Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

Stanley, Iowa
Best in Show – Buchanan County

Storm Lake, Iowa
Best in Show – Buena Vista County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Washta, Iowa
Best in Show – Cherokee County

Fredericksburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Rossie, Iowa
Best in Show – Clay County

Strawberry Point, Iowa
Best in Show – Clayton County

Low Moor, Iowa
Best in Show – Clinton County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Oneida, Iowa - Unincorporated
Best in Show – Delaware County

Terril, Iowa
Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Ringsted, Iowa
Best in Show – Emmet County

Clermont, Iowa
Best in Show – Fayette County

Marble Rock, Iowa
Best in Show – Floyd County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Modale, Iowa
Best in Sow – Harrison County

Swedesburg, Iowa - Unincorporated
Best in Show – Henry County

Lime Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Howard County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Millersburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Iowa County

La Motte, Iowa
Best in Show – Jackson County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Lone Tree, Iowa
Best in Show – Johnson County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Webster, Iowa
Best in Show – Keokuk County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

George, Iowa
Best in Show – Lyon County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Leighton, Iowa
Best in Show – Mahaska County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Riceville, Iowa
Best in Show – Mitchell County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

Conesville, Iowa
Best in Show – Muscatine County

Paullina, Iowa
Best in Show – O’Brien County

Melvin, Iowa
Best in Show – Osceola County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Kingsley, Iowa
Best in Show – Plymouth County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Walnut, Iowa
Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Orange City, Iowa
Best in Show – Sioux County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

Agency, Iowa
Best in Show – Wapello County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Kalona, Iowa
Best in Show – Washington County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Castalia, Iowa
Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Sloan, Iowa
Best in Show – Woodbury County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Jefferson County.

WPC – WEEK 368 – RUINS

The old. The forgotten. The abandoned. The falling apart. The rusty. The dilapidated. I love that stuff, but were RUINS a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 26, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1+ Sara Lockner – 1 week
2+ Willy McAlpine – 1 week
3+ Suzie Brannen – 5 weeks
4+ Jesse Howard – 6 weeks
5+ Brandon Kahler – 6 weeks
6+ Linda Bennett – 9 weeks
7+ Sarah Toot – 10 weeks
8+ Sabas Hernandez – 12 weeks
9+ Monica Jennings – 12 weeks
10+ Angie DeWaard – 14 weeks
11+ Mary Green – 14 weeks (2)
12+ Dawn Krause – 18 weeks
13+ Kim Barker – 24 weeks
14+ Joe Duff – 26 weeks
15+ Logan Kahler – 27 weeks
16+ Teresa Kahler – 36 weeks (3)
17+ Tamara Peterson – 36 weeks
18+ Carla Stensland – 36 weeks (2)
19+ Michelle Haupt – 37 weeks
20+ Micky Augustin – 38 weeks
21+ Andy Sharp – 39 weeks
22+ Bill Wentworth – 40 weeks
23+ Cathie Morton – 44 weeks
24+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 45 weeks
25+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 47 weeks
26+ Kio Dettman – 49 weeks (6)

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 368 - RUINS - BEKCY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 1 week

WEEK 368 - RUINS - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
WEEK 368 - RUINS - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 6 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS -BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler – 7 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 10 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS -LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 368 - RUINS - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot – 11 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot

WEEK 368 - RUINS - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez – 13 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings – 13 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 15 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – 15 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 368 - RUINS - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 368 - RUINS - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 368 - RUINS -DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 19 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS -DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause

WEEK 368 - RUINS - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 25 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff 27 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS -LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 28 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS -LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 368 - RUINS - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 37 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 368 - RUINS - TAMARA PTERSON
Tamara Peterson – 37 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - CAR;A STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 37 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - CAR;A STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 368 - RUINS - CAR;A STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 368 - RUINS - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 38 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 39 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 40 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 41 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 46 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 46 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 48 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 50 weeks

WEEK 368 - RUINS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 368 - RUINS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 368 - RUINS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – 472 weeks

26 participants this week! A good, but not great week. But I’ll take it.

Submissions from (most of these are assumptions) Pennsylvania, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, California, and Iowa this week. My picture was taken about 30 miles from my front door.

Congrats to Linda who joined the double digit streak club!

It wasn’t all fun and games this week though. Willy couldn’t extend his streak to two weeks. Jesse’s 6 week streak is a pile of rubble. Ruins, one might say.

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 369 - VIOLET
VIOLET

VIOLET! What a great theme for year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a VIOLET photo. It is simply any picture where the color VIOLET (or purple if you will) plays an important part of the composition. It can be a picture of something that is VIOLET. Or it can be surrounded by VIOLET. Heck, you can crack out a VIOLET filter and make everything VIOLET.

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

I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.
-Alice Walker

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.

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 VIOLET in this place that is very purple next Monday.

The Howards – Volume 6

It is another Formal Portrait Sunday. This will be the 6th and final collection of images from the Howards 2021 Family Photo Shoot. In fact this is the final collection of Formal Portrait images from 2021. Might be the final collection of images I share from 2021. There are a few miscellaneous pictures from 2021 out there, but I’m not sure I will share those. It might be a game time decision in the next couple of weeks.


Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Howards - 2021

Next Formal Portrait Sunday we will check in with Jayton’s Senior Picture Photo Shoot one last time. Probably.