Here is another collection of images from the Stenslands 2020 family photo shoot:
There is one more collection of images from this photo shoot left to share!
All posts by Christopher D. Bennett
2010-09-06, 2010-09-11, and 2010-09-13
The folders 2010-09-06, 2010-09-11, and 2010-09-13 were all fairly small, so I decided to combine them into one post. Two of the folders include images that were taken for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, which back then was known as the RANDOM WEEKLY PHOTO EXPERIMENT. The other pictures are of Dawn’s turtle that briefly lived in my backyard.
By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entries to their original glory:
RWPE #35 – VIEWPOINT
I’m not even sure what the next walk down memory lane will involve. I’d bet that will involve a block party and Iowa State football though.
I Set My Mind to Wandering
Back in February, it was freezing cold. I got together with Logan to take a picture for THE WEEKLY PHOTOCHALLENGE theme of WIND. Basically we boiled some water. Put some food coloring in it. Went outside and he threw it up over his head. Here are some of the outtakes:
It is an experiment that we will have duplicate again this winter.
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This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is RED:
RED
RED! What a great theme for Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!
But what is a RED image? A RED image is simply any image where the color RED plays an important part of the composition of the image. For example, the main subject of the picture is RED.
Happy photo harvesting!
Years in the Making
I’ve always been a fan of peonies. They have very bold and striking colors, but the real reason why I love them is that the way peonies bloom is that ants eat the outside leaves. Releasing the flower contained inside.
About 4 years ago, but maybe 5 and possibly 3, my Mom brought over 2 peony bushes to plant. I believe she got them from my Uncle Gary, but I don’t associate him as a “flower person”, but it might have been that he was getting rid of flowers to put down cement somewhere. In fact, I’m pretty sure that is what happened.
I didn’t pick the best place to plant the peonies and one of the bushes didn’t make it a year. The other bush has been on the struggle bus for years and I have meant to move it to a better location for a couple years now, but it hasn’t happened. This peony bush has never produced a flower, until this year.
Last year, for the first time it produced a couple of small buds, but none of them bloomed. This year though, I got one beautiful peony. Of course I photographed it:
I’m glad to finally know what color blooms this bush produces. Now I’m torn on moving it.
I’ll also took a few other flower pictures on the same day:
I like marigolds, even though they aren’t super photogenic, because they are so easy to maintain. A person needs a few flower that they don’t have to worry too much about to keep their flower gardening confidence up. Of course, alliums are truly one of the best and most fascinating flowers. One of my favorite perennials.
Audubon and Guthrie County Auxiliary Images: Vol 3
This is the final collection of images of the trip I took to Audubon and Guthrie Counties with my Mom to harvest their town signs. All of these pictures are taken in either Audubon or Gray.
Audubon
Gray
I know that this is the second straight day with a mention or a picture of testicles. I don’t think there will be 3 days in a row tomorrow.
Town Sign Project: Tama County
I recently drove around the massive Tama County to harvest their town signs. It was a solo trip and I was surprised to discover that there are apparently many cities in Tama with Czech roots. I mostly think of the Meskwaki when I think of Tama County. That and the King Tower Cafe.
Here are some facts about Tama County:
+ Population is 17,767.
+ The largest town is Tama.
+ The county seat is Toledo.
+ Formed on February 17, 1843.
+ Named after Taimah, a leader of the Meskwaki tribe.
+ Home of the Meskwaki Settlement.
+ Major highways are: US 30, US 63, IA 8, IA 21, IA 96, and IA 146.
+ Adjacent counties are Grundy, Black Hawk, Benton, Poweshiek, Marshall, Iowa, and Jasper.
+ Home of The Bohemie Alps
+ Home of the Vining Iowa Testicle Festival – All You Can Eat for $12 (2014 Price)
+ Mollie B. will be in concert here in July 10th.
+ Home of Matchstick Marvels.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 24,585.
Tama County has a pretty, but small courthouse:
Tama County Courthouse in Toledo, Iowa
The Tama County Courthouse is located in Gladbrook:
With Tama County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:
PURPLE=COMPLETED
22 counties completed. 22.2% of the Cyclone State conquered.
Here are the Tama County town signs:
Tama, Iowa
Tama – Welcomes You
Population: 2,877
Toledo, Iowa
Welcome to Toledo-Tama
Population: 2,341
Traer, Iowa
Wind Up in Traer
Population: 1,703
Dysart, Iowa
Dysart
Population: 1,379
Gladbrook, Iowa
Gladbrook – Alive & Growing
Population: 945
Garwin, Iowa
Welcome to Garwin – Home of the Wolverines
Population: 527
Chelsea, Iowa
Vitame Vas do Chelsea – Lincoln Highway
Population: 267
Montour, Iowa
Montour Welcomes You!
Population: 249
Clutier, Iowa
Welcom to Clutier – Founded 1900 – Pop 213
Population: 213
Elberon, Iowa
Elberon
Population: 196
Lincoln, Iowa
Lincoln – Next 5 Exits
Population: 162
Vining, Iowa
Vining – Heart of the Bohemie Alps
Population: 50
I don’t know there is a terrible sign in Tama County. Maybe the sign in Lincoln is pretty weak. But the weathering gives it character. The Dysart sign is pretty uninspired. I was confused by the Traer sign, until I saw the winding staircase for myself. It is magnificent! I have no clue why there is a motorcycle suspended over the Elberon sign, but it keeps it from being the worst sign. I love Vining’s sign, but how do you not mention the towns annual Testicle Festival? I’ll give the award for worst to Lincoln.
Best in Show for Tama County. Really a no-brainer. It is Tama, Iowa.
Tama – Best in Show – Tama County
There are quite a few alternate signs in Tama County:
Tama-Toledo Alternate
Gladbrook Alternate
Gladbrook Alternate
Garwin Alternate
Dysart Alternate
Dysart Alternate
Backside of Chelsea Sign
Here is the current list of Best in Shows:
Best in Show – Adair County
Best in Show – Audubon County
Best in Show – Boone County
Best in Show – Carroll County
Best in Show – Clarke County
Best in Show – Crawford County
Best in Show – Dallas County
Best in Show – Franklin County
Best in Show – Greene County
Best in Show – Guthrie County
Best in Show – Hamilton County
Best in Show – Hardin County
Best in Show – Jasper County
Best in Show – Madison County
Best in Show – Marion County
Best in Show – Marshall County
Best in Show – Polk County
Best in Show – Story County
Best in Show – Tama County
Best in Show – Union County
Best in Show – Webster County
Best in Show – Wright County
Next time we check in with THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT it will involve Benton County.
WPC – WEEK 299 – WORDS
Despite last Monday being a holiday and a shorter week for some people, there were still a fair amount of submissions for WORDS.
But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates. You came to see the submissions:
Kim Barker
Linda Bennett
Tamara Peterson
Shannon Bardole-Foley
Carla Stensland
Joe Duff
Christopher D. Bennett
Micky Augustin
Elizabeth Nordeen
Kio Dettman
Kio Dettman
Kio Dettman
Michelle Haupt
Cathie Raley
Elizabeth Nordeen
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:
RED
RED! What a great theme for Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!
But what is a RED image? A RED image is simply any image where the color RED plays an important part of the composition of the image. For example, the main subject of the picture is RED.
Meditate on these words as you consider your RED image:
Red is the ultimate cure for sadness.
-Bill Blass
If you consider those words, you will no doubt create a fascinating RED image.
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 RED in this place that contains much RED next Monday.
The Stenslands 2020 Gamma
2010-09-06
There is a wide collection of images in the folder 2010-09-06. Some are of Jen and Derrick when she was pregnant with Evie. The others are from a Labor Day cookout I hosted at my house for the family. Also, some pictures of a toad I found in my backyard.
By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entries to their original glory:
Clu’s Holiday
Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve a turtle.
Audubon and Guthrie County Auxiliary Images: Vol 2
Here is the second collection of auxiliary images I took while harvesting the town signs of Audubon and Guthrie County with my Mom. The thing is that none of these pictures were taken in Guthrie County and the biggest chunk of them was taken in Shelby County. That is #roadtriplife.
Brayton
Exira
I would love to see the size of the fire truck that came out that door.
Elk Horn
Kimballton
There is one more collection of photos from this road trip out there.
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This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is WORDS:
WORDS
But what is a WORDS image? I know many of you didn’t come here fore reading! Top to bottom, left to right… a group of words together is called a sentence. Take Tylenol for any headaches… Midol for any cramps.
But one of the greatest comedies of all-time aside, WORDS are merely collections of letters. You can find WORDS all over the place. Books. Signs. Advertising. Newspapers. Magazines. All over the place. You are literally (used correctly) looking at WORDS right now!
Happy photo harvesting!