All posts by Christopher D. Bennett

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Black & White, Brandon, Candid Portrait, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Johnathan, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Nathanial, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Suzie, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 448 – NECESSITY

April 15, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

NECESSITY! A great theme! But did enough people find it necessary to submit a photo to make NECESSITY a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, April 8, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks (IA)
2-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL)
3-Mary Green – 2 weeks (2) (MI, IA, IN)
4-Monica Jennings – 2 weeks (IA)
5-Willy McAlpine – 3 weeks (IA)
6-Deanna McClain – 4 weeks (IA)
7-Johnathan Stensland – 4 weeks (IA)
8-Adam Gordon – 6 weeks (2) (IA, MS, MO)
9-Becky Parmelee – 7 weeks (AR, IA, OK)
10-Sara Lockner – 12 weeks (IA)
11-Lowell Davis – 14 weeks (2) (IA)
12-Michelle Haupt – 14 weeks (IA, MO, KS)
13-Alexis Stensland – 14 weeks (2) (IA)
14-Brandon Kahler – 15 weeks (IA, MN)
15-Scott Degeneffe – 33 weeks (IA, FL)
16-Mike Vest – 38 weeks (IA, MO)
17-Sheri Fakhouri – 43 weeks (2) (IA, NE)
18-Logan Kahler – 44 weeks (IA, MN)
19-Nathanial Brown – 45 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN)
20-Jesse Howard – 45 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL)
21-Tamara Peterson – 57 weeks (IA, MN)
22-Mindi Terrell – 60 weeks (IA)
23-Linda Bennett – 89 weeks (2) (KS)
24-Sarah Toot – 90 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV)
25-Dawn Krause – 98 weeks (IA)
26-Angie DeWaard – 94 weeks (IA)
27-Kim Barker – 104 weeks (2) (IA, CO)
28-Joe Duff – 105 weeks (2) (TX)
29-Teresa Kahler – 116 weeks (2) (IA, NE)
30-Carla Stensland – 116 weeks (IA, MO)
31-Micky Augustin – 118 weeks (2) (IA, IL)
32-Andy Sharp – 119 weeks (2) (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA)
33-Bill Wentworth – 120 weeks (NE)
34-Cathie Morton – 123 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO)
35-Elizabeth Nordeen – 125 weeks (IA)
36-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 127 weeks (2) (IA, CA)
37-Kio Dettman – 129 weeks (2) (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

1. The picture must 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 and take pictures challenge!
2. There is a limit of 2 submissions per person per theme. If you send me more than 2, I will use the first 2 that you submit.
3. Deadline to submit your submission is 11 AM next Monday.
4. To be considered the photographer of an image, you have to be the one that clicks the shutter. If you hand your camera over to somebody else to take a picture of you, you are NOT the photographer of that image.
5. No screen captures. This is a photography challenge. Not a “look at what I found on the internet” challenge.

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

It is the third week of the month and on the third week of the month I like to share a map of all the states where people have submitted from heading into today. Here is that map:

25 States

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks or the rules of the challenge or how to submit. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:

WPC - WEEK 448 - NECESSITY - MICKY AUGUSTIN

Micky Augustin (Jasper County, Iowa) – 119 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Chico, California) – 128 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Winnemucca, Nevada)

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 105 weeks

Kim Barker (Ames, Iowa)

Christopher D. Bennett (Near Martinsville, Indiana)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 90 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Suzie Brannen (Clive, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 46 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 15 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Salt Lake City, Utah) – 34 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Denver, Colorado)

Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa) – 95 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 130 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Joe Duff (Texas) – 106 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Miami, Florida) – 3 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 44 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

Adam Gordon (Iowa) – 7 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa)

Mary Green (Iowa) – 3 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa)

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 15 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 1 week

Jesse Howard (Aruba) – 46 weeks

Jesse Howard (Curacao)

Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 16 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 45 weeks

Logan Kahler (Ames, Iowa)

Teresa Kahler (Boone First United Methodist Church – Boone, Iowa) – 117 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 99 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa)

Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 13 weeks

Willy McAlpine (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 4 weeks

Deanna McClain (Perry, Iowa) – 5 weeks

Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 124 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 126 weeks

Becky Parmelee (Bella Vista, Arkansas) – 8 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Perry, Iowa) – 58 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 120 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 15 weeks

Johnathan Stensland (Iowa) – 5 weeks

Carla Stensland (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa) – 117 weeks

Carla Stensland (Reiman Gardens – Ames, Iowa)

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa) – 61 weeks

Sarah Toot (New York City, New York) – 91 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 39 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 121 weeks

EDITOR’S NOTE: I never comment on submissions. It is one of the base creeds that I operate under for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. No matter how much I want to comment, I don’t. But there is a picture on here that I really need to comment on. You probably can’t even guess which one it is. I’m not going to comment on Elizabeth’s taste in music (although I do approve) or Baby Face Adam (although it does crack me up) or that there were a few pictures of dogs, but no pictures of cats as a NECESSITY. Interesting. Yes, provocative. What I have to comment on is how extremely jealous I am that Scott got to eat at a Taco Time! I’m like burning with jealousy. I’m not even comfortable with how jealous I am. The real ones know that Taco Time is the truth when it comes to “Mexican” fast food. Every once in awhile you will get somebody from dirty Dodge try to force Taco Tico down your throat. Which is uncomfortable because that isn’t how you eat tacos, you have to chew first and Taco Tico is gross. Taco Time is the ONLY fast food “Mexican” I will eat. I won’t even look Taco Bell in the face. I won’t even spit in the general direction of a Taco John’s. It has been years now since I’ve eaten at Taco Time. Now the axe-throwing place at North Grand Mall does a serviceable knockoff of the Crisp Meat Burrito, but at the end of the day… it is still a knockoff. I know it. They know it. The Crisp Meat Burrito knows it. We are living a lie. I miss Taco Time. Screw you Scott for opening this wound back up!

But while I am deeply, to a disturbing level, passionate about Taco Time, you may have noted Lowell’s picture was taken in a hospital. Leah is in the hospital for a few days, so if you are the praying type, keep them in your prayers and if you aren’t, keep them in your thoughts.

38 participants! The exact same participation rate as last week. Better than falling off… I guess…

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ California (1)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (1)
+ Florida (1)
+ Indiana (1)
+ Iowa (36)
+ Kansas (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New York (1)
+ Nevada (1)
+ Texas (2)
+ Utah (1)

Thanks to Scott’s “business” trip we added Utah to the map! WooHoo! Thanks to Jesse’s vacation we also added 2 foreign countries in Aruba and Curacao! WooHoo!

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (8.5)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (1)
+ California (3)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (5)
+ Florida (5)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (3)
+ Indiana (3)
+ Iowa (515)
+ Kansas (23)
+ Louisiana (2)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (6)
+ Mississippi (1.5)
+ Missouri (10.5)
+ Nebraska (24)
+ Nevada (2)
+ New York (11)
+ Oklahoma (1)
+ Pennsylvania (12)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (24)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)

26 states so far! 3 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL) – 8
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA) – 7
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW) – 6
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN) – 5
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO) – 4
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA) – 4
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV) – 4
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO) – 4
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN) – 3
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL) – 2
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Sara Lockner (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO) -2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2

Jen is now in the lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” Jesse and Andy are in striking distance though!

The big milestone this week was Kio joining the 2.5 Year Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all fun in the sun and delicious tacos this week. Monica’s streak was blinded by the light and is now just a distant memory!

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:

TIME

TIME! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

I’m trying not to explain the themes this year, but sometimes I can’t help myself. ‘m like me at a table filled with Crisp Meat Burritos. Self-control is an issue. But I digress…

If you look closely at the TIME theme reveal image (not that closely) you will see that it is actually 2 separate images put together. On the left is a picture with a “fast” shutter speed that freezes the water. The right side of the image was taken with a “slow” shutter speed that makes the water more of a blur. The idea of the theme TIME is to either freeze TIME in place with a fast shutter speed or show the fluidity of time with a slow shutter speed.

However, I know most people don’t have control over the shutter speed on the camera they use, so as always interpret the theme as you see fit.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of TIME in this place that hopefully passes it for a few of you next Monday.

Art, Christianity, FNSC, Jay, Jesse, Nader, Nature, Still Life, Tenderloining

Fisher of Men: Rural Story County Field Work

April 14, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A few weeks back FNSC made another stop on the Catholic Fish Fry Circuit. This time we went north of Ames on County Line Road and hit up the culinary offerings of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. A church that I have often wondered what it looked like on the inside. This particular Friday Night Supper Club was attended by your Humble Narrator, Jesse, Jay, and Nader.

Here are some pictures:

First things first. This was by far the best value of any of the Catholic fish fries we hit. Mainly because the dessert was included in the price of admission. All of the other ones had an at-will donation for the desserts. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem throwing in a few bucks for a brownie or a piece of pie or cake. But they didn’t want my few extra bucks.

Here is the other thing to note. The real show stopper here wasn’t the fish, which was very good. It wasn’t the baked potato. Or the cole slaw. Or the green beans. It was the corn. This corn clearly didn’t come out of a can or a frozen steamer bag. This corn came from somebody’s farm. AND… IT… WAS… AMAZING!!!! I immediately was longing for a day in the not too distant future where I would be able to stop and buy some Grimes Sweet Corn from the back of a pickup truck in some random gas station. Despite its flaws that are growing by the day, there are parts that are great about living in Iowa. And buying sweet corn out of the back of a pickup truck is one of those great things. Then eating that sweet corn is even better. When I was eating the corn at this fish fry, dang it, if I wasn’t proud of this state again.

I would definitely add Saints Peter and Paul’s Fish Fry to my list of fish fries that I will hit again next year. There are still more fish fries left to share. Wish it was 3. Stupid Friday wasted at On the Waterfront in Ankeny. You don’t understand. We coulda had class. We coulda been contenders. We coulda been somebody, instead of bums. Which is what we are. Next year, there will be no wasted night in Ankeny. This I swear on the graves of many a fried fish. That I have eaten.

The next food adventure I will share will be another stop on the Central Iowa Catholic Fish Fry Tour. Next year we need to get shirts!

But…

How is my efforting to live a healthy lifestyle going?

This week my weight went down -3.0 pounds. I am now down 29.5 pounds since starting Noom. I am .1 pounds away from reaching my May 1 goal weight. 25.1 pounds away from my ultimate goal weight*. It is nice to officially be on the side where I’ve lost more weight than I need to lose. That is an accomplishment of some kind.

I’m actually surprised that my weight went down this week. On my eclipse road trip I didn’t eat well and spent a ton of times just sitting in cars. Shoutout to whomever brought the peanut butter bars to the Eclipse Party. I crushed an unhealthy amount of those. Pete’s chili was also delicious! I also ate fast food. Had fried food 3 times. Crushed a carrot cake from an Indiana bakery. A raspberry something or other from “the bakery” in Pella. Ate some candy from a candy store in Chariton. Skipped a day at the gym because it closed due to a bomb threat. But I still kept moving as much as I could.

Seems like I should hit my May 1 goal this week. It is ONLY .1 pounds away! But I won’t be surprised if I don’t. Might be a rebound week or a plateau week. Only 1 thing to do, just keep moving.

But weight isn’t the only measure (or even the most important measure) of positive results. I think one of those is I think I’m officially down 1 shirt size. Depending on what company makes the shirt. That is something that is hard for me to judge, cause I don’t really like my clothes touching me too much. But some of my shirts are starting to be too big, even based on my very loose standards for very big. See what I did there?

In the 56 days since I started using FitBit I’ve:

+ Taken 380,541 steps
+ Averaged 12.158 steps a day
+ Walked 316.95 miles
+ Averaged walking 5.66 miles a day

Sometimes I think about going into the Computer Mine an extra day a week, cause it easier for me to get my steps in there, but the if you follow you me on SnapChat you know the main stumbling back against this is Canadian. CANADIANS! But maybe that part of the job is coming to an end. One never knows.

That is all to report for now.

*Ultimate goal weight subject to change.

Baier, Birthdays, Black & White, Faust, Formal Portrait

Ben Baier – Class of 2024

April 13, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is Faust’s birthday, so I have to wish him a happy birthday.

Happy birthday Faust!

Hope your day was filled with hockey and grilling out and all the Minnesotan things you can handle!

+++++++

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of taking some Senior Pictures for Ben. Thought now would be a good time to share some of my favorite images from the photo shoot:

Always a good time getting together with the Baiers!

Elainie, Night, Sabas, State Fair, Street Photography

Iowa State Fair – Day 3 – Zeta

April 12, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

So this is the final collection of images from my third trip to the Iowa State Fair. This might be my favorite collection as while I love taking pictures at any part of the Iowa State Fair, taking pictures at night is maybe my favorite. Although taking pictures before dawn is also pretty great. Even though I went to the Iowa State Fair 4 times last year, this was the only time I was there after the sun went down. That seems like an oversight I should remedy this year. Maybe I’ll take in a concert at the State Fair this year. I do have my eye on one anyways.

I want one of these shirts really bad.

Sabas even asked if he could buy one, but that is strictly against company policy. Boo!!

And you know I only boo for important things! Like turning the lights on.

Never been a fan of poutine.

Although this is the end of the images from my third trip to the Fair, next Friday will begin the collection of images from my final trip to the Fair. Although that collection will be smaller. It was the final day of the Fair and the temperature was close to 100. It wasn’t pleasant, to say the least.

Flowers, Macro, State Fair

Through the Years

April 11, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I can’t remember when you weren’t there
When I didn’t care for anyone but you
I swear, we’ve been through everything there is
Can’t imagine anything we’ve missed
Can’t imagine anything the two of us can’t do

Through the years, you’ve never let me down
You’ve turned my life around
The sweetest days I’ve found, I’ve found with you
Through the year, I’ve never been afraid
I’ve loved the life we’ve made
And I’m so glad I’ve stayed right here with you
Through the years

I can’t remember what I used to do
Who I trusted, whom I listened to before
I swear, you’ve taught me everything I know
Can’t imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had
I’ve always been so glad to be with you
Through the years, it’s better every day
You’ve kissed my tears away
As long as it’s okay, I’ll stay with you
Through the years

Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong
I know that I belonged right here with you
Through the years, I never had a doubt
We’d always work things out
I’ve learned what love’s about, by loving you
Through the years

Through the years, you’ve never let me down
You’ve turned my life around
The sweetest days I’ve found, I’ve found with you
Through the years, it’s better every day
You’ve kissed my tears away
As long as it’s okay, I’ll stay with you
Through the years
-Written by Martin Panzer & Stephen Hartley Dorff
-Performed by Kenny Rogers

Just another great Kenny Rogers love song!

But Thursdays are for flowers and this flowertography session consists of pictures taken at the Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair.

Next Thursday’s flowertography session will consist of flower pictures taken at the Iowa Arboretum.

Adam, Andree, Andy, Angie, Baier, Basketball, Derrick, Elainie, Elizabeth, Faust, Jesse, Joe Duff, Linda, Lowell, Michelle, Micky, Pastor Sarah, Robert, Russell, Sara, Shawn Lockner, Teresa, Tim, Toby

Roundball Oracles Year 19 Final Standings

April 10, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

With UCONN mercilessly smashing Purdue (and every other team they played in the Tournament) on Monday night, another smashing round of the Roundball Oracles came to a close.

This year’s champion was… drumroll please… Micky! He adds himself to the list of Immortals!

ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPTIONS – LIST OF IMMORTALS

2024 – Micky Augustin
2023 – Will Baier
2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2019 – Becky Parmelee
2018 – Paul Golden
2017 – Paul Golden
2016 – Michelle Haupt
2015 – Derek Dohrman
2014 – Brandon Kahler
2013 – William McAlpine
2012 – Lowell Davis
2011 – Carrie Baier
2010 – Mark Wolfram
2009 – Mark Wolfram
2008 – Mark Wolfram
2007 – Tim Peterson
2006 – William McAlpine
2005 – William McAlpine

But I hand out 2 trophies for the Roundball Oracles. Micky will take home the Championship trophy for the 2nd time ever. But who gets “The Sara” for last place?

Do you have another drumroll in you? It goes to Oracles newcomer Aaron Sader!

“The Sara” Winners:

2024 – Aaron Sader
2023 – Ben Baier
2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

Here are the Final Standings:

1. Micky Augustin – 287
2. Toby Sebring – 262
3. Sara Lockner – 258
4. Michelle Haupt – 257
5. Jesse Howard – 244
6. Jason Baier – 232 points
7. Jordan Toot – 225
8. Sean Gildersleeve – 220
9. Russell Kennerly – 220
10. Linda Bennett – 220
11. Adam Gordon – 208
12. Derek Dohrman – 204
13. Andy Sharp – 202
14. Angie DeWaard – 201
15. Elainie Stensland – 198
16. Sarah Karber – 192
17. Rachel Gildersleeve – 188
18. Tim Peterson – 184
19. Robert Henning – 184
20. Derrick Gorshe – 183
21. JJ Baier – 182
22. Corey Faust – 174
23. Elizabeth Nordeen – 170
24. Lowell Davis – 169
25. Humble Narrator – 163
26. Shawn Lockner – 160
27. Ben Baier – 159
28. Carrie Baier – 146
29. Olivia Baier – 145
30. Joseph Duff – 145
31. Andree Jauhari – 140
32. Will Baier – 140
33. Jackson Faust – 139
34. Teresa Kahler – 136
35. Aaron Sader – 129

I’ll have to get the trophies ordered and delivered soon.

Basketball season is barely over and I already miss it!

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Still Life, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 447 – PASSION

April 9, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

PASSION! A great theme! But did enough people have enough PASSION about their PASSION to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, April 1, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Suzie Brannen – 1 week (IA)
2-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA)
3-Layla Gorshe – 1 week (IA)
4-Mary Green – 1 week (MI, IA, IN)
5-Monica Jennings – 1 week (IA)
6-Amy Peterson – 1 week (IA)
7-Willy McAlpine – 2 weeks (IA)
8-Tim Panages – 2 weeks (IA)
9-Deanna McClain – 3 weeks (IA)
10-Johnathan Stensland – 3 weeks (IA)
11-Adam Gordon – 5 weeks (IA, MS, MO)
12-Becky Parmelee – 7 weeks (AR, IA, OK)
13-Sara Lockner – 11 weeks (IA)
14-Lowell Davis – 13 weeks (IA)
15-Michelle Haupt – 12 weeks (IA, MO, KS)
16-Alexis Stensland – 13 weeks (IA)
17-Brandon Kahler – 14 weeks (IA, MN)
18-Scott Degeneffe – 32 weeks (IA, FL)
19-Sabas Hernandez – 33 weeks (IA)
20-Mike Vest – 37 weeks (IA, MO)
21-Sheri Fakhouri – 42 weeks (IA)
22-Logan Kahler – 43 weeks (IA, MN)
23-Nathanial Brown – 44 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN)
24-Jesse Howard – 44 weeks (IA, MO, NE)
25-Tamara Peterson – 56 weeks (IA, MN)
26-Mindi Terrell – 59 weeks (IA)
27-Linda Bennett – 88 weeks (KS)
28-Sarah Toot – 89 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV)
29-Angie DeWaard – 93 weeks (IA)
30-Dawn Krause – 97 weeks (IA)
31-Kim Barker – 103 weeks (IA, CO)
32-Joe Duff – 104 weeks (TX)
33-Teresa Kahler – 115 weeks (IA)
34-Carla Stensland – 115 weeks (IA, MO)
35-Micky Augustin – 117 weeks (IA, IL)
36-Andy Sharp – 118 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA)
37-Bill Wentworth – 119 weeks (NE)
38-Cathie Morton – 122 weeks (IA, FL, BHS)
39-Elizabeth Nordeen – 124 weeks (IA)
40-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 126 weeks (IA)
41-Kio Dettman – 128 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.
3. Sometimes, for special people, for special circumstances, we can negotiate something.

Adam Gordon (Iowa) – 6 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa)

Alexis Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 14 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Ogden, Iowa)

Andy Sharp (Mason City, Iowa) – 119 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa)

Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa) – 94 weeks

Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 8 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 120 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Ames, Iowa) – 15 weeks

Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 116 weeks

Cathie Morton (Saint Louis, Missouri) – 123 weeks

Cathie Morton (Saint Louis, Missouri)

Christopher D. Bennett (Spoon River Rest Area – Illinois)

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 98 weeks

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 4 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 125 weeks

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Spoon River Rest Stop – Illinois) – 2 weeks

Jesse Howard (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) – 45 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas) – 105 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

Johnathan Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 4 weeks

Kim Barker (Des Moines, Iowa) – 104 weeks

Kim Barker (Des Moines, Iowa)

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 129 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 89 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 44 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 14 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa)

Mary Green (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa)

Michelle Haupt (Ankeny, Iowa) – 13 weeks

Micky Augustin (Japser County, Iowa) – 118 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 38 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Ankeny, Iowa) – 60 weeks

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa)

Nathanial Brown (Des Moines, Iowa) – 45 weeks

Sara Lockner (Des Moines, Iowa) – 12 weeks

Sarah Toot (New York City, New York) – 90 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Gilbert, Iowa) – 33 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Sacramento, California) – 127 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Summerset, Iowa)

Sheri Fakhouri (Gretna, Nebraska) – 43 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Gretna, Nebraska)

Suzie Brannen (Clive, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 97 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Papillon, Nebraska) – 116 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Papillon, Nebraska)

Willy McAlpine (Goeppinger Field – Boone, Iowa) – 3 weeks

38 participants! A pretty great week! But a 4 participant drop from the previous week.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ California (1)
+ Florida (1)
+ Illinois (2)
+ Iowa (35)
+ Kansas (2)
+ Missouri (2)
+ Nebraska (5)
+ New York (1)
+ Texas (2)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (7.5)
+ Bahamas (1)
+ California (2)
+ Colorado (4)
+ Florida (4)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (3)
+ Indiana (2)
+ Iowa (479)
+ Kansas (21)
+ Louisiana (2)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (6)
+ Mississippi (1.5)
+ Missouri (10.5)
+ Nebraska (23)
+ Nevada (1)
+ New York (10)
+ Oklahoma (1)
+ Pennsylvania (12)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (22)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)

25 states so far! 1 foreign country! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA) – 7
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL) – 7
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA) – 4
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV) – 4
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL) – 4
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL) – 4
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BS, MO) – 4
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN) – 3
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL) – 2
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL) – 2
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Sara Lockner (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO) -2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 3

Jen and Andy are now tied to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!”

Shannon, Teresa, and Sheri joined the list of people that have submitted from multiple places this week!

The major milestone this wee was Kim hitting the 2 Year Streak Club! WooHoo! However, there was a bloodbath of streaks coming to an end. Layla and Amy couldn’t build on last week’s submission and their streaks are over before they began. Tim’s streak is over at 2. Worst of all, Sabas’ streak comes crashing to an end at 33! The Humanity!

NECESSITY – SUGGESTED BY JOE DUFF

NECESSITY! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! Thank you Joe for suggesting it!

You might be scoffing at the fact that I think VitaCoco Coconut Water is a NECESSITY. Maybe you don’t understand. Their coconuts are carefully handpicked on thousands of small farms throughout the topics. These aren’t blood coconuts picked by child slave labor. It is a necessity cause it replenishes electrolytes, provides vital nutrients, hydrates with coconut goodness, AND makes taste buds happy! It is perfect for post-workouts, hangovers, afternoon boosts (we can all use those), smoothies, and the general human tendency to get thirsty. I like to crush a box of VitaCoco after crushing a workout at Planet Fitness because it provides me with 50% of my daily intake of Vitamin C and 15% of my potassium! And the carton is even recyclable! If that isn’t a NECESSITY, I don’t know what the word means!

But I will be interested to find out what you consider to be a NECESSITY.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of NECESSITY in this place that I hope some of you find to be one next Monday.

Art, Basketball, Iowa State, Jesse, Night, Road Trip, Self-Portrait, Street Photography

Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship

April 9, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

The Saturday after the Iowa State Women played for the Big 12 Championship, the Men did the same thing. The played the #1 team in the country, the Houston Cougars. The two teams had split the regular season games. Each team winning on their home floor. Both schools went undefeated at home this year. The only two schools to do that. I was expecting a very tight and hotly contested game, but the rubber match ended up being not much of a game. Iowa State blasted the #1 team in the country by 28 points. The first victory for Iowa State since all the way back in 2022. It was one of the largest margins of victory over the #1 team in history.

It was a completely unexpected result. A conference championship was a little unexpected for the Cyclones at the beginning of the season. They didn’t get a single vote in the AP Preseason Poll. However, they were expected to be at least decent. That lost some pieces from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, but they brought back almost all the key pieces. Plus they brought in some scoring punch for the backcourt in the transfer portal ad they brought in 2 freshman that are expected to play in the NBA. But, Iowa State ended up being much better than expected, thanks mostly to the vast improvement of Tamin Lipsey from his freshman year to his sophomore year.

Here are some pictures from the trip I made to the game with Jesse:

Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Road Trip

Missouri Rest Area

Garth Brooks played the Boone County Fair, we didn’t hang a banner for it.

Pretty much every Houston fan at the game in one picture.

The best point guard in the country, hope he is healthy next year.

This guy made his hat.

MVP!

Best coach in Iowa State history?

BRE!

This picture was for a project I’ve already decided to abandon.

Charlie Hustle had a pop up store. All the clothing in there was super cool!

It was a great day! But it wasn’t the last road trip I took to watch Iowa State play in the postseason!

Joe Duff, Still Life, WPC - Reminder

Week 448 Theme Reveal

April 8, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

You were probably eagerly, constantly refreshing your email inbox waiting to see what delightful images were submitting for last week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme PASSION. Unfortunately for you, I am probably standing in a field in Indiana right now staring up at the sky, trying not to go blind. Nowhere near a computer, let alone the internet.

However, just because I’m nowhere near a computer doesn’t mean that you can’t and shouldn’t start working on this week’s theme. Which is…. drumroll please…

NECESSITY – Suggested by Joe Duff

NECESSITY! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! Thank you Joe for suggesting it!

But I will be interested to find out what you consider to be a NECESSITY.

While I’m also sure you are interested to see the PASSION submissions! Look for those to be published when I return. Probably Tuesday night. Maybe Wednesday. Depends on whether or not I come back from Indiana blind or not.

Alexis, Basketball, Iowa State, Still Life, Street Photography, Tenderloining, Teresa

I Scream: Hilton Field Work

April 7, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today’s food adventure took me to Ames. To the cathedral known as James H. Hilton Coliseum. A storied basketball (and other sports like volleyball and gymnastics) venue where the Iowa State men went undefeated and the women went 13-2. I had this adventure at the final home game of the season. March 2. It was the first time I had ice cream since November. I went to the game with Alexis (who went in Carla’s place) and Teresa.

The opponent was the Cincinnati Bearcats. On the menu was the Clone Cone.

Here are some pictures:

You can barely make out the Clone Cone stand from the end of the line.

It appears to be 2 different flavors, but it is all vanilla.

The Clone Cone also enjoys watch Audi Crooks cook!

Big fan of Emily, Addy, Kelsey, Hannah… well really all of them!

Last bites

You know my policy on ice cream. It is the same as Ted Lasso’s:

“Ice cream is the best. It’s kinda like seeing Billy Joel perform live. Never disappoints.”

I have to confess… maybe it was the environment. Maybe it was because I hadn’t had ice cream in over 3 months, but this was about the best tasting ice cream of my life! It tasted like victory. Like a 16 point win over the Bearcats.

But it was also a little bittersweet as it was the last game in Hilton ever for Hannah and Nyamer. And as it turned out, for Shantavia and Jalynn.

You can your own Clone Cone at virtually any Iowa State sporting event at Hilton. You will only have to wait until November. But it will be worth the wait. Both the Iowa State men and women’s basketball teams should be pre-season Top 10 teams. Top 15 at the worst.

How is my efforting to live a healthy lifestyle going?

This week my weight went down 1.8 pounds. I am now down 26.5 pounds since starting Noom. I am 3.1 pounds away from reaching my May 1 goal weight. 28.1 pounds away from my ultimate goal weight*.

Weight obviously fluctuates quite a bit based on a ton of factors. From what you ate the day before to when you ate your last meal to when you went to bed the night before to when you last went to the bathroom to when you weigh yourself. I try not to get too high if the scale ticks down or too low if the scale ticks up. The important thing is that the general trend is going in the right direction.

But weight isn’t the only measure (or even the most important measure) of positive results. This week I did achieve a new badge on FitBit:

I achieved walking 250 miles since starting using Fitbit in February on April 4.

That is all to report for now.

Next Sunday’s food adventure will be back on the Catholic Fish Fry Circuit!

*Ultimate goal weight subject to change.