Category Archives: Art

Town Sign Project: O’Brien County

A month or so back I made a trip to O’Brien County to harvest their town signs.

Here are some facts about O’Brien County:

+ Population 13,796 making it the 56th most populous county in Iowa. Below Harrison County and above Allamakee County.
+ Largest town is Sheldon. The county seat is Primghar.
+ Named for William Smith O’Brien an Irish revolutionary.
+ The county seat was named from the initials of the eight persons involved in platting the town.
+ Home of an Indian Village State Preserve.
+ Major highways are US-18, US-59, IA-10, IA-60, and IA-143.
+ Adjacent counties are Osceola, Clay, Cherokee, and Sioux.
+ Population peaked in 1940 at 19,293.

The O’Brien County Courthouse looks an awful lot like Boone’s Courthouse:


O'Brien County Courthouse
The O’Brien County Courthouse located in Primghar, Iowa.

The O’Brien Freedom Rock is located in Sanborn, Iowa:


O'Brien County Freedom Rock

O'Brien County Freedom Rock

O'Brien County Freedom Rock

With O’Brien County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 65 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

65 counties completed. 65.7% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of O’Brien County:


Sheldon, Iowa
Sheldon, Iowa (Partially in Sioux County)
Welcome to Sheldon
Population: 5,512 (-495)

Hartley, Iowa
Hartley, Iowa
Hartley
the city with a heart
Population: 1,605 (-67)

Sanborn, Iowa
Sanborn, Iowa
SANBORN
ESTABLISHED 1878
Population: 1,392 (-12)

Paullina, Iowa
Paullina, Iowa
PAULLINA
Population: 982 (-74)

Primghar, Iowa
Primghar, Iowa
WELCOME TO PRIMGHAR
Population: 896 (-13)

Sutherland, Iowa
Sutherland, Iowa
Welcome to SUTHERLAND
Est. 1881 & Inc. 1883
Population: 629 (-20)

Calument, Iowa
Calumet, Iowa
CALUMET
Population: 146 (-24)

Archer, Iowa
Archer, Iowa
ARCHER
QUASICENTENIAL
JULY 5, 6, 7
125 YEARS OF SMALL TOWN PRIDE
Population: 117 (-14)

Germantown, Iowa - Unincorporated
Germantown, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome To Germantown
SETTLED 1882

I think that O’Brien County has a very solid set of signs. There isn’t any giant boring rock monstrosities. But the worst one is very evident. It is Calumet.

The purple ribbon this week is a little bit harder to decide. I do like Hartley’s sign. I also really like the sign for Germantown. Sutherland and Sanborn also have solid signs. But I’m giving Best in Show to Paullina.


Paullina, Iowa
Paullina – Best in Show – O’Brien County

There are several alternate town signs in O’Brien County:


Sutherland, Iowa
Sutherland – Alternate

Sanborn, Iowa
Sanborn – Alternate

Primghar, Iowa
Primghar – Alternate

Primghar, Iowa
Primghar – Alternate

Primghar, Iowa
Primghar – Alternate

Paullina, Iowa
Paullina – Alternate

Paullina, Iowa
Paullina – Alternate

Paullina, Iowa
Paullina – Alternate

Calument, Iowa
Calumet – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer 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

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke 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

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

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

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas 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

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

Paullina, Iowa
Best in Show – O’Brien County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto 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

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

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago 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 Osceola County.

Selfie Project – March 2022

Tomorrow is the Final Four. Thought it would be a good time to check-in on the Roundball Oracles.

With 3 games left to go in the NCAA tournament this is the Top 3:

1. Becky Parmelee – 231 Points
2. Carla Stensland – 229 Points
3. Angie DeWaard – 224 points

This is the Bottom 3:

34. Joey Randazzo – 143 points
35. Olivia Baier – 141 points
36. Toby Sebring – 140 points

At this point, there are 4 people left that have a chance of taking home the Championship Trophy. 2 people still have a shot at The Sara.

Here are the scenarios for The Sara:

If Villanova beats Kansas then Toby “wins” The Sara.
If Kansas beats Villanova then Joey “wins” The Sara.

Note as Olivia Baier is a child, she is not eligible for The Sara.

Here are the scenarios for the Championship:

If Duke wins the National Championship then Sarah Karber wins the trophy.
If Kansas wins the National Championship then Ben Baier wins the trophy.
If Villanova beats Duke for the National Championship then Becky wins the trophy.
If North Carolina beats Villanova for the National Championship then Becky wins the trophy.
If North Carolina beats Kansas for the National Championship then Ben wins the trophy.
If Villanova beats North Carolina for the National Championship then Derrick Gorshe wins the trophy.

It is possible, that there is an error in my math, but I’m fairly certain this is correct.

Root accordingly.

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I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I think I actually did some stuff in March. I didn’t go to Pennsylvania and Illinois (briefly) and North Carolina (briefly), but I did stand in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota all at the same time. I ate the reigning Best Tenderloin in Iowa. I went to two Iowa State NCAA Tournament games. I stood on the highest point in Iowa and the second highest. I hosted Alligator Movie Night. I had some good times with friends and some poignant times with family. March wasn’t too bad. Raised the bar a bit for April.

Here are my favorite SELFIE PROJECT images from March:


Day 60 - March 1, 2022
March 1

Day 62 - March 3, 2022
March 3

Day 63 - March 4, 2022
March 4

Day 64 - March 5, 2022
March 5

Day 66 - March 7, 2022
March 7

Day 67 - March 8, 2022
March 8

Day 68 - March 9, 2022
March 9

Day 70 - March 11, 2022
March 11

Day 71 - March 12, 2022
March 12

Day 72 - March 13, 2022
March 13

Day 74 - March 15, 2022
March 15

Day 75 - March 16, 2022
March 16

Day 76 - March 17, 2022
March 17

Day 77 - March 18, 2022
March 18

Day 78 - March 19, 2022
March 19

Day 79 - March 20, 2022
March 20

Day 80 - March 21, 2022
March 21

Day 82 - March 23, 2022
March 23

Day 84 - March 25, 2022
March 25

Day 85 - March 26, 2022
March 26

Day 88 - March 29, 2022
March 29

Day 89 - March 30, 2022
March 30

Day 90 - March 31, 2022
March 31

Oh yeah! I also bought a new camera in March! I hope to continue to do good work in April!

Of course, there can only be one selfie for each day. Here are my favorite alternates I took for THE SELFIE PROJECT:


SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE

Jesse is a sleeper!

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


WEEK 342 - FRAMED
FRAMED

But what exactly is a FRAMED picture? It is simply a picture where the subject is FRAMED in by something else. In the theme reveal, the edge of the garbage can makes a frame for the subject of the refuse. A doorway makes a good frame. So does a hall way. A window Any thing that creates negative space makes a great frame for your subject. Or you could even do something as easy as taking a picture of something that is in a literal picture frame.

Happy photo harvesting!

Town Sign Project: Cherokee County

A month or so back I made a trip to Cherokee County to harvest their town signs. Cherokee is a beautiful town and is on my list of towns I would like to visit again in the future.

Here are some facts about Cherokee County:

+ Population is 11,658 making it the 66th most populous county in Iowa. Below Shelby County and above Louisa County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Cherokee.
+ Formed on January 15, 1851.
+ Named after the indigenous tribe.
+ Major highways are US-59, IA-3, IA-7, IA-31, and IA-143.
+ Adjacent counties are O’Brien, Buena Vista, Ida, Woodbury, and Plymouth.

The Cherokee County Courthouse is fairly hideous:


Cherokee County Courthouse
The Cherokee County Courthouse located in Cherokee, Iowa.

The Cherokee County Freedom Rock is located in Cherokee, Iowa:


Cherokee County Freedom Rock

Cherokee County Freedom Rock

Cherokee County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 64 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

64 counties completed. 64.6% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Cherokee County:


Cherokee, Iowa
Cherokee, Iowa
CHEROKEE WELCOMES YOU
Population: 5,199 (-36)

Marcus, Iowa
Marcus, Iowa
Welcome To MARCUS
Pride in the Past
Faith in the Future
Population: 1,079 (-38)

Aurelia, Iowa
Aurelia, Iowa
WELCOME TO AURELIA
Population: 968 (-68)

Quimby, Iowa
Quimby, Iowa
WELCOME TO QUIMBY
Population: 249 (-70)

Washta, Iowa
Washta, Iowa
Welcome to Washta
COLDEST SPOT IN IOWA
-47
1912
FOUNDED IN 1868
Population: 209 (-39)

Cleghorn, Iowa
Cleghorn, Iowa
CLEGHORN
Population: 240 (0)

Meriden, Iowa
Meriden, Iowa
MERIDEN
A CITY WHERE PEOPLE CARE & SHARE
Population: 161 (+2)

Larrabee, Iowa
Larrabee, Iowa
LARRABEE
WHERE TOWN & COUNTRY UNITE
EST. 1887
Population 123 (-9)

I think Cherokee County has a really solid set of town signs. I think the only one that is bad is Quimby’s sign, which is more of a town announcement sign than anything else. Nothing wrong with town announcement signs, but they shouldn’t be the town’s primary town sign.

While I like the town signs of Aurelia, Marcus, and Meriden. It really comes down to Larrabee and Washta for me and the purple ribbon. But in the end the Washta sign is so much fun that it gets Best in Show.


Washta, Iowa
Washta – Best in Show – Cherokee County

There are several alternate town signs in Cherokee County:


Quimby, Iowa
Quimby – Alternate

Marcus, Iowa
Marcus – Alternate

Cherokee, Iowa
Cherokee – Alternate

Cherokee, Iowa
Cherokee – Alternate

Cherokee, Iowa
Cherokee – Alternate

Aurelia, Iowa
Aurelia – Alternate

Aurelia, Iowa
Aurelia – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer 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

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke 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

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

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

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas 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

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto 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

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

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the backroads of Iowa for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, our Toyota will end up in O’Brien County.

Kossuth and Winnebago County Auxiliary Images Vol. 2

Today is a big day for Iowa State athletics. Iowa State is one of only two schools that have both their Men’s and Women’s basketball team still alive in the NCAA tournament. For the Men, this is pretty shocking since they only won two games last year. This was the expectation for the Women.

However, for the third time in as many games, in their infinite wisdom, the NCAA has scheduled the Men’s and Women’s games to overlap. (Yes, I actually know that the television networks schedule the game times, but still!) This has lead several people to ask me how I’m going to watch both games. The astute people know that I refuse to DVR games, so that isn’t a possibility.

The answer is simple. I’m going to watch Season 2 of BRIDGERTON on Netflix and then read about the games in the morning paper on Saturday.

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Several months back I cruised around Kossuth ad Winnebago County harvesting their town signs. This is the second collection of auxiliary images from that road trip. All these images were taken in Kossuth County.


Kossuth County - Algona
Algona

Kossuth County - Algona

Kossuth County - Algona

Kossuth County - Algona

Kossuth County - Algona

Kossuth County - Algona

Kossuth County - Wesley
Wesley

Kossuth County - Titonka
Titonka

Kossuth County - Titonka

Kossuth County - Titonka

Kossuth County - Titonka

Kossuth County - Titonka

Kossuth County

Kossuth County

Kossuth County

Kossuth County - Lone Rock
Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

Kossuth County - Lone Rock

There is still one more collection of images from this trip to share.

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


WEEK 341 - SHADOW
SHADOW

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

But what exactly is a SHADOW picture? A SHADOW picture is simply a picture where one of the major compositional elements of the image is a SHADOW. The SHADOW can be on the ground. It can be on a wall. It can be across somebody’s face. A silhouette picture is a SHADOW picture, for example. And of course, there are other types of less literal SHADOWs out there too.

Happy photo harvesting!

Kossuth and Winnebago County Auxiliary Images

Several months back I cruised around Kossuth and Winnebago County harvesting their town signs. Here is the first collection of auxiliary images I took on this trip. Most are from the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend. Many more are from near the Kossuth County Freedom Rock in Whittemore.


Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - West Bend

Kossuth County - Whittemore

Kossuth County - Whittemore

Kossuth County - Whittemore

Kossuth County - Whittemore

Kossuth County - Whittemore

Kossuth County - Whittemore

There is still plenty more images to share from this road trip.

Town Sign Project: Jackson County

Back at the end of January I went to Jackson County to harvest the balance of their town signs. This was a big one to cross off the list for me, because my strategy (if you can call it that) for this project has been all over the place. However, for a few months now, my strategy has been to finish what I call the cross of Iowa. All the counties north, south, east, and west of Boone County. From there, I will knock out the corners of Iowa. First the southwest, then the northwest, then the northeast, and then finally the southeast. Obviously, not everything has went exactly to that plan, as I finished the southwest corner before I finished the cross, but finishing Jackson County meant that the cross is finished and now I can devote myself to knocking out the northwest corner.

Here are some facts about Jackson County:

+ Population is 19,485. Making it the 36th most populous county in Iowa. Below Fayette County and above Poweshiek County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Maquoketa.
+ Formed on December 21, 1837.
+ Named after one of the worst humans to ever be President of the United States and undoubtedly the worst person to have an Iowa county named after them… vile piece of human refuse Andrew Jackson.
+ Home of one of the best state parks in Iowa Maquoketa Caves State Park. Also home to Bellevue State Park.
+ Home of the only Iowa town that is an island.
+ Major highways are: US-52, US-61, US-67, IA-62, and IA-64.
+ Adjacent counties are: Clinton, Dubuque, and Jones.
+ Population peaked in 1880 at 23,771.

For a modern looking courthouse, I don’t hate the Jackson County Courthouse:


Jackson County Courthouse
The Jackson County Courthouse in Maquoketa, Iowa.

The Jackson County Freedom Rock is located in Bellevue, Iowa:


Jackson County Freedom Rock

Jackson County Freedom Rock

Jackson County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 63 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

63 counties completed. 63.6% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Jackson County:


Maquoketa, Iowa
Maquoketa, Iowa
MAQUOKETA
Population: 6,128 (-13)

Bellevue, Iowa
Bellevue, Iowa
BELLEVUE
Population: 2,363 (+172)

Preston, Iowa
Preston, Iowa
WELCOME TO PRESTON
Population: 949 (-63)

Sabula, Iowa
Sabula, Iowa
Welcome to SABULA
Iowa’s Island City
Population: 506 (-70)

Miles, Iowa
Miles, Iowa
WELCOME TO MILES
Population: 408 (-37)

Andrew, Iowa
Andrew, Iowa
Welcome to the Heart of Jackson County
ANDREW
Population: 380 (-54)

La Motte, Iowa
La Motte, Iowa
WELCOME TO LA MOTTE
Population: 237 (-23)

Monmouth, Iowa
Monmouth, Iowa
Monmouth Co-Ed 4-H Welcomes You
Population: 129 (-24)

Springbrook, Iowa
Springbrook, Iowa
EST. 1906
Springbrook
Population: 143 (-1)

Saint Donatus, Iowa
St. Donatus, Iowa
ST. DONATUS
Population: 120 (-15)

Baldwin, Iowa
Baldwin, Iowa
WELCOME TO BALDWIN
Population: 99 (-10)

Spragueville, Iowa
Spragueville, Iowa
THE SPRAGUEVILLE COMMUNITY WELCOMES YOU
FOUNDED 1841
Lauren Sprague
“DOWN BY THE OLD MILL STREAM”
Population: 92 (+11)

It should be noted that Zwingle is also partially in Jackson County, but it is mostly in Dubuque County, so I will share that sign when we get to Dubuque County.

Jackson County is not a great collection of town signs. Mostly a lot of tombstone looking signs. It is very disappointing, considering that Jackson County is a very beautiful County. I love Bellevue and Saint Donatus and Maquoketa as towns, but they all have terrible signs. But I would have to give the worst sign to Monmouth, which is more a 4-H sign than a town sign.

There are a few town signs in Jackson County I do like though. Andrew is solid. As is Spragueville, but I’m giving the purple ribbon to La Motte.


La Motte, Iowa
La Motte – Best in Show – Jackson County

Preston is the only town sign with an alternate town sign.


Preston, Iowa
Preston – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer 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

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke 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

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

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

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas 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

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto 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

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

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago 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 end up in Cherokee County.

Did You Think To Pray

This is the final collection of pictures of flowers from my Mom’s yard that I am going to publish. They time is apropos as today is the day that the new owner will do their final walk through and on Friday they will take possession of the house.


Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

I’m not sure what I’m going to do with Thursdays going forward. Maybe it will just be various flower pictures. It is too soon to know.

Bremer County Auxiliary Images

Don’t forget, that if you want to enter Roundball Oracles – Year 17, click on the link below:

Roundball Oracles – Year 17

So far I think about 15 brackets have been filled out. The first ones filled out were by Sara and Shawn Lockner. I was very impressed!

+++++++

A few months back, I toured Bremer County harvesting its town signs. But I also spent a little bit of time in Black Hawk County and Fayette County. I also stopped in Marshalltown for a shake and to photograph their Freedom Rock. Here is a collection of the auxiliary images I took on that trip:


Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

In Plainfield, I came across the most fascinating park. There was this weird rock formation that was a memorial to WWI Veterans. But it was built before WWII, so it just references The World War. Then there was the strangest collection of rocks set up for display.

In the shelter area, sitting on the picnic table I found this:


Bremer County

It said “FREE GIFT” right on it! I was pretty sure it was probably left there by the Baptist church that preaches “Christ Coming Again”. I still don’t know if that was the case, but I will hold on to that theory until I’m proven wrong.

I texted a couple people, people who I only consider to be slight fun haters, on if I should take this free gift.

Shannon responded:

“I don’t think so…”

“But it is a free gift.”

“What is it?”

“Copy of the New Testament.”

“Pretty sure you already have something like that”

“But do I have one that I found randomly in some small town in one of the weirdest parks I’ve ever seen?”

She had no response to that.

I also asked Elizabeth. Her response came way late, well after I had already taken it:

“I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner. But no.”

“Too late. But I might regift it. 47 counties done.”

“You took it??”

“Of course.”

As you may have figured it out, of course I took it. But where it ended up, well for that you will have to wait for another day. A day far enough into the future that you will probably have already forgotten about the Free Gift I picked up in a strange park in Plainfield, Iowa.

Town Sign Project: Palo Alto County

A couple months back I cruised around Palo Alto County harvesting their town signs.

Here are some facts about Palo Alto County:

+ Population is 8,996 making itthe 82nd most populous county in Iowa. Below Davis County and above Greene County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Emmetsburg.
+ Named after the battle from the Mexican-American War.
+ Major highways are US-14, IA-4, and IA-15.
+ Adjacent counties are Emmet, Kossuth, Pocahontas, and Clay.
+ Population peaked in 1940 at 16,170.

The Palo Alto County Courthouse is pretty awful looking:


Palo Alto County Courthouse
The Palo Alto Courthouse located in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

The Palo Alto Freedom Rock is located in Ruthven, Iowa:


Palo Alto County Freedom Rock

Palo Alto County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 62 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

62 counties completed. 62.6% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Palo Alto County:


Emmetsburg, Iowa
Emmetsburg, Iowa
EMMETSBURG
Cead Mile Failte
100,000 Welcomes
Population: 3,706 (-198)

Graettinger, Iowa
Graettinger, Iowa
GRAETTINGER
Population: 832 (-12)

West Bend, Iowa
West Bend, Iowa – Partially in Kossuth County
WEST BEND
EST. 1856
Population: 791 (+6)

Ruthven, Iowa
Ruthven, Iowa
WELCOME TO RUTHVEN & LOST ISLAND LAKE
Population: 725 (-12)

Mallard, Iowa
Mallard, Iowa
Welcome to MALLARD
WE’RE FRIENDLY DUCKS
Population: 257 (-17)

Ayrshire, Iowa
Ayrshire, Iowa
AYRSHIRE CITY HALL
ESTABLISHED 1882
Population: 133 (-10)

Cylinder, Iowa
Cylinder, Iowa
Welcome To CYLINDER
Population: 87 (-1)

Curlew, Iowa
Curlew, Iowa
Welcome to CURLEW
Est. 1884
Population: 37 (-21)

Rodman, Iowa
Rodman, Iowa
RODMAN City Hall and Community Center
A Small Town with a Big Heart
Population: 31 (-14)

I think is is pretty obvious that Ayrshire has the worst town sign in Palo Alto County. It isn’t even a town sign. It is the sign to their town hall. Rodman’s isn’t much better.

I also think the purple ribbon for Palo Alto County is pretty obvious. It is very clearly Mallard.


Mallard, Iowa
Mallard – Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Ruthven is the only town in Palo Alto County with alternate town signs:


Ruthven, Iowa
Ruthven – Alternate

Ruthven, Iowa
Ruthven – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer 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

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke 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

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

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Millersburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Iowa County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas 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

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto 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

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

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we will hit the open road THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will end up in Jackson County.