Category Archives: Dory

The Big Easy – Day 2 & 3 Phone Pictures

Today is my mother-in-law Colleen’s birthday, so I need to wish her a happy birthday.


Baby Tri-Force 1st Birthday Party
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I hope your birthday is magical!

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I didn’t take many phone pictures on Day 2 and Day 3 in New Orleans, so I’m combining them into one post. Day 2 is when the work begins on setting up for The Big Meeting. Day 3 involves a “training” session and then finishing off setup. But I had sometime to explore on those days.

Here are the pictures:


Day 2 - New Orleans
I started Day 2 with a leftover beignet from Cafe Du Monde.

Day 2 - New Orleans
Then I took a walk up to Jackson Square to see if it was open. It wasn’t.

Day 2 - New Orleans
But got a nice view of the Saint Louis Cathedral.

Day 2 - New Orleans
Then I walked down the river walk and found this cool collection of love locks.

Day 2 - New Orleans
I would love to know this story.

Day 2 - New Orleans
Preach.

Day 2 - New Orleans
Tony and I got to the Convention Center while they were still putting the booth together.

Day 2 - New Orleans
This is by far and I mean by FAR the fastest internet we’ve ever had in a booth.

Day 2 - New Orleans
These snacks were delicious!

Day 2 - New Orleans
The booth put together.

Day 2 - New Orleans
Back at the hotel. I’m kind of a connoisseur of southern mayonnaise. This one has ALL the yolks.

Day 2 - New Orleans
One of my goals was to ride the trolley.

Day 2 - New Orleans
They stopped the trolley so this girl could take a graduation photo with it.

Day 2 - New Orleans
Inside trolley.

Day 2 - New Orleans
Pralines!

Day 2 - New Orleans
That night I had supper with Kim, Michelle, Diane and Gina. Afterwards I ended back up at Jackson Square.

Day 2 - New Orleans

Day 2 - New Orleans
This is the New Orleans Holocaust Memorial.

Day 2 - New Orleans
Final picture I took before going back to the hotel.


Day 3 starts with a 4 hour training session that feels like 8 hours.


Back to the Convention Center.


Got done early enough that I could see the inside of the Saint Louis Cathedral.


They took credit cards.


It is pretty in there.


The altar.


I didn’t take a horse and carriage ride. But I wish I had.


Best name for a restaurant. Ever!


The Rolling Stones played the Jazz Festival the night before.


Taking the trolley to the Garden District.


This guy openly boozed on the trolley. Was super friendly.


Nood Fountain in Audubon Park.


Back on Canal Street. Maybe my favorite graffiti ever.


Last cell phone picture of Day 3.

Still 4 more days of cell phone pictures left to share.

Minnesota Independence Day Road Trip – Day 2

Time to share the February image from the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar. It is a picture of a strawflower bulb that was taken in my yard:


2024 Calendar - February
FEBRUARY

This image was placed in February as February houses Valentines Day and I like to think that flowertography is considered romantic.

TECHNICAL DETAILS:

CAMERA: Sony ILCE-7M4
DATE: June 7, 2023 – 7:43 PM
LENS: 105mm f/2.8
FOCAL LENGTH: 105mm
APERTURE: f/2.8
EXPOSURE: 1/125
ISO: 100

Tomorrow I will share the March image!

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My second and final day on my Independence Day Road Trip to Minnesota involved going to the Mall of America amusement park. But it started with breakfast:


Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

Independence Day Minnesota Trip - Day 2

It was a great trip! I should have stayed longer. Next time!

Minnesota Independence Day Road Trip – Day 1

Back in July I took a road trip up to Minnesota near the 4th of July to visit family. Here are a few pictures from Day 1 of the trip:


Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Independence Day Minnesota Road Trip - Day 1

Coming across Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store was a welcome surprise. Apparently Nora has wanted to go there forever, but Bethany has always shot her down, but this time I talked them into guy. Cause that is what I do. I make dreams come true. Especially dreams that involve candy.

A collection of pictures from Day 2 is still to come!

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Today is the birthday of the Miller Triplets. So I must wish them happy birthday!


Baby Tri-Force 1st Birthday Party
Happy birthday Doris, Jimmy, and Billy!

This picture was taken at their 1st birthday party in 2019 so that makes them… 5! They are 5 years old?!? How did this happen!

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Back in February I purchased a new lens. It was a Sigma 150-600mm DG DN OS Sports Lens. At one point, I was going to write a long post on it with a collection of the first images I took with it. But here it is. Halfway through October and the lens is old news now, so real need to go into too much details about the specifications of the lens. But I still want to share some of the first images I took with it. I went down to the Kate Shelley High Bridge and went to Lake LaVerne and took a few pictures of Logan.

Here are those pictures:


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On the day I went to Lake LaVerne I also hit up the Ames Library. I took pictures there for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme BOOKS. I didn’t use any of those images. Here is a collection of those:


Ames Public Library

Ames Public Library

Ames Public Library

Ames Public Library

Ames Public Library

Ames Public Library

Ames Public Library

I do love that lens. It is kind of a limited purpose lens, but I should find more of those limited purpose opportunities.

Salad Shooting: Ames Field Work

Today is Colleen’s birthday, so happy birthday Colleen!


Baby Tri-Force 1st Birthday Party

I hope it is as magical as you want it to be!

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On the health spectrum, this post is about a food item that couldn’t be more on the opposite end of the “healthy eating” spectrum than a tenderloin if it tried. Not that a tenderloin is the most unhealthy thing you can eat. That is probably cheesy fries. But it is no secret that any fried food is unhealthy. Delicious, but unhealthy.

Now a salad? They are usually pretty healthy. Unless you add unhealthy elements to it, like fried chicken. And then coat it with ranch or Caesar dressing. Or any salad dressing with the word “creamy” in it. However, I think we can all agree that ranch dressing does not belong on salad. It only belongs as a dipping sauce for things like onion rings and fried mushrooms and fried cheese and buffalo wings. Caesar salad doesn’t belong anywhere.

Ames recently had a new salad restaurant open. It is extremely unique. It is drive-thru only. Why? Because they grow all the greens inside the building.

This is what their website (https://www.claytonfarms.com/salads) says:

Welcome to Clayton Farms Salads, a drive-thru restaurant that is all about fresh, healthy, and smart eating. Our greens are grown onsite, ensuring that our salads and smoothies are the freshest in the world. Whether you’re on the go or simply looking for a quick and nutritious meal, we’ve got you covered with our delicious menu options. From bright and colorful salads, to refreshing and energizing smoothies, we’ve got everything you need, to fuel your day the healthiest way. So why wait? Swing through our drive-thru to taste the difference yourself, or to order delivery!

I think it is a brilliant idea! If you can keep up with demand. Despite that, I have a couple friends who loaded up their haterade with extra hate just to make sure they had enough hate for this restaurant. They are actively rooting against Clayton Farms Salads being successful. One has gone so far as to proclaim:

October of 2024, gentlemen. Mark me. “Salad Dreams” or whatever its called will have shuttered by then.

I have marked it on the calendar Jay.

They started with 4 salads and recently added a 5th salad:
+ Garden Salad
+ Caesar Salad
+ Crunch Asian Salad
+ Southwest Salad
+ Mediterranean Salad

To cut to the chase, it is the best salad(s) I’ve ever had in my life. The freshness of the greens is incredible and it makes a huge difference in the taste. I put the experience like this… it must be what it would be like to not be from Iowa, visit Iowa and then stop at a Peaches and Cream corn stand. Pick up some corn and go home and cook it. For them, it would be like eating corn for the first time in their life.

I’m not trying too hard to rely on Plato’s ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE for this example.

So let me put it another way. It is like the difference between cooking with produce you purchased at a big chain grocery store vs with ingredients you bought at a farmer’s market. If you know anybody that works in a grocery store warehouse, ask them about the room they use to ripen bananas. It will blow your mind.

Or one last example…

It was like the first time I got a watermelon in Muscatine County in the height of watermelon season.

That is what my first salad at Clayton Farms Salads was like. It was like I had never had a salad before. (By looking at me, it is possible you think that I’ve never had a salad in my life, but I love vegetables. I also love a good order of cheesy fries too.)

Here are some pictures of my Clayton Farms Salads experiences:


Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
“Our greens are BETTER” is an understatement.

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
This guy is a member.

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
Southwest Salad

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
All the salads come with Salad Girl Dressing which is an organic line of dressings.

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
Even their forks are compostable.

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
Caesar Salad

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
Garden Salad

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
Farmer’s Punch – also delicious.

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
Crunchy Asian Salad

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads
Mediterranean Salad

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

Salad Shooting: Clayton Farms Salads

I’d rank the salads like this:

1. Garden Salad – romaine, sunflower microgreens, red onions, green onions, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, pistachios. and lemony herb dressing.
2. Crunch Asian Salad – romaine, pea microgreens, purple cabbage, edanmae, carrots, green onions, red bell peppers, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, crunchy chow mein noodles, toasted sesame ginger vinaigrette.
3. Mediterranean Salad – butterhead/arugula, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, garbanzo beans, red bell peppers, red onions, sliced almonds, lemony herb dressing.
4. Caesar Salad – romaine, broccoli microgreens, cucumber, parmesan cheese, croutons, lemony Caesar dressing.
5. Southwest Salad – butterhead, radish microgreens, orange & yellow bell pepper, black beans, red onion, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, butternut squash, avocado, pepitas, cilantro, chili limon dressing.

I’m not going to lie, when you add protein to the salad, it isn’t cheap. Each salad runs almost or over $15 after you add chicken. A dollar more if you add steak. At this point, I consider a meal that is under $15 as affordable. If I get a meal for less than $10, I alert the media.

The ultimate verdict is, would I pursue this meal? Yes I would. In fact, since I’m currently working in Ames 5 days a week, I pretty much eat here once a week.

You can find Clayton Farms Salads here:

2435 Grand Avenue
Ames, Iowa

They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM.

The next food adventure will be a road trip double dip.

Fran & Pepper 2022 – Vol. 3

I need to start today’s post by wishing Laura a happy birthday. Happy birthday Laura!


Miller Family - 2020

For most people I wish them a birthday full of joy. For Laura, I just hope she got some rest.

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Time once again to share a collection of pictures from my photo shoot with Fran and Pepper from a few months back. After all, it is Formal Portrait Sunday.


Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

I thought this was going to be my last collection of images from this photo shoot, but I have a few more to share. So one more Formal Portrait Sunday on the horizon!

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party – 2022

A few months back I picked up some cakes and Jim and went to the Wolf Lodge near Kansas City for the birthday party of the triplets and Jonah. I didn’t get to spend much time there cause Jim is kind of like Cinderella. He expires after being away from home too long.

I also didn’t get many pictures because we drove 4 hours to catch the last 25 minutes of the party. The rest of the day was spent in the Wolf Lodge water park area and I didn’t take any pictures there.

Here are some of the pictures I took:


Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party - 2022

Despite its brevity, it was a good trip. I wish I had some pictures of the kids playing in the water park, but I didn’t get any. I wonder what will happen with the birthday parties this year?

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


WEEK 386 - BOOKS
BOOKS

BOOKS! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a BOOKS image? Simply put, it is any image where the subject or a major compositional element is a BOOK or BOOKS.

Happy photo harvesting!

Natuation

Last Saturday I went down to Manhattan, Kansas to watch Nate graduate from Kansas State University with a degree in Food Science. He will be finding another job soon and hopefully moving closer.

Here are some pictures from the party:


Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

Nate's Graduation Party - 2021

I transported the cake from Boone. Don’t worry, I didn’t make it. Dutch Oven did. It will be fascinating to see where life takes Nate, Laura, and the kids next!

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


WEEK 327 - CANDID PORTRAIT
CANDID PORTRAIT

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

But what is a CANDID PORTRAIT image? A CANDID PORTRAIT image is simply an image where the person that is the subject of the photo isn’t posing for the picture. It doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t know their picture is getting taken, but they definitely aren’t posing for the picture. They are just being themselves. Which is why I prefer CANDID PORTRAITS a gazillion to one over formal portraits. But that is just me.

Happy photo harvesting!

WPC – WEEK 326 – ODD CAMERA ANGLE

ODD CAMERA ANGLE has proven to be an oddly successful theme!

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


WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ANDY SHARP (Photo by Don Lester)
Submitted by Andy Sharp – Photo by Don Lester

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE -BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE -  MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning

WEEK 326 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest

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 327 - CANDID PORTRAIT
CANDID PORTRAIT

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

But what is a CANDID PORTRAIT image? A CANDID PORTRAIT image is simply an image where the person that is the subject of the photo isn’t posing for the picture. It doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t know their picture is getting taken, but they definitely aren’t posing for the picture. They are just being themselves. Which is why I prefer CANDID PORTRAITS a gazillion to one over formal portraits. But that is just me.

While thinking on your subjects for your CANDID PORTRAIT image, meditate on the following quote:

If indeed you must be candid, be candid beautifully.
-Unknown

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 CANDID PORTRAIT in this place that is little more than me being candidly candid next Monday.

Triplet + Jonah Birthday Party

A few weeks back the Triplets and Jonah had a birthday party at the KOA near Adel. I wasn’t able to make the party because it was schedule for the same time as the Iowa State-Oklahoma State football game that I was scheduled to attend. But I did have time to drive down to Adel and hang out for about 90 minutes before I had to head to Ames to witness Iowa State beat a top ten Cowboy team.

Here are some pictures from my hang time:


The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

The Triplets and Jonah Birthday Party - 2021

Having everybody meet up in kind of a central location and spend the weekend was a pretty cool idea I thought. I hope it happens again on a weekend where Iowa State doesn’t have a home game, so I can be around more than 90 minutes. It was also really cold that weekend. I mean not really cold, but it was definitely colder than you would want.

Derrick told me that KOA campsites suck and hate children, but that wasn’t my experience, in the 90 minutes I was there. I would consider staying there on a trip sometime. I didn’t know they rented cabins and tents.

It was the first time I’d seen many of these people since before the pandemic. I hope it doesn’t take so long to see them again. Although I pretty sure I’m going down to Manhattan for Nate’s graduation in about a month.