Category Archives: Mom

WPC – WEEK 333 – #LOVE

#LOVE has proven to be a popular theme. Which is good, I’m glad so many people have #LOVE in their lives.

Heading into the 4th week of Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, these were the current streaks:

+ Logan Kahler – 1 week
+ Layla Gorshe – 1 week
+ Carla Stensland – 1 week
+ Tamara Peterson – 1 week
+ Robyn Augustin – 1 week
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Joe Duff – 1 week
+ Teresa Kahler – 1 week
+ Michelle Haupt – 2 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 3 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 3 weeks
+ Evie Gorshe – 4 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 4 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 4 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 5 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 9 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 10 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 12 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 12 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 15 weeks

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


WEEK 333 - LOVE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 6 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 2 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 16 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 333 - LOVE - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 3 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 2 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 333 - LOVE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 2 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 333 - LOVE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 333 - LOVE - MICHELLE HAUPT
Kim Barker – 13 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe – 5 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 5 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - LAYLA GORSHE
Layla Gorshe – 2 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 2 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 333 - LOVE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 333 - LOVE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 4 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 2 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 11 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 4 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest – 1 week

WEEK 333 - LOVE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 13 weeks

WEEK 333 - #LOVE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 1 week

WEEK 333 - #LOVE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 5 weeks

WEEK 333 - LOVE - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 10 weeks

WEEK 333 - #LOVE - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 4 weeks

27 submissions from 22 participants! 22 participants ties last week’s record! WooHoo!

Only 2 streaks were broken. Jen and Robyn could not extend that streak out to two.

The four longest streaks remained intact and Cathie joined the world of double digit streaks.

Here are the top streaks:

#1. Kio – 16 weeks
#2. Kim – 13 weeks
#2. Shannon – 13 weeks
#4. Elizabeth – 11 weeks
#5. Cathie – 10 weeks

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 334 - JUNK
JUNK

JUNK! What a great theme for Week 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a JUNK image? Simply put, it is any picture that involves JUNK in the composition. It can be as simple as opening up your JUNK drawer and taking a picture. I have at least 5 JUNK drawers in my house and one more in the office. You could got to a local salvage yard. You could go to a local “antique” store. It could be simply a picture of something you don’t like. There are numerous definitions of JUNK and feel free to explore any of those definitions. I think you know the definition I’m talking about.

While considering your possible subjects for JUNK, consider the following quote from terrible human being Thomas Edison:

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
-Thomas Edison

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

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 JUNK in this place that is little more than a collection of all my leftovers next Monday.

The Easy Part’s Over

Here is another collection of pictures of flowers from my Mom’s yard. The pink flower is a pink rain lily. It is housed in a metal pot and it is stored in the basement during the winter months. Right now, if you are in my basement bathroom, you can see the empty pots waiting to be placed outside again in the spring. These pictures were taken on a couple different dates.


Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

There are still more flower pictures to share.

Jesus It’s Me Again

It is time for another collection of flower pictures I took in my Mom’s yard. There are only a few of them this time.
These pictures were taken on August 16, 2021:


Jesus It's Me Again

Jesus It's Me Again

Last Penny - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

My Mom’s house is set to go on the market tomorrow. It is a bittersweet moment, but it is definitely past time that the house becomes a home to a new person or peoples.

Today is Epiphany. And while I haven’t mentioned many holidays recently, Epiphany is the day that I have my Christmas decorations up. Although this Christmas season that consists of decoration a Nativity set in the yard and an outdoor tree that I put lights and decorations I didn’t care if they broke on. Epiphany, if you don’t know, is the celebration of the Magi visiting Jesus as a child. Strictly speaking, it was probably years after Jesus was born. Not the day he was born.

In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

Regardless of how and why Epiphany is celebrated, I thought today’s title was apropos. I don’t know that anybody has figured out where the names for these Thursday posts come from, but they are song titles. Since today celebrates the divinity of Jesus I thought I would share the song lyrics:

Lately Lord, I almost feel like dying
I wake-up like a child alone at night
Sometimes Lord, I just can’t keep from crying
And I can’t find the strength to carry on
Jesus it’s me again
Down on my knees again
Asking you please again
Reach out your hand
Jesus it’s me again
I am on my knees again
Asking you please again
Reach out your hand
Jesus it’s me again
I’m down on my knees
And I’m asking
To reach out your hand
Time to time I try to find a reason
To talk to you a time to before
But this time Lord, it’s more than I can handle
And I know I just can’t take it anymore
Jesus it’s me again
Down on my knees again
Asking you please again
Reach out your hand
Jesus it’s me again
I’m on my knees again
Asking you please again
Reach out your hand
Yes asking you please again
Reach out your hand

The song, while depressing on the surface, is a reminder to me that wherever you are, that is where God will meet you. And how many times should you forgive? Seventy times seven. Which doesn’t mean 490. It means infinite. Infinite forgiveness!

WPC – WEEK 329 – EDUCATION

Here we are. The end of Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. There were 866 images submitted this year. Smashing the record set by Year 7, 807. Hopefully we break the record again in Year 9. To have a look at them, click on the link below:

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – YEAR 8

EDUCATION has proven to be a very popular theme.

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


WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - LAYLA GORSHE
Layla Gorshe

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - MIKE PARMELEE
Mike Parmelee

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley

WEEK 329 - EDUCATION - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe

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:

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 330 - BLACK + WHITE
BLACK + WHITE

BLACK + WHITE! What a great theme to kick off Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

To know me at all, is to know that my first love in photography is always been BLACK + WHITE. But what is BLACK + WHITE photo? Well, the obvious answer is that it simply a picture that is monochrome. Not color. But BLACK + WHITE. However, there are some things to know about taking a good BLACK + WHITE picture. Once you remove color from an image, you can’t rely on color to provide interest. Here are things to think about to make a good BLACK + WHITE image:

+ Shape and Form – The shapes of things will be more dominant.
+ Contrast – Without colors to separate your subjects, you will need the contrast between BLACK + WHITE to separate the objects in the picture.
+ Texture – A good subject in BLACK + WHITE photography will have texture. Texture really pops.

While considering possible subjects for your BLACK + WHITE picture, consider this quote by Ansel Adams:

“Our lives at times seem a study in contrast… love & hate, birth & death, right & wrong… everything seen in absolutes of black & white. Too often we are not aware that it is the shades of grey that add depth & meaning to the starkness of those extremes.”
-Ansel Adams

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 BLACK + WHITE in this place that is little more than my shades of gray next Monday.

Distant Drums

The April image of the 2022 Photography 139 Calendar is a picture of a tulip from my Mom’s yard. It is actually my favorite flower from her yard. Most people are drawn to her alliums, but this pink tulip is my favorite.


2022 Calendar - April

It is apropos in some ways that I’m sharing this picture of a flower from my Mom’s yard, because today is the 37th anniversary of my Dad’s passing.

Will share May’s image tomorrow.

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Here is another collection of pictures of flowers from my Mom’s yard. These pictures were taken on July 27, 2021.


Distant Drums

Distant Drums

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Painted without Instruction -2021

Hush - 2021

Hush - 2021

Unceasing Effort - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 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

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

There are still more flower pictures to go.

Town Sign Project: Decatur County

The February image from the 2022 Photography 139 Calendar is a macro image of an allium from my Mom’s yard just starting to bloom.


2022 Calendar - February

Tomorrow I will share the March image.

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A few weeks back Vest and I loaded up in the car and toured around Decatur County harvesting their town signs.

Here are some facts about Decatur County:

+ The population is 7,645 making it the 86th most populous county in Iowa. Behind Lucas County and above Monroe County.
+ The county seat is Leon.
+ The largest town is Lamoni.
+ Was organized in 1850.
+ Named after Stephen Decatur, a naval hero from the War of 1812.
+ Home of Graceland University.
+ Home of the smallest incorporated town in Iowa (tied).
+ Major highways are I-35, US-69, and IA-2.
+ Adjacent counties are Clarke, Wayne, and Ringgold.
+ Population peaked in 1920 at 16,566.

The Decatur County Courthouse is pretty cool looking:


Decatur County Courthouse
The Decatur County Courthouse located in Leon, Iowa.

The Decatur County Freedom Rock is located in Leon, Iowa:


Decatur County Freedom Rock

Decatur County Freedom Rock

Decatur County Freedom Rock

Decatur County Freedom Rock

With Decatur County conquered, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 50 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

50 counties conquered. 50.5% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Decatur County:


Lamoni, Iowa
Lamoni, Iowa
Welcome to Lamoni
home of GRACELAND UNIVERSITY
Founded 1895
Population: 1,969 (-355)

Leon, Iowa
Leon, Iowa
LEON
Population: 1,822 (-155)

Grand River, Iowa
Grand River, Iowa
GRAND RIVER RODEO
AUG 20-21
FRI-SAT 8:00 PM
Population: 196 (-40)

Davis City, Iowa
Davis City, Iowa
DAVIS CITY COMMUNITY CENTER
Population: 179 (-25)

Van Wert, Iowa
Van Wert, Iowa
VAN WERT Community Center
Where friends & family meet
Population: 178 (-52)

Decatur City, Iowa
Decatur City, Iowa
DECATUR CITY
Population: 175 (-22)

Garden Grove, Iowa
Garden Grove, Iowa
Welcome to GARDEN GROVE
1846
Population: 174 (-37)

Weldon, Iowa
Weldon, Iowa
Welcome to WELDON
“Always Home”
Est. 1880
Population: 136 (+9)

Pleasanton, Iowa
Pleasanton, Iowa
PLEASANTON
1838 2007
A Pleasant Place to Live
Population: 32 (-17)

Leroy, Iowa
Le Roy, Iowa
LEROY
Est. 1880
Population: 11 (-4)

Decatur County doesn’t have a very good collection of signs. Particularly bad are Van Wert, Davis City, and Grand River, which don’t really have signs so much as signs for their community center or rodeo. When I went through Grand River, the roads around it were heavily under construction and it was difficult to even get into the town, so I will give them some grace. Perhaps there is a sign somewhere that I just couldn’t get to because of all the road construction. I don’t know I’ll get back to Grand River to check that out any time soon though. That area of the state I’ve pretty heavily harvested. However, it isn’t too far from the interstate, so it is something I could check out next time I go to Kansas.

There are a few signs I do really like. Garden Grove has a solid sign. So does Pleasanton. I like the rustic charm of the Decatur City sign. The concrete Leon reminds me of signs I’ve seen in the Flint Hills area of Kansas. Le Roy has a very impressive sign for being a town of 11 people. Although, it will always be confusing to me. Is it Le Roy or is it Leroy? Technically it is Le Roy, so it feels like they misspelled their town name on their own town sign. Which means I’m going to give Best in Show to Weldon. A solid town sign like that is surely the reason that it is the only town in the county that actually gained people between 2010 and 2020.


Weldon, Iowa
Weldon – Best in Show – Decatur County

Two towns had alternate town signs:


Leon, Iowa
Leon – Alternate

Garden Grove, Iowa
Garden Grove – 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

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

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke 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

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison 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

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk 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

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 dusty trail for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will end up in Wayne County.

Cass County Auxiliary Images Vol. 2

It is time I start revealing the images that are included in the 2022 Photography 139 Calendar. Each picture was chosen for one reason or another. I might reveal the reason why those images were picked or I might not. It is a mystery. But the pieces are there, if you can put them together.

I tried to represent all the photo projects I’ve worked on or the pictures I entered into Photo Contests, but I only entered one photo contest this past year and most of those pictures were in last year’s calendar. However, THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT is represented by 3 of the images. 3 of the pictures were auxiliary images taken on THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT road trips. THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE is represented by 2 images. I also included 2 drone images, even though I barely took any drone images this year. I didn’t include any pictures from THE SELFIE PROJECT, cause nobody wants to stare at this mug for 31 days. I also didn’t include any images from the abandoned POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT. None of them seemed to fit any of the prerequisites that I have inside my head for each month’s image.

Here is the image that graces the front cover:


2022 Calendar - Cover

This picture of a Banksy inspired mural was found on the side of a building in Creston, Iowa. To know me at all is to know that I love Banksy. I took this picture on the last town sign harvesting trip I took with my Mom.

Tomorrow I will reveal January’s image.

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Here is the balance of the images I took on my road trip with Logan and Brandon to harvest the town signs of Cass County:


Cass County - Cold Springs State Park
Cold Springs State Park

Cass County - Cold Springs State Park

Cass County - Cold Springs State Park

Cass County - Cold Springs State Park

Cass County - Lewis
Lewis

Cass County - Lewis

Cass County - Lewis

Cass County - Lewis

Cass County - Lewis

Cass County - Lewis

Cass County - Hitchcock House
Hitchcock House

Cass County - Hitchcock House

Cass County - Hitchcock House

Cass County - Hitchcock House

Cass County - Atlantic
Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Cass County - Atlantic

Audubon County - Tree in the Road
Tree in the Road – Audubon County

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Audubon County - Tree in the Road

Greene County - Grand Junction
Grand Junction – Greene County

Here is the story behind the Tree in the Road from the Travel Iowa website:

This is a Cottonwood tree that has become a landmark in Audubon County. The story is when the county lines were being established the surveyor placed a green cottonwood stick into the ground at the exact point where the lines crossed and grew into the present tree.

The next set of auxiliary images will come from southwest Iowa.