Category Archives: Cathie

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Derrick, Elizabeth, Evie, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Layla, Linda, Logan, Macro, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Shannon, Steph, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – 354 – SELF-PORTRAIT

June 27, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I though SELF-PORTAIT would be a popular theme. Do you think I was right? Well, you’ll have to scroll down to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, June 20, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

+ Becky Parmelee – 1 week
+ Mike Vest – 1 week
+ Angie DeWaard – 2 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 5 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 7 weeks (4
+ Jesse Howard – 9 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 11 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 12 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 14 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 22 weeks (2)
+ Tamara Peterson – 22 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 22 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 23 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 24 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 25 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 26 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 30 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 31 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 33 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 36 weeks (4)

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

Linda Bennett – 8 weeks

Linda Bennett

Mary Green – 1 week

Mary Green

Michelle Haupt – 24 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 23 weeks

Tamara Peterson

Bill Wentworth – 27 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Carla Stensland – 23 weeks

Kio Dettman – 37 weeks

Kio Dettman

Kim Barker – 12 weeks

Kim Barker

Angie DeWaard – 3 weeks

Angie DeWaard

Elizabeth Nordeen – 32 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 23 weeks

Stephanie Kim – 1 week

Lori Backous – 1 week

Joe Duff – 13 weeks

Logan Kahler – 15 weeks

Dawn Krause – 6 weeks

Suzie Brannen – 1 week

Willy McAlpine – 1 week

Micky Augustin – 25 weeks

Cathie Morton – 31 weeks

Jesse Howard – 10 weeks

Monica Jennings – 1 week

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 33 weeks

Andy Sharp – 26 weeks

Layla Gorshe – 1 week

Evie Gorshe – 1 week

Derrick Gorshe – 1 week

Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

Mike Vest – 2 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks

31 participants! A new record. Smashing the old record of 26 participants for FLOWER. That is a great week!

There were a few milestones achieved. Jesse reached double figures. Andy joined the Half Year Club.

Derrick submitted for the first time this year. True Jen was heavily involved in that, but I would consider that a good thing.

There was a time when I was sure Andy and Shannon’s epic streaks were going to be history, but they came in with submissions with a few minutes to spare!

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 23 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 23 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 23 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 24 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 25 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 26 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 27 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 31 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 32 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 34 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 37 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:

ENTERTAINMENT

WARNING: NEXT MONDAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY. SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS INDEPENDENCE DAY (EVEN THOUGH NOTHING HAPPENED ON THE 4TH OF JULY). I DON’T KNOW WHAT MY PLANS INCLUDE YET, BUT IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT I WON’T BE IN A POSITION TO SEND OUT ANY REMINDERS. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT YOU WILL GET SUPER BUSY NEXT MONDAY AND FORGET TO SUBMIT. PLAN ACCORDINGLY. CAUSE WHILE THE BANKS AND THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE TAKING NEXT MONDAY OFF. THERE ARE NO DAYS OFF AT PHOTOGRAPHY 139. NO REST FOR THE WICKED(LY AWESOME!).

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

But what is an ENTERTAINMENT image? It is simply a picture of something that is used for ENTERAINMENT or something that ENTERTAINMENTs you. Examples would include things like theaters (like in the theme reveal) or concerts or plays or anything you would do to pass the time in an enjoyable way.

While considering possible subjects for your ENTERTAINMENT image, meditate on the following quote:

Art is moral passion married to entertainment. Moral passion without entertainment is propaganda, and entertainment without moral passion is television.
-Rita Mae Brown

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 your idea of ENTERTAINMENT in this place that at least entertains me next Monday.

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Jay, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Michelle, Micky, Self-Portrait, Shannon, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – 353 – SERVICE

June 20, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I want to start this post with the text of a text that Joe sent me last week.

If I haven’t said, the WPC really helps me be present and look at the world a little differently. Thanks for facilitating!

If there was a mission statement for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, that is essentially what it is. To help people be more present and look at the world differently.

Thanks for the kind words Joe. I hope it has helping other people in a similar way.

+++++++

SERVICE can feel like a bit of a more abstract concept theme, so I wouldn’t be surprised if people struggled with this one a bit. I guess you will have to scroll down to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, June 13, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

+ Angie DeWaard – 1 week (2)
+ Mary Green – 2 weeks (2)
+ Sara Lockner – 3 weeks (2)
+ Dawn Krause – 4 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 6 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 8 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 10 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 11 weeks (3)
+ Logan Kahler – 13 weeks (2)
+ Teresa Kahler – 21 weeks (2)
+ Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 21 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 22 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 23 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 24 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 25 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 29 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 30 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 35 weeks (3)

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

Micky Augustin – 24 weeks

Kio Dettman – 36 weeks

Kio Dettman

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 32 weeks*

Linda Bennett – 7 weeks

Linda Bennett

Tamara Peterson – 22 weeks

Bill Wentworth – 26 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Cathie Morton – 30 weeks

Carla Stensland – 22 weeks

Joe Duff – 12 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 22 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Kim Barker – 11 weeks

Andy Sharp – 25 weeks

Angie DeWaard – 2 weeks

Dawn Krause – 5 weeks

Michelle Haupt – 23 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 1 week

Logan Kahler – 14 weeks

Jesse Howard – 9 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 31 weeks

Mike Vest – 1 week

21 participants submitted 28 submissions. That is a good number of participants for a theme that is somewhat abstract.

Bill reached the Half a Year Club this week! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all good news. Mary Green’s steak came to a halt after two weeks. And we bid a fond adieu to Sara’s 3 week streak.

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 22 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 22 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 221 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 23 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 24 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 25 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 26 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 30 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 31 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 33 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 36 weeks

SELF-PORTRAIT

SELF-PORTAIT! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! While SERVICE might have seemed obtuse, SELF-PORTRAIT is literally the easiest streak of this 52 weeks. All you need is a camera, which you have, and a self, which you also have. There should be at least 50 participants next Monday. Or at least 25.

A quick shoutout to Jay for helping me take this week’s theme reveal image. Thanks Jay!

But what is a SELF-PORTRAIT? Please don’t play coy. It is simply a portrait of one’s self. Now a SELF-PORTRAIT doesn’t necessarily have to be a picture of your face. It could be of your hands or feet or whatever body part. It doesn’t even have to include you at all. It can be a picture of something that is uniquely you. For example Wily keeps pretty much every pair of running shoes he has ever had. He has maybe an excess of 100. A picture of his running shoes with or without his feet in them would be a SELF-PORTRAIT. OR you could even take a picture of somebody taking a SELF-PORTRAIT.

While considering how you are going to do your SELF-PORTRAIT, meditate on this following quote:

Know yourself. Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
Ann Landers

With all due respect to Ann Landers, but she can s… I strongly disagree with her. Maybe her dog isn’t a great judge of character, but Naima certainly is!

However, I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

RULES

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 your idea of SELF-PORTRAIT in this place that is little more than my giant selfie next Monday.

* Although perhaps Shannon should be disqualified for taking a cat picture out of spite… but it does qualify as SERVICE because as she wrote me “You defined a service as helping someone else. Well this beauty needed help. And I’m getting my cat photo in even if you don’t like my suggestion of CAT as a theme.”

Andy, Angie, Bill, Boone FUMC, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Maven, Michelle, Micky, Sara, Shannon, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 352 – CHILDREN

June 13, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

A quick housekeeping note: for the last couple of months I haven’t been able to email people with a Gmail account. If you have written me and I haven’t written back, I have tried, just Gmail security has been dumb. However, on Friday, I believe I finally got all the SPF stuff in the right spot and it appears that I can now email my Gmail people. This hasn’t effected the email subscription service because those emails are delivered by a third party service called MailPoet that Gmail doesn’t actively hate.

Anybody that wants to hear the exciting tale of creating SPF records, can contact me directly. I can throw in a bonus DMARC story!

+++++++

CHILDREN has proven to be a popular theme. Many people love CHILDREN, but not as many as people as love FLOWER. Which is okay, FLOWER(s) don’t grow up to be teenagers.

Submissions did flow in from all over the country. Some from Texas, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and California. I even travelled to exotic locale of Johnston, Iowa to take my picture.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, June 6, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

+ Lori Backous – 1 week
+ Suzie Brannen – 1 week (3)
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Layla Gorshe – 1 week
+ Mary Green – 1 week
+ Monica Jennings – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 3 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 5 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 7 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 9 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 10 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 12 weeks (5)
+ Teresa Kahler – 20 weeks (3)
+ Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks (2)
+ Carla Stensland – 20 weeks (3)
+ Michelle Haupt – 21 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 22 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 23 weeks (2)
+ Bill Wentworth – 24 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 28 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 29 weeks (2)
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 34 weeks (3)

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

Logan Kahler – 13 weeks

Logan Kahler

Angie DeWaard – 1 week

Angie DeWaard

Kim Barker – 10 weeks

Joe Duff – 11 weeks

Joe Duff

Andy Sharp – 24 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 30 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 21 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Micky Augustin – 23 weeks

Mary Green – 2 weeks

Mary Green

Michelle Haupt – 22 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 32 weeks

Bill Wentworth – 25 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Kio Dettman – 35 weeks

Kio Dettman

Dawn Krause – 4 weeks

Linda Bennett – 6 weeks

Linda Bennett

Jesse Howard – 8 weeks

Jesse Howard

Cathie Morton – 29 weeks

Sara Lockner – 3 weeks

Sara Lockner

Carla Stensland – 21 weeks

33 submissions from 21 participants. So this answers the age old debate on whether or not people like flowers or children more.

There was a veritable bloodbath of streaks snaped this week. Lori, Suzie, Jen, Layla, and Monica all couldn’t extend there streak from 1 week to two. Evie’s 2 week streak also ended.

On the good news front, Kim joined the double digit club! Way to go Kim!

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 21 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 21 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 22 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 23 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 24 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 25 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 29 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 30 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 32 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 35 weeks

SERVICE

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

This is a theme that was suggested by Andy. If you don’t like it, well remember that I crowdsource the themes once a year about November, so watch for that post and conduct your actions accordingly.

That isn’t to infer that I don’t love this theme. If I didn’t love the suggestion, I would have filed it in the trash next to Shannon’s suggestion of CATS. Maybe not next to that suggestion. Cause that one I threw in the trash and then stomped the trash down. Then took it to the incinerator. I didn’t even own an incinerator. I went to the store and bought one, just so I could incinerate that suggestion.

That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t make suggestions for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE when that time is nigh. Just don’t suggest CATS. Happy birthday Shannon!

But what is a SERVICE picture? A SERVICE is simply the action of helping someone else. A SERVICE picture is simply a picture of one person helping another person. Or the results of one person helping another person. Now there are many different types of SERVICE. For example the theme reveal is a picture of a worship SERVICE. I get very questionable internet SERVICE from Mediacom. A couple days last week I ate at restaurant where I received SERVICE from many fine servers.

When considering your possible subjects for SERVICE meditate on the following quote:

11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
-Matthew 23: 11-12

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

RULES

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 your idea of SERVICE in this place that much exists only on servers next Monday.

Andy, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Flowers, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Layla, Linda, Logan, Macro, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Sara, Shannon, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 351 – FLOWER

June 6, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

FLOWER has proven to be a pretty popular theme. I’m always not sure how these things will go because I know more than a few people that just absolutely HATE flower photography or as my forthcoming book will be called, flowertography. Not only do they HATE flower pictures, they in particular HATE my flower photography. I don’t know why they don’t have any joy in their lives, but I continue to pray for them.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 30, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

+ Evie Gorshe – 1 week
+ Sara Lockner – 1 week (9)
+ Dawn Krause – 2 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 4 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 6 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 6 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 8 weeks (2)
+ Becky Parmelee – 8 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 9 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 11 weeks (3)
+ Teresa Kahler – 19 weeks (2)
+ Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 19 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 20 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 21 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 22 weeks (2)
+ Bill Wentworth – 23 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 27 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 28 weeks (2)
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 30 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 33 weeks (2)

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

Lori Backous – 1 week

Suzie Brannen – 1 week

Suzie Brannen

Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

Layla Gorshe – 1 week

Mary Green – 1 week

Monica Jennings – 1 week

Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks

Sara Lockner – 2 weeks

Dawn Krause – 3 weeks

Linda Bennett – 5 weeks

Jesse Howard – 7 weeks

Kim Barker – 9 weeks

Joe Duff – 10 weeks

Logan Kahler – 12 weeks

Logan Kahler

Teresa Kahler – 20 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks

Tamara Peterson

Carla Stensland – 20 weeks

Carla Stensland

Michelle Haupt – 21 weeks

Micky Augustin – 22 weeks

Andy Sharp – 23 weeks

Andy Sharp

Bill Wentworth – 24 weeks

Cathie Morton – 28 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 29 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks

Kio Dettman – 34 weeks

Kio Dettman

Christopher D. Bennett – 453 weeks

41 submissions. Which I think is a record. But what actually gets me excited is 26 participants! Which I think is also a record. I’ll have to check the log book.

It is indeed a new record. Eclipsing the previous record of 25 participants set a month back by #INSTAGOOD.

A major milestone this week was reached by Joe Duff, who reached the double digit club.

Also, for the first time, at least I’m pretty sure, I received submissions from a hospital bed. I mean that isn’t all great news, but it certainly shows a level of commitment.

However, it wasn’t all good news. 2 streaks did snap. Becky’s 8 week streak is a goner. Angie’s 6 week streak did not super spread all the way to Los Angeles.

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 20 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 20 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 21 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 22 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 23 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 24 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 28 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 29 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 34 weeks

CHILDREN

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

But what is a CHILDREN picture? Simply put, a CHILDREN picture is any picture that includes a CHILDren or CHILDREN or anything that deals with CHILDREN. This could be a very easy theme for some people. Some people can’t throw a rock in their house with out hitting a CHILD(REN). Which isn’t to say that I endorse throwing rocks at CHILDREN. It is just a saying. Some people might not have such easy access to a CHILD(REN) or even know a CHILD(REN). No worries! That is where the “anything that deals with CHILDREN comes into play. Notice how the theme reveal image doesn’t have any CHILDREN in it, but instead is a picture of a playground, which CHILD(REN) of all ages use.

While considering possible subjects for you submission, meditate on the following quote:

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.
-Stacie Tauscher

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

RULES

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 your idea of CHILDREN in this place that some definitely reveals my hidden child next Monday.

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Evie, Flowers, History, Jesse, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Michelle, Sara, Shannon, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 350 – HISTORY

May 30, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I am back from my road trip. I have to say that I saw some of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. I can’t wait to share them with you in 3-4 months.

HISTORY proved to be a deceptively popular theme despite the holiday. Most people still seemed to come up with some kind of piece of HISTORY to photograph and get to me even though it was a holiday!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 23, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Dawn Krause – 1 week
+ Mary Green – 2 weeks
+ William McAlpine – 2 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 3 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 5 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 5 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 7 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 7 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 8 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 10 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 18 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 18 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 18 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 19 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 20 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 21 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 22 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 26 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 27 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 29 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 32 weeks

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

Kim Barker – 8 weeks

Kim Barker

Evie Gorshe – 1 week

Angie DeWaard – 6 weeks

Joe Duff – 9 weeks

Sara Lockner – 1 week

Sara Lockner

Logan Kahler – 11 weeks

Logan Kahler

Dawn Krause – 2 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 19 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Micky Augustin – 21 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 28 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen

Andy Sharp – 22 weeks

Andy Sharp

Jesse Howard – 6 weeks

Carla Stensland – 19 weeks

Kio Dettman – 33 weeks

Kio Dettman

Linda Bennett – 4 weeks

Michelle Haupt – 20 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 30 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 8 weeks

Cathie Morton – 27 weeks

Bill Wentworth – 23 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

37 submissions from 22 participants. That is a pretty good week!

Only two streaks went kaput! Mary Green’s 2 week streak went the way of the dodo bird and Willy McAlpine’s 2 week streak is also only a fond memory. I have no doubt that we will see big things from them again in the future!

Here are the current top streaks!

9. Teresa Kahler – 19 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 19 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 20 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 21 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 22 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 23 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 27 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 28 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 30 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 33 weeks

FLOWER

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

But what is a FLOWER picture? Simply put, a FLOWER picture is any picture where a FLOWER is a major compositional element of the picture. The FLOWER can be real. The FLOWER can be fake. The FLOWER can be a artistic rendering. There are so many options!

When thinking on possible subjects for your submission, meditate on the following quote:

Take time to smell the roses.
-Proverb

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

RULES

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 your idea of FLOWER in this place that some people already think has too many flowers next Monday.

Art, Baseball/Softball, Cathie, Kim, Lowell, Night, Self-Portrait, Still Life, Street Photography, Travel, Work

CMC – Miami Beach

May 28, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

At 7 AM on my birthday I loaded up on to a plane and flew to Miami Beach for the annual Computer Mine Convention. It is the biggest convention of the year for Computer Mine customers. They don’t come just to see us, but they come to see our competitors or other products that aren’t even related to us. I spent a lot of time under the brutal fluorescent lighting of the Miami Beach Convention Center, but I did get out and about to have a few adventures. I thought I would share some of my cruddy cell phone pictures from the almost 7 days I was gone from home.

Our layover was in Atlanta.

An altitude of -140 feet doesn’t seem ideal.

A limo driver holding my name up at an airport. I’m a pretty big deal people!

Santiago was the Man! He also took us back to the airport a week later.

We stayed at the Plymouth Hotel. I only have 4 things I look for in a hotel. #1. A bed. #2. Free Wi-Fi. #3. Free breakfast. #4. A good shower. It had 2 of the 4. But it did have a swanky retro vibe.

The closest I got to the ocean. I thought we would be back. I thought wrong.

I was told we would probably see boobs on the beach (by undisclosed person). I’m just bringing this up to cutoff the inevitable question about topless beaches I might get later. There were no uncovered boobs on the beach I saw. Sorry if this disappoints you.

The owner of this van is killing it. I mean that metaphorically. I don’t think they are a serial killer. But in Florida, you never know.

First Miami Beach meal at Sultan. Cost about $20. It was delicious.

Lowell and Tony really, really, really hate this thing. I think it is hilarious. Bad art, but hilarious.

Kim’s new hat.

That was like $16. It is Kim’s drink.

$10 with free refills. And it was Pepsi! Bingpot!

The raw material for nightmares.

The special wardrobe I bought for the Marlins game. 3 compliments on this outfit from strangers.

Whatever stadium the Marlins play in was okay. Not great, but okay. For a dome.

Seats were first row on the third base side.

So much amazing neon in Miami Beach.

This might have been my favorite meal on the trip. Cost was $15.

If I remember correctly, this is called Mount Miami.

So many micro cokes in this town. At an Italian restaurant on the Lincoln Mall. It was very fair. Costed about $30. Service was less than fair.

Computer Mine meeting.

There is a lot going on here.

Guess how much this cost me?

We never got to ride in Sexy Uber, but our Uber driver to the Cuban restaurant had 2 Jacquelines on the hook.

Did you guess $122? Then I probably already told you. It would have been more, but Carlos (the creepy waiter) forgot my dessert and Lowell paid for one of my sides.

Inside the Miami Beach Convention Center.

A German booth a couple aisles down. They had some creepy stuff.

Germans man.

Best outfit in the convention center.

The drink Derek is holding cost $21.

A tanned, bronzed god. With aching feet.

Sculpture across the street from the Plymouth.

I literally took this picture because I thought we were never leaving for the Cuban restaurant.

But we did!

Restaurant recommended by our doorman.

These shrimp stuffed plantain appetizers that Tony ordered were maybe my single favorite thing I ate on this trip.

A Cuban. I was going to try something else, but in the end, I love a good Cuban. I don’t think I have had one since the Cuban fries incident that happened in Indianola. I haven’t forgotten Andy. I’m close to forgiving.

Math. This meal cost $30.

I appreciate good bathroom art. Someday I may even tell you about the outhouse I found in Unionville, Iowa. If you have the guts to take it!

One of the side effects of the pandemic is that I forgot that smokers even existed.

Miami Beach from the beach. At night.

Inside the convention center.

This is the Computer Mine Booth Closet. It is a magical place. It is where the snacks are. It is where you hide from regressive weirdos that don’t think women should have the right to vote and that the wife’s job is to do whatever the man wants them to do… hypothetically speaking. However, to the disappointment of one customer, there is not a port-a-potty in there.

If you say so.

Another micro-Coke.

This pisses me off! You don’t put the Gambler in a corner. You don’t cover him with a ladder.

This mural was in Sweet Liberty where the sales team hosted a party. Free appetizers and micro-Cokes! The tacos here were one of my favorite things I had on this trip. Cost to me, yeah I already said it, free!

I ghosted on the party (well Tony saw me leave) to try to hit the Miami Beach Botanical Garden before we lost the sun, cause the closer you are to the equator, the earlier the sun sets in the summer, cause the earth isn’t flat. But by the time I got there it had closed and wasn’t going to open again before I flew out Tuesday morning. The humanity!

Although that sucked, it did lead to me visiting the Holocaust Memorial which was extremely powerful. Germans man.

That night I walked to a nearby Walgreens to buy some postcards (hopefully some of you have received them by now) and some ibuprofen. On my way back to the Plymouth I was nearly hit by a cop car stopping at the Abbey Hotel. A few of our staff were staying there. By the time the cop cars stopped showing up, there were 9 cars and a fire rescue truck. I’m not sure what happened, but rumor has it involved a few women fighting over the same man. I hope it was not Jacqueline1 and Jacqueline2 fighting over our Uber driver. The next day the couch in the lobby was covered in plastic and then the day after that it disappeared.

I just don’t see the connection, but I love it the same.

This empanada I ate at the convention center was by far the worst thing I ate on this trip. With a regular sized coke it was $11.

A computer mine competitor’s booth.

After the show, we tore down our booth. Within and hour, all of our crates showed up… except for one. We got them packed up and then we waited for the last crate.

And waited…

While we waited Amy was kind enough to bring us pizza so we didn’t starve…

And this thing… which she questioned why I photographed… beyond the obvious reasons… I photographed it to send a picture of it to Elizabeth as she is a noted cheese fiend… it is fresh mozzarella… Elizabeth thought it was gelato… which wasn’t the last time gelato would come into my life that night…

Then after 3 hours… the crate arrived… Not really. Tony walked around the convention center and found our missing crate just sitting there next to a bathroom and brought it back to us. While Tony is definitely a hero, I wonder if his crossing a union line might lead to a hit being put out on him by the Teamsters. I kept my distance from him just in case.

Outside of the convention center. But we weren’t allowed to go in those doors. We had to walk completely around the building to the other side. I know, times are tough.

A theater near the convention center.

After getting back to the hotel, I rested briefly and then went to a store to get some touristy stuff. A magnet for my fridge. More postcards to mail out. A couple stickers. One for my 2022 Log Book and the other I’m holding onto until I get new luggage. They also sold some sweet shirts.

I texted a picture of this shirt to Jen and she described it as classy. I agree with her.

Bought one of these for Tony cause they were in clearance and he asked me to pickup anything that said “Tony or Shannon”. Not that Shannon, but Tony’s Shannon. Tony’s Shannon does roller derby, which is badass. Ball is in your court not Tony’s Shannon.

Elizabeth mentioned gelato and gelato came to me. The universe looking out for me.

Sorry Elizabeth, no malts, only shakes.

I ordered Banana Nutella.

I’ve been hacking on the alcohol drinkers on this trip for spending $22 on a drink cause I’m cheap and I don’t drink alcohol. But this shake cost me $14. Hypocrite much? Maybe, but it was delicious. Although frankly more liquidy than an Iowa shake.

I wish I could take this home and put it in my yard.

Jeez lady, cover up, there might be a DeSantis voter in the neighborhood.

So much great neon in Miami Beach.

Goodbye Miami and the worst airport experience I’ve ever had.

Flying home, well right by home.

If you are from Boone, you are genetically programmed and morally obligated to take a train any chance you get. The Minneapolis airport.

I had 5 compliments on this shirt that Teresa made for me.

Saylorville!

Had to do some tenderloining at Ted’s Coney Island on the way home. $15.

Baklava!

On the flight from Miami to Minneapolis I shared by dream of putting one of those take one-replace-one libraries on my front lawn and fill it with banned books to Amy. She worried that in a town like Boone, somebody might burn it down. I’m sure it would be fine. You can say a lot of disparaging things about Boone, but it isn’t a backwards hick town like Ankeny.

If you want to see plenty more cruddy cell phone pictures I took on my trip, click on the link below:

Miami Beach – 2022

Tony asked me how many pictures I took on this trip at one point. It was over 500 cell phone pictures. I also took a far less number of pictures on my real camera. Some of those will be coming any day, week or month from now. Sometime after the Renaissance Fair pictures I’d reckon.

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Michelle, Micky, Shannon, Still Life, Tamara, Teresa, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 349 – HAT

May 24, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

I am back from Miami Beach! I even brought Kim and Cathie back with me sorta. Not really. At least Kim and I were on the same flight. The short answer was it was a good enough trip that involved long hours in a convention center.

I want to thank everybody that wished me a happy birthday and Kim for briefly singing to me.

Thank you Kim, Elizabeth, Jen, Sara, Anders, Teresa, Micky, Jesse, Michelle, Jay, Monica, Shannon, Elainie, Brandon, Angie, Alexis (bonus points for working in a Godzilla graphic in her birthday wish), Andree, Steph, Faust, Logan, and Carla. I appreciate it! Now on to the mission of the next trip around to the sun and making it as good-ish as possible.

I thought the theme of HAT might be a streak buster because of the unusual logistics of the week, and it did to some degree, but not to the degree that I thought.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 16, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Mary Green – 1 week
+ William McAlpine – 1 week
+ Linda Bennett – 2 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 4 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 4 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 6 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 6 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 6 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 7 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 8 weeks
+ Monica Jennings – 9 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 9 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 17 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 17 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 17 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 18 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 19 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 20 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 21 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 25 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 26 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 28 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 31 weeks
+ Christopher D. Bennett 450 weeks

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

Logan Kahler – 10 weeks

Joe Duff – 8 weeks

Kim Barker – 7 weeks

Kim Barker

Dawn Krause – 1 week

Jesse Howard – 5 weeks

Jesse Howard

Teresa Kahler – 18 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Elizabeth Nordeen – 27 weeks

Andy Sharp – 21 weeks

Andy Sharp

Micky Augustin – 20 weeks

Angie DeWaard – 5 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 7 weeks

Bill Wentworth – 22 weeks

Carla Stensland – 18 weeks

Cathie Morton – 26 weeks

Kio Dettman – 32 weeks

Kio Dettman

Linda Bennett – 3 weeks

Linda Bennett

Mary Green – 2 weeks

Mary Green

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 29 weeks

Michelle Haupt – 19 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 18 weeks

William McAlpine – 2 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

33 submissions from 22 participants. That is a good week. I’m glad to see that so many of you have an important HAT in your life.

There were a couple of accomplishments of note this week. Logan cracked double digits to enter the double digit club. Cathie hit 26 weeks to enter the half year club.

But as I feared, multiple streaks did bite the dust. Sara’s 6 week streak is gone. Suzie’s 8 week streak, only something you can read about in the history books. Monica’s 9 week streak, a distant memory.

9. Teresa Kahler – 18 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 18 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 18 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 19 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 20 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 21 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 22 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 26 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 27 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 29 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 32 weeks

HISTORY

WARNING: NEXT MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY. YOU MIGHT BE OUT DOING HOLIDAY TYPE THINGS. THINK ABOUT THIS WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR PLANS TO SEND ME YOUR SUBMISSION. I ALSO MIGHT NOT BE IN POSITION TO SEND OUT ANY REMINDERS. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

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

But what is a HISTORY picture? A HISTORY picture is simply any picture that deals with a HISTORI(Y)cal artifact. Could be something found in a museum. It could be something found on the side of the road. It could be an old church or an old building. It could be living history. It doesn’t have to be anything as grand as the spot where a President of the United StateS spoke. It doesn’t have to be political HISTORY or military HISTORY or religious HISTORY. It could very easily be personal HISTORY or family HISTORY.

When thinking on possible subjects for your submission, meditate on the following quote:

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
-Karl Marx

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

RULES

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 your idea of HISTORY in this place that definitely records my daily minutiae next Monday.

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Black & White, Carla, Cathie, Dad, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Postcard, Railroad, Sara, Self-Portrait, Shannon, Slice of Life, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 348 – SLICE OF LIFE

May 16, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

SLICE OF LIFE got more results than I am expected. You people have impressed me!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 9, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Linda Bennett – 1 week
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 3 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 5 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 5 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 5 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 6 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 6 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 8 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 8 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 16 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 16 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 16 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 17 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 18 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 19 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 20 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 24 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 25 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 27 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 30 weeks

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

WEEK 348 - SLICE OF LIFE - TERESA KAHLER

Teresa Kahler – 17 weeks

Monica Jennings – 9 weeks

Monica Jennings

Elizabeth Nordeen – 26 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen

Joe Duff – 7 weeks
View from “The Mount” of several harden by Hermann Park in Houston

Joe Duff
“Inside the Octopus”. The main ballroom of the Octopus where countless Christmas parties, summer socials, and special evets were held.

Joe Duff
TPC Group “Octopus”, built 1959. An octagonal building with ballroom and meeting facilities. Built by employees from wood harvested on site.

Kim Barker – 6 weeks

Kim Barker

Micky Augustin – 19 weeks

Mary Green – 1 week

Kio Dettman – 31 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 17 weeks

William McAlpine – 1 week

Bill Wentworth – 21 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 28 weeks

Linda Bennet – 2 weeks

Angie DeWaard – 4 weeks

Cathie Morton – 25 weeks

Michelle Haupt – 18 weeks

Suzie Brannen – 8 weeks

Logan Kahler – 9 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 6 weeks

Jesse Howard – 4 weeks

Andy Sharp – 20 weeks

Carla Stensland – 17 weeks

Sara Lockner – 6 weeks

Sara Lockner

31 submissions from 24 participants! That is a great week! Better than I expected, considering the extra rule for this week. Don’t worry none of the remaining Year 9 themes have a bonus rule.

Also, the following people earned this week’s bonus points by submitting a black & white image:
+ Teresa Kahler
+ Monica Jennings – 1 out of 3 anyways
+ Joe Duff – 1 out of 3 anyways
+ Mary Green
+ Kio Dettman
+ Linda Bennett
+ Angie DeWaard
+ Suzie Brannen
+ Logan Kahler
+ Andy Sharp

Be sure to check your mailbox, those bonus points should be arriving any day now.

This was an exciting week for new participants. Mary Green participating for the first time ever. As did William McAlpine. Willy’s submission came all the way from Portugal!

Also you may have noticed a couple name changes from a couple of the participants. I wonder what that means? Congratulations is what is means!

But it wasn’t all good news. 2 streaks did bite the dust. Jen’s two week streak. Gone. Dawn’s 6 week streak. Poof. I have no doubt they will be back with great submissions again in the future!

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 17 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 17 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 17 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 18 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 19 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 20 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 21 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 25 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 26 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 28 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 31 weeks

Congratulations to Elizabeth as her submissions (all the way from Florida) made her the third person to have a streak extend for half of a year! WooHoo!

HAT

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

But what exactly is a HAT photo? It is very simple. Just any picture that features a HAT in the image works. There are all sorts of hats out there ranging from fedoras to beanies to fedoras to bucket hats to fedoras to baseball caps to fedoras. Did I mention fedoras?

There is a warning on this theme though:

NEXT MONDAY I WILL NOT BE IN ANY POSITION TO SEND OUT ANY KIND OF REMINDERS. YOU ARE DEFINITELY ON YOUR OWN ON THIS ONE.

While considering subjects for your HAT image, mediate on the following quote:

Live your life, do your work, then take your hat.
-Henry David Thoureau

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

RULES

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 your idea of HAT in this place where I hang many of my hats next Monday.

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Drone, Elizabeth, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Sara, Shannon, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 347 – SQUARE

May 9, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 3 Comments

WARNING: THE THEME FOR NEXT WEEK IS THE OTHER WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE THAT DOES HAVE A SECOND RULE. READ THE DIRECTIONS CLOSELY.

Square has proven to be a pretty popular theme.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 2, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Sarah Karber – 1 week
+ Angie DeWaard – 2 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 2 weeks
+ Evie Gorshe – 3 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 4 weeks
+ Sara Lockner – 4 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 4 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 5 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 5 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 6 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 7 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 7 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 15 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 15 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 15 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 16 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 17 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 18 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 19 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 23 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 24 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 26 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 29 weeks

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

Kio Dettman – 30 weeks

Kio Dettman

Linda Bennett – 1 week

Linda Bennett

Tamara Peterson – 16 weeks

Bill Wentworth – 20 weeks

Carla Stensland – 16 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Teresa Kahler – 16 weeks

Michelle Haupt – 17 weeks

Andy Sharp – 19 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 27 weeks

Joe Duff – 6 weeks

Kim Barker – 5 weeks

Logan Kahler – 8 weeks

Logan Kahler

Elizabeth Nordeen – 25 weeks

Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks

Micky Augustin – 18 weeks

Monica Henning – 8 weeks

Cathie Raley – 24 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 5 weeks

Angie DeWaard – 3 weeks

Dawn Krause – 6 weeks

Dawn Krause

Sara Lockner – 5 weeks

Sara Lockner

Jesse Howard – 3 weeks

Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks

I’m not going to get into who had streaks broke and how many participants there were, because Mediacom sucks. Just absolutely sucks. You are lucky you are even seeing this post, that is how bad Mediacom sucks.

There were 31 submissions. That is all you get.

SLICE OF LIFE

SLICE OF LIFE! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a SLICE OF LIFE photo? It might not be what you think. Hence this week’s special rule. SLICE OF LIFE is a reference to the photo postcard company that my Dad created. That is why (and here is the special rule) this week, the theme is NOT up for interpretation. This week’s theme is to take a picture that you could see used as a postcard. That is the only interpretation available to you.

Some of you might not live in a tourist hotbed like Boone, Iowa (no seriously, Boone has lots of tourist attractions from Pufferbilly Days to the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace to Ledge State Park to the Boone Speedway to name a few) but there is certainly something in your town that you could see put on a postcard. For those of you that are under the age of 40 you may have to ask an elder what a postcard is, but I’m sure they will be happy to tell you all about it. And also other amazing things that happened in the 80s or 70s or before.

To give you another few examples of postcards. Here are a few postcards that my Dad made that I hastily scanned this morning:

When you look at these postcards, remember that these were made in a darkroom. With film! Quite a bit harder than dragging and dumping layers in Photoshop.

So remember, it has to be the kind of image you would see on a postcard. Not a picture of your pet or your kid and then saying, this is a “slice of my life”. That doesn’t qualify this week.

Do I expect this to possibly be a streak killer for many people? Maybe, but maybe SQUARE already was a major streak killer, who knows?

BONUS: If you want to go the extra mile, this isn’t a requirement, you can take your image in black & white as my Dad’s postcards were black & white.

While considering your SLICE OF LIFE subjects, meditate on the following quote:

The world before us is a postcard, and I imagine the story we are writing on it.
-Mary E. Pearson

I look forward to seeing the digital postcards you send me.

RULES

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 your idea of SLICE OF LIFE in this place that is nothing more than my postcard to the world next Monday.

Carla, Cathie, Elizabeth, Michelle, Micky, Naima, Self-Portrait, Self-Portrait Project, Teresa

Selfie Project – April 2022

May 5, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Another month is down for THE SELFIE PROJECT. I feel that April was an okay month. I didn’t probably have as many adventures as I thought I might. But I had a few more than I thought, when I started looking back. Maybe May will have plenty of adventure. We will see how that trip to Miami works out. Right now, I’m trying to figure out how many fedoras to pack. I special ordered a baseball hat to go to a MLB game. I don’t really wear baseball hats because I am an adult*, but I feel having one special one in the rotation won’t hurt me too much.

Here are some of my favorites from April: