Category Archives: Elizabeth

WPC – WEEK 343 – GRATITUDE

I’m proud to report that many people have found something in their live to give thanks for in photographic form.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, April 11, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Joe Duff – 1 week
+ Dawn Krause – 1 week
+ Mike Vest – 1 week
+ Linda Bennett – 2 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks
+ Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 2 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 2 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 3 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 11 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 11 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 11 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 12 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 13 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 14 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 15 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 19 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 20 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 22 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 25 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 343 - GRATITUDE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 1 week

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 2 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 12 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 15 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 3 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 1 week

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 12 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 26 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEL 343 - GRATITUDE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 3 weeks

WEEL 343 - GRATITUDE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 13 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 20 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 21 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 2 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 14 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 4 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 16 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 1 week

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 12 weeks

WEEK 343 - GRATITUDE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 23 weeks

30 submissions from 21 participants! That is a solid week!

There were only 3 streaks snapped this week. Vest couldn’t extend his streak to two weeks. Evie and Jesse had two week streaks snapped.

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 26 weeks
2. Shannon – 23 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 21 weeks
4. Cathie – 20 weeks
5. Bill – 16 weeks

26 weeks in a row for Kio! That is 6 straight months of submissions!

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 344 - ORANGE
ORANGE

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

But what is an ORANGE image? An ORANGE image is simply and image where the subject of the image OR a major compositional element of the image is the color ORANGE.

While considering possible subjects for your ORANGE theme meditate on the following quote:

Orange is red brought nearer to humanity by yellow.
– Wassily Kandinsky

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 ORANGE in this place that contains a little bit of yellow humanity next Monday.

Fall Apart Again

Year 17 of the Roundball Oracles has come to an end. On Monday night, Kansas used a flaw in the court that injured North Carolina’s best player to help them overcome the Tar Heels in the last minute of the game. It was an otherwise great game and it is sad that it was partially decided by an injury due to a flaw in the court construction.

Ben Baier was the winner of this year’s pool. He is the youngest to ever win it. He joins this list:

PAST ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPIONS

2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2020 – No Tournament
2019 – Becky Parmelee
2018 – Paul Golden
2017 – Paul Golden
2016 – Michelle Haupt
2015 – Derek Dohrman
2014 – Brandon Kahler
2013 – William McAlpine
2012 – Lowell Davis
2011 – Carrie Baier
2010 – Mark Wolfram
2009 – Mark Wolfram
2008 – Mark Wolfram
2007 – Tim Peterson
2006 – William McAlpine
2005 – William McAlpine

Where there is a champion, there also has to be a last place. This year’s The Sara “winner” was Joey Randazzo.

Past “The Sara” Winners

2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2020 – No Tournament
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

Note, Olivia Baier actually finished below Mr. Randazzo, but as she is a child, she is not eligible for The Sara.

Here are the Final Standings:

1. Ben Baier – 273 points
2. Sara Lockner – 271 points
3. Shawn Lockner – 242 points
4. Rachel Gildersleeve – 242 points
5. Linda Bennett – 232 points
6. Becky Parmelee – 231 points
7. Carla Stensland – 229 points
8. Angie DeWaard – 224 points
9. Humble Narrator – 224 points
10. Tim Peterson – 223 points
11. Jason Baier – 217 points
12. Lowell Davis – 215 points
13. Derek Dohrman – 215 points
14. Carrie Baier – 214 points
15. Sarah Karber – 210 points
16. Micky Augustin – 209 points
17. Elizabeth Nordeen – 206 points
18. Jorge Rios – 203 points
19. Brandon Kahler – 203 points
20. Will Baier – 197 points
21. Jordan Toot – 197 points
22. Corey Faust – 197 points
23. Andree Jauhari – 192 points
24. Jesse Howard – 191 points
25. Dawn Krause – 182 points
26. Derrick Gorshe – 181 points
27. Michelle Haupt – 179 points
28. Jackson Faust – 176 points
29. Jason Stensland – 168 points
30. J.J. Baier – 164 points
31. Russell Kennerly – 161 points
32. Toby Sebring – 157 points
33. Robert Henning – 151 points
34. Jill Gorshe – 147 points
35. Joey Randazzo – 143 points
36. Olivia Baier – 141 points

I’m already looking forward to next season. Iowa State will have to replace a lot from this year’s team and one of their assistant coaches, but could be a good team. You never know. This year’s team definitely wasn’t supposed to make the Sweet Sixteen!

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Seems like a good time to share some flower pictures from last year:


Soul Expansion - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Fall Apart Again

Fall Apart Again

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

I still have some flower pictures left to share from last year.

WPC – WEEK 342 – FRAMED

FRAMED has proven to be a theme that is fair in popularity.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, April 4, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Kim Barker – 1 week
+ Linda Bennett – 1 week
+ Suzie Brannen – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 1 week
+ Layla Gorshe – 1 week
+ Jesse Howard – 1 week
+ Sara Lockner – 1 week
+ Monica Henning – 2 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 2 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 10 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 10 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 10 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 11 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 12 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 13 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 14 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 18 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 19 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 21 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 24 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 342 - FRAMED - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 3 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 1 week

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 14 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 1 week

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 25 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 11 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 22 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 15 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 12 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 19 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 2 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 11 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 2 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 3 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 20 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 13 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 11 weeks

WEEK 342 - FRAMED - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest – 1 week

26 submissions from 21 participants! That is a solid week!

There were only 4 streaks snapped this week. Kim, Layla, and Sara could not build on their submissions from last week. Becky had her two week snapped.

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 25 weeks
2. Shannon – 22 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 20 weeks
4. Cathie – 19 weeks
5. Bill – 15 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 343 - GRATITUDE
GRATITUDE

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

But what exactly is a GRATITUDE picture? It is simply a picture of something or somebody that you are thankful for. It could also be somebody showing thanks as well.

While considering possible GRATITUDE subjects, meditate on the following quote:

“Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: It must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.”
– William Faulkner

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 GRATITUDE in this place that I am thankful for next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 341 – SHADOW

SHADOW seems to be a pretty popular theme.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, March 28, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Harrison Gorshe – 1 week
+ Monica Henning – 1 week
+ Logan Kahler – 1 week
+ Stephanie Kim – 1 week
+ Becky Parmelee – 1 week
+ Mike Vest – 1 week
+ Dawn Krause – 5 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 9 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 9 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 9 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 9 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 10 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 11 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 12 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 13 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 17 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 18 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 20 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 23 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 341 - SHADOW - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 1 week

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 12 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - LAYLA GORSHE
Layla Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 10 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 11 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 24 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 10 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 21 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 14 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 1 week

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 19 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 10 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 342 - SHADOW - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 1 week

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 18 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 1 week

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 13 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 2 weeks

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 1 week

WEEK 341 - SHADOW - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 2 weeks

28 submissions from 22 participants. That is a great week.

Congratulations to Teresa, Tamara, and Carla for being the latest people to join the double digit club!

Unfortunately a few streaks were snapped. Harrison, Stephanie, and Vest could not build on their submission from last week. Dawn had a 5 week streak snapped. And Joe… a 9 week streak gone! Hopefully they can start building that streak back up starting next week!

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 24 weeks
2. Shannon – 21 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 19 weeks
4. Cathie – 18 weeks
5. Bill – 14 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 342 - FRAMED
FRAMED

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

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

While thinking on possible subjects for your FRAMED image, meditate on the following quote:

You can frame a moment. But you can’t frame life.
-Armin Houman

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 FRAMED in this place that tries to put a frame around my existence next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 340 – ABSTRACT

I want to start today by giving congratulations to Rebecca Peterson. She has become the latest person to show extreme good taste, class, and sophistication by becoming the latest Photography 139 email subscriber! Thank you Rebecca!

If you want to become such a subscriber you can either fill out the form that can be found a couple of different places on this website, or you can just let me know and I will add you manually.

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A quick PSA. A reminder, if you will. The deadline to submit your pictures is 11 AM Central. I leave for lunch then and often don’t have access to my computer until I return. Sometimes if you submit after 11 AM but before 12:01 PM, you might get lucky and I will have time to get your submissions added to the “An Artist’s Notebook” entry, but usually I won’t.

Thanks!

The theme of ABSTRACT is tough one. It is very conceptual. I’m pleased that so many people gave it a shot.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, March 21, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Jodie Cue – 1 week
+ Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 4 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 8 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 8 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 8 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 8 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 9 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 10 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 11 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 12 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 16 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 17 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 19 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 22 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 340 - ABSTRACT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 12 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 9 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 9 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 23 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 10 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 20 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - STEPHANIE KIM
Stephanie Kim – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 9 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 13 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT -  TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 9 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT -  TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 5 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - HARRISON GORSHE
Harrison Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 11 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 17 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 18 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning


29 submissions from 20 participants. That is a great week!

Congratulations to Michelle who joined the double digit streak club! WooHoo!

There were only 3 streaks snapped. Jodie couldn’t make it to two weeks. Jesse’s streak of 3 weeks is history. Suzie’s streak of 4 weeks is also now something that only exists in legends.

Stephanie submitted for the first time in a long time. I’m super excited to have her back. It might be a one time thing. I guess time will tell. But I don’t have any other friends that globetrot going to trendy art gallery openings. At least not yet.

Harrison Gorshe is a first time submitter and probably the youngest ever. Kid is like 2 years old. But he knows ABSTRACT when he sees it.

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 22 weeks
2. Shannon – 19 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 17 weeks
4. Cathie – 16 weeks
5. Bill – 12 weeks

I don’t know that Kio will ever give up that top spot, but if he slips up just once, there is a group on heels waiting to take it over.

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 341 - SHADOW
SHADOW

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

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

While considering possible subjects for your SHADOW picture, meditate on the following quote:

Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
-Aesop

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 SHADOW in this place that is definitely one of my cyber shadows next Monday.

Bremer County Auxiliary Images

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

Roundball Oracles – Year 17

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

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


Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

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

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


Bremer County

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

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

Shannon responded:

“I don’t think so…”

“But it is a free gift.”

“What is it?”

“Copy of the New Testament.”

“Pretty sure you already have something like that”

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

She had no response to that.

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

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

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

“You took it??”

“Of course.”

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

WPC – WEEK 339 – GOVERNMENT

The theme of GOVERNMENT was not nearly as popular as HOBBIES.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, March 14, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Becky Parmelee – 1 week
+ Kim Barker – 1 week
+ Monica Henning – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Layla Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 2 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 3 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 3 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 3 weeks
+ Mike Vest – 3 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 7 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 7 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 7 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 7 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 8 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 9 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 10 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 11 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 15 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 16 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 18 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 21 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 339 - GOVERNMENT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 10 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 11 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT -
Teresa Kahler – 8 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 17 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 22 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 9 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 19 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 8 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 12 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 8 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 16 weeks


Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 4 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 8 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 3 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JODIE CUE
Jodie Cue – 1 week

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JODIE CUE
Jodie Cue

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JODIE CUE
Jodie Cue


23 submissions from 17 participants. A pretty good week, but not like the last couple of weeks. That is okay, a regression to the norm is to be expected.

All sorts of streaks dropped this week. Becky, Kim, and Monica could not extend their streaks to two weeks. Evie and Layla’s streaks ended at two, although that might be my fault. Linda’s streak was snapped at 3, as was Logan’s and Vest’s.

Congrats to Micky for becoming the latest person to have a double digit streak! WooHoo!

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 21 weeks
2. Shannon – 18 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 16 weeks
4. Cathie – 15 weeks
5. Bill – 11 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 340 - ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT!

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

But what exactly is an ABSTRACT image?

Here is a definition from the Wiki:

Abstract photography, sometimes called non-objective, experimental or conceptual photography, is a means of depicting a visual image that does not have an immediate association with the object world and that has been created through the use of photographic equipment, processes or materials. An abstract photograph may isolate a fragment of a natural scene in order to remove its inherent context from the viewer, it may be purposely staged to create a seemingly unreal appearance from real objects, or it may involve the use of color, light, shadow, texture, shape and/or form to convey a feeling, sensation or impression.

In a nutshell, an ABSTRACT image would be an image that doesn’t necessarily look like the object that is being photographed. Or at least it concentrates on shapes and forms. It isn’t a picture of a flower that looks like a flower. There are several ways to do this:

+ Move the camera while taking the picture.
+ If you are using a camera with a zoom lens. Zoom the lens while taking the picture.
+ Move a light in a dark room.
+ Take a picture of smoke or steam.
+ Take a picture that is out of focus. Lights work as great subjects here.
+ Reflections in water.

The theme reveal image is a picture of the sun, taken in my alley. With a wide open aperture and completely out of focus.

Another option is to find a piece of ABSTRACT art and take a picture of that.

When thinking about possible ways to make your ABSTRACT image, meditate on the following quote:

Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes….Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an exploration into unknown areas.
– Arshile Gorky

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 ABSTRACT in this place that is little more than an abstraction of my thoughts next Monday.

Roundball Oracles – Year 17

It is time once again for the greatest sporting event of year. It is that time known as March Madness. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Once again, I will be sponsoring a pool. There is no cost to enter the pool, except for pride.

The winner gets a trophy. The dead last place person gets a trophy known as The Sara*.

By winning, you get your name etched on the list of immortals:

PAST ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPIONS

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

But I said that there are 2 trophies. The 2nd trophy, The Sara, goes to the adult that finishes dead last, while trying. A person can not tank on purpose and win The Sara. The reason The Sara winner has to be an adult is that I don’t want to mock children, to their face. Does that mean I have no problem mocking children behind their back? Does it make me a bad person if I say yes? Probably a better rule would be that to “win” The Sara, you have to be at least a teenager. I have no problem mocking teenagers to their face. At least, back when there was a Youth Group.

Past “The Sara” Winners:

2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

The Sara doesn’t have the long storied history of the championship trophy, but it will get there. I have no doubts.

These were the final standings from last year:

ROUNDBALL ORACLES – YEAR 16

1. Michael Augustin – 275 points
2. Jorge Rios – 252 points
3. Jordan Toot – 240 points
4. Corey Faust – 233 points
5. Tim Peterson – 229 points
6. Mike G – 228 points
7. Dawn Krause – 216 points
8. Joey Randazzo – 210 points
9. Elizabeth Nordeen – 204 points
10. Kio Dettman – 203 points
11. Humble Narrator – 202 points
12. Angie DeWaard – 202 points
13. Brandon Kahler – 199 points
14. Bill Wentworth – 194 points
15. Toby Sebring – 191 points
16. Carla Stensland – 188 points
17. Andree Jauhari – 187 points
18. Lowell Davis – 184 points
19. Dylan Groves – 179 points
20. Jesse Howard – 177 points
21. Derek Dohrman – 174 points
22. Joseph Duff – 170 points
23. Robert Henning – 168 points
24. Jackson Faust – 167 points
25. Sarah Karber – 151 points
26. Michelle Haupt – 143 points
27. Rachel Gildersleeve – 142 points

If you are a basketball fan, or are just interested in having fun, click on the link below to join my pool:

Roundball Oracles – Year 17

The rules are as follows:
Round 1 = 1 point + seed
Round 2 = 2 points + seed
Round 3 = 4 points + seed
Round 4 = 8 points + seed
Round 5 = 16 points + seed
Rounds 6 = 32 points + seed

The Play-in Games (AKA the First Four) don’t matter. You can wait for those games to complete before filling out your bracket. The deadline to fill out your bracket, is tip-off of the first game on Thursday. Roughly 11 AM. Yes, there are no Thursday games this year.

Under special circumstances, I will allow you to turn in a paper bracket to me. So, don’t be afraid to ask.

Yes, your child can fill out a bracket. Your dog, no.

There were 27 competitors in 2021. A 15 person drop from 2019. (There was no tournament in 2020.) Hopefully there is a slight rebound in participation this year, but it is possible I have 15 less friends than I did in 2019. It is possible I have lost even more friends since 2020. I might not be that great of a person.

*You have to be 14 years or older to win “The Sara”.

WPC – WEEK 338 – HOBBIES

As many of you know, I was having difficulties with the email subscription service last week. In particular, it wasn’t working with Gmail email accounts. That should be fixed, but another question I get, is how do I prevent the emails from going to “Promotions” instead of my primary Inbox in Gmail. Here are the instructions for preventing that from happening:

One of the simplest ways to move an email is to left-click and hold on the email and drag it from the promotions tab over to the Primary tab. Releasing the mouse will drop the email into the primary tab. After it is dropped, Gmail will ask if you wish to make the change permanent.

Hope that helps some of you!

+++++++

HOBBIES has proven to be a very popular theme.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, March 7, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Lori Backous – 1 week
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 1 week
+ Layla Gorshe – 1 week
+ Jesse Howard – 1 week
+ Linda Bennett – 2 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 2 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 2 weeks
+ Mike Vest – 2 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 6 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 6 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 6 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 6 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 7 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 8 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 9 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 10 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 14 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 15 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 17 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 20 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 338 - HOBBIES - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 1 week

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 1 week

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 1 week

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - LAYLA GORSHEa>
Layla Gorshe – 2 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 2 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 3 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 3 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 3 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest – 3 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 7 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 7 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 7 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 7 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 8 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES -  MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 9 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 10 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 11 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 15 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 16 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 18 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 21 weeks

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 338 - HOBBIES - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – 440 weeks


38 submissions from 24 participants! The 38 is a new record for this year and 24 participants is also a new high for the year! Both are certainly all-time records as well.

Only 2 streaks were snapped. Lori and Jen both couldn’t extend their streaks to two. Maybe next week?

Congrats to Andy for extending his streak to double digits! WooHoo!

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 21 weeks
2. Shannon – 18 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 16 weeks
4. Cathie – 15 weeks
5. Bill – 11 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 339 - GOVERNMENT
GOVERNMENT

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

But what exactly is a GOVERNMENT image? A GOVERNMENT image is anything that involves a GOVERNMENT. There are all types of GOVERNMENT. There is the federal GOVERNMENT. A state GOVERNMENT. A county GOVERNMENT. A local GOVERNMENT. Churches have GOVERNMENT bodies. Every business has some kind of GOVERNMENT. A GOVERNMENT image could be anything that deals with a GOVERNMENT. A public park. GOVERNMENT. The road you drove on to get to that public park. GOVERNMENT. Public school. GOVERNMENT. If you work for the GOVERNMENT, you are the GOVERNMENT. The military, the police, fire department. All GOVERNMENT. Public library. GOVERNMENT. There are so many possibilities!

When considering subjects for your GOVERNMENT image, meditate on the following quote:

“Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”
-Winston Churchill

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 GOVERNMENT in this place that is ruled with an iron fist by me next Monday.

Fat Mum Slim – February 2022

Back on Monday I completed another month of the Fat Mum Slim Photo A Day Challenge. I once again should thank Elizabeth as she assisted on a few of the photos this month.

Here are the pictures from February:


February 1
February 1 – A is For…

February 2
February 2 – B is For…

February 3
February 3 – C is For…

February 4
February 4 – D is For…

February 5
February 5 – E is For…

February 6
February 6 – F is For…

February 7
February 7 – G is For…

February 8
February 8 – H is For…

February 9
February 9 – I is For…

February 10
February 10 – J is For…

February 11
February 11 – K is For…

February 12
February 12 – L is For…

February 13
February 13 – M is For…

February 14
February 14 – N is For…

February 15
February 15 – O is For…

February 16
February 16 – P is For…

February 17
February 17 – Q is For…

February 18
February 18 – R is For…

February 19
February 19 – S is For…

February 20
February 20 – T is For…

February 21
February 21 – U is For…

February 22
February 22 – V is For…

February 23
February 23 – W is For…

February 24
February 24 – X is For…

February 25
February 25 – Y is For…

February 26
February 26 – Z is For…

February 27
February 27 – Letters

February 28
February 28 – Your Fave Word

This month I did manage to take pictures in 3 different states. Iowa, of course. Pennsylvania and North Carolina. I was also in Illinois for a bit, but didn’t take any pictures there. At least not for the Photo A Day Challenge.

These are the Photo A Day Challenge Prompts for March

March 1 – Weather
March 2 – Something in Your Kitchen
March 3 – Skyline
March 4 – Makes You Feel Nostalgic
March 5 – Books
March 6 – A Corner
March 7 – A Bus Stop
March 8 – Sunset
March 9 – From Inside the Car
March 10 – A Meal You Made
March 11 – Somewhere with a Good View
March 12 – An Insect
March 13 – A Close-up
March 14 – Something You’ve Never Photographed
March 15 – A Playground
March 16 – A Local Cafe
March 17 – Something You Think is Boring
March 18 – Flowers
March 19 – A Grocery Store
March 20 – Something Weird
March 21 – A Colorful Place
March 22 – A Garden
March 23 – A Leaf
March 24 – A Sunbeam
March 25 – Graffiti
March 26 – An Empty Road
March 27 – A Tree
March 28 – A Shop Window
March 29 – Old Building
March 30 – A Stranger
March 31 – Under a Tree

Of course, you can follow the daily posting on The Gram by following @fmsbennett.