Category Archives: Jen

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WPC – WEEK 463 – WINDOW VIEW

July 22, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

WINDOW VIEW! A great theme! But did enough people get a view to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, July 15, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Willy McAlpine – 1 week (IA)
2-Elainie Hernandez – 2 weeks (IA)
3-Monica Jennings – 2 weeks (IA)
4-Deanna McClain – 5 weeks (IA, MN)
5-Sara Lockner – 6 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
6-Suzie Brannen – 10 weeks (IA, MD)
7-Mike Vest – 9 weeks (IA, MO) <2>
8-Alexis Stensland – 12 weeks (IA)
9-Sabas Hernandez – 14 weeks (IA, OH)
10-Adam Gordon – 21 weeks (IA, MS, MO) <2>
11-Lowell Davis – 28 weeks (IA, MO)
12-Michelle Haupt – 28 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA)
13-Brandon Kahler – 29 weeks (IA, MN)
14-Scott Degeneffe – 47 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL)
15-Sheri Fakhouri – 57 weeks (IA, NE)
16-Logan Kahler – 57 weeks (IA, MN)
17-Nathanial Brown – 59 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL)
18-Tamara Peterson – 70 weeks (IA, MN)
19-Mindi Terrell – 74 weeks (IA) <2>
20-Linda Bennett – 103 weeks (KS, IA)
21-Sarah Toot – 104 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ)
22-Angie DeWaard – 108 weeks (IA, IL) <2>
23-Dawn Krause – 112 weeks (IA, IL)
24-Kim Barker – 118 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
25-Joe Duff – 119 weeks (TX, NY)
26-Teresa Kahler – 130 weeks (IA, NE)
27-Carla Stensland – 130 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO) <2>
28-Micky Augustin – 132 weeks (IA, IL, FL)
29-Andy Sharp – 133 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI) <2>
30-Bill Wentworth – 134 weeks (NE, MO)
31-Cathie Morton – 136 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
32-Elizabeth Nordeen – 139 weeks (IA, OH)
33-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 141 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
34-Kio Dettman – 143 weeks (IA)

strong>Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

1. The picture must 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 and take pictures challenge!
2. There is a limit of 2 submissions per person per theme. If you send me more than 2, I will use the first 2 that you submit.
3. Deadline to submit your submission is 11 AM next Monday.
4. To be considered the photographer of an image, you have to be the one that clicks the shutter. If you hand your camera over to somebody else to take a picture of you, you are NOT the photographer of that image.
5. No screen captures. This is a photography challenge. Not a “look at what I found on the internet” challenge.

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

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

WPC - WEEK 462 - WINDOW VIEW - TAMARA PETERSON

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 71 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 75 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 6 weeks

Micky Augustin (North Grand Mall – Ames, Iowa) – 133 weeks

Carla Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 131 weeks

Carla Stensland (Ogden, Iowa)

Elizabeth Nordeen (Ames, Iowa) – 140 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa) – 109 weeks

Jesse Howard (Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 58 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) 15 weeks

Elainie Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Elainie Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa)

Michelle Haupt (Ankeny, Iowa) – 29 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Senbon Tattoo – Boone, Iowa) – 13 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Boone, Iowa)

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 144 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 134 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone County Fair – Boone, Iowa) – 113 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone County Fair – Boone, Iowa)

Adam Gordon (Boone County Fair Parade – Boone, Iowa) – 22 weeks

Adam Gordon (Boone County Fair Parade)

Lowell Davis (Boone, Iowa) – 29 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 131 weeks

Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 58 weeks

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Boone County Fair – Boone, Iowa)

Mike Vest (Boone County, Iowa) – 10 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 48 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Clive, Iowa) – 11 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Early, Iowa) – 60 weeks

Amy Peterson (Childserve – Johnston, Iowa) – 1 week

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 119 weeks

Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 137 weeks

Johnathan Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 1 week

Brandon Kahler (Story City, Iowa) – 30 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Summerset, Iowa) – 142 weeks

Sara Lockner (West Des Moines, Iowa) – 7 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 104 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 1355 weeks

Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 105 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas) – 120 weeks

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Texas) – 1 week

39 participants this week! This is a big number! Best we’ve done for several weeks!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa (41)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ Texas (2)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (16.5)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ California (3)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (7)
+ Florida (13)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (11)
+ Indiana (4)
+ Iowa (1041)
+ Ireland (3)
+ Kansas (40)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (10)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (18.5)
+ Nebraska (35)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ New York (17)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Ohio (2)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (21)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (4)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (41)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (2)
+ Wyoming (1)

32 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 5 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, IL, MN, WI) – 10
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL) – 8
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL) – 7
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR, FL) – 7
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN) – 7
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO) -5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA) – 4
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO, AR, OK) – 4
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL, FL) – 3
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA) – 2
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2
+ Dawn Krause – (IA, IL) – 2
+ Joe Duff (TX, NY) – 2
+ Lowell Davis (IA, MO) – 2

Andy now has a commanding lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” Jen, Jesse, Scott, and Nathanial remain in striking distance though.

The big milestones this week were Vest joining the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! Linda joined the 2 Year Streak Club! WooHoo! WooHoo! There were also no steaks snapped this week! WooHoo!

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:

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

If you are confused by what an ABSTRACT image, think about ABSTRACT art:

Abstract photography is a style of art that uses photographic equipment to create images that are not immediately associated with the physical world. Abstract photographers use techniques like perspective, movement, and light to transform the world into unexpected and often unrecognizable images.

Basically, you are taking a picture where it doesn’t look like what you are taking a picture of. You can do this with the focus or the length of the exposure. That is just a couple of examples.

Here is a good quote from John Suler that might help:

“An abstract photograph draws away from that which is realistic or literal. It draws away from natural appearances and recognizable subjects in the actual world. Some people even say it departs from true meaning, existence, and reality itself. It stands apart from the concrete whole with its purpose instead depending on conceptual meaning and intrinsic form….Here’s the acid test: If you look at a photo and there’s a voice inside you that says ‘What is it?’….Well, there you go. It’s an abstract photograph.”

I look forward to your interpretation.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of ABSTRACT in this place that loves the obtuse next Monday.

Black & White, Christianity, Derrick, Holidays, Jen, Music, Olympic Sports, Politics, Still Life, Street Photography, WPC - Alternate

When You Said it First to Me?

July 16, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Time to share more of the alternate BLACK & WHITE images I took on the 4th of July. This collection concludes the tiem I spent in Ames on that day. Mostly watching a parade with the Gorshes.

Still one more collection of glorious BLACK & WHITE pictures from this day left to share!

Art, Basketball, Beckham, Black & White, Derrick, Evie, Harrison, Iowa State, Jen, Layla, Music, Still Life, Street Photography, WPC - Alternate

Remember When I Believed You Meant It

July 13, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Time to share the alternate images for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme BLACK & WHITE that I took on July 4. In fact, I took so many pictures on that day, I’m going to split this into 3 days. The first day consists of pictures I took around Ames before and after watching the Independence Day Parade in Ames with the Gorshes.

Let’s get after it:

Still 2 more collections of images from this day left to share.

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Bill, Birthdays, Black & White, Bokeh, Brandon, Candid Portrait, Carla, Cathie, Contests, Dawn, Deanna, Elainie, Elizabeth, Jay, Jen, Joe Duff, Johnathan, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Pufferbilly Days, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Self-Portrait, Shannon, Sheri, State Fair, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 460 – BLACK & WHITE

July 8, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is going to be a long one, so buckle up and get your popcorn ready!

Today is Jay’s birthday, so I need to start by wishing him a happy birthday.

Happy birthday Jay!

I hope your birthday is magical in the nothingness you attempt to do!

+++++++

It is that time of year when a little yellow card shows up in the mailboxes of many a photographer in the state of Iowa. The yellow card that tells you if you had any pictures accepted into one of the hardest photo contests in the country. The Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. A contest that only displays 25% of the pictures submitted. It is the only photo contest that I enter (for a wide variety of reasons) and as such I did get my yellow card in the mail last week. It looked a little something like this:

You might be wondering what pictures I entered this year. I’m the only person that currently knows what pictures I entered. But, you can go down to the Iowa State Fair and see them for yourself. I will reveal what pictures I entered and what pictures got in on the last day of the Fair. As is my custom.

But I wasn’t the only regular contributor to THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE that got pictures accepted to the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. Angie, Logan, and Nathanial all got pictures accepted! WooHoo! Which makes sense, because when THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE was birthed into existence as THE RANDOM WEEKLY PHOTO EXPERIMENT all those years ago by me and Mike Vest, the idea was (to be honest more his idea than mine) that at the end of the year, you would have 52 photos you could consider for entering in photo contests. Maybe in 2025 there will be MORE than 4 people from THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE displayed at the Iowa State Fair. I have an eye on a few of you.

+++++++

Must be time to see the submission for BLACK & WHITE, right? Not yet. As you may know, it is about 10 weeks out from the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. So it is past time that I published the rules for this year’s contest. They are identical as last year.

Have a look:

I hope many of you enter again this year! Now I need to get to work!

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BLACK & WHITE! A great theme! But did enough people see the world in monochrome to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, July 1, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL)
2-Willy McAlpine – 1 week (IA)
3-Amy Peterson – 1 week (IA)
4-Deanna McClain – 3 weeks (IA, MN)
5-Mary Green – 4 weeks (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR) <2>
6-Sara Lockner – 4 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
7-Suzie Brannen – 8 weeks (IA, MD) <2>
8-Mike Vest – 7 weeks (IA, MO)
9-Alexis Stensland – 10 weeks (IA) <2>
10-Sabas Hernandez – 12 weeks (IA, OH) <2>
11-Adam Gordon – 19 weeks (IA, MS, MO) <2>
12-Lowell Davis – 26 weeks (IA)
13-Michelle Haupt – 26 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA)
14-Brandon Kahler – 27 weeks (IA, MN)
15-Scott Degeneffe – 45 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL) <2>
16-Sheri Fakhouri – 55 weeks (IA, NE)
17-Logan Kahler – 55 weeks (IA, MN) <2>
18-Nathanial Brown – 57 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL)
19-Jesse Howard – 56 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN)
20-Tamara Peterson – 68 weeks (IA, MN)
21-Mindi Terrell – 72 weeks (IA) <2>
22-Linda Bennett – 101 weeks (KS, IA)
23-Sarah Toot – 102 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ)
24-Angie DeWaard – 106 weeks (IA, IL) <2>
25-Dawn Krause – 110 weeks (IA, IL) <2>
26-Kim Barker – 116 weeks (IA, CO, LA) <2>
27-Joe Duff – 117 weeks (TX, NY)
28-Teresa Kahler – 128 weeks (IA, NE) <2>
29-Carla Stensland – 128 weeks (IA, MO, SD)
30-Micky Augustin – 130 weeks (IA, IL, FL)
31-Andy Sharp – 131 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL) <2>
32-Bill Wentworth – 132 weeks (NE, MO)
33-Cathie Morton – 135 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) <2>
34-Elizabeth Nordeen – 137 weeks (IA, OH)
35-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 139 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
36-Kio Dettman – 141 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

WPC - WEEK 460 - BLACK & WHITE - ADAM GORDON

Adam Gordon (Boone, Iowa) – 20 weeks

Adam Gordon (Madrid, Iowa)

Alexis Stensland (Boone, Iowa) – 11 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Boone, Iowa)

Andy Sharp (Prescott, Wisconsin) – 132 weeks

Andy Sharp (Plymouth, Minnesota)

Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 107 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 133 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Story City, Iowa) – 28 weeks

Carla Stensland (Devil’s Tower National Monument – Wyoming) – 129 weeks

Carla Stensland (Arkansas River – Salida, Colorado)

Cathie Morton (Ankeny, Iowa) – 136 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa)

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 111 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa)

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 4 weeks

Elainie Hernandez (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 138 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Ames, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Joe Duff (New York) – 118 weeks

Joe Duff (New York)

Johnathan Stensland (Iowa) – 1 week

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 117 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 142 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Boone, Iowa) – 102 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 56 weeks

Logan Kahler (Bone, Iowa)

Lowell Davis (Kansas City, Missouri) – 27 weeks

Lowell Davis (Kansas City, Missouri)

Mary Green (Iowa) – 5 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa)

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 27 weeks

Micky Augustin (Colo, Iowa) – 131 weeks

Mike Vest (Grove, Oklahoma) – 8 weeks

Mike Vest (Bentonsville, Arkansas)

Mindi Terrell (Mitchellville, Iowa) – 73 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa)

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa)

Nathanial Brown (Tampa, Florida) – 58 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 13 weeks

Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 5 weeks

Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 103 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 46 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Honey Hollow – Summerset, Iowa) – 140 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 56 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 9 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

Tamara Peterson (Perry, Iowa) – 103 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 129 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

37 participants this week! A pretty good week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ Colorado (1)
+ Florida (1)
+ Iowa (41)
+ Minnesota (1)
+ Missouri (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New York (2)
+ Oklahoma (1)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ Wisconsin (1)
+ Wyoming (1)

Thanks to Carla’s travels, we were able to add Wyoming to the map!

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (16.5)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ California (3)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (7)
+ Florida (13)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (11)
+ Indiana (4)
+ Iowa (943)
+ Ireland (3)
+ Kansas (36)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (10)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (18.5)
+ Nebraska (34)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ New York (17)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Ohio (2)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (19)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (4)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (38)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (2)
+ Wyoming (1)

31 states so far! 1 U.S. Terriorty! 5 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

Andy now has a commanding lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” Jen, Jesse, Scott, and Nathanial remain in striking distance though.

There were no major milestones reached this week. And unfortunately a few streaks bit it. Willy and Amy couldn’t build on their submissions from last week. Their streaks are over before they began. Then worst of all, Jesse’s 56 week streak is over! It lasted over a year, but now it is over. The humanity!

FACELESS PORTRAIT

FACELESS PORTRAI! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of FACELESS PORTRAIT in this place that isn’t afraid to show its face next Monday.

Adam, Alexis, Amy, Andy, Angie, Art, Birthdays, Black & White, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Nathanial, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Street Photography, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 459 – ENTERTAINMENT

July 1, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is Jen’s birthday, so I need to start today by wishing her a happy birthday!

Happy birthday Jen!

I hope your birthday is as amazing as you want it to be. We also need to get together again at some point! Maybe even before August.

+++++++

ENTERTAINMENT! A great theme! But did enough people find it entertaining enough to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, June 24, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Deanna McClain – 2 weeks (IA, MN)
2-Mary Green – 3 weeks (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR)
3-Sara Lockner – 3 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
4-Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks (IA, MD)
5-Mike Vest – 7 weeks (IA, MO)
6-Alexis Stensland – 9 weeks (IA) <2>
7-Sabas Hernandez – 11 weeks (IA, OH)
8-Adam Gordon – 18 weeks (IA, MS, MO)
9-Lowell Davis – 25 weeks (IA)
10-Michelle Haupt – 25 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA)
11-Brandon Kahler – 26 weeks (IA, MN)
12-Scott Degeneffe – 44 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL)
13-Sheri Fakhouri – 54 weeks (IA, NE)
14-Logan Kahler – 54 weeks (IA, MN)
15-Nathanial Brown – 56 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK)
16-Jesse Howard – 56 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW)
17-Tamara Peterson – 68 weeks (IA, MN)
18-Mindi Terrell – 71 weeks (IA) <2>
19-Linda Bennett – 100 weeks (KS)
20-Sarah Toot – 101 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ)
21-Angie DeWaard – 105 weeks (IA, IL)
22-Dawn Krause – 109 weeks (IA)
23-Kim Barker – 115 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
24-Joe Duff – 116 weeks (TX) <2>
25-Teresa Kahler – 127 weeks (IA, NE) <2>
26-Carla Stensland – 127 weeks (IA, MO)
27-Micky Augustin – 129 weeks (IA, IL, FL)
28-Andy Sharp – 130 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL)
29-Bill Wentworth – 131 weeks (NE, MO)
30-Cathie Morton – 134 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
31-Elizabeth Nordeen – 136 weeks (IA, OH) <2>
32-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 138 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
33-Kio Dettman – 140 weeks (IA) <2>

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

WPC - WEEK 459 - ENTERTAINMENT - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

Willy McAlpine (Don Williams Golf Course – Boone County, Iowa) – 1 week

Amy Peterson (Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 3 weeks

Mary Green (Manchester, Iowa) – 4 weeks

Mary Green (Manchester, Iowa)

Sara Lockner (Waukee, Iowa) – 4 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 8 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

Mike Vest (Iowa) – 8 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 10 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 12 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Iowa)

Adam Gordon (Busch Stadium – Saint Louis, Missouri) – 19 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa)

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 26 weeks

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 26 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 27 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Iowa)

Scott Degeneffe (Slater, Iowa) – 45 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Iowa)

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 55 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 55 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

Nathanial Brown (Tampa, Florida) – 57 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Tampa, Florida)

Jesse Howard (Minneapolis, Minnesota) – 57 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Perry, Iowa) – 69 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 72 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 101 weeks

Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 102 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Chicago Museum of Science & Industry – Chicago, Illinois) – 106 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Chicago Museum of Science & Industry – Chicago, Illinois)

Dawn Krause (Galena, Illinois) – 110 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa)

Kim Barker (Estes Park, Colorado – Prospect Mountain Road) – 116 weeks

Kim Barker (Rocky Mountain National Park – Estes Park, Colorado)

Joe Duff (New York) – 117 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Noir – Ames, Iowa) – 128 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

Carla Stensland (Mount Rushmore National Memorial – Keystone, South Dakota) – 128 weeks

Micky Augustin (Florida) – 130 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 131 weeks

Andy Sharp (Olive Garde – Ankeny, Iowa)

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 132 weeks

Cathie Morton (Near Cumming, Iowa) – 135 weeks

Cathie Morton (Des Moines Arts Festival – Des Moines, Iowa)

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 137 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Summerset, Iowa) – 139 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 141 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Des Moines Arts Festival – Des Moines, Iowa) – 562 weeks

37 participants this week! A pretty good week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Colorado (2)
+ Florida (3)
+ Illinois (3)
+ Iowa (38)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Minnesota (1)
+ Missouri (1)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New York (1)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ South Dakota (1)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (15.5)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ California (3)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (8)
+ Florida (12)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (11)
+ Indiana (4)
+ Iowa (901)
+ Ireland (3)
+ Kansas (36)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (9)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (16.5)
+ Nebraska (33)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ New York (15)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Ohio (2)
+ Oklahoma (1)
+ Pennsylvania (18)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (4)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (38)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (1)

30 states so far! 1 U.S. Terriorty! 5 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL) – 8
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, IL) – 8
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL) – 7
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR, FL) – 7
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN) – 7
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA) – 4
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL, FL) – 3
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO, SD) -3
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA) – 2
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2
+ Dawn Krause (IA, IL) – 2
+ Joe Duff (TX, NY) – 2

Jen and Andy are now tied to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” Jesse and and Scott and Nathanial are in striking distance though! Joe and Dawn joined the group of people to submit from multiple locations.

There were lots of milestones reached this week. Alexis joined the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! Lowell and Michelle joined the Half Year Streak Club! WooHoo! Micky joined the 2.5 Year Streak Club! WooHoo!

Also, there were no streaks broken this week!

BLACK & WHITE – Modified suggestion by Joe Duff

Joe actually suggested MONOCHROME, but I think MONOCHROME and BLACK & WHITE are very similar and BLACK & WHITE will always be a theme for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, so I’m just crediting Joe with suggesting BLACK & WHITE.

BLACK & WHITE is my first love in photography and it is my favorite theme as well.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of NECESSITY in this place that I hope some of you find to be one next Monday.

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Black & White, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elainie, Elizabeth, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Slice of Life, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 457 – SLICE OF LIFE

June 17, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

SLICE OF LIFE! A great theme, but did enough people dabble in the theme that is an homage to my Dad to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, June 3, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL)
2-Beckham Gorshe – 1 week (IA)
3-Mary Green – 1 week (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR) <2>
4-Eliainie Hernandez – 1 week (IA)
5-Sara Lockner – 1 week (IA, BHS, MN)
6-Nader Parsaei – 1 week (IA) <2>
7-Kyle Sharp – 1 week (IA)
8-Monica Jennings – 2 weeks (IA)
9-Willy McAlpine – 3 weeks (IA)
10-Johnathan Stensland – 4 weeks (IA)
11-Suzie Brannen – 5 weeks (IA, MD) <2>
12-Mike Vest – 5 weeks (IA, MO)
13-Alexis Stensland – 7 weeks (IA) <2>
14-Sabas Hernandez – 9 weeks (IA, OH) <2>
15-Adam Gordon – 15 weeks (IA, MS, MO) <2>
16-Becky Parmelee – 16 weeks (AR, IA, OK)
17-Lowell Davis – 23 weeks (IA) <2>
18-Michelle Haupt – 23 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA)
19-Brandon Kahler – 24 weeks (IA, MN)
20-Scott Degeneffe – 42 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL52)
21-Sheri Fakhouri – 52 weeks (IA, NE)
22-Logan Kahler – 52 weeks (IA, MN) <2>
23-Nathanial Brown – 54 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL) <2>
24-Jesse Howard – 54 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW)
25-Tamara Peterson – 66 weeks (IA, MN)
26-Mindi Terrell – 69 weeks (IA) <2>
27-Linda Bennett – 98 weeks (KS) <2>
28-Sarah Toot – 99 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV) <2>
29-Angie DeWaard – 103 weeks (IA, IL) <2>
30-Dawn Krause – 107 weeks (IA)
31-Kim Barker – 113 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
32-Joe Duff – 114 weeks (TX) <2>
33-Teresa Kahler – 125 weeks (IA, NE) <2>
34-Carla Stensland – 125 weeks (IA, MO)
35-Micky Augustin – 127weeks (IA, IL)
36-Andy Sharp – 128 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA) <2>
37-Bill Wentworth – 129 weeks (NE, MO)
38-Cathie Morton – 132 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
39-Elizabeth Nordeen – 134 weeks (IA, OH) <2>
40-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 136 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
41-Kio Dettman – 138 weeks (IA)

It is the third week of the month and on the third week of the month I like to share a map of all the states where people have submitted from heading into today. Here is that map:

29 States. 1 U.S. Territory. 4 foreign countries.

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

WPC - WEEK 457 - SLICE OF LIFE - MICKY AUGUSTIN

Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 128 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Wild black raspberries picked at Honey Hollow, rural Warren County, IA) – 137 weeks

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 114 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Boone County, Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Linwood Cemetery – Boone, Iowa) – 99 weeks

Linda Bennett (Linwood Cemetery – Boone, Iowa)

Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 6 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

Nathanial Brown (Named after a 200 year old secret society, The Muddlers Club serves meticulously prepared dishes. The restaurant has held a Micehlin Star since 2020.) – 55 weeks

Nathanial Brown (This narrow road weaving through sharp cliff faces is one of the highest mountain pass roads in Ireland.)

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 24 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 43 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone County, Iowa) – 139 weeks

Kio Dettman (Monigona, Iowa)

Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 104 weeks

Joe Duff (Seabrook’s hidden gem for live music, hot food, and cold drinks. Barge 295 on Clear Lake.) – 115 weeks

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (North Ankeny, Iowa) – 53 weeks

Adam Gordon (Kansas City, Missouri) – 16 weeks

Adam Gordon (Kansas City Missouri)

Mary Green (Iglesias Methodista, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico) – 2 weeks

Mary Green (Gate to the city, Old San Juan Puerto Rico)

Michelle Haupt (Wellsburg, Iowa) – 24 weeks

Elainie Hernandez (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 10 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa)

Jesse Howard (We will do all we can to not only help you leave this life in peace, but also help you live until you die.) – 55 weeks

Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 3 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 25 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 53 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 126 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

Dawn Krause (Ogden Bulldog #33 hists a pop fly.) – 108 weeks

Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Willy McAlpine (Ledges State Park – Boone County, Iowa)- 4 weeks

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 1 week

Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 133 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 135 weeks

Becky Parmelee (Bentonville AR – Corn on a table) – 17 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 67 weeks

Andy Sharp (Council Bluffs, Iowa) – 129 weeks

Andy Sharp (Council Bluffs, Iowa)

Alexis Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 8 weeks

Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 126 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa) – 70 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa)

Sarah Toot (New Jersey) – 100 weeks

Sarah Toot (New York City, New York)

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 6 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 130 weeks

There were 39 participants this week! That is a great number for what is a somewhat abstract theme! It is always interesting to see what people think would be on a postcard.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa (40)
+ Ireland (1)
+ Missouri (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ New York (1)
+ Puerto Rico (2)
+ Texas (1)
+ North Ireland (1)

Thanks to Sarah’s travels, we’ve added New Jersey to the map WooHoo! Thanks to Nathanial’s travels we’ve added North Ireland to the map WooHoo!

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (15.5)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ California (3)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (5)
+ Florida (85)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (7)
+ Indiana (4)
+ Iowa (870)
+ Ireland (3)
+ Kansas (34)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (8)
+ Mississippi (1.5)
+ Missouri (15.5)
+ Nebraska (31)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ New York (14)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Ohio (2)
+ Oklahoma (1)
+ Pennsylvania (16)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (36)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (1)

30 states so far! 1 U.S. Terriorty! 5 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL) – 8
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA) – 7
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL) – 7
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW) – 6
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR) – 6
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA) – 4
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL) – 2
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO) -2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA) – 2
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2

Jen is currently in the lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” Jesse and Andy and Scott and Nathanial are in striking distance though!

There were several big milestones this week! Sabas joined the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! WooHoo! Sarah joined the Triple Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! WooHoo! WooHoo! Angie joined the 2 Year Streak Club! WooHoo! WooHoo! Bill joined the 2.5 Year Streak Club! WooHoo! WooHoo! Woo! All of them amazing accomplishments!

But it wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows! Beckham, Nader, and Kyle couldn’t build on their submissions from last week. Their streaks are over before they even began! Johnathan’s streak is over at 4!

CAMERA

CAMERA! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of CAMERA in this place that relies on one heavily next Monday.

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Beckham, Becky, Bill, Black & White, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dad, Dawn, Elainie, Elizabeth, Flowers, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nader, Nathanial, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Slice of Life, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 456 – ANYTHING BUT A CAT

June 10, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

READ THE THEME DESCRIPTION THIS WEEK. THERE ARE SPECIAL RULES!

ANYTHING BUT A CAT! A great theme, but did enough people get pumped to not take a picture of a cat to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, June 3, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Monica Jennings – 1 week (IA) <2>
2-Willy McAlpine – 2 weeks (IA)
3-Johnathan Stensland – 3 weeks (IA)
4-Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks (IA, MD) <2>
5-Mike Vest – 4 weeks (IA, MO)
6-Alexis Stensland – 6 weeks (IA) <2>
7-Sabas Hernandez – 8 weeks (IA, OH) <2>
8-Adam Gordon – 14 weeks (IA, MS, MO) <2>
9-Becky Parmelee – 15 weeks (AR, IA, OK)
10-Lowell Davis – 22 weeks (IA) <2>
11-Michelle Haupt – 22 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA)
12-Brandon Kahler – 23 weeks (IA, MN)
13-Scott Degeneffe – 41 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN)
14-Sheri Fakhouri – 51 weeks (IA, NE)
15-Logan Kahler – 51 weeks (IA, MN) <2>
16-Nathanial Brown – 53 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN)
17-Jesse Howard – 53 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW) <2>
18-Tamara Peterson – 65 weeks (IA, MN)
19-Mindi Terrell – 68 weeks (IA) <2>
20-Linda Bennett – 97 weeks (KS) <2>
21-Sarah Toot – 98 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV)
22-Angie DeWaard – 102 weeks (IA, IL) <2>
23-Dawn Krause – 106 weeks (IA) <2>
24-Kim Barker – 112 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
25-Joe Duff – 113 weeks (TX)
26-Teresa Kahler – 124 weeks (IA, NE) <2>
27-Carla Stensland – 124 weeks (IA, MO) <2>
28-Micky Augustin – 126 weeks (IA, IL)
29-Andy Sharp – 127 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA) <2>
30-Bill Wentworth – 128 weeks (NE, MO) <2>
31-Cathie Morton – 131 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
32-Elizabeth Nordeen – 133 weeks (IA, OH)
33-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 135 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
34-Kio Dettman – 137 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

WPC - WEEK 456 - ANYTHING BUT A CAT - ADAM GORDON

Adam Gordon (Iowa) – 15 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa)

Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 7 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 128 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa)

Angie DeWaard (Iowa)

Beckham Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

Becky Parmelee (Bella Vista, Arkansas) – 16 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 129 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 24 weeks

Carla Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 125 weeks

Cathie Morton (West Des Moines, Iowa) – 132 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa)

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 107 weeks

Elainie Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 1 week

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 134 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

Jesse Howard (Waukee, Iowa) – 54 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas) – 114 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

Johnathan Stensland (Iowa) – 4 weeks

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 113 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 138 weeks

Kyle Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 98 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 52 weeks

Logan Kahler (Iowa)

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 23 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa)

Mary Green (Vieques, Puerto Rico) – 1 week

Mary Green (Vieques, Puerto Rico)

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 23 weeks

Micky Augustin (Colo, Iowa) – 127 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 5 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 69 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Monica Jennings (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Nader Parsaei (Iowa) – 1 week

Nader Parsaei (Iowa)

Nathanial Brown (Guinness Storehouse – Dublin, Ireland) – 54 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Teeling Distillery – Dublin, Ireland)

Sabas Hernandez (Marshalltown, Iowa) – 9 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (State Center, Iowa)

Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

Sarah Toot (New York City, New York) – 99 weeks

Sarah Toot (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 42 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Illinois)

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Honey Hollow – Summerset, Iowa) – 136 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 52 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Clive, Iowa) – 5 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Clive, Iowa)

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 66 weeks

Teresa Kahler (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 125 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

Willy McAlpine (Lost Lake – Ledges State Park – Boone County, Iowa) – 2 weeks

NOTE: A surly person that might have sent me hate mail over this theme may have noticed that there is one picture that does in fact include a cat. You might be wondering why that picture was NOT rejected. It isn’t cause I like Scott more than the rest of you. Although he does feed me. (But the list of people that have cooked me or given me some kind of food is pretty extensive. – See Michelle’s submission.) It is for 2 reasons. That cat is Fred. And Fred, I’m told, identifies as a dog. And on this website we believe that Love is Love. Black Lives Matter. Women’s Rights are Human Rights. No Human is Illegal. Science is Real. Kindness is Everything. In Religious Freedom. Hate Has No Home Here. But secondly and sadly, sometime between when that picture was taken and this post published, Fred may have crossed over the rainbow bridge. Fred was not expected to make it through the night. And I would not deny Fred, who has the outwards appearance of being a cat, but is in fact a dog, one final appearance on this website. And if this makes you mad, ask yourself, why you hate cats so much?

42 participants this week! Man, people were so thirsty for pictures that don’t have cats in them. I guess that Andy Sharp knows how to come up with the theme ideas!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ Illinois (1)
+ Iowa (47)
+ Ireland (2)
+ Kansas (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ Nevada (1)
+ New York (1)
+ Puerto Rico (2)
+ Texas (2)

Thanks to the travels of Nathanial we added Ireland to the list. And thanks to the travels of Mary we added Puerto Rico to the list! WooHoo!

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (15.5)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ California (3)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (5)
+ Florida (85)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (7)
+ Indiana (4)
+ Iowa (830)
+ Ireland (2)
+ Kansas (34)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (8)
+ Mississippi (1.5)
+ Missouri (13.5)
+ Nebraska (30)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New York (13)
+ Ohio (2)
+ Oklahoma (1)
+ Pennsylvania (16)
+ Puerto Rico (2)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (35)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (1)

29 states so far! 1 U.S. Terriorty! 4 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL) – 8
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA) – 7
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL) – 7
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW) – 6
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA) – 4
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV) – 4
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL) – 2
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO) -2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA) – 2
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2

Jen is currently in the lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” Jesse and Andy and Scott are in striking distance though!

There were a couple of big milestones this week! Sheri and Logan both reached the 1 Year Streak Club! WooHoo! WooHoo!

No streaks were killed this week! WooHoo!

SLICE OF LIFE – IN HONOR OF MY DAD

SLICE OF LIFE! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a SLICE OF LIFE image? This is where I normally give you kind of a broad definition of the theme, but not this week. For those that don’t know SLICE OF LIFE is the name of the postcard company that my Dad started and ran out of the basement darkroom in our house.

He specialized in black & white postcards of local interest. Here is this week’s assignment. It is to take a picture that you could see being used on a postcard. Now back in the day, they used to take pictures of all sorts of things and put them on postcards. So don’t think that there is nothing in your area that would make it on a postcard. It could be a building that is interesting looking or has a historical significance. It could simply be a pretty scene. Back when I was doing THE POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT, sometimes they took pictures of downtown intersections and put those on postcards.

While I will require your submission to be a postcard like image, meaning don’t try to “interpret” Slice of Life to mean something different, I will only strongly encourage you to submit the picture in black & white and also only slightly encourage you to throw some text on the image, if you have the editing skills or software. You know, design a postcard!

There is one more thing. This is the one and only theme where if you write a SHORT description of your image (like you would see on the backside of a postcard) that I will include it along with your submission.

I don’t manipulate the order of themes for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. I put the 52 themes in a random generator and then I have it generate the the order of the themes EXCEPT for this theme. This theme I put this week specifically. This week is my Dad’s birthday. In fact, it is tomorrow. He would have turned 81. So it seemed apropos to put the theme that is an homage to him during this week.

And if you don’t know, he is the person in the theme reveal image.

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 a continuation in many ways next Monday.

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Johnathan, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Ruins, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Still Life, Street Photography, Tamara, Teresa, Travel, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 451 – LETTERS OR NUMBERS

May 8, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

LETTERS OR NUMBERS! A great theme! But were enough people their own dawg enough to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, April 29, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Nader Parsaei – 1 week (IA)
2-Amy Peterson – 1 week (IA)
3-Alexis Stensland – 1 week (IA) <2>
4-Monica Jennings – 2 weeks (IA)
5-Sabas Hernandez – 3 weeks (IA, OH)
6-Suzie Brannen – 5 weeks (IA)
7-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 5 weeks (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL)
8-Willy McAlpine – 6 weeks (IA)
9-Deanna McClain – 7 weeks (IA) <2>
10-Adam Gordon – 9 weeks (IA, MS, MO) <2>
11-Becky Parmelee – 10 weeks (AR, IA, OK)
12-Sara Lockner – 14 weeks (IA, BHS)
13-Lowell Davis – 17 weeks (IA) <2>
14-Michelle Haupt – 17 weeks (IA, MO, KS)
15-Brandon Kahler – 18 weeks (IA, MN)
16-Scott Degeneffe – 36 weeks (2) (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN)
17-Mike Vest – 41 weeks (IA, MO)
18-Sheri Fakhouri – 46 weeks (IA, NE)
19-Logan Kahler – 47 weeks (IA, MN) <2>
20-Nathanial Brown – 48 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN) <2>
21-Jesse Howard – 48 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW)
22-Tamara Peterson – 60 weeks (IA, MN)
23-Mindi Terrell – 63 weeks (IA)
24-Linda Bennett – 92 weeks 129 (KS)
25-Sarah Toot – 93 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV) <2>
26-Angie DeWaard – 97 weeks (IA, IL) <2>
27-Dawn Krause – 101 weeks (IA) <2>
28-Kim Barker – 107 weeks (IA, CO)
29-Joe Duff – 108 weeks (TX)
30-Teresa Kahler – 119 weeks (IA, NE) <2>
31-Carla Stensland – 119 weeks (IA, MO) <2>
32-Micky Augustin – 121 weeks (IA, IL)
33-Andy Sharp – 122 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA)
34-Bill Wentworth – 123 weeks (NE)
35-Cathie Morton – 126 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO)
36-Elizabeth Nordeen – 128 weeks (IA)
37-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 130 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
38-Kio Dettman – 132 weeks (IA) <2>

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

WPC - WEEK 451 - LETTERS OR NUMBERS - MARY GREEN

Mary Green (Iowa) – 1 week

Mary Green (Iowa)

Johnathan Stensland (Iowa) – 1 week

Alexis Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Ogden, Iowa)

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 4 weeks

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Ames, Iowa) – 6 weeks

Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 7 weeks

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 8 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa) – 10 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa)

Becky Parmelee (Springdale, Arkansas) – 11 weeks

Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 15 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 18 weeks

Michelle Haupt (New Orleans, Louisiana) – 18 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 19 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (West Des Moines, Iowa) – 37 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 47 weeks

Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 48 weeks

Logan Kahler (Iowa)

Nathanial Brown (Grand Junction, Iowa) – 49 weeks

Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 49 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Rochester, Minnesota) – 61 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Camp Dodge – Iowa) – 64 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 93 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 94 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 98 weeks

Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 102 weeks

Kim Barker (New Orleans, Louisiana) – 108 weeks

Kim Barker (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Joe Duff (Texas) – 109 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 120 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

Carla Stensland (UDCC, Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa) – 120 weeks

Carla Stensland (What Cheer, Iowa)

Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 122 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 123 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 124 weeks

Cathie Morton (New Orleans, Louisiana) – 127 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 129 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Summerset, Iowa) – 131 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 133 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (New Orleans, Louisiana) – 554 weeks

37 participants this week! A drop off of 2 participants from last week. Sad.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ Iowa (33)
+ Kansas (2)
+ Louisiana (5)
+ Minnesota (1)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ Texas (1)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (11.5)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ California (3)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (5)
+ Florida (85)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (5)
+ Indiana (4)
+ Iowa (661)
+ Kansas (28)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (7)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (7)
+ Mississippi (1.5)
+ Missouri (10.5)
+ Nebraska (27)
+ Nevada (2)
+ New York (12)
+ Ohio (1)
+ Oklahoma (1)
+ Pennsylvania (14)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (28)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)

28 states so far! 3 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL) – 8
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA) – 7
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY) – 6
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW) – 6
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA) – 4
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA) – 4
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV) – 4
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL) – 2
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Sara Lockner (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO) -2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL) – 2
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2

Jen is now in the lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” Jesse and Andy and Scott are in striking distance though!

The big milestone this week was Adam joining the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! But it wasn’t all good times. A ton of streaks bit the dust. Nader and Amy couldn’t build on their submissions last week. Suzie’s 5 week streak is no more. But worst of all Scarecrow, Vest’s 41 week streak is history! The humanity!

RUINS

RUINS! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of RUINS in this place that could us a sprucing up next Monday.

Art, Automobiles, Carla, Derrick, Elizabeth, History, Jen, Road Trip, Sara, Self-Portrait, Still Life

Eclipse Road Trip – Day 3

May 7, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I woke up in the hotel in Normal, Illinois at about my normal time 5:45 AM or so. I packed up the tremendous amount of stuff I lugged into the hotel. A suitcase. A laptop. A CPAP. A camera bag. My ledger. Probably some other stuff as well. I figured nobody else would be up, so I hit the shower. Felt pretty dang good for a hotel shower. Much better than the whore’s bath.

Clean. Smelling good (in my humble opinion), I went down to check out the continental breakfast. We stayed at a Comfort Suites which is right in my hotel sweet spot. I like hotels that are “expensive” enough to have amenities. But not so expensive they start charging you for amenities. Basically I want free wi-fi and free breakfast. A pool is nice too, but I’m really here for the free breakfast. I don’t understand why the more expensive a hotel is, the more stuff they charge you for. If a hotel doesn’t have free breakfast this dog is out!

After I took most of my stuff to the car I went to the breakfast room. I was the first one there. I expected to be. There was no way all the Gorshes were ALL up and going.

Not gonna lie. First thing I did when I got settled in my room the night before was going to check out the breakfast layout. Before entering, saying a silent prayer that they would have a waffle maker. The conveyor belt pancake maker is okay, but if you know I’m all about that #wafflelife.

I’ve heard that all prayers are answered. Just many times the answer is “Not today bro.” But on this day, the answer was “I got you bro.” Staring back at me from the corner of the breakfast bar was a shiny, beautiful waffle maker! It was a great morning.

Here are some pictures from the trip home:

Not only did they offer regular old waffles. They also offered chocolate waffles! Bingpot! I know what you are thinking. Did he go original or did he go chocolate. He is trying to live somewhat healthier, maybe he went for neither and only had some fruit for breakfast. The suspense is killing you.

I went chocolate of course! If you are going to eat unhealthy, jump in with both feet! Besides calories that you eat in a different state don’t count. That is some kind of adultery loophole I saw on a sitcom once. But the exercise you do counts double. That’s just science. #chocolatewaffelife

While I was eating my waffle Dave showed up for his breakfast. Then Derrick and the dog showed up. I told them I was going to eject from the caravan and go ahead and hit the road because I was going to do some meandering on the way back and I was ready to hit the dusty trail and they wouldn’t be ready for a couple of hours. I got in the RAV4 and considered opening my Christmas present from Sara that Jen took all the way to Indiana to give to me. I took it all the way back to Iowa to open it.

My first stop in Iowa was in Le Claire. Le Claire is near the “Quad Cities” which means that it is Happy Joe’s country. I didn’t eat at Happy Joe’s because it wasn’t open for several hours, but I had to stop to at least take a picture of the sign to make Elizabeth (a noted Happy Joe’s fiend) jealous. Also, out of the blue on the trip Derrick told me really had been having a hankering for Happy Joe’s ham & sauerkraut pizza. I don’t think he stopped in Le Claire for some, but at least I let him know he had the option.

That is a mango-strawberry with banana smoothie. Don’t ever accuse me of drinking coffee!

Endorsed. Cody Road Coffee for smoothies.

Reminds me of Carla’s camper.

Also reminds me of Carla’s camper.

You know the theme from Golden Girls? I had no clue that was a song that existed outside of that show until a few months ago when I was listening to the Casey Kasem flashback countdown (a Sunday tradition in my sphere of influence) somebody requested it as Long Distance Dedication. My mind was blown. I also love Bob Ross. I’m not a Swiftie though. I’m a Lipsey. But Taylor Swift is cool.

If anybody is looking for a beer tap, I know a place.

This was in Aunt Hattie’s Fanciful Emporium Unique Gift Shop. Spoiler: Guess what I’m putting in the Computer Mine Gift Exchange this year!!!

Ya know your boy was checking out the sticker selection.

So true. I log onto Facebook everyday to read poorly informed political opinions of people I try to continue to respect. Or I never go on Facebook. One of those things is true.

I feel so seen.

What is the budget for the Computer Mine Christmas Gift Exchange again?

Give me a few more years before I start rocking this hat.

What did the seahorse do?

This book is in the Gorshe Library.

But not this one… yet.

I know these people.

Next stop was Antique Archaeology. I love hitting this store because it reminds me of my parents and the old Bennett Antiques & Primitives store.

Even though it is actually super touristy and the price on most things is outrageous.

I switched to YouTubeTV over a year ago now. I absolutely can’t endorse it enough. But the one thing is I don’t get now is the History Channel. I do miss this show and ANCIENT ALIENS of course.

I stopped in Belle Plaine for lunch. I’ve wanted to eat at the historic Lincoln Cafe for a minute, so I took this opportunity to stop there and eat on my way home. But that is a story for a future food adventure entry.

I hope somebody took them up on this.

Finally made it home. 1150.3 miles later.

That is all I have for cell phone pictures from this trip. But I have plenty of real camera pictures to share at some point in the future.

It was a phenomenal trip and I’m very thankful for the Gorshes letting me crash their eclipse party! Let’s do it again in 20 years.

Art, Beckham, Candid Portrait, Derrick, Evie, Harrison, Jen, Layla, Nature, Road Trip, Self-Portrait, Still Life

Eclipse Road Trip – Day 2

April 30, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

On Day 2 of the Eclipse Road Trip I woke up in the comfort of the bed. Did my business in a toilet with running water. Brushed my teeth. Still opted for a whore’s bath and then decided to do a little bit of exploring while the rest were sleeping I decided to sneak off and do a little exploring. I had done a little research on the Gosport area and found out that there was a beautiful waterfall nearby. There was also an interesting sculpture park, but that didn’t open until 9 AM and by the time I explored it, I wouldn’t have had time to get back to Linda’s to leave for the eclipse party.

Through my research I also learned about a cool bakery in Gosport that had an open kitchen that allowed you to watch them bake all of the tasty goodness.

Here are some pictures from the day:

This cool drive-in theater reminds me that one of my goals this year is to go watch a movie at a drive-in movie theater. Who is in?

It was a beautiful sunrise on a foggy morning. Almost magical.

It cost an outsider like me 9 smackers to visit Cataract Falls State Park. If I was from Indiana, it would have been $7. I thought about how lucky I am to be able to visit Ledges or Mines of Spain or Backbone anytime I want for free, but then I’m also reminded that we don’t even have park rangers any more and are parks are poorly maintained. So maybe it is a wash.

Going over the Eel River was this sweet covered bridge.

Even though I wasn’t there to see the eclipse I got a 5 minute lecture about it from 2 different park rangers. Even though I told both of them that I was just there to see the Niagara Falls of Indiana.

It is really the largest waterfall in Indiana. You might scoff, but it is way bigger than any waterfall in Iowa.

After leaving Cataract Falls I visited the town of Cataract to check out the famous Cataract General Store and the Cataract School. This sign should hang everywhere.

Is that good? That seems good.

I stopped at the cool bakery. I bought a piece of red velvet cake and a piece of carrot cake. I also bought this chocolate milk. I have a longstanding belief that it is impossible to get great chocolate milk outside of Iowa (or outside of the AE Dairy footprint). Kind of like how you can’t get a good tenderloin outside of Iowa. The clerk at the Bakery ranted and raved about this chocolate milk. It was an okay chocolate milk, but if I somehow ever get back to Gosport I’m taking a gallon of AE into the bakery and I’m blowing some minds. Anyways, this chocolate milk comes from a local dairy.

This truck is parked just outside of Paragon. Nobody I talked to seemed to know the story. Rest in peace Jack Brown.

Jen came back from Indiana with one more fur coat. A beaver fur coat this time.

I witnessed quite the wrestling match. I’m not sure who won. But it was quite the match.

I ate so much food at the Eclipse Party. Linda’s ribs were delicious. So was Pete’s chili. I tried something called “fluffy” that Evie was certain was going to change my life. I don’t know it did, but I ate plenty of it. Also a ton of peanut butter bars.

It’s starting!

Styling and profiling!

Totality!

During the eclipse there are these crazy crescent shadows.

My camera filter.

This is the road outside of Linda and Pete’s house. I swear every road that isn’t a highway looks like this road.

After the eclipse we packed up and headed back. We had a hotel booked in Normal, Illinois.

We ended up getting gas in Danville, Illinois. Apparently the no buying gas in Illinois thing was just an elaborate ruse.

I’ve been to shadier gas stations. One in San Antonio comes to mind, but this one was pretty shady.

The drive from Indiana to the hotel was crazy busy. There were a ton of people fleeing Indiana after the eclipse. The last 5 miles or so on the interstate took me over 30 minutes. It was great to get to the hotel. I watched part of UCONN’s dismantling of Purdue. Then watched the kids swim in the pool before calling it a night.

One more sleep before finishing the trip home the next day.

Oh… here is one more bonus image. Evie took this picture of Derrick. We were trying to teach him about Snapchat.

I think we failed and honestly I’m not that great at Snapchat. Evie knows way more than me. So maybe she can keep working on him.