Category Archives: Nathanial

WPC – WEEK 401 – HAPPY

I mailed out a postcard to the entrants of last years Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest last week. I hear they still haven’t arrived in people’s mailboxes. Thought I would share the postcard here, since many of you entered last year or have kids or grandkids that entered. Or hopefully many of you are thinking of entering this year for the first time. Monica designed the postcard. Have a look:



There are 6 Photo Classes this year:
+ Animals
+ Black & White
+ People
+ Places
+ Plants
+ Trains, Planes, & Automobiles

There are 3 Age Divisions:
+ Youth (7-12)
+ Teen (13-17)
+ Adult (18+)

Hopefully many of you enter again and many more of you are inspired to enter this year. Or inspired to have your kids or grandkids enter.

+++++++

REMINDER THAT NEXT MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY. WHILE YOUR BANK AND THE GOVERNMENT AND A BUNCH OF OTHER BUSINESSES TAKE THE DAY OFF, THERE IS NO REST FOR PHOTOGRAPHY 139. RISE AND GRIND EVERY SINGLE DAY. I DON’T KNOW WHAT MY PLANS ARE FOR MEMORIAL DAY (OTHER THAN MAYBE SLEEPING LATE AFTER WHAT I HOPE IS AN EPIC MOVIE NIGHT ON SUNDAY) BUT IT MIGHT INCLUDE A ROAD TRIP OR A BARBECUE OR A FEW OTHER OPTIONS THAT MIGHT KEEP ME BUSY. LIKEWISE YOU MIGHT BE ENGAGED IN A SIMILAR ACTIVITY ON MONDAY MORNING. YOU MIGHT NOT GET A REMINDER AND YOU MIGHT NOT BE IN A POSITION TO SUBMIT. PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

HAPPY! Many people claim to like to be HAPPY, but did many people actually get a picture of somebody that is HAPPY or of something that makes them HAPPY? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

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

1-Nathanial Brown – 1 week
2-Tamara Peterson – 1 week
3-Sabas Hernandez – 3 weeks
4-Mike Vest – 3 weeks
5-Alexis Baugher – 6 weeks (3)
6-Jesse Howard – 6 weeks
7-Mindi Terrell – 13 weeks (2)
8-Monica Jennings – 18 weeks (2)
9-Brandon Kahler – 38 weeks (2)
10-Linda Bennett – 42 weeks
11-Sarah Toot – 43 weeks
12-Angie DeWaard – 47 weeks
13-Dawn Krause – 51 weeks (2)
14-Kim Barker – 57 weeks
15-Joe Duff – 58 weeks
16-Logan Kahler – 60 weeks
17-Teresa Kahler – 69 weeks (2)
18-Carla Stensland – 69 weeks (2)
19-Micky Augustin – 71 weeks
20-Andy Sharp – 72 weeks (3)
21-Bill Wentworth – 73 weeks
22-Cathie Morton – 77 weeks
23-Elizabeth Nordeen – 78 weeks
24-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 80 weeks
25-Kio Dettman – 82 weeks (2)

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


WEEK 401 - HAPPY - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 58 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - NADER PARSAEI
Nader Parasei (Orange City, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 79 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Rural Boone County, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - MELISSA DEGENEFFE
Melissa Degeneffe (Ankeny, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - MELISSA DEGENEFFE
Melissa Degeneffe (Erb Pond – Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 74 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 83 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 43 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 44 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Living History Farms – Urbandale, Iowa) – 48 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Orange City, Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 59 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - SHANNON  BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 81 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Ottumwa, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Ottumwa, Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Ottumwa, Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 14 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (West Bend, Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 52 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 39 weeks


Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 78 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Roland, Iowa) – 19 weeks

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - STEPHANIE KIM
Stephanie Kim (Brooklyn, New York) – 1 week

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 4 weeks

34 participants! That is an amazing week! I know for sure it is the high for this calendar year and it might be the highest of all-time. I’ll have to check my records and get back to you.

Particularly exciting was first ever submissions from Nader and Melissa. I don’t expect Nader to be a regular contributor, but you never know. But with Melissa, there is some hope!

Also, Stephanie had her first submission this year. I don’t know if this will lead to regular or even irregular submissions or not. We will just wait and see.

There were no new states added to the map this week and at this point, I’m betting new states added will be an increasingly rare thing. Time will tell.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New York
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

25 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over halfway there!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture about 175 miles from my front door, so I continue to not contribute.

There was one major milestone this week! Dawn joined the 52 Week Club! One straight year of weekly submissions. Congratulations Dawn!

There were no streaks snapped!

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 402 - PARK
PARK

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

But what in the John Culbertson is a PARK image? Simply put, it is a picture taken in a PARK. And there are all sorts of PARKs. There are city, state, national, baseball, softball, playgrounds, nature preserves, urban, pocket, sculpture gardens, cultural… just to name a few. Of course, there is more than one definition of PARK.

While considering a possible subject for your PARK submission, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with an inspiring image.

The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of the great human principle.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 PARK in this place that I believe brings a bit of respite for some next Monday.

The Windy City: Day 1B

I need to start out by thanking everyone that wished me a happy birthday. I believe this is a comprehensive list of everybody that wished me a happy birthday.

+ Kim and also thank you for buying me birthday Buffalo Chicken tots and the card.
+ Ron, Clevenger, Jordan, and Aaron. Although I may have bought those birthday wishes with donuts.
+ Elizabeth and also thanks for buying me candy bars I know you don’t like but the real thanks goes for looking for my favorite candy bars the Whatchamacallit and the Take 5! You are the real hero! Also, glad you are digging SHRINKING! Such a great show!
+ Steph. My birthday buddy, I hope FAST X was everything you wanted to be and I’m trying not to lose just a smidge of respect that you went to it.
+ Jesse – Sorry I was so aggressive in accusing you of eating all the mystery cheese.
+ Nader – Thanks for the frog statue!
+ Shannon- half credit for including a picture of a gross cat with your birthday wishes.
+ Michelle – good job taking a three day weekend to celebrate my birth.
+ Jay – doesn’t look like you got any rhubarb. It isn’t going to pick itself.
+ Kelly – thanks for the kind words. Not necessary, but thanks.
+ Angie – hope the postcard arrives soon.
+ Monica – thanks for sending me the picture of me in my Hulkster phase.
+ Suzie – thanks for knowing the proper animal to include in a happy birthday wish!
+ Jason – glad you are feeling better!
+ Bill – thanks for replying “no problem” when I said “thanks”. Don’t know why, but that amused me.
+ Sara Lockner – thanks for almost using enough exclamation marks in your birthday wishes!
+ Shawn – I’m sorry your wife used up all the world’s supply of punctuation in her birthday wishes and there wasn’t any punctuation left for yours.
+ Faust – thanks for pretending that banking sounds fun.
+ Teresa – thanks but I have my doubts you know who Dwight Schrute is.
+ Anders – I don’t know if it was a great one, but I’m sure May Movie Night will be.
+ Sarah Toot – Thanks for thinking I have the slightest clue what emoticons mean. Don’t feel pressure to do better next year.
+ Alexis – thanks for letting me think today was my day.
+ Baier and Dre – We didn’t have much interaction, but thanks for thinking of me.
+ Micky – thanks for multiple birthday wishes. It isn’t a contest, but if it was I think Elizabeth won. At least I think that is what she yelled at me as I walked out the door. But your message was the closest I came to having cake today. So that is something.
+ Lori – thanks, no need to apologize for transferring me my favorite kind of call, even if I really shouldn’t have been first in queue. Hope things went well today.
+ Mark – thanks. I suppose I should learn when your birthday is. Also stop using your desk for storage. Nah!
+ Lowell – thanks for the gift card. I like to think you would get me one even if the company didn’t require it.
+ Carla – thanks for getting your birthday wishes in right before the buzzer.
+ Nathanial – thanks for the final birthday wishes of my day.

I think that is the list. I think that is everybody that wished me a happy birthday! Thanks everyone!

If you are wondering what I did for my birthday, it was nothing super spectacular. It was mostly an average day.

I woke up about 5:54 AM. A little late for me. I was up late last night watching the NBA Playoffs. Then trying to watch the season finale of THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND. Dang it! This wasn’t the season they actually found treasure. And I was so sure! I also ate fried food the night before. I’m trying to eat healthier, so it is fairly rare I eat fried food these days, he said hoping that there were people that believed him. Point is I slept in. It was my birthday. Cut me some slack!

I’m not sure what I did when I first got out of bed. I think I moved to the couch and watched the news for a little bit. Then I went outside and watered the flowers. I also took apart the trunk in the Camry. I had a slight gas spill in the trunk the night before and it was creating a pretty strong smell in the rest of the car. Then I took a shower. Brushed my teeth. Got dressed. But on cologne option #2. Said goodbye to Naima. Got in the Camry. Headed out.

There is an old birthday tradition at the Computer Mine where on your birthday you bring in food for the other employees. On a good day, there are about 10 employees in the building. (On a great day there is less.) On this day, half those people were gone for various reasons. On my way to work I stopped at the Dutch Oven Bakery and picked up a dozen donuts for my co-workers.

This is a small detail of what transpired on my birthday, but perhaps one of my favorite things that happened.

I left the donuts in the breakroom and then sent an email out to the people I knew would be in the building. Here is the backstory.

About 2 weeks, Elizabeth brought in a dozen donuts from a bakery in Nevada. (For the record, and I might get rode out of Boone on a rail for saying this, these donuts buried the ones from Dutch Oven.) She cut all the donuts in half. Now I feel like I shouldn’t have to explain why, but I will. She cut them in half so that people could try multiple donuts and multiple people could try the same donut.

Back to my birthday. Based on my current work schedule, Ron gets to the building about 30 minutes before I do. Elizabeth gets to the office about 15-30 minutes after me. She is in Special Forces so she can come and go as she pleases. I guess that is really more backstory, for what I’m promising you isn’t much payoff.

So back to that email. I explained in the email that there were donuts in the breakroom for my birthday. I didn’t cut them in half (cause I’m lazy – I didn’t write that, but it was in the subtext) but maybe when Elizabeth got here she would cut the donuts in half. I added that this wasn’t sexist on my part, just she is very passionate about the donut cutting thing.

Here is the “payoff”. I’m telling you that the ink wasn’t dry on that email before Ron was standing next to my cubicle. He wished me a happy birthday and then said that he was going to go get a donut quick before Elizabeth got here and cut them in half.

I said it wasn’t much of a payoff, but I thought it was hilarious.

I think it was somewhere in here I went to take a Snap of the donuts to keep my Streaks going with Logan (501), Brandon (257), Nathanial (89), Fran (37), and Alexis (23).

Somewhere after this, Elizabeth did come in. She did not cut all the donuts in half, but she did cut the donuts she tried in half. Take that Ron! She also brought me candy! So the day was off to a great start.

After that I put in a good solid 8 hours for The Man. I was a problem solving machine. Well to be honest, in the morning I mostly did a lot of rando stuff. I think the highlight of my morning (besides the other stuff I’ve highlighted) was being on hold with a customer for about 30 minutes as they repeatedly rebooted their computer before announcing, I’ll have to call you back.

Then came my lunchbreak. I did point out that I am trying to eat healthier. That means (amongst other things) that I only drink pop once a week. I’m pretty much completely off fast food. I rarely eat fried foods. This means that one of my favorite haunts, B-Bop’s has been off the table. But I figured it was my birthday, I could treat myself to B-Bop’s.

I drove halfway across Ames and got the #2 with Cheese with a Large Pepsi.

Sidebar: A great birthday present would have been the B-Bops across the street from the Computer Mine opening back up so I don’t have to drive completely across tarnation to get B-Bops goodness. They have been remodeling for months now! How long does it take to remodel a restaurant that doesn’t have a dining room?!?!?

It was just as good as I remembered. Although, I could feel the salad place next door judging me a little bit. But I literally ate there the day before. Asian Crunch Salad, no protein. So I think we’re square. Stop looking at me lettuce!

After I got back to the work I was a machine. Updating Server Managers. Modifying hosts files. Attaching SQL databases. All a beauty of motion, while sitting in a desk chair staring at 3 monitors. Barely taking a break to try to solve the mystery of what happened to the missing (I failed).

I called it a day, leaving many a satisfied customer in my wake. (Which means next time I work I won’t be able to solve anybody’s problems.) I drove home. I like to take a route home (sometimes called Old 30) where I drive by a bunch of railroad cars just parked along the highway to see if there is any interesting graffiti to photograph. There wasn’t anything transcendent like a painting of a dog or a clown or characters from The Simpsons, but there was one I found photo worthy. I pulled over and snapped a photo. I’m collecting these images and when I hit about 20 or so I will share them. This is what passes for an art scene in Boone.

Got home. Said hello to Naima. Then mowed my back yard. Which needed to be done before it became a 3 man job… again. I was supposed to have a meeting with my friend Kelli. She is opening a wine bar and wants to use my photography on her walls. I was supposed to look at the space and kind of figure out what we wanted to put there, but that meeting got postponed cause, from what I’m gathering, one of her kids did something dumb. Like go to Grand Junction.

The cancellation opened up a hole in my schedule and I was able to take Naima to Dickcissel for a walk and some wading for her. It was also a good time for me to take the theme reveal image for next week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme.

There was a decent rain coming down on us when we completed the loop. Which meant Naima was soaked all over. I consider this to be a positive though, because the smell of wet dog masked the smell of gas. Not much of a trade up, but small victories.

I decided to go to Dairy Queen for ice cream on our way home since I’m eating healthier. Unfortunately, the line in the DQ drive-thru was crazy long, so instead I drove across town to Big Kahuna’s. This is a considerable upgrade in the quality of the ice cream for me, but it meant Naima didn’t get a pup cup. Sorry, Naima. Don’t feel too bad for her. She did get a full pork chop for supper. Me? I had a cherry amaretto ice cream waffle cone for supper. The supper of champions!

I came home and started watching the Lakers-Nuggets game to finish off my night. While sitting there I got a snap from Nathanial asking for my opinion on his options for the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. He is the second person to ask for my opinion. Meanwhile, humble narrator, hasn’t even given any consideration to what he will enter. Usually at this point I at least know at least 2 of the pictures I will enter. This year I have absolutely no clue. I mean that could be a weekend project, but I don’t know I’ll have much time this weekend either. I guess we’ll see what happens.

After the Nuggets won, I watched a little bit of “90s Nation” on MTV Classic and called it a night. Nodding off into a golden slumber listening to the “Morbid” podcast on H.H. Holmes. Part 4. All in all, a pretty good birthday.

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We begin where we left off last Friday. Lowell, Tony, and I were walking around Chicago waiting for Kim to get done getting good union employees fired for smoking a joint while putting up our booth. Kim has no chill. We were going to checkout a place called Zombie Taco as a potential place for supper. Kim had told us that we were to pick the place for supper. Tacos are always a good choice. That is free advice that I’m giving you, that I wish I had listened to on Day 3 of this trip. Unfortunately when we found Zombie Taco it seemed to be only a walk-up window and on top of that, it seemed to be closed.

But back to the walkabout.


Chicago, Illinois
A play on “This American Life”. My favorite radio show. But I’m not sure what it means.

Chicago, Illinois
I think this place was abandoned.

Chicago, Illinois
Never let anybody tell you, wearing Skechers is not cool. I wear them. Snoop wears them. Tony wears them. Elizabeth’s Grandma used to wear them.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
My greatest regret from the trip to Chicago is not taking a river cruise.

Chicago, Illinois
I wonder if this was the boat that the Dave Matthews Band dumped their poop on. As awful as that must have been, still better than listening to their music.

Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has a fair collection of interesting bridges.

Chicago, Illinois
More street art.

Chicago, Illinois
Down to the River Walk.

Chicago, Illinois
Another interesting bridge.

Chicago, Illinois
It was around here I met a lady that was walking a golden retriever. Such a good dog. Also, more street art.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
I’m guessing this is to protect you from Dave Matthews dumping his poop on your head. Now if they could devise a way to protect you from his awful music.

Chicago, Illinois
I assume Dave Matthews put that there.

Chicago, Illinois
I’d tell you what I think of Salesforce, but enough work talk.

Chicago, Illinois
There is also a Dick’s Last Resort on the San Antonio River Walk. This parking garage is an excellent example of why I would never want to live in a city.

Chicago, Illinois
But it is pretty to look at.

Chicago, Illinois
My #1 goal of the Chicago Trip was to see The Bean. Crossed it off the list Day 1.

Chicago, Illinois
After telling us to pick the restaurant, Kim picked the restaurant. Which fortunately, was 1 block from The Bean.

Chicago, Illinois
The WPC theme this week was FRIENDS. Nathanial told me I could take a picture of my reflection and I could be my own FRIEND(S). I have FRIENDS Nathanial. Still a cool shot.

Chicago, Illinois
The sculptor (Anish Kapoor) of The Bean at first hated that people called it that. It’s official name is Cloud Gate.

Chicago, Illinois
It is made out of 168 stainless steel plates welded together.

Chicago, Illinois
It’s highly polished exterior has no visible seams.

Chicago, Illinois
It measures 33 x 66 x 42 feet.

Chicago, Illinois
The design was inspired by liquid mercury.

Chicago, Illinois

I still have one more collection of images to share from Day 1 of the trip to Chicago.

+++++++

This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is HAPPY!


WEEK 400 - HAPPY
HAPPY

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

But what in the Dave Rauker is a HAPPY photo? Simply put, it is a picture of somebody that is HAPPY or a picture of something that makes you HAPPY. HAPPY is, well it is a feeling of pleasure or contentment. In case you aren’t sure you know what it means to be HAPPY.

HAPPY has been a theme one other time. Here are a few of the submissions from that time to provide you with some inspiration:


WEEK 71 - HAPPY - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – Week 71

WEEK 71 - HAPPY - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – Week 71

WEEK 71 - HAPPY - STEPHANIE KIM
Stephanie Kim – Week 71

WEEK 71 - HAPPY - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – Week 71

WEEK 71 - HAPPY - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – Week 71

In fact, that was pretty much every submission I received for HAPPY. I bet there will be more submissions this time.

Happy photo harvesting!

WPC – WEEK 400 – RUINS

RUINS! One of my favorite themes and one of my favorite things to photograph. But was it a popular theme or did it leave many streaks in RUINS? This is the 400th THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE post since rebooting THE RANDOM WEEKLY PHOTO EXPERIMENT. (504th all-time) I hope it was popular. But you will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, May 8, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):
1-Suzie Brannen – 1 week
2-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
3-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks
4-Sabas Hernandez – 2 weeks
5-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
6-Mike Vest – 2 weeks
7-Alexis Baugher – 5 weeks (2)
8-Jesse Howard – 5 weeks
9-Mindi Terrell – 12 weeks (3)
10-Monica Jennings – 17 weeks
11-Brandon Kahler – 37 weeks
12-Linda Bennett – 41 weeks
13-Sarah Toot – 42 weeks
14-Angie DeWaard – 46 weeks
15-Dawn Krause – 50 weeks
16-Kim Barker – 56 weeks
17-Joe Duff – 57 weeks
18-Logan Kahler – 59 weeks (2)
19-Teresa Kahler – 68 weeks (2)
20-Carla Stensland – 68 weeks (2)
21-Micky Augustin – 70 weeks
22-Andy Sharp – 71 weeks
23-Bill Wentworth – 72 weeks
24-Cathie Morton – 76 weeks
25-Elizabeth Nordeen – 77 weeks (2)
26-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 79 weeks
27-Kio Dettman – 81 weeks (2)

Heading into today, this is what the Submission Map looks like:



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 400 - RUINS - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Nevada,Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Nevada, Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Swaledale, Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 73 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 47 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 400 - RUINS - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 78 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Bagley, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 400 - RUINS - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa_ – 71 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Las Vegas, Nevada) – 43 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 82 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 42 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 52 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 57 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 80 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 58 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 13 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Cleveland, Ohio) – 3 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 77 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 38 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 18 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 400 - RUINS - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 400 - RUINS - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 6 weeks

26 participants. Not a very popular theme. But not bad either. Hopefully one of the upcoming things gets the creative juices flowing for more people.

There were no new states added this week, but if you noticed, if you let me know where your picture was taken I will add that to your submission. The town. I’ll add the town. Not, “my Aunt Hildea’s place”. But I will add the town of Aunt Hildeas’s place exists in. I think that makes it a little more interesting. Than 20 submissions from Iowa. I will NOT assume towns though, like I assume states. I mean I’m pretty sure I know where most of these pictures were taken, but I won’t assume Kio’s pictures were taken in Boone.

Also, if you aren’t in a town, a county would do. For example, I assume Shannon’s picture is taken in rural Warren County. But she also might argue it is taken in Summerset, Iowa. Though.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Nevada
+ Ohio
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

25 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over halfway there!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture about 15 miles from my front door, so I continue to not contribute.

There were no major milestones reached this week, but many streaks lie in ruins now. Suzie and Becky couldn’t build on their submissions last week. Jen and Sara’s streaks ended at 2.

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 400 - HAPPY
HAPPY

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

But what in the Dave Rauker is a HAPPY photo? Simply put, it is a picture of somebody that is HAPPY or a picture of something that makes you HAPPY. HAPPY is, well it is a feeling for pleasure or contentment. In case you aren’t sure you know what it means to be HAPPY.

While considering possible subjects for your HAPPY image, mediated on the following quote and I have no doubt you will create a fascinating image:

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
-Oscar Wilde

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 HAPPY in this place that I hope spreads a bit of happiness in this world next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 398 – ROAD TRIP

ROAD TRIP! What a great theme and an even better way to spend a day or two. Nothing calls to me like the open road.
But did it call to many other people? Or did people stay firmly entrenched on their couches? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

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

1-Heather Courtney – 1 week
2-Scott Degeneffe – 3 weeks
3-Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
4-Alexis Baugher – 3 weeks
5-Mindi Terrell – 9 weeks (3)
6-Suzie Brannen – 14 weeks
7-Monica Jennings – 14 weeks
8-Tamara Peterson – 25 weeks (2)
9-Brandon Kahler – 35 weeks
10-Linda Bennett – 39 weeks (2)
11-Sarah Toot – 40 weeks (2)
12-Angie DeWaard – 44 weeks
13-Dawn Krause – 48 weeks
14-Kim Barker – 53 weeks (2)
15-Joe Duff – 55 weeks (2)
16-Logan Kahler – 56 weeks (2)
17-Teresa Kahler – 66 weeks (2)
18-Carla Stensland – 66 weeks
19-Micky Augustin – 67 weeks
20-Andy Sharp – 69 weeks
21-Bill Wentworth – 70 weeks
22-Cathie Morton – 74 weeks
23-Elizabeth Nordeen – 75 weeks
24-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 76 weeks (2)
25-Kio Dettman – 79 weeks (2)

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


WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - WILLY  MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MIKE PARMELEE
Mike Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP -MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 15 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 26 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 36 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 40 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey) – 41 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Mexico) – 45 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Mexico)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 49 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 54 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 56 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 57 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ROAD TRIP
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ROAD TRIP
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ROAD TRIP
Carla Stensland

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 68 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 71 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Illinois) – 75 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 77 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 80 weeks

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa) – 502 weeks

31 participants! That is a great week! I believe it ties the high for this calendar year. Strange that more people love the open road than love their friends, but maybe it isn’t so strange.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Mexico
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

24 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Thanks to Angie’s vacation, Mexico has been added to the list of international places!

I took my picture 87 miles from my front door. So Angie isn’t the only world traveler.

The big accomplishments this week… Mindi joined the Double Digits Club! WooHoo! Tamara joined the Half Year Club! WooHoo! Mike Parmelee had his first submission of the year! WooHoo! I finally got Alexis’ last name right! WooHoo !

But it wasn’t all unicorns and double rainbows. Heather wasn’t able to build her submission from last week into a streak. And most tragically, Suzie’s 14 week streak is a goner. ROAD TRIPs are her Waterloo.

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 399 - SCHOOL
SCHOOL

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

Let me tell you about IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY!

Iowa State University (ISU) is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. It was founded in 1858 as Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, and it became the first land-grant institution in the United States in 1862, thanks to the Morrill Act.

Today, ISU is a comprehensive university with more than 35,000 students and offers over 100 undergraduate majors, 112 master’s degree programs, and 83 doctoral degree programs. The university is organized into eight colleges: Agriculture and Life Sciences, Business, Design, Engineering, Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and Graduate.

ISU is known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and science, and it has a reputation for being one of the top public universities in the United States. The university is home to several research centers and institutes, including the Bioeconomy Institute, the Ames Laboratory, and the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC).

The university’s mascot is Cy the Cardinal, and the school colors are cardinal and gold. The Cyclones, ISU’s athletic teams, compete in the Big 12 Conference and they completely dominated the Cy-Hawk Series with Iowa Hawkeyes this year.

Overall, Iowa State University is a well-respected and prestigious institution of higher education, offering a wide range of programs and opportunities for students to excel both academically and professionally.

Wait. Wait. Sorry. I’ve just been told that there are more SCHOOL(s) in the world than just Iowa State. I’m not entirely sure why. But I guess you can take a picture of some other stupid school nobody cares about.

SCHOOL! So what in the Terrence Allen is a SCHOOL picture? Simply put it is any image that involves SCHOOL. From a building to a playground to schoolbooks (before they all get banned) to report cards to teachers to really anything related to a SCHOOL. There are all types of different SCHOOL(s). Pre, secondary, high, middle, junior, dance, Sunday, vocational, technical, and even sometimes I take people to SCHOOL on the basketball court. It does NOT have to be Iowa State, but I mean, why would you take a picture of some lesser school? But you do you bro.

While considering how you are going to incorporate Iowa State into your SCHOOL picture, mediate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a great picture:

Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.
– Malala Yousafzai

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 SCHOOL in this place that I like to think has a bit of educational value next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 395 – ODD CAMERA ANGLE

Before we get into the submissions for this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE I want to say that I’m starting to work on the 2023 Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. There are a couple of changes from last year in the photo classes. I split NATURE into ANIMALS and PLANTS. The majority of images submitted last year were for the NATURE class. This way these are split into two categories. I also eliminated the class HIDDEN TREASURES OF BOONE COUNTY and replaced it with PLACES. The amount of classes went up from 5 to 6.

There are still 3 Age Divisions. Youth (7-12), Teen(13-17), and Adult (18+).

Another change is that the photos are not going to be displayed at KWBG this year. The Pufferbilly Days Committee is pushing to have all the activities centered around Story Street on Friday and Saturday. Details are still be worked out, but the current plan is to display the photo amongst various downtown retailers and then Sunday at Art in the Park at McHose Park.

Here is a look at this year’s entry form:



More information will be released as it becomes available. This is just the beginning of the journey. Also thanks to Michelle for updating the entry form!

+++++++

ODD CAMERA ANGLE! A great theme! But were there a ton of oddballs out there to give this theme a spin? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

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

1-Porter Degeneffe – 1 week
2-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
3-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks
4-Sabas Hernandez – 2 weeks
5-Willy McAlpine – 2 weeks
6-Mindi Terrell – 7 weeks (3)
7-Suzie Brannen – 11 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 11 weeks
9-Nathanial Brown – 12 weeks
10-Mike Vest – 12 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 22 weeks
12-Brandon Kahler – 32 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 36 weeks
14-Sarah Toot – 37 weeks (3)
15-Angie DeWaard – 41 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 45 weeks (2)
17-Kim Barker – 50 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 52 weeks
19-Logan Kahler – 53 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 63 weeks (3)
21-Carla Stensland – 63 weeks
22-Micky Augustin – 64 weeks (2)
23-Andy Sharp – 66 weeks
24-Bill Wentworth – 67 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 71 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 72 weeks (2)
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 73 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 76 weeks (3)

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


WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 51 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 42 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Colorado) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Missouri) – 72 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 37 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Michigan) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Michigan)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Michigan)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 74 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 23 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 33 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 68 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CHRISOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 53 weeks

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 46 weeks

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 77 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 38 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 65 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) – 13 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (North Dakota)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (South Dakota)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 54 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 13 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa)

31 participants! That is the most this year for sure and possibly the most ever. Maybe tied for the most ever. I would have to check the books and I don’t have last year’s Ledger in front of me right now. We will just go with tied for most ever participants for now.

First ever submissions from Funk and Alexis. I don’t expect Funk to keep contributing, but I knew she was in Colorado doing her mountain climbing thing again, so I hit her up for a submission. But maybe she will find it addictive. One never knows about such things. I do expect big things from Alexis though. She has that good Bennett photography blood flowing through those veins. After all, there are consistently 7 regular participants with that good Bennett photography blood flowing through their veins. Your humble narrator, Linda Bennett, Teresa Kahler, Carla Stensland, Sarah Toot, Brandon Kahler and Logan Kahler. Alexis would be the 8th.

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Colorado
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Michigan
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas

Four more states have been filled in on the map this week, thanks to Nathanial’s long road trip we get to fill in North Dakota and South Dakota. Thanks to Funk’s mountain climbing exploits, we also get to fill in Colorado. Also, Mary took her submissions in Michigan. WooHoo!
Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin

21 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive!

Thanks to Nathanial’s super long road trip, we also got another submission from outside of the United States. Canada is on the big board now!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture about 3 miles from my front door. So I continue to contribute nothing. There were no major milestones this week. But Kim is closing in on joining the 1 Year Club.

While there was, maybe, record participation this week, it wasn’t all great news. Porter and Becky couldn’t extend last week’s submissions into a 2 week streak. Maybe the pressure of being the youngest contributor this year got to him. Maybe when school’s out, I’ll start hitting up Evie and Layla for submissions. They need to start getting their entries for the Story County Fair (I honestly don’t know if they still do 4-H) and the Pufferbilly Photo Contest taken sometime soon. Jen’s 2 week streak is also history. She ghosted me after I sent her a picture of a matchstick sculpture of the set of BACK TO THE FUTURE. I might have accidentally blown her mind.

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 396 - SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH
SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH

SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH?!? That seems like an odd theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

This theme was suggested by Angie. It was meant to be subversive. If you have read the rules for (and there aren’t many rules, but they do grow a little by little) THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, you may remember the this line:

“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.”

Here is your chance to not get your butt off the couch. You can literally sit on your couch. Take a picture of whatever you see from your couch and submit it to me. Now, you don’t have to take the picture from your couch. You can pile a bunch of your favorite people on your couch and take a picture of them. You can take your picture from behind the couch. It actually doesn’t even have to be your couch. You can find somebody else’s couch you like better and take your picture from there. It could be a couch in a store or a hotel or a bar. Doesn’t matter. It just has to be a SCENE FROM A COUCH.

There are two things I love about this theme. First, it means that there is somebody that actually reads the rules. Second, this picture can be the easiest one you take for this year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE or you really take your creative juices for a walk to figure out how make this picture, let us say different. To really stretch the boundaries of the theme.

All sorts of stuff happens on a couch. I can’t wait to see what happens on some of yours.

While considering possible subjects for your SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH submission, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a fascinating submission:

I stick to simple themes. Love. Hate. No nuances, I stay away from psychoanalyst’s couch scenes. Couches are good for one thing.
-John Wayne

John Wayne might have been a racist, draft dodging prick*, but the guy knew couches.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH in this place that was probably dreamed up on a couch next Monday.

* I still love quite a few John Wayne movies. I can separate art from artist. Also I don’t blame him for draft-dodging. I blame him for acting like he didn’t hide behind his marriage to dodge the draft in WWII so he could cheat on his wife with Marlene Dietrich, probably on a couch.

WPC – WEEK 394 – BLUE

BLUE! A great theme! Everybody loves the color BLUE. But did a bunch of people love it enough to submit a photo? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, March 27, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
2-Sabas Hernandez – 1 week
3-Willy McAlpine – 1 week
4-Mary Green – 2 weeks
5-Mindi Terrell – 6 weeks (3)
6-Suzie Brannen – 10 weeks
7-Jesse Howard – 10 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 10 weeks
9-Nathanial Brown – 11 weeks (3)
10-Mike Vest – 11 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks
12-Brandon Kahler – 31 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 35 weeks
14-Sarah Toot – 36 weeks (3)
15-Angie DeWaard – 40 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 44 weeks (2)
17-Kim Barker – 49 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 51 weeks
19-Logan Kahler – 52 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 62 weeks (2)
21-Carla Stensland – 62 weeks (2)
22-Micky Augustin – 64 weeks (2)
23-Andy Sharp – 65 weeks (3)
24-Bill Wentworth – 66 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 70 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 71 weeks
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 72 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 75 weeks (2)

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


WEEK 394 - BLUE - PORTER DEGENEFFE
Porter Degeneffe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 22 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 32 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 36 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Washington D.C.) – 36 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New York)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 41 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 45 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 50 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 52 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 53 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 63 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 63 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 66 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 67 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Missouri) – 71 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa) – 498 weeks

First, I have to say I find it interesting that Kio took a picture of grape juice for PURPLE and also one for BLUE. Makes me wonder what… what color does Kio think grape juice is?? Or maybe Kio is color blind. Or slightly color blind. I know a few people who are color blind in the blue range. But on the same side, I’ve never understood how you make red wine out of purple grapes. It is a mystery.

For example, yesterday Fran sent me a chat with a picture of a drink with the question, orange or yellow. It so happened that I was having a little post-church and pre-theater lunch with my sisters and so I showed them the picture. We all came back that the liquid in the glass was clearly yellow.

I sent that message back to Fran and she let me know that she thought it was orange.

Maybe I don’t sit and thing about color that much, but Monica sent me a message a couple weeks back about how she is “fascinated by how people interpret color… is it pink or is it purple!?!”. I hope Monica gets just as a big of a kick at seeing the interpretations of BLUE.

All this to say that if I use grape juice in my picture this week, it is because imitation is the highest form of flattery.

29 participants! Another great week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Arkansas
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Missouri
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.

Technically, Washington D.C. isn’t a state, but let’s face it, it should be. Sarah’s picture crosses off another place on the map. I need to make that map someday. Today isn’t that day though.

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin

17 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture about a mile from my front door.

Porter had his first ever submission. I’m pretty pumped for that. He is the youngest to submit this year and I hope that he continues to submit in the future. Welcome aboard Porter!

The big accomplishment this week was Joe Duff joining the 1 Year Club. WooHoo! Congrats to Joe! Who isn’t too big time to work the night shift. Take notes Suzie.

But unfortunately it was not all good news. Mary’s 2 week streak bit the dust. Jesse’s 10 week streak is only a distant memory now.

Hopefully they get back on that horse again this week.

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 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE
ODD CAMERA ANGLE

ODD CAMERA ANGLE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is an ODD CAMERA ANGLE photo? Simply put, it a picture taken from an angle that is different than normal. The grand majority of pictures are taken from the eye level of the photographer. This theme challenges you to look down at your subject. Or look up at your subject. Or look at it from an angle where something small looks big and something big looks small. Or try out a Dutch angle. Put yourself on the ground or in a hole or in the air. Just don’t take your picture eye level. That’s all we’re asking here. The world is your oyster. You just have to look at it askew.

While considering possible subject for your submission, meditate on the following quote and you will no doubt come up with a great image:

I always find beauty in things that are odd and imperfect – they are much more interesting.
-Marc Jacobs

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 ODD CAMERA ANGLE in this place that is more than a little different next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 393 – COMPETITION

EDITOR’S NOTE: MY WORK SCHEDULE HAS TEMPORARILY CHANGED DUE TO EXTREME SHORT STAFFING AT THE COMPUTER MINE. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE PUBLISHING OF THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE POST MIGHT GET MOVED BACK AT LEAST 30 MINUTES UNTIL THE STAFFING SHORTAGE HAS PASSED. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

It is the last Monday of the month, so it is a good time revisit the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE FAQ:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

What skill level photographer can participate?

THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE is open to photographers of all skill levels. From award winning photographers to professionals to the highly ranked amateurs to those that are just beginning to those who don’t even know how to focus a camera. All skill levels are encouraged and welcome. You can’t be too bad and you can’t be too good! Everyone has room to learn and be challenged!

Award winning photographers? Really?

Yes. I can think of at least 5 photographers that participate regularly that have won a photography award of some kind.

Is this a competition?
No.

Is there a limit to the number of submissions I can have each week?

Yes. That limit is 3. If you send me more than 3, I will post the first 3 that you send. I’m not trying to harsh your photography buzz, but any more than that start to overwhelm the other submissions and it takes me about 5 minutes to take a picture from my inbox to code it on the website. So I have to manage my workload.

If participation rates climb, that limit of 3 is subject to lower.

Can I send you several pictures and have you pick the best one?

No! No! NO! If those words come out of your mouth or your keyboard, I consider that to be a non-submission.

Do you ever question whether somebody’s submission fits the theme?

Meh. Only if I think somebody is clearly confusing this week’s theme with last week or next week’s theme. Otherwise, if the submission makes sense in your head, that is good enough to me. However, I would urge you to not try to fit your favorite subject into the theme. This isn’t a challenge to share a picture every week of your kid or your business or your pet. It is a challenge to take pictures of different things every week. Which isn’t to say subjects can’t be repeated, but you shouldn’t become reliant on the same ones.

Why can’t I submit after 11 AM on Mondays if the post doesn’t publish until 12:01 PM?

I go to lunch at 11 AM. I leave my office. I’m not near a computer. At 11 AM I hit “Schedule” and then I go throw food down my throat. 167 hours is more than enough time to send a submission. Okay, 166 hours and 59 minutes. You got me.

Are there resolution requirements for submissions?

I won’t turn down submissions that are too small. I will probably ask you for a picture of greater resolution if it is really small. The typical 4 x 6 image posted to my website has a resolution of 1280 pixels x 853 pixels. While a 400 x 300 image might look okay on your phone, it looks like trash on a computer monitor. I prefer images that are at least 1000 pixels at their largest point, but don’t ban smaller pictures at this point.

What format should my submission be?

.JPG but .PNG also works.

If I write a description of my image will you include that in your post?

No. Photography is art that should stand on its own. Only exception is the SLICE OF LIFE theme.

When will you start accepting suggestions for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE themes?

Suggestions are closed for next year’s list. It will be a minute before they open up for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

+++++++

COMPETITION! A great theme! But did it fire up the competitive juices of a ton of people? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

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

1-Scott Degeneffe – 1 week
2-Mary Green – 1 week (3)
3-Sara Lockner – 1 week
4-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
5-Mindi Terrell – 5 weeks (2)
6-Suzie Brannen – 9 weeks
7-Jesse Howard – 9 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 9 weeks
9-Nathanial Brown – 10 weeks (3)
10-Mike Vest – 10 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks
12-Brandon Kahler – 30 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 34 weeks (2)
14-Sarah Toot – 35 weeks (3)
15-Angie DeWaard – 39 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 43 weeks (2)
17-Kim Barker – 48 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 50 weeks
19-Logan Kahler – 51 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 61 weeks (2)
21-Carla Stensland – 61 weeks (2)
22-Micky Augustin – 63 weeks (2)
23-Andy Sharp – 64 weeks (2)
24-Bill Wentworth – 65 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 69 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 70 weeks
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 71 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 74 weeks (3)

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


WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 40 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 66 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 62 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 51 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 75 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 35 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 21 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 65 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 44 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 62 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 49 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 31 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 36 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WPC 393 - COMPETITION - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 52 weeks

29 participants! That is a great week.

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

There were no new states added to the map.

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

17 states! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture about 15 miles from my front door. So I didn’t add to the map, yet again.

There were a couple of big milestones this week! Suzie, Monica, and Jesse both reached double digit streaks. Logan reached the One Year Club!

But it wasn’t all sunshine and happiness! Scott, Sara, and Becky couldn’t build on their submissions last week to get to two week streaks!

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 394 - BLUE
BLUE

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

But what is a BLUE image? It is simply an image where the subject or a major compositional element of the image is the color BLUE. That is it! Almost too simple!

While thinking about a possible subject for your submission, meditate on the following quite and I have no doubt that you will come up with a great image:

She had blue skin, And so did he. He kept it hid; And so did she. They searched for blue; Their whole life through, Then passed right by – And never knew.
–Shel Silverstein

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 BLUE in this place that hopefully never gives you the blues next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 392 – PURPLE

PUPRLE! An important color in my life, but did it inspire a ton of submissions? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

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

1-Mindi Terrell – 4 weeks (3)
2-Suzie Brannen – 8 weeks (2)
3-Jesse Howard – 8 weeks
4-Monica Jennings – 8 weeks
5-Nathanial Brown – 9 weeks
6-Mike Vest – 9 weeks
7-Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
8-Brandon Kahler – 29 weeks
9-Linda Bennett – 33 weeks (3)
10-Sarah Toot – 34 weeks (3)
11-Angie DeWaard – 38 weeks
12-Dawn Krause – 42 weeks
13-Kim Barker – 47 weeks
14-Joe Duff – 49 weeks
15-Logan Kahler – 50 weeks
16-Teresa Kahler – 60 weeks
17-Carla Stensland – 60 weeks
18-Micky Augustin – 62 weeks
19-Andy Sharp – 63 weeks
20-Bill Wentworth – 64 weeks
21-Cathie Morton – 68 weeks
22-Elizabeth Nordeen – 69 weeks
23-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 70 weeks
24-Kio Dettman – 73 weeks (3)

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


WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Florida) – 1 week

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Florida)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 39 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Oklahoma) – 64 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 48 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Arizona) – 63 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Arizona)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 74 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 34 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Minnesota) – 10 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Minnesota)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 65 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 50 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Nebraska) – 70 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 43 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 30 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Minnesota) – 9 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 51 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 35 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 10 weeks

29 participants! That is a great week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

While there a lot of states covered, there were no new states added to the map.

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

17 states! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture in my basement. So, I didn’t add to the map, yet again.

The big milestone with week was Nathanial and Vest reaching the double digit steak club! 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:


WEEK 393 - COMPETITION
COMPETITION

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

But what is a COMPETITION image? It is simply an image of beings engaged in some kind of contest. Or it can be a picture of something that is used in a COMPETITION. Like a bowling ball. Or it can be a picture of the result of a COMPETITION. Like a trophy. There are so many possibilities!

While thinking about a possible subject for you submission, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a great image:

Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim.
-Bertrand Russell

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 COMPETITION in this place that tries not be competitive it next Monday.

Clayton County Aux. – Vol. 6

I need to start today by wishing Carla a happy birthday. Happy birthday Carla!


Slice of Life Volume 1

I hope your birthday is as full of as much joy as you can handle!

+++++++

I also need to wish Monica a happy birthday. Happy birthday Monica!



I also hope your birthday is as full of as much joy as you can handle!

+++++++

A reminder that you have until Thursday at 11 AM (Central) to get your picks in for Year 18 of the Roundball Oracles. Click on the link below to join:

Roundball Oracles – Year 18

It costs nothing to participate. First Place gets a trophy. Last Place Adult that gives full effort also gets a trophy. Hope many of you participate!

+++++++


Finally, I also need to wish Nathanial a happy birthday. Happy birthday Nathanial!


SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE - JUNE 2022

I also hope your birthday is filled with as much joy and photography opportunities as you can handle!

+++++++

It is time to share the final collection of images I took while harvesting the town signs of Clayton County. All of these were either taken at Pikes Peak State Park or in Marquette.


Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park

Clayton County -
Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

Clayton County - Marquette

The next time we hit the open road to look at auxiliary images for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Wapello County.

WPC – WEEK 391 – SUNRISE, SUNSET

SUNRISE, SUNSET! Everybody loves watching a good SUNRISE or SUNSET. But was it a popular theme? Was it the SUNRISE of many new streaks? Was it the SUNSET on many existing streaks? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

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

1-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
2-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
3-Mindi Terrell – 3 weeks (3)
4-Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks
5-Jesse Howard – 7 weeks
6-Monica Jennings – 7 weeks (3)
7-Nathanial Brown – 8 weeks (3)
8-Mike Vest – 8 weeks
9-Tamara Peterson – 18 weeks
10-Brandon Kahler – 28 weeks
11-Linda Bennett – 32 weeks
12-Sarah Toot – 33 weeks (3)
13-Angie DeWaard – 37 weeks
14-Dawn Krause – 41 weeks (2)
15-Kim Barker – 46 weeks
16-Joe Duff – 48 weeks
17-Logan Kahler – 49 weeks
18-Teresa Kahler – 59 weeks
19-Carla Stensland – 59 weeks
20-Micky Augustin – 61 weeks
21-Andy Sharp – 62 weeks
22-Bill Wentworth – 63 weeks
23-Cathie Morton – 67 weeks
24-Elizabeth Nordeen – 68 weeks (2)
25-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 70 weeks
26-Kio Dettman – 72 weeks (2)

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


WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 33 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 34 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 19 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 64 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Oklahoma) – 63 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 42 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 38 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) 49 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 29 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 47 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Somewhere over the Southeastern United States at 30,000 feet) – 68 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Wisconsin) – 8 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 50 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Arizona) – 62 weeks

25 participants this week. 2 straight weeks participation rates have declined. I hate to say, but participation rates might be in a freefall!

The good news is that 25 participants is still a healthy number. AND we added a new state to the map this week via Micky!

There were submissions this week taken in the following locations:

+ Arizona
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

17 states! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is now:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture about 20 miles from my front door.

This week is spring break for a ton of people. There is potential the map could grow, but I don’t know that it will for certain. We’ll see.

There were no big time milestones this week. The bad news is that Becky couldn’t turn last week’s submission into a streak and Sara’s streak ends at 2.

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 392 - PURPLE
PURPLE

PURPLE! What a great them for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a PURPLE image? Simply put, it is an image where the subject OR a major compositional element of the image is PURPLE. That is it! Couldn’t be simpler than falling off a log.

While considering your possible subjects for your PURPLE image meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a great image:

Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
-Regina Brett

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 PURPLE in this place that is drenched in it next Monday.