The Solace of Ordinary Humanity Although this picture is named for the following quote from the enigmatic John Ruskin: “Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity.” But the story of this flower is actually more akin to the Tennessee Williams quote: “The violets in the mountains have broken… Read More »July
Funny Face Homage Inverse This is actually the first picture to ever be debuted in the calendar. Every other picture that has ever been in the calendar has been published in some way shape or form before being in the calendar. Jill was the only person to ever see this… Read More »June
The conclusion of Mark’s 12 Days of Christmas. Day 10 The tenth Christmas blessing that my Lord gave to me: 10 Small Group Students I know I have written in a previous newsletter about my small group students. They are a group of 10 eighth graders, who meet with me… Read More »12 Days of Christmas – Happy Epiphany
This picture was taken in Upper Ledges in one of their prairies. This picture was taken during the same photo sojourn as when I took Monica’s Childhood. A picture that was Monica’s favorite, but not the picture she selected for the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Monica’s Choice
Day 7 The seventh Christmas blessing that my Lord gave to me: Seventh Grade Bible Class For our 7th grade (Junior 1) Bible class this month, we taught the students about the first Christmas. We had 3 lessons to help the students understand the first Christmas and why it is… Read More »12 Days of Christmas – Part 3
This picture was taken on the Lost Lake Trail. A place that is well documented to be one of my favorite photography retreats. I particularly enjoy taking frog photos in this locale. This picture was selected by Jill for the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest: Jill Selects Frog Although Jill liked… Read More »February
Day 4 The fourth Christmas blessing that my Lord gave to me: Song Competition At Concordia Middle School, 7th grade (also known as Junior 1) through 11th grade (also known as Senior 2), have a couple of intra-grade competitions. One of these is the Christmas song contest. For this competition… Read More »12 Days of Christmas – Part 2
Today is a major holiday! Today is the day that Iowa State plays Minnesota in the Insight Bowl! I thought I would celebrate this major holiday by sharing some of my favorite pictures from the season. It is one of the greatest days of the year. Today would be a… Read More »Happy Insight Bowl!
I’m trying to figure out a good way to post Mark’s most recent newsletter. He has what I think is a most ingenious idea. He is posting a new thing that he is thankful for on the 12 days of Christmas. It has come to my attention that most people… Read More »12 Days of Christmas – Part 1
Proust Quote: “All our final decisions are made in a state of mind that is not going to last.” Confessions Question: Your main fault. Confidences Question: My main fault. Proust’s Answer: Not knowing, not being able to “want”. Ye be warned, any that go much further. What lies below is… Read More »Proust Questionnaire Number Twelve
“You know, my dear, the moment I looked into your eyes I knew that you did not have the mind for the noble art of Divination. See? Right here. You may be young in years but the heart that beats beneath your bosom is as shriveled as an old maid’s,… Read More »Gridiron Prophets Year 4
Proust Quote: “Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible.” Confessions Question: Your idea of happiness Confidences Question: My dream of happiness. Proust’s Answer: I am afraid it be not great enough, I dare not speak it, I am afraid of destroying it by speaking it. That… Read More »Proust Questionnaire Number Ten
Mark’s monthly newsletter from Taiwan. Hey everyone. This is more of a November email, than newsletter. My apologies for not getting a full blown newsletter, and for not sending this in a more timely manner. I wanted to give you a quick update on how things are going in Taiwan.… Read More »Taiwan Times – November 2009
Proust Quote: “Our intonations contain our philosophy of life, what each of us is constantly telling himself about things.” Confessions Question: Your favorite poets. Confidences Question: My favorite poets. Proust’s Answer: Baudelaire and Alfred de Vigny I’m not sure that there are any poets that I have “discovered” this year.… Read More »Proust Questionnaire Number Seven
Today is the anniversary of the birth of Jesse Lee (Lex) Howard. Here is but a poor sampling of pictures of the times we have shared in recent years. After beating that net! In Clinton, Iowa on The Road Trip – 2006 With the World’s Largest Cheeto Jesse’s Picture on… Read More »Happy Birthday Jesse!
Marcel Proust Quote: “Only through art can we emerge from ourselves and know what another person sees.” Confessions Question: The natural talent I’d like to be gifted with. Confidences Question: The gift of nature I would like to have. Proust’s Answer: Will-power, and seductiveness. I have many extremely talented friends.… Read More »Proust Questionnaire Number Six
Today is Carrie’s birthday. Happy Birthday Carrie! Carrie got to spend a good portion of her birthday with her family and with me in Ledges. I will post some of those pictures in January. It will include a picture of the aftermath of my falling through some thin ice past… Read More »Happy Birthday and a Farewell
As the year is winding down and I am trying to set aside more time for photo projects I have decided to do something a little bit different with this Journal in the month of December. I’ve decided to reflect on the accomplishments and failures of this past year. The… Read More »Formulaic Catechism
This day is often referred to as Turkey Day in the slacker way that some people use to be overly casual about certain events in a weak attempt to display aloofness in the vain hope that they will be perceived as cool. I am not one of those people. I… Read More »Happy Turkey Day!
Kelly’s salon recently had their Grand Re-opening after all of their remodeling. I hadn’t put a picture up in Salon 908 since the remodeling, so I decided to do a window project for the salon. For a closer look at Window Project #2, you will need to go to Salon… Read More »Window Project #2
I’ve posted a few pictures from the Iowa State’s last two home games in the Snapshots Gallery. A few of my favorites from the Oklahoma State game… Warming Up James Smith and Banks This picture might be a statement on the one sided nature of this game, but while watching… Read More »Last 2 Home Games