Category Archives: Contests

Iowa State Fair – Day 1 – Beta

Today seems like a good day to share the rest of the pictures from my day at the Iowa State Fair with Jen, Evie, and Layla. We saw some big chunks of the Fair and ate some great food and made some great art!

Here are some of my favorites:


Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023
You may recognize this artist’s style. Some of her work hangs up at Jimmy’s Barbecue.

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023
I love this idea.

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023
I’m a sucker for a picture of people looking at art.

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

Iowa State Fair Gorshes Trip - 2023

I have a standing, handshake deal, with Evie (and hopefully Layla is in too) to go to Snakes Alive this year and get our picture taken with a snake. This going to Day 1 of the Fair with the Gorshes has become one of favorite little traditions!

Tall & Meaty – Guthrie Center BBQ Competition

A couple weeks back Logan and Nathanial’s barbecue team Tall & Meaty competed in a barbecue contest in Guthrie Center. It was there second contest they have entered as a team. They also entered the Pufferbilly Days Barbecue Contest. This was the first year of the Guthrie Center contest. It was coupled with a car show and was a fundraiser for their FFA Chapter.

The entry fee included all the meat. Then they sold plates for $5 to people that came and got samples from all the competitors. Then they voted in the People’s Choice Awards.

I think it was pretty successful. There were 5 teams that entered and a ton of people showed up to try the food. There were also a ton of cars in the car show.

While this was only the second barbecue contest for Tall & Meaty they are way ahead of the game in branding. They already have a logo, a banner, and shirts!

I don’t know why but one I hear Tall & Meaty I can’t help but think of the Chamillionaire song “Ridin'”. I just think it is a natural to change the lyrics to make it an anthem for their barbecue team.

They see me rollin’
They hatin’
Patrollin’ and tryna catch me ridin’ dirty
Tryna catch me ridin’ dirty

It just screams me to change the words “ridin’ dirty” to “Tall and Meaty”.

My music’s so loud.
I’m sWanging’
They hopin that gon’ catch me tall and meaty.

I mean, I’m not going to rewrite it for them, but somebody should!

But I digress. It was an overnight contest. They got to Guthrie Center on Saturday evening. I met up with them Sunday morning about 9 AM.

Here are some pictures from the day:


Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

Tall and Meaty - Guthrie Center Barbecue Contest

They did very well. They won Best Side and they Won Grand Champion!

I think this is a wrap on their competitive barbecue season. They considered a contest in Denison, but they both have a wedding to shoot that weekend. For somebody that clearly doesn’t understand that you don’t schedule your wedding during college football season and if you absolutely have to, you do it on a Sunday or a Friday or a Thursday. Really, Thursday weddings are the best. All weddings should be on Thursdays.

Next Sunday’s food adventure will probably return to the type of food adventure where I go somewhere and eat food.

Until then…

They see me rollin’
They hatin’
Patrollin’ and tryna catch me tall and meaty
Tryna catch me tall and meaty…

Iowa State Fair Power Rankings

When this publishes I will be in possession of my Iowa State Fair Photo Contest entries. So at this time, I can lift the blackout on what pictures I entered and what picture was accepted for display. I assume that everybody honored my social media blackout of my picture. And I thank you for that.

Here are the pictures I submitted. The one that got some love and the ones that were told “Get out of here kid! You have no future!”.


2023 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon -
Not Selected for Display

2023 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon -
Not Selected for Display

2023 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon -
Honorable Mention – Color People

2023 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon -
Not Selected for Display

I wasn’t the only person in this little circle of trust that had pictures displayed at the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. Logan had two pictures displayed and one of his pictures got a little love on the Iowa State Fair Show on IPTV. Nathanial and Angie both got 3 pictures in and got Honorable Mentions in the Sports class.

I hope more people I know enter again next year. Layla expressed interest in entering. I hope Vest gets back in the game too. I also wonder if Carla won’t consider entering. She is going to enter the Clay County Fair Photo Contest this year.

As for me, I probably start getting organized for next year’s contest. Start a folder of possible entries right now. Maybe I could even break a long standing tradition and have people help pick my submissions. I did give some feedback to Angie, Logan, and Nathanial on their possible entries. Maybe I could do the same. Stranger things have happened.

+++++++

On Tuesday as we were leaving the Iowa State Fair after the barbecue contest, Scottie D. asked me why I loved the Iowa State Fair. So I thought I would give a list of things I love about the Iowa State Fair:


State Fair Power Rankings - Food
#10. Food

I’m sure most people would rank food higher on their list. I do love the food at the Iowa State Fair, but it isn’t actually one of the main attractions for me. I used to have a go-to where I would always get a grinder from Jennie’s Grinder, but Jennie passed away several years ago and I have never found a replacement. There is a “grinder” place near where Jennie’s used to be that sells “Gizmos”. But they aren’t anywhere near the same. Starting with the fact that they don’t use sausage, they use beef. Blah! There is a different grinder place at the State Fair, but I will get into that at a later date.

I also used to get a turkey leg from the Iowa Turkey Federation, but I’ve fallen out of love with the turkey leg. It is just not that much food for the price and it is just too darn messy. But it is very photogenic. Hard to beat a picture with a giant turkey leg.


#9 – People Watching

It is hard to beat the Iowa State Fair for people watching. It truly is a crossroads of all of humanity. You can just post up on a bench anywhere and for hours fascinating things and people walking by.



#8 – Shows

I love the fact that there is so much free entertainment everywhere in the Fair. From concerts on the free stages to chainsaw sculpture artists to the bands playing in Pioneer Hall to the entertainers that are roaming the fairgrounds. There are hypnotists to musicians to jugglers to things that kind of defy description.



#7 – Animals

From the lunkers in the DNR Building to the Biggest Bull to the Biggest Boar to the Avenue of the Breeds I love checking out the animals. And such a wide variety. From turtles to ducks to rabbits to cows to sheep to pigs to chickens to ostriches to elk to horses there is an incredible variety to check out.



#6 – Art

There so much amazing art to check out at the Fair. From sweet murals to sculptures to interactive art displays to sand sculptures to hay sculptures to butter sculptures to so much more.



#5 – Flowers

It is well documented that the Discovery Garden is one of my favorite places at the Iowa State Fair. However, it isn’t the only place to check-out flowers and do some flowertography at the fair. There are 27 flowerbeds and 13,000 flowers. Roses, vinca, zinnias, marigolds… oh my!



#4 – Contests

Obviously I’m partial to the Photography Salon, but there is literally a contest for everybody at the Iowa State Fair. From the barbecue contest to the Ugly Cake Contest to the Big Pumpkin Contest to pie eating to husband calling to the chicken calling to the cow chip throwing to rubber chicken throwing to outhouse racing to horseshoes to crocheting to the 4-H to FFA to the Bill Reilly Talent Show! There are 178 canning categories to enter alone!



#3 – Photo Opportunities

I love street photography! Any place where there is great people watching, art, flowers, animals, and food… to name just a few… you know there is going to be photo opportunities every where you look!



#2 – Tradition

I love the tradition of the State Fair. I have many personal traditions I have every year at the Fair. Some are to remind me of others (such as the Scottish Highland at the Avenue of the Breeds) and some are relatively new (such as going to watch Evie and Layla dance). I have a list of things that I have to do every year. And those are my traditions.



#1 – Family

Going to the State Fair is something that reminds me of family. Both biological and the family I don’t share DNA with. This year I saw Logan and Amanda there. Elainie and Sabas. At one time I was going to go with Teresa and/or Carla before plans fell through. Logan entered the Photo Contest this year. Which is a family tradition. My Dad used to enter the photo contest. Winning the Slide Category one year. My parents both used to volunteer in Pioneer Hall and had a booth there as well.

This year I also met up with the extended family of the Gorshes and the Degeneffes and the Jennings. Nader and Jesse as well. Well maybe, Nader. It is supposed to be in the ballpark of triple digits today, so as of the writing of this entry it is unclear if he ended up punking out.

I might make these power rankings a new Iowa State Fair tradition! Until next year’s Fair!

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Recap

I know I might have written that I was finally going to start sharing pictures from the Color the Wind Festival today, but instead I’m going to do a recap of the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest before it gets too long in the tooth.

First, I should announce to those of you that voted in the People’s Choice Award what photo took home the prize:



Road Trip by Savannah Martin

Road Trip received 50 votes. The next highest vote total received was 21 votes.

If you are interested in seeing this year’s photo books, click on the links below:

Readable Photo Book

Printable Photo Book

There is a lot of people I need to thank for making this years Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest a success.

The Judges:
+ Andie DeWaard
+ Janae Erickson
+ Lisa Person

The Administrative Staff:
+ Teresa Kahler
+ Carla Stensland

The Pegboard Builders:
+ Andy Sharp
+ Jason Stensland

The Graphic Designer:
+ Monica Jennings

The Photo Display Team:
+ Dawn Krause
+ Jesse Howard
+ Monica Jennings
+ Graham Jennings

The Book Designer:
+ Michelle Haupt

The Best of Show & People’s Choice Award Creator:
+ Anonymous

The Merchants that hosted the photo entries:
+ Boone Theater (Teen and Adult Places)
+ Ema’s Elegance (Adult Animals)
+ The Houndstooth Haberdashery (Adult Trains, Planes, & Automobiles)
+ Infamous Ink (Adult Black & White)
+ The Lavender Basket (Adult Plants)
+ Paradox (Youth)
+ Studio 721 (Adult People)

I didn’t take as many pictures as I have in the past of the machinations of the Photo Contest but I did take a few.

Here are some from the Judging:


Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Judging went very smooth. There was some good and spirited debate from the judges and for the first time ever, had to engage in some tie-breakers. Including a tie-breaker for Best in Show.

I already have 2 of the judges picked out for next year. Still thinking on that third judge, for now. But I have a pretty good idea. Or at least a couple of candidates in mind.

Monica and I set up the photo displays on Thursday. Paradox and Studio 721 set up the displays themselves, which was a big help. Monica really put the displays together and I did the grunt work.

Here are some pictures of the displays:


Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

On Saturday Jesse and I tore down all the displays. On Sunday we transported them out to McHose Park. Graham and Monica met us out there and setup the tents and the display. Jesse and I sat out there in the pouring rain all day trying to keep the pictures dry.

Here are some pictures from Art in the Park:


Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023

Watching over the photo display at Art in the Park was a pretty cool experience, even if the conditions weren’t ideal. I got to meet and speak with a few of the photographers that I hadn’t met before. And I met one person that is interested in entering next year and another that is an artist that urged their friend to enter this year. I enjoyed all of those interactions.

After Art in the Park concluded Dawn and Nathanial helped tear down the display and the tents. Logan returned all the pictures that weren’t picked up at Art in the Park for me.

All things considered, it was a successful year. I’m not sure what changes I will make for next year, but I know I will need to add some new faces to the list of volunteers. That volunteer might be you!

Hold Out Your Hand

I run a lot of miles of life and crime
And mountain climbs and quittin’ times
Packing that load of lyin’ rhymes
And tired jokes and wooden dimes
I’ve been everybody’s friend, everybody’s friend

I could lose my house, I could steal a car
I could serve two masters, living hard
Living like a dog in a cage in a yard
With a fist full of cold hard cash and I can’t let go
The devil can’t have my soul, the devil can’t get your soul
The devil can’t get your soul

Hold out your hand
Take hold of mine and then
‘Round and ’round we go
Don’t you wanna dance?
I’m a dying man
From the moment we began
Hold out your hand
-Brandi Carlile

Some of you might have thought that I might have run out of flowertography images! Some of you might have wished for that. But don’t worry. There are still plenty of flower pictures left in the hopper. The reason this is so late is because I intended to write this post last night, but then I got supper with Becca and talking to her took up most of my night. Then my next idea was to write it this morning before I left for the Iowa State Fair, but the server that hosts my website must have been down for maintenance and it wasn’t back up by 6:30 when I left my house to meet up with Jen and the girls to go down to the Iowa State Fair.

Which reminds, me today is the first day of the Iowa State Fair! If you are going to the Fair and our going to look for my picture, your clue is that is in the Color – People Class. Becky has already found it and sent me a picture of it!

But Thursday isn’t for talk of something as mundane as the Iowa State Fair. Thursdays are for flowers!

These flowers are from my yard:


Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2023

Whispering Beauty - 2023

Whispering Beauty - 2023

Music of the Ground - 2020

Music of the Ground - 2020

Music of the Ground - 2020

Music of the Ground - 2020

Hold Out Your Hand

Hold Out Your Hand

Hold Out Your Hand

I actually still have plenty more flower pictures to share that I took on this day. But they will wait for another day.

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest – 2023

This weekend is Pufferbilly Days. So all the work the me and so many others have put into the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest is now on display and will also be on display tomorrow at Art in the Park.

I will get into all the people that helped and the fact that entries more than doubled for the 2nd straight year at a later date.

But here is a look at the winners:

YOUTH – TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES

#111
1ST TPA: Emarose Davis-In the Air

#102
2ND TPA: Kayelee Burns – Welcome to Boone

#89
3RD TPA: Brantlee Staebler – Wing Cart

YOUTH – PLANTS

#116
1ST PLANTS: Daphne Harris-Up to the Sky

#96
2ND PLANTS: Trevor Upah – Tulips

#97
3RD PLANTS: Trevor Upah – Vines

YOUTH – PLACES

#92
1ST PLACES: Layla Gorshe-City Sky

#93
2ND PLACES: Layla Gorshe – Hudson Yards

#90
3RD PLACES: Evie Gorshe – The Inbetween

YOUTH – PEOPLE

#108
1ST PEOPLE: Emarose Davis – Kitten Love

#95
2ND PEOPLE: Trevor Upah – Mom and Scarlett

#86
3RD PEOPLE: Brantlee Staebler – I’m Happy

YOUTH – BLACK & WHITE

#99
1ST BLACK & WHITE: Kayelee Burns – Hungry Bee

#107
2ND BLACK & WHITE: Emarose Davis – Sheep on the Cliff

#112
3RD BLACK & WHITE: Daphne Harris – Dragonfly

YOUTH – ANIMALS

#103
1ST ANIMALS: Hazel Davis – Kitty Cat

#113
2ND ANIMALS: Daphne Harris – Duck Duck

#106
3RD OVERALL: Emarose Davis-In the Air

YOUTH OVERALL

#92
1ST OVERALL: Layla Gorshe-City Sky

#116
2ND OVERALL: Daphne Harris-Up to the Sky

#111
3RD OVERALL: Emarose Davis-In the Air

TEEN – PLANTS

#79
1ST PLANTS: Noah Davis – Flowers

#120
2ND PLANTS: Tommy Williams – Moss on Tree

TEEN – PLACES

#121
1ST PLACES: Tommy Williams – Light Shining through Corridor at ISU

#83
2nd PLACES: Simon Enabnit – My Backyard

TEEN – BLACK & WHITE

#118
1ST BLACK & WHITE: Tommy Williams – Barbed Wire with Clouds

#75
2ND BLACK & WHITE: Emma Wiebold – Crossroads Motel

#77
3RD BLACK & WHITE: Emma Wiebold – Evil Mabel

TEEN – ANIMALS

#76
1ST OVERALL: Emma Wiebold – Hen in Clover

#81
2ND ANIMALS: Simon Enabnit – Playful Kitty

#82
3RD ANIMALS: Simon Enabnit -Why, Hello There

TEEN OVERALL

#76
1ST OVERALL: Emma Wiebold – Hen in Clover

#118
2ND OVERALL: Tommy Williams – Barbed Wire with Clouds

#121
3RD OVERALL: Tommy Williams – Light Shining through Corridor at ISU

ADULT – TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES

#74
1ST TPA: Nathanial Brown – Sun Up to Sun Down

#67
2ND TPA: Alex Grimes – 102 Seconds of Building

#58
3RD TPA: John Roberts – Fast Colors

ADULT – PLANTS

#17
1ST PLANTS: Savannah Martin-Dawn of the Dahlia

#3
2ND PLANTS: Monica Jennings – Corn Rows

#27
3RD PLANTS: Jolene Bowman – Haze

ADULT – PLACES

#72
1ST PLACES: Nathanial Brown – Narrow Pass

#41
2ND PLACES: Logan Kahler – Quiet Curve

#35
3RD PLACES: Dawn Krause – Iron Mountain Road

ADULT – PEOPLE

#73
1ST PEOPLE: Nathanial Brown – Burning the Midnight Oil

#66
2ND PEOPLE: Alex Grimes – Tattoos as Rings

#70
3RD PEOPLE: Nathanial Brown – Ride Fast

ADULT – BLACK & WHITE

#39
1ST BLACK & WHITE: Logan Kahler – Veiled Beauty

#16
2ND BLACK & WHITE: Savannah Martin – Shattered Dreams

#71
3RD BLACK & WHITE: Nathanial Brown – Sold Out

ADULT – ANIMALS

#49
1ST ANIMALS: JoAnne Korpi – Mr. Will on the Hill

#26
2ND ANIMALS: Allison Kayser – Froggy Feeder

#56
3RD ANIMALS: John Roberts – Reflection? Nope

ADULT – OVERALL

#73
1ST OVERALL: Nathanial Brown – Burning the Midnight Oil

#49
2ND OVERALL: JoAnne Korpi – Mr. Will on the Hill

#39
3RD OVERALL: Logan Kahler – Veiled Beauty

BEST IN SHOW

#73
Nathanial Brown – Burning the Midnight Oil

The only thing left to determine in the People’s Choice Award. If you are interested in voting, first go here to see ALL the entries:

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Entries – 2023

Then go here to vote:

People’s Choice Award Poll

Choose wisely.

Baby Got Rack Jr. – Boone County Fair

I announced a few weeks back that Baby Got Rack was not competing this year at this year’s Boone County Fair barbecue contest. However, that didn’t mean that there wasn’t plenty of people in the Photography 139 orbit competing to root for.

For starters, Logan entered and competed in his first ever barbecue contest. Logan has always been a pretty good cook and if you follow his Snapchat stories, you know that he has become very passionate about smoking in the last few years. He and Nathanial talked a big game about entering this year, but Nathanial got stuck in Florida and so Logan flew solo.

Secondly Scottie D.’s oldest progeny Austin decided he wanted to compete in the Youth division. Austin has a test run the previous Saturday and devised his recipe himself by picking the barbecue products in Scottie D.’s arsenal that had the coolest logos. A sound strategy if I have ever heard it.

Here are a few pictures from the barbecue battle:


Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023

Austin one Grand Champion, even though he technically wasn’t eligible for it. But that is just how good he is!

Austin will be going down to compete at the Iowa State Fair on the Tuesday of the Iowa State Fair. I’ll be going down to photo document it and because I never turn down a free trip to “the Best State Fair… our State Fair is a great state fair. Don’t miss it. Don’t even be late. It’s dollars to doughnuts at our state fair. It’s the best state fair… in our state”!

As of the publishing of this blog, it is unclear whether or not Logan is going to go down to compete at the State Fair. Although I’m pretty sure Logan is competing at the Pufferbilly Days Barbecue Contest. Scottie D. is not competing at it because he is running it. Last I heard, Nathanial was considering it. I won’t be able to check much of it out because I’ll be dealing with the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest at the same time.

One other thing. Scottie D. threw his car in a Car Show that was going on during the barbecue competition. He won some kind of chairman’s prize or something. The guy needs to add on to his palatial estate just to house all his trophies.

WPC – WEEK 410 – GUILTY PLEASURE

Today is Dahlia’s birthday so I need to wish her a happy birthday. Happy birthday Dahlia!


Easter - 2022

Enjoy life without spreadsheets and emails and meetings and call centers and bills and jobs as long as you possibly can!

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This is your reminder that if you are interested in entering the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest, the deadline is Friday:



I’ve already heard from a few of you that you are entering and I am excited. Hopefully this is a popular year for the photo contest!

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It is the last collection of submissions 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 7 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 starts 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 you are going to submit more than one picture, I strongly urge you to choose completely different subjects for each submission. If you are submitting multiple pictures of the same subject, make sure that each picture is saying something unique.

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 for 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. But if you let me know where the picture was taken, I will include that.

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

I will take suggestions only and ONLY in the comments sections of the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE posts the last week of October and the 1st week of November.

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You are probably wondering if you are every going to get to see this week’s submissions. It is one of my GUILTY PLEASURE(s) to make you wait. But were there a ton of people that were willing to share the shame of their GUILTY PLEASURE with all of us? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, July 17, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Willy McAlpine – 1 week
2-Scott Degeneffe – 2 weeks
3-Mary Green – 2 weeks (3)
4-Mike Vest – 2 weeks
5-Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks
6-Sabas Hernandez – 3 weeks
7-Sheri Fakhouri – 5 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 6 weeks (2)
9-Logan Kahler – 6 weeks (2)
10-Nathanial Brown – 7 weeks
11-Jesse Howard – 7 weeks
12-Tamara Peterson – 10 weeks
13-Alexis Stensland – 15 weeks (3)
14-Mindi Terrell – 22 weeks (3)
15-Brandon Kahler – 47 weeks
16-Linda Bennett – 51 weeks
17-Sarah Toot – 52 weeks (2)
18-Angie DeWaard – 56 weeks
19-Dawn Krause – 60 weeks
20-Kim Barker – 66 weeks
21-Joe Duff – 67 weeks (2)
22-Teresa Kahler – 78 weeks (2)
23-Carla Stensland – 78 weeks (2)
24-Micky Augustin – 80 weeks
25-Andy Sharp – 81 weeks
26-Bill Wentworth – 82 weeks
27-Cathie Morton – 86 weeks
28-Elizabeth Nordeen – 87 weeks
29-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 89 weeks
30-Kio Dettman – 91 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 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 81 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Sommerset, Iowa) – 90 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Boone County Fair – Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 52 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (J.C. Newman Cigar Company – Tampa, Florida) – 8 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (John’s Pass – Treasure Island – Florida)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Near Boone, Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 92 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 57 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 68 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE -EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Clive, Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Ames, Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 48 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Boone County Fair – Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 79 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Infamous Ink – Boone, Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Road to Newton, Iowa) – 87 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 88 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 82 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 16 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 79 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 23 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Maryland) – 53 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Maryland)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Maryland)

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 83 weeks

35 participants!! WooHoo! Another great week! Nearly tying a record currently held by FLOWER. Lots of guilty people out there! Also exciting is that thanks to Sarah Toot’s travelling ways, we’ve added Maryland to the map!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Maryland
+ Nebraska
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

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

32 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 60% of the way there!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico (General)
+ Isla Mujeres, Mexico
+ Riviera Maya, Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture about 1 mile from my front door, so I continue not to contribute.

The big milestones this week were Evie had her first submission of the year! WooHoo! Linda joined the 1 Year Streak Club! WooHoo! Another exciting development was that there were no streaks broken this week. WooHoo!

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 411 - LIQUID
LIQUID – SUGGESTED BY SARAH TOOT

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

But what exactly is a LIQUID image? Simply put it is an image where the subject or a major compositional element is a LIQUID. And there are so many LIQUID(s) out there. From water to Jones Soda to AE Chocolate Milk to Jagermeister to some kinds of soap to lotion. There are just so many possibilities!

While thinking about possible subjects for LIQUID meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a fascinating image:

Time is liquid. One moment is no more important than any other and all moments quickly run away.
-Kurt Vonnegut

I look forward to 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 GUILTY PLEASURE in this place that will hold only a little bit of judgment on your pleasures next Monday.

The Windy City: Day 5

There is one week left to enter the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Monica created this sweet social media artwork to post:



Here is the link to the Entry Form:

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Entry Form

Thanks again Monica! I hope at least a few of you decide to enter!

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Last week I shared the cell phone pictures I took on Day 5 of my work trip to Chicago for the Big Convention. Now I’m going to share pictures from the “real” camera:


Chicago, Illinois
Garrett’s to get popcorn.

Chicago, Illinois
Apparently it is where it is at in the popcorn world. I did get some Pecan Caramel Crisp and it was solid.

Chicago, Illinois
Yeah, I photographed this thing a lot.

Chicago, Illinois
The people that were going to this concert were definitely dressed to party!

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Outside the Korean Barbecue.

Chicago, Illinois
That night I wandered around near the hotel to do a little street photography.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Co-sign.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
I do regret not taking a river cruise.

Chicago, Illinois
Watch out for DMB’s Tour Bus!

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Bubble People!

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Just one more small collection of pictures from Chicago left to share. Then on to other adventures!

Des Moines & Louisa County Aux. – Vol. 2

Just a reminder that the deadline for the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest is coming up, but there is still time to enter:



Thanks to Monica for making the sweet graphic for social media posts!

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For rules and the entry form, go here:

Time to share a second collection of images from my trip to Des Moines County and Louisa County to harvest their town signs. We start still in Columbus Junction.


Louisa County - Columbus Junction
Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Fredonia
Fredonia

Louisa County - Fredonia

Louisa County - Fredonia

Louisa County - Fredonia

Louisa County - Fredonia

Louisa County - Fredonia

Louisa County - Fredonia

Louisa County - Columbus Junction
Back in Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Grandview
Grandview – Full applause for this sign.

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

Louisa County - Grandview

A few notes about the Convict Road. The first section of concrete road in Iowa was placed in Le Mars in 1904. It was in service until 1968 when it was replaced. The oldest concrete road in Iowa that is still in service in Iowa is The Eddyville Cemetery Road. It was place in 1909. The Convict Road in Fredonia may be the 2nd oldest concrete paved road in Iowa. However, a segment of the Moscow Road might be older. It was placed in 1910. I’m not sure if it still exists. The history of concrete roads in Iowa isn’t as exciting as you might think so many sources seem to be out of date. Which is truly a shame. Most of it seems to link to a report by a Todd D. Hanson that was made in March of 2009.

The first rural paving in Iowa was between Mason City and Clear Lake. This happened in 1915.

The oldest concrete street in America is in Bellefontaine, Ohio. They paved Court Avenue in 1891 and one block of it remains the original concrete.

There is a lot more from my trip to these two counties left to share. But this is all I have on old concrete roads in Iowa.