Category Archives: Photoshop

POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT – POST OFFICE

Today I’m going to share a set of postcards of the Boone Post Office I recreated. A government building that wasn’t attacked by domestic terrorists who have brainwashed by a misinformation ecosystem that can’t handle that their messiah, got his ass handed to him in an election. Despite the fact that there has been zero evidence of voter fraud and the Trump regime has lost 60 lawsuits because they have, zero evidence. It was truly one of the darkest days in American history. A day that will live in infamy.

Mike Pence is a homophobic piece of trash, but his words yesterday did set the right tone:

Today was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol. But thanks to the swift efforts of U.S. Capitol Police, federal, state and local law enforcement, the violence was quelled. The Capitol is secured, and the people’s work continues.

We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms. We grieve the loss of life in these hallowed halls, as well as the injuries suffered by those who defended our Capitol today. And we will always be grateful to the men and women who stayed at their posts to defend this historic place.

To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the people’s house. And as we reconvene in this chamber, the world will again witness the resilience and strength of our democracy, for even in the wake of unprecedented violence and vandalism at this Capitol, the elected representatives of the people of the United States have assembled again on the very same day to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

So may God bless the lost, the injured and the heroes forged on this day. May God bless all who serve here and those who protect this place. And may god bless the United States of America.

Chuck Schumer also put it very well:

It is very, very difficult to put into words what has transpired today. I have never lived through or even imagined an experience like the one we have just witnessed in this Capitol. President Franklin Roosevelt set aside Dec. 7, 1941, as a day that will live in infamy. Unfortunately, we can now add Jan. 6, 2021, to that very short list of dates in American history that will live forever in infamy.

This temple to democracy was desecrated, its windows smashed, our offices vandalized. The world saw Americans’ elected officials hurriedly ushered out because they were in harm’s way. The House and Senate floors were places of shelter until the evacuation was ordered, leaving rioters to stalk these hallowed halls. Lawmakers and our staffs, Average citizens who love their country, serve it every day, feared for their lives. I understand that one woman was shot and tragically lost her life. We mourn her and feel for her friends and family.

These images were projected for the world. Foreign embassies cabled their home capitals to report the harrowing scenes at the very heart of our democracy. This will be a stain on our country not so easily washed away – the final, terrible, indelible legacy of the 45th president of the United States, undoubtedly our worst.

I want to be very clear: Those who performed these reprehensible acts cannot be called protesters – no, these were rioters and insurrectionists, goons and thugs, domestic terrorists. They do not represent America. They were a few thousand violent extremists who tried to take over the Capitol building and attack our democracy. They must and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law – hopefully by this administration, if not certainly by the next. They should be provided no leniency.

I want to thank the many of the Capitol Hill police and Secret Service and local police who kept us safe today and worked to clear the Capitol and return it to its rightful owners and its rightful purpose.

I want to thank the leaders, Democrat and Republican, House and Senate. It was Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader McCarthy and myself who came together and decided that these thugs would not succeed, that we would finish the work that our Constitution requires us to complete in the very legislative chambers of the House and Senate that were desecrated but we know always belong to the people and do again tonight.

But make no mistake, make no mistake, my friends, today’s events did not happen spontaneously. The president, who promoted conspiracy theories and motivated these thugs, the president who exhorted them to come to our nation’s capital, egged them on – he hardly ever discourages violence and more often encourages it – this president bears a great deal of the blame. This mob was in good part President Trump’s doing, incited by his words, his lies. This violence, in good part his responsibility, his ever-lasting shame. Today’s events certainly — certainly — would not have happened without him. Now, Jan. 6 will go down as one of the darkest days in recent American history.

A final warning to our nation about the consequences of a demagogic president, the president who enable him, the captive media that parrots his lies and the people who follow him as he attempts to push America to the brink of ruin. As we reconvene tonight, let us remember, in the end all this mob has really accomplished is to delay our work by a few hours. We will resume our responsibilities now, and we will finish our task tonight. The House and Senate chambers will be restored good as new and ready for legislating in short order. The counting of the electoral votes is our sacred duty.

Democracy’s roots in this nation are deep, they are strong. They will not be undone ever by a group of thugs. Democracy will triumph, as it has for centuries. So, to my fellow Americans who are shocked and appalled by the images on their televisions today and who are worried about the future of this country, let me speak to you directly: The divisions in our country clearly run deep, but we are a resilient, forward-looking and optimistic people, and we will begin the hard work of repairing this nation tonight because here in America we do hard things. In America, we always overcome our challenges.

But Barack Obama probably put it best, like he usually does:

History will rightly remember today’s violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation. But we’d be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise.

For two months now, a political party and its accompanying media ecosystem has too often been unwilling to tell their followers the truth – that this was not a particularly close election and that President-Elect Biden will be inaugurated on January 20. Their fantasy narrative has spiraled further and further from reality, and it builds upon years of sown resentments. Now we’re seeing the consequences, whipped up into a violent crescendo.

Right now, Republican leaders have a choice made clear in the desecrated chambers of democracy. They can continue down this road and keep stoking the raging fires. Or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames. They can choose America.

I’ve been heartened to see many members of the President’s party speak up forcefully today. Their voices add to the examples of Republican state and local election officials in states like Georgia who’ve refused to be intimidated and have discharged their duties honorably. We need more leaders like these – right now and in the days, weeks, and months ahead as President-Elect Biden works to restore a common purpose to our politics. It’s up to all of us as Americans, regardless of party, to support him in that goal.

4 people died yesterday. While they were seditionists, it is still sad to see that happen. Just a profoundly sad day in America. But once again, the terrorists did not win.

But enough of the sadness, how about some old-timey postcard recreation!

For this project, I recreated 3 postcards of the old postcard in Boone. Unfortunately, it no longer stands. It was replaced by a more modern post office, so these mostly end up being pictures of a Fareway training center.

Have a look:


Post Office, Boone, Iowa - Original
Post Office, Boone, Iowa – Original

Post Office, Boone, Iowa - Redux
Post Office, Boone, Iowa – Redux

Post Office, Grace Episcopal and Christian Church, Boone, Ia - Original
Post Office, Grace Episcopal and Christian Church, Boone, Ia – Original

Post Office, Grace Episcopal and Christian Church, Boone, Ia - Redux
Post Office, Grace Episcopal and Christian Church, Boone, Ia – Redux

6283 Post Office, Boone, Ia - Original
6283 Post Office, Boone, Ia – Original

6283 Post Office, Boone, Ia - Redux
6283 Post Office, Boone, Ia – Redux

Post Office - Modern Interpretation
Post Office, Boone, Iowa – Modern Interpretation

The next time I recreate an old-timey postcard, it will involve the Boone County Courthouse.

2010-06-05

All the pictures in the folder 2010-06-05 are pictures of Derrick and Jen while Jen was pregnant with Evie. This was a part of a series of images we took to document Jen’s pregnancy as part of a PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT.

Here are some of those images:


2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

2 of 6 Alternate

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entries to their original glory:

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK NO. 27

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve lightning and roses and art on a train bridge.

2010-06-01

The July picture for the 2021 Photography 139 Calendar was taken by Rodan139 of the High Trestle Trail Bridge looking east early one morning. This picture is the one that I’ve gotten the most feedback on from calendar recipients. It was taken on August 30, 2020.


2021 Calendar - July

Here are some details on the photo:

DETAILS
CAMERA: Hasselblad L1D-20c
LENS: 28mm f/2.8
FOCAL LENGTH: 10.3mm (28mm – 35mm equivalency)
APERTURE: f/6.3
EXPSOURE: 1/500
ISO: 100
FIELD OF VIEW: 65.5 degrees
LATITUDE: 41.86697
LONGITUDE: -93.86821
ALTITUDE: 302 meters above sea level

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I hope everybody had a great Christmas. Or at least, as great of a Christmas as anybody can have under current conditions.

The pictures in the folder 2010-06-01 were taken on Memorial Day. They are almost exclusively flower pictures. Some that are part of the “Girl in the Blue Skirt” series. Others that are, I think from my Grandma’s house. But I’m not 100% sure. But she always had peonies. Plus the roses look like the roses from her yellow rose bush.

The new occupants of her house, pruned that bush too much this year, but I hope it returns to form in 2021.


Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Whispering Beauty - 2010

Whispering Beauty - 2010

Whispering Beauty - 2010

Sorrow and Gladness - 2020

Sorrow and Gladness - 2020

Sorrow and Gladness - 2020

Memorial Day Weekend

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entries to their original glory:

Memorial Day Weekend

Social Networking and the Beast

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK NO. 24 BETA

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve Jen and Derrick.

Postcard Recreation Project – Boone FUMC

Happy Christmas Eve everybody! This is always my favorite worship service of the year. However, it is just one of the many things taken away by a horribly mismanaged pandemic. But I thought I would share a picture from the 2016 service as hopefully a reminder of what is coming in 2021.


Candlelight Service - 2016

I believe my church is doing some kind of Zoom service tonight, but I haven’t received any details on it yet. Maybe they are still coming.

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The May 2021 Photography 139 Calendar image is a picture of a dandelion that I had sprayed down with water. It was taken with extension tubes. It was taken on May 23, 2020.


2021 Calendar - May

Here are the details of the photo:

DETAILS

CAMERA: Sony ILCE-7M2
LENS: Not Recorded
EXPOSURE: 1/60
ISO: 250
LATITUDE: 42.05333
LONGITUDE: -93.87070

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A couple weeks back I decided that churches would be a good subject for THE POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT during this time of year. So I decided, why not start with my own church. I am prejudiced, but I do believe it to be the prettiest church in Boone. At least from the outside. I’m not sure that we have the most beautiful sanctuary. It might not be the most useful setup building, but I would rank it as the prettiest church in town. I’d give second to the Presbyterian Church and third to the Catholic church.

Often, in this process I’ve looked up the history of the places I was photographing. For an upcoming project, I did a lot of research on the history of different congregations in town. Almost every church I looked up had a decent “History” section on their website. I assumed their would be one on our church website.

I was badly mistaken. I knew our website wasn’t the best, but I was pretty surprised to see that there isn’t a history section on the website. Actually our website could use a ton of TLC. There is probably more misinformation on there than a FoxNews broadcast. But less than a NewsMax broadcast.

I probably should know more about the history of the church I attend, but I don’t. This is what I can tell you. The original building was built in the 1890s. The education addition was added in the 1950s. There was a considerable remodel to the education wing in the 1990s.

This year, we were supposed to celebrate, I believe the 125th Anniversary of the church building, but I believe this congregation was established in 1865.

Despite the best efforts of Pastor Phil Webb, it has never burned down. Which I’ve learned, a building in Boone that was built in the 1890s, to have never burned down, is quite the accomplishment.

Here are the postcard recreations:


First M. E. Church Boone, Iowa - Original
First M. E. Church – Boone, Iowa – Original

First M. E. Church Boone, Iowa - Redux
First M. E. Church – Boone, Iowa – Redux

When I first saw this postcard, I thought it was so strangely designed. I didn’t believe it was a postcard, but a scan in a book. However, when I found a website selling it, they showed both sides, and it is a postcard, with an incredibly bizarre design. One thing that has stuck with me during this project is the old-timey postcard designers insistence on putting periods all over the place.


Methodist Church - Boone, IA - 2228 - Original
Methodist Church – Boone, IA – 2228 – Original

Methodist Church - Boone, IA - 2228 - Redux
Methodist Church – Boone, IA – 2228 – Redux

One thing that is maddening about this angle is that the power line is always in the picture from these angles. Something they didn’t have to deal with back then.


M. E. Church, Boone, Ia. - Original
M. E. Church – Boone, Ia – Original

M. E. Church, Boone, Ia. - Redux
M. E. Church – Boone, Ia – Redux

I actually used the Photoshop Sky Replacement Tool on this one. Not a tool I’d use often, but when this one is already so Photoshop heavy with the use of the Watercolor Filter, what does a little more “lying” matter?

Finally, my modern interpretation of what a modern postcard of the Boone First United Church would look like:


Boone First United Methodist Church - Modern Interpretation.
Boone First United Methodist Church – Modern Interpretation

I actually took the drone up to get the church’s angles. Mostly did it to avoid that blasted power line in the composition. I also like that in the background you can see the Presbyterian Church, the Central Christian Church, and a little bit of the Grace Episcopal Church.

Next time we hit up THE POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT, it will also involve churches. The pre-work has been done, but the Photoshop work on this one will be time consuming. Not sure how much of the style I’m going to try to emulate. Because, frankly, I’m not even sure how to do part of it at this time.

Kanoa at 1!

The January image of the 2021 Photography 139 Calendar was taken in lower Ledges. It was taken on January 4, 2020. It was taken shortly after a recent snow fall. One sad part about the printed version of this picture in the calendar is that the picnic table gets cut off where the pages are bound.


2021 Calendar - January

Here are some of the details of the picture:

DETAILS

CAMERA: SONY ILCA-77M2
LENS: DT 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 SAM
FOCAL LENGTH: 20mm (30mm in 35mm)
APERTURE: f/6.3
EXPOSURE: 1/250
ISO: 100
LATITUDE: 41.99793
LONGITUDE: -93.88033

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Back in August at Kanoa’s Birthday Party he also “posed” for some more formal portraits. Here are some of my favorites:


Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1

Kanoa at 1
You’d be surprised to know how much Photoshop was used on this picture to remove Johnathan.

If you want to peruse the rest of the Kanoa pictures, click on the link below:

Kanoa – 1 Year Old

Not getting to see Kanoa very much is just one of the many things that suck about this mismanaged pandemic. But hopefully I’ll get to see him more in 2021.

2010-05-30

As I’ve started to distribute the Photography 139 2021 Calendars, it is time to start revealing the pictures that made the cut:


2021 Calendar - Cover
Front Cover

The front cover image is an HDR image of Naima wading into the pond at Dickcissel Park while the sun goes down in the west. It was taken on November 2, 2018. It is the oldest picture in next year’s calendar.

Details
CAMERA: SONY ILCA-77M2
LENS: DT 18-135MM F3.4-5.6 SAM
FOCAL LENGTH: 18MM (27MM IN 35MM)
APERTURE: f/4.5
ISO: 100
FIELD OF VIEW: 67.4 degrees
LATITUDE: 42.03875
LONGITUDE: -93.81687

I will reveal one calendar image every day, for the rest of 2020.

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The pictures from the folder 2010-05-30 are from a series of pictures I took at both Rieman Music and on a bridge over 235 in Des Moines. Derrick was an assistant for the pictures at Rieman Music. Sara was an assistant for the pictures of 235.


RWPE #21 - Harmony

RWPE #21 - Harmony

RWPE #21 - Harmony

RWPE #21 - Harmony

RWPE #21 - Harmony

RWPE #21 - Harmony

RWPE #21 - Harmony

RWPE #21 - Harmony

RWPE #21 - Harmony

The Glow that Illumines

Personal Photo Project #25 - The Glow that Illumines Alternate

Personal Photo Project #25 - The Glow that Illumines Alternate

Personal Photo Project #25 - The Glow that Illumines Alternate

Personal Photo Project #25 - The Glow that Illumines Alternate

Personal Photo Project #25 - The Glow that Illumines Alternate

Personal Photo Project #25 - The Glow that Illumines Alternate

Personal Photo Project #25 - The Glow that Illumines Alternate

Sara

Sara

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entries to their original glory:

Euphony

RWPE #21 – HARMONY

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK NO. 25

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will probably involve flowers.

Postcard Recreation Project – Masonic Temple

Today’s THE POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT subject is the Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple. It now houses the Boone Historical Center.

I didn’t look to deep into the history of this building because I watch a lot of History Channel and I don’t want to get on the bad side of the Masons. I know that they are apparently responsible for the New World Order and covering up everything from the Kennedy assassination to flat earth. I don’t want to mysteriously disappear in the middle of the night because I said the wrong thing about them. So these facts should be sufficient:

The Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple was built in 1907.
It housed Mr. Olive Lodge No. 79 until 1990, when they moved to a new, more secretive building.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
It is haunted, obviously, cause who knows what kind of weird rituals this building has housed.

Click on the link below to read about the hauntedness of the building:

Iowa Paranormal group checks out Boone History Center

Here is a look at the pictures from THE POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT:


Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple; Boone, Iowa - Original
Original

Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple; Boone, Iowa - Redux
Redux

Champlin Memorial, Boone, IA - Original
Original

Champlin Memorial, Boone, IA - Redux
Redux

Masonic Temple, Boone, IA 2220 - Original
Original

Masonic Temple, Boone, IA 2220 - Redux
Redux

Boone History Center - Modern Interpretation
Modern Interpretation

I have found that a key aspect of the “modern interpretation” is the avoidance of power lines, and stop lights, and other signs, as best as one can.

The next time we visit this project, it will be of one of the most beautiful churches in Boone.

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This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is COLORFUL:


WEEK 275 - COLORFUL
COLORFUL

A COLORFUL image is an image of something that is filled with color.

Happy photo harvesting.

2010-05-26

All the pictures in the folder 2010-05-26 are of daisies. I believe they are from a daisy patch in Cap Erbe Park. They were taken for Personal Photo Project #24 – “The Girl in the Blue Skirt”.

I’ve had mixed results growing these kind of daisies in my yard. Some years, there is a healthy amount of them. This year I had zero daisies. I will probably try again in 2021. I need to do something about the area behind my garage all the way back to the fence. A nice daisy patch could fit the bill. Or something else. I need to get some of the pre-work for that stuff done before the ground freezes though.

One of these pictures was displayed at the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. I think it got Second Place in the Black & White Flower category. Which is, I believe, the best any of my pictures have ever done. That was definitely the year that I got all 4 pictures I submitted selected for display. Which is one of the hardest things to accomplish in the competitive photography field. The closest I’ve gotten since then is two pictures chosen for display. Maybe 2021 will be the year I excel at the Photography Salon again. I’m sure it will be a tough year as people will have 2 years worth of photos stored up to enter by then.

Here are the “The Girl in the Blue Skirt” images:


Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2010

Originally there were more pictures to this series, but it appears that the ravages of time and the failings of my old organizational system have caused them to be lost forever. It is possible that they are still on a hard drive in an old desk drawer somewhere, but not likely. Thankfully, my use of multiple hard drives, robocopy scripts, and cloud backups, I won’t lose future images.

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entry to their original glory:

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK NO. 24 ALPHA

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve music and the night!

Postcard Recreation Project – Ericson Public Library

The most recent subject of THE POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT is the Ericson Public Library. There are actually quite a few old timey postcards out there for Boone’s library. I guess that isn’t much of a surprise, because it is a beautiful building. What did surprise me that there isn’t that much historical information about the library. At least in the quick cursory search that I did.

Here is what I think you should know about the library from a description of the library from landmarkhunter.com.

The roots of the Boone library go back to a “free reading room” that was established by Boone residents in 1885. In 1889, the room was given to the city as the basis of a public library. Senator C.J. A. Ericson of Boone gave the city a building in 1901 that would become the library. In 1923, a significant donation by Rena Ericson, Senator Ericson’s daughter, allowed expansion of the building. The library was enlarged again and remodeled in 1993.

I’m very intrigued by this “free reading room”.

Also, all of the postcards that were recreated, must date before 1923, because they are clearly before the first library expansion.

Here is today’s collection:


Boone, Iowa. Ericson Library. - Original
Original

Boone, Iowa. Ericson Library. - Redux
Redux

Ericson Library, Boone, IA. - Original
Original

Ericson Library, Boone, IA. - Redux
Redux

Ericson Public Library, Boone, Iowa -6 - Original
Original

Ericson Public Library, Boone, Iowa -6 - Redux
Redux

Ericson Library and M.E. Church, Boone, Ia. - Original
Original

Ericson Library and M.E. Church, Boone, Ia. - Redux
Redux

I’ve decided not to get overly worked up about trying to match fonts from old postcard to recreation. I will be satisfied, as long as I am in the ballpark.

I have also decided to add a new element to THE POSTCARD RECREATION POSTCARD. This new element is the “Modern Interpretation” of what a present day postcard of the Ericson Public Library would look like. If I were making postcards of the Ericson Public Library.


Ericson Public Library - Modern Interpretation
Modern Interpretation

The library used to house a museum on the second floor. That museum has since moved, possibly to a building that is a future subject of THE POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT.

2010-05-07

The pictures in the folder 2010-05-07 were all taken in Brookside Park. Some during the day. Some at night.


Not Sent for Slumber - Alternate

Not Sent for Slumber - Alternate

Not Sent for Slumber - Alternate

Not Sent for Slumber - Alternate

Not Sent for Slumber - Alternate

Walk in the Park

Walk in the Park

Walk in the Park

Still Laughing - 2011

Walk in the Park

Walk in the Park

Walk in the Park

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entries to their original glory:

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK NO. 22

Walk in Park

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve my Mom’s retirement.