Category Archives: Boone FUMC

Post 5,005

I need to start this milestone post by wishing Elainie a happy birthday!


Day 57 - February 26, 2022
Happy birthday Elainie!

I hope your birthday is amazing!!

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Today is also Layla’s birthday!


Day 278 - October 5, 2021
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAYLA!

I hope you have an awesome birthday!

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Can you believe that this is the 5,005th entry in the blog known as “An Artist’s Notebook”? Every 250 posts or so I like to take a moment to reflect on where this post has been and post a lot of meaningless stats. I meant to post this post on Sunday night when it would have been Post #5,000, but you know how my week went. Not great.

As always on these posts, I like to start by quoting the very first “An Artist’s Notebook” entry that published on August 9, 2006. That first post that published 6,296 days.

That post that started with these words:

So here is the first journal entry. I felt like having as pretentious sounding name as possible for my journal. I have a few goals about this journal. My main goal is just to actually write in it. My second goal is to be as truthful as possible towards my true thoughts and feelings. I have another journal on another website, but it is really just a collection of sarcastic statements and cheap jabs at open faced sandwiches. This journal is meant to be about what my achievements and failures are in the world of art. What projects I am working on and what I have accomplished and what I have failed to accomplish. What I am photographing and what I am thinking about entering in photo contests. What I am thinking about. It might not always make sense. It might just be things I need to write down because they strike me as poignant or inspirational. This is in a small way an online “idea box”.

Since those words, I have posted 5,005 journal entries. (Normally I would do this little exercise on post #4,750, but I was in Vegas at that time.) This website is still something of an “idea box”. Sometimes I’m just working stuff out here. I don’t know why, sometimes I need to work stuff out in public. But this website is definitely more than just an “idea box”. It is a place where I post a few thoughts and a ton of pictures. I’ve gone through a few photo projects on these pages. From THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT to the 9 EMOTIONS PROJECT to THE SELFIE PROJECT to the POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT to name just a few. This website has also created a community with THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Which is one of my proudest achievements. Even if it sputtered and spit and barely survived in its first few years.

5,005 posts. I can’t even measure the elevation changes my life have taken since then. Major ups. Major downs. Peaks and valleys. 5,005 posts and I vow to keep on chugging along.

On these reflective posts, I like to publish a bunch of statistics that me and Joe Duff find interesting. So I might as well get to it.

Every post in “An Artist’s Notebook” is tagged with at least one Category. It is one of the easiest ways to navigate around the website. They are listed at the top of each post. Here are some statistics about Categories:

THE TOP 10 MOST USED CATEGORIES (RANK IN POST #4757 & INCREASE SINCE THEN)
10. Carla – 582 (#8 – +52)
9. Teresa – 590 (#9 – +65)
8. Road Trip – 611 (#6 – +42)
7. Macro – 627 (#10 – +132)
6. Formal Portrait – 638 (NR)
5. Jesse – 684 (#4 – +54)
4. Art – 744 (#5 – +122)
3. Animals – 790 (#3 – +65)
2. Flowers – 958 (#2 – +77)
1. Black & White – 1,212 (#1 – +220)

Dropping from the from the Top 10 was Shannon, a category that was #7 in Post #4757.

The 5 categories that have the best shot at making the Top 10 in Post #5,250 are Shannon, Nature, WPC-Submissions, and Candid Portrait.

It should be noted that some of these increases are caused by my working on the categories on some older posts.

THE TOP 10 NON-HUMAN CATEGORIES
10. Photoshop – 432 (#10 – +43)
9. Candid Portrait – 475 (NR)
8. Nature – 538 (+101 – #8)
7. Road Trip – 611 (#5 – +42)
6. Macro – 627 (#6 – +132)
5. Formal Portrait – 638 (#8 – +191)
4. Art – 744 (#5 – +122)
3. Animals – 790 (#3 – +65)
2. Flowers – 958 (#2 – +77)
1. Black & White – 1,212 (#1 – +220)

WPC-Submission fell out of the Top 10. It was ranked #7 in Post #4757.

The categories that are just right outside of the Top 10 are Still Life, Naima, History, and Self-Portrait and Christianity.

THE TOP 10 HUMAN CATEGORIES
10. Vest – 350 (NR)
9. Jay – 353 (#6 – +5)
8. Micky – 359 (NR)
7. Logan – 380 (#9 – +61)
6. Kim – 395 (#7 – +53)
5. Mom – 464 (#5 – +6)
4. Shannon – 576 (#2 – +37)
3. Carla – 582 (#3 – +52)
2. Teresa – 590 (#4 – +65)
1. Jesse – 684 (#1 – +54)

Dropping from the rankings was Willy and Derrick.

The categories that have the best shot at cracking the next Top 10 are Willy, Derrick, Jen, Andy, and Sara.

If you are wondering what is your best way to improve your Photography 139 Score and crack the Top 10, it is simply to be active in THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE or go on trips with me or participate in various other photo projects or be related to me. Now these aren’t necessarily the 10 people that have influenced my photography the most, but these are the 10 people that have made the largest imprint on this website.

I can tell you the people that have influenced my photography the most, but that is a tale for another time. But I’m pretty sure you can guess who.

If you have spent any time on the Photography 139 website, you know that on the left sidebar, the “Top 100 Categories” are listed. I thought I would give a little bit of coverage to the Bottom 10 of the Top 100. There are currently 203 categories used on the website. I could cover the Bottom 10, but they are mostly people that either very recently came into the life of this website by birth (Jonah Kahler) or another way (Nathanial, Mindi, Fran). Or people that I thought would be a bigger part of my life and then weren’t. No need to cover those people. The Category that is #203 probably needs to be purged.


THE BOTTOM 10 OF THE TOP 100

#10. Andree – 77
#10. Flat Earth Joe – 77
#10. Self-Portrait Project – 77
#9. Photo Journal – 79
#8. Commercial – 83
#7. Sabas – 84
#6. Becca – 89
#3. Pufferbilly Days – 91
#3. Pastor Sarah – 91
#3. House – 91
#1. Faust – 92
#1. Writing – 92

The following categories have either fallen out of the Bottom 10 of the Top 100 or climbed out of it:
Kelly, Lowell, and Suzie.

The following categories have the best shot at dropping back into the Bottom 10 of the Top 10:
Sarah Toot, Lowell, Suzie, Russell, and Nate

The following categories have the best shot at climbing up into the Bottom 10 of the Top 10:
Layla, Kelly, Vacation, Saydie, and Kalista

“An Artist’s Notebook” is part of Photography 139. The 139 comes from Psalm 139:1-12. The Photography part comes from the fact this website is supposed to be filled with photography. So, what are the most popular photo galleries on the Photography 139 website? Glad you asked:

TOP 10 PHOTOGRAPHY 139 PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERIES (LAST 365 DAYS)

To View the Gallery, Click on its Representative Image

Now I don't want your sympathy
10. Naima – 64,796 views

Tenderloin Trail 2.0 - Stumble Inn
9. Tenderloining – 75,558 views

9 Emotions Project - Elainie
8. 9 Emotions Project – 81,405 views

Day 267 - September 24, 2022
7. Selfie-Project – 2022 – 88,632 views

Rodan139: Water Works Park
6. Drone – 99,708 views

WEEK 364 - COLORFUL - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
5. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 9 – 108,852 views

Anita, Iowa
4. Town Sign Project – 118,563 views

Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Las Vegas 2023 – 169,257 views

Plymouth County - Le Mars
2. Town Sign Project Auxiliary Images – 219,546 views

WEEK 414 - ART - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
1. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 10 – 323,781 views

Galleries that fell out of the Top 10 are:
Christopher D. Bennett, Miami Beach, Jayton Poole, and Alexis Pregnancy Photo Shoot – 2020

Galleries that fell just outside of the Top 10 are:
Sleeping Angels – 2023, Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 6, Photo Journal Rejects, Iowa State Cyclones Football – 2008, and Christopher D. Bennett.

But what are the most popular single images of the last 365 days? Don’t worry, I’m gonna feed you baby birds.

Top 10 Photography 139 Images

Sleeping Angels Fun Run - 2023
10. Sleeping Angels Fun Run – 2,772 views

Maven's Birthday Party - 2022
9. Maven’s Birthday Party – 2022 – 2,820 views

Community Thanksgiving - 2022
8. Boone FUMC Thanksgiving – 2022 – 3,073 views

Color the Wind - 2023
7. Color the Wind – 2023 – 3,149 views

Celtic Dancing - Renaissance Fair - 2022
6. Renaissance Fair – 2022 – 3,302 views

Fran & Pepper - 2022
5. Fran and Pepper – 3,687 views

World Food Festival - 2022
4. World Food Festival – 2022 – 3,754 views

Howards - 2022
3. Howards – 2022 – 3,976 views

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023
2. 2023 Barbecue Contests – 4,168 views

2023 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship Game
1. Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship – 18,045 views

If you are interested in checking out some of the milestone posts of the past, I got you. Click on any of the links below to check them out:

Post 1
Post 750
Post 850
Post 1,000
Post 1,101
Post 1,200
Post 1,447
Post 1,718
Post 2,500
Post 3,000
Post 3,252
Post 3,751
Post 4,000
Post 4,250
Post 4,500
Post 4,757

I think that is enough. We will check back in, in another 245 posts.

Don’t You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Today is Sarah’s birthday so I need to say Happy birthday Sarah!!


Solar Eclipse - 2017
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Weird thing is that the picture above was taken during the great solar eclipse debacle of 2017 and today there is a solar eclipse that you can see in a few parts of these United States. Iowa wasn’t one of them, but I won’t hold a grudge against the sun and moon.

Anyways, I hope Sarah’s birthday is as amazing as she can handle. Filled with good music and without her plans getting rained on!

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Time once again for another whack at the January backlog. This time, the rest of the backlog has been whacked and thrown into the fires of… finished. I don’t know, I’m still workshopping a better name for that.

These pictures never really fit into a previous blog. Some of them are alternates for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.


Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Naima in the Snow

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Don't You Think I Loved You Too Much to be Used and Discarded?

Now it is time to start working on the February backlog!

WPC – WEEK 419 – BLACK AND WHITE

It is the last collection of submissions for the month of September, so it is a good time to revisit the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE FAQ. I’ve noticed an uptick in small-sized submissions lately. It wouldn’t hurt to review the resolution FAQ if you haven’t looked at it lately.

Award winning photographers? Really?

Yes. I can think of at least 10 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. This limit is tentatively scheduled to go down to 2 at the beginning of 2024. Unless there is a sudden big falloff in participants.

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.

Do I have to wait until Monday morning to submit?

Absolutely not! In fact I appreciate the submissions that make it to me by Sunday evening. Makes the job of putting this together on Monday morning much easier!

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 widest 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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BLACK & WHITE! Everybody knows that it is my favorite theme, but did a bunch of people love it as much as I do to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 18, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
2-Amy Peterson – 1 week
3-Ernie Redd – 1 week
4-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks
5-Susanna Funk – 3 weeks (2)
6-Scott Degeneffe – 4 weeks (2)
7-Sabas Hernandez – 5 weeks
8-Willy McAlpine – 5 weeks
9-Mary Green – 7 weeks (3)
10-Mike Vest – 11 weeks
11-Sheri Fakhouri – 14 weeks
12-Monica Jennings – 15 weeks
13-Logan Kahler – 15 weeks
14-Nathanial Brown – 16 weeks
15-Jesse Howard – 16 weeks
16-Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
17-Alexis Stensland – 24 weeks (3)
18-Mindi Terrell – 31 weeks (3)
19-Brandon Kahler – 55 weeks
20-Linda Bennett – 60 weeks (3)
21-Sarah Toot – 61 weeks (2)
22-Angie DeWaard – 65 weeks
23-Dawn Krause – 69 weeks (2)
24-Kim Barker – 75 weeks (2)
25-Joe Duff – 76 weeks (3)
26-Teresa Kahler – 87 weeks (2)
27-Carla Stensland – 87 weeks (3)
28-Micky Augustin – 89 weeks
29-Andy Sharp – 90 weeks
30-Bill Wentworth – 91 weeks
31-Cathie Morton – 95 weeks
32-Elizabeth Nordeen – 96 weeks
33-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 98 weeks
34-Kio Dettman – 100 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 419 - BLACK & WHITE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Rural Ogden, Iowa) – 101 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 99 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 97 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Des Moines, Iowa) – 96 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 92 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 91 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 90 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 88 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Sioux City, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Boxholm, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 88 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Houston, Texas) – 77 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Ames, Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Cannes, France) – 70 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Rome, Italy)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Koper, Slovenia)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Scottsdale, Arizona) – 66 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Baltimore, Maryland) 62 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Baltimore, Maryland)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Baltimore, Maryland)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 61 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 56 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 32 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 25 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Galesburg, Illinois) – 17 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Princeton, Illinois)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Grimes, Iowa) – 17 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Near Luther, Iowa) – 16 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (High Trestle Trail Bridge – Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Ogden, Iowa) – 16 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Ogden, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Elite Eye Care – Ankeny, Iowa) – 15 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Elite Eye Care – Ankeny, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Holt, Michigan) – 8 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - WILLIAM MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Albuergue in Foncebadón – Spain) – 6 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Niagara Falls, New York) – 6 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Carroll, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Dallas County, Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Houston, Texas) – 3 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - COREY FAUST
Corey Faust (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa)

35 participants!! That is a great week! I know I’m prejudiced, but I think this is one of the best collection of submissions. Every week there are at least a couple of pictures where i think, “I wish I had taken that picture.” This week there were more than usual!

No new states added this week, but at this point that is to be expected. One new country though. Dawn submitted the first picture from Italy this calendar year!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arizona
+ France
+ Kansas
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Italy
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ New York
+ Slovenia
+ Spain
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

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

37 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 70% of the way there!

he Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ Alto del Perdon – Spain
+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico (General)
+ Isla Mujeres, Mexico
+ Riviera Maya, Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Ontario, Canada
+ Vallunareju Norte – Peru
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
+ Puenta de la Reina, Spain
+ St. John pied de port, France
+ Vienna, Austria
+ Munich, Germany
+ Rome, Italy
+ Cannes, France
+ Koper, Slovenia

The big milestone this week was Faust’s first ever submission!! I don’t know if it will lead to more submissions in the future, but I certainly hope it does.

On a personal note, watching the Iowa State-Ohio “football” game last week was an absolutely soul crushing experience. The only reason I didn’t give up on the season is because the Big 12 is hot garbage this year and I thought there was still the chance to win a few games.

Then this week… an entirely different football team showed up. I know part of that was that they were over the virus that plagued the team last week. However, you may have noticed that both Elizabeth and Faust were at the game (not together, they don’t know each other) for the first time this season. Suddenly Iowa State doesn’t suck. One of them is clearly good luck and they both better go to every game the rest of the season.

One thing I’ve learned in my long tenure as an Iowa State fan, I am not good luck. But I digress…

There weren’t any other big milestones reached this week. But we are closing in on some big ones next week. However, there was some heartache. Becky and Ernie could not build on their submissions from last week. Their streaks are over before they even began.

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 420 - ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE

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

But what exactly is an ARCHITECTURE image? It is an image where the focus is on buildings or structures. It is image of the interior or exterior of buildings, bridges, structures, or cityscapes.

While considering the building and/or structure you want to photograph, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will create a great image:

Buildings are deeply emotive structures which form our psyche.
-David Adjaye

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 ARCHITECTURE in this place that is built on an Apache infrastructure I should next Monday.

Rodan139: BHS Parking Lot

I recently too Rodan139 out for a flight to capture a picture of this year’s parking space paintings in the Boone High School parking lot. I think there are some good ones there this year. It makes me wonder how I would have painted my parking space if they did this when I was a senior in high school. Just kidding. I didn’t have a car when I was in high school. We were poor.

Anyways, here are the pictures:


Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

Rodan139: Boone High School Parking Lot - 2023

The next time Rodan139 takes the skies it will be a picture of another parking lot.

And Maybe I’m Just Not As Interesting

Time once again to clean up some backlog. These pictures I took during December of 2022, but they didn’t really fit into any previous posts. Some were taken at the Community Christmas Concert that I went to, to watch Logan and Nathanial and Logan work it. Some are alternates for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme WATER. Some are taken at the candlelight service at Boone First United Methodist Church. Some are just of Naima.


Naima at Ledges

Naima

Community Christmas Concert - 2023

Community Christmas Concert - 2023

Community Christmas Concert - 2023

Community Christmas Concert - 2023

Community Christmas Concert - 2023

Community Christmas Concert - 2023

Community Christmas Concert - 2023

Community Christmas Concert - 2023

Semi in a Ditch

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

WPC Alternate - WATER

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Christmas Eve Service - 2022

Apparently Logan and Nathanial and Janae did a pretty good job with the Christmas Concert video because now an independent movie company wants to come to Boone and shoot a movie based on seeing the video on the internet. It will be interesting to see if that actually happens.

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!

But I Don’t Think That’s True

Another chance to clean up the backlog. These pictures were taken in October of last year but never really fit into any “An Artist’s Notebook” entries. Some were alternate images for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Some, I just took when I was out and about.


But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

Always feels good to get a bit of backlog out of the system.

Methodist Men Pie Auction – 2023

2019. 2019! That was the last time that the Methodist Men held a pie auction. A lot of lasts happened in that year. Most things have come back. But the Methodist Men Pie Auction was not one of them. Until last Sunday. For the first time in 4 years the congregation of the Boone First United Methodist Church gathered in Fellowship Hall and bid on pies made by other members of the church.

I confess to having had limited expectations. Our congregation is considerably smaller than it was before COVID. But I have to tell you, I was blown away. Absolutely blown away.

Here are some pictures of the event. The pictures taken during the auction were taken by Teresa:


Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023
I tried hard to guilt Jason into coming to bid on his mom’s pie. It did not work.

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023
Somehow Shannon ended up with a piece of this and I did NOT!

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023
So many people requested that Teresa make this pie with my Mom’s recipe. Teresa practiced this for months. Strange thing is while Mom made this pie for many people it wasn’t one she made for us. I don’t know if she made it ever for us. My favorite pie my Mom made was rhubarb. But every pie she made was good.

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023
Andy told quite a tale about these brownies. And he wasn’t lying, they were delicious.

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

The pie auction raised $2,500 for our youth ministry program. Now we just have to get our youth ministry program going again. Rumor has it there might be a float trip this summer. That would be a good start.

Tenebrae Good Times!

Okay, so that journal title is highly inappropriate. Last night our Good Friday worship service was a Tenebrae worship service. The Good Friday worship service is the most somber service of the year, as it “celebrate” Jesus’ crucifixion.

Both the Maundy Thursday service and the Good Friday service combined the congregations of the churches of the “holy block”. The First United Methodist Church, The First Baptist Church, The First Presbyterian Church, The Central Christian Church, and the Grace Episcopal Church.

The Maundy Thursday service was held at the Presbyterian Church. I thought I had been in that church before, but once I got in there, it was obvious I haven’t. The orientation of the sanctuary is the exact opposite of what I expected and I did spend a fair amount of the worship service trying to wrap my head around it. It made me do a list of all the local churches in Boone to try to figure out how many I haven’t been in. I think the only ones I haven’t been in are the Boone Church of the Nazarene, Church of God of Prophecy, Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Berean Baptist Church. However, I’m pretty sure the Berean Baptist Church wouldn’t let me in their doors. And the Jehovah Witnesses have been at my house enough that I think I should be able to count as having been there. The one I’m wishy-washy on is Stonebridge. I think I’ve been there, but I can’t quite place a reason why I might have been there. I’ve been to their affiliate church in Ames and regretted that though. Also, I don’t know if I count Assembly of God as a Boone church. It is outside the city limits. So I don’t.

The way we took communion on Thursday night was out there for me. Now remember, I have been pretty comfortable worshiping in a ton of different environments for worshipping with Southern Baptists, Amish, and too many different ways to count on mission trips. It didn’t make me uncomfortable. It was just strange. It involved passing everything around the congregation on a plate. It took forever. What can I say. When I’m there for the body and blood of Christ, I want a well-oiled machine.

Good Friday service was a little off as well. But that was mostly because the sound system produced a near constant hum of feedback for parts of the service. Must be what is was like to see Jimi Hendrix.

I took my camera to the Good Friday service because I thought that it was going to be photogenic, with the 15 candles and it getting gradually dimmer. But there were lights on the entire time and the candles were tiny. But I took pictures any ways.


Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

Good Friday - 2023

On to Easter!