Category Archives: Sports

WPC – WEEK 473 – PATH

PATH! What a great theme! But were enough people on the right one to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 30, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Suzie Brannen – 1 week (IA, MD)
2-Sabas Hernandez – 3 weeks (IA, OH)
*3-Deb Powers – 5 weeks (MT, IA)
4-Monica Jennings – 8 weeks (IA)
5-Sara Lockner – 9 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
6-Willy McAlpine – 12 weeks (IA)
7-Deanna McClain – 16 weeks (IA, MN)
8-Mike Vest – 19 weeks (IA, MO, OK, AR, KS)
*9-Lowell Davis – 39 weeks (IA, MO)
10-Michelle Haupt – 39 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI)
11-Brandon Kahler – 40 weeks (IA, MN)
12-Scott Degeneffe – 58 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL, MN, WI)
13-Sheri Fakhouri – 68 weeks (IA, NE)
14-Logan Kahler – 69 weeks (IA, MN, MO)
15-Nathanial Brown – 70 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN)
16-Tamara Peterson – 81 weeks (IA, MN)
*17-Mindi Terrell – 85 weeks (IA)
18-Linda Bennett – 114 weeks (KS, IA, MI)
19-Sarah Toot – 115 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC)
*20-Angie DeWaard – 119 weeks (IA, IL, SCT, ENG)
*21-Dawn Krause – 123 weeks (IA, IL)
22-Kim Barker – 129 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
23-Joe Duff – 130 weeks (TX, NY)
24-Teresa Kahler – 141 weeks (IA, NE)
*25-Carla Stensland – 141 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO)
26-Micky Augustin – 143 weeks (IA, IL, FL, AK)
*27-Andy Sharp – 144 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI)
28-Bill Wentworth – 145 weeks (NE, MO, FL)
29-Cathie Morton – 148 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
*30-Elizabeth Nordeen – 150 weeks (IA, OH)
31-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 152 weeks (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO)
*32-Kio Dettman – 154 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

1. The picture must 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 and take pictures challenge!
2. There is a limit of 2 submissions per person per theme. If you send me more than 2, I will use the first 2 that you submit.
3. Deadline to submit your submission is 11 AM next Monday.
4. To be considered the photographer of an image, you have to be the one that clicks the shutter. If you hand your camera over to somebody else to take a picture of you, you are NOT the photographer of that image.
5. No screen captures. This is a photography challenge. Not a “look at what I found on the internet” challenge.

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

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


WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 1 week

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - ELAINIE HERNANDEZ
Elainie Hernandez (Iowa) – 1 week

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson (Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson (Ames, Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Ledges State Park – Boone County, Iowa) – 1 week

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Perry, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - DEB POWERSS
Deb Powers (Saylorville, Iowa) – 6 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - DEB POWERSS
Deb Powers (Saylorville, Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 13 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - DEANNA MCCLAIN
Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 17 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 20 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 41 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 59 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - LOWELL DAVIS
Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - LOWELL DAVIS
Lowell Davis (Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Logansport, Iowa) – 70 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Juneau, Wisconsin) – 71 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Butler, Pennsylvania)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Boone, Iowa) – 82 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 86 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 115 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New York City, New York) – 116 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie Dewaard (Minneapolis, Minnesota) – 120 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Les’s Auto Repair – Boone, Iowa) – 124 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (White Oak, Iowa) – 130 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 131 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa) – 142 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 142 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Story County, Iowa) – 144 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 145 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Salon 908 – Boone, Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 146 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 149 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Ames, Iowa) – 151 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 153 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 153 weeks

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 473 - PATH - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 576 weeks

37 participants this week! That is more like it!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa (38)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Minnesota (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New York (1)
+ Pennsylvania (2)
+ Texas (1)
+ Wisconsin (1)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (20.5)
+ Alaska (1)
+ California (3)
+ Colorado (10)
+ Florida (11)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (15)
+ Indiana (6)
+ Iowa (1415)
+ Kansas (56)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (11)
+ Minnesota (15)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (17.5)
+ Montana (4)
+ Nebraska (48)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (2)
+ New York (18)
+ North Carolina (2)
+ Ohio (5)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (33)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (5)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (6)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ West Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (5)
+ Wyoming (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ Canada (2)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Ireland (3)
+ England (2)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Scotland (1)

36 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 6 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN, PA, WI) – 13
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL, IN, WV, PA) – 11
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, IL, MN, WI) – 10
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL, MN, WI) – 9
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN) – 7
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC) – 6
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI, CAN) – 6
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO) – 5
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO) -5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI) – 5
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO, AR, OK, KS) – 5
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL, SCT, ENG, MN) – 5
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL, FL, AK) – 4
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN, MO) – 3
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO, FL) – 3
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA, MI) – 3
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2
+ Dawn Krause – (IA, IL) – 2
+ Joe Duff (TX, NY) – 2
+ Lowell Davis (IA, MO) – 2
+ Evie Gorshe (IA, IN) – 2
+ Layla Gorshe (IA, OH) -2
+ Deb Powers (MT, IA) – 2

Nathanial now has a commanding lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!”

The big milestone this week was Kim joining the 2.5 Year Streak Club. WooHoo! WooHoo! Woo!

But it wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns. Michelle’s streak comes crumbling down at 39 weeks! The humanity!

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:


WPC - WEEEK 474 - STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! In fact, STREET PHOTOGRAPHY is my 2nd favorite theme, right behind BLACK & WHITE.

I don’t like to define the themes, but to prevent me from looking at a bunch of pictures of streets next Monday and me crying myself to sleep that night, I will provide a definition from Brittanica:

“Street photography, a genre of photography that records everyday life in a public place.

If you are looking for excellent examples of STREET PHOTOGRAPHY, the following submissions from this week are textbook examples of STREET PHOTOGRAPHY:

+ Elainie Hernandez
+ Monica Jennings
+ Logan Kahler
+ Nathanial Brown (both submissions)
+ Jesse Howard
+ Sara Lockner
+ Sarah Toots (New York City) – Could be on a cover of a book about STREET PHOTOGRAPHY.
+ Teresa Kahler
+ Carla Stensland
+ Elizabeth Nordeen
+ Christopher D. Bennett

There were a few others as well.

The most important part of this definition is in a public place.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of STREET PHOTOGRAPHY in this place that puts quite a bit of it out in this world next Monday.

Forever A Cyclone State!

I need to start today’s post by remembering the victims of the terrorist acts on our country that happened on September 11, 2001. Hard to believe it was 23 years ago. I can still vividly remember almost everything about that morning. I’m sure almost everyone that was alive on that day can do the same thing. I won’t recount my experience. It was much different than most people on that day. Instead I will share this photo of a mural on the wall of the VFW in Valley Junction:


September 11

The victims of the day should never be forgotten. The heroes of that day should also never be forgotten.

+++++++

On Saturday, a redshirt-freshman-walk-on-kicker that has only been playing football for a few years, stepped up on the field in Kinnick Stadium and boomed a 54 yard field goal right through the middle of the uprights. A kick that would have been good from 64 yards. That kicks gave the Cyclones a 20-19 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Cyclones second straight win in Kinnick. Their 4th win in the last 6 trips to Kinnick. And in some ways, it provided a little bit of healing for my family. Not a ton, but some.

As many of you know, it was a terrible week last week for my family. That is an understatement. My brother-in-law Russ, the father of Brandon and Logan passed away on Saturday, August 31. Russ’ health was failing, but it still came as a shock and much quicker than I expected. Teresa called me early Saturday morning and gave me the news. God I wish that was the only one of those phone calls I got those few days.

On Monday, September 2, Jesse and I went to Perry to take part in the RVTV festivities that accompany Cy-Hawk Week. I have never went to a town that was hosting RVTV besides when Boone hosted them a few years back. I don’t think I’m saying anything that isn’t common knowledge, but Boone did a pretty poor job as a host.

On the other hand, Perry knocked it out of the park. There were several blocks of activities and vendors.

Jesse and I had stopped and were talking to a painter. She was telling her story about how she had found God and become sober 5 years ago. Then God called her to be a painter. As she was telling us that story my phone rang. It was Jason. I might have normally not answered my phone because of the conversation I was engaged in, but Jason doesn’t call often, so I figured it was important. So I excused myself from the conversation and took the call.

On the other end was Carla not Jason. Which worried me a little bit, but not completely uncommon. Carla sometimes loses her phone. But this wasn’t one of those times. Carla proceeded to tell me that Jason’s only brother Justin had been killed in a car accident.

Damn it! When it rains it damn well pours!

I gave Carla my condolences, I think. Poorly tried to explain how terrible all of this was. Thinking about Jason. And Johnathan. And Elainie. And Alexis. And Jason’s parents. And Justin’s wife. They had just been married a few months back. Then I hung up and inserted myself back into the discussion with the Christian artist and the colors she used reflected how much light was in her life compared to when she was abusing.

I went though the rest of the night taking pictures of the events. Eating at The Tin Pig.

The rest of the week kinda flew by. Jason and Carla went to Colorado for Justin’s ceremony. Russ’ visitation was on Friday night. His funeral was on Saturday, before the Cy-Hawk game.

For the funeral, the boys picked 3 different Rush songs to be played. “Tom Sawyer”, “Fly By Night”, and “Spirit of the Radio”. Since Adam is out the church brought in a Pastor from Bagley to do the ceremony. He did a good job and I was most impressed with how he incorporated the lyrics to “Fly By Night” into the service.

Start a new chapter
I find what I’m after
Is changing every day
The change of a season
Is enough of a reason
To want to get away

Quiet and pensive
My thoughts apprehensive
The hours drift away
Leaving my homeland
Playing a lonehand
My life begins today

After the funeral I hosted Brandon, K.J., Logan, Dahlia, Jonah, Johnathan, Elainie, Sabas, Jesse (briefly), and Teresa.

Once Scott, after losing one of his parents, asked me “when is it normal again?”

I told him what I think is as honest as I can be, “It never is normal again. You just have to adjust to what is now the new normal”.

I hope just watching the game and rooting on the Cyclones… All of us screaming at the television as the field goal was in the air… Freaking both Dahlia and Bokeh out… brought a small sense of normal to their worlds. And maybe just a touch of healing.

Here are pictures I took at RVTV in Perry on Labor Day:


RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

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RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

RVTV - Perry - 2024

After the game was over the family slowly dispersed. Before Brandon left, he stood up and looked at Bokeh and said, “You’ve got big shoes to fill. But you’ll get there.”

Then he said he was going to the cemetery on his way home to tell his Dad that the Cyclones had won.

WPC – WEEK 466 – SCIENCE

In yesterday’s post I revealed the images I entered in the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. Today I thought I would give flowers to the consistent THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE contributors that also had pictures displayed.



It was a great showing by this group! Angie got a major award. Nathanial got 2 First Places. Logan and Nathanial both got 3 images in. To put a little clarity on that. Nobody (for at least the 2nd year in a row) got all 4 images in this year. Only 16 people got 3 pictures exhibited. 16 out of 817 people who entered.

All artistic contests are a bit of a crapshoot to a degree. Dependent on what the judges like that year. But it is still pretty impressive that a major award, a couple 1st Places, and 3 out of the 16 people that got 3 images exhibited came from this little community. I wouldn’t expect that kind of success again next year, but it is still pretty cool.

Also, I should have taken pictures of them, Shannon also did well in the Iowa Honey (Beekeepers) Association (I can’t remember their name)! All sorts of great accomplishments!

+++++++

SCIENCE! A great theme! But did enough people get an example of the third law of thermodynamics to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

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

1-Amy Peterson – 1 week (IA)
2-Evie Gorshe – 1 week (IA, IN)
3-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL, IN)
4-Monica Jennings – 1 week (IA)
5-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
*6-Tim Panages – 2 weeks (IA)
*7-Mary Green – 3 weeks (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR)
8-Jesse Howard – 4 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN)
9-Willy McAlpine – 5 weeks (IA)
10-Deanna McClain – 9 weeks (IA, MN)
11-Suzie Brannen – 14 weeks (IA, MD)
12-Mike Vest – 14 weeks (IA, MO, OK, AR, KS)
13-Alexis Stensland – 16 weeks (IA)
14-Sabas Hernandez – 18 weeks (IA, OH)
*15-Adam Gordon – 23 weeks (IA, MS, MO, KS)
16-Lowell Davis – 32 weeks (IA, MO)
17-Michelle Haupt – 32 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI)
18-Brandon Kahler – 33 weeks (IA, MN)
19-Scott Degeneffe – 51 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL, MN, WI)
*20-Sheri Fakhouri – 61 weeks (IA, NE)
21-Logan Kahler – 62 weeks (IA, MN)
22-Nathanial Brown – 63 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL, IL, KS)
23-Tamara Peterson – 74 weeks (IA, MN)
*24-Mindi Terrell – 78 weeks (IA)
*25-Linda Bennett – 107 weeks (KS, IA, MI)
26-Sarah Toot – 108 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC)
*27-Angie DeWaard – 112 weeks (IA, IL, SCT)
28-Dawn Krause – 116 weeks (IA, IL)
29-Kim Barker – 121 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
*30-Joe Duff – 123 weeks (TX, NY)
*31-Teresa Kahler – 134 weeks (IA, NE)
32-Carla Stensland – 134 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO)
33-Micky Augustin – 136 weeks (IA, IL, FL)
34-Andy Sharp – 137 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI)
35-Bill Wentworth – 138 weeks (NE, MO, FL)
36-Cathie Morton – 142 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
37-Elizabeth Nordeen – 143 weeks (IA, OH)
38-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 145 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
*39-Kio Dettman – 147 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

1. The picture must 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 and take pictures challenge!
2. There is a limit of 2 submissions per person per theme. If you send me more than 2, I will use the first 2 that you submit.
3. Deadline to submit your submission is 11 AM next Monday.
4. To be considered the photographer of an image, you have to be the one that clicks the shutter. If you hand your camera over to somebody else to take a picture of you, you are NOT the photographer of that image.
5. No screen captures. This is a photography challenge. Not a “look at what I found on the internet” challenge.

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

It is the third week of the month and on the third week of the month I like to share a map of all the states where people have submitted from heading into today. Here is that map:



34 states so far!

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


WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Colo, Iowa) – 137 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Hight Trestle Trail Bridge – Boone County, Iowa) – 146 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 122 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 108 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Chicago, Illinois) – 64 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - LOWELL DAVIS
Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 33 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 52 week

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Hamilton County, Iowa) – 148 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -  ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Roman Baths – Bath England) – 113 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 124 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas)

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Newell, West Virginia) – 2 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 62 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - ADAM GORDON
Adam Gordon (Lake Huron – Rogers City, Michigan) – 24 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - ADAM GORDON
Adam Gordon (Michigan State University – Lansing, Michigan)

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - DERRICK GORSHE
Derrick Gorshe (Ohio) – 1 week

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - LAYLA GORSHE
Layla Gorshe (Ohio) – 1 week – “Vapor”

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 33 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa City, Iowa) – 19 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 34 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 63 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 135 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 117 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 6 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - DEANNA MCCLAIN
Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 143 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 144 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - TIM PANAGES
Tim Panages (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Perry, Iowa) – 75 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Council Bluffs, Iowa) – 138 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Cedar Rock – Independence, Iowa) – 135 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 79 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE -
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 109 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 15 weeks

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 139 weeks

36 participants! That is a pretty good week. Not great, but pretty good.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ England (1)
+ Illinois (1)
+ Iowa (28)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Michigan (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ Ohio (2)
+ Pennsylvania (2)
+ Texas (2)
+ West Virginia (1)

Thanks to Jen’s travel we had the first EVER submission from West Virginia. If you are curious, since I have started tracking this information, this is the list of states I’ve never had a submission from:

+ Alabama
+ Connecticut
+ Delaware
+ Maine
+ Massachusetts
+ Rhode Island

And also, thanks to Angie’s travels, I believe that is the first ever submission from England since I’ve started tracking. All exciting stuff!

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (19.5)
+ California (3)
+ Colorado (9)
+ Florida (11)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (13)
+ Indiana (6)
+ Iowa (1236)
+ Kansas (47)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (9)
+ Minnesota (12)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (16.5)
+ Montana (4)
+ Nebraska (40)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ New York (17)
+ North Carolina (2)
+ Ohio (5)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (25)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (4)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (49)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ West Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (4)
+ Wyoming (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Ireland (3)
+ England (1)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Scotland (1)

35 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 6 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL, IN, WV, PA) – 11
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, IL, MN, WI) – 10
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL, MN, WI) – 9
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR, FL, IL, KS) – 9
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN) – 7
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC) – 6
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO) -5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI) – 5
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO, AR, OK, KS) – 5
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI) – 5
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL, SCT, ENG) – 4
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO, FL) – 3
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA, MI) – 3
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL, FL) – 3
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2
+ Dawn Krause – (IA, IL) – 2
+ Joe Duff (TX, NY) – 2
+ Lowell Davis (IA, MO) – 2
+ Evie Gorshe (IA, IN) – 2

Jen has reclaimed the top spot to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” However Andy, Scott, and Nathanial are in striking distance. Jesse has fallen out of contention.

There were a few big milestones this week. Deanna joined the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! Scott joined the 1 Year Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all fun and game and rainbows and unicorns. There was a veritable bloodbath of streaks. Amy and Evie couldn’t build on last week’s submission. Their streaks are over before they began. Mary’s streak ends at 3. Jesse’s is over at 4. Suzie’s is kaput at 14! And worst of all Scarecrow, Alexis’ streak is gone with the wind after 16 weeks. Oh the humanity!

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:


WPC - WEEK 466 - STILL LIFE
STILL LIFE

STILL LIFE! What is a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! I try not to define the themes much these days, but I will for STILL LIFE.

A still life ( pl. : still lifes) is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which are either natural (food, flowers, plants, rocks, shells, etc.) or human-made (drinking glasses, books, vases, jewelry, coins, pipes, etc.).

I look forward to your interpretation.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of STILL LIFE in this place that tries to stay in motion next Monday.

Don’t Let the Door Hit You…

As fall camps are starting around college football in the coming weeks, seems like a good time to share my pictures from the last time the Texas Longhorns will ever play at Jack Trice Stadium. Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the Big 12 for the SEC. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah are joining the Big 12 in the musical chairs that is conference realignment in college athletics. In what is possibly the stupidest thing in all of sports. The end of regional conferences in exchange for goliath national conferences. That has lead to the end of historic conferences like the Pac 12.

The Big 12 now has 16 teams that span from Orlando, Florida to Provo, Utah. The Big Ten has 18 schools that span from New Jersey to California. It is all stupid. Historic rivalries, gone. Being in the same conference with a team you might not play for years in now the norm.

Until last year the Big 12 had ten schools. It is the perfect number for a conference. You get to play everybody in football. You get to play home and home against everybody in basketball. I am sad to see that is gone. I will miss playing Kansas and Kansas State every year. Like I miss playing former Big 8/12 conference members Missouri and Nebraska. I will miss playing Oklahoma. However, I will not miss Texas. Not one bit. Not at all.

Horns down forever!


Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

Iowa State vs Texas - 2023

If you don’t follow the history of Conference Realignment. It goes like this.

Until the mid 1990s Iowa State was in the Big 8. Which consisted of:

+ Iowa State
+ Colorado
+ Kansas
+ Kansas State
+ Missouri
+ Nebraska
+ Oklahoma
+ Oklahoma State

Then the Big 8 merged with part of the Southwest Conference and added 4 schools to become the Big 12. They added:

+ Baylor
+ Texas
+ Texas A&M
+ Texas Tech

Letting Texas in was the worst thing that ever happened. They think they are more important than everybody else and demand perks that other schools don’t get. Which lead to schools leaving to not deal with them (and more recently money became a big motivator).

In 2011, Nebraska left for the Big 10. Colorado left for the Pac-12.

In 2012, Missouri and Texas A&M left for the SEC. No loss losing Texas A&M. That is a cult more than a school and I don’t miss them in the slightest.

To replace the 4 schools that left, they added TCU from the Mountain West and West Virginia from the Big East.

Then in preparation for Texas and Oklahoma leaving this year, the Big 12 added 4 more schools. BYU from the West Coast Conference. Cincinnati, Houston, and Central Florida from The American Conference.

Then last year the Pac-12 blew up when USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon left to join the Big 10. Leaving the other 8 schools scrambling to find a conference. Stanford and California joined the Atlantic Coast Conference. Yes, 2 schools joined a conference named after the Atlantic Ocean.

The Big 12 added Colorado back. Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah followed.

Poor Washington State and Oregon State have been left without a conference. Frankly I’d rather have them instead of Arizona State and Utah, but I didn’t get a vote.

So Iowa State was in a conference that made sense with tons of regional rivalries and drivable road games for the fans and now we are in a conference that consists of:

+ Iowa State
+ Arizona
+ Arizona State
+ Baylor
+ Brigham Young
+ Central Florida
+ Cincinnati
+ Colorado
+ Houston
+ Kansas
+ Kansas State
+ Oklahoma State
+ Texas Christian
+ Texas Tech
+ Utah
+ West Virginia

It makes zero sense. I just hope we can stay in a conference with Kansas and Kansas State and Oklahoma State. I do look forward to seeing old rivals Colorado again. I am looking forward to football season. Could potentially be a good one for the Cyclones!

Remember When I Believed You Meant It

Time to share the alternate images for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme BLACK & WHITE that I took on July 4. In fact, I took so many pictures on that day, I’m going to split this into 3 days. The first day consists of pictures I took around Ames before and after watching the Independence Day Parade in Ames with the Gorshes.

Let’s get after it:

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Independence Day - 2024

Still 2 more collections of images from this day left to share.

The Big Easy – Day 7 Phone Pictures

Day 7 in New Orleans was supposed to be relatively short. Tony and I had a 10:20 flight. So we would leave for the airport a little after 8. We would grab a connecting flight in Denver and be back in the Cyclone State by 3:30. But the best laid plans of mice and men…

Here are the pictures from Day 7. The final day.


New Orleans Trip - Day 7
I got up early to take one last stroll around. Saw this banner. I level of petty I can get behind.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
About the time I was going to order an Uber we got a message from Southwest Airlines. Our flight had been delayed until noon! We decided to delay our trip to the airport until 10. That gave me time to go down and try to see the famous Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1. I didn’t get to see it because you have to pay for a tour, which is fine, but the tour lasted too long for me to take it. Anyways, saw this sticker. Enjoyed it.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
On the way to the airport we got a text from Southwest that our flight had been moved back to its original flight time. Meaning that we missed our flight. Southwest was less than helpful. They told me to run and I might make the flight. Yeah, this was the security line. While waiting in it (this is TSA Pre-Check) Southwest sent me a message that my flight had left. Thanks!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
I had to go back and get booked on a flight that wouldn’t leave until after 6. The fortunate thing for me was that they had checked my bags in. So I could go into the airport. They hadn’t checked Tony’s bag in, so he couldn’t go into the airport until 4 hours before the flight.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Not a fan of Southwest.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Another look at the security lines. This is the one that isn’t TSA Pre-Check.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Waited with Tony for a bit before going in.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Thanks airport.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
NASA display.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Southerners love their Moon Pies!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Airport art.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Southerners love their Moon Pies!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Southerners love their moon pies!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Not in the mood for this toy at this time.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
No lies detected.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
For the Swifties that also love crawdads!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
I know a big fan of the Golden Girls.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Southerners love their moon pies.

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Finally in the air!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Bellisimo!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7

New Orleans Trip - Day 7

New Orleans Trip - Day 7

New Orleans Trip - Day 7

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Landed in the home of Toasted Ravioli!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
This sign made me so happy!

New Orleans Trip - Day 7
Goodbye Land of Toasted Ravioli.

Tony and Shannon dropped me off at my doorstep a little after midnight. It was a long, boring day. It was good to be home. 2 days later I would be welcoming Bokeh into my life and this trip feels like such a distant memory, even though it was only a month ago.

At some point I’ll begin sharing the pictures I took of New Orleans with the real camera!

Iowa State 67 Washington State 56

The Iowa State Men earned their way to play their first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Omaha by being a #2 seed. They won their first round game over Otz’s first ever team South Dakota State. This setup a 2nd Round matchup with Washington State. Jesse and I picked up tickets for a cheap $250 a piece and headed to Omaha to watch the Cyclones play.

We met up with Bill at his favorite sports bar before the game and knocked down some tasty chicken wings.

Here are some pictures:


2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

2024 NCAA Tournament 2nd Round - Omaha

Iowa State struggled a bit early been then pulled away in the 2nd half to win fairly easily.

The arena in Omaha is kind of a dump though. It is lousy enough I’m not even sure I want to claim it as an outpost of Hilton. It is not as nice as Hilton South in Kansas City. The rows are crazy close together, at least for us poors up in steerage. The concourse up in steerage is also incredibly small. A lot of people think the concourse at Hilton proper is too narrow. They should try walking around Hilton West. The scoreboard only shows individual stats for one team and that team on our side, was Washington State. There is a stat board at one end of the arena, but you can’t read all of the stats on it because they have a curtain that covers up about 30 percent of the scoreboard. The arena is so poorly designed that at one point Jesse and I accidentally left the arena and ended up at a high school prom. We had to sweet talk a cop into letting us back into the arena.

All in all it was a great trip, with great friends, watching a great basketball team. I can hardly wait for next season as Iowa State is projected to be a preseason Top 10 next year. It is hard to say how that will ultimately shakes out as there is still a lot of action to go down in the transfer portal. Iowa State still needs to add 2-3 players for next year’s roster. They need 1 more big and 1 more shooter. I was going to do a preview of next season on this post, because I thought Iowa State would have all the hay in the barn from the transfer portal. Unfortunately, John Calipari moving from Kentucky to Arkansas triggered a chain of events that cost Iowa State a transfer from Colorado as the player’s price tag went up to nearly $500,000. Too rich for Iowa State’s blood. So we will wait and see and then do that preview at a later date. Same thing goes for the women.