Fact or Fiction?

The valley on the old farmstead...




While I was visiting the old farmstead I related a story my Dad had told me that the "James Gang" camped here, either on their journey to, or from, Northfield, MN. The owner said, "I have head that too!" So - urban legend, fact, or fiction?
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Where I grew Up: Then and Now

I grew up on this farm until I was 10 years old (1961). This picture is from 1946.


I recently had the opportunity to meet the current owner of the farmstead and she invited me back to visit the old place. The first thing I noticed is that the rooms felt MUCH smaller than I remember. I imagine it's because I was a lot smaller. The owners are remodeling the entire house and I know my folks would be pleased. My dad is the one who initially added electricity and indoor plumbing to the place. Times have changed...


My dad and uncle built this fireplace in the 1950s - they would be pleased to know that it still works and is being used.
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Another Wasp

Wasp on a flower...


Same wasp - a bit closer.
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Did you Hear the One About the Cat?

We visited my mother in the nursing home yesterday. These 2 birds seemed to be deep in conversation - at least the one on the right...
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Spreader

Stopped on our way back from Des Moines yesterday and took some photographs. We've been driving by a place for years which has some old farm equipment and yesterday it just seemed the right time to stop.
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Nile Kinnick

We had a reception at HyVee's Iowa Pride Museum. The photo is of a bronze statue of Nile Kinnick. He was a student at the University of Iowa and won the 1939 Heisman Trophy. He died during a training flight while serving as a U, S, Navy pilot in World War II. Kinnick was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951, and the University of Iowa renamed its football stadium "Kinnick Stadium" in his honor in 1972.
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Des Moines Skywalk System

I am in Des Moines, Iowa attending the Iowa League of Credit Unions annual convention. This is a photo of a leg of the skywalk system. Certainly appreciate not having to walk outside.
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In the Bushes

Who (or what) is that is the bushes? and, what is he doing?
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Changing Color

Changing colors...from green...

To Orange...

Almost harvest time.

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Ripe On The Vine

Ready to be picked.
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Beetle Battle

We paid another visit to the Cedar Valley Arboretum yesterday. I find it amazing the activity that is happening on a different plane than most of us are aware. The beetles pictured above, which appear large in this photo, are in fact very small. While I was watching through my camera lens the beetles were positioning themselves for battle - or I guess it could have be a mating ritual - (I'll avoid comments here...) It was fascinating to watch.
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Stuffed Townspeople

As my wife and I were driving home to Waterloo from Iowa Falls we took a detour through downtown Ackley, Iowa. We noticed a "couple" of "stuffed" people standing and sitting on a couple of benches and just thought it was Halloween stuff - a bit early - but, what else could it be? As we continued, however, there seemed to be a "stuffed" townsfolk in front of nearly all of the businesses. Now, with a camera in the car, what was I going to do? NOTE: The guy on the cell phone is not stuffed... (unless he just gone done eating I suppose).


The Maytag Repairman waits for his next call...
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To view all of the stuffed people follow the ink: http://www.rallenhill.com/photo_gallery/Stuffed/

2009 National Cattle Congress

2009 National Cattle Congress, Waterloo, Iowa


The loser in a jousting contest...


I don't recall the lads and lassies of the King Arthur era having wireless microphones.
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Lunch

When I enlarged the photo this crow is chowing down on a dead bat...yuck...
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Busy As A Bee

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The End is Near

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Iowa Country

A haze falls over the valley at Sunset near Mount Vernon, Iowa.
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Serene

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Two Heads

I've heard it said that 2 heads are better than 1 - what do you think?


OK - so I'm desperate for a photo to post this morning so I was playing around with the camera in my MacBook. Does that count?

Feeding the Fish

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Lilly Pad

We discovered an Arboretum in Waterloo yesterday and spent an hour taking photos. This is one of my favorites.

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Sunrise 9-9-09

I was at the Gym this morning and this was the sun rising over West High School in Waterloo, Iowa.
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Moon Set

The moon was still visible as the sun was coming up. Moments later the cloud on the right covered the moon...
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Pink Rose

An award winning rose at the Minnesota State Fair.
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Part the Crowds

We discovered that a good way to make your way through 30,000 people is to walk behind a garbage truck. The crowds part - making way for the truck. We were right behind and made good progress - until the truck turned and we didn't...

Fishing

A Cicada Up Close

A rare Cicada sighting. I do love the sounds they make...

Nature's Painting

Nature's painting - untouched by Photoshop.

Farm Building

Farm Building next to a pond...

Cattails

I wonder why they call them cattails?