Keeping Me Awake

Attending a lending compliance seminar in Des Moines - Coffee keeping me awake.
(Taken with my iPhone Camera)

Parachuting Platform (and you thought it was a windmill)

I had the opportunity recently to visit the farm where I grew up. We moved off the farm when I was 10 - this is the windmill - which is still pumping water - that I used as a parachuting platform when I was 8 or 9. The story can be found here:
http://mymindswindmills.blogspot.com/2006/10/lifes-lessons-learned-from-parachuting_27.html
(enjoy)

Neighborhood Color

Neighborhood color - taken with my Canon 7D
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Cameraphone Photography

I'm playing aroound with three new concepts: (1) Posting from my iPhone, (2) using a new camera application called Best Camera, and (3) using the camera on my iPhone.

There's an article in this months american PHOTO which talks about the artisitc potential of camerphone technology and I thought I'd give it a try - I'm certainly NOT giving up on my digital SLR, but thought this might be fun to explore.

Sent from my iPhone - Excuse typoes - big fingers-little key board

Where Are We Going?

"Where are we going?"
"I heard there was a new place up river."
"Ok...should we tell the others?"
"No...."

And so the two mallards leave the group in search of new opportunity.

This and That

Our Church, Trinity Episcopal Church in Waterloo, had (or is having) a "This and That" rummage sale. Part of the sale is selling raffle tickets (with a state permit) to win a fully furnished doll house. I don't know who wants to win it more - the mothers - or the daughters...


One lady donated the house and others furnished a room.


Note the eager eye of a young lady in the window. Actually - it's my granddaughter and I coerced her into looking into the house through the window.

Iowa River Iowa Falls

One of my favorite views - the Iowa River at River Bend in Iowa Falls, Iowa. It was a cloudy day yesterday, but still a gorgeous view.


The Boat Club.
(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

Duck Itch

I can relate as my back frequently itches. Good thing I don't have to use my nose to scratch!!
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Hey Back there - Get in Step

Geese marching in formation (with one exception).
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Now - where'd that Piece of Corn Go?

I was out taking pictures last night and at one of my stops a lot of ducks came over to the car - obvisously people have been feeding them - and this guy just had an unusual pose.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Hello There

My Aunt Helen had a talent of being able to find unique items. I'm not sure if this is a flower pot, bird bath, or a rodent's house - but, I am sure I've never seen anything quite like it.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Blessing the Animals

Yesterday was Bless the Animals Sunday and we had a lot of our furry friends in atendnace.


This was the only cat - everyone else brought a dog. I wonder what the cat was thinking...? It was a successful Sunday as not one of the "guests" ate another "guest".
(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

Learn more about The Blessing of the Animals at: http://www.saint-augustine.org/_sep02/ef0902g.htm

Fall Color Briggs Woods

Fall colors at Briggs Woods, Webster City, Iowa.

This photo won first place at the Linn County Photo Club October monthly photo contest.

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Railroad Tressle

Railroad tressle Webster City, Iowa.
(To view a larger image click on the photograph).

Scarey

This guy in the tree across the street keeps getting scarier!!!

Taking A Break

This little guy has been busy digging holes and burying his winter food stash - but decided to take a snack break.
(To view a larger image click on the photograph).

Low Flying Witch

It seems a low flying witch got caught up in our neighbors tree...

Fall Color

Fall is here - hope to be able to photograph more than 1 leaf...
(Click on the photo to view a really large image of this leaf).

Casting Spells

This witch is on our front steps wating to cast spells on the postman who brings us bills. The last postman who brought us bills close to halloween is pictured below...

Flower Girl

I wonder if they know how many bees are in that flower arrangement above their heads?

World Class Knitter

My wife Helen won 1st place in the National Cattle Congress Knitting Contests. She entered 6 projects and was awarded not one blue ribbon mind you, but 4, yes 4, blue ribbons and 1 2nd Place ribbon. She entered 6 projects and only 1 did not receive a ribbon (what happened?) She is a world class knitter - and the ladies at our church affectionately refer to her as the "Knitting Doctor"... they frequently bring projects to Helen that they have gubbered up for her to fix... The Doctor is in...


Pink Scarf...

Booties...

Felted Purse

Pumpkin Hat

I, on the other hand, placed 3rd in the Nature Category for my Wasp climbing a leaf photo.

(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

Old Electric Fence

A "retired" electric fence. I remember as a kid touching an electic fence to see what would happen. What happens is ...it hurts!!! (I wasn't bright as a kid - I jumped off a windmill at age 8...read my other blog Windmills if you want to learn more about it.. http://mymindswindmills.blogspot.com/2006/10/lifes-lessons-learned-from-parachuting_27.html

(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Sometimes the Photos Just Come to You

Sometimes the photographs just come to you. As I was driving into my driveway the Sheriff had a young man bent over the hood of the squad car searching his pockets. Moments later, I assume an undercover officer, arrived and got into the guys face. And, again, moments later another squad car arrived. Now if I were to make up a story based upon what I observed at the end of my driveway, this young man had either purchased drugs or sold drugs and was observed doing so by the undercover officer. When asked to stop the young man didn't until he was in front of my driveway where he was searched, cuffed, had his car searched and then towed. Or...he could have had open warrants, didn't stop and his piece of crap van died at the end of my driveway. Whatever the story - what was I supposed to do? I had a camera - and it was taking place right in front if me. So, I took pictures... In the event it really was an undercover officer I won't publish that photo. PS I live in a good neighborhood - the riff-raff just got caught here...
(In the event you want to view a larger image - just click on the photo).

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?
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

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.
(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

Another Wasp

Wasp on a flower...


Same wasp - a bit closer.
(Click on the photograph to view a larger image).

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...
(Click on the photo to view a larger imge).

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.
(Click on the photograph to view a larger image).

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.
(Click on the photograph to view a larger image).

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.
(click on the photo for a larger image).

In the Bushes

Who (or what) is that is the bushes? and, what is he doing?
(Click on the photograph for a larger image).

Changing Color

Changing colors...from green...

To Orange...

Almost harvest time.

(Click on a photograph to view a larger image).

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.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

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...
(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

To view all of the stuffed people follow the ink: http://www.rallenhill.com/photo_gallery/Stuffed/