300 Years

I had a thought today...I have over 11,000 photos in digital format (doesn't include any of my film pictures)..so doing one photo day a day for 365 days I could already post one a day for thirty years. And, since I'm doing one a day now - one just can't shoot one picture - I shoot maybe 10 or 11 (sometimes more) a day, so, if I'm posting 1 day, and taking 11 a day I still would be good for an additional 300 years (posting one a day out of the 11 a day I take). Makes my head hurt - I'd better post one here...














Stained Glass...

0 at Noon

It's supposed to warm up during the day - this was the temperature at noon today - up from a chilly -12 below.
(Click on the photo if you want to see a larger image.)

Knitted Purse

I've had several inquiries about my Yarn Pictures - asking if my wife bought any yarn while I was wondering around Crazy Girls taking pictures. The answer is a resounding YES...

Her skill amazes me and fascinates me at the same time. In my eyes she bought a bunch of colored string hanging from a wall and in 2 days this purse appeared and she is now working on a matching tam (I think that's a hat). She knits while she talks (or talks while she knits), watches television and knits (or knits while watching television) - even knits during the homily at church (yes, the priest knows). She's been knitting so long it's second nature...she's a Crazy Girl!!

Again - New Math

This evening as my wife and I were coming back from working out we stopped at a grocery store to pick up some bread. We observed the following sign attached to a candy display: SALE 2 for a $1. The only problem is that they were clearly marked as selling for .48 cents a piece.

How is $1 on sale?

A New Year

My wife and I have joined a health club sponsored by Covenant Hospital in Waterloo. A most reasonable rate - we qualified for the senior discount -ugh... The goal is to become healthier, lighter and thinner.

Last night was the first night. My body fat was - let's just say the Navy wouldn't like it (it exceeds 22%). The trainer set up a regimen that includes 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes on a variety of machines which I'm sure had their beginnings during the Midevil torture times.

So, along with doing a Photo a day for 365 days I am also committing to 3 times a week at the health club. Wish me well and send encouragement!!

Frozen Pipes

Finding a plumber on a day when it was 34 below zero proved difficult. The first plumber we called said - "no way, we're too busy un-freezing pipes." The 2nd place we called said - "We're going out of town, back next week. Good luck" (Seems they missed a good money making opportunity) We then called the Roto Rooter guy and he said he could make it.

He showed up about 5:45 PM and got right to work. Turns out our pipes were frozen. He "rooted" then used a hair dryer and hot water to finish the job. While he was putting everything back together he broke one of the pipes on the garbage disposal. He was apologetic and ran right out to buy a replacement part - no charge. I was so impressed with his work ethic and friendly demeanor (and the fact it was close to 8 at night) I tipped him. (Out of my character). Water runs now and today we'll shop for some insulation. Of course it probably won't be 34 below zero for another 50 years - but, hey, we'll be ready!!

Yuck...

I don't know if it is the 34 degree BELOW Zero weather, or that something has become lodged in our kitchen drain, but I woke up at 5:45 AM to a plugged kitchen drain. Finding a plumber today won't happen because they're all unfreezing pipes around town (it's 34 degrees BELOW Zero). I have plunged repeatedly to no avail. Next step is to buy some drain unplugging stuff and wait...

Check Your Credit Report

I had an article published in the Cedar Valley Business Monthly. If you click on the title of the post it should direct you to the article. If the link is broken leave a comment and I'll post a copy of the article.

Photo Club

Paddle Boat Reflected in the Mississippi















Louisiana Swamp as depicted at the Dubuque River Museum.

I went to a Photo Club Meeting today in Cedar Rapids (Waterloo can't seem to put one together) and entered the above 2 photos in this months competition - the topic was "Reflections". I didn't win or place, but received some votes. The photos that won were excellent photos. I will continue to compete...

Snorkeling in Iowa

Snorkeling in Iowa... (I think alcohol was involved).

A friend sent me this and I laughed so hard I wanted to share. (I don't think this is him - can't tell from the angle).

Beauty of New Snow

We received 4" of new snow last night and it is beautiful outside. Never mind all of the aggravation that goes with a new snow (shoveling, plowing, slipping, sliding, falling down) - it is gorgeous.

As I was taking my wife to work this morning we came across a SUV who had obviously been traveling too fast for the road conditions - hung up on a snow bank. I had my camera with me, but there was no opportunity to pull over and snap a photo. It seems, however, that the majority of vehicles in the ditch and "hung up" on snow banks are SUVs and trucks. I believe it is because the driver's have a false sense of security. They know they have 4 x 4 traction and can "plow" through the snow but seem to forget the stopping part... 4 x 4 or not, vehicles do not stop on a dime on ice. That's my 2 cents worth...(ok maybe a dime.). (Click on the photo to view a larger image.)

Lousy Janitor

I work in a small credit union. When I am asked what I do at the Credit Union I am fond of saying that I am the CEO/CFO and Janitor. It describes the fact that in a small business, you have to do a variety of jobs ranging from financial decisions to taking out the garbage (something I'm sure the CEO of GM does not do.)

At any rate, every time my youngest daughter visits she points out the spider web and dead lady bug in the window and tells me I'm a lousy janitor. I like to tease - so I leave the web and its prey - reminds me that I'm a lousy janitor.

Scissors Take A Ride

This morning was an icy morning - as evidenced by a picture in a prior post. Before we left the house this morning for church I grabbed a pair of scissors from the kitchen (to open the bag of salt) and proceeded to the garage. I opened the bag and sat the scissors on the trunk of my car. I proceeded to cover the driveway in salt. When I finished, back into the house I went.

This evening, a good 12 hours and 15 miles since this morning, we went to pick up my mother-in-law and sister-in-law for a trip to a steak house. When we arrived at their house we needed to put something into the trunk, so I popped the trunk - and, off came a pair of scissors. The same pair of scissors I used to open the bag of salt in the morning. They had been on my trunk from our house to the church, from the church to visit a friend in the hospital, from the hospital to our house and then to pick up folks for supper. It's a wonder that with all the slipping, sliding, bumping and jumping that they didn't fall off- sure glad they didn't fall off and stab a pedestrian. And, best of all - I don't have to buy a new pair!!!

Project 365

I am embarking on a Project 365 - where I will take and upload a new photo every day in 2009. My Project 365 Blog is at: ttp://rallenhillproject365.blogspot.com.

One of my resolutions for 2009 is to pay closer attention to this blog and make many more posts (lucky you).

This photo is the first sunrise of 2009 over Waterloo, Iowa. I couldn't sleep and woke up at 5:00 AM on New Years day - so, since the rest of the house was still asleep (ok, not the house, the people in the house) I decided to go out and about and take some pictures.

Here is another:















I saw this reflection while I was driving, and since there was little to no traffic I stopped and took the picture.

Have a good 2009 filled with joy and happiness.