Photo Blogging Challenge (March 2023): Eleven

I can't believe it's really been 11! For the "Eleven" photo challenge, I decided to explore the concept of abundance through repetition. I set out to take five photos, each featuring eleven different objects. Struggling for the last couple, I found an answer in the kitchen. Then, scrolling through the TV while processing Easter lunch, I was presented with a most fortuitous UFL American Football score. Enjoy Eleven!

   

 

That's my 5 of 11. Y'all, I had another I took with 11 Cadbury eggs. I had one job. I'm here to tell you that even though they were in a container with 12 spots, I somehow only put 10 eggs in there and didn't notice until I sat down to post this. Thankfully, I had a couple of spares. I look forward to seeing yours. And I look forward to another monthly challenge. To see more or join in head over to a 'lil HooHaa!

Photo Blogging Challenge (February 2023): Exploration

February was another busy month. The them this month was Exploration. I did my best to get out and about.

We have a beautiful park in town. I spent some time on the trails and had a little geocache maintenance to boot.

We tried something new this year, exploring the slopes of Heavenly in Tahoe on Ski Byks. They were fun but challenging.

South Lake Tahoe is a real beaut!

 

Exploring a little closer to home along the San Antonio Riverwalk.

I remember.... the Alamo.

Photo Blogging Challenge (January 2023): The Best

The Best! Am besten(I'm doing German on Duolingo) 2024 started with quite a bang. The best is a good place to start. But is the best yet to come?

Baylor opened a new basketball arena in January. They did some real scrambling to get it ready in time and we were there opening night. The new thing around here is smaller venues. The Foster Pavilion is smaller and LOUD. It should be a fun arena. Bill Gates was there, he is dating a big Baylor donor. You can see her name on the floor there, Paula Hurd. 

2024 started off strong in the life music department, too. My wife, sister, and a good friend went to Cancun for a four day music festival with Noah Kahan as the ultimate headliner. It was a great venue on the beach. All the musicians were friends and performed together throughout the trip. Here is Noah with Taylor Meier from CAAMP having some fun.

   

My sister hit the jackpot with our room. I'd say that this is definitely the best way I've attended a live show...from our balcony.

 

All the acts also had an intimate pool set. It was pretty cool seeing a live show in a pool as long as you didn't think about how much these folks were drinking and that many weren't leaving the pool. I'll leave it at that.

Wrapped up January with a little 7.5 mile hike out at Reveille Peak Ranch. We took a round about way to Decision Point. It was a great day hiking and weather wise. 

There's my five. 2024 is off to a great start. We have some fun adventures planned. I'm ready!

Photo Blogging Challenge (December 2023): Have A Very Merry…

Tis the season to be... Merry. December was a busy and festive month. Let's dive in.

This is a restaurant and bar in Tulsa. They go all out at Christmas time. We were there for a little celebration...

 

Bonus shot: The celebration was my first hole in one. Pretty amazing. What is even more so, we were playing two days later again and one of my good friends made her first hole in one, too. It was super special.

Amy and I attended a German Christmas service in a tiny little community church about an hour outside of Waco. It was really nice. We'll try to make it again next year.

You can't have a very merry... without a Very Merry! 

The house was full again on Christmas day. Lot's of family and great food.

The gang is all back together. Lili has been in Sorrento, Italy studying for the semester and Evan works in in Arkansas now. A little cousin break was in order.

That's my five. January is only four days old and already heating up to be busy. I hope you all had a very merry... and best wishes for the new year!

Photo Blogging Challenge (November 2023): Enjoy Life

 

Enjoying life in November.

New to him ride for John. He bought it himself.

Ike's Chili, a Tulsa favorite.

Out standing in my field.

Fun with friends.

More field work.

Photo Blogging Challenge (October 2023): Experiences

October was full of very different experiences. For starters, we got a trial run of the total solar eclipse we will see in April next year. We were about 85% for the annular solar event.

Bonus pic because it's funny!           

We got the whole family back together this year to hit the State Fair of Texas and get the only corny dog I'll eat!

I saw the few remaining members of Queen perform with Adam Lambert!

And the F1 race was pretty good too.

We got a drought busting rain storm that brought our lake from 55% to a little over 100% in just 3 days.

Photo Blogging Challenge (September 2023): Simple

 Bear with me here. For this month's challenge, I wanted to do a bit more than my iPhone, even if the theme was Simple. Several of us went to a music festival in Kentucky and that's when it hit me. What can I do with a simple point and shoot camera at a concert. I hope you like what I produced as much as I do.

Billy Strings

Duran Duran

Scott Avett

This is probably my favorite of the weekend and one of my favorite shots ever. Tania Elizabeth, a member of the Avett Brothers band.

The Avett Bros

There's my five. I also kept this theme Simple in that I didn't have to write too much. Enjoy your October and hope to see you at month's end.

Photo Blogging Challenge (August 2023): Happy Place

Happy Place What is my happy place? Good question.

A little cat, er, dog nap rather. That's a pretty happy place. My lap is certainly Charlie's.

I've seen some fun races and great concerts at COTA, looking forward to being back this October.

In August, a cold movie theater is an especially happy place.

Spending time in the country with my dad. Glad he's still around. 

Anywhere that I am with this one! 

WAKE UP! ***b-b-b-bonus s-s-s-shot***

Photo Blogging Challenge (July 2023): Selfie

Selfie, Ussies, whatever the case may be. Here's a handful of photo's taken at arms length!

I've mentioned before that this has been the summer of Music. We've been to quite a few concerts through the year and some more coming up. We recently headed north to Colorado for a respite from the heat. The boys had never been to a show at Red Rocks and as fate would have it, one of my favorite groups, The Avett Brothers,  was playing. It was a great show!

We went back up the mountain to Dillon, Colorado. They have built this nice amphitheater on the lake. Another of my current favs, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, was playing. He brought out a pretty good sized crowd for a smaller venue. 

Still in the mood for cooler climes, Amy and I flew down to Grand Cayman and got in a little SCUBA diving. The mask makes me a little bug-eyed!

We were on a good sized dive boat but they only carried 8 divers so it wasn't too crowded. The cruise ship operations can really pack you on.

One more from Trinity Caves. This was our last of the trip and the 4th of the day. I pushed my NO DECO time to the limit but took a little extra time on the safety stop. These were pulled from video as I was having an issue with my GoPro switching between modes. 

If you want to check out these dives and other dives from previous years, check out my YouTube playlist. I could use some more subscribers! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNt4Kb90fLCFRKZ5Sc0cOp6xNjH9-TzU4

It's been a summer and it isn't over yet. Take a look at the other folks' photos at A lil Hoohaa  And come back next month for more.

Photo Blogging Challenge (June 2023): Where Will You Go?

Where will I go? Where did I go? We went to the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington to see the great Joni Mitchell play with Brandi Carlile and friends. It was a three night event starting with Allison Russel, Marcus Mumford, and Brandi Carlile the first night, the second Brandi Carlile opened for the special Joni Jam with Joni Mitchell, Wendy and Lisa, Annie Lennox, Sara McLaughlin and more. The final night was Tanya Tucker and The Highwomen closing out a music filled weekend.

This was my first view of the Gorge upon entering the gates.

The Joni Jam felt like a living room jam session. So much fun.

And a beautiful backdrop to the stage. The Columbia River.

The Highwomen are lots of fun. A supergroup started by Amanda Shires and Brandi Carlile, features Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby and just about anyone they pick up along the way.

Our Oasis home away from home for the weekend. No traffic to think about and no long drive back to the hotel.

You can check out the whole set in my flickr album. Or take a look at the other entries at A Lil Hoo Haa.