Portraits

I'm not much of a portrait person.  Neither taking or getting taken.  But one of the photo sites I frequent is doing "portraits" as the theme for March.  It got me thinking, and I decided to look through the archives and find a few portraits.  So here's a few from the past 50 years.  All natural light, most "candid", or unposted.

Mikayla Joy in 2023.  Mikayla is part of the singing duo Jake and Mikayla.  They were our Church's Praise Band for a couple of years (and I played bass), and they came back for a show in 2023.

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My son in 2018, when he was graduating high school.  He didn't want "professional" Senior Portraits, but his mom convinced him to let me take some photos, and some of one of his friends.  It was actually fun, and I wasn't unhappy with the results

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 My grandson in 2021.  He did not want me to take his photo this day, so he started making faces.  Which did not deter me!

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My friend Kathy in 1981.  This was taken when we were in college.  I haven't seen Kathy since a New Year's  party in 1984 or 1985.  I wonder how she's doing?

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My Friend Greg circa 1978.  Late High School.  Somebody else I haven't seen since at least 1980.  Though we emailed a few times a few years ago.

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My friend Ned in 1975.  I was trying to get a "jaded businessman having a drink after a long day at work".  Of course, we were both 14 at the time...  but it was fun.  

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Andrew Adams Paints!

We weren't able to stay long enough to see the final product, but we really enjoyed watching Andrew create!  At the Second Annual Opus at the Chez-Marilyn in Alton, IL 

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4/365 - Selfie.....

 

I'm not real big on self portraits.  Or, for that matter, any photos of myself.  But I made an exception this morning, getting ready to drive to work.  Figured it would be a good addition for my 365project.

 

Comparatively balmy this morning, I think it was 15 degrees, with the wind chill above 0 degrees.  Warm enough for my son to go to school, after 2 days of cancelled classes.  (Grumble....  back in my day we'd never have school cancelled just because of a little cold....  and Get Off My Lawn!).  Anyway, here's "me", rocking my winter garb.  The hat was a Christmas gift from my younger daughter (2013), The scarf from my son (2014).  Thanks kids!

 

Still working the iPhone. 

Veterans Day 11/11/14

Another image from last Sunday's Veterans Day observance in Glen Carbon, IL.

THANKS AGAIN to all our vets!

Veterans Day 2014

Veterans Day is officially until Tuesday (11/11).  But our community does an observance on the closest Sunday.  Which was today.  My son's scout troop participated, and I managed a few images. here's one...

Thanks to all who have served, and are serving, or will serve!

Piano Recital 2014-11-08

My son at his recital today.  He played Waterfall (ENYA) and Take5 (Dave Brubek) during the recital.  And then played some "after music", mostly excerpts from Peer Gynt.  Try this video.

He's getting quite good...

Back To Back

A couple of "back" shots from the recent Joplin Promise trip:

First of, a couple of the adults, modeling the 2014 NBY shirt.  I was trying to capture the spirit of going out into the world to do works....  (just don't tell anybody that this was taken at a rest stop along I-44).  The verse is John 3:16.

Second, my son, at one of the Joplin work sites.The Verse is Luke 1:37.

Joplin Promise

Photo Not By Me!

Posting has been very light lightly, but at this time I have a (pretty) good excuse.  A week ago (6/22 <--> 6/28) I went on a Mission Trip with my son and a group from our church.  My first Mission Trip, and his. We're on the left side of the photo, kneeling.   I'm just now catching up.

We went to Joplin, Missouri, where we worked with Joplin Promise.

It was a pretty awesome week, and I was rather far outside of my comfortable little box.  In a good way.  I did take lots of photos, so expect some (the less snap-shot type) to appear here over the next few days or so.

Snapped!

Sometimes you just have to take a snapshot.  Nothing deep and meaningful here, just my son (and a fellow scout).  Taken with my trusty iPhone, at Glen Carbon Homecoming, last weekend.  And posted (on the spot) to Instagram.  The scout troop was working with the local Kiwanis (who sponsors the troop), selling soft drinks and hot dogs and brats.

Memorial Day, 5/26/2014

From this morning, Glen Carbon's Memorial Day ceremony...

Memorial Day (Early)

 

In our community, there are several Memorial Day observances the Sunday before Memorial Day (which was today).  We usually make it to at least one, as my son's Boy Scout Troop participates.  This is from today's ceremony at Oak Lawn Cemetery, which is not far from our home.  I was really struck by this soldier supporting one of the older Veterans.

Not a great technical photograph, it was midday on a very bright (and contrasty) day.  But it catches (I hope) the spirit of the moment.

Other Memorial Day photos from last year here and here.

Yo Down Fiddler

Another from last weekend's trip to Eastern Tennessee...  This is my son-in-law, playing his fiddle in the shae of a tree, enjoying the hills...  Good stuff.

The post title is a song by Mike Cross, from his Irregular Guy album.  Mike Cross (of course) was born in Maryville TN, not far from where this photo was taken...

Reach Out....

 

Just a little something taken last weekend during an Easter visit from my Granddaughter (and her parents!)...
She's pretty much in constant motion, but I was able to catch her a few times.  I particularly like these two...

Mall-Walking

So, I've been trying to do more walking this year.  Which is tough when the temperature is single digits, the sidewalks are snow covered and I've been sick.  So I'm way behind.  There's not a lot of options, but lunchtime strolls at the nearby shopping mall is one of them.  Yep, Mall-Walking...  Makes me feel old...

Anyway, it is seldom crowded.  And there's no goose-poop..

Self Portrait, Of Sorts

Would this qualify as a "selfie"??  Taken at Praise Band practice last week. That's the heart of my TBC-JT400-JJ...

Flagging

My son's Boy Scout troop puts up flags in our town for special occasions.  This week, they needed posted for MLK Day.  So we bundled my son and a friend yesterday, loaded the van with flags / ladder, and headed out.  All good!

Obviously, this is Old Town Glen Carbon, just east of the covered bridge.

Piano Man #7707

Last night was Court Of Honor for my son's Boy Scout troop. Big night as he received his "Life" rank (next stop Eagle!)...   He also provided a portion of the pre-dinner entertainment, a little bit of piano.  Including (of course) his rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody"....

Good stuff, all of it.

Rocksmith!!

 So, my son got me an Xbox game for Christmas:  Rocksmith!

Billed as "The Fastest way to learn guitar", it's also like a "real" version of Rockband...  We've all been having loads of fun.  Who knows, maybe I'll get closer to decent (on bass)...  and perhaps guitar!  At least I'll enjoy trying.  (to be precise:  photo is my younger daughter, not me)

Precious!

Granddaughters are SOOOOO cool.

Amazing Grace....

We had our granddaughter visiting for a couple of days, and I tried to take a coupleof photos.  It's never easy, as she's a very active 2.5 y/o kid, and I'm not all that comfortable with people pictures.  Lots of blurry images later, he's a couple taht aren't TOO bad.  Except for the sloppy nose...

 

 

Playing around with her Uncle's football, at Miner Park in Glen Carbon....