"Grands"

"A garden of love grows in a grandmother's heart."

                                                                            --Unknown

Annual Iowa Tradition

Last week thousands of cyclists trekked across our state on two wheels while participating in The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI).  This summer tradition started in 1973 and takes place the last full week in July with riders starting at some point in western Iowa near the Missouri River and concluding at a river town along the Mississippi River on the opposite side of the state.  Although the route changes each year, riders get a taste of the Hawkeye State as they tour from border to border.

Shapes

 "I found I could say things with color and shapes 

that I couldn't say any other way -- things I had no words for."

                                                                       --Georgia O'Keeffe

Love in Stone

"Let your love be like the misty rains, coming softly, but flooding the river."

                                                        --Malagasy Proverb

Among Trunks

"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago.

The second best time is now."

                                                                                                    --Chinese Proverb

Play in the Summer Sun

"I am Summer,

Come to lure you away from your computer...

Come dance on my fresh grass, dig your toes into my beaches."

                                                    --Oriana Green

Come See This

NOW OPEN -- The People You Meet

Between now and August 23, make plans to see this exhibition of my photographs and art glass by Barb McKinlay that features captivating images from urban centers.  For an up-close view of this collection, visit Gallery C in downtown Dubuque, Iowa.  Specifically, the location is 900 Jackson Street and it is open Fridays and Saturdays from 1-4 pm.

Boys on the Beach

                               Advice from a Lake:

                              --Be Clear

                              --Make Positive Ripples

                              --Look Beneath the Surface

                              --Stay Calm

                              --Shore Up Friendships

                              --Take Time to Reflect

                              --Be Full of Life

                        --Ilan Shamir

MPLS Photo Center Exhibit to Open

Things with Wings

"Hurt no living thing; 

Ladybird, nor butterfly,

Nor moth with dusty wing."

                                      --Christina Rossetti

RW&B Dancing

"America is a tune.  It must be sung together."

                                        --Gerald Stanley Lee

RW&B in a Row

A late-model fire engine along with white and blue classic cars display a bit of Americana as they parade through the streets in summer celebrations.

"Actually, if you could see close in my eyes, the American flag

is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white and blue stripe."

                                                                             --Walt Disney

RW&B Beauty

Lydia Berg, the reigning Miss Rodeo Wisconsin, is adorned in red, white and blue as she makes her way in the recent Edgewood Rodeo Days Parade.  She and Miss Rodeo Iowa 2015, Hannah Hilsabeck, both attended the four-day event and participated in several activities, including each rodeo.  Indeed, they are talented and beautiful young women who serve as role models for many throughout their respective states.

RW&B costumes

Again, this week I'm posting various images that contain red, white and blue.  Today those colors make up the costumes worn by these men as they parade through the streets in small-town celebrations.  A display of patriotism, pride, and a whole lot of fun.  Look for more tomorrow.

RW&B

Red, white and blue -- that's the theme for this week's images.  After photographing numerous parades and summertime celebrations, I've amassed quite a collection of pictures featuring different versions of red, white and blue and wanted to share a few.  And, by the way, today's photo was not altered by me but rather the owner painted the horse specifically for their stroll through town.  Be sure to notice the beads just above the hooves.  Anyway, with the 4th of July in the very recent past, perhaps you'll be reminded of some of your favorite displays of these three colors.  Enjoy.

Tonight's the Opening

Capital City Panorama by Stephanie Funke

This panorama of downtown Des Moines is one of my 15 images included in The People You Meet exhibit that opens tonight in downtown Dubuque, Iowa.  Located at 900 Jackson Street in the Schmid Innovation Center, Gallery C is the place to be this evening as things get underway at 5:30 p.m.  In addition to my photos, beautiful pieces of art glass by Barb McKinlay makeup the other portion of the collection.  This artwork is colorful, refreshing and captivating, and we hope many can attend.

Playing in the Park

"Children need the freedom and time to play.

Play is not a luxury.  Play is a necessity."

                                                      --Kay Redfield Jamison

La Luna

"For the moon never beams

without bringing me dreams."

                                                            --Edgar Allan Poe

Exhibit to Open

When:    Friday, July 10; 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where:   Gallery C in downtown Dubuque, IA -- 900 Jackson Street

What:     Opening Reception for The People You Meet

All are welcome to attend this come-and-go event.  Light refreshments will be served

Newlyweds

"To keep your marriage brimming,

With love in the loving cup,

Whenever you're wrong, admit it;

Whenever you're right, shut up."

                                          --Ogden Nash

Freedom

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom,

must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

                                                                --Thomas Paine

Summer Celebrations

Warm-weather months allow Midwesterners to celebrate their communities.  During such festivities in Iowa, farmers relish the opportunity to parade their family's tractors through the streets of their hometowns as they proudly represent their devotion to agriculture.  With rodeos, parades, fireworks, classic car shows, 5K road races, carnival rides and much, much more, folks in the heartland enjoy showcasing their accomplishments.

A Glimpse of Summer

"Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; 

And the landscape lay as if newly created in all the freshness of childhood."

                                                           --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow