Joan Pease (Clark)

I'm not sure what today's topic is, but I've seen some cute children, so I'm adding my oldest grandson Tyson. He was 7 here and will be 12 in August. He's added piano and every sport under the sun to his repertoire. 

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Cute picture, Joan.  He is very talented.   My sons pictures were a carry over from yesterday which was Something you are proud of.  Your picture qualifies for that.    Today's theme is Special Character Photo.  I'm not sure what all that entails but, I think our pictures even qualify for that.  They are characters in our life.  haha

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

The pictures of cute kids are great.  I'm going in a different direction with "character" and thinking of character traits of people, etc.  we were in Washington DC inNivember of 2016 and I took this photo.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Sue, how timely that you would post a doctor as Superman. So glad you mentioned your daughter is a nurse. They are today's heroes. I'm wondering how many of you have loved ones on the front lines of this epidemic? So glad to see you and Joan jumping back in. Wendy, this is the first time I've ever seen this FDR sculpture. FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY will be followed by Sandy Saturday: MOUNTAINS. Excellent!!!

With today's theme being SPECIAL CHARACTERS, I can't help drawing upon the zany personalities - or eccentric if you wish - of some of the artists I've know. This is just a small sampling from my Artist's Portrait Series.

"Oscar Romero with Blue Hands" 2012    Oscar is a prolific Chicago artist who was born in Mexico City. He and his 2 brothers are all extraordinary painters. This is Oscar standing in front of one of my paintings at a Milwaukee fundraiser, Open Canvas.

"Nancy Bechtol in Her Own Image" 2016   Nancy is former grad student of mine who is an award winning film documentarian for the American Press Association and many other organizations. This is Nancy at an exhibition of her digital abstractions at August House Gallery in Chicago.

"Green Eyes Tattoo: Alice in Wonderland" 2013   This is a woman I met at a bizarre event in Roselawn, Indiana. I won't explain except to say that her body is her canvas. She obviously has a thing for Lewis Carroll. If you look closely, you'll recognize most of the characters.

"Marina Schusterman's Rabina Crown" 2008   Marina is a painter in St. Petersburg, Russia who performs for children as a clown with Patch Adams and his Gesundheit! Institute every November. We've spent many summers together on the Volga River at Shestakovo.

"Sergei Semenov in His Studio" 2011   Sergei is an irreverent artist who parodies everything from politics to the human comedy. Working in Moscow, Russia, he is one of the most skilled woodcut artists in the world, but his cynicism knows no boundaries.

Marvin Theobald

Sue - Glad to see you joining in the photo fun. Jake's photo certainly has character fully engaged as does the Superman Doc. (I took the liberty of rotating your first photo upright. I have figured out a way to do this, but it takes some special maneuvering.)

Joan - Welcome back to the world of "isolation photo posting" BHS Class of 64 style. Your photo is a great fit for today's Special Character Photo theme. It seems like Tyson is quite the renaissance prodigy and handsome as well.

Mel's Lewis Carroll character is loaded with "characters". Interesting choice!!!

My grand-daughter Ginger fits the category of extreme character as proven below at age 7 in 2011 with my daughter in the background - FYI this was specially posed for me opposed to natural .

My grand-daughters Ginger and Sarah at Halloween in 2007.

A Padong Karen Tribe long neck woman in Thailand in 2008.

A Padong Karen Tribe long neck young girl in Thailand in 2008.

David Long

This photo was taken in a salt mine in Poland.  The statue is carved out of salt.  There are many more, as several of the miners were truly artists.  

The Tomb of Pope John Paul II - also on our trip to Poland.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Dave, that photo of your daughter and her husband has been haunting me.  And The two pictures from Poland are amazing.  Mel,  the FDR Memorial in DC is worth a visit.  Divided into four sections.  On the far side of the pond where the Jefferson Memorial is located.  
 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Thanks Wendy. And I whole heartedly agree with you about Dave's photos.

Elizabeth Spillman (Alex)

Another great day of pictures, love them all...

Take care everyone ...  WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS  ! !

  Liz

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Cabin we stayed in at Hammel Lake, Ontario Canada. It had no utilities or running water and we were the only 2 people there for a week.

Ron standing beside the float plane that took us to the cabin.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Does anybody remember John Faulkner?  His family was transferred to California when we were in Junior High-1960. Just wondered if anyone kept in contact with him.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Anything goes, so here is my granddog Skipper in his samurai outfitMy great niece Audrey discovered the joy of paper products at an early age.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Don't know why Audrey is on her side.  Sorry.  This last one shows my two grandchildren.  Showing the height difference.  She is older than he is.  

Jack Keefe

Anything goes today, so -- Note the purple and gold in this window. This was taken in 2019 in the former home of Eliza Billings. She was one of the first two graduates of BHS, Class of 1864. I have no idea if these color glass squares were in the house in her lifetime, but if not -- what a coincidence. Eliza Billings died in 1918 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. 

And this: Charlie Crabtree's widow as Charlie was inducted into the BHS Hall of Fame on September 20, 2019. He was only the second person in our awesome class to be in the Hall of Fame, and was taken from us too soon. Not my best photo ever, but one definitely worth taking and sharing today. 

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Here are a couple photos of some glass at Dale Chihuly's Museum in Seattle.  He does awesome work.

David Brock

A  Sunset photo on Green Bay

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

My big surprise for today.  My Daughter-in-law called and said she had some milk for me and she would bring it to me in about 5 min.  I saw her car in the driveway, but didn't see her get out.  When I opened the door, my Son, David, and his Son, Jacob, walked in.   Jacob has been in Afghanistan since last Spring and I knew he was back in Texas under quarantine, but had no idea  my Son went to Peoria to pick him up today.  I haven't been hugging anybody but my dog, Maggie.  But I made an exception with Jacob.  I haven't been out in public and I knew he was ok from his quarantine so we hugged two times.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Sandy, how exciting. Gives a whole new meaning to Free For All Friday. Finally, someone who gets a hug without worrying about it. I'm very happy for you. And, Jack, your photo of Kathy Crabtree is much appreciated.

We all have bad hair days once in awhile, but who knew they skip a generation. These photos were taken 45 years apart by our mothers, who I'm pretty sure were both in shock.

My granddaughter displaying her self-styled hairdo in 2018.

Me in my studio in 1973. Don't know if it was my hair or the socks that freaked Mom out the most.

Marvin Theobald

Wendy - I took the liberty of turning Audrey upright. She looks so much happier that way. Wow - your grandson is a very big boy. What a contrast between the two.

Sandy - The cabin and sea plane shot look like quite an adventure. What an awesome surprise having your grandson home. I will never forget my homecoming from Vietnam. I totally expect he was every bit as excited to hug you as well. I do remember John Faulkner from BJHS. Never had any idea what became of him. Hopefully someone will be able to locate him for you.

Jack - It is my guess the stained glass is original and was there when Eliza lived there. It is a very special memory being at Charlie's induction in the BHS All of Fame. Thanks for posting that photo.

Jack's photo made me think about memories with our classmates and two special memories came to mind that I decided would be fun to share. (What I planned on posting will have to wait.)

Pat Rosenbaum was one of those very special people whose character and sense of humor you could not help but love. I was unable to attend her memorial services, but Jack recently shared a powerful statement with me made by Pat's co-worker. Among the many things Pat loved were cats. To paraphrase the statement: "Pat always said everyone should have a cat in their life, but what they really should have is a Pat in their life". She is sooo greatly missed by many of us.

In the spring of 2008 Mel (back center) enlisted me (front right), Judy W. (front left), Dave H. (back left), his wife Sandy (front center) and her sister Martha (back right) and others to meet at the Farnsworth House as volunteers to pull garlic-mustard weeds. It was a most memorable and fun experience. (Refer to Mel's Farnsworth House photo in post 7658 page)

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Thanks for fixing Audrey, Marv.  

Regina (Sue) Petersen (Koppenhoefer)

I didn't plan on looking for a picture to post today, but was inspired by Sandy posting a picture of her grandson.  I'm so happy for her.  I went to grade school with Sandy and knew she had a beautiful singing voice but didn't know she also played the piano...that's what is so great about this site.  My picture was take a couple years ago at my husband's OCS Reunion in Kansas City.  The guest speaker at the banquet was Roger Donlon -- the 1st Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Jack, thanks for remembering Charlie.  I have him to thank for pulling me out of my shell and getting me to go to the mini-reunions.  He used to go with Liz and I to some of the music programs in the summer, also.  I miss him, as does Liz. 

Marvin, thanks for posting Pat's photo.  She was a really special person.  I went to the 45th reunion with Pat and Lila Jones, who is also deceased now.  I miss them both.

Sue, thank you for the compliment.  I agree with you about this website.  We are very fortunate to have this connection with friends.  And It has been fun going thru old pictures and bringing back memories.  My photos are still in albums, so my Son had to get some of the albums down out of a closet for me.  Then he went thru the albums with me and he even enjoyed it.  

Marvin Theobald

Sue - Your Medal of Honor picture is not only a reminder of a true America hero, but provides an underlying awareness of people like your husband who voluntarily went through OCS (Army Officer Candidate School) to put themselves in leadership roles that were so necessary. I had occasion to met two WWII Medal of Honor recipients (not winners) in the past and they are so humble of their amazing bravery and heroic acts of courage. There is something very uplifting and proud about being in their company. It's really cool that your husband's OCS class has reunions and stays connected. You and Sandy are so right about our website and the way it provides a vehicle for all of us to share our life's journey.

Mountains for today's theme!!! I am sure our fearless photo fun founder, Dave, will specify a good theme for tomorrow and Max will take Monday as planned. It would be great to see some brave volunteers jump in and suggest a theme for any day next week, especially new participants. Otherwise, we can continue last week's plan as a backup.

Mt. Shasta in northern California in Nov 2018.

Cog train backing down White Mountan in New Hampshire in 2007.

David Brock

The Tooth of Time, Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimmarron, NM

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Outside of LasVegas Grand TetonsGrand Tetons