Marvin Theobald

Jordan Pond in Acadia national Park in 2007. Kayaked from this point to the far end near the twin peaks and back.

This little lake was right outside my pop-up camper at a Mass State Park in 2007.

Biking along Lake Michigan in Chicago in 2015.

Crater Lake in 2018.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Thanks Boo. Glad you liked the story. It is a wonderful painting. I'm enjoying reading everyone's stories as much as the photos.

The largest and deepest fresh water lake in the world is Lake Baikal in Siberia. It holds approximately 25 percent of all the fresh water on Earth. I really wanted to go there, but it was 5 time zones east of Moscow and I was scared to death of flying on Aeroflot. So that is still on my bucket list. However, Marv and I flew to Klamath Falls, Oregon in 2018 to visit a cousin and 90 year old aunt who live 60 miles from Crater Lake, the deepest in America. On a weather perfect day we drove around its rim, which temporarily offset my urge to see Lake Baikal. The lake, formed about 8,000 years ago from a collapsing volcano, has two islands and is said to generate its own cloud from water evaporation.

Overview of Crater Lake.

From the southern edge of the rim.

Phantom Ship Island from the south rim.

Wizard Island seen from the west rim.

Rainbow over Crater Lake from the lodge and it wasn't even raining.

Jack Keefe

Anglers Lake on the southeast side of Bloomington as it looks today. The concrete seawall is still there, the beach is overgrown and littered, but there are still plenty of fish in the lake. Certain other classmates will remember a lot of happy summer days we spent at Anglers Club. 

Twilight on Lake Michigan. This was a time exposure taken at Ephriam, Wisconsin during a vacation to Door County in 1983. It was actually darker than this photo indicates. 

Terry (Max) Maxwell

I was reading the newspaper one day several years ago and the article mentioned Lake Leota in Evansville, WI.  The reason it caught my eye is that my Mom's name was Leota, which is not an everyday common name.  I only live about an hour north of there and it just so happened that my brother was coming from Seattle to visit for awhile.  It was approaching what would have been my Mom's 100th birthday.  I called my other brother that lives in Bloomington and made arrangements to meet him at Lake Leota.  We ordered subs and went to the lake for a picnic and celebrated what would have been her 100th birthday.  This is a picture of that lake.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Jack, thanks for the Anglers picture.  As you say, quite a few classmates spent a lot of time there in the summer.  Remember the pop machine?  I always thought myself lucky if my choice was slushy and half frozen.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

I have posted this picture before, but it is pretty, and the only one I have of clouds.  I did clear it up a little so it's not as blurry as the other one I posted before and enhanced the color a little.  I'm just learning I can do that to photos, but I think it is some better.

   Max:   That was a nice story about your Mom's 100 birthday picnic.  I'm sure she was there in spirit.

David Long

THE ONE (S) THAT GOT AWAY

It Got Away #1. After 6 - 7 months planning and plenty of exercise to develop my capacity for walking, Dorothy and I had a cruise planned.  It started in Ohau and ended in Ft. Lauderdale.  The ports of call were all the Hawaiian Islands, San Diego, 3 ports in Mexico, Honduras, Columbia, Daylight passage through the Panama Canal, a stop in Panama, then on to Cuba, Key West, then ending in Lauderdale.  While exercising I started developing an unusual pain at the end of the residual limb.  Went to the doc, got cortisone shots into the nerves endings, but the pain continued.  We're 2 weeks away from our flight to HI and I went back to the doc because I could barely walk due to the pain.  Took and xray, but nothing.  Pain continues.  Finally did an MRI and found a bone protrusion (spur) growing back at the end of the stump, right into the nerve bundle that's left after the amputation.  Bottom line - back into the hospital for surgery to remove the spur.  Had to cancel the cruise.  Still have a big credit sitting with Oceania.

It Got Away # 2. Dorothy and I were at a charity auction and I bid on and won 10 passes to Disney World.  We set to take the entire family to Orlando for spring break - Disney, NASA, Universal, we've reserved and purchased everyone's flight Favorite Oldest Daughter; Favorite Youngest Daughter and family (dad and 3 boys), Dorothy and me.  We have a 3 bedroom condo across the street from Seaworld.  Set to go and then COVID 19.  Still have the Disney tickets that expire in July.

It Got Away #3. April 18th Dorothy and I were booked on a cruise from Miami to Barcelona with stops in the Canary Islands, Lisbon, et al, and then COVID 19.

There's one more but that should be enough boredom for the day.  

When I finally came up with the topic, I had something else in mind but this is probably more in line with our group,

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Very nice reflection in your photo, Sandy.

I think the clouds in this photo taken in Iceland are unusual.

This bank of clouds is in the Horse Heaven area of Washington State, the eastern part.  Good grape growing for wine grapes here.  Also featured as a battleground in the S M Stirling books.

This next one is taken at the bottom of River Run in Sun Valley.  We took a look at that cloud and went back to the lodge.  

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Sandy, that's a beautful photogaph. Glad you could fix it up. One of my creative obsessions is shooting reflections in water, so I especially like this one.

Wendy, such simplicity. Smart move turning back at Sun Valley. There's a big difference between seeing a cloud and being inside one. Makes for a great shot, though.

Max, did you ever find out if there was a connection between your mother's family and Lake Leota?

On the subject of CLOUDS, I have for my whole life heard people talk about how boring flat MIdwest landscapes are. To the contrary, I find them incredibly exciting, in no small part because of the vastness of the sky. Sure, there are no mountains, but we have clouds and they never get boring. I had a hard time choosing from hundreds of shots of clouds, so as with the sunset photos, I chose these that were all taken from my living room window in Chicago. Boring? Never!!!

"Thunderhead Rising"

"White Cliffs of Chicago"

"Lake Michigan Cloud"

"Lake Michigan Surrenders the Night"

"The Mechanical Universe"

"Southside Vaporizes into Cirrus"

David Long

CLOUDS

I have no idea where this was taken - I think it may have been in the Tetons.  The bright blue popped out and the steeple rising just above the trees caught my attention.

Angel Feathers

I have to go back to Africa - Love It.

Need clouds for a great sunset - I cheated and brought a star filter with me.  Think this is the only time I used it. From the beach in Israel

MEL, Help.  I'd like to paint this, have all the tools, water color, acrylic, oil, chalk - How do I capture this except on "film - digital"?  Clouds over the mountains in Sedona.

AND FINALLY - CLOUDS OF DUST!

You never know what you're going to find in 17k plus pictures - I just keep buying storage.  THE STUDS!

Jack Keefe

OK, Clouds. This is what's commonly called a wall cloud or shelf cloud taken in 2011 between Gridley and Flanagan. Kindly ooh and aah at the pic and then note the comments below. 

Now a couple of comments:

1. Mel has been putting up some awesome pix, many of which were taken in Russia. For a more complete perspective on his Russian experiences, I highly recommend his book, Inside the Enigma. He can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it has now been published and is available for purchase. 

2. What's tomorrow's topic?

3.Hats off and high praise to Dave Long for coming up with this photo exchange idea. They get us caught up in ways that visiting at a reunion can't. Thanks, Dave. 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

First things first:

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO RAIDERS!!!

Art lesson for Dave:

I just saw a video of Margaret Atwood teaching a masterclass on creative writing. In it she says, "If you really do want to write and you're struggling to get started, it means you're afraid of something. Remember it's only you and the page. You become a writer by writing. There is no other way." So Dave, If you take her statement and substitute the word writing with painting, you will find your answer. Remember, there is no right way to paint, only your way. She also says to fail. Then fail again but only better. JUST DO IT ALREADY!!!

In response to Jack's talking points:

1. Thank you for the compliment and for promoting my book. I'm enormously grateful that several of you have already read it. For those who are interested, it is only available through me at the moment by email: theobaldart@gmail.com. For more info on "Inside the Enigma" go to my website: www.insidetheenigma.com. The book is hardbound, 406 pages and costs $30 plus $5 shipping.

2. Tomorrow is Wendy Wednesday. She has chosen IN COSTUME, could be you or someone else. Waiting on Marv for Thursday. Then comes FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY, Sandy Saturday, Dave on Sunday and Max Monday. Jack, do you want take my place on Tuesday? If so, it's all yours.

3. Exactly!!! Dave has started something so unique that everyone I talk to thinks it's brilliant. We are very lucky in this time when everyone else is trying to preserve their sanity.

May I add, you're a darn good photographer and writer yourself. Still waiting for your book to get off the press. I love the shelf cloud. Very rare.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Jack I love your picture.  Very Illinois and I haven't been to central Illinois since the 50th Reunion!

David Brock

Following are a couple of cloud pics from Alaska.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Dave B, I've never been to Alaska, but is that Mt. Denali? At such heights, cloulds are almost magical. Either way these are awesome treasures.

Marvin Theobald

You are all amazing photographers. I love seeing the results of all the things you have all enjoyed over the years. It is almost like we are sharing these experiences together.

Sunset clouds from sail boat in Bequia harbor in the Grenadines in 2009.

Clouds somewhere over the Rocky Mountains in 2008.

Clouds on a flight from Dallas to Chicago in 2005.

Clouds in 2018 from unknown location.

Clouds from flight from Boston to Chicago in 2015.

Clouds from unknown location in 2015.

Terry (Max) Maxwell

This was taken over Tomah, WI.  A friend of mine took it from his ultra light.

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Like Mel... if anyone would like to take over picking the subject for Mondays, I would welcome it.  I'm running out of good subjects.  We need some fresh ideas for awhile to keep this going strong.  Also, a few more contributors would be nice.  Look in you flip phone and see what you forgot you had!

Jack Keefe

Mel, I will take this coming tuesday for you, and maybe the next. But I am having trouble right now thinking up topics. I don't want to suggest boring things. Thanks also for the compliments.

My book is still at the publisher's and I still harbor hopes of having it out this year. Local history according to yours truly. 

Wendy, I'm overdue to say thanks for your kind words. You know i appreciate them, and also your travel photos from far away places. 

David Brock

Mel,--None of these 'cloud shots were in the Denali area.  The day we were in Denali, the peak was covered in clouds  of al things.  I will see if I can find the Denali Park shots for some of the 'neighboring' views.  

New topic--someday we might consider 'Wildlife'--whether in the wild, the yard or the kids at the zoo.  Surely, there are a few out there.

Marvin Theobald

It seems a little help might be in order for promting our imagination regarding theme ideas. Below are some that have previously be suggested. Feel free to pickup on any of these or other ideas you may have.

Theme Suggestions

• Exchange Students (Dave)
• Precious Grandchildren (Dave)
• Seashore (Dave)
• National Monuments (Dave)
• At Our Best (Dave)
• At Our Worst (Dave)
• Cutest Picture (Marvin)
• Favorite Picture (Marvin)
• Best Memory with Background Story (Marvin)
• Your Most Creative Picture (Marvin)
• Churches (Marvin)
• Art (Marvin)
• Children (Marvin)
• Waterfalls or cascading water (Marvin)
• Critters (Marvin)
• Skylines (Wendy)
• Native Costumes – On you or real on someone (Wendy)
• Action (Marvin)
• Bizarre (Marvin)
• Nature (Marvin)
• Sports (Wendy)

David Brock

Mel--Following are a couple of shots from the Denali Range and asrea.  The day we were there the peak was hiding in the clouds.  Apparently, that is common (about 1/3 to 1/2 of the time).  Denali is the first shot.  The others are other views from the same spot.

Marvin Theobald

I realized I had this cloud shot on my phone and thought it was worth sharing a day late. This rain cloud photo was taken 4/26/20 at the beach behind my condo in Key Clony Beach, FL. No distancing problems here. Been walking the beach almost daily in search of "operculum'. 

Operculum are little trap doors snails have near their foot to close for protection. The type we are finding here measure from less than 1/8" up to almost 1/2" and have this really cool spiral pattern on the flat bottom. They wash up on the shore and are a challenge to spot in the midst of broken shell rubble. I have picked up over 6,600 since mid January. If you would like to see some in person let me know and I will gladly send you some. I think I can spare a few .

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Good shot of that cloud Marvin.  One time out East I was driving down the highway and up ahead I could see a wall of rain that was up ahead and I was going to drive right into it..   I didn't take a picture, but wish I had because I've never seen that again.

Costumes:   I don't think my Mom took many pictures.  I wish she had taken a picture of me in the Japanese Kimona  I wore when I sang One Fine Day from Madame Butterfly.   I also don't have any pictures of me on Halloween.  I usually dressed like an old lady, so that pretty much tells you how I looked, since I am that now and I don't even have to put powder in my hair to turn it white.    But here a couple of my kids on Halloween. Kevin won 1st place at his church when he dressed up like a pregnant woman.  And no it didn't have any effect on how he turned out.  He has been married for 33 yrs and has 2 children.  My other Son, David, is on the left.  The 2 boys in the middle are friends of theirs.   The top picture is Kevin, left  and David, right. Dressing up like a girl didn't effect David, either.  He is married and has 4 children.   haha

Marvin Theobald

Vatican City Swiss Guard. The Swiss Guard is the worlds smallest Army and is responsible for protecting the Pope.

Buckingham Palace Guards in the process of changing guards. Love the eye shift of the one on the right.

Old West gunman keeping the peace circa 1985. I heard he has an evil twin brother named Mel but you can't believe everything you hear. 

Karen tribal long neck woman weaving in northern Thailand.

Young girl in Thailand in 2008.

Two of my grand-daughters doing makeup in 2007.