This is a workbench I found at a thrift store for $75. I have been looking for one for a long time to get my tools organized. Here is the beginning. I need to buy more hooks, for sure!
Here is how things looked on this shelf area. With the “new” workbench I should be able to locate my tools faster! 🙂
This was my first carving, which I started on a beach in Florida in 1992! I finished it around 202! I was not satisfied with the beak, so I cut it off at least two times and redid it, though not satisfied, I set it on a ledge on our enclosed porch for 4 years. In December I decided to “remodel” it. I cut the head and started carving a new head!
This is that carving with a new head, and a new paint job! I think it is an improvement but not perfect, but much better. I thought it was interesting that I started this carving on a warm beach in Florida, and finished the remodel in Ohio during a snowstorm!
I decided it wasn’t too late to post one photo for every month of 2025, depicting my activities.
January: A Horse and Buggy heading from Mt. Hope toward Winesburg, Ohio.
February: A taxi job I had was to take my cousin to Marblehead Lighthouse on the shore of Lake Erie to look for a rare duck that was sighted there. We didn’t see the duck but I got a photo of this Amish gentleman checking out some of the 100’s if not 1000’s of ducks that were swimming in what open water there was.
March: After many years of having it on my “bucket list” I attended the Ohio Decoy Collectors and and Carvers Association show in Independence, Ohio. It is scheduled every 3rd weekend in March. This was one of the beautiful entries of a carved bird.
April: Grandpa and Grandma spending with a family that has “adopted” us as “Grandparents!” This family stops in almost every year to spend some time with us. How special to see them grow.
May: I was trying to capture a bird flying in front of the moon, and almost succeeded! Maybe next time!
June: One of the many shots I took for this couple during their June wedding!
July: Seward, Alaska: One of the many photos I took of Alaska while on a “Sail and Sing” cruise on the Inland Passage, and a 4 day land tour of Alaska.
August: While waiting for some taxi passengers I snapped this shot of three young ladies heading home from church!
September: This Rufous Hummingbird visited our feeder and stood still long enough for this shot!
October: Charm, Ohio Pony Parade: I took this photo and used it to make a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle and gifted it to the family of the young man on the left. The father of the young lad on the right called me and wanted 4 puzzles, including some for the boy’s two grandfathers. I ordered them for him. We had a friend visit us from Pennsylvania for three days. She sent me a text wondering if this was me. The photo hadn’t arrived yet. When the photo finally showed up in my message thread it was a photo of one of the puzzle boxes made from this photo. Interestingly the fellow had sent the puzzle to the boy’s grandmother who married our Pennsylvania friend’s father. A small world.
November: My wife and I did 170+ shots of families and singles from our church for an online directory. This photo depicts some of the things that happen when parents are trying to get their child to smile, etc.!
December: A friend of mine grabbed my camera after church and said someone needs to take my photo. I said go ahead. I decided to sit down in this chair and relax. The end of the year is a good time to take a break and reflect on 2025.
A big thanks to everyone who enjoys my photos and follows this blog! May you have a great 2026!
During snow storm, I decided to finish painting this common loon.
I received a notice that it has been 18 years since I have been blogging with the WP site. I have at least 6,100 photos in my gallery. Thanks to all my faithful followers. This is a photo taken this fall in a cemetery near our home in Millersburg, OH.
Happy Thanksgiving to all you fine folks. I took this photo four years ago, when my dear wife and I went for a walk on Thanksgiving Day. She is again out faithfully walking this morning as I am getting this post ready. Looking forward to a day with family. My prayers go out to the families who are gathering for the first time without a loved one. May they have comfort, and enjoy the many great memories they have of their loved one.
She took her eye off of the lens! Great couple!
The Camerist's Collection 