Flickriver

Here's a new way to view my most interesting photos, as calculated by Flickr's formula. It's called Flickriver. Click on the photo strip then scroll down a photo at a time for as long as you can stand it. (More pictures will be loaded each time you get to the bottom.)

A look back at ...

Sheri Hillenga at the American River at Sutter's Mill




Michael Gives Peggy a Haircut

Catch Up on Our TPE Podcast

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Heaven's gate

Heaven's gate
Originally uploaded by *eily*

Apt name? Probably not, but gorgeous just the same.

Glory Barn

Glory Barn
Originally uploaded by jvgphoto

Nice to find something like this out in the country.
(Not my photo; blogged from Flickr.)

My "Most Interesting" Shots

According to Flickr. Flickr has a secret formula for determining what they call "interestingness." The elk statue is on the list at this posting. Click here to view a short slideshow of my top-20 photos.


It's 8 degrees in Springfield today with the wind chill, but they say warmer days are coming.

Flowers for Peggy's Mom

Peggy's mom is doing very well. The flowers she received from Maranatha Village lasted a long time. Photographing them is a way to make them last longer.

Slushy "Wintery Mix" Falling

Everything is icy. There are lots of wrecks and road closures right now. I'll be leaving at 6:40 tomorrow morning. Our driveway is already a sheet of ice.

In honor of this, here is a shot I took about a year ago of a great blue heron hunkered down against the cold, in front of frozen Drummond Lake.

The Colosseum

One of many shots I took. It has been photographed so many times it is virtually impossible to come up with a great shot that no one has done before. Still, it is exciting to shoot this ancient landmark.

Rome From Last Year

Roman Forum.


We hope to go back this year to be with our good friends Mike and Sheri Hillenga again.

Mike & Sheri.

Compelling People

I photoed this lad in a village in Afghanistan that had been bombed by the Taliban. Captivating smile. He's part of a set of some of the most compelling people I have seen: click here for the slideshow.

Perk During the Tornadoes

This was where Perky spent most of three hours, in our central bathroom. With tornadoes on the ground near us I did not want to have to run to shelter and not be able to find her. She was a good girl.

One Year Anniversary of Ice Storm of 2007

It was a year ago that we went through this historic storm, without electricity or heat (except for our gas fireplace) for several days that never got above freezing. Peggy's dad was in the hospital at the time. Here are a few shots.


Our juniper.


Ever seen a power line like this?


Neighbor's house.



Watch the slide show here.

Melba, Mom, Peggy

Here's a photo of Peggy with her mom and cousin Melba I shot in Dick and Melba's front yard right after the five of us got back from church on Dec. 30.

We are so glad Mom is doing well.

Peggy's Mom Is With Us

Sorry, I haven't blogged recently. Peggy's mom came home (to our house) Weds. afternoon and is doing well, though not quite top-notch yet. We are grateful to God for His touch on her life. She indeed found out the truth of "My help comes from the LORD."

Psa. 121:1 ¶ I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
Psa. 121:2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psa. 121:3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psa. 121:4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psa. 121:5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
Psa. 121:6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
Psa. 121:7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
Psa. 121:8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Feel free to call our house to talk to her. We all appreciate the help and support of so many during this time.

Update: Peggy's Mom and Storms

Storms last night were the worst we've experienced in our nearly 11 years here. There was damage, injuries, loss of life, school closures.... One of the two ladies who died was a member of an AG church and known by our assoc. editor. Our area had 7" of rain in about 3 hours, then it poured again later in the night. Flashfloods, of course. Lightning struck a power pole in front of our house knocking out electricity across the street.

It is blowing icy wind here now. Feels like it is going to rain. Talked to Sheri Hillenga on the phone last night and she said their basement flooded from the storms in Ashland, Oregon. So it's not just the Midwest.

Peggy's mom had to stay in the hospital. She had a fever and is fighting an infection. They just moved her out of ICU. When she fell she hurt her hip. We were glad to find out today from the x-rays that it is just bruised, not broken.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Peggy's Mom Fine; 3 Hours of Tornadoes

Successful surgery. Peggy's mom is out of danger and in good spirits.

We had 3 hours of tornado sirens. Our house was right in the epicenter. Big winds and hail ... up to golf-ball size ... even baseball size in one place. Quite a bit of damage and some injuries. I spent the time w/ Perk in our central bathroom. Peggy had to stay at the hospital the whole time.

Still having big winds. Peggy is home and we feel good about her mom. Thanks to all of you who prayed.

At St. John's

We are sitting in the St. John's surgery waiting room. Mom is next for surgery, which will take an hour and a half after he's finished with the one he's doing now. St. John's has wifi now so I can blog and check email.

Peggy's Mom to Have Pacemaker

PC230008
Originally uploaded by hornkl

It will be put in Monday morning. We almost lost her Saturday night. Her heart stopped twice. Thanks for praying. (She is shown here at Christmas 2007, with the "breathing" dog Don and Rita gave her for a low-maintenance pet.)

Visit Tajikistan

Click here for a slideshow of my trip a few years ago.

Roses in Tajikistan

I shot this on one of my Silk Road trips, in Tajikistan.

Happy New Year

From us. Hope and pray your 2008 is a wonderful year, with few of the hardships that some of you endured in 2007, but full of the blessings.


Poinsettias are Dick and Melba's.

Family Member Behind Bars

While we were in Arizona, Melba was very well behaved, but Dick acted up so much (yes, more than usual which is really a lot), that we had to take these drastic measures.