Steven Helmer Publications

I didn't get an opportunity to get out for a walk yesterday or Monday, both because of the weather and other obligations. So, since the weather was cooperative today, I figured I'd grab the camera and make up for it. As it turned out, the critters weren't overly cooperative today, including a pair of birds that seemed to be purposely teasing me. I did, however, still manage to get some photos. A few of them are below. _______________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previous nature photos: Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/7/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (6/4/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (7/6/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (5/13/2026)

Synopsis: On the eve of his wedding to Margo Lane, two murders are committed and Lamont Cranston's alter ego, the Shadow, is framed. Despite his fiancée's objections, Lamont is determined to clear the Shadow's name, even if it puts his wedding in jeopardy. Who's in it? The movie stars Kane Richmond , Barbara Reed , George Chandler, Dorothea Kent and Joseph Crehan . Review: Even though I wasn't a big fan of the last Shadow movie I watched, I decided to give the crimefighter one more chance by watching Behind the Mask this morning. In hindsight, I probably should have watched The Shadow Returns before this sequel but I'm not so certain it would have made much of a difference. I just can't get into these films. I'll start out with the positive about this movie; it does have an OK mystery. While there wasn't too much secrecy about who was behind the murders or why, the cause of the victims' deaths was up in the air as well as how Lamont (Richmo...

Synopsis: Author and big game hunter Bob Rainsford is the lone survivor of a shipwreck and takes refuge in a secluded island home owned by Russian Cossack Count Zaroff and meets two survivors from a previous shipwreck, Eve and her brother, Martin. After Martin is murdered, Bob learns Zaroff is a hunting enthusiast who, because of boredom, began using his island to hunt people. When Bob refuses to join him as a hunter, he is forced to be the prey. If he survives the night, he and Eve are free. If he dies, Eve will be forced to stay with Zaroff forever. Who's in it? The movie stars Joel McCrea , Fay Wray , Leslie Banks, Robert Armstrong and Noble Johnson. Review: Interesting enough, even though I've known about the movie The Most Dangerous Game and had multiple opportunities to watch it, the closest I ever did to doing so is the episode of Gilligan's Island that spoofs it. I finally decided to change that today and it turned out to be an excellent choice. One of the thin...

Synopsis: Captain Kirk ( William Shatner ) and his crew arrive at a mining colony that has been under attack by an unknown creature that has also stolen a vital piece of equipment that will cause the colony's nuclear reactor to explode if not restored. Kirk orders his crew to kill the creature on sight because of its proven aggression, but Spock ( Leonard Nimoy ) believes there is more to the story. My Thoughts: As far as Star Trek episodes go, this one is kind of predictable. OK, we have a creature that begins attacking miners without apparent provocation soon after they find unidentified objects that look a heck of a lot like eggs. Hmm... I wonder why the creature is so angry? Episodes like this make me wonder why Kirk is considered the hero. The kill on sight order with zero information about the creature and why it was attacking seemed like something the villain general would do in a science fiction movie, not the main protagonist. It's also worth noting he didn't even...

 Here are my thoughts from today's Green Bay Packers' 20-17 overtime win at the New York Jets: They weren't perfect but I think the defense has shown improvement. There were a couple bonehead penalties on their first defensive series, but there's a pass rush and has been plays made without the still-injured Micah Parsons. That's a good sign and only makes Parsons' eventual return even more exciting.  That offense though.  Games like this make it hard to defend Matt LaFleur as head coach. It reminded me a lot of what happened last season and the way the defense would keep games winnable, but the offense just couldn't get started. LaFleur is supposed to be an offensive genius. His team starting out with six punts, a lost fumble and just eight first downs on their first eight possessions is unacceptable no matter which defense they are playing. That said, I will give LaFleur credit for his time management at the end of the 4th quarter. The hail Mary never had ...

Synopsis: While delivering supplies to a penal colony, Enterprise ends up with an escapee onboard. At first, Kirk ( William Shatner ) believes it is a prisoner, but when he learns it is instead one of the staff members, Dr. Simon van Gelder (Morgan Woodward), it puts him at odds with McCoy ( DeForest Kelley ) who wants him to investigate despite Kirk's admiration for the man overseeing the colony, Dr. Tristan Adams (James Gregory). My Thoughts -  This episode forces you to not overthink transporter technology. My first question was "why didn't the transporter detect a prisoner inside the box they brought on board?" My immediate answer was "the box is marked classified so maybe there's some sort of protection to keep the transporter from seeing inside." Then I asked, "but if that's the case, how is the transporter supposed to correctly transport what is inside?" I stopped when I realized I'd get a headache if I thought about it too much ...