Steven Helmer Publications

Being involved in an archaeological dig has been on my bucket list for some time now and I finally had an opportunity to do it this morning without even needing to get in my car. Some background. My hometown of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin has a park known as Swan Park.  This part of Beaver Dam has a history that dates back thousands of years, when it was (according to the city web site) a popular hunting ground for local Native American tribes. The part of Beaver Dam's past that is applicable to this story is the late 19th Century, when Dr. George Swan built a hotel/spa on the piece of land. The resort lasted just two years before he closed it and auctioned off most of the buildings. Today's dig, which was open to the public and drew quite a few volunteers was to try to locate artifacts from that hotel. Courtesy of the Beaver Dam Library Since the park is within walking distance of my house, I decided to volunteer. I only was there for a couple hours, but it was a productive couple o...

I've been taking the time to re-watch the television series Psych in order whenever I have a few free minutes and have enjoyed the episodes the second (or is it tenth?) time around just as much as I did the first time.  As is the case with most good shows, it is more about the memorable characters than the stories themselves. The one thing I realized during this re-watch is while the show is centered around Shawn Spencer ( James Roday Rodriguez ) and his friend, Gus ( Dulé Hill ), the unsung hero in all eight seasons may also be one of television's most underrated dads, Henry Spencer ( Corbin Bernsen ). Here's why: He was, for all intents and purposes, a single dad. Shawn's parents divorced when he was young and while his mom (played in later seasons by Cybill Shepherd) left Santa Barbara, Henry raised his son while also working as a police officer. That is something that had to be a hard enough job on its own and was only amplified by young Shawn's well-documented ...

I don't know if I didn't sleep well, the overall weariness from a long week catching up to me or just old age but I woke up feeling exhausted today and have been dragging a bit because of it.  As a result, I seriously considered skipping my walk today, especially since yesterday's walk was a bit of a bust photo-wise. However, this is one of the very few spring-like days we've had so far this year, and I realized it would be a shame to waste weather that was sunny and warm without yet reaching a point where it is too hot. So, I reluctantly forced myself to go. My photo taking was much like yesterday's. There wasn't much cooperating with me, including a camera that insists on focusing on just about anything other than what I'm trying to get a photo of. However, I still managed to get some photos. This includes a couple of a red-winged blackbird that followed me through the park, squawking and flapping its wings at me because I apparently got too close to its n...

Synopsis: When Ken Mitchell arrives to claim a cattle ranch left to him by his late uncle, he discovers he is unwanted by the local farmers who hated his uncle because of unscrupulous business practices that have them about to lose their land. Believing his uncle was being forced to work for someone else and knowing the locals won't accept his word or charity, Mitchell infiltrates a gang led by the real villain, Collins. He then pretends to help Mitchell carry out his land-grab plan while simultaneously secretly sabotaging that plan as a masked vigilante called the Phantom Rancher. Who's in it? The movie stars Ken Maynard, Dorothy Short , Harry Harvey, Ted Adams, Dave O'Brien and Tarzan. Review: In what is making me sound a bit like a broken record, I woke up this morning planning to watch another movie but found myself unable to located it in my library and quickly called an audible to another film. This film ended up being Phantom Rancher . While I did have a few doub...

Synopsis: While herding horses to Jean Loring's ranch and with plans to stay with his friend, Taffy Baker and her brother, Burt, Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers come across an orphaned fawn. Roy takes the animal to his friend, Captain "Cap" Foster and learns there is a group of professionally armed poachers in the area. When Cap is later murdered by the poachers, Roy begins to suspect Jean as being involved and thinks Burt knows something about it. However, when he attempts to investigate, he finds his own life in danger. Who's in it? The movie stars Roy Rogers , Trigger , Andy Devine , Jane Frazee, Stephanie Bachelor and Harold Landon. Review: I overslept this morning and was concerned I wouldn't have time to watch a movie. However, I managed to decide on Springtime in the Sierras with just enough time to spare. Overall, I have to say it was a Roy Rogers film that exceeded my expectations. The thing that surprised me most about this movie is it wasn...

It rained yesterday so I didn't get a chance to get out with my camera but made up for it today, even stepping off the trails a few times to see if I could get something unique. My Kodak AZ425 is starting to show signs of wear after years of use and I had a few early issues with the autofocus not wanting to focus on anything I was trying to get a photo of. However, I did manage to get some photos in spite of that (it may be time for me to thoroughly clean the lens and sensor again). I apologize in advance for the multiple robin photos. They were extra cooperative today and I took advantage of it. _______________________________________________________________________ Here are some other nature photos: Family Walk Photos 8/8/2017 Some Canadian Geese Photos Morning Walk Photos 7/26/2017 Lunchtime Walk Photos 4/30/2018