Steven Helmer Publications

I didn't see much on my walk today. I heard lots of movement but the things making the noise kept out of camera view. The lone exception was this blue heron, which I spotted on a fallen tree resting in a pond. It must have been hunting something because it ignored me as I got the photo. ____________________________________________________________________ Here are some other heron photos: A Couple Heron Photos (10/7/2026) Some Heron Photos Heron Photo Heron With Breakfast

Here are my thoughts from the Green Bay Packers' 27-19 win over the Carolina Panthers: That was a great defensive effort. I'll forgive the late Carolina touchdown that made it a one-score game because it was a short week and fatigue was likely a factor. The defense is missing key players, but you wouldn't know it, getting six sacks and an interception against Bryce Young and holding the Panthers to just a field goal after three turnovers by the offense and special teams. The best part is they are only going to get better when Micah Parsons returns. That offensive line though. To be fair, I thought they did an OK job on pass plays, giving Jordan Love time to find receivers downfield and not allowing a sack. That makes their inability to block on run plays even more maddening. Josh Jacobs was giving it everything he had and only averaged 1.9 yards per carry. Injuries are obviously an issue there, but I'm not convinced that is the only problem. That Savion Williams run is ...

The drive to the factory was quiet, as had been the case for more than a year as mass unemployment and localized economic blight forced businesses to shutter and caused homes to be foreclosed upon and left vacant. The boarded-up windows and for sale signs would be a depressing sight for Greg if he didn’t view it as the cost of progress. It was nearly the third anniversary of his decision to copy other factories in the area and replace his human workforce with AI-powered androids. It was a massive financial investment, but Greg did not regret it.  The integration had been almost effortless. The androids were easier to train than most of his human employees had been. Just show them the task once and they would mimic it. With repetition, the androids learned and after the second or third upgrade, were even proactively making changes to make their work more efficient. It didn't take long for his android workers to surpass the productivity of a human workforce twice the size. Greg had g...

I put my trail camera out in front of my house on Tuesday and completely forgot about it until yesterday evening, when I decided to bring it in to make sure the batteries didn't get run down by having it so close to a popular bird feeder. The batteries do seem to be OK but there was quite a bit of activity in the time I had it out. Here are some of the more than 300 photos that were taken: ________________________________________________________________________ Here are some previous trail camera photos:  Trail Camera Photos (7/23/2026-7/24/2026) Trail Camera Photos (7/25/2026-7/26/2026) Trail Camera Photos (8/23/2026) Trail Camera Photos (11/10/2024-11/12/2024)

It was a bit cool out today, but I figured it is only a matter of time before the temps become much colder so, since the sun was out, I did get a walk in at lunch. Unfortunately, I didn't have too much luck photography wise. Most of the critters I saw were keeping their distance, making it hard to get a good photo even with the zoom lens on max. And I don't know what's up with those ducks. The second they spot me, they fly off, even if they are on the other side of the pond. I did, however, spot this squirrel as I was walking back to my car and managed to snap a photo of it before it too decided to go into hiding. _____________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previous nature photos: Frog Photo A Couple Heron Photos (10/7/2026) Hiding Ducks Muskrat Photos

Synopsis: After famed explorer Quentin Mitchell goes missing on an expedition in South America, his wife, Louise, hires private detectives Jack Packard and Doc Long because she believes her stepdaughter Janet and Janet's boyfriend Rex Kennedy plan to kill her. Meanwhile, Janet and Rex believe Louise murdered her husband with the help of Quentin's partner, Arthur Logan. Things take a deadly turn when an assailant with a blowgun kills Louise's butler and the family dog, who always barks at strangers, remains quiet, raising the possibility of Quentin still being alive. The answer may come from a mysterious shrunken head discovered as cargo on a crashed plane. Who's in it? The movie stars Jim Bannon, Michael Duane, Barton Yarborough, Anita Louise , Mona Barrie, Frank Wilcox and Paul E. Burns. Review: I had planned on watching a different movie this morning but as I was looking for it, I came across The Devil's Mask and was intrigued enough by the description to give...

Synopsis: After being stranded on the island for 15 years, Gilligan finds a metal disc the Professor uses to fix their barometer just in time to predict a storm severe enough to cause a tsunami. They survive the storm by lashing their huts together as a boat and wind up at sea, where they are finally rescued. However, they find their return to society difficult, plus Gilligan is stalked by two Soviet spies seeking to retrieve their disc. Who's in it? The movie stars Bob Denver , Russell Johnson , Alan Hale Jr. , Jim Backus , Natalie Schafer , Dawn Wells and Judith Baldwin. Review: It had been decades since I last watched Rescue from Gilligan's Island, and I didn't remember a whole lot about the movie other than a few bits and pieces. So, when I came across the film this morning, I decided to take the time to watch it again. Overall, I would describe it as a film that was a good reunion movie but also far from perfect. I thought the overall premise about them being rescu...

Synopsis: Widow Gloria French has developed a reputation around the Cotswolds Hills as a woman who both pursued men, including those who are already married, and liked to borrow things without returning them. She has even resorted to stealing the things she wants, including a case of homemade elderberry wine that winds up being her undoing when someone poisons one of the bottles. Fearing what an unsolved murder will do to his community, village leader Jerry Tarrant   hires Agatha Raisin to find Gloria's killer. However, rather than being torn apart, Agatha finds a village that wants to believe it was done by an outsider and shuts her down at every turn. When her own life and the lives of her detectives and friends are put at risk, Agatha must decide whether to admit defeat or keep pushing forward. Review: I requested another book through my library's exchange program but while waiting for it, decided to give Agatha Raisin another read and checked out Something Borrowed, Someo...

Synopsis: Florist Miranda Green craves for the adventure she finds in the mystery novels she reads, especially the newly written books by Agatha Christie. When she receives an unexpected invitation to a dinner party hosted by reclusive billionaire Lewis Findlay, Miranda decides to attend and learns she is one of six guests who don't know each other and have never met their host.  When one of the guests is found stabbed to death and, later, one of the servants, Miranda finds herself embroiled in a real-life murder mystery. Using what she learned from her books and her ultra-strong powers of observation, she attempts to figure out who the killer is while knowing her own life is likely in danger. Who's in it? The movie stars Mischa Barton , Chris Browning, Bianca A. Santos, Giles Matthey and Grace Lynn Kung. Review: I've had Invitation to a Murder in my library for a few months but temporarily forgot about it until coming across it again last night. I decided to finally wa...

 Here are my thoughts from today's Green Bay Packers' 20-17 loss at the Detroit Lions: The offensive line injuries are starting to reach ridiculous levels . A team that has had to patch all season lost both their starting and backup centers on the first drive of the game. Hopefully Sean Rhyan and/or Jacob Monk aren't seriously injured. A shout out to John Williams though. For someone who has probably gotten few, if any, reps at that position, I thought he held up pretty well. He wasn't perfect but also wasn't as much of a disaster as he could have been. I love Daniel Whelan as a punter but after seeing Trey Smack miss a chip shot field goal in what seems to be a continuation of ongoing problems with the kicking game, I am starting to question if he, as the holder, is a big part of the issue. He is the one constant as the Packers have made multiple changes at the kicking position the past few years. If Matt LaFleur loses his job after this season , his decision not...

Synopsis: Newly divorced Sarah moves from Chicago to Pennsylvania with her 17-year-old daughter Elissa. She is able to get a reasonable deal on the rent because four years earlier, a teenager by the name of Carrie Anne murdered her parents in the house next door. Elissa meets Carrie Anne's brother, Ryan, who is fixing up the house to sell it. She begins seeing him, despite her mother's concerns and objections, not knowing he is keeping a secret locked in his basement. Who's in it? The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence, Elisabeth Shue ,  Max Thieriot , Alexandra MacDonald, Eva Link and Gil Bellows . Review: I was in the mood to watch a movie with my wife this evening and after failing to find a zombie movie that didn't look stupid and I hadn't seen before, I decided on House at the End of the Street. This is a movie I've heard about but surprisingly had not seen before. After watching it, I did not regret my choice to finally watch it. The movie's big twist was...

I would have loved to have been able to sleep in today, but my daughter had to go to work so, while waiting to take her, I killed some time by getting some photographs of the birds taking turns at our front yard feeder.  Here are some of the photos: _______________________________________________________________________ Here are some other bird feeder photos: Bird Feeder Photos (9/7/2026) Front Yard Bird Photos (10/10/2026) Bird Feeder Photos 4/28/2018 and 4/29/2018 Bird Feeder Photos 11/10/2018

Synopsis: A transport plane carrying three passengers crash lands on a remote Caribbean island after picking up a radio signal believed to be from a missing admiral. The men discover and take refuge in a mansion owned by Dr. Miklos Sangre.  Sangre is hospitable but also suspicious and the men soon learn he is both hiding a radio and has been creating an army of zombies that includes his wife, Alyce. Who's in it? The movie stars Dick Purcell , Joan Woodbury , Mantan Moreland , Henry Victor and Marguerite Whitten Review: It's been a while since I last watched a zombie-themed movie, so I decided to give King of the Zombies a chance this morning. After watching it, I would describe it as a film with promise that proved to be a disappointment in no small part because it seemed to have a hard time picking a genre. As far as the main plot goes, it was OK albeit far from original. The island setting, with no apparent means of escape, worked for the zombie theme and I thought ...

Synopsis : A new pharmacist, Ellie Walker ( Elinor Donahue ), comes to Mayberry to help out her uncle. She makes immediate friends with Opie ( Ron Howard ) but winds up butting heads with Andy ( Andy Griffith ) and other townspeople after she refuses to refill pills for Emma Brand ( Cheerio Meredith ) without a prescription. My Thoughts - It's interesting Elinor Donahue got her name mentioned ahead of Don Knotts in the opening sequence. Sure, it's only the third episode of the series, but Knotts' Barney Fife had been part of the show from the beginning, and it wasn't as though he wasn't already just as established as a star as she was. I never realized how much of a role the character Emma Brand had in these early episodes. She was the catalyst for the main conflict between Ellie and Andy and, in Manhunt , was taken hostage. It's sad she only had three more episodes after this one because she is such a funny, colorful character. I blame Ellie's uncle for a...

I have been getting out for my walks before it gets too cold to do so but haven't had a great deal of success photo-wise. Today was better than my last couple outings though and I was able to get some pictures. Here are some of them: ________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previous nature photos: Lunchtime Walk Photos (9/24/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (6/4/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/14/2026) Morning Walk Photos (6/3/2026)

Synopsis: Looking for some temporary relief from a heatwave, 77-year-old crossword puzzle setter Judith Potts goes for a late- night swim in the Thames, located behind her mansion in Marlow, and hears shouting, followed by a gunshot, coming from the home of her art dealer neighbor, Stefan Dunwoody. When Stefan's body is found with a bullet in his head, the police want to believe it is a suicide, but Judith insists he was murdered and decides to investigate on her own.  It doesn't take Judith long to settle on a suspect, auction house owner Elliot Howard. However, while Judith is convinced Elliott is responsible, he has an iron-clad alibi. Plus, a second murder committed with the same weapon, an antique handgun, seems to have no connection to him. Fortunately, Judith has reinforcements from Beth, a vicar's wife, and a dog walker, Suzie, because her investigation might put her own life in danger. Review: I checked out The Marlow Murder Club from my library because I came a...

Synopsis: When an escaped criminal results in a manhunt near Mayberry, Andy ( Andy Griffith ) and Barney ( Don Knotts ) are ready to do their part. However, the state police don't want their help. Andy, not wanting to lose face in front of his son, Opie ( Ron Howard ) and the rest of the town, decides to help anyway but things only become worse when the criminal (Frank Gerstle) gets Barney's gun. My Thoughts: The first scene with Barney is a good reminder of what Don Knotts brought to this series. His excitement over the escaped criminal followed up with his inability to use the radio correctly was as funny as it can get. It's unclear if the state police never wanted Andy's help or if he convinced them not to ask for it. Capt. Barker (Ken Lynch) wasn't particularly friendly toward him when he and his crew arrived but also didn't seem as though he was going to be opposed to Andy's help until the latter became uncomfortably impressed with the use of magnetic ...

 Here are my thoughts from last night's 23-13 Green Bay Packers win over the Dallas Cowboys: Welcome back Savion Williams. I honestly wasn't expecting him to have that much of a role in his first game back from injury, but he had two big clutch catches on the first drive and finished with four catches and 2 runs. With Jayden Reed out for the season, I think he will be the one they choose to replace him in the offense. Green Bay needs to get their run game fixed. As I told my cat, who was waiting to be fed last night, this game would have been over a lot quicker if the Packers didn't need to pass the ball so much. Head Coach Matt LaFleur didn't give up on the run game but their three running backs only netted 36 yards on 20 carries. Pierre Strong Jr. is making the case as the strongest of the group behind Josh Jacobs. Not so much running the ball because he was equally inconsistent with that, but other than a drop late in the game, he seemed to be a valuable asset as a r...

 I re-filled the bird feeders yesterday and had a flock of them out front early this morning. So, I decided to grab my camera and get some photos. Here are a few: __________________________________________________________________________ Here are some previous bird photos:  Front Yard Bird Photos (10/10/2026) Some Bird Photos from Around the Yard Morning Walk Photos 7/18/2017 Just a Robin Photo

Synopsis: After striking it rich and relocating to Beverly Hills, Jed Clampett ( Buddy Ebsen ) and his family get settled in their new mansion. However, their first meeting with bank secretary Jane Hathaway (Nancy Kulp) has them mistaken for the help. My Thoughts -  Did nobody tell Mr. Drysdale ( Raymond Bailey ) about the Clampetts? For a guy who wants to keep their millions in his bank, he does seem awfully clueless about them. This was clear in his somewhat abbreviated tour of their new mansion and him making no effort to explain concepts that would be foreign to a backwoods family, starting with a stove that doesn't use wood and the idea food can be frozen. The same with Miss Hathaway. Why wouldn't Mr. Drysdale give her some advanced warning about how they dressed and acted? It's almost as though he was trying to upset his largest bank depositor. Did anyone even bother to explain to the Clampetts they owned the whole house? The joke about a second house upstairs and con...

 To Lt. Jensen: I am submitting to you my final albeit abbreviated report, which is being written both under urgency and duress. Our undercover fact-finding mission has been successful but has come at a cost. Wilson is dead and with my cover blown, my status will likely be the same by the time you receive this.  Please keep me in your prayers as you read the summary of my findings below: Inauguration Day is, as expected, the execution date. The AI presidential replicas remain out of the picture until after the election and swearing in ceremony. The man standing on stage with his hand on the Bible is, in fact, human, but is replaced by his replica soon after. The President is unaware of this up until the moment they inject him with a quick and powerful sedative and make the exchange behind closed doors. From that point forward until the next president is elected, the replica handles all presidential functions and decisions. After Inauguration Day, the president is kept in a bu...