Ethanol Processing Plant by Night, Atkinson, Nebraska

This image is available for purchase as a large-format art print. See the gallery for pricing.

Largen's Manufacturing Company, Creighton, Nebraska

Yesterday, we were treated to several pounds of broasted chicken courtesy of Larry from Largen's Manufacturing Co. in Creighton, Nebraska. Established sometime after 1904, this building is a aluminum foundry and machine shop. They make commercial electric pressure cookers for broasting chicken, fish, etc. The chicken was fantastic and remarkably not greasy.

The following images were made from 3-4 pictures each which were shot back-to-back at varying levels of exposure (very dark to very bright). These images were then combined in Photoshop to create 1 image which has a dynamic range (range from darkest to lightest) which is greater than a camera can normally capture (this technique is called HDR or High-Dynamic-Range Imaging). Then, the files are converted back into a normal dynamic range by selectively crushing or expanding various parts of the shadows, midtones, and highlights. These files were then sharpened and tinted.

These images and others are available for sale as large-format art prints in the Art Prints section called Industrial Images. View the Industrial Images Gallery for pricing.

Christmas In Nebraska

Its cold. Ridiculously cold. The people up here say its actually relatively quite warm. They also call lunch dinner, which apparently is different than supper. I think the cold is getting to them.

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Fun with keywords:
My photo hosting company (smugmug) allows for keyword searching of images across multiple galleries. This provides a pretty cool way to see someone grow over the years. For example, here's a gallery of images of Taylor Hart and Abby Beach.

Click here to see my keywords.


The cold got to these two (Jen and her sister Taylor).


We went sledding. Much fun. But it sure is a lot of work dragging those damn things back up the hill.


Dragging it behind the truck works alot better. Yes, that's Jen in a snoopy hat.


Uncle Bun with 2 of his granddaughters Allie and Jacie.


Never say you don't like black olives.


All the nuggets in one place.

Emmett Albert Thaxton Jr.

March 8, 1921 - December 17, 2007





My great-uncle Emmett passed away this week. He was an incredible man with an incredible heart. He will be greatly missed.



Emmett made this recording in 1968 on open-reel tape. The recording primarily features my great-grandmother (Emeline Simpson), Emmett, his wife (Emeline Simpson Thaxton), his daughter (Margaret Thaxton Von Runnen), and their dog (Maggie).
Right-Click on this link to download the file to your computer (26MB).

From his obituary:
His parents were Emmett Albert Thaxton and Miladi Marie Skrabanek. He lived all of his life in Dallas and attended Robert E. Lee Elementary, J.L. Long Jr. High School, and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1939. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Texas A&M University prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corp. He served in the U.S. Army as a Forward Observer with the 191st Field Artillery Battalion in Gen. Pattons Third Army during WWII. He served in the Occupation Army after the end of the war. He was a 1st Lieutenant and was awarded an Air Medal for Distinguished Service. He attended SMU on the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. He spent 30 years with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in the Auditing and Cash Departments, retiring as a Vice President in 1986. He had a lifelong interest in music, mechanics and ham radio. His call sign was "WD5HRK". His razor wit and sense of humor will truly be missed. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Emeline Simpson Thaxton, daughter Margaret Thaxton Von Runnen, son-in-law Jack Von Runnen, grandsons Reed Thaxton Dennis and Blain Hodgens Dennis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Circle 10 Council. Restland 972-238-7111 http://www.restlandfuneralhome.com

Austin Apartment Association Holiday Gala 2007

The Austin Apartment Association held their annual Holiday Gala at the Austin Country Club on Thursday 12/13/2007. The event was fabulous with amazing doorprizes, food, and entertainment provided by Dysfunkshun Junkshun.

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