JerodSchaefer.com

The Door to Nowhere

Jerod — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:48:55 +0000

The Door to Nowhere, a photo by JerSchae on Flickr.

I took a break this afternoon and took a walk downtown (as is my new habit) and I came across this rather peculiar door… not much else to say about it.

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Blue in the Big Sky

Jerod — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:34:06 +0000

Blue in the Big Sky, a photo by JerSchae on Flickr.

On my way home from work today I stopped to make a photo of this building in an old part of downtown Billings. I loved the color and the cowgirl and cowboy stand-ups in the windows. I am not sure if the building is even in use but I am thankful that the owner(s) keep it up.

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Skartved Christmas

Jerod — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:54:55 +0000

A part of our Christmas weekend included a trip to Glendive, MT to see Sue’s family. The weather in Glendive has been fantastic so we decided to take the opportunity to get out and get some pictures of everyone while we were all together.

We chose the iconic Bell Street Bridge over the Yellowstone River as our location and arrived just as the sun was setting.

Bell Street Bridge - Glendive, MT

Skartved Family - Christmas 2011

It was a little cold outside so we made sure to get in position before we brought Dean out in the cold.

Trevor, Jessi, Raegan Skartved

Carrie, Josh, Justin and Scott Skartved

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Architecture and Outdoor Art in Red Lodge

Jerod — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:20:56 +0000

To celebrate my lovely wife’s birthday I secured the use of a friend’s cabin in Red Lodge as well as having the kids stay at my brother’s house for the weekend. After a filling breakfast at Cafe Regis we took the opportunity to walk around and take in some of the beautiful and unique architecture as well as do some shopping. As we were walking past a building I’ve seen many times we stopped to make a few photos.

The building, named the “Theatorium,” has a handful of beautiful statues that were imported from Italy in 1921 during the building’s construction.

This statue adorns the top of the Theatorium in Red Lodge.

I am not sure which I like better – the color or black and white.

A little further down the road was this old Coca-Cola billboard painted on the side of one of the local shops – you can see that there are several layers of paint from

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Grateful 365 Day Sixty-Five

Jerod — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:23:03 +0000

It has been many, many days since I last posted a Grateful photo but as I mentioned i previous posts, it is my project to do (or not do).

I made this shot on Highway 87 north of Billings when I was coming home from picking up my kids from their grandparents’ home. I like the slightest sliver of a moon in the shot and the way some of the clouds are reflecting the sun and how others are beyond the sun’s reach. I shot it as an HDR and processed it with the intention of making it look as natural as possible.

It is easy to forget just how beautiful Montana is when you live in Billings. I rarely leave the city and the opportunity to look around was very welcomed. I love Montana and am Grateful for the blessing it is to live here.

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Light Painting

Jerod — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:41:40 +0000

Light Painting, a set on Flickr.

The kids and I played around with long exposures and glow sticks. It was a ton of fun and the photos turned out great!

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Grateful 365 Day Sixty-four

Jerod — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 03:46:11 +0000

Sue and I had the opportunity to get out an enjoy some fun at the Western Heritage Center’s “Hollywood Montana Style” event at the Crowne Plaza this Saturday. The event is one of the center’s most important fundraisers and is an evening filled with costumes, excellent dining, silent auctions and dancing. The photo below is of one of the greeters and he was more than willing to point his “weapon” at me for a moment.

I am Grateful that Sue and I were able to get out and enjoy an evening with "friends."

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Grateful 365 Day Sixty-three

Jerod — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:43:32 +0000

When I am up early enough in the morning I make it a point to take the dogs for a walk before I go to work. They certainly enjoy the opportunity to get out and I enjoy the exercise and the fresh air. I generally take the same route so I don’t always bring my camera (I know, shocking). However, on this particular day I grabbed my bag on my way out the door and I am glad I did.

God's Creation is a constant reminder of His Love for us.

One of our neighbors that share the alley have a crop of sunflowers and as the sun was coming up this bee was taking the opportunity to soak it up and stretch his cold limbs. I liked the way he (assuming it’s a “he”) was just beginning to warm up enough to move around and get a start on his day.

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Grateful 365 Day Sixty-Two

Jerod — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:52:24 +0000

I originally took these photos on Monday, September 12th as I was heading back to the office from a sales call. The fire station on 24th Street was power washing the floors of the garage and they pulled all the engines out on the neighboring streets and (as I always do) I had my camera on me and decided to make a couple photos. While I was focused on trying to make the most of the opportunity I was overcome with a sense of loss and sorrow because of the previous day being the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and the attack on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the failed attempt on the White House that was prevented only by the sacrifice of many Americans as they fought to control United Flight 93 before crashing in a field in Pennsylvania. That day 2,977 innocent people including many first responders were killed by 19 terrorists (who also died in the attacks). Those 2,977 people were Dads, Sons, Brothers, Moms, Daughters, Sisters, Husbands and Wives and their lives were snuffed out because of the evil of sin. At the core this is the reason for all death and destruction in the world and what the world needs is not another political party, not another referendum, denomination or new governing power – what the world needs is Christ. There is no hope for this world – it is “reserved for fire” (2 Peter 3:7); but there is hope for all of us that is found only in Christ.

I chose today’s photos because I am thankful for those first responders that sacrificed their lives in 9/11 and for those that put their lives on the line every day for the sake of others.

I am grateful for the "first responders" that help to keep us safe.

They are willing to Give their Lives for the sake of Others.

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Grateful 365 Day Sixty-one

Jerod — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 03:48:28 +0000

I am calling this post day Sixty-one – even though I am waaaay behind to be day sixty-one. Oh, well, that’s the fun of having a blog – it’s mine to do (or not do, as the case may be) with as I please.

I had a bit of time this morning to download some photos off my camera and to browse through some of the hundreds I’ve taken in the last 30 days. While browsing through some I took of our cat, Mocha, Sue said that she wanted a black and white of her with only the eyes colored so I spent a few minutes putting this together. Mocha has been the subject of my 365 Project (which is turning into a 5-year project at this rate) before but I liked the way this one turned out so I thought it worthy to post.

I am Grateful for the joy that Mocha brings to our lives.

ISO 800, 35mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec

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