Steven Helmer Publications

I hadn't expected my new camera to arrive until this weekend but was pleasantly surprised when I got home yesterday and learned it had already been delivered. After spending what seemed like an eternity trying to get the camera strap attached (and I'm certain I didn't tie it correctly, though it still works) and then charging the battery I didn't have a whole lot of time to play around with it. So, I decided to go out by the lake on my way into the office and give my new Kodak AZ653 a try. There are a lot of functions on this camera I'm still learning and like most cameras, there are things I love about it (like the ability to adjust the exposure using a dial as I'm taking the photo) and things I don't (the macro mode works but not in the way I'm used to). However, I did get my first photos with it this morning and thought worked pretty well overall, especially since the early morning light made some of the photos tricky to take. Here are some of them: _...

The cold rain began to fall harder, washing what was left of Jill’s makeup from her face. Normally, the self-conscious 27-year-old blonde would be concerned about that but as she stopped running, both to catch her breath and to examine the slash on her arm that was gushing blood, it was the furthest thing from her mind. She knew she shouldn’t have stopped. Her life depended on her running or at least walking. However, her head was already starting to feel light, and she wasn’t going to get much further if she didn’t get the blood loss under control. Removing her jacket, which wasn’t doing anything to keep her warm anyway, she rolled it up and, with difficulty, wrapped it over the wound. Jill was about to begin running again when she heard the terrifying voice overtop the sound of the raindrops. “Marco!” Tears began to run down Jill’s face as she covered her mouth. Her legs were frozen, as though glued to the ground and an overwhelming urge to respond filled her body. Jill was only able...

Synopsis: Single mother Sadie Martin runs a riverboat in Alaska as a way of funding her daughter, Helen's, education at a boarding school. In addition to being a place to drink and gamble, the boat is a vital mode of transportation for miners traveling to and from their claims. When Helen arrives unexpectedly, Sadie, not wanting her daughter to follow in her footsteps, feels compelled to sell her boat to mining executive John Thorne so the two women can return to civilization. However, she ends up sticking around when the empowered Thorne begins stealing her friends' mining claims and killing those who oppose him. Who's in it? The movie stars Irene Rich, Charles Bickford, June Carlson, Dave O'Brien , Melvin Lang and Tristram Coffin. Review: I was running a bit behind this morning again and with limited time to pick a movie to watch, I went with the first film that seemed remotely interesting. This ended up being Queen of the Yukon . Overall, it turned out to be a goo...

After using it for several years and many, many photos, I finally pulled the trigger on a replacement for my Kodak AZ425. It was a gift from my wife, and I debated long and hard about the replacement decision as a result. However, the camera is starting to show signs of wear, the autofocus doesn't always want to work and the photos just aren't as crisp as they once were.  So, I decided to stick with the same DSLR design but go with a camera that is both new and has a few more functions, including Wi-Fi capability, while also remembering this is just a hobby and not something I can afford to spend thousands of dollars on.  That camera will arrive sometime in the next few days but in the meantime, I am still using my existing camera as much as possible, including a walk today. Here are some of the photos: _______________________________________________________________________ Here are some other nature photos: Lunchtime Walk Photos (6/2/2025) You Can't See Me, I'm Hiding ...

Synopsis : Investor broker Lloyd Wilson's reputation is tarnished when $200,000 in bonds are stolen from his office, rumors circulate about it being an inside job and two private detectives are hired to follow him. His dog, Tarzan, knows who the real thief is, however, and does his part to bring that man and his gang to justice. Who's in it? The movie stars Rex Lease, Marion Shilling, Tarzan, Philo McCullough and Henry Hull . Review: I started watching Inside Information this morning believing (because of an inaccurate description) it was the 1939 film starring June Lang and Dick Foran. Several minutes into the movie, I realized that wasn't the case but, intrigued, I watched it anyway. Overall, I thought it was an entertaining choice. As far as the main plot goes, it was expectedly simple. There's zero doubt who is behind the theft of the bonds or about Lloyd's (Lease) innocence and there aren't many twists and turns. Instead, it was a basic film that focused...

I always feel bad when I wake Stormcloud up and move her so I can sit down. Then I remember she is getting free room and board in exchange for keeping mice and other unwanted intruders out of the house. And yet here she is, sleeping on the job. __________________________________________________________________________ Here is a story I wrote about a cat we used to have:  Apollo Gets Adopted (A Short Story)