A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

blogging

Video challenge: June 2026 (Your town)

So I did a bit of a turn with this one.

I think, at some point, we’ll have to re-visit this theme, though maybe a little different. I had a bunch of footage I shot and was going to do “your town” with Harper in so many things. Alas, the issue there is it’s hard to keep steady. When I looked at the footage, it was a lot more shaky than I would like.

Time to flip things.

First, I like how mine came out. This is a covered bridge in my town. It’s historical and I love covered bridges. I probably should have done a voice over with it as well, but I also think it came out nice with the music. What do you all think? Should this have had a voice over? Or does it tell a story?

I tried to give different vantage points and wanted to show this off. I love this bridge and have taken many photos and videos of it over time.

For those who participated this month, the linkup is below.

Theme for July: Tradition

For those who might be joining — the challenge is set up to have videos be 1-3 minutes long (ish), and follow the monthly announced theme. Do a blog post — or even a youtube post, and come back and link up here. I try and post the link up on the 28th of each month. Any other questions about the challenge, let me know!

If you took part, link up!

Video Challenge: June 2026

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!

Video challenge: May 2026 (A day in the life)

It turns out you can have great ideas and then realize, hell … I didn’t do as much as I wanted!

My goal for A day in the life was to capture everything from my trip to Boston and the World Stamp Expo. Two of us were doing a day trip. I didn’t get everything I wanted, so thankfully I did a second day. And that day I took enough video for this theme.

Unfortunately, I still didn’t get it how I wanted it. I need to figure out ways to work on getting video and capturing it the way I want. I have to find my one gimbal so I can make it easier to carry my phone and record.

We shall see.

For those who participated this month, the linkup is late but down below. We’ll keep plugging along!

Theme for June: Your town

For those who might be joining — the challenge is set up to have videos be 1-3 minutes long (ish), and follow the monthly announced theme. Do a blog post — or even a youtube post, and come back and link up here. I try and post the link up on the 28th of each month. Any other questions about the challenge, let me know!

If you took part, link up!

Video Challenge: May 2026

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!

Photo Blogging Challenge (March 2024): Eleven

OK, folks. April Fools!

So here we are. April 1 came and went, but hey — it’s almost normal anymore! One of these days, I’ll get it right again! I promise.

This month though.

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You would think after doing this challenge for so many years that I would be ready for the March theme. Add one number and here we are.

But ELEVEN? What the ever living hell?

Honestly, this may have been the hardest theme we’ve done to date – at least for me. I had all sorts of ideas but the times I needed to do those ideas, it passed me by. This month had so much going on, so I blinked and different things went flying by. Still, I may be reaching for this month but hey-o … there’s a post!

And I have to be truly honest here – I’m interested to see what others came up with for the month!

Here are my five for the month of March!

1. 11 Minutes

I can’t say I’m always patient when me and Harper are out on a walk and she finds a stick she wants to chew on. I’ll let her go for a bit and then tell her she needs to finish or carry the stick. But this was a wonderful day of weather and she stopped not once, but twice, to chew on different sticks. According to time stamps of the photos, she chewed on these for a total of 11 minutes!

2. 8:11

This photo was taken at 8:11 a.m. on a walk! Plus, the peep’s ears could be an 11 …

3. Studio 11

The place where I get my haircut and beard trim, as well as Cameron getting his haircut is Studio 11. This was the latest one. Chris is the barber each of us use.

4. St. Patrick’s Day

OK, this one is a stretch, but I have to make it work. This is out and about on St. Pat’s Day with Harper. The photo was taken at 1:17 … so, there’s an 11 in there. I mean, I have to make it work somehow, right??

5. Tasty

Originally, my plan was to take all photos on March 11. However, that changed as my uncle died. He was 94 and the final sibling left of my father’s side of the family. The funeral was March 11. The gathering after was at this neat little restaurant. The sandwich i got was called a Speck or something along those lines. The waiter said it’s this thinly sliced, smoked filet mignon. It was with Brie cheese (though I think a great aged cheddar might be amazing with it). Very tasty.

There’s my five and let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for March. Make sure you drop your link there.

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And just like that, it’s April! And our theme for the month? Point of View! This could be taken in so many ways. Get low. Get high. Take it from the eyes of somebody else. But have fun with it! I hope you all have fun with this theme! Remember to come back on (hopefully) May 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: March 2024 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!

Photo Blogging Challenge (February 2023): Exploration

Shall we explore?

I’m going to be honest — exploring is much more fun with Harper.

And you guessed it — she’s the star of this post!

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I’m interested to see how everybody sees exploring. For me, a lot of it is through geocaching. It’s taken me so many places I likely never would have seen or been without this great game.

But through the eyes of a dog makes it so much better.

Exploring now is often a little slower … but in a good way. And then after a long day of exploring it’s even better when Harper saddles up next to me and falls asleep. That’s the best reward.

But for others, exploring could be big trips and going to so many different places. What is it for you?

Here are my five for the month of February!

1. Exploration pal

I explore a lot more lately. I’ve geocached for many years, so that was a way to explore. But ever since getting Harper, I explore a ton more and we find different places to go and see. It’s a wonderful thing!

2. Exploring and visiting

As many of you have seen, Harper has some friends who live next door. And they often come over and play. But here’s a kicker — a couple of them are escape artists! The youngest – Nebula — this month has gotten out a few times. And a couple of them, I have been out with Harper. Nebula comes right to the back fence, looking to play. That’s some exploring!

3. Geocaching

Since I started geocaching in 2008, it’s been a wonderful way to explore. Over the past couple of years, Harper has been with me on most geocaching adventures. It’s made it that much better. If you are a geocacher, too, discover her!

4. Walks

I’ve always tried to walk as I know it’s one of the best types of exercises out there. But with Harper, it’s even more fun because she is always exploring through her nose, or where she decides to walk!

5. Walking stick

Everybody needs a walking stick if out hiking/walking and exploring, no?

There’s my five and let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for February. Make sure you drop your link there.

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And just like that, it’s March! And our theme for the month? Eleven! I hope you all have fun with this theme! Remember to come back on (hopefully) April 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: February 2024 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!

20 Days of Chill 2024: I throw my hands up in the air sometimes … (Day 20)

Do you all remember that song that had these lyrics? It’s in the song “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz. 

Sometimes, though, I really do just throw my hands up in the air! 

When I first came up with these topics for this year’s 20 Days of Chill, I honestl;y had no idea what I wanted to do for it. Alas, I can’t say I threw my hands up in the air, but I think it’s fitting to end the 20 Days of Chill with that vision. 

Ending isn’t just for the 2024 challenge, rather for the whole thing. 

I mean, it’s not like I wouldn’t think about bringing it back if I deemed it could work, but the reality is … this one isn’t quite there anymore. 

Blogging has changed. 

My goal with blogging has always been to do things more on a personal level. I don’t really blog the hot topics or themes. I don’t have the click world headlines and such. I just kind of blog. 

Years ago, you would get a lot more interaction. And hey – I’m just as guilty of this as anybody else. I don’t always go and read a lot of blogs. It’s actually one of my goals for 2024 and beyond. I miss reading other blogs as there are some good ones out there. The reality is though, outside of a few folks, not a lot of people will come back to yours. Again, I can be guilty of this (I do always try and get back… even if weeks later!) and that can hurt interaction. 

But challenges aren’t easy. Look at the monthly photo contest. We used to have more people involved. Now it’s just a few of us who keep doing it. The 20 Days of Chill used to be a lot more active and interactive. I conquered most of the challenge solo this year. That’s fine, by the way, as it got me writing again. I’ve tried to run a few other challenges that never got too far off the ground. 

Maybe I’m running them wrong. Maybe I don’t have a reach. Maybe those reading the submissions of others just wouldn’t have the interest. 

And that’s fine, too. 

So this is the end of the 20 Days of Chill Challenge (at least for now). I don’t see me doing it next January, though things can change. I just know that sometimes things run their course and it seems like the 20 Days of Chill has done just that. 

For those who have participated at any given time since we started it – thank you. It’s been a lot of fun!

Linkup for Day 20:

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook