Author Archives: 23642459

Revisiting a Friend in Bartlett

Several years ago, probably 2017 or 2018, a drive around Bartlett, Texas led to meeting Lana Sue Hill.   Throughout her cluttered yard were examples of her folk art sculptures, some still works in progress.  With much of this career spent in Georgia it seemed appropriate to mention another folk artist,  Reverend Howard Finster.   During the Journal-Constitution years it was a pleasure to visit his Paradise Garden in Summerville, Georgia.   Lana wasn’t aware of Finster’s work, but soon learned more about him.   Just a few evenings back, we had a chance to visit again.   During our first meeting  years ago she didn’t have electricity in her house, but now has solar panels and a couple of generators to help out.  We were both born in 1952, a good year, right?   During last week’s visit she was missing her hat.   We looked around, but couldn’t find it.   Visiting her chickens, however, was  fun.  When passing by this evening, Lana was wearing her hat.   New photos were taken, plus some shots of her work.   She’s a neat lady.

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Tonight’s Waning Gibbous Moon

A Waning Gibbous Moon, at 99.5% visibility, made its presence known in areas of the Blackland Prairie near Granger.     For the first few minutes after moonrise you can see color and detail in the lunar surface (first photograph) but it soon washes out as the moon rises.   It’s all just fine.  The last one is the favorite.

November Windmill Moon

Photographs from this evening, tonight’s full moon, as seen near Granger, Texas.   There are no naming conventions here, friends.   It is simply a full moon, presented as you might see it with the naked eye.   Telephoto lens use might cause the moon to look gigantic.  It’s somewhat misleading, but each to  their own.   The first two are the same windmill, the last one a few miles from the first one.  

2025 Wurstbraten!

A collection of photographs from the 53rd  Wurstbraten, held Monday night at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas.   Over 12,000 pounds of sausage were made for this year’s undertaking. The area most loved each year are the smoking pits behind the church.   This is something covered for many years.   It never grows old.

A Georgetown Food Drive

A food drive was conducted by Antioch Georgetown this afternoon on the grounds at St. Paul United Methodist Church.   Approximately 40,000 Williamson County residents receive SNAP benefits, which came to a halt this weekend.  Several of today’s recipients were here.    Families in need were given a needed boost today.   This shutdown needs to end soon.

Dia de los Muertos

From Saturday’s Dia de los Muertos in downtown Georgetown, Texas.  Because you expect them, a couple of painted faces, plus a wonderful mariachi band.  It’s the faces, however, that do the work here, especially a 3-year-old totally enthralled.

Food Distribution in Taylor

Photos taken Saturday morning at Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry in Taylor.   Although this is one of the pantry’s regular food distributions, the number of people helped  this week have begun to increase.   Volunteers from area churches were on hand to help.  As the government shutdown continues, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have stopped beginning this weekend.