Author Archives: 23642459

Praha’s St. Mary’s Catholic Church

Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in the Fayette County community of Praha, just east of Flatonia, Texas, is offered here.   It’s one the historic Painted Churches in Texas, one documented for a Texas Highways story in 2012.  Since we were in Flatonia on Sunday, we made a brief stop at the church.   The church was built in 1895.  Most of the majestic sanctuary was painted by Gottfried Flurry, a Swiss-born artist from Moulton, Texas.   Not included in the magazine story was the church tribute to nine soldiers from the church who died in 1943-1944 during World War II.  Three small chapels on the grounds recognize each of them.   All are buried in the huge cemetery behind the church.  

Beating the Heat!

As this is written the temperature in our area is 100 degrees.   The high today was somewhere between 103 and 105.   When these were taken Wednesday evening it was also in triple digits.  The fellow in the opening photograph was having a grand time, resting in his foldout chair in the middle of the San Gabriel River, at Mankins Crossing.   The others are from  Blue Hole Park in Georgetown.  If this had been on the weekend the crowds would’ve been massive.   Let’s hope for a cool-down.   Our summers are trials.

Flatonia, Texas

From a Sunday drive through Flatonia, Texas, a Fayette County community of about 1400, established in the 1870s by Czech and German immigrants.  It’s about 90 minutes south of our Taylor home.   Rain lilies adorn its Oak Hill Cemetery.

Harvest Sunset

A corn harvest continues tonight in East Williamson County, Texas.  Passing up a sunset photograph is hard to do.   Apologies to one of the crew who had to slow down while this photo was taken.   it’s not good to get in the way of their work.  And please forgive the power lines.  This photojournalist does not remove those.   They are what they are.

A Farmer’s Wave

From tonight, a definite grab shot.   While pursuing something else this evening, I pulled over while  a farmer negotiated a county road in Taylor.  Only one photograph was taken.  He offered a friendly wave.    Just this one.

The Week’s Walks

Four of this group of sixteen daily walk  photographs were taken on a very rainy morning in Georgetown, all others in Taylor.  This week’s squirrel offering is a little lax, but there it is.   These walks are good for the body and mind, but maybe scaling back the miles is a good idea.  Summer in Texas is a visual challenge.

The 2026 Taylor Rodeo

The 76th Taylor Rodeo is in progress through Saturday night at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor.   These photographs were taken on Thursday, the first night.   The work will primarily be posted on Facebook and Instagram (@andybobsharp), but here are a few to whet your whistle.   The preference for these events is always the features, not the action, but folks want to see the louder stuff, too.