While on assignment in Georgetown a few days ago, I met Hoppy.   Actually, as Hoppy reminded me, we’d met during a community Thanksgiving in 2019.   When these photos were taken, he mentioned he was homeless.  He’d been so since moving to Texas from Memphis 14 years ago.   From our chat, he seemed okay with that. Hoppy was happy.   We talked about the various shelters in the Austin area.  Hoppy was not enamored with them.  Instead, he has a tent he calls home in Georgetown.  A few other homeless folks  live there,  too.  He says the Georgetown Police Department knows of the encampment and, for the most part, leaves them be.    Hoppy and I chatted for quite a while.   He’s quite literate, in tune with what’s going on in our world.   With the exception of one photo, these are offered in black-and-white.   The color version tells you about his wonderful blue eyes, soulful and sincere. Not unlike Paul Newman’s.    Don’t make the mistake of placing all homeless people into a category.  

The pandemic is affecting all aspects of life around the planet.    Most houses of worship are offering services online as we get attuned to the concept of social distancing.    At Easter, however, many would choose to be with others who believe as they do.   These are photos taken in Williamson County, Texas, including Walburg’s St. Peter Lutheran Church, Georgetown’s Wesley Chapel AME Church, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in New Corn Hill, Lawler Baptist Church, in Florence, Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, in Granger, Christ Lutheran Church,  in Noack,  and  First United Methodist Church,  in Georgetown.  The last photo was taken a few years ago in the Lois Perkins Chapel at Southwestern University.   I wasn’t able to visit the sanctuary this Easter season, but it’s breathtaking enough to repost again here.

We had a stormy day on the Blackland Prairie this afternoon.   A few neighbors, and even our HEB grocery, lost power for a while.  After it was all done, I decided to wander around to see the results.  While I had some other nice images, just before heading for home a very nice rainbow was given to us.   As is always the case, they don’t stay around long.   And when they do, I’m usually in the wrong place to take photos.   This time, however, things worked out.  These are along one county road a little southeast of Granger.   By the time I got to the barn, the the color had faded a bit, but it was still there.   Rainbows are a gift. 

Seen on my morning walk in Taylor, Texas, taken with my handy Samsung mobile phone.    Good messaging here, folks.

A couple of scenes spotted around some Williamson County, Texas pastures.   We’re having a good wildflower season.   I think the bluebonnets will play out soon around Central Texas, but we have more varieties on the way.   The donkeys and llama?  They’re  here all year long!

Some good advice.   Do the right thing, friends.

There wasn’t a lot of time to chase tonight’s full moon, but I managed a couple frames in and around Granger, Texas.   They say it’s a super moon, but as mentioned many times before, they’re all super moons.  

Although I’m still waiting for the arrival of more egrets at Taylor’s Murphy Park, when in Georgetown yesterday, I happened on some as they  foraged for fish above the San Gabriel River as it coursed through San Gabriel Park.   I will leave it at that, friends.  

This photo was taken tonight near Jonah, Texas.   The day’s light had mostly faded.   There’s a little movement evident in the four-legged friend, but not enough to send this one to the trash.  Bluebonnets are beginning to be overtaken by more powerful weeds, but they’re still out there for a while.

I initially balked at doing this post.  It might make people uncomfortable.   At times, however, we need the discomfort.   When in Georgetown today, taking other photos, I saw this man.   I know he is homeless.  And that he struggles with demons I don’t understand.   It was raining and cold today in Georgetown, unusual for spring in Texas.   The pandemic has many sad stories.  Georgetown, like many communities around the world, has closed its library.   It has closed its public restrooms.   For a few years I’ve seen this man sheltering at the public library.   Before the restrooms were closed, he had use of it.  He’s checking his belongings in front of a closed restroom here.    Don’t get me wrong.  I understand the reasoning behind the closures, but then those like this gentleman end up falling through the cracks.   No answers here, friends.  It’s doggone sad.