On this, the 18th anniversary of 9/11, first responders, friends and family once again came to Georgetown’s Birkelbach Field to climb a lot of steps for the 8th Annual Memorial Stair Climb, an event to honor first responders who worked, and those who died while lending their hands and hearts at the World Trade Center towers in New York.  It was a cloudy, but very humid morning, making the work all that harder, but this group was up the task, aided in part by Cub Scout brothers on hand to provide hydration for the climbers.  They’re from Georgetown Cub Scout Pack 151, at Georgetown’s First United Methodist Church.   The session concluded with a short prayer before responders returned to doing what they do well. 

Just a couple of images tonight, friends.   We had a little burst of rain late this afternoon.  It was spotty drizzle for the remainder of the evening, but left us with some nice clouds on the Blackland Prairie.   The first photo was made as a truck hauling a load of hay made its way past Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wuthrich Hill.   The second image, one I thought worked well in black-and-white, is a nice field of healthy cotton under a cloudy sky, and more rain to the west.    I never grow tired of this prairie.

After Sunday night’s post, a very sad one, let’s follow that with something taken tonight not far from Beyersville, Texas.   About a year ago, I noticed these Texas Longhorns grazing on their hill.  Needing some inspiration, I found them there this evening.   A mother and her calf is my favorite, but the lone longhorn’s okay, too.   Have a grand night, friends.

For almost two years, I’ve watched the restoration of the circa 1890s Bartlett First Christian Church as it was  restored under the direction of its owner, Kris Ruiz.   The church had been closed for years when Ruiz purchased it to bring it back to life, as a church, or community center, or private residence for this community of a little over 1600.  Early this morning the vacant house adjacent to the church caught fire.  The flames quickly spread to the church.   When I saw it tonight, it was heartbreaking.  I hope Ms. Ruiz doesn’t give up on her idea of bringing history back to life, but this was a terrible loss.   These photos are from past visits, plus tonight.

While accepted practice to say that summer ends on Labor Day, few people in our area of Central Texas would agree.   We’ll probably be experiencing a few more triple-digit days before the heat gives us a break.   Our canine friends had a chance to cool off this morning, thanks to the outdoor pool at the Georgetown Recreation Center, enjoying K-9 Kerplunk, coordinated by Georgetown Parks and Recreation.   When I got to the pool a few minutes before the 10am start, there was quite an assortment of dogs and owners ready to make a splash.    Though it’s a Georgetown event, I met families from Austin, Killeen and other communities thrilled to be there.   Approximately 300 dogs participated.   Amazingly, most of the pooches got along!   I think the urge to cool off outweighed the need for arguments.   

Mentioned a few times before, but worth repeating.  At times I like staying close to home.  A lovely park, Bull Branch Park in Taylor, is just a breath away.  In the ten years since we came home to Texas, I have probably made thousands of photos here.   “Bull Branch Creek,” where the park gets its name, winds through here, meandering around the cypress trees, briefly slowing at the pond, then continuing south to Murphy Park.   When dizzy spells take hold, it’s good to have this place nearby.  These were taken this week while waiting for the evening’s descent  into night.

090419 TAYLOR, TEXAS:

090419 TAYLOR, TEXAS:

These photos of Charlie Stickmon were made at the end of August 1975 in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he  worked as a city  street cleaner.     Charlie’s territory was along Youree Drive, a busy corridor that included many apartments.   I lived in one of those, passing Charlie often as he went about his task, regardless of the weather.    With  Labor Day 2019 in the history books, this seemed like a good time to revisit a dedicated laborer from 44 years ago.

Our Central Texas farmers are having a busy summer.   Norman’s Crossing farmer Troy Boehm  would agree, but I think he likes it that way.  Recently completing his annual corn harvest, 2000 acres, his crew is busy all week bringing in what some of us call Texas Snow.  It seems to fit.   Texas continues to be the country’s number one cotton-producing state.   Georgia, where we used to live, comes in a distant second.    Cotton is a warm-weather crop.   Friends in the northeast and midwest can only see it in photos.   Hopefully, some of them will see these photos taken  last evening.   Boehm hopes to be finished by Sunday.   I think they’ll make it.   And hopefully, get some rest when it’s over.   Farmers, of course, seldom rest. 

These are a few photos made on some recent nights in the community of Granger, Texas, only a few miles north  of our Taylor home.  I’ve said it before (and will probably do so again), but summer’s long days, with the added irritation of Daylight Saving Time means the sweet night light I crave takes forever to get to that sweet spot.   As summer winds down, the days are again shorter, with sunset just before 8pm.  These are either just before, or minutes after sunset.  That fire hydrant was just one of those oddities tossed into the mix.  

When I say “busy day,” the reference isn’t to yours truly, but to the members at Granger’s Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church as they conducted their annual fundraising bazaar Sunday.  Members  began preparing 2000 pounds of beef, pork and sausage late Saturday night in the pits behind the recreation center.  Inside, other members worked on all the fixings.  By late Sunday morning, people were lining up outside for to-go plates.  Others, many of them, filled their stomachs indoors.   For just $10, diners got huge helpings of food.   The twin sisters at the end of this post were obviously having a good time.  In addition to the food, there was also a live auction.  The jar of pickles was one of the items up for grabs.  Later that night, a dance was held here, with (or course) traditional Czech music.    I love documenting the Blackland Prairie communities where we live.