If you follow my posts long enough, there’s a good chance you’ll find my lenses aimed at our Taylor parks.  Murphy Park, shown here, is a place I go to clear out the cobwebs and unwind.  It’s not just about the rookery, but that, of course, is quite amazing.  These photos were all taken during a single session a few days ago.   Sometimes I sit on things quite a while because at some point, you folks might grow weary of these therapy interludes.  However,  I’ll say to anyone who asks,  if I were the only soul left on the planet, I’d still do what I do.    Have a good night.

Not every post has a theme, but tonight, how about poultry?   Mostly chickens, but also a fine-looking turkey called Beyonce.    This morning, before going to an assignment in Georgetown, I stopped by Taylor’s Bull Branch Park, where Good Life Taylor was conducting their annual fair and 5-K race.  Since it was a short visit, I focused on the poultry petting zoo, where I finally got to meet Beyonce (who pecked my lens hood), but also a nice 4-year-old named Hunter (the opening photo).  Hunter’s family raises chickens.  He’s a chicken-whisperer.  Really.    Some of these photos were taken just north of Taylor, at Sweet Eats Fruit Farm, located on Texas Highway 29.   From the highway, you might see a grove of peach trees, but if you travel the dirt road, you’ll find pumpkins (tis’ the season, right), but also what I’ll call free-range chickens because they’re literally everywhere.   One chicken they call Chickalinda seems to like pony rides.  Who would’ve thought?    So there it is, friends.   Poultry galore. 

In my early years, one of my favorite shows on television was “The Addams Family.”  What a great cast!   The good news?  The Georgetown Palace Theatre, just in time for Halloween, has produced this classic for the local stage.   During dress rehearsals, I usually pace myself, but at last night’s performance my shutter was clicking almost non-stop.    If you’re in the area, any weekend through November 4th, it’s worth the price of admission, but get your tickets early.  This will sell out fast!   These are a few images for my friends at the Williamson County Sun. 

The Louisiana State Fair, in Shreveport, is getting ready for another season.  October 25 is their opening day.   While going through old negatives this morning, I came across some film taken at the October 1975 fair.    It was rainy day, giving fair workers little to do.  Some, I was happy to notice, spent their time reading newspapers.  Others just smoked cigarette after cigarette.   I found their moods interesting 43 years ago.   The same holds true today.  Good old b/w Tri-X film might’ve helped with the moodiness.   Except for the “What Is It?” photo, these images are newly-edited.  It’s fun to look back in time and see something new. 

An 18-wheeler truckload of pumpkins arrived from New Mexico this afternoon at Georgetown’s First United Methodist Church.   Volunteers, large and small, young and old, were out in force for this annual fundraiser which continues through Halloween.   Here are a few photos from the 2-hour effort, taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.

Tonight’s photos, taken last night and tonight, are just some scenes around the Blackland Prairie after two days of rain drenched our soil.   The best part about the rain?  It’s ushering in a cold front!   Keep in mind, friends, this is south central Texas.  When the temperatures “plunge” to the low-60s, as expected tonight, it’s a cause for celebration.  These images are mostly scenes, but Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is included, too.  Because trees are abundantly growing around its facade, I looked at it from a different perspective tonight.   It’s still mighty pretty,  no matter the angle. 

Visiting Taylor’s parks, whatever the time, is nice.   At night, however, they transform nicely.   Tonight’s photos, longish exposures all (with a tripod, of course) were made at Murphy and Bull Branch Parks.   The opening image, from Bull Branch, was made tonight, after a bit of stormy weather passed through.  The others are in and around Murphy Park, taken over the weekend. These are light interpretations, nothing more. 

This weekend’s forecast was filled with rain predictions.   I was concerned the annual Blessing of the Animals at San Gabriel Park,  conducted by. Georgetown’s Grace Episcopal Church,  would not happen.   Arriving at the park a little early, I stayed in my car, reading a chapter on my current novel.   After that, I ambled over to where the service would commence, leaving my rain gear behind.  Lo and behold, the rain came, prompting a return to the car an umbrella and towel.   Thankfully, the rain didn’t stay around for long.  One of the nicest things about this service is so many people actually thanking me for being there.   In this period in our history, when the news media is viewed by some as the enemy of the people, that was nice.  I’ll let the photos tell most of the story, but call your attention to the last photos, two friends, enjoying the best of childhood as they relaxed in one of San Gabriel Park’s wonderful live oak trees.  The girls were here for the service, but this was at the end, when time for tree-climbing was okay.  Good moments all around, friends.

One thing to count on, friends is that I will return to the same subject matter time and time again.   Part of this, of course, is the fact that we seldom wander far from our Taylor home.  Then again, even if I were to wander to places far away, my favorite subjects would be right here on the Blackland Prairie.    If what I do bores you, a suggestion:  search elsewhere.   My feelings won’t be hurt.   Photos taken tonight pay yet another visit to Norman’s Crossing, Texas. The Boehm family has been very accommodating.   I am most grateful.   These grain elevators have been in their family for generations.  The opening photo is a few minutes past sunset. The second image is far beyond that.  The skies above?   They belong to us all, but it’s nice to see them while standing on a fine piece of land ocean.  

Tonight’s theme is horses.   These beauties are ones previously documented, but we visit with each other again from time to time.   The opening photo was taken west of Granger, Texas, the others in Norman’s Crossing.   I’ll leave it at that, friends.