When seeing a sign for Art, Texas, I drove just long enough to find a place to pull over and walk back for a photograph.   Whoever knew there was such a town deep in the heart of Central Texas?   Art, Texas is an unincorporated community in Mason County dating back to the mid-late 1850s.   The last census figures I found, from 2016, lists its population as 18.   There’s a Methodist church nearby, built in 1890, but this is just about that sign.   Y’all probably know my feelings about referring to photography as “art,” right?    Photography is photography, with no need to add another label.

Because it’s at the far end of my county, I don’t often take photographs at Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Corn Hill, but it’s a beautiful setting in North Williamson County, Texas.  These are from Friday evening.   The church congregation formed in 1889.  The current church, with twin spires that can be seen for miles, opened in 1913.  Views offered are from the adjacent cemetery, and a final one from south of the church.   It’s just elegant.

110124 CORN HILL, TEXAS: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, along F.M. 1105, is seen from County Road 388 after sunset on a cloudy Friday, November 1, 2024. Photo by Andy Sharp. 87

It’s not a certainty that I’ll continue to offer groups of photographs from daily walks, but as long as I  find some value there, why not?   These are from strolls this week in Taylor.   All were taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M10, a handy little mirrorless camera  that doesn’t beat me up.  Since walks are meant as exercise, the time spent with subjects is minimal.   So far, I prefer something like this Olympus rather than a phone camera.  

These are from my annual Halloween evening visit along Main Street in Georgetown, Texas.   My favorite might be last one, a 3-month-old dressed as a blueberry getting a kiss from mom on her first Halloween.

Just something seen during a daily walk this week in Taylor.   The kitty was seriously focused on the fellow taking her photograph.   The morning light on the house was nice.

We have a number of Lutheran churches on the Blackland Prairie.   Two I enjoy seeing are Zion Lutheran Church, in Sandoval, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, in Wuthrich Hill.  Zion is presented in the first three, Prince of Peace in the others.   As the daylight hours grow shorter, I’m enjoying the elegant evening light.   These are from tonight.

Dirt roads are subjects that draw me in.   This is one I’ve offered  a few times in various forms.   The light was warm and serene a few minutes after sunset this week.   That’s about all it takes to click the shutter.    I get these inspirations, friends.

After taking a few photographs near the truss bridge spanning the San Gabriel River this week, a young man asked if I had time to make a photograph of him and his friend.   Normally, I’d mosey on, but when he mentioned pumpkins,  I was intrigued.  After taking some photos for them with his phone, I made a few with my camera.   They’d dressed to the nines, toting pumpkins they’d carved for the occasion.   It’s nice to find folks who appreciate these historic places.  And to find a bit of whimsey, too.  

When using the phrase “autumn light,” I’m not referring to fall colors, but rather to the crispness  that comes with late-day light at this time of year.  This is a grove of trees photographed a few times over the years.  It’s close to home, not far from the San Gabriel River.   For me, it’s a very quiet place.  Ongoing drought has taken some trees, but a few remain.    In the midst of the ongoing noise that digs into our psyche right now,  this is a respite.  

Quite possibly my favorite windmill to photograph is offered tonight.   Its home is a friend’s farm near Walburg, Texas.   I could snap photos of this one until the cows come home.