Dawn at Murphy Park
As mentioned on occasion, photography is a form of therapy in my world. Lately, it’s also something to do when sleep doesn’t overtake my senses. This morning, Sunday, was one of those times. As so often happens when we age (or at least men, I’m not so sure about women), a trip to the bathroom in the wee hours is common. When the sleep cycle is interrupted, sometimes I’m just awake for the duration. Rather than toss around this morning, I quietly got up about 40 minutes before dawn, grabbed the cameras, hopped in the car and drove about a mile, to Taylor’s Murphy Park, to watch the birds. In a nutshell, this post is the outcome of today’s therapy visit. Dawn came at 7:01. These photos are taken a while before that, then for about 45 minutes afterward. Two other photographers were there, presumably to photograph the rookery, in the middle of the lake. The rookery, however, is a pretty busy setting unless conditions are just right. They were not. Best of luck to the other photographers, whatever their goal.
A Quiet and Restful Place
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On Friday I spent a busy afternoon at Southwestern University, photographing incoming freshmen as they moved into their residence halls. After a few hours, preparing to head home, I stopped by the campus student center, took a few more photos, then stopped to visit with Jim, a friend who attended the university many years ago. Jim was handing out welcome bags to new students and parents. As I was leaving, Jim suggested that I stop by Lois Perkins Chapel on the way to my car. “You’ll be glad you did,” he said. Though tired, I followed my friend’s suggestion, entering this lovely chapel, built in 1950 and named for a former student, who attended Southwestern from 1908-1911. Although I’ve been here several times for various things for the Williamson County Sun, this was my first visit with no activities scheduled. I have to say, there’s something special about taking in such a beautiful place with no other soul around. How very peaceful it was. According to Southwestern’s website, when students are on campus, the chapel’s doors are open every day, from 7a.m.-midnight, for “prayer and meditation.” Honestly, I think places of worship need to keep their doors open all the time, but how often does that happen? Not so much. But it’s a good idea. There’s times when we don’t want a sermon
Red Barn, Early Morning
From time to time, I like to explore subjects and places on multiple occasions, for no other reason than because they are there. One of those is a weathered, but beautiful red barn on Texas Highway 29, in Jonah, Texas. For several years, I passed the barn on my travels between Taylor and Georgetown. Alas, with a two-lane road and no shoulder, the only way I could photograph it was to enter the property. If you’re from around here, you probably know that’s not a good idea, particularly if you’re toting large cameras. The farmhouse near the barn appeared to be vacant. Finally, last spring, I noticed a truck parked at the house and pulled in. As it turns out, the house and barn are lovingly taken care of by Thomas Webb and his wife, Darwa. Mr. Webb gave me a green light to pull in anytime I wished to photograph the barn. Since then, I’ve been by here a few times. A while back, after a rain shower, a lovely rainbow presented itself in the sky, making for a nice photo. The photos you see here were taken a few days ago, just after the sun had risen. Morning’s golden light presented a nice palette. Barns are special. When growing up in Texarkana, my parents and I would often travel 16 miles down Highway 59 to what mama called “the country,” where my great-uncle Harry Bradley, and his sister, my great-aunt Bip, lived. They were mama’s aunt and uncle, the siblings of my grandfather, Carl Bradley, who raised 8 children, mama included, just down the road, on another farm. Pappy Carl died when I was a little boy, his wife, my grandma, Willie Bradley, died before I was born. When Pappy Carl passed, Uncle Harry, rather than let Carl’s unpainted old home go to ruin, dismantled it, with help from my great uncle Russ, and moved it to his farm, 2 miles away. So Uncle Harry ended up with two barns, one recycled from mama’s childhood home. The final photo shows Uncle Harry, by then in his late 80s (he was with us until the age of 97), plowing in front of one of the barns. I’m not sure if that’s the original barn, or the one built from mama’s house, but let’s just say I love barns. The little red one in Jonah will surely merit another visit or two. I wrote about this for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
A Clean Pond at Berry Springs Park
Staff and volunteers were on the job Wednesday morning at Berry Springs Park & Preserve, one of several scenic parks in the Williamson County Parks Department system. The park, on County Road 152, just east of Georgetown, might be known for its lovely grove of pecan trees, its abundant bird population, hiking trails and two very friendly donkeys, but a pond is also a sweet spot. During the warmer months, however, the bottom of the pond tends to get clogged with invasive growth, including milfoil, duck weed and musk grass. With work clothes in place, the 3-4 hour process began, using a boat to tow a large rake across the water. On the opposite shore, the heavy rake was dropped, sunk to the pond’s floor, then drug across that surface using a tractor. From the banks, others used rakes attached to ropes, throwing them into the water to get what the big rake might have missed. More than a few crawfish popped up, too, lovingly returned to their home. Unless, of course, Max, lending a hand with his owner, John Beneat, happened to get to the little critters first. Mostly, Max found frogs, adding to his protein intake. In the end, the muck became part of a compost pile, to be used for mulch on upcoming parks projects. It’s a sweet and quiet park. Visit when you can. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Summer Workshops at the Palace Theatre
Saturday was an eventful, busy and fun day spent at Georgetown’s Palace Theatre. The culmination of weeks of work in the theater’s summer acting workshops for kids was the main event for kids, not to mention the proud parents and family friends in attendance for their performances. Overseeing the hustle and bustle were Gwen Dicapo, the Palace’s education coordinator, with plenty of assistance from director Danielle Ruth and costume wizard Annie Violette. Both Ruth and Violette are Palace acting veterans. Violette is currently appearing onstage in “Hank Williams: Lost Highway.” My images focused (no pun intended) on boys and girls in the 10-12 age group, who were putting on three separate “Disney Review” performances on the theater’s Springer Memorial Stage. Also, 7-9 age group kids put on their own productions of “The Unity Tree” at the Palace Playhouse during afternoon performances. Later this month, teens who’ve been to their own workshops this summer will present “Into the Wood” on the main stage. It’s a good thing to see kids interested in the arts, particularly something like this, where kids get to face their fears, and grow in a good way. These images were made for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
One Day Ends, Another Begins
The accepted philosophy among many, if not most, of my photography friends is really quite simple: 1) if your work takes you outdoors, try to make it a time when God’s lovely light graces the skies, when day begins, or as it fades, and 2) stay off the major highways, take the back roads. Alas, if, like me, you’ve spent your career in the fast-paced newspaper world, those are tough rules to follow. Now that I’ve returned to my cherished state, I can often make those rules a reality. What you see in this post are four images taken last evening, those first four photos. Early this morning, after waking up much too soon, I decided to get an early start on the day. The final four photos were all taken within 20 minutes of each other as I traveled the back roads from Taylor to Georgetown for an assignment unrelated to what you see here (more on that in a later offering). The last shot is the elegant San Gabriel River, a section I often see, but usually during the cold light of day. At 7:15 this morning, it spoke to me. Oh, and as an added inspiration, I had my car’s CD player loaded with “Live at Carnegie Hall,” by Stevie Ray Vaughan. What a nice start to a day.
More From the Summer Concert Series
At the beginning of the summer, I posted a few photos from Georgetown’s free series of laid-back concerts, held each Friday beginning at 6:30p.m. on the Williamson County Courthouse lawn. It’s a great scene, on a wonderful town square in Texas, so I’m paying another visit to it here. As usual when I document these events, it’s more about the attendees than the musicians. I must say, however, that smooth jazz sounds emanating from Cactus Groove last Friday evening were amazing comfort food for the ears. The music was so good, nobody seemed to mind that the temperature hovered around a hundred degrees. If you’re looking for fun, the country sounds of Cowboy Nemo are at the square this coming Friday. The concerts continue through August 28. For more about this pretty area, check out the Downtown Georgetown Association, The Williamson Museum and Visit Georgetown. These photos were for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
After the Corn Harvest
All over my area of East Williamson County, Texas, one can see field after field of corn traversing the Blackland Prairie acres. After an unusually wet winter, the ground readily provided area farmers, if they planted early enough, with good yields. For those not versed in corn, when you see those parched-looking stalks dotting the countryside, don’t make the assumption that those are burned-up crops. Most likely, you’re seeing a field that’s already been harvested. But once the harvest is done, there is plenty to keep farmers, like the Raesz family, busy for a while yet. Arnold Raesz, along with his sons, Shaun and Steven, and their cousin, 24-year-old Heath O’Banon, are still busy, clearing those fields, getting ready for the next planting. This spring, S&S Raesz Farms planted 3700 acres of corn. After harvest, they, like many farmers, get that farm equipment back in those fields, grinding the used-up stalks and bits of corn, mulching it back into the soil, making it healthier for the next round of crops. Not only that, but the combine also gathers grains of corn, which in turn is loaded onto trucks and stored in grain elevators, to be sold for feed grain. Farmers, the good ones like the Raesz family, are the epitome of recycling. I can’t say enough good things about their work ethic either. Even as darkness enveloped the land, they continued their work, headlights shining on the tractors and combine. These photos, and my story, are the subject of a little piece I did for the Williamson County Sun.
Summer Days Fun Camp
About 40 kids from second through seventh grades got the opportunity to attend the Summer Days Fun Camp this week. The three-day camp, sponsored by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service of Williamson County, introduced the children to some innovative and unique portals of knowledge, including floral arranging, acrylic painting, preservation, making Linus Quilts as part of the Linus Project, as well as caking decorating and baking. I was glad to see a mix of both girls and boys during my Monday visit, where the kids were learning floral arranging and how to paint owls on their very special canvasses. The young fellow in the opening photo seemed a bit perplexed as he worked on his flower arrangement, but he really was having a grand time.
These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
May I Have This Dance?
Four times during the year, Georgetown Parks & Recreation holds a Special Needs Dance at the San Gabriel Community Center. The dances usually have a theme. This one that I photographed for the Williamson County Sun was Super Heroes. A few did arrive in costumes, but for some it was just a sweet time to be together, enjoying a few tender moments in time.
An Amazing Young Athlete
After a bunch of years in the business, it takes a lot to impress me. I’ve photographed rock stars, presidents, heck, even John Wayne. On Friday night, while covering the 66th Annual Taylor Rodeo, in my little town of Taylor, Texas, I found myself in complete awe of 19-year-old bareback bronc rider Taylor Howell, who hails from Salado, Texas. You see, Taylor has been blind since the age of 2. Not long after losing his sight, he got interested in rodeo. Not just rodeo either, but one of the toughest parts of this demanding sport, bareback bronc riding, an event that’s demanding for a fully-sighted person. I’d been at the event for quite a while before learning about Taylor. He’s a pretty soft-spoken fellow who doesn’t ask for any special favors or treatment. What finally clued me in were his two helpers, his cousin, 13-year-old Blaze Williams, and Taylor’s brother, Dylan Oudekerk, 11. right there to lend their help, and their sight. The one thing this group of photos doesn’t have is action of Taylor in the arena, but I think you get the idea. And I may not be done with telling his story. These few photos are part of my rodeo coverage for the Williamson County Sun.
Snakes (And Lizards) Alive!
The Georgetown Public Library’s Summer Reading Program entertained kids and adults alike last week with a visit by Tim Cole of Austin Reptile Service. Mr. Cole rolled his big box of goodies into a big upstairs meeting room, unloading an assortment of snakes, turtles and lizards, including the one the boys are checking out in the opening photo, an Egyptian Uromastyx Lizard. Others for Mr. Cole’s instructional program included a European Legless Lizard, an Albino California King Snake, a Mexican Milk Snake, an African Bullfrog, a ball python and a pretty, but hefty Albino Boa Constrictor carefully handled by Bethni King, the childrens’ library director. The last little critter in this post is a Bearded Dragon, a peaceful little fellow. Just after covering this presentation, an 18-year-old was bitten by a Cobra he was apparently toting in his car. The young man went into cardiac arrest and died. It seemed appropriate to hold off on this post for a few days, but it’s a really good thing to have folks like Mr. Cole out there to give everyone an idea what’s dangerous and what isn’t. This group of photos were well-displayed by my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Hank Williams Comes To Life at the Palace
In his 29 years on the planet, Hank Williams wrote and made some wonderful music. Sadly, like so many in the public eye, the work took a toll, his life coming to an end far too early, in 1953. The talented people at Georgetown’s Palace Theatre are bringing Mr. Williams to the stage, with the good and the bad. The actors playing the musicians are all wonderful, but Robert Banta, as Hank, nails his part. Go see this one if you get a chance. It’s playing weekends through August 16. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Market Days in Georgetown, Texas
Through November, the Downtown Georgetown Association hosts Market Days on the scenic square in Georgetown, Texas. Market Days are held the second Saturday of each month. Yesterday, I visited the square to record the action. Fredericksburg peaches, now in season, were available to shoppers looking for something healthy, Texas-grown, and sweet. Dogs in strollers were leading the good life, too. Thankfully, the normally sizzling Texas summer heat has been held at bay, at least for a while. It was all good yesterday. One touching moment near the end of my day of image-making was meeting the mom of a 7-year-old boy who recently underwent a liver transplant. That little guy is shown in the final photo of this post. The transplant was performed March 30, but he’s making remarkable progress. He’d love to have a dog though, maybe one like Rascal, available for adoption at the Georgetown Animal Shelter. Shelter volunteers were on hand at the square to encourage taking home a pet. Alas, mom would love to have a dog for her young man, but money is tight and so is space in their apartment. I hope he gets his dog someday soon though. He deserves it. These photos were taken for my buddies at the Williamson County Sun.
A Summertime Palette of Color
Sunflowers are growing wild in fields around Central Texas, but soon they will be gone. I’ve been passing this glorious display of Mother Nature’s handiwork for several weeks, in a field along Texas Highway 29, not far from Georgetown’s East View High School. Just yesterday, I determined it was time to find out who oversees this slice of Texas sweetness, knocking on nearby doors. A second visit late Thursday led me to the home of Francisco Ochoa, who watches over the 50 acres, adorned not only with sunflowers, but Ochoa’s 20 head of Brangus cattle. Mr. Ochoa and his daughter, Kaleigh, 11, led me across the street for a closer look, where I visited with the curious cows while Kaleigh picked a few flowers. Mr. Ochoa says in past years the field has been home to various crops, but this year, the decision was made to let nature work its magic. Kaleigh enjoyed her romp, passing along a small gift of color to dad, then offered some to the curious photographer, who at first politely declined. Not to be deterred, Kaleigh managed to leave a few in my car. “You don’t turn down flowers from a child!” my wife explained. Now I know. This morning, my little treasures sat in a small vase on the kitchen table. They’re beginning to shrivel now, but I’m happy to have had them, for at least a while.
Herons In A Tree
A few days ago, a friend asked me if I’d seen the Green Herons perched in a tree on the Georgetown square. Of course, I had no idea, but determined to find out if my friend was seeing things. Herons, for the most part, are water birds. They stay close to areas that will provide an abundant supply of food for their families. That would be lakes, ponds or “tanks,” and rivers. Well folks, we’ve had a lot of rain lately in Central Texas, but downtown Georgetown has not become that waterlogged! The Williamson County Sun’s managing editor, Will Anderson, joined me the other day for a stroll down to 8th and Main Streets. After staring into the tree on that corner, Will pointed up into the high branches. Sure enough, we spotted one, then two, three, and so on. When I took these photos late last week, I counted six birds, not all of them quite grown, plus a few babies in nests. Green Herons are quite a bit smaller than their cousins, Great Blue Herons, but nonetheless they were (and are) delightful sights to see. Even out of their habitat.
A Fine And Relaxing Fourth of July
When I say “relaxing” in the headline, that is directed at the revelers who spent Saturday’s Fourth of July holiday in Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park, enjoying a happening conducted for years by the city’s Sertoma Club. For yours truly, it’s a long, but fruitful bit of work. The day included a Hometown Parade through the park. This parade, always well-attended, speaks volumes about communities coming together. After the parade, attendees filled the park, staying cool and relaxing close to the banks of the San Gabriel River. Thankfully, organizers provided water sprays, a very popular spot when temperatures took their toll. One grandma, a wee bit pooped after accompanying her grandkids in the Hometown Parade, found a shady tree and had a nice nap. As evening approached, the crowded park got really packed in anticipation of the grand finale fireworks show. A sweet scene that night was a grandpa relaxing with his 11-month-old grandson, his first grandbaby. The July 4th holiday has been a long day of labor for many years, but it’s certainly a precious slice of life. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
A Picnic and Polka Music in Granger
Since the mid-1950s, Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, in Granger, Texas, has been home to a rite of summer in this small Texas town, their annual Parish Picnic and Polka Dance. Church members arrive at the parish recreation center around 5a.m. to prepare the food, which this year included about 1100 pounds of fried chicken. Once the feasting is done, the hall is cleared to make way for kicking up your heels to traditional Polka music. On stage this year were Fritz Hodde and his band, followed by the Ennis Czech Boys. Granger is a rather tiny community of just over 1100 people a little over 40 miles north of Austin, but don’t let its size fool you. It’s a town steeped in Czech culture, with a little bit of German tradition thrown in for good measure. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
A Fine Evening For Rodeo
The Texas air was heavy with humidity, but the skies remained clear at the annual Williamson County Sheriffs Posse Rodeo on Friday night in Georgetown, Texas. An added attraction at this year’s event was an appearance by members of the First Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, based at Fort Hood, Texas. After a very loud cannon blast, riders and horses demonstrated their skillful riding, followed by the main event in Georgetown’s venerable rodeo setting. The night’s competitors, some, like Jason Griffin of Dallas, a bareback rider, were sporting bandages and braces, but it didn’t hold them back at all. Mutton Bustin’ gave youngsters a chance to show off their skills. 5-year-old Liam Brown, pictured in this post three times, came away the clear winner, riding that sheep like an old hand. And let’s not forget cowboy fashion statements, either, from both ends of the age spectrum. In the last photo, 4-year-old Jay Griffin stays close to his dad, Jason Griffin, the bareback rider also pictured in this post. Jay was occupied with his sword, adding a nice glow to an already sweet evening. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
A Refreshing Summer Place
With temperatures beginning their upward trend in Central Texas, area residents are finding the cool waters of Blue Hole, a lagoon on the South Fork of the San Gabriel River, a nice place to visit. I stopped by Thursday afternoon for a while. The actual temperature was around 95 or 96 degrees, but the heat index made it feel like 107 out there. Thank goodness for free places like Georgetown’s Blue Hole. These are a few photos taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Two Big Days Rolled Into One
It doesn’t always happen, but Sunday was a celebration of two important days, the first full day of summer and Fathers Day. Looking for ways to document that, my first stop was at the Georgetown Public Library, where bluegrass music was being performed by The Sieker Band, courtesy of Rolf Sieker and his wife, Beate. Every third Sunday, all year long, the library offers free afternoon concerts. There I found a father enjoying the music, but also enjoying his two-year-old’s company. And a grandfather explaining things to his 4-year-old granddaughter. Moving on, I put my sights on Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park, where I found a dad spending time on a fishing trip with his girls. And horseback riding lessons for two 7-year-old best friends, the lessons conducted by Bella Peregrina Ranch, based near Rockdale, Texas. Summer’s usual Texas blast was tempered by a cloudy day, periodically offering a spot of rain. It was a humid day, but it was a good one. These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.
Juneteenth’s 150th
Juneteenth, which commemorates when, in 1865, slaves in Texas learned they were freed, celebrates its 150th year. For 63 of those years, the Georgetown Cultural Citizens Memorial Association has remembered the occasion for those of us here in Central Texas. Since returning to Texas a few years back, I’ve been honored to document their observance. This year, as the country tries to digest the very sad events in Charleston, South Carolina, organizers here remembered with a full minute of silence…just silence. The opening photo in this post addresses that. Hate helps nothing. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Retirement of the Colors
Many of you may know the accepted form of retiring an American flag, but if you are not, the accepted and proper way to do that is by burning it. On this Flag Day, I attended a ceremony at Georgetown’s VFW Post 8587, where a brief ceremony was held to not only honor the flag, but to educate on proper disposal once it’s lived beyond its acceptable life. On hand to perform this duty were members of Boy Scout Troop 405. After the program inside, the scouts moved outside, where they carefully and lovingly gathered the flags, then dipped their pieces into the flames. It was eloquent and respectful. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
A Visit to Florence (Texas)
So many years away from Texas continues to give me an appreciation of the small towns that comprise our 254 counties. One of them is Florence, Texas, in Williamson County. Florence is about 40 or so miles northwest of Austin. According to the 2010 census, their population is a little over 1,100 people. For many years, those traveling from Georgetown to Killeen would automatically drive through, along Texas Highway 195. Now there is a bypass taking travelers around this delightful town. That is indeed regrettable. Florence is friendly, compact and eclectic. On Saturday, I paid a visit to Florence for their Florence Friendship Festival, including vendors, a parade, an auction to benefit the local chamber of commerce and even a washers tournament. While there, I met 7-week-old Aubrey Pfitzner, Harold Ramm and his wife Tommie, married 68 years, a Cathoula hound named Her (yes, Her) and her partner and owner, Robin Roche, Olivia Combs (Miss Friendship), Paris Johnson (Little Miss Friendship) and auctioneer (and veterinarian) Dr. Woody Ray. A few others are included in this post. Coinciding with the festival was a used book sale at the Eula Hunt Beck Public Library. While there, I had a chance to meet novelist Elizabeth Moon, a Florence resident whose writing I admire a lot. The last photo in this post is Ms. Moon, showing off her recently-knitted pair of socks before strolling home to get in her daily 1500 words. These photos are for my friends at the Williamson County Sun. Enjoy the little towns when you can.
