Just A Few Photos I Like
From time to time, my posts, like this one, may just be images that don’t clearly fit into a particular category. If I were to pick one, however, cold, chilly, wet weather might be good. For instance, the opening photo, taken yesterday afternoon, shows Lizzy Montes bundling up with Alex, her 6-month-old baby brother while their family enjoyed a day of fishing at Blue Hole Lagoon, in Georgetown, Texas. Fly fisherman Bart Lipscomb visited that same spot, coming well-dressed for his day on (and in) the frigid water. Temperatures didn’t get out of the 30s. Friends to the north might see us South Central Texans as wimps, but we fare well, thank you. I did sort of feel sorry for that poor cow in Jonah who did her best to stay warm. Alas, it’s the life they’re dealt, isn’t it? A really nice sunset is also included. Other photos continue my fascination with the moon, a lovely orb. The one on the rippling water, which may be hard to read, is actually a full moon reflected on its surface at Taylor’s Murphy Park. Flags are another favorite subject so it was nice to juxtapose one at Taylor Regional Park on a very chilly night last week. More to come as I find it!
Let The Year Begin
New Years Day in Central Texas was cold and wet, with temperatures staying in the 30s. For some, like Renie Light, in the opening photo, a trip to Lake Georgetown was just the ticket. I have to admit to an affection for days like this, too. A positive result of the weather, at least for me, is that it seemed to wipe out my cedar fever allergy issues, always a good thing. Another inspiring sight was Nick Catron, out for a walk with his dog. Loaded in that huge backpack was a hundred pounds of rocks. Nick did this in loving support for his wife, Millicent, who is working hard to conquer her weight issues. Millicent was not far behind, pushing a well-covered stroller containing their 7-month-old son, Vim. Miguel Coronado was greeted by an audience of geese upon completion of his run at San Gabriel Park. And a Great Egret foraged for a meal on a hazy, smoky pond at Berry Springs Park & Preserve. The cool weather will stay with us Central Texans for another day or so, but that’s okay. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
A Look Back at 2014
As the years pass, it’s still fun and inspiring to create photos. These days, I mostly stay away from hard news and competitive sports, but see their place in the world of photography. This random selection are just a few from 2014 that made me feel pretty good about what I do. Happy 2015.
An Outing With Grandpa
Christmas is a recent memory, but area children continue to enjoy some time off before tackling the school books again next week. At the end of a very nice day, Larry Gabel, from Liberty Hill, Texas, spent some quality time at the San Gabriel River with his grandsons, 9-year-old Ayden Hesskew, and Ayden’s little brother, Dekker. The setting is Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park, a really good slice of Williamson County, whatever the time of year.
A Tiny Texas Parade
Weir, Texas is a very small town. Its population for many years has hovered around 500 people. There is a blinking yellow traffic light though. Its smallness does not stop the town from having their very own Christmas Parade, held each December for the past 28 years. Throughout that time, Weir Mayor Mervin Walker, shown getting things going at this year’s parade, has been leading the charge. One of the really nifty things I like about this event is how folks show up with their antique tractors. Ken Teinert, a Weir resident, again showed up with his 1951 John Deere, allowing granddaughter Abbie Leonard, 9, to take the reins, with grandpa right there to keep her on course. 2-year-old Calvin Schaefer was one of the happy children on hand to watch the action with his family. And let’s not forget parade participant Becky Bourtzos, getting a kiss from her pug called Pearl! Small-town Texas is just dang cool. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Nativity Scenes in Taylor & Georgetown
Live nativity scenes, when done well, are works of art. One that I particularly enjoy each Christmas season is the undertaking at Taylor’s Immanuel Lutheran Church, seen in the first eight images in this post. Immanuel Lutheran, a beautiful old church over 100 years old, sits on a hilltop, adding a visual treat to passersby. The live nativity at Immanuel is actually the work of a coalition of churches throughout Williamson County. The last four photos are from Georgetown’s San Gabriel Presbyterian Church. San Gabriel’s is not as extensive as its Taylor neighbor, but they have what many churches do not …. a camel! This year, the camel, who I’m told is called Cecil, was a few minutes late on his journey from the Fort Worth area. But there he was, behaving nicely, thank you very much. This little package of holiday photos was created for the Williamson County Sun.
Blue Santa Makes the Holiday Brighter
The holiday season can be a time for happiness, but each year children and their families might not find things so merry. Many are hurting. Just getting by can be a daunting task. As Christmas approaches, parents may wonder how they’ll provide for their loved ones. In Georgetown, Texas, we have the Blue Santa program, administered by the Georgetown Police Department. Through Blue Santa, qualified families in need are able to provide not only the basics, but also gifts for every family member. On a very busy Saturday, I was on hand for the distribution to these families. Dozens of volunteers were there to distribute the large number of gift boxes. Sometimes, as an event unfolds, a moment, call it an epiphany, approaches my camera. That happened Saturday, as 2-year-old Jaelynn Benitz, the fourth image in this post, waited with her mother as the hustle and bustle flowed all around her. Those little eyes spoke volumes. These are among the photos I took for the Williamson County Sun.
A Step Back In Time
When I visited Texarakana’s Union Station in 1975, the once-majestic train depot straddling the Texas-Arkansas line, brought to life in 1929, appeared to have become the property of the pigeons. Even today, I vividly recall Easter 1958. Miss Bertha White’s first-grade class arrived here for a 19-mile train ride to Ashdown, Arkansas, where we’d step off the train to get a free, colored (and I do mean colored, as in food coloring) Easter chick to take home. I wonder the fate of those chicks. For my family, it was a no-brainer since we raised chickens. My little critter became part of the Sharp family hen house. Fast-forward to the mid-70s day when these photos were taken. I have no idea how long the old depot had suffered the ravages of disuse. Amazingly, there was the complete absence of “No Trespassing” signs. Even more interesting was the fact that I found open doors — to a very empty, somewhat spooky space. Outside, on the tracks, a couple of fellows, probably rail-riders, were the only souls around. What caught my eye as much as anything was how time literally seemed to have stopped, on the clock above baggage claim, and on the big clock outside. I wonder about Union Station today. It would be nice if someone could bring life back inside its walls, in some form. It seems a shame to let it waste away.
A Christmas Stroll Through Georgetown
This year’s Christmas Stroll in Georgetown was another very well-attended affair. Arriving an hour early on Saturday, I still had to troll around a bit before finally landing a parking spot. Once on the scene, all was well. The weather, a little chilly for the morning parade, moderated nicely throughout the day. Compared to last year’s temperatures in the 20s, this was paradise. The city indicated this year’s parade would be smaller, but it sure looked packed to me. After its absence from last year’s Stroll, the popular Bethlehem Village, hosted by Georgetown Church of Nazarene, was back in place. NewChurch Georgetown was back for another year with their Whoo Village, complete with the Grinch and offerings of stylish Whoo hairstyles. Getting her Whoo hair done, 4-year-old Jordan Salyers, casting a menacing look at my camera lens, proclaimed “I don’t like having my picture taken!” That said, she seem quite pleased with the end result she viewed in the mirror. The courthouse lawn was a lively place, too, filled with colorful hula hoops provided by Circle of Play. And Madison Tally, at the grand age of one year, looked a little like a human Christmas tree as she danced around the square in her colorful outfit. This event is a lot of work, but much fun. These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.
The Season of Advent
Each year about this time, Southwestern University, in Georgetown, Texas, becomes magical when their Lois Perkins Chapel is filled with the soft light created by hundreds of candles at their annual Candlelight Service celebrating the Season of Advent. The first year I attended this for the Williamson County Sun, I asked a person in charge if there was anything they didn’t want me to do. The lady quickly said “No flash photography.” Not wanting to be obtuse, I smiled and said, “Of course.” Sometimes, it’s not worth explaining to someone that a flash won’t carry very far in a huge chapel, anyway. With so much natural light, there is no need to detract in any way. At any rate, this year’s service was, as usual, beautiful and moving as hundreds joined together singing “Silent Night” and others. One little lady that particularly charmed me was 4-year-old Gaia Crenshaw, pictured in the opening photo (and several more times here). She was enchanted by all the lovely light. Freya, her 5-month-old sister, is shown with their mom, Molly. Also along was daddy, Marshal Crenshaw. Both mom and dad are Southwestern graduates. At events like this, it’s not uncommon for my visual attentions to focus on the children. They’re always amazing.
The Season Begins
Georgetown’s elegant and beautiful square was the setting for last night’s annual Lighting of the Square. In the few years we’ve been back in Texas, this lovely happening seems to draw more each time around. While the adults enjoy the evening, the children find it to be just heavenly, thank you very much. The delight in the kids’ eyes when Christmas carols are sung is touching. Once the officialdom is done, parents and children alike find their way to the glistening tree on the courthouse lawn. Please enjoy the season. If life’s problems are difficult, take a wee bit of time to be unburdened. These photos are for the Williamson County Sun.
Staying Fit On Thanksgiving Day
The Georgetown Running Club and Sertoma Club, both in Georgetown, held their 2nd Annual Turkey Trot early this morning, starting this year on the Georgetown square. In only its second year, the race is really a big hit, with approximately 800 participants taking part in runs and walks, including a kids fun run as well as 1-mile and 5-mile events. I seem destined to cover running events on Thanksgiving day. During my years working at the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, I was always there to cover the Atlanta Marathon and Half-Marathon. Getting up early doesn’t seem to be a problem for something that’s so much fun for participants and spectators alike. One little athlete I particularly loved was a chihuahua named Enrique, who ran 5 miles on his tough little legs! Here are a few photos I shot for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Autumn Color In Central Texas
Although the colors were generally more vibrant when we lived in the eastern United States, we’re not without a breath of Autumn in South Central Texas. Being a warmer climate, the colors arrive a bit later. As we approach December, our palette is just beginning to fill in. Included in this post are a few photos from Georgetown, Texas, as well as my little town, Taylor, a few miles east. The first eight photos are Taylor, the rest Georgetown. I shot the Taylor photos today, incorporating the remnants of recent rains in them. Hopefully, you’ll find something that brightens your world. As is often the case, I’ve incorporated a bird (a Great White egret) into one of the photos.
A Pleasant Night for Birds (And Humans)
This is one of my “therapy” wanderings. On the way home from the library tonight, the skies did their usual nice thing for my psyche. I pulled over near Murphy Park to watch the skies and avian creatures coincide.
A Loveable Green Ogre at the Palace
This post will be short on words so that I can let you concentrate on the photos! Georgetown’s beautiful Art Deco theater, the Palace, has a wonderful treat for the holiday season, “Shrek, The Musical.” I attended the play’s dress rehearsal. Among those in the audience that night was 22-month-old Crosby Landreth, whose big sister, Berkley, plays a part. Crosby came properly attired with his crocheted Shrek cap! The cast is a big one, but standouts for me were Shrek, played by Scott Shipman, Fiona, with Mary Katherine Kinney in that role, and Donkey, hilariously and joyfully portrayed by Kirk Kelso. This one is quite family-friendly. Seats will quickly book up for this production, which continues every weekend through December 29. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
A Celebration of Texas’ Czech Culture
The little town of Granger, Texas, population approximately 1200, is a community dominated by families with a deep Czech heritage. A gathering spot for many folks here is Saint Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church. Among the more interesting fundraisers church members undertake every November is their Kolache Bake Sale. For their big event, members, including men, women and kids, were on the scene beginning at 4:30 in the morning. That was far too early for me, but I did show up last Saturday around 9:30, when things were well underway. 513 dozen (that’s right, dozen) kolaches were made, selling for $10 a dozen. Among the flavors baked on this day were poppy seed, pineapple, prune, cherry and cream cheese. One of the church’s fundraising goals is the painting of their sanctuary. In Czech (and also German) culture, elaborate painting is one of the traditions brought here from Europe in the 1800s. These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.
An Open Carry Walk Through Taylor
Approximately 30 members of Come And Take It held their Open Carry Freedom Walk this past weekend on a misty Saturday afternoon in Taylor, Texas. In the upcoming 84th Texas legislature, members are pushing for passage of House bill 195, which can be read here. Rather than present a personal thought on the matter, I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. My task was to document Saturday’s happenings. I will say, however, they were polite and used good judgement when, at the end of their 2-hour walk, they retired to a local restaurant, but without their guns.
Honoring Our Veterans
On this 2014 Veterans Day, the weather decided to do an about-face, with temperatures plummeting throughout the morning. That didn’t deter a hearty Central Texas crowd from showing up for the annual observance at Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza, in Sun City. The seats were filled as veterans, past and present, were given the respect they’ve earned. One veteran, 39-year-old Chris Powell, an Army Ranger who lost both legs during his time in Afghanistan in 2011, was there, too. What he didn’t know was that a local home builder, Pulte Homes, was there to present him with a new home, free of charge. It was a good day, even a time for lightheartedness, when, at the end of the ceremonies, two Korean War veterans were slowly making their way along, with their cane and walker at the ready. As they continued, 84-year-old Gerald Allen Wilcomb (on the right), turned to 81-year-old Robert Dickey, and said, with more than a hint of whimsey, “I’ll race you, old fellow!” Yes, it was a good day. These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.
Enjoying the World of Flight
The City of Georgetown’s Municipal Airport was the scene again for this year’s Airfest. This year, the day began very early, before dawn, the time when hot air balloonists find the skies to their liking. If the winds are over 10 miles per hour, they usually don’t launch. Thankfully, as dawn approached, we were a sedate 5 miles per hour. Three young ladies and their family were on the scene to watch the liftoff, but still in their pajamas. Smart girls they were! Once the balloons made their ascent, I took in more of the Airfest fun as youngsters, like 16-year-old Angie Cox, had the chance to take free flights, courtesy of Chapter 187 of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Angie had a great experience with pilot Chip Cotton, who took her up in his beautiful biplane. Then, of course, there were the static aircraft displays for everyone to enjoy. For auto enthusiasts, vintage cars were there to see, too. Saturday was quite a long day, but a rewarding one. These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.
Time to Smoke the Sausage!
For an authentic slice of Texas culture, few things can top the annual Wurstbraten fundraiser, conducted by Walburg’s Zion Lutheran Church and School. The event, held the first week in November each year, is steeped in the German tradition of the area. The gymnasium is always full of diners, enjoying their good vegetables, of course, but the big ticket item is the homeade sausage, painstakingly prepared in the smoky pits behind the church. Those pits are where I tend to gravitate each time I visit. As mentioned before, I wish there was a method in the electronic world to relate the intense aroma wafting from those old pits. This year’s Wurstbraten prepared and served 12,500 pounds of sausage. The Farm to Market road leading to the church is always packed with hungry patrons. For those not wishing to dine inside, to-go plates were readily available. Two of those went home in my car this year. We don’t eat a lot of read meat, but when we do, it has to be top-notch. That’s never a problem at Wurstbraten! These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Nature’s Pecan Bounty
When I was growing up in Texarkana, we were fortunate to have three large pecan trees gracing our front yard. Year after year, the trees served us well. One year, the trees developed some sort of tree ailment and daddy hired a “tree doctor” for them. The treatment was successful, giving us more good yields in the years that followed. In present-day Central Texas, we don’t have these great trees at our home, but not far away, Berry Springs Park & Preserve, just east of Georgetown, is covered with these wonderful trees. Throughout the year, the grove is of course resplendent to see, but when Autumn rolls in, it’s time for pecans! It’s a good season this time around. As long as they don’t climb them, park visitors are welcome to collect these nutty delights. I was there a few days ago to take in the action. The collection techniques were interesting. Some use a stick of sorts, used specifically to grab the nuts. If limbs are low-hanging, others jump or get on their tip toes for their treats. And one young 11-year-old, who pitches in little league, was pretty good at aiming his pitches in just the right places. It’s making me wish for a nice pecan pie!
Halloween in Georgetown, Texas
The photos with this post are from a Halloween Carnival held by Georgetown Parks & Recreation (the first four you see), the rest from Halloween night in the historic section of Main Street, also known as Old Town to the locals. The Main Street residents go all out, attracting families from not only this neighborhood, but all over. And, to my surprise a couple of years back, they seem to love have us news folks around with our cameras. It’s a welcoming feeling. Rather than ramble on here, I’ll let the photos do the work. These were taken for my buddies at the Williamson County Sun.
Bulldog Love
The Williamson County Show Barn was home last weekend to the Texas Bulldogge Derby, a competition specifically for the various types of bulldogs out there. Note that the spelling for the event is correct, in that it refers to a specific breed, written as Olde English Bulldogge. There were those, but also American bulldogs and a Mammoth bulldog, a type that has a longer, fluffier coat, like the little copper-colored guy shown in this post, 3-month-old Ewok, being held by his owner, Kim Evans. At home, we have Star, a Staffordshire terrier, a type of Pit bulldog. Despite a sometimes unsavory reputation in the canine family, these dogs were loved and well treated. Much like Penelope, the last pooch in this post, being encouraged and petted by her owner, David Ortega, from Victorville, California. Penelope is a 2-year-old American bulldog. Dogs may or may not have certain characteristics, but most often it’s the way they are treated that forms their personalities. These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.
Where Cotton is King
Texas leads the country in many areas. Among those is the production of cotton. For years, the Lone Star state has come in first for their efforts. In my area of Central Texas, the Blackland Prairie land is even more well-suited than most. The dirt is dark and rich. This year’s crop, says longtime Taylor-area farmer Larry Safarik, is among the best he’s seen in years. “We got the rain when we needed it the most, in June and July,” explained Safarik. The soft and fuzzy result was a good outcome for the 900 acres he planted this season. Like many modern farmers, Safarik plants the seed and cultivates the crop, but at harvest time, he brings in outside help to get the harvesting work done. That’s a good thing since Safarik continues to teach middle school when he’s not in the fields. The harvesting goes on day and night, seven days a week. Rain, a good thing in early summer, can be a hindrance when its time to pick. Nobody wants to harvest a soggy yield. Once harvested, his cotton makes its way to Waterloo Gin, one of many longtime facilities in the area ready to get the 22,000 pound modules from the fields whittled down into 500 pound bales. Like its counterparts, the Waterloo Gin is a dusty place, but quite efficient. Most of the workers wear protective masks (yours truly included), but gin worker Pedro Guajardo seemed oblivious to is effects. Once ginned, our local cotton is then taken to the Taylor Compress, where it’s stored in huge warehouses until its sent on its way, much of it across the ocean. This little slice of Texas, my “land ocean,” loves its cotton crops this year.
