After a visit to the World’s Smallest Catholic Church last weekend, I took advantage of the day’s nice weather and enjoyed a bit of one of the many things that make Texas so great, our majestic Spring wildflowers.   Some years, due to drought and/or other factors, their abundance is limited.  This year, however, things are looking nice.   The day took me to Washington County, through the town of Brenham, home of the best ice cream in the world, then up Highway 50 to the very small town of Independence.   Today, Independence is home to Old Baylor Park.   Before Baylor University set down permanent roots in Waco, it was here, from 1845-1886.   On a good flower year, this is a top destination.  I wasn’t disappointed.   Most of these photos are from there.   The last two were taken in Caldwell (home of the Kolache Festival), along Texas Highway 36.    We love our wildflowers.

A few weeks ago, thanks to social media, I heard about something that just cried to be seen.   It seems that Texas, known for all things bigger, also has the smallest  Catholic church in the world!   The church is Saint Martins Catholic Church, on Texas Highway 237 just east of Warrenton.   That’s Fayette County for those who don’t know, home to the  more well-known Painted Churches.   This beautiful little gem was built in 1915 and measures a whopping 12 feet by 16 feet.  Inside, there’s no electricity (at least I didn’t find any on my visit), but window light does a fine job, adding to the mood.  The well-worn  floor is home to 12 wooden pews, enough, I’m told, to hold  20 worshipers.   Mass is usually held once a month.    What I really liked more than anything, however, is what I admire about many Catholic churches:  they keep their doors open.   I worried I’d make the 90-minute drive for nothing, but I got there before sunrise and sure enough, it was open.   That’s a good thing.   If you’re going through Fayette County, Texas, stop by for a visit.   Drive slowly though, or you might miss it!

During a very busy Saturday, I enjoyed spending some time with Southwestern University

students as they took part in “The Big Event.”  a day of service in the Georgetown community.   Students, faculty and staff spread out all over the area, giving of their time and their labor.   In all, groups visited 15 locations.   Among them was Park Place Care Center, where 18-year-old Sarah Matthews visited with 89-year-old Bob Dabney (opening photo) while 18-year-old Aliehs Lee not only listened to some great stories told by 101-year-old Mary Grumbles, but learned how to play dominoes for the first time, courtesy of a very sharp lady.   Others spent time staining fences at the Stonehaven Unit of the Boys & Girls Club of Georgetown.   And a huge group volunteered their day at the Special Olympics.   All this was leading up to the inauguration of Southwestern’s 15 president, Edward Burger (a later post to follow on that event).

Even if I weren’t assigned to cover the Special Olympics each year, I’d make a point of being there.   These athletes give it all they’ve got, with immeasurable support from the Georgetown and Central Texas communities.   This is the 28th year for this event, sponsored by the San Gabriel Kiwanis Breakfast Club.    For this Spring’s session, 6 teams were on hand on a cloudy, near-perfect Saturday morning at the Forbes Middle School track.  Pedro Gonzales (opening and second photo), a member of the Taylor Comets team, was one of the day’s success stories.   Nearing the end of the 800 meter run, Pedro had just about run out of fuel, but was given a helping hand to complete his race.   At this event, everyone wins, spectators and volunteers included.  These are some photos taken for the Williamson County Sun.

For a number of years, the Georgetown (Texas) Public Library celebrates Spring Break week with a tea party, always well-attended by children and adults alike.   This year’s event was themed Alice in Wonderland.   Approximately 250 kids were there to have fun and be entertained with tea (lemonade), grapes, cupcakes, cookies, etc.  A very funny duo, Schave & Reilly, kept everyone in stitches with their physical slapstick comedy act.   These are a few photos I took for the Williamson County Sun.   One little guy, 4-year-old Elijah Rodriguez, had such great expressions, I included him twice!

One of my favorite getaway places to enjoy the beauty of Central Texas is Berry Springs Park & Preserve, a tranquil bit of land and water with a wonderful grove of pecan trees.    And thanks to Sue Wright, a member of the Williamson Audubon Group, I got the chance to see a couple of Great Horned Owls that have taken up residence in a nest once belonging to a family of Red-Shouldered hawks.     Two of these big-eyed birds peered down at me from above.  There’s a third member, but he/she was incognito during my two-hour visit to the park.   Oh well, maybe another visit will prove more fruitful!   One creature obviously not shy around here is the common squirrel.  When I finally gave up on my owls, this furry critter felt the need to show its balancing skills on skinny limbs.   Amazingly, the little guy managed to hang on.  When photographers get bored, I suppose, squirrels are there to fill in the visual gaps.   If you’re in Central Texas, do check out Berry Springs Park & Preserve.  It’s on County Road 152.

Kids in Georgetown’s public schools kicked up their heels and donned their cowboy hats last week as they celebrated Texas independence in elementary schools, including McCoy Elementary, Village Elementary and Annie Purl Elementary School.   McCoy Elementary first graders Ja’mire Abrams and Andres Garza, both 6, were learning a little about the Texas two-step and the chicken dance.    McCoy fifth grader Ethan Garner donned a coonskin cap and portrayed Davey Crockett at the Battle of the Alamo.   Village kindergartener Maggie Davis, 5, showed off her fancy roping skills.   And Annie Purl second grader Alexis Rodriguez, 8, knew when to politely tip his cowboy hat.   I’ve said it before, but I don’t recall many states that so completely embrace their culture and traditions.   That’s a good thing, folks.

5-year-old Addison Breen and 4-year-old Anna Jones were  completely enamored during a visit to Georgetown’s Klett Performing Arts Center recently.  The two young ladies were part of the audience for a performance by magician C.J. Johnson.   Mr. Johnson, who travels the world entertaining and amazing youth and adults alike, was the featured attraction for a fundraiser here held by the Georgetown Evening Lions Club.   Money raised at the show helps get eyeglasses for needy children in the area, with additional funds helping out local charities such as The Caring Place.   Johnson’s show lasted almost 90 minutes and was non-stop fun.   My favorite audience member was 4-year-old Denton Ponton (the final photo), who was obviously in heaven!

On the way back from Enchanted Rock State Natural Area on Saturday, I took the time to stop along Texas Highway 29, a few miles east of Llano, Texas,  where some spectacular Bald Eagles have been nesting for the past few winters.    Their nest, apparently added to on each return trip to Texas, is quite huge!  It was a cool, cloudy day and I wasn’t sure I’d get a chance to see them, but luck was with me.   It would’ve been great to see their two chicks, but the babies, now old enough leave the nest, were incognito.   The parents, it seemed, weren’t too happy about that!   The nesting area has become so popular, an area for motor vehicles has been created so viewers don’t upset the flow of traffic on this 2-lane piece of blacktop.  Among those stopping during my visit were Terrie Moore, snapping pictures while her friend, Tanner Worthing, looked on.

Those in the know advise that if you want to see them, you need to go soon as they’re getting ready for their long trip north, to either Canada or Alaska.   All birds are majestic to me, but these are high on my list of favorites.

The Georgetown (Texas) Independent School District  each year encourages the district’s 5th graders to take part in instrument fairs, where kids who’ll be entering one of the three middle schools next school year get a chance to participate in band and/or orchestra.  At these sessions, children give the instruments a “test drive.”   As a former band and orchestra kid myself (mostly clarinet, sometimes tenor sax), I like that schools, even with cuts in funding everywhere, are continuing to get young minds thinking about the arts.   These photos, taken for the Williamson County Sun, were recorded at Benold Middle School this week.   It was fun to watch 11-year-old Isaiha Davis, a McCoy Elementary 5th grader, try out the French horn as his 5-year-old nephew, Ladarious Morrison-Johnson, took in every move!    Keep pushing the arts in schools.   Not that math and science aren’t important, but minds form in many different ways.