It was a productive, but hot Friday night for the 79th Annual Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo, now held in Jarrell, Texas. Rodeo is always something I look forward to documenting. As the years advance, it becomes more challenging to get the kind of storytelling photos I want, but it continues to be a rewarding pursuit. And it’s a whole lot of fun! The little girl at the end of this post would agree. 
For all the years (several decades) away from Texas I had this stereotyped image of folks riding their horses here and yonder. When returning, however, we learned that people do actually ride horses here! As in this scene taken last evening, two riders continuing their outing after resting under a little shade tree at the Manda School, tucked away in the northeast portion of Travis County. Manda School is a few miles north of Manor, in the New Sweden area. The two-room schoolhouse was built in 1915, in a community that began in the mid-1880s. It eventually taught kids in grades 1-12 before closing in 1963. For years, it’s been used as a community center. A few years ago I made photos inside and out as volunteers spruced it up. Not long ago, however, the school was vandalized. Hopefully, this little bit of Texas culture will be kept intact. There’s little left of Manda, Texas today, but the school remains. And sometimes a few horses. 
Grain Sorghum, also known as milo, is currently spread across many Blackland Prairie acres right now. Depending on how long it’s been growing, it might be yellow, orange or even a little red. Most of the grain sorghum you see is used for livestock feed, but some makes its way to other countries as a grain for human consumption. Apparently, it has a low gluten content. It’s a major crop in Texas, also Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Nebraska and South Dakota. I just like photographing it. And birds are big fans, too! That sunset photo that opens this post is from Beyersville, an area I like a lot. 
Just like that, temperatures dropped by almost 30 degrees tonight when a series of storms rolled through East Williamson County. With all the lightning strikes I’m surprised we still have power in Taylor. No lightning photos, those are a bit noisy for me. 
It’s odd to think that 9:57 a.m. Central Daylight Time is considered the start of summer. Summer temperatures arrived here two months ago. Now it’s really dang hot, triple digits galore. That aside, I decided to mark the official Summer Solstice during my morning walk today. Just some tiny landscapes. 
Since someone mentioned Beyerville’s Mager Cemetery a few years ago, I make the occasional journey there to take in the views. The person who told me about it was one of the people who helps maintain the grounds. On this recent visit flags adorned burial sites as the sun begin to go down in the distance. If memory serves, the volunteers place flags near Flag Day, where they remain through July 4th. It’s a nice setting. Also included is a closer version of the sunset, just because I like it. If you look closely at the main photo, you’ll see a collection of construction cranes in the distance at left. That’s the site of the Samsung Semiconductor plant, scheduled to open next year. Even miles away, the chip plant’s presence squeezes into the landscape. 
Just two horse photographs taken recently. The opening one was from tonight, when the light was crisp and sweet. The other, a field of horses, is from a few evenings ago. Just horses, friends. 
The City of Taylor conducted its first Juneteenth Parade today, followed by a gathering and presentations at the Dickey-Givens Community Center, at Fannie Robinson Park. Presented are a few photos from the morning. Since it’s expected to reach 107 degrees today, I’m glad the post-parade activities were indoors! 
A Georgetown final resting place, Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery & Prayer Gardens, is one of the places I like to go for a little quiet time. While the burial sites are well-maintained and beautiful, it’s relaxing to spend time by the pond and taking note of the variety of plant life. We’re still experiencing haze, which may or may not be obvious in these photos. No real theme here, just a place to rest. 
The Georgetown Cultural Citizens Memorial Association held their 71st Juneteenth celebration today. This group has been remembering it for as long as I’ve been alive. My 71st birthday is this summer. In recent years, it’s become a national holiday, observed this year on Monday. The post begins and ends with the same 3-year-old, a young lady adorned with personality. In the first photo she’s watching a dance troupe perform. In the last photo she takes part in a Cake Walk. Georgetown’s celebration was held in the community center at San Gabriel Park, a notable structure built in the late-1930s, a project of the Works Progress Administration. 
