A friend asked if I’d offer a black-and-white version of the hand shack engulfed in early-morning mist.   This is for you, Kurt.

Tree photos tonight, friends.   The first two photos were taken at the Circleville ranch of my friend Carol Fox.   A mesquite tree commands space on a gentle hill.  The long drive leading into and out of the ranch is pictured as I was leaving.  It’s my favorite for this post.   The last photo was taken tonight in Taylor. If you’re interested, that’s the Williamson County Expo Center in the background at left.   Just some tree things.

It’s remained misty all weekend in Central Texas.   I wandered around Saturday and Sunday to take a look.   The opening photo is the hand shack posted just a few days ago.  Both were early-morning efforts.   When not covered up by crops or trees, I photograph that shack.    Friends with an interest in taking photos could expand their vision  by occasionally documenting the same subject to see  how it changes.   It could be anything you find worthwhile.   Other photos in this post include the old (retired) truss bridge spanning the San Gabriel River near Taylor, four photos from Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown, plus a dirt road east of Taylor.    We’re expecting some pretty cold weather here over the next few days.  Maybe some precipitation, too.

This is about passages.  Recently, when pausing  to chat with friend Carol Fox at the grocery store, she mentioned I might like to stop by her Circleville ranch for photos of Benny, one of her three horses.  The others are Martini and Cutter.   I stopped by this week, on the night before Benny moved to another home about an hour away.   Two horses are enough for this busy rancher, writer and retired teacher.   My focus is just on Benny and Carol.   Things change, but I’ll miss seeing Benny.

Late Thursday afternoon I drove to Georgetown in search of people photos, but found time with the avian world quite pleasant.   These are along the San Gabriel River, as viewed at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park.  There I found ducks, geese and a few Great Egrets as they settled in for the evening.   Geese are reputed to have bad manners, but I like their attitude.   While at San Gabriel Park a few years ago, I remember a young man who befriended a goose.  The two were well-bonded.  The goose allowed him to pick her up for some cuddling time.   She knew when he came to the park and sought him out.  But I digress.   This is just about the gentle scenes observed last night at the river.  Quiet stuff. 

Recently a friend on Facebook reached out about using some of my photos to build a page about her church, Zion Lutheran Church in Sandoval, Texas.   In recent months, the beautiful structure resting in East Williamson County, but close to Milam County, has had some hard times. Recent storms have stripped part of the roof away.   Paint is peeling in several places.  They’ve been without a pastor since October.  She’s welcome to any of my past photos, but I drove out there this week to take a look for myself.  For the first time the unsightly water tower is included.   The water facility belongs to Milam County.   I wonder why it’s not there.  And why it’s so close to a church.   At any rate, a few photos, including one at sunset , taken from a distance.

Although I’m up quite early most days, getting outside for photos is difficult. This morning was different, a chance to absorb some of those early rays of light.  The subject matter doesn’t change, only how it’s presented.  The old hand shack is still standing.  Two versions are presented, one with a bird passing over.   The second one is a hundred yards north, where you can see the early crops starting to sprout.  The peeling barn is nearby.   The post concludes a few minutes later, a windmill and cistern.   Good light is a gift.

It was a cold and wet day on the Blackland Prairie.  Late in the afternoon the rain moved on, leaving behind a nice tapestry tonight near Thrall, Texas.

Two regal churches in Taylor have been neighbors for over a century.   Both are at 6th and Talbot Streets.  The sanctuary at First Presbyterian was built in 1912-13.   A few years ago, an apparent decline in membership closed its doors.  Rather than letting the beautiful structure waste away, it’s being recast as Talbot Commons.  A sign there says “Eat Stay Live.”   It’s a work in progress.  Across the street is United Christian Church, which began life as First Christian Church in 1891.   It’s still an active church.   In its early years there was a bell tower, now relegated to history, but the building still gets noticed.  One of these days I’ll figure out a way to include both structures in one photo, but only if it’s good!  These are from an evening’s wandering last night.  

During our weekend drive Saturday, we visited St. Olafs Kirke, near Cranfills Gap, Texas.  Known as The Rock Church, it was built by Norwegian immigrants in 1886.   It sits on a hill about three miles east of the Bosque County  town of Cranfills Gap.  I learned about the church via photographers followed on social media, who’ve posted beautiful night photos of the church.   Do a search to see some nice imagery.   Since this was a day trip, my photos give you different look, both outside and inside the church.   As the area grew, the congregation built a larger church in 1917 in the little town mentioned.  St. Olafs Kirke (Kirke means “church”)  is today used for special services, including ones at Easter and Christmas.  It has no electricity or running water, but has a huge woodburning stove and kerosene lamps.   The original church stays close to its roots.