Coupland is a community of a little over 300 a few minutes south of our home in Taylor.   Even though small, it’s a vibrant community, home to St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, the Huntington Sculpture Foundation and the Coupland Inn and Dance Hall.    When I drove through there last evening, the vintage railroad depot, caboose and tracks were showing us some holiday spirit.   It’s a neat little town.

Except for a cancellation due to the spread of COVID-19, I’ve taken photos of  Immanuel Lutheran Church’s Pilgrimage to Bethlehem every year since 2009.   These photos were made Saturday evening.   Rain was forecast, but didn’t materialize.   A second night is scheduled there this evening.   This historic church, dedicated in summer 1916, has been in front of my lenses quite a lot.   So has the cemetery, behind the church.   If you’re on U.S. 79, traveling from Hutto to Taylor, it’s been hard to miss.    Approximately 20 area churches joined together to make it happen this year.   Immanuel is on County Road 401, a road now much shorter as Samsung continues the construction of their semiconductor facility, scheduled to open in 2024.   Note the last photo, one made as I left last evening.   Samsung is just over the hill, behind the cars navigating the highway.   As someone who lived in metro-Atlanta for 29 years, I’ve seen firsthand what progress can do.   We’ll see how things go in our area.

This has been the best autumn I’ve seen since we moved back to Texas in 2009.   All photos presented tonight were taken on recent walks in Taylor, including St. James Episcopal Church, plus a kind of funky last one, trees reflected in the shiny rear door of an 18-wheeler’s cab.   Along for the walks was that small Olympus camera I’ve been using for a year.   The camera was purchased used after my cataract surgeon mentioned I’d need to lighten my load for a few weeks.   Although I returned to my Nikons, I’ve made the Olympus a part of every walk.   Recent walks have been a little slower because I keep stopping to record the season.   The leaves are starting to go now, but it’s been a neat autumn.  

I don’t think the star is placed atop these Circleville grain elevators every year, but did see it shining again this week.    It’s simple, direct and seasonal. 

Last night I was busy with livestock show work, but I would’ve been at Granger’s official Christmas tree lighting if not.   This is a photo taken this evening.  Granger, Texas is one of the most elegant little towns anywhere in Central Texas.  

On Thursday I spent a final few hours at the Williamson County Livestock Show held at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor.  These were taken during the steer competition.   The participants take these events quite seriously.   For the families, it’s often the culmination of months of hard work.   I’ll post far more than you might want to view, but there’s always a lot to see at these shows.

There’s a category called Future Feeders at the Williamson County Livestock Show.  As the name suggests, it’s designed specifically for very young participants, possibly with a future interest in farming or ranching.    Arriving Wednesday afternoon at the Williamson County Expo Center I couldn’t help but notice two adorable identical twins, 6, joined by their friend, 7.    The girls were entering the competition arena to show some pigs.   Guiding them through the process were older livestock show attendees with plenty of showmanship themselves.  They helped the little folks stay on track.    I had a hard time telling the twins apart, but mom and grandparents were happy to help!   Normally, photos of people staring into the camera’s lens is pesky, but not this time.   Kudos to Future Feeders.

It seems like we get an overabundance of cloud cover on nights when a full moon is expected.   The moon finally broke through the clouds tonight, long enough to get it hovering behind a star atop the City of Taylor’s Christmas tree at Heritage Square Park.  I was glad to see it for a while.

A continuation of the Williamson County Livestock Show.   Today’s event was the Breeding Swine Show, to be followed on Wednesday by the Market Swine Show.   We’re talking about pigs, my friends.   The post opens with three photos of  a 10-year-old, Coy,  who won a Junior Showmanship award while showing his pig named Olly.    He’s given praise by his mom, also his grandfather.  I sense the bond with grandpa.  The others are a bit of this and that from the show.  

The Williamson County Livestock Show is underway at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, Texas this week.   I’m stopping by for occasional photos.   The livestock show showcases the hard work of youngsters involved in F.F.A. and 4-H programs.    For this post there’s a few teens, but also little folks just beginning to learn.   I’ll probably post some more before week’s end.