Of all the subjects that appear before the camera, windmills rank high.   They’re documented a lot, with no apologies.   Along the way, they might be photographed, but simply filed away.   During this holiday season it’s time to offer a few, but not all at once.  Are they photographed a lot?  Of course they are.   Keep watching for more as we mosey along.

It’s either let things pile up on the desktop, or put them  in a trash pile. We’re putting them here tonight, beginning with a sunset at a friend’s farm near Walburg, followed by  evening lights in Taylor.   All photographs are from this evening.  The Christmas lights displays are close  to home, very well done.  And one more, a beautiful window in downtown Taylor.

The Winter Solstice arrived this morning in the Northern Hemisphere.  It might be winter, but temperatures in our area climbed into the upper 60s, perhaps a little more.  The mild temperatures made it a good afternoon for a father/daughter fishing excursion  to the river at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park.  The river is seen near sunset.   Arriving in Taylor later, a Waxing Crescent moon, at 3.6% visibility blended nicely with a few birds.

We’ll see how long this series of walk photographs continue.   A dozen from this week’s strolls in Taylor, Texas.   A newspaper is included.  Printed newspapers are likely being relegated to history.   The cost of paper is high.

Photographs from today’s  Blue Santa distribution in Georgetown, Texas.   Blue Santa,  conducted by the Georgetown Police Department, helps families provide for their children, something they’ve done for decades.  Prequalified families are presented with gift boxes each year.   For 2025,  3,100 children were recipients.   In 2024 that number was about 2,600 kids.   It’s been a rough year for many.   The photographs  include a lot of helpers, but the first six ones are kids whose families are recipients.   Those children resonate.

This scene in Walburg, Texas has continued to be soothing  every year.   It’s not photographed during all holiday seasons, but is this time.   It’s quiet, calming and welcomed  right now.  A number of friends will know exactly where this is.  

Thursday was a holiday shopping day in downtown Georgetown, with no plans to take anymore light photos on the square.   After the shopping was done, however, these four joyful faces presented themselves.  They presented their own light with radiant smiles.  Find joy where you can.

Another single photograph tonight, a fine Texas Longhorn relaxing on a hill at day’s end near Taylor, Texas.

The area is around the Georgetown square is impeccable all year long, but especially during the holiday season, when the lights really shine.   Photos presented were taken Tuesday night and tonight.   The row of stained glass windows are Main Street Baptist Church.   The other church is the facade of Grace Heritage Center, at one time Grace Episcopal Church, in Georgetown since 1881.

From a recent visit to Thorndale, Texas, a Milam County community a few minutes east of Taylor.  Recent census numbers indicate its population is nearing 1400 people.  A snippet of the town is said to be in Williamson County.   These small Texas towns are gems.