These were taken tonight along a county road near Thrall, Texas. It’s wonderful when I find a new road to explore. After eleven years back in Texas, this one found its way to me this week. Maybe there’s some of that Saharan dust present. If not, no worries. A rainbow is okay, too. 
Most know by now, but my primary function for about 47 years hasn’t been those pictorial/landscape photos, but rather community photojournalism. And yes, I still do some of that. Among the numerous stories being covered around the United States are monuments and memorials to the Civil War, notably the Confederacy. We’ve all watched recently as rioters have forcibly taken them down, or, through judicial action they are removed. In Georgetown, there’s a statue on the courthouse lawn honoring Confederate soldiers. I think it was installed in 1916. The courthouse was dedicated in 1911. Like other monuments, it’s getting increased scrutiny. For the past few weeks, there have been peaceful demonstrations at the site. This morning I was there as a group opposed to the statue’s presence made their case. Also gathered were members of the Williamson County Grays, Sons of Confederate Veterans. Civility was practiced from both sides. The most interesting interchange, however, occurred as I was getting ready to leave. A lady who was shopping stopped by and began an at-times heated discussion with one of the pro-removal protesters. She wondered about the need to destroy history. She finally threw up her arm and left. To be fair, these protesters don’t want the monument destroyed, just removed from county property. Three of the photos show this interchange. The others provide a little more context. Again, everyone was civil. I wish everyone would follow their example, whatever your views. Oh, one other thing. A lady who came to demonstrate against the statue mentioned “I don’t want my picture taken.” I calmly walked over, explaining that she was in a public place, there to take part in a public protest. If you attend a public event, expect us to do our jobs. 
The only thing these two photos have in common is the evening time in which they were taken. The opening image is a vacant farmhouse in East Williamson County, the light from the fading sun. The second image was made this evening at Granger Lake as a couple enjoys fishing in the warm water. It’s known around here as a good place to fish. The views are okay, too. 
Several months have passed since my last post from Taylor’s Bull Branch Park, included in most of my daily long walks. Last evening I stopped by to make a few photographs. While snapping the shutter, I visited with an angler, who asked me if I’d photographed the egrets at the other nearby park. “Yes,” I said. We’ll leave it at that. 
Cornfields are abundant where we live, filling many spaces on the Backland Prairie. But another crop, cotton, is beginning to make its presence known. Before they become cotton bolls, they are beautiful flowers, sometimes pink, sometimes white. These are from the Norman’s Crossing farm of Troy Boehm and his family. They are gracious hosts to my wanderings. 
The Summer Solstice began at 4:44 p.m. Central Daylight Time in Texas. Our first day of summer has been cloudy, sometimes rainy. Let’s not forget warm. This image from Beyersville tonight was made a little after 8:30. As many know, I’m no fan of Daylight Saving Time. The good news? From here the hours of ugly daylight grow shorter. I don’t apologize for that opinion. 
A few photos taken tonight during a Juneteenth celebration at Robinson Park in Taylor, Texas, the town where we live. Note the quote on the face mask in the opening photo. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day slaves in Texas learned of their freedom, a full 2.5 years after Lincoln’s Empancipation Proclamation. Efforts to make this a national holiday are in play. The time is right for that to happen. 
Scouring through old prints this week in search of photos for a friend, this image found its way to my hands, from 1980s Atlanta. The photo, taken at the Fulton County Emergency Children’s Shelter, was part of an Atlanta Journal & Constitution series, “Suffer the Children,” reported by Jane O. Hansen. A baby finding a lifeline in the hands of a caregiver. It seemed like a good one to post in 2020. 
This morning I had a great time photographing a crew from Kentucky-based Campbellsville Industries, Inc. as they carefully removed the cupola from the roof of the Masonic Lodge building (now Gumbo’s Restaurant) on the Georgetown square. As people passed through downtown, you could see the concern on their faces. “Why are they taking it down?” No worries, friends. The cupola being removed has been through some hard times since first being placed in 1985. Yes, they are replacing it with a new one, currently being crafted at Campbellsville Industries. When finished, the crew returns to replace the old one. And the new one won’t change the design. It’ll just be new. The Masonic Lodge was built here in 1900. It originally had a cupola, but was gone from sight for decades, until 1985, that is. So for now, there’ll be a blank spot on the square. Be patient. 
