While it’s true that I’m getting backed up on things that need to be posted, other things break in line. Take tonight, for instance. I was finishing an assignment in Thrall, had planned on some photos in Coupland, but then when going through Beyersville, one of the most unspoiled areas of Williamson County, Texas, plans changed. Change is good sometimes. 
There’s something magical about watching one of these paragliders, or maybe paramotors, as they come so close to avian behavior. It’s a wonderful thing to watch. Last evening, when these photos were made, our prairie skies were singing an especially good song. During the few minutes I observed this young man, it got very quiet. After landing, he explained it was so because he’d turn off the engine. And just glide. How incredible is that? I’d planned to do something else, but plans changed. For the better. 
Editing chores fill the night, but I wanted to get something out there to show you what I’m seeing in Taylor this evening, the sun taking its time as it goes down above Bill Pickett Trail. It seems fitting since our city council just added a new member, Gerald Anderson, a direct descendant of Mr. Pickett, a Taylor native and inventor of bulldogging, one of the most popular events in rodeo. 
These prairie fields vary the crops each season, rotating what’s planted. One year it might be corn, sometimes cotton, or milo, or, as posted here tonight, wheat. Lovely golden wheat. Rotation is good for our Blackland Prairie soil. In fact, it’s a good thing for any soil in farm country. Farmers know this. Except for the last photo, where a field is filled with both corn and wheat, tonight it’s wheat. 
These photos have been sitting on my desktop for a couple of weeks. It’s time put them somewhere, either here or the trash. It’s spring in Central Texas, when Indian Blankets are plentiful, thank goodness. Trains, of course, are always plentiful. 
My Saturday became booked in short order, leaving no time to cover this morning’s parade at Granger’s annual Lakefest celebration. Thankfully, last night a Granger friend reminded me their Friday nights tree dance was in full swing, with dancing, games and barbecue cookoff entrants. I quickly moseyed north for a few photos.
In Granger, Texas, there’s a little church passed by numerous times through the years, Granger’s First United Methodist Church, tucked away under trees on a quiet street. In recent months, Methodist friends told me the church would soon be no more. On Sunday, May 19th at 5pm, the 115-year-old church will cease to be. Built around 1904, the congregation formed in the early 1880s. Pastor Judy Gotcher, in the opening photo, has seen the flock of attendees shrink. It was a recent honor to photograph both the exterior and interior of this beautiful structure. Even if the congregation fades into history, I hope this structure will find a use in this Central Texas community. These images accompany a story in the Williamson County Sun.
Here’s some photos taken Wednesday night as I rambled around Granger after yet another day of rain. We’re soaked here in Central Texas, but the light that follows the moisture is often good to see. By the way, that’s the sun peeking through those clouds. 
In either late-1973 or early-1974, while still a student at UT-Austin, I lugged a 4×5 view camera home to Texarkana with the notion of using at Texarkana’s Union Station. By then, the venerable old structure, dedicated in 1929, resting its bones in both Texas and Arkansas, had been closed for quite a while. Trains still ran on the tracks in back, but the station itself was closed. Approaching it, I found two things astonishing: 1) No Tresspassing signs were non-existent, 2) it was open. So I carefully walk inside, setting up shop in the cavernous space. It was really spooky. After a while inside, I set up the camera in back for a few photos. These photos are just copies from large prints as I’ve not been able to locate the original film. Is Union Station still intact today? I think so, but would be eager to find out. If it is, no doubt someone couldn’t just stroll in like I did in the early 70s. 
It’s rained so much lately, I could stay busy just photographing high water, washed-out roads, general flooding, etc. But not tonight, friends. Time for another wildflower diversion. These were made Monday evening at a friend’s ranch. And before someone asks (again), letting nature take its course creates the sweet light. Filters aren’t needed at certain times of the day. I’ll shut up now.
