Artist and Navy veteran Shelby Gage was putting the finishing touches on a mural she was creating at Georgetown’s Mgt. Ben Snowden VFW Post 8587. Over 100 hours of work went into creating the 7’x25′ work of art. The post commander hopes to hold an official dedication of Shelby’s work on August 24th, the 59th birthday of this post. Do check with this post to confirm. It’s really a great mural, too large to include just one photograph. 
Far too busy to wax poetic tonight. A few photographs from this week’s walks around downtown Taylor, Texas. Great Blue Herons seem to dominate.
081026 TAYLOR, TEXAS:
A few from this year’s Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off held in Murphy Park. Now in its 48th year, it continues to attract entrants and fans from all over Central Texas. These photographs, taken Friday night and this afternoon, were slipped in while also covering other happenings in the area. The photographer is far too busy. During the brisket judging this afternoon, a sweet and patient Heeler named Sissy was occasionally rewarded with a bite. She’s a polite girl! 
Our area of Texas has been covered with cornfields for a couple of months, but the stalks are coming down quickly. These photographs were taken as farmer Aaron Martinka and his helpers, including 10-year-old nephew Colton Martinka, were quite busy at fields just east of Walburg. Farmers and their kids learn the basics very early. 
Finding unpaved roads during the almost 30 years spent in metro-Atlanta was challenging. If one were to get out of town, way the heck out of town, you might find one. In this area of the Blackland Prairie in Central Texas they’re pretty easy to find. With our lack of rain in recent weeks, these roads become laden with dust. This one a few miles from Bartlett is interesting, a lightly-traveled place. As sunset neared it transformed nicely. 
Photographs from the last couple of visits to the rookery at Taylor’s Murphy Park. A therapy interlude. More to come before they leave us at the end of September. 
These drives, some long, some short, often allow a collection of photographs with a particular theme. Tonight let’s go with horses, among the most elegant beings on the planet. A few of these beauties are cared for by friends. All are just mighty fine. 
The Coupland Independent School District begins its academic year today. The village a few minutes south of Taylor has had elementary school classes since 1912, but an added campus, just east of town, will educate kids through high school. The district has 390 students this year, 110 of them in the new building. For the first year it will be through 9th grade, adding a grade each year. A few photos of preparation for new adventures with the Coupland Cowboys!
Some of this stuff needs few words. From tonight, just clouds joined by a Texas Longhorn. It’s enough. 
Tonight’s view a little west of Taylor, Texas. A few minutes past sunset over the Blackland Prairie.
