On this morning’s walk in Taylor it was good to see the results of last night’s rainfall.   Little drops of rain clung to cypress trees, adding a touch of sparkle to their skinny leaves.   A youthful duckling seemed happy to swim through a portion of Bull Branch Creek.   In recent weeks, they’d just waddle through mud.  Leaves floating in a puddle of water along a city street merited a brief stop.  Much more precipitation is needed, but it’s a start.   And it’s cooler.  Many of us here are thankful.   Water gives us life.

Although the temperature had been dropping throughout the day, we continued to hope for rain.   A bit before dark tonight the rain finally arrived when I was in Georgetown.  There I found a happy couple enjoying a fishing outing at San Gabriel Park, rain pelting down, temperatures in the low-70s.   Sidewalks on the town square were covered with golden moisture.  And vehicle lights reflected on the wet surface of University Avenue.   We’re very very thankful for this rain, expected to last at least until Saturday.   It’s so needed here.

Chances for rain increase as the week progresses in Central Texas.  We’ve had no significant moisture in Taylor since June.   I’ve purposely refrained from photographing the rookery at Murphy Park.   The bird’s habitat is in awful shape. The water level is so low the egrets and herons can just walk across it, scouring for whatever sustenance they can find.   It’s not just the egrets, those migratory birds who come here every Spring to begin new families.   The ducks, geese and herons are having a hard time, too.  Young ducks and geese are covered in mud.   Please bring us some rain.

Taylor held its first Patriot Day observance September 11,  2002, on  the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on United States soil.   Now 22 years later, fewer people come to these observances, but the ones that do pay homage to the agony of that day in 2001.   Photos from this evening. 

In 2011, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, first responders from Georgetown began commemorating the day with a Memorial Stair Climb at Birkelbach Field, climbing enough steps to align with what New York City first responders went through on that tragic day.   Thankfully, I’ve been able to take photos for every year they’ve done this.   It’s a special group of folks.    The post begins with one of the last photos taken, three firefighters winding down together after their work was done.  

This weekend I took an early-evening stroll through downtown Elgin, Texas, a community of a little over 10,000 in Bastrop County, about 30 minutes east of Austin.  These are simply snapshots, but it’s nice to offer some details.   It was established in 1871, first called Glasscock, named for a Republic of Texas soldier from the area.   The following year it was renamed Elgin, for Robert Morris Elgin, a railroad land commissioner at the time.  Though close to Austin, it retains most of its country charm.   Most of the downtown structures were built between 1872 and 1947, using locally-made brick.   At one time it boasted three brick factories, calling itself the Brick Capital of the Southwest.   It’s also known for barbecue establishments.   Occasionally you might see someone on horseback.  Or a skateboarder chased by a dog.  It’s an interesting community in the heart of Texas.

Corn harvest is mostly done in our area, leaving us with wider views now that the stalks are gone.   Red-winged blackbirds, however, find nifty treats.   And of course I’m tossing in a windmill.   Different days for a couple, but good clouds overhead.  Send rain.

Today I enjoyed taking photos at lunch  during Grandparents Day at  Jarrell Elementary School.    It was so nice to see all those happy faces, young and old.    Nothing more needs to be written.

The summer’s heat and drought handed our area farmers a hard season to endure.    I’ve had a time finding a cotton harvest in progress this year, but glad to learn of East Williamson County farmer Douglas Malish this week  as he and his nephew Kelton Malish completed their harvest in Thrall.  Malish stripped 440 acres of cotton this year.    If you drive around our area, you might see harvested fields, plus some yet to be touched.  The last photo is one taken just south of Bartlett, remnants in a harvested field.   I liked that one enough to include it here.

And ducks in black-and-white.   A suggestion from a friend!