Put on a happy face.   Kermit does.

Through the years, when passing by the Saul Family Cemetery in Norman’s Crossing, I’m always   glad to see crops thriving in the adjacent fields.  Development continues at a rapid clip in this area along F.M. 1660.  Drivers on this busy road probably don’t give this ground a second thought.  They have places to be.   The Saul family settled in this area near Brushy Creek in 1850.  Charles Saul, born in 1818, purchased 640 Blackland Prairie acres, including the land for this cemetery.   He was laid to rest here in 1870.    The last  burial  was in 1918.   It’s a rich piece of Williamson County history.  I hope progress doesn’t do it harm.  

Although the Summer Solstice doesn’t arrive until the 21st, Georgetown’s Market Days was pretty hot.   I don’t think we reached triple digits, but it wasn’t far off.    Offered are some photos that speak to weather, but also three  very fluffy Lionhead bunny rabbits being given away by a family with too many rabbits on their hands.   The little girl with pigtails cajoled mom and dad into bringing the white one home with them.   The little boy and his mama were just looking, but having a good time.  I particularly like the little girl looking up at grandma while the the two found a shady place to rest. 

On daily walks in Taylor the past few weeks I’ve seen more ducklings than ever.    It’s been a good year for duck families.   Ducks are feathered royalty in this community.   You’ll see them not just in parks, but in neighborhoods.   This is just a small collection of newborns spotted while toting my little mirrorless Olympus camera.  Even if you don’t see them in a photo, the mother ducks are always nearby, always protective. 

A section of the San Gabriel River I enjoy seeing is at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park.   The light was particularly good tonight.   No need for many words, just some geese, ducks, a heron and one interesting plant growing near the river’s banks.   I honestly wouldn’t have noticed the plant if not for the way the day’s last light fell on its spiky surface.

These cameras and I travel many miles on Blackland Prairie roads.   As growth continues in areas in and around Taylor, it’s becoming a challenge to find quiet ones.    Just four are presented here tonight.   The opening photo is a favorite.  It’s only about a mile long, all of it unpaved. When we lived in metro-Atlanta finding dirt  roads was hard.   Around here (so far) they’re  more plentiful.   The other three roads pictured are paved, but still nice.   One of them will eventually become a part of Ronald Reagan Parkway, which begins as Parmer Lane in Austin.   Slowly, Reagan Parkway moves east. One of these roads is where I met the young fellow sitting in the back of his truck to watch a sunset.   He chose well.   Living near Austin comes with a price, but there’s still a few peaceful routes.   Three of the photos are in East Williamson County.  The last one is Bell County, our neighbor to the north.

This one’s been sitting on my computer’s desktop for a few days.   Literally a “grab shot,” I’d considered tossing it in the trashcan because it wasn’t tack sharp, but when that little critter began a mad dash across a field, I stopped and got off a handful of frames before he continued on his path.   He did not tarry.   The late-day light made those ears a beacon.    Mentioned before, but sometimes we get too caught up in visual perfection.   It’s not a perfect world, friends.  Hippity hop. 

You don’t need a lot of words for this set of photos taken tonight near Thrall, Texas.    Thrall is a community about 8 miles east of Taylor.   According to the most recent census, its population is a little over 800 people.   Thrall was founded in 1876, named after Homer S. Thrall, a Methodist minister.    The post opens as the day’s final rays fall on the Thrall High School stadium.   Other photos (hopefully) speak for themselves.   Scenes from the Blackland Prairie, friends.

Last week, while taking photos of downtown Coupland, I met Skittles, the General Manager of Coupland Dancehall, an iconic space which opened in 1904.   During our brief visit I asked if they still offered dance lessons.   Sure enough, they still do!    From 2-4p.m. on Sunday afternoons, folks interested in learning  how to swing to some danceable music can just show up for the lessons, taught by owners Russell and Erika Kinder.   There’s no cost for the lessons, but Russell and Erika are happy to accept tips and donations.   Photos offered here were taken during Sunday’s session.   Most Fridays and Saturdays you can find live music playing, very danceable stuff.   There’s a teen night on Thursdays, too.   Texas dance halls are an iconic component of Texas culture.   I’m glad some traditions continue.

When returning to Texas in 2009, a park I soon fell in love with was Berry Springs Park & Preserve, a wonderful county park in Georgetown.  The thing that initially drew me to the space was a large grove of old-growth pecan trees.   We had several of those trees in my front yard when growing up in Texarkana.  While many of the park’s pecan trees are still a draw, the entire space is exceptional.    Included here are photos from a visit there late last week.