Sunset nears over Christ Lutheran Church in Noack, Texas.   I’ll leave it at that, friends. 

Our storms from late-autumn and winter had an impact on many.   Zion Lutheran Church in Sandoval felt the effects, including portions of its roof seared off, with paint and wood impacted as well.  The first photo was taken in late-January, when Zion was in rough shape.   The other photos were taken late Monday.   I’m happy to report repairs and restoration is moving right along.   What follows is a bit of Sandoval area history.  The East Williamson County area was first  settled by Carl Streich in 1882.   First settlers included German, Austrian, Swiss and French immigrants.  Zion Lutheran Church was established in 1893 by 26 families.  For years services were conducted in German.   The original church was across the street, but a new church opened in 1932.   That is the one you see here, still an active congregation.    As is my style, the photos presented are simply impressions while observing light.  Restoration  work continues.

Just three photographs from downtown Granger taken this evening, beginning with a Waxing Gibbous moon, at 86.3% visibility, shining under an American flag.    Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, the structure built in 1916, dominates the scene in the second photo.   The post concludes with Granger City Hall, built in 1908-1909.  It’s still in use today.   May is designated as National Preservation Month.  The church and city hall fit right in.  

The Farmers State Bank began in 1912 in Georgetown.  The space  on the town square has been home to The Williamson Museum for a while.   While taking photos of this weekend’s Red Poppy Festival I would occasionally step inside the museum, a respite from the ongoing noise on the square.  This was taken early Saturday morning, light gracing the tiles that have been here for well over a century.   Museums embrace history.   As does the person offering this post.

The Pop Pupp Parade was among the events held today in Georgetown on the final day of their Red Poppy Festival.  Sponsored by Wag Heaven, a local pet supply store, it’s always fun.   Dogs chasing (and catching) discs, plus a costume contest.   Proceeds benefit the Georgetown Animal Shelter.    Dogs are nifty beings.

The Red Poppy Festival began on Friday evening as storms neared their end.   These photos were taken this morning, when the skies were clear, but temperatures were just over 50 degrees at the start, plus the wind gusts at times neared 40 miles per hour.  By the time my photo assignment was complete it was still windy, but the mercury climbed to the low-70s.   These are all from today, a bit of this and that, focusing on vendors, a parade and folks enjoying musical acts.   All activities aren’t included here, just a snippet of things.  The festival continues through Sunday afternoon on the Georgetown square.  

At this late hour I’m glad to see our power is still on.   Late this afternoon another storm front moved through Central Texas.   This is the spire at Georgetown’s First United Methodist Church this evening.   I had traveled to Georgetown for an event that was cancelled due to weather.   This was what I saw instead.

Recently, I’ve seen quite a few of these little birds in fields around the area.   While I’m awful at bird identifications, I’m pretty sure this is a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.   They’re small, but graceful.

During my daily walks something  (light, movement, texture, etc) will result in a brief stop to take a photo.   These few photos are from recent morning strolls in Taylor, focusing just on plant life.  And a ladybug.  A couple of these photos are just weeds, but even so, they merit a stop with my lightweight Olympus, which cost less than half of a new iPhone.

These photos of the Jonah Community Center  were taken Tuesday evening in the community of Jonah, about 7 miles east of Georgetown.  Through the years I’ve always photographed the front (or inside) the venerable structure built in 1922,  but found its rear and side sections interesting  on a stormy night this time.   As is my preference for posts,  a little community background is in order.  The area known for agriculture  came to be in 1857.   In 1922, Jonah School was built, designed by Hugo Franz Kuehne, founder of the University of Texas School of Architecture.  It included five classrooms, an auditorium, a music room and a book room.   The Georgetown school system absorbed Jonah’s student population in 1972.   To this day it remains intact as a community center.   When looking at the center’s website tonight, I learned those connected with the school and area hold a reunion here each June.   I aim to find out if that’s planned for this year.   The pandemic has put the skids on a lot of things.