On Thursday I spent a final few hours at the Williamson County Livestock Show held at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor.  These were taken during the steer competition.   The participants take these events quite seriously.   For the families, it’s often the culmination of months of hard work.   I’ll post far more than you might want to view, but there’s always a lot to see at these shows.

There’s a category called Future Feeders at the Williamson County Livestock Show.  As the name suggests, it’s designed specifically for very young participants, possibly with a future interest in farming or ranching.    Arriving Wednesday afternoon at the Williamson County Expo Center I couldn’t help but notice two adorable identical twins, 6, joined by their friend, 7.    The girls were entering the competition arena to show some pigs.   Guiding them through the process were older livestock show attendees with plenty of showmanship themselves.  They helped the little folks stay on track.    I had a hard time telling the twins apart, but mom and grandparents were happy to help!   Normally, photos of people staring into the camera’s lens is pesky, but not this time.   Kudos to Future Feeders.

It seems like we get an overabundance of cloud cover on nights when a full moon is expected.   The moon finally broke through the clouds tonight, long enough to get it hovering behind a star atop the City of Taylor’s Christmas tree at Heritage Square Park.  I was glad to see it for a while.

A continuation of the Williamson County Livestock Show.   Today’s event was the Breeding Swine Show, to be followed on Wednesday by the Market Swine Show.   We’re talking about pigs, my friends.   The post opens with three photos of  a 10-year-old, Coy,  who won a Junior Showmanship award while showing his pig named Olly.    He’s given praise by his mom, also his grandfather.  I sense the bond with grandpa.  The others are a bit of this and that from the show.  

The Williamson County Livestock Show is underway at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, Texas this week.   I’m stopping by for occasional photos.   The livestock show showcases the hard work of youngsters involved in F.F.A. and 4-H programs.    For this post there’s a few teens, but also little folks just beginning to learn.   I’ll probably post some more before week’s end.

A scene observed early this morning at Bull Branch Park, not long after the notion of a sunrise. Warm and cool tonalities working together at the misty beginning of a day in Taylor.

Another road (so far) where I’m able to get out of the car, stretch my legs and sometimes make a photo.  This was true when I wandered along a quiet road near Granger.    A little time to admire those golden grasses flowing on the roadside.   And and a resilient old tree.  The landscape is changing, sooner than some of us would like. 

Photos taken today at Georgetown’s Christmas Stroll Festival.  While most are self-explanatory, some notes might be useful.  A young African-American member of the Georgetown High Georgettes, 16,  performs with her troupe during the parade.  Paying close attention is her 81-year-old great-grandmother, visiting from her home in Memphis.   A dancer from Bethlehem Village is shown.  She’s from Georgetown Church of the Nazarene, who present Bethlehem Village to attendees.   And an 18-month-old spends some quiet time hugging her daddy.   A 10-year-old gets into the Christmas spirit in his Santa attire.    The little guy playing the guitar was neat.   Now 7, he’s been playing for a couple years.   He offered a hat for tips (yours truly contributed).  Dad says he’s using his earnings to buy a dirt bike.  He’s well on the way to that goal.

A few photos from walks the last two mornings in Taylor.  Since returning to Texas in 2009, this has been the most vibrant autumn I can recall.   While we might not compare to fall in New England, it looks pretty good for Central Texas.

Some photos from tonight’s Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, held at Southwestern University in Georgetown.   The service began here in 1915, then known as the Christmas Carol Service.    The post actually begins with one of the last photos taken, when attendees stepped outside Lois Perkins Chapel to join in the the singing of “Silent Night.”   It’s the first time they’ve concluded a service like this.   I thought it was pretty special.