The Community Center at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park was again the site for this year’s Community Thanksgiving, thanks to the work of Alycia Tandy and her impressive group of helpers. Hot meals were offered at no charge to anyone who wanted one. For shut-ins, volunteers scoured the area dropping off meals. As usual, my photos only scratch the surface of this wonderful undertaking. It’s truly a labor of love. 
Since it’s the evening before Thanksgiving, I thought it might be a good time to post a few photos taken tonight at New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church, a few miles north of Manor, Texas, a 20-minute drive from my Taylor home. In summer 2009, just after moving here from almost three decades in metro-Atlanta, I was driving from Taylor to Austin via a farm-to-market road. My eyes couldn’t ignore the huge steeple dominating the prairie sky on my left. Later, I learned their copper spire is 104-feet tall. The congregation formed in 1876, building their first sanctuary in 1879. The current one pictured here celebrates 100 years in 2022. The opening photo was actually the last one taken. Even though the quality isn’t what I’d like it to be, that view gives some sense of what I first saw in 2009. It wows me each time I see it. 
A simple post tonight, friends. Just some trees from recent ramblings. The last few days and evenings have been either misty or rainy. Perhaps some of that is noticed here. The last photo is a beautiful oak tree in Bell County, not far from Bartlett. If you’re driving east from Bartlett on F.M. 487 it’s easy to spot. Windmills make it into many of these offerings. 
It’s been a while since I’ve posted something of Taylor’s St. James Episcopal Church. These were taken this evening as I continue exploring night photography interpretations. It’s a beautiful structure, built in 1893. A church organ installed in 1914 is still in use. In earlier posts, any overall photos are done from the side due to bothersome power lines marring the front facade. If you know me, you’re well aware I do not remove power lines via Photoshop. As part of the actual scene, they need to be present. My preference, however, is to use an angle that minimizes the distraction. 
From Sunday evening, a cool and rainy night along South Main Street in Thorndale, Texas. The small Milam County community of about 1300 is beginning to add color for the holidays. It’s a quiet photo, as it was meant to be. Five decades ago, one of my mentors, a photojournalist I’ve always admired, offered his thoughts on photography. “It’s okay for a photo to whisper,” he said. Recently, a man I knew only by name before, engaged me in conversation. “I like your photos because they’re quiet,” he explained. If we can use this medium to tone down the noise all around us these days, so be it. 
This weekend I learned that kolaches are incredibly good if done well, thanks to the volunteers at Granger’s Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church as they made 350 dozen kolaches for their 60th annual Kolache Bake. Orders for a box were placed well in advance, giving the creators a good idea of what to bake. Some of the helpers arrived at 4a.m. to get things rolling. Among the most energetic were two young sisters, working like pros alongside their mom and grandmother. Kolache choices included prune, apricot, cream cheese, pineapple, cherry and poppyseed. Kolaches are a traditional Czech pastry. For generations Czech families have continued the tradition. Growing up in Northeast Texas, doughnuts were my first choice. While they still are, the kolaches I tried at Saturday’s event made me a fan. So very good! 
Since we live on the area known as the Blackland Prairie, I call this prairie grass. Farmer friends probably have another name for them. These grasses are abundant. They certainly are this month. These six photos show the same field of grass. The three daylight images were taken a week ago. The others were made tonight, the blue light of a given evening. Same grass, different interpretations. 
Just some photos taken of Great Blue Herons during my daily walks this past few mornings. They’re beautiful birds, but mostly a bit wary of us humans. I can understand why. It was neat to see two herons sharing space on the water at Murphy Park. For the most part, herons seem to like their personal space. I get that, too. All photos made with my Olympus carry-around camera. 
“Holiday Inn” opens tonight on the Springer Memorial Stage at the Georgetown Palace. Just a few photos from the Wednesday dress rehearsal here. For whatever reason, I thought of the Holiday Inn Hotels chain. The first Holiday Inn opened in Memphis in August 1952, the year and month I began inhabiting the planet. Growing up in Texarkana, one of my early jobs was working at a Holiday Inn there. I cleaned the pool, hauled furniture, a little bit of everything. The architect for that first hotel was a fan of the 1942 musical by that name. As a joke, he called it “Holiday Inn.” The name stuck. The Palace production was great. Still photos never do these plays justice, but one does what one can. 
At the end of next week the town square in Georgetown will be filled with holiday lights, but there’s still light to be found on a given night. These five were made this evening, opening with Grace Heritage Center, originally Grace Episcopal Church (1881) at the corner of 9th and Main. Next is the Lockett building, at 7th Street and Austin Avenue, currently home to a restaurant, Goodfolks. Lights shine in the upper windows of Mesquite Creek Outfitters, on Austin Avenue. In the next block on South Austin is the Georgetown Palace, a wonderful Art Deco theater. “Holiday Inn” opens there Friday. The post concludes with a photo of the shining windows at Main Street Baptist Church, near 10th and Main. At one time I’m told it was First Baptist Church. When seeing the lighted stained glass, I took a few quick photos, but thought a tripod-mounted camera would give a better result. Alas, by the time I had the tripod in hand, the lights were turned off. I’m glad I thought to first snap a photo. 
