“The Play That Goes Wrong” opens tonight at the Georgetown Palace.   Set on the Springer Memorial main stage, it’s the first non-musical production on that stage in quite a while.   This is an hilarious comedy, a play about a play.    I can’t provide a good description of this production,  but it’s definitely top-notch!   Pieces of the set actually fall to pieces a few times during the show.   Still photos do not do it justice.   The production runs through March 12th.

These were taken a few days after the ice storm ripped through our area.   Though I didn’t care for the havoc caused, winter light continues to inspire me, particularly late (or early) in the day. These three photos were taken as I drove through the Milam County area called Apache Pass.   The San Gabriel River, visible in the second shot, flows underneath the road I traveled.   These are simple offerings, just light and shadow at work.   In the last photo a deer walks around some of the trees damaged by the storm.   At the grocery store this afternoon, the checkout clerk, who lives in Thorndale, mentioned he still doesn’t have power at his home.   We need the warm light a little more right now.

For a few years I’ve driven by the entrance to the Riske farm, near Walburg.    The barn that fronts the property has immense character.    The Riske farm is a Texas Century Farm, meaning it’s been held by the same family for at least 100 years.   While that barn is always good to see, I’ve been curious about what’s down the long road into the place.   On a recent visit, I met the farm’s longtime caretaker, who’s watched over it for years.   With permission from the family, who lives out of state, I was granted more access.   This farm has been in the Riske family for 150 years.    I’m glad the land remains pristine.   Any property within an hour’s drive of Austin is ripe for development.  

Whenever I happen to see a hawk, they’re usually perched on a power line along a busy road.   Even when it’s possible to pull over, those critters make a quick exit.   The one in these photos was in a Taylor city park on a quiet and foggy morning.   When I stopped the car and got out, camera at ready, she remained in her tree of choice.   That’s the sun breaking through hazy skies.    Even when I walked around, she didn’t seem bothered.   I’m thinking she was more concerned about finding prey.   Tiring of the company, she became airborne.   A note to friends: if you have small animals, keep a close watch.   I’ve seen hawks get quite serious about their sustenance.  Identify this one if you’re so inclined.    I’m fine with just calling her a bird. 

While I hadn’t planned to post something moon-related tonight, the Waning Gibbous moon, at 98.4% visibility, got my attention when in the backyard with our dog.   Cloud cover dominated the scene, but the lunar surface did finally show up.   Clouds will prevail at least through Wednesday in Central Texas.

Early Saturday morning I made time to observe the fog and mist at Taylor’s Murphy Park.   Fog can clarify and simplify a photograph.  The hour spent there watching the the light evolve was worthwhile.  

Just one more moonscape  from Sunday night, this one outside Louie Mueller BBQ in Taylor.   I’ve photographed this facade before, but it never gets old.

Tonight’s full moon, a Snow Moon, as seen along a gentle country road in Beyersville, Texas.   Maybe that barn has been there for a while, but I only noticed it this evening.   Although a  University of Texas at Austin graduate, I’ve always admired that  school  in College Station.   Aggies are passionate about their school.   I get that.  

Around 6:30 this morning I noticed the moon’s warm glow through a stand of trees in our backyard.  The full moon was en route to a moonset.   Our trees have taken a beating in Taylor this week.   Many are damaged beyond repair, but some are resilient.  I believe this one’s called a Snow Moon.   We need neither snow or ice.   Enough. 

While out scouting around for a full moon (actually Waxing Gibbous, 99.5% visibility) I was about to give up because of clouds during the first hour of moonrise in our area.  Driving along a county road east of Granger, however, I found a crew from Bartlett Electric Co-Op Inc (BEC Power)  working to restore power under that moon.    With the devastation caused by this week’s ice storm in Central Texas, crews like this are doing their best to make things better for all of us.    Many of us appreciate their efforts.