The Walk to End Alzheimer’s was held Saturday morning at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.   About 400 people, and a few pets, took part in an event designed to raise awareness (and funds) for this truly awful disease.  Participants made walks from 1 to to close to 3 miles.    While it hasn’t directly affected my family so far,   I’ve known families impacted, right on my street.   Included during Saturday’s walk were  groups as well as individuals.   The post opens with a photo taken from behind, a couple standing together before the start of the walk.  On her backpack was smiling face, the face of her grandmother, who died earlier this year.   I liked the energy and positivity of a lady named Odessa, the head of nursing at a facility dedicated to the treatment of memory care.   Her team, Team Tripp, honored a resident in their care  who died in 2020.    While I don’t post everything I document, this seemed like a message that needs to reach a wide audience.   Alzheimer’s is cruel.  

One of the most  fun outings I’ve had this week was attending “Gone Fishing,” the 19th Annual Fishing Tournament held Thursday and Friday at Taylor’s S.P.J.S.T. Senior Living.    A large pool was trucked onto the facility grounds, then stocked with 500 pounds of catfish.    The youngest person pictured is 84, the most senior, 104.    All were having a grand time!  In three photos, a lady in her mid-90s was coaxed into kissing her fish.  From the look on her face, I don’t that’ll become a regular habit!    When first arriving, most anglers were using worms as bait, some switching to chunks of hot dog, finally using shrimp, which seemed to be the hands-down winner with the fish.  Prizes were awarded in several categories, culminating in a Friday night fish fry.    This was a heart-warming event.   If you want to know the meaning of “S.P.J.S.T,” it’s Czech.   In that language: Slovanska Podporujici  Jednota Statu Texas.   In English: Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas.   Now you know.  But pay attention to the photos.

It’s not often I’m able to get out the door in a day’s early hours, but an opportunity came up this morning during a brief visit to the town square in Georgetown.  The first three photos are a while before sunrise, the last two about 25 minutes after the sun came up.   The front entrance of Grace Heritage Center opens the post.   At 9th and Main Streets, the center began life as Grace Episcopal Church in 1881.    I’m glad it’s been preserved.    The second and third photos were taken at the start of the monthly Pistons on the Square.   Friends advise those showing vehicles have to get there by 6:30 a.m. to be assured a spot for this low-key event.   That blue Chevy pickup truck is a 1952 model, the year I was born.    A window at the Georgetown Art Center reflects Grace Heritage Center.   The final image is an always barren tree at the corner of 9th and Church Streets.   Early morning light is pleasing.

In recent weeks, I’ve stopped by Georgetown’s Sunken Garden two or three times.  Located in San Gabriel Park, it’s a really nice place, but the main goal was to actually see a butterfly.   The lack of rain apparently has lessened what we’re able to see in our area.  This week I found a butterfly there.   Just the one, but that was enough.    Butterflies are flowers that dance for us.   Add to this post a couple shots of a very interesting plant,  a Plectranthus.  It’s  a perennial from Queensland, Australia.   The reason I know this is a little sign underneath the plant!   The last one?   Just a bumblebee at work.

A number of happy volunteers were on hand late this afternoon to unload 2,650 pumpkins at First United Methodist Church in Georgetown.    The church’s pastor, Alan McGrath, was particularly festive in his unique orange headgear.    The pumpkins arrived from the Four Corners area in New Mexico.    Another 1400 pumpkins will be delivered later this month.   They’re not apt to run out anytime soon.

An affection for evening light continues with three photos taken last evening in Georgetown.   The post opens with the last one taken.   Driving home to Taylor, I kept seeing these flashes of lightning behind a collection of clouds.   It was quite dark by then, but a desire to record it won out.   I stopped near the San Gabriel River, over a small bridge at Mankin’s Crossing.   Honestly, I had no business trying to make a photo from a narrow bridge still used by motor vehicles.   Ideally, a tripod would’ve been needed, but as it was, I had to move out of the way several times to avoid getting run over.   The hand-held exposure was 1/3 of a second, ISO 1600.  I’d have done more if possible, but decided to be sane enough to get off the bridge.   The other two were taken first, on another (safer) bridge spanning the San Gabriel River, at San Gabriel Park.   Those old-fashioned looking lights always fill me with warmth.

Tonight it’s a continued exploration of abundant grasses in our area of the Blackland Prairie in Central Texas.    A couple of  four-legged residents found it to their liking in the last photo.    These grasses can be pesky when they get too high.   If you’re a driver on some of our rural roads, you might find it blocking your view of oncoming traffic.    That certainly needs to be trimmed, but  I still like the way these grasses react to light.

Wednesday’s high is expected to be 96 in our area, but when these photos were taken at Taylor’s Bull Branch Park  a few evenings ago, there was at least a taste of autumn in the air.   This park is close to our home, one that’s part of my daily walks.  These are just some photos taken while piddling around.    Any noticeable color will likely occur here.   There’s a wee bit now.   Shorter days are a good thing because I get to explore low-light and evening imagery.   Now if we can just get summer to mosey on!   The opening photo utilized a tripod.  I don’t hand-hold 30-second exposures well.

Sunday morning I attended a Blessing of the Animals service conducted  by Georgetown’s Grace Episcopal Church.    The service was held under the shady oaks at San Gabriel Park, led by Reverend Bertie Pearson.    While it was mostly dogs, and a few cats, a guinea pig named Mr. Nibbles was among the first in line for his blessing.   Perhaps the most touching moments were when, after the service was over, I saw a lady hugging  Schatze, her 14-year-old Miniature Schnauzer.    She said this was Schatze’s last service.    Time is far too short for our beautiful and loving furry friends. 

These photos of Sunday night’s full moon were taken close to home in Taylor.   A very busy few days left me too pooped to travel far.    The first photo was taken just after moonrise  near the Taylor Compress, with Williamson County Grain at back left.   Taylor Compress is a place where harvested cotton is placed before being sent on its way.    The second shot focuses specifically on Williamson County Grain, about 10 minutes after the opening photo.   The last one, about 15-20 minutes later, shows the lighted portion of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.   The facade and moon seemed to work well together.   Last night was the first time I’d noticed the light on the church.   Perhaps it’s been there all along.  While I don’t put names to lunar appearances, they call this a Hunter’s Moon.