Drought conditions have had an adverse effect on Williamson County cotton farmers this year. 

Statewide, the Texas Farm Bureau  estimates 2.9 million bales of cotton will be produced in 2022, down 62% from 2021, when 7.7million bales were recorded.   Still, Texas continues to lead the country in cotton production.  In recent years, the Lone Star state has produced 40% of the cotton nationwide.  

Lower production numbers aside, Waterloo Gin, east of Taylor on County Road 414, continues operation under the guidance of gin co-owners Clement Strmiska and David Woollett.   

I paid a visit there  this week for a  few photos.    

Though mask-wearing has become common since 2020,  the staff working at Waterloo have known this for years.   The dust associated with cotton gins can take a toll.   Ernesto Rodarte Martinez, who is there when large cotton modules begin the ginning process,  always wears a face covering.    As the large modules are broken up, the cotton travels via conveyor belt to the next step, leaving a coating of dust behind.   Martinez uses an air compressor to hurry the dust on its way.   Remnants of cotton from past years cling to the gin’s windows.    

Another byproduct of a gin is how it affects one’s eyes.   By the time I got home afterward, my eyes were quite red!   Thank goodness for prescription-quality eye drops.  

Even with sinus and eye issues, I always enjoy watching the large modules of cotton, usually about 15,000-20,000 pounds each, get fed into the a large conveyance,  going through the

The photographer in me is enamored with the quality of light emanating from the interior of these gins.   Gritty, yes, but so very nice.   After sundown, Waterloo’s exterior is also transformative.   

The ginning season usually lasts from August through December.   With this year’s lower crop yields, that time could be shorter.     I’m hopeful we’ll get long-term relief from this year’s very dry conditions.    Farmers, and gin operators likely hope so, too. 

If you drive  around East Williamson and Milam Counties,  you’ll still see cotton.    I’ve taken photos  of this field for years.   For a long time, a little farmhouse sat under those trees in the distance. While I miss the home, it’s good to see the Blackland Prairie soil being put to good use.

Two favorite subjects made their way to my camera tonight.   I was pretty happy with tonight’s sunset in the Beyersville area, but a Waxing Gibbous moon, at 97.1% visibility, made it an even better evening as I wandered west into Coupland.   That’s Saint Peter’s Church of Coupland, caressed  by sweet blue light  at the end.

Sunday’s stormy skies were probably more interesting, but they were pretty fascinating tonight , too.  These were  taken near Wuthrich Hill, Taylor and Circleville.  I hesitate to call that first one a rainbow, but it was briefly prismatic.  Most photographers are enamored with weather patterns.   Yours truly is no exception.

This doesn’t need a lot of explanation, does it?    It’s Texas, pure, simple and regal. 

Antiques in a field, not far from development near Taylor, Texas.

These photos were taken along the same country road a week ago, before the nightly dousing of much-needed rain.   Rather than let them sit on my desktop gathering virtual moss, I decided to toss them out there.   This is an east-west road that resides in both Williamson and Travis Counties, not far from home.  

Those who earn their living predicting the weather often miss by a mile.   Late Sunday afternoon, I thought it might be a good time for a sunset photo near Granger.   The forecast was for 10-20% rain chances.   Pulling into downtown Granger, however,  massive dark clouds came rolling in from the north.    Winds picked up, playing havoc with American flags on West Davilla Street.   A couple toppled over.   I tried to stand them up, but Mother Nature was having none of that.  A young man going into the post office looked my way, shrugged and summed it up nicely.  “Hey, it’s Texas!”   Indeed.   The quality of light during a storm, however, adds something special.    We’ll have more sunsets, but storms sometimes bring us rain.   We like that here.

A Parish Bazaar was held today at Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Granger, Texas.   I’ve attended this several times through the years.   It’s alway rewarding.   I only wish there was a way to record the aroma of the brisket and sausages smoked in those pits!   The bazaar always gets noticed, not just in Granger.   People come from all over the Central Texas area to partake of plates loaded with barbecue, dressing, potatoes and gravy and green beans.   For those who prefer to take it with them, a to-go line is there to help.  At first, a 2-year-old dining with her family wasn’t enamored with the offerings at all, but once she tried the sausage, all was good.     Some of the members arrive the day before to oversee the pits.  One gentleman told me this morning he’d arrived at 5p.m. Saturday, not sleeping a wink since  then.   Before leaving, I happened on an 18-month-old sleeping soundly on dad’s shoulders, oblivious to everything going on around him.  His parents said he’d partake later.   First, some beauty sleep!  The bazaar concludes tonight with a dance at the church recreation center.   I’d be there, too, but need a bit of rest! 

Just a quick one taken this evening in our front yard, a First Quarter moon, 53.8% visibility.   It’s been a busy day.