Even though I don’t post them often, my lightweight Olympus camera is always with me on daily walks.   You may recall that I purchased the camera and two lenses late last year after cataract surgery, when my doctor suggested I lighten the load for a few weeks.   These photos were taken the last couple weeks in Taylor, and two in Georgetown.   While I do carry a phone, it’s not something I plan to use.  Granted, there are folks doing wonderful images with them, but they’re not my cup of tea (so far). Note that I don’t spend much time taking photos during these strolls.   Snap a photo and move on. 

While at the Taylor Rodeo recently, I ran into friend and neighbor Deby Lannen.   Since I’ve known her and husband Mike, they’ve kept a few Texas Longhorns on their land.  When I asked Deby if there were any new longhorn calves onsite, she said yes!   Crybaby,  who’s over 20-years-old, had recently given birth to a calf they call Miracle, now a few weeks old.  Miracle’s daddy is Rocky, pictured in the next to last photo.   Crybaby ends this post.   Miracle is a great name for this little girl!

With the intense summer heat in Texas, it’s good to see the sun finally go down over fields near  Granger.     And friends get in some late-day fishing on Granger Lake.   I hope they used sunscreen.   It had to be dang hot in that boat.  

As most know, I often just wander, or ramble.   A couple years ago, I drove into Milam County, stopping for a while in Thorndale.   A farm-to-market road intersected the town.   To the north was the community of San Gabriel.  Since I’d been there a few times, it seemed like a good idea to drive south.   A few miles outside Thorndale, I noticed a white country church to my left.    A good place to stop.  This was, and is, Conoley Community Church.   According to the sign, it was established in 1869.   I made a few photos, enjoying early-evening light.   Some chickens crossed my path.   In the distance, a large hog in her pin made her presence known.   Did I post something?  Honestly, I can’t recall.    In early-Spring, I happened by there again, but didn’t stay long.   Recently, however, I stopped by again, meeting a nice fellow who has a ranch adjacent to it.   “It’s open if you want to look inside.”   Of course I did!   I didn’t stay there long, but found it pristine and calming.   The old windows seemed to glow.  Lacy white curtains were spotless.  Quilts and hymnals adorned the pews.   It may be one of the county’s older churches.   The community of Conoley was named for Malcom Campbell Conoley, a Presbyterian minister who came here in 1859.  I’d like to know if he established the church.   In 1875 the community was named a voting precinct.  For years, they had their own school.  My ranching friend said they held classes in this church.  In 1946, their school merged with Thorndale public schools.   There’s a cemetery nearby.   That’s on my radar for the next trip there.   The church is still active.   The chickens still roam.  The hog may have moved on.  

Travis County, Texas is home to Austin, where growth relentlessly continues.   On the edge of Travis, however, one can still find restful scenes.   This road, at the edge of Williamson County, is just ten miles from our home in Taylor.    Wherever you are, look for golden solitude.  Look for the light.

These are from a few evenings back.    The sunset photo is  just a quick grab shot, but I think it works for what it is.    The other two horses share a pasture in Norman’s Crossing.   I know them pretty well.   Gotta scratch that itch. 

It’s been a busy couple days, friends.  The Palace on Thursday evening, followed last night by the Taylor Rodeo Association’s Rodeo, held at the Williamson County Expo Center.   The event goes for three nights, concluding this evening.   Rodeo is a sport, but also a cultural phenomenon.   I’m posting a big batch of images here.   The first ten focus on the athletes.   And yes, they are athletes.  Rodeo is a tough sport.    The next three show you a thing called Steer Saddling, where audience members get a chance to try their skills in the arena.   In Steer Saddling, the team goal is to get a saddle on a cow, then ride it.   It’s not  so easy!    The last ten concentrate on kids, maybe with their parents or grandparents.   Mutton Bustin’ is a treat to watch.   One of the last shots shows the Mutton Bustin’ winner carrying a box with cowboy boots she just won.   Enjoy the rest of your weekend, friends.  I’m plum wore out. 

Much fun was had photographing the dress rehearsal  of “The Wizard of Oz,” opening Friday night at the Georgetown Palace Theatre.    The picturesque Art Deco theater is the perfect venue for this show, the second time I’ve photographed “Oz” here.   If you’re in the area, get tickets.   Opening tonight, it’s  running weekends through August 14th.

This continues to be one of my favorite scenes to document.   It’s in Beyersville.   The drought has dried up a stock pond (tank) once visible in the front center of this image.   Hopefully, rain will put things back in order.  We had a few drops this afternoon.  Not nearly enough.  Crops and livestock  need sustenance.

These are some photos taken years ago of my Great-Uncle Harry Bradley, a lifelong farmer in Northeast Texas.    I mentioned him in a recent post about a visit to Nacogdoches.   Born in the late-1800s, he lived 97 years, always working, even when he was “retired.”   As a kid, I have good memories of visiting the farm, where he’d have copies of two magazines, “Progressive Farmer” and “Arizona Highways.”   The photos in the latter probably helped influence my career choice.