Just about everywhere you drive in our area, you’ll happen on a cornfield.  This is particularly true in East Williamson County, West Milam County and Southern Bell County.   Most of the corn grown here is used for livestock feed, some for ethanol production.   The fields I’m seeing will likely be harvested soon.   I’m already starting to see cotton plants, but let’s save that for another post down the road.

Another visit to Murphy Park, observing the birds at our rookery.   It’s a nice place to park the car and relax while the birds express themselves.   Nothing more to add tonight, friends.

Prairie grass continues to spark my interest.   These were taken tonight along one of my favorite county roads near Thrall.

Today I spent the morning covering the annual Memorial Day observance at the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza in Sun City, Texas.   It’s simple enough to just post photos without explanation, but that’s not how I do things.    The opening photo was taken after the event concluded.   The gentleman shown is 92, a long-retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel.  He’s looking through commemorative bricks in search of a brick with the name of a fellow Marine, one killed in action during the Vietnam War.  He found what he sought, but I could sense a lingering sadness.   The second photo is a tight image of a man bowing his head for the benediction, a 100-year-old World War II veteran (Army) who was at Normandy.  He’ll be  101 in July.   A Vietnam era veteran salutes for the posting of the colors.   Four photos present women who served in the military.   The masked couple are both veterans, he Army, she Air Force.  A closeup profile photo (with “Texas” on the cap) is a retired Army Colonel.  The family in two photos?   Mom is retired Navy.   Initially, I’d just photographed the little girl on dad’s shoulders.  When asked if he was a veteran, he said no, but his wife was.   Memorial Day is a day for somber remembrance, but I liked this the warmth exhibited by this family.   “Taps” is played near the end of the program by a member of the 36th Infantry Division Band of the Texas Army National Guard.   The final photo is after the observance was over, a dad (who spent 8 years in the Marine Corps) enjoying  time with his 4-year-old son.   Again,  I wasn’t looking for just sad images.  That seemed a good place to end this post.

Having posted humans recently, tonight I share some critter images, beginning with a beautiful horse seen not far from Bartlett.   And a cow navigating a hill near Granger.   And some grackles seen tonight in Taylor.   I’ve wondered for years what grackles are seeing when they look up into the sky.   They’re very focused on task.

Friday night was devoted to coverage of graduation ceremonies for Georgetown’s East View High School, held at Birkelbach Field.   Diplomas were awarded to 473 students last evening.   It’s quite a diverse mix of students.  Many family members and friends were on hand for the commencement.     Although there’s one more Georgetown ISD graduation tonight, I’m staying home.   Two ceremonies in a row is plenty for a relic like yours truly.  

Thursday evening I attended the graduation ceremonies for Georgetown’s Richarte High School, where approximately  100 students received their diplomas.  Georgetown ISD is comprised of three high schools, including Richarte, East View High and Georgetown High.   Richarte is an alternative campus, but as the district’s website states “It is not a disciplinary campus.”   Students must apply and be accepted to attend classes there.   It’s a smaller school setting where the faculty and staff are committed to a students’ success.   Students choose Richarte for various reasons.  Smaller class size and individualized attention might be needed.  Also, students often want to get on a fast track to complete their high school early.   One student I concentrate on this post is Pedro, a 16-year-old who is this year’s salutatorian and the father of a teething 9-month-old daughter.   Pedro’s family and daughter were there for the ceremony.  Pedro hopes  to get on a career path sooner so that he can provide a good life for his child.   I found him and his family to be very inspiring.   The first five photos represent them.

With all the very sad  things happening in  my state this week, it seems like a good time to share some photos of kids.  On Wednesday evening, the Georgetown square was a good place to be.   It was a cool and pleasant day, a fine opportunity for two young brothers, ages 6 and almost 5,  to take off their shirts and play a little football with their mom.  As daylight began to fade, they called it a day, slipping their shirts back on.   Kids deserve to have their childhood.

A friend who lives on a 400-acre farm near Thrall invited me out for photos this week. The land and skies are pristine.   And the curious cows were a delight.  A very old Chevy farm truck rests under a stand of trees.  Nearby, a Crested caracara has taken up residence in a vintage tree on the farm.   We took a stroll to see her, but she’d left the nest.  In the far distance, we spotted her, perched atop another tree, obviously keeping a close eye on us.  I’d have needed a 2000 millimeter lens to take her photo, but hopefully she’ll return to the nest on the next visit.

It’s a night for some moody day clouds, these taken this evening near Granger.    I can’t stop thinking about the murders at an elementary school in Uvalde, a little over two hours away from us.   When I started school in 1958 my parents didn’t have to think about these things.   There’s too much hate out there.   I won’t debate these issues, but will sometimes share my feelings.