Since we’re experiencing drought conditions in the southwest, any rain we get is welcomed. Unless there’s a tornado nearby, I still do my morning walks.   This morning’s venture  was quite wet in Taylor. An umbrella was a useful tool.   As was that little Olympus camera that goes with me on every daily stroll.   Three photos from this morning, the first two at Bull Branch Park.   I did go out on this cloudy evening, probably posting some of those images later this week.

Included as part of this year’s Red Poppy Festival was today’s Popp Pup Parade and costume contest, sponsored and coordinated by Wag Heaven.   Donations benefit the Georgetown Animal Shelter.    Just as the event was set to begin it started raining.   It didn’t last long, but did make it a pretty humid day.    The opening photo shows Porter, a Standard Poodle, visiting with  a 170-pound Great Dane, Diesel.   In the last photo, scratching his back onstage during the costume contest, is Burt Reynolds/Batman.  “Burt” is a dog available for adoption at the Williamson County Animal Shelter.   His costume was a Batman cape, which apparently was a bit itchy!  Leading the parade were members of the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team.   I think the dogs just thought it was a very large canine.   Also taking part in the parade was Koda, the Georgetown Fire Department’s resident dog, with her handler, Jonathan Gilliam.    I hope they raised a little money for the shelter.

After a hiatus because of the pandemic, Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival is back again this weekend.   I arrived well ahead of the 10a.m. parade start this morning to avoid parking issues.   By the time I left a little after 1p.m. people were jockeying for my spot.    It’s that popular.   The festival includes the parade, but also music performances, lots of good food, plus a car show, and vendors.   As this is written, the event continues tonight, concluding Sunday.   The post opens with three ladies wearing matching red poppy shoes.   When I first began taking photos 52 years ago, I was a little shy about photographing people so I started taking photos of my own feet.  I called them footographs.  Those shoes brought back that nice memory.  I like the dancers, young and old.  This offering concludes with a photo from the car show.   The miniature schnauzer riding shotgun in a 1957 Chevrolet pickup has a great name:  Chevy.  By the way, I’m not shy anymore, but still anti-social. 

Some photos taken this week at the Circleville ranch of good friend Carol Fox.   Carol has two horses, Benny and Martini.  I wanted a good photo of them together, but settled for one of Benny near day’s end on a cloudy day.   The others are along the road that leads into the ranch.  Wildflowers are strutting their stuff.   Remember to cherish the environment, even when it’s not Earth Day.

This photo, taken a little north of Thrall, is nowhere near perfect, but I wanted to snap a photo before all these bluebonnets go to seed.   That’s a lot of wildflowers.   Most days I try to pay homage to my little bit of the Earth in our corner of the world.   Each day is Earth Day.

Tonight I attended this year’s first  Music On Main, a series of free concerts held the third Thursday of the month at Taylor’s Heritage Square Park.   The family-friendly (and dog-friendly) events are coordinated the Taylor Public Arts Advisory Board and the City of Taylor.   It’s an inexpensive way to enjoy time with family and friends, including our furry ones!

Few things rise above the end of another quiet day on the Blackland Prairie.   You know this, but I continue to be enamored with windmills.  They speak to the rich history of farm country.

The wheat crop is beginning to look pretty nice this year.   It’s still in its green phase for now, but will evolve as the season progresses.

Seen this morning on my daily walk.   I guess you could call it street photography, but it’s just recording the little slices of life as they come up.   I can relate to this couple.   My wife’s been cutting my hair for years.   Another photo taken with that little Olympus, my “walking camera.”

Just tossing stuff out there tonight.   I do enjoy our prairie sunsets.