Tonight’s photos are close to home, at Taylor’s Murphy Park. I observed a Waxing Gibbous moon, at 97.3% visibility. The cormorants, however, outshined the moon. They’re wonderful birds. The last photo in this post has no moon, just a graceful cormorant. The full moon is expected Wednesday, but rain and storms are forecast. The moon looks nice tonight, too. 
Something represent the day, just four photos from Saturday’s Cupid’s Chase, held at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown. It was a cold morning, but 600 showed up to either run or walk. I love these three friends in their “I Hate Running” shirts. They’ve been buddies since their high school days in Austin. The sweet pooch is Harper. Also, two 9-year-old friends finish the race together. And a mom gets a hug from her daughter after finishing her run. 
The only thing these two photos have in common is both were taken this evening in Coupland, Texas. Included are a mama cow and her calf, plus a collection of grackles under a Waxing Gibbous moon, 93.2% visibility. I love grackles. They would be a great state bird. 
The only time I can usually get out and about for early-morning photos is when a paying assignment makes it possible. I had a dawn assignment in Georgetown, placing me on the road from Taylor about an hour before dawn. It’s been a cloudy and somewhat chilly day. These four images (hopefully) take advantage of that. The opening photo was at the Jonah Community Center (Jonah School, circa 1922). That tree has been in quite a few photos over the years. In wintertime it’s bones invite a photo. I try not to pass up the opportunity, particularly in the blue light of morning. The second photo shows a basketball court tucked away under a bridge spanning the San Gabriel River, at San Gabriel Park. Those bridge supports have fascinated me for several years, but the image came together about 20 minutes before dawn. The third and fourth photos were taken in mid-morning. The clouds were still there, thank goodness. They’re both along the same road. Number three is a fine old barn I only learned of a few months ago. I’m hoping it’s around for a while. And the last one? Just another windmill, but the shaft of light coursing through the scene made it worth a look. Before dusk tonight, the clouds lifted. Sunday’s expected to be much warmer, less cloudy. But clouds are okay, too. 
Thursday afternoon I spent some time at the Georgetown I.S.D. offices where COVID vaccinations were being offered to the district’s children. A nice young pharmacist was on hand to do the honors. Each child was rewarded with a lollipop after the shot, giving them a little treat while waiting the prescribed fifteen minutes to be sure there wasn’t a reaction. I’m trying to remember a time in the late-1950s when my elementary school friends and I were getting vaccinations for polio and smallpox. The polio vaccine was administered via a sugar cube, but we got a little jab for the smallpox vaccine. I’m not positive, but weren’t the vaccinations necessary in order to attend classes? This was in mid-20th Century Texas. Sadly, vaccinations have become yet another political football. Social media has only exacerbated the issue. 
Two church photos tonight, both Lutheran. The first is Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wuthrich Hill, probably my most-photographed church. Wuthrich Hill is an area just east of Taylor. Look at the photo and you know why it’s called Wuthrich Hill. Prince of Peace opened in 1912, but about a mile away, in New Bern. It was moved here in 1947. The second church is St. John Lutheran Church, along Texas 95 just north of Bartlett. For years I tried to do a straight-on photo of St. John, but power lines made that problematic. Recently, I noticed this view from the side. It works. The congregation formed in the late-1870s-early-1880s. The current building was dedicated in January 1932. Our area is adorned with Lutheran Churches. 
For several years I’ve taken photos of this little farmhouse nestled in the middle of a beautiful field in East Williamson County, Texas. After the hectic years spent in metro-Atlanta, seeing it was a balm. This morning a friend who lives near the house mentioned the house was being taken down. This wasn’t surprising, but I’ll miss seeing it there. Included here a couple of photos taken in years past, beginning with one from 2015, when the field flooded after heavy rains. And there’s one from distant vantage point, one of the best views. The last two were made this evening. With the permission of the gentleman taking the house down, I made some closer shots as the golden sun fell on its fading facade. Plus a detail of a door just removed. The good news is that the family who owns the property is building their own house on the site. The beautiful pecan trees are to remain. And hopefully, the field surrounding the land. For over a decade I’ve been documenting the changing landscape of the Blackland Prairie. We need to have records of what was here. 
I have an affection for very small bodies of water in rural places. You might call them ponds, or tanks. They are ponds to me. Some nearby friends have had a spring-fed pond on their farm for many years. Sadly, a road-widening project will scoop that pond up in the name of progress. That pond isn’t pictured here, but I’ll take another photo of it before the road comes through. My top pick here is the second one. 
This scene, not far from Granger, seems relaxing to me. I get those feelings pretty often here on the Blackland Prairie. I’ll leave it at that. 
Some might recall something mentioned in December, that I love holiday lights, regardless of the season. This was a scene along West Davilla Street in downtown Granger last night. The tree belongs to a friend. I wish he’d keep it up all year long. Probably won’t happen, but it looks nice, as does Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. Be a Scrooge if you want, but I’ll take nice settings anytime. 