The San Gabriel River is magical.   This was what I saw a few evenings ago as I drove through Georgetown.

Thinking the thick layer of clouds might lift, providing a view of tonight’s full moon, I was not rewarded, but made do with what was there.  East of Granger.

The Blue Santa tradition continued today at the Georgetown Public Safety headquarters.   Through the Blue Santa program, the Georgetown Police Department distributes gift boxes to pre-qualified families who might not have the means to put presents under the tree.  As it was in 2020, this year’s distribution was a drive-through event.  In the opening photo, a recipient shares a hug with a police officer before departing.   The ongoing pandemic merits caution, but I sure miss seeing the time when families and children could come inside the department, then visit with Santa.  However it’s done, I’m glad Blue Santa continues in our area.

The moon is ever-present, always with us.  Sometimes, however, we might not see it when weather intrudes.   But it’s there.   It managed to peek out a few times tonight while I observed it over Christ Lutheran Church in Noack, Texas.  A Waxing Gibbous moon, almost 99% visibility.  Saturday’s forecast here: almost 100% rain chances.   This might be the closest we come to seeing a full moon until next year.

Clouds are beginning to roll into tonight, but I was able to view the Waxing Gibbous moon, at 96.1% visibility, shining above the holiday Christmas tree in downtown Granger.   Saturday’s full moon might well be obscured here since we have almost 100% chance of rain throughout the day and evening.   It looked good this evening though.   As did the displays along West Davilla Street, a street adorned with very old and regal cobblestones.  On the way back to the car, I noticed a young fellow playing a little game of impromptu catch while waiting on the adults to take the family home, a nice moment to end this post.  If you visit, be sure to check out the cotton Christmas tree, too! 

A small collection of photos taken during my daily walk  on a foggy Tuesday morning in Taylor.  The little camera is a treat!

I’d passed this house in Taylor a few times on daily walks, wondering how this scene might look in the blue light  of early evening.   “A Christmas Story,” the 1983 movie based on a story by Jean Shepherd, is a wonderful holiday treat.    I’ll always love the lamp scenes.   This house is as festive as it gets.  A vertical version is included. 

With each passing year, when the scrub trees and brush begin to fall away, I expect to see this old hand shack sucked right into the Blackland Prairie soil.   But somehow it survives.    These were taken on a day of mighty nice clouds this past weekend.  The old boards and tin roof remain.   It leans a little more, but it’s there, more visible with the diminishing foliage.   For a few years, I didn’t know what a hand shack (or picker shack) even was.   It was eventually explained that these small and simple structures were made available for seasonal workers who came here to help with harvests.   A few of these remain, but not many.  I expect this one will eventually fall apart.   But not yet.   This continues my exploration of the disappearing prairie.

Except for December 2020, when the pandemic caused a cancellation,  I’ve photographed the Pilgrimage to Bethlehem at Taylor’s Immanuel Lutheran Church, the little church on the hill each year since returning to Texas.    It was an honor to return Saturday evening for this year’s event.   Another presentation is ongoing as this is written.   Although hosted by Immanuel, the live nativity is the work of several area churches.  Attendees were encouraged to donate food items to Taylor’s  Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and the Hutto Food Bank.   Rather than ramble  too long,  just take a look at the photos.   While everyone participating  is great, the  angels, energizing with sandwiches before their performances, are always special.

There’s a neat event at Georgetown’s St. John’s United Methodist Church, a shopping experience just for kids.   Children are able to browse through donated gifts to select items for their family members, free of charge.   The grownups wait in another area while the kids get to do some worry-free shopping with guidance from church members helping out as needed.   Once the gifts are selected, they’re wrapped in colorful paper and ready for delivery  to loved ones.   I think it’s a neat program, giving children an opportunity  to really engage in the spirit of the season.