Just some scenes from around my area of East Williamson County.  I took quite a few more photos than what’s posted here, but may  offer those up later.

Monday night I was honored to be present for  flag retirement ceremonies held at the Georgetown site of the Rotary Club’s Field of Honor in San Gabriel Park.    Two troops participated, the American Heritage Girls Texas Troop 1045 and Boy Scout Texas Troop 155.   Most probably know this, but a flag is retired by consumption in fire.    It’s a respectful and moving thing to see, giving youngsters a knowledge to carry throughout their lives.   

Just two moments tonight, taken at the Georgetown Rotary Club Foundation’s Field of Honor, ongoing through November 14 at San Gabriel Park.    The sight of hundreds of American flags can have an impact on emotions.   The man in the opening photo was moved to tears as he walked through.   And the mom and son were in awe as well.  

Time doesn’t really change, but we try to reconfigure it with things like Daylight Saving Time.  Perhaps a minority opinion, but I’m happy we’ve returned to Central Standard Time today.   These are photos taken in Taylor today, from early morning until after sunset, when a group of birds flew past a Waxing Crescent moon (14.6% visibility) and the planet Venus.   The morning photos were at our town’s Murphy Park, where ducks and geese like to gather on the lake.  For several months each year, the park hosts thousands of egrets at the rookery, but it’s a nice setting all year long.

Leaving Taylor very early this morning, I arrived for the opening day of The Georgetown Rotary Club’s 5th annual Field of Honor at San Gabriel Park.    Sunrise was still a few minutes away when the opening photo was made.   And then came the sun, highlighting some of the 1500-plus American flags adorning a field.   A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is here this year, 80% of the original size.   I spent a good bit of time there as veterans paused to find names of those they knew.  A Marine  from the Vietnam era (they’re never ex-Marines)  spent quite a bit of time searching for names of those he knew.    One photo is personal.   In the late-60s, I was a band and orchestra kid at Texas High School in Texarkana.   Howard Elder, who played trombone, was one of my classmates.   For reasons I don’t know to this day, Howard quit school in his junior year, enlisting in the Army.   I’m guessing he had to get parental permission because he wasn’t old enough.   Howard died in Vietnam in 1970, the year most of his high school classmates were graduating.   Forgive the aside, friends.  The Field of Honor, and the wall, will be on display until November 14th.  It’s a very moving experience.

In keeping with National Adoption Awareness Month, the Williamson County Justice Center in Georgetown held adoptions this morning in the courtroom of Judge Brandy Hallford  for four area families who were  adopting six children.   I always enjoy attending these adoptions.  In fact, it’s the only time I find courtroom photography worthwhile. Among the adoptees were a 14-month-old, a 6-year-old, a 10-year-old and three siblings, ages 10, 14 and 15.    The mom of the 14-month-old will soon have more kids.  She’s pregnant with triplets, due very soon!

It’s been several months since my last visit with these Norman’s Crossing beauties.   I made up for that earlier this week on a sunny night before the rain and cool weather moved in.    They love each other’s company, but humans are okay, too.    I need to remember to bring them treats next time!

It’s been raining here most of the day, as it still was when these photos were taken early this evening.   I like the way rain can sometimes create a monotone image from a color scene.   That was true in the first three photos, all south of Granger along our ocean of land.   The last couple are along the wonderful  cobblestone street in downtown Granger.   While it always looks nice, a rain, especially at night, enhances it even more.  

This one’s about murals adorning the walls in downtown Bartlett, Texas, a community of a little over 1600 in both Bell and Williamson Counties.  Like Holland, it’s neighbor just north of here, Bartlett was founded in 1881.  The addition of railroad lines through the state has created many small towns.   While I’ve seen some of the these murals, the one in the opening photo is new to me.  When I inquired about the new mural, some folks on an evening stroll said it was painted to accompany a movie being filmed here.   That must be “Chocolate Lizards,” currently in production, starring Bruce Dern.   It’s based on a 1999 novel by Cole Thompson, a writer from Abilene (Texas, not Kansas).  I may have to read this book!   Some other movies filmed here include “The Stars Fell over Henrietta,” (1995), “The Whole Wide World,” (1996), “The Newton Boys,” (1998), portions of the remake of “True Grit,” (2010), etc.   The town was also the setting for the NBC tv series “Revolution,” (2012-14).   Since baseball is interesting to many right now, it’s worth noting  that in 1914-15 Bartlett had a minor league baseball team, the Bartlett Bearcats.   Ross Youngs, who played there in 1915, is a Baseball Hall of Fame member. It’s easy to see why movie producers like Bartlett.   If you take away the cars and trucks, West Clark Street, with its 19th and early 20th Century architecture, is nearly perfect.

Wurstbraten is back at Walburg’s Zion Lutheran Church.   Church members were very busy, smoking 12,500 pounds of sausage in the large pits behind the church.   The pandemic cancelled the event last year.   Wurstbraten normally offers to-go plates for visitors, but also indoor dining inside the church’s large gymnasium.   To be on the safe side, only to-go plates were offered.   Holly, a Miniature Pinscher, was among those most excited about the aromatic sausage.  Her mom said Holly would get a little taste once home.  The Gideons of Williamson County offered New Testaments to those waiting in line.   It’s a nice thing, this Wurstbraten.  I hope they’re able to return to their full event in 2022.