These drives, some long, some short, often allow a collection of  photographs with a particular theme.  Tonight let’s go with horses, among the most elegant  beings on the planet.   A few of these beauties are cared for by friends.   All are just mighty fine.

The Coupland Independent School District begins its academic year today.   The village a few minutes south of Taylor has had elementary school classes since 1912, but an added campus, just east of town, will educate kids through high school.  The district has 390 students this year, 110 of them in the new building.  For the first year it will be through 9th grade, adding a grade each year.  A few photos of preparation for new adventures with the Coupland Cowboys!

Some of this stuff needs few words.  From tonight, just clouds joined by a Texas Longhorn.   It’s enough.

Tonight’s view a little west of Taylor, Texas.   A few minutes past sunset over the Blackland Prairie.

There’s really little more to say about photographs from daily walks.   These strolls have been a part of this life for years, but without a camera for a long time.   There were too many things to see during those strolls.  At first, a phone did the trick, but had no real reach.   The small Olympus now toted, however, solves that problem.   It’s still hot.   Must cut back or move to a cooler climate.

From tonight, a photograph taken as sunset nears in Taylor, Texas.   A prairie grass sunset.

Photographs taken during the annual backpack distribution of more than 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies during the Georgetown Cultural Citizen Memorial  Association’s event held this morning at Georgetown’s Carver Center for Families.   Families could get the packs via a drive-through, or go inside.  Helping out were football teams from East View and Georgetown High Schools.  The lady in the first photo was there three hours before the 10am start.  The lady in yellow is the President of the Georgetown Cultural Citizen  Memorial Association.  Schools are open soon in Central Texas.

Most know this by now, but many miles are driven just looking for quiet spaces, paths not encumbered by traffic headaches.   We have many of those in recent years.   This road is among them.  During this week’s wandering, a drive here led to cotton beginning to thrive.   Finding cotton crops is a bit more difficult to find.  Fewer farmers take a pass, but it’s out there.   The neat thing about this road was being able to stop, get out of the car and take photographs for several minutes, with not one vehicle coming along.   That is a priceless gift, not ignored.

The blistering hot sun bears down on a field of corn before its harvest.

The cameras find their way to Berry Springs Park & Preserve quite a lot.   The park’s resident donkeys, Lil Bob and Pedro, are favorite subjects, but not posted a lot for fear you get tired of seeing them.  Rest assured, they’re a big hit at this beautiful space just east of Georgetown.   This post is offered at the request of a friend, Susan Blackledge, the longtime park manager, now retired, who continues to be involved.   Susan reached out this week to request coverage of  the donkeys.  Lil Bob (the darker donkey) has an arthritic condition that costs a bit to treat.   Friends of Berry Springs, a nonprofit devoted to this park, is seeking donations to help.  Hopefully, the Williamson County Sun will help with this effort.