Rivers are grand things.  Since returning to Texas in 2009, I have photographed the San Gabriel River many times.  Unlike some other rivers around the world, the San Gabriel remains small, intimate, serene. Presented here are some photos from recent outings.  Groves of trees border most areas. Three friends out for a day of fly fishing spent more time walking through the river than actually fishing.  I get that.

En route to another appointment recently, I stopped for a quick photo of the skies above Georgetown’s First United Methodist Church.    The colors, combined with their wonderful spire, was something worth sharing with you.

When I went to Taylor’s Bull Branch Park very early Friday morning, it was in search of misty water on the pond.   I was glad to come away with very interesting cloud patterns instead.   It was a good morning.  On this Sunday morning, I was running an errand near sunrise.   Passing Bull Branch Park, there was my mist!   Mentioned many times before, but light at the beginning and end of days can be magical.   It sure was this morning.   The mist faded as the sun rose higher, but it was good to see it.    Fleeting moments in time, friends.

There’s this little cemetery, Cavalry Cemetery, a little west of Granger,  very much Czech,  but  perhaps a bit of Germanic influence, too.  It’s kind of inspiring to be driving past it a little after sunset as  solar-powered lights near gravestones begin to glow.   It’s a nice thing to do, very calming.

I honestly don’t know what I was looking for when I woke up well before dawn today, but sometimes that’s the fun of it.   Soon enough, I stopped at Taylor’s Bull Branch Park, less than a mile from home, thinking there might be some pre-dawn mist hovering above the water.   Since there wasn’t,  I just shot photos.  A little ahead of sunrise, these  cloud formations begged for attention.  I obliged, then drove home and finished a book, but not before the rain started, washing away those clouds.   Things are fleeting.

“Same Time Next Year,” a story about a couple, married to others, who rendezvous each year over a 25-year period,  from the early-50s through the late-70s, opens tonight at the Georgetown Palace. The show only stars two actors, Jill Leberknight and Damon Brown, who in real life are a married couple, making their stage presence a safer happening.  Brown is also the production’s director.    Since this is an indoors production, protocols are in place.  Every attendee is required to wear a face mask.  Couples or small groups are separated by at least two seats on each row.  And complete rows are skipped.   No concessions are provided.   In a time of intense upheaval, I’m glad to see this production go forward.   The play will run through February 28.   Go see it if you can.

Another evening photo along a dirt road, this time near Coupland, Texas.    Dirt roads and the blue hour go well together.

Before we return to Daylight Saving Time, I’m compelled to post as much night photography as possible.   Country roads lend themselves to that.    If not mentioned before, I loathe Daylight Saving Time.

Although mentioned quite often, I have an affection for these rural skyscrapers adorning the Blackland Prairie.    The opening photo, north of Granger, is surrounded by some really showy sunset lighting.   The other image, south of Granger, was taken well past sundown tonight.   It might be more subtle than the first one, but that’s okay.  

These two photos were made this evening a little east of Thrall.   Sunsets are common occurrences, but they exert a sense of calm in some of us.   That’s enough words for tonight, friends.