Pedro (with white face) and Lil’ Bob, the resident donkeys at Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown, love their play time together. It may look like they’re fighting, but it’s just a donkey’s idea of fun. When I used to visit them, I’d bring along some carrots or apples, but now the park asks that visitors just feed them handfuls of grass. The park makes sure these guys stay healthy and active. 
When autumn comes to Texas each year, I think about traveling a little to find serene bits of color, but then the outings don’t happen. But that’s okay when there’s such a nice park just blocks from our Taylor home. I walk through Bull Branch Park almost every day. Included here are some photos made one evening this week. Staying close to home is okay. 
A Veterans Day observance was held today at the Georgetown Rotary Club’s Field of Honor, in San Gabriel Park. The opening photo is an active-duty mom stationed at Fort Hood, who came here from the family home in Copperas Cove. Her husband, also Army, is currently on assignment in Germany. One of the things about covering Veterans Day for a long time is finding less World War II veterans on hand. As I was about to leave, a man in a wheelchair was seen among the flags with his family. It turns out he’s 96-year-old Carl Doering, an Army veteran who served in the Philippines. He’s also a former Georgetown mayor. I was glad to see him. The final photo was taken as I arrived home in Taylor this afternoon. There was my 85-year-old neighbor, also a veteran, taking a spin on his adult trike. I had to add this good man to the mix this year. 
When an American flag has come to the end of its work, it’s traditional to send it to the fire. For years, Boy Scout troops have performed the ritual. Monday night I was present at this year’s Field of Honor as Georgetown Boy Scout Troop 155 sent old flags to the flames. They were assisted by American Heritage Girls Troop 1045, who are also conducting their own flag retirement ceremonies here this week. Before they are retired, the flags are cut into strips, making it easier to feed them into the fire pit. These youngsters retired thirty flags last night. It’s a moving thing to see, particularly at night, with a backdrop of 1700 flags nearby. 
These are a few photos from a recent outing at Chisholm Trail Crossing Park, in Round Rock. Brushy Creek courses through here. The “round rock,” the town’s namesake, is here, but it’s not included in this post. Just the creek. And autumn. 
Since it wasn’t a long drive, we recently paid a visit to Mother Neff State Park, the state’s oldest state park. Isabella Neff, mother of Governor Pat Neff, donated the original 6 acres in 1916. Upon her death in 1921, Governor Neff created Mother Neff Memorial Park. With an addition of 250 acres, it opened to the public in 1937. Much of the construction was done between 1934-1938 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park is in Coryell County, a few miles west of Moody, Texas. It’s nearest large areas include Temple and Waco. We were just playing tourists on this afternoon drive from Taylor. Unfortunately, portions of the park’s 330 acres are closed because of Leon River flood damage. There’s a little autumn color, plus more than a few deer. It was a nice outing. 
Today was the opening day for The Georgetown Rotary Club’s 4th Annual Field of Honor, at San Gabriel Park. A field at the park is adorned with approximately 1700 flags. They will fly through here through November 15th. I met a 93-year-old, her late husband a World War II Army veteran, walking among the flags with her daughter. They stopped briefly to take a photo with the help of a selfie stick. Georgetown’s American Heritage Girls Troop 1045 are docents for this year’s event, helping place tags on flags purchased to honor family members and friends. One of the girls strolled among the flags with her dog, Watson. It’s always good to see these flags. 
Last year I covered adoptions in Georgetown, Texas, one of the most heartfelt events I saw all year. This year, because of the ongoing pandemic, adoptions were held, but much of it was done remotely. A few families, however, were able to enter the courtrooms for their happy moments. The judge was there, via technology. These photos were made this morning. I was fortunate to be allowed into the courtroom to observe what unfolded. Among today’s families was a mom who prayed for the chance to adopt a teenager. Her wish was fulfilled when 16-year-old Brian became a new family member. A football player at an area high school, he wasn’t shy about showing his affection for what was happening. Then there was a grandma, adopting three young siblings, now becoming their mama. And a mom adopting sisters. Perhaps the most inspiring was a joyful 2-year-old, pictured at the end of this post. She was enamored with mama, her new siblings, but also seeing new family members on a big screen in the courtroom. Not everyone could be there this year, but it’s okay. The spirit is there. 
Things tend to stack up my computer’s desktop, slowing down the work flow if left untended. I’m trying to get better about that. Like tonight. Just four photos from recent Blackland Prairie outings. There’s a sweet field of swaying prairie grass absorbing the day’s last rays. And a friendly pooch, fearlessly strolling down the middle of a country road. I worry about that dog. Then there’s those bales of hay. Certain light enhances otherwise mundane subjects. The last photo is one that kind of sums up the feel of this area. There’s no focus … no barn, no windmill, no cow, no horse. Just land and sky. That’s quite enough. 
After sunrise this morning, a gentle fog rolled into Taylor, prompting a short drive around town. While we don’t have knock your socks off fall colors like you might see back east, we do okay. Keep it peaceful, friends.