Are these seasonal fireworks stands a common sight where you live? They can be found along several roads in Williamson County, Texas. This one’s along Texas Highway 95 just north of Taylor. I can’t recall if we had these in Georgia. Maybe we did. Note that fireworks are illegal in most city limits around the country. 
Windmills, church spires and grain elevators (or silos) are very much a part of the nomenclature on the Blackland Prairie in East Williamson County, Texas. They are our skyscrapers. All are well-documented by my cameras through the years. While I run the risk of boring you with too many of these subjects, they’re part of what I do. These windmills are from a couple of nights ago. And one that includes the sunroof of my old Honda. 
Some of you might recall photos taken in late-April and early-May at Granger United Methodist Church in Granger, Texas. The photos accompanied a piece in the Williamson County Sun about its closing after being nestled in a neighborhood at Elm and South Granger Streets since 1905. The attendance had dwindled to just a handful of regulars. Since it was designated a Texas Historic Site in 1970, I had hopes that it would continue to be a part of the community. While taking pictures of Granger’s cotton Christmas tree a few weeks ago, I happened to meet Robert and JoAnn Halstrom, both 59, from Wimberley. We chatted briefly about the town’s history. Then Robert casually mentioned they’d recently bought the local Methodist church. This was great news! Two days a week, on their days off from work, they drive to Granger to do restoration. Sorting through years of debris, JoAnn found a number of those old-fashioned hand fans, adorned with colorful art. The extensive work is expected to take about a year, maybe a little more. The interior woodwork and stained glass windows are beautiful. They hope to do the majority of the interior work themselves, but will need help when it comes to the exterior. Included with their purchase were three pianos and an organ. JoAnn plans to keep at least one of the pianos. When the work is done, they envision it becoming a bed and breakfast, perhaps a restaurant. Or perhaps a private home. One afternoon while Robert was working outside, Granger resident Linda Jezisek passed by. Rolling down her window, she asked if it was okay if she took a peek inside. It turns out Jezisek attended church here growing up. JoAnn told me a number of residents had stopped to chat and give their blessing to this undertaking. Whatever its future use, I’m glad to see it being treated with grace. 
This abandoned farmhouse in East Williamson County, Texas is one I’ve driven by many times in the ten years we’ve been back home. While always interesting to see with my eyes, a good image of its relationship with the land and sky around it escaped me. Tonight, however, the elements aligned. Late-day light, a little past sunset, graced the western facade of the home, adding warmth and clarity. The icing on the cake was that Texas sky. The field is filled with Blackland Prairie soil, now fallow. This is the only image I’m posting tonight, friends. While seldom satisfied with anything I do, this photo comes together. At least it does for me. 
When I got up this morning on the first full day of winter, a thick layer of fog greeted me when letting our dog out for her morning constitutional. For a while I ignored it, enjoying breakfast and a good novel, but the temptation was too much as I finally gave in and made these few photos at two of Taylor’s parks. By late-morning fog gave way to sunshine. I wasn’t interested in sunshine. The first four photos are from Bull Branch Park. The last image, where the sun was trying its best to peek out, was at Murphy Park. 
As this is written the Winter Solstice begins at 10:19 p.m. Central Standard Time in Central Texas. These photos from our Blackland Prairie 
were taken early this morning, minutes ahead of what passed for sunrise on a foggy and misty Saturday morning on the Blackland Prairie. I chose to present these in black-and-white. It seems to suit the morning’s mood. This is the shortest day of the year. Others don’t like that, but I do. The image with two trees and a stock pond nearby is significant because that blank space in front used to be home to a barn, now gone. The hand shack in the last two photos, however, is still here. A hand shack was at one time provided shelter for seasonal farm hands. 
Just a quick grab shot from out my car window last night in Taylor, Texas. A guardian Santa, perhaps? The car’s window provided a nice frame for this little bit of holiday cheer!
I was able to get my daily walk in without getting drenched, but since about mid-afternoon in Taylor, the moisture has increased. On this Friday night I wandered east of town for these few images. It’s a misty night on the Blackland Prairie. 
Just a couple of shadow images for you tonight, both taken in downtown Taylor, Texas. As we approach the Winter Solstice this weekend, shadows become more pronounced. I have a longtime interest in documenting them. 
As mentioned quite a few times, rivers are among my favorite bodies of water. Unlike most lakes, rivers occur naturally. They have been around for thousands of years. Droughts may affect their properties, but most stay with us. The river where I’ve found fascination and peace for ten years is the San Gabriel, which begins near the Texas Hill Country, meandering east/southeast until it converges with the Brazos en route to the Gulf of Mexico. A place that I like viewing the San Gabriel is only minutes from our Taylor home, along a meandering county road. There’s an old truss bridge there. The bridge has been out of use for years, replaced by a more modern conveyance, but thankfully the powers-that-be have left the old one alone. It’s a popular destination for portrait photographers. And a good one for that. But I just like being on its somewhat rickety boards. These photos made last evening include the river, plus a couple more. The opening two images are the top picks, but as you might know, I like to explore a subject a bit more than that. 
