Lakes and oceans are wonderful things, but I have an affection for rivers.  The San Gabriel River, pictured tonight in Jonah, Texas, is one such body of water.   The river begins west/northwest of Georgetown and continues to meander through Williamson and Milam Counties, eventually joining the Brazos River, which completes its journey at the Gulf of Mexico near Freeport, Texas.   Rivers, unlike many lakes, are natural bits of nature.   I adore them all.

Sitting down at the computer early this morning, I was attracted to light filtering through the window.   It merited a photo.   Sometimes we’re engaged without having to go very far.

Ah, it’s so nice to have the days grow shorter, providing more opportunities for evening imagery.   Like tonight in downtown Bartlett, Texas, when a Waxing Crescent moon, 34.3% visible, accompanied by (I think) the planet Jupiter in this scene above West Clark Street.   Normally, two posts in a day are too much, but moon phases change quickly.  Must strike while the iron is hot.  And the planets align.

In the early-1980s, while working for the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, I paid a visit to Atlanta’s  Starlight Drive-In Theatre, on Moreland Avenue.   It was a rainy summer night, folks dashing back to the safety of their vehicles to continue their movie enjoyment.   Just today, I was happy to find out the Starlight is still in business.  It opened its doors in 1949 with one gigantic screen.   Some years later a second screen was added.    I have a personal affection for these theaters.  My father was a projectionist at the Joy Drive-In Theater in Texarkana, Texas.    Since my mom also worked a night shift as a telephone operator, I got to go to work with daddy as a 4-year-old.   It was great fun.  This was in the mid-late 1950s.  Move ahead to the 60s and there I was, a teen working at the Joy, as well as another drive-in on the Arkansas side of town.   An Instagram photo this week made me think of drive-ins.   They had their issues, mosquitos being a big one, but what a nice piece of American culture!

It’s another of those nights where I’m not nailing down a specific theme.   The opening photo was made on a recent night with rain clouds were forming in the Beyersville area.   The rain didn’t materialize, but the skies were mighty nice.   Only after taking the photo did I notice the little cotton patch in front of the barns, a pleasant addition.    The second image was maybe ten miles north of Beyersville, close to Granger.  On this evening that Texas sky was almost ethereal.  

The rail yard in downtown Taylor, Texas has a certain appeal when the light is right.  Having a sunset nearby can’t hurt either.    It’s a good night for keeping things simple. 

Some of a busy weekend was spent at  Sweet Eats Fruit Farm for their annual Fall Festival.   There’s a lot to do here.   While I’m not able to cover everything, here’s a few highlights.   Piglets are just about the cutest little critters on the planet, particularly when they’re giving me the stink eye!   Horseback rides were a hit.   The two little guys posted here were getting on a horse for the first time.  And they loved it!   One little fellow, whose daddy attended Texas A&M, gave me the Gig Em’ Aggies sign as he mounted a horse called Star.   Families were also able to pick up a pumpkin to take home.   I like the house built of pumpkins.    Not pictured are a corn maze and hay maze.  I wandered into the hay maze and couldn’t find my way out until latching onto a family who knew the way, thank goodness.   Again, many activities aren’t included here, but families can have a great deal of fun at Sweet Eats.    These photos were made for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.   Sweet Eats is located at 14400 East Highway 29, a few miles east of Georgetown.   The Fall Festival continues through the first weekend in November. 

On the way home from wandering around Sunday night, it was good to see my old friend the moon.   Even though it was a tiny sliver, the Waxing Crescent moon, at 2.8% visibility, complimented the steeple at Taylor’s St. James Episcopal Church.

Here we are, September almost done, but continuing to deal with temperatures we’re used to seeing in mid-August, not October.   But there it is, friends.    Cotton farmers who haven’t harvested their crops probably don’t mind the heat.  High temperatures and dry weather are a gift for this crop.   Am I done with cotton posts?   We’ll see what we see.  

This morning I spent some hours at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas to cover the 10th annual Alzheimer’s Walk for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.   About 450 participants were on hand to show support for a tragic disease.   While all illness is bad, this one steals so much.   Those taking part walked to honor friends or family members who’ve dealt with this emotional pain.   These events raise money, and awareness.  That’s needed.   The first photo is a 10-year-old who’s lost family members to the disease.  The last image, trying to keep a positive focus, gives you Mercy, a 7-year-old miniature horse, one of the greeters at the finish line for finishers.   We need more Mercy.