Recently, looking to expand where I wander, I’ve been finding new country roads on the Blackland Prairie. Sometimes I do a Google Maps search. I love Google Maps, but it’s challenging to just get in the car and go. My drives aren’t usually far from home. That’s the idea, right? Anyway, these three photos are on a couple of those rural pathways. Thankfully, traffic is at a minimum there. So far.
When we moved to Taylor in summer 2009, this old barn was an attraction I immediately loved. Just over a mile from our house, it’s situated at the confluence of two roads, one filled (for Taylor) with a regular flow of vehicle traffic. If I’m reading the real estate signs correctly, the land on which this barn resides has been sold. Does that mean its days on the planet are numbered? Perhaps. After a 29-year stint in Atlanta, my feelings about overdevelopment are well-honed, but I do understand that the useful life of some things come to an end. The other evening when I stopped by, the structure was surrounded by an assortment of bright yellow weeds. There’s a name for the weed, but it fails me right now. If the barn goes away soon, at least I’ve made a few photos to remember it. 
While much of what I do involves those pictorial/landscape scenes around my area, my professional life was (is) defined by community journalism. With that in mind, it was an honor to spend this very long day documenting a Texas Special Olympics occasion in Taylor, the Area 13 Equestrian Event. That title sounds dry, doesn’t it? Let me say this friends. What I saw today at the Williamson County Expo Center was anything but dry. Horses, one of my favorite photographic subjects, have an amazing ability to heal and soothe. Although Area 13 encompasses teams throughout Central Texas, Georgetown’s Ride On Center for Kids, also known as ROCK, defines the medicinal value of horses. While not all the photos posted tonight are ROCK participants, many are, including 12-year-old Chloe, pictured in the opening photo, followed by some well-deserved hugs from her parents. If you’re expecting a sports-oriented post from this event, think again. It’s about bonding, with horses, of course, but with supportive families. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun. 
These are photos taken tonight. While I continue to fill my desktop with images that are just setting around, when that blue evening thing kicks in, I’m all in, too. A cloudy Saturday transitioned to a drizzly evening. One is a lone tree in a field ready for Spring planting. The other? Why, that’s the state flag. I’ve passed by this home many times, but it’s been years since posting it. Some things bear repeating. 
As it often happens, I was wandering last evening with nothing specific in mind. While I did make a few photos before the one posted here, this one defined the night. I’ll just leave it here, friends. 
Spring is not my favorite season. Sinus issues beginning at birth, exacerbated by allergic reactions, does not endear me to this season. For friends in chillier climates, I completely understand why they’re ready to thaw out. With few exceptions, our winters are mild. Spring and summer, however, pretty much run together. It’s only March 21st, but our central air is rolling along right now. By June? Watch out! The best part about this season, however, are wildflowers, particularly our state flower, the bluebonnet. I photographed this old cemetery for the first time in 2018. Sure enough, it was already covered with beautiful blooms. Consider this an obligatory wildflower post, friends. There could be more. We’ll see.
Occasionally, when I see friends living in metropolitan communities posting their moon photos, there’s a feeling that I need to be in those places, too. Their images are beautiful. Then again, when wandering north of Manor, Texas tonight, seeing the full moo, a Worm Moon, rise brightly above New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church, I think again about where we are. And it’s okay. Today is the beginning of Spring, a season for which I really have little fondness (except for wildflowers), but we persevere, don’t we? Out here in the boonies, we have our own kind of skyscrapers. This church would be one of them. Yes, it’s good to be here. 
As Spring approaches, each year I keep my eyes on Murphy Park’s rookery in Taylor in anticipation of the egrets coming to nest. While a few of them have arrived, it’s not so active quite yet. I made a swing by there last night to see what I could see anyway. Even without the egrets, it’s a pretty nice place to be. There are plenty of ducks, geese and cormorants though, good places to aim a camera. And the moon was almost full, too. It’s probably more so tonight, but a cloud cover wasn’t giving us a peek. This little batch of photos from last evening will have to suffice. 
As development continues to ride herd on where we live, I continue to look for places where serenity still exists. Last evening my Honda and I motored through the far reaches of East Williamson County. For a time we tucked into Milam County, then wandered back toward home. I found this restful scene a hair’s breath east of Hare, Texas, a stone’s throw south of the San Gabriel River. This time, thankfully, I had a spot to pull off the road for a few minutes to observe some beautiful horses. 
These are some recent photos taken in Granger, Texas, one of those Blackland Prairie towns where I spend some time with my camera. The most recent census indicates the town’s population is a little over 1400. Prominent here is Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church. Its commanding spire can be seen in the opening photo. The stained glass windows are impeccable. Into the Granger mix are some photos from the east side of downtown, on East Davilla Street. Included are a weathered storefront, streetlights radiating a warm evening glow, and the old Granger City Hall building, built in 1908-09. No longer used as city offices, the town hopes to. restore it when funds allow. Thank goodness they want to save this bit of Texas history. 
