The Louisiana State Fair, in Shreveport, is getting ready for another season.  October 25 is their opening day.   While going through old negatives this morning, I came across some film taken at the October 1975 fair.    It was rainy day, giving fair workers little to do.  Some, I was happy to notice, spent their time reading newspapers.  Others just smoked cigarette after cigarette.   I found their moods interesting 43 years ago.   The same holds true today.  Good old b/w Tri-X film might’ve helped with the moodiness.   Except for the “What Is It?” photo, these images are newly-edited.  It’s fun to look back in time and see something new. 

An 18-wheeler truckload of pumpkins arrived from New Mexico this afternoon at Georgetown’s First United Methodist Church.   Volunteers, large and small, young and old, were out in force for this annual fundraiser which continues through Halloween.   Here are a few photos from the 2-hour effort, taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.

Tonight’s photos, taken last night and tonight, are just some scenes around the Blackland Prairie after two days of rain drenched our soil.   The best part about the rain?  It’s ushering in a cold front!   Keep in mind, friends, this is south central Texas.  When the temperatures “plunge” to the low-60s, as expected tonight, it’s a cause for celebration.  These images are mostly scenes, but Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is included, too.  Because trees are abundantly growing around its facade, I looked at it from a different perspective tonight.   It’s still mighty pretty,  no matter the angle. 

Visiting Taylor’s parks, whatever the time, is nice.   At night, however, they transform nicely.   Tonight’s photos, longish exposures all (with a tripod, of course) were made at Murphy and Bull Branch Parks.   The opening image, from Bull Branch, was made tonight, after a bit of stormy weather passed through.  The others are in and around Murphy Park, taken over the weekend. These are light interpretations, nothing more. 

This weekend’s forecast was filled with rain predictions.   I was concerned the annual Blessing of the Animals at San Gabriel Park,  conducted by. Georgetown’s Grace Episcopal Church,  would not happen.   Arriving at the park a little early, I stayed in my car, reading a chapter on my current novel.   After that, I ambled over to where the service would commence, leaving my rain gear behind.  Lo and behold, the rain came, prompting a return to the car an umbrella and towel.   Thankfully, the rain didn’t stay around for long.  One of the nicest things about this service is so many people actually thanking me for being there.   In this period in our history, when the news media is viewed by some as the enemy of the people, that was nice.  I’ll let the photos tell most of the story, but call your attention to the last photos, two friends, enjoying the best of childhood as they relaxed in one of San Gabriel Park’s wonderful live oak trees.  The girls were here for the service, but this was at the end, when time for tree-climbing was okay.  Good moments all around, friends.

One thing to count on, friends is that I will return to the same subject matter time and time again.   Part of this, of course, is the fact that we seldom wander far from our Taylor home.  Then again, even if I were to wander to places far away, my favorite subjects would be right here on the Blackland Prairie.    If what I do bores you, a suggestion:  search elsewhere.   My feelings won’t be hurt.   Photos taken tonight pay yet another visit to Norman’s Crossing, Texas. The Boehm family has been very accommodating.   I am most grateful.   These grain elevators have been in their family for generations.  The opening photo is a few minutes past sunset. The second image is far beyond that.  The skies above?   They belong to us all, but it’s nice to see them while standing on a fine piece of land ocean.  

Tonight’s theme is horses.   These beauties are ones previously documented, but we visit with each other again from time to time.   The opening photo was taken west of Granger, Texas, the others in Norman’s Crossing.   I’ll leave it at that, friends.  

What you don’t see here, but available for viewing on my Facebook page, is a 1991 photograph of County Road 457, just west of Coupland, Texas taken by one of my esteemed instructors from University of Texas, Frank Armstrong.   Mr. Armstrong did quite a bit of wandering on the Blackland Prairie himself before moving to Massachusetts, where he lives today.   In his 80s, he’s still teaching.  And I’m still learning.    After looking up County Road 457, I took a drive there tonight to record my own scene.   Frank’s is better, in glorious black-and-white, probably taken with a 4×5 view camera, perhaps even 8×10.   The cemetery at right is for St. Peter’s Church of Coupland.   While there, looking to the left, cows were nudging each other atop a hill overlooking the road.   It was a deadend road in 1991.  It remains so today, ending at Brushy Creek.  Since the cemetery was across the street from the church, I stopped by there before going home.   

These are some shots taken in Dallas in the mid-1970s, when I tagged along with friend and mentor Skeeter Hagler as he covered a football game, Texas A&M vs. S.M.U.   It was an extremely-wet and cold day.  The Aggies were losing, too.  Who knew S.M.U. was ever good?   No action shots here, folks, just yell leaders, wet fans and (of course) Skeeter!   Ah, the the glamorous life of a photojournalist. 

As is often the case, I’m not always sure if something I photographed makes it to public view.   This large pasture of longhorns, however, has been growing on me since August, when they were made.   The photos were taken while strolling through the cemetery adjacent to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wuthrich Hill.  Cows, often curious types, began to express an interest in my wanderings.  After a bit, I decided they needed their portraits taken, including some very young ones.  It’s probably a good thing I didn’t summarily toss these.