This post doesn’t need much information, does it? At certain days of the day, when night skies roll in, blue takes over, at least for a while. This is, of course, in East Williamson County, Texas. This land, this sky, they resonate. Always.
A few months after arriving at the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, I found myself and my cameras at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park in search of features in February 1981. After a short while, I happened on a father giving his little boy a skating lesson. Today, in addition to those knee pads, they’d have on helmets, too, but remember this was 37 years ago, friends. Different times. These kind of slice-of-life things were likely what got me hired in Atlanta, but even then it was a struggle to get the assignment editors to just let me go wander. The culture at the time was such that photographers would sit around the office, awaiting their assignments. Thankfully, they finally saw the value of just cutting me loose! These bits of everyday life are what makes photojournalism important in my world, not the big events. Hopefully, they mean something to you, the reader.
Tonight, as I drove to Taylor’s Murphy Park, the plan was to read a little and watch the egrets at the rookery. When getting out of the car with my gear, however, I noticed a young couple dressed in their graduation caps and gowns, getting their photos made for invitations. Plans changed. The couple are Granger senior April Martinez, 18, and her boyfriend of two years, Taylor High senior Shawnpail Fields, 17. The photographer was April’s mom, Mary Martinez. It was fun to watch the session. Both graduates will be able to attend each other’s graduations. Shawnpail’s is May 25th, April’s is the next day. These were some nice teens, and a very cordial mom who didn’t mind an old fellow giving her some photo tips. 
While wandering around looking for photos in March, I saw bluebonnets on a hill in Circleville, but didn’t realize they were in a very old cemetery. Thankfully, the grass wasn’t too high so I wandered around there a few minutes. Last night, I stopped by there again. The bluebonnets are gone, but the cemetery is now covered with yellow wildflowers, different but still as beautiful. The tough part, however, was getting the nerve to go anywhere near there. The weeds have made their presence known. With the weeds, and high grass, you’re also apt to get reptilian creatures I’d rather not encounter. So I didn’t wander too far last night. Call me a coward, but while I loathe rattlesnakes, I respect their territory. Still, I managed to get a good scene. For reference, I’m posting a March photo, too. And a closer version of last night’s venture. 
050718 CIRCLEVILLE,
This is a road that I like quite a lot. On different evenings recently, I looked at it from two different perspectives. The windmill is the same in both. I have nothing to add, other than I love these wonderful spaces.
Taylor, Texas, our fine little community in Central Texas, celebrated Blackland Prairie Days on Saturday. Earlier in the week, weather forecasts predicted a rainy day. Thankfully, the rain moved out of the area on Friday evening. I’m posting just three photos, two of them calling attention to folkloric dancing in our area. The second photo is a 1-year-old, watching her 12-year-old cousin perform. Her mama says she’s about ready to learn! The final photo was taken in the petting zoo, where a 5-year-old boy fended off the ear-nibbling of a 4-month-old alpaca. The alpaca was sweet and gentle, but the little human wasn’t having it! 
Not long ago, a photographer friend who sells his fine work to the public mentioned that customers, when given the option of color vs. black-and-white, will invariably choose color. Part of that might be the fact that we see the world in color, not monotone. But it begs the question: can the addition of color in an image get in the way of the message? I don’t have a set opinion on this, but as someone who began a career in the black-and-white world, it’s intriguing. Presented here are two versions of the same photograph taken this weekend, a farmer, cane in hand, strolling through an expanse of corn. Does the viewer need to see the corn’s hues, or does it get in the way of the photo’s intent? The subject, with the aid of a cane, moves slowly through the field. Is that the first thing you see? It was for me. Just thinking out loud here, folks. 
Since moving home to Texas a few years ago, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, in Wuthrich Hill (East Williamson County) has been among my favorite places to document. One of my UT-Austin photojournalism instructors, Frank Armstrong, photographed this beautiful church many years ago. After he recently posted one of his vintage images, I took a drive over there last evening, after the day’s heavy rain had moved on. That’s the first photo. Photos that follow are something new, a visit there this morning. The church was having a combination bake and garage sale. Upon arrival, a church member asked if I’d like to see the sanctuary. Well, of course! What made that even better, however, was meeting their oldest member, who turned 100 in February. I won’t mention his name, but area folks might well know him. While happy just to snap some photos inside, it made my day when this fine gentleman came in to visit a little. So there it is, folks. A look inside Prince of Peace. 
Two posts in one day? It is what it is. After the storms moved through East Williamson County tonight, the skies gave us a colorful little treat. It only lasted a couple of minutes, but it was nice to see. 
There’s not much to add about the continued work with that Motorola smartphone used during my daily strolls. All week the forecast in Taylor called for rain, but it arrived in earnest this morning. There weren’t many people out strolling. Anyway, all these were taken in Taylor, the walks usually 2-plus hours. 
