These photos taken last evening were all very near our Taylor home. I know what you’re thinking. “All your photos are close to home!” True enough, but of the five posted tonight, all are within ten minutes of the house. Nothing special here, folks, just prairie rambling.
On a recent foray along the country roads that make up our Blackland Prairie in Texas, a small green sign pointed to “Macedonia Cemetery.” The first time I saw it, time was at a premium, but eventually, I made my way there. There were no more signs after that, but in the distance, I saw what appeared to be a cemetery. And it was. Macedonia Cemetery is about 2-3 miles southwest of Granger, Texas, nestled under a collection of shade trees. Some history, courtesy of an historical marker. According to local tradition, a congregation known as the O’Possum Creek Church built an all-faiths sanctuary around 1858. The area was called Macedonia. The community continued to grow, with English and German immigrants settled on this rich farmland. In the 1870s, Macedonia became a thriving community, with Macedonia Baptist Church, a Masonic lodge, a gin, granary and general store. A parcel of land which includes this cemetery was donated by the S.A. Spiars family. Macedonia residents and businesses began to disperse after Granger was established on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad line in the 1880s. The last remaining evidence of Macedonia is this cemetery. For years, it remained abandoned, but in 1971, descendants of the original settlers formed a cemetery association to restore it. Burials continue here to this day.
This old shack continues to intrigue my visual senses. Just a little over a mile from our home in Taylor, it’s weathered countless seasons. For years, its presence in the middle of a field meant for crops was a mystery. Finally, an explanation. This was a “hand shack,” meant to be temporary shelter for farm workers working in the area. Obviously, that use has long past. What interests me lately, however, is the tree, or large bush, that continues to grow up around it. Still, the shack, though leaning a bit more these days, perseveres. I like its stamina. This view was taken Saturday morning. 
If calendars are your guide, you’ll say summer hasn’t started, but here in Texas, we know better, don’t we? On Friday night, the Georgetown summer concert series started its warm-weather run on the town square. The season’s first artist was Jeremy McBee. The sweet lady that follows a photo of Jeremy is his 91-year-old grandma, there to lend her support. That’s neat. The little fellow you see enjoyed some fine ice cream from All Things Kids. The concerts, all free, kid (and pet)-friendly, are sponsored by the Georgetown Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Williamson Museum. Each Friday night this summer, everyone’s welcome to bring their lawn chairs and blankets, or their trucks (if they get a spot early enough), and just sit back and enjoy. They begin every Friday evening at 6:30 on the lawn of the historic Williamson County Courthouse, here since 1911. If you’re hearing good music, it’s a good bet you’ll not be so concerned with our summer heat. Hey, there’s plenty of trees on the lawn. That smiling pooch in the last photo? Why that’s Clark W. Griswold! These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
One simple photo this evening, friends, a fluttering of corn stalks along a country road, taken just after 9p.m. tonight, at blue time. Corn is everywhere I look. And that’s just grand.
There are times when taking those long, wandering drives into the countryside take a back seat. My sinus and allergy issues can take a toll. On days like that, I’m glad there’s a place like Taylor’s Bull Branch Park. As the crow (or grackle) flies, it’s about a half-mile from home. That’s where I landed earlier this week. With the creek, the pond, the cypress trees and the birds, it’s got a lot to tempt those visual urges, which come to a head when the light’s good. While certainly no expert on ducks, a Google search showed me photos of what I appear to have in this post, Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks. While mighty pretty, the pair I visited sure weren’t whistling! Here’s a collection of photos taken close to home in our sweet little town.
Here’s a collection of photos I took during “Doggie Time!” this morning at Bridges to Growth in Georgetown. Bridges to Growth is part of The Georgetown Project, a group dedicated to youth development here. Throughout the summer months, Bridges to Growth offers a number of kid, parent, and grandparent-friendly activities. The best part is they’re all free, but you do have to register by going to their website (see link above) or by calling (512) 864-3008 to reserve a spot. During this morning’s session, a group of folks from the Sun City Pet Club brought their dogs for the kids to enjoy. While I love most dogs, my favorite today was Breeze, an adorable English Bulldog girl. Here’s a few photos I took for the Williamson County Sun.
This is an area a little outside Granger, Texas. The photo, taken last evening, was one I almost passed by. I’d been out for a while and these old bones were ready to be home. But about 50 yards on, I thought: this looks okay. So I backed up and took a few frames. This Blackland Prairie is such a fine thing to see. 
A simple post tonight, a Longhorn sharing her pasture, a little west of Granger, Texas with some other four-legged friends. 
Grain elevators, abundant where we live in East Williamson County, Texas, have a way of absorbing nature’s rays of light. Occasionally, when I’m simply in a rambling mood, with nothing special in mind, I enjoy watching them as the sun shines on their metallic surfaces. At this time of the year, you must know that keeping fields of corn out of my rural images is a task. It goes literally for miles in every direction. That opening photo shows some elevators of farmers I know. A few years ago, one of them waxed poetic about the land’s view from their tops. “You’re welcome to climb up the steps and take a look,” one of them offered. I’m still thinking about that. High places make me queasy, but it’s a tempting offer. We’ll see. 
