If you’ve followed any of my work, you may know that in 1973, while a student at UT-Austin, I spent copious amounts of time documenting what I saw along Austin’s East 6th Street.  In December  2016, for the first time in a whole bunch of years, I returned with my cameras.   It seemed like a good thing to do this year, too.    Because black and white strips things down to essentials, I’m sticking with it this time, too.   In the early 70s, East 6th had its share of people facing tough times, but it was also a street where I saw many blue collar types, too.   Back then, they caught a bus there.   These days, buses still run, but not on gentrified East 6th.   These photos were taken during a visit on Saturday afternoon.   As in 1973, I tried to be respectful and open.   My sense is that there are far more homeless people along this now-upscale corridor, a haven for out-of-towners who like to club-hop.    One young man, Lee, in his early 40s, especially got my attention because he was a photographer at his high school back in Pennsylvania.   We chatted for a while.  He knows his stuff.   I wish him well.  In fact, I wish all of them well …. Mark, playing his homemade drums for tips, the poor lady trying to sleep, but moved along by a kind, but firm policeman, the lady from Ohio, moving over as Segways whizz by, Doc, looking for just two dollars so he can buy another beer, Slim, openly smoking his joint, and Sergio, who has a home, but at 67, and missing both lower legs because of diabetes, gets by pretty slowly on his prosthetic legs and cane.   Even the lady in the last photo, smiling while flipping me off.   Life can be hard, particularly at this time of the year.  None of us know what some of our fellow humans are going through.   Be kind, friends … all year long.

There are times when I think I could’ve been a vampire.   The time beyond daylight is, to me anyway, magical   Photos posted tonight were taken earlier this evening, at a family cemetery in Norman’s Crossing, Texas.    This little session didn’t even begin until well past sundown.    At first, I cheaped  out, cranked up the ISO a bit and hand-held the camera.   What nonsense.   If you’re going to do something, for pity’s sake, do it right.   I meandered to the car, got the tripod, and went at it again.   Honestly?   You can take shortcuts on images that will only show up in cyberspace, but if you ever decide to make a print, it’s best to have something that holds its own.    Anyway, I love this little place, situated on a farm-to-market road not far from Hutto, not far from Taylor, either.  The plot of land beyond stretches forever on this piece of the Blackland Prairie.   Of what’s seen here, my favorite is the last one … less blue, perhaps, but more stars.  Deep in the heart of Texas. 

Sometimes a place morphs into more than just a place.   It becomes a destination.  Thankfully, Taylor’s Bull Branch Park is less than a mile from our home.   When other ideas aren’t coming to fruition, I pay a visit here.   Tonight’s photos are a collection of images taken this week.  The first three were taken a few days ago as I watched the park’s stream for a while.   The photos are not literal interpretations, just personal impressions, with a tripod and long camera exposures.   Tonight, I stopped by again, after driving for miles in the countryside, finding nothing acceptable.  Today began quietly, with temperatures around 70 degrees.  That changed as the day progressed.   When the last two photos were shot, the wind was howling.  It was windy, in the low-40s.   By now, I’m sure, it’s in the 30s.   These are just some impressions of a favorite place.

On this first day of winter, with temperatures in the mid-70s in Central Texas, I paid a visit to the waxing crescent moon above Taylor, 12.5% visible on a night when clouds were moving in.  A first stop was at St. James Episcopal Church, going strong since 1892.   From there, it seemed like a good idea for another visit to the Christmas lights at Heritage Square Park.  You might recall something similar when the moon was full recently, but it’s still nifty to photograph.  Until, of course, the clouds came in.   As I prepared to call it a night, however, along came a group of Christmas carolers, strolling along Main Street.    The last one’s a festive friend, a bartender at Taylor Beer Company, enjoying a break outside on this warm winter’s night.

Autumn truly does last a good while here in Central Texas.  We’re still blessed with bits of color here and there.  Late this afternoon I visited Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown, where I found friends fishing and visiting with their dog, a birding lady taking. a few photos and a very sleek Great Blue Heron, soaring above a pond in search of a meal.   Temperatures reached into the 70s today, but by Friday we’ll be getting something that definitely will feel like winter.   These were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.

For the past two days in Taylor, Texas, we’ve had a bit of rain, but quite a lot of fog, too.  Both are fine with yours truly, but fog is magnificent.   It has the power to soften and make quiet so many things that might otherwise be filled with dissonance.   These photos were taken Monday afternoon and evening, around Bull Branch and Murphy Parks.  On second glance, the final photo, well into the night, was at Taylor Regional Park.  The way light changes near the end of a day continues to fascinate.   The colors you see here are a pretty accurate representation of what I saw.    Fog is a peaceful thing.   We all need a little of that, don’t we?

121817 TAYLOR, TEXAS:

Yesterday, I was poking around for something to point a camera at when I remembered one of my favorite spots … an old truss bridge spanning a section of the San Gabriel River in East Williamson County.   This bridge lived a good life, but was replaced years ago by a more modern conveyance.   Thank goodness the county, or the state, decided to leave the old one intact.   It’s beginning to show the effects of age these days.  When I step onto its surface, it pays to be careful that I don’t step into a place where boards are missing.  Some may recall other posts from here.  Last year, for instance, I spent the whole evening sitting in a chair there, waiting on a meteor shower.   The bridge and I, we have a history.  On this visit, I saw the remnants of autumn leaves gently falling on its surface.   And of course, there was the river, such a sweet sight.   While I love the ocean, ponds and lakes, rivers, with their gentle meandering, speak to me.    Maybe it’s the same for you too, friends.

This one doesn’t need much explanation … just a country road a little outside Taylor, Texas tonight.  It’s a route often taken,  but for whatever reason, I  had not thought of seeing it this way.   It took a little while to get an acceptable photo.  Waiting for cars to come by, however, is a good thing.  We like our space around here.   Be well, friends.

Once again this year, I had the good fortune to document the happenings at Georgetown’s Blue Santa distribution, held Saturday at the Public Safety headquarters.   Blue Santa is an annual event hosted by the Georgetown Police Department that pairs pre-qualified  families with gift boxes for the Christmas season.   This year’s numbers were great: 533 families, including 1,553 children, were  served.   The opening two photos show an excited 2-year-old, anxious for the doors to open to get things started this morning.   This  event, as always, is made better by the many volunteers who freely give of their time and caring to help make the season happier for families who might otherwise have a hard time providing the joy families crave.  The last photo shows a Santa who came on a motorcycle, one of almost 100 motorcycle riders who spent their morning riding around the area, collecting gifts for the families.  The ride was sponsored by Georgetown’s Central Texas PowerSports.  Note that some of the those pictured wear bright smiles, while others are more reserved.  This is a time of the year that brings to light all sorts of emotions.   Blue Santa programs can be found throughout Texas.   In all my 29 years in Atlanta I don’t recall a Blue Santa event.   Maybe that’s changed.  It’s such a positive endeavor that puts some of our finest first responders in the positive light so many of them have earned.  Most of the folks you see toting gift boxes are volunteers.  This couldn’t be the well-oiled machine it is without their help.   These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.  Happy Christmas, friends. 

Taylor’s Murphy Park is a place you’ll see photos from time to time.  Part of that is that it’s close to home, about a mile away.  Beyond that?   It’s a lovely place.   The small lake, home to the park’s rookery, is serene.  We all need a little peace in our lives.