This photo was taken in August 1980 in Shreveport, Louisiana shortly before I left for Atlanta. A concerned Doris Roberts walks with Shreveport firefighter Paul Brown after he successfully rescued and revived her cat, which was taken to a local veterinarian for treatment. Firefighters continue to be heroes today.
With some time on my hand this week, I decided to look around for some wildflower images. A warm and wet winter seems to be bringing them to Texas a little sooner this time around. One of my favorite places to visit when in Georgetown is Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens. Most years, wildflowers take root. This year is no exception, but the large field on a hill above the cemetery is not quite there. The drive into the cemetery, however, is filling with bluebonnets and Four-nerve daisies. Don’t ask me where that name came from, but I like it. The garden area here is maintained by Williamson County Master Gardeners and Naturalists so I know their labeling is spot on. But let me call attention to my most interesting encounter …. a large agave plant. Everything from the fourth photo to the end is the agave, photographed as the light faded to a blue warmth. Yes, I do see blue as being warm! I’ve passed by this plant numerous times, but haven’t considered it too much, until last evening. The late-day light was filtering through nearby trees, creating a wonderful palette of color, highlights and shadows. I was transfixed. When viewing obviously-manipulated photos, I can’t help but wonder why photographers don’t just choose the right time of day for their photo sessions? Assuming they have a choice, that is. Mother Nature does some fine things with color if you take the time to see. 
I’m just posting this photo tonight, taken about twenty minutes past sundown on a county road north of Taylor. Like many things I photograph, this was an unplanned thing. The fields on the left and right are ripe for planting. Have a good night.
Daylight Saving Time was a good thing for area fishermen on Monday evening at Dickerson’s River Bottom, on the San Gabriel River south of Granger. Although this location, off County Road 347, may seem to be off the beaten path, people know this is a grand place, not only for scenery, but also to catch white bass. When I arrived a little before dark tonight, the parkng lot was packed. When I traversed the path leading back to the parking lot just before 8pm there was still a wee bit of light in the sky. 
As much as I’ve railed about Daylight Saving Time, it’s here. As mentioned in earlier posts, many friends will benefit from “spring forward.” I am happy for them, really. They deserve to enjoy their lives and their families. Here’s one taken last evening, along a county road in East Williamson County, Texas, before the clocks shot into the future. 
Once a month, the Downtown Georgetown Association presents its Market Days on the square. The square becomes a pedestrian paradise, with no motor vehicle traffic to intrude. Today’s was a wee bit wet, but people showed up, including a serious 4-year-old keeping her cherished snow cone close at hand. Who can blame her? It’s a lovely town square. Without too much wordiness tonight, here are some photos. 
Two of my inspirations for this week’s visit to Thorndale, Texas are my esteemed photography professors from University of Texas at Austin, J.B. Colson and Frank Armstrong. Mr. Colson recently mentioned there’s more to explore there. And Mr. Armstrong has visited there a few times with his cameras. The old Cadillac in this post was photographed a few years ago by Frank. Tonight’s offering is a mixed bag of imagery, some color, others not. I figure this stuff out as I go, folks. Here’s a few thoughts on what you’re seeing. The opening photo, taken at sunset, shows (at left) a long-gone shop on Main Street, its roof a distant memory. That structure shows up again a couple of times, later on. You might note the building with a vehicle inside. For those uninformed, that’s a vintage Ford Ranchero. I’m advised that belongs to Thorndale’s mayor. Tornado sale? A couple of weeks ago, a tornado tore through town. Maybe a sale is called for? Butts Dry Goods is no longer in business, but Mr. Butts is alive and well. The last photos are at Steve’s Place, on Salty Street. Steve is no longer around, but the new owner, Burke, keeps things going. When I asked Burke if he considered it a restaurant or a bar, there was no hesitation: “a bar.” But Burke’s wife, Evelyn, says they do a really good hamburger. The smiling fellow at the bar? That’s Doc, a professional pianist who often plays at a nearby church. The building itself, according to Burke, dates to 1909. It was originally an automotive garage. The sculpture’s a very heavy water buffalo. The inside entrance has a photo of the Duke (Mr. John Wayne). On top of the entrance is a Harley Davidson Sprint motorcycle. I may find more to explore in this little town of just over 1300 in Milam County, Texas. 
I’ve said this more than a few times, but the approach of Daylight Saving Time this weekend is not something I embrace. Good, soft, sweet light will arrive, but it will come later in the evening. At some point in any given night, it’s not good to be wandering around on these country roads. But I’m glad for those who will benefit from time after work for their kids, grandchildren and maybe nice horseback rides. These are from tonight on the prairie.
On a grocery store run tonight, my attention was diverted to Taylor Regional Park after spotting an arresting flight scene in the already-beautiful Blackland Prairie skies. There I found three paragliding friends, two Nates from Austin and a Daniel from Houston, enjoying the last light of the day. The expected rain never came, but nature did leave us some nice clouds. I’d have to say these guys in their paragliders, also called paramotors (they’re engine-powered), were living a good life tonight, getting away from the city to follow a passion. In a sense they went several steps beyond kite-flying, in essence becoming the kites. It was serenity-personified. 
On a recent Saturday morning I spent some time with David Valdez and other photographers (and photo enthusiasts) at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park. David’s in the white cowboy hat. Valdez, 67, who spent years as the personal photographer to President George H.W. Bush in Washington, D.C., is like most of us photo types: we don’t really retire, we transition. A few weeks ago, David started a photo walks group in the area, photowalksgtx. Once a month, Valdez is joined by other photo types to an explore an area with the device of their choice. Like David, it’s very low-key, meant to be fun. On this particular Saturday, David’s group was joined by Austin’s group, photowalksatx. A member of that group, who has high-end Nikon gear, was also using her vintage film camera, a 1972 Asahi Pentax. Another lady chose her smart phone, expertly-mounted on a tripod. iPad photography was in evidence, too. A rainy and cool morning made this a shorter walk, but it was still fun. You can connect with David via Facebook by searching photowalksgtx. Unlike yours truly, David’s also on Instagram at davidvaldezusa. Photography is not just fun, it’s therapy. These photos accompanied a column done for my pals at the Williamson County Sun.
