Last Friday my cameras and I headed to Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas for the 113th Old Settlers Celebration, sponsored by the Williamson County Old Settlers Association, a group that keeps the county’s roots intact.   The event actually spanned three days, but Friday the fiddles took center stage.   Fiddlers as senior as A.C. Bible, 97 (98, he says, in two months), showed they still had what it takes.  On the youthful end of the spectrum there was 7-year-old Brodie Orefice of Hutto, the young fellow in the last two photos.   In between there was 9-year-old Jackson Wreden of Austin (the fellow with the curly red hair), Ingrid Smith, also 9 and also from Austin, playing the fiddle she calls Fiona.  When not onstage at Old Settlers, Ingrid plays in the Austin Youth Orchestra.  When wearing that hat, Fiona becomes a “violin.”  Naturally.   And there 80-year-old Buddy Ferguson, from Mahomet, Texas.   Ferguson, who also plays a mean guitar, has played with some of the big names, Loretta Lynn among them.  Among the folks in the audience for this totally-free happening was Weir, Texas mayor Mervin Walker and his pretty bride, Tommy Louise Walker.   It was a whole lot of fun!

This afternoon Williamson County Sun journalist Joyce May and I attended a vigil held at San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in response to last week’s deaths in Louisiana, Minnesota and Dallas.   130 citizens  came together, including Georgetown’s police chief, Wayne Nero, and assistant police chief Cory Tchida.    I’ll keep the words to a minimum this time.

Texas summers can be brutal, especially in July and August.  Thankfully, Georgetown has some great places to beat the heat, like San Jose Park, where a splash pad provides wonderful, no-cost relief to families.   These are some photos taken Thursday afternoon, as the temperature climbed into the upper 90s.

I don’t have to tell you what transpired in Dallas last night.   It’s sad beyond belief, particularly for the families of the police officers who died.   My first thought was to not post anything, but I decided to share a peaceful scene, sunset tonight in Taylor, Texas. 

Driving around this evening, I wasn’t  feeling inspired, but then I saw this fellow about 15 minutes before the sun went down.   He (she) was particularly focused on that huge field of grass.   After about 10 minutes, he came my way, giving a stern look.   I decided the photo session was done.   This, of course, is East Williamson County, Texas.

Monday was a very long day, and night, as I photographed Fourth of July festivities at San Gabriel Park, in Georgetown, Texas.   Georgetown’s Sertoma Club hosts the happening each year, which begins with a hometown parade through the park in the morning, followed by folks enjoying the scene throughout the day, sometimes cooling off in a handy water spray.   It does get toasty here in Central Texas.   Once the sun went down Monday night, the highlight was fireworks, finally beginning about 9:35.  Luckily, the traffic jam I expected once everything was over wasn’t too bad!

The Taylor Garden Club maintains a bed of flowers at Bull Branch Park.   I often walk by there on daily strolls, appreciating their hard work.   These blooms, Texas Star Hibiscus, are aptly named.   Last evening, I went by the park around 8p.m., but found only one bloom, partially open.   Going back home, I mentioned my disappointment to my wife, who indicated these flowers, as many are more likely to open up early in the morning.   With that in mind, I trekked down to the park this morning around 7:30.  My wife was spot on!   These sweet babies were showing off in the morning light.   These hibiscus plants are close relatives to tropical hibiscus plants, common in Hawaii.   “Scarlet Rose Mallow” is another name for these Lone Star blooms.    Their leaves, I’ve read, are often confused with marijuana leaves!    At any rate, I hope this is something to add some peaceful feelings in your time on the site.

Flags are wonderful.   I love recording them whenever possible.   The first image was taken this afternoon, at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas, where members of the Sertoma Club are getting things ready for their Fourth of July weekend activities, which begin this year on Sunday.   The other photo?   While at the Williamson County Sheriffs Posse Rodeo last weekend, I happened by this old Airstream, adorned with a flag.   It’s presented here in both color and black-and-white.   The montone image is growing on me.   Black-and-white strips subjects down to the essentials.

Heading home from the library last evening in Taylor, I was, as usual, keeping a lookout for good visuals.  Alas, at this time of the year, it’s hard for those of who like the late-day light.  The sweet colors that accompany the time around sunset seemingly  take forever to transpire!   How I wish Daylight Savings Time were history.   But back to last evening.   When passing Murphy Park, a little before 8p.m., the birds that make the park’s rookery their summer home were gathering in great numbers.    The birds, mostly egrets, bring me back every time.    God willing, you’ll see more posts from there again.   It’s a therapy.

One last photo before June leaves us, this one tonight at Taylor’s St. James Episcopal  Church.