It was a pleasure to attend the Special Olympics events hosted by the Georgetown Independent School District today.  A friend who, like me, grew up in 50s and 60s, has vivid memories of not seeing kids with special needs and challenges  in their schools.    I’m thankful to see that times have changed.  Everyone matters.

Tonight at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park, a 2-year-old fishing with his daddy.   In the early-mid 1970s these slice of life offerings were well-received by newspaper readers.   In 2024 it’s a task to find these quiet moments in photojournalism.   That’s sad.    I still seek them out, even if not in vogue with management.   Yes, cover the big news stories, but look beyond those.  Always.

The things that gather my attention are hard to pin down, but on a recent early evening in the country a field of corn stalks were bathed in sweet light.    An agrarian interlude.

If I don’t do something with these photographs from daily walks they’ll just die on the vine.   It’s either post them, file them or trash them.  More than a few get tossed.   All are from recent morning outings in Taylor.

It’s always fun to visit the Old Settlers Association site in Round Rock for the annual Pioneer Days event hosted by the Williamson Museum, now in its 18th year.   Most of the photos included here are self-explanatory, but a couple of notes.   Two photos promote the upcoming Georgetown Powwow, taking place on September 28th at the Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown.  The Powwow was held for years at Southwestern University.  I’m glad to see it back. The shy little girl was to perform a Fancy Shawl dance, but decided to bow out on her 4th birthday today.     Recent rains left some areas quite wet, just the thing for a 5-year-old enjoying her time in a gigantic puddle.  I thought her parents might not like that, but they were fully on board with the little lady having fun.  I like that.

Georgetown’s First Friday Music on the Square was held tonight, featuring the music of Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley performed by Bill Harris, aka Mr. Thrill!   These free concerts are performed on the courthouse lawn the first Friday  of each month through November, hosted by the Georgetown Beard Club, in partnership with the Downtown Georgetown Association, sponsored by Tejas Meat Supply.   These events bring a lot of joy.   Kudos to this Central Texas community and the folks who make it happen.

While I love the notion of rural life, the habit of folks allowing their dogs to run loose on country roads is a major pet peeve.   The quality is lacking on this one because I took it through my car’s windshield, but wanted to get the point across.   This pooch was determined to stand right  in the way.  I was finally able to edge around, but it was tricky.   She gave chase until she ran out of energy.   People need to care for their dogs, not subject them to death by vehicle.   Don’t blame the dog.

Zion Lutheran Church in Sandoval, Texas is a place I visit occasionally, but don’t always photograph the adjacent cemetery, older than the current church, built in 1932.  The first known burial was in 1897.  According to an historical marker, the original church was just across the road.  Sandoval was established in the early-1880s by settlers from Germany, Austria, Sweden and France.   I’m pretty sure this site is in East Williamson County, but it’s quite close to Milam County.  There’s a wonderful old tree in the cemetery.   In additional to traditional gravestones, there are several small white crosses marking other burials.   Even with all the development in our area, you can still drive by and see the church and cemetery surrounded by active fields used for farming.   That’s nice to see.

This photograph of a 4-month-old baby opossum was made  on the last day of Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival.   It was taken at a booth for All Things Wild Rehabilitation, a wonderful group of caring people who come to the rescue of virtually all wild creatures they can, providing them with whatever help and care needed.   This is one of several from a litter brought into All Things Wild.   If possible, animals taken into All Things Wild are nursed back to health and returned to their natural habitats.   If not feasible, they become ambassadors, permanent residents taken care of for their entire lives.    You may not like possums, or any of the animals in their care,  but the folks who do this work do.   And that matters.    The group’s popularity has grown.   They need more room, but the cost of land is challenging.  Help them if you can. 

A couple of days back I posted a group of hazy sunlight photos made just after a day of clouds and rain.   Just tonight, however, I saw another hazy sun as it did its best to shine over Granger’s  Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.   The sun held on, then gave way to a series of intense storms in our area.   I’m surprised we still have power.   Nature is powerful.