A few years ago I learned that Granger High School’s gymnasium was one of history’s gems.   The gym opened in 1940, a Works Progress Administration project  undertaken as part of the New Deal program created during the Great Depression.   At the time the district’s superintendent graciously allowed a peek inside.   Missing, however, were photos showing that the old gym is still in use.   One evening a couple weeks ago I noticed lights on at the gym , definitely worth stopping for.   After a few tripod-mounted photos outside I ventured inside, where members of the Granger Youth Athletic Association were practicing.  The  coach overseeing the session graciously allowed a few photos.   The school district has had a more modern gym for a while, but this one’s still in use.   The district is also building a new high school, scheduled to open in 2025, but this WPA Project gym will remain for future generations to enjoy.  

Cormorants are interesting birds.   I need to take their photos more often.   On Tuesday evening I did just that, stopping by Taylor’s Murphy Park for a while.   Allergies, and the need to drive a bit less, prompted last night’s stop here.  This is a place where photographing migrating egrets is common, but persistent drought made it hard for them last year.   We’ll see how things go in 2024.   Meanwhile, we have cormorants, our year-round residents.  

When there’s time, I venture outside Williamson County, Texas to find rural scenes more common here a few years ago.   I made time this week for a drive through Milam County, east of where we live.    As dust collected, fields were prepared for the coming Spring.   This is my preferred kind of progress.

These were taken at day’s end on Sunday, preceded by brief rain showers in the area.   Near sunset, however, dappled sunlight did its  warm work on deer wandering around Friendship Park near Granger Lake.    Deer seem to be more trusting of us humans in that setting.

Driving home from a Target run late Sunday afternoon an unexpected rain shower joined us.   I mentioned this was the kind of weather where rainbows are produced.   My wife didn’t think so, but then one popped up.   Traffic was bad, not allowing a good place to snap a photo without causing a disturbance.   We continued on, the rainbow soon fading, the heavy clouds remaining.   Passing by a favorite cemetery in Norman’s Crossing, I stopped for a photo.  Walking up a small hill, there appeared just remnants of that rainbow.   You have to look close to see it, but it’s there.   I enjoyed the clouds either way.   And the smattering of rain, too.

Saturday morning I had to make myself get moving.   Lifelong allergy issues had attacked with a vengeance since Thursday, but it’s always best when I stay focused on task.   Driving through Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park, I spotted a gentleman strolling toward the community center, dressed in attire straight out of the Middle Ages.   A sign that just said “SCA” was nearby.   “What’s that?” I asked.   “That’s The Society for Creative Anachronism!” he explained with a smile.    This was the annual gathering of a regional branch of SCA, The Stellar Kingdom of Ansteorra.    The Society for Creative Anachronism, founded in 1966, is an international group dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills  of pre-17th Century Europe.  Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which feature tournaments, royal courts, feasts, dancing, classes, workshops and more.  This group elevates role-playing to a higher form of art.  In the last photo the lady is playing a Viola de Gamba, an instrument invented in the 16th Century, predating the cello by a century.    After a few hours with these folks, my allergies were still pounding, but it turned out to be  a good day.

Weather conditions often  come and go quickly around here.   The weather forecast I read a little after 7a.m. today indicated we were in a clearing phase, but as I headed east from Georgetown this afternoon I was followed by a line of persistent rain clouds, which soon turned into a five-minute shower.    It came and went in the blink of an eye.  That old fence post is an enduring presence.     About twenty minutes before sunset tonight,  golden light fell on a tree near our home in Taylor.  Thirty seconds after I made the photo that light had moved on.  Also included here are two photos taken west of Taylor just after sunset.   I often include trees in photos.  And ponds.

This photo was taken a few weeks ago.   It’s a tree photographed a few times over the years.  This evening, when driving by there, it looked like some sort of construction was happening in that field.   I’ll swing by there again in full daylight to confirm, but hope this tree isn’t about to disappear.  So many things I’ve photographed the past dozen years are gone.  

“She Loves Me” opens tonight at the historic Georgetown Palace.   Just one photo here to acknowledge the play, but most photos are on Facebook and Instagram (@andybobsharp).  

Just three photographs taken the past few evenings while navigating around our (so far) country  roads.   They’re all somewhere outside Granger.  The area is impeccable.   Here’s hoping it retains its agrarian character.  Growth is inevitable.