There’s something about the time well past sundown that’s always appealed to me.  When growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in Texarkana, I always looked forward to the time when we’d  go “window shopping” in the evening.   It was nice to stroll along those streets, peering into those windows.   It wasn’t about what we’d buy there.   It was just a quiet and peaceful time.    For years I’ve been enchanted by night light.   These were taken Friday night as I strolled around downtown Taylor.   The opening photo is outside the Howard Theatre, closed for a few years.  There’s a local effort to bring it back to life.  That would be nice.   Beginning when he was 11, my father was a theater projectionist.   Other photos just latch onto the night.    Evening light is quiet.  Soothing.  

From about two weeks ago, a scene a little east of Granger, a little south of Bartlett.   Pastoral simplicity on the Blackland Prairie. 

This is little more than a quick grab shot while wandering through North Williamson County this week, but the light on that flag was quite nice.   I like that barn, too.

The transition to shorter days might not be for everyone, but it suits my personality quite well.   Presented here are three area churches, all seen after dark.  The opening photo is Georgetown’s Main Street Baptist Church,  taken on a Wednesday night during their weekly prayer service.   The second offering is Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Corn Hill, a beautiful twin-spired church in North Williamson County.   The church is one of those you can see well from a distance.     The last photo, right here in Taylor, is St. James Episcopal Church, as seen tonight.   While they all look nice in sunlight, they virtually glow after dark.

A drive to Georgetown last evening led me to a section of the San Gabriel River just north of San Gabriel Park.  A couple of Great Blue Herons were  focused on an evening meal.   Our recent rains have begun to revitalize their feeding habitats.   More rain is needed, but every little bit helps.   These beautiful creatures would agree.

Four photos taken Monday evening while visiting the Granger area.  The opening photo was one  I almost passed up, but  then realized the sweet reflection in that gentle stream  merited a moment’s attention.    As did that horse, munching away, intent on its task.   The post concludes with a couple from Granger Lake, including anglers not just catching fish, but finding solitude as the night sky darkened.   And a view of the lake, golden light caressing its surface.

As it meandered north of Taylor early Sunday morning, the San Gabriel River flowed between trees adorned with snippets of Autumn color.    These photographs were taken at the long-retired truss bridge spanning the river.   Locals know this place.  After making the first photo I stepped onto the bridge, taking note of the fallen leaves gracing the well-worn boards that once supported cars and trucks, now home to leaves, plus visitors being careful not to step onto a spot where the boards have disappeared.    Our area in Central Texas embraces quiet color.   We don’t need to be loud here.

A flag retirement ceremony was held this evening at Georgetown’s VFW Post 8587.   An American flag is officially retired via burning in a fire pit.   It’s a somber and respectful thing to observe.   Over 100 flags were consumed in flames tonight, an event coordinated by 15-year-old Christianna White, a member of American Heritage Girls Troop 2911.

Photos from today’s Veterans Day observance in Sun City, Texas.   This is something I’ve covered  every year veterans meet.   Because of the threat of rain, the ceremony was held inside the Sun City ballroom.    The opening photo is of Ernie, now 103-years-old.    In all my years documenting veterans, he’s among the best.   A World War II veteran, I’ve been taking Ernie’s photo for a few years.  When he was in his late-90s, he was playing on a Sun City baseball team.   The next year, I saw him tending his garden at the Sun City Horticulture Club.  For his 100th birthday he celebrated by jumping out of an airplane.   He was hooked on skydiving.   He did another skydive on his next birthday.   When we talked this morning, he mentioned another jump in February, for his 104th birthday.    His mind is tack-sharp.  Each time we meet, he asks how my eyes are doing, recalling my cataract surgeries almost two years ago.   The other photos are this and that.  I particularly like the photo of the 15-year-old Boy Scout enthralled with John, a World War II Navy veteran.   John’s one of the younger World War II veterans, just 95.   The man in the blue jacket is 102, as is the white-haired lady, who was a member of the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services) during World War II.  At the end of the formal ceremony I stepped outside to the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza, where this observance is normally held.  It’s usually a good bet that someone will be walking around there.  This time it was a veteran of the 82nd Airborne, joined by his wife.   It was a good day.

Another drizzly evening, drawing me into things  I like to see.  Tonight it was Wuthrich Hill, where I passed some good minutes at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.   It’s a place that defines the Blackland Prairie.  The church cemetery is down a hill from  the church.   The post begins there, then moves to the pond overlooking the landscape.  It’s not a stock pond, or tank, just a place for quiet contemplation.    And then the church.  The last photo returns to the cemetery, just as full darkness settles in.   But there is some light.   Enough.