Friend Michael Biggs, who shares a love of old bridges, offered a post about the Joppa bridge, a wonderful truss bridge spanning the North Fork of the San Gabriel River north of Bertram.  Since I needed a reason to get out of town for a night, a trip to Burnet County was in order.   Little did I know there were actually two truss bridges, just two miles apart, both spanning the San Gabriel.   There’s the Russell Fork bridge, built in 1911, 102 feet in length.   Thinking I’d arrived at the right bridge, a few photos were made there.   My directions also mentioned  Joppa Church, two miles away.  I figured that was worth a look, too.   To my surprise, there was another bridge, this one the actual Joppa bridge, built in 1907, 136.2 feet in length.   The Joppa bridge was adorned with holiday lights.  Since it wasn’t quite dark, I drove around the area for a bit, returning to find what you see in these photos.  This is an absolutely stunning sight!   I’m not sure who decorated it, but wonder if the folks from Joppa Church did the work?  Whoever it was, kudos to you for highlighting this treasure.

Cows are a common sight as I wander around our area.   Sometimes I stop and take a few photos, but don’t always offer them up.   Presented here are some recent examples from prairie ramblings.   In that first photo I was actually taking photos of the pond at sunset, but then a four-legged being entered the frame.   Sometimes it’s just luck.  

While most of the photography I do is done in a state of near-constant motion, occasionally I’ll take the time to scale back  and just really study a subject, particularly something that  moves me to do so.   One subject that often intrigues me is the San Gabriel River, a meandering body of water that begins in the hills west of Georgetown, flowing through Jonah, Taylor and into Milam County.    These photos were taken late Wednesday afternoon at the Mankins Crossing area  of the river between Georgetown and Jonah.  Last summer this area was nearly dry, thanks to our drought.   It’s looking much better now.   The light quality at this time of year is incredible, combining nicely with trees entering their winter months.   There’s much more to this river, but these  are only small impressions while slowing down long enough to take notice.   We could all benefit from a slower pace.

There’s really no overwhelming theme with tonight’s post, just three photos I decided to offer.   More than anything it’s about how the light graces each one.   It’s a certainty I have no ability to draw, paint or sculpt a thing, but I have a good feel for how light interacts with subjects.   That’s enough for me.   The photos include Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wuthrich Hill, the remnants of a barn holding its own near Coupland and one more moon photo, this one taken this evening as a Waning Gibbous moon, at 98.8 % visibility, shines beyond holiday lights on the town square in Georgetown.  Light is a gift.

Tonight’s Full Moon is a “Cold Moon.”   I’m just going with the flow tonight, friends.   Call it what you like.   It’s full and beautiful.   The offerings are each from East Williamson County, Texas.   The last one is the cemetery at Zion Lutheran Church Sandoval.  

At 99% visibility, the moon yearned for attention on this Christmas evening in our area of Texas.  When venturing out, however,  a thick layer of clouds blocked the view.   Rather than give up, I drove around a while.   Much to my surprise, those clouds parted long enough to accomplish the goal.   That windmill is one I’ve enjoyed seeing since 2009.   It’s nestled in a grove of trees south of Granger in what appears to have been a homesite.  That farmhouse may be gone, but the windmill remains.    My preference with moon photography is to show the relationship to its surroundings, the way you’d see it with your own eyes.    The second photo is once again in downtown Granger.   I hope you’re  finding serenity and healing in your lives.  during the holidays.

The hike and bike trails were quiet places on this Christmas morning.  With wind,  and temperatures in the low-40s, I didn’t see many out, but these friends seemed to enjoy the serenity.

These grain elevators in Circleville, Texas are adorned with a beautiful star this holiday season.   The colors vary, but the red star against the blue night sky this weekend suited me just fine.    This time of the year can be hard on some of us.   Be as kind as you can, my friends.

My old self was on the way to Georgetown early this morning, but about 30 minutes before sunrise I stopped at Jonah School (now Jonah Community Center) to admire the elegant tree that graces the grounds of a school built in 1922.   It remained a school until the 1970s, when Jonah consolidated with Georgetown.   For years the school has been home to the Jonah Community Center.   I’ve been all over the interior of this structure, but continue to be enthralled by the tree that continues to thrive there.   The morning mist was just right for the tree, plus the merry-go-round and the swing set.  I’m pretty sure the merry-go-round is original to the school.    Although these were taken in color, black-and-white allows the subject matter to thrive.   At least I think so.   Just monotone, friends.

It was another very early start to the day this morning as I headed to the San Gabriel Community Center  in Georgetown for Breakfast With Santa, an annual event coordinated by the Sun City Rotary Club, the Georgetown Fire Department and the Georgetown Independent School District.   Attendees got to visit with Santa, but also enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes, breakfast sausages and juice.   Proceeds benefit area kids and families during the holiday season.   My favorite participant this year was a 6’11” firefighter playing the part of Buddy the Elf.   He was wonderful.  When Santa arrived, Buddy through up his arms and shouted “I know him!”   That big elf demonstrated a lot of  heart.