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Cactus

I took this one day as I was wandering around one of the parks in Abilene, Texas.

My heart is grateful for:

nature's beauty all round if we have the eyes to see

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Female Winter Hiker

This is from my files.  This is a friend of mine taken on a day when we hiked in the Adirondack Park of upstate NY.  I don't like winter, but those hikes we did were so much fun.  I miss them and the ladies I used to hike with.

My heart is grateful:

for the memories I have of good times with good people

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Green Car and Headlights

Another car seen at the annual car walk in downtown Abilene, TX.

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Car detail and Reflection

A car detail with the reflection of a building seen at the local car show.

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Living Room Decor

I've had this rattan cube for a long time.  I store extra blankets in it.  Once upon a time I saw a photo in a magazine about decorating by putting books in a pile and then some kind of knick-knack on top and I loved the idea.  There's a spot in my living room where I can't really put a piece of furniture, so I put the cube there with the books on top of it.  It makes me smile every time I look at it.

My heart is grateful:

That I have something pleasing to fill that space

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Into Thin Air

I read this book years ago.  It was published in 1997, one year after a disastrous Mount Everest expedition during which a total of 12 climbers perished.

I chose this book for my bookgroup which meets at the end of April.  

It's not a happy story, but it's incredibly well written and it left me scratching my head about why someone would pay $65,000 (in 1996~~who knows how much a climber would have to pay today?) to climb the highest mountain in the world knowing that at any given moment they could perish, be seriously injured, not make it to the top, or be one of the few who beat the odds and stand for a mere 2-3 minutes at the top after the brutal trek to 29,000 + feet.

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Artwork at the Bank

I was in my bank the other day in a room by myself trying to reconcile a my account when I noticed this artwork on the wall.  Throughout the bank lobby there were various piecers to artwork created by local artists. 

I don't really like abstract art, but for some reason this one appealed to me.

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Waco-Made Ice Cream

When we were in Waco a few weeks ago, some of us were looking for an ice-cream shop and we came upon this one.  The old bus was parked at the curb, advertising the shop.

We were not disappointed.

My heart is grateful that:

I'll be joining some friends tonight for a concert at the zoo.

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Car Enthusiasts

A section of the huge crowd that attending the Abilene annual car walk a few nights ago.  The weather was spectacular, there were some live bands, many food trucks, businesses were open and there was vendors selling their products, and of course, beautiful cars.

My heart is happy that:

I'll get to see the grandkids at their lesson this morning.

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Car Detail

Seen on a car at the yearly car walk in Abilene, Texas.

My heart is happy that:

I'll be seeing the grandkids tomorrow to help celebrate their birthdays.

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Church of Christ

Just a couple of blocks from the seemingly functioning Methodist Church in the previous post, this building housing the Church of Christ appears to be abandoned.  The blinds in the windows were broken and discolored, the lawn wasn't mowed and it didn't look like there had been any foot traffic recently.  

How sad.

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Methodist Church

Just a couple of blocks from the abandoned, neglected Main Street of Lueders, Texas, this Methodist church appears to be in good condition and is probably one of the places people worship on Sundays.

The lawn was nicely manicured and the building next door might be the manse.  

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Stone Quarry

Although the town of Lueders, TX has so few inhabitants, it seems to be know for farming/ranching and stone quarries.  I passed this one on the way to find the town.  There were 3 or 4 along the road so apparently there's some form of commerce in the area.

My heart is grateful for

the beautiful weather today

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Abandoned Garage Interior

I visited a town I never heard of until the other day.  Lueders, TX.  The Main Street is about 1.5 blocks long and consists of abandoned buildings except for the post office, the town hall and one convenience store. As of 2021 the population was 261.  It's a 45 minute drive from Abilene, and I don't know what other towns is might be close to, ie, where do those residents grocery shop, get gas, work???

 

This is the interior of a gas station on Main Street that looks like it's been abandoned for a very long time.  It has the typical Texas awning out front, but no gas pumps.

My heart is grateful that:

I was able to see the grandkids get tested for their martial arts class and move into the next group yesterday.  

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The Magnolia Silos

Seen in Waco, TX.

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Tortoise

Seen at the Waco, Texas Zoo.

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The Water Wheel

A water wheel seen outside the grist mill at Homestead Village outside of Waco, TX

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The Craft Barn

Homestead Village outside of Waco is a quaint environment with different buildings showcasing and selling crafts from days gone by.

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Cupola and weather vane

We were at Homestead Village just outside Waco.  This is the building topper of one of the outbuildings. 

My heart is grateful for:

spending the weekend with two of my grown children and their families

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Small White House

While waiting for the train to move off the railroad crossing I photographed this little White House.  A very plain structure, but everything is very green due to all the rain we've had recently.  When I walked around to the front of the house, it was even more plain so I'm glad I got this image.

My heart is grateful that:

at least for a little while this spring, the grass and bushes are green and we've had much needed rain

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Ford

While waiting for the train to move off the railroad crossing, this is one of the photos I took out of sheer desperation.

I was grateful that:

the kiddos were as patient as they were and no one had a meltdown while we waited

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Traffic

On the way to Waco we encountered a train on the rails stopped across the car crossing.  We thought it would only last a little while but we waited about 45 minutes.  What was the train doing? 

Shouldn't it be illegal to stop traffic for that long?

Anyway, we finally let the kids get out of their car seats so they could move around a little, and I got my camera out and took some photos~~nothing interesting but it was better than twiddling my thumbs.

My heart is grateful that:

the stopped train wasn't because of an accident

.

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Tan Doors

These doors are on the deck of an event center in downtown Abilene, TX.  There are 3 more door sections like this.  Maybe they open them during an event in warm weather.

My heart is happy that:

I found a few things to photograph today so I could play catch-up on my photo-a-day project

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Bird wall Art

This is a section of wall art seen in downtown Abilene, TX.

My heart is happy that:

The anti-biotic is working to heal the infection I had in my tooth

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Window Enclosures 

I saw these window openings from an angle and though they looked really nice graphically.

My heart is happy that:

I had the chance to have coffee and conversation with a friend today

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Pink Wall and Gold Doorway

This is a business door located in Tarpon Springs, FL.

I don't know what the business is I just thought the contrast in colors is pretty.

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Hotel in Safety Harbor, FL

When I visited a friend in FL, we drove to this town.  I think this is such a neat looking building.

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Winter scene of a stream in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

 

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Butterfly on white Lattice Fence

No other words needed.

My heart is grateful that:

We had a lot of rain today

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Deconstructing McDonald's

There's a McDonald's close to me, across the road from where I was having my car serviced the other day.  I was out walking with my camera and it finally occurred to me that I should take a photo of the deconstruction of McDonald's.  

I thought it would just be remodeled, but it looks like they're going to rebuild it entirely.  Should be interesting when it 's finished.

My heart is grateful that:

my move is over and I'm pretty much settled in

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Empty Room

Moving is an experience that's happy & sad at the same time.  Whether happy or sad it's exhausting.  I'll be glad when it's over and I'm settled in the new place.

My heart is grateful for:

finding a new place that is less costly but almost as nice as what I'm leaving

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Beautiful House

The beautiful house is located on the edge of Knoxville, Tennessee.  It sits on a street with several other houses of the same type of architecture that are painted other striking colors such as blue, yellow, medium green and pale green among others. 

My heart is grateful for:

the beauty of the color palette created by God

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Pipe and Shadow on Water Tower

As I was driving around today, I came across this scene.  The sky was really that blue and I love the way the shadow lands on the tower.

My heart is grateful for:

the day's work I had today

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Two Planters

These planters are located outside a business in downtown Abilene, Texas.  I think they've seen better days and hopefully as spring approaches there will be new, living plants inside them both.  I love the look of the blue door and the terra cotta planter.

My heart is thankful for:

beautiful colors

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Spiral Staircase

This spiral staircase is located inside a secure fence at an event center in downtown Abilene, Texas.  I LOVE spiral staircases and even though I've passed this location many times, I never thought of taking a photo of it until the other day.  

My heart is grateful that:

God is in control of everything, even is something seems like a tragedy at the time it happens

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Guarded Alleyway

There are a couple of alleyways in Abilene that are fenced at each end.  I don't know why~~possibly because they're in between two businesses and the back areas need to be protected???

I'm grateful that:

a friend was able to help me move some of my belongings into my new living space

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Horton Hears a Who

Abilene is the "Storybook Capital of America" and has many  storybook character statues scattered around its two parks.  

I'm happy that:

I was able to move some things into my new living space today

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Window and shadows

This window is on a building that's an event venue that's really popular for wedding receptions and other big event receptions.

My heart is grateful that:

there is plenty of food in my fridge and pantry 

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The Mill Bar & Restaurant

I posted a photo of this venue before, but this is a different vantage point.  I love the way they left the outside of the building looking so retro.  I hear the inside is nice and the food is good.

My heart is grateful that:

I'll be seeing my daughter/son in law who live out of state soon as we'll have a weekend together with the daughter who lives near me.  A mini-reunion

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Business Wall

This is the outside wall of one of the businesses in downtown Abilene.  I think it looks so interesting with the outcroppings and the shadows.  

My heart is grateful that:

I was able to spend some time with my daughter and her family last night

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Slanted Electric Pole

I've passed this building many times, but probably never from this angle.  I thought the slanted pole looked interesting, so there ya go.

I'm grateful for:

The beautiful weather we have today with the cooler temps

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Basement Window

  This is one of the windows to the basement window of a public building in town.  I often wonder why people cover over their basement windows but I guess there must be a good reason.

My heart is grateful that:

I had a chance to work at my random pt job today

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Leaves and Grate

When I got out of my car to look for photo ops, I looked down and saw these leaves at the edge of the sewer grate.  Even though they're all brown-toned, I like the composition and the contrast between the leaves and the iron of the grate.

My heart is grateful that:

some of the women from church were able to get together last night to socialize and watch a movie together~~something that hasn't happened in a very long time

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Tree in Bloom

This tree is located at the side of the downtown post office building.  Surprising that it's still in bloom even though is approaching the tail end of winter.  I love the shape.

My heart is grateful:

that it's been a peaceful afternoon and I was able to find some photo ops

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Lantern

This old fashioned lantern is on the side of a bank building in downtown Abilene, Texas.  I've walked past this building many times, but never thought of photographing the lantern until today.  Duh!!

My heart is grateful that:

My brain occasionally works outside the box

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This is another mural that's on the outside wall of a downtown business.  I love the colors and the sentiment is so true.  We are exactly where we're supposed to be according to God's plan for our lives.  

My heart is grateful that:

God knows what's best for me better than I do

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Bison Mural

One of the gift shop businesses downtown has this beautiful Bison Mural the side of its building.  It's on black window panels of some sort.

My heart is grateful for:

beautiful artwork

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Overhead door and Fire Escape

This location is one of my favorites for photographing senior graduates.  Depending on what time of day it is, it's the perfect spot for urban photos.  I love the graphic look of this location.

My heart is grateful that:

My town has so many good photo spots to choose from

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Looking up from the basement

It was such a beautiful day today.  I sat in the house long enough then I had to get out and enjoy the mild temperatures.  I despaired of getting any new images, but I surprised myself and I managed to get quite a few, although none of them are world class or startling good.  They're just images to fill in all the days I've fallen behind in my photo-a-day project.

My heart is grateful that: 

the weather was so beautiful today

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I've walked past this old coke machine about a bazillion times but have never thought about taking a photo of it.  Well, I'm desperate these days, so the lightbulb finally went on.  I only had my phone with me.  Can you remember the days when a bottle of coke was 10 cents?

My heart is grateful for:

fun memories