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Concho County Courthouse

This beautiful courthouse is the Concho County Courthouse located in Paint Rock, Texas.  I'm glad I had the chance to photograph it today, since once the trees leaf out, this view of the building wouldn't be possible.  

The building was built in 1886 and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.  It was built of limestone in the Second Empire Style.

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Shakelford County Courthouse

This beautiful structure is located in Albany, Texas and sits right along the Main Street of the town.  The trees are bare and the grass is brown since it's a winter photo of the courthouse.  The two stone tables to the right of the foreground of the image contain the 10 Commandments. 

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Graffiti on Rock Wall

The abandoned zoo in Sisco, Texas is surprisingly undamaged considering that it closed in 1930. 

There were several animal deaths that were never solved.

There is some graffiti on the rock walls and the foliage is overgrown in many places, but there's about 1.4 miles of walking trails through the zoo grounds and it's open to the public.

It was a beautiful weather day so my daughter and I took the 4 grandkids to the zoo.  They had a great time running around, going into the enclosure caves and learning a little about the abandoned zoo.

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Zoo enclosure fence

At the abandoned zoo in Sisco, Texas, there are still remnants of fences that, once-upon-a-time, provided enclosures for the animals.   

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Porch on Building

Yesterday I had the chance to take a field trip to Weatherford, Texas with a friend.

It was so exciting to get out of the house.  About 10 days ago I somehow pulled a muscle in my foot and it's very, very painful and very difficult to walk.  But yesterday I just persevered through the pain as we went to another town to get some new images.

This building is part of the campus of the Pythian Home for Children in Weatherford.  As we entered the property we met one of the workers who wound up giving us a personal tour of the building.  He's and another employee are in the process of decorating the home for Christmas.

There are currently 15 children in residence right now.  

This Children's Home was part of the movie

"12 Mighty Orphans".

I've never heard of it, but I did some research and it is a movie based on a book. Now I want to read the book AND see the movie.

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The Mill Restaurant

One of the buildings on the edge of downtown is an old mill structure that's been transformed into a popular destination restaurant.  It's a real interesting structure and it's always tempting to try to get a different image of it.  

I've never eaten there but I know people who have and they say the food is really good.

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Retro Tombstone

I pulled into a cemetery looking for something interesting to photograph and I came across this retro tombstone propped against a gnarly tree trunk.

The letters are very hard to read but it looks like the last date is 1896.

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Bell Plain College

I googled small towns in the area this morning.  I found one called Bell Plain.  There were a few photos, and it isn't too far from Abilene, so after the grandkids had their lesson, I took the drive.  

My GPS led me to a very out of the way road~~I actually thought I might start hearing banjoes, but that didn't happen.  My destination was a curve in a dirt road that had three stone markers about the town and college that used to be there.  Just a little further down the road was the ruin of Bell Plain College.  Sadly I couldn't get closer because of the barbed wire fence along the road.

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A Retro Gas Pump

I saw this pump in the side yard of a house as I was walking down the road one day a couple of weeks ago in upstate NY.  Don't know why I didn't post it yet, but how cool is it?

My heart is grateful for:

people who preserve history

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Cabin at Abandoned Zoo in Cisco

The abandoned zoo trail led along a series of cabins on the hill that had been available for zoo visitors.  The outside walls and most of the inner walls are still intact, giving a great visual of how beautiful these cabins must have been in their hey-day.  

My heart is grateful that:

some history is preserved, even if not in pristine condition

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Retro Car behind Chain Link

This is an older photo from my files that I reworked.  

I'm grateful that:

I finally got the umph to mow the lawn for, hopefully, the last time until next spring

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Coca-Cola

In a town where there are a lot of empty/abandoned buildings, this wall mural is amazingly well kept. I remember when a coke was almost this price.

When I would get sick as a child, sometimes my mother would go to the drug store and buy coke syrup over the counter.  I've heard there really was "coke" in the syrup.  I always got better and with  no side effects. 

My heart is grateful today:

that I visited and had dinner with my daughter, her husband and the grandkids

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Country Church

I drove to this "town" this afternoon.  In 1929 it was a thriving community of 450 residents.  As of 2000, the population was about 26. 

Bradshaw, TX, in the southern area of Taylor County, was founded in 1909 when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad was constructed near the town's location.

When the railroad relocated closer to Abilene, the population dropped off and now it seems to be just a collection of abandoned & forgotten structures.

This building appears to have been a church of some kind since the room just inside the front doors is filled with pews.

I'm grateful for:

better temps so I could actually open my house windows today

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Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time this was someone's brand new car, possibly their dream car, most likely the car that transported them and their family around town and to favorite vacations spots.

Now it just sits, abandoned, alone, in disrepair, rusty and falling apart day by day.  There were others like this within this chain link enclosure. It makes me wonder why some retro car devotee hasn't managed to acquire it and restore it.  hmmmm

My heart is grateful for:

the sore muscle in my arm feeling better~~maybe it's on the mend and I can get back to the gym in a few days

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Another abandoned gas station

I spent the weekend in a situation that didn't allow me one moment to have a thought to myself or take any photos, let alone post them.

But on my way home I saw this old, abandoned gas station, the style of which I just love, and I couldn't bear to drive by without getting a few shots.  

I really wonder why so many of them just stay abandoned, they could be made into such cute convenience stores, or even "little homes".  Maybe there are gas tanks underground and the expense of removing them prohibits people from wanting to bother with them.

My heart is grateful:

that I was able to do childcare so my daughter and her husband could get away for a few days to a convention to celebrate his wonderful achievements at work

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Abandoned Gas Station

I pass this abandoned gas station every time I go to my daughter's house and every time I slow down to look at it.  This is a typical structure for old gas stations in the area, but for some reason this one seems to call my name every time I pass it.  

My heart is grateful for:

the sound of thunder and the hope of some rain

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Stained Glass Window

The First Baptist Church in Abilene is a very large church and it has a huge balcony.  While up there I remembered to "turn around" and I saw this beautiful sight.  

The red-carpeted stairs lead the eye right to the beautiful stained glass window.  

Thankful today for:

the chance to spend some time with the grandkids

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Troy, NY Victorian Stroll

I made this image several years ago.  I love it.  The reenactors are always so happy to pose, and show off their skills in their Victorian clothes and attitudes.

Troy is one of the only towns in the area to hold their Stroll during daylight hours, so it's really appealing to families and photographers.  

I miss these events.

My thankful heart rejoices today for:

the sun has been shining all day

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The Wooten

The Hotel Wooten Apartments is located downtown.  It was constructed in 1930 and was originally just a hotel, but then converted into one and two bedroom apartments in 1963.  

It didn't do well financially while a hotel, but has been at almost full capacity since being converted into apartments.   The building was listed as a Texas Historical Landmark in 2008. 

A Day in Haleiwa

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My friend and I spent the day in Haleiwa.  I wasn't too excited about it when she suggested it, but I agreed because I haven't been out shooting much lately and I needed the diversion.  Once we got there, I decided to put some effort into it.

It was hot and I'm not a big fan of hot-weather photography.  But unlike hot weather in the northeast, there are always chances to cool off by getting into the shade or when the trade winds blow, so it was fairly tolerable for me today.

I'm pretty happy with some of the images I brought home.  

So I give thanks to my friend, Jackie, for giving me the impetus to get out there, for the stimulating conversations we had and for the great ideas for some creative uses for my images.