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A hidden courtyard on the Abilene Christian University Campus.

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The Tower of Light.

This structure is located on the campus of the Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.  It's part of the Biblical Studies complex and was constructed in 1989.

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Recreation & Wellness Center @ ACU

I don't usually like modern architecture, but this is kind of interesting~~a little bit outside the box of the usual stuff you see on the Abilene Christian University campus in Abilene, Texas.  

My heart is happy that:

one of the ladies in church had her baby this week and it's a beautiful and healthy baby girl

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Jacob's Dream 3

Just another version of Jacob's Dream.  This was sculpted by Jack Maxwell and dedicated in 2006.  Professor Maxwell was the art & design professor at ACU at the time.

My heart is grateful for:

the beautiful weather we're having today

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Jacob's Dream2

I took a ride out to the Abilene Christian University Campus today hoping to find some photo ops.  I've been there before, so I didn't really expect to find anything, but this sculpture is just irresistible.

It's almost better to photograph in the winter because there are no leaves on the nearby trees so you can see the statue better.

My heart is grateful for:

God's Word

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D & W 4

Seen in an alleyway in downtown Abilene, Texas.  The overhead door looks to be in good condition, so maybe it's still used for something.  D & W refers to the railroad that goes right through town.

My heart is grateful that:

I found a few photo ops downtown today

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Artwork

How cute is this?  Seen in an alleyway in Abilene, Texas

I'm grateful for:

people with creative imaginations

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Shadow and louvre window.

Sometimes I'm in the right place at the right time.  

I'm grateful that:

I will soon be visiting a friend I haven't seen in a long time

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The Christmas Tree

I didn't put up my small artificial tree this year.  It just seemed like too much trouble.  I have a few decorations scattered around which will stay out for another week or two.

When I went to my daughter's house on Christmas morning, her tree was a pleasant surprise.  

We had brunch~~homemade waffles, strawberries, whipped cream and bacon.

My heart is grateful that:

We were able to be together Christmas morning, to enjoy each other and to

remember the "reason for the season"

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Two Tanks

Two silver tanks seen on a back road outside Abilene, Texas.

My heart is grateful that:

I was able to spend part of Christmas Day with my daughter and her family

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Whorton Hears a Who

Abilene, TX is known as the Storybook Capital of the US.  It has two areas where there are storybook sculptures on display.  Whorton Hears a Who is one of the characters.  

My heart is happy because:

there are happy stories to tell little people

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Scrappy Quilt

I belong to a group called Quilts for Cops.  We are volunteer quilters who create quilts for wounded police and first responders throughout the country.  The fabric is donated or purchased with funds we raise through raffles, and all the other work on the quilt is done free of charge by members of the group.

These fabrics were already organized for this quilt by another volunteer and I just put it together.  It needs the backing, binding and quilting.  I just finished the top today.  I don't love all the fabrics but I think it came together nicely and once it's quilted I bet it will look great.

My heart is grateful that:

I'm part of this volunteer group that affirms our police and first responders

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Sleeping Cat

I was at a friend's house today.  This cat is so friendly and usually wants to be right where we are, but as I walked through the living room, I saw her snoozing.  She looked so comfortable I just had to get a photo of her.

My heart is grateful for:

the continued warm weather we're having

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A sitting area in my fave coffee shop.

I'm grateful that:

the holiday season is almost over

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Military Nutcracker

This beautiful red, white and black nutcracker is seen at the Abilene, Texas Zoo.  There are several other large nutcrackers located throughout the zoo, celebrating the Christmas season.  

My heart is happy that:

I was motivated enough today to sweep the leaves off my driveway

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Two striped Ornaments

These two red and white striped ornaments are seen on an artificial Christmas Tree at the Abilene, Texas Zoo.  The zoo decorates every holiday season with many trees and ornaments as well as other

decor.  There are on-going holiday activities throughout the months leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

My heart is grateful that:

My youngest son and his wife will become parents for the first time this coming spring

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Jaguar

This Jaguar is resting in his enclosure at the Abilene, Texas Zoo.  Jaguars have two color palettes, the one seen here and total black.  They're local to South America.

My heart is grateful today that:

it was such a peaceful day

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Pink Poinsettia and ornaments

These beautiful pink decorations are seen on a white fir wreath on display as part of the decorations at the Abilene, Texas Zoo.

I'm grateful for:

beautiful colors

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Peppermint Candy Sculpture

The Abilene, Texas Zoo is decorated for Christmas and this peppermint candy sculpture is just one of the displays seen there.

I'm happy that:

I finished the church directory I've been working on for a couple of months. 

Another large job off my plate finally.

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Vacant hotel and silos

These structures are located in downtown Colorado City, Texas.  The hotel, as well as many other spaces in downtown Colorado City, has been vacant for as long as I've lived in Texas, and in spite of that the structure is very well taken care of.  I can't quite figure that out.  

The silos are located along the edge of the railroad tracks and they look as though they're used regularly.

According to the data from 2021, the population of Colorado City was 4,391.

It is the city seat of Mitchell County.  It is approximately 1 hr 10 minutes north of San Angelo.

My heart is grateful that:

I forced myself out of the house today to take a photo roadtrip

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Vacant Hotel

This hotel structure is located in downtown Colorado City, Texas.  In spite of being vacant for many years, it seems to be very well taken care of.  There must have been some businesses on the street level at one time, but those spaces have been empty for years too.

My heart is happy that:

the weather has been so mild even though it's winter

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The Johnson Building

Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas decorated their campus last week, so I made a trip over there just as it was turning dusk.  By the time I got to this building, it was dark enough that I had to boost the iso, so there's some pixelating going on.  

I love the simplicity of the one string of lights along the top of he building.  

My heart is grateful that:

I went to see "The Shift" movie in the theater tonight, and that there are more and more movies lately giving the untarnished Word of God.  

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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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Graham-Cracker-House building underway

This is just a small group of the teens who were at the house-building event last night.  They were so creative.  

My heart is grateful that:

I found a few books at an estate sale today that I'll totally enjoy:

Anne Tyler and John Grisham

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Sunset at the Lake

I'm not usually out at sunset.  Tonight I was at the lake and this beautiful sunset happened.  The colors were so intense and for once I was able to capture the beauty.  

My heart is grateful for:

beautiful sunsets

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The Kids on the Dock

Friends from church hosted a Graham-Cracker-House building party at their home on the lake. Before the event started, the teens were outside on the dock and there was a beautiful sunset.  When I saw the silhouettes of the kids, I couldn't resist getting a photo.

My heart is grateful:

for the young people in our church

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The house on the Lake

Tonight one of the families from church hosted their annual Graham-Cracker-House party.  There was a huge crowd...everyone brought candy for decorations, graham crackers to build their houses, and food to share.  

We were given 2 hours to build and decorate our houses and then there was a panel of "judges" who did the judging.  There were two categories:  0-10 years and 11-100 years.

It was amazing what great structures resulted.

I'm grateful for:

a fun evening of visiting with friends

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Abilene, Texas Christmas Tree

This Christmas Tree is located in front of City Hall.  It was just about dusk and the lights were already turned on which made for a nice photo.

My heart is happy that:

Even though we can celebrate Jesus everyday, we'll soon be officially celebrating His birthday

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Mary & Baby Jesus

This is just an isolated section of the full creche scene that's on display in the yard of the church where the lighted angel is blowing her trumpet at the front door.  The entire scene is beautiful.  I don't usually post more than one pic each day, but this time I will just so you can see the context.

My heart is grateful for:

Jesus and His atoning work

 

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Lighted Angel

I happened to be in town today right around dusk.  I was attracted to this church because it had colored lights on the steeple.  Once I got to the building, I saw this beautiful lighted angel, on the side of the main doors.  I had my tripod with me so even though it was a slow shutter-speed, it turned out sharp.  

My heart is grateful for:

the peaceful and productive day I had today

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Curious Goat

While doing a session for "kids in a box", this goat had to see what was going on.  

My heart is grateful for:

curiosity

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Christmas Parade

Every year Abilene holds their Christmas Parade the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.  This was huge one.  It lasted, from the first entry to the last, about 1 hour and 50 minutes.  It was very mild that night and there were a lot of people still there for the entire parade.

It's brutal taking pics with a real camera in the dark.  After about 7 tries, I put the camera away and just watched the parade. This is the only image I took that was even remotely worth posting.  I always wonder why the event planners think the parade is better in the dark.  

My heart is grateful for:

the moderate weather after the brutal summer we had

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A larger version of the tiger's eyes, seen on a wall on a loading dock.

May heart is happy that:

my roommate, who is now my ex-roommate because she got married, will be back on Monday and will be taking her cat out of my home.

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An Open Book Mural

This is a mural seen in the window area of a bookbinder in downtown Abilene, Texas.  The colors are beautiful and the implication of opening a book and being totally surprised is great.

My heart is happy for:

for my love of reading and all the good literature (and some not so good) that I've read in my life

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Brick Wall  background

Not a very exciting image, but I thought it would make a wonderful background for text or a photo of some sort.  It's a wall on the outside of a business downtown and it looks pretty deliberated.

My heart is grateful for:

the leftover brisket I brought home from Thanksgiving dinner

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White Home

This structure is referred to as the White House by the locals.  I've been here for 4.5 years and this is what it's looked like the entire time.  Rumor has it that a husband had this built for his wife, but they never lived there.  I don't know what the rest of the rumor is, I don't know why it hasn't been inhabited. Seems a shame though.

It's a bit more house than I'd want, but if I liked entertaining this would probably be just the place to do it.

My heart is happy that:

I don't have to pay the taxes on a "home" like this

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Tiger Eyes

This is a portion of a wall mural I saw while walking around downtown today.  I don't know if it has anything to do with the business, but I think it's beautiful

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Another Fire Escape

I've walked past this fire escape many times, but today it finally occurred to me that there's a little enclosure at the bottom, which I've never seen with a fire escape before.

My heart is happy because:

I finally remembered to dress for the weather when I went out looking for photo ops today

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Downtown Business

This is one of the downtown business in town.  The lowest level is an office supply business and I'm not sure if the upper three levels contain any active businesses.  It sure is a beautiful building and it would make a great apartment building.

May heart is grateful that:

tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we're having brisket

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Goldilocks & the Three Bears

Abilene, Texas is known as the Storybook Capital of America.  The town has the largest collection of Storybook Sculptures in America.  There are two different parks in town containing sculptures and descriptions.

 

This one is Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  (Goldilocks actually has two legs, the second leg just doesn't show in this image)

M heart is grateful for:

good children's literature

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Building with Reflection

This is a downtown office building in late afternoon with a reflection of another building in the window.

I'm grateful for:

leftover pizza for dinner tonight

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Alleyway Back Door

The back door of a business in Cisco, Texas.  It appears to be a loading area.

I'm grateful that:

my dil's first pregnancy is going well

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Open Mailbox

Walking around Cisco, Texas I saw this open mailbox in front of an adorable house that's for sale.  No house number on the mailbox but a realtor sign in front of the house.

Wonder how long it will stay on the market???  I'm hearing that house sales around here have slowed down.  

I'm grateful that:

It's almost Thanksgiving and I think my sil will be making brisket

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Walton Electric

It looks like once upon a time this building was Walton Electric.  Now, not so much.  

I'm grateful today that: 

I had a reason to spend some time outdoors in the beautiful weather

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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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Church Steeple in Ohio

While visiting in Ada, Ohio for a couple of days I saw this beautiful church steeple and had to make an image of it.  I love when the trees are bare and you can see things through the branches.

My heart is grateful for:

the trip I was able to take to photograph a friend's wedding

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Barrel Race

Another from my files.

Two summers ago, before we had to deal with the brutally hot summers we've had recently, these events (Playdays) took place mostly at Cowboy Church arenas on a Sat night.

My heart is grateful for:

God's creativity and the beautiful animals He created

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Hat on Table

I was in a cowboy mood when I took this pic.  

This week has been crazy busy:  

getting ready for Election Day on Monday, 

working the polls on Tuesday, 

returning the election equipment on Wed,

 spending time finishing last minute details on Thurs before leaving for Ohio on Friday, 

photographing a rehearsal dinner Friday night, 

then the wedding on Sat, 

then traveling back on Sunday.  

Sheesh, I don't want to rush my life along, but I'll be glad when this week is done...

All good, fun things and this craziness is an anomaly in my life

I"m grateful that:

life changes on a dime sometimes and it's fun to just go with the flow

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Hawaiian License Plate

I love vanity license plates.  I look for them everywhere I go.  Here in Texas, I guess people don't have so much imagination because in over 4 years I've only seen two or three.

So here's one from my files.

My heart is grateful for:

creativity