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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