258/365

Bronc Rider

Another rodeo.

My heart is grateful for:

Talking on the phone today with a friend I haven't seen in a long time

257/365

Performer

While waiting for the Rodeo to begin, I wandered around the midway and came upon this group performing.  The volume was crazy loud and I didn't understand a word they were singing, but it was great getting pics of the group.  

I'm grateful today for:

all the good books I've read in my lifetime and how much I enjoy reading

256/365

Whirling

I'm not sure what this ride is called, but the last time I went on one (45 years ago) I thought I was going to throw up. So now I just enjoy the ride from the ground and take photos.

My heart is grateful for:

wisdom 

255/365

Rainbow at the Fair

After a little rain when I first got to the Fair, the sky started to clear but not before this beautiful rainbow appeared.  

My heart is grateful for:

God's promise to His people

254/365

Gerhart Hall

This is the building of the Parish Hall of the Episcopal Church of Heavenly Rest in Abilene, Texas.  It was constructed several years after the church was completed in 1953

My heart is grateful for:

my hope that God will work out a sticky problem in my life

253/365

Abandoned Horse Trailer

As I was driving down a country road, I saw this abandoned horse trailer.  When you consider how much these trailers cost, it makes you wonder why anyone would abandon one.

My heart is grateful for:

the rain and cooler temps we had today

252/365

Bell Tower

This beautiful structure is the bell tower of the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene, TX.

The cornerstone indicates that it was built in 1953, but it existed as a church before that in another structure in downtown Abilene.

My heart is grateful that:

the temps have cooled off a little and there's rain in the forecast

252/365

Six White Horses

Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX has a club (if that's what it's called) whose members care for and ride six white horses in parades, rodeos and other community activities both local and in towns around Abilene.  From the little I've heard about this group, there are about 20 horses that are rotated for the different rides and the group of girls in the club also rotate as the riders.  

They are iconic for the local parades.

This parade is the kick-off event for the West Texas Fair and Rodeo that began this week.

I'm grateful for:

God's beautiful creatures

251/365

Ride at West Texas Fair & Rodeo

After working for a few hours selling tickets to the fair, I walked around a little taking some photos. When I was editing this one, I was surprised to see the people inside the ride.  

This pic is just a happy serendipitous image.

My heart is grateful that:

I had something fun to do this evening

250/365

100 (years) sign

This "100" sits farther into the campus of McMurry College.  It represents that the college is 100 years old.  1923-2023

My heart is happy that:

some things last for a long time

249/365

Sculpture

This sculpture is in front of the Fine Arts building of McMurry University.  I've been wanting to photograph it for a long time, but it's situated on a main road that has a lot of traffic and parking is difficult.  But today I decided to figure out a way to get to it.  I normally don't like abstract art, but I find this kind of pretty.  Who knows how much it must have cost~~probably enough to make me gasp.

My heart is grateful for:

making hard decisions and figuring out how to solve surmountable problems

248/365

Rodeo

The West Texas Fair and Rodeo starts at the end of this week..  This is a photo from my files, maybe from last year or the year before.  I LOVE photographing rodeo events.  I love cowboys and horses and anything related to them.  I might just have to rent a lens that's a little faster and longer than any I have.  Maybe/maybe not.  I'll have to see how long I can keep it and how much it will cost.

My heart is grateful that:

there will be a little excitement around here soon

247/365

Pothos Houseplant

This is one of my favorite houseplants.  In spite of my "black thumb" I've never managed to kill one of these.  They thrive like crazy in spite of careless or careful attention.

From "Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me":

If you wait until you're really sure, you'll never take off the training wheels.

My heart is grateful for:

the beauty of nature indoors

 246/365

A Wide Empty Landscape

I went to an estate sale yesterday.  It was a few miles from a small town and then three more miles down a dirt road, basically in the middle of nowhere.  This is one view from the house and it was like this 360 degrees around the house.

I know there are people who like to live as much off the grid as possible, but this makes me scratch my head.  My question is "why"?

My heart is grateful today that:

I went to the movies to see the new movie "The Hill".

I recommend it highly.

245/365

Abandoned and Abandoned

I saw this abandoned house and truck on my way home from a small town about 30 miles outside of Abilene.  I almost rode on by but at the last minute I decided to go back.  I only had my trusty Canon point-and-shoot with me, but that camera takes amazing photos.

I was able to get close to the house because part of the fence around the property was damaged and I easily stepped over it into the "yard".  I desperately wanted to get into the house, but there's no telling how safe it is and I wasn't wearing good shoes, so I reluctantly passed up the opportunity to go inside.

It's been a long time since I've managed to get an image that I like as much as I like this one.  These scenes are few and far between around here.

I'm grateful for:

random adventures and surprises

244/365

Aqua Keurig

This machine belongs to my roommate who will be moving out in a few weeks.  I LOVE this color even though it doesn't match anything in the kitchen.  

I'll have to get my own machine when she moves out.  The other appliances are black & silver, so I guess I'll get a Keurig that matches them.

My heart is grateful for: 

choices~~for whatever...

243/365

Abstract Man

My daughter made this abstract man in art class when she was in middle school.  I don't usually like abstracts of any kind, but I like this so much I framed it and it's been on my dining room wall ever since.  She had a WONDERFUL art teacher in middle school.

My heart is grateful for:

inspirational and caring teachers

242/365

The Airport

I took a friend to the airport this morning.  It's a regional airport and only about a 15 minute drive from town.  My last home was about an hour from the airport, so 15 minutes is a real treat.

He'll be back early next week.  I didn't ask him yet, but he might be up for stopping at my fave coffee shop for a treat.

My heart is grateful that:

someone else is going to work on the church bulletin next week so I have a week off

241/365

At the Splash Pad

My town has several of these fun splash pads scattered around.  My daughter takes the kids to them pretty regularly, but this is the first time I was able to meet them this summer.  The huge bucket (in the upper right corner) fills with water and then dumps out.  The kiddos aren't brave enough yet to stand where the water cascades down, so my daughter was giving them a demonstration.  

My heart is grateful for:

how kid friendly my town is

240/365

Flowers and retro Photo

This image  is from my files.  It's a photo of my mother and father, either just before they were married, or soon after.  The book is a journal my dad kept while he was in the service.  There's nothing emotional about the words in the journal, it's just a record of what was happening while he was stationed overseas.  He was not in a combat zone.  

They look so happy.  Sadly that didn't seem to last even though the marriage lasted.

I still have the journal.

My heart is grateful for:

the life I had growing up with two parents who loved me

239/365

Hiking Gals

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a real winter season.  Dead leaves were on the ground and the air was crisp and people needed to wear jackets and other winter clothes.  

I'm beginning to think I'd enjoy being there right now even though I don't love winter.  For the first couple of years we hiked once a week in the Adirondacks, but we stopped when the weather started turning cold.  After a few years we decided to brave the elements and we hiked all year, although in the winter it was mostly on trails (not mountains) and the hikes were shorter.  We used snowshoes or spikes if necessary.  Thinking back on it, those were good days...

I'm grateful for:

those winter hiking memories

238/365

Birthday Balloons

I met a friend for coffee this morning in our favorite coffee shop before heading out to the antique stores.  I guess the shop is celebrating their birthday today because there were a lot of balloons throughout the shop.

I just hope they don't drink the kool-aid again when the next plandemic starts.  

I'm grateful today that:

I was able to purchase the-almost-perfect table and chairs for my dining room at one of the antique stores.

237/365

Royal Typewriter

I went to several antique stores this morning and saw a few different typewriters.  I really want one.  I almost purchased this one but then I remembered I don't have a single flat surface on which to put it where it can be seen as decor.  I'm working on it, but it still might be a while.  I also want a rotary dial phone...  Be patient, I keep telling myself.

My heart is grateful for:

my memory of those retro items

236/365

Adirondack Duo

Two white Adirondack chairs on the common-space lawn of an eatery complex.

My heart is grateful that:

there are oasis(es) like this in town

235/365

Decorative Grasses

I think this might be pampas grass, but I'm not 100% sure.  I tried looking it up but all the picks show the grasses with fluffy flower-type things.

In any case, these grasses decorate the edge of a yard area outside some eating places in town.

My heart is grateful for:

having brunch with a friend

234/365

Purple Side Door

This is the side door into the place where is work PT.  It not glamorous, but I wasn't looking for glamorous, just a PT job.  

I'm grateful for:

this job that seems perfect in every way

233/365

Bistro Table

Two sets of bistro table is in front of a coffee shop.  I hear it's a nice place, but I've never been inside.  It was about 104 today, so obviously no diners sitting outside.

My heart is grateful for:

outdoor seating when the weather is nice

232/365

Flourishing Tree

This tree, along with 2 or 3 others lines the side and front of the main branch of the Post Office in Abilene, Texas.  In spite of the brutal heat and lack of rain, the tree and the weeds seem to be flourishing.

My heart is grateful for:

the perseverance of nature

231/365

Two Round Windows

A building downtown has several of these round windows with blinds instead of the typical square or rectangular windows normally seen.  I'd love to see them from the inside looking out.

My heart is grateful for:

my point and shoot camera that lives in my car 

230/365

Shrub and Gravestone

I'm always surprised when I take photos, put them on my hard drive, don't think they're great and then really like them when I revisit them months later.  This is one of those images.

Others may see the image and go, meh, but that just proves how subjective art is.

My heart is grateful for:

God's beautiful creation

229/365

Gravestone and Tree in Cemetery

This past winter and friend and I went to a cemetery to grab some images for the upcoming competition in our photo club.  I forgot I even had this image, but when I found it the other day I decided to post it.  Wonder why I didn't post it before?

My heart is grateful for:

cooler wether that will eventually arrive

228/365

Dirty Keyboard

I recently got a PT job and part of the job consists of labeling & categorizing products on the computer.  A male college student was doing the job during the summer and boy, could he whip around the sites quickly, a lot quicker than I'll ever be able to.  

But.....look at this keyboard, yuk.  So when I took over I started to clean the keys but decided to take a pic before finishing just so I'd have something to post.  By the time I got done the keyboard was crystal clean, but it didn't improve my speed.  I'll get the job done, just not a quickly.  

My heart is grateful for:

the PT job I just landed

227/365

Celebration Cake

There's a family in my church who has fostered 3 children who are biologically connected by their mother.  It's taken about 4 years for their adoptions to be completed.  The final adoption took place last week and they had a party at their home to celebrate.  There are only two names on the cake because the oldest child was adopted last year and they had her party then,  

Praise God for His mercies.

My heart is grateful that:

the longest journey begins with the first step forward

226/365

Combo Lock

About 14 years ago I started going to the Y regularly and I needed a combo lock for the locker so I got a Master Lock that was green. I managed to 

1) not lose it,

 2) not forget the combination, 

3) not have to buy another lock, 

& 

4) love the color for all those years

Three weeks ago when I went to my locker,  I saw that the lock had been cut off and there was a note to talk to someone at the office for the explanation.  Someone had left something on the top shelf of the locker, out of sight, and because they couldn't find the owner of the lock, they had to cut it off to return the items to the owner.

I was a both annoyed and disappointed.  I'm a creature of habit and I really liked having the same green lock with the same combination and it was annoying to think that because someone else had been careless, I had to replace my lock. 

In the big scheme of things it was a small problem but for a couple of days I couldn't talk myself into going to the store for a new lock.  Then one day when I was shopping for something totally unrelated, there, right in front of me, was a section of Master Locks.  Bingo! and surprisingly I had no problem with learning/remembering the new combination.

I'm grateful that:

God answers prayer, sometimes with an interesting sense of humor

225/365

Abandoned Grain Elevator

Cross Plains, Texas.  I don't think I've ever seen abandoned grain elevators before.  

I'm grateful for:

cooler temperatures

224/365

Abandoned Garage Doors

I saw these doors on this abandoned building in Cross Plains, TX.  There was no indication about what this building once was.

I'm grateful that:

Every day comes with a day after

223/365

Utility boxes

While waiting for a friend to show up, I stepped into an alleyway to get out of the sun and I saw this.

Not a world class photo, but it's what I got for the day.

My heart is grateful that:

When you're dressed up like a princess, it's easier to act like one

(from: Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me)

222/365

The Cornerstone

I've never seen a cornerstone with so much information  What a good idea.

My heart is grateful that:

little crayons can still make a big mark

221/365

Fence

I drove a new route on the way home today and found a beautiful Catholic Church (photo tomorrow) that had this great, unique fence around some of the property.  

I'm grateful today for:

new sights and experiences

220/365

Model

Several years ago I had the opportunity to participate in a model shoot-out.  The models and aspiring models needed the photos and we needed the practice.  I didn't take this today obviously, it was in my files.  I like it so I decided to use it today.

Grateful heart today for:

Having lunch with some new friends today at a cute little coffee shop.

219/365

Power Grid

On my way home today I drove out of my usual route through a new neighborhood and came across this power grid.  It was the best I could do today.

This evening I was sorting through one of my bookcases with the intention of getting rid of some of the books.  I came across some self-published books that were made from my blog posts in the years 2009, 2010 and 2013.  The name of the company is "Sharedbooks".  It was a very simple process.  After registering, you would indicate the dates you wanted to print and the site would pull all the blog posts of the dates indicated and print them into a book.  The pictures are small, I don't remember there being an option to increase the size, and the text didn't always line up with the pics, but it was a cool way to preserve the blogposts.  

Looking at those books, I was surprised at what I took pics of and the text I included.  These days I'm lucky if I can find anything to photograph and it seems like I have nothing to say.  

I'll have to look and see if the company still exists.  I might get another book made of my more recent posts.  Maybe my kids will be glad to have them.  If not, they can toss them.

I'm grateful today for:

the homemade bread my friend gave me yesterday and the great grilled ham and cheese sandwich I made for lunch today with that bread

218/365

Adirondack Chairs and Fountain

Seen outside an eating area.

My heart is grateful for:

being able to take a short nap this afternoon

217/365

Wall Mural

A wall mural with a great sentiment on the outside of an eatery. 

My heart is grateful for:

reminders to be more Christlike as I travel through this life 

216/365

Place Settings

  

Many of the eating establishments that I explored this morning had outdoor seating. This one had 

napkin-wrapped place settings on each table and I thought it looked so inviting. It's so interesting to see how each business creates a welcoming environment for their patrons.

My heart is grateful for:

creativity and imagination

215/365

A new Coffee Shop

I went to an estate sale on the other side of town this morning, and made a detour on the way home to a complex of various eateries thinking I might find some photo ops there.  I got some pics and there was a coffee shop there that I decided to try.  

I got this totally delicious blended coffee.  

My heart is grateful for:

exploration

214/365

Murals on Building

I saw this in a small West Texas town and thought it was the nicest decor.  I love outdoor wall murals.  I don't know if these faces were painted from portraits of real people or from the artist's mind.  The wall with the murals is facing a parking area, so there's not much chance of missing the artwork. The blue side of the building is facing the street, so even that's attractive.

I'm grateful for:

the gathering of friends for dinner at a pizza place last night

213/365

Hope for the Future

This is a small section of a beautiful sculpture seen on the campus of the Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX.  The entire sculpture is of a mom and dad kneeling on each side of the baby, holding her skyward.  The inscription plate reads:

Hope for the Future

Gift to ACU from

Mr & Mrs Gayole Potter & others

1989

I'm grateful for:

The hope we have in God's providence for our future

212/365

Stained Glass Window

Inside the chapel at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX.  Each side f the chapel has theses beautiful windows.  Looking at the windows outside, the pattern is brown, so I was really surprised to see how colorful they are looking at them from the inside.

My heart is grateful for:

beautiful artwork

211/365

Stone Amphitheater steps

Stone steps and seats at the amphitheater at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX. 

My heart is grateful for:

getting out early in the cooler part of the day to get some images

210/365

Abandoned Building

This building is in downtown Abilene, TX.  I've taken several shots of it in the past, but never from this perspective.  In its former useful life it appears it was a warehouse of some kind.

My heart is grateful for:

being able to spend some time alone with my grandson today