leap into spring

It's the last day of February -- temperature is in the 70s and the Bradford pears are blooming. March will probably blow in like a lion -- it's been practicing all month with sandstorms every other day.

bula cemetery

Although some may think it morbid, my favorite places to visit are cemeteries. Of all those I have seen, the Bula Cemetery is the saddest. Generally, out here on the plains, one can locate a cemetery from afar by sighting the "cemetery trees" (evergreens) which are often planted there. The Bula Cemetery has no trees and there are no headstones on individual gravesites. Instead, only a marker lists those who are buried there. A bench offers a resting place to ponder the history of this forlorn graveyard. Saddest of all are Billy and Bernie, the one year old twins, buried alone with no family.

Bula Cemetery
FM 3397
Southeast Bailey County, Texas
2.24.2012

study in black and white

Gray and dreary day at Conquistador Lake
(Canyon Lake No. 1)
Lubbock, Texas

boot, bench and bail

Bail bonding isn't unique to Texas but this establishment capitalizes on its location. Wonder if it specializes in Tech students? Located at 820 Main it occupies a building that housed a Lubbock landmark -- the Hot Shot Cafe. The Hot Shot at Avenue H and Main and across from the court house was the "go to" spot for decades. Started in the 1920s, it thrived on short orders, survived the 1970 tornado but succumbed to age.

http://www.lubbockcentennial.com/Readers/HotShotCafe.shtml

Lone Star Bail Bonds
820 Main
Lubbock, Texas

all washed up

Enochs Laundry
Enochs, Texas

2-25-2012

Even though the community of Enochs is basically a cluster of abandoned buildings, the spire of this church beckons passers-by away from the intersection of FM 54 and SH 214. The evergreens threaten to overtake the building and the open door invites in varmits, vagrants and vandals alike. The brief heyday of Enochs lasted a couple of decades with a population of 250 at the most. Its businesses are gone, the churches shuttered and the post office is on the USPS closing list. But saddest of all is an empty house of worship.

Enochs, Texas
FM 54 and SH 214

plant no. 1

The Lubbock Power & Light Plant No. 1 is definitely at a dead-end. Constructed in 1929, its six diesel engines supplied power for a growing city. When more modern generating stations were built, its engines were idled and the building sits abandoned if not unwanted. The nearby arts district is interested in the building but there are environmental concerns. It's hard to believe that the first electricity was available in Lubbock just over a century ago in 1909 and that the utility we take for granted today did not exist.

LP&L Plant No. 1
5th and Avenue J
Lubbock, Texas

capsicum cultivar

The sweet red pepper, a botanical fruit, is actually a mature green pepper.

arney school

One objective of photography is to preserve the past. The January 22 posting on Melinda's "One Day One Image" of the burnt out Arney School prompted me to find the photo of the school I had taken -- unaware that I was shooting a piece of history. The Arney School started as a one-room building in 1901 to school children of the nearby ranchers. It also housed the Baptist Church for a while. Arney consolidated with Dimmitt in 1945 and the school building continued as a community center. Arney School received a Texas Historic marker in 1985. Now all that remains of the pioneer community is the marker.

Castro County, Texas
10.9.2005

oil patch sunrise

Midland, Texas
7.02.2006

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
and from thy slender store
Two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy Hyacinths to feed thy Soul.

Moslih Eddin Saadi
Persian Poet

take off

The photo I wanted was of the cormorants lined up along the shore - spreading their wings. Alas, my approach generated a mass exodus.

Mackenzie Park
Lubbock, Texas

Hey Seth, think we'll ever get big enough to drive tractors?

I hope so. I can't wait to farm!

Hannah, look at those babies. They're sitting on grandma's sofa just like us.

William, that's our daddies.

Can't be -- my daddy is real big.

Silly, they were little back in 1983.

You mean this sofa is older than all of us!

Family Pictures:
My nephews Cole and Seth are first cousins born 24 hours apart. Almost 30 years later their babies William and Hannah are posed on the same sofa.

For Sale: Antique sofa and matching love seat -- good condition, slightly used!

st mary of the assumption

Megargel on Highway 114 in Archer County started small, flourished during the oil boom of the 1920s and now is in decline. Current population: 203. The hotel and bank are gone; the school consolidated with Olney; the church is the last bastion of the community.

St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church
Megargel, Texas
2.11.2012

clairemont jail

This is probably the most photographed jail in Texas! Google has over 700,000 hits -- most of them pictures similar to this one. Clairemont was the former county seat of Kent County -- where currently the cows outnumber the inhabitants. The courthouse and matching jail were built in 1895 of red sandstone. Both are still standing - although only the first floor of the courthouse remains. Clairemont was doomed to ghost town status when the railroad bypassed the town in 1909 and then the county seat was moved to Jayton in 1954. Interesting sights abound on the back roads.

Clairemont Jail
US 380 and SH 180
Kent County, Texas
2.13.2012

the color wheel

There is a house in Albany that matches my search for building painted according to the color wheel. In fact, it displays five hues on the color wheel - not including the marmalade cat on the front porch!

North Main Street
Albany, Texas

great blue heron

Eagle Mountain Lake
Azle, Texas

cowboy

Ranchland Store along Highway 82

Benjamin, Texas

cowtown

Off to Cowtown -- the Stockyards, Cowgirl Museum, the Kimbell and other sights.

Fort Worth Stockyards
4.16.2011

sunning along the seine

A cool dreary day like today makes one nostalgic for summer vacation (and makes one forgot how hot and humid it was there!) Each summer Paris builds an artificial beach along the Seine River with tons of recycled sand. Paris Beach has palm trees, beach umbrellas, and sprinklers available for Parisians looking to relax.

Paris, France
8.19.2011

playa abstract

One knows this is an archived photo because the playa lake on FM 1585 is now dried up.

geraniums and brick wall

somewhere in San Antonio
3.24.2009

"he that ploweth should plow in hope"
1 Corinthians 9:10

This Bible verse summarizes the attitude of West Texas farmers. Even in drought conditions, the fields are readied for spring planting -- in hope of rain. Center Church has held services for the farming community since 1925.

Center Church
FM 2902 and CR 5300
North Lubbock County, Texas
2.05.2012

the old emery place
(before they built the new house in 1936 just down the road west)

North Lubbock County, Texas

outdoor living

You might expect dumped furniture along the county roadways, but not a living room tableau. Missing are the coffee table and television.

Somewhere along FM1294
Lubbock County, Texas

remembering buddy
September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959

Buddy Holly Center Gift Shop
1801 Crickets Avenue
Lubbock, Texas

more winter? order more beer!

The Lubbock version of Punxsutawney Phil is Prairie Dog Pete. I don't think he saw his shadow today because of clouds (yes, moisture in the air but no rain). This prairie dog lived in the original Prairie Dog Town established in 1938 -- before the recent enhancements to the park. There is now a pavilion and viewing area -- but still no grass. For more interesting reading on the history of Prairie Dog Town, check out this 1958 article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002330/index.htm

Prairie Dog Town
Mackenzie Park
Lubbock, Texas

gettiing ready for spring planting

Even while waiting for the rains, preparations are underway for next year's crops. The shop is busy getting equipment ready for spring planting. Welding is just one of the skills required for successful farming.

Fortenberry Shop
New Deal, Texas