sjfphotography: *fine art images *natural light portraits *greeting cards


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

 

through the green door
 
Gardeners Outlet
1805 N Frankford Avenue
Lubbock, Texas

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

horse on a roof
 
What would you expect to be the subject matter of the decorative painting on a feed mill that supplies meal for farm animals -- an elephant?  The horse appears in better shape than the roof.  Economy Mills was featured here on May 26.
 
Economy Mills
211 15th Street
Lubbock, Texas

Monday, May 27, 2013

memorial day
 
Scout troops placed flags today honoring the grave sites of the over 2,000 U. S. veterans buried at the City of Lubbock Cemetery after ceremonies dedicating the historical marker commemorating the three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients interred here.
 
City of Lubbock Cemetery
Lubbock, Texas

Sunday, May 26, 2013

established 1925
 
At the corner of deadend Avenue B and deadend 15th Street (so stated on the streets signs!) is Economy Mills.  While the streets may dead-end, the mill is located on the railroad tracks and around the corner from the infamous former Lubbock hogpens.  A decade or so, the facility decided to spruce up with decorative painting to enhance its status along the interstate.  Unfortunately, a fire broke out a year or so later and no further renovations were undertaken.
 
Economy Mills
211 15th Street
Lubbock, Texas

Saturday, May 25, 2013

don't take my picture
 
 
Legacy Play Village
Lubbock, Texas
 

Friday, May 24, 2013

the perfectionist shop
 
Tucked in the corner between the old Highway 87 underpass and the Marsha Sharp overpass, in the vicinity of the original Hi-De-Ho, is The Perfectionist Shop.  I don't know what they do but I'm sure I am in need of their services.
 
The Perfectionist Shop
417 Texas Avenue
Lubbock, Texas
 


Thursday, May 23, 2013

wind power
 
Although a slow shutter speed blurred this windmill's blades, today's wind speeds of 40 mph really spun the windmill.  Alas, wind and dust but no rain -- again.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

eat your greens

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

class of 2013
 
Congratulations to Taylor -- Texas Tech University Class of 2013 with degree in Chemical Engineering (summa cum laude) and a job!
 
Chemistry Building
Texas Tech
Lubbock, Texas

Monday, May 20, 2013


headless horseman
 
Remember the Southwest Conference Circle on the Texas Tech campus?  It was built in 1958 when Tech became a member of the SWC.  Using funds raised by the Saddle Tramps and other student organizations, the mascots of the SWC colleges were represented on concrete and terrazzo slabs in a circle.  The SWC Circle was the site of pep rallies and bonfires until the SWC was disbanded.  Its former location will now be the future home of the Petroleum Engineering Research Building.  TTU announced plans to "try" to preserve the circle and the removed slabs are piled on the construction site.  It appears the other SWC mascots like the Razorback and Aggie are intact slabs.  The misfortunate Red Raider and his steed, however, are missing their heads--although the smaller pieces with the heads are there.  It must be the price of progress.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

amaryllis
 
My amaryllis are absolutely amazing this year.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

this way
 
Since Lubbock voted "wet" the proliferation of package stores is amazing.  It seems that every neighborhood convenience store sells beer and wine.  Don't bother driving by the KwikSTOP at night to see its neon-lit sign because it isn't--and there aren't any specials listed on the sign board. Rather the KwikSTOP relies on the floodlight to illuminate its sign and the primary colors to attract passers-by.
 
KwikSTOP
Chicago and Marsha Sharp
Lubbock, Texas

Friday, May 17, 2013



Combest, Resthaven, Sanders, Agape, Lakeridge -- the metal signs are color-coded, neatly aligned and waiting.  The grave markers are stored in the maintenance barn of the City of Lubbock cemetery to be used to designate gravesites for the local funeral homes.  Before the entourage from the church, before the granite tombstones are placed -- more utilitarian signs mark final resting places.  Sometimes my travels take me to unusual places.

City of Lubbock Cemetery
Lubbock, Texas

Thursday, May 16, 2013

live to ride
 
Accoutrement:  an identifying and often superficial characteristic or device —usually used in plural 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

blue against blue
 
This stage of the new building construction is eye-catching with its color -- whatever that building material is under the brick.  My friend MGH is partial to rectangles and the windows here provide plenty.  If you look closely, you may also see the rectangles where the erroneous windows are no longer.
 
Future home of Burkhalt Center for Autism Education
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

the dam lighthouse
 
Playing with infrared effect. . . I like the graphic design of the lighthouse.
 
Lake Buchanan Dam
11.22.2011

Monday, May 13, 2013

 

The red DQ sign may be called the Texas stop sign but in earlier times the travelers' choices of eating establishments were more varied.  Small towns had local cafes with names like the Rock Inn and the Green Frog.  Motorists broke up the trip to Dallas along Route 114 by planning their lunch stops.  Each cafe seemed to have a specialty like chicken fried steak or home-made pies.  But people got in a hurry, highways got faster - or even by-passed usual stops like the rock gas station in Guthrie -- and cafes closed.  Faded signs remind of times past in places like Dickens, Jean, or Megargel.

Texas State Highway 114
9.19.2013

Sunday, May 12, 2013

bar stools, beer signs and deer heads
 
Where the hell is Freiheit?  It was originally a small community school and country store on FM 1101 now being encroached by New Braunfels.  The country store was established in 1889 and is now a popular beer joint with karaoke, live music and great hamburgers.
 
Freiheit, Texas
5.6.2013
5.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

fried cheese anyone?
 
Since 1982, Spanky's has been a favorite hamburger joint.  When Lubbock went wet, it added beer to the menu.  Business is good with its location by Texas Tech and recently the place expanded but kept the menu.  If fried cheese isn't your thing, then there's fried okra, fried zucchini, or fried mushrooms!
 
Spanky's
811 University
Lubbock, Texas

Friday, May 10, 2013

unusual sighting
 
 
Those umbrellas that folks have been carrying in their cars finally got used today.  Rain accompanied the Lubbock County Historic Commission members as they attended the quarterly meeting and then visited the Slaton Museum.  We need more such opportunities!
 
Slaton Museum
Slaton, Texas

Thursday, May 9, 2013

tie dye at day care
 
Texas Tech College of Human Sciences operates a Child Development Research Center.  Evidently the activity of the day was tie-dye as evidenced by the row of tiny tee-shirts hung to dry in the play area.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

easy sittin'
 


Remember those colorful metal lawn chairs from the old days?  The ones that, if you weren't careful, would scorch the back of your little legs on hot summer days?  Shellback chairs are popular again. If you don't find one in the garage, or a second-hand store, you can purchase a new "retro" chair.
 
The Art Deco inspired stamped steel chairs were purchased by the tens of thousands during the booming years of the Post-War Atomic Era in cool . Ed Warmack’s colorful steel lawn furniture could be found on porches, in backyards, fronts of motels and around pools all across America. In 2001, Torrans Manufacturing Company of Cleveland, Texas began making this traditional lawn furniture to the same specifications used by previous manufacturers.
 
Wimberley, Texas
5.3.2013

Monday, May 6, 2013

 
 

The tin building housing Fischer's Store is located in the agricultural community of Fischer Store -- founded by German emigrants during the 1880s.  Postal service came to Fischer's Store in 1875 and the mail boxes were moved into the Fischer Store when it was built in 1902.  Unfortunately the postal service was moved next door in 1995 to a unremarkable generic US Post Office.  Today Fischer's Store, after being the post office, bank, and saloon, contains a treasure trove of antiques, including the original mail boxes.  It would be great to time your visit to Fischer when the bowling alley with handset nine-pins is open.  Next door is the dance hall, formerly the school. Several scenes from Willie's movie "Honeysuckle Rose" were filmed here.  A nice stop on the Comal County excursion.
 
Fischer Store, Texas
Old Blanco Highway and FM 181
5.4.2013
 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

hoity toit...an upper class establishment
 
Bright colors and butterflies seem a strange choice for a beer joint's decor.  I get the pool table, peanuts and juke box, but what's with the Indian in an airplane?  Guess I should have gone at night and asked.
 
Hoity Toit Bar
Torrey and Lakeview
New Braunfels, Texas

Saturday, May 4, 2013

zion
 
The Zion Lutheran Church,  originally located in Charlottenburg, Lavaca County, was relocated to the village of vintage buildings at the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center. Circuit-riding pastors served the religious needs of German Lutheran settlers of this area as early as the 1870s. A group of worshipers met to organize a congregation in March 1902 and construction began in 1904. The church became the base for nearby rural churches.
 
Seguin, Texas

Friday, May 3, 2013

the blue hole
 
 A natural swimming pool, the Blue Hole is a unique spot almost hidden in the center of Wimberley, lined by old growth cypress trees.  The clear pool is fed by an artesian spring called Jacob's Well.  With this morning's low in the 40s and the brisk breeze, there were no enthusiasts in the water.
 
The Blue Hole
Wimberley, Texas
 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

"before the cock crows"
 
Amid blustery winds and gray skies, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St Martin stands stalwart among the commercial enterprises built around it on the Loop 46.  Like many old churches, St. Martin's steeple has a rooster.  Wonder why?   One story has that in the ninth century A.D., the pope reportedly decreed that every church in Europe should show a cock on its dome or steeple, as a reminder of Jesus' prophecy that the cock would not crow the morning after the Last Supper, until the disciple Peter had denounced Him three times (Luke 22:34). Because of this story, "weather cocks" have topped church steeples for centuries, both in Europe and in America.  The rooster also points to the dawning of a new day, and to the joy of the resurrection.  Whatever reason this church has probably had its rooster since it was built in 1851.
 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Martin
New Braunfels, Texas

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

chihuly revisited
 
Dale Chihuly use Monet's water lilies as inspiration for his glass creations.  The dusky evening and dark pond enhance the beauty.  A worthwhile roadtrip last fall!
 
Dallas Arboretum
9.17.2013