Wishing You a Happy New Year

It's not that I don't like holidays; it's just that I never seem to be prepared for them!  Did I plan a New Year's photo?  No.  Could I find one that I might somehow meld into a New Year's creation?  Barely.  So here goes:

Hoping you a year full of red roses - the kind without thorns!

Happy New Year!

Unusual Bird

I photographed this bird this summer during a trip to Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.  If anyone has any idea what it is, I'd love to know.  I imagine it is some sort of tropical bird.  I Googled birds with red eyes and some other key words that I thought might identify it but was unsuccessful.  I think he's a unique specimen.

Pioneer and Farmers National Bank - Hillsboro, Texas

The Pioneer Bank Building was constructed by the Farmers National Bank in 1887 in Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas.  I've been unable to determine why it is called both Pioneer and Farmers.  Only about 12 feet wide on a corner across the square from the historic Hill County Courthouse, it makes up for its lack in width by being a block long!  It has been occupied by Colonial Trust Company since 1981.

Before There Were Video Games

The Perfect Trio

A simple barbed wire fence 

A hand-hewn cedar post 

A beautiful horse

Erath County, Texas

Friday Fences

Purple Berries

About the only thing left on these bushes are the purple berries which form in the fall and I suppose provide some food for the birds in winter.  I've learned from a previous post that these berries have different names in different regions.  Here they're called English mulberries.

A Christmas Barn

This little barn, which is within the city limits of Timpson, Texas, and only about two blocks from downtown (however, I must tell you, Timpson has a population of 1,155), actually sports a Christmas wreath 365 days of the year.  I don't know the significance of that, but anytime I feel like I need a little Christmas in my life, I hop in my truck and drive the 15 miles to Timpson to get a little taste of Christmas!  Happy Holidays to all my fellow Barn Charmers.

If you love barns, visit Tricia's Barn Charm 

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

The historic Pleasure Pier opened in Galveston in 1943 and stood until it was destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961.  It was replaced by an over-the-water hotel, the Flagship, in 1965, which was then demolished by Hurricane Ike in 2008.  At that time plans were made to reestablish the Pleasure Pier and the carnival/recreation facility reopened the summer of 2012

Justice

Justice reigns over the gravesite of William Wright Morris (1805-1883) in Henderson, Texas, City Cemetery.  Judge Morris, for whom Morris County, Texas, was named, was an esteemed jurist in this area.  He was instrumental is promoting the first railroad in this part of the state.

The Weekend in Black and White

The Christmas Fence

A historic home in Jacksonville, Texas

Linking to Friday Fences

The Stalker

Lunch in the Garden

Under the Palo Verde Trees

St. Mary's Basilica, Phoenix, Arizona

Vintage Fire Engine

Autumn Says Goodbye

The fall color has faded to brown here in East Texas.  

Here are some photos taken during the past two weeks when color was still in vogue.

Transitioning from brilliant color to brown

Autumn leaves in the Davy Crockett National Forest

Two-toned leaves.  My favorites!

A beautiful rainbow of color at the edge of one of our pastures.

Preparing for winter, our huge oaks transform from burnished red and gold to brown 

and will soon drop their leaves.

Goodbye, autumn.

Awaiting your return next year.

Basket of Peppers

Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market

October 2012

First National Bank, Stephenville, Texas

Seventy miles southwest of Fort Worth is the small town of Stephenville.  One of the prominent buildings on the courthouse square is the First National Bank built in 1889 and designed by J. Riely Gordon, a talented architect who designed approximately 18 of Texas' historic courthouses.  The triangular shaped building is constructed of white stone and is presently occupied by a firm of attorneys.

A Texas state historical marker describes the building as follows:  Built in 1889 to house the city's first bank, this is the earliest of three structures on the town square designed by prominent San Antonio architect J. Riely Gordon.  It features elaborate stonework and large arches typical of Romanesque revival architecture and a Queen Anne style tower and pedimented entrance.   The bank, organized by C.J. Shapard and with assets in excess of $158,000 by 1893, merged with Farmers National Bank in 1925 due to depressed oil and cattle prices.

Noble Manor - Mineola, Texas

Wrought iron fences are my favorite, especially those that have beautiful greenery like this one which surrounds the grounds of the Noble Manor in Mineola, Texas.

This gorgeous Greek Revival home was built in 1913 for Dr. Samuel Cloud Noble and his family.  Dr. Noble was a local dentist in the small town of Mineola.  Today the home is a popular bed and breakfast destination.  It has nine room with private baths and several cottages on the grounds.

Check out of the photos of other fence fanatics at

FRIDAY FENCES

Gulf of Mexico at Galveston

Rust and Dust

Cherokee County, Tx, Barn

Joining with other Barners

at Tricia's Barn Charm

A Walk in the Woods

Antique Wagon