Thursday, January 31, 2008

Tyler Oil Derrick Picnic Area

I took today's photo on my way back home from Shreveport... this small rest area with picnic tables is located just east of Tyler, Texas on IH 20. I remember seeing this place as a kid driving through this area, which was probably 30 years ago, and they appear to have held up rather well. These are made to look like an oil derrick, which is supposed to be a pretty common site around Texas...

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Browser - Commerce Texas

Today's photo is another one taken in Commerce, where I first went to college after high school. The Browser was kind of a 'junk-tique' or knick-knack shop that was located near my fraternity house.

It seemed much larger back in 1989, but inside the small garage in the background they had rows and rows of shelves with small items - some junk, sometimes you may find some small treasure in there for a bargain price. The store doesn't appear to exist anymore, and the sign out front is the last thing remaining... aside from memories.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Pine Cones

I recently took some photos down at Ben Gill Park, which is the largest public park in Terrell. I'll be following up with a few more pics from the park soon. Today's photo is a shot of a couple of pine cones I photographed at the park administration building near the entrance. Pine cones always make me think of Christmas, but I guess they're just a winter thing...

Monday, January 28, 2008

Flamingo Grille at night - Downtown Terrell


As a follow up to yesterday's post, here is a night photo of the Flamingo Grille located at 109 W. Moore St. I haven't eaten there yet, but have intentions to very soon - and will let you know how it is after I do. Online I've seen several very positive reviews about their food.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Pink Flamingos

I snapped these creatures creeping along my driveway... one of the poor things only has one leg. This was a gag gift that I came home to find from my mother one day, who has a wonderful sense of humor.... =) We actually have a pink flamingo restaurant in our downtown area that I'll be following up on with a post in the near future.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Lebanon Cemetery - Commerce Texas

This historical marker shows a brief history of Lebanon Cemetery, located on the edge of town in Commerce, Texas. When I was in college in Commerce, back in 1987-90, this cemetery was down a long dirt road - but it's been paved over the years....

I mention the long dirt road because on election night of 1988, when Bush I was elected, I was driving down the dirt road too fast in a little Nissan pickup, and as I turned the corner by the cemetery, my pickup began to fishtail in the gravel... I lost control and ran off the road and hit a tree, which left the truck inoperable. So it was about 11pm on election night, pitch black outside, and I was stranded in the middle of nowhere at this cemetery... it was kind of scary.

I had to walk about 3 miles to get back to my fraternity house to get a ride home - and then call my parents and break the news...

When I went back to take pictures recently, my first trip back in almost 20 years, it amazed me how much smaller it seemed. Back then everything seemed much larger than it really was I guess...

Friday, January 25, 2008

eight ball - side pocket

Today's pic is another close-up practice photo for me. I'm getting ready for spring, when i'll be focusing on some of the local foliage and flowers. Several years ago I won an old Valley pool table at a local auction. It was one that had previously been in a bar - it even came with the coin/vending... it costs .75 cents a game. The pool table came with this set of balls that look like they've seen quite a bit of action during their years of use. I'd be interested to know where exactly it came from, but i guess that will remain part of the mystery.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

East Texas Road Signs

Today's photo is a compilation of city limit signs for Terrell, Quinlan, Greenville, Commerce and Kaufman. I created this in Corel Paint Shop Pro. As with the photography, I still have quite a bit to learn - but the blog is helping to keep me motivated in practicing both.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Wagon Wheel Mailbox

I found this mailbox on a recent 'back-roads' drive outside Terrell. It was down a long and bumpy gravel road, and I accidentally ended up on the property of one of the mailbox owners.... all they have to do is drive up and turn the wheel around to get their mail, or to pick up a neighbors for them.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Mighty Mean Ducks


When I pulled up to take the photo of yesterday's pier, a group (flock?) of ducks waddled over to my car - quacking all the way.... the two in the pic both came right up to my driver's side door/window and looked ready to jump up and attack. Upon further reflection, I realized they probably get food from visitors in cars. Then I felt a little guilty for not having any bread or anything to give to them. Next time I know.... =).

Monday, January 21, 2008

Kaufman City Lake Pier

First off, the photo for today is a shot of a fishing pier in the Kaufman City Lakes Park in Kaufman, Texas. Kaufman is about 14 miles south of Terrell, and this park is located right off highway 34.





Yesterday, Halcyon at Jackson Daily Photo gave me a "You make my day" award. She has some beautiful photos from Mississippi... and Jim, from Terrell Daily Photo also nominated me for this award. Thank you both for your votes of confidence!!

I feel honored to receive it after having my blog for such a short period of time. I've seen some very talented photographers and amazing photos on so many sites since joining, and still have a lot to learn and improve on my skills.

There are quite a few blogs that I'd like to nominate for this award, in the spirit of passing it along to other people whose photos inspire us...and here are a few blogs that have some great photos that I really like...

Uma por dia at Lisbon Daily Photo
Monoblog in Izmir, Turkey
Selma, Alabama
Zentmrs at San Diego Daily Photo

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Kaufman Historical Home


I took a short trip down to Kaufman today, and saw this beautiful house off one of the streets that runs south from the downtown area of Kaufman. There are quite a few houses with 'turrets' in Terrell that I need to get a photo of, and this one in Kaufman looked too good to pass up. I'd love to see the inside of it some day....

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Greenville Train Depot

This is a photo of the Greenville, Texas train station - aka the Katy Depot. This is located right off the downtown area of Greenville and currently houses a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs...

Friday, January 18, 2008

Holly Berry?


I'm not sure exactly what kind of hedge this is in my front yard, but it gets some brilliant red berries in the winter like a holly. It seems to be an evergreen that keeps its leaves through the winter. I was practicing a closeup shot so I can be prepared for spring when all the flowers start blooming....

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Dr Pepper Bottling Plant - Greenville Texas

This is a photo of an old Dr Pepper bottling plant just off the old downtown area of Greenville, Texas. Dr pepper closed it years ago and it was later turned into a residence. When I was in college around 1989, I went inside this house with another friend who knew the family that lived there. It was beautiful inside - I went in at Christmas time and they had a christmas tree on one whole wall made out of glass bricks that had lights strung all through it - it was really amazing. If you look closely, you can see a small Dr Pepper sign in the center front window.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Terrell Chapel by the Tracks


Terrell has a ton of churches around town for its size, and today's photo is of a local biker group's Chapel by the Tracks. The group occupies a series of small buildings near the railroad tracks right off the historic downtown area of Terrell. On weekends you can often get a view of hundreds of cool motorcycles in their parking lot when the group all gets together. Sundays you can also find those early bird bikers (holy rollers, if you will) attending church in the small chapel.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Texan Theater Greenville Texas


This is a sign from an old movie theater in the historic part of downtown Greenville, Texas. Greenville is located about 30 miles north of Terrell off highway 34 and I-30.
There seem to be quite a few 'Texas' or 'Texan' theaters in Texas - is this common in other states? I could imagine a 'Californian' or a 'Virginian' theater, but it doesn't seem to work well for other states... The 'Missourian'? or the Rhode Islandian? what about the Louisianaian theater....

Monday, January 14, 2008

Cowboys Monday


This photo goes out to the spirits of all the Cowboys fans today... I missed the game, but I can imagine that there will be lots of talk about how Jessica Simpson messed up Tony Romo's game by going to Mexico with him last weekend....

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Texas Longhorns


This fella looks like he could do some damage with those horns. I got about as close as I could, but could see him checking me out of the corner of his eye....

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Buford Drug Sign


This is a neon sign leftover from the original business, which was located in the old downtown area of Terrell. Buford is long gone now, and a tanning salon occupies the building. They've kept the original sign, which I'd love to see lit up some day.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Fujitsu Hedge


This is a picture taken near my workplace in Plano, Texas. This is the entrance to the Fujitsu Corporation facility... I like how they've shaped the hedges to spell out their company name. This was located in the middle of some freshly planted petunias.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

First Baptist Church Terrell


Today's photo shows one of the beautiful stained glass windows in the First Baptist Church in Terrell. The church is located on the corners of Brin and Catherine streets and Brin and Frances (they have the whole block). The church was started in the 1870s, and has been housed in several buildings since then. The windows were originally part of one of the earlier church buildings built in 1905, and were later installed in the newer sanctuary built in the 1950s. A history of the building and church can be found here.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Southland Athletic Building at night



This is a photo of the Southland athletic corporation building located near the historic downtown area of Terrell. I'd love to see the inside of it someday... I think the night photo makes it look a little eerie... it's been empty the 11 years that I've lived in Terrell.
Update: although the building appears empty, a commenter has corrected me to let us know that this building is still in operation and houses the knitting mill. The main manufacturing building is located directly behind this one.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

The Beer Barn Drive-Thru



Now this is my kind of drive-thru. I'm not sure if I've seen these in many places other than Texas. It's a quick way to pick up your six pack and smokes on the way home and never leave your car...

Monday, January 7, 2008

Terrell Heritage Museum




This is an old building located right in the downtown area of Terrell. It was once a library, a Carnegie library, and now houses the Terrell Heritage Society and a museum of the area's history.
My friend's blog Terrell Daily Photo has some really great shots of this building. The banner photo on his page is amazing...

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Hippy Xpress



I don't think this is anything like a Holiday Inn Express... but have always thought the name was kinda funny.

Welcome to Terrell Texas




This is the city limit sign in Terrell as seen coming in from the north on highway 34. I moved to Terrell about 11 years ago and I don't think the signs have been changed since I arrived. The population has always said right around 13,000 - but honestly I think it's grown since then.

If you've reached this site thru a link, you're not on the most current post! Please click on the banner photo at the top of this page to go to the post for today!

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Texas - The Lone Star state





Since the theme of the site is Texas, and I like the 'kaleidoscope' feature on my editing software - here is one of my latest creations that reminds me of the Lone Star State. This photo is actually a replica of the arc de Triumphe located at the Paris hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

First Photo of 2008


My friend has inspired me to start a photo blog for the new year to document places I go and see... and to brush up on my photography and editing skills. I'll be posting both normal photos and some that I play around with in editing software.
Here's a link to his site where he's been posting since mid-2007 and he really has some great photos. Take a look at the wonderful shots he selected as his favorite photos of last year.
Wish me luck on my new challenge - hopefully i'm not posting my second photo in nov/dec. =)