This week’s challenge is “Silence”…to me a tree standing alone in a field represents solitude, silence and even peace.
If you would like to see how others interpreted this week’s challenge go to The Daily Post.
We frequently take trips to West Texas to visit family. I enjoy stopping to take photos of abandon buildings, store fronts and houses.
This is a building in Tahoka Texas. 
It is an abandon grocery store. If you look closely at the weather worn painting on the side of the building you can make out, Piggly Wiggly. This is a grocery store chain mostly found in the south of the United States. I was actually surprised to learn that this chain still exists. I guess because I’ve never seen an open one.
On the opposite side of the building was a weather worn painting I really liked. 
I actually think the weathered look adds to the appearance of the painting.
To view more photos inspired by the word “weathered” visit The Daily Post.
See the gray rectangle toward the top of the building?
Yep…that’s a door.
I think it takes a special employee to clock in on time every day….when faced with this obstacle!!
If you like looking at doors, taking pictures of doors or climbing through doors…visit Norm 2.0 for Thursday Doors.
I’m really not sure why I didn’t post this photo six months ago. I took the picture with Thursday Doors in mind. I was vacationing in Chelem Yucatan, Mexico last December.
This is the front door to my friend’s house. Steve and Su had the door custom made out of “cedro” (cedar) by a local carpenter.
The gate was also custom made by a local welder.
Me and Tina relaxing on the front porch with Harley and Davis
If you love doors or just love looking at other people’s photos – visit Norm 2.0
Grand Prairie is one of many areas referred to as the mid-cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Recently I happened to be in Grand Prairie for work. As I drove down Main Street I noticed a marquee in the distance. I am always attracted to old theater marquees. And the Uptown Theater did not disappoint. Now that I know it exists I can’t wait to catch a show. 
The marquee caught my eye. But when I stopped to take a photo, I noticed the doors. 
The doors remind me of the movie house era, when tickets cost a quarter. (Not that I remember those days!)
If you enjoy doors…visit Norm 2.0
This week’s photo challenge is “textures.”
I’ve found myself attracted to brick walls lately. Not neat, smooth brick walls. But, old worn brick walls.
So here are a couple of the walls I’ve taken photos of over the past few months.
Tahoka Texas
Fort Worth Texas
Chelem Yucatan, Mexico
Okemah Oklahoma
To see a variety of textures visit The Daily Post…I’m sure not everyone is sharing wall photos!
She stretched her arm high above her head, stood on her tip-toes and begged her dad for a lollipop from the jar.
“Please Daddy, can I have one?”
Her dad looked down at the girl and smiled. “Of course, but first I have to finish my business.”
The lollipops were only one reason Teresa liked to run errands with her dad on Saturday morning. The bank, in the neighboring town, was so big and fancy. The counters were marble and everything shined. It was like one of those banks on TV. She fantasized about being the hero that stopped the bank robbers from getting away.
After the bank they would go to Lost Corner. The full-service gas station owned by her dad’s friend. While her dad and his buddies stood around and talked she would go play in the junk cars behind the building. With imagination as her co-pilot Teresa would have time to drive across the country and race around the Indianapolis Speedway, before she heard her dad call her name.
Teresa wasn’t sure what other errands her dad needed to run this Saturday morning, but she knew there would be adventure at every stop
Her dad hesitated before turning away from the teller’s window, he grasped the lollipop jar and lowered it to where Teresa could reach the candy of her choice. Chocolate Tootsie Pop….no other lollipop would do. She plucked the lollipop out of the jar and smiled at her dad. “Thank you.”
He placed his hand in the center of her back and guided her toward the exit. “Come on Sis, we have a lot to do today.”
This story inspired by The Daily Post – Daily Prompt: Lollipop
A tag line used in Austin Texas is, ‘Keep Austin Weird.” So when I read this week’s challenge from The Daily Post (Unusual) I immediately thought of some photos I took recently when I visited the south side of Austin.
Apparently someone with a unique eye has stapled stuffed animals, puzzle pieces and photos of people on telephone poles up and down a main street. And even more unusual…no one seems to mind. Its just more proof that Austin is proud of its weirdness.
I recently saw a post on Facebook that said: “The problem with the world today is that no one snaps green beans with grandma anymore.”
Maybe that’s true. I remember spending many hours each summer snapping beans, and shucking corn.
Both sets of grandparents had large gardens. Many weekends were spent helping them pick vegetables. As payment for the help, our family got a portion of the food. My mom and her mom would spend hot summer days canning every conceivable vegetable that would last our family through the winter months.
The garden memory that brings a smile to my face was picking ears of corn with my grandpa. As we sat in the backyard shucking the corn Nanny would be in the kitchen boiling the water for the corn and preparing the rest of dinner. I’m not sure I’ve tasted a fresher ear of corn.
As a child, I never enjoyed the work. But as an adult I certainly enjoy the memories. There are times when I can feel the clumps of dirt breaking between my fingers. I learned many lessons about family, hard work and the pride a family can experience when they provide for themselves from the soil of their own land.
Written in response to The Daily Post prompt: Soil
I recently ate at this restaurant in Austin Texas. Last week I posted the Restaurant’s sign on Cee’s Black & White Challenge.
As the door may indicate, it’s a funky little place – much like Austin. The restaurant caters to vegetarians and vegans. 
So, if you are ever in Austin Texas and happen to be a vegetarian or vegan, or someone that enjoys good food, head to the south side of the city and look for Bouldin Creek Cafe.
And…if you enjoy doors…look up Norm 2.0
Conversations Around the Tree 