Signs...Signs...

Another week.

Another chance to show off some of the rural areas around here,

and some interesting barns.

We recently took a ride on 

Fischer Store Road.

The name comes from just the way it sounds....

it goes to Fischer's store.

It's still a small community.

The store is still there, and there's Fischer Hall,

used as an event venue.

But first, we came upon this great building.

I'll call it a barn.  Not really sure if it is more than display area for some 

neat, old advertising signs.

It didn't hurt, that it had this great old

International truck.

What is it about old trucks, and people with cameras?

We do seem to like to take their portraits.

A little profile.

And, straight on.

That rust.

That lovely color of green.

Even without a bumper....she's a beauty.

You just never know what you'll find, driving along those back roads.

*******

I'm linking up with Tricia at

and Madge at

Be sure to visit them, for more rural fun.

Thanks for dropping by...

~~Linda~~

Showing It's Mettle.....

Well...in this case, it's more like

METAL.

In fact....TIN.

I'm not sure if this is a barn, or some kind of garage.

Most barns are closed on all sides.
This one was ready for driving equipment right in.

A bit overgrown.  So, I'm not sure it's still being used.

It served it's purpose for me....

it's barn-like and rural.

So, I'm linking up to
Tricia's

and Madge's

Be sure to visit them to see more.

Thanks for dropping by...
~~Linda~~

Limestone Country....

We have a lot of country roads around here.

Not much farming, on this side of the Interstate.

This is Hill Country.

There's a thin layer of clay, over LOTS of limestone.

There are some farms, though.

Several lavender farms have been doing pretty well around here.

Apparently, lavender does well on thin, arid soil.

And, vineyards.  Grapes like it here, too.

But, mostly you'll see ranches....cattle, goats....even Alpacas.

That's what this appears to be....a ranch of some sort.

There's a barn here.

See it peeking out back there?

But, this is why we turned around for a photo.

The old, falling down fence.

(We call these Coyote fences here...made from cedar limbs, wired together.)

The old cistern.

And, that great stone building.

Around here, you usually see a windmill beside a cistern.

But, looks like this is hooked up to power.

So, there must be a pump in there.

But, what was the building for?

The roof seems to be gone.  But, it looks like a nice size for something.

Wish I had it here.  I could certainly use it.

Oh, and that green at the top of the fence?
That's Prickly Pear Cactus.  They grow really well (too well?),
and really big here.

I'm linking up today with Tricia's 

And, Madge's

Be sure to visit them, for more rural beauties.

Thanks for dropping by... ~~Linda~~

Back Roads.....

Driving the back roads.  Looking for things to photograph.

We took advantage of a beautiful day, and took a ride into the countryside.

Lots of things to see.  It's a dry winter.  

Still chilly mornings.  But, the evergreen of the Live Oaks, and some winter grasses, 

brighten up the scene.

This is one of the barns we saw.  Still being used.

She hasn't had many coats of paint.  But, for photos, that's a good thing.

I played around with some textures...

I used Kim Klassen's 'Mary', from her Downton Collection.

Then, I added some border techniques from Pixlr.

The original

Different angles, and different perspectives.

Kinda like life.

We had a great time.  And, I'll be showing you more of our finds.

Photo hunts.

This could be the start of something big.

Thanks for dropping by...

~~Linda~~

I'm linking to:

and...

Old Stone Barn....

Whew!

Just getting in under the wire, for this week's 

Barn Charm.

I have no idea the age of this old barn.

It looks really old.  

Not many people build barns with stone, anymore.

Old barn  with Kim Klassen textures.

It looks like it has a new roof.  And, the fences are in good shape.

And, sometime there was a lean-to section added on the back....or, was that the front?

I'd like to see that other side....but, I'm not nervy enough to sneak through that

barbed wire fence.

Besides, the house is not too far away.  

View without texture

There looks like there are stables inside.  And, another add-on, too.

That's a pop-up greenhouse, inside the add-on.

Man...could I use that storage.

It's good to see a fine old barn, given good care.

Be sure to check out more barns at Tricia's

Thanks for dropping by...
~~Linda~~

Sunday Drive.....

We had a busy day yesterday...birthday lunches, visiting.
But, when things settled down, we decided to take a little drive, and look for barns.

Here, in Central Texas, we don't have harsh winters.  

We get a quick cold front, that will zap our plants.  

Then, it moves on and the weather is pretty mild.

Yesterday was almost hot.

So, most of the 'barns' around here are more lean-to type shelters.

More to keep feed and equipment sheltered, than for the livestock.

We tend to wear our patriotism....and, sometimes our politics...on our sleeve.

There's also this old Chevy truck, just sitting there decorating the place.

I think this one still works.  The tires don't look too bad.

This barn, and the truck sit beside a road we use quite often.

I've been meaning to stop for a photo for a long time.

Finally made myself do it.

Glad I did.

I'm linking up with Trisha at 

 

Go visit and see lots of great barns.
Thanks for dropping by... ~~Linda~~

Barn Charm....The First....

I've been 'lurking' over at
Bluff Area Daily
for Trisha's Barn Charm.
This week...I decided to join in.

The first week in December, we went to Kansas to visit our daughter.
Both grandkids at that house, have a birthday the same week.

Right on the highway to their town, we passed this farm.
There are LOTS of farms up there.

There was a reason to stop and take a photo.
TWO old gray barns.  AND, a great old truck.

The day was gray and chilly.  So, the photos came out that way, too.

And, I could be wrong.  But, I don't think they use this truck much.

Thanks for letting me play along on Barn Charm.

Be sure to visit Trisha at


to see more charming barns.

Thanks for dropping by...

~~Linda~~