Home on La Grange

[mrdreamjeans]

The new adventure continues. As I've mentioned, the drive to my new job is an 80-mile round trip commute. Last week's mileage was 762. It's not an urban commute with stressful conditions, it's a drive through rural communities, with views of lovely scenery. The facility I work for is in La Grange, Texas. La Grange gained some notoriety as the site of the Chicken Ranch of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" fame. The whorehouse was closed down in the early 70's.

For now, it's small town and smaller town living for me ... Brenham has 12,000 residents, La Grange - 3800. I thought I'd take us on a bit of a tour, the sights I see every morning and evening during my commute.


On the way to La Grange, I stopped for a visit in Round Top.
To my surprise, I met Mrs.Claus (she told me to call her Jamie).
Jamie promised to ask Santa for someone extra special for me:)


Later in the trip, I picked up gift baskets at a business
called The Jersey Barnyard. You guessed it, this yearling
is a "New Jersey". *rolling eyes*


Fayette County Courthouse in the Winter Sun
High temperature today was 74 degrees


The La Grange Chamber of Commerce
occupies an historic building right off of
the Courthouse Square


Ummm .. Windmills of My Mind? :)
In the yard of the Chamber Building


The Historic Hermes Mansion. The Hermes family donated
the land for the nursing and rehabilitation center where
I work. The landmark-designated home is a block away.


Merchants aren't shy about capitalizing on the Chicken Ranch.
It isn't unusual to see a business like a hair salon called
The Best Little Hairhouse in Texas:)


Returning home .. This is the 2007 version of my Christmas tree.
Southwest colors .... Happy Holidays, Ya'll!!

Comments

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

Fascinating pics. Thanks for a glimpse in to your world!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Rob! I'm trying to capture a time and place that feels both foreign and familiar to me.

Just wanted to say how much I look forward to your photos each day ... We've never met, but I feel like I know you. Your artistic vision, your images, make me feel very close to Merion and you. So, thanks for sharing your work. It helped get me through this year.

Now my new work takes me through a part of rural Texas, similar in some ways to the landscapes you explore. I aspire to do the same kind of justice to my world of small towns, good people and everchanging vistas.

Glad to hear that you're in the holiday spirit:)

HUGS!

[pbehr.livejournal.com]

Small-town Texas is a foreign landscape and townscape for me, so I find the pictures really interesting. More please. :-)

[dennisatl.livejournal.com]

Small-town Texas looks like "Home" to me.
I don't dream of White Christmas, I dream of a little swirling dust in the air-74degree-go to the farm and ride horses w/ cousins Christmases.
We still have the turkey&dressing on the day, but for 26th we always have chili!
Thanks for the visual Christmas card MrDJ!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

If you were in Central Texas today, that's exactly what you would get. High of 75 today, before a cold weekend. Though as far as food goes for the holiday dinner, I'd skip the turkey & dressing and go right for the chili! :)

We used to go ride after we opened presents on Christmas morning, but alas, our horses are 34 and 29 years old and long past their riding years ... I'll be posting more photos of the landscapes I pass each day .... Wishing you a Merry Texas Christmas!

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Please, don't encourage me! LOL! Ok .. Encourage me!! :)

I have more photos to follow ... There is no budget for artwork in my facility and what's on the walls is from the 1970's and 80's .. Ted, my administrator, also loves photography, so we are going to try to capture enduring images of the community and showcase them in the home. We feel like the residents will be comforted and pleased by photos of the familiar around them.

HUGS! Happy Holidays, my friend!

[bear-left.livejournal.com]

Great to look through all these pictures. Mrs. Claus seems quite jolly! I would stay away from the New Jersey's exits, though ;)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I know better than to get behind a new Jersey:) There's a potential kick! LOL!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I always find it amazing to see the grandeur of the limestone structures in small Texas towns that are county seats. The one in the photo was built in the 1890's. I have a feeling that the Chamber building was once the county jail.

You'll be in my thoughts in this holiday season. Hope your card reached you.

Big HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!! Now to meet you in person one of these days! :)

[macduff131.livejournal.com]

your tree looks like ours! if we had anything to put on it besides 1 strand of lights and 1 candy cane. LOL

happy christmas, fella. =)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Hon, I am the decorator of all time. Now, the challenge has been issued. I will help you complete a theme for next year's tree:)

We need to chat again soon! Perhaps, during the holidays. HUGS!

[musicbearmn.livejournal.com]

delightful....all warm and cozy.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Dan! I really enjoyed our phone chat the other night! I'm really proud of your professional successes this year and how devoted you are to your mom's quality of life. Kudos and applause! Please give Keith a great big hug from me!

fetching pix

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

of you.

Happy xmas, Nelly! :-)

OMG, I just realized that that nickname is remotely in tune with this job!

Re: fetching pix

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

*rolling eyes* ... Thanks, I think:)

Re: fetching pix

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

sorry had to cut conversation short last night. I'll call again soon to pick up where we left off. Enjoyed it!


Thanks for your Xmas card! Mine's on its way.


HAPPY HAPPY XMAS, my dear!!! NY is beginning to feel like Noel! Will write a few posts on it and other things if time allows.

Re: fetching pix

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Once I was awake, I got awfully chatty:) I didn't realize that Fernando was there. You and I got going ... LOL!

Thanks for the greetings, my friend! I am so happy for each and every one of your successes in NYC!

HUGS!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

Loved the pics! easy to see what a picturesque commute you must have - a blessing.
And, my but that Stetson certainly brings out the handsome Texan in my favorite Aggie ;0)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

*blush* Thank you, kind sir!