Thursday Doors – Page 2 – That… Which Matters Most

Thursday Doors — Bosque County Courthouse

AS I mentioned in my preview yesterday, I spotted the Bosque County Courthouse several times driving west on Highway 6. It’s not actually on Highway 6, but down the road a few miles. The boys and I drover over on Tuesday and had a blast exploring the courthouse.

This is part of Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge.

At this point, I was wondering if the building was open. Since I usually shoot on the weekends, most buildings are closed. To our delight, we saw that it was.

The courthouse was built in 1886 and refurbished in 2007. The deputy sheriff we spoke with inside said they took great pains to keep the building as original as possible.

I was really grateful they had the clock tower on the perimeter of the building instead of in the center. This came out a bit Gothic. Heidi said all we needed were some bats to circle the tower.

Andy brought his drone with him, and wanted to make sure it was OK to fly it around the courthouse. I told him to go inside and ask. After walking all around the building, the boys still had not come out. So I ventured inside and found a lot more to shoot.

These were the doors into the men’s bathroom. Yup. It used to be a vault.

The deputy sheriff told us they went to a lot of trouble to keep the original hinges.

The stairs were manufactured in Detroit.

The company that made the stairs.

Looking up the stairs at the courtroom doors. No, I didn’t go inside the courtroom.

Andy and Joey.

The Reason — A Preview of the Next Thursday Doors

Seeing this building while driving across the Texas countryside is the reason we went to Meridian, TX. See the full edition of Thursday Doors tomorrow.

Thursday Doors — Calvert, TX Part 8

Most of these doors were not on the main street of Calvert, but along the railroad track where we found the 1950 Studebaker (see below). I liked the ruggedness of these doors.

This is another edition of Dan’s Thursday Doors. Please follow the link and check out his doors.

Here are the earlier Calvert posts:

1950 Studebaker Champion. I know, I snuck in another Calvert post! This one is the 7th, in case you were counting.

Thursday Doors — Calvert, TX Part 6.

Thursday Doors — Calvert, TX Part 5. The point at which I realized I had a series.

Monochrome Monday: Calvert Oddities. I really love the B&W of the motorcycle through the window. It’s become one of my favorites.

Thursday Doors: On the Edge of Town.

Death of a Washer

Thursday Doors: Saturday Edition — Wash Out I love the way these were washed out. Still haven’t figured out how that happened.

The Doors

Clearly my favorite door from this collection. It looks like a lot of doors should look, well made, and able to keep people out when necessary.

This is a camouflage door. Not all that easy to see.

This is one of those doors that says, “We don’t let you in or out!”

A closer look.

J ADOU? Strange name for a building. But then again, they don’t want us coming in or getting out. So maybe we will just leave them alone.

And finally, a pleasant and inviting door.

Thursday Doors — Calvert, TX Part 6

Ah yes, the great series on Calvert’s doors continues. Who knew that such a small town, 1,116 people (according to City-Data.com), could produce so many doors? But then again, that’s why I always wanted to stop.

Thursday Doors — Calvert, TX Part 5. The point at which I realized I had a series.

Monochrome Monday: Calvert Oddities. I really love the B&W of the motorcycle through the window. It’s become one of my favorites.

Thursday Doors: On the Edge of Town.

Death of a Washer

Thursday Doors: Saturday Edition — Wash Out I love the way these were washed out. Still haven’t figured out how that happened.

This is part of Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge! See more doors there.

High security measures…

Thursday Doors — Calvert, TX Part 5

Once again, Thursday Doors is coming from the grand metropolis of Calvert, TX. This is the fifth installment, and I hope you are not getting bored with it. For two months, the pictures did nothing for me and I almost dumped them all. I did dump some of them. Suddenly, last week, I liked what I saw.

Here are the other posts from Calvert:

Monochrome Monday: Calvert Oddities. I really love the B&W of the motorcycle through the window. It’s become one of my favorites.

Thursday Doors: On the Edge of Town.

Death of a Washer

Thursday Doors: Saturday Edition — Wash Out I love the way these were washed out. Still haven’t figured out how that happened.

Even with all the photos, I keep thinking I should have spent more time there. But I think that upon any shoot. These are all part of Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge. Go there and give the other a look.

I really like this one because you can also see a set of doors across the street reflected in the window.

Here are some of the contents of the store, to which I like to say: “for those who like this sort of junk, this is the sort of junk you will like.” I’m borrowing that from Abraham Lincoln. He wasn’t big on knick knack antiques either. (Go here for the quote).

Again, you can see the red doors across the street.

We have both a “Open” and “Sorry we are Closed” sign. It was closed.

For those people who need a sign letting them know that they are home.

Another growing picture. It had to grow on me. I love the texture of the brick and plaster, as well as the multiple shapes of the windows and frames. My wife pointed out that the bricks make the shape of the United States, and the blue down in the right hand corner look like Australia.

Thursday Doors — La Salle Hotel Courtyard

For the record, this is my third attempt at putting together a Thursday Doors for February 3. The first two, ended up in the trash. I’m finding more and more lately, that if a photo doesn’t grab me, even if it is of a door, I dump it. I guess I’m becoming more discriminating in my tastes concerning my posts. Considering yesterday’s attempt at humor… probably a good thing.

The following is from downtown Bryan, and this is my last installment from that adventure. I may have a few stragglers for other things, but nothing else jumps out at me.

This is the La Salle Hotel courtyard. I’ve never heard of the La Salle, but it looks like a nice place to stay according to their web site. I do like their courtyard, and while I don’t have any particular door to share, the archway will have to do.

This is my installment for Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge.

Thursday Doors — St. Andrew’s Episcopal

St. Andrew’s Episcopal in Bryan, Tx. I love the name St. Andrew’s for a church, but prefer it be fixed to a Presbyterian church, not Episcopalian.

Interesting bit of history that I discovered recently between the Episcopalians of England, and the Presbyterians of Scotland, is that they hated each other. The Presbyterians so hated the Church of England and the common prayer book, that they developed a philosophy of worship using what was called the regulative principle of worship that said anything not actually prescribed directly for worship is forbidden. This led them to dispense with instruments in worship, as well as hymns, and other elements of worship. To the Scots, if it looked or smelled of the Church of England, it was definitely forbidden.

I actually believe that Calvin had a better view of worship than the Scots.

These photos are a part of Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge.

Thursday Doors — Corner of Time

After watching the Texas Aggies play football at Kyle Field back in November, the boys and I stopped in downtown Bryan, TX, for some ice cream. We found a place called Corner of Time, … on the corner.

This post is part of Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge.

Made by hand. We didn’t try it.

I appreciate the instructions. It was, after all, in Aggieland.

He has a real thirst.

Not sure who would like such ghastly objects.

They didn’t serve it. Just advertised it.

The ice cream bar.

Thursday Doors: Dolli’s Dinner

Heidi and I parked with the intentions of eating at Dolli’s Dinner on the square in Nacogdoches. But we didn’t. Given that our diet is restricted, Dolli’s didn’t offer anything we could eat. Not that we didn’t want to eat there. But we knew that if we did… our weight would go up. It was that kind of cuisine.

I loved the square. The city leaders kept the brick roads instead of paving over them like so many cities did, and it adds to the charm.

City Hall. But you can see that.

Nacogdoches’ existence relies on Stephen F. Austin State University. As anyone in a college town knows, it’s a cash cow for local breweries, eateries, and the like.

This post is a part of Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge.

Thursday Doors — 2021 Favorites

The Thursday Doors challenge for the week is to share with everyone the photos from the challenge that are our favorites. Below are 9 selections that rise to that level.

You can check out the favorites of the other contestants at Dan’s Thursday Doors. I believe the challenge is on holiday until after the first of the year. I have plenty in the queue waiting to be posted, and I’m looking forward to another year of taking pictures of doors, and everything else.

Thursday Doors: Saturday Edition — Wash Out

I still haven’t figured out why these photos came out the way they did. I’ve looked at the info section of the photos, and it all seems normal. After I adjusted them a bit in the editor, I ended up really liking them.

I was going to use them for a future Thursday Doors, but alas, I already have about 10 Thursday Doors in the queue ready to go. So here it is early, a bonus Saturday edition.

This is Frank. We caught him coming out of one of the stores in Calvert, TX, and asked why all the businesses were closed. I was worried the town was drying up. He reminded us that it was Monday. Every one closes up shop on Monday. It was good to know.

“Historic Shopping District.” Translation = lots of junk you don’t need.

Thursday Doors: Holiday Edition

Merry Christmas! Dan gave us the Holiday theme for this edition of Thursday doors, and I thought I would do Christmas for my holiday of choice. It wasn’t an easy decision. Kwanza ran a close second (tongue in cheek).

The real reason to celebrate Christmas is the reminder of the Advent of Christ. The word advent means the coming or arrival of something important. I know of one pastor that has made the case for the actual beginning of creation as the first advent. In other words, when Christ spoke those words “let their be light” this was the actual first advent of Christ.

We know that He is the One who spoke from passages like John 1:1-4, and Colossians 1:16. In both passages, we discover Christ’s role in creation. The Father decrees. The Son Speaks. The Spirit moves.

This Triune activity is reflected in our own salvation. The Father decrees the elect before the foundations of the world. The Son speaks to us, calling us to be His. The Spirit moves in our heart, giving us the ability, will, and desire to believe in Him for salvation. When this takes place, we have experienced another advent of Christ. He came to us, spoke to us (usually through the means of a fallen-human preacher proclaiming the word of God), and we respond in faith because we are the sheep of His pasture.

Yet, the advent we celebrate now is more grand because it reminds us that the One who spoke in the beginning, actually came and dwelt among us. He took on human flesh. He humbled Himself, laying aside His glory and the glory of heaven, to come and redeem those whom the Father elected. How wonderful. Our Creator came to redeem us.

This is why Christmas is to be celebrated. It is a time of joy. Our Creator didn’t leave us to our own devices, but came to redeem us, set up His kingdom and rule over all that He has made. Let us trust in the King of kings, the LORD of lords, the One who spoke in the beginning and spoke to us again during His earthly ministry, and spoke to us again to make us His own. With this in view, we can truly say, Merry Christmas!

Here is my submission for Dan’s Thursday Doors Holiday Edition.

Not necessarily a Christmas theme, but a really neat sign.

Christmas without toy trains? Not possible.

For some, all you need is that one Christmas decoration to make it complete.

The Christmas pulpit.

Happy St. Nicholas.

Thursday Doors: Brick Streets and Tall Steeples

I once loved church buildings. Not so much any more. I have reasons for this dislike. A lot of it has to do with the fact that once you build a magnificent building, even though you did so for the glory of God, the building becomes the center of focus, instead of God. Just look at the countless, beautiful buildings around the country in which the gospel is no longer preached, but the building is preserved.

You don’t have to look far.

However, given that, here is my Thursday Doors entry for the week. I took these shots in Nacogdoches, TX, on a recent excursion with my wife. I love the brick roads and the placement of church. Now, if I could just get the shots without all those power lines.

This is part of Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge. Be sure to check out his page and follow the links in the comments section of his page for others around the globe who joined the challenge. There really are a lot of beautiful and interesting doors around the world.

Thursday Doors: Before and After — The Model Mill Co. Building

This is a Thursday Doors that was 3 years in the making… Someone bought the Model Mill Co. Building and started refurbishing it in 2018, and I had to walk through it taking pictures. Now, most people wouldn’t have the nerve to go on a construction site without permission. But having worked in construction before where I had to go on job sites, and into office buildings all the time to do my job, if you act like you are supposed to be there, very few people will ever question you. Especially if you have a camera and you are taking pictures of the construction (part of my job in construction).

I walked in and kept snapping back in 2018. Funny thing happened. I pointed it in the direction of the construction workers, and they all scrambled to get out of the shot. I wondered: were some of them illegals and convicts on the crew? Hhm? They wanted nothing to do with me, so I made myself at home.

I’ve shared some of those photos below in the Before section, with the new ones in After section. I took the After pictures this past summer. Yes, there are a few doors, but more non-doors, or not-yet doors than doors.

This is part of Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge. Be sure to check out his site, and the sites of others who are playing by looking for links in the comments section.

The Before!

The After

This is a use-to-be door.

The reception area of one of the offices. The receptionist was really nice. Walked in, introduced myself, told her what I wanted to do, and she let me take a few pictures of the office.

Another use-to-be door.

Thursday Doors: Oakwood Outfitters

A few interesting doors… Oakwood Outfitters in Oakwood, TX. This was my first opportunity to take some photos of some doors in about 2 months. Not the most special doors, but it was a relief finding something not normal. I loved the building and the Christmas decorations. You might say they are Texas-sized decoration. Not sure how big the tree would have to be to hang these decorations. But I imagine, quite elephantine.

This post is part of Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge.

Thursday Doors — The Big House

It was the late 1960s when my family moved to 13158 Kimberley Drive in Houston, Tx. After moving from a small, 3-bedroom house on Richmond Avenue, the Kimberley home as an absolute mansion to my 7-year-old mind. On top of that, I had my own room. It’s the one above the door.

It was surreal, and I can remember thinking that somehow we didn’t belong there. But it was my home for 5 years. I think what is hard for me to fathom, is that I lived in this house longer than I’ve lived in any other since then. A few places, I lived for 4 years, but never any one place longer than that.

Maybe one day I will find a more permanent home. I know it is one of my desires, but we will have to see what the LORD brings.

UPDATE: A friend asked me more about the house, and I wrote him the following:

Yes, it was. A huge den with a fireplace, a study where my Dad worked, a living room with a player grand piano, marble floors throughout the first floor, five bedrooms, full master bedroom with its own bathroom, carport and full garage with a shop.

It was the biggest house in the neighborhood and was built by the builder of the neighborhood for his family. Dad paid $50,000 for it in 1968. Five years later my mother sold it for $275,000. Who knows what it’s worth now.

Overall it’s been a curse to my brothers and me. It gave us unrealistic expectations for life. A few of us no longer struggle with that. Well, I don’t. Ministry took care of that.

That last paragraphs stresses the reality that the material blessings we have, are also curses if not viewed through the proper lens. As Augur prays to the LORD in the Old Testament: Give me neither great wealth, lest a forget You, or great poverty, lest I profane You (Timothy translation: from memory.)