Photographic Interlude: Ah, History

Thanks so much for all of your support; I cannot reply to comments right now, but I read and value each and every one of them. I really do miss telling y’all about the wonderful books I’ve been reading…April was a marvelous month for that. I’m still trying to working out a way to blog regularly but lessen the physical impact of typing. I’m determined not to let fibro take my blog from me. :) In the meantime, here’s another Texas photo post. -Eva

I love old things: old clothes, old books, old buildings. I love objects that have a sense of history, that connect me to people who forged lives in a world I can only imagine. I find the layers and depth that come only from age deeply appealing in a way something shiny and new could never live up to. Lucky for me, I have a mother who shares that love. And inevitably, when we have a day to spend together, just the two of us, we seek out places in our city that carry that magic. Which is how yesterday, I found myself following in the footsteps of eighteenth century Texan Coahuiltecan Indians and the Spanish Franciscan missionaries who longed to convert them.

They found beauty in difficult times, covering their church and buildings with frescoes, including this mustachioed sun on a ceiling:

In addition to being a historical site, this is still an active Catholic parish. Crosses adorn the church’s roofline:

The decor ranges from original fresco sketches to more recent, heavy statues:

The paraphernalia of the modern church contrasts with the old walls:

And in a shady grotto, Our Lady of Guadalupe waits for petitioners, as she has for hundreds of years:

Sometimes, those petitioners are distinctly reptilian:

It was a lovely place to spend a lovely afternoon, wandering and dreaming and resting in the shade. It’s also free to visit, and dogs are allowed on the grounds (but not inside the church), so I’m already planning my return.