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2026 Thursday Doors: January 29

Beach Bar

On our last full day in Myrtle Beach, Coleman and I walked a short distance along Ocean Boulevard. Instead of trying to jump over or walk through a crevice of water to reach the side of the beach with the 2nd Avenue Pier, we walked around it.

While we were walking along the sidewalk close to the sand, we noticed this building across the street. What drew my attention to it was the public artwork on the front of the building.

Beach Bar

The Beach Bar is a casual oceanfront bar located on the Boardwalk in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is known for its lively atmosphere, specialty drinks, and beautiful ocean views. It has outdoor seating, however, we didn’t see it from our viewpoint. [Before you even question it, no I did not take Coleman inside.]

Beach Bar
211 S Ocean Blvd,
Myrtle Beach, SC

The artwork on the building is bright and draws attention to the bar with its captivating surfing scenery.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors – 2026.01.29

Natalie’s Public Art Photo Challenge-2026.01.29

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Beach Bar; 211 S Ocean Blvd,
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Take an Adventure. Capture the Beauty, the Ordinary, or whatever captures your eye. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

Silent Sunday: 08.24.2025

Shore Acres Lily Pond
Shore Acres State Park
Coos Bay, Oregon

Silent Sunday

Photo Credit:©️2025 Dave Schmitt … All Rights Reserved.

Location: Shore Acres Lily Pond; Shore Acres State Park; Coos Bay, Oregon, USA

God Bless. Have a fabulous day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

Freight Rapidly Zooming Around the Bend

Early Morning Freight Train

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Video: Created with Google Photos Highlight Video Editor

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Keep on Rolling and keep on keeping on. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my Which Ways entries:

Whether traveling by car or hiking on foot there are times we run across storms and/or clouds in our pathways/roadways. These are a few examples of what we have endured in our adventures.

US 321
Blowing Rock, NC
October 9, 2017

US 321
Blowing Rock, NC
October 9, 2017

NC State Hwy 74
Charlotte, NC

September 16, 2024

W. Wilkinson Blvd
Cramerton, NC
September 26, 2024

Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us. 

For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.

TGeriatrix’s From Spain to Portugal

Brian’s Arrows (point the way)

Dawn’s Which Way: Down Dunlap Creek

Pepper’s Off to an Adventure

Sandy’s A Path Through Luscious Color

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP): Wednesday-Downpour

Photo Credit:©️2017-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhones 7 Plus; 14 Pro Max; and 16 Pro Max

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Note: Next week we will be looking at Any Which Ways with People.

Featured

2025 Flower of the Day: 22.08

Helleborus orientalis

Helleborus orientalis
Aka Lenten rose

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … AlL Rights Reserved

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm lens

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (now called Daniel Stowe Conservancy); Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Admire the Flowers. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Monochrome Madness (MM) #41 — Movement

Monochrome Movement

at the Concert

This week Leanne is hosting the Monochrome Madness challenge. She has chosen a theme of Movement to spark our interest and inspire our creativity.

Here are my selections for the challenge …

We arrive at the Town’s concert early not just to obtain our choice seats, but also to allow Coleman to run around with friends and burn off excess excitement and energy prior to the start of the concert events.

Coleman Rolling
on the Grass
SS 1/800s

Coleman enjoys rolling down the slight hill in our Centennial Center Park.

Coleman hopping
on One Foot
SS 1/320s

He was challenging a friend to hop on one foot and she was trying to show him how to do cartwheels. They had a fun time playing together last Friday evening.

Before long it was time for the Rick Hubbard’s Kazoobie Kazoo Kids Show. Rick was an outstanding guest musician entertaining the audience and involving the kids in attendance in his show. Here he is playing both a banjo and a Kazoo while entertaining everyone in attendance.

Rick Hubbard
Kazoobie Kazoo
Kids Show

SS 1/320s

The second event for the evening was a Concert by the Caleb Davis Band. Prior to any show the band warms up making sure their sound system is working properly and their instruments are properly tuned and ready for the show.

Caleb Davis Band S
S 1/347s

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #41-Movement

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.

Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Thursday Doors: 21 August

Ritva at
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Police Polaris

Cramerton Police Off-Road
Law Enforcement Vehicle

The Cramerton Police Department operates many different types of vehicles to maintain order in the Cramerton area. Besides Police cars, SUV’s and a Police boat; it also operates a Polaris Government and Defense vehicle which delivers performance and reliability for mission-driven demands regardless of what the need or terrain might be.

The Polaris off-road defense vehicle helps our Cramerton Police Department to protect our town and its residents safe. It is fully equipped with sirens, emergency lighting, and a PA system. The Polaris Police Off-Road vehicle is able to go places where a regular police cruiser wouldn’t be able to and is an excellent addition to our Police Department, especially in a town surrounded by the South Fork Catawba River and several Greenways out trails.

The Police and the Polaris Police vehicle presence was highly visible out our Town Concert last weekend. The Policeman was kind enough to give some young curious Concert attendees a demonstration of the Polaris Police Off-Road vehicle and even allowed them to sit in the vehicle while he demonstrated all the vehicles amazing features. For his kindness I am eternally grateful. (If you look closely, Coleman is seated in the driver’s side of the vehicle.)

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 08.21.2025

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.

Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Have a fantastic weekend. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way ChallengeThis week the Which Ways will be CWWC: Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 LAPC #361- LOOKING BACK TO #20: 2023 DOORS

Looking Back

to Past

Artistic Doors

Sofia Alves is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Challenge. The basis for her theme this week is Looking Back to the past #20-Doors and Doorways hosted by Tina.

I have chosen to Look Back to past doors I’ve photographed in 2023 at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. These are Artistic Doors painted by various local artists displayed with the Stowe Gardens.

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #361-Looking Back to #20-Doors

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm and EF75-300mm lenses

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 08.20

Nocturnal Visitor

Seen strewn across our
front porch posts
Crab spider

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday- 20 August 2025

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA  

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 CFFC: August 19th — Time of Day_Evening

Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. He is doing an amazing job guiding us with his theme prompts keeping this challenge alive. His theme for this week is Time of Day-Evening.

The selections I chose were all taken at a recent town concert from early evening to mid-evening in Cramerton, North Carolina. The Town held a Back to School Kids Show and Concert. I discussed the Kids Show in my Six Word Saturday post you can check out by clicking here. For this CFFC post I’m mainly sharing scenes from the Evening’s Concert featuring the Caleb Davis Band.

The Caleb Davis with the Caleb Davis Band has an impressive musical background and training. According to his Facebook profile Caleb plays a wide range of musical genres and toured as a sideman with numerous Country, Gospel, and R&B acts. Around 2009 he formed the Caleb Davis Band with his long-time friend Justin Morehead. They have been working to form their own signature sound and groove.

Coleman and I only managed to stay for the beginning portion of the Concert featuring the Caleb Davis Band. Even though their background information states that they play a wide range of genres, the music we heard the band playing lean more towards the heavy metal genre style of music. That style of music is definitely not what I consider my favourite genre of music. It was so loud and blaring Coleman was covering his ears, it was extremely difficult to listen. After leaving the concert, the volume was so loud we could still hear it from our house several blocks away. Their musical style may be fine for some who like that type of music, however, we will not be listening to it again.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Evening

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.

Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy the rest of your week. Hope to see y’all on Friday with the Which Way Challenge (CWWC). We will be discovering Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day for this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Numbers Game #86-208

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 206. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …

To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s  Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Here are my entries …

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Judy’s Numbers Game #86-208

Photo Credit:©️1979-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Flower of the Day: 19 August

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Queen’s crepe-myrtle
Lagerstroemia speciosa,
aka Pride of India

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take time to admire Nature’s Beauty. Smell the flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Monday Portrait: 08.18

American Green

Tree Frog

This American Green Tree Frog paid us a visit and chose to hang around for a while. It was to our surprise when we opened the front door and saw him looking at us looking at him. To him, it was the most natural thing in the world for him to hang around on our front storm door.

Dryophytes cinereus
aka American

green tree frog

The American Green Tree Frog is a common adaptable amphibian found in the Southeastern United States. [We had previously seen them in our yard blended in with the grass, but not usually hanging on our front door.] They are known for their bright green colour, large toe pads, and ability to change color based on temperature and activity.

The American Green Tree Frogs are often found near water sources like ponds, lakes, and marshes. [I know we live near a river and frogs are quite frequently spotted in the area, but on our door was unexpected.] They play a role in controlling insect populations. [This is always a good thing.]

These frogs eat small insects and other invertebrates like crickets, moths and flies. They can often be found clinging to windows or walls, trying to feed on insects that are attracted to light. [We learn something new everyday. Now we now that it is normal behavior for the Green Tree Frog to cling onto our storm door especially since it is a glass door.]

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Our Home; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Be kind. Love your Neighbour (even strange ones). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Monday Window — In the Neighbourhood

Kitty by a Window – 2
— AI creation by PR

Looking out over the Neighbourhood …

In the evening while observing the full moon in the sky I inadvertently captured the Neighbourhood windows across the street from us. It seemed like an amazingly picturesque scene.

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Sunday-Neighborhood

Cosmic Photo Challenge-As the Sun Goes Down

Monday Window 

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

Floral Macro Monday: 18.08.2025

Hibiscus moscheutos

Swamp rose mallow

Click on images for enlarged Viewing 

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday 

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters 

Camera:Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Sunday Stills: Wings and Feathers

Spreading Wings

And

Ruffled Feathers

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Wings and Feathers

Photo Credit:©️2015-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

God Bless. Have a fabulous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 OWS: 17 August — Litter

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace means to carry out what you bring in to nature. Minimize your impact on natural environments. Leave an area as pristine as possible (even better than you found it). The idea is to ensure that the next visitor would barely know anyone else had been there.

Not everyone practises Leave No Trace as is recommended. Too often when we go hiking on various trails, regardless of whether the trails are in Greenways, Local, State, or National Parks, people will leave Litter by the side of trails, amongst the trees, and around campsites.

Worrells Walk,
Carolina Thread Trail;
Seven Oaks Preserve;
Belmont, North Carolina

“Please Take Nothing
But Pictures
Leave Nothing
But Footprints

Quote Origin disputed – Chief Seattle or James Brewer, or National Geographic Society

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Litter

Photo Credit: ©️2023-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm and EF-S55-250mm lenses.

Location: As Stated in captions.

God Bless. Please be sure to Leave No Trace, no Litter left behind. Take only Pictures, kill nothing but time. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Silent Cell Pic Sunday: 08.17

Lake at
Andrew Jackson State Park

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday 

Silent Sunday 

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: AJSP Lake; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike. Enjoy all of God’s Beautiful Creations. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky —17 August

Early Morning

versus

Evening Skies

Early Morning:

Evening:

Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Weekend Sky

Weekend Sky

Photo Credit: ©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

Kazoombie Kazoo — Great American Kid Show

Cramerton’s Kids Show
& Concert Series

Rick Hubbard’s Great American Kid Show was the pre-show for Friday night’s Concert Series in Cramerton, North Carolina on August 15th.

Rick Hubbard has performed nationwide in country, rock, folk, and jazz bands. 
He’s performed across the USA as a stand-up comedian in clubs, colleges, and cruise ships. ‍
His family entertainment show, “The Kazoobie Kazoo Show” has appeared at festivals, events, theaters, and resorts, including Disney World, The Seattle International Children’s Festival,
and The Kennedy Center.

In this show every kid gets a chance to be on stage, and for the grand finale, everyone gets a free kazoo and joins Rick’s marching kazoo band. It’s Kazoobie!

It’s Kazoobie!
  1. Exceptional
  2. Fun
  3. Involving Everyone

Rick Hubbard puts on a show in Centennial Center entertaining kids and adults alike. He believes in KAOS. What does he mean by Kaos?

  • Kids
  • Appearing
  • On
  • Stage

Rick plays two guitars, a banjo, and a kazoo not all at the same time, but sometimes more than one at once. He is a talented entertainer who interacts effortlessly with his audience involving them in his show.

Cramerton’s kids being apart of his Great American Kids Show …

While Rick is entertaining kids and adult audiences he is also educating them in word meanings, guiding them through his music about being friends and following directions.

In the last part of this Rick Hubbard’s Great American Kids Show he informs everyone about what a Kazoo is, where it is made, and how best to play a Kazoo.

Every kid in attendance received a free Kazoo they could keep after playing them as part of the show’s Grand Finale Kazoo Band.

Click on images for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. No unauthorized use of any images are permitted without the express consent of the author (me).

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.

Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Enjoy the great outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Flower of the Day: 08.16

Sunflower

Sunflower

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

God Bless. Have a Sunshiny weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 SYD: August 15

Clare from Clare’s Cosmos invites everyone to join her in Sharing Your Desktop (SYD). Below are her suggestions for participating in the Share Your Desktop Challenge .

To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) you have set as your wallpaper; Provide as little or as much detail as you wish; Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun; Then finally, share the fun around.

I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature. 

Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:

From My HP Laptop:

Desktop Background Wallpaper

Coleman pointing
at a Small Acorn

Desktop Screensaver

Coleman playing in
Goat Island Playground

From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: 

Focus

Coleman at
New Hope Elementary
Open House
1st Grade

Personal Focus

Reading Focus

Coleman
leaning back
on a tree

Hiking Focus

Coleman Tree Climbing
Goat Island Park and Greenway

Click on each image for enlarged viewing. 

Clare’s Share Your Desktop-August

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.

God Bless. Having a Wonderful Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Your Choice

Cee’s Which Way Challenge
CWWC
Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way (Your Choice) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my Which Ways entries:

Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us. 

For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.

Brian from Bushboys World’s Shadows (show the way)

TGeriatrix from Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Which Way with shadows

Judy from Life Lessons’s For Deb’s Which Way Challenge with Shadows

Sandy from Out of My Write Mind’s Any Way Will Do Just Fine

Heidi from writestuff4u2c.com’s Shadows and/or silhouettes, Monochrome Madness #40 – Backlighting

Pepper from HeavensSunshine’s Deep Into a Tunnel

Dawn from The Day After’s Back Road Silhouette in BnW

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments . 

Locations: Disc Golf Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with e. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Floral Friday/FOTD: 08.15

Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge 

Photo Credit: ©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 16 Pro Max

God Bless. Have a terrific fun-filled weekend. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Thursday Doors: 14 August

Reed Gold Mine

State Historic Site

The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. The discovery of gold from this mine gradually influenced gold mining to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During the gold mining peak years, it was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California.

Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site
Reconstructed Building at

President James K. Polk
State Historic Site

The Reed Gold Mine is located in Midland, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark because of its importance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At this location there is an underground mine that is open for self-guided tours, historic structures, a visitor center, trails, monuments, and outdoor exhibits.

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 08.14.2025

Photo Credit:©️2014 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site; President James K. Polk State Historic Site; Pineville, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic weekend. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week the Which Ways will be your choice. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

Hi-ho, Hi-Ho … Off to School He Goes …

Monochrome Madness

Hi-ho, hi-ho, It’s off to school He goes.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, It’s off to the Bus-stop He goes.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, It’s off for the First day He goes.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, Waiting at the Bus-stop We Wait.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, And at the Bus-stop We Wait.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, We Wait and Wait …

Hi-ho, hi-ho, We Wait; Oh it’s coming … Bye Grandma.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Flower of the Day: 14 August

Coreopsis auriculata

Lobed tickseed,
aka Coreopsis auriculata,
is a low-growing,
herbaceous perennial native
to the southeastern United States.

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. No unauthorized use permitted.

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take time to smell the flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

Truck Driver’s “Assistant”

One-to-Three Challenge
One-to-Three
Photo Processing Challenge
August 2025

This morning a flatbed tractor trailer came to deliver a pallet of wood to the house across the road which is be renovated from the inside out. Coleman with his natural curiosity and helpful nature decided to investigate. When the truck driver was done with his delivery he began to toss straps across the flatbed trailer to tie down the rest of his load. As I stood watching, Coleman thought he needed some assistance and proceeded to cross the street and give his willing assistance in fastening the straps from the other side of the truck hooking them together as the driver instructed. The truck driver was polite and good natured willing to allow Coleman to assist him and show him kindness.

Original
Sepia toned
Black & White
Faded, color focused
with a slight splash of colour
Colour focused
with a splash of Blue,
& rim of Smoke effect &
a tweak of swirling

Guess I got carried away experimenting with a few effects for the image. I’m leaving y’all with a collage of Coleman being a good assistant.

Collage of Coleman
Assisting the Truck Driver

One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge-August 2025

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Photo Processing done with PS Express (Mobile version) & Pixlr

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 13 August

Raindrops on an Awning

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-13 August 2025

Photo Credit:©️2019 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA  

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Monday Portrait: 08.11

Robert Palone

Palone Barber Shop

Nowata Museum

Who was Robert Palone and Why is the Palone Barber Shop in a Museum? Those are two excellent questions. Let me begin by telling you about the Palone Barber Shop in relation to Robert Palone.

Robert Palone owned a Barber Shop where he was a renowned barber for nearly sixty (60) years. [That’s a long time to successfully run a business and work in a field.] He was admired and respected by his customers and his community. Prior to owning and operating a barber shop, Robert served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War.

Nowata Museum
Delaware, Oklahoma

Besides being a Barber and owning his own successful Barber Shop; Robert and his wife, Lorene (McKee) Palone owned and operated the Landers Brothers Grocery Store in Delaware, Oklahoma. Robert Palone and Lorene McKee were married on June 26, 1950. In 2020 they celebrated their seventieth (70) wedding anniversary, a milestone in and of itself. Robert passed away just two shirt months after their 70th anniversary. [Side Note: I was supposed to be able to meet them in person and join the family in their celebration, however, with the COVID-19 lockdown that occurrence didn’t happen.]

Lorene McKee Palone lived another four years after his passing. After which the Palone family donated everything you see in the second image which was once owned by Robert & Lorene and was used and contained within the Palone Barber Shop to the Nowata Museum. The Nowata Museum is run by the Nowata County Historical Society in Delaware, Oklahoma. Everything that was furnished by the Palone family was used to construct a new exhibit depicting a mid century barber shop.

Let’s now move on to who Robert Palone and his significance to me personally. Robert connects to me through his wife Lorene’s mother’s side of the family. Lorene’s mother was my maternal grandmother’s sister. Therefore, Lorene is my maternal cousin making us family and hence, making Robert my family as well. Do you understand now who Robert Palone is and his story’s importance to me?

Monday Portrait

Photos were given to me by the Palone family.

Location: Delaware, Oklahoma, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 CFFC: August 11th — Time of Day_Afternoon 

Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. He is doing an amazing job guiding us with his theme prompts keeping this challenge alive. His theme for this week is Time of Day-Afternoon. I am combining this week’s challenge with Sunny Sunday, Weekend Sky, Judy’s Numbers Game #85-207, and Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #275.

Let’s start off today by admiring our Sunday Afternoon Weekend Sky …

It was wonderful to enjoy an amazing afternoon with beautiful Skies after so many rainy days and with more rain expected.

Now on to capturing Coleman’s many antics and expressions as he meanders here and there through Goat Island Park and Greenway.

There is more to share of our adventurous Sunny Sunday afternoon, however, I’ll wait for Friday’s Which Way Challenge to share them. This Friday I am allowing y’all to choose your own Which Ways you’d like to share with us.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Time of Day_Afternoon

Sunny Sunday

Weekend Sky

Judy’s Numbers Game #85-207

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #275

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Monday Window —New Home Construction

Kitty by a Window – 2
— AI creation by PR

Good friends of our are having their dream home built from scratch, the ground up.

The front of the home

They have been monitoring the construction progress from the beginning being observant and taking note to ensure everything is being done to their satisfaction.

The Back of the House

It won’t be much longer, barring complications or inspection delays, before they’ll be able to move in and add their own finishing touches the inside of their new home.

The Side of the home

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Photo Credit:©️2025 Jim Elder … All Rights Reserved. 

Location: New Home Location; Elder Residence; Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA 

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 CosPhoChal Flora Macro Monday

Floral Macros

Click on images for enlarged Viewing 

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Close Up

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday 

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.

Location: Centennial Center; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 LAPC/Sunday Stills: August —Tan, Beige, and/or peachy shades with Lines, Colors & Patterns

This week I am combining the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge with Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge .

As Coleman and I walked through the woods and around the newly renovated playground at Goat Island Park and Greenway, I noticed all the lines and patterns in the equipment along with all the shades of tan, beige, and every shade of light brown imaginable.

Tan, Beige?, &
all sorts of
shades of light brown

The slide on this playground was once green, and very much broken after Hurricane Helene. It took months and months of waiting for a new slide to arrive and installation to be complete. The months and months of waiting due to delays upon delays was difficult and disappointing for the children (you know how impatient children of all ages can be). It doesn’t matter whether you call the new slide tan or beige or whatever floats your boat, it only matters that the children once again have a slide to play on.

Coleman
excited to be able
to slide down
the new slide.

Looking carefully at the slide and playground equipment one may notice all the curvy lines all forming patterns in various aspects of the equipment.

Leaving the playground for a short walk we encounter more tan, beige, & light brown as well as some interesting lines and patterns.

Can you see all the lines, patterns, and various shades of beige, tan, and light brown? This afternoon was a pleasant and delightful afternoon spent with Coleman and his exuberance.

Terri’s Sunday Stills: Monthly Colour Challenge -August_Tan, Beige, and/or peachy shades

Lens-Artists Challenge #359 – Tools of Photo Composition: Lines, Colors, and Patterns

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outside and enjoy the beauty in Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 OWS — Double the Trouble … Twice the Fun?

Not exactly Mirrored Image
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Twice the Froggin’ Good Time
Cozumel, Mexico
Double the Fun
with matching Canoes
Warlick Family YMCA
Double the Beauty
Lady’s Glove
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Double

Photo Credit:©️2020-2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

God Bless. Have a Doubly awesome day and week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 08.10

Throwback to 2017

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Remembering a fun family trip with my daughter and granddaughter to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. This upcoming week my granddaughter will turn twelve (12). These are memories from when she was four (4).

Alona
on an
elephant sculpture

Her mom and I took her down to Columbia, South Carolina to visit the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. It was a special time and memories I will always cherish. [She currently lives with her father & he does not allow her to visit with us even though there is a shared custody agreement.]

Alona enjoyed being able to pet the goats and other animals in the children’s petting area.

Alona
riding a Giraffe
on the
Merry-Go-Round

As well as the merry-go-round and all the amazing animals located within the Zoo.

Alona
on a
Gorilla sculpture

Every time we came near any of the animal sculptures she thought she had to go up and climb on them. It made for some interesting poses (or lack of posing).

Alona on
Happy the Tiger
in the
Riverbanks main plaza

After a long tiring day, we stopped at the entrance/exit area for one final photo opportunity before traveling back home through Great Falls, Lancaster, and finally to get home in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Columbia, South Carolina
with Alona

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2025.08.10

Throwback Thursday (on Sunday)

Photo Credit:©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden; Columbia, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Memories are precious. Treasure your memories. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Silent Sunday: 10 August

Beeutiful Calendula officinalis

The Garden in The Farm
at The Schiele Museum
of Natural History

Bombus impatiens
Common Eastern Bumblebee

on a Calendula officinalis

Silent Sunday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

 Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: The Garden in the Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stop and enjoy the Flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 A Welcoming Bench in a Garden

Roscoe Village

Memorial Garden

Looking back to a trip my daughter and I took to visit (meet in person) cousins from my mother’s side of the family in Coshocton, Ohio.

Memorial Garden
Roscoe Village
Coshocton, Ohio

There is an area in Coshocton known as the Historic Roscoe Village. The Historic Roscoe Village is an 1830 Restored Canal Town. Roscoe Village began as a small port town in 1816 after a bankrupt merchant bet that rural farmers would rather do business there than have to shell out 25 cents for the ferryboat to Coshocton.

Today, the restored Roscoe Village stands as a testament to Ohio’s bygone Canal era.

My daughter
relaxing on a
Welcoming Garden Bench

The Frances Montgomery Memorial Garden is one of nine gardens in Roscoe Village and is located near the Visitors’s Center. This Garden is dedicated to honor Mrs. Frances Montgomery and her passion for gardening. The Gardens are planted throughout this restored 1800’s canal town.

The flower beds were created in the early 1970’s by Frances Montgomery out of her love for gardening. Many of the gardens have historical significance and assist in the education mission of Roscoe Village.

Click images to enlarge.

Jude’s Bench Challenge 

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 32

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Commune with Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

One Little … Two Little Gliding Ducklings

Duckling in Gliding in Pond
Ducklings in COTC Pond

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Photo Credit:©️2012 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Motorola Photon MB855

Settings: f/2.6 • 1/909 & 1/769 • 4.73mm • ISO100

Location: Central Ohio Technical College (COTC); Newark, Ohio, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Flower of the Day: 08.08

Ampelaster carolinianus

Ampelaster carolinianus
Climbing Aster

Please click on image to enlarge.

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2021 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake Wylie, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stop and smell the flowers. Admire their beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Thursday Doors: 07 August

Moses Cone Carriage House

The Moses Cone Carriage House is a significant historical structure located within the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and just a short hike from the Cone Manor.

The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and the Moses Cone Carriage House is located near Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Moses Cone Carriage House

The Cone Carriage House was part of the expansive Flat Top Manor estate, built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone and his wife Bertha at the turn of the 20th century. 

The estate included the manor house, about 500 acres of farmland, Flat Top Mountain, Rich Mountain, and a vast system of carriage trails.

Carriage House

The Carriage House housed carriages and other equipment used to maintain the estate’s approximately 25 miles of carriage trails. The Carriage House has been preserved as a historical structure within the park, it might possibly be used for maintenance or interpretive exhibits related to the estate’s history.

Front of Carriage House

The Carriage House may not be a prominent visitor attraction on its own, however, it contributes to the overall historical and natural experience of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, which also includes the Flat Top Manor (the Cone’s former residence), orchards, lakes, and extensive carriage trails. 

Note: This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open for the public.

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 2025.08.07

Throwback Thursday

Photo Credit:©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus  

Location: Moses Cone Carriage House; Moses H. Cone Memorial Park; Milepost 294; Blue Ridge Parkway; Watauga County, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettes

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettes for this week’s theme. Shadows can be on any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my entries …

Coleman’s Shadows/Silhouettes

Coleman

Taken at Goat Island Park and Greenway at the end of the Riverlink Greenway Trail located in Cramerton, North Carolina.

Coleman’s arm
over his
Shadow/Silhouette

Trees and their Leaves Shadows

The above Shadows were captured at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Up And Down?

Brian from Bushboys World’s Lines (show the way)

Dawn from The Day After’s Way of the Fence Line

Pepper from HeavensSunshine’s A Straight and Crooked Path

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 3-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: As Stated Above

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a hike/walk in Nature. Admire Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Flower of the Day: 07 August

Silphium perfoliatum

Aka Cup plant, Cup-plant

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Photo Credit:©️2025 Mark Watson (my cousin) … All Rights Reserved.

Location: Ohio State Fair; Columbus, Ohio, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Brown in Nature

Look all around, there’s Brown everywhere you look out in nature. From the ground, to boardwalks, and even to the varying kinds of animals which roam around in the woods, in farms, and even in many greenways. Here are a few examples of Brown I have discovered.

Click on each image for enlarged views.

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Brown

Photo Credit:©️2019-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Explore Nature. Capture its Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 06 August

Hidden Between Green and Brown

Look 👀 Closely
to see who’s Hidden
at Andrew Jackson State Park

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-06 August 2025

Photo Credit:©️2019 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

Location: Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, South Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Numbers Game #84-206

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 206. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …

To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s  Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Here are my entries …

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Judy’s Numbers Game #84-206

Cee’s Flower of the Day 

Photo Credit:©️1968-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 CFFC: 28 July —Time of day_Morning …

Hike in the Mountains

Dan Antion is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week he is continuing with a perspective theme of Time of Day focusing on Morning.

We have had several thunderstorms this week, so therefore we haven’t been out and about much. Instead I’m reminiscing about a trip I took a few years ago with my oldest son for his birthday adventure. Since he wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was more than happy to ride along with him.

My entries for this week’s challenge are views from just one of our stops we sidetracked on during his Mountain adventure.

Taken at 10:54 am
(late morning) in 2017

Bluff Mountain Overlook is located at Milepost 243.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a popular destination along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bluff Mountain is visible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook. It offers breathtakingly spectacular views.

Foggy Morning
Mountain View

On a clear day, Bluff Mountain’s visibility is remarkably satisfying and amazingly delightful to gaze upon from the Overlook. At this point in our adventure clear visibility was not to be had, but that did not deter ills from looking around or venturing on a short hike along the Bluff Mountain Trail which is easily accessible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook.

Alligator Back

Bluff Mountain Trail  passes through grassy meadows and includes a challenging switchback ascent called Alligator BackAlligator Back is a short twenty (20) minute walk from Bluff Overlook.

The Predators

Until recently Predatory Birds and Mammals, those which preyed on other animals or were in conflict with humans, were termed “Varmints” and killed on sight. Fortunately, modern Ecology proves the vital interdependency of all wild plants and animals. Today Hawks and Owls, Black Bears, Bobcats, Foxes and Snakes continue to roam Parklands like this and help preserve the delicate balance of nature. [Informational notice on sign.]

Panoramic View from
Bluff Mountain Overlook

We hiked all around the overlook investigating the Predator area scenic views. To the right in the photo above and in the picture below is my eldest son, John. He is not normally into hiking, but he accommodated me in my thrill to explore the sights and perspective landscapes available to observe, explore, and admire.

My eldest son, John

As we drove further along the Blue Ridge Parkway our visibility improved dramatically unlike when we parked here at this location and the Air Bellows Overlook.

Air Bellows Overlook
 Parkway Milepost 236.9

Looking forward to checking out all your Morning Scenes. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week we’ll be including Shadows in our Which Ways. Interested in finding more details about the Which Way challenge click here.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Morning

Photo Credit:©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus Wide and Telephoto Cameras

Location: Bluff Mountain Overlook; Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Pull Up a Seat (Outdoor Dining)

THE GREEK GRILL

On a beautiful sunny summer day, who wants to eat indoors? Why not enjoy the beautiful weather and enjoy the delicious Greek Gyros at a dining table outside?

Outdoor Dining
The Greek Grill
Tega Cay, SC

That’s exactly what we did. We went inside, ordered our Greek Gyros with Grilled Veggies and went outside to enjoy our food under the shade of an umbrella in the beautiful sunshine.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 31

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Greek Grill; Tega Cay, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get out and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Monday Portrait: 08.04

Merino Sheep (At the Fair)

Merino Sheep
at the
Ohio State Fair

Click on each image for enlarged viewing 

Monday Portrait 

Photo Credit: ©️2025 Mark Watson … All Rights Reserved. 

Location: Brown Sheep Building; Ohio State Fair; Columbus, Ohio, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Featured

2025 Macro Monday: 08.04

Floral Macro

Yucca gloriosa

The Yucca gloriosa species is known by the common names moundlily yucca and soft-tipped yucca. The Yucca gloriosa is also known as Roman candle, candle yucca, palm lily, and Spanish needle.

Close-up
of the
Yucca Flowers

Yucca gloriosa is caulescent, usually with several stems arising from the base, the base thickening in adult specimens. The leaves are long narrow, straight and very stiff. [The tips of the leaves are extremely sharp to the touch.]

Yucca gloriosa
with Raindrops

The inflorescence is a panicle up to 2.5 m (8 ft) long, of bell-shaped white flowers, sometimes tinged purple or red. The fruit is a leathery, elongate berry up to 8 cm (3 in) long. [We have not seen or noticed the berries on the Yucca plant as of yet.]

Moundlily Yucca 
and 
Soft-tipped Yucca

The habitat for Yucca gloriosa is normally on exposed sand dunes along the coast and barrier islands of the lower East Coast of the United States. [There are two (2) of the Yucca gloriosa grown as ornament plants on our front lawn.]

Yucca gloriosa has been known to cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions upon contact. The leaf points are even sharp enough to break the skin.

Click on image for enlarged Viewing 

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday 

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 CFFC: Detailed/Abstract or Both

Dan Antion from No Facilities the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) has chosen to continue his themes dealing with this, that, or both. This week’s them is Detailed or Abstract or Both to finish up the “This, that, or both” series.

Let’s go slipping and sliding into Details and Abstraction …

Ready, Set, … Go
Sledding

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge-Detailed or Abstract or Both

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Telephoto; 2) Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: By the Railroad Tracks; S. Main St.; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a warm day filled with sunshine, love, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 RDP — Splendiferous Snow Sledding

Coleman & Riley

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Monday-Splendiferous

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: By the Railroad Tracks; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Be Safe. Be Courteous. Have a Splendiferous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window – 2026 February 02

Beach Bums

Kitty by a Window
– 2 — AI
creation by PR

Beach Bums is a chain of beach clothing stores providing an array of beach clothing and accessories to suit your lifestyle and needs.

Beach Bums

This Beach Bums location also rents Luxury Golf Carts to satisfy your desires to get around the beach area more proficiently. Whatever your beach needs might be Beach Bums has what you’re looking for to accommodate your needs or wants.

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Monday Window 

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Beach Bums; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Monday Portrait #5 —02 February

Green Iguana

Iguana iguana

Click Image to Enlarge

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Macro Monday — 02 February 2026

Osteospermum

Two Tone African Daisies

Click on image to enlarge. 

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour 

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2026 Donna Phillips … All Rights Reserved. 

Location: San Diego, California, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Last on the Card – January 31st

Brian from Bushboys World hosts a monthly challenge called Last On the CardHis rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating. 

Here are The rules:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do
4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments
5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard

Here are my contributions …

From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):

Photobombed by Coleman
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Winter Storm 2026 Icicles

Click on each image to enlarge. 

#Brian’s Last on the Card

God Bless. Enjoy your Winter/Summer days. Stay safe. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 01 February

Fresh Snow

Would you eat fresh white snow?

Fresh Snow mixed
with Strawberry Syrup

Eating small quantities of clean, fresh, white snow is generally considered low-risk for the majority of healthy individuals. Be cautious if you choose to eat fresh white snow or snow cream.

I chose to allow Coleman to eat safely obtained fresh white snow following recommended safety guidelines.

Here is a list of Safety Guidelines recommended to follow before Eating Snow.

  • Prioritize Fresh Snow: 
    • Eat only Snow that has just fallen (it is preferable to wait a few hours after a snowfall begins, after initial air scrubbing.)
  • Ensure it’s White:
    • Only eat pristine, white snow. Avoid any snow that is yellow, red, green, gray, or black, as this indicates contamination by urine, algae, or pollutants.
  • Avoid Ground Contact: 
    • Scoop snow from the top layer or collect it in a clean bowl placed outside as it falls. This is to prevent any and all contact with ground contaminates, dirt, or animal waste.
  • Avoid Disturbed Areas:
    • Never ever eat snow from roadsides, driveways, sidewalks, or areas with heavy foot traffic. These areas often have high contaminations of chemicals and pollutants.

I assure you we collect fresh snow from a clean container we placed outside long past when the snowfall had begun (especially considering it began when we were still sleeping).

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.01.31

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Home Place; Old Town ; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Spread Love around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 #OWS: 01 February

Inside Out

My daughter is house/dog sitting for the week while Coleman and I remain at home. This is her view in Mt. Holly, North Carolina.

Looking Out a Window
From my daughter’s phone

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-2026.02.01

Photo Credit:©️2026 Trisha L. Wilson … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Plus Fusion

Location: Mt. Holly, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a warm (or cool if you’d rather) day and week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Silent Sunday: 2026 02.01

2025/2026

Comparison

What a difference a year makes in our view, weather, and our activities.

Our view from our porch 2025

January 31, 2025

This time last year Coleman were hiking in Goat Island Park and Greenway. He was playing in the playground having a wonderful good time. Our high was 54°F, not too hot but also not extremely cold either. Our low was 32°F during a time when we were home. What was this time last year like you y’all?

Coleman swinging at
Goat Island Playground
January 31, 2025
January 31, 2026

This year we are having an extremely cold winter storm with a mixture of Snow and Sleet alternating off and on all day and night. Our high today was 21°F below normal with a freezing temperature of 29°F and a feel like temperature of 14°F. [I don’t know about y’all, but to me, that is extremely freezing cold.] Our low was 17°F with a feel like of 2°F.

Coleman doesn’t like being cooped up inside any time of the day. He is a hyperactive person who prefers to be out in nature. With today’s extreme cold temperatures and dangerous weather conditions he has had to find other options to keep himself occupied and entertained. Luckily, he has several options to play with like his new Hot Wheels City play-sets and additional orange track.

Coleman with his
new Hot Wheels City
Play-sets safe at home.
January 31, 2026

What’s it like for y’all in your area right now? Are you experiencing extreme cold winter conditions? Or are you experiencing the hot summer days?

Oops, sorry forgot to be silent. Forgive me for being vocal, I’ll remember it’s a Silent Sunday next week.

Silent Sunday-2026.02.01

Photo Credit: ©️2025-2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: 1) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 3-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

God Bless. Have a wonderful week filled with love, laughter and a warm sense of peace. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Burrr … It is super Coooold Outside!

Snow … Snow … Snow

Click on image to enlarge.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.01.31

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Warm (or cool) as your need arises. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Pull Up a Seat (Indoor Dining)

The Smoke Pit

The Smoke Pit is a casual contemporary barbecue restaurant that is known for its massive proportions and slow-smoked meats. [We enjoyed their smoked turkey and their pulled barbecue chicken (I don’t eat beef).] We were flabbergasted at how large our proportions were and we needed to bring part of our dinners home to eat later.

Counter Seating

The Smoke Pit is highly renowned for its Texas-style beef offerings and generous side dishes. We went in the late afternoon (before the dinner rush) when prices are slightly discounted. They offer a trio combination where you can choose three different types of meat as well as two or three side options.

Table Seating

The Smoke Pit offers nine different flavours of barbecue sauce to satisfy your taste buds. The flavours range from Southern Sweet to Sizzling Hot. Coleman prefers a honey barbecue sauce, but decided to try the Southern Sweet and was satisfied with its taste. Myself, I chose the Southern Sweet Carolina-style Mustard barbecue sauce on my barbecued pulled chicken.

The Smoke Pit

We highly recommend The Smoke Pit for anyone near one. The food is delicious, the portions are enormous, and you won’t leave hungry. You’ll be well pleased with the quality of the food and the customer service.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 5

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion 

Location: The Smoke Pit; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky: 01.30

Pre-Storm

Winter Skies

This evening’s winter storm skies look snarly

Early Evening
Sun Trying to Peek Through
Winter Storm Gianna
is Coming Soon

Skywatch Friday-2026.01.30

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Thursday-Snarl

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Storm

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Safe. Stay Warm. Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge 2026 CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice) [01.30.2026]

Welcome back to the Which Way ChallengeThis Week’s Which Way Challenge are theme is Any Which Way (Your Choice). They can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, Trail or Dirt Path etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.

This week we have been inundated with below freezing temperatures and extreme winter weather inhibiting our ability (too cold for us to go walking about outside) to adventure on an enjoyably beautiful hike. (Sorry, not sorry, below 20° or slightly above with the feel like temperatures even lower is not my cup of tea). These are from what we saw from Winter Storm Fern

Here are my contributions …

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Geriatri’x’ FOTOGALLERY’s Stairs With Snow

Cath’s Camera’s Which Way… {A Step Up} Part 2

Majka’s Historical walk trough Veliko Tarnovo

Dawn’s Just a Country Road in the Snow bnw

Marianne Villanueva’s Which Way Challenge 2026: Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, or Stairs

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay safe. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Note: Next Week our theme will be Any Which Way with Winter or Summer Which Ways. Let’s see what you’re experiencing and enjoying this season.

The #Flower Hour #15 —

Reminiscing

Seven Years Ago

In Memory of
Doyce Eileen (Watson) Waters
October 11, 1931-January 18, 2019

Terri’s The #Flower Hour

Also Remembering …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2019 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone XR Rear Camera

Location: Hunters Glen Baptist Church; Hunters Glen, Plano, Texas, USA

God Bless. Have a memorable weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Numbers Game 2026.01.28 — #109

Number 231

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 231. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …

To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s  Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.

Here are my contributions …

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Judy’s Numbers Game #109-231

Photo Credit:©️ Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Live life to the fullest. Make lasting memories. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026.01.28

Before the Storm

Lancaster SC
Before Winter
Ice Storm Fern

Click on image to enlarge. 

Wordless Wednesday

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 CFFC: Up/Down or Both

Dan Antion from No Facilities the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) has chosen to continue his themes dealing with this, that, or both. This week’s them is Up or Down or BothI can’t imagine anyone being eavesdropper to hear on our discussion about my past family vacations to Stone Mountain in DeKalb County, Georgia. Memories are precious to recall regardless of whether they’re from long ago or just a few weeks ago.

I’ve drawn from the past and present to bring together a few Ups and Downs to meet this week’s challenge theme.

Here are my contributions …

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)

JusJoJan26-Eavesdropper

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Stay warm. Keep looking Up. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Macro Monday: 26 January

California Golden Violet

Aka Viola pedunculata,
Johnny jump up,
or yellow pansy

Click on image to enlarge. 

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour 

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2026 Donna Phillips … All Rights Reserved. 

Location: San Diego, California, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Monday Portrait #4 —26 January

Winter Visitor

“In the heart of winter, the cardinal warms the soul.”

Northern Cardinal

“In the heart of winter, the cardinal warms the soul.”

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Backyard; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window – 2026 January 26

View From

Inside Out

Kitty by a Window
– 2 — AI

creation by PR
The Schiele Museum
of Natural History

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Monday Window 

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Precious “Sweet Girl”

For

One Word

Sunday

Sophia Ruthann
Winter Bundled

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Sweet

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Safe & Warm at Home; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Warm, Safe, & Sweet. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 25 January

Standing Near the Cross

Coleman
near a small cross
by the railroad tracks.

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.01.25

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Railroad Tracks; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Warm. Take Care. Spread Love around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

No Lifeguard on Duty ( Empty Seat)

Empty Lifeguard Stand
(in a construction area).

Click on image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 4

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Near the Boardwalk; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay Safe. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Times Are A Changing … They’re Changing

Times are a changing, always changing. Before Christmas, during a special concert by our local high school choral ensemble, heard them sing an old Bob Dylan song called “The Times They Are A-Changing.” It got me to thinking about how our lives are a changing all the time. Bob Dylan wrote the song in the mid-1960’s as an anthem of change. To find out about the song’s lyrics and the meaning and cultural context click here.

Our lives, our world changes every single day; every decision we make changes our lives. Whether our decisions change where we work, where we live, who we associate and/or communicate with, these factors bring about change in our lives, in our world.

I’ve lived in four different states, from the east coast to the west coast, and in between. Each city, each state there is adaptation to the new environment, the new surroundings (home, work, people, etc.). Probably the first major decision that facilitates change in one’s life (I know mine) was the decision to go away to college. That definitely brought about change.

Then there’s decisions about marriage, children, where to work, where to live … decisions are constantly changing us. We always hop those changes will be for our betterment, but that not always the case.

Let’s not go off on tangents about this and that that had our lives changing. Today, I want to discuss the changes a new baby (aka Sophia Ruthann) has affected my life, my family (especially Coleman’s), and how Sophia is growing and changing on a daily basis.

As many of you read (but some of you may not have), my third grandchild, Sophia Ruthann, was born on December 9, 2025. My oh my, how that has changed our home life (especially Coleman’s, but that’s a discussion for another day). Sophia is common need of attention; feeding, changing diapers, changing clothes, changing possessions; always changing.

Sophia’s growth changes …

At Birth

  • Weight: 6lbs. 2 ozs.
  • Height/Length: 18.5 inches
  • Head Circumference: 13 inches

As of January 14, 2026

  • Age: 1.5 months
  • Weight: 8lbs. 13.4oz.
  • Height: 20.866 inches
  • Head Circumference: 14.271654 inches 

And those are the only changes she’s making in her growth development. Sophia is already teething (confirmed by her doctor), she scoots on her stomach across the room, and she is already rolling from her stomach onto her back. She enjoys facing outward when she’s in your lap, her attention and focus is drawn to the television when we are watching “Bones.”

Click on each image to enlarge.

Our lives, my life will never be the same since she came into my world. My focus and responsibility was solely on Coleman before she was born. Believe me, Coleman is extremely jealous of the attention Sophia receives (and not just from me). Coleman has been my whole world for six years and now changes are happening. Time and focus is split. Times are a changing, they’re changing our lives every moment of everyday.

What changes are occurring in your lives, in your world?

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

God Bless. Live Peaceably. Embrace Change. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs — Week 2 _January 23

CWWC
Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Welcome back to the Which Way ChallengeThis Friday’s Which Way Challenge we are continuing with the theme of Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs. Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.

Here are my contributions …

Pathways to the Beach …

From Captain’s Quarters Resort …

The Long Way Down to the First Floor …

Coleman on the Stairs
from the Ninth Floor

The Sidewalk back to our hotel after missing our pathway from the Beach. It was truly the longest walk back to our resort hotel.

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Cath’s Which Way… {A Step Up}

Suzette’s For Deb’s Any Which Way CWWC Hallways, Pathways

IN PRIMO PIANO’s salita serbelloni

Dawn’s Just My Snow Covered Steps in BnW

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Old Stairs

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: S. Ocean Boulevard; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Dreaming of Warmer Temperatures, Calming Weather. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour #14 — A Friendly Amaryllis —January 23, 2026

Zephyranthes atamasca

Our area is currently under a Winter Storm Watch, probability is more likely for a severe ice storm rather than receiving much in the form of snow even though some is possible. Hence, I have chosen to share from my archives. Dreaming of Spring and the warmer weather it will bring and the blooming of Spring flowers.

These are from a hike in April of 2022 at Landsford Canal State Park. I captured these on the way to a spectacular lookout point for Spider Lilies.

The scientific name for this species was originally placed, by Carl Linnaeus, in the genus Amaryllis using the epithet “Atamasca” in 1753. In the second edition of Species Plantarum, Linnaeus changed the spelling to “Atamasco,” the Native American name for the species. The most recognized name for these flowers is Zephyranthes atamasca.

Zephyranthes atamasca

The Zephyranthes atamasca is native to the Southern United States of America. It tends to grow in swampy forests, and coastal prairies. Its blooming season begins in March or April. The blooms pictured grow along the shores of the Catawba River in Landsford Canal State Park. They can be seen while hiking along the Canal Trail.

Click on image to enlarge.

Terri’s The Flower Hour #14 – 2026.01.23

Also posting in remembrance of … 

Bren’s Floral Friday 

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Thursday Doors: January 22

Buc – ee’s

For Dan’s Thursday Doors

Buc-ee’s opened its first South Carolina location on May 16, 2022. On the way back home from our mini-vacay in Myrtle Beach we had our first opportunity to visit South Carolina’s Buc-ee’s in Florence, South Carolina off Interstate 95, Exit 170. This location is enormous inside and out.

Buc-ee’s is a comprehensive travel stop offering 120 fueling positions, exceptionally clean restrooms, with twenty-four (24) hour service. It has a wide variety of merchandise including Buc-ee’s branded clothing, toys, home decor and a wide range of snacks and drinks. It not only has prepackaged food options, but also offers freshly prepared items made in-house, such as Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, and a large selection of jerky and pastries.

This was not a food or gas stop for us, however, it was much needed for stretching our legs and restroom break before continuing on the road. I enjoyed looking around to check out what all this location had to offer. [I had previously been in Buc-ee’s when I was visiting in Texas in 2020.]

Click on each image to enlarge.

Coleman was amazed at the vastness of the store. He met “Buc-ee” and of course, I took his picture next to Buc-ee and the Buc-ee’s General Motors Truck which was loaded with Buc-ee’s branded merchandise.

If you ever have the opportunity to stop at a Buc-ee’s location, you’ll be surprised and amazed at its size and the tremendous diversity of items it offers.

Dan’s Thursday Doors – 2026.01.22

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Buc-ee’s Travel Center; Florence, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take an Adventure. Capture the Beauty, the Ordinary, or whatever captures your eye. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monochrome Madness — 2026.01.22

This week is a free non-themed week for Monochrome Madness. I took my inspiration from Leanne’s Carousel image. Having just been to the Boardwalk on the Beach for New Year’s, I thought hey, I could show y’all the Ferris Wheel.

Coleman and I walked up and down the beach and down S. Ocean Boulevard enjoying the views. The Ferris Wheel known as SkyWheel soars 200 feet above Myrtle Beach. The amusement park is closed for the winter so no rides were possible. ( I don’t think I would want to be suspended, even temporarily, 200 feet in the air. The views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Grand Strand would be astounding. I’ll stick with my views from ground level, those were awesome in and of themselves.

Here are two (2) images I snapped of the SkyWheel

SkyWheel
Celebrating New Year’s
near the SkyWheel

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-2026.01.22

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Boardwalk on the Beach; SkyWheel at the Amusement Park; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay safe. Take Care of yourself. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

#JusJoJan2026 +One-Liner Wednesday + Wednesday Quotes — 2026.01.21

Love and Peace

Quote on Zen Color App

We all need to feel loved, but our greater need is to live peaceably with ourselves, our community, and the world.

“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” 

— Peace Pilgrim

Strive for Peace. Peace Within Oneself and with Others.

Today I choose to live with gratitude for the LOVE that fills my heart, the PEACE that rests within my spirit, and the voice of HOPE that says…. all things ave possible.

PEACE

I am remembering a time when “What the World Needs Now Is Love” written by Hal David and composed by BurtBacharach back in 1965 during a controversial time period when the Vietnam War and many Americans didn’t agree with it.

Right now with all the turmoil and dissatisfaction, I believe What the World Needs Now is Peace.

#JusJoJan26

One-Liner Wednesday

Wednesday Quotes

God Bless. May your life be filled with love and peace. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Birds of the Carolinas/Bird of the Week CLII

Columba livia

Rock Pigeons (Columba livia), aka Rock Doves, are a common non-native species throughout the Carolinas. Rock Pigeons and Ring-Billed Gulls are the two most commonly seen birds in Myrtle Beach. They can be seen in areas like the Boardwalk, around the Piers (especially 2nd Avenue Pier), parks, and as you can see here on the sandy seashore of Myrtle Beach.

The Rock Pigeons are highly adaptable to urban and coastal environments; often seen scavenging for food alongside native species like the gulls we saw an abundance of when we were walking on the beach.

Rock Pigeons come in many different shades and plumage patterns. Some of these patterns have been named; you may spot Bluebars (bluish-gray bird with 2black bands on wings and a black tail tip) – the most commonly seen; Red Bars (with Rusty red colour); Checkers (containing spots on their wings); Spreads (all black or all gray); and Pieds (birds of any colour with splotches of white).

An interesting fact: Rock Pigeons were once used to carry messages for the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I and II. Their messages provided vital strategic information and helped in saving lives.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Birds of the Week Invitation CLII

Birds of the Carolinas

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Near 2nd Avenue Pier; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window – 2026 January 21

View from across

the Courtyard

Kitty by a Window – 2 
— AI creation by PR

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window 

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Captain’s Quarters Resort; S. Ocean Blvd.; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026.01.21

Evening Sky
Myrtle Beach, SC

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 3

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 CFFC: 20.01 — Sturdy This/Shaky That

Dan Antion from No Facilities the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) has chosen to continue his themes dealing with this, that, or both. This week’s them is Sturdy or Shaky or BothHe is joining in with Linda’s Just Jot It January which has a theme of Consistency at the time of my writing.

According to WP, I have been consistently posting on here for a 3 years, 5 months, and 24 days. In other words, my consistency streak is 1,270 days straight of posting one or more posts. So let’s not upset my consistency streak and go ahead and make my 1,271 consistent days post.

Looking through my photos for Dan’s Sturdy or Shaky I have found a few I’m sharing with y’all today.

From 2022 …

Coleman, at almost 3,
walking on the
Shaky Swinging Bridge
as if it were
Sturdy and not Shaky.

From 2023 …

Alona & Coleman
standing on the middle rail
of a Sturdy wooden bridge.

Now for two (2) from 2025 …

Coleman
shakily hopping
on one foot
in Centennial Center.
Coleman Standing Sturdily
on our Porch railing.
I’m pretty sure his mom
wouldn’t appreciate him
standing on the railing
even though it is quite Sturdy.

That’s all Folks … till next time.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Sturdy or Shaky or Both

Photo Credit:©️2022-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Locations: 1-2) Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina; 3-4) Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Minimalistic Portraits in Black and White

Ritva is the host this week for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge and she has chosen a theme of Minimalism in Black and White Photography.

Im not sure if all these are purely minimalistic or not, but these are what I have added recently in my photography journal. Most of these images are portraits I have recently taken of my newest granddaughter, Sophia Ruthann. In part of them I am holding her while taking her photo with my iPhone.

Here is a one at Myrtle Beach …

Trisha (Coleman & Sophia’s mom)
with Coleman & Sophia Ruthann

And now for a couple of non-family images …

Ring-Billed Gulls
soaring over the Atlantic Ocean
at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #381-Minimalism in Black-and-White Photography

Monday Portrait

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Journal

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 8-9) Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Locations: 1-6) Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina; 7-9) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fabulous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Macro Monday: 19 January

Plumeria rubra

Plumeria
Plumeria rubra

The Plumeria is the perfect example of the finest quality of flowers one can find in Hawaii. They are often used in making leis. They come in a variety of colours and shades including white, yellow, pink, and red. The flowers sweet fragrance and delicate beauty are characteristics that make it a favourite among the locals and tourists alike.

Click on image to enlarge. 

Macro Monday (MM)

Terri’s The Flower Hour

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2026 Mandy Powers Norrell … All Rights Reserved. 

Location: North Shore, Oaho, Hawaii, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 18 January

Native American Exhibit

Coleman Looking
at one of the
Native American Exhibits
in the Henry Hall of American Indians
at The Schiele Museum of Natural History

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.01.18

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Henry Hall of American Indians; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Spread Love around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Crossing Over/Under the Moon

Grackles Crossing
the Moon’s Path
& over us.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Crossing

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Silent Sunday: January 18

Seagulls soaring over
the Atlantic Ocean

Silent Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment. 

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take an adventure. Observe the Wonders of God’s Creations. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

A Free Night at the Museum

On Thursday, Courtesy of Duke Energy, The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium was free from 5 pm until 8pm. Being at the right price (free) and knowing Coleman was wanting to visit the museum again, we took him for the free Night at the Museum.

This free night given to the community by Duke Energy was filled with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) activities throughout the museum. Coleman was so excited to be back in the museum, we didn’t get to every activity. He did enjoy the STEM science activity; it had him cutting and crunching green leaves to create Chlorophyll.

Coleman’s mom & baby Sophia joined us at the Museum. What section of the Museum do you think Coleman wanted to visit first? If you said the Dinosaur Exhibits you were correct.

Coleman enjoyed his free night at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. It is a terrific place to visit for all ages.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.01.17

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 LAPC #380 – Around the Corner (at the Beach)

What we saw as we walked out of our hotel room and walked onto the beach to observe the Atlantic Ocean was different and unique to our surroundings. It was the first time for Coleman to visit the beach and step into the Atlantic Ocean. I hadn’t been to this beach since 2010 or any other beach since 2020.

Here are a few interesting finds seen on our walk the day after New Year’s Day.

Our first sighting after walking out of the hotel …

The outdoor pool area
with plenty of places
to Pull Up a Seat.

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the outdoor pool areas were closed for the season (unheated & closed).

The Pirate Shipwreck
Lagoon Kids’ Waterpark

The outdoor pools and kids shipwreck area would not be comfortable to get into without any heat during the wintertime. Moving away from the pools here’s what we discover next …

Coleman checks
out the “Dolphin,”
a unique design
for a trash receptacle.

The next thing Coleman spots is the beach access, and away he goes …

Coleman headed
out to the beach

Once out onto the sandy beach, Coleman turns left to see what he might discover.

Naturally, Coleman
is anxious to discover
what he might find.
Maybe some Seashells?
Mostly broken,
but a few
whole Seashells

We walked quite a ways down the beach before turning around. Coleman was enthralled with watching the Ring-Billed Gulls (just known to him as Seagulls). Here are a few of our Gulls sightings …

And how can we not watch the waves rolling in and out of the Atlantic Ocean, you can’t go to the beach and not . Can you?

We hope y’all enjoyed walking along Myrtle Beach’s Seashore with us.

Anne’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #380

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 3

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay Safe. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 SYD: 15 January

Clare from Clare’s Cosmos invites everyone to join her in Sharing Your Desktop (SYD). Below are her suggestions for participating in the Share Your Desktop Challenge . [Clare is taking a break from WP, so this maybe the last Share Your Desktop Challenge for awhile. I will miss her and pray she’ll one day return. All the best to you Clare. Take Care.]

To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) you have set as your wallpaper; Provide as little or as much detail as you wish; Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun; Then finally, share the fun around.

I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature. 

Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:

From My HP Laptop:

Desktop Background Wallpaper

Ring-Billed Gulls
at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Desktop Screensaver

Coleman walking along
the wet & sandy seashore
looking for seashells at
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro: 

Personal Focus

Coleman holding
his baby sister,
Sophia Ruthann

Reading Focus

Coleman on the
sandy seashore at
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Hiking Focus

Coleman walking
on the seashore at
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Click on each image for enlarged viewing. 

Clare’s Share Your Desktop-January 

Photo Credit:©️2025-2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment. 

God Bless. You are & will be missed Clare. Take Care of yourself. You are Valued & appreciated. Having a Wonderful Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour #14 — January 16, 2026

Rain Drops on

Madagascar Periwinkle

Madagascar Periwinkle is a flowering perennial that has glossy leaves and flowers similar to phlox flowers.

Aka Catharanthus roseus

Interesting Note: Catharanthus roseus, aka Madagascar Periwinkle contains vital medicinal properties which are used in treating diabetes, kidney, liver, cardiovascular, and other life-threatening diseases. Its potent anticancer compounds are used in chemotherapy, alongside traditional uses for diabetes, hypertension, microbial infections, inflammation, and wound healing.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour

Also posting in remembrance of …

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Bren’s Floral Friday

God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs

Welcome back to the Which Way ChallengeThis Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme is  Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs. Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. 

Here are my contributions …

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Cath’s Which Way… {Missing the Beach}

Suzette’s For Deb’s CWWC —Any Which Way Your Choice

Dawn’s Evening View of Baltimore Street, Gettysburg PA

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S18-55mm & Altura ND Filter attachment.

Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific weekend. . Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Next week: We will continue with  Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs for a second (2nd) week.

2026 Thursday Doors: January 15

Dino 🦕 Doors 🦖

Good Day my friends! This week we are taking you on a Dino adventure at Dino Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some images you might need to look carefully to see a door/doorway and others will be clearly discernible. Enjoy the adventure.

Entering Dino Park

Dino Park is a family-friendly attraction at Broadway at the Beach which features over twenty (20) life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs in a Jurassic-themed setting. It offers an interactive and educational experience with such activities as fossil dig pit, a large ball pit, and dinosaur rides for younger children.

Notice the dinosaurs on the building, that’s the indication that you’re fixing to enter Dino Park. The first thing you see when you enter the building is a couple of “Dinosaurs” children can ride. Don’t worry about pulling out coins for the children to ride, they are free.

I know you’re not seeing doors while Coleman is riding the dinosaurs. We’ll get to them. But first, let’s look at a different type of “door” or rather an opening …

Now let’s walk through the Dino Park to check out the fascinating Dinosaurs on display …

There is a fee to enter Dino Park, however, our entry fees were covered in our resort package. Some hotels and/or resorts in Myrtle Beach offer entertainment/attraction packages to add on to your stay.

Did you spot the Doorways? If not, look again carefully.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 2

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens

Location: Dino Park; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Take an adventure. Capture the wonders around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.