This blog is for my insights on life, the Bible, hiking adventures with my grandson and whatever is important to me
Author: Deb L Waters
I am an avid reader. I read mostly Amish fiction but also read other novels. I enjoy romance, mystery, and Christian devotionals. I enjoy hiking in the outdoors, especially in Greenways and State or National Parks. I love my grandson. He is my favorite subject, so I'll post about him and his antics.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Crows are arguably the most familiar birds in America. Interestingly, what you might it realize is that in much of the eastern part of the U.S., including the South Carolina Lowcountry, there are actually two different species of crows, and they look alike.
One of these is the ubiquitous American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), found across most of North America. The American Crow is the crow most often seen and recognized. It is a large, clever, black bird with a harsh voice and a big personality.
The second type of Crow the Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus), which occurs along the Atlantic coast from southern Maine to Florida, and along the Gulf. The American Crow and the Fish Crow are members of the family Corvidae, which includes many familiar and intelligent birds, including rooks, jays, and ravens.
Here we are concentrating on the American Crow. The American Crow (formerly named the Common Crow) is an iridescent black crow is common throughout the Carolinas and is known for its “caw-caw” call. The are permanent residents with migratory movements. They are especially abundant throughout the winter season.
American Crows are known for being smart, adaptable, and resourceful, and can use tools to find food. They preferably nest in mixed pine and hardwood forests. They forage in open areas such as croplands, pastures and landfills. In urban areas, it is possible for them to use parks and tree-lined streets as roosting and nesting locations.
Crows represent change and transformation which in some cultures are seen as a “bad” omen if you see their appearance. The appearance of one or a flock of crows may indicate temporary and unexpected changes are coming. In Native American culture, crows are signs of knowledge and law. Seeing one of these black creatures is often a mark of good luck, justice, or wisdom.
While most will think of physical means of transport such as cars, airplanes, trains, and similar vehicles used for transportation; I am venturing into a different realm of transport.
The term transport has several different and yet similar definitions. It means an act or process of transporting; to transfer or convey from one place to another; a vehicle (such as a truck or airplane) used to transport persons or goods. It also means to carry away with strong and often intensely pleasant emotion; strong or intensely pleasurable emotion.
Transport applies to any powerful emotion(s) that lifts one out of oneself and usually provokes vehement expression or frenzied action.
“Books are the plane, the train, = and the ROAD. They are the Destination and The Journey.they are home.”
~ ANNA QUINDLEN
When I read books 📚 I am transported into another place and time. I feel the emotions along with the characters in whichever book or story I am reading. Books take me places where I might not otherwise be able to visit, help me to learn and understand what other places and people are all about. I can envision myself there right amongst the people,whether real or imagined by the other, they all seem very real to me. I can feel and visualize the events taking place and I am instantaneously transported to another city, state, or country as if I am one with the book and its characters.
“Books take you places you hope someday to go. They transport you to time in the future or long, long ago. The words paint the pictures, the author’s canvas is your mind. Surreal images greet you, you never know what you’ll find. Books take you places, whether fantasy or real. Some tales make you laugh while others make you squeal!”
~ Kimberly Beatty
What are your thoughts on books as a means of transport? Have you ever felt as if you have been transported to another time or place when you were reading a book?
I’ve been missing out Renard of Renard’s World as well and stumbled on this post. Unfortunately it wouldn’t allow me to comment. Renard’s posts were always interesting and informative. I really enjoyed and appreciated them. Miss you Renard. Where are you?
Renard – MIA? I have been following Renard for several years and found his blog posts very knowledgable and informative. Renard was dedicated to …
The Fishing Creek Hydro Station, ( I grew up knowing it as the Great Falls Hydro Station/Dam), is located on the Catawba River in Great Falls, Chester County, South Carolina. It borders Lancaster County, South Carolina. It was built in 1916 by the Southern Power Company, predecessor to the station’s current owner, Duke Power.
Just like the name suggests, the creek is a popular area for fishing 🎣 and recreation. Fishing Creek Lake – created by the dam – has four access point along the 61 miles of shoreline, including Landsford Canal State Park. [Of a side interest, the Catawba River at Landsford Canal State Park is an excellent area for seeing the Spider Lilies each Spring.]
Hydropower provides about one percent of Duke Energy’s U.S. energy production, but the company’s more than 30 stations are able to activate quickly to meet customer demand during extreme temperatures. In addition to reliable power, communities near lakes created by Duke Energy’s stations are able to enjoy fishing, swimming, kayaking, and even photography.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Glad you are home and joining in when able with Chris’ help. Thank you Chris for taking good care of our friend. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Leanne’s Monochrome Madness is a non-themed week; my own theme this week is surrounded by photos I’ve recently digitized about Heritage USA. To make viewing easier, I have made a slideshow of the monochrome photos in the beginning and ending with the original photos from my dad’s slides.
Heritage USA was a Christian -themed amusement park opened in 1978 by televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, founders of The PTL Club. At its peak, it was the third-largest park in the USA behind Disney World and Disney Land, with almost 6 million visitors annually.
In the late 1980’s, Heritage USA was rocked by two debilitating scandals all while they were in the middle of a massive expansion. The organization had its tax-exempt status revoked after Jim Bakker was indicted on various federal fraud charges. Later he was accused of sexual improprieties with an encounter with a church secretary.
To add to the problems Heritage USA was experiencing, the park was heavily damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, it shut down for good shortly after.
In this present day and age, only a few remnants of the park are still visible. The abandoned 21-story Heritage USA Hotel stands as an eerie and empty shell looming over the suburban landscape. The Upper Room Chapel was purchased sometime after the park’s closing and is maintained as a prayer room for a local ministry. The Heritage Grand Hotel is now the Heritage International Ministries Conference Center.
This month is going to be a little different for me since I haven’t been anywhere to use my camera this month. I have been busy digitizing my dad’s old slides. I hope it’s alright to post the last picture from the last roll of his I converted to digital format.
From my Dad’s Minolta XG-7 35mm:
My dad’s reflection of him taking the photo is in the mirror.
Dirt Path to the Boat DockDirt Road to the Catawba RiverDirt Pathway between the Trees Dirt Paths along the Catawba River & Great Falls DamBattle of Fishing Creek Sign by Road Great Falls, South Carolina
Location: Catawba River; Great Falls Dam; Great Falls, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Great Falls Dam. Enjoy the beautiful great outdoors. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Huntersville Oaks is a short-term nursing and rehabilitation facility located in Huntersville, North Carolina. Huntersville is in northern Mecklenburg County just north of Charlotte, North Carolina.
My paternal grandfather stayed here receiving short-term medical care during the summer of 1980. When he was released, my dad took him back to his home in Great Falls, South Carolina.
This is be the first in a line of Antique Car Doors and Windows that I’ll be posting from my dad’s photo albums of old slides. My dad worked for FORD most of his adult life except during his service in the U.S. Navy. He loved to attend car shows of any kind. These weekly features will be from an Antique Car Show he attended somewhere in California ( I’m guessing here since all the cars have California license plates.) The cars appear to possibly be from a private collection.
Do you like to attend cars shows? I have attended car shows in the past, however, I do not plan a whole day or outing around a car show like my dad used to do.
Early U.S. settlers brought their love of fireworks with them to the New World and fireworks were part of the very first Independence Day – a tradition that continues every 4th of July when we celebrate as John Adams had hoped with pomp, parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.
SouthernCalifornia Fireworks
San Diego Fireworks by Julee Vaughan
Growing up in Southern California, we would almost always watch the Fireworks show from Mission Bay or Sea World. I enjoy seeing the fireworks through my friends photographic eyes.
SouthernCalifornia Fireworks By Julee Vaughan
Fireworks are amazing to watch when done properly. If you are going to set off fireworks, please be respectful of others.
Remember Fireworks Safety – Use Extreme Care
Never Use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
Never hold fireworks in your hands.
Never light them indoors.
Never throw or point fireworks at another person.
Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
Never ignite a device in a container.
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that didn’t go off or in case of fire.
Never use fireworks that are illegal where you live.
Always keep Fireworks away from children.
In making your plans, please include pet safety as well as human safety. Pets find fireworks highly stressful. Bring your pets indoors, close curtains and blinds and turn on the radio to provide some distraction. Leave treats filled with food to comfort animals.
Remember not everyone embraces the fireworks tradition. It is not just pets that are bothered by the loud noise and the flashing lights caused by fireworks. Young children and elderly are also affected by the loud noise caused by fireworks, disturbing their sleep and wellbeing.
Those who have served in the Armed Services, and live with various levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sometimes also have a hard time with fireworks.
Warning your friends and neighbors about your plans to set off fireworks is a much appreciated courtesy.
Dogs may still have a hard time with those, but people who know what to expect and when to expect it can generally cope with the noise and flashing lights of a fireworks display. If they know they are going to have problems despite expecting what is to come, they can take steps to remove themselves from areas with community displays.
The real problem isn’t the planned events, but instead (especially for those who might have combat related traumatic experiences) is the unplanned and unscheduled pops and bangs of impromptu displays.
God Bless. Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the fireworks. Remember to be courteous of the stressfulness that fireworks may cause others. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Judy’s Numbers Game can bring about interesting results and insights from those who choose to participate. The challenge is alive, let’s join the fun. In searching for the #149 and its variations the results that popped are displayed below in this post.
This week we are discussing a different yet unique bird in the Cardinal family. Last week I talked about the Northern Cardinals; this week we’re going to discover the distinct qualities of the Indigo Bunting.
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea, also known as Indigo Bunting is a small seed-eating bird in the Cardinal family. It is a migratory bird, ranging from southern Canada to northern Florida during the breeding season, and from southern Florida to northern South America during the winter.
It often migrates by night, using the stars to navigate. Its habitat is farmland, brush areas, and open woodland. The indigo bunting is closely related to the lazuli bunting and interbreeds with the species where their ranges overlap.
The indigo bunting is a small bird, with a length of 11.5–13 cm (4.5–5.1 in). The male is vibrant blue in the summer, with brightly colored plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate. Unlike summer, the male is brown during the winter months. Contrastingly enough the female is brown year-round. The females are solely responsible for the nest-building and incubation of their offspring.
The diet of the indigo bunting consists primarily of insects during the summer months and seeds during the winter months.
The Habitats for the Indigo Bunting are brushy pastures and bushy wood edges. For nesting favors roadsides, old fields growing up to bushes, edges of woodlands, and other edge habitats such as along rights-of-way for powerlines or railroads. Also in clearings within deciduous woods, edges of swamps
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
This hospital is currently known as Atrium Health Huntersville. It was formerly operated under the name of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority and was formerly known by Carolinas HealthCare System.
This was how it looked in the summer of 1978 when my paternal grandfather was receiving medical treatment here. My dad and his brother both visited frequently and stayed with him periodically until he was able to return home.
Location: Huntersville Hospital, Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Appreciate them. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cool cats like to keep cool by hiding in the underbrush in shady areas. Can you spot me?
Maybe if I move a little bit you’ll be able to see me. However, I would appreciate it if you keep the dog away from me. I prefer to stay where I am at and not get in an entanglement.
Enjoy your day! I’m just gonna stay here and relax for a while longer.
Lemon daylilyYellow daylilyHemerocallis lilioasphodelus grows in big, spreading clumps, and its leaves grow to 75 cm (30 in) long. Its scapes each bear from 3 through 9 sweetly fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers.
Location: New Hope Acres; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. Enjoy the beauty all around you. Take time to admire nature’s wonderful creations. I appreciate y’all very much.
Pixlr is a photo editing app available for smartphones and PC’s. It has several different editing apps available including background removal, a great number of filters and effects to try to enhance your creativity. What you see here is just my playing around with the Pixlr camera and a few effects. I was not doing anything except discovering what the effects might look like and exploring their effect on my photo of Coleman. I am not sure that I would use all of these effects, but I might try some more at a later time.
Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are just one bird species out of hundreds that you might see feasting from your bird feeder in South Carolina.
Northern Cardinals are common backyard birds in North America and can be found in many locations in South Carolina, including Seabrook Island, Lexington, and Lancaster County.
Male Northern Cardinals are known for their bright red feathers, black eye masks, and short crests. Females are brown with red accents and crests.
Northern Cardinals are seed and berry eaters, but also eat insects, spiders, centipedes, and snails. They prefer to forage on the ground rather than in feeders.
Distinguished by their “mohawks” and reddish-orange beaks, both genders remain year-round residents in South Carolina.
Northern Cardinals are non-migratory birds, meaning that once you draw them to your yard they are likely to stay there year-round.
Natural fruits that attract these birds include blueberry bushes, mulberry trees, and other dark-colored berries. Bird seeds that have been known to attract Cardinals include black oil sunflower, cracked corn, suet, mealworms, peanuts, safflower, striped sunflower, and sunflower hearts and chips.
Jeff R Clow//Getty Images
In many cultures throughout the world, the vibrant red color of the cardinal is a symbol of good luck and abundance. It is also said to represent vitality. If a cardinalcrosses your path, it is meant to give you strength and hope.”
Hearst Castle, known formally as La Cuesta Encantada (Spanish for “The Enchanted Hill”), is a historic estate in San Simeon, located on the Central Coast of California.
Conceived by William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon, and his architect Julia Morgan, the castle was built between 1919 and 1947.
Currently, Hearst Castle is a museum open to the public as a California State Park and registered as a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark.
Interestingly, Hearst, his castle and his lifestyle were satirized by Orson Welles in his 1941 film Citizen Kane. Hearst sought to suppress this film and Welles’ allusions to his art collections ( paintings, statues, pictures, etc) and his references to acquiring so many acquisitions to equal enough for ten museums being the loot of the world.
Casa Grande, inspired by the Church of Santa María la Mayor, Ronda, Spain, forms the centerpiece of Hearst’s estate.
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” —- Romans 8:32 (NIV)
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
This is Great Falls Elementary School (formerly called Mebane Grammar School.) This is the school my dad attended when he was growing up in Great Falls, South Carolina.
Monochrome Rectangular Windows + Bricks, Doors & SignOriginal
This week’s Pull Up a Seat selections were determined by Coleman. We walked around the neighbourhood and after walking for several blocks he decided he wanted to Pull Up a Seat at the picnic table outside of the Walmart Neighborhood Market which is used mainly by employees.
We get up and continue on our walk where he sees a rock he figures would be a nice place to Pull Up a Seat. We hadn’t walked far when he chose to sit a spell, but I was fine with that since I had taken a tumble upon the uneven torn up asphalt.
After catching our breath, we continued walking ending up at the school playground. Coleman always finds places he can Pull Up a Seat in a playground.
Sometimes he chose the slide …
… Or at the top of a climbing structure …
… Or on a Swing.
It doesn’t seem to matter to him where he Pulls Up a Seat. He’s having fun, so it doesn’t matter to me either.
Everywhere you go there are signs to Welcome your presence. Welcome you to come into a store, Welcome you to a town, Welcome you to a Greenway, and even Welcoming children to a Playground.
Let’s start with our Welcome to a favourite store in Amish Country, Ohio called Lehman’s. Lehman’s provides products that Amish and Englishers alike desire to purchase and meets the needs of those desiring a simpler lifestyle.
Lehman’s East Entrance Kidron, Ohio
Next up is a Greenway constructed in the last five years in Lancaster. The Lindsay Pettus Greenway was intentionally designed as a hard-surface trail to ensure that people of all mobility levels can smoothly access the trail. By doing so, everyone can connect to places of interest and engage with nature. This Greenway is a place where everyone can freely enjoy over two traffic-free miles of nature in the heart of Lancaster County.
Welcome to The Lindsay Pettus Greenway Lancaster, South Carolina
On one of our visits to the North Carolina mountains we stayed in West Jefferson while attending a family reunion in Deep Gap. After the reunion, we walked around the Historic Downtown area of West Jefferson and discovered many interesting places and sights including the Ashe County Cheese Factory. The Ashe County Cheese is just a short ways down a side street from this sign. There you may watch cheese being made & then go straight across the road and buy some freshly made cheese in any flavour that suits your palate.
Welcome to Historic Downtown West Jefferson West Jefferson, North Carolina
Here we are in the city we currently reside. Welcome to our area of the world.
Welcome to Downtown Gastonia Main Avenue Gastonia, North Carolina
One of the places my grandson, Coleman, likes me to take him to is the Playground at the local YMCA. Approaching the Playground we notice the sign Welcoming us (especially children) to the Playspace.
Welcome to Your Playspace! YMCA Gastonia, North Carolina
Time for us to go home and relax. You are Welcome to visit our area anytime.
This week I’m continuing Cee’s Which Way Challenge doing it My Way. Therefore for this the third week of June I have chosen a theme of Roads/Dirt Roads. I welcome anyone who desires to join me on this week’s Which Way Challenge.
As I have been working to digitize my dad’s old slides I have come across several photos my dad took of Roads in Great Falls, South Carolina back in 1963.
We are starting our (my) Which Way with the Road in front of my Paternal Grandparents home. Their home was originally a Mill Duplex Home and converted into a single family residence.
Walnut Street Home of John & Alma Waters My Paternal Grandparents
Next, we come to the corner of Walnut Street and Argonne Avenue. This is the location of the J P Stevens & Company Mill where my paternal grandfather worked. The Mills in Great Falls were formerly known as Republic Cotton Mills. [Closed in the early 1980’s.]
Cottom Mill #3
1923 Republic Cotton Mill #3 – a silk mill production. The building had a unique saw-tooth roof. There was Village housing and a neighborhood grocery store.
Continuing on our journey, we drive along Chester Avenue. On this Road we can see the Bradley Motor Company ( a FORD Dealership) where my dad worked when he finished high school and again when he first was discharged from the U S Navy.
Bradley Motor Company
As we continue cruising through the Town of Great Falls, we see a Dirt Road behind the Power plant. Here we notice old Railroad tracks no longer in use. They would have kept extremely busy in the heyday of the town.
The Town of Great Falls is located in Chester County, South Carolina. The name of the Great Falls came from the nearby waterfalls on the Catawba River. The Town was founded by the power company owned by Mr. J.B. Duke. J.B. Duke built hydro electric plants on the Catawba and was the founder of the three Republic Cotton Mills.
Location: Town of Great Falls, Chester County, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting in my reminiscing of the Town of Great Falls, SC. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 