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.
I was just thinking about the many times Coleman and I have enjoyed hiking together along the Catawba River when the RDP (Ragtag Daily Prompt) appeared showing the today’s prompt to be River. Our minds seem to be in sync on thinking about River.
We’ve had a tremendous amount of rainfall recently and so I’ve been remembering beautiful sunny days spent with Coleman at the Catawba River. I’ve had photos of the Catawba River come across in my Google photos app as memories.
These are some of the memory photos that I’ve enjoyed looking over this week.
I didn’t think I would have any snapshots to contribute to this Cosmic Photo Challenge, then with our latest storms a vital bridge at my favorite greenway collapsed with severe destruction which is interfering with hikers and mountain bikers using sections of the Greenway trails.
I did not own a computer until around 2005 or 2006, I’m not sure exactly which year. It was given as a gift to aide in my ancestry research. I also a card program on it to make my own cards, postcards, and magnets.
The computer was nothing like the laptop I currently own. It was old and bulky having several wires to connect to the keyboard and the internet via a wireless hotspot on my phone.
The computer was a beige box shaped computer monitor with an upright Pentium-equipped tower computer manufactured by Gateway. I do not recall if it was installed with Microsoft 95 or 98. I do know it was slow at times but it worked and I had never owned a computer of any kind before. I never even used a computer until my oldest son was in high school and the high school is also where I occasionally used a computer.
A pizza-box form-factor desktop computer manufactured by Gateway, circa mid-1990s [wikipedia]
When I received the Gateway computer I was also given several discs and the instruction manual. Among the discs were several which helped with my ancestral work, Plus an encyclopedia and other learning resource discs.
At the time of owning the Gateway computer I only owned a very basic phone, I think it was a Nokia possibly the Nokia 3220.
Nokia 3220 Similar to my first cell phone
Times have changed, advances have been made, and I have learned and adapted to the technological changes and advances over the years.
I currently own an HP laptop and an iPhone smartphone. Technology and I have come along way over the years. Does one ever forget their first computer or first anything? Maybe, maybe not.
1. Who is your oldest living relative (aunt, grandparent etc)?
My oldest living relative that I know of is my Aunt Mary Dalline, my dad’s sister. There may be an older relative that I am unaware of and which I do not have a relationship.
2. How often do you visit them or is distance a factor?
I haven’t really visited her since my uncle died in 2019. I keep in touch with my cousins (her children online), however, since my mom died in 2019 there has not been the closeness as there was before.
3. Have any of your family lived to be 100?
I’m not sure if any of my relatives lived to be 100, but I do know my 1C1R’s husband lived to 99.
4. Would you like to celebrate your 100th birthday?
I do not plan on celebrating a 100th birthday because I do not believe I would live that long.
National Park Service Doughton Park Visitor Center
In front of the Doughton Park Visitor Center are welcoming chairs and a table to rest a bit and enjoy the view or perhaps to wait for the Park store to open if you are camping in one of their many campsites.
Doughton Park is located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 238.5 – 241. Besides the beautiful scenery surrounding this Park one may choose to explore The Brinegar Cabin, observe craft demonstrations, and talk a gander down one of several diverse hiking trails.
This area has one of the Parkway’s largest campgrounds, a popular picnic area, and more than thirty (30) miles of hiking trails where one may access forested slopes, streams, and backcountry in Basin Cove.
Doughton Park Legend
Originally called The Bluffs, 6,000 acre Doughton Park was created in the 1930s when the Blue Ridge Parkway was routed through this part of North Carolina. It was one of the first parts of the Parkway to be completed and remains its largest recreation area. In the 1950s, it was renamed for Robert Lee Doughton (1863-1954), a local landowner and politician, who was instrumental in getting the Parkway built. Mr. Doughton lived in the nearby Laurel Springs, North Carolina. [Note: the Laurel Springs area is also the area where my maternal grandfather grew up.]
The northern and western borders of Doughton Park are formed by the Parkway itself, which here follows the crest of the mountains, traveling at more than 3,000 feet above sea level through rolling highland meadow. The other borders of the Park are traced by steeply descending mountain ridges: Flat Rock Ridge along the southern side of the Park and Cedar Ridge along the eastern side. Within these borders is the rugged and remote watershed of two mountain streams, Basin Creek and Cove Creek. Together, the double valley – or double gorge – is known as Basin Cove.
In October of 2017 my eldest son and I took a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway meandering the scenic route enjoying the beautiful Autumn colours. I allowed him to drive as he had never previously driven the Parkway. We stopped at several mileposts along the way observing the beautiful landscape. At various mileposts including Milepost 238.5 – 241, we stopped, stretched our legs, and proceeded to hike along several of the many trails found along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I do not recall which trail we hiked at Doughton Park, however, I do know we visited The Brinegar Cabin. I encourage y’all if you are ever in the Western Part of the Carolinas to take a scenic drive along The Blue Ridge Parkway.
Views from the Backyard (1-2) Views from the Front Yard (3-4)
We have been having a lot of rain throughout the year. This is today’s view of our rainy weather. I am thankful it is not as devastating here as for some of my friends in San Diego, California. I do long for a California visit to see old friends and acquaintances. It will have to wait for another time. In my dreams the weather is perfectly sunny ☀️, not too hot 🥵 , not too 🥶, but just right. No jacket or sweater necessary. A time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, take a hike in the desert or the mountains or possibly both. In my dreams, the days are filled with love and happiness surrounded my friends I care deeply about. Hopefully, one day it will come to pass.
When one thinks (at least I do) of San Diego, I think of beautiful sunshiny days enjoying the beaches, observing the animals at the zoo and the milder warm days strolling through the countryside.
I do not, however, think about drastic changes in the weather’s atmospheric composition to cause severe flooding and damage to the homes, roads, businesses around this fine city.
Click on each photo to enlarge for better viewing.
The Great Flood of 2024 A Thousand-year Storm Event San Diego, California
On January 22 I received messages from my friends revealing the devastating effects of the latest rainstorms inundating the Southern California areas especially San Diego, my former hometown. The upper left photo is from the area where I once lived, shopped, worked and dined. In all my years living in Sunny San Diego, I never saw this catastrophic damage due to flooding occurring. Some roads like Stadium Way and the Fashion and Mission Valley shopping centers located in the area have previously had some flooding ( usually attributed to it being built in a river bed.) However, nothing this devastating in over a thousand years.
I encourage y’all to pray for the families affected by the flood damage. Some folks lost everything. Pray the city rally’s to provide the food, clothing, and shelter needed by those affected by the flooding. Pray for them to have strength and endurance to see them through this difficulty. Pray the Lord will guide and comfort them and cover them with His grace and love.
Burial Place for Asa and Irene (Watson) Watson [Not an error… Watson married Watson.]Gragg Cemetery Sands, Watauga County, North Carolina
The Gragg Cemetery is one of several burial sites for my maternal paternal (my mother’s father’s) ancestors. Asa and Irene Watson are my second great aunt and uncle on my mother father’s side of the family. I have not been to visit the cemetery since before the shut down in 2020. This photo was taken when I visited the Watauga County, North Carolina area back in March of 2012. I have been limited recently in my transportation resources, but I hope to visit the area soon (probably not until spring … I do not want to drive in snowy conditions.)
1. Do you find yourself smiling at people for no apparent reason?
No, I do not think I do. I might smile whenever I see a friendly face in passing, or return a friendly smile, but other than that I think not.
2. If someone smiles at you in the street, do you return it?
Yes, I would return a smile to someone across the street, up the road, or on a trail if I encountered a friendly smile.
3. Do you feel comfortable on a crowded street?
No, I do not feel comfortable on a crowded street, on anywhere where there are crowds. Since Covid began, I afford crowds at all times.
4. Would you prefer a walk in the woods, a walk on the beach, or a walk round a town seeing the sights?
I most definitely prefer a walk in the woods. I thoroughly enjoy communing with nature and the wondrous beauty which God has created.
Gratitude:
“Each person on this planet is here a purpose … That purpose is to care for other people and to help this world become a better place through service to others.”
1. Do you use an air freshener in your home? If so, do you prefer a solid gel, spray, timed release, potpourri or something else?
I use air fresheners in my home in the form of sprays and plug-ins. I prefer the apple cinnamon scents; however, I do occasionally use other scents just no flowery scents due to allergies.
2. When good weather permits, do you open your windows to let in the fresh air?
When the weather permits, usually in the spring, summer, and early autumn I enjoy having the windows open to allow fresh air to fill the rooms.
3. With the extreme variants in weather these days, do you feel the cold in the Winter months?
The apartment we are living in does not have very good insulation or airtight doors and windows, therefore, we feel the extreme cold this winter. In other places we have lived we didn’t feel it so much in the home only when we went outdoors.
4. Which would you prefer…to curl up in front of a log fire or log burner, turn the heating up, or go to bed early with extra blankets.
I would love to curl up in front of t of a log fire 🔥 or log burner, but since I don’t live in a home that has a fireplace I contend with going to bed under a pile of thick warm quilts. I prefer to conserve energy thereby reducing heating costs, so therefore I do not turn the heat up on the thermostat.
Gratitude:
“Grumbling and gratitude are, for the child of God, in conflict. Be grateful and you won’t grumble. Grumble and you won’t be grateful.”
Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.
דבורה
Currently I go by Deb more often than not. It is a shortened version of my given first name of Debbie. The name Debbie is a nickname for Deborah. However, it is not a nickname for me, but instead it is my given name.
The above name is the Hebrew spelling for Deborah/Debbie. In Hebrew it is the name Dēvōrah, which means “bee” or “swarm of bees.”Another meaning for Debbie/Deborah is one who has strong desires and aspirations.
Debbie embodies qualities of diligence, social connectivity, and a vibrant spirit. Historically’s, the name Debbie is associated with women’s empowerment. Biblically speaking, Honey and honeybees are used as images to convey God’s love, strength, wisdom, things of great worth, and even references to Christ. In the Bible, Deborah is the name of a prophetess and judge who led the Israelites to victory over the Canaanites. One can learn more about Deborah in the book of Judges in the Old Testament.
[As a side note, when I was in college I knew several people who were studying Greek and by assisting them while they studied I learned to spell by name in Greek, Δεββι. Afterwards I would often spell my name using the Greek lettering instead of the English letters. I liked the way Debbie looked spelled Δεββι.]
The name Debbie/Deborah gained usage among English Christians following the Protestant Reformation. In particular, it became significantly popular among the Puritans. The name became a popular choice for American parents and also for fictional characters. In the United States, the name was extremely popular between the 1950’s through the 1970’s.
Personality wise, Debbie would signify you are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. ( I guess this means I come by my stubbornness naturally.) You have a good business ability. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable and self-disciplined. (I’ll need to remember all these personality traits if I ever decide to apply for another job.)
Personally, even though I’ve always known Debbie was another form of Deborah, I always hated being called Deborah/Debra while I was in school and would insist that that was not my name.
Harvey Martin, Doyce Eileen, and Myrtle Melvina Watson Coshocton, Ohio, USA
This is a portrait of my mom when she was about four (4) years old standing on the foot rail of a car between her mom and dad (my maternal grandparents) in front of their home on Water Street in Coshocton, Ohio.
Looking back in time to Sunday, February 23, 2020; I remember walking off the Enchantment of the Sea Caribbean cruise ship onto the docks of the Costa Maya Port and seeing an amazingly entertaining sight.
When I first saw the ritualistic performance, I didn’t realize exactly what I was watching, however, I later learned that I was observing four men dancing in the sky.
Would you SIT on top of an 80 foot pole?
These four dancers are tied by their feet with long ropes; they descend to the ground as the ropes unwind and fly around the pole. There is a fifth dancer who remains at the top of the pole, playing the flute and drum. This ceremony is not just for mere entertainment to display bravery and courage, but it actually has a much deeper, more valuable meaning.
The Papantla Flyers are also known as the Voladores de Papantla or Birds from Earth. The Dance of the Voladores or Papantla Flyers is a pre-Hispanic ritual that originated in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico. The Papantla Flyers is the most famous of the Totonac dances. This ancient Mesoamerican ritual is used to ask the gods to end a drought and bring rain for crops during extended dry seasons. It is said that the brave men falling symbolizes the fall of raindrops from the sky in the search of earth’s fertility. The flute represents the singing of a bird, and the drum resembles the voice of the gods; similar (almost) to the sound of a thunderstorm. In the past, the ritual began by choosing and cutting the tree from which they would take the flying post.
As a tourist this traditional ritual of the Papantla Flyers was stunning yet seemed dangerous. To the locals, it is a normal common and ancient tradition. It was amazing to watch even though I doubt that I would ever climb that high on any pole. Rest assured that these men who perform the important ceremony have been trained since childhood to perform this ritual. The tourists, like me, in actuality only see the final part of the ceremony.
If I enjoyed being knee deep in snow, I might be full of envy seeing all the snow ❄️ my cousins received yesterday at their places in Tennessee. However, I I do enjoy observing their snow covered lawns, porches, and cars from a distance of my rain drenched home.
Scriptures are written for our minds and hearts to ponder, understand, and apply to our lives. They are a written form of communication from God to all who desire to know Him.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.
My Wallpaper on my iPhone I enjoy four different photos on different focus pages. The following is what I have been looking at whenever I’m using my iPhone.
iPhone 14 Pro Max:
Coronado Bridge Coleman in T-RexCalendula officinalisTerry Leon Wilson (1954-2018)
On my Laptop:
BobcatGrist MillAt The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
With all our cold and rainy days of late, I am reflecting on a warmer Sunny Sunday when I relished the beauty of God’s handiwork in nature. I have fond memories recalling the beautiful reflections and the enjoyment I had observing the lovely Canada Geese.
Lake at Andrew Jackson State Park
Black Geese AKA Branta canadensis, the Canada Goose
1. When you look out of your kitchen window, what do you see?
When I look out the kitchen window I see a vast expanse of overcast skies verging into partly cloudy with the sun trying to peek through and not succeeding lately. Overlookingthe first impressions on the horizon I trees the trees across the road stirring to and fro giving strength to the winds crossing through our area.
2. When was the last time you used public transport?
The last time I used public transportation was the day before Thanksgiving. Since then it has been raining and cold most days and Coleman and I haven’t featured out to the bus stop. Having just ( more or less) gotten over a bacterial virus I haven’t wanted to stand out in the cold or rain to wait for a bus.
3. Do you prefer cut flowers or a potted plant?
I prefer plants I can plant in the ground around the house and garden to potted or cut flowers, but I would not turn down cut flowers if they were given out of love.
4. Do you believe in Karma?
Yes, I believe in Karma. There is always a cause and effect to everything we say and do. It is wise to think before saying or doing anything. Think about how what I do today would affect future aspects of my life.
“7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:7-9 NIV )New International Version)
We reap what we sow. If we sow love, kindness, and compassion we in turn we receive the same in return. If we sow hate, gossip, bitterness, or any negative energy they will also be shown to us.
We’ve had a lot of rain off and on lately, so I thought I would do a little wishful thinking and dreaming of spending time at the Catawba River near the Fort Mill Dam with Coleman. Therefore I created a video compilation of a previous time we enjoyed exploring trails along the Catawba River and the Fort Mill Dam.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 