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.
This toy I received as apart of a monthly toy subscription from Johnson & Johnson in 1982. It was a subscription offered to all new mom during that era.
Red Lettering Pump House Rock Hill, South Carolina
The PUMP HOUSE is a former industrial pump house located on the Catawba River. It now houses a multi-level dining room, complete with a rooftop bar and deck that’s open for dinner and on weekends. One can enjoy terrific views from the main dining room or from the year-round deck, both on the third level.
Coleman wearing a RED shirt standing on a RED caboose
The Little Red Caboose is a historic site in South Carolina. The Little Red Caboose is situated nearby to Millstone Park and Veterans Monument.
Red Leaf
Autumn leaves turn fiery-red in an attempt to store up as much goodness as possible from leaves and soil before a tree settles down for the winter.
Alona hanging on RED monkey bars
The RED monkey bars are included in the playground equipment in Allison Park which we accessed from the Baxter Village Trailhead located in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Candlelit Birthday Candles Sunlight peeking through the clouds String lighting Domtar Forest Porch Anne Springs Close Greenway Spot lights illuminate Flags Arkansas Texarkana Welcome Center
These were take at Glencairn Gardens in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Most of the plants and flowers are not in bloom. It appeared as if the had been trimmed way down for winter. Best time to visit the Gardens is in the springtime.
The next entry isn’t a flower and is added just for kicks. The photo was taken with my iPhone by my three year old grandson. All other photos were taken by me with my Canon Rebel EOS T3i.
Floral Arrangements Arthel “Doc” Watson Statue Boone, North Carolina
Arthel “Doc” Watson (1923-2012), an 8-time Grammy winner, was born down the road in Deep Gap and always remained “Just One of The People,” as this sculpture states. [As a side note: “Doc” is my maternal 4th cousin.]
Doc became part of the Folk Revival and is known worldwide for his flat-picking style of guitar playing. The Town of Boone celebrates Doc Watson Day every year with a concert at the Jones House. This bronze statue of Doc Watson was dedicated on June 24, 2011, and sculpted by Alexander M. Hallmark.
Sitting by my cousin, Arthel “Doc” Watson’s Bronze Statue Boone, North Carolina
Did you know that Punxsutawney Phil is accurate less than half of the time? Yes, it is true. It is estimated Phil’s forecasts have had a mere 39% accuracy ratesince they began in 1887 (although data from some early years is missing). One could merely toss a coin and be as accurate as Punxsutawney Phil. However, if you ask the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club they would state that Phil is always correct. What do you think? Is Punxsutawney Phil always correct? Do you watch & listen to his predictions?
Upside down Squirrel Seven Oaks Preserve Trail
Can squirrels predict winter? Well, maybe. Punxsutawney Phil is a squirrel. Groundhogs are squirrels. Groundhogs are one of the largest members of the Sciuridae family, which includes squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, prairie dogs, and more. Did you know that? Maybe, maybe not. It is an interesting true fact.
Squirrel looking for food Andrew Jackson State Park
Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow this morning? According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes early. For those of you who love winter, you’re in luck. Today, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow so we will see six more weeks of winter weather.
Begging Squirrel Andrew Jackson State Park
I don’t know if you believe groundhogs can predict winter or not. I’m not sure. Spring never begins before March 20th anyway. It would be nice though if the cold dreary days could be over and the clear warmer days could begin sooner. That might only be wishful thinking since it is predicted for us to have six more weeks of the cold winter weather.
Squirrel gazes with interest Andrew Jackson State Park
This being Groundhog Day, I chose to delight you with my favorite Squirrel photos. Happy Groundhog Day!
The color which describes my personality would be blue. Why you might wonder; it is the color that represents those who like to be organized & analyze their life and surroundings. I like to have everything in its place & do not like the order of my things to be disrupted. I prefer not to have conflict with others, but would rather have everyone get along and work comfortably together. People know when I work on a job or task that he will be completed and done well. I am a good listener and am observant of situations around me and try to crate the best possible solutions. I like structure & tend to prefer to not need the need to improvise if at all possible. That being said, I do work well within a team and am an invaluable asset.
Now on to the North Carolina Transportation Museum for more Truck Doors.
Military Land RoverAntique Ford Wrecker Truck 1930 Ford Model A1953 STUDEBAKER DUALLY STAKE TRUCKVintage Milk Truck Melville Dairy Foods 1954 Ford F150 Pickup Truck
Coleman holding GATE attached to FENCEHorses inside FENCEBarbed Wire FENCE GATE leading to Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman near GATE and FENCE Property of Town of Fort Mill NO TRESPASSING Violators Will Be Prosecuted FENCE around Grandparents homeCee’s Black & White Photo Challenge
Photo Credit: 1-5 Deb L. Waters. 6 – Nornal Hule Waters
Pull Up a Seat … High Up on a Downed TreeColeman sitting on the lower portion of same Downed TreeOr on a Sanitation Manhole …Coleman looking at a Brick 🧱 while sitting on another Sewer Manhole … And relaxing on another one.
To Coleman, it does not matter what it is; if it looks like somewhere to sit he will sit. He will Pull Up a Seat anywhere, anytime he chooses to do so.
Just about everything irritates me regarding the “home” I currently reside within. You might wonder why I stay in my current residence if everything about it irritates me. The predominant reason I reside where I do is my grandson. Right now he is my world 🌎. I take care of him 24/7 in my daughter’s apartment. If it weren’t for him, I’d leave in a heartbeat. But then there’s financial issues which makes it difficult to leave. This is not what or where I thought I’d be just a few short years ago.
What irritates you about the home you live in? Is it the neighborhood? The people you live with? What can you change about it? Would you make changes if you could?
Take a walk with me through the backwoods of the Greenway. See what my grandson and I see as we meander through the trees and along the creek on the Blue Star Trail. The Greenway is one of the happiest places that my grandson loves to be, hiking and enjoying nature.
We entered the Greenway through a path in a Fort Mill neighborhood. This was our first-time entry through this area. we were not sure where we were going or onto which trail, we would encounter as we hiked from this new point of entrance.
We missed the pathway to start with and crisscrossed through the trees until we emerged near a wooden bridge. We saw the Blue Star Trail sign and knew we were about to be in the Greenway. To the left of the wooden bridge is a swinging bridge that was blocked off with caution tape signifying it was unsafe to use. So, we crossed the wooden bridge to begin our hike for the afternoon.
Coming upon a crossroads we weren’t sure whether to go to the right or the left. We went to the left, and it took us away from the Greenway onto a section belonging to the Town of Fort Mill. We didn’t realize this until we stopped at a gate which indicated it was a restricted area. At such time we turned around and proceeded back the way we had traveled. The pathway runs alongside a creek. In the Greenway the trails run along creeks thus we didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary at first.
Once we arrived back at the crossroads, we proceeded to hike the direction we should have gone in the first place, to the right. In this direction we came to another swinging bridge, the Blue Star. This one was okay to cross. My grandson, Coleman loves to run across swinging bridges. It wasn’t that way the first time he went across one, but now he thinks they are fun to cross.
Being the first time, we hiked via this pathway we didn’t go very far. We were not wearing our proper hiking boots and we were just out for a short adventure. Therefore, we at this point went back to the house we were visiting to relax and reflect on our time in the woods.
Not much activity going on in my area this weekend even though we did have rain earlier in the week. It was interesting to see the changes in the cloud formations from one day to the next.
Dale offers the prompt “one winter’s morning”for this week’s Cosmic Photo Challenge.
One Evening you go to sleep …Thinking about the possibility …Of Snow falling …In your area and think you’re dreaming…Until you wake up and see all this Snow.
And you realize it really truly did snow during the night.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge for this week is the Alphabet Letter A at the beginning of a word.
Here are my entries….
Andrew Jackson on screen Andrew Jackson Statue Alabama We Dare Defend Our Rights Alabama Motto Alabama Welcome CenterWall Art North Carolina Transportation Museum Piedmont Airlines Airplane Aquilegia formosa
First of all, Is the billion dollars post taxes? If not, the government would take a huge chunk of it. That being said, with the portion I would actually be able to spend I would first off put a portion of it into stocks and/or bonds to hopefully increase the value.
gettyimages.com
Next, I would set a portion aside in trust funds for my grandchildren that would become theirs when they turn twenty-one. Who knows, I might if I deemed necessary, raise the age in which they would have access to it.
Then, I would purchase or build a modest home somewhere in the country with plenty of land around it. I prefer not having neighbors super close. I do not need or want a gigantic house. Just one that would sufficiently meet my needs.
countryliving.com
I would also donate some of the money to charities that are close to my heart. I would be extremely selective on those charities in which I would choose to contribute.
I would like if at all possible to use a small portion of the money to travel to the various places I can only dream about visiting.
Facebook.com
It is fanciful to think about what one would do with a billion dollars. Saying you’d spend it one way, however, good intentions aside one never knows until one would actually obtain it.
How would you spend a billion dollars if you had it? Spend it on yourself? Give it away? Invest it? Lots to think about on the subject.
Feet 👣 Andrew Jackson State ParkShadow Legs Anne Springs Close GreenwayYoung Legs & Feet 👣 Anne Springs Close Greenway Feet 👣 in Crocs Anne Springs Close Greenway
What language do you wish you could speak? The language I wish I could speak would be Spanish. Hablo un poquito de español. I speak a little Spanish, however, I would like to speak it fluently. I took some Spanish in high school, but with lack of constant use I am lacking the ability to truly communicate. I can understand more than I am able to speak. It would be a wish of mine to be able to speak, write, and truly be able to hold a conversation in español.
Cross over the stairs to the Door2 Crosses on Green DoorDual crests on dual colored Door Via Dolorosa – the Way of the Cross. Station 6 | Jerusalem, Holy land israel, Dome of the rock
These photos were taken in the Holy Land, Jerusalem by a friend of mine. I enjoyed seeing the Holy Land through his eyes.
Photo Credit: Jim Elder
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
It was a lovely day watching the birds in flight going back and forth over the Catawba River by the Fort Mill Dam.
Such a beautiful sight to behold, the majestic scene soaring above our heads. We were in awe of the wonder and were amazed how they would maneuver across the clear blue skies.
My preferred mode of travel is by car. Usually when I’m going on a long trip I will rent a car. Rental cars have more space and in better condition than any vehicle I have ever owned.
Is there an advantage to using a rental car for road trips? In my opinion, yes definitely. What are those advantages?
There are several advantages:
No wear and tear on your personal vehicle …
Drive Something More Comfortable…
Don’t Stress About Pre-Trip Tuneups …
More Space so You Won’t Feel Cramped…
Drive a Car in Great Condition…
Save Gas … rentals tend to be more fuel-efficient …
These advantages are the reason I prefer to travel by car whenever I travel, especially for long distances.
What chore do you find the most challenging to do?
The chore that I find the most challenging to do would be any chore I try to do while my grandson is awake. He demands so much of my attention that I can’t take my eyes of of him to do laundry, watch dishes, sweep or mop. I especially find it challenging to do any chores during the day. I have to clean the bathroom late in the evening, so as not to have my grandson near the cleaning materials, such as the toilet cleaner and the toilet brush.
The most challenging chore during the day is trying to sweep and mop the floors. Why is it challenging? It is because my grandson loves to try to help, but he is more in the way than helping when I move furniture to clean the dust from under where they lay.
Have you ever tried to clean with a three year old trying to help? It takes twice as long and is sometimes irritating even though I know he only wants to be a good helper.
Stone Mountain State Park stands prominently just beyond the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Straddling the border between Wilkes and Allegheny County, Stone Mountain, NC is a beloved place for locals to hike, fish, picnic, ride horses, and survey the Piedmont spreading eastward.
The 15,000 acres encapsulated by Stone Mountain State Park includes historic sites where homesteaders settled in the 1800s, first-rate camping facilities, miles of trails for hiking or horseback riding, numerous streams, and extensive picnicking grounds for day visitors.
State Mountain State Park
ADDRESS: 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668
Original Shot on CanonBlack and White CopyOriginal Shot on CanonBlack & White CopyOriginal Shot on CanonCopy Black and WhiteOriginal Shot on CanonMonochrome CopyOriginal Shot on CanonMonochromatic Copy
All shots taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera.