One Day while hiking along a trail Coleman and I came across a section with textured wood that had seen better days.
Trail near Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia, North Carolina
One Day while hiking in Anne Springs Close Greenway we spotted a mysterious hole within a rotting tree stump that drew our attention.
At Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
One Day we decided to take a break in the shade to catch our breath before contour hike. (Coleman was just under 2 at the time.) we found some interesting shadows and a Dragonfly.
Chestnut Trail; McDowell Nature Preserve; Charlotte, North Carolina
One Day during a hike to Coleman’s favourite sandpit in Riverside Park and Greenway we noticed some interesting texture of Hypnum cupressiforme, (the cypress-leaved plaitmoss or hypnum moss).
Textured hypnum moss growing on a tree Coleman enjoys climbing.
One Day at Riverside Park and Greenway I was trying to locate the log I usually sat on while Coleman played in the sand. It took some looking around before we spotted it. Someone had decomposed our log by using it as a fire log. (No fires are to be built in the park especially during the summer fire season.)
Burnt Log destroyed by fire. So much for my sitting on it.
Location: CLT Airport Overlook; Charlotte-Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Stay Safe. Stay Warm. Chill is in the Air. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Ramsey Creek Park; Lake Norman/Cornelius, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Hope y’all having wonderfully pleasant Thanksgiving weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Ramsey Creek Park; Lake Norman/Cornelius, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Hope y’all had a wonderfully pleasant Thanksgiving! Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Overlook; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Thanksgiving! Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Carolina Thread Trail; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Grateful for all of y’all for following, commenting, liking, and sharing your photos and stories with us. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens and Altura Wide Angle Fisheye lens attachment.
Settings: f/9 • 1/80s • 24mm • ISO100
Location: Baxter Village Trail; Baxter Village; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Grateful for all of y’all for following, commenting, liking, and sharing your photos and stories with us. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Anthem Veterans Memorial in Community Park, Anthem, Arizona is a tribute to United States Military Veterans. It features five (5) pillars with unique elliptical openings which align strategically with the Sun on Veterans Day (November 11) at 11:11 a.m. (Mountain Standard Time) to project a spotlight on the Great Seal of the United States.
Each of the five (5) pillars represent a branch of the United States Armed Services; Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The pillars (monoliths) are composed of white marble.
The memorial also includes a “Circle of Honor” with engraved brick pavers dedicated to individual service members. The Circle of Honour is a surrounding area which contains inscribed brick pavers that can be purchased to honor individual veterans with their name, rank, and service dates.
The Anthem Veterans Memorial is designed with significant symbolism; the white colour of the pillars, red pavers, and the blue sky represent the American Flag.
This week John from Journeys with Johnbo is the host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. He has challenged us to post photos of our being On the Move. He has shown us some of the typical ways that people choose to travel (Aka being On the Move). Some of the typical means of being “On the Move” are traveling by car, by train, by airplane, or by a cruise ship or another type of boat.
However, I am not going to show you any typical form of being “On the Move.” You might ask what are some other ways one can be “On the Move?” Well, some of the other methods are walking, running, skiing, skipping, skating, swimming, or our favourite hiking. Even though hiking is Coleman and my favourite method of getting from point A to point B and sometimes C in one day, that is not the method or means of being “On the Move” I am going to show you today.
What method of being “On the Move” am I going to discuss with y’all? Let me tell you. The method is called Curb Walking. Ever heard of Curb Walking? I hadn’t really heard much about it or how or why it is done.
Curb Walking is a unique type of walking which involves walking with one foot on the Curb and the other foot on the street. Ever tried Curb Walking? If you did; did you enjoy it? Was it Beneficial?
My daughter, Trisha, Curb Walking with Coleman close by (not that he’d be much help if she fell, but he’d try).
The uneven gait of Curb Walking is thought to help the pelvis (of pregnant women) to open and shift, which is predicted to encourage the baby to move lower and into a better position for birth.
Curb Walking around the playground at Goat Island Park and Greenway.
Curb Walking can help create flexibility in the hips and pelvic floor over time. It can also be a part of overall exercise for endurance. However, it is not a guaranteed way to start labor.
Trisha Curb Walking around the Playground
How long should you Curb Walking when you first start? It is recommended to begin with 10 minutes. When you are Curb Walking you should listen to your body and take it slow at first. You may gradually increase the duration and frequency (emphasis on gradual). It is suggested to aim for a total of 30 minutes of Curb Walking on the majority of days for overall fitness.
More Curb Walking Starring my daughter.
Before beginning Curb Walking (especially while pregnant), it is highly recommended (if not crucial) to consult your doctor or midwife prior to your first time. (My daughter, however, consulted her physician after her first adventure into Curb Walking). Everyone’s personal health and pregnancy situation is different, so it is best to consult with your medical professional ahead of time. ( I do need to mention she consulted her physician the next day & it was favorable for her to Curb Walk.)
If your doctor gives you the go ahead to begin Curb Walking, it is advised to start between 37 and 39 weeks to specifically try and induce labor. (She is so tired of being pregnant and so ready to meet her daughter.)
Location: Enroute & at Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Be safe. And have some fun walking around your surroundings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Shhh … my daughter doesn’t like her picture taken & doesn’t know I took these.
Every Winter The Schiele Museum of Natural History converts the Block Party room into a Winter Holiday Themed Sock Skating area for kids of all ages, however, primarily for preschoolers and elementary age children.
The first time Coleman visited the Sock Skating area “rink” he was hesitant about “skating” across the “rink.”
Location: Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Be Thankful for our Freedoms, our Friends, and our Families. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Ultra Wide Cameras
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. 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.
Capturing Leaves and such along the South Fork Catawba River before church this beautiful Sunny morning with Coleman. We enjoy walking along the riverbanks whenever the opportunity arises. And since we were feeling a bit better after being sick, it was an opportune time.
Platanus occidentalis
Leaves of American Sycamore trees …
The American Sycamore tree is native to Eastern North America; which includes the eastern and central United States, the mountains of northeastern Mexico, extreme southern Ontario, and extreme southern Quebec.
The American Sycamore is a long-lived species, typically surviving at least 200 years and likely as long as 500–600 years. Interestingly the species epithet occidentalis is Latin for “western,” referring to the Western Hemisphere and named as such by Carl Linnaeus since the only other species in the genus was P. orientalis (“eastern “), native to the Eastern Hemisphere. Therefore, it became confusing due to the fact that the American Sycamore was first known in the Eastern United States. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as the Eastern Sycamore in order to distinguish it from Platanus racemosa which was discovered later in the Western United States and called western sycamore.
Squares are back hosted by Becky from The Life of B. Click the link in the previous line to Check out her post for details regarding the #NovemberShadows squares challenge.
Coleman at the door of the Faires/Coltharp Cabin Anne Springs Close Greenway
Squares are back hosted by Becky from The Life of B. Click the link in the previous line to Check out her post for details regarding the #NovemberShadows squares challenge.
Coleman by the South Fork Catawba River Cramerton, NC
Squares are back hosted by Becky from The Life of B. Click the link in the previous line to Check out her post for details regarding the #NovemberShadows squares challenge.
I’m combining my first #NovemberShadows entry with XingfuMama’s One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge.
Location: Railroad Tracks; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend and week ahead. Happy November to everyone. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Throughout the month of July we have seen many Red Squares to pique our interests and delight us uplifting our spirits. Keep Calm you still have a few hours yet to join in and share your Red Squares.
Keep Calm Sign at Señor Frog’s in Cozumel, Mexico
I know myself and others have shared Red flowers in honor and in memory of Cee Neuner. What a beautiful way it has been to remember Cee in Becky’s #SimplyRedchallenge.
Call a friend and have some fun. Squaring may be almost over for now, but alas Becky will host another Square Challenge again before you know it. The time will pass quickly, however you can still join in on this one for a few hours more.
Pay Phone in Stone Mountain State Park Roaring Gap, North Carolina
Stop and enjoy a beautiful Red Sunrise …
Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, South Carolina
Red Sunrise
And Raise your flags proudly over the land …
United States of America Flag, North Carolina Flag & Gastonia Flag Warlick Family YMCA Gastonia, NC
Thank you Becky for hosting the Squares Challenge and challenging us with this month’s #SimplyRedtheme.
Cameras: 1-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 4) Apple 13 Pro
Locations: 1-3) Old Town, Riverside Community, Cramerton, North Carolina; 4) Lake Haigler, Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Only one more day of Becky’s Red Squaring. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Hey Dan, I know this is probably not what you are expecting or looking for in your Time of Day — Dawn theme for this week’s challenge, but with Coleman’s birthday this past Friday, the 25th I am still looking back over the Dawn of Time of Coleman in or with RED as he begins a New Dawn of New Beginnings in his life.
Looking forward to y’all sharing in the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) coming up on Friday. This week we are continuing with the theme of Any Which Way with Lines. In case you thought you missed joining in on the challenge, don’t worry there is still time to join in the fun of posting your own Which Ways with Lines.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. While you’re out and about enjoy having fun snapping pictures of your favourite objects and Which Ways. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cameras: Apple iPhones XS Max, 11 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 14 Pro Max, & 16 Pro Max
Locations Vary: 1-4 & 7-8) South Carolina; 5-6) North Carolina
God Bless. Coleman has my heart. Who has yours? Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Cramerton Fire Department; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Smile. You are loved. Take Care. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Northern Cardinal is the official state bird of North Carolina. It was designated as such in 1943 by the North Carolina General Assembly. The bright red colour of the males feathers, black face mask and their distinctive crests make them easy to spot. The females are a duller reddish-brown with similar facial markings.
Cardinals display at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
The Northern Cardinals (also referred to as Cardinals or Redbirds) do not migrate and have adapted effortlessly to both suburban and city environments. They are the most abundant and cherished songbirds in North America.
Male Northern Cardinal
Cardinals are believed to be beneficial by providing services for the environment, such as keeping farms and gardens free of harmful plants and insects.
Cardinals are seedeaters that also eat insects, larvae, sap, and many types of fruit. They enjoy feasting on berries (even dried berries, cranberries, and raisins) sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts and cracked corn.
They have strong beaks adapted for cracking seeds. They eat seeds from a variety of sources, including weeds, grasses, and trees. Sunflower seeds, in particular, are a favorite.
Cardinals also consume a variety of wild fruits and berries, such as dogwood, wild grape, blackberry, raspberry, sumac, and cherries. They get important nutrients and sugars from these. Interestingly, the red pigments in the male cardinal’s plumage come from carotenoids found in the fruits they eat.
Northern Cardinal on our Wire
Cardinals thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, residential areas, and even parks. They are known for their loud, clear whistles and are territorial, often seen defending their space, even against their own reflection.
Hey you, I see you checking out my Feathers.
We often see Cardinals in our neighbourhood perching on wires, in trees, and checking out our bird feeder. Sometimes the wind will sway the feeder to and fro and seed will fall onto the porch railing or undeveloped planter box. This particular female Cardinal is enjoying a snack of sunflower seeds spilled onto the porch railing. Isn’t she just sitting prettily posing for me to capture her portrait?
What ya doing to me? This is not enough for my lunch. Ya gotta do better than this.
My high school mascot was Cardinals … these are recent renderings of the Cardinal for the Hoover High (San Diego) Class of 1974.
God Bless. Enjoy your week. Take time to commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Judy from Life lessons hosts The Numbers Game . She has chosen the number 204 for this week’s #82” Numbers Game challenge. To play along, go to your photos file folder and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in my 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. This prompt repeats each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog post here.
Here are my contributions to the album.
Germany Faires/Coltharp Cabin#SimplyRedNornal, Dalline, & Eddie WatersAlonaAlona & ColemanAtlantic Ocean Alex Marina Murrells Inlet, South CarolinaAmerican PekinDiscovery Center Creation Museum Abilene, TexasHylotelephium cauticolaAnne Springs Close Greenway Coleman McDowell Nature Preserve New Braunfels Railroad Museum Greenville ZooThe Schiele Museum of Natural History
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 