LAPC #378 – Last Chance for 2025

Tina from travelsandtrifles is the host this week for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. Tina is giving us the opportunity for one Last Chance to share photos we have taken and loved throughout 2025 and hadn’t had an opportunity to share for one challenge or another.

Here are some of my favorites from this year that I believe I haven’t as yet shared with y’all …

Tina’s Lens-Artist Challenge-Last Chance

Photo Credit:©️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.

On the Move by Curb Walking

Curb Walking

for — LAPC

#SWS

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.

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.

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.)

John’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #374-On the Move

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2025.11.22

Bonus:

Becky’s November #Shadows

I love multi-linking to various challenges.

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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.

Looking Back to Autumn Leaves

LAPC #368 —

Lens-Artists Challenge

# 106: Autumn Plus

Festival of Leaves Week #3

This week John from Journeys with Johnbo is hosting the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. He has come up with the “Looking Back” theme of Autumn. With mainly the Northern Hemisphere being in the Autumnal Season and the Leaves are changing colours, it seems appropriate that we show off our Fall/Autumn colours. I am linking up with Dawn’s Festival of Leaves, which I feel is definitely appropriate due to the Autumn Colours of Leaves being displayed. You can find out more about Dawn’s Festival of Leaves challenge here.

Here are my entries for these challenges …

Click on each image to enlarge.

John’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #368-Autumn

Dawn’s Festival of Leaves 2025-Week #3

Photo Credit:©️2022-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i and Apple 14 Pro Max

Locations: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina and Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina

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

2025 Cell Pic Sunday — 05 October

Cramerton’s Story Walk

with John Steiner

Good Day Everyone! Welcome to my post for John’s Cell Pic Sunday. Previously on September 7th I ran a post introducing the Story Walk that was coming to Cramerton. At that time the Story Walk posts were in the ground waiting for the Story Walk story to be attached. You may view the original Story Walk post here.

During the following Monday I had an amazing opportunity to meet up with John from Journeys with Johnbo blog and his lovely wife, Lynn. We met at the entrance to Goat Island Park and Greenway and walked the trail to the Riverlink Greenway Trail. We walked the trail together enjoying the time together and discovering each story aspect along the Story Walk trail.

Walk along with us as we visit the Story Walk together. Below are some highlights of the Story Walk.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you John and Lynn for meeting up with me and letting me show you What Everyone Should See (LAPC #367). I really enjoyed our visit together.

I am linking up with John from Journeys with Johnbo blog’s CellPic Sunday. I am also going to link a day early to Judy’s Numbers Game.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2025.10.05

Joanne’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #367

Judy’s Numbers Game #93-215

Photo Credit:©️2022 Deb L. Waters … Al Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Story Walk; Riverlink Greenway Trail; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

Longing for Times of Bygone Days

Egidio from Through Brazilian Eyes is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge with her theme of Longing. I took some time thinking about what I wanted to select to showcase a few things I am Longing.

Longing for times of bygone days, remembering the good times, the friendships made, the experiences I’ve had over the years are memories I treasure forever.

“Oh, how I miss the old days -those carefree moments, those unforgettable experiences, and those precious friendships that made life so incredibly beautiful.”

balmyquotes.com

I decided to make my selections in Black, White, and Shades of Grey/Gray linking with The Cosmic Photo Challenge & Six Word Saturday challenges.

Longing for road trips, traveling to the mountains, beaches, and favourite places; recalling some of my favourite things.

Showcased in the above gallery are images of a rode trip where my eldest son and I drove through part of the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at various mileposts to catch a glimpse of the magnificent views. A short distance from a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is where my maternal ancestors lived which emphasizes the significance and importance this area is to my heart.

“Sometimes you will never know
the value of a moment
until it becomes a memory”

— Dr. Seuss

Memories of bygone days are ones I’ll always cherish, but not all would be worth repeating. Memories of friendships that have stood the test of time are ones worth treasuring.

The above images are a small depiction of bygone days of wonderful events I miss from my childhood. Events of bygone days are lovely to remember, but learning from them and looking forward is extremely essential.

“Sometimes, I wish I could rewind back to the old days and press pause … just for a little while.”

Treasure Simplicity

Here’s to making sure the present are good ‘ole days filled with love, family, and happiness.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Lens-Artists Challenge #365-Longing

Cosmic Photo Challenge-Shades of Grey

Photo Credit:©️1978-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

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

2025 LAPC #364 — A Quiet Moment

Quiet Moments can be found in many different and wonderful ways and places. It does not matter where you are, there can always be times for quiet moments.

In the featured image Coleman enjoying some quiet moments communicating in his own way with a horse.

“Let a horse whisper in your ear and breathe on your heart. You will never regret it.”

live-love-lope.tumblr.com

Quiet Stillness Brings Peace and Calmness to the Soul like the peace and calmness felt when by a river.

South Fork Catawba River

“In the stillness of quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.”

— Howard Thurman

And then Quietly Moments can be found relaxing in a rocking chair …

Coleman –
A moment of Quiet

“Finding some quiet time in your life, I think, is hugely important.”

Mariel Hemingway

Ritva’s Lens-Artists Challenge #364 – Quiet Moment

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

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Spend time communing with nature. Find some time for Quiet Moments through out your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

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.

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.

2025 LAPC #357 — Into the Woods — Through the Trees

… A Hiking we shall Go

in Kings Mountain State Park

Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees…

WILD WOMAN SISTERHOOD

Taking a hike through the woods surrounded by encompassing trees is one of the most invigorating and inspiring activities one could experience and one I truly love to undertake as often and as long as I am able to do so.

I find peace and tranquility while I am hiking through the woods. It is a fascinating opportunity to admire and explore all the beauty nature has to offer. It is a time to renew the(my) mind, relax one’s(my) body, and recharge the(my) spirit within you(me).

“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

John Muir

All the ins and outs, the twists and turns of a trail remind me that my path in life is not always (or necessarily) meant to be a straight pathway on life’s journey. Only God knows what pathway I should be on and whether I venture off the path or not, God is always there to guide me through life’s trials and triumphs.

“It is a surprising and memorable, as well as valuable experience, to be lost in the woods any time.”

Henry David Thoreau

Whenever I go into the woods I seek to obtain peace and tranquility. The woods are an escape from daily routines and aggravation. The calmness I feel amongst the trees is overwhelming and enhances a sense of calming relaxation, reflection, and revitalization.

“In Every Walk
With Nature
One Receives Far More
Than He Seeks.”

— John Muir

This adventure into the woods was a solo (Coleman was on 11 months at the time) outing I took to get away from the stress and tension within my environment. I ventured onto the trails in Kings Mountain State Park for some time in the woods communing with God and nature.

I hiked along the Lake Crawford Trail twisting and turning along the natural path enjoying the beautiful views along the way. I especially liked viewing the spillway cascading downstream and the amazing views looking out over Lake Crawford.

Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Egidio’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #357-Into the Woods

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy nature’s beauty. Thankful for the freedom to be outside and in the woods. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monochrome Monday(MM)/LAPC: 14 July

The Silence

of an

Afternoon Walk

On Sunday, Coleman and I took a detour on our walk home from church. We stopped by the local Goat Island Park and Greenway to get a short hike in and permit him to play for a little while before heading back home.

Instead of just using the main camera on my iPhone, I decided to use the fusion camera to do a bit of black and white photography.

The Calmness of the
South Fork Catawba River

On Early Sunday afternoons we experience the Silent peaceful serenity surrounding the River and Trails.

Coleman
sensing silent reflections
in the
South Fork Catawba River

While crossing the bridge over the river one can see the small white church we attended. All is calm and quiet as almost everyone has gone home.

Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church
as seen from the Goat Island Bridge

Cramerton Independent

Presbyterian Church

Silence surrounding
the White Church

 Stupidity Hole’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #356 – Quiet Hours

Weekly Prompts Color Challenge:  Black & White

Monday Monochrome

Monochrome Monday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #272

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera

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

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

2025 LAPC #354 — Reflections

This theme challenge to see time to think about what to reflections to use, especially since I just recently posted a water reflections post. Looking through my archives I realized the majority of my reflections are water reflections. So what to use, um, um, what should I use?

Let’s go ahead and show a few of my favourite Water Reflections …

Now let’s explore other objects that may at times reflect images

A Horse’s Eye
Sunglasses
A Car Hood & Windshield

How about looking at Window Reflections

And lastly, Ever think about Reflections in your Television Screen?

Door and Window
Reflected on TV Screen

Anne’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Reflections

Monday Window – 23 June 2025

Photo Credits:©️1975-2025 Deb L. Waters; #3) Nornal H. Waters; #4) Larry D. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2025 LAPC #353 – Stormy

This week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge is hosted by Beth from Wandering Dawgs. She has chosen a theme for this week of Stormy.

Here is my entry for LAPC … Click on image to enlarge.

Thunderstorm
Wilkinson Blvd
Charlotte, NC

Beth’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Stormy

Lens-Artist Challenge

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wilkinson Blvd; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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

A Restful Peaceful Mellow Feeling

The World in its vastness may not seem a calm and mellow place to find peace and rest. However, there are some amazingly wonderful places out there in this big beautiful world where you can find respite from the hectic stressful times life throws your way.

Moon & World
Planetarium Show at
The Schiele Museum of Natural History

Taking time to get away from every day normalcy is a privilege and often a personal necessity.

I feel the most calm and mellow when I am out in nature camping in my favourite campground away from any and all folks or situations which would be stressful.

My Campsite at
Andrew Jackson State Park

Naturally, a bit of rest in a hammock would be nice and relaxing allowing for me to mellow out and enjoy my time in nature’s outdoors.

Hammock in
Andrew Jackson State Park

Of course, whether I am on my own or with Coleman a hike along a trail is sure to be had. Hiking out among the trees in nature always brings about calmness and tranquility. Our hikes sometimes brings about interesting sights and experiences, like gnomes or even Stitch.

Stitch in
Anne Springs Close Greenway

The Vast Outdoors is where Coleman feels calm, relaxed, and mellow. He dislikes being in doors and much prefers being outside and preferably in the woods surrounded by trees and water.

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #352-Mellow

Weekly Prompts Weekend Colour Challenge-Blue

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP)-Folk

Photo Credit:©️2019-2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

God Bless. Stay Calm. Mellow out and relax. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 LAPC #348: Serenity

“Tranquility, serenity, and beauty of nature taught me how to find happiness in life and in the silence of eternity.”

Debasish Mridha

Where do I find Peace, Serenity, and a sense of Solace? More likely than not, I find it out in the wonderful abliss of nature’s beauty and tranquility.

For example … In a Campground or by a Lake

Or possibly by the Ocean …

Sea Grove Park
Del Mar, California

Or with a relaxing peaceful stroll through a Botanical Garden …

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
(now called Conservancy)
Belmont, North Carolina

Perhaps we’ll visit the serenity of a different lake …

Lens-Artists Photography Challenge #348: Serenity

Photo Credit:©️2018-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2025 LAPC #347 — Breaking the Rules

Breaking the Rules? Whoever said one had to follow Rules in photography? Up, Down, Sideways, it doesn’t always matter if you shoot straight, point and shoot vertical or horizontal. Instead follow your own instincts, make your own interpretations on your shooting style. After all, you are the one you need to please.

What’s your angle?

Shooting across the river from a laying down position …

Shooting Subject Slightly off-center … background slightly blurred ( might be a rule though – who cares, I don’t read rules).

Not actually diagonal lines …

Lens-artists Photography Challenge #347 – break the rules!

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

Cameras: 1-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera; 5-6) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.

Locations: 1-4) Riverside Park and Greenway; 5-6) Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North 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.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Unpaved Road or Pathway

Another week is almost over, you know what that means. It is time for the next Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I am combining the Which Way Challenge with Johnbo’s Lens-Artist Challenge #345. John has chosen a theme of My Go to Places which ties into my chosen theme of Any Unpaved Road or Pathway.

Go to Places change from time to time especially whenever our dwelling places change or as we progress through the ages. Our interests may change, our surroundings may change, regardless of how or when changes occur we tend to develop new ideas and locations for our “Go to Places.”

Currently, my “Go to Places” depends on Coleman’s interests and selection of the day. Whenever we go hiking we go to one of two Greenways within walking distance from our home. It just so happens that both of these “Go to Places” contain Any Unpaved Roads or Pathways. More often than not Coleman prefers to hike along unpaved nature surface trails or off the beaten pathways out in nature.

Here are our Unpaved Roads and/or PathwaysColeman leads the way to one of his favourite “Go to Places.”

Be sure to click on the links below to see what others have as their Which Ways.

Brian’s CFFC Trains: Tickets please (here comes the train)

Brian’s CWWC Trains: More trains (on the way)

Geriatri’x’ Photography’s Which Way With Trains And Trolleys

Chava61’s CWWC + CFFC: Trains, etc.

I deeply appreciate and extend my greatest gratitude for all who have supported and participated in the Which Way (CWWC) Challenge.

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Any Unpaved Road or Pathway

Lens-Artists Challenge #345 – My Go-To Places

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera

Location: Off the Beaten Path Trail; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take a hike/walk in Nature. Commune with the beautiful landscapes, the trees and flowers, and (maybe) natural wildlife. Refresh your soul. Renew your mind. Life is a journey … relax and enjoy it. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 LAPC #344: Abandoned

Anne is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Challenge with the theme of Abandoned

Thinking about what I might want to use for this challenge took some thinking on my part. Then it took some searching through my archives to find exactly what I was looking for to use. The first set of photos are shared photos from a private group I belong to on Facebook called I Remember Springs Park, Lancaster, SC. These images show what the Abandoned Springs Park Pool looks like in recent years.

This next group of images are from a time when my family along with my dad’s brother’s and sister’s families and my dad’s aunts and uncles as well as my dad’s parents all met up at Springs Park to enjoy a summer day filled with fun, swimming and picnicking in the park.

Springs Park has been abandoned since its closure in 1989 and the property is in a state of total disrepair. Springs Recreation Park opened in 1924 and operated until 1989. In its heyday, it was a popular amusement park destination for local residents. It offered a variety of recreational activities, including swimming in an Olympic-style swimming pool, skating in an outdoor skating rink, it had its own bowling alley, miniature golf course and amusement park rides for children of all ages to enjoy.

The Olympic-style pool (16 feet deep) was half-surrounded by an ancient Greek-style amphitheater with a triple-decker high dive platform. It has been stated that the amphitheater was made to house 5,000 onlookers. The Springs Park also featured a Carousel, a small Ferris Wheel and a mini train. I remember the Park also had a “kiddie” pool alongside the Olympic-style swimming pool.

I was young at the time we visited the Park and remember playing in the “kiddie” pool with my younger cousins. I didn’t get to visit Springs Park often because we only visited it when we came to the Carolinas to visit my dad’s family. I still remember getting together with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and having a fabulous fun-filled day playing, swimming, and simply enjoying time with family.

Bonus: My Family at Springs Park

My dad took the photos and it appeared our immediate family didn’t get a group photo.

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Abandoned

Throwback Thursday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Photo Credit: ©️1963 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) for all but the abandoned photos.

Location: Springs Recreation Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a blessed Easter and a funtastic Spring Break (if you’re able to have one). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 LAPC #343 – Seen on my Last Outing with Coleman

Leya is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Challenge. She has selected a theme of Seen on my Last Outing.

My last outing was on Friday after I picked Coleman up from the school bus stop. After stopping at home to allow him to change into shorts, gather drinks and snacks we proceeded to hike downtown to Goat Island Park and Greenway for a relaxing afternoon of hiking and fun.

What we saw when we first approached Goat Island were the Canada Geese out soaking up the warm sunshine.

Continuing on our way we gaze over the South Fork Catawba River from the bridge as we cross over into the Greenway.

Next up, we saw a bicyclist riding along in front of us on the paved Greenway trail.

Hiking along we saw Sasquatch and more Canada Geese.

Isn’t it amazing the variety of interesting things we see on our various outings we take when we venture outside. The interesting “thing” we saw next was not in our normal per view of subjects seen on any of our adventures previously.

We spoke with the man in the River as curiosity plagued us to know what he was doing standing in the middle of the River. He informed us he was searching for golf discs that might of missed their target and landed in the river instead of the disc golf catcher.

Venturing on, Coleman and I spotted trash discarded by the trail (someone didn’t adhere to the Leave No Trace rule).

Trash by trailside

Before continuing on our hike, Coleman decided to throw sticks in the river. He likes to see the splashes that occur when he throws objects into the water.

And coming back around to the beginning of the trail, we see some newly grown mushrooms and a couple of disc golf catchers.

As we are at the end of our adventure and what was Seen on our Last Outing, you might like to venture over to Leya’s blog to see what she saw on her last outing. Thank you Leya for hosting this week’s challenge. Click here to check out Leya’s post.

Lens-Artists Challenge #343 – Seen on my Last Outing

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #264

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

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL & 4-Star Filter attachments. 

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

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

2025 LAPC #341 — A Few of My Personal Favourites

Good Day! Tina with Travels and Trifles is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. Tina has opted to choose a theme of Personal Favorites. She would like us to show what images are our ultimate favorites. I have several favourites, too many to include here. My top two (other than of Coleman) are shown first and foremost. They remind me of wonderful times of enjoyed at Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster, South Carolina.

Lens-Artist Challenge #341-Personal Favorites

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

2025 LAPC/Monday Portrait: 17 March

Affection Between

a Boy (aka Coleman)

and a Horse

For this week I am combining Monday Portrait with the Lens-Artist Photography Challenge. This week’s Lens-Artist Challenge #340 is hosted by Ritva with a theme of Portraits.

My Portraits for these challenges were taken when we visited the Horses at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Coleman loves visiting the Horses whenever an opportunity presents itself. From the images you can visualize how much he loves visiting the Horses and the respond affectionately towards him.

Here are my entries:

Monday Portrait

Lens-artists challenge #340 – Portraits

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina.

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

LAPC #337 – BOLD

This week’s Lens-Artist Challenge is hosted by Sofia Alves with the blog PHOTOGRAPHIAS. She has chosen a theme of BOLD for this week.

Being Bold is not always easy especially if you’re timid or introverted, however being Bold in your photography is well worth it if you’re able to capture that thrilling moment, that “perfect shot.”

“Your life is your canvas, and you are the masterpiece. There are a million ways to be kind, amazing, fabulous, creative, bold, and interesting.”

Kerli

“Be original;
don’t be scared
of being bold!”

Ed Sheeran

Sofia’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #337 – BOLD

Cee’s Flower of the Day

RDP Tuesday! Masterpiece!

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

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Downtown Cramerton; 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.

2025 LAPC #336 — One and Only One Picture

Greenwood Memorial

Park and Cemetery

My earliest memory of gathering here with family was in May of 1968. We were gathered together to pay our respects and say a final goodbye to my maternal grandfather, Harvey Martin Watson. I wasn’t able to see him before he passed on while he was in the hospital suffering the effects of a heart attack. He was hospitalized at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. At this time, children were not allowed to visit (I was only eleven (11)).

This place is a connection between generations and between family who were once very close. One can gain valuable insight and knowledge into the history behind the people who reside here. They have a connection to the past, to me, to an array of family members stretching from the west coast to the east coast. Knowledge is power, growth and resilience. It can hopefully learn from their lives and experiences and acknowledge to strive to become better in our own lives.

My mom’s eldest brother preceded my grandfather in this resting place here on earth by three years. I, however, do not recall being here for his service even though I probably would have been. He was only forty-three (43) years when he became a resident in this destination.

Family and most likely friends as well would gather here and then family would return to the family home for further consolation and nourishment.

I have visited here off and on throughout the years. Not so much as late, but will again one day soon in the future. When I return I’ll be laying flowers on my parents and grandparents graves as a sign of respect and remembrance.

I remember gathering here with family members when my maternal grandmother, Myrtle Melvina (Tebo) Watson was laid to rest in 1986. This occasion was the first time my eldest son experienced the formality of a loved one being lowered to earth’s humble abode. You get through the difficult times this place brings you here and move on, but forgetting what brought you here still lingers in the recesses of your heart and mind to be recalled and remembered from time to time.

The last time I came here for a short, but necessary, visit (in 1996) was to honour my father after he left his earthy home to become a resident (in body) here near my maternal grandparents gravesites. This was the hardest visit ever in my lifetime. He and I were very close and at times I wish he was still here.

My mom’s ashes are buried with my father after she passed on in 2019. The family held a celebration of life service for her in Plano, Texas where she was residing at the end of her time here on earth. My brother later traveled to San Diego, California to have her ashes entombed with my father. I have yet to back it back to this location to once again pay my respects to family long gone. Plans are in the works for the near future (within the next year) to once again travel to this destination and converse with family even if they can only communicate in spirit.

Lens-Artists Challenge # 336 – Only One Picture

Location: Greenwood Memorial Park and Cemetery; Imperial Avenue; San Diego, California, USA

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

2025 LAPC #335: Color vs Black & White Comparison

Off and on I will choose to edit a photo into one on the black and white/monochrome features which I can easily access. I have selected four different images for comparisons for this challenge.

First selection is of a Horse at Anne Springs Close Greenway Stables:

Next up is of a Goat at The Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm at Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Thirdly, is a comparison of the coast of Costa Maya, Mexico which was taken from a cruise ship in 2020.

And lastly, one of my favourite photos of a rose.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #335: Exploring Color vs Black & White

Cee’s Flower of the Day

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

2025 LAPC #334 – Cats and Dogs

Tina from Travels and Trifles is this week host for the Lens-Artist Challenge. She has chosen a theme of Cats and Dogs.

At this present point in time we do not have any cats or dogs. The only cats that have been around in places we lived were feral cats that would roam the neighborhood. Sometimes female cats would have their litter under our home and their would stick around for awhile.

Here are some photos of those cats

Here are a few pix of my Aunt Irene’s Dog plus one of a Dog Statue at Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster, South Carolina.

Tina’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #334-Cats and Dogs

LAPC

Photo Credit:©️2017-2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: Various iPhones from 7+ to X to XR to 14 Pro Max

Locations: Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 LAPC #332 — Shoot From Above

Looking Down at the Valley

Ritva is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Challenge and she has chosen a theme of Shoot From Above. I do not always shoot from above, however, on occasion I have a fantastic opportunity to do just that.

Here is remembering one of those occasions …

A Look from
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
West Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina
 

More Shots from above at The Peak at Mountain Jefferson State Park

These were taken in August of 2017 when my eldest son and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and visited Mount Jefferson, North Carolina. I was in the area for a family reunion in Deep Gap, North Carolina. While in the area, we decided to do some sightseeing and a little hiking. It was a fun weekend of one on one time together.

For my information regarding Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and what the area has to offer click here.

Lens-artists Photo Challenge #332 – Shoot From Above

Throwback Thursday

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

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

Location: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area; West Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina, USA

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