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 …
Beth from Wandering Dawgsis this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge . She is challenging us to show off Wings of any kind. I am displaying Non-Feathered Wings as well as Wings on a variety of Feathered Friends with Wings.
Let us first take a look at some of my Feathered Friends that grace my pathways.
Female Northern Cardinal grace my porch railing enjoying a nice snack.
A Northern Mockingbird stopped by for a visit.
A Lovely Mourning Dove graces us with a beautiful song.
A Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) graces our pathway while on a hike.
A Gallery of Geese Flying Overhead
Now to display a few Non-Feathered Wings Landing and Taking off from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Frontier Airlines Frontier AirlinesAmerican Airlines American AirlinesAmerican AirlinesComing In & Flying Up, Up, & Away
Locations: Feathered Friends) Cramerton, North Carolina, USA; Non-Feathered Wings) Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
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.
Ann-Christine from Leya is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photography Challenge. She has chosen a theme of Dreamy which is different and thought worthy for determining what to post. I think I might have figured out a couple of options.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
Henry David Thoreau
Coleman beyond a Field of Wildflowers
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Harriet Tubman
South Fork Catawba River
“Dream what you dare to dream. Go where you want to go. Be what you want to be.”
Earl Nightingale
Coleman waiting on the Bank above the South Fork Catawba River
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Dream a little Dream or two, make your Dreams a Reality. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week John from Journeys with Johnbois 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.
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.
Cramerton’s Story Walk with John& Lynn
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.
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.
Egidio from Through Brazilian Eyesis 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.”
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 BlueRidge 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.
Anne from Slow Shutter Speed is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has chosen a unique theme of a Virtual Scavenger Hunt with several ideas for us to select from while searching for our “Scavenger” items.
Here are my “Scavenger Hunt” findings:
Catawba River Great Falls, SCRobinwood LakeGastonia. NCThings with Water in It
Ferris Wheel Antique Wagon with Circular Wheels Something with a wheel & Something circular
Ceramic Vase in The Huntington Library & Art Museum San Marino, CAHearst Castle San Simeon, CASomething with a design & Something with a pattern
Glass Display case with Keys & Locks (A set of keys & Something glass) New Braunfels Railroad Museum New Braunfels, Texas
A Goat (Something with green eyes) Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
Lady shooting Pictures (Something with a camera) Cramerton, NC
God Bless. Have a funtastic week & fun Scavenging to find things to capture. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Sofia Alvesis 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.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina
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.
Coleman having a grand time with every single asset within the playground equipment
Leavingthe playground for a short walk we encounter more tan, beige, & light brown as well as some interesting lines and patterns.
Coleman hiking along the Disc Golf Trail
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
A Stop at the Goat Island Playground
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
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 …
Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGateway Arch St. Louis, MissouriPond Reflections in San Antonio, TexasReflections
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 …
Fire Station Window Reflections
And lastly, Ever think about Reflections in your Television Screen?
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.
Catawba River Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SCCatawba Indian Nation Trail, Catawba Reservation Catawba Indian Nation Trail, Catawba Reservation, SCColeman
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.
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
Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, South Carolina
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 …
Cane Creek Lake Cane Creek Park Waxhaw, North Carolina
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.
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?
Mine are whichever way I so desire
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).
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 Pathways … Coleman leads the way to one of his favourite “Go to Places.”
An Unpaved off the beaten Pathway at Riverside Park and Greenway
Coleman’s favourite spot at Riverside Park and Greenway “The Big Sand Pit”
Be sure to click on the links below to see what others have as their Which Ways.
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.
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.
Springs Park Pool Lancaster, South Carolina
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 Recreation Park Lancaster, South Carolina July 1963
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 …
John Waters, his brother Woodrow Waters, his sisters Vermel Waters Hunter, & Frances Waters NealJohn & Alma Waters, my paternal grandparents Aunt Vermel (Waters) & her husband, Fred HunterUncle Woodrow & his wife Mary Bost WatersAunt France’s Waters Neal & her daughter, Debbie Aunt Dalline (Waters) & “Shorty” Lebonville Uncle Eddie Waters & his wife Barbara Barbara (Farmer) Waters, Dalline (Waters) Lebonville, & Doyce Eileen (Watson) Waters My mom, my dad’s sister, & his sister-in-lawWaters Family Gathering at Springs Park Lancaster, South Carolina
My dad took the photos and it appeared our immediate family didn’t get a group photo.
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.
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.
Canada Geese
Continuing on our way we gaze over the South Fork Catawba River from the bridge as we cross over into the Greenway.
South Fork Catawba River
Next up, we saw a bicyclist riding along in front of us on the paved Greenway trail.
Cyclist riding the Trail
Hiking along we saw Sasquatch and more Canada Geese.
SasquatchCanada GooseCanada Goose
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.
A man tethered to a landline in the middle of the South Fork Catawba River.
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.
Splish Splash
And coming back around to the beginning of the trail, we see some newly grown mushrooms and a couple of disc golf catchers.
Mushrooms & 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.
When I first saw the theme was “It’s a Wild Life” I wasn’t sure what I wanted to post for this week. Reading about Cee’s passing sealed the idea for me. Hence, I settled on the Wildlife of Wildflowers displaying a variety of Wildflowers for Cee.
Wildlife of Wildflowers:
Cosmos sulphureus aka sulfur cosmos & yellow cosmosKudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)Calopogon barbatus aka Bearded Grass PinkZinnias Ranunculus flabellaris, aka Yellow Water CrowfootViola sororia aka common meadow violetRudbeckia hirta aka Florida Black-eyed SusanHelianthus angustifolius aka narrowleaf sunflower or swamp sunflower
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.
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.
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.
John with the blog photobyjohnbo is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Challenge and he is giving us an opportunity to choose our own Word which would be appropriate for our topic, sharing three to four photos that go along with our Word topic choice.
For John’s Pick-a-Word challenge this week I have chosen to use the word Historic. The Word Historic means that something is famous or important in history, for an example a historical site.
The Town of Cramerton, (which we currently reside in) has a couple of different Historic places within walking distance to our home. On Saturday, Coleman and I walked up the road and around a bend for approximately 0.9 miles to the Historic Baltimore School.
Coleman pointing to the Historic Baltimore Village sign.
The Historic Baltimore Village sign is located at the beginning of the road leading to the Historic Baltimore School. The Historic Baltimore School is located at 575 Baltimore Drive in Cramerton, North Carolina. It was built by Stuart Cramer, in the late 1920’s for the children of African American men and women who worked in the Cramer Mills and Cramer’s Dairy Farm and Orchards. The intention of the school was to educate the African Americans and provide skills to navigate segregation.
Historic Baltimore School
The Baltimore Village School sits on a hill near the South Fork Catawba River. Inside the building are cracked windows covered by boards, an old refrigerator on one side of the room, and patches of peeling paint hanging off the roof.
The school has been closed for quite some time, but a former Cramerton resident stepped in to preserve its history. Former residents Fred Glenn and his wife, Ernestine Glenn purchased the school building with plans to renovate it. They bought it to prevent it from being burned to the ground by the city’s fire department which had planned to do a control burn.
However, knowing the Historic importance of the Baltimore Village School, the Glenn’s wanted to protect and preserve the school for generations to come to be able to learn about its history and significance to the community.
The front and back sides of the Historic Baltimore School building.
Mr. Glenn has stated that the Baltimore Village School, where his mother and Aunt attended in the 1930’s, was the heartbeat of the community. The school building provided an alternative to places off-limits to African Americans. Back during that particular time period, African Americans did not have the opportunity of going to a cinema, or any such facility or theatre. The school building became the theatre for the Baltimore Village Community. The school building was also used as a place of worship and later used as a community center.
Help Save the Historic Baltimore Village School
The Glenn’s and the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Village School are currently still trying to raise enough funds for the restoration of the Historic school. Once enough funds are raised the money will be used to turn the building into a community center and a museum for people to learn about a critical piece of history in the small town of Cramerton.
“History is not the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to be useful to the modern traveler”
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Historic Baltimore School; Historic Baltimore Village; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Tour an Historic Place. Learn about history not found in books. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 