We had a very beautiful sunny weekend. It was warm and windy day. We decided it was a lovely day for hiking at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Due to the massive abundance of vehicles parking at the Lake Haigler Entrance for the Artisan Market I chose to park at the Dairy Barn Entrance. There was another reason for parking at this entrance as well; they charged extra at the other entrance because of the Artisan Market. Who wants to pay extra? I certainly didn’t, not in addition to my membership for the Greenway.
The Dairy Barn Entrance has a few different trails that can be accessed with various sites and scenery to observe. We hiked down the Blue Star Trail which leads down to the Greenway’s Spillway passing horses and the Faires/Coltharp Historic Cabin along the way.
Coleman loves to stop and watch the horses. Moving along, to crossover the Spillway we had to walk across the Swinging Bridge. We stopped on both sides of the Spillway to observe the water flowing down, around, and under the Swinging Bridge.
Location: Dairy Barn Entrance; Lake Haigler; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God’s Blessings to y’all this Beautiful Easter Sunday. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
When visiting The Schiele Museum yesterday Coleman and I walked down a different staircase than we’ve taken before. Part way down the stairs in between floors was a swiveling chair which Coleman proceeded to climb upon. His antics and expressions can be viewed in these slideshow photos.
Cee asks everyone to post photos of Words that contain the Alphabet letters A or E. My selections for this week come from mine and Coleman’s recent visit to Gastonia’s Erwin Center Park and Recreation. As per usual Coleman (notice the Name A & E) is in several of my photos.
Gastonia Erwin Center Parks and Recreation Sign with Coleman Basketball Court Gastonia Erwin Center Park and Recreation Ball Field used for Soccer and Baseball Gastonia Erwin Center Park and Recreation Coleman in the Children’s PlaygroundColeman sliding on the Playground Equipment Slide
We are still having a lot of rain several days out of the week. Even so Coleman and I managed to get a little walking in. We walked for a mile and a half before deciding to get on the bus. We rode the bus to a park we had not previously visited.
We visited the Erwin Center Park and Recreation. We rode the Blue line to the station, then switched to the Yellow line. The Yellow line took us to right across the street from the park.
The Erwin Center opened in 1961 in the Highland neighbourhood of northern Gastonia. The Center was named in honour of Dr. Herbert Erwin. Dr. Erwin was Gaston County’s first African American physician. He was a well known advocate for youth sports and activities. The Community Center has a game room, meeting room, kitchen, lounge, and offices.
In 1967 a full-size gymnasium and an outdoor basketball court were added. Today’s outdoor facilities also include a swimming pool, a splash pad (open during the summer months), a grass volleyball court, horseshoe pits, playground, tot play area, a large picnic shelter and a walking track.
In the summer of 2020, a Black Lives Matter Mural was painted on the Erwin Center basketball court by Ezekiel Clay, Jr.
… On the Top of a Slide… On the Bottom of a Slide … on a Swing
The Erwin Center Park and Recreation outdoor park areas are open daily from Dawn to Dusk.
This park is a little further away from the park we normally visit, however it does have activities and playgrounds which are of interest to the very young as well as older children, teenagers, and adults.
If we were so inclined to travel a little further from home than usual, we would visit the park again. Coleman enjoyed the playground and wished it was already summer so he could have enjoyed the Splash Pad.
Here are this week’s questions: 1. Did you wake up in a good mood this morning?
Yes, I woke up in a good mood. However, I would have preferred to sleep a little longer.
2. What was the first thing you thought of when you awoke?
I wanna sleep some more. Majority of mornings I am woken up by my grandson. He wakes up early regardless of when he falls asleep or woke up in the middle of the night. When he does so I’m usually sleeping soundly and am not ready to be awake yet.
3. Tea, coffee, or fruit juice/smoothie for breakfast?
I always drink cold tea from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep.
4. What topping do you prefer on your toast?
On toast, (which I do not normally eat) I top it with either honey, apple butter, or cinnamon sugar.
Gratitude:
“Gratitude is not a limited resource, nor is it costly. It is abundant as air. We breathe it in but forget to exhale.”
— Marshall Goldsmith, executive leadership coach and author
On one of our recent hikes we noticed the water streaming down the creek. Coleman laid down on the bridge above and stretched his single stick downward towards the creek trying to stretch it into the water below.
This next shot is not so clear, however, it depicts his lone stick floating in the water. He had lost his grip and it wasn’t within his reach to retrieve it. He was disappointed, but not for long (he always finds sticks along trails.)
Cee’s allowing us to post any road, path, step, bridge, or sign this week for her CWWC. For my selections I chose some from Coleman & my adventures this past week.
Car Driving on Bridge Shot from the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Walking on Sidewalk New Hope Road; Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Walking on Brick Ledge The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Climbing on Playground Equipment Ladder Steps Erwin Center Recreation and Park Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Sock Skating The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
… at Robinwood Lake… at the Cherry Blossoms … at the Sand under the Bridge …at the Sky between the Bridges … at Me through the Ladder Rails… at Coleman through the Railcars
Coleman Hiking & Playing Along the Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway
The hiking adventures with Coleman are always fun and interesting. He doesn’t always stick to actual pathways or trails, however, he always gets to where he wants to go and has a fantastic time along the way.
My entries for this week show pathways and signs in and around The Schiele Museum. Enjoy the walk with Coleman and I as we show you some scenes of our recent visit.
It is almost guaranteed that while Coleman and I are out hiking along a trail, he’ll decide to sit and rest a second or two before moving on. He can choose to just plop on the ground or hop up on one of the benches scattered along the trail. On this day we chose to hike around Lake Haigler at the Greenway.
Hope y’all had a pleasant Leap Day. I know Coleman and I did. First day in a while with no rain, so it was a good day to venture outside and visit the Schiele Museum, one of Coleman’s favourite places.
Conveniently, it gave me an opportunity for capturing some interesting moments on this Leap/Last Day. Therefore, here are my last on the card shot for February.
Shadows can be seen everywhere, at least when the sun is shining brightly. Shadows materialize along walkways, piers, and trails as well as anywhere imaginable.
Here are my entries for Debbie’s OWS Challenge this week which calls for us to show our SHADOW.
Shadows of Bushes, Trees, & Coleman Warlick Family YMCA
Shadows of the Fencing & Coleman Warlick Family YMCA
Shadows of Trees The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Shadows of Trees, Coleman, & Myself Anne Springs Close Greenway
Shadows along the Pier & in the Lake Anne Springs Close Greenway
Normally, most people would only think about wreaths and or the laying of wreaths at cemeteries around the Christmas holiday season. The Christmas Season being the annual time for wreaths to be laid in the Arlington National Cemetery as well as other cemeteries across America.
Wreaths Across America Mobile Unit
Wreaths Across America was formed in 2007 by the Worcestershire Family with the support of Veterans Organizations and a variety of other groups. These groups had previously helped with their annual wreath ceremony in Arlington. Wreaths Across America was formed as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to continue and expand this effort, and support others around the country who wanted to do the same.
Welcome Home Wreaths Across America
The organization’s mission which was established is to Remember. Honor. Teach.
WELCOME HOME [Signabove Door]
Wreaths Across America is dedicated to teaching all generations about the value of their freedoms, and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
In 2022, the organization launched its expanded TEACH Program and collaborated with like-minded organizations focused on character development and service projects for young people of all ages, with lesson plans for all grade levels and learning abilities.
POW-MIA WELCOME HOME Wreaths Across America
The Wreaths Across America (WAA) continues its commitment to remember our fallen servicemen and women all throughout the year. One way they do this is with the Remembrance Tree Program.
The Remembrance Tree Program was established as another way to remember and honor our veterans. WAA established this program for families of veterans to provide a living memorial to their lost loved ones.
Wreaths Across America Mobile Unit
The Remembrance Tree Program is a part of the Wreaths Across America organization that we ( my daughter and I) had not been familiar with prior to visiting the Wreaths Across America Mobile Unit when it came to Fort Mill, South Carolina.
The WAA purchased their own dog-tag machine which allows feed families of the veteran the ability to customize their message for the dog-tag. The family or their representative is taken out to the balsam tip land, in Harrington, Maine, to find a tree that will become a living memorial to their loved one. The dog-tag is then placed on the trunk of an evergreen tree of their choosing and a red marker is placed on the tree to show that it has been chosen as a memorial.
One of the Volunteers with Wreaths Across America was kind enough to inform us of this special program and gave us the opportunity to provide the information for a dog-tag to be made. The information has been given and we are waiting to hear when it will be placed on a tree as a living memorial to my late husband and father to my children, Sgt. Terry Leon Wilson Vietnam Veteran (1954-2018).
“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.”
— Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003)
The WAA is continuing doing all they can to ensure that no veteran is ever forgotten. They have been traveling all across America with their mobile unit to provide support and assistance to honor their commitment to Remember. Honor. Teach.
To all who have served and or are serving, Thank You for your Service. To all Vietnam Veterans, Welcome Home!
My entries for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge this week were all taken at Goat Island Park & Greenway along the South Fork River Trail, a part of the Carolina Thread Trail System one year ago in February 2023.
Yellow, Green, Brown, Pair, TwoYellow, Green, Brown, Two, Pair, Two people playing Disc Golf in the Park Bird House Canada GeeseBird, Water, River (close to pond), Two, Pair of Canada Geese, Floating (no ducks in area), Brown, Green, Yellow
When Coleman and I visited The Farm On at The Schiele Museum on Tuesday Mike and Lucky were busy chomping away. It was feeding time and they were hungrily munching their food to their hearts (and belly’s) contentment.
I do not believe I would partake in their diet, however, they did appear to enjoy it themselves.
I bought a Sedremm Compatible with 58mm Star Filter set containing 4 Points, 6 Points, and 8 Points for my Christmas present to myself.
On this week’s visit to the Warlick YMCA I tried out using the 8 Point Star Filter attached the my Canon EF-S55-250mm lens on my Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I think some of the shots came out pretty cool looking, mind you I am only barely learning to use the Star filters.
Hey, You Looking at Me?Maybe You’d Like a Frontal Snapshot?Or Perhaps I Should Come a Little Closer?Is This Close Enough? Let’s Make a Deal, I’ll Give You One More Shot … This is My Final Pose!
One never knows where Coleman will decide to Pull Up a Seatfor a spell. The first two are of places he chose to Pull Up a Seatat the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia and the third one is of his selection in the Greenway.
American Black Bear Ursus americanusThe Kermode bear, sometimes called the spirit bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), is a subspecies of the American black bear.Coleman Exploring the American Black Bear Ursus americanus
I was just thinking about the many times Coleman and I have enjoyed hiking together along the Catawba River when the RDP (Ragtag Daily Prompt) appeared showing the today’s prompt to be River. Our minds seem to be in sync on thinking about River.
We’ve had a tremendous amount of rainfall recently and so I’ve been remembering beautiful sunny days spent with Coleman at the Catawba River. I’ve had photos of the Catawba River come across in my Google photos app as memories.
These are some of the memory photos that I’ve enjoyed looking over this week.
Why are children fascinated with Garbage Trucks? Where we live the Garbage Trucks ( also known as rubbish trucks or tippy lorry depending on where you live) come twice a week usually on Monday’s and Friday’s. Coleman has a habit of running outside to greet the driver whenever the Garbage Truck arrives ( actually when it is close by) carrying his toy Garbage Truck with him.
Coleman is fascinated with Garbage Trucks
Why is Coleman and children in general fascinated with Garbage Trucks? How long have they been fascinated by Garbage Trucks?
It seems that children have been fascinated by Garbage Trucks for decades. A few reasons for why they are is as follows:
Big Wheels
Loud Noises
Object permanence
Curiosity
Pretend Play
Bin Talking Trash
Coleman talking with Garbage Truck Driver
The size and unique design of garbage trucks can capture a child’s imagination. The loud noises and mechanical movements of the truck and its various functions, such as the lifting and dumping of bins, can be fascinating to watch. Additionally, the routine and predictability of garbage collection days can create a sense of anticipation and excitement for young children. It is the combination of sensory experiences, routine, and the truck’s purpose which can make garbage trucks exciting for young kids.
Do you know when Garbage Trucks first came into existence? You, like me, probably never even thought about the existence or history behind Garbage Trucks.
The earliest garbage “trucks” were introduced around 200 A.D. by the Romans, who created a sanitation force made up of teams of men who would walk along the streets picking up garbage and putting it into wagons that would then move the garbage to remote sites.
In 1932 a Scotland-based company by the name of George Dempster & Sons Ltd. invented the front loader garbage trucks. The Dempster-Dumpster system used large bins that garbage men would fill with trash, and that would then be loaded into body using machinery on the trucks. This system is the reason behind the garbage bins being referred to as dumpsters.
Little Tikes Mini Garbage Truck Little Tikes Dirt Diggers Garbage Truck Coleman’s Garbage Trucks
The mini garbage truck is Coleman’s first toy garbage truck. This is the truck he would carry out whenever the Garbage truck came around in front of our apartment building. For Christmas I bought Coleman the larger Little Tikes Garbage truck. Now he mostly carries the bigger garbage truck out to show the sanitation worker his garbage truck. He likes to show him he has one similar to what he’s driving. Sometimes he carries both of his garbage trucks outside when the garbage truck arrives.
Before the truck leaves, Coleman will pump his arm up and down wanting the worker to honk the horn. The driver always complies with his requests.
1. Did you stay up to see in the New Year last night?
No, I did not stay up to see the New Year. I fell asleep and woke up at 12:30am and turned my light off realizing it was now 2024.
2. How are you feeling this morning?
Better than I have since Thanksgiving. I think the RSV is finally working its way out of my system.
3. Are there any special occasions/events coming up in 2024 (weddings, special birthdays, babies)?
As far as I know, there are no special occasions or events coming up this year, 2024. We have the regular family birthdays, but no spectacular celebrations or events are planned for them.
My grandson will turn five and it’s usually just immediate family that helps remember his birthday. His uncles never show up even when invited. His dad’s family has never had anything to do with him. Last year I made a cookie cake for his birthday. I haven’t found the right lactose free icing to frost a cake for him yet, so he misses out on having cake.
4. What was the highlight/s of 2023 for you?
Highlights for 2023 would be the many hikes I have done with Coleman. The greatest joy we have is being together in nature and in the woods hiking.