Gift of Adventure (at the Beach)

Ragtag Daily Prompts

We a well into the beginning of 2026. Coleman started back to school today, so now I have a few minutes to reflect on the past couple of weeks.

Hopefully y’all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s Day. Ours was truly an eventful Christmas holiday extravaganza. Of course it was exciting to watch Coleman receive his Gifts on Christmas Day, which he totally enjoyed. We kept telling him beforehand that he had to listen and behave or “Santa” wouldn’t bring any toys. You know what? “Santa” brought a few toys anyway. Coleman mostly received new clothes, which he was just as excited to get especially his new shoes.

Setting aside the Gifts, we decided to not let 2025 Dwindle away being bored at home. Instead, we chose to leave our little town and go on an amazing Adventure.

Where did we go on our big Adventure? Coleman’s mom was thinking about going to the mountains. Coleman wanted to go to the Beach. So, where do you think we went on our little Adventure? Yep, you’re right, we went to the Beach.

As 2025 was Dwindling away, we packed our bags, loaded up the car and headed out of town for our mini vacay Adventure. Sorry, we didn’t get any pictures of the car all loaded up, but we (I mean I) began snapping plenty of photos from the moment we arrived, all through our many Adventurous activities, and all throughout our entire mini vacation.

***Arriving, Checking in,***
**& Checking out our surroundings.**

After checking in and bringing everything (and I mean everything) into our room for the week (actually six days), Coleman and I decided to head down to the Beach. We did not want to Dwindle our time away inside the room for one minute longer. Instead, we wanted to begin enjoying the Gift of Adventure immediately.

***Coleman’s very first time at a Beach.***
***First time seeing the Atlantic Ocean.***
**First time his feet touched**
***the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.***

And thus our Gift of Adventures begins …

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Wednesday-Dwindle

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Thursday-Gift

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP): Tuesday! Adventure!

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D.

Locations: 1st 4) Cramerton, North Carolina; Rest, 5-8) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. It’s been an Amazing Adventurous beginning to 2026. We didn’t let 2025 Dwindle away. We enjoyed the Gift of Time away together. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Tumultuous Skies (at the beach)

Ragtag Daily Prompt

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Tumultuous

RDP Monday: Tumultuous

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Ninth Floor; Captains Quarters; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Hoping you do not experience tumultuous times in the days ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window: 2026.01.05

Kitty by a Window – 2 — AI creation by PR

Crazy Sister Marina

On Monday afternoon, our first day of our mini vacay, we drove down to Murrells Inlet to go out on a sightseeing boat run by Crazy Sister Marina. We were supposed to be able to see some dolphins, however, my eyesight isn’t very good in the evenings, so I wasn’t able to see what others (including Coleman) was seeing (more on that at another time).

Instead I’ll show you a few of the Crazy Sister Marina windows, both on shore and on the boat.

On the shore …

*Viewing the boats*
*through the windows*

On the Boat …

*Many Reflections*
*within the Boat’s Window*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL Filter attachment. 3-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Crazy Sister Marina; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 Monday Portrait: 05 January

First Portrait for 2026

We are in our first week of 2026; what a week it has been. We spent the week in Myrtle Beach relaxing, “sightseeing,”visiting various attractions, and enjoying time on the beach. [More about those activities to come in future posts].

For the first Monday Portrait of 2026, let’s check out the Southern Stingrays At Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This was Coleman’s first trip to the beach, he was extremely excited about being at the beach, as well as seeing the many different species of “fish” at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Let’s take a look now at the fascinating Southern Stingrays …

The Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus) is a whiptail stingray which is typically found in tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from as far north as New Jersey all the way down to southern Brazil.

Even though we didn’t actually see them in the Atlantic Ocean, we (especially Coleman) were thrilled to see & pet them at Ripley’s Aquarium.

*Coleman viewing*
*the Southern Stingrays*

It is adapted for life on the sea bed, as you can see here they swim very close to the bottom most of the time, but not always.

*Southern Stingrays*
*lying on the sea bed*

Southern Stingrays are nocturnal predators, they spray water from their mouths or flap their fins vigorously to disturb the surface in order to expose hidden prey.

*A Southern Stingray*
*on the Aquarium sea bed.*

Hypanus americanus exhibit wave-like locomotion using their pectoral fins. The wave-like locomotion allowed them to escape predators, forage efficiently, and generally maneuver quickly.

The Southern Stingrays were exciting and interesting to watch swimming and foraging in the aquarium at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. May you have many exciting and memorable adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 04 January

Scyphozoa

The Scyphozoa are exclusively marine class of the phylum Cnidaria. They are known to be referred to as true jellyfish. Currently, there are approximately 200 known species found in marine environments worldwide.

They are characterized by a cell-shaped body (Medusa) that lack a velum (a muscular membrane). Their bodies are mostly composed of a jelly-like substance, and lack a head, skeleton, and specialized respiratory or excretory organs.

Click on each image to enlarge.

John’s CellPic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

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

2026 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky: 01.03

Friday, a beautiful sunny afternoon was a perfect time for a walk along the beach. Observing the ocean, searching for Seashells, and enjoying the beautiful sky views.

***Coleman walking the***
***Sandy Shores of Myrtle Beach***

Click on image to enlarge.

2026 Skywatch Friday-01.03

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2026.01.03

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

Pull Up a Seat 2026: Week 1 — Indoor Dining

A & W Restaurant

The Pull Up a Seat Challenge is hosted on Friday’s by XingfuMama at XingfuMama.blog. This will be my first Pull Up a Seat post for 2026. You may find out more about the Pull Up a Seat Challenge by clicking here.

This A & W had an area set up where you could take a photo with “Rooty, The Great Root Bear.”

Coleman had to kneel on a high stool chair to reach the hole to stick his head out into Rooty’s face.

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Challenge 2026 — Week 1

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Ultra Wide

Location: A & W Restaurant; 2270 Harry Byrd Hwy; Darlington, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Sharing happiness and love for 2026. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour — First Florals of 2026

Terri from Second Wind Leisure Perspective is the host for The #Flower Hour. I am posting my last 2025 Floral images (December 31,2025) as my first Flower Hour post for 2026.

Hydrangea +
The Peace Rose,
formally Rosa ‘Peace’

Terri’s The #Flower Hour 2026

Also posting to Remember …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: By Dinopark; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Wishing y’all the best life filled with love, peace, and joy in 2026. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC): January 02, 2025 —Any Which Way with People

Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with People . Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Hallways, and or Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible.

First off, Happy 2026 Everyone! Did you stay awake to bring in the New Year? Did you watch any Fireworks? My daughter and I somehow managed to barely stay awake till midnight to see the New Year arrive. The only fireworks we say were those on the television as the annual ball dropped from New York. We did hear them in our location prior to midnight, but did not venture out anywhere in the chilly night air to watch them being shot off over the ocean.

Here are my contributions … These are a continuation of Cramerton’s Christmas Parade.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Dawn’s Looking Back on Christmas

Suzette’s For Deb’s CWWC— Any Which Way With Vehicles

Margo’s Which Way with Vehicles

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Parade Route; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

• NOTE: For next week the theme will be CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice)

2026 Thursday Doors: January 01 — Elevator Door

**Captain’s Quarters**
**Resort Elevator**

Click on images to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.01.01

God Bless. Happy 2026! Happy New Year! Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Last on the Card – December

Last of 2025

Brian from Bushboys World hosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.

Here are The rules:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do
4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments
5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard

Here are mine for December …

From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):

Brachiosaurus
Dinopark
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Sharkey’s Grouper Tacos
These tacos bring together the rich flavors of grouper, shredded cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese. Served in a warm flour tortilla with lettuce, topped with house-made pico de gallo, and drizzled with Chipotle mayo sauce.
Sharkey’s Oceanfront Restaurant
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Click on each image to enlarge.

#Brian’s Last on the Card

God Bless. Happy New Year! Happy 2026! Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 31 December

*Coleman –*
First Time at a Beach
Atlantic Ocean
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2025.12.31

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

RDP: Evanescent Sea and Sky

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Evanescent

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Skywatch Friday-Last for 2025

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens plus Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 28 December

Click image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church; Cramerton, 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.

Sophia Ruthann’s First Christmas — December 25, 2025

This Christmas was the very first Christmas for Sophia Ruthann Wilson; she entered into our family on December 9, 2025 at 2:47 am. Coleman is a proud big brother as can be seen from some of the photos.

Here are a “few” shots I captured to remember her First Christmas … (Sharing with my daughter’s permission).

Sophia Ruthann Wilson
Very First Christmas
December 24/25, 2025

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Plus; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens.

Location: Wilson/Waters Home; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy New Year! 2026 will soon be here. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Amber Jack’s Welcoming Wreaths

FOWC

“Welcome in! Let the warmth of the season fill your heart.”

On Christmas Eve, we opted to treat ourselves to dining out at a restaurant we hadn’t tried before, but had heard fantastic things about it. Where did we go? We chose to eat our Dinner (at noontime) at Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant. It turned out we weren’t the only ones who decided that it would be a perfect time for a delicious meal.

The first thing we see as we approach the restaurant’s front doors are a couple of Welcoming Christmas Wreaths. The entrance to the restaurant was also decorated with strings of white lights, Christmas garland, and a small Christmas tree right beside the front doors.

*Trisha (Coleman’s mom)*
*& Coleman approaching*
*Amber Jack’s Entry doors.*

Welcoming **Wreaths**
*hung on the front doors*

Not only was the restaurant’s outdoor are all decked out for the holidays, but the inside was as well. The Christmas decor helped to make the environment extremely welcoming and inviting us to Pull Up a Seat and enjoy a relaxingly pleasant dining experience.

***Amber Jack Seafood***
**& Steaks Restaurant**

My daughter chose to have the Sirloin Tips Over Rice, Coleman had Chicken Tenders (but ended up not wanting to eat them), and I treated myself to a plate of Broiled Mahi-Mahi filet with fried okra and fried squash. They started us off with a delicious bowl of minestrone soup (it was tasty & I devoured both mine and Coleman’s since he didn’t want to eat it.) They also served us a basket of fried hush puppies, which also were pleasing to the appetite.

The food and service were exceptional. It was well worth the price the food ( especially mine) was very flavourful and mouthwatering scrumptiously delicious. I would highly recommend Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant to anyone and everyone who lives or is ever near one to go on in and delight yourselves with the tremendously appetizing food.

“Like these evergreens, may our hospitality offer strength and renewal to all who gather here.”

Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC)-Wreath

XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): 12.26 — Any Which Way with Vehicles

Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with Vehicles. Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible.

Here are my contributions …

***Cramerton Christmas Parade Vehicles***

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Dawn’s Which Way in the Sleigh

Chava61’s 2025 Which Way Challenge With A Holiday Theme

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Looking for a Xmas Tree

gwh photos2’s CWWC Holiday Season – December 19, 2025

Suzette’s For Deb’s – Any Which Way —Holiday Theme Part 2

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Parade Route; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

• NOTE: For next week the theme will be CWWC: Any Which Way with People.

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky: 12.26

Skywatching at Goat Island Park and Greenway … The sky was beautiful and captivating amazingly drawing attention to the Creator of all that is, was, and will be.

Click on image to enlarge.

2025 Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2025.12-19

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

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

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

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Light of the World

Last night Coleman and I attended our church’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. It was an evening to celebrate the Birth of Jesus through the singing of Carols, Lighting the final Advent Candle ( the White Candle), and partaking of Communion.

*The Advent Wreath*
*with the four*
*outer Candles lit.*

The White Candle in the Advent Wreath is placed in the center and is either lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The White Candle is called the Christ Candle. It is generally lit on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It symbolizes Christ’s purity, holiness, and his role as “The Light of the World” who overcomes the darkness, thus fulfilling the Hope and anticipation of the season.

*The Advent Wreath*
*after the Center*
***White Candle***
has been lit.

The outer four Advent Candles (3 purple, & 1 pink) mark the Sundays of Advent. They represent Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The White Candle signifies the arrival of Jesus Christ as the Pure, Sinless Saviour. All throughout Advent, the lighting of the Candles each week including the Center White Candle all point to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World. The purpose in lighting the Advent Candles especially the White Candle is to remind Christians that Jesus is the fulfillment of Advent prophecies as well as the true light which brings Hope, Salvation, and Peace into the World.

Near the conclusion of the service, during Communion, all in attendance light their individual candles from the Advent Christ candle. The lighting of individual candles from the Christ candle symbolizes our individual roles as bearers of Christ’s “Light to the World.” It creates a powerful visual of the Gospel spreading to all the World.

Happy Birthday Jesus! Feliz Navidad! Frohe Weihnachten! Feliz Natal! Merry Christmas to one and all.

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

2025 RDP: Tuesday —Present!

“Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto thee …” (Acts 3:6)

You might not think this would apply to this time of year, however, I think it very much applies to. Presents, I do not need; but your Presence would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

When Jesus was born, the Magi (also referred to as Wise Men) brought gifts (Presents) of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They came not just with their Presents, but also with their Presence. The Wise Men came to show their respect by being Present and giving Presents with significant meaning and importance.

The gift of Gold was honourable and symbolically respectful of Jesus’ Kingship and royalty. The gift of Frankincense signified their worship of the newborn king, honouring Jesus’ divinity and priesthood. The gift of Myrrh was a foretelling of Jesus’ mortality, suffering, and impending death. The Presents, from the Magi, acknowledged Jesus as King, God, and Savior. They also served practical purposes for Joseph and Mary to help meet their needs.

Yes, we all like to receive Presents during this holiday season, but Presents are not as important to me as having your Presence here with me. Now I know children (aka Coleman) does not understand that our Presence together is more meaningful than receiving Presents. One day, he may learn and appreciate our Presence together, but for now he should would enjoy receiving Presents for Christmas.

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Tuesday! Present! — 12.23.2025

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

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 24 December

Merry Christmas Eve!

*With Love,*
*Deb, Coleman,*
*& Sophia Ruthann*

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2025.12.24

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

2025 CosPhoChal: A Combination of Winter Hikes

This week Dale has chosen a theme of A Winter’s Walk for this week’s Cosmic Photo Challenge. Instead of just one winter walk I decided to do a combination of several different Winter Hikes which Coleman and I have taken over the years.

Here are my contributions …

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge – A Winter’sWalk

#CosPhoChal

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

2025 Numbers Game 12.23 — #104-226

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 226. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …

To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s  Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Here are my entries …

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Judy’s Numbers Game #104-226

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

Pull Up a Seat on a Jude’s Bench — ASCG Trekker Loop

Looking through my photos I ran across a bench from one of our hiking adventures I don’t think I’ve shared before, so I thought I would share it today.

*A lone Bench*
*by Lake Crandall*
*& Lake Frances*

Jude’s Bench Challenge-2025.12.22

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 51

Pull Up a Seat Challenge — *Pull Up a Seat*

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: By Lake Crandall; Trekker Loop; Adventure Road Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a blessed Christmas Holiday Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window: 2025.12.22

*House Windows*
*at Lake Norman*
*from across the lake.*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

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

2025 RDP: Sunday —Infructescence

These Bald Cypress trees are resilient and have the ability to grow in very wet conditions, even standing in water. These are grown near the South Fork Catawba River in Riverside Park and Greenway.

The Cypress cones are the reproductive structures of Cypress trees that develop from the tree’s flowers. What you see here are the female cones, often called seed cones. The little red droplet on the bottom cone looks like resin which is characteristic from a cypress tree.

The Cluster of Bald Cypress cones you see is a perfect example of an infructescence. These cones are actually modified seed cones, and once they mature, they’ll release seeds. It’s interesting to learn how plants develop these unique structures to disperse their seeds. The mature cones contain seeds that are a very important food source for local wildlife, including squirrels, waterfowl, and other birds.

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) – infructescence

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, 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.

2025 Sunday Stills – Winter Wonderland and Monthly Color Challenge: Cobalt Blue

Sunday Stills
Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge

This week I am combining Terri’s Sunday Stills with her Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge with the themes of Cobalt Blue and Winter Wonderland (Solstice).

First off, how about some Blue on Blue in the Gulf of Mexico (now called Gulf of America) from a cruise I took back in 2020. We were in the middle of the Gulf heading towards Cozumel, Mexico. It’s amazing how except for the other ships at sea, all one sees for miles and miles in practically Blue on Blue.

*When the Water & Sky Meet*
*Cobalt Blue*

Now for some Winter Wonderland (this isn’t Solstice, but it is having some 🥶 Winter Wonderland Funtime.

*Coleman and his mom*
*enjoying some Funtime*
*in the Winter Snow.*

I know we are currently in December with today (the 21st) being Winter Solstice, but we don’t usually get Snow in our area until January and/or February. The top photo was take in February of 2020 & the Bottom picture was taken in January of 2022.

Happy Winter Solstice to all of y’all.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills – Winter Wonderland (Solstice)

Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge – Cobalt Blue.

God Bless. Have a wonderful Winter Solstice and a fantastic week. Merry Christmas! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 OWS: 12.07 — Festive

Good Sunday Morning to y’all. This week Debbie from Travel with Intent has chosen Festive for the theme for One Word Sunday (OWS).

Here are my entries …

… From Cramerton’s Christmas Parade …

Snoopy riding on Carolinas Junk Removal Crane.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday – Festive

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Parade Route; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 21 December

Throwback to 2020

Stumpy Pond
Adventure Road Entrance
Anne Springs Close Greenway

Click image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Wide Camera

Location: Prairie Loop; Adventure Road Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): 12.19 — Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. — Part 2

Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible.

Here are my contributions …

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Cath’s Which Way… {Cloudy or Stormy Day}

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Xmas Market Up And Down

Dawn’s Crossover Bridge at Shenandoah University with Christmas Lights

Suzette’s For Deb’s Any Which Way CWWC Holiday Theme – Part 1

CWWC: Any Which Way with a Holiday theme – Part 2 (Will run for two (2) weeks). [12.19.2025]

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Parade Route; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

• NOTE: For next week the theme will be CWWC: Any Which Way with vehicles.

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky: 12.19

Click on image to enlarge.

2025 Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2025.12-19

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 CosPhoChal: Lights, Camera, Christmas around the Neighborhood

This year our neighborhood is not adorned with very many Christmas Lights or Festive Decorations. I did, however, manage to capture a few Christmas Lights and decorations within our walking pathways.

Here is what I found …

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Lights, Camera, Christmas!

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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 Wordless Wednesday: 17 December

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2025.12.17

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 14 December

*Coleman petting*
*an Owner’s Horse*
*at Anne Springs Close Greenway*

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera

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

2025 Pull Up a Seat on a Hospital Bed

On Monday evening I received a message from my daughter to meet her at the Atrium Health Hospital in Pineville, North Carolina. We previously arranged, when necessary, for Coleman to spend the night with one of our neighbors whom Coleman adores.

On Wednesday evening, Coleman was brought to the hospital to see his mom. He was not told in advance what he would be seeing when he arrived in her room.

Here he is Pulling Up a Seat on her hospital bed …

At this time, I’m not allowed to post any pictures of whom he was able to meet for the first time (More about that in a future post). Let’s just say, Coleman is a Monster Big Brother now.

Click on each image to enlarge.

XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge 2025 – Week 50

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Atrium Health Pineville Hospital; Pineville, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Rejoice in God’s wonderful blessings and new life. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Observing What’s in the Space Between

This week’s host for Monochrome Madness is Stupidity Hole with a theme of The Space Between. Looking forward to exploring the various interpretations on The Space Between.

Monochrome Madness

Here are a few I came up with for this week’s challenge …

*The Road Between*
*leading to Hearst Castle*

*The Boy (Coleman) Between*
*the Railings on the Bridge*
*at Anne Springs Close Greenway*

*The Feathers Between*
*Coleman’s Fingers*

*The South Fork Catawba River*
**Between** the Grounds
*of Goat Island*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-2025.12.13

Stupidity Hole’s Monochrome Madness-The Space Between

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

2025 The #Flower Hour #10 — Festive Holiday Florals and Decor

Reflecting on

National Poinsettia Day

Yesterday, on December 12th, people celebrated National Poinsettia Day. It is an annual celebration commemorating the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American diplomat that introduced the Poinsettia plant to the United States. It honours its deep ties to Christmas traditions, especially the Mexican legend of a poor girl whose humble gift of weeds bloomed into the beautiful “Flower of the Holy Night.”

Red Poinsettias

National Poinsettia Day is a day for spreading holiday cheer with the Red-leafed plants. Churches line them up in front of pulpits & many are donated by members in honor of loved ones no longer with us. Poinsettias are often given as gifts during the. Christmas holiday season.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #10-Festive Holiday Florals and Decor

Also posting for:

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Have a very Merry Christmas Holiday Season. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): 12.12 — Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. — Part 1 (Will run for two (2) weeks).

Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible.

Here are my contributions …

***2025 Cramerton Christmas***
**Parade – Part One**

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Suzette’s For Deb’s CWWC – Any Which Way – Your Choice

Dawn’s Through the Twinkling Lights of the Walking Mall

• NOTE: For next week we will continue the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with a Holiday theme.

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Parade Route; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 10 December

The Second Week of Advent

Candle Symbolism of PEACE

Aka “**Bethlehem Candle**”
or “Preparation Candle“

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2025.12.10

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Telephoto lens

Location: Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 CosPhoChal: 03 December — Abstract

Dale host the weekly challenge The Cosmic Photo Challenge with a different theme each week. This week’s theme is Abstract.

Here are a few Abstract images from around the Carolinas …

*The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*
*and Planetarium Show*
*Gastonia, NC*

*Sky-view*
*Riverside Park and Greenway*
*Cramerton, NC*

*AI Abstract of Mountains*
*from my dad’s slides.*

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Abstract

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

2025 Weekly Prompts Colour challenge – Red

RED Poinsettias

Poinsettias decorating the various areas of Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church.

Poinsettias atop of the piano …

Poinsettias holiday displayed in the Fellowship Hall …

Poinsettias adorn the front of the church’s sanctuary.

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – RED

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #9 – Poinsettias

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Telephoto Lenses

Location: Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church; 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.

Monday Window: 2025.12.08

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Window

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Eighth Avenue; Cramerton, 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.

2025 OWS: 12.07 — Pink

Good Sunday Morning to y’all. This week Debbie from Travel with Intent has chosen Pink for the theme for One Word Sunday (OWS).

Here are my entry …

A Pink onsie all ready for Sophia’s arrival, when she finally decides to make her appearance.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (OWS)-Pink

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

2025 Silent Sunday: 12.07

Silent Night, Holy Night

Silent Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone Pro Max

Event: Christmas in Cramerton presented by the Cramerton Historical Society and Performed by Stuart W Cramer Varsity Singers at Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church.

Location: Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church; 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 Cell Pic Sunday: 07 December

A La Nanita Nana

Click below to hear the song and watch the Stuart W Cramer Varsity Men Singers perform.

youtube.com/watch

To the nanita nana, nanita her, nanita her A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella

My girl is sleepy, bless her, bless her Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea

To the nanita nana, nanita her, nanita her A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ellaMy girl is sleepy, bless her, bless her Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea

Little fountain that runs clear and loud Fuentecita que corre clara y sonora

Nightingale in the jungle, singing and crying Ruiseñor que en la selva, cantando y llora

Be silent while the cradle rocks Calla mientras la cuna, se balancea

Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: David N. Lawrence

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera : Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Location: Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church; Cramerton, 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.

St. Nicholas Day — Why didn’t I know about it?

Growing up I had only known about Christmas and Santa Claus arrival on Christmas Day. I was never taught about St. Nicholas Day … Were you?

As I grew older I was taught about the reason we celebrate Christmas … the birth of the baby born in a manger, Jesus Christ.

Several of the Christmas movies would mention other names for Santa Claus including, Father Christmas and Saint Nicholas. However, I never knew that there was a specific day to celebrate St. Nicholas.

What is St. Nicholas Day? According to Google (yes, I had to look it up), it is a Christian observance and not a federal public holiday in the United States of America. Since it is not a federal holiday no businesses close to observe the day.

The traditions for St. Nicholas Day vary by country. They usually centered around generosity and give-giving. These traditions were influenced by the 4th-century bishop known for anonymously donating his wealth to the poor.

What are some of these traditions?

Leaving Out Shoes: It is a common tradition in Europe and some American communities for children to leave their shoes or boots outside their bedroom doors or by their fireplace on the evening of December 5th.
Gifts and Treats: Similar to Christmas, if the children have been good (aka on the nice list), then when they wake up in the morning on December 6th they will find their shoes (or boots outside) filled with small gifts (similar to Christmas stockings), candies, cookies, nuts, or fruits.
Feasts and Events: This Day is also known as the “Feast of St. Nicholas.” It is celebrated with special meals and community events like the Saint Nicholas Day Celebration at Philipse Manor Hall.
Focus on Giving: The central aspect of St. Nicholas Day is performing acts of kindness and helping individuals and families in need , mirroring St. Nicholas’s life of charity.

Celebrations vary by country. Have you (or do you) celebrated St. Nicholas Day? If so, how do you celebrate the day?

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

Invitingly Beautiful … Sorry, Beach is Closed

*Beach at Lake Norman*
*Ramsey Creek Park*

The day we visited Ramsey Creek Park may have been on the chillier side, but that wouldn’t have stopped Coleman from playing in the sand.

*One of several signs*
*near the Beach.*

The Beach area was blocked off with signs posted stating the Beach is Closed. We did find smaller areas he could access the sand for a little playtime. We also managed to walk along the edge of the waters of Lake Norman, still it would have been nice if the Beach would’ve been open.

*Beach at Lake Norman*
*barricaded off.*

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

2025 Skywatch Friday-12.06

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2025.12.06

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Lake Norman; Ramsey Creek Park; Cornelius, 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

A Panicle or two … Maybe More

The Flower Hour #9

Winter’s Hydrangeas

Terri’s The Flower Hour #9

Also posting to Remember …

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Bren’s Floral Friday

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Take time to admire Nature’s beautiful bounty. Have a great weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

It’s Time to Pull Up a Seat on Santa’s Knee (or Lap)

Last evening our Town of Cramerton held its annual Christmas parade which we were able to enjoy as a family. The Town came out in droves to watch the Parade with the many cars, floats, marching bands, and cheer squads. Parades are fascinating and exciting for the children and adults alike to watch and anticipate. I bet you can guess which part of the parade everyone likes to see the most (especially the children). Yep, you guessed (I least I believe y’all did). Santa Claus arrival at the end of the parade on a shiny red fire engine (at least in our town that’s what he arrives on).

After the Parade is over the children and their families gather at Confluence to await once again for Santa’s arrival. Why do the children excitedly wait with anticipation for Santa at Confluence? Well, of course it for the opportunity to be photographed with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Here are a few shots of Coleman with Santa … more will come later when the Catawba Riverkeepers Foundation sends the link for our free photos. Until then you’ll need to. E satisfied with the ones I captured.

*Uh oh, it seems like Coleman’s*
*not sure where to sit.*

*Alright, this spot*
*might just be fine.*

*Hey Gramdma,*
*should I be looking at*
*you or the camera?*

*Grandma, did you get*
*my picture all right?*
*Am I done now?*

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 49

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Confluence; Center Street; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): 12.05 — Any Which Way (Your Choice)

Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme is Any Which Way (Your Choice). Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible.

This week I am sharing our hike along the dirt trail at Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius, North Carolina. Here are my entries …

Dirt Trail at
Ramsey Creek Park
Cornelius, North Carolina

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Dawn’s Around the Tree in Gettysburg

Pepper’s The Road to Adventures in Maui

• NOTE: For the next two (2) weeks the theme for the Which Way Challenge will be CWWC: Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. (Will run for two (2) weeks).

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Ramsey Creek Park; Cornelius, North Carolina, USA

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

Ragtag Daily Prompts

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Ragtag Daily Prompt

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Crazy Sister Marina

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First Portrait for 2026

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Scyphozoa

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A & W Restaurant

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Last of 2025

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FOWC

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Light of the World

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Throwback to 2020

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Monochrome Madness

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Reflecting on

National Poinsettia Day

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The Second Week of Advent

Candle Symbolism of PEACE

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RED Poinsettias

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Silent Night, Holy Night

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A La Nanita Nana

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The Flower Hour #9

Winter’s Hydrangeas

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