Brian from Bushboys Worldhosts 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 my contributions …
From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):
T-Rex Driver Monster Jam 2026 Carolina Speedway
From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Coleman not to thrilled to meet his Grand Uncle Larry (aka my brother) at CLT Airport
God Bless. Enjoy your Winter/Summer days. Stay safe. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I received a good morning text from my brother out of the blue this morning. However, that was not the surprise. The surprise was that he was out he my neck of the woods.
He flew in from Texas for my Aunt’s Dalline’s funeral. (I missed the funeral dye to a prior commitment that was scheduled at the same time.) I respond back with a “Good Morning,” but was wondering why he was texting me this morning. (Not something he would normally do except for birthdays and holidays.)
You see, I didn’t know he was flying out here for the funeral and he didn’t realize we had conflicting schedules and wouldn’t make it to the funeral. He texted and asked where he should send a sympathy card, so I thought he wasn’t coming. And he didn’t tell me he was here until shortly before his flight back home to Texas.
Hey sis, Surprise I’m in Charlotte. Then he tried to tell me there was no need to meet up. That didn’t sit well with me. My daughter (who works at CLT airport) wasn’t satisfied with that comment either.
Therefore, Surprise Larry. We’re coming to the airport to see you before your flight takes off. (That’s what my daughter told my brother.)
My brother, Larry Dean Waters @Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
How’d you like that for a Surprising day. What else was Surprising was Coleman’s reaction to seeing my brother. (You have to understand, normally Coleman doesn’t meet a stranger he won’t speak to and be friendly and courteous. Coleman normally is not shy around people. So, his reaction to meeting my brother was a major Surprise to me. For the longest time, he would try to hide behind me, wouldn’t say hi, or say anything to him. (He’d talk to other people all the time he didn’t know.) I had a hard time understanding why he was refusing to sp to my brother.
Before we left the airport, Coleman finally agreed to say hi and partake in a family hug. (He stood for the photo with me and my brother under protest.) After the family hug, the only thing he was interested in saying was bye Uncle Larry. Not how much he enjoyed the Monster Truck Jam, or how Shark Attack blew its motor, nothing until Bye. That was a big surprise to me.
Location: Carolina Speedway; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Be Peaceful, Mindful, and Kind. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Today we moved part of our stuff into a “new to us” house across the county approximately 9.1 miles away from where we were living for the past couple of years.
Moving Totes
This means a new school for Coleman, a need to find a new church home, and new adventures roaming the neighbourhood and surrounding areas. Also new neighbours, new friendships to build.
Our (Coleman & mine) Entertainment for the Evening
However, with packing and moving tensions between family heightens and misunderstandings occur. Even with all that, Coleman and I are looking forward to new adventures the new neighbourhood and city can bring us.
Location: “New Home”; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to enjoy a few adventures. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge Cee’s Which Way Challenge
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Which Way on Dirt Trails, dirt pathways, or dirt stairways in Monochrome. They can be Any Which Way on any Dirt Trails, dirt Pathways, or dirt Stairway, as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
Here are my entries …
Sauntering through
Crowders Mountain State Park
Coleman and I enjoy hiking whenever and wherever possible as long as it’s not too cold and windy. We saunter around parks and along trails at our own pace leisurely observing nature’s beautiful scenery. As usual, Coleman is up ahead of me as I keep on sauntering along snapping pictures here, there, and yonder. Come saunter along with us through Crowders Mountain State Park.
Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Dirt Trails, Dirt pathways, or Dirt stairways in Black & White Monochrome
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.
Back in 2020, I stayed with my maternal aunt for a couple of months before returning to the Carolinas after a Caribbean cruise I had taken in late February. While visiting my aunt, I would periodically take long walks accumulating more than 10,000 steps per walk.
On this particular day I came across this old building that piqued my curiosity. Naturally, I used my phone to look up information on what the building had been used for in its heyday.
Abilene Eagles Nest
Turns out the building was originally Abilene High School in Taylor County, Texas. The school was constructed in the Late Gothic Revival style in 1923. There were four additions made to the building in 1927, 1928, and 1941. In 1955, a new high school was built and this building became Lincoln Junior High School. Later on, it became Lincoln Middle School. In 2007, the school was closed … no more rambunctious teenagers roaming the hallways … forever remembered as the Historic AbileneHigh School.
Location:Historic Abilene High School; Abilene, Texas, USA
God Bless. Have a fascinating weekend full of exciting adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For the Lenten Season which began on February 18th, I decided what better selection than the Narcissus pseudonarcissus to post. The Narcissus pseudonarcissus, is commonly referred to as the wild daffodil or Lent Lily.
Lent Lily
I captured this Lent Lily with my iPhone in February of 2024 (during the Lenten season) at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. It was growing in The Farm area near one of the historic cabins.
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to observe the Flowers and nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coming out of the U.S. Postal Service building what caught my eye was not the building itself, but what was displayed in the corner of the landscaping in front of the building.
U. S. Flag (not in image) and a POW * MIA Flag
From my sidewalk view … left of the flagpole stood a military cannon. [I didn’t expect to see the cannon on display at the post office.]
Military style cannon U.S. Postal Service property Gastonia, NC
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Parasaurolophus is a large, herbivorous, duck-billed dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period.
The Parasaurolophus is a North American dinosaur which could walk on either two or all four legs. It grazed on plants like pine needles and leaves. Its name means “lizard crest”, (A Crest is a hollow, bony tube extending from the back of its skull.) it uses its crest for producing low, trumpet-like sounds to communicate, attract mates, or warn of danger.
No matter if you’re hiking the Nature Trail, having a group meeting, or just need a short break; there’s a bench for you to Pull Up a Seatand rest a spell.
Amphitheater Amphitheater Benches Wood & Metal Bench Cement BenchCement BenchA Trio of Benches Gazebo Benches Gazebo BenchesAmphitheater BenchesAmphitheater BenchesWooden Bench Pull Up a Seat along a Nature Trail The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Indoor Pathway, Hallway, Corridor, Or Stairway. They can be Any Which Way on any Pathways, Hallways, Stairway, or Corridor as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
Walking the Hallways and Corridors
inside the
Schiele Museum of Natural History …
Here are my entries …
Coleman Walking the Hallways & Corridors of The Schiele Museum of Natural History. CWWC Cee’s Which Way Challenge
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.
While visiting The Schiele Museum of Natural History, we paused to check out the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake .
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is also known by Crotalus adamanteus (its Binomial name).
It is a species of pit vipers belonging to the family Viperidae. They are indigenous to the Southeastern United States of America.
It is the largest rattlesnake species and one of the more heavily venomous snakes in the Americas.
This Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is safely encased behind a large glass window and is accessible by the staff. The staff do occasionally bring out various snakes and other animals for educational purposes.
Yesterday, I shared some unique benches inside Amber Jack Seafood & Steak Restaurant. Today, I am letting you have a glimpse of the Windows we viewed from our table.
I loved seeing the reflections in the window from across the room.
This is a vertical window reflecting what was showing on the TV screen in another portion of the room.
Interesting Displays in the foyer of the restaurant.
Dining at Amber Jack Seafood & Steak Restaurant we noticed these unique benches in the foyer. The sign attached to the benches state “Please Do Not Sit.”
They may look inviting, but the owner insists on you refraining from sitting on the benches. Admire only.
Location: C.B. Huss Recreation Center; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you be filled with love, joy, and peace today and throughout the week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
My daughter has occasionally sat or hung from a tree since she was a teenager. When visiting the Playscape at The Schiele Museum of Natural History a she decided to try to sit in the tree with Sophia.
Here are a few of her Pulling Up a Seat in a tree …
We are very much still in winter even though we haven’t had anymore snow as of yet. We have had many freezing temperatures in the evenings and early mornings. The past couple of days warmed up, however, chilly days and rainy days are still in the foreseeable forecast.
Since Spring has not yet sprung this year I decided to look back upon a delightfully sunny Spring day in 2022(spring ended on June 21st in 2022). On this spectacular Spring day, Coleman and I hiked along the Catawba River in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We hiked along the Founders Trail which runs parallel to the Catawba River. And before you ask, Coleman did enjoy some refreshing playtime in the River.
Look closely to see people tubing down the River.
Kayakers enjoying the Catawba River.
Coleman wading, playing, & watching the tubers floating down the Catawba River.
Location: Catawba River; Founders Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Here’s wishing for Spring. Have a delightfully wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware. They can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, Trail or Dirt Path etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
Here are my entries for this week …
CWWC Capturing People Unaware
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.
Tuesday was another free night at the Museum. Free nights are on the second (2nd) Tuesday each month curtesy of Duke Energy. I captured these doors with my iPhone as we walked through the museum.
Venus Flytrap Door Decor
We walked through every hallway and corridor viewing everything even though we’ve been there several times before.
Emergency exit door
Coleman zooms around every corner and nook and cranny faster than I can possibly imagine catching up with him.
Interpretation Division Staff Only
Soaring past this doorway and that doorway all the way to the final door to exit the museum.
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fascinating weekend full of exciting adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Good Day y’all! This week Dawn from The Day Afteris the host for Monochrome Madness. She has chosen a theme of Circles. One may find circles or circular objects just about anywhere you look. Circles are all around us, from wheels, to bubbles, to water ripples, you name it circles are everywhere.
Here are a few circles of circulars I have found …
Circles in a Color AppMetal WheelJupiter Balloon ride at Carowinds Coleman trying to catch Bubbles Sculpture in Abilene, TexasCircles/Circular Water Ripples Coleman’s Toy Monster Truck Wheels
God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay safe. Take Care of yourself. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The National Cash Register Company (NRC) was founded by John H. Patterson in 1884 in Dayton, Ohio. He pioneered the mechanical cash register to stop employee theft.
And even further back …
Letterpress on the USS North Carolina
The letterpress printing machine was invented way back around 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany. The letterpress printing machine enabled mass production of books, revolutionizing the spread of information. It was a dominant printing method for over 500 years.
Quote by Charles Kettering
On to other inventions seen at various museums …
Robots anyone?
Early Robots as seen in The Discovery Center in Abilene, Texas in March of 2020.
The Joe Steinlauf Bed Bike
The Joe Steinlauf Bike, often referred to as the Bed Bike, is on display (at least it was in August of 2021) at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. The Bed Bike is an unconventional contraption designed by using a metal headboard.
“One rule of invention; before you can invent it, you have to imagine it. By James GunnOlympia typewriter
The Olympia Typewriters were produced by the German company Olympia-Werke AG (founded 1903 in Wilhelmshaven). This typewriter was donated to the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum (St Simons, Georgia) in 1970 by Eileen Humphlett. It was one used by the author Eugenia Price.
God Bless. Stay Safe. Take Care. Have an adventurous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Over the weekend my daughter treated us out for supper at the Taxco Mexican Grill. This was a new (to us) location of the Mexican restaurant chain. Normally Coleman won’t eat meat except for vegetarian “meat.” However, he decided he wanted to try the grilled chicken strips off the kids menu and loved them.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Take time to relax and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We have had a few weeks of freezing weather producing Ice and Snow storms with little sight of the Sun.
Sunrise 7:21am
So far when the Sun has tried to peeked through the rain clouds have covered it up.
Hopefully the Sun will bring a little warmth to our area. However, even though 45°F is warmer than our freezing 9°F lows it is still not what I consider a warm day.
Location: Shot from Porch; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Here’s praying for warmer days, brighter tomorrows, and love & peace for y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Tina of Travels and Triflesis this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has chosen to Look Back at #174 and asking us to display images showing Shapes and Designs.
Here are my contributions taken from my latest jaunt out in the freezing cold … and some from our recent mini vacay at the beach.
Lens-Artist Photo Challenge (LAPC) Shapes and Designs
Dan Antion from No Facilities , the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)has chosen to continue his themes dealing with this, that, or both. This week’s them is Detailed or Abstract or Both to finish up the “This, that, or both” series.
Let’s go slipping and sliding into Details and Abstraction …
Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Telephoto; 2) Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: By the Railroad Tracks; S. Main St.; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a warm day filled with sunshine, love, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Brian from Bushboys Worldhosts 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 my contributions …
From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):
Photobombed by Coleman Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
God Bless. Enjoy your Winter/Summer days. Stay safe. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Eating small quantities of clean, fresh, white snow is generally considered low-risk for the majority of healthy individuals. Be cautious if you choose to eat fresh white snow or snow cream.
I chose to allow Coleman to eat safely obtained fresh white snow following recommended safety guidelines.
Here is a list of Safety Guidelines recommended to follow before Eating Snow.
Prioritize Fresh Snow:
Eat only Snow that has just fallen (it is preferable to wait a few hours after a snowfall begins, after initial air scrubbing.)
Ensure it’s White:
Only eat pristine, white snow. Avoid any snow that is yellow, red, green, gray, or black, as this indicates contamination by urine, algae, or pollutants.
Avoid Ground Contact:
Scoop snow from the top layer or collect it in a clean bowl placed outside as it falls. This is to prevent any and all contact with ground contaminates, dirt, or animal waste.
Avoid Disturbed Areas:
Never ever eat snow from roadsides, driveways, sidewalks, or areas with heavy foot traffic. These areas often have high contaminations of chemicals and pollutants.
I assure you we collect fresh snow from a clean container we placed outside long past when the snowfall had begun (especially considering it began when we were still sleeping).
God Bless. Have a warm (or cool if you’d rather) day and week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
What a difference a year makes in our view, weather, and our activities.
Our view from our porch 2025
January 31, 2025
This time last year Coleman were hiking in Goat Island Park and Greenway. He was playing in the playground having a wonderful good time. Our high was 54°F, not too hot but also not extremely cold either. Our low was 32°F during a time when we were home. What was this time last year like you y’all?
Coleman swinging at Goat Island Playground January 31, 2025
January 31, 2026
This year we are having an extremely cold winter storm with a mixture of Snow and Sleet alternating off and on all day and night. Our high today was 21°F below normal with a freezing temperature of 29°F and a feel like temperature of 14°F. [I don’t know about y’all, but to me, that is extremely freezing cold.] Our low was 17°F with a feel like of 2°F.
Coleman doesn’t like being cooped up inside any time of the day. He is a hyperactive person who prefers to be out in nature. With today’s extreme cold temperatures and dangerous weather conditions he has had to find other options to keep himself occupied and entertained. Luckily, he has several options to play with like his new Hot Wheels City play-sets and additional orange track.
Coleman with his new Hot Wheels City Play-sets safe at home. January 31, 2026
What’s it like for y’all in your area right now? Are you experiencing extreme cold winter conditions? Or are you experiencing the hot summer days?
Oops, sorry forgot to be silent. Forgive me for being vocal, I’ll remember it’s a Silent Sunday next week.
Camera: 1) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 3-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion
God Bless. Have a wonderful week filled with love, laughter and a warm sense of peace. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Smoke Pit is a casual contemporary barbecue restaurant that is known for its massive proportions and slow-smoked meats. [We enjoyed their smoked turkey and their pulled barbecue chicken (I don’t eat beef).] We were flabbergasted at how large our proportions were and we needed to bring part of our dinners home to eat later.
Counter Seating
The Smoke Pit is highly renowned for its Texas-style beef offerings and generous side dishes. We went in the late afternoon (before the dinner rush) when prices are slightly discounted. They offer a trio combination where you can choose three different types of meat as well as two or three side options.
Table Seating
The Smoke Pit offers nine different flavours of barbecue sauce to satisfy your taste buds. The flavours range from Southern Sweet to Sizzling Hot. Coleman prefers a honey barbecue sauce, but decided to try the Southern Sweet and was satisfied with its taste. Myself, I chose the Southern Sweet Carolina-style Mustard barbecue sauce on my barbecued pulled chicken.
The Smoke Pit
We highly recommend The Smoke Pit for anyone near one. The food is delicious, the portions are enormous, and you won’t leave hungry. You’ll be well pleased with the quality of the food and the customer service.
Location: The Smoke Pit; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Safe. Stay Warm. Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Which Way (Your Choice). They can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, Trail or Dirt Path etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
This week we have been inundated with below freezing temperatures and extreme winter weather inhibiting our ability (too cold for us to go walking about outside) to adventure on an enjoyably beautiful hike. (Sorry, not sorry, below 20° or slightly above with the feel like temperatures even lower is not my cup of tea). These are from what we saw from Winter Storm Fern …
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.
God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay safe. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: Next Week our theme will be Any Which Way with Winter or Summer Which Ways. Let’s see what you’re experiencing and enjoying this season.
![Which Way Challenge 2026: CWWC: Any Indoor Pathway, Hallway, Corridor, Or Stairway. [02.20.2026]](https://gfpacificbeeintrospection.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-1-1.jpg?w=489)
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 