2025 Sunday Trees: 07 September

Populus deltoides

Aka Eastern Cottonwood

As scene on our hike at Goat Island Park and Greenway. The Eastern Cottonwood stood out tall and strong amongst the surrounding trees along the trail.

Aka Necklace Poplar

The Eastern Cottonwood is native throughout the Eastern, Central, and South Western United States of America. It also can be found in the Southern Canadian prairies, the southernmost part of eastern Canada, and northeastern Mexico.

The Populus deltoides (Eastern Cottonwood) is a large tree which grows to 20-30 metres (65-100 feet) in height with a trunk up to 2.8 metres (9 ft 2 in) in diameter. It is one of the largest North American Hardwood trees. Its bark is silvery-white, smooth or lightly fissured when young, becoming dark gray and deeply fissured on old trees.

What stands out when you are out walking about in your area?

Becca’s Sunday Trees – #601

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Catawba River Link Greenway Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

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

2025 Flower of the Day: 06 September

Creeping Cauticola Sedum

Sedums are large flowering plants in the Crassulaceae family, known as Stonecrops. They a leaf succulents found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, but also extend into the Southern Hemisphere in Africa and South America.

Aka Stonecrops, Succulents

These Sedum Stonecrops are grown in a rectangular container planter outside of Confluence in downtown Cramerton, North Carolina.

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Outside Confluence; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

Thunder, Lightning — Wait it’s a Downpour

In the Morning …

In the Evening …

It went from that to this …

The Weather can Change quickly from one minute to the next. One needs to prepare for all Weather Changes possible in a day or night.

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Skywatch Friday-2025.09.05

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP)-Downpour

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Change!

Hopefully you are able to see what we saw. It was an amazingly awesome sight to watch. 

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 

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

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

2025 Floral Friday: 05.09

Mailbox Flower Planter

Be careful not to knock over the Flowers

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge 

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

Camera: iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

2025 CosPhoChal: Summer Funtime

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

The main Summer Funtime this summer that was different than most any other time were the Summer Concerts the Town of Cramerton held at the end of each month. This was a time to gather downtown to enjoy some fantastic music, visit with others within the community, and basically have a funtastic experience.

Another part of Coleman’s Summer Funtime is visiting different playgrounds. However, this activity is not reserved for just Summertime.

How about some Water Funtime that was included in Coleman’s Summertime Funtime …

Now to we are almost to the end of our Summertime Review so let’s look at one of Coleman’s favourite things to do … Playing in the Sand.

And Finally last, but not least, Coleman’s ultimate Funtime activity all year long (not just Summertime) and that is hiking. He enjoys hiking out in the woods amongst nature anytime he possibly can get outdoors.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Summer Fun

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

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

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which With with Stairs, Steps, and/or Ladders

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which With with Stairs, Steps, and/or Ladders for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my Which Ways entries:

Let’s Start with looking at some Stairs

Stairs leading to the Tracks
Cramerton, NC
Coleman on the Stairs
leading to the Swinging Bridge
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, SC

Next, shall we check out some Steps …

Steps to the
St. Simons Island Lighthouse
Saint Simons Island, Georgia
As always Signs are always welcome.
My daughter’s Sign of climbing
all 129 Steps of the Lighthouse.
Coleman behind the
Caution Steps Sign
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, SC
Downward Steps
along a trail at
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, SC
Coleman near bottom of
Steps leading to
the Disc Golf Trail
Goat Island Park and Greenway
Cramerton, NC

Finally, we’ll discover a couple of Which Ways with Ladders …

Ladders on a stand at
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, SC
Coleman climbing
a deer stand Ladder
Lake Wylie, SC

Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us. 

For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.

Dawn’s Wedding Crossing

Brian’s Busy people (work or play)

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s One Against Many

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Any Which With with Stairs, Steps, and/or Ladders

Next week we’ll be looking to Capture People Unaware in our Which Ways.

Photo Challenge:©️2021-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

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

2025 Monochrome Madness (MM) — Pets (of Family, Friends, Strangers, & Strays)

Elke from pictures imperfect blog is the host for this week’s Monochrome Madness. She has chosen a theme of Pets. I personally do not have any Pets. Most of the places I have lived over the years have not allowed for Pets. My family did have a few different dogs over the years. Unfortunately I do not have any photos of them. The one I remember the most was a Chihuahua Dachshund, that I would walk around our neighborhood.

Now to show you an array of Pets owned by family members, neighbours, strangers, or stray animals.

Click on images to enlarge. 

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness 

Elke’s Monochrome Madness

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

Location: North & South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Thursday Trios: 04 September

Hydrangea paniculata

Hydrangea paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata’Limelight’

For more information about Thursday Trios check out Mama Cormier’s page by clicking here

Thursday Trios 

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Remembering Bren

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Goat Island Entrance; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

God Bless. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a marvelous weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 03 September

Blending In

Carolina Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes carolina

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday- 03 September 2025

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

2025 Last on the Card – August

Brian from Bushboys World hosts a monthly challenge called Last On the CardHis 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 31st July 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 August… 

From my Canon EOS Rebel T3i:

Coleman at Centennial Center

From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Bacopa
Sutera ‘Epic White’

#LastontheCard

Cee’s FOTD

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 CFFC: September 02 — Time of Day_Night

A Stop

on a

Weary Trip

Nighttime is not a time when I venture out anywhere, my vision no longer allows me to see clearly to drive or walk any distance. Hence, I ventured back through time in my archives to a time when I was out at night (after dark).

The images I have chosen are from one extremely weary day back in January of 2019. It was a sad and weary time for traveling. These were taken at the Mississippi Welcome Center where my daughter and I stopped to rest and stretch our legs before heading back home from our trip to Plano, Texas.

Mississippi Welcome Sign
Mississippi River Bridge
We crossed from
Louisiana into Mississippi
Civil War Canon
and Confederate Flag
at the Mississippi
Welcome Center (2019)
Mississippi Welcome Center
I-20 (2019)

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Night

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

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

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

Hope to see y’all on Friday with the Which Way Challenge (CWWC)The theme for this week will be … Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which With Stairs, Steps, and/or Ladders.

2025 Monday Window: 01 September

Kitty by a Window – 2
— AI creation by PR

Fire Engine Windows

Cramerton Fire Department
Engine 412
Fire Engine 412

Monday Window 

See Monday Window posts in Reader

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

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North 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.

2025 Monday Portrait: 01 September

Giraffe
Giraffes

Monday Portrait

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden; Columbia, 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.

Wiggly Lines Wiggle Waggle

… On a Map

Wiggly Lines Wiggle Waggling
on a Floor Map
Coleman playing
by the Wiggling Waggling
blue lines
Wiggly Floor Map Lines

The blue Wiggly lines represent rivers and lakes in our area. The floor map drawings showing the Wiggly Waggling lines are on the floor inside Confluence which is run by the Catawba Riverkeepers.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Wiggly

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion and Ultra Wide Cameras

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

God Bless. Wiggle Waggle if you please. Getting your Wiggly Waggle on might just be fun and bring smiles and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

An Anole’s Beautiful View

Several times when Coleman and I our hiking at various locations we venture across a Green Anole.

Anolis carolinensis
Green Anole

Coming across this Green Anole we stopped to admire his view …

Catawba River

… of the specular reflections …

… scattering across the Catawba River …

Catawba River

… from a bridge in Westminster Park.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday 

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

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

Cameras: Apple iPhones 13 Pro

Location: Bobby Adam’s Trail; Westminster Park; Rock Hill, South 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 Silent Sunday: 31 August

Living Water Chapel
Westminster Park
Rock Hill, South Carolina

Silent Sunday-2025.08.31

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: The Living Water Chapel; Westminster Park; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Sunday Stills: 08.31 — Things (Home) under Construction

Home Renovation

Under Construction

Our neighbour’s home has been under construction for a major renovation project since springtime. The whole inside was gutted and renovations began with brand new plumbing, wiring, electrical, and such forth (basically taken down to the bare roots of the building).

We’ve been quietly watching the workers coming and going every day except Saturday and Sunday until recently. Now workers are working almost every single day. The owners come by every Thursday/Friday evening to check on the construction progress. I know they are anxious to be able to get back into their home.

Neighbour’s Home
under Construction Renovations

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Things under Construction

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

Captivating Railway Graffiti: A Photo Journey

Early in the mornings and in the afternoons while waiting for the school bus to arrive we watch the trains go chugging along down the track. The speed at which it moves varies from time to time and sometimes we notice the graffiti artwork painted on different railway cars. These are a few examples of the artwork we’ve seen.

Natalie’s Public Art Photo Challenge

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Photo Credit:©️2024-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: Apple iPhones 14 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; 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.

Freight Rapidly Zooming Around the Bend

Early Morning Freight Train

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Video: Created with Google Photos Highlight Video Editor

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

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

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my Which Ways entries:

Whether traveling by car or hiking on foot there are times we run across storms and/or clouds in our pathways/roadways. These are a few examples of what we have endured in our adventures.

US 321
Blowing Rock, NC
October 9, 2017

US 321
Blowing Rock, NC
October 9, 2017

NC State Hwy 74
Charlotte, NC

September 16, 2024

W. Wilkinson Blvd
Cramerton, NC
September 26, 2024

Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us. 

For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.

TGeriatrix’s From Spain to Portugal

Brian’s Arrows (point the way)

Dawn’s Which Way: Down Dunlap Creek

Pepper’s Off to an Adventure

Sandy’s A Path Through Luscious Color

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP): Wednesday-Downpour

Photo Credit:©️2017-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhones 7 Plus; 14 Pro Max; and 16 Pro Max

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

Note: Next week we will be looking at Any Which Ways with People.

2025 Monochrome Madness (MM) #41 — Movement

Monochrome Movement

at the Concert

This week Leanne is hosting the Monochrome Madness challenge. She has chosen a theme of Movement to spark our interest and inspire our creativity.

Here are my selections for the challenge …

We arrive at the Town’s concert early not just to obtain our choice seats, but also to allow Coleman to run around with friends and burn off excess excitement and energy prior to the start of the concert events.

Coleman Rolling
on the Grass
SS 1/800s

Coleman enjoys rolling down the slight hill in our Centennial Center Park.

Coleman hopping
on One Foot
SS 1/320s

He was challenging a friend to hop on one foot and she was trying to show him how to do cartwheels. They had a fun time playing together last Friday evening.

Before long it was time for the Rick Hubbard’s Kazoobie Kazoo Kids Show. Rick was an outstanding guest musician entertaining the audience and involving the kids in attendance in his show. Here he is playing both a banjo and a Kazoo while entertaining everyone in attendance.

Rick Hubbard
Kazoobie Kazoo
Kids Show

SS 1/320s

The second event for the evening was a Concert by the Caleb Davis Band. Prior to any show the band warms up making sure their sound system is working properly and their instruments are properly tuned and ready for the show.

Caleb Davis Band S
S 1/347s

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #41-Movement

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

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.

Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 08.20

Nocturnal Visitor

Seen strewn across our
front porch posts
Crab spider

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday- 20 August 2025

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

2025 Numbers Game #86-208

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 206. 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 #86-208

Photo Credit:©️1979-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

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

2025 Flower of the Day: 19 August

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Queen’s crepe-myrtle
Lagerstroemia speciosa,
aka Pride of India

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Take time to admire Nature’s Beauty. Smell the flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monday Portrait: 08.18

American Green

Tree Frog

This American Green Tree Frog paid us a visit and chose to hang around for a while. It was to our surprise when we opened the front door and saw him looking at us looking at him. To him, it was the most natural thing in the world for him to hang around on our front storm door.

Dryophytes cinereus
aka American

green tree frog

The American Green Tree Frog is a common adaptable amphibian found in the Southeastern United States. [We had previously seen them in our yard blended in with the grass, but not usually hanging on our front door.] They are known for their bright green colour, large toe pads, and ability to change color based on temperature and activity.

The American Green Tree Frogs are often found near water sources like ponds, lakes, and marshes. [I know we live near a river and frogs are quite frequently spotted in the area, but on our door was unexpected.] They play a role in controlling insect populations. [This is always a good thing.]

These frogs eat small insects and other invertebrates like crickets, moths and flies. They can often be found clinging to windows or walls, trying to feed on insects that are attracted to light. [We learn something new everyday. Now we now that it is normal behavior for the Green Tree Frog to cling onto our storm door especially since it is a glass door.]

Monday Portrait

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Be kind. Love your Neighbour (even strange ones). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monday Window — In the Neighbourhood

Kitty by a Window – 2
— AI creation by PR

Looking out over the Neighbourhood …

In the evening while observing the full moon in the sky I inadvertently captured the Neighbourhood windows across the street from us. It seemed like an amazingly picturesque scene.

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Sunday-Neighborhood

Cosmic Photo Challenge-As the Sun Goes Down

Monday Window 

See Monday Window posts in Reader

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

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North 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.

Floral Macro Monday: 18.08.2025

Hibiscus moscheutos

Swamp rose mallow

Click on images for enlarged Viewing 

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday 

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters 

Camera:Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; 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: Wings and Feathers

Spreading Wings

And

Ruffled Feathers

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Wings and Feathers

Photo Credit:©️2015-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2025 Silent Cell Pic Sunday: 08.17

Lake at
Andrew Jackson State Park

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday 

Silent Sunday 

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: AJSP Lake; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA 

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

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky —17 August

Early Morning

versus

Evening Skies

Early Morning:

Evening:

Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Weekend Sky

Weekend Sky

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

2025 Floral Friday/FOTD: 08.15

Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge 

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

Camera: iPhone 16 Pro Max

God Bless. Have a terrific fun-filled weekend. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Hi-ho, Hi-Ho … Off to School He Goes …

Monochrome Madness

Hi-ho, hi-ho, It’s off to school He goes.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, It’s off to the Bus-stop He goes.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, It’s off for the First day He goes.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, Waiting at the Bus-stop We Wait.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, And at the Bus-stop We Wait.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, We Wait and Wait …

Hi-ho, hi-ho, We Wait; Oh it’s coming … Bye Grandma.

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

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

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

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

2025 Flower of the Day: 14 August

Coreopsis auriculata

Lobed tickseed,
aka Coreopsis auriculata,
is a low-growing,
herbaceous perennial native
to the southeastern United States.

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. No unauthorized use permitted.

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

Truck Driver’s “Assistant”

One-to-Three Challenge
One-to-Three
Photo Processing Challenge
August 2025

This morning a flatbed tractor trailer came to deliver a pallet of wood to the house across the road which is be renovated from the inside out. Coleman with his natural curiosity and helpful nature decided to investigate. When the truck driver was done with his delivery he began to toss straps across the flatbed trailer to tie down the rest of his load. As I stood watching, Coleman thought he needed some assistance and proceeded to cross the street and give his willing assistance in fastening the straps from the other side of the truck hooking them together as the driver instructed. The truck driver was polite and good natured willing to allow Coleman to assist him and show him kindness.

Original
Sepia toned
Black & White
Faded, color focused
with a slight splash of colour
Colour focused
with a splash of Blue,
& rim of Smoke effect &
a tweak of swirling

Guess I got carried away experimenting with a few effects for the image. I’m leaving y’all with a collage of Coleman being a good assistant.

Collage of Coleman
Assisting the Truck Driver

One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge-August 2025

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Photo Processing done with PS Express (Mobile version) & Pixlr

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; 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 Wordless Wednesday: 13 August

Raindrops on an Awning

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-13 August 2025

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

2025 OWS — Double the Trouble … Twice the Fun?

Not exactly Mirrored Image
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Twice the Froggin’ Good Time
Cozumel, Mexico
Double the Fun
with matching Canoes
Warlick Family YMCA
Double the Beauty
Lady’s Glove
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Double

Photo Credit:©️2020-2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 08.10

Throwback to 2017

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Remembering a fun family trip with my daughter and granddaughter to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. This upcoming week my granddaughter will turn twelve (12). These are memories from when she was four (4).

Alona
on an
elephant sculpture

Her mom and I took her down to Columbia, South Carolina to visit the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. It was a special time and memories I will always cherish. [She currently lives with her father & he does not allow her to visit with us even though there is a shared custody agreement.]

Alona enjoyed being able to pet the goats and other animals in the children’s petting area.

Alona
riding a Giraffe
on the
Merry-Go-Round

As well as the merry-go-round and all the amazing animals located within the Zoo.

Alona
on a
Gorilla sculpture

Every time we came near any of the animal sculptures she thought she had to go up and climb on them. It made for some interesting poses (or lack of posing).

Alona on
Happy the Tiger
in the
Riverbanks main plaza

After a long tiring day, we stopped at the entrance/exit area for one final photo opportunity before traveling back home through Great Falls, Lancaster, and finally to get home in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Columbia, South Carolina
with Alona

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2025.08.10

Throwback Thursday (on Sunday)

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden; Columbia, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Flower of the Day: 08.08

Ampelaster carolinianus

Ampelaster carolinianus
Climbing Aster

Please click on image to enlarge.

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2021 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake Wylie, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stop and smell the flowers. Admire their beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Thursday Doors: 07 August

Moses Cone Carriage House

The Moses Cone Carriage House is a significant historical structure located within the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and just a short hike from the Cone Manor.

The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and the Moses Cone Carriage House is located near Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Moses Cone Carriage House

The Cone Carriage House was part of the expansive Flat Top Manor estate, built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone and his wife Bertha at the turn of the 20th century. 

The estate included the manor house, about 500 acres of farmland, Flat Top Mountain, Rich Mountain, and a vast system of carriage trails.

Carriage House

The Carriage House housed carriages and other equipment used to maintain the estate’s approximately 25 miles of carriage trails. The Carriage House has been preserved as a historical structure within the park, it might possibly be used for maintenance or interpretive exhibits related to the estate’s history.

Front of Carriage House

The Carriage House may not be a prominent visitor attraction on its own, however, it contributes to the overall historical and natural experience of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, which also includes the Flat Top Manor (the Cone’s former residence), orchards, lakes, and extensive carriage trails. 

Note: This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open for the public.

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 2025.08.07

Throwback Thursday

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus  

Location: Moses Cone Carriage House; Moses H. Cone Memorial Park; Milepost 294; Blue Ridge Parkway; Watauga County, 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.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettes

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettes for this week’s theme. Shadows can be on any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my entries …

Coleman’s Shadows/Silhouettes

Coleman

Taken at Goat Island Park and Greenway at the end of the Riverlink Greenway Trail located in Cramerton, North Carolina.

Coleman’s arm
over his
Shadow/Silhouette

Trees and their Leaves Shadows

The above Shadows were captured at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

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.

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Up And Down?

Brian from Bushboys World’s Lines (show the way)

Dawn from The Day After’s Way of the Fence Line

Pepper from HeavensSunshine’s A Straight and Crooked Path

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

Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 3-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: As Stated Above

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

2025 Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Brown in Nature

Look all around, there’s Brown everywhere you look out in nature. From the ground, to boardwalks, and even to the varying kinds of animals which roam around in the woods, in farms, and even in many greenways. Here are a few examples of Brown I have discovered.

Click on each image for enlarged views.

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Brown

Photo Credit:©️2019-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 06 August

Hidden Between Green and Brown

Look 👀 Closely
to see who’s Hidden
at Andrew Jackson State Park

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-06 August 2025

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

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

Location: Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, South Carolina, USA 

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

2025 Numbers Game #84-206

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 206. 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 #84-206

Cee’s Flower of the Day 

Photo Credit:©️1968-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

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

2025 CFFC: 28 July —Time of day_Morning …

Hike in the Mountains

Dan Antion is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week he is continuing with a perspective theme of Time of Day focusing on Morning.

We have had several thunderstorms this week, so therefore we haven’t been out and about much. Instead I’m reminiscing about a trip I took a few years ago with my oldest son for his birthday adventure. Since he wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was more than happy to ride along with him.

My entries for this week’s challenge are views from just one of our stops we sidetracked on during his Mountain adventure.

Taken at 10:54 am
(late morning) in 2017

Bluff Mountain Overlook is located at Milepost 243.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a popular destination along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bluff Mountain is visible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook. It offers breathtakingly spectacular views.

Foggy Morning
Mountain View

On a clear day, Bluff Mountain’s visibility is remarkably satisfying and amazingly delightful to gaze upon from the Overlook. At this point in our adventure clear visibility was not to be had, but that did not deter ills from looking around or venturing on a short hike along the Bluff Mountain Trail which is easily accessible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook.

Alligator Back

Bluff Mountain Trail  passes through grassy meadows and includes a challenging switchback ascent called Alligator BackAlligator Back is a short twenty (20) minute walk from Bluff Overlook.

The Predators

Until recently Predatory Birds and Mammals, those which preyed on other animals or were in conflict with humans, were termed “Varmints” and killed on sight. Fortunately, modern Ecology proves the vital interdependency of all wild plants and animals. Today Hawks and Owls, Black Bears, Bobcats, Foxes and Snakes continue to roam Parklands like this and help preserve the delicate balance of nature. [Informational notice on sign.]

Panoramic View from
Bluff Mountain Overlook

We hiked all around the overlook investigating the Predator area scenic views. To the right in the photo above and in the picture below is my eldest son, John. He is not normally into hiking, but he accommodated me in my thrill to explore the sights and perspective landscapes available to observe, explore, and admire.

My eldest son, John

As we drove further along the Blue Ridge Parkway our visibility improved dramatically unlike when we parked here at this location and the Air Bellows Overlook.

Air Bellows Overlook
 Parkway Milepost 236.9

Looking forward to checking out all your Morning Scenes. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week we’ll be including Shadows in our Which Ways. Interested in finding more details about the Which Way challenge click here.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Morning

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus Wide and Telephoto Cameras

Location: Bluff Mountain Overlook; Blue Ridge Parkway, 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 Pull Up a Seat (Outdoor Dining)

THE GREEK GRILL

On a beautiful sunny summer day, who wants to eat indoors? Why not enjoy the beautiful weather and enjoy the delicious Greek Gyros at a dining table outside?

Outdoor Dining
The Greek Grill
Tega Cay, SC

That’s exactly what we did. We went inside, ordered our Greek Gyros with Grilled Veggies and went outside to enjoy our food under the shade of an umbrella in the beautiful sunshine.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 31

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Greek Grill; Tega Cay, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Macro Monday: 08.04

Floral Macro

Yucca gloriosa

The Yucca gloriosa species is known by the common names moundlily yucca and soft-tipped yucca. The Yucca gloriosa is also known as Roman candle, candle yucca, palm lily, and Spanish needle.

Close-up
of the
Yucca Flowers

Yucca gloriosa is caulescent, usually with several stems arising from the base, the base thickening in adult specimens. The leaves are long narrow, straight and very stiff. [The tips of the leaves are extremely sharp to the touch.]

Yucca gloriosa
with Raindrops

The inflorescence is a panicle up to 2.5 m (8 ft) long, of bell-shaped white flowers, sometimes tinged purple or red. The fruit is a leathery, elongate berry up to 8 cm (3 in) long. [We have not seen or noticed the berries on the Yucca plant as of yet.]

Moundlily Yucca 
and 
Soft-tipped Yucca

The habitat for Yucca gloriosa is normally on exposed sand dunes along the coast and barrier islands of the lower East Coast of the United States. [There are two (2) of the Yucca gloriosa grown as ornament plants on our front lawn.]

Yucca gloriosa has been known to cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions upon contact. The leaf points are even sharp enough to break the skin.

Click on image for enlarged Viewing 

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday 

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; 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 Trees: 03 August

Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II”

The Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II” is noted for its true red blossoms. It is a splendid, upright, deciduous tree with a profusion of large clusters, packed with crinkly , cherry red flowers at its branch tips.

Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II”
– Dynamite Crape Myrtle

The Dynamite Crape Myrtle is a long blooming summer flowering tree. [The one pictured here began blooming near the end of July across the street from us.] It will bloom through early autumn.

Google AI version

The Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II” – Dynamite Crape Myrtle is an attractive ornamental shrub or small tree with smooth, peeling bark. The fiery red summer flowers with gradually change to vibrant orange-red fall foliage. Even after the leaves drop, the display is not over. Smooth but mottled bark showcases an attractive range of tan, gray, and brown which covers the trunk and branches of the Dynamite Crape Myrtle

Sunday Trees

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

2025 OWS: 03.08 — Green (Seen from Trails)

Hiking along the Riverlink Greenway Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway we tree y to observe everything around us. The objects along our foot path regardless of whether they are on the trail or along the side of its side.

Tree Leaves
near the edge
of a Trail

The sun bounces off the leaves differs slightly from one spot to another giving interesting contrasts that seem to stand out calling you to take a closer look.

Sun shining
on Green Leaves

The glistening rays reflect varying shades of green in the river below. What captured my attention, at first, were the broken tree branches strewn across the waters of the South Fork Catawba River. The water reflections were an added bonus.

Green Water Reflections

Skipping down the road to another Greenway in town; (also apart of the Carolina Thread Trail) the Riverside Park and Greenwaywe encounter interesting plants and trees along the trail pathway.

Taxodium distichum Seed Pods
(baldcypress, bald-cypress,
bald cypress, swamp cypress)

I found these seed pods fascinating. I was not sure what they were when I first saw them, but they stood out and begged for me to capture them. Looking them up, I discovered these are Bald Cypress seed pods. The Bald Cypress trees are native to the Southeastern United States of America.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Green

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #274

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

Cameras: 1-3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: 1-3) Riverlink Greenway Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; 4) Riverside Park and Greenway; Carolina Thread Trail; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 03 August

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2025.08.03

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Telephoto Camera

Settings: f2.8 • 1/99s • 666mm • ISO 80

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

God Bless. May the Sun Shine upon you. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Do Low Water Levels Prevent Splash-time?

We have been having so many days of extreme heat and humidity that what rain we have had has not been enough to sustain or elevate the water levels of our lakes, rivers, or spillways.

Coleman
on his way
to the Spillway

Do you think that the low water levels would hinder Coleman from enjoying splashing around in the Spillway? Definitely not.

Coleman
is almost
to the Spillway

Normally the water levels would be so high you’d be able to see the water from where Coleman is located. The water is usually all the way across the Spillway and flowing down stream.

Coleman deciding
whether we are crossing
the Swinging Bridge before
he enters the water.

This is the Greenway’s Swinging Bridge, the main access to the other side of the Spillway.

Coleman is almost
across the Swinging Bridge

The view of the Swinging Bridge from the top of the stairs. Normally the plant growth is not high enough to intertwine with siding along the Swinging Bridge.

Coleman begins
splashing back and forth
with his feet.

As you look at the pictures below you’ll be able to see and understand the extreme drought we are experiencing. The extremely low water levels caused by insufficient rainfall is disappointing to see. Ordinarily the water would rise above Coleman’s knees and you would not be seeing all the dirt, red clay, and mud which you can observe here.

Even though the water levels were extremely low it did not prevent Coleman from having a Splashing Good Time running back and forth, to and fro, as well as up and down the length of the Spillway.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Crossing

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #274

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Spillway; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Cool. 😎 Take Care. Get Outdoors whenever possible. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.