2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 25 January

Standing Near the Cross

Coleman
near a small cross
by the railroad tracks.

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.01.25

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Stay Warm. Take Care. Spread Love around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

No Lifeguard on Duty ( Empty Seat)

Empty Lifeguard Stand
(in a construction area).

Click on image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 4

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Near the Boardwalk; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

Times Are A Changing … They’re Changing

Times are a changing, always changing. Before Christmas, during a special concert by our local high school choral ensemble, heard them sing an old Bob Dylan song called “The Times They Are A-Changing.” It got me to thinking about how our lives are a changing all the time. Bob Dylan wrote the song in the mid-1960’s as an anthem of change. To find out about the song’s lyrics and the meaning and cultural context click here.

Our lives, our world changes every single day; every decision we make changes our lives. Whether our decisions change where we work, where we live, who we associate and/or communicate with, these factors bring about change in our lives, in our world.

I’ve lived in four different states, from the east coast to the west coast, and in between. Each city, each state there is adaptation to the new environment, the new surroundings (home, work, people, etc.). Probably the first major decision that facilitates change in one’s life (I know mine) was the decision to go away to college. That definitely brought about change.

Then there’s decisions about marriage, children, where to work, where to live … decisions are constantly changing us. We always hop those changes will be for our betterment, but that not always the case.

Let’s not go off on tangents about this and that that had our lives changing. Today, I want to discuss the changes a new baby (aka Sophia Ruthann) has affected my life, my family (especially Coleman’s), and how Sophia is growing and changing on a daily basis.

As many of you read (but some of you may not have), my third grandchild, Sophia Ruthann, was born on December 9, 2025. My oh my, how that has changed our home life (especially Coleman’s, but that’s a discussion for another day). Sophia is common need of attention; feeding, changing diapers, changing clothes, changing possessions; always changing.

Sophia’s growth changes …

At Birth

  • Weight: 6lbs. 2 ozs.
  • Height/Length: 18.5 inches
  • Head Circumference: 13 inches

As of January 14, 2026

  • Age: 1.5 months
  • Weight: 8lbs. 13.4oz.
  • Height: 20.866 inches
  • Head Circumference: 14.271654 inches 

And those are the only changes she’s making in her growth development. Sophia is already teething (confirmed by her doctor), she scoots on her stomach across the room, and she is already rolling from her stomach onto her back. She enjoys facing outward when she’s in your lap, her attention and focus is drawn to the television when we are watching “Bones.”

Click on each image to enlarge.

Our lives, my life will never be the same since she came into my world. My focus and responsibility was solely on Coleman before she was born. Believe me, Coleman is extremely jealous of the attention Sophia receives (and not just from me). Coleman has been my whole world for six years and now changes are happening. Time and focus is split. Times are a changing, they’re changing our lives every moment of everyday.

What changes are occurring in your lives, in your world?

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

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

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs — Week 2 _January 23

CWWC
Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Welcome back to the Which Way ChallengeThis Friday’s Which Way Challenge we are continuing with the theme of Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs. 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. As always signs are welcome anytime.

Here are my contributions …

Pathways to the Beach …

From Captain’s Quarters Resort …

The Long Way Down to the First Floor …

Coleman on the Stairs
from the Ninth Floor

The Sidewalk back to our hotel after missing our pathway from the Beach. It was truly the longest walk back to our resort hotel.

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… {A Step Up}

Suzette’s For Deb’s Any Which Way CWWC Hallways, Pathways

IN PRIMO PIANO’s salita serbelloni

Dawn’s Just My Snow Covered Steps in BnW

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Old Stairs

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: S. Ocean Boulevard; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Dreaming of Warmer Temperatures, Calming Weather. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Thursday Doors: January 22

Buc – ee’s

For Dan’s Thursday Doors

Buc-ee’s opened its first South Carolina location on May 16, 2022. On the way back home from our mini-vacay in Myrtle Beach we had our first opportunity to visit South Carolina’s Buc-ee’s in Florence, South Carolina off Interstate 95, Exit 170. This location is enormous inside and out.

Buc-ee’s is a comprehensive travel stop offering 120 fueling positions, exceptionally clean restrooms, with twenty-four (24) hour service. It has a wide variety of merchandise including Buc-ee’s branded clothing, toys, home decor and a wide range of snacks and drinks. It not only has prepackaged food options, but also offers freshly prepared items made in-house, such as Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, and a large selection of jerky and pastries.

This was not a food or gas stop for us, however, it was much needed for stretching our legs and restroom break before continuing on the road. I enjoyed looking around to check out what all this location had to offer. [I had previously been in Buc-ee’s when I was visiting in Texas in 2020.]

Click on each image to enlarge.

Coleman was amazed at the vastness of the store. He met “Buc-ee” and of course, I took his picture next to Buc-ee and the Buc-ee’s General Motors Truck which was loaded with Buc-ee’s branded merchandise.

If you ever have the opportunity to stop at a Buc-ee’s location, you’ll be surprised and amazed at its size and the tremendous diversity of items it offers.

Dan’s Thursday Doors – 2026.01.22

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Buc-ee’s Travel Center; Florence, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take an Adventure. Capture the Beauty, the Ordinary, or whatever captures your eye. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monochrome Madness — 2026.01.22

This week is a free non-themed week for Monochrome Madness. I took my inspiration from Leanne’s Carousel image. Having just been to the Boardwalk on the Beach for New Year’s, I thought hey, I could show y’all the Ferris Wheel.

Coleman and I walked up and down the beach and down S. Ocean Boulevard enjoying the views. The Ferris Wheel known as SkyWheel soars 200 feet above Myrtle Beach. The amusement park is closed for the winter so no rides were possible. ( I don’t think I would want to be suspended, even temporarily, 200 feet in the air. The views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Grand Strand would be astounding. I’ll stick with my views from ground level, those were awesome in and of themselves.

Here are two (2) images I snapped of the SkyWheel

SkyWheel
Celebrating New Year’s
near the SkyWheel

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-2026.01.22

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Boardwalk on the Beach; SkyWheel at the Amusement Park; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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.

Birds of the Carolinas/Bird of the Week CLII

Columba livia

Rock Pigeons (Columba livia), aka Rock Doves, are a common non-native species throughout the Carolinas. Rock Pigeons and Ring-Billed Gulls are the two most commonly seen birds in Myrtle Beach. They can be seen in areas like the Boardwalk, around the Piers (especially 2nd Avenue Pier), parks, and as you can see here on the sandy seashore of Myrtle Beach.

The Rock Pigeons are highly adaptable to urban and coastal environments; often seen scavenging for food alongside native species like the gulls we saw an abundance of when we were walking on the beach.

Rock Pigeons come in many different shades and plumage patterns. Some of these patterns have been named; you may spot Bluebars (bluish-gray bird with 2black bands on wings and a black tail tip) – the most commonly seen; Red Bars (with Rusty red colour); Checkers (containing spots on their wings); Spreads (all black or all gray); and Pieds (birds of any colour with splotches of white).

An interesting fact: Rock Pigeons were once used to carry messages for the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I and II. Their messages provided vital strategic information and helped in saving lives.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Birds of the Week Invitation CLII

Birds of the Carolinas

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Near 2nd Avenue Pier; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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.

Monday Window – 2026 January 21

View from across

the Courtyard

Kitty by a Window – 2 
— AI creation by PR

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window 

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

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

Camera: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Captain’s Quarters Resort; S. Ocean Blvd.; Myrtle Beach, 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.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026.01.21

Evening Sky
Myrtle Beach, SC

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 3

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South 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.

Minimalistic Portraits in Black and White

Ritva is the host this week for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge and she has chosen a theme of Minimalism in Black and White Photography.

Im not sure if all these are purely minimalistic or not, but these are what I have added recently in my photography journal. Most of these images are portraits I have recently taken of my newest granddaughter, Sophia Ruthann. In part of them I am holding her while taking her photo with my iPhone.

Here is a one at Myrtle Beach …

Trisha (Coleman & Sophia’s mom)
with Coleman & Sophia Ruthann

And now for a couple of non-family images …

Ring-Billed Gulls
soaring over the Atlantic Ocean
at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #381-Minimalism in Black-and-White Photography

Monday Portrait

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Journal

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 8-9) Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Locations: 1-6) Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina; 7-9) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2026 Silent Sunday: January 18

Seagulls soaring over
the Atlantic Ocean

Silent Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment. 

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take an adventure. Observe the Wonders of God’s Creations. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

A Free Night at the Museum

On Thursday, Courtesy of Duke Energy, The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium was free from 5 pm until 8pm. Being at the right price (free) and knowing Coleman was wanting to visit the museum again, we took him for the free Night at the Museum.

This free night given to the community by Duke Energy was filled with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) activities throughout the museum. Coleman was so excited to be back in the museum, we didn’t get to every activity. He did enjoy the STEM science activity; it had him cutting and crunching green leaves to create Chlorophyll.

Coleman’s mom & baby Sophia joined us at the Museum. What section of the Museum do you think Coleman wanted to visit first? If you said the Dinosaur Exhibits you were correct.

Coleman enjoyed his free night at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. It is a terrific place to visit for all ages.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.01.17

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, 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.

2026 LAPC #380 – Around the Corner (at the Beach)

What we saw as we walked out of our hotel room and walked onto the beach to observe the Atlantic Ocean was different and unique to our surroundings. It was the first time for Coleman to visit the beach and step into the Atlantic Ocean. I hadn’t been to this beach since 2010 or any other beach since 2020.

Here are a few interesting finds seen on our walk the day after New Year’s Day.

Our first sighting after walking out of the hotel …

The outdoor pool area
with plenty of places
to Pull Up a Seat.

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the outdoor pool areas were closed for the season (unheated & closed).

The Pirate Shipwreck
Lagoon Kids’ Waterpark

The outdoor pools and kids shipwreck area would not be comfortable to get into without any heat during the wintertime. Moving away from the pools here’s what we discover next …

Coleman checks
out the “Dolphin,”
a unique design
for a trash receptacle.

The next thing Coleman spots is the beach access, and away he goes …

Coleman headed
out to the beach

Once out onto the sandy beach, Coleman turns left to see what he might discover.

Naturally, Coleman
is anxious to discover
what he might find.
Maybe some Seashells?
Mostly broken,
but a few
whole Seashells

We walked quite a ways down the beach before turning around. Coleman was enthralled with watching the Ring-Billed Gulls (just known to him as Seagulls). Here are a few of our Gulls sightings …

And how can we not watch the waves rolling in and out of the Atlantic Ocean, you can’t go to the beach and not . Can you?

We hope y’all enjoyed walking along Myrtle Beach’s Seashore with us.

Anne’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #380

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 3

Photo Credit: ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

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

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

2025 SYD: 15 January

Clare from Clare’s Cosmos invites everyone to join her in Sharing Your Desktop (SYD). Below are her suggestions for participating in the Share Your Desktop Challenge . [Clare is taking a break from WP, so this maybe the last Share Your Desktop Challenge for awhile. I will miss her and pray she’ll one day return. All the best to you Clare. Take Care.]

To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) you have set as your wallpaper; Provide as little or as much detail as you wish; Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun; Then finally, share the fun around.

I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature. 

Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:

From My HP Laptop:

Desktop Background Wallpaper

Ring-Billed Gulls
at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Desktop Screensaver

Coleman walking along
the wet & sandy seashore
looking for seashells at
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro: 

Personal Focus

Coleman holding
his baby sister,
Sophia Ruthann

Reading Focus

Coleman on the
sandy seashore at
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Hiking Focus

Coleman walking
on the seashore at
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Click on each image for enlarged viewing. 

Clare’s Share Your Desktop-January 

Photo Credit:©️2025-2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

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

God Bless. You are & will be missed Clare. Take Care of yourself. You are Valued & appreciated. Having a Wonderful Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs

Welcome back to the Which Way ChallengeThis Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme is  Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs. 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… {Missing the Beach}

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

Dawn’s Evening View of Baltimore Street, Gettysburg PA

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

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

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S18-55mm & Altura ND Filter attachment.

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

Next week: We will continue with  Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs for a second (2nd) week.

2026 Thursday Doors: January 15

Dino 🦕 Doors 🦖

Good Day my friends! This week we are taking you on a Dino adventure at Dino Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some images you might need to look carefully to see a door/doorway and others will be clearly discernible. Enjoy the adventure.

Entering Dino Park

Dino Park is a family-friendly attraction at Broadway at the Beach which features over twenty (20) life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs in a Jurassic-themed setting. It offers an interactive and educational experience with such activities as fossil dig pit, a large ball pit, and dinosaur rides for younger children.

Notice the dinosaurs on the building, that’s the indication that you’re fixing to enter Dino Park. The first thing you see when you enter the building is a couple of “Dinosaurs” children can ride. Don’t worry about pulling out coins for the children to ride, they are free.

I know you’re not seeing doors while Coleman is riding the dinosaurs. We’ll get to them. But first, let’s look at a different type of “door” or rather an opening …

Now let’s walk through the Dino Park to check out the fascinating Dinosaurs on display …

There is a fee to enter Dino Park, however, our entry fees were covered in our resort package. Some hotels and/or resorts in Myrtle Beach offer entertainment/attraction packages to add on to your stay.

Did you spot the Doorways? If not, look again carefully.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 2

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

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

Location: Dino Park; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Take an adventure. Capture the wonders around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday: 2026 14 January

Murrells Inlet Marina

Taken from Crazy Sister Marina
of Marina in Murrells Inlet

Click on image to enlarge. 

Wordless Wednesday-2026.01.14

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 2

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL Filter attachment. 

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Marina; Murrells Inlet, South 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.

Numbers Game 2026.01.13 — #107-229

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 229. 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.

As stated in Judy’s rules for participating, I am choosing a theme of Ripley’s Aquarium instead of trying to find photos that match the number 229. We had a wonderful time visiting Ripley’s Aquarium during the winter break. We visited on December 31st, the second full day of our mini vacay in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Judy’s Numbers Game #107-229

The Cosmic Photo Challenge-Still Life

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

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens

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

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Live life to the fullest. Make lasting memories. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025/6 CFFC: Old and/or New

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 Old or New or Both. It is my opinion that regardless of whether something is Old or New they both can hold precious memories one might choose to hold for a lifetime.

I have gathered a selection of Old and New images that depict things that are Old (or seem to be old depending on one’s opinion) and some that are New and have formed New memories to treasure.

For example, the first picture of Der Weinerschnitzel sparks memories from my high school days. My high school was located right next door to a Der Weinerschnitzel and students were able to go there on their lunch breaks to get chewy delicious food like chili dogs, polish sausage sandwiches, or any type of hot dog and sides one desired. The food was quick, but also tasty and easy to get and devour in a short time span. The Der Weinerschnitzel near my high school still exists in the same location, but the sign has been “upgraded” to no longer contain the “Der” in front of Weinerschnitzel. The rest, hopefully are self explanatory for Old/New examples.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)

CFFC-Old/New

JusJoJan26-Chewy

JusJoJan 26-Opinion

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

2026 Monday Portrait #2: 12 January

Friendly Beach Visitor

This Shiba Inu dog was visiting Myrtle Beach from New Jersey. Before Coleman greets or pets any dog he asks permission from its owner.

Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu was a very friendly older dog that was all too happy to have a rest and take pleasure in a bit of petting attention from Coleman.

Coleman & dog

The Shiba Inu is a small-to-medium, fox-like hunting dog breed from Japan. They are known for their loyalty, good nature, and charming appearance. 

It is considered to be an alert, affectionate, and independent breed with high intelligence. It can also be somewhat stubborn and strong-willed. (We saw no evidence of stubbornness, only very affectionate and even tempered)

Click on images to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit: 2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Near the 2nd Avenue Pier; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

Monday Window: 2026.01.12

Kitty by a Window – 2 
— AI creation by PR

The Wicked Tuna Restaurant

Last Friday while we were visiting Myrtle Beach, Coleman and I took a stroll along the beach northward towards the 2nd Avenue Pier. He was looking for seashells by the seashore as we walked along the water.

2nd Ave Pier
Wicked Tuna
Myrtle Beach, SC

At the 2nd Avenue Pier is a restaurant called The Wicked Tuna. (We did not stop and try out their menu, maybe another time).

The Wicked Tuna is a premier waterfront dining establishment, a place where friends gather for a unique culinary experience. The restaurant offers fresh handmade cocktails (I’ll skip those), the freshest seafood (I enjoy quality Tuna Steaks), steaks, and sushi (not a sushi fan, but my daughter is).

2nd Ave Pier
Wicked Tuna
Grill • Sushi • Rooftop Bar
Myrtle Beach, SC

The Wicked Tuna is known for its “Hook to Plate” fresh seafood philosophy, stunning ocean views and rooftop bar. (The views of the Atlantic Ocean were stunningly beautiful as Coleman and I walked along the seashore down to the pier and back to our resort hotel.)

2nd Ave Pier
Wicked Tuna
Grill • Sushi • Rooftop Bar
Myrtle Beach, SC

The Wicked Tuna has a second location in Murrells Inlet overlooking the MarshWalk. Every week their fishing fleet heads out into the Atlantic Ocean to catch the freshest Grouper, mahi-mahi, sea bass, and snapper off the Carolina coast. They only serve fish caught locally by their own boats which are then cleaned and prepped on-site in their fish house.

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Monday Window 

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: The Wicked Tuna Restaurant; 2nd Avenue Pier; 110 North Ocean Blvd,
Myrtle Beach, 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 Macro Monday: 12 January

Basalte Vacuolaire

Vesicular basalt

Coleman is holding a, Vesicular basalt, volcanic rock he found on the seashore in an area of the beach where he was finding seashells.

According to Google AI, Vesicular basalt is not naturally apart of Myrtle Beach’s local geological shoreline. It suggests that it could”be either Fossilized Peat or Coal (some found near the Grand Strand), “Beach Rot”or Fossilized Marls (Frequently seen near the 2nd Avenue Pier), or Piddock-Bored Rocks.

The Piddock-Bored Rocks appear vesicular since they are covered with small, circular holes. These holes are actually burrows made by piddock clams (rock-boring mollusks) in softer sedimentary rocks like limestone or siltstone. 

Therefore, considering our location along Myrtle Beach’s seashore (we were walking along the Grand Strand near the 2nd Avenue Pier, it could instead be any one of these three. I’m inclined to lean towards the Piddock-Bored Rock, the area is covered with clam shells.

Click on image to enlarge. 

Macro Monday (MM)

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment 

Location: Myrtle Beach, 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 Sunday Stills/Sunday Stills Monthly Colour Challenge: January — Aquamarine, icy blue

This month Terri with Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is challenging us to post images in Aquamarine and Icy Blue colour pallets. Here is what I have found which I believe fit into the colour pallets scheme.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills

Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge-Aquamarine/Icy Blue

Photo Credit:©️2025-2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S18-55 & EF-S55-250mm lenses and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Locations: Murrells Inlet & Myrtle Beach, 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.

2026 Weekend Prompts Weekend Challenge. ->Reversible <->elbisreveR

Anything that works against you can also work for you
once you understand the
Principle of Reverse.

Maya Angelou
Ring-Billed Gull & its Reflection

The way it actually
works is the reverse.
You must first be
who you really are,
then do what you
need to do, in order to
have what you want.

Margaret Young

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge-Reversible

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EG-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, 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.

Walk This Way – Come Join Me

Ring-Billed Gull
Walking on the Seashore
A Willet joins
the Ring-Billed Gull

Yesterday, I tagged Debbie’s Six Word Saturday thinking Friday was Saturday. So, I’m posting another on Saturday for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday challenge.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Here’s to sunny days ahead. (Our weekend is cloudy & rainy). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026 — Any Which Way (Your Choice)

Happy 2026 Everyone! This week I’m allowing y’all to make your own choices for the Which Ways Challenge. I’d love to see your first Which Ways for 2026. I’ll be sharing our very first 2026 images this week.

First 2026 image taken at 12:05 am

The next images were taken while walking along the beach with their first steps into the Atlantic Ocean.

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.

Brian’s CWWC: Any Which Way with People

Suzette’s For Deb’s CWWC Which Way With People

Marina at In Primo Piano’s People

Dawn’s Walking on the Walking Mall with People

Cath at Cath’s Camera’s Which Way… {Are You Going My Way?}

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s People

Lisa at Daily Musings’s CWWC: Which Way With People

Deb’s Which Way Challenge 

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 

Location: Myrtle Beach, South 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: Coming up Next: CWWC: Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs [01.16.2026]

2026 Thursday Doors: January 08

Crazy Sister Marina

Crazy Sister Marina is a locally-owned boat tour company located in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Their boat tours let you sit back and relax while appreciating the unbelievable views of the Grand Strand in Murrells Inlet. When you take one of their scenic cruises you might see dolphins, fish, birds, and/or sea turtles. ( The day we took our cruise, the dolphins were barely coming out of the water before diving back down below the surface.)

Crazy Sister Marina offers several different types of cruises to explore whatever your heart desires. Whether you what to take a fishing cruise, an incredible Eco cruise, or a Dolphin cruise they can assist you the most amazing and pleasurable experience ever. They also offer a variety of specialty cruises like 4th of July Firework Cruise, October Murrells Inlet ghost cruise, or celebration of life ceremonies and memorial services; they will provide the tour service that meet your needs or desires and provide you with the utmost respect and service beyond your expectations.

Coleman thoroughly enjoyed the Dolphin tour cruise we went on and would definitely go again if and when he could.

Click on images to enlarge. 

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.01.08

Dan’s Thursday Doors
Thursday Doors 

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.

Wordless Wednesday: 07 January

Coleman at Myrtle Beach, SC

Click on image to enlarge. 

Wordless Wednesday-2026.01.07

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 1

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South 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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

Monday Window: 2026.01.05

Kitty by a Window – 2 — AI creation by PR

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 …

Crazy Sister Marina
Ticket Office
Viewing the boats
through the windows

On the Boat …

Looking out on Murrells Inlet
Many Reflections
within the Boat’s Window

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Monday Window 

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

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

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 …

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

Photo Credit:©️2025 (12.31) Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

True Jellyfish

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

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

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 Silent Sunday: January 04

Goldfish Realm
Ripley’s Aquarium
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Silent Sunday

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

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens and Altura ND Filter attachment.

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

God Bless. Take an adventure. Observe the Wonders of God’s Creations. 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.

Click on image to enlarge. 

2026 Skywatch Friday-01.03

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2026.01.03

Photo Credit:©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

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.

Who’s that Boy in the Bubble?

Six Word Saturday

Coleman
in an
Aquarium Bubble
Coleman in
Ripley’s Aquarium

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-01.03.2026

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

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm with Altura CPL Filter attachment.

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