Ritva is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Challenge and she has chosen a theme of Shoot From Above. I do not always shoot from above, however, on occasion I have a fantastic opportunity to do just that.
Here is remembering one of those occasions …
A Look from Mount Jefferson State Natural Area West Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina
More Shots from above at The Peak at Mountain Jefferson State Park …
These were taken in August of 2017 when my eldest son and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and visited Mount Jefferson, North Carolina. I was in the area for a family reunion in Deep Gap, North Carolina. While in the area, we decided to do some sightseeing and a little hiking. It was a fun weekend of one on one time together.
God Bless. Take a Hike. Get Outdoors. Enjoy the Beauty all Around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. Ready for Spring yet? I am. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Room Balcony; Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas Cruise Ship; Caribbean Sea; Gulf of Mexico; Near Cozumel, Mexico
God Bless. Travel through Books, On Land or Seas. Enjoy an Adventure. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Good Day to y’all. Welcome to the fourth Which Way Challenge for 2025. This week I have chosen a theme of Any Which with Stairs, Steps, and/or Ladders. It can be anywhere you might find Stairs , Steps, or Ladders whether on a road, a trail, a mall, a construction site or any place conceivably possible for Stairs, Steps, or Ladders. As always, signs are welcome in your Which Ways.
Steps on Haigler Loop Trail in Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
Steps at South Fork Park Trail McAdenville, North Carolina Steps on Fern Trail Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, North Carolina Landsford Canal State Park Catawba, SC
Stairs …
Two Sets of Stairs to travel into Town Stairs leading to Inaccessible Railroad Tracks Cramerton, North Carolina
Ladders …
Ladders at a Construction site Coleman climbing Ladder -Age 2
Bonus Throwback Steps …
My Paternal Grandparents Great Falls, South Carolina
Sharing your Which Ways could be one photo or several, it’s all up to you. Don’t feel obligated to share as many as I do.
God Bless. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s Which Ways. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all so very much.
Monday Window is a weekly blog post challenge featuring one or more photos of windows, prominently or as the main subject.
Geometric Construction Windows
► Tag your post “Monday Window” (NOTE: Put a space between Monday and Window, no “s”, Window is singular.) The WordPress Reader will show most of the recent posts tagged this way (alas, not all).
I wish I had a telescope 🔭 and could take pictures through it. This week the evening sky is delightful. Several planets are visible and a rare planetary parade is coming to the skies on the 21st. That’s why I wish I had a telescope, six planets (maybe seven) will be visible including Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus.
Enough of my wishes and here’s to show you what I could see just through my iPhone tonight.
Original
Reel Filter effect
Vista Monochrome filter effect
According to Google Lens Search what I captured is the Constellation Orion.
Now to show you what stylized creation Google Photos Al created of my evening sky.
Google Al Stylized effect
Before you ask, I will tell you that I really do not comprehend how Al arrived at this interpretation of my evening sky. Your guess would be as good as mine.
Location: Our Backyard View; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Look up and enjoy the fantastic wonders of the 🌌. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very my.
On Monday, after our weekend winter weather, was a delayed start for school for Coleman. Therefore, we were at the bus stop an hour later than normal and were treated with an amazing Red Sky. I am not sure if we need to take warning, that bad weather is coming or not. The weather forecast keeps changing from possible more winter weather to only rainy days ahead.
Welcome to the third Which Way Challenge for 2025. This week I have chosen a theme of Any Which Way with People in it. It can be where you capture people unaware as your out and about on the road, path, or trail. As always, signs are welcome in your Which Ways.
Coleman and I went hiking along the Disc Golf Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway before the freezing cold weather it our area. The Disc Golf Trail is a natural dirt trail, mostly smooth with some tree roots and lots of leaves this time of the year.
Coleman on the trail
Coleman loves to lead the way and is often ahead of me. I allow some lead way as long as he’s in my line of sight.
Looking across the river at another trail, we spot a small group of visitors checking out the fishing access.
Moving along the way we came across several of the disc catchers. This is number 10 of 20 along the trail course.
Coleman checking out the disc golf sign and catcher.
While hiking along the trail Coleman spots a downed tree and decided to climb up And investigate. He hence Pulls Up a Seat waiting for me to catch up.
Crossing over onto another section of the trail we encounter a man jogging through the trail.
A Lone Jogger
Continuing on our hike we try to maneuver around to reach the bridge.
Coleman heading towards the Bridge
We managed to reach the bridge and were able to venture on towards where we began.
Coleman crossing the bridge & noticing the shadows
As we near the end of the bridge heading back to the entrance, we see a family approaching our way. One of the little girls is attempting to ride her bike up the hill.
I am looking forward to seeing y’all’s Which Ways with People. I am grateful for those who have chosen to participate and support this challenge. Won’t you take the initiative and join the Which Way Challenge? For more information on the Which Way Challenge Check out the new Which Way Challenge Page here.
Let’s roam around and embrace numbers in life and in nature. As many of you might know my grandson, Coleman and I enjoy hiking together out amongst the trees, along Greenways, and within our state and local parks. This first image is of a group of about eleven painted rocks some of which display a message which the painter wishes to convey. Others are just for the fun and beauty to hopefully bring you joy and a smile.
“Embrace life with a smile.” Author unknown
“Life is a journey, not a destination.”(Author unknown). As we continue embracing life and nature, shall we stop and enjoy the beauty of five flowers along the pathway.
“Where flowers bloom so does hope.” — Lady Bird Johnson
As the flowers bloom and remind us there is hope for the world and life needs to be embraced wherever and whenever possible.
Embracing the living creatures two by two different yet enjoying the same space and time. Embrace the NumbersTwo Horses sharing the pasture with Two Canada Geese at Anne Springs Close Greenway.,
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” — Stephen R. Covey
Whether one is out in nature or in a classroom, there is unity in numbers. Children learn the importance of Embracing Togetherness. They can learn that even though we are different, we are all the same, united for a purpose.
Nine Students and a teacher all wearing green and embracing togetherness in the classroom.
“The unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony.” — Heraclitus
Leaving the indoor classroom for the classroom in nature, we can learn to embrace the beauty, the elegance, the love one for another, and the strength and power in unity and in numbers.
We can enjoy the beauty and elegance in every flamingo. We can admire their stance and embrace their uniqueness as we observe Five Flamingos and their reflections.
“Embrace the elegance of a flamingo, and let it inspire your life.” — Unknown
Each friendship is as unique and beautiful as a flamingo.”- Unknown. Every creature whether human or animal is unique and beautiful in their own way. Every family has its own uniqueness. They may have the same numbers as other families or may not. They maybe similar, but still different in their own special way. No two families are exactly alike, that’s why we should embrace our own families with love and respect.
We see and observe various “families” in nature, like this family of Seven Canada Geese sticking together yet apart at Andrew Jackson State Park.
We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. — Luciano De Crescenzo
Let’s keep on moving and striving for unity for there is power in numbers. Turtles gather together in numbers sunning on logs and enjoying time swimming together in a river. Fourteen Turtles embracing the warmth of the sun and being together in the South Fork Catawba River by South Fork River Park in Northern section of Gastonia, North Carolina.
“There is power in unity, and there is power in numbers.” From Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech “Keep on Moving.”
Now for each of y’all to embrace the challenge and show us how you Embrace the Numbers.
God Bless. Embrace Life. Embrace One Another. Embrace Togetherness. Embrace the Numbers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
These Throwback images are from my maternal grandfather’s collection of photos I was given from my maternal grandmother after his passing back in 1968. The photo images were originally on personal post cards.
Old Coal Trucks in early 1900’s.
Not sure, but I think this is my maternal grandfather next to the truck.
Original image
I have always thought these were taken in Deep Gap, North Carolina, but I am not one hundred percent (100%) sure. My maternal grandfather did work for a time for a coal mining company.
Remember for enhanced viewing click on each image.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Safe. Keep Warm. Be Observant. Geometric shapes are all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
To do so, simply share the photo* 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 Smartphone Wallpapers:
Personal Focus
Coleman & Muscovy Duck in Riverside Park and Greenway
Hiking Focus
Coleman checking out the Disc Golf Catcher at Goat Island Park and Greenway
Reading Focus
Coleman playing in the Sand at Riverside Park and Greenway
Here are my Wallpapers from my Laptop:
Laptop Desktop Wallpaper
Coleman sitting on a Tree Limb Goat Island Park and Greenway
Cameras: 1-3) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 4-5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: 1-2) Riverside Park and Greenway; 3-5) Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Keep Warm. Stay Safe. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Judy invites us to join in with her to play “The Numbers Game #56.”Today’s number is 177. To play along, she suggests you go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in herNumbers 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.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments below.
Here are my contributions to The Numbers Game Challenge:
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & Star filter attachment.
Location:Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy nature. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV and Star filter attachments.
Location: Banks of the South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Count your blessings one by one. Be Grateful for all you’ve been given. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
To join the challenge, release a post featuring a window or windows any time during the week.
► Tag your post “Monday Window” (NOTE: Put a space between Monday and Window, no “s”, Window is singular.) The WordPress Reader will show most of the recent posts tagged this way (alas, not all).
► Add a comment to the latest Monday Window post and include a link to your latest Monday Window post.
Please visit the participating blogs. You will be delighted and astounded by the rich and imaginative offerings by the bloggers from around the world.
Location: Outside Confluence South Fork; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Be Kind. Love One Another as Yourself. Don’t let anything get your Goat. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Relax by the River. Be inspired to be You. Nature’s Beauty is amazing. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For some snow last longer than others depending on your location. In the southeast, snow is not a yearly occurrence. The last Snow we saw was in late January of 2022, three years ago. This year we only received a dusting of snow before it changed to a wintry mix ending with freezing rain.
Now for a look at The Day After …
For my friends in Atlanta, Georgia, they welcomed the snow. They had plenty for their to be played in, but alas it won’t last for long there either.
God Bless. Stay Safe. Keep Warm. Be Observant. Geometric shapes are all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Thursday was cold with lows in the low twenties (21°) warming into the low 40’s.
Friday Afternoon, 01.10
Currently, it is 29° and snowing where we live. Normally, if we get snow ❄️, we don’t get it until near the end of January/early February. We haven’t seen snow since mid-January 2022. WSOC 9 Now reported that this is the “First snow in Charlotte in 1076 days.” [The Town of Cramerton is just 18-20 minutes southwest of Charlotte International Airport.]
As you may have noticed, Coleman managed to scoot past me without proper attire to see our first drops of snow ❄️. Don’t worry, I didn’t let him stay out for very long with no jacket or shoes.
It is supposed to keep snowing until around 6:30 (more or less) and then switch over to a wintry mix throughout the evening and on into early Saturday morning.
Judy invites us to join in with her to play “The Numbers Game #55.”Today’s number is 176. To play along, she suggests you go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in herNumbers 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.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments below.
Here are my contributions to The Numbers Game Challenge:
Signs can be found on almost any road, dirt road, trail or greenway. When Coleman and I go hiking we usually see a sign or two. It doesn’t matter if we are walking through town or hiking along a trail or greenway, signs help guide the way or possibly warn of danger. No matter the sign or location one can gather pertinent information and notice the different geometric shapes the signs represent.
Here are my entries for this week …
On the Road to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier
Share the Road Sign on Cramer Mountain Road
Fishing Line Recycling Bin Sign on left Park & Greenway Rules and Regulations Sign on right located on side of entrance to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier
Warning: Recommended Flow by the Catawba Riverkeeper Sign by the Ramp to the Fishing Pier
Ilex opaca, also known as American Holly, is a holly species which is native to the Eastern and South-Central United States. This Holly was loaded with its red berries bringing a bit of colour to the nature trail.
Seen while Coleman and I were hiking the Disc Golf Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway in Cramerton.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Disc Golf Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Be Observant. Show Gratitude. Love to all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & Star filter attachment.
Location:South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy nature. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Good Bless. Take time to be Grateful. Appreciate your Blessings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This (PPAC)of Bigfoot ( also known as Sasquatch) is located on the Disc Golf Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway in Cramerton, North Carolina. This is the first time Coleman and I hiked this trail since Hurricane Helene. After the flood damage to the trail in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene; the trail was blocked off prohibiting access temporarily until repairs could be completed. We did not recall seeing Sasquatch previously. Coleman was fascinated by the Bigfoot and had to check it out.
One week of the New Year is done and gone, looking forward to all there is to discover as we continue moving forward in 2025. Here is my First Monday Window for 2025 …
Monday Window is a weekly blog post challenge featuring one or more photos of windows, prominently or as the main subject.
Monday Window posts are published each Monday morning at 3:15 UTC.
To join the challenge, release a post featuring a window or windows any time during the week.
► Tag your post “Monday Window” (NOTE: Put a space between Monday and Window, no “s”, Window is singular.) The WordPress Reader will show most of the recent posts tagged this way (alas, not all).
► Add a comment to the latest Monday Window post and include a link to your latest Monday Window post.
Please visit the participating blogs.You will be delighted and astounded by the rich and imaginative offerings by the bloggers from around the world.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 