A Riptide is formed purely by tidal action pulling water through a constricted inlet, lagoon, or harbor. These images depict strong tidal waves or currents building in momentum as they flow towards the shore.
God Bless. Hope you had a peaceful and fabulous weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Hope you had a peaceful and fabulous weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Bat, Bats, … T-Ball Bats … Toy Bats and a story about Flying Black Bats. Which kind of Bats do you prefer? The following on the Bats I have on file …
Coleman & T-Ball Bats Cramerton, NC
From 1991, My dad showing my younger son how to hold a bat. Corona, CA
Enough with playing with balls & Bats, it’s time for story time at the library. The story is “Halloween at the Zoo” written by George White, Engineered by Bruce Foster, and Illustrated by Jason O’Malley. It is about a magical night of Trick-or-Treating at the Zoo with exotic animals including Bats.
Story Time at the Library. “It’s Halloween at the Zoo” Gastonia, NC
Even animals like to have fun. Did you have a funtastic Halloween?
God Bless. Hope you had a peaceful and fabulous weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Seventh Street; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Hope you had a peaceful All Hallows Eve. May you enjoy your All Saints Day! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Today’s Prompt for the Ragtag Daily Prompt is Cone. Cones, Cones, Cones, let me see how many ways and types of cones I might be able to find. We have orange street cones, Pinecones, maybe ice cream cones; some on the ground, and some in a hand. Cones on roads, some on trails, and even on signs. Coleman likes to bring Pinecones home (but his mom not). What kind of cones do you like?
According to Google, a Hummock is a small, low rounded hill, knoll, or a raised mound of earth. Today, I am sharing two different types of Hummock’s from my archives.
The first is a Burial Mound located at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina.
Burial Mound
Many stone age peoples around the world buried their dead in mounds of earth or stone. This single-chambered tomb replicates mounds from the British Isles roughly 5,000 years ago. The interior chamber measures just over 7 ft. long and could fit either one individual or the cremated remains of an entire family or clan. It took over 16,000 pounds of earth to build this mound by hand.
The second is a small hill my ancestors was gathered and sat upon enjoying the afternoon and each other’s company.
A Hummock where my ancestors chose to relax and visit with one another.
This week Dale has challenged us with the theme of The Ground Beneath Your Feet. This should be interesting and I’m sure everyone will have their own unique spongier the challenge.
The Ground Beneath Our Feet may seem Mundane as you walk upon it and yet it is an extremely complex egosystem containing billions of microbes, shifting tectonic plates. I’m sure the majority of us walk around not giving any thought to the Ground Beneath our Feet. After all it’s just ground that may consist of dirt, asphalt, or concrete; nothing special or remarkable. It is simply Mundane.
Here are my entries …
Baxter Village Trail with Coleman & AlonaCharlotte-Douglas International Airport Playground The Ground’s Green Grass Beneath Coleman in Cramerton Baxter Village Trail with Coleman & AlonaColeman Goat Island Playground The Ground Beneath Coleman Anne Springs Close Greenway Dirt Trail Goat Island Park and GreenwayColeman feeling the Ground Beneath at Goat Island Dirt Trail Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman checking out the GROUND on Dogwood Trail at ASCG#CosPhoChal Cosmic Photo Challenge The ground beneath your feet?
Cameras: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i; and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D)
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Be observant of all creatures large and small that call our Earth home. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Butterfly Bungalow at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. Not what you’d typically thing of when you think of Bungalow, however, it works great for the many Butterflies maintained within its enclosure as well as the flowers that nourish them.
Interesting Fact: Seven Eastern States in America call the Cardinal their state bird. They are Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
God Bless. Spread love ❤️ around for all to see. Have a great weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Centennial Center Congregating for a ConcertAnne Springs Close Greenway Waiting for MonksCousins Congregate Around the Tables Congregating for a Candlelight Service My Cousins Congregating together Ragtag Daily Prompt Congregating (of Friends and Family)
Congregating of Canada Geese …
Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCRagtag Daily Prompt Congregating Canada Geese
God Bless. Appreciate Friends and Family. Congregate together whenever and wherever possible. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
While on a trip to Abilene, Texas to visit my maternal aunt (my mother’s sister) I went walking around her neighbourhood. I started out walking to try to get my 10,000 steps in like when I worked. (I got tired of just sitting around in her small home, I guess you could say I was restless.) Turned out that to reach my 10,000 steps I had to walk several blocks and keep walking some more. Now you’re probably wondering what all this has to do with the prompt Twelve.
It took walking more than Twelve long blocks to achieve my goal. Anytime I go walking, especially in a new area, I try to be observant of my surroundings and snap pictures of anything I find interesting. On this the Twelfthday of my visit, I came across a building called The Discovery Center. It had a wall mural of a dinosaur with a caption above it “In the Beginning God.” This captured my attention, so I thought why not go inside and see what it was all about.
12 Tribes of Israel Banner
The Discovery Center in Abilene is a Creation Museum dedicated to teaching the Bible and is based on a Creationist viewpoint of the Beginning of the world. It was established in 2001, featuring exhibits on biblical artifacts, fossils, Jewish history, and the RMS Titanic, alongside an onsite bookstore. One of the rooms inside the Discovery Center is called the Israel Room. The room has several displays depicting the history of Israel. The image above depicts a banner displaying symbols representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Each panel includes a name in Hebrew and a corresponding emblem based on biblical descriptions and traditional blessings.
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Blessed Passover! Happy Easter! Have a wonderful day and week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Bill J. Motes, of Newport, North Carolina converted a Mazda Wankel Rotary Engine to use in a Coot amphibian aircraft in which he received recognition by the experimental aircraft community. Bill was satisfied with the engine’s performance, however, due to his developing crippling arthritis he was unable to fly his Coot aircraft for any extended period.
Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp Aircraft engine …
Twin Wasp Aircraft engine North Carolina Transportation Museum
The Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp Engine is an American air-cooled radial aircraft engine with 14 cylinders aligned in two banks of seven. The design for the Pratt & Whitney engine dates back to 1929, however, production didn’t begin until 1932.
An Interesting Note: The Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp Engine was used in eighty-nine (89) different types of commercial and military aircraft including B-24s, C-47s and the Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, until it was phased out by Grumman.
Both of these Engines were engine’s Coleman and I saw during our visit to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in 2021.
Location: North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have an adventure. Visit a museum. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We are very much still in winter even though we haven’t had anymore snow as of yet. We have had many freezing temperatures in the evenings and early mornings. The past couple of days warmed up, however, chilly days and rainy days are still in the foreseeable forecast.
Since Spring has not yet sprung this year I decided to look back upon a delightfully sunny Spring day in 2022(spring ended on June 21st in 2022). On this spectacular Spring day, Coleman and I hiked along the Catawba River in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We hiked along the Founders Trail which runs parallel to the Catawba River. And before you ask, Coleman did enjoy some refreshing playtime in the River.
Look closely to see people tubing down the River.
Kayakers enjoying the Catawba River.
Coleman wading, playing, & watching the tubers floating down the Catawba River.
Location: Catawba River; Founders Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Here’s wishing for Spring. Have a delightfully wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
One day back in Time my daughter and I took a vacation to meet some cousins in Ohio.
One day our one of our cousins took us sightseeing. On another day, we visited Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) as a perspective future college for my daughter to attend.
One day we walked the vast campus viewing the luscious Green lawn with a fascinating Bronze statue called “Circle of Friends.”
Circle of Friends Statue by Gary Lee Price COTC Newark, Ohio
One day we learned that the circle represents the world coming together, ‘paws’ clasped in friendship and unity.
One day we were fascinated by Price’s use of one animal from each of the seven continents, representing the entire world and our need for interaction and cooperation.
One day we interacted inside the circle joining in with the “Circle of Friends.”
One day I pray the world will come together in friendship and unity interacting and cooperating with one another peacefully.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: By the Railroad Tracks; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Be Safe. Be Courteous. Have a Splendiferous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Safe. Stay Warm. Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
Pre-Opening of Gifts Opening of Gifts beginColeman’s excitement Coleman’s new Cowboy Boots
Setting aside the Gifts, we decided to not let 2025 Dwindle away being bored at home. Instead, we chose to leave our little town and go on an amazing Adventure.
Where did we go on our big Adventure? Coleman’s mom was thinking about going to the mountains. Coleman wanted to go to the Beach. So, where do you think we went on our little Adventure? Yep, you’re right, we went to the Beach.
As 2025 was Dwindling away, we packed our bags, loaded up the car and headed out of town for our mini vacay Adventure. Sorry, we didn’t get any pictures of the car all loaded up, but we (I mean I) began snapping plenty of photos from the moment we arrived, all through our many Adventurous activities, and all throughout our entire mini vacation.
Arriving, Checking in, & Checking out our surroundings.
After checking in and bringing everything (and I mean everything) into our room for the week (actually six days), Coleman and I decided to head down to the Beach. We did not want to Dwindle our time away inside the room for one minute longer. Instead, we wanted to begin enjoying the Gift of Adventure immediately.
Coleman’s very first time at a Beach. First time seeing the Atlantic Ocean. First time his feet touched the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
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.
Location: Ninth Floor; Captains Quarters; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Hoping you do not experience tumultuous times in the days ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
“Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto thee …” (Acts 3:6)
You might not think this would apply to this time of year, however, I think it very much applies to. Presents, I do not need; but your Presence would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.
When Jesus was born, the Magi (also referred to as Wise Men) brought gifts (Presents) of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They came not just with their Presents, but also with their Presence. The Wise Men came to show their respect by being Present and giving Presents with significant meaning and importance.
The gift of Gold was honourable and symbolically respectful of Jesus’ Kingship and royalty. The gift of Frankincense signified their worship of the newborn king, honouring Jesus’ divinity and priesthood. The gift of Myrrh was a foretelling of Jesus’ mortality, suffering, and impending death. The Presents, from the Magi, acknowledged Jesus as King, God, and Savior. They also served practical purposes for Joseph and Mary to help meet their needs.
Yes, we all like to receive Presents during this holiday season, but Presents are not as important to me as having your Presence here with me. Now I know children (aka Coleman) does not understand that our Presence together is more meaningful than receiving Presents. One day, he may learn and appreciate our Presence together, but for now he should would enjoy receiving Presents for Christmas.
These Bald Cypress trees are resilient and have the ability to grow in very wet conditions, even standing in water. These are grown near the South Fork Catawba River in Riverside Park and Greenway.
The Cypress cones are the reproductive structures of Cypress trees that develop from the tree’s flowers. What you see here are the female cones, often called seed cones. The little red droplet on the bottom cone looks like resin which is characteristic from a cypress tree.
The Cluster of Bald Cypress cones you see is a perfect example of an infructescence. These cones are actually modified seed cones, and once they mature, they’ll release seeds. It’s interesting to learn how plants develop these unique structures to disperse their seeds. The mature cones contain seeds that are a very important food source for local wildlife, including squirrels, waterfowl, and other birds.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Ultra Wide Cameras
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. 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.
The Anolis carolinensis (Green Anole) is a tree-dwelling species of anole lizards native to the Southeastern United States. It is small to medium-sized a trunk-crowned ecomorph green anole which can change its colour to several shades from brown to green. It is sometimes referred to as American chameleon due to its colour-changing ability, but it is not a true chameleon.
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
The dewlap is usually pink for Anolis carolinensis and is very rarely present in females. The color of the dewlap is variable and different from the lizard eye to the human eye. Green anoles are thought to be capable of seeing a larger range of the UV spectrum, and that the dewlap reflects ultraviolet light to attract mates.
Honestly, I would just like to show you some lovely Lanose creatures which can be seen at The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina.
Do you like my Lanose?
My friends Lanose are different shades than mine.
Mine is lighter, more fluffier than theirs ↖️.
Bet you’d love to run your fingers through my Lanose.
You know what? I’m not gonna come close enough for you to even try. You may look 👀 all you want, but you’re not gonna touch.
Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Take time for yourself and relax. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
As Coleman and I were walking along the Carolina Thread Trail with all the twists and turns we wound up at a dead end. Not knowing which way to go from there we tried this trail and that trail without much success. Thinking we might be Lost as we kept trying to figure our way back out of the trail and back to the Trailhead Store where our adventures began; we spotted a few construction vehicles working across a road from the trail we were on.
John Deere 750L LGP CRAWLER DOZER
Click on each image for enlarged viewing.
After while we were not only confused and turned around encountering another dead end of a trail; I decided to try our Luck and approached one of the construction workers to see if he could help us figure out how to get back on the correct trail to take us where we needed to go.
John Deere 700L LGP Crawler Dozers
Click on each image for enlarged viewing.
The John Deere 700L series was designed with a 17-percent-larger cab than models prior to them. It features more glass area, larger doors, and a streamlined hood profile, optimizing comfort and visibility to the blade ahead and the surrounding jobsite.
The World in its vastness may not seem a calm and mellow place to find peace and rest. However, there are some amazingly wonderful places out there in this big beautiful world where you can find respite from the hectic stressful times life throws your way.
Moon & World Planetarium Show at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Taking time to get away from every day normalcy is a privilege and often a personal necessity.
I feel the most calm and mellow when I am out in nature camping in my favourite campground away from any and all folks or situations which would be stressful.
My Campsite at Andrew Jackson State Park
Naturally, a bit of rest in a hammock would be nice and relaxing allowing for me to mellow out and enjoy my time in nature’s outdoors.
Hammock in Andrew Jackson State Park
Of course, whether I am on my own or with Coleman a hike along a trail is sure to be had. Hiking out among the trees in nature always brings about calmness and tranquility. Our hikes sometimes brings about interesting sights and experiences, like gnomes or even Stitch.
Stitch in Anne Springs Close Greenway
The Vast Outdoors is where Coleman feels calm, relaxed, and mellow. He dislikes being in doors and much prefers being outside and preferably in the woods surrounded by trees and water.
Catawba River Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SCCatawba Indian Nation Trail, Catawba Reservation Catawba Indian Nation Trail, Catawba Reservation, SCColeman
God Bless. Stay Calm. Mellow out and relax. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Crosses at The Billy Graham Library Charlotte, North Carolina
I have a belief from the Depths of my Soul in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. My belief lies in knowing Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. My belief lies in knowing Jesus died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again into heaven. My belief lies in knowing God is always with me and will never leave me; he is my protector, my comforter, my all in all. From the bottom of my Soul, I know no one can ever take my beliefs away.
The closest Shorelines we have near us are t hr e banks of the Catawba River, therefore I have chosen to show y’all what Coleman and I have seen recently on the Shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River. The first few photos are taken on the banks of the South Fork Catawba River at the Goat Island Park and Greenway.
Canada Geese on the Shoreline banks of the South Fork Catawba River
On both days the weather was Tepid which was a delightful experience and quite a contrast to our recent freezing weather of snow and freezing rain. The Tepid weather was just perfect, not too hit and not too cold.
This next set of images were taken on Monday of the South Fork Catawba River’s Shoreline from the Riverside Park and Greenway mainly featuring Coleman playing on the Shoreline banks.
Coleman playing in the sand along the Shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River
Cameras: Images 1-4 & 6-11) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Image 5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: 1st set of Images) Shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River, Goat Island Park and Greenway; 2nd set) Shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River, Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s beauty. Relax and have some fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman and I love to go hiking and whenever I am Willing to go hiking, he is always Willing to put on his hiking boots rearing to go on a hiking adventure. No matter when or where we might venture on our adventures I am usually almost always Willing to bring my Canon along to take photographs of the amazingly beautiful nature surrounding whatever hiking trail we choose to tackle for the day.
Most often than not Coleman and I close to hike in a local Greenway, Nature Preserve, or a State Park. Coleman is always excited and rearing to go out for a hike. He distastes being cooped up indoors. The majority of Greenways or State Parks are filled with Green trees, lawns, and vegetation. It’s like walking through a lush Green forest snapping photographs one by one with my Camera. I often take photographs with my iPhone as well as my Canon.
For this post I am combining several challenges into one post. I Willing chosen to select Photographs with plenty of Green using Green and Hiking as my theme for Judy’s Numbers Game.
Here are the Photographs with Green I am Willing to share with y’all for Judy’s Numbers Game, the RDP prompt of Photograph, Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge of Green, and lastly, but no less important FOWC prompt of Willing.
Landsford Canal State Park Catawba, South Carolina
I trust you have enjoyed seeing the Photographs of the lush Green trees as we hiked the Canal Trail at Landsford Canal State Park I do Willingly captured for your viewing pleasure. Click on any image for an enhanced view. Be sure to take a look at each Photograph Challenge I’ve included to get a look at what others have posted.,
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.
Coleman and I refilled our bird feeder today to the delight and contentment of Northern Cardinals as well as a variety of other bird species.
The birds have a tendency to jostle some of the bird seeds around while they are grabbing a bite and flying off. Some will stay awhile for a bit of contented munching while others snatch and flee to and fro. They do fly here and there spreading the word and then flying back for more.
After filling the feeder, we had some loose seeds, so instead of putting them back in the back we spread them out on the railing. Coleman loves to watch the birds eating the bird feed we put out. Today, the Female Northern Cardinals were displaying contentment, enjoying the feed we spread out for their content.
Location: As seen through our Front Window; Our Front Porch Railings; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Be Content with who you are. You are loved. Dwell in the Contentment of our Lord God. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Bestie is a person’s best friend. I had friends growing up, but I do not recall one being a bestie. I know, as an adult, have had friends that come and go, but none of them have ever been close enough to be called a bestie. Nowadays, I spend practically all my time with my grandson, Coleman. He is my hiking buddy. He and I are closer than he is with his own mom. The reason for that is most likely due to the fact that we spend the most time together as his mom works a lot to provide a place for us to live. So in a sense he is my bestie. He is not a confident, but he is someone I love and care very deeply about; someone I’d give my life to protect.
Coleman playing at CB Huss Recreation Complex.
Coleman colouring an ornament at the Town of Cramerton Community Center.
Coleman and myself affectionately loving each other.
I have plenty of photos of Grey clouds, Grey skies, but I chose to choose instead a Grey Zebu located in the Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
