Throughout the month of July we have seen many Red Squares to pique our interests and delight us uplifting our spirits. Keep Calm you still have a few hours yet to join in and share your Red Squares.
Keep Calm Sign at Señor Frog’s in Cozumel, Mexico
I know myself and others have shared Red flowers in honor and in memory of Cee Neuner. What a beautiful way it has been to remember Cee in Becky’s #SimplyRedchallenge.
Call a friend and have some fun. Squaring may be almost over for now, but alas Becky will host another Square Challenge again before you know it. The time will pass quickly, however you can still join in on this one for a few hours more.
Pay Phone in Stone Mountain State Park Roaring Gap, North Carolina
Stop and enjoy a beautiful Red Sunrise …
Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, South Carolina
Red Sunrise
And Raise your flags proudly over the land …
United States of America Flag, North Carolina Flag & Gastonia Flag Warlick Family YMCA Gastonia, NC
Thank you Becky for hosting the Squares Challenge and challenging us with this month’s #SimplyRedtheme.
Cameras: 1-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 4) Apple 13 Pro
Locations: 1-3) Old Town, Riverside Community, Cramerton, North Carolina; 4) Lake Haigler, Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Only one more day of Becky’s Red Squaring. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Hey Dan, I know this is probably not what you are expecting or looking for in your Time of Day — Dawn theme for this week’s challenge, but with Coleman’s birthday this past Friday, the 25th I am still looking back over the Dawn of Time of Coleman in or with RED as he begins a New Dawn of New Beginnings in his life.
Looking forward to y’all sharing in the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) coming up on Friday. This week we are continuing with the theme of Any Which Way with Lines. In case you thought you missed joining in on the challenge, don’t worry there is still time to join in the fun of posting your own Which Ways with Lines.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. While you’re out and about enjoy having fun snapping pictures of your favourite objects and Which Ways. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cameras: Apple iPhones XS Max, 11 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 14 Pro Max, & 16 Pro Max
Locations Vary: 1-4 & 7-8) South Carolina; 5-6) North Carolina
God Bless. Coleman has my heart. Who has yours? Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Cramerton Fire Department; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Smile. You are loved. Take Care. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Northern Cardinal is the official state bird of North Carolina. It was designated as such in 1943 by the North Carolina General Assembly. The bright red colour of the males feathers, black face mask and their distinctive crests make them easy to spot. The females are a duller reddish-brown with similar facial markings.
Cardinals display at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
The Northern Cardinals (also referred to as Cardinals or Redbirds) do not migrate and have adapted effortlessly to both suburban and city environments. They are the most abundant and cherished songbirds in North America.
Male Northern Cardinal
Cardinals are believed to be beneficial by providing services for the environment, such as keeping farms and gardens free of harmful plants and insects.
Cardinals are seedeaters that also eat insects, larvae, sap, and many types of fruit. They enjoy feasting on berries (even dried berries, cranberries, and raisins) sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts and cracked corn.
They have strong beaks adapted for cracking seeds. They eat seeds from a variety of sources, including weeds, grasses, and trees. Sunflower seeds, in particular, are a favorite.
Cardinals also consume a variety of wild fruits and berries, such as dogwood, wild grape, blackberry, raspberry, sumac, and cherries. They get important nutrients and sugars from these. Interestingly, the red pigments in the male cardinal’s plumage come from carotenoids found in the fruits they eat.
Northern Cardinal on our Wire
Cardinals thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, residential areas, and even parks. They are known for their loud, clear whistles and are territorial, often seen defending their space, even against their own reflection.
Hey you, I see you checking out my Feathers.
We often see Cardinals in our neighbourhood perching on wires, in trees, and checking out our bird feeder. Sometimes the wind will sway the feeder to and fro and seed will fall onto the porch railing or undeveloped planter box. This particular female Cardinal is enjoying a snack of sunflower seeds spilled onto the porch railing. Isn’t she just sitting prettily posing for me to capture her portrait?
What ya doing to me? This is not enough for my lunch. Ya gotta do better than this.
My high school mascot was Cardinals … these are recent renderings of the Cardinal for the Hoover High (San Diego) Class of 1974.
God Bless. Enjoy your week. Take time to commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Judy from Life lessons hosts The Numbers Game . She has chosen the number 204 for this week’s #82” Numbers Game challenge. To play along, go to your photos file folder 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 my 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. This prompt repeats each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog post here.
Here are my contributions to the album.
Germany Faires/Coltharp Cabin#SimplyRedNornal, Dalline, & Eddie WatersAlonaAlona & ColemanAtlantic Ocean Alex Marina Murrells Inlet, South CarolinaAmerican PekinDiscovery Center Creation Museum Abilene, TexasHylotelephium cauticolaAnne Springs Close Greenway Coleman McDowell Nature Preserve New Braunfels Railroad Museum Greenville ZooThe Schiele Museum of Natural History
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens
Location: The Garden in The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Missing Cee. Stop and admire the Flowers. Capture their Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Forage King Bale Wagons/Retrievers are used for efficiently moving and stacking hay bales. At the Greenway Stables Entrance where a vast number of horses are stabled and pasteurized a huge amount of hay is needed to feed the horses.
The Greenway grows its own feed for the horses and other farm animals living in the Greenway. The Bale Wagon/Retriever helps the staff to load and unload hay at various locations in the Greenway. They minimize manual handling of bales, saving time and labor.
Hiking along the trail with Coleman we pass by this barn where horses are tended to by loving caring Greenway Stables staff. Here you see the view we see from the trail.
Anne Springs Close Greenway Barn Greenway Stables Entrance
Below is a closer look at one of the barn doors.
Barn Quilt & Barn Door
And lastly, let’s get an enhanced view of the Red, White, and Blue Barn Quilt for one of two Squares for Becky’s #SimplyRED!
Red, White, and Blue Barn Quilt
Now for a child’s Barn “built” by Coleman. This Little Tike Barn & Farm set once belonged to his Uncle John who is pictured in yesterday’s #SimplyRED!
Cameras: 1-3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm lens; 4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Locations: 1-3) Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina; 4) Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North 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.
The Caladium bicolor(AkaHeart of Jesus) is typically grown as a houseplant for its large, heart or lance-shaped leaves with striking green, white, pink, and red blotching. [These Plants were planted in large landscape planters in and around Centennial Center in Downtown Cramerton.] It is alright to plant it outside in USDAHardiness Zone 10 as an ornamental.
The Caladium bicolor, called the Heart of Jesus, is named such as a nod to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of divine love in Christian tradition. The plant’s heart-shaped leaves echo the symbol of the Sacred Heart, making it a living embodiment of this spiritual icon.
Caladium x hortulanum (fancy-leaved caladium)
Caution: Caladium bicolor contains calcium oxalate crystals, making all parts of the plant poisonous to humans, livestock, and pets. If its sap comes in contact with the skin it may cause skin irritation. Ingestion of this plant may cause burning and swelling of the lips, mouth, and tongue, as well as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Be aware that if your pet consumes caladium your pet may exhibit vomiting. Other symptoms a pet may exhibit are drooling, pawing at mouth or face, and decreased appetite.
Caladium bicolor (Heart of Jesus) is pretty to look at, but it is extremely toxic if chewed or swallowed.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL & Star filter attachments.
Location: Riverside Park and Greenway; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the Outdoors. Y’all are amazing and loved. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Hope y’all have had a fantastic week so far. It’s Friday already and time for another Which Way Challenge. This week we are looking at(CWWC): Any Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails [Bonus if RED is included]. They can be any type of Dirt Road, Dirt Pathway or trail you travel as you take a walk/hike. Remember your Which Ways should be clearly discernible. Since the month is #SimplyRED for Becky’s Squares, I’ll be checking to see if y’all have any RED in your Which Ways. The photos can be ones you’ve taken recently or from your archives. Let’s all have fun!
Here are my Which Ways for this week’s challenge …
Coleman wearing RED on the dirt trails. Notice the RED on the Trail Signs.
Coleman wearing a RED South Carolina Gamecocks shirt while hiking on the North Steele Creek Trail
Coleman running back and forth on the Blue Star Swinging Bridge wearing a RED Shirt
Coleman and Trail Signs with RED
RED Jacket, RED backpack, RED on Trail Signs, RED Horse Blanket, and a RED car at Anne Springs Close Greenway
Coleman wearing a RED shirt in ASCG
Quite a number of my collages have RED in Squares so I figure this counts as Double as also included in #SimplyRED-Becky’s Squares
One of my favourite places to visit for hiking and camping is Andrew Jackson State Park (AJSP) in Lancaster, South Carolina. It is considered a small State Park when compared to some others, however, it is beautiful, inviting, picturesque, and a wonderful peaceful environment to relax and explore nature.
When you arrive in the upper parking lot one of the first things you’ll do if you are planning to camp is to check in at the Office to confirm your reservation and your campsite is ready for you.
AJSP Office & Museum
Later, after you settle into your campsite or if you’re visiting for just the day you’ll want to be sure and check out the Museum and the School. They both are filled with historical relics and information about President Andrew Jackson and his history within the Carolinas.
One Room School House Lancaster, SC
The Meeting House (Aka the Community Building or Chapel) is styled after the churches or “kirks” of the Scotch-Irish in the late 18th-century. It is ideal for groups of up to 60 people and includes a kitchenette.
Chapel/Meeting House
Besides the history and historical artifacts located within the Museum and School, the AJSP has an historical garden. The Park holds two living history programs
#SimplyRED Coleman hanging out at the Playground Canada Geese at AJSP LakePanoramic View of AJSP Lake & Fishing PierAndrew Jackson State Park
Visiting Andrew Jackson State Park is a family friendly experience waiting to happen. Be sure to visit during the Andrew Jackson Birthday Celebration in March and/or the Life of the Waxhaws Lantern Tour in November.
Camera: Apple iPhones X, XR, 11 Pro Max, 13 Pro, & 14 Pro Max
Location: Andrew Jackson State Park (AJSP); Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: School Playground; Gardner Park Elementary; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Keep Squaring. Think Red for your Which Ways on Friday. 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 ND & 8-Star filter attachments.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Independence Day! Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all verymuch.