Dan with No Facilities, the host ofCee’s Fun Foto Challenge is continuing with the theme of Where/What/When we do various things. This week’s focus is on Where/What/When We Listen. This new series will continue for approximately four (4) more weeks. We are currently in the third week of the Where/What/When CFFC series.
Where/What/WhenWe Listen is as unique as our own individual personalities, perspectives, experiences, and conceptions. We may listen to nature, concerts in a park or in a building, or we may listen at a worship service whether indoors or outdoors is to our own preference and opportunities. We may enjoy listening to plays or other theatrical performances or we may just sit and listen to one another. We are all unique individuals with our own unique expectations or individual conceptions of what we prefer to listen to, where we prefer to listen, and when we prefer to listen.
I have gathered a few images of What/Where/When I’ve Listened to various music, plays, and/or performances that suited by desires and interests at one time or another.
To a Basketball game from high up in the balcony seatingTo Nature while camping at Andrew Jackson State Park To Watch & Listen to Mickey & Minnie Mouse in Disney on IceTo Listen to Worship Songs in an Outdoor Amphitheater To a Play in the Bundy Auditorium at University of South Carolina at Lancaster To Listen to a First Grade end of year performance at Sadler Elementary To a Entertaining Performance at the Land of OzTo Listen to Christian Music Artist outdoors in Lancaster, SCTo Watch & Listen to a Performance of Disney on IceTo Watch & Listen to the 1979 live stage production titled “Bugs Bunny’s Life Story” Starring Bugs Bunny & Wiley E CoyoteTo Watch a Live Children’s Production of Charlie Brown Christmas To a Pastor present a message from the Bible Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan’s CFFC Where/What/When We Listen
God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This weekend in the United States is Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, some people still have to work on Labor Day (which is celebrated on Monday). Who really wants to work on a holiday during the Summer or for that matter any other long weekend.
Impressive catch of freshwater Bullhead Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill
I am remembering a Summer in 1963 (not in September, but in July) when I was vacationing in Great Falls, South Carolina with my family. We drove out from San Diego, California to visit my paternal grandparents and my dad’s brother and sister.
Pictured from left to right: My Brother, Larry; my Uncle Eddie, and my dad.
On this particular weekend the men and boys went fishing 🎣 along the Catawba River in Great Falls, South Carolina. Why is it that the majority of times (at least back then) they never asked the girls or women to go fishing? However, they expected the women to cook up whatever fish they caught and brought home.
My brother with his River Catch
The Catawba River is just a short drive from my grandparents home. The “men“ landed an impressive catch of freshwater fish including Bullhead Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill.
My dad and brother displaying their catch of the day.
I do not recall which one actually caught the most fish or if this was my brother’s first time fishing or not. I do know they definitely made sure to capture their catch with a camera for prosperity or probably to remember the funtastic time they had spending the day together.
My Uncle and brother holding up a string of freshwater fish.
Regardless of who caught what, or who caught the most, what mattered most was the quality time they had together. You better believe we had us a feast of fried catfish and other freshwater panfish for supper that night.
How do you like to spend a long holiday weekend? Do you get together with friends and family? Stay home and barbecue on the grill? Or just enjoy a relaxing weekend at home?
God Bless. Have a pleasant and peaceful weekend. May it be filled with love, happiness, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Historic Great Falls High School in Great Falls, South Carolina was built in 1928. It’s a beautiful example of early 20th-century school architecture, with its distinctive brick facade, large windows, and prominent central entrance. This was the building where my went to high school.. He was in the Class of 1947.
Location: Great Falls High School; Great Falls, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan with No Facilities, the host ofCee’s Fun Foto Challenge is continuing with the theme of Where/What/When we do various things. This week’s focus is on Where/What/We/They Worship. This new series will continue for approximately five (5) more weeks. We are currently in the third week of the Where/What/When CFFC series.
Where/What/When I worshipped didn’t always happen inside the walls of a church building. There were times in my youth when we worshipped at Mission Bay (a beach) in San Diego; usually on Friday nights during the summer. There were types I went to camp during the Summer with my church youth group and we would worship around a roaring campfire. Then when I went to college I was one of many students who worshipped together in the school’s chapel (required attendance). At other times we met in one home or another, on Sunday evenings, where we worshipped together in song and Bible study. However, I don’t currently have any photos of those occasions during my youth.
For lack of those images, I will show you some of the churches I been to or seen whilst working around town.
The church of my childhood, Scott Memorial Baptist Church (now called Grace Church San Diego) in San Diego, California.
Scott Memorial Baptist Church San Diego, California
I spent many a Sunday and Wednesday fellowshipping and worshipping here in and outside of the building. I still am friends with many of those I grew up with in this church.
Let’s pause for a moment of worship in song by Russ Adair and the Revelators.
Russ Adair and The Revelators
Here we have Stony Fork Baptist Church In Deep Gap, North Carolina. This is one of the churches that my maternal ancestors attended including my maternal grandfather and grandmother. I have visited this church and its cemetery when I’ve been in the area visiting with family (mostly cousins).
Stony Fork Baptist Church Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina
In 2020 I spent several months in Texas including a couple in Abilene, Texas. The following are a few of the churches I saw while walking around my aunt’s neighborhood.
Bethel Temple Christian Center Abilene, TexasGalilee Baptist Church Abilene, TexasFirst Christian Church Abilene, TexasChurch of Christ 5th and Grape St Abilene, TexasFirst Methodist Church Abilene, TexasTrinity Baptist Church Abilene, TexasCFFC Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge
Time for more worship in song, this time from a group I enjoying listening to and attending their concerts when I’m able. The quartet is called “Kings Cause.” Hope you will enjoy listening to them as much as I do.
Kings Cause
Now to look at a few closer to home …
Maranatha Church of God Gastonia, North CarolinaCramerton Independent Presbyterian Church Cramerton, North Carolina Zion United Methodist Church (now Zion Methodist Church) Lancaster, South Carolina The Living Water Chapel at Westminster Park Rock Hill, South CarolinaChurches in North & South Carolina Dan’s CFFC
And before you leave if you’re still with me, join me in listening to another worship song. This one is performed by Ivan Parker & his son Josh.
Back in 1970 Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was an incredible experience, it was a classic Disneyland attraction that was a great marvel for its time.
It first debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair as a highlight of the Illinois pavilion before Walt Disney himself decided it needed a permanent home at Disneyland in 1965. When we went as a family in June of 1970, the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln had only been at Disneyland for approximately five (5) years.
It was groundbreaking at the time because it featured one of Walt Disney’s first full-scale audio-animatronics figures, bringing President Lincoln to life with incredibly realistic movements and a powerful speech. The show combines a historical presentation with a speech delivered by the animatronic Lincoln, using recordings of his actual words. It aims to inspire guests with Lincoln’s legacy and the ideals of the United States.
Entering Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland June 1970
Entering the beautifully designed theater, often called the Main Street Opera House, the anticipation waiting for the show to begin was part of the “Disney” magic. Then, President Lincoln’s figure, so lifelike with its movements and expressions, would rise from his chair and begin to speak. We were amazed at how realistic he looked and sounded, delivering a powerful address compiled from his actual speeches, focusing on themes of liberty, union, and the importance of preserving the nation.
The building itself is a fantastic example of Disney’s immersive theming. It’s designed to look like a classic turn-of-the-century opera house, perfectly blending into the nostalgic atmosphere of Main Street, creating a sense that you’re stepping back in time. Architecturally, the facade you see, which houses the attraction, is a brilliant example of Disney’s Main Street, U.S.A. design philosophy. It’s crafted to evoke a grand, late 19th or early 20th-century opera house or theater. This style, often referred to as Victorian or Edwardian, features ornate details, classical proportions, and a sense of historical grandeur, all intended to transport guests to a romanticized turn-of-the-century American town. The prominent marquee, the arched windows, and the decorative elements all contribute to this immersive illusion, making it feel like a real historic landmark.
This attraction was one of the very first to showcase Walt Disney’s revolutionary innovation. Audio-Animatronics are essentially sophisticated robots, specifically designed to mimic human or animal movements, with their actions precisely synchronized to pre-recorded audio tracks. For the Mr. Lincoln figure, this meant intricate hydraulics and pneumatics controlled the movements of his head, eyes, mouth, arms, and even subtle shifts in his posture, making him appear incredibly lifelike as he delivered his speech. The audio was meticulously matched to these movements, creating a seamless and convincing performance. This was incredibly advanced for 1964 and 1970 giving audiences an unprecedented experience of history brought to life through robotics, far beyond simple static mannequins. It was truly a marvel of engineering and storytelling that we enjoyed watching every time we visited Disneyland.
[I’m not sure where I was at the time (probably standing near my dad who took the picture), but the three prominent figures (two looking this way, at the camera, and the lady in the red and white tank top) are my mom, my cousin, and my brother.
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.
Sometime when I open Google Photos it displays memories that it thinks I would be interested in seeing. That was the case this past weekend when it wanted me to see the black and white image shown in the second photograph.
Colorized version of a 1960’s photo
In seeing this photo it reminded me of my parents anniversary, they would have been married for seventy-five (75) years on Friday if they’d still been alive. They were married forty-five (45) years when my dad passed in 1996. My mom is also gone now and only memories remain alive.
Original image uploaded to files via Wolverine Digital Converter
This is the first house I can remember living in even though it wasn’t the first house my family called home. We moved into this house about 1961. The front window you see would have been the window in my parent’s bedroom. The bedrooms were all on the right side of the house. Mine was in the middle between their’s and my brother’s bedroom.
I lived in this house during my entire childhood elementary school days (Kindergarten through Sixth Grade). It holds so many memories, to many to share. When we walked past the windows behind my mom and dad we’d enter the living room. To me in was a large area we gathered to watch programs on our black and white console television. The kitchen and dining rooms were to the left of the entrance with a door in between that led to the garage. We always sat at the dining table as a family for our meals.
Even the windows of an ordinary house can bring fond memories of happy times of love, laughter, and togetherness.
Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game.This week’s number is 749. 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.
Here are my contributions …
Uncle ShortyUncle Art & Aunt SophieMistyColeman on the TrailUncle MarvinPlaying Praying in the Mud Dinner TheatreWho’s behind the Lattice? Mallards Coleman Lighting of the WaxhawsWatching a PlayLighting of the WaxhawsGreenway Horse Babyland General Hospital Cleveland, GeorgiaAlonaNew Braunfels Railroad MuseumJudy’s Numbers Game #132-749
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I look forward to seeing y’all’s pictures forJudy’s Numbers Game. I appreciate y’all very much.
In 1978, my parents and I took a trip north on the I-5 and switching over to Highway 101. We went up the coast of California to a small Danish-inspired village called Solvang. Solvang is located approximately a half-hour north of Santa Barbara, California. Solvang is known as the “Danish Capital of America.”
Solvang, California
It was founded by Danish immigrants in 1911. The village is prominently known for its authentic half-timbered architecture, iconic windmills, and world-class Danish bakeries. It has a unique offering of a slice of Scandinavian culture blending with the Central California sunshine.
Location: Walmart Supercenter Parking Lot; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Hope you’re having a great weekend. Have a wonderful week ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
And for the Support of this Declarationwith a Firm Reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence WE Mutually Pledge our lives and fortunes AND OUR SACRED HONOR
Creative Artistry by California Artist Norm Daniels
God Bless. God Bless the USA! Hope you’ve enjoyed your Weekend. Have a wonderful week ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For this week I chose one of my maternal grandfather’s photos of his Ford Model T. After he passed, when I was only 12, my maternal grandmother gave me many of my grandfather’s picture post cards. The post cards were significant because the had pictures of family, his military service, the family cemetery, and of places they lived. Those post cards are apart of our family history and I’ll treasure them always.
Location: My Maternal Grandparents home; Stoney Fork, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have an adventurous week filled with love and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Shining Star Fellowship Church is a Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) affiliated church whose focus is on equipping believers and leading community members to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Shining Star Fellowship Church 301 Palm Street Abilene, Texas
This church is located a few short blocks from my maternal aunt’s home where I visited in the Spring of 2020. This is one of many churches I saw as I walked about my aunt’s neighbourhood.
The Republic Textile Mills Company was founded in Great Falls, South Carolina around 1905-1910 by the Southern Power Company (later became known as Duke Power Company). It was founded to capitalize on Catawba River water power. The Republic Textile Mills Company expanded to three mills by 1923.
Republic Textile Mill #3
[My paternal grandfather worked in the #3 Mill located on Argonne Avenue kitty-corner from Walnut Street where my paternal grandparents lived. When he worked there the Mills were owned by J. P. Stevens and Company.]
J.P. Stevens Mill #3 (previously known as Republic Textile Mills Company)
The Republic Textile Mills Company operated as a major textile producer in the region, complete with a company town, before being sold to J. P. Stevens and Company in 1946. The #3 Mill opened in 1923. The company town included a company store, where workers could charge goods against their wages.
Republic Textile Mill #3 (Aka JP Stevens Mill #3)
The Mills ceased all operations due to the broader decline of the textile industry. The last of the Mills closed its doors around 1985.
Location: Ports O’ Call Los Angeles; San Pedro, California, USA
God Bless. Have an adventurous week filled with love and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Lower Trailhead; Stone Mountain State Park; Roaring Gap, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains; Wilson Hwy; Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Catawba River; Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Love & Peace to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week we are continuing with thetheme – Any Which Way with Spring or Autumn Which Ways [2nd Week — pm04.03.2026]) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any Dirt trail, road, pathway, sidewalk as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
For my entries this week I am going way way back to April of 1979 when I visited Hearst Castle with friends and family …
Hearst Castle “La Cuesta Encantada” Built by William Randolph Hearst San Simeon, San Luis Obispo, California
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Location: Hearst Castle; San Simeon, San Luis Obispo, California, USA
God Bless. Blessings on Passover. Happy Easter! May you be blessed with Sunshine, Happiness, and Peace. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: Next Week’s Theme will be combined with Dan’s CFFC for a theme of – Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Views from a walk or hike.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen for thetheme – Any Which Way with Spring or Autumn Which Ways (Will Run for Two (2) Weeks [03.27-04.03.2026]) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any Dirt trail, road, pathway, sidewalk as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries …
I’m starting off with a Springtime hike at Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. We entered Crowders Mountain State Park from the Boulders Access Point. After parking and gathering our backpacks with our water and snacks we checkered out the trail map.
We decided to hike the Ridgeline Trail. The Ridgeline Trail connects three parks, namely Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain State Park, and Kings Mountain National Military Park. The total length of the trail if you hike to all three is 15.1 miles with an elevation gain of 2,411 feet. The Crowders Mountain State Park section of the Ridgeline Trail is 6.2 miles long.
Coleman and I only hiked the Crowders Mountain State Park section of the Ridgeline Trail and then hiked back to the Boulders Access Point parking area.
Ridgeline Trail Boulders Access Point Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, North Carolina
Now that we’ve seen one of our Springtime hikes, let’s take a look at a variety of Spring Florals seen while hiking on various hiking trails.
Spring Florals on Trails
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
God Bless. Enjoy a stroll in the vast outdoors. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: The theme for the next will be a continuation of CWWC: Any Which Way with Spring or Autumn Which Ways ( Will Run for Two (2)Weeks [03.27-04.03.2026]
First I’m going to take y’all way back to 1974. We’ll be visiting the historic Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, California. (Dan, you didn’t say it had to be moving.) My family and I toured the Queen Mary the summer after my high school graduation. (Yep, that gives you a clue to how long I’ve been around.)
These are views from aboard the Queen Mary taken with my dad’s Minolta XG-7 35mm camera …
Aboard the Historic Queen Mary Long Beach, California
The next Views are from the Enchantment of the Seas Caribbean Cruise Ship taken with an Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max during a cruise in February of 2020.
Aboard the Enchantment of the Seas Caribbean Cruise Ship Gulf of Mexico (now Gulf of America)
Please click on photos to enlarge.
Hope you enjoyed our views from Ships on Water. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s.
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Scott Memorial Baptist Church Taken in February 14, 1976 San Diego, California
This image was brought up in my memories. It was taken at my friend’s wedding at the church we grew up in many years ago. Her and her husband have now been married for Fifty (50) years. Quite remarkable in this day and age. The church holds many memories for me, but the memories that are precious to me are the friendships that we made, the places we camped, the fellowships at Mission Beach & Mission Bay playing Volleyball. Those friendships have stood the test of time.
Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our Views from a Car. I have chosen to take you on an adventure of Looking Forward while Venturing backwards in time to Past Views from a Windshield.
Let’s begin with the Current 2026 …
The View to the Carolina Speedway Gastonia, North Carolina
2025 View in Charlotte, North Carolina …
Driving through downtown Charlotte
Now to the Past Views from a Car …
2017 …
Beautiful Views while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway (NC) (taken from the passenger seat).
2012 …
Views In Ohio’s Amish Country
Now to Traverse even Further Back in Time …
1979 …
Views while crossing San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in California, USA
1973 …
Fixing to stop at a Texas Toll Booth
1963 …
Approaching the Toll Booth, The Dallas/Fort Worth Turnpike in Texas.
Nowadays you don’t need to stop, due to the digital age they just capture your license plate & send you a bill.
God Bless. Take an adventure. See some beautiful sights. Capture the Memories. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge Cee’s Which Way Challenge
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Which Way on Dirt Trails, dirt pathways, or dirt stairways in Monochrome. They can be Any Which Way on any Dirt Trails, dirt Pathways, or dirt Stairway, as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
Here are my entries …
Sauntering through
Crowders Mountain State Park
Coleman and I enjoy hiking whenever and wherever possible as long as it’s not too cold and windy. We saunter around parks and along trails at our own pace leisurely observing nature’s beautiful scenery. As usual, Coleman is up ahead of me as I keep on sauntering along snapping pictures here, there, and yonder. Come saunter along with us through Crowders Mountain State Park.
Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Dirt Trails, Dirt pathways, or Dirt stairways in Black & White Monochrome
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.
Back in 2020, I stayed with my maternal aunt for a couple of months before returning to the Carolinas after a Caribbean cruise I had taken in late February. While visiting my aunt, I would periodically take long walks accumulating more than 10,000 steps per walk.
On this particular day I came across this old building that piqued my curiosity. Naturally, I used my phone to look up information on what the building had been used for in its heyday.
Abilene Eagles Nest
Turns out the building was originally Abilene High School in Taylor County, Texas. The school was constructed in the Late Gothic Revival style in 1923. There were four additions made to the building in 1927, 1928, and 1941. In 1955, a new high school was built and this building became Lincoln Junior High School. Later on, it became Lincoln Middle School. In 2007, the school was closed … no more rambunctious teenagers roaming the hallways … forever remembered as the Historic AbileneHigh School.
Location:Historic Abilene High School; Abilene, Texas, USA
God Bless. Have a fascinating weekend full of exciting adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan Antion from No Facilities , the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)has chosen to start a new series of related themes dealing with Inventions and Gizmos. This is the third week of the new series for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge with Inventions which has a feature of Special Tools.
Here are my entries …
Hole Puncher on display on the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington, North Carolina
Teletype Corp Model 15 New Braunfels Railroad Museum New Braunfels, Texas
The Teletype Corp Model 15 dates back prior to World War II and was utilized by Western Union for telegraph communications, news wire services AP) and business. This model was adopted by the U.S. military for its communications network.
Railroad Switch Stand
This type of Switch Stand contains Semaphore signals which were operated manually, with the position of the Red blade and the colour of the light indicating whether the track ahead was clear or occupied.
The Semaphore signals were crucial for communicating with train engineers regarding track conditions and movements, thus ensuring railway safety.
Specialized Tools on Display at Anne Springs Close Greenway …
Historic Small Hand Tools used throughout history on small farms and homesteads Blacksmith Tools Graham Cabin Anne Springs Close GreenwayCFFC – Special Tools
God Bless. Stay Safe. Take Care. Have an adventurous week. 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.
Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game.This week’s number is 231. 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.
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.
This week Dale has chosen a theme of A Winter’s Walk for this week’s Cosmic Photo Challenge. Instead of just one winter walk I decided to do a combination of several different Winter Hikes which Coleman and I have taken over the years.
First off, how about some Blue on Blue in the Gulf of Mexico (now called Gulf of America) from a cruise I took back in 2020. We were in the middle of the Gulf heading towards Cozumel, Mexico. It’s amazing how except for the other ships at sea, all one sees for miles and miles in practically Blue on Blue.
When the Water & Sky Meet Cobalt Blue
Now for some Winter Wonderland (this isn’t Solstice, but it is having some 🥶 Winter Wonderland Funtime.
Coleman and his mom enjoying some Funtime in the Winter Snow.
I know we are currently in December with today (the 21st) being Winter Solstice, but we don’t usually get Snow in our area until January and/or February. The top photo was take in February of 2020 & the Bottom picture was taken in January of 2022.
God Bless. Have a wonderful Winter Solstice and a fantastic week. Merry Christmas! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Winter, Summer or Both. Lately our weather has been so cold and extremely windy that it feels like winter. Yesterday morning our low was down to 14°, which for me, extremely freezing weather with the wind chill making it feel even colder. Our lowest temperatures of the day are when I need to wait with Coleman at the school bus stop. His bus always runs late, so I am always chilled to the bone by the time I get back to the house.
Enough talk about our current “Wintry” weather conditions and let’s move on to showing you some images from last Winter.
Here are my contributions for this week …
Northern Mockingbird February 2025Footprints in the Snow 02/2025Snow/ice covered plants 02/2025Deer eyeing me December 2024Christmas Lights December 2024Coleman enjoying the Snow ❄️ 02/2025Would you go barefoot in the Snow/ice? January 2025Coleman entering Goat Island 12/2024Coleman by the South Fork Catawba River December 2024Nativity Scene with extra figurine (aka Coleman) 12/2024CFFC – Looking Back Upon Winter
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: You might want to take a look at this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) (another one of Cee’s challenges) to see the new ideas for the new theme of Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. — Part 2 which will go live on Friday 12/19 just past midnight EST.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens and Altura Wide Angle Fisheye lens attachment.
Settings: f/9 • 1/80s • 24mm • ISO100
Location: Baxter Village Trail; Baxter Village; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Grateful for all of y’all for following, commenting, liking, and sharing your photos and stories with us. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 219. 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.
Location: McDowell Nature Preserve; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Libraries and Bookstores for the challenge. I’m including Little Libraries as well as a few Libraries.
Here are my entries …
Castle Hearst Library Billy Graham Library Little Library Anne Springs Close Greenway Baxter Village Library Fort Mill, SC Baxter Village Library Fort Mill, SCHalloween Library Display Fort Mill, SCLittle Library Anne Springs Close GreenwayLittle Library at the South Fork Trail McAdenville, NCLittle Library Rankin Lake Park Gastonia, NCGaston County Library Gastonia, NCLibrary in the Schiele Museum Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum Early Explorers Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum Early Explorers Gastonia, NC
God Bless. Have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Noteworthy News: This week’s Which Way Challenge on Friday, November 7th, we’ll be joining Dan Antionfrom No Facilities(https://noFacilities.com) and Marshafrom (https://alwayswrite.blog/), to post Black and White photos to remember Cee on her birthday. For the Which Way Challenge they can be Any Which Way in Black & White in memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC). It would be fantastic if you could include Bridges and/or Old Barns as Cee loved photographing them. If you desire include a thought or memory about Cee or your experiences with her challenges. You may also include flowers in your Which Way for this challenge.
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Cultural Venues for the challenge.
Here are some of my intakes on Cultural Venues we have enjoyed at one time or another. Some venues are close by while others are further away, but all are in my opinion interesting Cultural Venues.
Here are my entries …
Let’s first take a look at some Cultural Venues in our surrounding area …
The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
The Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NC
Charlotte Symphony in the Comporium Amphitheater at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
President James K. Polk Birthplace Visitor Center-Museum Pineville, NC
The Billy Graham Library Charlotte, NC
Now let’s wander a bit further out and a few other Cultural Venues of interest around the country.
Flat Top Manor Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Blowing Rock, North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway
New Braunfels Railroad Museum New Braunfels, Texas
Hall of Presidents Colorado Springs, Colorado It Once was a Wax Museum featuring Wax Figures of the Presidents of the United States. The Museum was opened in 1969 and closed in 1996
God Bless. Hope you enjoyed the tour. Have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: This week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) will be focusing on Any Which Ways in Monochrome ( Monochrome doesn’t need to be strictly Black and White).
The Museum of Us in San Diego was formally called the Museum of Man. The name was changed in 2020 to be more inclusive and reflect the museum’s commitment to equity, anti-racism, and decolonization.
The large Tower to the left is known as the California Tower. It is a soaring, intricately detailed, portion of the CaliforniaBuilding and is an icon of San Diego which can be seen from miles and miles around. The California Building houses the Museum of Us (aka Museum of Man).
Growing up in San Diego, the Museum of Man in Balboa was a favourite and fascinating place to visit. The entire time I lived in San Diego the Museum was called the Museum of Man. [I’ll probably always remember it as the Museum of Man as that is what it was called in the special time I recall in my memories.]
The Museum of Us(Man) traces its starting point to the Panama–California Exposition, which opened in 1915 on the occasion of the inauguration of the Panama Canal. The central exhibit of the exposition, “The Story of Man through the Ages,” was assembled under the direction of archaeologist Dr. Edgar Lee Hewett of the School of American Archaeology (later renamed the School of American Research and since 2007 the School for Advanced Research).
Between 1935 and 1936, the museum’s name briefly changed to the Palace of Science to correspond with the California-Pacific International Exposition. During this exposition, the museum housed special exhibitions from a variety of sources, such as the Monte Alban exhibit, which featured many artifacts on loan from the Mexican government.
In 1942, the museum underwent a name change to the Museum of Man, reflecting its commitment to anthropological pursuits. The addition of “San Diego” occurred in 1978. The museum is housed in four original buildings from the 1915 Exposition. These include the California Quadrangle, which was designed for the Exposition by American architect Bertram G. Goodhue, and the California Tower, one of the key landmarks in San Diego. The main museum is housed in the California Building with its landmark tower.
The museum’s cultural resources and permanent exhibits focus on the pre-Columbian history of the western Americas, with materials drawn from Native American cultures of the Southern California region, and Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Maya.
The San Diego Museum of Us is one of the best anthropological style institutions in the United States. It is centrally located in Balboa Park, at 1350 El Prado. Besides being a popular attraction for tourists that come to visit the city, it is also a wonderful historic landmark. It is a must visit if you ever get to visit the San Diego area.
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