The F-4 Phantom II was built by the McDonnell Douglas Corporation ( McDonnell Aircraft Corporation). It was a supersonic, all-weather, twin-engine, two seat fighter-bomber and interceptor jet. It was originally designed for the U.S. Navy in 1953.
The F-4 Phantom II was the most produced American fighter jet. It had become a symbol of the Cold War. It was a formidable aircraft which played a pivotal role in military aviation from the 1960s into the 1990s.
The F-4 was designed around an all-missile armament system with the expectation that air combat would take place at a distance. Its combination of speed, range, and versatility made it a key player in air combat and ground support, leaving a lasting legacy in military history.
The F-4 Phantom II was retired from service in the United States Navy in the 1980’s. The F-4 Phantom II was also retired from the Royal Air Force in 1992. The last active duty F-4 Phantom II was launched from an aircraft in 1986. The last carrier landing of an F-4 Phantom II was in 1986. The last F-4 Phantom target drones were retired in 2004.
Pictured here is one of the F-4 Phantom II retiredU.S. military fighter jet which is on display at the CLT (Charlotte Douglas International) Airport Overlook. With this exhibit one can learn about the Carolinas’ aviation history and the types of planes that fly in and out of CLT.
Location: CLT Airport Overlook; Charlotte Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. I encourage you if you’re ever in the Charlotte area to visit the Charlotte Douglas International Airport Overlook. The views our amazing and children of all ages will love it. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Spring is Coming. Maybe not soon enough for some. Let the Sonshine/Sunshine shine through everyday. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Take time to Smell the Flowers. I am Grateful for each and every one of y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from no facilities has chosen a them of Nursery Rhyme for this week’s CFFC Challenge. There are many variation, but that’s not too important. Look at the rhyme as written and use any or all of the bold words as prompts. If the words are numbers, use them the way you used them earlier. Otherwise, use the words themselves. This should give you lots of opportunities to choose a photo. New or archive photos are acceptable.
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge (CWWC), I’m so glad you are enjoying this challenge. For this week I have chosen the theme of (CWWC): Any Which Way with Paved Pathways or Sidewalks. Remember to be sure your Which Ways are clearly defined. Remember signs are always welcome in your Which Ways.
Here are my Which Ways for this week:
Sidewalks around the CLT Airport Overlook’s Playground Paved Runway Strip (Pathway) at CLT Airport Overlook USAir Flight 1016 memorial at CLT Airport Overlook (Paved Sidewalks)
On Tuesday my daughter had a day off of work and decided to give Coleman a surprise. After he got off the school bus in the afternoon, she drove us to the Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) Airport Overlook.
In 2024 the CLT Airport Overlook underwent a major overhaul. This overhaul project cost a whopping $8 million. This is the fifth overlook for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport since 1937.
This New CLT Airport Overlook has two (2) age-specific playgrounds with shaded areas. Of course, being at the airport, the playgrounds have an airport theme including runway, a cargo transport vehicle, and a mini air traffic control tower.
The CLT Overlook also has a covered space with ten (10) covered picnic tables plus uncovered picnic tables and benches with LED lighting for pedestrian and parking areas. There are a couple of other features which I will discuss in an upcoming future post.
Location: 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.
Today (yes, I know I’m behind in getting this posted) is World Cancer Day. Cancer has affected millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that about Twenty (20) million new cancer cases occur and close to 9.7 million cancer related deaths each year. Even though the number of Cancer related cases and death are outrageous, that is not my main focus for discussing World Cancer Day.
Like it or not the majority of us have been affected by Cancer. Some suffering or are currently experiencing Cancer, while others have friends and/or relatives battling cancer’s effects and treatment side effects.
My mom, in January 2019, laying in a hospital bed afflicted by the debilitating effects of Cancer with my niece holding her hand.
I’ve known and currently know way too many family and friends who have suffered in one manner or another with the debilitating and devastating effects of the horrendous numbers of Cancer diseases which affect too many people to even consider imagining. It is mind boggling.
My dad died from Cancer on December 31, 1996. He had prostate cancer, cancer in his lymph nodes, kidney cancer, and lastly bone cancer. He suffered for several years and through the prescribed treatments, surgeries, and medications and yet cancer after cancer continuously infected his body. He never let himself get defeated. He never wavered in his faith in the Lord.
My mom died on January 18, 2019 from Cancer. She too suffered through various types of Cancers, including the cancer related surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. After having taken care of my dad and watch him suffer through the endless treatments and debilitating side effects; she chose not to undergo any more treatments when she was diagnosed with cancer, once again, in 2018. Through it all my mom learned to Trust in God. She stated that Trust meant to
Total
Reliance
Under
Stressand
Trial
This meaning of Trust could be applied regardless of our circumstances. God is faithful to Not allow us to go through anything He won’t be right there beside us comforting us, strengthening us, and guiding us every single day of our lives.
My former spouse died of Cancer on June 15, 2018, his younger brother died of cancer this past year.
I have numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as too many friends to count who have suffered from Cancer, some still managing through the effects of Cancer and others who are no longer with us in body, but will always be with us in spirit.
World Cancer Day’s theme for 2025-2027 is “United by Unique.” It places people at the centre of care and explores new ways of making a difference. This theme highlights the importance of personalized care and treatments to cater to each individual’s unique needs.
World Cancer Day aims to
Raise Awareness Globally of
The Importance of Prevention
Early Detection
Available Treatments
Promoting Prevention and Early Detection
Significance of Prevention through Lifestyle Changes
Screening and Early Detection
Prioritize Cancer Prevention
Supporting Those Affected by Cancer
Support Provided to those currently fighting Cancer
Provides a sense of Community and Solidarity
Need for Improved Access to Cancer Care
Advocating for Better Treatment and Funding
Advocating for increased investment in Cancer Research
Amplifies Demand for Better Health Care infrastructure
Push for International collaboration
Uniting the Global Community
Uniting People Across Borders
Cancer knows no boundaries
Impact is felt by millions — geographically, socially, and economically
Tackling Cancer is Global issue
Requires Collaboration
Build a Global Movement for Change
You and I may not be personally suffering with Cancer, but we can be there for someone we know who might (or is currently) experiencing fighting Cancer. How can we be there for someone? What can we do?
There actually are many different ways that we (you and I) can offer and/or provide help to someone with Cancer. We can provide practical support, offer emotional support, and by simply being a good listener.
Practical support includes running errands, providing a meal, assisting with household chores, caring for children or whatever means would best benefit the person you choose to support.
Emotional support includes being a good listener, no judgements and being aware of their thoughts and feelings. Letting a person know you’re willing to listen if and when they are ready to talk. Sometimes a hug will mean a great deal to someone in need. Let people know you care, whether telling them face to face or sending them a card or message. And no matter what a person situation or circumstance might be, always remember to Pray for them.
Let’s not forget that not just the afflicted need our support, but also the families and caregivers also. Pray for all those affected by Cancer; the patient, their families, their caregivers, and their doctors. Prayers are a tremendous gift one can offer to someone in need, to someone fighting this Cancer battle on a daily basis.
God Bless. Thank you for listening. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Pensitivity101 is the host for Share Your World and is asking us to share about our school days. She welcome all to Share their World. This is a special way we may earn more about each other and connect in a small way.
Here are this week’s questions:
What can you remember about your last day at school/college? My last day of school/college was a long long time ago. It was a day to stand, sit, and wait for the graduation ceremony to end. My High School graduation was held in the Starlight Bowl Balboa Park’s Amphitheater. The highlight of the ceremony some might not consider a highlight, but instead an embarrassment. There were a couple of streakers who ran across the stage.
Were you close enough to walk to school or did you need transport? For my elementary school, I walked a 0.5 miles extremely long blocks to and from school every day which took a minimum of ten (10) minutes depending on traffic lights. For my Junior High School, I walked approximately 14-15 minutes for O.6 miles each way. I walked past the shopping center and a small strip mall and a long block of houses before entering the school grounds. Now for my High School, I did not live close enough to walk. My high school was near my dad’s work, so he drove me to school and dropped me off on the side street. At the end of the school day, I rode the city bus to my neighbourhood and walked the rest of the way home.
Did you have a favourite teacher? I’m not sure that I remember many of my teachers names. My eighth grade history teacher would give me extra credit to improve my grade. I didn’t care much for history back then, but I did enjoy doing research. This teacher allowed me to research a person or historical topic and write a report on the subject. I had a teacher in high school that allowed a few students a pass from being in the classroom. The only condition was you had to attend a Kiwanis luncheon downtown (yes, we got to eat at the luncheon), listen to a guest speaker and then talk about what the speaker spoke about at the next class session with a written report to turn in to him.
Would you like to go back to school? At this present stage of my life I have no desire to go back to school, however, that doesn’t prevent me from reading, researching, writing, or whatsoever is appropriate to keep myself learning new ideas and experiencing new things and having adventures learning in nature with my grandson.
Gratitude:
‘Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.’
The Cosmic Photo Challenge prompt for this week is Black and White. Looking through this past week’s photos from Coleman and my visit to Goat Island Park and Greenway, I found few that I think would work for this challenge.
Here is what I have chosen for this week’s CPC prompt.
Tunnel with Car passing through under the Train. South Fork Catawba River Coleman Coleman Goat in Neighboring Yard
Now to show some of what I took today of Coleman using my new iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Coleman at the AT&T store patiently waiting for us to go.
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.,
Debbie from Travel With Intentis the host for the One Word Sunday Challenge. She is giving us an opportunity to continue to share square (s) with Becky’s GeometricJanuary challenge ending and a new month of blogging adventures beginning.
The Sky is a wondrous example of how as the weather changes quickly, so can the events in our lives. Be thankful for the good and the bad and remember God is in Control. Just as we need the rain and look forward to sunny days; our lives may seem dreary but blessings abound amongst us. Be thankful for the Rain as well as the Sunshine. Both are needed even if we prefer the good ole sunshiny days of life.
Brian from bushboy.blogis the host for the #LastontheCard challenge. His rules are simple to follow. As per Brian, Your last photo doesn’t have to be on the very last day of the month if you didn’t take any photos on that day. Maybe it was earlier in the month when the last photo was taken.
The rules are simple: 1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st or whenever your last photo was taken. 2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate. 3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do 4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments 5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard
Friday, January 31st turned out warm before the rain storms hit in the evening. So Coleman and I took a walk down to Goat Island Park and Greenway. Of course, I had to bring my camera along and not just my smartphone.
Here are my Last photos for January 2025 …
From my iPhone 14 Pro Max
Winter Hydrangea paniculata located at the entrance to Goat Island Park and Greenway.
From my Canon EOS Rebel T3i
South Fork Catawba River
As an added bonus I thought I would post a comparison of first & last photo for January from my Canon.
Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter for Canon.
Location: 1-2 & 4) Goat Island Park and Greenway; 3) Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Image 1 of comparison is the South Fork Catawba River taken on January 1, 2025, from the Riverside Park and Greenway. Image 2 of comparison is the South Fork Catawba River taken on January 31, 2025, from Goat Island Park and Greenway. ↩︎
We decided to take a risk with the impending rain and meandered down to Goat Island Park and Greenway for Coleman to have some Funtime in the playground. He loves to swing. Even though he is learning to pump his legs to keep swinging, he still enjoys having me push him to go higher and higher towards the sky.
As you might could tell, he had loads of fun. Especially after a friend from school showed up to play in the playground. His friend, Liam, is a little bit older and rides the same school bus with him. He lives on the other end of our street close to the railroad tracks.
Camera:Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Settings: f/4.5/5 • 1/800 • 79mm • ISO320-400
Location: Swings; In the Playground; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a Swinging Good Time. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a Sweet Sensational Weekend filled with love and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Regardless of where you spend your time at Andrew Jackson State Park you are bound to see a vast selection of geometric shapes and patterns. They could be lines, circles, rectangles, triangles, or columns.
You may see them near the parking lot, at the Meeting House, in the Museum in the building with the office, in and around the school house or within the playground or by the lake. Geometric designs are all over the Park, just be observant and you’ll notice the wide array of different types of geometrics.
For more information about Andrew Jackson State Park and the events and activities it has to offer click here.
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge (CWWC), I’m so glad you are enjoying this challenge. For this week I have decided to let it be your choice, Any Which Way. Just be sure your Which Ways are clearly defined. Remember signs are always welcome in your Which Ways.
My Which Way selections for this week are my grandson, Coleman’s choices for how prefers his Which Ways. They include dirt trails, bridges, and even trees.
Here we are hiking at Anne Springs Close Greenway beginning on North Steele Creek Trail and crossing onto the Blue Star Trail.
We parked at the Dairy Barn Entrance down almost to the Spillway, then ventured onto North Steele Creek Trail for our hiking adventures of the day. After our fill of hiking we eventually wound our hiking around and back up to the Dairy Barn parking lot to go back home.
To learn more about Anne Springs Close Greenway and what all it has to offer click here.
I am grateful for those who shared there Which Ways last week. To view their Which Ways clink on their links below:
Share Your World is hosted by pensitivity101; she is some thought provoking questions for us to answer in this week’s challenge. I personally have not thought very much about these types of questions, but maybe I should be thinking about them and considering a plan in writing of my desired wishes.
At the present time, I do not have a bucket list. There are still some things I dream of doing, however, I do not think I have the means to accomplish some of them. One of my top goals is to visit the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. I want to visit my former spouse’s (and the father of my grown children) grave to pay my respects. If we make it there, Coleman would be seeing where his Pawpaw is buried. Another dream is take my grandson, Coleman, to California to meet his Pawpaw’s only living brother with a side trip to the Pacific Ocean.
Cremation or burial?
My choice would be Cremation. The cost of burial is extremely expensive and, to me, an unnecessary burden. My parents were both cremated and their ashes were buried in the same burial plot. As to the ashes, I’m not sure if my children would prefer to scatter them or have them interred in a crypt.
Recognised service/celebration of life, or private gathering?
It would definitely be a private gathering. I don’t believe many would gather except for a handful.
Flowers or donations?
Flowers are pretty, but I would not be able to enjoy them if I were no longer present on this earth. Therefore, I would recommend, if desired, for people to make donations to the American Cancer Society or an agency like the Wounded Warrior Project.
Gratitude:
Dankbare Menschen sind wie fruchtbare Felder, sie geben das Empfangene zehnfach zurück.
Grateful people are like fertile fields, they give back what they receive tenfold.
First Baptist Church of Abilene, TexasFirst San Diego school & where my mom went to high school. Seven Seas Marine Life ParkColeman First Day Hike at Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman First Day Hike 1/01/2023First Baptist Church of Cramerton The Eleventh President of the United States of America
Judy from Life Lessons Blog hosts The Numbers Game Challenge and invites us all to play along with her. This week’s number is 179.
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 that include that number and post a link to your blog in myNumbers 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 album.
The Ragtag Daily Prompt for today has prompted a look back to Reunions in years past. In my younger days we had a few Family reunions with members of my maternal grandfather’s side of the family. So far, I have not located any of the photos my dad or other relatives would have taken of those get togethers. Some were held at my maternal grandparents home and others at my maternal grandfather’s sister’s daughter’s home. The memories of those Reunions are sporadic and fragmented, but do somewhat remain in the crevices of my mind.
After my maternal grandfather passed away the family reunions seemed to fade away. I hadn’t gone to a reunion in years until after we moved back to the Carolinas and made family connections through AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, and Facebook. It was with those connections that I found out about the Greer/Watson/Trivette Reunions and the Watson Family Reunions in and surrounding Deep Gap, North Carolina. [My maternal grandfather was born in the Deep Gap area in 1890.]
Here are a few photos from those Reunions …
Watson Family Reunions
2015
Greer/Watson/Trivette ReunionWatson Family Family Reunion Yadkin Valley Community Park Lenoir, North Carolina
2016
Greer/Watson/Trivette Reunion Greer/Watson/Trivette Family Family Reunion Yadkin Valley Community Park Lenoir, North Carolina
2017
Watson Family Reunion David Watson X TwoWatson Family Deep Gap, North Carolina
The Bridge over the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, Mississippi as seen at night while traveling back from Texas to the Carolinas in 2019. The architectural design is fascinating viewing all the angles, lines, triangles, and squares that were used to construct the bridge. The lighting helps the bridges features stand out in the evening’s darkness.
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.
My first Bench photos for Jude’schallenge are from the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. I took my grandson, Coleman there in 2021 for a fun day together. I am also linking this post to XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.
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.
Location: It’s a Small World; Disneyland; Anaheim, California, USA
God Bless. Be Observant. Geometric shapes are all around us. Stay Warm. 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.
“Advice from a sunflower. Be bright, sunny, and positive. Know your roots. Spread seeds of happiness. Rise, shine, and hold your head up high. Keep on growing. Even on the darkest days, stand tall and find the sunlight.”
~ Unknown
Zen Color App
“True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time.”
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Take time to Smell the Flowers. I am Grateful for each and every one of y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Let’s not be in a Conundrum. Let’s be Content. God is in Control. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman used his MagnaTiles to construct a bridge over his Brio Railroad Track so his Hot Wheels cars could drive over the track while his Brio trains chug chug chugged down his track.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 