Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: 1-4) The Heritage Garden; The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA;5)Dairy Barn Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Northern Mockingbird is one of the most plentiful birds in North America. You can identify a Northern Mockingbird by listening to its song. You’ll hear its song which usually mimics several other birds simultaneously. Their song can be heard long before you spot their location.
The Northern Mockingbirds continue to learn new sounds throughout their lifetime. What’s interesting (which I didn’t realize) is that a male Northern Mockingbird may possibly learn around two hundred (200) songs throughout its entire life.
Northern Mockingbirds are medium-sized birds with long legs, small heads, and long, thin bills. They are slightly slimmer than a thrush and have longer tails.
Here’s an interesting fact; The Northern Mockingbird is the state bird of five states:
Arkansas
Florida
Mississippi
Tennessee
Texas
Northern Mockingbirds can be spotted year-round in places with shrubby vegetation like fruiting bushes, thickets, hedges, and open ground. They can be discovered in every state in the United States and parts of Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.
In the South with our cold and sometimes freezing weather temperatures the Northern Mockingbirds tend to “fly south” for the winter months. I have just recently been able to see them back in our neighborhood. As more often than not, I hear their songs way before I am able to spot their location. When you hear the songs of the Northern Mockingbirds you know Spring has arrived.
We had a very beautiful sunny weekend. It was warm and windy day. We decided it was a lovely day for hiking at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Due to the massive abundance of vehicles parking at the Lake Haigler Entrance for the Artisan Market I chose to park at the Dairy Barn Entrance. There was another reason for parking at this entrance as well; they charged extra at the other entrance because of the Artisan Market. Who wants to pay extra? I certainly didn’t, not in addition to my membership for the Greenway.
The Dairy Barn Entrance has a few different trails that can be accessed with various sites and scenery to observe. We hiked down the Blue Star Trail which leads down to the Greenway’s Spillway passing horses and the Faires/Coltharp Historic Cabin along the way.
Coleman loves to stop and watch the horses. Moving along, to crossover the Spillway we had to walk across the Swinging Bridge. We stopped on both sides of the Spillway to observe the water flowing down, around, and under the Swinging Bridge.
On Saturday, March 30th, Coleman and I visited the Anne Springs Close Greenway. We parked at the Dairy Barn Entrance and hiked down the Blue Star Trail and hiked back up on Steele Creek Trail. From this entrance one can visit two historic cabins: 1) Faires/Coltharp Cabin and 2) The Graham Cabin. On this trip we had the unique experience of going inside the cabin to view what it would have been like back in the 1800’s. This was a new experience for us since the cabins had previously been closed to the public.
The Graham Cabin is more than 200 years old and was once the home of Archibald Graham, the grandfather of Reverend Billy Graham. Here is a look at the inside of the Graham Cabin and its windows.
Location: Dairy Barn Entrance; Lake Haigler; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God’s Blessings to y’all this Beautiful Easter Sunday. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Since 2012, March 29th has been commemorated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It was declared as Vietnam Veterans Day by President Barack Obama, but it wasn’t made official until 2017 when Congress signed into law the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act.
You Are Not Forgotten
March 29 is significant as on that date more than 50 years ago, the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived home on U.S. soil.
50th Vietnam War Commemoration To The Vietnam Veteran To Those Who Been Told PTSD Would Go Away In Time. To Those Who Returned But Are Still Haunted By The Nightmares Of War. To Those Who Suffer From Agent Orange Exposure And Are Still Fighting The Last Battle. To Those Who Have More Friends On The Vietnam Memorial Wall Then Alive Today.
THANK YOU!
Sgt Terry Leon Wilson Vietnam Veteran [My Vietnam Veteran]
Sgt Terry Leon Wilson served in the United States Army and fought for his country in Vietnam while I was in my last years of high school. He was over in Vietnam for three years serving his country. He was/is one of 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam. Remember he and all Vietnam Veterans were not properly welcomed home. No mention of Welcome Home, no fanfare, no parade, no recognition when they arrived back on American soil.
Whenever you meet a Vietnam Veteran or any Veteran, please thank them for their service to this country. Let them know their bravery, sacrifice, and strength hasn’t gone unnoticed and America will always be indebted to them for all they have given to the country.
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans!
God Bless. Remember and Honor Vietnam Veterans. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
When visiting The Schiele Museum yesterday Coleman and I walked down a different staircase than we’ve taken before. Part way down the stairs in between floors was a swiveling chair which Coleman proceeded to climb upon. His antics and expressions can be viewed in these slideshow photos.
For this week I’ve dug into my archives for various selections of which way to travel.
First, let’s make a stop in Raleigh, North Carolina where I attended Ancestry Day hosted by The Friends of the Archives in conjunction with the State Archives of North Carolina, the Government and Heritage Library, and the North Carolina Genealogical Society.
McKimmon Center and nearby trail Raleigh, North Carolina, USA November 2015
Next, we’ll head over to Lenoir, North Carolina for a Watson/Greer/Trivette family reunion at the Yadkin Valley Community Park.
Greer/Watson/Trivette Family Reunion Yadkin Valley Community Park Lenoir, North Carolina, USA June 2016
Then we’ll spend some time in Jacksonville, North Carolina where one of my sons ( my 2nd born, David) was stationed while serving in the United States Marines. While there for the weekend my eldest son, John and I visited the Lejeune Memorial Gardens.
Lejeune Memorial Gardens Jacksonville, North Carolina, USA February 2017
Finally, let’s take another drive. This time let’s drive to Columbia, South Carolina before returning home for some quiet time of rest and relaxation. In Columbia I am joined by my daughter, Trisha and her daughter, Alona. We decided to visit the Riverbanks Zoo to see the animals. We enjoyed the short train ride around a small portion of the Zoo.
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Columbia, South Carolina, USA August 2017
Cee asks everyone to post photos of Words that contain the Alphabet letters A or E. My selections for this week come from mine and Coleman’s recent visit to Gastonia’s Erwin Center Park and Recreation. As per usual Coleman (notice the Name A & E) is in several of my photos.
Gastonia Erwin Center Parks and Recreation Sign with Coleman Basketball Court Gastonia Erwin Center Park and Recreation Ball Field used for Soccer and Baseball Gastonia Erwin Center Park and Recreation Coleman in the Children’s PlaygroundColeman sliding on the Playground Equipment Slide
We are still having a lot of rain several days out of the week. Even so Coleman and I managed to get a little walking in. We walked for a mile and a half before deciding to get on the bus. We rode the bus to a park we had not previously visited.
We visited the Erwin Center Park and Recreation. We rode the Blue line to the station, then switched to the Yellow line. The Yellow line took us to right across the street from the park.
The Erwin Center opened in 1961 in the Highland neighbourhood of northern Gastonia. The Center was named in honour of Dr. Herbert Erwin. Dr. Erwin was Gaston County’s first African American physician. He was a well known advocate for youth sports and activities. The Community Center has a game room, meeting room, kitchen, lounge, and offices.
In 1967 a full-size gymnasium and an outdoor basketball court were added. Today’s outdoor facilities also include a swimming pool, a splash pad (open during the summer months), a grass volleyball court, horseshoe pits, playground, tot play area, a large picnic shelter and a walking track.
In the summer of 2020, a Black Lives Matter Mural was painted on the Erwin Center basketball court by Ezekiel Clay, Jr.
… On the Top of a Slide… On the Bottom of a Slide … on a Swing
The Erwin Center Park and Recreation outdoor park areas are open daily from Dawn to Dusk.
This park is a little further away from the park we normally visit, however it does have activities and playgrounds which are of interest to the very young as well as older children, teenagers, and adults.
If we were so inclined to travel a little further from home than usual, we would visit the park again. Coleman enjoyed the playground and wished it was already summer so he could have enjoyed the Splash Pad.
Here are this week’s questions: 1. Did you wake up in a good mood this morning?
Yes, I woke up in a good mood. However, I would have preferred to sleep a little longer.
2. What was the first thing you thought of when you awoke?
I wanna sleep some more. Majority of mornings I am woken up by my grandson. He wakes up early regardless of when he falls asleep or woke up in the middle of the night. When he does so I’m usually sleeping soundly and am not ready to be awake yet.
3. Tea, coffee, or fruit juice/smoothie for breakfast?
I always drink cold tea from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep.
4. What topping do you prefer on your toast?
On toast, (which I do not normally eat) I top it with either honey, apple butter, or cinnamon sugar.
Gratitude:
“Gratitude is not a limited resource, nor is it costly. It is abundant as air. We breathe it in but forget to exhale.”
— Marshall Goldsmith, executive leadership coach and author
First off, let’s look out Trail Maps. Trail Maps let us know what trails are at a location and give us directions to follow for our selected trail route we desire to hike.
Crowders Mountain State Park Trail MapYMCA Trail MapTrail Maps
Next, we’ll look at Trail Signs that give Directions for which way to go to continue to a specific destination.
Destination Directions
Continuing on, we look at trail signs which tell us the rules and how we should behave while we are on the trail. Some of the directions might seem like we should already know how to act while on a trail, but reminders are beneficial for those that need one on common courtesy.
How to Act:
Courtesy & Rules to follow
Lastly, we’re looking at signs that give us directions on what we should do. Some remind us to stay Calm, others give us directions on what to do in case of an emergency, while others let us know what (or rather where) not to do.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. Relax and Stay Calm. Remember y’all are amazing. I appreciate y’all very much.
Maternal Great Grandfather & Great Uncle Riding in the 2-Seat Horse-Drawn Carriage
Family Members with early Work Trucks
From Left to Right: Doyce Eileen Watson, Harvey Martin Watson, Jerry Alexander Watson (in My Maternal Grandfather’s Arms) Marvin Houston Watson Beside the Family Car
Great Aunt Flora Alice (My Grandfather’s Sister) & Husband with their Car
I’m grateful for the treasure of memorable photos I have in my possession from my family and ancestors. What are you thankful for this Lent season?
It is officially Spring, however, the winter cold weather is hanging around not wanting to go away. Thankfully we are not getting the deluge of snowfall some areas are experiencing.
Here our weather and sky can change dramatically within a matter of minutes. The following shows our Weekend Sky – Weather on Saturday.
The change in the sky was only thirty minutes from blue skies to dark cloudy skies.
For this week I selected photos which were handed down to me by my maternal grandmother after my maternal grandfather passed. The last selection was one of my father’s photos I received after he passed.
I am so thankful for the many photos that I have received and will treasure them always. Each one tells a little piece of my families history.
Jeramiah Watson Family My Maternal Great Grandfather & Family (My Grandfather, Harvey Martin, is second from left)Family of Jeramiah Watson My Maternal Great Grandfather ( Pictured with his Second Wife and Children)Doyce Eileen Watson First Grade– 1938 Coshocton, Ohio School Class (My Mom’s Class Picture)John Thomas Waters ( My Paternal Grandfather) & Nornal Hule Waters ( My Father)
This week we observed the School Construction noticing the Windows from the street side near the old Grier Middle School location. The Windows and the New Grier Middle School construction is progressing nicely.
Groundbreaking for the new Grier Middle School took place on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. It is expected the completion of the construction of the new Grier Middle School will be in 2025. The New Grier Middle School should be ready for students then barring any complications or delays.
God Bless. The Flowers welcome Spring’s arrival and the Bees 🐝 are hovering around. Enjoy the flowers, but be careful not to get stung. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
On one of our recent hikes we noticed the water streaming down the creek. Coleman laid down on the bridge above and stretched his single stick downward towards the creek trying to stretch it into the water below.
This next shot is not so clear, however, it depicts his lone stick floating in the water. He had lost his grip and it wasn’t within his reach to retrieve it. He was disappointed, but not for long (he always finds sticks along trails.)
Cee’s allowing us to post any road, path, step, bridge, or sign this week for her CWWC. For my selections I chose some from Coleman & my adventures this past week.
Car Driving on Bridge Shot from the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Walking on Sidewalk New Hope Road; Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Walking on Brick Ledge The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Climbing on Playground Equipment Ladder Steps Erwin Center Recreation and Park Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Sock Skating The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
My entries for this Cee’s CMMC this week are a variety of new and archive photos I hope you enjoy. There were taken at The Schiele Museum of Natural History and the Warlick Family YMCA in Gastonia, North Carolina as well as at Andrew Jackson State Park (three of our favorite places to go hiking and relax out in nature.
Brown, Green, Layers, Landscape Green Lettuce on a Bed of Brown Bark Heritage Garden; The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
Brown, Green, Teal, Water, Landscape, Layers Spillway; The Nature Trail; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
Blue, Water, Green, Lake, Layers, Brown Robinwood Lake; Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
Blue, Brown, Green, Landscape, Water, Lake, Layers The Lake at Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
… at Robinwood Lake… at the Cherry Blossoms … at the Sand under the Bridge …at the Sky between the Bridges … at Me through the Ladder Rails… at Coleman through the Railcars
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 