Papantla Flyers in Costa Maya, México

Looking back in time to Sunday, February 23, 2020; I remember walking off the Enchantment of the Sea Caribbean cruise ship onto the docks of the Costa Maya Port and seeing an amazingly entertaining sight.

When I first saw the ritualistic performance, I didn’t realize exactly what I was watching, however, I later learned that I was observing four men dancing in the sky.

Would you SIT
on top of an
80 foot pole?

These four dancers are tied by their feet with long ropes; they descend to the ground as the ropes unwind and fly around the pole. There is a fifth dancer who remains at the top of the pole, playing the flute and drum. This ceremony is not just for mere entertainment to display bravery and courage, but it actually has a much deeper, more valuable meaning.

The Papantla Flyers are also known as the Voladores de Papantla or Birds from Earth. The Dance of the Voladores or Papantla Flyers is a pre-Hispanic ritual that originated in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico. The Papantla Flyers is the most famous of the Totonac dances.  This ancient Mesoamerican ritual is used to ask the gods to end a drought and bring rain for crops during extended dry seasons. It is said that the brave men falling symbolizes the fall of raindrops from the sky in the search of earth’s fertility. The flute represents the singing of a bird, and the drum resembles the voice of the gods; similar (almost) to the sound of a thunderstorm. In the past, the ritual began by choosing and cutting the tree from which they would take the flying post.

As a tourist this traditional ritual of the Papantla Flyers was stunning yet seemed dangerous. To the locals, it is a normal common and ancient tradition. It was amazing to watch even though I doubt that I would ever climb that high on any pole. Rest assured that these men who perform the important ceremony have been trained since childhood to perform this ritual. The tourists, like me, in actuality only see the final part of the ceremony.

Six Word Saturday

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 3

Ragtag Daily Prompt – Time

John’s Cellpic Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max – Telephoto Camera

Location: Costa Maya Port; Costa Maya, Mexico

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wonderful Cloud Formations

I was delighted to see the many layers of Stratospheric cloud formations among the beautiful blue skies.

A few hours later the skies were filled with massive grey thunderclouds with raindrops falling shortly afterwards.

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max using Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto Cameras.

Location: Backyard View; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA.

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Floral Friday: Colouring Flowers #1

Colored by me
Via Zen Color App
on iPhone

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Floral Friday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 MWM: Pier Battered by High Surf

B/W
Ocean Beach Pier

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

MWM

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts., I appreciate y’all.

2024 Wordless Wednesday: 01.17

Winter Storm 2024 Hits Southern Tennessee

If I enjoyed being knee deep in snow, I might be full of envy seeing all the snow ❄️ my cousins received yesterday at their places in Tennessee. However, I I do enjoy observing their snow covered lawns, porches, and cars from a distance of my rain drenched home.

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Tuesday-Envy

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit: My cousins Rick and Ronald Fleming

Locations: 1-4)Lenoir, Tennessee and 5) Tullahoma, Tennessee

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Bloganuary 5

Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?

At this stage of my life I tend to spend more time thinking about the past rather than my future.

Bloganuary

2024 FOTD: Verbesina alternifolia

Yellow Wingstem
Yellow Ironweed
(Verbesina alternifolia)

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: (c)2023 Deb L. Waters

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

Words for Thought

Guideposts

Scriptures are written for our minds and hearts to ponder, understand, and apply to our lives. They are a written form of communication from God to all who desire to know Him.

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Monday Window: Steeple Windows

Raleigh North Carolina Temple
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Ludwig’s Monday Window

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Monday Portrait: 01.15

Close-Up of a Horse
Coleman
petting a
Greenway Horse

Monday Portrait

Macro Monday

Photo Credit: ©️2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro – Wide Camera

Location: Horse Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 SYD: January

My Wallpaper on my iPhone I enjoy four different photos on different focus pages. The following is what I have been looking at whenever I’m using my iPhone.

iPhone 14 Pro Max:

On my Laptop:

Clare’s Share Your Desktop-January 2024

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s desktops. I appreciate y’all very much.

Lovely Sunny Sunday Reflections

With all our cold and rainy days of late, I am reflecting on a warmer Sunny Sunday when I relished the beauty of God’s handiwork in nature. I have fond memories recalling the beautiful reflections and the enjoyment I had observing the lovely Canada Geese.

Lake at
Andrew Jackson State Park
Black Geese
AKA Branta canadensis,
the Canada Goose
Sun Drying
The Canada goose
(Branta canadensis)

Sunny Sunday

Silent Sunday

XingfuMama’s Whatever is Lovely Challenge: 2024-Week 2

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #205-2024 #3

Photo Credit: ©️2015 Deb L. Waters… All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens. 

Location: Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 SYW: Week of January 8

Here are this week’s questions:

1. When you look out of your kitchen window, what do you see?

When I look out the kitchen window I see a vast expanse of overcast skies verging into partly cloudy with the sun trying to peek through and not succeeding lately. Overlooking the first impressions on the horizon I trees the trees across the road stirring to and fro giving strength to the winds crossing through our area.


2. When was the last time you used public transport?

The last time I used public transportation was the day before Thanksgiving. Since then it has been raining and cold most days and Coleman and I haven’t featured out to the bus stop. Having just ( more or less) gotten over a bacterial virus I haven’t wanted to stand out in the cold or rain to wait for a bus.


3. Do you prefer cut flowers or a potted plant?

I prefer plants I can plant in the ground around the house and garden to potted or cut flowers, but I would not turn down cut flowers if they were given out of love.


4. Do you believe in Karma?

Yes, I believe in Karma. There is always a cause and effect to everything we say and do. It is wise to think before saying or doing anything. Think about how what I do today would affect future aspects of my life.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:7-9 NIV
)New International Version)

We reap what we sow. If we sow love, kindness, and compassion we in turn we receive the same in return. If we sow hate, gossip, bitterness, or any negative energy they will also be shown to us.

Gratitude:

Share Your World- Week of 01.08.24

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 WWE #204 — Cormorant Gathering

We’ve had a lot of rain off and on lately, so I thought I would do a little wishful thinking and dreaming of spending time at the Catawba River near the Fort Mill Dam with Coleman. Therefore I created a video compilation of a previous time we enjoyed exploring trails along the Catawba River and the Fort Mill Dam.

Double-crested Cormorants
(Phalacrocorax auritus)

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #204

Photo Credit: ©️2022 Deb L. Waters… All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens.

Location: Catawba River; Fort Mill Dam; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Floral Friday: Mother of Millions

Mother of Millions
(Kalanchoe laetivirens)

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Floral Friday

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens.

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 PPAC: 01.11 ——- New Braunfels Downtown Wall Mural

‘The Art of Entertainment’
Created by the
Historic Art Museum/N.B., Inc.
New Braunfels. Texas

Photographing Public Art Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️ 2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 11 Pro Max –Telephoto Camera Panoramic View

Location: Downtown; New Braunfels, Texas, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 FOTD: 01.11 — Appalachian Spring Dogwood

Appalachian Spring Dogwood
Cornus florida ‘Appalachian Spring’

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens.

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Thursday Doors: “Snowman” Greeter

UPS Snowman
by front door
Thank
You

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: UPS Store; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

Adult Colouring — Beneficial or Childish?

Do you enjoy colouring? If so, do you colour in books 📚 or in online colouring apps? Do you look at colouring as a childish activity only for children? Is adult colouring a relaxing stress free activity beneficial for your health and mental wellbeing?

Colouring at any age is beneficial for mental health and development. Colouring at any stage of life can stimulate creativity. The following are benefits of colouring:

  • Stress Relief – The repetitive activity of colouring requires attention to detail which can help you take your mind off of any daily stressors and thereby helps a person to relax.
  • Anxiety Relief – Colouring can help ease depression and anxiety. It has a calming and soothing effect which helps people who struggle with feelings of anxiousness or feeling down.
  • Improved Cognitive Abilities – Colouring can improve cognitive functioning by improving your focus and attention which enables better concentration and an increase in awareness. It can also aid in your decision-making and problem-solving skills.
  • Improved Motor Skills – Colouring can help improve and maintain fine motor skills. This activity requires your brain to coordinate your actions and muscle control in your hands and arms.
  • Enhanced Creativity – Colouring can foster creativity and encourage a person to focus on the best of their abilities.
  • Helps you Sleep
  • Helps in your ability to process your emotions
  • Promoting Mindfulness
  • Helps to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.
  • Utilizes your Brain

Colouring can be done anywhere especially with the many assortments of online colouring apps available for smartphones, tablets, pc’s and laptops. Adult colouring books and be found in any grocery or department store as well as in online stores such as Walmart or Amazon.

Colouring can help a person to de-stress bringing about a sense of peace and calmness. Adult colouring takes our attention off of ourselves and onto the present-moment of colouring. It also relaxes the brain by allowing focus to be on the simple activity instead of life’s difficulties. Adult colouring can be a great escape since it does not require or demand perfection. There is no right or wrong way to colour. It doesn’t have to be perfect, neat, or predictable. It can be messy if that is your desired effect. That’s what makes it so pleasurable.

With all the many benefits of colouring let’s not think about it as a childish activity. Colouring has many benefits and advantages for adults as well as children. Take a load off your mind and spend a little time relaxing by colouring.

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Wordless Wednesday: 01.10

Interstate 10/US Highway 90
Westlake, Louisiana

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit: ©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved

Camera: iPhone 11 Pro Max -Telephoto Camera

Location: Taken from a Greyhound Bus traveling on I10/US 90 in Westlake, Louisiana, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

2024 FOTD: Nectar for Two

1) Delta Flower Scarab
(Trigonopeltastes delta)
2) Papilio troilus,
the spicebush swallowtail

Both the Delta Flower Scarab and the Black Swallowtail butterfly enjoy feasting on the nectar of the Cephalanthus occidentalis, also known as the Buttonbush; Button Bush.

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens.

Location: Haigler Loop; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

A Child’s Fascination with Garbage Trucks

Why are children fascinated with Garbage Trucks? Where we live the Garbage Trucks ( also known as rubbish trucks or tippy lorry depending on where you live) come twice a week usually on Monday’s and Friday’s. Coleman has a habit of running outside to greet the driver whenever the Garbage Truck arrives ( actually when it is close by) carrying his toy Garbage Truck with him.

Coleman
is fascinated with
Garbage Trucks

Why is Coleman and children in general fascinated with Garbage Trucks? How long have they been fascinated by Garbage Trucks?

It seems that children have been fascinated by Garbage Trucks for decades. A few reasons for why they are is as follows:

  • Big Wheels
  • Loud Noises
  • Object permanence
  • Curiosity
  • Pretend Play
  • Bin Talking Trash
Coleman
talking with
Garbage Truck Driver

The size and unique design of garbage trucks can capture a child’s imagination. The loud noises and mechanical movements of the truck and its various functions, such as the lifting and dumping of bins, can be fascinating to watch. Additionally, the routine and predictability of garbage collection days can create a sense of anticipation and excitement for young children. It is the combination of sensory experiences, routine, and the truck’s purpose which can make garbage trucks exciting for young kids.

Do you know when Garbage Trucks first came into existence? You, like me, probably never even thought about the existence or history behind Garbage Trucks.

The earliest garbage “trucks” were introduced around 200 A.D. by the Romans, who created a sanitation force made up of teams of men who would walk along the streets picking up garbage and putting it into wagons that would then move the garbage to remote sites.

In 1932 a Scotland-based company by the name of George Dempster & Sons Ltd. invented the front loader garbage trucks. The Dempster-Dumpster system used large bins that garbage men would fill with trash, and that would then be loaded into body using machinery on the trucks. This system is the reason behind the garbage bins being referred to as dumpsters.

The mini garbage truck is Coleman’s first toy garbage truck. This is the truck he would carry out whenever the Garbage truck came around in front of our apartment building. For Christmas I bought Coleman the larger Little Tikes Garbage truck. Now he mostly carries the bigger garbage truck out to show the sanitation worker his garbage truck. He likes to show him he has one similar to what he’s driving. Sometimes he carries both of his garbage trucks outside when the garbage truck arrives.

Before the truck leaves, Coleman will pump his arm up and down wanting the worker to honk the horn. The driver always complies with his requests.

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Photo Credit: (c) 2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Macro Monday: 01.08 — Ghost Crab

Ocypode quadrata

Ghost Crab
( Ocypode quadrata )

Macro Monday

Photo Credit:©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S10-18mm lens.

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Monday Portrait: 01.08

Bos taurus

Scottish Highlands
Bos taurus

Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

Monday Portrait

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Bloganuary 2

Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

Do I play in my daily life? Probably depends on what is meant by play. What says “playtime” to me? I am not sure and haven’t really thought about what “playtime” in my current state of my life.

According to Merriam-Webster , playtime is a time for play or diversion. Play has several different meanings ranging from playing games, recreational activities, to toy or fiddle around with something, and/or to act with special consideration so as to gain favour, approval, or sympathy.

When I first thought about the aspect of play in my daily life, I thought about playing games like solitaire, monopoly, rummy, and that sort of thing. However, play can entail more than just games people play whether they’re children’s or adult games.

Realizing play is more one tends to ponder more intensely and wonder whether or not some behaviours could be construed as play. Do you play with a person’s emotions? I think we all might whether we intend to or not.

I know I’ve sought to gain approval for work I’ve done, sought affection by seeking attention from those I care deeply about.

Now concerning “playtime,” for me “playtime” can be hiking with my grandson, playing catch with him, or simply spending time collaborating on a puzzle or a relaxing activity like visiting a museum or a Greenway.

How does play/playtime differ in your daily lives?

Bloganuary

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Haigler Loop’s Sunshiny Yellow Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis
Common Name(s): Canada Goldenrod
Canadian Goldenrod

Six Word Saturday

Sunny Sunday

Silent Sunday

XingfuMama’s Whatever is Lovely Challenge: 2024-Week 1

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Haigler Loop; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina,USA.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 SYW: Week of January 1

Here are this week’s questions:

1. Did you stay up to see in the New Year last night?

No, I did not stay up to see the New Year. I fell asleep and woke up at 12:30am and turned my light off realizing it was now 2024.


2. How are you feeling this morning?

Better than I have since Thanksgiving. I think the RSV is finally working its way out of my system.


3. Are there any special occasions/events coming up in 2024 (weddings, special birthdays, babies)?

As far as I know, there are no special occasions or events coming up this year, 2024. We have the regular family birthdays, but no spectacular celebrations or events are planned for them.

My grandson will turn five and it’s usually just immediate family that helps remember his birthday. His uncles never show up even when invited. His dad’s family has never had anything to do with him. Last year I made a cookie cake for his birthday. I haven’t found the right lactose free icing to frost a cake for him yet, so he misses out on having cake.


4. What was the highlight/s of 2023 for you?

Highlights for 2023 would be the many hikes I have done with Coleman. The greatest joy we have is being together in nature and in the woods hiking.

Gratitude:

Life’s A Dance
©️2019 Margaret B. Moss

Share Your World

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Bloganuary 4

What is the greatest gift someone could give you?

The greatest gift someone could give me I have already received. That gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour.

Some might tell you the greatest gift could be some materialistic thing, while others may say the greatest gift is love.

I tell you that, for me, the greatest gift I have ever received is everlasting life given to me by the love of God through His son, Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 KJV ( King James Version)

From this verse we can learn that God gives us His love, gives us salvation, and gives us life eternal if we only begin Him. This I believe.

“Salvation is arguably the greatest gift we will ever receive, but it is not the ONLY gift. Jesus gives us gifts for today as well.”

http://www.medishare.com

This quote from medishare.com implies that the greatest gift we can ever receive is salvation, but that is not all we receive.

I agree that Salvation is not the only thing we receive from God. He freely gives us love, grace, mercy, understanding, compassion and many many more intangible gifts.

Still others would tell us the greatest gift we can receive is love.

“Love is the greatest gift that God gives us each day when he loves us enforcers His Son Jesus Christ to die for us.”

http://www.biblestudytools.com

The greatest gift is your love is an expression that emphasizes the value, significance, and importance of love in our lives.

This reminds me of a song from the mid-sixties called “What the World Needs Now.” It was first recorded in 1965 by Jackie DeShannon and by Dionne Warwick in 1966. It has been recorded by many artists over the years.

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No not just for some, but for everyone.”

Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
(genius.com)

What more can we give to others than what God gave to us, His love. We can spread the love to everyone we meet and share God’s love to the World.

Bloganuary

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 FOTD: January 6 — Verbena

Verbena peruviana purple

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Settings: f/6.3 • 1/320 • 250mm • ISO1250

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Bloganuary 3

What colleges have you attended?

What colleges have I attended? I have attended several colleges over the years. My first attendance at a college was the fall semester after I graduated from high school.

The first college I took courses at was San Diego Mesa College. It is a public community college located in Clairemont Mesa in San Diego, California. It first opened its doors in 1964. The college offers 196 associate degree and certificate programs. When the college first opened it offered education to 1,800 students and now it enrolls more than 20,000 students each year. I attended Meda College beginning in the Fall of 1974 and attended through the spring semester of 1975 before transferring to another college. This first college I enrolled in general education classes and had not declared a major.

When I transferred from San Diego Mesa College, I transferred into Biola University located in La Mirada, California. Biola University was founded in 1908 under the name of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. It is a private, nondenominational, evangelical Christian university offering a Biblically Centered Education. The university offers more than 300 Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs both on campus and online. I attended here beginning in the Fall semester of 1975 and continued for two years through the Spring semester of 1977. I had planned to study nursing at this university, but I did not do very well comprehending the science classes mandatory for the program. This was the first time I lived away from home. I enjoyed the social interaction more than the discipline of my studies. It was an experience I will never forget and am thankful for what I learned while attending this university.

After struggling to maintain grades and dealing with being a go-between with my parents I chose to transfer to a college closer to home. Therefore, I transferred to Christian Heritage College (CHC) in the Fall of 1977. I attended CHC for three years studying secondary education and graduated in May of 1980. CHC is on a different system than the other two colleges I attended. The first two are on a semester system. CHC is ( at least when I attended) on a system where you take one class extensively for three weeks instead of a full class load of 5-6 classes all at once for the whole semester. After the three weeks you begin studying a new class and continuing in this same format for the entire semester. One still takes the same amount classes Syria semester as in other colleges just not all at the same time. This format enabled me to concentrate on one subject at a time and I was better able to comprehend the class material. While attending CHC I also worked part-time. Previously I only worked during the summers in between school years.

Several years later and after my children were grown, I went back to school attending York Technical College. York Technical College is a public community college located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It is a member of the South Carolina Technical and Comprehensive Education System. Its mission is to make higher education accessible and affordable for every resident of South Carolina. During my two years with York Technical College I studied Accounting and earned an Associate Degree. I took courses both on campus and online. The online courses were available and convenient for me to take especially during the times my car wouldn’t run or I didn’t have a working vehicle. On test dates it was necessary to find transportation to the campus in order to take the exams. I learned a little during my tenure and greatly inundated knowledge and abilities.

Bloganuary

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Floral Friday: 01.05.23 — Wood Spurge

Euphorbia Walberton’s Ruby Glow


Cee’s Flower of the Day

Floral Friday

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Daily Prompts: 12.23.23

Share what you know about the year you were born.

The Year is 1956, a leap year of the Gregorian Calendar. It was a time for Rock and Roll and Elvis Presley’s hit song “Heartbreak Hotel.”

Besides Elvis and Rick and Roll, 1956 was a year for nine pop culture inventions. These inventions included:

  • Certs — Breath mint or candy?
  • Dove Bar — chocolate Dove candies introduced on the south side of Chicago
  • Elvis PresleyHeartbreak Hotel debuted in January for RCA and in September he made history on the Ed Sullivan Show.
  • Play-Doh — modeling clay introduced by a soap manufacturer in Cincinnati. [What I didn’t know is that it was originally meant to be a wallpaper cleaner.]
  • The Price is Right — Hosted by Bill Cullen ran in both daytime and prime time television.
  • Robby the Robot — a sci-fi bot built by Robert Kinoshita. He later crafted the Robot for Lost in Space.
  • The Shopping Mall — The Southdale Shopping Center in Edina, Minnesota opened its doors beginning with the 1956 holiday season. It was the world’s first enclosed climate-controlled shopping mall.
  • Ski Soda — A citrus soda created by the Double Cola Company of Tennessee five years prior to Sprite.
  • Yahtzee — First marketed as Yahtzee in 1956 by Edwin S. Lowe. Fifty millions copies of the game are sold each year.

The Cost of Living was vastly different than it is today. The cost of everything was lower, however, the wages were also much lower than today’s standards. Was it easier and less stressful in 1956? Maybe, maybe not. When incomes go up so does the cost of living, therefore the same struggles continue. Here’s a look at the 1956 Cost of Living percentages:

  • Yearly Inflation Rate — USA 1.52%
  • Yearly Inflation Rate — UK 4.7%
  • Average Cost of a new house — $11,700.00
  • Average wages per year — $4,450.00
  • Minimum Hourly Rate — $1.00
  • Average Monthly Rent — $88.00 per month
  • Average Cost of a new car — $2,050.00
  • Gallon of Gas — 22 cents
  • Ground Coffee per pound — 85 cents

On a more personal note, for the year 1956, my parents were living in Great Falls, South Carolina just up the road from my paternal grandparents. My dad was working for the Ford Dealership in town. Even though he owned a car, the town is small enough he could have walked to work. My mom was pregnant with me through the first five months of the year, choosing to give birth to me in the city of Chester, South Carolina. The town of Great Falls did not (and still doesn’t) have a hospital. My brother turned three a couple of weeks after I was born.

The town of Great Falls. South Carolina in 2020 had a population of 1,951 and the population was that much more in 1956. The town was originally known as Catawba Falls in the early 1900’s and was a great trade route. It was originally established to generate power from the nearby waterfalls. It was a booming mill town at one point and in 1956 my paternal grandfather was working in the #3 mill for the Republic Textile Company. Great Falls is located fourteen miles southwest of the city of Lancaster, South Carolina.

From 1956 through 1958, my family spent much of the time with my paternal grandparents, aunts and uncles. They would fish in the nearby Catawba River near the Great Falls Dam, picnic in the town park, and attend church meetings and other activities.

Daily Prompts

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 CWWC: Which ways with snow or the color white

I have not seen any snow recently or in the past year, so I am going to let y’all see some of the WHITE which I have seen along the various trails that Coleman and I have hiked in 2023.

First up is a hike with the Anne Springs Close Greenway Hiking Club where some of the hikers are wearing white. Everybody was not ready for the photo; I like to catch people unaware when I can. you may also notice the white in the Archers Loop sign and the white clouds in the sky. It was a beautiful, picturesque day.

Archers Loop
Adventure Road
Anne Springs Close Greenway Hiking Club
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

Next up is the white Riverwalk Bridge as seen from the Piedmont Medical Center Trail that we have hiked with the hiking club and on our own. Coleman loves to hike along the Catawba River whenever we get the opportunity.

Riverwalk Bridge
over the Catawba River
Riverwalk Trailhead
Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

Below is capturing a hike we were able to do with Coleman’s mom and sister. It is near one of the locations his mom works at sometimes. Here we are on the Baxter Village Trail, a part of the Carolina Thread Trail System.

Baxter Village Trail
Carolina Thread Trail
Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
Baxter Village Trail
Carolina Thread Trail
Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

This next trail is one Coleman and I hiked on our own. I parked at the Boulder Access Parking lot, and we found the entrance to the trail. We hiked approximately two and a half miles before we turned around and headed back to the car. The trail goes on for miles crossing from North Carolina into South Carolina. We were not prepared to go that distance on this hike.

Boulders Overlook
Boulder Access Area
Crowders Mountain State Park
Kings Mountain, North Carolina, USA

For another hike we stopped at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to hike and enjoy the many marvelous flowers grown there. This is the covered walkway leading into the gardens. Notice the vines growing around the white pillars and Coleman trying to balance on the brick edging along the walkway.

Coleman
at
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Belmont, North Carolina, USA

Lastly, I know you cannot see the trail, but I wanted to leave you with a beautiful white flower of Queen Anne’s Lace to enjoy.

Queen Anne’s Lace
(Daucas carota)
Lake Haigler Entrance
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

Cee’s Which Way Challenge-Which ways with snow or the color white

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

God Bless. Thank you for tagging along with us as we remembered our amazing hikes. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 CMMC: Close Up or Macro

Cabbage

1/250 • 194mm • ISO 160
Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
1/200 • 146mm • ISO 400
Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
1/100 • 55mm • ISO 200
Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-Close Up or Macro

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: The Garden in The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting The Farm and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Thursday Doors: Decorated Cabinet

Decorated Cabinet Doors

Dan’s Thursday Doors

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Bloganuary 1

What are your biggest challenges?

My biggest challenges is something I don’t really think about, but maybe I should.

Day to day challenges would involve raising my grandson. Trying to teach him right from wrong, trying to teach him to follow simple instructions ( which he tends to ignore and can be frustrating), dealing with his hyperactivity ( it’s like he’s the energizer bunny without an off switch).

Then there’s the financial challenges trying to make ends meet and sometimes struggling to pay bills. Trying to meet my own needs and still help my daughter in providing for my grandson’s needs. Maybe I shouldn’t help her so much, but I can’t help myself in providing what my grandson needs.

Thankful that I have little to no health related challenges other than some allergies and seasonal sicknesses which are very few.

Other life challenges could involve friendships (or lack thereof), lack of direction/motivation, lack of meaning/purpose, love ( or lack of a love relationship), and possibly stress. However, I don’t let most things bother me. I have strong opinions on some things and not everyone agrees with me, but am I gonna stress over it? No, it would do me more harm than to just let it go.

One way I cope with things is to write down my thoughts. Some of those I share here and others I keep to myself in a journal ( in an actual book, not online.) I loose myself in books, I can imagine being there with the characters as everything is transpiring. I feel sad, happy, excited, and all sorts of emotions when I am reading. It is a way to destress, relax, and rejuvenate the mind and body.

Bloganuary

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday: 01.03.24 — Orchids

Oncidopsis orchids

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 CFFC: RED

Cee’s asking us to post photos of RED for the Fun Foto Challenge this week. Looking through my archives and recent photos let’s walk through the Red doors to discover what I selected.

Red Doors
Painted for the Holidays
Red Tablecloths
for
Kids Stamp Crafting
Red Leaves
Ixora coccinea:
Jungle flame
(aka jungle geranium)

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Red

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I hope you enjoyed your visit. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window —- Looking Up from the Trail …

2024 is a bright new year, hopefully more optimistic and positive than the past couple of years. I have been consistently blogging daily for the past five hundred twenty-one (521) days. To me, that is a tremendous achievement. This past year I broadened by blogging horizons by participating in several different challenges. Monday Window is just one of many I have tried to participate in on a regular or semi-regular basis. I hope to continue participating in the various blogging challenges and posting various activities with my grandson.

The first Monday Window for 2024 was taken along the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway while hiking with my grandson, Coleman.

Apartment Complex Windows
Looking Up from the
Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Looking Up from the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway; Icon on the Greenway Apartments; Gastonia, North Carolina , USA

God Bless. Have a Blessed New Year & Keep Photographing, Writing, and/or blogging sharing your thoughts and artistic talents with the world. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

WWE: 2024 #1 — Near the Grist Mill

Water Abstract
Water Reflections
Water Ripples

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #123

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: Grist Mill; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

Macro Monday: 01.01.24

Savoy Cabbage

Savoy Cabbage

Macro Monday

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting The Farm and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

Monday Portrait: 01.01.24 —Squirrel Chasing

Squirrel Chasing
Squirrel Activity
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: The Farm & Nature Trail; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Have a happy and Blessed New Year! I appreciate y’all very much.

Last on the Card — December 2023

From My Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max:

Golden Hour Sunset

From My Canon EOS Rebel T3i:

Coleman Petting Goat
at The Holiday at The Farm
The Schiele Museum of Natural History;
Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

Last on the Card-December 2023

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s Last on the Card photos. I appreciate y’all very much.

Whatsoever is Lovely: Along the Catawba River

Aquilegia canadensis
Ranunculaceae
Wild Columbine
Eastern Red Columbine

John’s Cellpic Sunday

XingfuMama’s Whatever is Lovely Challenge: 2023 – Week 52

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Silent Sunday: 12.31.2023

Beautiful Sky Above
Lancaster, South Carolina

Silent Sunday

God Bless. What are y’all looking forward to in 2024? May God grant you many blessings, love and happiness as you journey through life in the New Year. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2023 CWWC: Which way with any holiday theme

At The Farm
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Coleman looking around as we
Apartment hunt.

Cee’s Which Way Challenge-Which way with any holiday theme

Photo Credit; (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. OI appreciate y’all.

2023 FOTD: Perennial Garden

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Photo Credit: (c) 2022 Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

How Often Do You Get Your Haircut or Trimmed?

I do not get mine done very frequently. The last time I took myself anywhere to get anything done to my hair was in before 2014. When I did go I often went to my cousin to get a haircut, a perm or sometimes even dying my hair. There was no better beautician in my book other than my cousin, Carol. [Actually she was my first cousin once removed’s wife, but why get technical.]

Why talk about haircuts anyway?

  • Hair Health —-
    • It is healthy to get your hair, at least, trimmed periodically to remove damaged ends, prevent split ends, and help with hair breakage.
  • Hair Growth —-
    • Haircuts can promote hair growth and make your hair look healthier and fuller.
  • Scalp Health —-
    • Haircuts can improve scalp circulation, which stimulates healthier hair growth. They can also minimize dandruff and dry scalp.
  • Styling —-
    • Haircuts cuts can maintain a well-groomed appearance and allow for versatility in styling.
  • Self-Care —-
    • Haircuts can be a form of self-care. Visits to hair salons can be a way to take a break from your normal routine and relieve daily stress and anxieties. It can also help you feel better and more confident, more free; like the weight just sort of rolled off your shoulders.

You might be wondering why I chose to discuss haircuts. This week I decided it was long overdue for me to get my hair, at least trimmed if not a complete haircut. Lately, my hair has been tangling up quite a bit, especially if I slide on brushing daily or twice a day. It had gotten so long that when I would lend over to clean my hair would fall into whatever I was cleaning. (Not a good thing if it is the commode one is cleaning.) Yuck.

My grandson, Coleman enjoys getting his haircut. When his hair starts hanging down in his face, he’ll hold his hair up and make cutting gestures with his fingers.

So, between yesterday and this afternoon noon, he and I both got our haircuts taken care of. I went and had my haircut done yesterday. It is a little shorter than I anticipated, but it will grow and is a lot lighter on my head. No more hair falling into places we prefer them not to be.

Top: My Before Photo
Bottom: My After Photo

This afternoon while running errands, I gave in and we took Coleman to “his barber” in “his barbershop” for his haircut. Yes, he does have a favorite barber and he’ll tell you how to get to “his” barbershop. He was so ecstatic to be getting his haircut. He was smiling from ear to ear during the whole haircut.

Top & Left: Coleman’s hair being cut
Bottom Right: His Before Photo

God Bless. Treat yourself to a haircut, make-over, or whatever to help yourself look and feel better. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2023 CMMC: December — Pick a Topic from my Photo

Cee’s Photo

Greetings, Christmas Day maybe over , but not necessarily the celebrations and we still have the new year a coming. Since we’ve been sick and not out much I’m choosing to make my selections from the last time I was able to get out ( this respiratory infection, RSV, doesn’t seem like it was to disappear.)

I’m taking you on a walk through The Farm ( one of Coleman’s favorite places) at The Schiele Museum of Natural History.

Entering The Farm

Shapes, sign, green, lines

Turning Right past the farm you enter the Nature Trail. This directional sign points the way.

Poles, Signs, Green, Black,
shapes, bushes (and trees in background)

Now let’s enter The Farm and have a look around…

Let’s take a look to see what we can find growing in the garden …

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-December Pick a Topic from my Photo

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️ 2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens. Also used Canon EF-S18-55mm lens on the directional signs (Second Photo.)

Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA.

God Bless. Thank you for walking around The Farm with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all very much.