Autumn is the time of year we can see beautiful and colorful leaves abounding in nature from the greens trying to hang around, varying shades of orange and yellow and the awesome shades of Red in the leaves on the many plants and flowers amassed in our surroundings.
Seeing Autumn Leaves and …
Amazing shades of Red in flowers …
And not to deter from the Red in the plants and flowers; I’m throwing in a Throwback photo from the early 60’s.
What or who makes me laugh? The answer to that is easy to answer. It is hands down, my grandson, Coleman. He has been my joy and inspiration since he came into my world four years ago. I have had the privilege of watching him grow and develop into an awesome little boy. Yes, at times he annoys and frustrates me when he doesn’t listen or follow given instructions, but then he’ll want a hug and says, “I love you”! You have to listen carefully; he talks with a lisp, so it is sometimes difficult to understand what he is saying. Even though some people have a difficult time, most of the time I can understand him and when he tells me he loves me; it brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart.
Coleman makes me Smile 😊
The joys and laughter Coleman brings throughout his life …
This past Sunday, November 5th was the end of Daylight Saving Time for this year. The time is set at 2 am, so the major people try to remember to set their clocks backwards before they go to sleep at night. Most of the time I forget and just change clocks ( the oven & microwave clocks) whenever I get around to it. Smartphone and other Smart technology devices automatically change their times alleviating our need to do so.
Is Changing Clocks backwards and forwards to compensate for Daylight Saving Time beneficial? Yes or No? In 1974 President Richard M. Nixon argued that it would Save Energy when he signed into law the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act during a fuel crisis.
Other benefits to Daylight Saving Time include:
Longer Daylight hours Promotes Safety
Daylight in the Evening makes it safer for joggers
It’s safer for those walking their dogs after work
It’s safer for children playing outside
Greater visibility reduces criminal activity
Reduce the Nation’s Energy Consumption
It promotes active lifestyles
What are some disadvantages to Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time is bad for your health
Changing sleep patterns has negative consequences for our health
Increase in headaches after fall time changes
Increase in auto and work place accidents the day after time changes
Daylight Saving Time drops productivity
The Monday after is one of the most sleep-deprived days of the year
Increased “Cyber loafing” (wasting time browsing the internet)
Decreased quality of life
Increased susceptibility to illness
Increase in tiredness
Note: Till Roenneberg, a German scientist observed that the human circadian clock does not adjust to Daylight Saving Time.
I know for a fact that my grandson’s internal clock does not adjust to Daylight Saving Time. He will wake up on the same internal “time” schedule regardless of what the actual time is. Being on DST he wakes up around 8 am give or take a few minutes. Off of DST his body tells him to wake up around 7 am. If we did not change the time on clocks, he would be waking up at the same exact time year round.
For myself, I firmly believe that I do not adjust very well to DST. I am extremely more tired in the days and weeks immediately following when time changes occur. I do not have the desire to wake up when he does, however, I must as his 24/7 caretaker. I have less energy, especially after the fall time change. It is harder for me to be motivated and productive in my surroundings. I have less energy for hiking and outdoor activities which I know are beneficial for both Coleman and myself.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Video: Created in Google Photos App.
Location: 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. Hope you enjoyed the video of Coleman having a fun time in the Greenway. I appreciate y’all very much.
One of Coleman’s favorite things to do is watch for airplanes ✈️ flying overhead. It’s thrilling for him to see the airplanes ✈️ and even more so to watch two airplanes ✈️ passing each other in the beautiful blue sky above us as we gaze off into the distance.
After a day hiking in the Greenway, Coleman’s mom surprised in by stopping at the local airport, Gastonia Municipal Airport. She was curious to see if it would be possible for him to tour the airplanes. Upon asking a couple of people she found out that not only was it possible, but that one of the pilots took us out and allowed him to sit in one of the airplanes. He was so thrilled, he grinned from ear to ear. He didn’t say much, lately he’s been getting shy around people. However, you could tell it by his facial expressions how happy and excited he was to be able to see the airplanes, to Pull Up a Seat in an airplane, and to watch an airplane take off.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t the only one choosing to keep the porch light off on Halloween. Most people who choose to leave their porch light off on Halloween do so because they choose not to pass out candy for one reason or another. I just never expected practically an entire apartment complex to keep their lights off for this one often celebrated holiday.
When I was growing up, we trick or treated during our elementary school years. Our church had a “Haunted House” inside the gym facilities. At that time I was not aware of the pagan background to the holiday, Halloween. It was not until my mid-twenties that I learned all about the origins behind this particular holiday.
Halloween is a contraction of All Hallow’s Eve, and is celebrated on October 31 each year. October 31 is the evening before All Saints’ ( or All Hallows’) Day. All Saints’ Day is a day when Christians remember and honor those who have passed.
Halloween’s origins actually date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It began around 2,000 years ago, when the Celtic people in Europe celebrated the end of the harvest and the beginning of a new year with a festival called Samhain. During this time period people believed they could commune with the dead more easily. They would light bonfires to try to ward off ill-intentioned spirits and sacrificed crops and animals.
People in Old England and Ireland associated the end of October with the dead wandering among us. They would set out food to satisfy the hungry spirits. Later, as this tradition continued, people began dressing up in creepy costumes to go begging for treats for themselves.
In more recent years many churches have chosen to offer Fall Festivals as an alternative to children going door to door trick or treating. These fall festivals usually have many games for children of all ages to participate in including bobbing for apples, bean bag toss, and many other activities where children can “win” candy while playing a fun game.
I, myself, choose not to celebrate Halloween or pass out any candy on this non-federal holiday. I prefer not to celebrate any spirits that as said to roam around on this particular evening. It is my preference to observe All Saints’ Day, to remember and honor all the saints of the church (especially family members) who have already gone onto heaven. This is my personal preference and reason for keeping my porch light off on Halloween.
Our first stop, always, when we arrive at the Greenway is to make a track to the restrooms. When we get hiking it could be an hour or more before we reach one again, therefore we want to be prepared.
The Ramp to the Gibson House porch and restrooms.
Next we gaze out upon the pond to the right of the Gibson House. Horses are often in view as are various birds at times. The beauty of the reflections in the lake are always amazing to see. The walkway around the pond is new and still under construction.
The Pond Horse Road Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway
After that short period, we venture towards one of several hiking trails. On this particular day we chose to hike the Dogwood Trail. Coleman is leading the way. In case you were wondering, he usually always leads the way as we hike along the trails.
Coleman leading the way to the Dogwood Trail
On this day and almost any day in the Fall, the trails are covered with leaves 🍁🍃🍁 of varying shades. Coleman pauses to wait for me to catch up. He goes a but fast for my pace.
Coleman standing on Dogwood Trail
Hiking Trail signs are posted at regular intervals along the Trail. This is one of the many signs hikers will encounter as they hike along the trail. It designates directions for you to decide which way you’d prefer to hike. It informs you of which trail you are hiking so you do not get lost or sidetracked from your desired route. If you scan the QR code, it will bring up an online map and other pertinent information about the trail.
My entries this week for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge we’re all taken when Coleman and I went hiking at one of his favorite places, Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly) Checking you out …The Gulf fritillary or passion butterfly (Dione vanillae) on Zinnias
Here are this week’s questions (which are nothing to do with Halloween):
Do you have carpets, rugs, laminating flooring, tiles, or wooden floors (or something else) in your property? Considering the property I live in is a rental townhome, the main areas are all carpeted, the kitchen & bathrooms have laminate flooring. If I had my preference, the entire home would have wood flooring with absolutely no carpeted whatsoever.
Do you have a bathtub and separate shower, or a combination of the two? The master bathroom has a shower only, the other main bathroom has a combination of bathtub and shower. We installed our own shower-heads as we prefer to have adjustable settings to use at our convenience. There is also a downstairs bathroom without a bathtub or shower facilities.
What is your favourite room of the house, and why? I am inclined to say that my favourite room in the house is my bedroom even the the majority of my time is spent in the living downstairs taking care of my grandson. The reason my bedroom is my favorite room is because it is the place of peace and tranquility for me. It is a place where I can relax, think, read and write without distractions or interruptions.
How many televisions do you have? There are three televisions in our home. One in the living room, one in the master bedroom, and one in my room. Although I rarely watch television in my room. I prefer to read or write my thoughts down sometimes on paper and other times through my blogging. I like to upload my photography and share them with y’all.
Sticks and Stones can be found high and low and all around. Some stones can be walked on, but be careful you don’t stumble and get hurt. Some stones draw your attention to an amazing object or view. While other stones bring about sadness and the memories you wish you could still feel and hold onto.
Stones in Dinosaur exhibit Stones near water’s edges Stone Mountain State Park Roaring Gap, North Carolina Paternal Great Grandparents Grave Stones (Markers) Bethune, South Carolina
Sticks can be a nuisance or extremely useful, as in an outdoor fire pit. Sometimes branches and limbs break off of tress during storms and cling together along a body of water. Sometimes sticks need to removed from a trail so hikers don’t stumble over them and get hurt. At other times a fallen tree is cut up and the wood is out to good use. I’m not sure why my maternal grandfather and his sister were sitting on top of the pile of sticks (wood), they may have needed a break after piling it all up in a neat stack.
Sticks piled together by the lakeSticks burning 🔥 in firepitThrowback Photo Maternal Grandpa & Grand Aunt Sitting Atop of a Pile of “Sticks” Deep Gap, North Carolina
52° May not seem extremely cold 🥶 to some, however, it truly does to me. My grandson, Coleman thinks he needs to play outside regardless of the freezing temperatures. We’ve had freeze warnings for the past couple of days. Tonight ( or should I say), by early morning it is only supposed to be around 30°. That is freezing 🥶 cold weather.
I am thankful we do not leave in the mountains ( I do love the mountains though). Our near by mountains are 37° for a high and a low of 22° and sunny.
Do you enjoy cold weather? What is your weather forecast for this time of year?
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.
Here are my entries for this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge hosted by Sofia.
Wine Vineyard Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery Ronda, North Carolina, USA Garden in Gastonia, North Carolina, USA Fence Gates The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina, USA Balboa Park San Diego, California, USA
1. When you were a child, did you have your friends round for tea even if it wasn’t your birthday? Were you invited to stay to tea at a friend’s house?
Growing up as a child I had never heard of having tea with friends and never knew anyone who had tea parties.
2. What was your first job in adult life?
My first job that I had after high school was working as a nurses aide in a convalescent hospital. I took a class in my senior high school of high school to learn how to be a nursing assistant. I planned on studying nursing in college, but couldn’t handle the science classes. I later switched my major to education.
3. Do you enjoy shopping (food, clothes, gifts etc)?
I used to enjoy going into stores to look for new clothes or gifts to give to those I loved and cared about. Nowadays I do not go into very many physical brick and mortar stores, but rather shop mostly online.
4. What was the best bargain you ever got?
Looking back over time I think the best bargain I ever received was the day I married my husband. He brought so much happiness into my life I don’t believe I realized it until it was too late.
Here are this week’s questions about shopping habits:
1. When food shopping, do you prefer to shop online or in person?
Since 2020 I do most of my shopping online and have my items delivered including groceries. I rarely into any kind of store anymore and when I do it’s because I need something sooner than I could possibly have it delivered.
2. Do you take/stick to a shopping list?
Considering I do the majority of my shopping on line, I go through the pantry and refrigerator/freezer and order those items I truly need and not want I might desire.
3. Do you shop around or are you store loyal for convenience?
I order mostly from my local Harris Teeter (Grocery Store) and from Walmart. I shop what is on sale at Harris Teeter and other items, which may be cheaper, I order from Walmart. There are a few cleaning supplies I order online from Home Depot and have the delivered the same day.
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do a weekly shop?
When ordering online, it takes me less than an hour. However, if you count when I periodically add items to my shopping cart before ordering it could vary dramatically.
Gratitude:
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
When Coleman and I were near completion of our hike his mom met us along the trail. The first picture is of Coleman Pulling Up a Seat near his mom in front of the horse stables. The next two pictures of him choosing to Pull Up a Seat along the Dogwood Trail which we were hiking. For Coleman it does not better whether or not he has a chair, a log, or just decides to Pull Up a Seat upon the ground. He will Pull Up a Seat whenever and wherever he pleases.
Coleman and I hiked at Anne Springs Close Greenway on Friday. When we were there, we noticed a tremendous amount of construction work going on. They are making improvements to the Farm area, adding a Childrens Farm area, and adding additional animals to the Farm. Some of these improvements include adding buildings, bathrooms, and educational shelter areas with a wooden walkway to be able to observe the farm animals more effectively. Given the construction work is ongoing and is not estimated to be completed until approximately April 2024, the windows for these buildings are still under construction.
The new improvements will really enhance the Farm and Children’s Farm areas in the Greenway. I know my grandson; Coleman is super excited to be able to pet the animals and be able to better watch and pet them up close and personal. If you’re ever in the area I would encourage you to drop by the Greenway for a visit.
While hiking at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, we stopped by to visit with the horses. I took plenty of photos during our hike, most of the horses we’re approachable and really do not mind the many visitors to the Greenway looking at them or petting them. Then sometimes you see a horse that really wants to get a Close-Up view of you or let you get an extremely Close-Up view of him.
Is this Close Enough? Okay, I’ll Cooperate. Is this Better?
Old US 421S Deep Gap, North Carolina Doc and Merle Watson Highway US – 421 Deep Gap, North Carolina Tractor Pull The Bethune Chicken Strut Bethune, South Carolina Spots and Stripes Railroad Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Columbia, South Carolina Bobcat smoothing a Trail Horse Road Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina Coleman’s Railroad with his Railway & miscellaneous vehicles Rock Hill, South Carolina
Decorations on Doors can be interesting and insightful this time of the year. Some choose to keep it simple; others minimalistic, and still others go all out in their decorations for Halloween. Whether you choose to decorate for Autumn or for Halloween is entirely up to you. Not everyone chooses to decorate their doors or their yards to coincide with the holidays/seasons. That is perfectly okay. Me, myself, I choose not to decorate the outside of our apartment for Halloween. It is a holiday I celebrated as a child, but as an adult I no longer do. These are a few doors I seen lately displaying Autumn/Halloween decorations.
1. Do you prefer a duvet, quilt or sheets and blankets on your bed?
I prefer to use sheets, blankets, and Quilts on my bed. The Quilts I use were lovingly sewn and stitched together by the skilled and talented hands of my beloved maternal grandmother.
2. Do you sleep with one or two pillows?
The only time I ever used only one or two pillows was as a child in my parents home. Now I use at least four pillows on my bed. I currently have six pillows on my bed.
3. Do you prefer a single, double, or kingsize bed?
I have never had a king size bed, not even when my spouse & I shared a bed. I have slept in a twin as an adult ( my husband was an over-the-road truck driver and hardly ever home). So upon moving, I slept in a twin and saved money for a larger bed. I have also had full-size (double) beds and queen size beds. The Queen size was nice, but since it is only me now, a queen would be more room than I really need. Therefore, I currently sleep in a full-size bed with my six pillows, top & bottom sheets, four blankets and one quilt covering me each and every night.
4. In the winter, do you have a hot water bottle or an electric blanket?
Many a winter I have used an electric blanket to keep me warm at night. Even while living in campgrounds for six months out of a year, I had an electric blanket over me while I slept on an air mattress in a tent through 30° winter weather. I mostly used it to keep my feet warm throughout the cold winter nights.
5. Fun question: have you ever slept in a hammock?
I have never slept in a hammock. Slept on the ground or on an air mattress in a sleeping bag, but never in a hammock.
Remembering my first teacher at school is not something I can do at the present time. However, I can remember a few of my high school and college professors. I remember one of my high school English teachers being named Mr. Watson. I remember him more for his name than any of the lessons he taught. His last name, Watson, is my mother’s maiden name.
2. What was your best and worst subjects?
Best: My best subject in school was mathematics, at least while I was in high school. In college, the math classes were of a more advanced level and of greater difficulty than any I had ever taken previously so I struggled somewhat to the point of needing a tutor to help me better comprehend the principles being taught. Worst: I always had a harder time in my history classes than any other subject. Today, I enjoy history as it pertains to my ancestral heritage.
3. Were you encouraged in class or did you just muddle along?
I think some teachers were encouraging while others I just muddle through the classes. One of my junior high teachers encouraged me to do research as a means of improving my grade in my history class. I loved to do research and write reports on what I learned regarding the requested topic.
4. Would you like to be a student today?
Would I like to be a student today? Not in the formal sense of actually having to attend classes, take tests, or turn in assignments. However, I believe we are all students in life, ever learning and growing in wisdom and knowledge.
Here are this week’s questions (my apologies if I have used any before):
1. How well do you know your immediate neighbours?
I do not know the neighbors directly next door to us. The apartment to the left of us ( if you’re looking outside) is currently vacant and only see the ones on the left occasionally as the enter or leave. I have met a few of the other neighbors when Coleman and I go out walking.
2. Do you notice changes in your neighbourhood : ie. new car, new dog, home improvements, etc.
I really do not notice changes in the neighborhood, not dogs, cats, cars, or home improvements. I sometimes notice when yards are decorated for a season like several in the area are now decorated for Halloween.
3. Should new neighbours move in next door, do you introduce yourself once they are settled in?
We recently (just this week) had neighbours move in next door. The new neighbors are a single woman with three girls and one son. The youngest, a girl, is only a year older than Coleman, my grandson. They also have a very lively dog named Asha. Introductions have been made and they are still in the process of settling into their apartment.
4. Have you ever had to complain to your neighbours?
As of yet we have not had to complain about any of our neighbors. Hopefully, we won’t ever have a need to do so.
I’m fairly new to adding just a splash of colour to a photo, hence, I’m not too sure about the quality of these choices. I hope you enjoy them regardless.
Toy CAT truck A splash of Green on the trees Splash of PinkA Hint of Autumn Color Pop of Coleman
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 