SYW: 2023 June Week 2

Di at Pensitivity101 hosts Share Your World and here is a look into my responses.

  1.  Do you like to sunbathe on the beach or by a pool? No. I’m not saying a never enjoyed sun-bathing, but at my age I do not care to lay out in the hot sun.
  2.  Have you ever used a fake tan or a sun bed? No. I have never used any fake tanning lotion, spray, or other type of fake tanning. I also have never used a tanning or sun bed. what’s the point in subjecting the body to potentially harmful rays.
  3.  Have you joined or wanted to join a gym? I have joined a gym in my younger days but hadn’t until recently. I just last week joined a YMCA. I figured why not? It did not cost me anything. It is included with, my Medicare Advantage coverage.
  4.  Good health permitting, would you prefer to go hiking or take a walk in the woods? Why choose between hiking and a walk in the woods? As long as my health allows, I prefer to go hiking in the woods.

Share Your World

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

Summer Views Around Gastonia

Playing in the Sand
Water 💦 Time in a Pool
Visiting a Lake
Summer Camp at the Y

Cosmic Photo Challenge-Summer Views

Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for sharing in my summer views. I appreciate y’all.

Macro Monday: Trifolium pratense

Trifolium pratense,
red clover,
is a herbaceous species
of flowering plant
in the bean family Fabaceae,
native to Europe, Western Asia,
and northwest Africa,
but planted and naturalized
in many other regions.

Interesting Facts:

Red clover is a good pollen and nectar source for bumblebees.

Red clover’s flowers and leaves are edible, and can be added as garnishes to any dish. They can be ground into a flour.

The flowers often are used to make jelly and tisanes, and are used in essiac recipes. Their essential oil may be extracted and its unique scent used in aromatherapy.

It is widely grown as a fodder crop, valued for its nitrogen fixation, which increases soil fertility. For these reasons, it is used as a green manure crop.

Macro Monday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge 

Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

FOWC: Balloons Adrift

These Hots Air Balloons Adrift over Plano, Texas and New Mexico were photographed by my brother approximately in 2002. These photos were among ones he gave to me along with old pictures of my mom’s and dad’s.

The last photo (Slide 7) I dedicate in memory of Barcardi Girl, Bren.

Fandango’s One Word Challenge:Adrift

Water Water Everywhere

Photo Credit: Larry D. Waters

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

Monday Window: Seeing the World through Reflection

Reflected View
The Schiele Museum
Gastonia, North Carolina

Ludwigs Monday Windows

Photo Credit : Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for following along with my blog. I appreciate y’all.

FOTD: Verbena rigida

Verbena rigida
Common Names:
Purple Verbena
Rigid Verbena
Sandpaper Verbena
Slender Vervain
Tuberous Vervain


Slender Vervain is a perennial that spreads by rhizomes and is native to South America. Is an annual north of zone 7 but needs winter protection in that zone. It has naturalized from southeastern North Carolina to Florida and is very tolerant of heat and drought.

These Verbena rigida are in the garden in front of The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit :©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Monday Portrait: A Goat’s Greeting

Hello there!
A Goat &
our Shadows

Monday Portrait 

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for visiting with me. I appreciate y’all.

In memory of Bren: Flowers For a Beautiful Lady

Like many others I was saddened to hear of Bren’s passing. I couldn’t just pick one flower. Bren loved photographing flowers so much and she loved life. I didn’t know her very long, but still I called her my friend. She liked my posts, made encouraging comments, and I enjoyed participating in her challenges. She was always kind, compassionate, and supportive.

In Memory Of Bren Brashley

I hope you understand one flower was just not sufficient. It took me awhile to be able to write this post. The day I found out about Bren was the anniversary of my husband’s passing from Cancer. Even though the news made me feel sad inside, i know she’ll live on in are heart’s and memories forever.

Her images of flowers were exquisite and inspirational.

Debbies One Word Sunday: One

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 18-55mm and Altura macro wide angle fisheye lens for Canon lenses.

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me in remembrance of Our friend, Bren. I appreciate y’all.

Weekend Sky: Flying High Amidst the Clouds

Except for a few clouds it was a beautiful day even though it was a bit humid. Coleman and I still loved being hiking outside in nature.

Weekend Sky #104

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Cameras: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

Cell Pic Sunday: A Child’s View

Coleman
looking at
carving in the wood
Coleman looking
at the water
Crowders Mountain State Park


Johns Cellpic Sunday

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Forever Memories —- I miss my Dad!

My Dad, Nornal Hule Waters in Monochrome:

Nornal Hule Waters,
Forever in my Heart ♥️

My Dad in Color:

This last picture of my Dad with my mom , my brother & myself is the very last picture I have of him before he passed from Cancer. It was taken in 1994, he passed 12-31-1996.

Silent Sunday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing in my memories. I appreciate y’all.

2023 Which Way Photo Challenge – Crowders Mountain

Coleman
trekking along the trails
at
Crowders Mountain State Park
Kings Mountain, North Carolina

It was a beautiful day for hiking until the rains came pouring down. Luckily Coleman and I completed our hike and were headed to the car before the rains began pounding down upon us.

Posting for Alive & Trekking’s Which Way Photo Challenge.

Photo Credit: (c) Deb L. Waters

Cameras: iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Altura Wide-Angle Macro Lens with Fisheye Attachment for Canon.

God bless. Thank you for sharing in our hiking adventures. I appreciate y’all.

2023 CBWC: All Things Farm Related

Chickens 🐓
Pig 🐖
Farmall Tractor 🚜
Hay Stacks 🌾
Amish Horse Drawn Reaper-Binder 🐎
Throwback Photo
My mom with pony
in Coshocton, Ohio

Cee’s Black and White Challenge – All Things Farm Related

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome 

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate y’all.

WWE: Water Abstract+ – Robinwood Lake

All photos taken of Robinwood Lake from the Warlick YMCA in Gastonia, North Carolina were shot with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #178

God Bless. Thank you for visiting Robinwood Lake with me. I appreciate y’all.

FOTD: A Child’s Gift

Leucanthemum vulgare,
commonly known as
oxeye daisy
Coleman’s
Floral Gift
to his Mom

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Floral Friday

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Altura Macro Lens for Canon EF-S18-55mm f/5.6 ISO 200 55mm 1/100s

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

Thursday Doors: View Through a Bus Door

Thursday Doors

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting with me. I appreciate y’all.

SYD: 2023 June

Simpson’s grasspink
(Calopogon tuberosus var. simpsonii)
Coleman
on a
Curved Tree
Duke Kimbrell Trail
Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
Belmont, North Carolina

Clare’s Share your Desktop; June 2023

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Thursday Trios: Vintage Wooden Paddles

These Vintage Oars and Paddles are just a few of the ones on display at the Warlick YMCA located in Gastonia, North Carolina. These evoke the memories of summers on the lake canoeing and kayaking and having the most fabulous time of one’s life.

Thursday Trios

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max 

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Flag Day: June 14

Today in America we as a nation celebrate the United States Flag. Flag Day is also referred to as National Flag Day.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross is contributed with making the first American flag. In 1776 she was presented with a sketch of a flag which would feature 13 red and white stripes and 13 pointed stars. At this time she was asked if she could create a flag that would match the design on the sketch. Ross agreed with few minor changes, including arranging the 13 stars in a circle. On June 14, 1777, Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag.

The First Official
Flag 🇺🇸 of the
United States of America

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States which occurred on June 14, 1777 by a resolution adopted by the Second Continental Congress. It also marks the birthday of the U.S. Army which congress authorized as “the American Continental Army” on June 14, 1775.

Did you know there exists a proper etiquette that should be followed when choosing to fly The United States Flag?

  • Raise the flag briskly and lower it ceremoniously.
  • Never allow the flag to touch the ground or floor.
  • The flag should never be transported flat or horizontally, but always aloft.
  • Do not fly the flag in bad weather, unless you are 100% certain it is an all-weather flag.

In America today, many celebrate Flag Day with parades, essay contests, picnics, and ceremonies. Many of these activities are sponsored by Veterans groups, schools, and various groups. Some parades are organized and take place on the Saturday before Flag Day and usually held downtown in many cities across America. One such group that sponsors Flag Day celebrations is the National Flag Day foundation. Its goal is to preserve the traditions, pride, and respect that are due the nation’s symbol, Old Glory.

The above flags were taken across the United States in a few select states which I have had the opportunity to visit. These states include Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Do you celebrate Flag Day? If you live outside of the United States of America, does your country have a flag day? How is Flag day celebrated where you live?

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

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

2023 CFFC: Half of one Any Item

Half of Pier

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

2023 RDP: Label

Bench Label
Park Bench with Label
Crowders Mountain State Park
Kings Mountain, North Carolina

Ragtag Daily Prompt- label

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Altura Macro Lens for Canon. EF-S18-55mm

Settings: f/9 ISO100 53mm 1/200s

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

Wordless Wednesday: A Peaceful View

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate y’all.

Weekend Sky #104: 2023 Sunday June 11 @ Crowders Mountain

The Weekend Sky changed throughout the day as my Grandson, Coleman, and I were hiking 🥾. By the time we were finishing our hike around the Lake at Crowders Mountain State Park; the gray clouds started rolling across the sky and later the rains 🌧️ began pouring down upon us.

Weekend Sky #104

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Cameras: iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Altura Macro Wide-Angle Fisheye Lens for Canon.

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

2023 CMMC/OWS: June – Kelly Green Color

Hosta plantaginea,
the fragrant plantain lily
sprouting up
amongst the Green leaves
Green leaves
🍃 on Trees
The Lake & Green Vegetation
@Crowders Mountain State Park
Coleman checking out
Light Green Kayaks

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge

One Word Sunday Challenge-Green

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Macro Monday: Petunia axillaris

Petunia axillaris,
the large white petunia,
AKA: wild white petunia
or white moon petunia,
is an annual herbaceous plant
in the family Solanaceae, genus Petunia.

Macro Monday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge 

Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

2023 Sunday Stills: Shades of Pink

Pink Flamingos
Pink Ribbon
Pink Kalanchoe
Pink Carnations
Hibiscus mutabilis,
also known as
the Confederate rose,

Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge-Pink

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

2023 Monday Windows: June 12_Bus View

Looking Out the Bus
Window at the Buses

Ludwigs Monday Windows

Photo Credit : Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for following along with my blog. I appreciate y’all.

2023 Monday Portrait: Eye Captivating

This horse’s EYE
captivated my attention.
The eye looked unusual,
and it drew me
to the horse.
Greenway Horse Stables
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina

Monday Portrait 

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Greenway with me. I appreciate y’all.

Silent Sunday: PPAC – Sidewalk Art

Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge

Silent Sunday

John’s Cellpic Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

The Schiele Museum: The Henry Hall of the American Indian Exhibit

The Schiele Museum has many different types of artifacts in their many exhibit collections. My grandson loves the Dinosaur Exhibits. However, today I want to bring attention to The Henry Hall of the American Indian Exhibit.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History was established in 1961. From its very beginning, it has been a steward of Native American material culture and artifacts.

The Founders of the Museum, Bud and Lilly Schiele, donated agricultural tools, jewelry, and other items from Native groups across the country to form the basis of the museum’s collections.

The Exhibit tells stories of migrant Indians across North America, including in the southeast, northeast, southwest, far west and the plains. In each of these areas the curators present Native American perspectives. The Henry Hall addresses Native American views of nature and society depicting their differing views from their European and American counterparts. The Native American Advisory Committee provided assistance in developing mutually acceptable policies and procedures for collections, exhibitions, and programs.

I found the Henry Hall of the American Indian really interesting and unlike any others. The Schiele Museum has a section along its Nature Trail depicting an example of a Catawba Indian Village. The Catawba Indian Village was also interesting to see the types of homes they once lived in.

The Schiele Museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; and on Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. All are welcome to visit for a minimal charge. It is well worth the visit. My grandson loves it and we would highly recommend everyone to come and visit the museum.

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time visiting the Henry Hall of the American Indian Exhibits with us. I appreciate y’all.

Whatsoever is Lovely: 2023 Week 23 June 11

Located at the
Warlick YMCA
Gastonia, North Carolina

WHATSOEVER IS LOVELY CHALLENGE-2023 WEEK 23

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max f1.78 48mm ISO80

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

Daily Prompt: 2023 June 10

Who do you spend the most time with?

Who do I spend the most time with? The person I spend the most time with is my grandson, Coleman. I take care of him 24/7, so he is always with me. It is extremely rare if he is not with me. Do I wish I had other companionship? Yes, but for the time being that seems very unlikely.

Coleman is my hiking buddy. I feed him, bath him, read to him, and try to take him places that he would enjoy. Most of way he likes to go is anywhere he can hike and be outdoors. Recently, one of his favorite places to visit is the Schiele Museum. He loves to visit the Dinosaur Exhibits.

My grandson,
Coleman

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

LAPC #252: What’s Bugging You?

Fire ants 🐜
on
Euphorbia rigida
Common Name(s):
Gopher Spurge
Rigid Spurge
Upright Myrtle Spurge
Eastern Carpenter Bee 🐝
on Rudbeckia hirta,
commonly called Black-eyed Susan
Bombus pensylvanicus,
the American bumblebee,
on Cosmos sulphureus
, also known as sulfur cosmos
and yellow cosmos.

The differential grasshopper

(Melanoplus differentialis)
is a species of grasshopper
belonging to the genus Melanoplus.

Leptoglossus oppositus

a species of
leaf-footed bug
on a picnic table

Donna’s Lens-Artist challenge

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

2023 CBWC: In or on Water

Aquarium
in
The Schiele Museum
Great Egret
Grizzly Bear
in
San Diego Zoo
U. S. Naval Vessel
during World War I
Coleman
In
Kayak
at
Andrew Jackson State Park
Coleman
in
Small Pool

Cee’s Black and White Challenge

Photo Credit:©️Deb L. Waters

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

2023 FOTD: Garden Roses

Roses located
along the side of
The Schiele Museum
The Schiele Museum
In
Gastonia, North Carolina

Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge 

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate y’all.

It’s Great to Be Outdoors: Sunday Stills

Outdoors at
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Coleman’s “playground “
in the woods
at
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Coleman Hanging
onto the
Swinging Bridge
at
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Coleman playing
in the Spillway
at
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Coleman playing
in the Catawba River

along the
Piedmont Medical Center Trail
Riverwalk Catawba River Trailhead
Throwback Outdoors Photo
taken on
Lake Fort Smith

in
Mountainburg, AR

Sunday Stills: June – Great #Outdoors Month

Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge.

Throwback Thursday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing in my Outdoor Adventures. I appreciate y’all.

2023 CMMC: June – Close Up or Macro

Northern Bobwhite
Bobwhite Quail

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge

Photo Credit:©️Deb L. Waters

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

2023 Thursday Doors: Artistic Doors #6

Frog 🐸 in the Garden
Hot Air Balloon 🎈
above the Trees
Sunflower 🌻 Garden

Thursday Doors

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

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

God bless. Thank you for visiting & sharing in my artistic doors. I appreciate y’all.

2023 CFFC: Weathered Wood

Weathered Wood
with Fungi
Weathered Redwood
Weathered Wooden
Bird House
Weathered Cut Tree
Weathered Wood Barn

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

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

FOTD: 2023 June_Rubus idaeus ‘Caroline’

Caroline Raspberry Bush
Rubus idaeus ‘Caroline’

Rubus idaeus ‘Caroline’ (Everbearing Raspberry) is a fall-fruit big cultivar producing high yields of large, highly flavored, red raspberries which are perfect for eating or preserves.

Raspberry plants can fruit on different types of canes, and these are categorized into primocane and floricane. Both primocane (first year) fruiting and floricane (second year) fruiting raspberries have both primocanes and floricanes growing from the plant after the first year.

Primocane fruiting raspberries, commonly called Everbearing raspberries, produce flowers and fruit on first year canes. Primocane varieties will produce a moderate crop in June and a much larger crop from late August until frost.

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with a Canon EF-S18-55mm lens f/8 1/160 55mm ISO100

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

2023 Pull Up a Seat: June – Week 22_Around Gastonia with Coleman

… On Rocks
… On a Sun, Moon & Stars Bench
… In a Pool
… On a Library Floor
(Color Pop)

Pull up a seat

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome 

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Wordless Wednesday: Gaston County Veteran’s Services

Gaston County
Veteran’s Services
Gastonia, North Carolina

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate y’all.

Wordless Wednesday: Gaston County Veteran’s Services

Gaston County
Veteran’s Services
Gastonia, North Carolina

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate y’all.

FOTD: 2023 June 7_White Raspberry Blossom

White Raspberry Flowers

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens. f/9 1/200 300mm ISO400

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Wordless Wednesday: Gaston County Veteran’s Services

Gaston County
Veteran’s Services
Gastonia, North Carolina

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate y’all.

2023 FOTD: June 6_Erigeron annuus

Erigeron annuus (formerly Aster annuus),
AKA the annual fleabane, daisy fleabane
Eastern Daisy fleabane is a species of herbaceous, annual or biennial flowering plant in the family Asteraceae.

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max Ultra Wide Angle f/2.2 13mm

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

2023 NPC #15: Birds feeding and drinking

NPC #15: Birds feeding and drinking

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for bird watching with me. I appreciate y’all.

2023 Monday Window: First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian
Columbarium Memorial Garden

Ludwigs Monday Windows

Photo Credit : Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for following along with my blog. I appreciate y’all.

FOTD: 2023 June 5 – Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora, montbretia

Crocosmia aurea, common names falling stars, Valentine flower, or montbretia, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the family Iridaceae.

Crocosmia’s flowers are brilliantly colored and showy, making them a wonderful choice for flower arrangements. Sometimes called Montbretia, the tubular-shaped flowers are extremely attractive to hummingbirds. The brilliant red yellow or orange blooms appear in May or June with sword-shaped foliage.

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate y’all.

Monday Portrait: 2023 June 5 – White Golden Doodle Dog

White Golden Doodle Dog

Monday Portrait 

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for visiting with me. I appreciate y’all.