Location: Ninth Floor; Captains Quarters; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Hoping you do not experience tumultuous times in the days ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We are in our first week of 2026; what a week it has been. We spent the week in Myrtle Beach relaxing, “sightseeing,”visiting various attractions, and enjoying time on the beach. [More about those activities to come in future posts].
For the first Monday Portrait of 2026, let’s check out the Southern Stingrays At Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This was Coleman’s first trip to the beach, he was extremely excited about being at the beach, as well as seeing the many different species of “fish” at Ripley’s Aquarium.
Let’s take a look now at the fascinating Southern Stingrays …
Southern Stingrays
The Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus) is a whiptail stingray which is typically foundin tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from as far north as New Jersey all the way down to southern Brazil.
Even though we didn’t actually see them in the Atlantic Ocean, we (especially Coleman) were thrilled to see & pet them at Ripley’s Aquarium.
Coleman viewing the Southern Stingrays
It is adapted for life on the sea bed, as you can see here they swim very close to the bottom most of the time, but not always.
Southern Stingrays lying on the sea bed
Southern Stingrays are nocturnal predators, they spray water from their mouths or flap their fins vigorously to disturb the surface in order to expose hidden prey.
A Southern Stingray on the Aquarium sea bed.
Hypanus americanus exhibit wave-like locomotion using their pectoral fins. The wave-like locomotion allowed them to escape predators, forage efficiently, and generally maneuver quickly.
The Southern Stingrays were exciting and interesting to watch swimming and foraging in the aquarium at Ripley’s Aquarium.
Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. May you have many exciting and memorable adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Scyphozoa are exclusively marine class of the phylum Cnidaria. They are known to be referred to as true jellyfish. Currently, there are approximately 200 known species found in marine environments worldwide.
They are characterized by a cell-shaped body (Medusa) that lack a velum (a muscular membrane). Their bodies are mostly composed of a jelly-like substance, and lack a head, skeleton, and specialized respiratory or excretory organs.
Friday, a beautiful sunny afternoon was a perfect time for a walk along the beach. Observing the ocean, searching for Seashells, and enjoying the beautiful sky views.
Terri from Second Wind Leisure Perspective is the host for The #Flower Hour. I am posting my last 2025 Floral images (December 31,2025) as my first Flower Hour post for 2026.
Location: By Dinopark; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Wishing y’all the best life filled with love, peace, and joy in 2026. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Brian from Bushboys Worldhosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.
Here are The rules: 1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken. 2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate. 3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do 4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments 5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard
Here are mine for December …
From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):
Brachiosaurus Dinopark Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Sharkey’s Grouper Tacos These tacos bring together the rich flavors of grouper, shredded cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese. Served in a warm flour tortilla with lettuce, topped with house-made pico de gallo, and drizzled with Chipotle mayo sauce. Sharkey’s Oceanfront Restaurant Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
God Bless. Happy New Year! Happy 2026! Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Skywatching at Goat Island Park and Greenway … The sky was beautiful and captivating amazingly drawing attention to the Creator of all that is, was, and will be.
Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.
To the nanita nana, nanita her, nanita her A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella
My girl is sleepy, bless her, bless her Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea
To the nanita nana, nanita her, nanita her A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ellaMy girl is sleepy, bless her, bless her Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea
Little fountain that runs clear and loud Fuentecita que corre clara y sonora
Nightingale in the jungle, singing and crying Ruiseñor que en la selva, cantando y llora
Be silent while the cradle rocks Calla mientras la cuna, se balancea
Location: Lake Norman; Pier at Ramsey Creek Park; Ramsey Creek Park; Cornelius, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic rest of your week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For Monday Window this week I am taking you to the Bob Evans Restaurant in Huntersville, North Carolina. It has been awhile since we’ve been out to eat at a Bob Evans, the one closest to us closed & the building was demolished.
We decided to go out to eat on Thanksgiving first a Turkey Dinner (Our oven quit working & cooking a Turkey on the stovetop was highly impractical and improbable.) The closest Bob Evans near us was in downtown Charlotte or up a little further in Huntersville. We chose to go to the one in Huntersville and then go somewhere for a little holiday hiking.
Here are a few shots of the Bob Evans Restaurant; its doors, windows, and seating.
On Thanksgiving, my grandson, (Coleman) and I were joined by his mom for a lovely chilly afternoon. After devouring a delicious Turkey dinner (except for Coleman-He doesn’t like meat), my daughter (Trisha) drove us to a quaint park on the edge of Lake Norman called Ramsey Creek Park. At first, Coleman and I were not sure if his mom was going to join us hiking around the park.
Coleman and I started out walking by ourselves walking along the waters edges absorbing all the beautiful scenery. After a while, his mom joined us whilst he was picking up small seashells from the sandy seashore.
We noticed several Benches throughout our time walking around; from park benches to picnic tables and benches, they were scattered all around the park for visitors to relax and enjoy.
Here are some of the views and Benches we encountered …
Ramsey Creek Park; Lake Norman; Cornelius, North Carolina
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA.
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Take a Walk/Hike. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Five days a week as I wait at the bus stop before (with Coleman) school and after school (waiting for Coleman), I watch the Norfolk Southern Trains chug chug chugging up and down the railroad tracks. Coleman loves to watch the trains (he would love to ride in one one day). Sometimes when I am waiting for him to arrive back at the bus stop in the afternoon I’ll capture the Norfolk Southern Trains chug chugging along with my smartphone. Then he’ll watch the train later in the afternoon.
Here is a trio gallery of the Norfolk Southern Trains as they zoom past me standing on the corner.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy your week and always be observant of your surroundings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
In a medical center waiting room while we wait for Coleman’s mom to finish with her appointment.
The Waiting room seating was minimal, but sufficient for daily needs.
Coleman waiting
It turned out she had to schedule an appointment with a different doctor. The one she was scheduled to see was not available. Her new appointment will be next week while Coleman is in school, so we will not be accompanying her.
Location Piedmont Medical Center; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care of yourself. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Location: Greenway Horse Stables; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you have a Stable of Love, Friendship, and Joy. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Greenway Stables; Greenway Farm & Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
What is a StoryWalk? I’ve seen signs like these along other trails in other Greenways, however, I was not previously aware that they were apart of what is considered a StoryWalk.
A StoryWalk is an interactive activity that combines reading with physical activity by displaying pages from a children’s book along a trail.
Using pages from a deconstructed children’s book, a story is displayed along trails or walking paths on poster boards, attached to fences, or encased in outdoor frames. Pages are laminated, attached to signs or podium-style boxes and are accompanied by activity prompts and questions encouraging people to walk to find the next page.
StoryWalks are a fun and innovative tool to engage young readers and encourage activities that build early literacy skills like reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing.
The Cramerton StoryWalk is a permanent installation located along the Goat Island Greenway.
It featuring pages from a children’s picture book displayed on posts and combines reading with outdoor activity for families.
The installation of the StoryWalkwas made possible through a grant from the Gaston Association of Realtors.
The StoryWalk concept was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
Sweet Autumn Clematis is a fast growing deciduous perennial vine which is adored for its masses of small, fragrant white flowers in late summer and fall. The Sweet Autumn Clematis plants are in abundance everywhere around here.
While being appreciated for their beautiful flowers which grow vigorously and abundantly, they are considered an invasive plant species in many parts of the Eastern and Midwestern United States. The plants aggressive self-seeding and rapid growth can lead to it escaping cultivation and outcompeting native vegetation.
Sweet autumn clematis Clematis terniflora with Eremnophila aureonotatawasp
The Clematis terniflora (Sweet autumn clematis) flowers are excellent magnets for attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. As you can see from the images it also attracts wasps like the Eremnophila aureonotata, aka the gold-marked thread-waisted wasp. The Eremnophila aureonotata are in the family Sphecidae (“thread-waisted wasps”) which belong to the order of Hymenoptera (“ants, bees, wasps and sawflies”).
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stop and smell the flowers. Capture their beauty. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman’s favourite things are Trains of any kind. He can play with or watch trains go by all day long if he could. When we are at the bus stop very early in the mornings we are able to watch the trains go down the track, not every day, but most mornings and quite often in the afternoons as well.
This morning Coleman noticed the Train was not moving …
… it was merely standing still …
… Not moving at all … Coleman decided there was something wrong …
… then he noticed a light shining on the train … The Railway workers were inspecting the Train.
Note: They got it rolling again before he arrived back after school.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Good Day! As I right this this evening it is trying to rain, we’ve seen the dark clouds rolling in, heard the thunder banging like drums overhead, but yet to see the rain. I am thankful for the lovely sunshine we enjoyed today.
It was such a beautiful day and we hadn’t been out and about for the past week with all our on again off again thunderstorms; therefore, it was an excellent day to wander down to the river for a bit of hiking and Coleman playtime in the sandy river banks. Coleman is fascinated by the rippling effects of the water when he throws wood into the river.
I decided to capture his water ripples in black and white thereby linking this post to Jez’s Water Water Everywhere, Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Repeat and Monochrome Monday.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a hike/walk out in Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to admire Nature’s Beauty. Smell the flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This American Green Tree Frog paid us a visit and chose to hang around for a while. It was to our surprise when we opened the front door and saw him looking at us looking at him. To him, it was the most natural thing in the world for him to hang around on our front storm door.
Dryophytes cinereus aka American green tree frog
The American Green Tree Frog is a common adaptable amphibian found in the Southeastern United States. [We had previously seen them in our yard blended in with the grass, but not usually hanging on our front door.] They are known for their bright green colour, large toe pads, and ability to change color based on temperature and activity.
The American Green Tree Frogs are often found near water sources like ponds, lakes, and marshes. [I know we live near a river and frogs are quite frequently spotted in the area, but on our door was unexpected.] They play a role in controlling insect populations. [This is always a good thing.]
These frogs eat small insects and other invertebrates like crickets, moths and flies. They can often be found clinging to windows or walls, trying to feed on insects that are attracted to light. [We learn something new everyday. Now we now that it is normal behavior for the Green Tree Frog to cling onto our storm door especially since it is a glass door.]
Location: Our Home; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Be kind. Love your Neighbour (even strange ones). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
In the evening while observing the full moon in the sky I inadvertently captured the Neighbourhood windows across the street from us. It seemed like an amazingly picturesque scene.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettesfor this week’s theme. Shadows can be on any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries …
Coleman’s Shadows/Silhouettes
Coleman
Taken at Goat Island Park and Greenway at the end of the Riverlink Greenway Trail located in Cramerton, North Carolina.
Coleman’s arm over his Shadow/Silhouette
Trees and their Leaves Shadows
Coleman hiking down to the Spillway amongst many Shadows
The above Shadows were captured at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.
Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 3-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Locations: As Stated Above
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a hike/walk in Nature. Admire Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
On a beautiful sunny summer day, who wants to eat indoors? Why not enjoy the beautiful weather and enjoy the delicious Greek Gyros at a dining table outside?
Outdoor Dining The Greek Grill Tega Cay, SC
That’s exactly what we did. We went inside, ordered our Greek Gyros with Grilled Veggies and went outside to enjoy our food under the shade of an umbrella in the beautiful sunshine.