Dan from No Facilitieshosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our The Crayola Box of 8 – Blue . I have gone into my recent and archive files to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. I will also be sharing Blue Along Trails as part of Friday’s CWWC post (Stay tuned to more Blue and feel free to share your blue with Cee’s Which Way Challenge as well as Dan’s CFFC challenge this week.
Here are my entries …
Blue American Agave Plant Abilene, TXBlue Mask 2020 Abilene, TxAmerican Airlines Flying through the Blue Skies Lake Crandall AnneSprings Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCEarly Explorers The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia. NCColeman on Trail Warlick YMCA Gastonia, NCColeman playing in sand Warlick YMCA Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium Gastonia, NCRobinwood Lake Warlick YMCA Gastonia, NCBlue Glove made into a Balloon The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia. NCColeman sliding at Warlick YMCA Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium Gastonia, NCBlue Leisure Suit My dad and Pawpaw Great Falls, South Carolina
Coleman Trekker Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCColeman on Trail Warlick YMCA Gastonia, NCRobinwood Lake Warlick YMCA Gastonia, NCCommelina communis, aka Asiatic dayflowerCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan’s CFFC -Blue
God Bless. Enjoy your week. May it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and lots of fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I’m joining Terri Webster Schrandtin her new Sunday Stills theme of Animal of the Month. This challenge will be for posting photos of an Animal, Bird, insect, reptile or other Creature of the Month. This month she also has a subtheme of Wild. I am focusing my images on Reptiles in the Wild areas of the Southeastern United States (mainly the Carolinas).
Pond Slider The Pond The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCEastern Spiny Softshell TurtleBrunswick, Georgia Pond Sliders South Fork Catawba River Goat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCRed-eared SliderSouth Fork Catawba River Goat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCRed-eared Slider South Fork Catawba River Goat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCCommon Box Turtle Rocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCPond Sliders Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCPond Sliders, Red-eared Slider, Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtles, and Common Box Turtle
God Bless. Have an adventurous week. Stay Cool. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
On a recent visit to the Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman greets a Horse (with owner’s permission) with a gentle petting. Coleman loves to see the horses and pet them. However, it is always best (like we do) to ask the horse’s owner prior to petting a horse.
Coleman Greets a Horse
Coleman loves to see the horses and pet them. However, it is always best (like we do) to ask the horse’s owner prior to petting a horse.
Coleman petting a Horse at Anne Springs Close Greenway
Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
A Look back to 1965 through the window of my dad’s slides of a past adventure at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. One can look out the window while riding the Monorail around the park.
Disneyland Monorail 1965
Have you ever had the opportunity to ride in a Monorail? The only one I remember riding in is this one at Disneyland.
Location: Catawba River; Catawba Indian Reservation; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Enjoy your Lovely surroundings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Have a safe and funtastic weekend. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Mexican Fire Bush (Hamelia patens) is grown as an annual in Gastonia, North Carolina. It is a vibrant, fast-growing tropical shrub known for its fiery orange-red tubular flowers. It is highly prized for attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. It typically grows 2 to 4 feettall in a single season. Sinc North Carolina winters are too cold for it to remain evergreen, the plant will experience dieback, but it serves as an exceptional summer filler for local gardens.
The gardens at The Schiele Museum of Natural History are supported and maintained by the Master Gardener Group of Gaston County. This is not your traditional private garden club, but instead it is an organization that is a specialized volunteer network extension of theNC State Extension Master Gardener Program. The certified Extension Master Gardener Volunteers manage and improve the specialized flora spaces at The Schiele Museum which include The Farm and Along the entrance and nature trail. The Garden in the Farm at The Schiele Museum showcases Piedmont-native agricultural crops and plant varieties.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter Attachment.
Location: Entrance Gardens; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Help those in need. Spread Love and Kindness all around you. 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). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme for the Which Way Challenge is CWWC: Any Which Way in Your Neighbourhood 06.19.2026]. The Which Way can be Any Which Way you choose in your own neighbourhood as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries …
T Jeffers CenterRosa × damascena aka the Damask roseMount Zion Restoration Church Loropetalum chinense, aka loropetalum, Chinese fringe flower and strap flowerUnity Baptist Church Easter Activities Prunella vulgaris, aka common self-heal, heal-allCWWC Cee’s Which Way Challenge
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
My Cousins Congregating together Cousins Congregate Around the Tables Centennial Center Congregating for a ConcertAnne Springs Close Greenway Waiting for MonksCongregating for a Candlelight Service Ragtag Daily Prompt Congregating (of Friends and Family)
Congregating of Canada Geese …
Goat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCAnne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCRagtag Daily Prompt Congregating Canada Geese
God Bless. Appreciate Friends and Family. Congregate together whenever and wherever possible. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week’s host for Monochrome Madness is Brian from Bushboys World. He has chosen a theme of Jugs for this week’s challenge. Jugs have been around for ages and made from varies materials like clay, glass, and even plastic. I much prefer sun-dried clay or glass-blown jugs to the more modern lightweight high-density polyethylene (plastic) jugs.
These are a few of the Jugs I have found in my archives to share with y’all.
Located in Fairies-Coltharp Cabin Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCNative Indian Pottery Jugs Catawba Cultural Center Rock Hill, SCUsed for Barbecue Sauce Carolina Barbecue display at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCLocated in The Farm The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCCatawba Indian Village Pottery Jugs The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC3-Jug Fountain Farmhouse Garden Center Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NCJugs of All Kinds and Purposes Monochrome Madness
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm & EF-S18-55mm lenes; Apple iPhone 13 Pro; Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Locations: As stated above.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game.This week’s number is 746. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …
To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Live life to the fullest. Make lasting memories. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from No Facilitieshosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our The Crayola Box of 8 – Green . I have gone into my recent files to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. Thank you Dan for the link-up withCWWCwith CFFCfor a Which Way Challenge theme of Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road. There is still time to participate if you’re interested. I am linking this post with Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge-(Ever)Green.
Here are my entries …
Coleman in a Green Greenway shirtRiverside Park and Greenway Cramerton, North Carolina Daniel Stowe Conservancy Trailhead store trails Belmont, NCBald Cypress Tree Daniel Stowe Conservancy Trailhead store trails Belmont, NCDaniel Stowe Conservancy Trailhead store trails Belmont, NCHaigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South CarolinaHaigler Loop/ Wagon Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Haigler Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Haigler Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCColeman at Lake Haigler Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Haigler Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCHaigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCHaigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCAnne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCThe Garden at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCColeman on the Nature Trail The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCGreen Bench Nature Trail The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan’s CFFC The Crayola Box of 8 – Green
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, South Carolina; The Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia, North Carolina; Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Trailhead Store Trail, Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy your week. May it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and lots of fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Eight years ago today we received a devastating phone call. A call that informed us of the passing, from this life, of Terry Leon Wilson. My daughter hadn’t seen her father since she was eight (8) years old, but that time span didn’t diminish the effects the news had on her (or myself).
He is one of the main reasons my daughter recently made a trip out west to Boulder City, Nevada. In the eight (8) years since his passing we hadn’t ever had the financial means to visit his grave. She met her Uncle Wayne (her dad’s only living brother) at the cemetery to be with her whilst she visited her dad’s gravesite.
The following are a few of the pictures she took while there …
Terry Leon Wilson SP4 US Army Vietnam July 21, 1954 — June 15, 2018 Rest In Peace
Here are a few other photos from the cemetery …
Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery Boulder City, Nevada
The Mural pictured below is of an historic landscape which is painted on the side of a shipping container. It is located right next to the nature park’s gardens and playground.
McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
The Mural depicts a vintage steam train locomotive traveling along a railroad track chugging along beside a flowing woodland creek.
The Mural’s artwork serves as a historical callback to the early railroad lines that ran through the Piedmont region of Mecklenburg County, blending local transit history with the natural creek environments protected by the preserve.
Location: McDowell Nature Center and Preserve; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thankful for the freedom to live and hike in God’s amazingly beautiful landscapes and forests. Thankful you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
These images came up in my memories … a look back to 11 years ago in 2015. This was of a quality time I was able to spend with my eldest granddaughter, Alona. Sadly, that’s not possible nowadays due to conflicts between my daughter and her father, who prevents her spending any time with us.
Photo Credit: 2015 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone XR
Location: Dinosaurs Alive Exhibits; Carowinds; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Have an Adventure. Spend quality time with family and friends. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
U.S. Army Special Forces Chapter 51, Las Vegas, NV Liberator Defender Healer Teacher Builder Soldier “The Green Berets”
This Green Beret Memorial Statue is located in the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. Thanks goes to my daughter for sharing this photo from her phone.
Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; 1900 Buchanan Blvd, Boulder City, NV 89005
God Bless. Take Care. Help those in need. Spread Love and Kindness all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman and I hiked along Wagon Loop a couple of weeks ago. Wagon Loop is one of 25 unique trails in Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
This trail follows part of Steele Creek and connects to Haigler Loop, Blue Star, Steele Creek, North Steele Creek, Ford Gap, Muscadine and Wild Azalea trails. You can access the trail behind the Williams Education Center or off Haigler Loop.
Can you spot all three?
The distance for the complete Wagon Loop trail is 1.4 miles in length.It meanders through forested landscapes, creeks, and open fields (like this field of cut and rolled hay bales). It is often combined with Muscadine, Billy’s Walk, and the Lake Haigler Loop trail for a longer hiking experience.
Three Hay Bales in a Field
As you meander along the Wagon Loop trail you’ll pass by several points of historical significance such as the Nation Ford Trail. The trails are well maintained, however, I would recommend you wear a good pair of hiking shoes. There are exposed tree roots and when the rains occur so does the mud along the trails.
A Trio of Hay Bales (Oops, plus one)
There is a few to enter Anne Springs Close Greenway of $17 per adult, youth (ages 3-12) $8 (kids under 3 are free). The Greenway does offer memberships which I recommend if you live near the Fort Mill, South Carolina area. To find out more about the Greenway’s memberships click here.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Wagon Loop; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy 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). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme for the Which Way Challenge is CWWC: Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road. The Which Way can be any Trail, Path or Road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For this week’s Which Way Challenge I am linking with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – The Crayola Box of 8 Yellow. Please feel free to connect with his post by clicking here.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Yellow Leaves by the Pier Riverside Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCColeman & his mom on Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCYMCA Trail Sign Gastonia, NCYellow Flowers along Rocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCDSBG Eastern Bluebird Trail Daniel Stowe ConservancyBelmont, NCDaniel Stowe Conservancy (formerly known as Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden)Coleman by a YMCA Trail signRiverwalk Trail, aka Piedmont Medical Center Trail Yellow Bush Lineberger Park Gastonia, NCColeman Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SCRocky Branch Trail Belmont, NCRoad signs on way to the Historic Baltimore Fishing Pier Cramerton, NCYellow Flowers along Rocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCYellow Sign on Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway Coleman on the Rock Wall at The Schiele Museum of Natural History’s Nature Trail Sytz Trail System Warlick Family YMCAWhich Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road
And as a Bonus I’m adding a few Yellow Flowers … For Cee’s Flower of the Day, Bren’s Floral Friday, & Terri’s The #Flower Hour.
BrassicaCoreopsis lanceolata L. Aka Lanceleaf Coreopsis,Yellow Pansies The Schiele Museum Heliopsis helianthoides, aka rough oxeye, smooth oxeye and false sunflower.Heliopsis helianthoides, aka rough oxeye, smooth oxeye and false sunflower.Solidago nemoralis, aka gray goldenrod, prairie goldenrod, & dyersweed goldenrodBarbarea vulgaris, aka Yellow Rocket Yellow RocketcressTansy (Tanacetum vulgare)Lance-leaved Coreopsis, Lanceleaf Tickseed, Sand CoreopsisSolidago nemoralis Cee’s Flower of the Day, Bren’s Floral Friday, & Terri’s The #Flower Hour
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
*** Note Next Week’s theme: CWWC: Any Which Way in Your Neighbourhood
Why go for the ordinary shot when you can capture the exceptional, unconventional, and unique beauty from a different and unusual perspective? I like to capture views from underneath bridges and/or trestles. The structural integrity and design in each bridge or trestle are unique and some with intricate characteristics and features.
Looking at the structural design underneath a Footbridge in Goat Island Park and Greenway, Cramerton, North Carolina
The Beauty of the Catawba River Flowing underneath a Street Bridge and the Structural Design, Strength of Lines, and the Sound Engineering System. Founder’s Trail, Fort Mill, South Carolina
Sound Structural Engineering Design strengthens the supporting interlocking network increasing the lasting Capabilities of the Trestle Bridge. Founder’s Trail Fort Mill, South Carolina
The beauty of black and white/monochrome photography brings a unique perspective on how we see and experience the world around us. What will you photograph in monochrome this week?
Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2-3) Apple iPhone 13 Pro Ultra Wide
Locations: As stated above.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
Sometimes when Coleman and I are out and about hiking or visiting a museum like The Schiele Museum of Natural History I will try to capture objects, like doors, the majority of people wouldn’t ordinarily think to capture with their cameras. These I’m sharing today are ones more obscure than others you might expect to see.
Side Exit not Used by mostWonder how many children use the Little Library Door?Outbuilding door & a “Little Library”Looking in through one door and out through anotherSometimes used, sometimes not. Wait just a minute, I’ve got something to show you in the car. Obscure or Not Doors at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. May your week by filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
“Her Eyes Carry a Heavy, Quiet Confusion Forced Into Arms She Does Not Know, Only to Return With a Gaze That Begs For Reassurance That Her Safe World Still Exists.”
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Pollinator Garden; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s beautiful creations. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Fragaria virginiana, is also known Scarlett Strawberry and Wild Strawberry. It is a flowering perennial that produces edible fruit. It spreads by runners making it an easy choice for use as groundcover. It can also be used as erosion control holding soil on slopes.
Fragaria virginiana
Wild Strawberries are native to North America, from Newfoundland and Alberta in Canada , south down Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma as well as the states in between like North and South Carolina. The plant produces small white flowers in the Spring with tiny, highly flavorful red berries following in late spring and early summer. They are primarily pollinated by a diverse mix of native bees, hoverflies, and small butterflies.
North Carolina’s native Wild Strawberry
These Scarlett Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) are grown in the garden in The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina. The Garden also contains several bee hives providing the bees which pollinate many of the flowers grown here.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Garden; The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Smell the amazing fragrance of flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from No Facilitieshosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our The Crayola Box of 8 -Yellow. I have gone into my recent files to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. I am also linking this Friday’s CWWC with Dan’s CFFC for a Which Way Challenge theme of Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road.
Here are my entries …
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge Crayola Box of 8 – Yellow
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy your week. May it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and lots of fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
While on a trip to Abilene, Texas to visit my maternal aunt (my mother’s sister) I went walking around her neighbourhood. I started out walking to try to get my 10,000 steps in like when I worked. (I got tired of just sitting around in her small home, I guess you could say I was restless.) Turned out that to reach my 10,000 steps I had to walk several blocks and keep walking some more. Now you’re probably wondering what all this has to do with the prompt Twelve.
It took walking more than Twelve long blocks to achieve my goal. Anytime I go walking, especially in a new area, I try to be observant of my surroundings and snap pictures of anything I find interesting. On this the Twelfthday of my visit, I came across a building called The Discovery Center. It had a wall mural of a dinosaur with a caption above it “In the Beginning God.” This captured my attention, so I thought why not go inside and see what it was all about.
12 Tribes of Israel Banner
The Discovery Center in Abilene is a Creation Museum dedicated to teaching the Bible and is based on a Creationist viewpoint of the Beginning of the world. It was established in 2001, featuring exhibits on biblical artifacts, fossils, Jewish history, and the RMS Titanic, alongside an onsite bookstore. One of the rooms inside the Discovery Center is called the Israel Room. The room has several displays depicting the history of Israel. The image above depicts a banner displaying symbols representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Each panel includes a name in Hebrew and a corresponding emblem based on biblical descriptions and traditional blessings.
For this week I chose one of my maternal grandfather’s photos of his Ford Model T. After he passed, when I was only 12, my maternal grandmother gave me many of my grandfather’s picture post cards. The post cards were significant because the had pictures of family, his military service, the family cemetery, and of places they lived. Those post cards are apart of our family history and I’ll treasure them always.
Location: My Maternal Grandparents home; Stoney Fork, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have an adventurous week filled with love and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Xylocopa micans, Aka Southern Carpenter Bee feasting on a Cornus foemina, Aka SwampDogwood or stiff dogwood
These Swamp Dogwood Flowers are located on the banks of Lake Haigler by the Hunter E. Martin Kayak Launch on Haigler Loop at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Cornus foemina, aka Swamp Dogwood or Stiff Dogwood
Patrick is an Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle residing in an aquarium at The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Gastonia, North Carolina.
Patrick
Spiny Softshell turtles are found in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The state of North Carolina considers these species of turtles to be of Special Concern. Patrick, like other Spiny Softshell turtles, does not have a hard shell covered in scutes. He is covered in leathery skin instead.
Whenever Coleman and I go hiking no matter where we go we can just about always discover swirls. Sometimes they can be swirly lines on bents (piers), or found naturally in nature, or sometimes they can be something simple as a child’s scribbles of swirls and squiggly lines.
Here are a few examples of Swirls we have discovered while hiking.
Swirly lines on a bridge bent Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway Gastonia, North Carolina
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
Yes, Water ripples can be Swirls The Pond; Nature Trail; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina
Now for the piece to resistance …
Swirls and Squiggles made by Coleman when he was 3.
Baptisia alba, aka White Wild Indigo, or White False Indigo is a native herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family Fabaceae.
It is native to central and eastern North America and is typically found in open woodland areas prairies with tall grasslands. However, in this case the plant is grown in the landscape and garden areas of The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina.
Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Boulder City, Nevada, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a drive and/or a hike and see what nature has to offer. It’s a beautiful world just waiting to be explored. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Garden in The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May your day be filled with love, peace, happiness and an abundance of laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you have a lovely week filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) is also referred to as wild bee balm, Appalachian Bergamot, Eastern Bergamot. It is a hardy, perennial wildflower native to North America and is in the mint genus family. It has distinctive lavender-pink blossoms, aromatic foliage which has an exceptional ability to attract pollinators and historically has been used for medicinal purposes.
It serves as a pollinator magnet drawing an enormous amount of bumblebees, native bees, predatory wasps, and butterflies. [The Garden where these are planted also has a section of four beehives with plenty of bees to help pollinate the flowers grown therein.]
For those interested in expanding their palates, you might want to try tasting its edible leaves and flowers. They add a spicy, citrusy, oregano-like kick to salads, jellies, and meat dishes. Also may note that historically the leaves have been used, by indigenous peoples, to brew teas to treat colds, flus, and digestive issues.
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Terri’s The #Flower Hour
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Garden; In The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic 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). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme for the Which Way Challenge is CWWC: Any Which Way on an Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road. The Which Way can be any Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
My entries this week were captured by my daughter on her recent adventure out west and driving through four states. I’ve already shared some of her photos and I will share more regarding one of the main reasons she went later on in the month.
Here are my entries … These include the Interstates, Highways, and Paved Roads she drove as well as some sights of the countryside seen through the windshield.
I-15 S towards Boulder City, NevadaI-15 NI-15 Nheading towards Arizona I-15 N near Mesquite, NevadaI-15 N near Welcome to Arizona sign 1- 70 Castle Valley Landscape Emery, UtahSan Rafael Reef View I-70 Emery County, Utah Ghost Rock East I-70 Emery County, UtahWelcome to Colorful Colorado State Line Sign on the Colorado/Utah Border on Interstate 70 Blue Mesa ReservoirHighway 50 West of Gunnison, Colorado Curecanti National Recreation Area Highway 50 West of Gunnison, ColoradoGunnison-Crested Butte Airport Gunnison, Colorado Welcome to Utah Grand Country Border I-70W/US-6/US-50WCee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Interstates, Highways, and/or Paved Roads
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
***Note:Next Week’s CWWC: Any Which Way with Yellow along a Trail, Path, or Road[06.12.2026]
The Deep Gap Fire Department provides fire protection and medical first response to Deep Gap, Rutherwood, Stoney Fork, and Cranberry Springs in Watauga & Ashe Counties in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. [This Fire Department services the areas where my ancestors lived and are buried. I have cousins whom still reside in the Deep Gap and Stoney Fork areas of Watauga County.]
Deep Gap Fire Department Station 23 Upper Level Deep Gap, North Carolina
The Fire Department was formed in 1964 as one of the first rural fire departments in Watauga County. The station has part-time paid firefighters staffing it between 8am -6pm Monday through Friday. It also has approximately 25 volunteer firefighters and EMT’s.
Bottom Level
This current building was built in 1991 after outgrowing its previous station. The Bottom level consists of bay floor, admin offices and exercise room. The Top level is consists of a training room, Board of Directors meeting room, bunk room with bathrooms. Community Center, kitchen, Red Cross shelter, and Board of Elections polling station.
The main room used as a Community center is rented out by local groups for reunions and other such gatherings/events. My maternal relatives gather here every August for a reunion which is fun to attend when I am able.
Cameras: 1-2 &4)Apple iPhone 14 Pro Ma; 3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Locations: As Stated above.
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.
This week’s Monochrome Madnessis hosted by Leanne Cole. She haschosen to challenge us to post images which show water flowing. Mine not only includes waterfalls, but also Spillways, Oceans, Dams, Lakes, Rivers and Garden Fountains. Water flows in many different ways from straight upwards to upstream and downstream, including over rocks and barriers.
Now to show y’all my entries …
The Spillway at Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SCSesquicentennial State Park Columbia, South CarolinaSpillway at Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCThe Spillway at Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SCCatawba River The Riverwalk Trail Rock Hill, SCFort Mill Dam Fort Mill, SCFountain at Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, SCSpillway at Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCNorth Topsail Beach Onslow County, NC Upper Widow’s Creek Falls Stone Mountain State Park Roaring Gap, NCFountain at Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, SCCatawba River The Riverwalk Trail Rock Hill, SCThe Spillway at Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SCNorth Topsail Beach Onslow County, NCLeanne’s Monochrome Madness #FlowingWater
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside. ~Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy-Tacy and Tib, 1941
Coleman wearing a Red shirt on a Red Caboose Fort Mill, SCRed Cup Do Not Give Into The War Within TILVAHALLAPROJECT.comRed Fireworks Cramerton, NCRipley’s Aquarium Broadway at the Beach Myrtle Beach, SCRed Sky by Day Morning Sunrise Cramerton, NCCanna discolor (aka Achira or edible canna) Gastonia, NCLadder 41 Cramerton Fire Department Christmas Parade 2025 Cramerton, NCEldest son’s 2006 Pontiac GTO Winter of 2014 Lancaster, SCRed Andirondack chairs Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NCRed Azalea (Rhododendron simsii) Gastonia, NC Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan’s CFFC – Red
God Bless. Enjoy your week. May it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and lots of fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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