2024 CosPhoChal: Wide Open Spaces

— In Monochrome —

Cosmic Photo Challenge-Wide Open Spaces

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

Cameras: 1 & 3) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

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

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

2024 OWS: Shadow

Shadows can be seen everywhere, at least when the sun is shining brightly. Shadows materialize along walkways, piers, and trails as well as anywhere imaginable.

Here are my entries for Debbie’s OWS Challenge this week which calls for us to show our SHADOW.

Shadows of Bushes, Trees, & Coleman Warlick Family YMCA
Shadows of the Fencing & Coleman
Warlick Family YMCA
Shadows of Trees
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Shadows of Trees, Coleman, & Myself
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Shadows along the Pier
& in the Lake
Anne Springs Close Greenway

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Shadow

Photo Credit: ©️2023/4 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1-4) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Locations: Various sites in North and South Carolina, USA

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

Monday Portrait: 02.26 — A Thirsty Horse

— At the Greenway

Monday Portrait

Macro Monday 

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

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max — Telephoto lens.

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

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

Lovingly Spreading My Wings For You

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge 2024 Week  7

Six Word Saturday

Water, Water, Everywhere

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 CosPhoChal: Bare Trees

Along the Trails

Cosmic Photo Challenge-Bare Trees

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Take a hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting the Greenway and for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Words for Thought #6 – 02.21.24

Think About It Tuesday

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone Pro Max

Location: Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 FOTD: 02.19

— Potted Perennials

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge-02.19

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Take time for yourself, take a walk, smell the flowers and enjoy your week. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Monday Portrait: 02.19

Wanna Share a Bite?

Mike and Lucky
Galloway cattle (Cows)

When Coleman and I visited The Farm On at The Schiele Museum on Tuesday Mike and Lucky were busy chomping away. It was feeding time and they were hungrily munching their food to their hearts (and belly’s) contentment.

I do not believe I would partake in their diet, however, they did appear to enjoy it themselves.

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

Silent Sunday: February 18 —- Daffodil Bulbs

Silent Sunday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

Floral Friday: Colouring Flowers #6

Coloured by me
Via Zen Color
iPhone App

Cee’s Flower of the Day 

Floral Friday

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

2024 CFFC: Weathered Wood

With the weather somewhat improving and a bit warmer (still not warm enough – jacket weather), Coleman and I are able to venture out on the trails for some delightful hiking. The trails are pretty muddy due to all the strong rainstorms we’ve been experiencing. Some of the trails are blocked off as closed for maintenance due to the damage occurring from the storms.

However, we managed to observe some amazingly beautiful sights ( not posted here.) Since we always hike in the woods, we (I) were able to capture a variety of weathered wood for this week’s challenge of Cee’s CFFC.

Weathered Wood
Inside a Tree Trunk
Weathered Log
Floating in
Robinwood Lake

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Weathered Wood

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1-2) iPhone 14 Pro Max – Telephoto Camera; 3-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: Green Trail/Quartz Loop; Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA.

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

2024 Share Your Desktop—February

On My Laptop:

On My iPhone 14 Pro Max:

Naturally, my desktop wallpapers include my beloved Coleman, my favourite subject, my heart, my love.

Share Your Desktop-February 2024

Photo Credit ©️2023/4 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2024 Sunday Stills: The Colours of Life – Red & Pink

Red Cab of 18-Wheeler
Life Breadth of America
The American Trucker
Red Hood
on Coleman’s Spidey Jacket
My Life, My Heart
Pink Dianthus caryophyllus
AKA Carnation or Clove Pink
Red Heart “Plant”
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sunday Stills-Red and Pink, the Colors of Life

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Wordless Wednesday— 02.14

“This table is reserved to honor our missing comrades in arms. The tablecloth is white —
symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call of duty. The single red rose,
displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing and their loved ones and friends
of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers. The vase is tied with a red ribbon,
symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. A pinch of salt symbolizes the
tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers. The Bible represents the
strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under
God. The glass is inverted — to symbolize their inability to share this evening’s toast. The chair
is empty — they are missing.”

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L.Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibition; Cabelas; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank a Veteran. Remember the Fallen. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 LAPC: 02.12 — Weather

Today was rainy again but we had some beautiful weather with clear blue skies over the weekend at the

Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Lens-Artists Challenge-Weather

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

Words for Thought #5 – 02.13.24

Think About It Tuesday

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max – Main Camera

Location: Airport Pond; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. May you gain insight into your purpose and may your heart be blessed throughout life. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Macro Monday — One-to-Three

Roses

Original
Google stylized
Processed with Pixlr
Pixlr Splash
Tolerance 2
Tint -153

Macro Monday

One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge-February 2024

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

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

Windows Under Construction #4

School Construction — Slow Progress

The construction on the new school next to The Schiele Museum is making extremely slow progress. However, I think with spring being on the way the construction progress may increase as the weather starts to improve.

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Shot from Parking Lot; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 Monday Portrait: 02.12

A Highland Cow

(bos taurus taurus)

Hey,
You Looking at Me?
Maybe You’d Like
a Frontal Snapshot?
Or Perhaps
I Should Come
a Little Closer?
Is This Close Enough?
Let’s Make a Deal,
I’ll Give You One More Shot …
This is My Final Pose!

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2-5) iPhone 14 Pro Max – Ultra wide Camera

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

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

2024 FOTD: 12 February

Wreaths Across America

Remember
Honor
Teach

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge – 02.12.24

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibition; Cabelas; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 RDP: 02.11 — Affection

Horses Love and Show Affection

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Affection

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

Silent Cell Pic Sunday: 02.11.24

Flags Flying
at
Wreaths Across America
Mobile Exhibition

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Silent Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibition; Cabelas; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

Words for Thought #4

We all need each other to better understand, communicate, and hone our skills as well as become better individuals.

Think About It Tuesday

Cee’s FOTD

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

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

2024 CWWC: Any Type of Road, Path, Step, Bridge or Sign.

Round Two

On the Way to & At the Museum

Steps, Path

Arriving at the Museum …

Along the Nature Trail …

Cee’s Which Way Challenge- Any Type of Road, Path, Sign, Step, or Bridge

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm and Canon EF-S55-250mm lenses.

Location: From Bus Stop on Stoneybrook Avenue; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 Macro Monday: Irish Eyes Coneflower

Halictus ligatus ( sweat bee)
on a Echinacea purpurea
‘Green Eyes’ coneflower

Macro Monday

Cee’s Flower of the Day

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Main Camera — 24mm f/1.78 ISO64

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

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

2024 Thursday Doors: “Snowman” Greeter

UPS Snowman
by front door
Thank
You

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: UPS Store; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

A Child’s Fascination with Garbage Trucks

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

Coleman
is fascinated with
Garbage Trucks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ludwig’s Monday Window

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

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

Monday Window —- Looking Up from the Trail …

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

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

Apartment Complex Windows
Looking Up from the
Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway

Ludwig’s Monday Window

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

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

How Often Do You Get Your Haircut or Trimmed?

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

Why talk about haircuts anyway?

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

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

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

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

Top: My Before Photo
Bottom: My After Photo

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

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

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

2023 Monday Portrait: Coleman in the Museum

Coleman
in front of
Triceratops Exhibit
Coleman in the mouth
of a
Tyrannosaurus Rex Skull Fossil replica
The Schiele Museum of Natural History

Monday Portrait

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

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

Windows Under Construction #3

Construction on the new school and windows continues. Progress is being made, however, probably will not be completed until Spring of 2024.

This new school addition is located to the right of The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Ludwig’s Monday Window

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

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Near the Museum; Gastonia, North Carolina , USA

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

Almost Silent Cell Pic Sunday

Holiday at The Farm with Coleman

John’s Cellpic Sunday

Silent Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max; Google Video Creation

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

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

Holiday Decorations — Stoneybrook Avenue

Santa’s Sleigh & Reindeer
White Reindeer
Exhausted Santa & his Sleigh
Merry Christmas Bear Family
Silver Reindeer Family

Happy Holidays. Happy Kwanzaa. Feliz las Posadas. Merry Christmas to one and all!

Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Stoneybrook Avenue; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Wordless Wednesday: 12.13.2023

Dear oh Deer 🦌🦌

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

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

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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