Water reflections are the most common reflections we see on our adventures. Perhaps, due to being close to the Catawba River or possibly within a short drive of any number of lakes. It doesn’t really matter, I love gazing over the water no matter where we are to see the reflections of the surrounding landscape reflecting over the water.
Aka Eastern Bluestar, Blue Dogbane, Willow Amsonia, Woodland Bluestar
The Eastern Bluestar, of the Dogbane family, is a 1-3 ft., erect-stemmed perennialforming large, multi-stemmed clumps. The smooth stems are crowded with narrow, oval leaves which turn golden-yellow in the fall. The rim of the Blue, tubular flowers flare out into a star-shape, appear in loosely conjested clusters at the tips of the stems. These flowers grow in wet to moist and sandy soiled areas. The Blue Star’s growth has naturalized northeast as far as Massachusetts. However, its primary habitat is the southeastern and eastern regions of the United States.
Location: Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Stay safe and dry. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
[Just a side note: when I typed in made of glass for Dan’s CFFC this flower popped up in the selected images. So I took it as a sign to use it for Cee’s FOTD.]
Thinking about the Coca-Cola 600 today as I work on my blog; I am remembering a time when I took my granddaughter, Alona to Carowinds. She was fascinated to see Dale Earnhardt’s #3 NASCAR race car on display in front of the then “Intimidator” hypercoaster(now called “Thunder Striker”).
Alona Dale Earnhardt’s #3 Race Car
The iconic “Intimidator” coaster ride at Carowinds opened with great fanfare in 2010. Carowinds had a long standing contract enabling them to license the name “Intimidator” through Dale Earnhardt Inc..
Alona “The Intimidator”
Carowinds “Intimidator” hypercoaster was renamed Thunder Striker after the licensing contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. expired in December of 2023. The “Intimidator” carried its name for over a decade. The name “Intimidator” was the nickname for NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.
Friday evening Cramerton had a concert in Centennial Center Park. Large crowds of people and a few dogs gathered outside to listen to a mixture of R&B and Soul music from the Detroit, Michigan based group called “Chairmen of the Board.”
This American Pitbull weaved in and out of the crowds and then looked our way as if to pose for his photo op.
Location: Avon-Catawba Creeks Greenway Trail; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful day. Enjoy a hike/walk in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge (CWWC), I’m so glad you are enjoying this challenge. For this week I have chosen the theme of (CWWC): Any Which Way with Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails. Remember to be sure your Which Ways are clearly defined. Remember signs are always welcome in your Which Ways.
School is out for the summer or about to be if not already in your area. Summer is a fitting time to be out in the nature hiking (or taking a walk) leisurely enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.
Here are my entries for (CWWC): Any Which Way with Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails. Now over to y’all to show us the dirt roads, pathways, or trails you enjoy while you’re hiking or walking about in y’all’s favorite areas.
Coleman hiking in Riverside Park and Greenway’s Dirt Trail
You might enjoy taking a look at other Which Ways from this past week; check out the links below:
Location: Dirt Trail; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a hike. Enjoy a stroll through nature’s beautiful pathways and parks. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We all use and/or see items made of Fabric every day.
From Quilts:
Quilt made by my Maternal Grandmother Berlin Village Antique Mall Berlin, Ohio
To Dolls:
BabyLand General® Hospital Cleveland, Georgia
To Clothes:
Coleman
And Even Flags:
American Flag at Biltmore Historic School My FlagsGod Bless America!
I’m sure y’all can figure out and find many other Things Made of Fabric. For information regarding joining in the Fun Foto Challenge check out Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge Home Page Here.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Sky watching can be dramatic, amazing to watch the Sun Rise in the mornings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Next-Gen Office Solutions is a family owned business in Cramerton, North Carolina that provides office equipment and services to the Charlotte, North Carolina market. Their focus is on serving businesses in the community, particularly small businesses. It was formerly known as B & L Office Equipment, Inc. prior to their rebranding as Next-Gen Office Solutions in 2022.
Next-Gen Office Solutions offers a wide range of office equipment, including including printers, copiers, and other related supplies. They also offer to provide maintenance and repair services for office equipment. Another aspect of their services is offering a free technology assessment to businesses to evaluate their needs.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stop and Admire the Flowers. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Goat Island Park & Greenway Goat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayRiverside Park and GreenwayRiverside Park and GreenwayRiverside Park and GreenwayRiverside Park and GreenwayRiverside Park and Greenway Riverside Park and Greenway Crowders Mountain State Park Anne Springs Close GreenwayAnne Springs Close GreenwayPiedmont Medical Center TrailPiedmont Medical Center TrailAndrew Jackson State Park Andrew Jackson State ParkAndrew Jackson State ParkAndrew Jackson State ParkAndrew Jackson State ParkBy the Water
Click on photos to enlarge for enhanced viewing.
Judy’s suggestions for how 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 that include that number and post a link to your blog in Judy’sNumbers 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.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number.
On most hiking trails which Coleman and I there are there are sporadically placed benches Conveniently placed for hiker’s Convenience to rest, relax, and rejuvenate to continue one’s hiking adventure.
Here are a few benches Conveniently placed for hiker’s Convenience…
Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCAndrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCCatawba Park Tega Cay, SCCatawba River Trailhead Rock Hill, SC Ed Yount Trail South Fork River Park Gastonia, NCLake Haigler Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCGoat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, NCRiverside Park and Greenway Cramerton, NC
The buildings the Mayworth School Apartments were once Cramerton’s historic Mayworth School. It was at one time the center of Cramerton’s small community.
The 49,000 square foot building was renovated and now houses 32 affordable apartments for the elderly as well as storage rooms, offices, a laundry room, and computer center. The original auditorium was converted into a community gathering room and two apartments were created in the upper balcony.
The renovation was completed in 2008 with an astounding construction cost of $4,100,000.
As Coleman and I left the C.B. Huss recreation center I snapped a couple of photos of the backside of the Mayworth School Apartments which shares the parking lot with the Recreation Center.
The Juglans nigra, Eastern American Black Walnut is a species of deciduous tree in the Walnut family, Juglandaceae, native to central and eastern North America. Black Walnut trees are used commercially for its rich deep brown colour and is easily worked.
The Walnut seeds (aka nuts) are cultivated for their distinctive and desirable taste. Walnut trees are grown for lumber and food. An interesting note is that in 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture valued U.S. Walnut timber at $530 billion. Also noted that a significant portion is grown in Missouri.
Location: Banks of the South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a Gander of your surroundings. Enjoy nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Where do I find Peace, Serenity, and a sense of Solace? More likely than not, I find it out in the wonderful abliss of nature’s beauty and tranquility.
For example … In a Campground or by a Lake
Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, South Carolina
Or possibly by the Ocean …
Sea Grove Park Del Mar, California
Or with a relaxing peaceful stroll through a Botanical Garden …
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (now called Conservancy) Belmont, North Carolina
Perhaps we’ll visit the serenity of a different lake …
Cane Creek Lake Cane Creek Park Waxhaw, North Carolina
God Bless. Have a wonderfully relaxing and peaceful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Breaking the Rules? Whoever said one had to follow Rules in photography? Up, Down, Sideways, it doesn’t always matter if you shoot straight, point and shoot vertical or horizontal. Instead follow your own instincts, make your own interpretations on your shooting style. After all, you are the one you need to please.
What’s your angle?
Mine are whichever way I so desire
Shooting across the river from a laying down position …
Shooting Subject Slightly off-center … background slightly blurred ( might be a rule though – who cares, I don’t read rules).
Welcome to my Week #9 Floral contribution to Dawn’s Spring Festival. This week I am displaying Calla Lilies at various stages from my neighbours garden. Coleman stops by their garden every day on the way to and from the school bus to see which flowers have blossomed from one day to the next.
Zantedeschia, (Calla Lilies) is the sole genus in the tribe Zantedeschieae in a 1997 classification of the Araceae. There are currently eight (8) recognized species. Portrayed here are the White, Yellow, and Pink Calla Lilies.
They are herbaceous, bulbous perennials with long, arrow-shaped leaves; some species have leaves with beautiful, window-like translucent spots. The uniquely shaped flower heads, consisting of small flowers in a spadix surrounded by a spathe, make great cut flowers. The spathe is usually white or green, but cultivars exist with yellow, pink, red, and purple hues. They bloom from late spring to early summer.
Calla Lilies can be grown in pots or in the ground. These images are of Calla Lilies grown in a small garden. ‘Calla lily’ is a member of the Arum family and is poisonous if eaten.
Calla lilies generally prefer full sun to partial shade, with full sun being ideal for cooler regions and partial shade being more suitable for warmer areas. They are perennial plants which may grow back every year and continue to produce beautiful blooms under the right conditions.
Calla Lilies may multiply spreading through their underground rhizomes, which develop additional growth buds and can be divided to create new plants. These particular Calla Lilies have been divided and multiplied continuously over time.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the flowers, watch them grow and bloom. Nature is a beautiful artist painting amazingly beautiful flowers and beautifully colourful landscapes. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Yucca Gloriosa, also known as Spanish Dagger, is a native evergreen yucca in the southeast USA on the coasts of North Carolina south to Florida. [This plant is in the Piedmont region of North Carolina.] It grows as a shrub or small tree and can grow up to 16 feet tall but is relatively slow-growing.
Yucca gloriosa
The leaves are in a basal rosette on younger plants and are sword-shaped with sharp tips. Eventually, it will develop a woody trunk with a more tree-like form. [This particular Yucca plant is a shrub with bayonet like leaves which are crowded in the lower area and spread outwards at the top. The plant is heat, humidity, drought and salt tolerant and can tolerate some cold and snow.
TheYucca gloriosa(Spanish Dagger) attracts the Yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella) for pollination as well as the larva feeding on the seeds. It is said that the Yucca plant flowers also attracts bees and hummingbirds, however, I have not seen them around it as of yet.
Camera: 1-2) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 3) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stop and enjoy the flowers. Have a lovely day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
It is Springtime, the Canada Geese are flocking to the rivers. In the past few days as Coleman and I have visited the South Fork Catawba River and Goat Island Park and Greenway, we have noticed more and more Canada Geese enjoying the riverbanks as well as swimming and gliding in the waters of the South Fork Catawba River.
Here are a few photos of Canada Geese Trios captured this week.
Camera: 1-2) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 3-6) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fabulous week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Be sure to check out Friday’s Which Way Challenge. This week I am allowing y’all to choose your own Which Ways to share with us all.
To do so, simply share the photo* you have set as your wallpaper;
Provide as little or as much detail as you wish;
Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun;
Then finally, share the fun around.
I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature.
Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:
From My HP Laptop:
Desktop Background Wallpaper
Coleman in Goat Island Playground
Desktop Screensaver
Canada Geese South Fork Catawba River Goat Island Park and Greenway
From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Personal Focus
Coleman Goat Island Park and Greenway
Reading Focus
Coleman sitting on a pipe at Goat Island Park and Greenway
Hiking Focus
Coleman Tree Climbing at Riverside Park and Greenway
Good Day everyone! I pray everyone and everyone is blessed, safe, and happy.
Judyfrom LifeLessonsis the host for The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 193. Her instructions on how to join the Game and play along our 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 that include that number and post a link to your blog in my 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.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments below.
Here are my contributions to the album.
Disney on IceSymphyotrichum lanceolatumBaccharis halimifoliaAlice in Wonderland in Disneyland 1979Coleman May 2022OB Caribbean Sea, Costa Maya, Mexico Coleman September 2022Goat Island Park and Greenway RhododendronHemerocallis lilioasphodelus DaylilyJerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosusColeman May 2021
Judyfrom Life Lessonshosts The Numbers Game.I’m a week behind, but I figured better late than not at all. Her number for the Numbers Game Challenge #71 is 192. I didn’t have any luck finding photos matching 192, so I am doing as suggested in showing images of a common word.
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 that include that number and post a link to your blog in my 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.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments below. Here are my contributions to the album.
My Word I am using is Coleman. I am posting the images in a video format for your enjoyment.
Plastic is rampant throughout the world. It is used in everything from tarps, bottles, food containers, to our automobiles, to our clothing, to makeup, and even in gum.
Alas, we are not here to discuss the various types of plastic, their uses, or whether or not the use of plastics are advantageous or disadvantageous.
In this post I am simply going to show you some of the many examples of Children’s entertainment (aka toys) which use plastic in their manufacturing and packaging of children’s toys.
Here are my entries …
Lego Duplo Blocks Schiele Museum Thomas Train set Schiele Museum Hot Wheels Monster Truck Loop SetHot Wheels Monster Truck & Car Loop setTytan Tiles Magnetic Toy Tiles Tytan Tiles Magnetic Toy TilesVintage Little Tikes Waffle Blocks w/RoadColeman with his Little Tikes Construction Vehicles Coleman playing in his Little Tike Turtle with Sand & Construction trucks Coleman playing in his Little Tike Turtle with Water toys
To join in the Fun Foto Challenge click on the link below for further information & details about participating.
Locations: In Gastonia and Cramerton, Gaston County, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Looking forward to y’all joining in the Which Way Challenge on Friday (your choice). 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. Sky watching can be dramatic, colourful, and amazing to see the changes the sky displays from minute to minute and throughout the days and weeks. 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 for 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 for this week’s Which Way Challenge – Any Which Way with Shadows …
My Which Ways with Shadows are a mixture of paved pathways, sidewalks, and dirt trails. Hope you enjoy the hike with Coleman and myself.
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.
Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Locations: Gastonia and Cramerton, Gaston County, North 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.
TheBoathouse is located in McAdenville, North Carolina. It is the focal epicentre for Catawba Riverkeeper’s outdoor recreation. The Catawba Riverkeeper’s mission is to preserve, protect, and restore local water quality.
Many activities are available to do at or around The Boathouse like …
Playing Outside …
Renting a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard (or bring your own to enjoy an afternoon on the River.
Take a walk, run, or bike ride down the South Fork River Trail.
Go fishing along the banks of the South Fork River.
Relaxing … you may relax inside The Boathouse and enjoy the air conditioning while having a soft drink, beer, and/or snack. Or you may sit and relax outdoors around a picnic table.
Jam at the Dam… listen to fantastic live music at one of the Catawba Riverkeeper’s live outdoor events such as once held last weekend while the Goat Island Games were being played. [Coleman and I missed this live music event, but we do listen to their live music shows at Confluence which is run by the Catawba Riverkeeper.]
Location: The Boathouse; 115 Willow Dr, McAdenville, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outside and Enjoy the vast beauty in the Outdoors. 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. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy nature. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
As Coleman and I were walking up from the River by the White Church Coleman noticed a wind chime. He decided to go check it out & see how the chimes sounded.
Coleman rings the Wind Chimes
See the Sky Reflected in the Window
Side Windows of Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Ultra wide Cameras
Location: Center & Eighth Streets; Downtown Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Pull Up a Seat — Wherever You Desire and Enjoy a Time of Relaxation. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cameras: 1-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max ( 2-3 edited in Pixlr); 4-5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens (unedited)
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy the Sunshine ☀️. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 