LAPC #378 – Last Chance for 2025

Tina from travelsandtrifles is the host this week for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. Tina is giving us the opportunity for one Last Chance to share photos we have taken and loved throughout 2025 and hadn’t had an opportunity to share for one challenge or another.

Here are some of my favorites from this year that I believe I haven’t as yet shared with y’all …

Tina’s Lens-Artist Challenge-Last Chance

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2025 LAPC #376 — Wings

Feathered or Not

Beth from Wandering Dawgs is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge . She is challenging us to show off Wings of any kind. I am displaying Non-Feathered Wings as well as Wings on a variety of Feathered Friends with Wings.

Let us first take a look at some of my Feathered Friends that grace my pathways.

Female Northern Cardinal
grace my porch railing
enjoying a nice snack.
A Northern Mockingbird
stopped by for a visit.
A Lovely Mourning Dove
graces us with a beautiful song.
A Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
graces our pathway
while on a hike.

Now to display a few Non-Feathered Wings Landing and Taking off from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Beth’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #376-Wings

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: Feathered Friends) Cramerton, North Carolina, USA; Non-Feathered Wings) Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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

On the Move by Curb Walking

Curb Walking

for — LAPC

#SWS

This week John from Journeys with Johnbo is the host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. He has challenged us to post photos of our being On the Move. He has shown us some of the typical ways that people choose to travel (Aka being On the Move). Some of the typical means of being “On the Move” are traveling by car, by train, by airplane, or by a cruise ship or another type of boat.

However, I am not going to show you any typical form of being “On the Move.” You might ask what are some other ways one can be “On the Move?” Well, some of the other methods are walking, running, skiing, skipping, skating, swimming, or our favourite hiking. Even though hiking is Coleman and my favourite method of getting from point A to point B and sometimes C in one day, that is not the method or means of being “On the Move” I am going to show you today.

What method of being “On the Move” am I going to discuss with y’all? Let me tell you. The method is called Curb Walking. Ever heard of Curb Walking? I hadn’t really heard much about it or how or why it is done.

Curb Walking is a unique type of walking which involves walking with one foot on the Curb and the other foot on the street. Ever tried Curb Walking? If you did; did you enjoy it? Was it Beneficial?

My daughter, Trisha, Curb Walking with Coleman close by (not that he’d be much help if she fell, but he’d try).

The uneven gait of Curb Walking is thought to help the pelvis (of pregnant women) to open and shift, which is predicted to encourage the baby to move lower and into a better position for birth.

Curb Walking around the playground at Goat Island Park and Greenway.

Curb Walking can help create flexibility in the hips and pelvic floor over time. It can also be a part of overall exercise for endurance. However, it is not a guaranteed way to start labor.

How long should you Curb Walking when you first start? It is recommended to begin with 10 minutes. When you are Curb Walking you should listen to your body and take it slow at first. You may gradually increase the duration and frequency (emphasis on gradual). It is suggested to aim for a total of 30 minutes of Curb Walking on the majority of days for overall fitness.

Before beginning Curb Walking (especially while pregnant), it is highly recommended (if not crucial) to consult your doctor or midwife prior to your first time. (My daughter, however, consulted her physician after her first adventure into Curb Walking). Everyone’s personal health and pregnancy situation is different, so it is best to consult with your medical professional ahead of time. ( I do need to mention she consulted her physician the next day & it was favorable for her to Curb Walk.)

If your doctor gives you the go ahead to begin Curb Walking, it is advised to start between 37 and 39 weeks to specifically try and induce labor. (She is so tired of being pregnant and so ready to meet her daughter.)

John’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #374-On the Move

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2025.11.22

Bonus:

Becky’s November #Shadows

I love multi-linking to various challenges.

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Enroute & at Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Be safe. And have some fun walking around your surroundings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Shhh … my daughter doesn’t like her picture taken & doesn’t know I took these.

Longing for Times of Bygone Days

Egidio from Through Brazilian Eyes is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge with her theme of Longing. I took some time thinking about what I wanted to select to showcase a few things I am Longing.

Longing for times of bygone days, remembering the good times, the friendships made, the experiences I’ve had over the years are memories I treasure forever.

“Oh, how I miss the old days -those carefree moments, those unforgettable experiences, and those precious friendships that made life so incredibly beautiful.”

balmyquotes.com

I decided to make my selections in Black, White, and Shades of Grey/Gray linking with The Cosmic Photo Challenge & Six Word Saturday challenges.

Longing for road trips, traveling to the mountains, beaches, and favourite places; recalling some of my favourite things.

Showcased in the above gallery are images of a rode trip where my eldest son and I drove through part of the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at various mileposts to catch a glimpse of the magnificent views. A short distance from a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is where my maternal ancestors lived which emphasizes the significance and importance this area is to my heart.

“Sometimes you will never know
the value of a moment
until it becomes a memory”

— Dr. Seuss

Memories of bygone days are ones I’ll always cherish, but not all would be worth repeating. Memories of friendships that have stood the test of time are ones worth treasuring.

The above images are a small depiction of bygone days of wonderful events I miss from my childhood. Events of bygone days are lovely to remember, but learning from them and looking forward is extremely essential.

“Sometimes, I wish I could rewind back to the old days and press pause … just for a little while.”

Treasure Simplicity

Here’s to making sure the present are good ‘ole days filled with love, family, and happiness.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Lens-Artists Challenge #365-Longing

Cosmic Photo Challenge-Shades of Grey

Photo Credit:©️1978-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

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

Searching for Things (Here, There, and Beyond)

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge

Anne from Slow Shutter Speed is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has chosen a unique theme of a Virtual Scavenger Hunt with several ideas for us to select from while searching for our “Scavenger” items.

Here are my “Scavenger Hunt” findings:

Glass Display case with Keys & Locks
(A set of keys & Something glass)
New Braunfels Railroad Museum
New Braunfels, Texas
A Goat
(Something with green eyes)
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, SC
Lady shooting Pictures
(Something with a camera)
Cramerton, NC

Anne’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #363-Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Photo Credit:©️1979-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

God Bless. Have a funtastic week & fun Scavenging to find things to capture. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 LAPC #362: Sports, Sporting Events and/or Fun Games

Sport according to the Cambridge dictionary it is defined as “all types of physical activity that people do to keep healthy or for enjoyment.” And according to Reverso dictionary it is described as “activity for pleasure or exercise.” (Hiking is a sport enjoyed by many.) Other dictionaries define it as “An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.”

However, for me, I am using it in the context of physical activity done for enjoyment and to keep healthy which can be done individually or in a group.

Here are my contributions …

Cornhole ( considered a sport due to its competitive nature) …

Horseback Riding … ( a Sport due to requirements of significant physical exertion, mental skill, and discipline from the rider) …

Baseball (a competitive team sport) …

Disc Golf (an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which individuals compete for entertainment) …

Not exactly the way
Disc Golf is played

Kayaking (a water sport that involves paddling a kayak, a small, narrow watercraft propelled by a double-bladed paddle and a seated position with legs extended forward.) …

Coleman in a Kayak (and no he didn’t go out alone)

Other Fun “Sports/Games …

Hope y’all don’t mind I took a loose meaning to the term Sport and not the normal say people ordinarily think of it.

Beth’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Sports, Sporting Events and Fun Games

Photo Credit:©️2018-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

God Bless. Strive to be Good Sports in all you do. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 LAPC #357 — Into the Woods — Through the Trees

… A Hiking we shall Go

in Kings Mountain State Park

Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees…

WILD WOMAN SISTERHOOD

Taking a hike through the woods surrounded by encompassing trees is one of the most invigorating and inspiring activities one could experience and one I truly love to undertake as often and as long as I am able to do so.

I find peace and tranquility while I am hiking through the woods. It is a fascinating opportunity to admire and explore all the beauty nature has to offer. It is a time to renew the(my) mind, relax one’s(my) body, and recharge the(my) spirit within you(me).

“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

John Muir

All the ins and outs, the twists and turns of a trail remind me that my path in life is not always (or necessarily) meant to be a straight pathway on life’s journey. Only God knows what pathway I should be on and whether I venture off the path or not, God is always there to guide me through life’s trials and triumphs.

“It is a surprising and memorable, as well as valuable experience, to be lost in the woods any time.”

Henry David Thoreau

Whenever I go into the woods I seek to obtain peace and tranquility. The woods are an escape from daily routines and aggravation. The calmness I feel amongst the trees is overwhelming and enhances a sense of calming relaxation, reflection, and revitalization.

“In Every Walk
With Nature
One Receives Far More
Than He Seeks.”

— John Muir

This adventure into the woods was a solo (Coleman was on 11 months at the time) outing I took to get away from the stress and tension within my environment. I ventured onto the trails in Kings Mountain State Park for some time in the woods communing with God and nature.

I hiked along the Lake Crawford Trail twisting and turning along the natural path enjoying the beautiful views along the way. I especially liked viewing the spillway cascading downstream and the amazing views looking out over Lake Crawford.

Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Egidio’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #357-Into the Woods

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Photo Credit:©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy nature’s beauty. Thankful for the freedom to be outside and in the woods. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Numbers Game #34-155/LAPC/MM — What’s in a Garden?

Welcome to The Numbers Game #34”.Today’s number is 155. 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 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 week I am combining Judy’s Numbers Game with Leanne’s Monochrome Madness and Leya’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge . I am choosing to use the Word Garden for this week’s challenges.

Glencairn Gardens

Glencairn Gardens is ideal for a Spring stroll through the gardens of blooming azaleas, pansies, wisteria, and periwinkle. When visiting the Gardens be sure to meander through the Veterans Garden which pays tribute to Veterans of all branches of service. Also, during Spring, you be able to enjoy the blossoms of Viburnum, Pink and white Dogwoods, Redbuds, peonies, magnolia trees, and flowering Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry trees.

There is beauty to be seen no matter when one decides to visit Glencairn Gardens. Summertime brings on the colourful bright blooms of crape myrtles, daylilies and hundreds of other annuals.

The trails through the Gardens pass by several fountains, ponds, as well as the vast variety of flowering plants and trees. we enjoy strolling pass the Fountains, especially when they are flowing during the springtime. We always stop by the Veterans Garden when we go visit and remember our family members who have served in our Armed Forces.

Glencairn Gardens began in 1928 as a backyard garden by David and Hazel Bigger who lived in the h9use that serves as the park’s welcome center. It was the inspiration for Rock Hill’s annual Come-See-Me Festival which is a festival celebrating music, frogs, and fun. The Bigger’s gifted this Gardens to the City of Rock Hill through a deed in 1958. The peak blooming season is from the end of March to the middle of April. The Veterans Garden was created with the partnership with The American Legion Post 34 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2889. It h9onors women and men from the past, present, and future who served in the United States armed forces.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #311 – What’s in a Garden?

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Judy’s Numbers Game #34 — 155

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Photo Credit:©️2019 & 2023 Deb L Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: Apple iPhone XR and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300 mm and Canon EF-S18-55mm lenses.

Location: Glencairn Gardens; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

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