Dale, the host of theCosmic Photo Challenge, has challenged us to show areas we have found Shade during the hot, scorching days. Last week we had high’s in the high 80’s and low 90’s. The weekend brought about thunderstorms that are lingering around all week. I’m glad I was able to get out and enjoy visiting a few places with Coleman last week.
The following are a few of the places we found shade …
At Goat Island Park and Greenway …
Shaded by the trees while looking at the South Fork Catawba River
Covered Picnic Shelters provide Shade for a respite from the Hot Sun
Sitting in a Shaded Picnic Shelter Looking out at Shady areas on the Playground
Coleman seeking Shade in the Playground
Coleman and a friend find Shade at the Swings
At The Schiele Museum of Natural History …
A Pig enjoys the Shade of the Pigsty
Coleman resting on a Shaded porch in the Catawba Indian Village at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Shade at the Covered Picnic Shelter along the Nature Trail at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
As you can see Shade can be found just about anywhere if you’re Looking for Shade. Most everywhere Coleman and I hike there are shaded areas if you desire to get out of the sun. Where do you Look for Shade?
Dedicated To Those Who Have Crossed The Bar And To Those Who Will Follow
United States Coast Guard Dedicated By The Chief Warrant Officers Association, Silver State Chapter And Chief Petty Officers Association, Las Vegas Mavericks Chapter 11 November 1998
“To care for him who has borne the battle… and for his widow… and for his orphan.” Abraham Lincoln Memorial Day May 25, 1998 Donated By: Las Vegas Chapter 11 Disabled American Veterans
No Words are really necessary. May we never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to my daughter for capturing these images.
Location: Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Boulder City, Nevada, USA
God Bless. Trust you had an awesome Memorial Day (Americans). 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.
Common Salsify Aka Vegetable oyster, Purple Goat’s beard, Jack go to bed
The Common Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius), is a biennial root vegetable which can be grown alongside parsnips and carrots. The plant produces grass-like leaves and thin, carrot-shaped taproots that are typically 8-9 inches long. True Salsify features purple flowers that white roots.
Its white taproot yields a delicate savory flavour that is often compared to cooked oysters, asparagus, or artichokes. While we’re talking about flavour, when it’s cooked it has an earthy nutty taste which makes it highly prized by chefs for use in soups, stews, and purées. You may cook them in a variety of ways from boiling, steaming, roasting, or mashing them. Besides cooking them, the young, tender roots can be sliced or grated for salads. The young shoots, leaves, and even the flower buds can also be eaten raw. If you choose to eat them raw, do not overeat them since they may lead to gas or bloating.
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.
The Teasel pictured here are grown in a garden at The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. The Garden also has purple coneflowers, Oakleaf hydrangeas, Roses, Wild Bergamot, Lettuce, Cabbage, and many more varieties some of which will be featured in later posts.
Location: American Airlines; Charlotte-Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, 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.
A adult female pig who has given birth is referred to as a Sow. Not sure if either of these pigs are female or have given birth, but maybe you’ll enjoy the pigs anyway.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Blessed Passover! Happy Easter! Have a wonderful day and week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial aka “Field of Dreams” Honors service members who served from 1959 to 1975. Features an elevated UH-1H “Huey” helicopter, black granite walls engraved with fallen veterans, and a bronze “Welcome Home” statue.
While at Martha Rivers Park, my daughter (Coleman’s mom), decided she wanted to see if she could still climb a tree and hang upside down. Here is the progression …
Location: Martha Rivers Park; Gastonia, North 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.
After Coleman’s end of year program on Tuesday afternoon we went to Martha Rivers Park, a city park in Gastonia, North Carolina, to allow him to run around and burn off steam and energy. It was a super hot day, so sweat was definitely happening. He did have tons of fun and other kids were enjoying the park for the afternoon as well.
As you may or may not have noticed, Coleman’s selections for Pulling Up a Seat are not always one’s typical seating choices for most people. The following are his choices on this day …
Pull Up a Seat 2026 – Week 21 Martha Rivers Park with Coleman
Location: Martha Rivers Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Eastern Prickly Pear, (Opuntia humifusa), is a cactus of the genus Opuntia. It is present in parts of the Eastern United States, southeastern Canada, and northern Mexico.
A Trio of Eastern Prickly Pear Flowers
It is a low-growing, cold hardy cactus that stands as the only widespread native cactus in the eastern United States region. It is widely celebrated for its ability to survive freezing winter temperatures, its vibrant summer blooms, and its completely edible parts.
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus Blooms
Normally, it is stated the blooms appear around June-July. We have been having some extremely hot weather lately (feels like summer instead of spring). Guess nobody told the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus Blooms they weren’t supposed to bloom for another month.
After the cacti produce their flowers, it produces oblong, purplish-red edible fruits often referred to as “pear apples”. Wonder how tasty they’ll be.
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 we are continuing with the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs – Part 2. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or 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.
For this week’s Which Way Challenge I am tying into Dan’s CFFCtheme of Leftover Signs. You may use any road, pathway, sidewalk, trail, paved or unpaved as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. Signs are always welcome and this week recommended in your WhichWay.
The week I’m doing something different for my Which Ways. I am showing a gallery of Which Way Collages.
Here are my entries …
CWWC + CFFC Any Which Way with (Leftover) Signs
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 Along a Nature Trail (Paved or Unpaved, or natural surface) [05.29.2026]. ***
Dan from No Facilitieshosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our Leftover signs . I have gone into my archives to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme.
Here is my entry …
Señor Frogs Cozumel, Mexico Signs to almost everywhere in Alaska Gastonia Transit Bus Stop (Sadly, No More)Gotha Greenway Gibson House Anne Springs Close Greenway Ramsey Creek Park Early Explorers Schiele Museum Heritage Society Sam Houston Memorial Park Duke Kimbrell TrailPrivately Owned Horses Do Not Pet or FeedAttention Daycares and Summer Camps …Operation Playground Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge Leftover Signs
Note: For Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) I’ll once again be linking it withDan’s Fun Foto Challenge – Leftover Signs. This will be Part 2 of the Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Signs. [Please make sure your Which Ways are clearly distinguishable while posting any signs for this challenge.]
Location: Martha Rivers Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Spider-Lilies are in full bloom in the Catawba River at Landsford Canal State Park. They are such a beautiful sight to see and admire. This is the best time to come on down to Landsford Canal State Park and enjoy the Shoals Spider-Lilies. You’ll be amazed at their beauty regardless of whether you walk along to shore to the viewing point or kayak down the Catawba River to get an up close view.
Location: Catawba River; Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South 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.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: 1508 S Waccamaw Dr.; Marlin Quay Marina, Murrells Inlet, South 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.
It is a stunning 14th-century Roman Catholic parish church that serves as an architectural anchor for Nuremberg’s main market square, the Hauptmarkt. This church was visited by my parents as my brother took them around touring near where he was stationed in Germany.
The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) Nuremberg, Germany
“Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
From The Shawshank Redemption
Rose 🌹
Orange …
“The sky takes on shades of orange during sunrise and sunset, the colour that gives you hope that the sun will set only to rise again.”
Ram Charan
Calendula officinalis, aka Mary’s gold, common marigold, pot marigold
Yellow …
“I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love.”
Conor Oberst
Dahlia pinnata, aka Garden Dahlia
Green …
“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”
Martin Luther
Helleborus viridis, aka green hellebore
Blue …
“Good things are associated with blue, like clear days, more than singing the blues. Just the word ‘blue’ in the singular is full of optimism and positive connotation to most people.”
David Carson
Blue-Winged Wasp Scolia dubia
Purple …
“Be different. Be original. Nobody will remember a specific flower in a garden filled with thousands of the same yellow flower, but they will remember the one that managed to change its color to purple.”
Cameras: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; Apple 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm & Canon EF-S55-250mm lenses.
God Bless. May the Sun shine upon you, may you be filled with love, hope, and joy throughout your journey. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Enjoy the Spring Florals. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This Quercus pagoda (Cherrybark Oak) tree is a an old Oak tree which is native to the Carolinas and the Southeastern United States of America. It is a fast-growing, long-lived deciduous tree. These trees are capable of reaching a height between 100-130 feet tall having a 40-70 foot spread. (I included a couple images of the base of the tree so you can get the idea of its spread.)
The Cherrybark Oak trees thrive in moist well-drained bottomland soils in full sun. This Oak tree provides an enormous amount of shade providing protection from the harsh sun. (If you look closely, you’ll be able to view Coleman playing under the Canopy of this Old Oak Tree.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you rest Under the Canopy of God’s Love and Protection. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. 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 is CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs. This theme will run for two weeks [05.15.2026-05.22.2026]. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or 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.
For this week’s Which Way Challenge I am tying into Dan’s CFFC theme of Informational Signs. You may use any road, pathway, sidewalk, trail, paved or unpaved as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. Signs are always welcome and this week recommended in your WhichWay.
We encounter signs wherever we go. We might not always notice them or recognize their importance. Sometimes Signs can inform us of where we are or where we’re heading. At other times Signs can give us an informative history of a location. Still other Signs let us know what we should/can or cannot do. Let’s take a look at some examples …
Signs let us know our location …
Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
City of Rock Hill River Park Rock Hill, South Carolina
Tunnel Trail Two Way Traffic Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
Piedmont Medical Center Trail No Motor Vehicles Rock Hill, South Carolina
Ed Yount Trail Watch For Wildlife South Fork River Gastonia, North Carolina
Now we’ll take a look at a couple of more informative Signs about the history or nature of an area or trail …
Nation Ford (Gives an historical perspective of the area) Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
DSBG Eastern Bluebird Trail (Gives Information regarding Bluebirds and the nesting boxes they use.) Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, North Carolina
Lastly, but not least, we’ll look at a gallery of images of Signs that let us know what we should/can or cannot do …
Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Can/Cannot Do’s/Don’t’s South Fork Park Lake Haigler Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Share the Trail Speed Limit 10 Riverwalk TrailBR-3 Lost or Injured Call 911 Stay Put Rocky Branch TrailWalk Bike Thru Tunnel Avon/Catawba Creeks GreenwayBy Stuart W. Cramer High School Cramerton, NCAttention No Swimming No Wading No Diving Ramsey Creek Park Lake Norman, SCInformative Signs Stating Do’s and Don’t’s
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 we will be continuing our exploration and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs Part 2 [05.22.2026]. This will also tie in with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Leftover Signs. Feel free to link to his post as well next week. ***
This week is a free week for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. I took my inspiration from Brian’s MM post on cemeteries. I decided to share some of the cemeteries my ancestors are buried within. They are spread from coast to coast and from sea to shining sea.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Point Loma, San Diego, California, USARoscoe Cemetery Coshocton, Coshocton County, Ohio, USAOld DuQuoin Cemetery Du Quoin, Perry County, Illinois, USASt Thomas a Becket’s Church, Hampsthwaite, North Yorkshire, EnglandGreenwood Memorial Park; San Diego, California, USABrannon Family Cemetery Bethune, Kershaw County, South Carolina, USAGreenlawn Cemetery Great Falls, South Carolina, USALaurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina, USAGreenlawn Cemetery Great Falls, South Carolina, USABrannon Family Cemetery Bethune, Kershaw County, South Carolina, USA
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. 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 informational signs . I have gone into my archives to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme.
Here is my entry …
Coleman on Carolina Thread Trails
This is a Sneak Peek 👀 on what I will post on Friday. I am linking Cee’s Which Way challenge with a theme of Any Which Way with Signs with Dan’s Fun Foto challenge on Informational Signs. Hope to see y’all on Friday at the Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Signs.
Location: Gardens of the Waxhaw; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South 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.
We looked out our sliding glass door the other day. We were surprised (maybe startled would be more like it) to see along black snake not too far from the door. Snakes are fine anywhere but in our yard. (Our last place we also found a long black snake.) What’s up with that? You’d think we’d attract them somehow. However, we’d prefer them to slither through the woods, or anywhere else but here.
My daughter was brave (she did ask what kind it was first). She picked up the long black snake and escorted it off the property. Just so you know, the long black snake (our unwanted and unwelcome visitor is an Eastern ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis). It is a large, non-venomous constrictor which is commonly found in the eastern United States of America. It is known for its shiny black colouration with a black and white checkered belly.
Even though we prefer them not to be around, they are beneficial for controlling rodent populations. When they are threatened, they will vibrate their tail and strike. They will also stick their tongue out and hiss out anyone they think will harm them.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Look up. Count you many blessings. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Stem Explorers Pixel Art Challenge is a new Stem learning resource for Coleman.
It develops hands-on critical thinking skills such as problem-solving and spatial reasoning. The kit comes with 10 double-sided challenge cards with activities of increasing difficulty levels.
It is a screen-free learning adventure which engages Coleman in educational Stem play which builds essential coding concepts and mathematical skills through colourful, tactical building experiences. (I limit his screen time (tv) and do not allow him on a computer, hand-held device of any kind at this time.)
It develops Fine Motor Skills enhancing hand-eye coordination and dexterity while he places the pixel pieces to create patterns, designs, and completes structured challenges.
It is an excellent Versatile Educational Tool which can be used for independent play at home, in a home school, or in a classroom. It has multiple difficulty levels that will grow with Coleman as his abilities increase and will keep him challenged for several years.
The kit has Quality Construction which comes with one board and four hundred (400) durable, lightweight foam pieces that stay in place while he is playing/creating, they are safe for his hands and easy for him to manipulate.
Coleman really enjoys playing and creating designs with his Stem Explorers Pixel Art Challenge Kit and we would highly recommend it to any adult who interacts with young children. The age range for this Stem activity is 5+. I can see this being used by adults as well to keep their minds alert and stimulated.
God Bless. Have a pleasant and wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers, and men don’t forget to honor the women in your life. 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 is CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice). The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or 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.
Coleman on a wooden path crossing Lake Haigler
For this week’s Which Way Challenge I have chosen to share a Which Way Coleman and I hiked back in 2022 when he was three years old. The hike along Lake Haigler Loop Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway came up in my photo memories, so I thought y’all might enjoy seeing it as well.
Here are my entries …
Cee’s Which Way Challenge (Your Choice) Coleman on Lake Haigler Loop Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway
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.
Location: Lake Haigler Loop Trail; 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.
*** Note: Next Week we will be exploring and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs [05.15.2026]. This will also tie in with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Informational Signs. Feel free to link to his post as well next week. ***
God Bless. (More about the image in a future post … stay tuned for a future update.) Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: The Discovery Center; Abilene, Texas, USA
God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Near Tennis Courts; T. Jeffers Center and Park; 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.
Rocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCGreen Trail Warlick Family YMCA Gastonia, NCRocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCSouth Fork Trail McAdenville, NCBlue Star Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCDinopark Broadway at the Beach Myrtle Beach, SCCFFC Traffic or Caution Signs
Now for Traffic or Caution Signs Along Roads …
Stoneybrook Avenue Gastonia, NCFrom 2024 I-40N Main Street Lancaster, SCCFFC Traffic or Caution Signs
Location: City of Gastonia Fire Headquarters (Shot from across the street); Gastonia, 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.
Location: T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the Spring-like weather. Ours is bouncing back and forth from the low 60°’s to the low 80°’s. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Look up. Count you many blessings. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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