RDP: Evanescent Sea and Sky

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Evanescent

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Skywatch Friday-Last for 2025

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

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens plus Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 RDP: Tuesday —Present!

“Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto thee …” (Acts 3:6)

You might not think this would apply to this time of year, however, I think it very much applies to. Presents, I do not need; but your Presence would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

When Jesus was born, the Magi (also referred to as Wise Men) brought gifts (Presents) of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They came not just with their Presents, but also with their Presence. The Wise Men came to show their respect by being Present and giving Presents with significant meaning and importance.

The gift of Gold was honourable and symbolically respectful of Jesus’ Kingship and royalty. The gift of Frankincense signified their worship of the newborn king, honouring Jesus’ divinity and priesthood. The gift of Myrrh was a foretelling of Jesus’ mortality, suffering, and impending death. The Presents, from the Magi, acknowledged Jesus as King, God, and Savior. They also served practical purposes for Joseph and Mary to help meet their needs.

Yes, we all like to receive Presents during this holiday season, but Presents are not as important to me as having your Presence here with me. Now I know children (aka Coleman) does not understand that our Presence together is more meaningful than receiving Presents. One day, he may learn and appreciate our Presence together, but for now he should would enjoy receiving Presents for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Tuesday! Present! — 12.23.2025

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

2025 RDP: Sunday —Infructescence

Cluster of Bald Cypress cones

These Bald Cypress trees are resilient and have the ability to grow in very wet conditions, even standing in water. These are grown near the South Fork Catawba River in Riverside Park and Greenway.

The Cypress cones are the reproductive structures of Cypress trees that develop from the tree’s flowers. What you see here are the female cones, often called seed cones. The little red droplet on the bottom cone looks like resin which is characteristic from a cypress tree.

The Cluster of Bald Cypress cones you see is a perfect example of an infructescence. These cones are actually modified seed cones, and once they mature, they’ll release seeds. It’s interesting to learn how plants develop these unique structures to disperse their seeds. The mature cones contain seeds that are a very important food source for local wildlife, including squirrels, waterfowl, and other birds.

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) – infructescence

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, 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.

2025 RDP: Friday! — Mountaintop View

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

Ragtag Daily Prompt- Friday!Mountain!

Ragtag Daily Prompt

Photo Credit:©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area; 1481 Mt Jefferson Rd, West Jefferson, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Silent Sunday Stills …

Whatsoever Is Lovely

Is Bright and Beautiful

Click on image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills-All Things Bright and Beautiful

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2025 Week 47

Silent Sunday

Sunday Trees-2025.11.23

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Variegated

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, 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.

Let’s Explore Squaring with Nuts

#NovemberShadows#5

Coleman enjoys Exploring along the banks …

… of the South Fork Catawba River searching for Nuts.

He often finds Acorns …

which are true botanical Nuts from Oak trees.

He thinks the squirrels will eat them, however, …

the squirrels near us tend to enjoy …

swiping the bird seeds from our feeder.

As you can see he has gathered a handful of Acorns (Nuts).

RDP Tuesday! Explore!

Ragtag Daily Prompt

Becky’s November #Shadows

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-N

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Ultra Wide Cameras

Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Beautiful in Fuschia

Helleborus orientalis
Aka Christmas Rose,
Hellebore Lenten Rose,
Rose-colored Christmas Rose
Helleborus orientalis,
the Lenten Rose

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Saturday_Fuschia

Cee’s Flower of the Day

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

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Settings: f/5.6 • 1/320s • 229mm • ISO1250

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

God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Shining Bright in the Evening Sky

Street Lamps
Fort Mill, SC

Maybe not exactly street lamps, but maybe close enough??

Airport Lights
Charlotte, NC

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday 

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Thursday_Street Lamp

Photo Credit:©️2022-2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2025 RDP: Tuesday! Reptilian!

Anolis carolinensis

Green Anole
(Anolis carolinensis)

The Anolis carolinensis (Green Anole) is a tree-dwelling species of anole lizards native to the Southeastern United States. It is small to medium-sized a trunk-crowned ecomorph green anole which can change its colour to several shades from brown to green. It is sometimes referred to as American chameleon due to its colour-changing ability, but it is not a true chameleon.

Green Anole
(Anolis carolinensis)

The dewlap is usually pink for Anolis carolinensis and is very rarely present in females. The color of the dewlap is variable and different from the lizard eye to the human eye. Green anoles are thought to be capable of seeing a larger range of the UV spectrum, and that the dewlap reflects ultraviolet light to attract mates.

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) — Tuesday! Reptilian!

Photo Credit:©️2021-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

Locations: 1) Seven Oaks Preserve Trail, Belmont, North Carolina; 2) Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 RDP: Saturday — Sandwich

Pita Sandwich

Click on image to enlarge.

Ragtag Daily Prompt:Saturday-Sandwich

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Not Pulling the Wool over You

Honestly, I would just like to show you some lovely Lanose creatures which can be seen at The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Do you like my Lanose?
My friends Lanose
are different shades than mine.
Mine is lighter, more fluffier than theirs ↖️.
Bet you’d love
to run your fingers
through my Lanose.

You know what? I’m not gonna come close enough for you to even try. You may look 👀 all you want, but you’re not gonna touch.

Ragtag Daily Prompt

#RDP-Lanose

Photo Credit: ©️2023-2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i

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

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

Thunder, Lightning — Wait it’s a Downpour

In the Morning …

In the Evening …

It went from that to this …

The Weather can Change quickly from one minute to the next. One needs to prepare for all Weather Changes possible in a day or night.

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Skywatch Friday-2025.09.05

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP)-Downpour

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Change!

Hopefully you are able to see what we saw. It was an amazingly awesome sight to watch. 

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA 

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

Let’s Venture Down the Corridor

… to the Planetarium

Ragtag Daily Prompt

Corridor
to the Planetarium

#RDP

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Thursday-Corridor

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2025 Monday Window — In the Neighbourhood

Kitty by a Window – 2
— AI creation by PR

Looking out over the Neighbourhood …

In the evening while observing the full moon in the sky I inadvertently captured the Neighbourhood windows across the street from us. It seemed like an amazingly picturesque scene.

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Sunday-Neighborhood

Cosmic Photo Challenge-As the Sun Goes Down

Monday Window 

See Monday Window posts in Reader

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

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

One-to-Three Water Abstracts

Spending much time at the river is a wonderful opportunity for water abstracts and one-to-three photo processing.

Here are my contributions:

Original –
South Fork Catawba River
Goat Island Park and Greenway
Watercolor/Grainy smoke effects
Portrait 6/Grain2 effects
PicCollage app
Watercolor 2 Magic Effects
PicCollage

Ragtag Daily Prompt-SATURDAY: ABSTRACT

One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge-April 2025

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

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

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm and Altura CPL & 4-Star filter attachments

Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. Happy Easter to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 RDP: Friday! — Black & White!

Black & White Cows
in Black and White
on Black Background

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Friday-Black and White!!

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Settings: f/2.8 • 1/267 • 15.66mm • ISO50

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.

2025 OWS: March — Belief

Belief Down in My Soul

Crosses at The Billy Graham Library
Charlotte, North Carolina

I have a belief from the Depths of my Soul in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. My belief lies in knowing Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. My belief lies in knowing Jesus died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again into heaven. My belief lies in knowing God is always with me and will never leave me; he is my protector, my comforter, my all in all. From the bottom of my Soul, I know no one can ever take my beliefs away.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Belief

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Monday-Soul

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

Rocky Shores of the Catawba

Greetings my friends and fellow bloggers. We’ve had some days where the weather’s been a bit warmer, but do not be fooled. Some cooler days are still gonna be hanging around reminding us that Winter is in no way over yet.

Sitting here enjoying the peace and quiet of the evening’s (Coleman’s asleep) fleeting moments; I’m reflecting and remembering a Spring hiking adventure Coleman and I took to the Fort Mill Dam. My memories fade from time to time, however, the wonderful feeling my memories of time past spending time together will always remain with me (and hope with Coleman as well.)

On this day in 2021 (Coleman was only one year and ten months old), Coleman and I decided to visit the Fort Mill Dam while his mom was working. We dropped his mom off at work and then using directions she gave me (keyed into GPS) we proceeded to locate the entrance to the parking lot for the Fort Mill Dam.

As usual, for us, we walked down to the water to look around. However, we are never satisfied until we hike around the entire area. Therefore, we wandered past the main access to the Catawba River and ventured downstream to get a closer look at the Dam. The area closest to the dam is rather Rocky according to my memory and these photo images I snapped on the particular day.

The vast amount of rocky shoreline did not prevent Coleman from investigating the area surrounding the Dam. He climbed up and down and all around the rocks. We saw quite a number of Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) on the rocks and in the water. Coleman had an amazing time visiting the Fort Mill Dam and hiking around the river. He loved watching the various species of birds flying to and fro over the water as well as swimming in the river. Oh, it’s good to reflect and recall memories we are forging together.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Rocky

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Memory

Photo Credit: 2021 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Catawba River Access; Fort Mill Dam; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Be Grateful for the Memories and the loved ones you share with them. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 RDP: February 22 — Friday! Beast!

Replica Ancient Beasts

The term beast is often referred to any non-human animal species, especially large four -footed mammals. However, the term Beast is determined upon by scientific and biblical interpretations. Biblically, the word “Beast” is referring to large, walking animals excluding humans, amphibians, and small animals. Beasts fall into several different categories including Mammals, Birds, Fish, Insects, Dinosaurs, and Giant Animals.

Birds, Fish, and insects aren’t normally thought of as beast by many people. Birds are descended from the theropod dinosaurs; some of which include the Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Velociraptor. People may think that Pterodactyls are dinosaurs, but they are actually an extinct clade (monophyletic group) of flying reptiles. In the Fish category, Sturgeons are sometimes referred to as “living dinosaurs” (even though they are not) due to their coexistence with dinosaurs and have a prehistoric appearance. Dinosaurs didn’t live in water like  ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs which are not dinosaurs, but are prehistoric marine reptiles. In the Insect category, the wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) and the Aethiocarenus burmanicus are described as resembling dinosaurs. Some think the wheel bug may resemble a stegosaurus or a triceratops.

Here are some typical dinosaur replicas which have been on display at one time or another. Children especially are enthusiastically captivated by seeing dinosaurs (like my grandson, Coleman).

The term “Beast” can also be used to apply to a person or thing that is unpleasant, difficult, or powerful. It can refer to a person’s physical appearance or their behaviour such as annoying, cruel, or uncivilized. It can also refer to something that is unpleasant, and/or difficult.

I might think Coleman is being difficult and annoying at times, however, he is no beast.

Coleman, a dinosaur loving kid.

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Friday! Beast!

Public Art:Dinosaurs

Photo Credit:©️2017-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: Apple iPhone XR, 11 Pro Max, 14 Pro Max, and Canon EOS Rebel T3i

Locations: The Discovery Center; Abilene, Texas; Carowinds; Charlotte, North Carolina; The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 RDP: Thursday —Chopper

In the Air Force

… On the Ground

Helicopter Flying over
Gastonia, North Carolina

Harley-Davidson “Chopper” Motorcycle
North Carolina Transportation Museum
Spencer, North Carolina

Ragtag Daily Prompt Thursday-Chopper

Photo Credit: 1)©️2023; 2)©️2021 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: 1) Gastonia, North Carolina; 2) NC Transportation Museum; Spencer, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Monochrome Monday Portrait

My Friend, My Buddy-boy,

My Grandson, My Heart ❤️,

Coleman

I have recently upgraded my smartphone from the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max to the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. It has features which the iPhone 14 Pro Max did not have.

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has in addition to the main camera, ultra-wide camera, and the telephoto camera it also has a Fusion camera. The Fusion camera has ten (10) different modes to choose from ranging from standard to Dramatic to Mute or Stark Black and White with several different options in between. In the Fusion Square you can slide between lighter or darker and control the amount of light desired for an image.

This Fusion Camera feature is all new and different to me. I have only had my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max since last Monday and have not figured out all its new “bells and whistles” (new upgraded features). Today it was in the high 70’s here, warm enough to allow Coleman to play outside. Instead of going on a hike like we’d normally do, I decided to let him try out his T-ball set up. He will be playing T-Ball through our local Recreational Center and figured it wouldn’t hurt to let him try to practice hitting a ball.

The first eight (8) of these photos were taken using the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Mac’s Fusion camera with the Mute Black and White setting. The last seven (7) were taken using its Stark Black and White settings.

Monochrome Monday

Monday Portrait

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Sunday – Friend

Monochrome Madness

Cosmic Photo Challenge: Black and White

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Backyard; Cramerton, 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.

Hiking through a Lush Green Canal Trail

Coleman and I love to go hiking and whenever I am Willing to go hiking, he is always Willing to put on his hiking boots rearing to go on a hiking adventure. No matter when or where we might venture on our adventures I am usually almost always Willing to bring my Canon along to take photographs of the amazingly beautiful nature surrounding whatever hiking trail we choose to tackle for the day.

Most often than not Coleman and I close to hike in a local Greenway, Nature Preserve, or a State Park. Coleman is always excited and rearing to go out for a hike. He distastes being cooped up indoors. The majority of Greenways or State Parks are filled with Green trees, lawns, and vegetation. It’s like walking through a lush Green forest snapping photographs one by one with my Camera. I often take photographs with my iPhone as well as my Canon.

For this post I am combining several challenges into one post. I Willing chosen to select Photographs with plenty of Green using Green and Hiking as my theme for Judy’s Numbers Game.

Here are the Photographs with Green I am Willing to share with y’all for Judy’s Numbers Game, the RDP prompt of Photograph, Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge of Green, and lastly, but no less important FOWC prompt of Willing.

I trust you have enjoyed seeing the Photographs of the lush Green trees as we hiked the Canal Trail at Landsford Canal State Park I do Willingly captured for your viewing pleasure. Click on any image for an enhanced view. Be sure to take a look at each Photograph Challenge I’ve included to get a look at what others have posted.,

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Photograph

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge-Green

Fandango’s One-Word Challenge—Willing

Judy’s Numbers Game #59-180

Photo Credit:©️2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Wide Camera

Location: Canal Trail; Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 RDP Tuesday Reunion!

Looking Back

at Past Reunions

The Ragtag Daily Prompt for today has prompted a look back to Reunions in years past. In my younger days we had a few Family reunions with members of my maternal grandfather’s side of the family. So far, I have not located any of the photos my dad or other relatives would have taken of those get togethers. Some were held at my maternal grandparents home and others at my maternal grandfather’s sister’s daughter’s home. The memories of those Reunions are sporadic and fragmented, but do somewhat remain in the crevices of my mind.

After my maternal grandfather passed away the family reunions seemed to fade away. I hadn’t gone to a reunion in years until after we moved back to the Carolinas and made family connections through AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, and Facebook. It was with those connections that I found out about the Greer/Watson/Trivette Reunions and the Watson Family Reunions in and surrounding Deep Gap, North Carolina. [My maternal grandfather was born in the Deep Gap area in 1890.]

Here are a few photos from those Reunions …

Watson Family Reunions

2015

2016

2017

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Tuesday! Reunion !

Photo Credit:©️2015-2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens

Locations: 2015-2016) Yadkin Valley Community Park; Lenoir, North Carolina; 2017) Deep Gap Fire Department; Deep Gap, North Carolina

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

2025 RDP: Tuesday! — Goat!

Goat at
Confluence South Fork
Town of Cramerton

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Tuesday! Goat!

Becky’s GeometricJanuary

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Outside Confluence South Fork; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Be Kind. Love One Another as Yourself. Don’t let anything get your Goat. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 RDP: Contentment

Cardinals Contentment

Coleman and I refilled our bird feeder today to the delight and contentment of Northern Cardinals as well as a variety of other bird species.

The birds have a tendency to jostle some of the bird seeds around while they are grabbing a bite and flying off. Some will stay awhile for a bit of contented munching while others snatch and flee to and fro. They do fly here and there spreading the word and then flying back for more.

After filling the feeder, we had some loose seeds, so instead of putting them back in the back we spread them out on the railing. Coleman loves to watch the birds eating the bird feed we put out. Today, the Female Northern Cardinals were displaying contentment, enjoying the feed we spread out for their content.

RDP Wednesday: TODAY

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Friday! Contentment

Birds of the Week XCVI

Birds of the Carolinas

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: As seen through our Front Window; Our Front Porch Railings; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Be Content with who you are. You are loved. Dwell in the Contentment of our Lord God. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 RDP: Tuesday 12.17 — Darkness

Out of the Darkness and into the early Dawn as Coleman walked out the back door for us to head to the bus stop, he said look Grandma and pointed towards the back fence. He wanted me to see what he was seeing.

Here’s what he was seeing …

These were taken in the early dawn when it was still dark outside. I have cataracts and cannot see out of my left eye, it is difficult for me to see in the dark. Thus, these are not as clear as I would prefer but will still give you an idea of what Coleman was seeing coming out of the darkness.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Tuesday! Darkness!

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Our Backyard; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Come out of the Darkness and Dwell in the Light of Jesus. Hallelujah! Christ’s birth is the Reason we celebrate Christmas. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 My Bestie for OWS/RDP

Bestie is a person’s best friend. I had friends growing up, but I do not recall one being a bestie. I know, as an adult, have had friends that come and go, but none of them have ever been close enough to be called a bestie. Nowadays, I spend practically all my time with my grandson, Coleman. He is my hiking buddy. He and I are closer than he is with his own mom. The reason for that is most likely due to the fact that we spend the most time together as his mom works a lot to provide a place for us to live. So in a sense he is my bestie. He is not a confident, but he is someone I love and care very deeply about; someone I’d give my life to protect.

Coleman playing at CB Huss Recreation Complex.

Coleman colouring an ornament at the Town of Cramerton Community Center.

Coleman and myself affectionately loving each other.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Any word beginning with C

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Bestie

Monday Portrait

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 RDP Sunday: Sunlight

Here are my contributions for the Ragtag Daily Prompts Sunday Challenge — Sunlight.

Sunlight Peeking Through the Branches
Shimmering Sunlight Shining Bright
Enjoying the Sunshine

Ragtag Daily Prompts Sunday Challenge — Sunlight

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 RDP: Saturday—Boat

Coast of Cozumel; Caribbean Sea;
Gulf of Mexico
From Enchantment of the Sea
Caribbean Cruise Ship
Alex’s Marina
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Gastonia County Police Boat
in Cramerton Christmas Parade
Cramerton, North Carolina,

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Saturday Boat

RDP

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #249

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

2024 RDP: Wednesday 11.13 — Pull Up a Seat on a SEESAW

The Ragtag Prompt of Seesaw fits right into some of the pictures of Coleman I took this past weekend at Goat Island Park and Greenway. The Goat Island Park’s Playground only opened back up this past weekend after having been closed for renovations to repair damage generated by the strong winds and storms which caused flooding to the Greenway’s Playground and a majority of the rest of the Greenway.

When we went to the playground Coleman was hoping to be able to not only play on the playground’s equipment, but also with other children. However, that is not exactly how it worked out. Yes, he was able to play on the various playground equipment including the Seesaw, but not with other children. Other parents or grandparents kept their children at a distance from other children playing in the playground. Thus the many facial expressions displayed by Coleman. He found it difficult to enjoy playing on the Seesaw especially when no other child would get on the Seesaw with him. I tried getting on the Seesaw with him, however, that didn’t work so we. My end sank all the way to the ground and he was stuck up in the air until I could manage to extend my legs for my end to go up. (Actually I ended up having to get off for his end to come down.) Here are photos of Coleman Pulling Up a Seat on the Seesaw.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Seesaw

#RDP

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 45

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

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Goat Island Playground; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Playground with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Have a wonderfully funtastic day. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 RDP’s: Thursday-Wall_Tuesday-Nostalgia!_Sunday-Want

When I think about Wall I don’t think about any ordinary wall. I think about the Vietnam Veterans Walls I have been fortunate to visit. When I have visited Vietnam Veterans Walls, I think about the sacrifices that men and women have made to ensure our freedoms. I think about the tremendous ultimate sacrifices made by too many. I think about the lifetime suffering our Vietnam Veterans endured due to the effects Agent Orange that were forced upon our soldiers during their service to the United States of America.

The above depicts the Veterans Wall in the Veterans Garden at Glencairn Gardens in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Veterans Garden was created by the City of Rock Hill in partnership with the American Legion Post 34 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2889. It honors women and men from the past, present, and future who served in the United States armed forces.

I look back with Nostalgic whenever I reflect on the time I traveled to Jacksonville, North Carolina visiting sons. The time spent with my eldest sightseeing various sites in the area including the  Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Lejeune Memorial Gardens.

It is dedicated to all men and women who served during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a recognition for the nearly ten million Veterans of the five branches of the Armed Forces who served active duty during the Vietnam era. This memorial remembers the 303,704 service members who were wounded in Vietnam, the many POW/MIAs who are still unaccounted for, and the 58,229 men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Upon entering the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, you’ll encounter an entry wall with medallions and flags representing all branches of the military, a walkway and bridge with French design, and a glass wall etched with names of those MIA, POW or dead. 

One Wall I truly Want to visit one day is the Memorial Wall which is apart of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D. C.. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a U.S. National memorial in Washington D. C.. It honors service members of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam War. The two-acre site is dominated by two black granite walls engraved with the names of those service members who died or remain missing as a result of their service in Vietnam and South East Asia during the war.

The United States fully entered the Vietnam War on March 8, 1965 when 3,500 United States Marines came ashore at Da Nang as the first wave of U.S. combat troops into South Vietnam. The U. S. had already been in Vietnam with 25,000 U.S. military advisers at that time period. The United States involvement in the War lasted until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. The last combat units left Vietnam in 1973. However, it took years to bring home those who had died during the conflict and those who were held in prison camps (POW’s) or listed as Missing in Action (MIA).

Why is the Vietnam War Memorial Wall so important to me? Even though I did not loose family in Vietnam, I did have family members who served during the Vietnam War (Conflict). My brother enlisted in the United States Air Force in January 1973. My husband and both his brothers served during this time period. I have many friends who were drafted or enlisted in the early 1970’s. My husband & many of my friends were on the ground during the height of the conflict in Vietnam Nam. Quite a number have or are still affected by the results of the spraying of Agent Orange over the area. Many have had lasting PTSD, as others in other wars have also suffered. Our Vietnam Veterans were not given a welcome home as in previous wars or actually any welcome home except from their families. This was a war very real and personal in my growing up years and one I will always remember. If anyone reads this who served during the Vietnam Nam War era, Welcome Home!

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Wall

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Nostalgia!

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Want

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

2024 RDP: Wednesday — 🦕 Dinosaur 🦖

Dinosaurs at

The Schiele Museum

How lovely to have the prompt of dinosaur. My grandson, Coleman, loves Dinosaurs. We’ve been fortunate this past year to live within a relatively short distance from the local Schiele Museum of Natural History. The most popular exhibits at The Schiele Museum are the Dinosaur exhibits. They are definitely Coleman’s favourites. Every year the Museum has a special Dinosaur Day. On Dinosaur Day, the museum has special activities and events for everyone to enjoy (especially the children) and participate.

Since Coleman loves Dinosaurs so much; we got him a dinosaur backpack, lunchbox, and matching bottle to use for school. We couldn’t forget to add dinosaur shirts, socks, and shoes. He loves all his dinosaur items, even his toy dinosaurs.

Ragtag Daily Prompt_Wednesday-Dinosaur

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

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

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

2024 RDP: Saturday — Landslide

Landslides occur whenever they choose to happen even in the most unlikely of circumstances or in areas you least expect. This one happened on a portion of my cousin’s property. Better be careful where you walk. Never know what Mother Nature will decide to do next.

Along my cousin’s property
after all the rain
from Tropical Storms.

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Saturday-Landslide

Fandango’s One Word Challenge-Outside

John’s CellPic Sunday

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

2024 RDP: Tuesday—Travel!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

In the aftermath of Covid, travel has increased dramatically upwards to around 60 percent from the same time last year. This increase is comparable to the amount of travelers in 2019. People are more relaxed and have an increased willingness to travel. My daughter began working at the airport earlier this year and is amazed by the number of travelers traveling by airplane. She is also quite delirious about the items travelers try to get away with bringing onto an airplane and the items which airport TSA agents have to confiscate.

Watching this video of an airplane leaving Charlotte-Douglas International Airport reminded me of a song sung by John Denver calledLeaving on a Jet Plane.”

All my bags are packed
I’m ready to go
I’m standin’ here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye … So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane

John Denver

Personally, I have not travelled any lengthy distance since 2020. I’m not convinced Covid is over, but believe it is ongoing and will keep being around for a long time. Even though there are not as many, I don’t think, Covid related deaths; the long term effects of the virus drastically affect peoples lives.

With limited resources, I do not do the traveling I imagined I would be doing at this particular stage in my life. I travel vicariously through the reading of books which take me (in my mind) to interesting and fascinating places I’d never dreamed possible. Someday ( hopefully soon), I hope to travel long distance to the west coast once again. Though the traveling will not be on an airplane, most likely will be in a rental vehicle or in my daughter’s car along with a U-Haul. I’m hoping to eventually more out west to be closer to my husband’s gravesite, where I’ll be able to visit often.

Do you travel abundantly? Are you relaxed or skeptical about traveling surrounded by large crowds of people? Me, I do not like large crowds and never really have.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Travel!

Video Credit: ©️2024 Trisha L. Wilson … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Plus

Location: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 RDP: Saturday – Boat

From Dock to Shining Sea

Docked Boats
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA Throwback Photo
Sailboat
In the Caribbean Sea
off the Coast of
Cozumel, Mexico
February 2020 iPhone 11 Pro Max
Boating on Lake Wylie
Taken from
McDowell Nature Preserve

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
July 2020 iPhone 11 Pro Max

RDP Saturday-Boat

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

2024 RDP: Sunday — Panoramas

Panoramas of

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Landsford Canal State Park

Catawba River

In Honor of

Armed Forces Day May 18

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Panorama

Photo Credit:©️2022-2024 Deb L. Waters

Cameras: 1-2) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 3-6) iPhone 13 Pro

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

2024 RDP Sunday: Aurora

An Aurora as seen

from Lemon Grove, California.

Aurora Borealis
Northern Lights

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Aurora

Cosmic Photo Challenge-In the Evening

Photo Credit:©️Wayne A. Wilson (my brother-in-law) … All Rights Reserved.

Location: Lemon Grove, California, USA

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

Taking Flight in Gastonia

Coleman
watching an Airplane
becoming Airborne

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Monday – Airborne

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

2024 Monday Portrait: 03.25

Throwback Family Portraits

Through the Ages of Time

For this week I selected photos which were handed down to me by my maternal grandmother after my maternal grandfather passed. The last selection was one of my father’s photos I received after he passed.

I am so thankful for the many photos that I have received and will treasure them always. Each one tells a little piece of my families history.

Jeramiah Watson Family
My Maternal Great Grandfather & Family (My Grandfather, Harvey Martin,
is second from left)
Family of Jeramiah Watson
My Maternal Great Grandfather
( Pictured with his Second Wife
and Children)
Doyce Eileen Watson
First Grade – 1938
Coshocton, Ohio School Class
(My Mom’s Class Picture)
John Thomas Waters
( My Paternal Grandfather) &
Nornal Hule Waters
( My Father)

Monday Portrait

Lens-Artists Challenge #292: People Here, There and Everywhere

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Age

Throwback Thursday

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

2024 RDP: Tuesday — Ink

Ink Art — Tattoos

Continue to Live
I Got Your Back
22 Too Many
In Memory
&
Cancer Awareness
for Grandmother & Dad
( My Daughter’s Tatoo)
A Tattoo
on my Husband’s Arm

These tattoos all have meanings behind them. I do not remember my husband, Terry’s meaning for his tattoo. Regrettably I do not have a better quality photo of it. May he continue to Rest in Peace.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Ink

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.

Cascading the Catawba River with Coleman

I was just thinking about the many times Coleman and I have enjoyed hiking together along the Catawba River when the RDP (Ragtag Daily Prompt) appeared showing the today’s prompt to be River. Our minds seem to be in sync on thinking about River.

We’ve had a tremendous amount of rainfall recently and so I’ve been remembering beautiful sunny days spent with Coleman at the Catawba River. I’ve had photos of the Catawba River come across in my Google photos app as memories.

These are some of the memory photos that I’ve enjoyed looking over this week.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-River

Six Word Saturday

Photo Credit: ©️2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Catawba River; Piedmont Medical Center Trail; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

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

2023 RDP: Monday—SUCCULENT

As we have been sick with a respiratory virus (not Covid)since Thanksgiving; we haven’t been out much due to rain and feeling under the weather. Therefore, I am pulling a few succulents I enjoy from my 2023 archives.

Phedimus kamtschaticus
Goldmoss stonecrop
Pacific Shadows Sempervivum
Hens & Chicks

Ragtag Daily Prompt- Monday—Succulent

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

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

Cameras: 1) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens; 3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 55-250 mm lens.

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

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

Christmas’ Pastime Memories

Memories from Christmas Pastimes ranging from 1956 – 2023 in no particular order or pattern.

Monday Portrait

Ragtag Daily Prompt – HOLIDAY

Photo Credit: ©️ Deb L. Waters

Created with Google Highlight Video Creator

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

2023 RDP: Daylight Savings Time

This past Sunday, November 5th was the end of Daylight Saving Time for this year. The time is set at 2 am, so the major people try to remember to set their clocks backwards before they go to sleep at night. Most of the time I forget and just change clocks ( the oven & microwave clocks) whenever I get around to it. Smartphone and other Smart technology devices automatically change their times alleviating our need to do so.

Is Changing Clocks backwards and forwards to compensate for Daylight Saving Time beneficial? Yes or No? In 1974 President Richard M. Nixon argued that it would Save Energy when he signed into law the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act during a fuel crisis.

Other benefits to Daylight Saving Time include:

  • Longer Daylight hours Promotes Safety
  • Daylight in the Evening makes it safer for joggers
  • It’s safer for those walking their dogs after work
  • It’s safer for children playing outside
  • Greater visibility reduces criminal activity
  • Reduce the Nation’s Energy Consumption
  • It promotes active lifestyles

What are some disadvantages to Daylight Saving Time?

  • Daylight Saving Time is bad for your health
    • Changing sleep patterns has negative consequences for our health
    • Increase in headaches after fall time changes
    • Increase in auto and work place accidents the day after time changes
  • Daylight Saving Time drops productivity
    • The Monday after is one of the most sleep-deprived days of the year
    • Increased “Cyber loafing” (wasting time browsing the internet)
    • Decreased quality of life
    • Increased susceptibility to illness
    • Increase in tiredness
      • Note: Till Roenneberg, a German scientist observed that the human circadian clock does not adjust to Daylight Saving Time.

I know for a fact that my grandson’s internal clock does not adjust to Daylight Saving Time. He will wake up on the same internal “time” schedule regardless of what the actual time is. Being on DST he wakes up around 8 am give or take a few minutes. Off of DST his body tells him to wake up around 7 am. If we did not change the time on clocks, he would be waking up at the same exact time year round.

For myself, I firmly believe that I do not adjust very well to DST. I am extremely more tired in the days and weeks immediately following when time changes occur. I do not have the desire to wake up when he does, however, I must as his 24/7 caretaker. I have less energy, especially after the fall time change. It is harder for me to be motivated and productive in my surroundings. I have less energy for hiking and outdoor activities which I know are beneficial for both Coleman and myself.

RDP Tuesday word prompt is daylight savings time.

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