This week Terri, host of Sunday Stills is offering the challenge prompt of Monthly Colour Challenge in Any Shade of Brown and/or Gray. I’ve scoured through my photos for shades of Brown, I have discovered many of them are from This Trail, That Trail & Trails Over There.
October 4th was World #Animal Day. This year’s theme is “Save Animals, Save the Planet.” The idea behind the theme is to highlight how protecting animal lives supports a healthier, sustainable planet. 2025 marks the 100th Anniversary of World Animal Day.
Many of us (speaking specifically for myself) do not see Safari, exotic, or any non domesticated animal species other than perhaps in one of the many Zoos around the world.
Here are a few photos I have captured of Animals living in a Zoo or Safari Park environment.
Lemur Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Columbia, South Carolina
Baboons Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Columbia, South Carolina
Giraffes Greenville Zoo Greenville, South Carolina
Chuma and Saied (2022) Greenville Zoo Greenville, South Carolina
Sadly, Saied, one of the African Lions who called the Greenville Zoo home since 2010 is no longer amongst us. Saied was a 15-year old African Lion who had a rapid and irreversible worsening of degenerative joint disease and spinal neurological issues. After much discussion, testing, and constant monitoring the Greenville Zoo staff had the hard decision to consult and come to an agreement on what was best for Saied. It was with a heavy heart that the consensus reached was to euthanize Saied and relief him once and for all of his suffering.
It is extremely important for us to recognize the value of the Animals which share our planet. They cannot speak for themselves, so we must speak for them. Each species which exist here on earth have unique ways in which they help to support life.
World #Animal Day is a reminder for us to maintain and continue protecting animals. Without the animals our very existence and survival would be nearly impossible and meaningless. When we protect the animals, we are essentially protecting ourselves.
God Bless. Remember we must protect the Animals to protect and preserve the earth and ourselves. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
If only I could hear some of the stories these windows could tell. I wish I could remember what it was like to gaze out these windows and watch the comings and goings of friends and family.
Great Falls, South Carolina
The above home is the first place I ever lived. If only I could know the stories those windows would tell if times long ago.
2912 1/2 ‘E’ Street San Diego, California
“Bless those who see life through a different window and those who understand their view.” — Unknown author
Through every Window in every home tells a chapter in the story of my journey through life.
The above home is the second home I lived in from the time I was two until the summer before I started kindergarten. That summer we moved to the home shown below. I loved looking through the windows and knew that excitement and adventure was awaiting me on the outside.
228 S. Meadowbrook Drive San Diego, California
“The window is where curiosities meet. Insiders are curious about the outside, and outsiders are curious about the inside”.
— Author Unknown
Peeking through the curtains, watching and waiting with anticipation … wondering who will be dropping by … curiosity beckons me to the window.
6441 Birchwood Street San Diego, California
“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.”
— George Bernard Shaw
Grace Church San Diego Formerly Known as Scott Memorial Baptist Church 4637 Oregon Street San Diego, CA 92116
The many Windows in the church could tell a vast array of stories regarding the comings and goings of all who consider this like home and all its inhabitants like family. This church was almost like a second home spending every Sunday morning and evening, and every Wednesday night as well. Sometimes the rest of the week as well, in my youth many a day was spent with friends playing, connecting, conversing with each other like we couldn’t wait to hear the stories we knew these windows were hearing.
This week Terriis challenging us to display images of Waterfalls and/or Fountains we have seen. In our area we do not have any really huge waterfalls, but I have managed to visit a few smallish ones and fountains around the Carolinas.
Here are my entries … click on each image to enlarge.
Sesquicentennial State Park Columbia, SCBlue Ridge Parkway, NCStone Mountain State Park Roaring Gap, NCUpper Widow’s Creek Falls Stone Mountain State Park Roaring Gap, NCKings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SCGlencairn Garden Rock Hill, SCGlencairn Garden Rock Hill, SCDaniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NCStone Mountain State Park Roaring Gap, NCWaterfalls and Fountains
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Our neighbour’s home has been under construction for a major renovation project since springtime. The whole inside was gutted and renovations began with brand new plumbing, wiring, electrical, and such forth (basically taken down to the bare roots of the building).
We’ve been quietly watching the workers coming and going every day except Saturday and Sunday until recently. Now workers are working almost every single day. The owners come by every Thursday/Friday evening to check on the construction progress. I know they are anxious to be able to get back into their home.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic week ahead. Be Kind. Love your Neighbour. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
President James K. Polk Birthplace & Museum Pineville, NCLancaster County, SCAndrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, SCAndrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, SCMcDowell Nature Preserve Charlotte, NC
From the time Coleman began walking I have had him hiking out in the woods amongst the Trees teaching him to love nature and the importance of Leaving No Trace. Emphasizing the importance of carrying out what we bring into the woods, carrying out our trash if no disposal contains are available and what is in nature naturally stays in nature. We may take pictures, but leave only footprints.
“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.”
Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCColeman age 2 1/2 Lake Wylie, SCLake Wylie, SCColeman Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCAnne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCSeven Oaks Preserve Trail Belmont, NCColeman Seven Oaks Preserve Trail Belmont, NCColeman Anne Springs Close Greenway (ASCG) Fort Mill, SC
I am extremely grateful that Coleman loves being out in nature amongst the Trees as much as I do. I hope and pray he always will love, respect, and protect nature.
“Learn character from trees, values from roots, and change from leaves.”
Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SCPiedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SCColeman ASCG Fort Mill, SCBaxter Village Trail Fort Mill, SC Baxter Village Trail Fort Mill, SCColeman Martha Rivers Park Trail Gastonia, NCColeman ASCG Fort Mill, SCColeman Riverside Park and Greenway Cramerton, NC
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
As Coleman and I walked through the woods and around the newly renovated playground at Goat Island Park and Greenway, I noticed all the lines and patterns in the equipment along with all the shades of tan, beige, and every shade of light brown imaginable.
Tan, Beige?, & all sorts of shades of light brown
The slide on this playground was once green, and very much broken after Hurricane Helene. It took months and months of waiting for a new slide to arrive and installation to be complete. The months and months of waiting due to delays upon delays was difficult and disappointing for the children (you know how impatient children of all ages can be). It doesn’t matter whether you call the new slide tan or beige or whatever floats your boat, it only matters that the children once again have a slide to play on.
Coleman excited to be able to slide down the new slide.
Looking carefully at the slide and playground equipment one may notice all the curvy lines all forming patterns in various aspects of the equipment.
Coleman having a grand time with every single asset within the playground equipment
Leavingthe playground for a short walk we encounter more tan, beige, & light brown as well as some interesting lines and patterns.
Coleman hiking along the Disc Golf Trail
Can you see all the lines, patterns, and various shades of beige, tan, and light brown? This afternoon was a pleasant and delightful afternoon spent with Coleman and his exuberance.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.
Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outside and enjoy the beauty in Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Northern Cardinal is the official state bird of North Carolina. It was designated as such in 1943 by the North Carolina General Assembly. The bright red colour of the males feathers, black face mask and their distinctive crests make them easy to spot. The females are a duller reddish-brown with similar facial markings.
Cardinals display at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
The Northern Cardinals (also referred to as Cardinals or Redbirds) do not migrate and have adapted effortlessly to both suburban and city environments. They are the most abundant and cherished songbirds in North America.
Male Northern Cardinal
Cardinals are believed to be beneficial by providing services for the environment, such as keeping farms and gardens free of harmful plants and insects.
Cardinals are seedeaters that also eat insects, larvae, sap, and many types of fruit. They enjoy feasting on berries (even dried berries, cranberries, and raisins) sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts and cracked corn.
They have strong beaks adapted for cracking seeds. They eat seeds from a variety of sources, including weeds, grasses, and trees. Sunflower seeds, in particular, are a favorite.
Cardinals also consume a variety of wild fruits and berries, such as dogwood, wild grape, blackberry, raspberry, sumac, and cherries. They get important nutrients and sugars from these. Interestingly, the red pigments in the male cardinal’s plumage come from carotenoids found in the fruits they eat.
Northern Cardinal on our Wire
Cardinals thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, residential areas, and even parks. They are known for their loud, clear whistles and are territorial, often seen defending their space, even against their own reflection.
Hey you, I see you checking out my Feathers.
We often see Cardinals in our neighbourhood perching on wires, in trees, and checking out our bird feeder. Sometimes the wind will sway the feeder to and fro and seed will fall onto the porch railing or undeveloped planter box. This particular female Cardinal is enjoying a snack of sunflower seeds spilled onto the porch railing. Isn’t she just sitting prettily posing for me to capture her portrait?
What ya doing to me? This is not enough for my lunch. Ya gotta do better than this.
My high school mascot was Cardinals … these are recent renderings of the Cardinal for the Hoover High (San Diego) Class of 1974.
God Bless. Enjoy your week. Take time to commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 4) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 5) Minolta XG-7
Locations: 1-3) South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina; 4) Lake Haigler Spillway; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina; 5) Springs Pool; Springs Mill Recreational Park; Lancaster, 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.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura ND & 8-Star filter attachments.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Independence Day! Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all verymuch.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura ND & 8-Star filter attachments.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Independence Weekend America! Thankful for our Freedoms. Enjoy some fireworks if you’re able. [Coleman enjoyed Cramerton’s Fireworks]. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Rocky Branch Park Trail was developed by an enhancement project in partnership with the non-profit trail advocates the Tarheel Trailblazers, the City of Belmont and Town of Cramerton. [2 Towns]. The project transformed a public open space in the City of Belmont into an urban trail system for mountain biking enthusiasts, runners, hikers, and walkers that extends into the Town of Cramerton.
Coleman seating on top of a Cairn
The progressive trail system created beginner, intermediate and advanced trail features, fun for a diverse range of interest and skill levels. The park now features three entrances, two feature trail heads marked by a 6-foot cairn. [2 Cairns].
1 Cairn – Cramerton Trail closed
The first is located in Belmont, NC on Sacco St just one mile from Main Street shops and restaurants and 12 miles west of uptown Charlotte. The second is in Cramerton, NC on Eagle Rd just one mile from Center Street and its shops and restaurants.
A CairnA Cairn
Coleman and I begin our hikes at the lower Cramerton entrance, hike to the Cramerton Trailhead with one of the Cairns and then proceed to hike The Rocky Branch Trail. Naturally, Coleman finds the need to climb the Cairn before we continue our hike.
2nd Cairn – Belmont
Hopefully you have guessed what a Cairn is, but if not let me explain. A Cairn is a human-made pile (or stack) of stones. The purpose for the pile of stones (rocks) as a marker (in this case) or burial mound. Cairns have been used for centuries as trail markers, especially in mountainous regions or across challenging terrain.
The Rocky Branch Trail [1 Trail] connects the city of Belmont and the Town of Cramerton, weaving through forests and offering over 4 miles of mountain bike trails for cyclists of all experience levels.
Cameras: 1, 4-5, 8-9) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 2-3, 6-7, 10) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Belmont/Cramerton, 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.
Terri from Second Wind Leisure Perspectives has given the challenge of showing #Pink in the Outdoors for this week’s Monthly Color Challenge.
Here are my entries for the Monthly Color Challenge. They are mostly outdoor #Pinks, I did include a few indoor #Pinks though.
Pink in the SkyPink Rose Flamingos Greenville Zoo Greenville, SCBabyLand General Hospital Aurora BorealisAphelandra sinclairiana, Aka Coral Aphelandra, Panama QueenGreenville Zoo Greenville, SCBabyLand General Hospital Cleveland , Georgia Aurora BorealisEchinacea purpureaGreenville Zoo Greenville, SCBabyLand General Hospital Cleveland , GeorgiaBeautiful Pink SkyPlumeria rubraAlona 2013No One Should Fight Alone Breast Cancer Awareness
Good Day to everyone! It is a cool spring morning and I’m wishing I was still asleep. However, that’s not possible when it’s a school day for Coleman. Instead of falling back asleep after arriving back home from the bus stop, I’m here writing and fixing to upload another post. Who needs sleep anyway? I’ll probably fall back asleep after arriving a little bit of reading 📖.
Now before I begin reading it is time to show y’all some lovely pastel florals from my neighbours gardens.
Stop and Smell the Flowers. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty.
God Bless. You are Beautiful. Share your beautiful smiles and love to everyone in your path. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
A Hodgepodge of Dramatic Shades of Purple; from lovely flowers to amazingly colourful skies, and a beautiful artwork depicting the Cross on a hill called Golgotha, also known as Calvary. Enjoy the scenery and join in the challenge if you’re so inclined. Check out the Sunday Stills Challengehere.
Buddleja davidii Butterfly-BushLiriope muscari Big Blue LilyturfAurora 2024Passiflora incarnata Purple PassionflowerClematis viticella Purple ClematisLancaster SC SunsetDigitalis purpurea aka Lady’s Glove, Common FoxgloveViola (Violets)Artwork of the Cross at the Billy Graham Library
God Bless. May your world be lit with joy and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Celebrating Spring with Children’s sports through the C.B. Huss Recreation Center Complex. Spring is time for Baseball or in Coleman’s case T-Ball. Spring is time to Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Coleman’s T-Ball practices began on Saturday, March 8th.
Look closely & you might spot Coleman in the infield.
Coaches hitting balls for the players to practice fielding the ball.
Coleman waiting in the infield, T-ball approaching, and Coleman’s got the ball.
Coleman’s T-Ball Practice
Great job at practice, Coleman. Till next time, have a funtastic week.
I have not been able to plant flowers in a really long time, however, that does not stop me from enjoying them or photographing them. Hopefully one day I will live in a place where I’ll be able to plant, water, feed, and nourish my own plants and flowers.
Here is a gallery array of some of my favourite flowers over the years:
Camellia japonica, known as common camellia, or Japanese camelliaThe common crape myrtle (L. indica)Helianthus tuberosus L.
Where I live we still have a little over two and a half hours before 2025’s arrival. I do not normally do year end reviews and I’ve long since given up on making any New Year’s Resolutions. This year Sunday Stills is asking us to do an Annual Year in Review. Therefore, I decided to give a few tidbits of my 2024.
951 posts on WordPress
Written a total of 129.2K words in my WP posts
Participated regularly in blogging challenges. (I’ll miss Cee and her Challenges).
Commented on many posts
Had 10,153 views (for some this may not seem like a lot, but to me it is)
Had 4,125 visitors
Had 6,438 likes
Other Activities outside of Blogging:
Read 121 e-books
Read for a minimum of 30 minutes all 365 days
Read all 52 weeks of the year
Visited 5 cities in my area
Visited and Hiked at 14 different parks or greenways
Made many friends here on WordPress
My grandson started Kindergarten ( I’ve walked him to school most days)
My grandson hikes anywhere and everywhere with me
We moved out of an apartment and into a rental house one town over. (Coleman loves it. It is in walking distance to two greenways).
Now for my Floral Year in Review:
January Flowers (sad to say not many):
February Flowers:
Think I made up for only one in January
March Flowers:
April Flowers:
May Flowers:
June Flowers:
July Flowers:
August Flowers:
September Flowers:
October Flowers:
November Flowers:
December Flowers:
I am grateful for each and everyone who has visited, liked, and or commented on my blog. I hope to see y’all participating in the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) in 2025. Happy New Year!
My entries here are from The Lindsay Pettus Greenway’s Lighting of the Greenway. Whenever Coleman and I are hiking in a Greenway, State or National Park, we do not Rush; instead we take our time strolling through the paths and trails in taking everything there is to see. Nature is amazingly beautiful and peaceful, there is never a need to Rush. Take your time, relax and enjoy your journey.
Golden Snowflake
Silver and Gold Lined Pathway
Shining Brightly
Sparkling Snow Droplets Covering a Bridge
Can you sense the Snow ❄️?
Bonus: Gold at the Christmas Market
Please make sure your which way is the main object of your photo. Thanks.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Location: Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Season Greetings. Enjoy your holidays. Remember the Reason for the Season. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For larger enhanced viewing, please click on each individual photo. Sometimes the Sky seems like God painted a beautiful picture just for us to enjoy and be amazed at His Majestic Creation.,
“Trees exhale for us so that we can inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish.”
― Munia Khan
“When one plants a tree they plant themselves. Every root is an anchor, over which one rests with grateful interests, and becomes sufficiently calm to feel the joy of living.”
— John Muir
I feel right at home when I am walking through the forest of trees whether I am alone or out hiking with my grandson. Being in the woods has a calming effect on me. It is relaxing and uplifting at the same time; a time of reflection and communing with God, the Creator of all things on Earth and in Heaven. The Autumn hues of the leaves are beautiful and mesmerizing. Autumn is a great time for observing the changes in nature. I love to be out in the forest amongst the trees all year round. It is so much better than being cooped up in doors. Enjoy the views of the trees and nature I and my grandson love to roam and wander through on a regular period.
“In a forest of a hundred thousand trees, no two leaves are alike. And no two journeys along the same path are alike.”
— Paolo Coelho
“Together we can preserve the forest, securing this immense treasure for the future of all these our children.”
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Have a walk amongst the Trees. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
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 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. Below are my contributions to the album:
I am choosing to post photos of volunteers helping across Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Appreciate Prayers for every affected person, family, animal in the areas impacted.
You might not think about this being Weird, Wild, or Oddballs, however, I think it is in an amazing way. Weird in that this is not something you see or experience every day. Wild to see all the Numerous Volunteers leaving their homes to come and help communities, towns, cities, families in tremendous need. Oddballs in that I never imagined the Pack Mule Teams, helicopter pilots, and many others coming together for a single mission.
All of this unity coming together to restore, rescue, and rebuild to lovely to see. This is the very essence of Whatsoever Is Lovely.
Thank you Cajun Navy! Thank you Mike Tobber and crew with Cajun Navy! Thank you National Guard! Thank you Garrett Mitchell and Volunteer Helicopter Pilots! Thank you Linemen! Thank you Search and Rescue Teams! Thank you Mountain Mule Packer Ranch! Thank you to all Volunteers for helping those affected by Hurricane Helene. I appreciate all you’ve accomplished and will continue to do to support the community and families impacted by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 