Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography
This blog is for my insights on life, the Bible, hiking adventures with my grandson and whatever is important to me
Dan’s Thursday Doors
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: UPS Store; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.
Do you enjoy colouring? If so, do you colour in books 📚 or in online colouring apps? Do you look at colouring as a childish activity only for children? Is adult colouring a relaxing stress free activity beneficial for your health and mental wellbeing?
Colouring at any age is beneficial for mental health and development. Colouring at any stage of life can stimulate creativity. The following are benefits of colouring:
Colouring can be done anywhere especially with the many assortments of online colouring apps available for smartphones, tablets, pc’s and laptops. Adult colouring books and be found in any grocery or department store as well as in online stores such as Walmart or Amazon.
Colouring can help a person to de-stress bringing about a sense of peace and calmness. Adult colouring takes our attention off of ourselves and onto the present-moment of colouring. It also relaxes the brain by allowing focus to be on the simple activity instead of life’s difficulties. Adult colouring can be a great escape since it does not require or demand perfection. There is no right or wrong way to colour. It doesn’t have to be perfect, neat, or predictable. It can be messy if that is your desired effect. That’s what makes it so pleasurable.
With all the many benefits of colouring let’s not think about it as a childish activity. Colouring has many benefits and advantages for adults as well as children. Take a load off your mind and spend a little time relaxing by colouring.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Photo Credit: ©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
Camera: iPhone 11 Pro Max -Telephoto Camera
Location: Taken from a Greyhound Bus traveling on I10/US 90 in Westlake, Louisiana, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.
Both the Delta Flower Scarab and the Black Swallowtail butterfly enjoy feasting on the nectar of the Cephalanthus occidentalis, also known as the Buttonbush; Button Bush.
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens.
Location: Haigler Loop; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Why are children fascinated with Garbage Trucks? Where we live the Garbage Trucks ( also known as rubbish trucks or tippy lorry depending on where you live) come twice a week usually on Monday’s and Friday’s. Coleman has a habit of running outside to greet the driver whenever the Garbage Truck arrives ( actually when it is close by) carrying his toy Garbage Truck with him.
Why is Coleman and children in general fascinated with Garbage Trucks? How long have they been fascinated by Garbage Trucks?
It seems that children have been fascinated by Garbage Trucks for decades. A few reasons for why they are is as follows:
The size and unique design of garbage trucks can capture a child’s imagination. The loud noises and mechanical movements of the truck and its various functions, such as the lifting and dumping of bins, can be fascinating to watch. Additionally, the routine and predictability of garbage collection days can create a sense of anticipation and excitement for young children. It is the combination of sensory experiences, routine, and the truck’s purpose which can make garbage trucks exciting for young kids.
Do you know when Garbage Trucks first came into existence? You, like me, probably never even thought about the existence or history behind Garbage Trucks.
The earliest garbage “trucks” were introduced around 200 A.D. by the Romans, who created a sanitation force made up of teams of men who would walk along the streets picking up garbage and putting it into wagons that would then move the garbage to remote sites.
In 1932 a Scotland-based company by the name of George Dempster & Sons Ltd. invented the front loader garbage trucks. The Dempster-Dumpster system used large bins that garbage men would fill with trash, and that would then be loaded into body using machinery on the trucks. This system is the reason behind the garbage bins being referred to as dumpsters.
The mini garbage truck is Coleman’s first toy garbage truck. This is the truck he would carry out whenever the Garbage truck came around in front of our apartment building. For Christmas I bought Coleman the larger Little Tikes Garbage truck. Now he mostly carries the bigger garbage truck out to show the sanitation worker his garbage truck. He likes to show him he has one similar to what he’s driving. Sometimes he carries both of his garbage trucks outside when the garbage truck arrives.
Before the truck leaves, Coleman will pump his arm up and down wanting the worker to honk the horn. The driver always complies with his requests.
Photo Credit: (c) 2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Ocypode quadrata
Photo Credit:©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S10-18mm lens.
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Bos taurus
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
Do I play in my daily life? Probably depends on what is meant by play. What says “playtime” to me? I am not sure and haven’t really thought about what “playtime” in my current state of my life.
According to Merriam-Webster , playtime is a time for play or diversion. Play has several different meanings ranging from playing games, recreational activities, to toy or fiddle around with something, and/or to act with special consideration so as to gain favour, approval, or sympathy.
When I first thought about the aspect of play in my daily life, I thought about playing games like solitaire, monopoly, rummy, and that sort of thing. However, play can entail more than just games people play whether they’re children’s or adult games.
Realizing play is more one tends to ponder more intensely and wonder whether or not some behaviours could be construed as play. Do you play with a person’s emotions? I think we all might whether we intend to or not.
I know I’ve sought to gain approval for work I’ve done, sought affection by seeking attention from those I care deeply about.
Now concerning “playtime,” for me “playtime” can be hiking with my grandson, playing catch with him, or simply spending time collaborating on a puzzle or a relaxing activity like visiting a museum or a Greenway.
How does play/playtime differ in your daily lives?
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
XingfuMama’s Whatever is Lovely Challenge: 2024-Week 1
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Location: Haigler Loop; Lake Haigler 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.
Here are this week’s questions:
1. Did you stay up to see in the New Year last night?
No, I did not stay up to see the New Year. I fell asleep and woke up at 12:30am and turned my light off realizing it was now 2024.
2. How are you feeling this morning?
Better than I have since Thanksgiving. I think the RSV is finally working its way out of my system.
3. Are there any special occasions/events coming up in 2024 (weddings, special birthdays, babies)?
As far as I know, there are no special occasions or events coming up this year, 2024. We have the regular family birthdays, but no spectacular celebrations or events are planned for them.
My grandson will turn five and it’s usually just immediate family that helps remember his birthday. His uncles never show up even when invited. His dad’s family has never had anything to do with him. Last year I made a cookie cake for his birthday. I haven’t found the right lactose free icing to frost a cake for him yet, so he misses out on having cake.
4. What was the highlight/s of 2023 for you?
Highlights for 2023 would be the many hikes I have done with Coleman. The greatest joy we have is being together in nature and in the woods hiking.
Gratitude:
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
What is the greatest gift someone could give you?
The greatest gift someone could give me I have already received. That gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour.
Some might tell you the greatest gift could be some materialistic thing, while others may say the greatest gift is love.
I tell you that, for me, the greatest gift I have ever received is everlasting life given to me by the love of God through His son, Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 KJV ( King James Version)
From this verse we can learn that God gives us His love, gives us salvation, and gives us life eternal if we only begin Him. This I believe.
“Salvation is arguably the greatest gift we will ever receive, but it is not the ONLY gift. Jesus gives us gifts for today as well.”
http://www.medishare.com
This quote from medishare.com implies that the greatest gift we can ever receive is salvation, but that is not all we receive.
I agree that Salvation is not the only thing we receive from God. He freely gives us love, grace, mercy, understanding, compassion and many many more intangible gifts.
Still others would tell us the greatest gift we can receive is love.
“Love is the greatest gift that God gives us each day when he loves us enforcers His Son Jesus Christ to die for us.”
http://www.biblestudytools.com
The greatest gift is your love is an expression that emphasizes the value, significance, and importance of love in our lives.
This reminds me of a song from the mid-sixties called “What the World Needs Now.” It was first recorded in 1965 by Jackie DeShannon and by Dionne Warwick in 1966. It has been recorded by many artists over the years.
“What the world needs now is love, sweet love
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No not just for some, but for everyone.”
(genius.com)
What more can we give to others than what God gave to us, His love. We can spread the love to everyone we meet and share God’s love to the World.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Settings: f/6.3 • 1/320 • 250mm • ISO1250
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
What colleges have you attended?
What colleges have I attended? I have attended several colleges over the years. My first attendance at a college was the fall semester after I graduated from high school.
The first college I took courses at was San Diego Mesa College. It is a public community college located in Clairemont Mesa in San Diego, California. It first opened its doors in 1964. The college offers 196 associate degree and certificate programs. When the college first opened it offered education to 1,800 students and now it enrolls more than 20,000 students each year. I attended Meda College beginning in the Fall of 1974 and attended through the spring semester of 1975 before transferring to another college. This first college I enrolled in general education classes and had not declared a major.
When I transferred from San Diego Mesa College, I transferred into Biola University located in La Mirada, California. Biola University was founded in 1908 under the name of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. It is a private, nondenominational, evangelical Christian university offering a Biblically Centered Education. The university offers more than 300 Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs both on campus and online. I attended here beginning in the Fall semester of 1975 and continued for two years through the Spring semester of 1977. I had planned to study nursing at this university, but I did not do very well comprehending the science classes mandatory for the program. This was the first time I lived away from home. I enjoyed the social interaction more than the discipline of my studies. It was an experience I will never forget and am thankful for what I learned while attending this university.
After struggling to maintain grades and dealing with being a go-between with my parents I chose to transfer to a college closer to home. Therefore, I transferred to Christian Heritage College (CHC) in the Fall of 1977. I attended CHC for three years studying secondary education and graduated in May of 1980. CHC is on a different system than the other two colleges I attended. The first two are on a semester system. CHC is ( at least when I attended) on a system where you take one class extensively for three weeks instead of a full class load of 5-6 classes all at once for the whole semester. After the three weeks you begin studying a new class and continuing in this same format for the entire semester. One still takes the same amount classes Syria semester as in other colleges just not all at the same time. This format enabled me to concentrate on one subject at a time and I was better able to comprehend the class material. While attending CHC I also worked part-time. Previously I only worked during the summers in between school years.
Several years later and after my children were grown, I went back to school attending York Technical College. York Technical College is a public community college located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It is a member of the South Carolina Technical and Comprehensive Education System. Its mission is to make higher education accessible and affordable for every resident of South Carolina. During my two years with York Technical College I studied Accounting and earned an Associate Degree. I took courses both on campus and online. The online courses were available and convenient for me to take especially during the times my car wouldn’t run or I didn’t have a working vehicle. On test dates it was necessary to find transportation to the campus in order to take the exams. I learned a little during my tenure and greatly inundated knowledge and abilities.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Share what you know about the year you were born.
The Year is 1956, a leap year of the Gregorian Calendar. It was a time for Rock and Roll and Elvis Presley’s hit song “Heartbreak Hotel.”
Besides Elvis and Rick and Roll, 1956 was a year for nine pop culture inventions. These inventions included:
The Cost of Living was vastly different than it is today. The cost of everything was lower, however, the wages were also much lower than today’s standards. Was it easier and less stressful in 1956? Maybe, maybe not. When incomes go up so does the cost of living, therefore the same struggles continue. Here’s a look at the 1956 Cost of Living percentages:
On a more personal note, for the year 1956, my parents were living in Great Falls, South Carolina just up the road from my paternal grandparents. My dad was working for the Ford Dealership in town. Even though he owned a car, the town is small enough he could have walked to work. My mom was pregnant with me through the first five months of the year, choosing to give birth to me in the city of Chester, South Carolina. The town of Great Falls did not (and still doesn’t) have a hospital. My brother turned three a couple of weeks after I was born.
The town of Great Falls. South Carolina in 2020 had a population of 1,951 and the population was that much more in 1956. The town was originally known as Catawba Falls in the early 1900’s and was a great trade route. It was originally established to generate power from the nearby waterfalls. It was a booming mill town at one point and in 1956 my paternal grandfather was working in the #3 mill for the Republic Textile Company. Great Falls is located fourteen miles southwest of the city of Lancaster, South Carolina.
From 1956 through 1958, my family spent much of the time with my paternal grandparents, aunts and uncles. They would fish in the nearby Catawba River near the Great Falls Dam, picnic in the town park, and attend church meetings and other activities.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
I have not seen any snow recently or in the past year, so I am going to let y’all see some of the WHITE which I have seen along the various trails that Coleman and I have hiked in 2023.
First up is a hike with the Anne Springs Close Greenway Hiking Club where some of the hikers are wearing white. Everybody was not ready for the photo; I like to catch people unaware when I can. you may also notice the white in the Archers Loop sign and the white clouds in the sky. It was a beautiful, picturesque day.
Next up is the white Riverwalk Bridge as seen from the Piedmont Medical Center Trail that we have hiked with the hiking club and on our own. Coleman loves to hike along the Catawba River whenever we get the opportunity.
Below is capturing a hike we were able to do with Coleman’s mom and sister. It is near one of the locations his mom works at sometimes. Here we are on the Baxter Village Trail, a part of the Carolina Thread Trail System.
This next trail is one Coleman and I hiked on our own. I parked at the Boulder Access Parking lot, and we found the entrance to the trail. We hiked approximately two and a half miles before we turned around and headed back to the car. The trail goes on for miles crossing from North Carolina into South Carolina. We were not prepared to go that distance on this hike.
For another hike we stopped at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to hike and enjoy the many marvelous flowers grown there. This is the covered walkway leading into the gardens. Notice the vines growing around the white pillars and Coleman trying to balance on the brick edging along the walkway.
Lastly, I know you cannot see the trail, but I wanted to leave you with a beautiful white flower of Queen Anne’s Lace to enjoy.
Cee’s Which Way Challenge-Which ways with snow or the color white
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
God Bless. Thank you for tagging along with us as we remembered our amazing hikes. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cabbage
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-Close Up or Macro
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: The Garden in The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting The Farm and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan’s Thursday Doors
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.
What are your biggest challenges?
My biggest challenges is something I don’t really think about, but maybe I should.
Day to day challenges would involve raising my grandson. Trying to teach him right from wrong, trying to teach him to follow simple instructions ( which he tends to ignore and can be frustrating), dealing with his hyperactivity ( it’s like he’s the energizer bunny without an off switch).
Then there’s the financial challenges trying to make ends meet and sometimes struggling to pay bills. Trying to meet my own needs and still help my daughter in providing for my grandson’s needs. Maybe I shouldn’t help her so much, but I can’t help myself in providing what my grandson needs.
Thankful that I have little to no health related challenges other than some allergies and seasonal sicknesses which are very few.
Other life challenges could involve friendships (or lack thereof), lack of direction/motivation, lack of meaning/purpose, love ( or lack of a love relationship), and possibly stress. However, I don’t let most things bother me. I have strong opinions on some things and not everyone agrees with me, but am I gonna stress over it? No, it would do me more harm than to just let it go.
One way I cope with things is to write down my thoughts. Some of those I share here and others I keep to myself in a journal ( in an actual book, not online.) I loose myself in books, I can imagine being there with the characters as everything is transpiring. I feel sad, happy, excited, and all sorts of emotions when I am reading. It is a way to destress, relax, and rejuvenate the mind and body.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday
Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s asking us to post photos of RED for the Fun Foto Challenge this week. Looking through my archives and recent photos let’s walk through the Red doors to discover what I selected.
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I hope you enjoyed your visit. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 is a bright new year, hopefully more optimistic and positive than the past couple of years. I have been consistently blogging daily for the past five hundred twenty-one (521) days. To me, that is a tremendous achievement. This past year I broadened by blogging horizons by participating in several different challenges. Monday Window is just one of many I have tried to participate in on a regular or semi-regular basis. I hope to continue participating in the various blogging challenges and posting various activities with my grandson.
The first Monday Window for 2024 was taken along the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway while hiking with my grandson, Coleman.
Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Looking Up from the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway; Icon on the Greenway Apartments; Gastonia, North Carolina , USA
God Bless. Have a Blessed New Year & Keep Photographing, Writing, and/or blogging sharing your thoughts and artistic talents with the world. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #123
Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: Grist Mill; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.
Savoy Cabbage
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting The Farm and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: The Farm & Nature Trail; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Have a happy and Blessed New Year! I appreciate y’all very much.
From My Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max:
From My Canon EOS Rebel T3i:
Last on the Card-December 2023
Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s Last on the Card photos. I appreciate y’all very much.
John’s Cellpic Sunday
XingfuMama’s Whatever is Lovely Challenge: 2023 – Week 52
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 13 Pro
Location: Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. What are y’all looking forward to in 2024? May God grant you many blessings, love and happiness as you journey through life in the New Year. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cee’s Which Way Challenge-Which way with any holiday theme
Photo Credit; (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. OI appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: (c) 2022 Deb L. Waters
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
I do not get mine done very frequently. The last time I took myself anywhere to get anything done to my hair was in before 2014. When I did go I often went to my cousin to get a haircut, a perm or sometimes even dying my hair. There was no better beautician in my book other than my cousin, Carol. [Actually she was my first cousin once removed’s wife, but why get technical.]
Why talk about haircuts anyway?
You might be wondering why I chose to discuss haircuts. This week I decided it was long overdue for me to get my hair, at least trimmed if not a complete haircut. Lately, my hair has been tangling up quite a bit, especially if I slide on brushing daily or twice a day. It had gotten so long that when I would lend over to clean my hair would fall into whatever I was cleaning. (Not a good thing if it is the commode one is cleaning.) Yuck.
My grandson, Coleman enjoys getting his haircut. When his hair starts hanging down in his face, he’ll hold his hair up and make cutting gestures with his fingers.
So, between yesterday and this afternoon noon, he and I both got our haircuts taken care of. I went and had my haircut done yesterday. It is a little shorter than I anticipated, but it will grow and is a lot lighter on my head. No more hair falling into places we prefer them not to be.
This afternoon while running errands, I gave in and we took Coleman to “his barber” in “his barbershop” for his haircut. Yes, he does have a favorite barber and he’ll tell you how to get to “his” barbershop. He was so ecstatic to be getting his haircut. He was smiling from ear to ear during the whole haircut.
God Bless. Treat yourself to a haircut, make-over, or whatever to help yourself look and feel better. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Greetings, Christmas Day maybe over , but not necessarily the celebrations and we still have the new year a coming. Since we’ve been sick and not out much I’m choosing to make my selections from the last time I was able to get out ( this respiratory infection, RSV, doesn’t seem like it was to disappear.)
I’m taking you on a walk through The Farm ( one of Coleman’s favorite places) at The Schiele Museum of Natural History.
Entering The Farm …
Turning Right past the farm you enter the Nature Trail. This directional sign points the way.
Now let’s enter The Farm and have a look around…
Let’s take a look to see what we can find growing in the garden …
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-December Pick a Topic from my Photo
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️ 2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens. Also used Canon EF-S18-55mm lens on the directional signs (Second Photo.)
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA.
God Bless. Thank you for walking around The Farm with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all very much.
1. What will you be eating today?
What did I eat for Christmas dinner? I’m going to answer this in two parts. Part One, entails what we ate for Supper on Christmas Eve; that included Baked Chicken with Knorr Chicken flavored Rice with Pillsbury Biscuits. We have all been sick with a bacterial respiratory infection so, needless to say, I did not feel up to cooking a major dinner. My daughter did have her daughter with her for a few hours, but she could not stay long enough to eat with us.
Next is Part Two, I was feeling a little better but still under the weather. I managed to fix our supper mid-day (and yes, I do 99% of the overall cooking fir the household.) I fixed homemade ground turkey enchiladas with black olives and diced chili peppers. My grandson (at this time) will not eat anything that has a slight kick to it (even making it super mild is too much for him). Therefore, I cooked him some veggie chicken dinosaurs.
2. What was your favourite gift?
I do not have a favorite gift from this year. For several years now, I have only received a Christmas gift if I bought something and gave it to myself. My most favorite gift I have ever given myself is my Canon EOS Rebel T3I camera.
3. What is the worst bit, if any, about celebrating (Christmas or otherwise)?
The worst bit of any celebration is having family that chooses not to celebrate with you. It is also feeling alone whether or not you are physically alone. I have not been surrounded by much of my family for any special occasion (except my daughter) in an extremely long time. It is also a time when I reflect on past times with my dad and wish he could have lived longer.
4. Do your pets get to join in with the fun?
Growing up my mom always got our dog a Christmas gift and placed it under the tree. As an adult most of the places I have lived have not allowed pets, so it was no issue as to whether or not to buy a gift for a pet.
Gratitude:
I am grateful for the opportunity to write whatever I want, upload photos I’ve taken, and participate in blog post challenges here on WordPress. I am grateful for all of you who follow, like, and or comment on my posts. I am grateful for the friendships I have made over the years. I am grateful for my family and the times we do share.
Share Your World – Christmas Special Edition
God Bless. Thank you for sharing in my world. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA.
God Bless. Have a wonderful enjoyable weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
When I think of Gold or Silver I think about a Scripture verse in the Holy Bible. It is actually the first portion of Acts chapter three verse six.
“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: …”
Acts 3:6 NKJV
Gold, especially, was a symbol which stood for anything of great value. There are many things considered to be more valuable than gold or silver. The things to which I am referring to are not tangible, but still extremely important and valuable. These things are (in no particular order):
Y’all are precious to me. I value your friendship, kindness, wisdom, and encouragement. Below is my selections for this week’s challenge I choose to share with y’all on my insights for GOLD or SILVER.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Gold or Silver
Photo Credit:©️ 2023 Deb L. Waters
God Bless. Thank you for following, liking, and/or commenting on my posts. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. They/You are valuable to me. I appreciate y’all very much.
2023 — A Year in Review — Second Chance/LastChance
July 2923:
August 2023:
September 2023:
October 2023:
November 2023:
December 2033:
Lens-Artist Photo Challenge—Last Chance
God Bless. Have a blessedly wonderful New Year. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
2023 — A Year in Review — Second Chance/LastChance
Posting a Year in Review is something I have never done or dreamed of doing before. It is, however, a chance to reflect on the past year and reflect on the choices I’ve made. Why was one picture chosen previously, but not this particular one? Isn’t this picture worthy of being shared as well? I have decided to divide this challenge into two parts. Part One will be covering the first six months of 2023 giving a second/last chance to a select chosen photo from each month. In Part Two, I will dedicate to the last six months (including this one) of 2023 breathing life into previously passed over photos.
January 2023:
February 2023:
March 2023:
April 2023:
May 2023:
June 2033:
Lens-Artist Photo Challenge—Last Chance
God Bless. May your New Year be Blessed, Be Prosperous, and Full of Happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Karen Myers
God Bless. Remember the Reason we Celebrate. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.
Memories from Christmas Pastimes ranging from 1956 – 2023 in no particular order or pattern.
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.
Photographing Public Art Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️ Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Telephoto Camera
Location: S Main Street, Clover, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy Kwanza! Enjoy your holiday weekend whether you celebrate with family and friends or spend it alone, you are never alone. Know that you are loved and appreciated. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
XingfuMama’s Whatever is Lovely Challenge: 2023 – Week 52
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: 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. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
No matter where you are or who you’re with, sometimes you just need to sit a spell and have a bit of a REST.
Photo Credit: ©️ Deb L. Waters
Cameras: 1) iPhone 11 Pro Max – Wide Camera; 2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens
Location: 1) Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Cozumel, Mexico; 2) The Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much,
Sunday Stills – Monthly Color Challenge – Red & green
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. Have a Wonderfully Blessed Holiday. I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Which Way Challenge-Which way with the colors of brown or black (or dark gray)
Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 