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
Rain drops from
Atmospheric pressure
Ironically resting upon the earth
Nurturing life, spawning growth and renewing energy like a transfusion within our body’s flowing into the ….
Reservoirs of our lives
Accelerating our souls toward an
Inner Peace
Naturally.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Black and White Challenge
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Mike Atkinson Atkinson Plumeria
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
There are many different reasons people may choose to write. It could be anything from the desire to communicate with others to creating something beautiful that they hope will interest others or even just as a release to get something off their mind and enable to reflect with understanding.
Why do I write?:
Writing ✍️ is a necessary tool for communication. For me, it is easy to communicate through words put down on “paper.” I used to feel compelled to write in a journal my thoughts, emotions, and feelings regarding the day or situation. I am more comfortable expressing myself in writing than through verbal communication.
Why? I think 🤔, I feel, and I ponder on my life and the circumstances and situations which have occurred. It is hard for me to come up with the right words to express my thoughts instantaneously. Henceforth, I write.
I write letters, yes, actual letters not emails. I write notes in cards to let someone know I am thinking about them and I care. For me, emails are more impersonal than an genuine letter written down in my own handwriting. It takes more time and effort but the thoughtfulness is relaxed, friendly, and extremely natural & rewarding.
Nowadays, I use my smartphone or my laptop 💻 to write and express my ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Sometimes I write as thoughts appear in my mind, other times I wait until I am absolutely alone. When I am alone in the quiet of the evening, my brain functions more clearly and I am better able to concentrate and communicate in written words the thoughts, and feelings I desperately desire to convey.
I often use photos to help convey my thoughts and activities. How do you express yourself? Why do you write?
God Bless. Thank you for listening. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Copyright: ©️2021@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
On New Year’s Day (1st Day Hike), I took a hike with my grandson, Coleman from the Adventure Road Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It is a tradition to hike on the first day of a New Year, at least amongst hikers.
First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. Kids and adults all across America participated in First Day Hikes, and enjoyed the beauty of a state park, a national park, a local park or greenway. First Day Hikes are free to participants each year.
Coleman and I actually did two hikes on the 1st day of 2023. These pictures are from our second 1st day hike.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Copyright: ©️2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thanks for joining us today. I appreciate y’all.
My maternal grandfather served in the U. S. Army during World War I. These are photographs of his service in the military. I treasure the photos as there are a link to a slim part of our family history.
Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome #118
God Bless. Thank you for sharing my memories. I appreciate y’all.
Ragtag Daily Prompt for Sunday January 8th is FOLLOW. One of the things I think about when I hear the word follow is the song “I have Decided to Follow Jesus.” Following Jesus is something I try to dop on a daily basis, but I know I fail miserably at times. Most of us follow something or someone whether we realize it or not. Children follow their parents’ instructions; employees follow their employer’s rules and regulations, we all follow the laws of our governments, and when I go hiking with a group or just with my grandson, I follow the group leader or follow my grandson, Coleman.
This Sunday I had the opportunity to go on a short hike with my grandson and my granddaughter. It is a rare occasion when my granddaughter, Alona, is allowed to spend time with her mother or myself. Whenever possible I enjoy taking her out to the Greenway or to a State Park and spend time with her out in nature. Today, we took her to the Anne Springs Close Greenway to have her meet Forest, a foal at the Greenway Horse Stables.
On the trail by the stables, we followed Coleman, we followed Alona, and sometimes we followed their mom to know the direction we should go. Most of the time Coleman is the one who runs ahead and leads the way on the trails.
Wherever the paths my lead you, I trust you’ll follow the path with the least resistance and follow you heart whenever possible. May God guide your paths, may He bless you and keep you safe and fill your life with love and happiness.
Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate each and every one of y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters
Copyright: (c)2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge (FOTD)
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
What brings me the most joy right now in my life is spending time with my grandson. The ability to share my love of God, Nature, the enjoyment of hiking, and shower him with my never ending love.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Copyright: ©️2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com …All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Copyright ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters.
Copyright: ©️2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thanks you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters
Copyright: (c)2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Farm Animals:
Cee’s Black and White Challenge
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters.
Copyright: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank You for visiting the Farm Animals with me. I appreciate y’all.
Kate’s Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge.
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters.
Copyright: 2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
…. Over the Catawba River
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
The prompt for today is Esculent.
Esculent means fit to be eaten, edible; especially a vegetable.
This sweet potato 🍠 and carrots 🥕 🥕 were eaten with sweet deliciousness. It was so esculent to devour.
God Bless. Thank you for dropping by. I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge: January close-up or macro.
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters
Copyright: ©️2021@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters
Copyright: ©️2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for sharing the path with me. I appreciate y’all.
Brave means: having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : having or showing courage according to Merriam-Webster.com.
“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”
Coco Chanel
How am I brave? I do not feel that I am brave, not like soldiers who go into battle, those fighting cancer, or those speaking out about injustices. However, bravery and courage can be found everyday in many ways that we(I) have not ever considered before.
It takes courage to admit and say you are sorry. I admit this is not always easy. However, we all gain benefit and grow from admitting when we are in the wrong, myself especially.
I can be brave when I allow myself to be me. When I allow myself to be vulnerable and sharing the real me, flaws and all, with others.
I can be brave and courageous when I can let go and forgive. This takes a lot of courage especially since hurts grow deep and anger and resentment can grow within if it is dwelled upon over time. I know I find somethings hard to let go over and forgive. The one thing I need to remember is that by holding on I am only hurting myself.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
In these past few years since Covid-19 began, it takes courage to be out amongst people. Even though many improvements have been achieved, I am not brave enough to be out amongst large crowds. I am fortunate, so far, to not have been infected by Covid. However, I have been affected by it since I’ve had family members who have had it. Some of which I took care of until they were better. I guess you could say that was brave. I’m not sure, when it comes to people you love, you do whatever is necessary.
There are many other ways we can be brave. How have you been brave? I strive to follow Joshua 1:9 and Be Strong and Courageous, to depend on God and remember He is always with me.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters
Copyright ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
“The Eyes are the window to your soul.”
~ William Shakespeare
“The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter – often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter – in the eye.”
~ Charlotte Bronte
Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2021@DebLWaters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L Waters
Copyright (c)2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank You for Visiting. I appreciate y’all.
From the last week of December and the last week of the year 2022.
iPhone 13 Pro:
Canon Rebel EOS T3i:
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Deciding what I want to achieve this year is similar to deciding if I want to make a New Year Resolution or to make Goals. I do not usually make any Resolutions or set Goals.
That being said, I do have a short list of Goals I would like to achieve this year.
2023 Goals:
What are your Goals, Resolutions? What would you like to achieve this year, 2023?
P. S. I must not forget that I want to strive to continue blogging and photography.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
What is my earliest memory? That is a good question. I wish I could say I remember everything, but that would be nearly impossible. Our minds, especially mine, tend to have selective memories.
That being said, I do remember parts of my childhood. I remember living on South Meadowbrook Drive in San Diego, California. I remember playing outside all day. Playing baseball in the neighbors backyard. Part of the time I would play with Mary a few doors down from me, but mostly my brother & I would play with the three boys next door. We’d all play outside all day without question. Never had a desire to be stuck indoors. We’d play baseball, basketball, freeze tag, hide-n-go seek, and whatever else we could. We’d ride our bikes up and down the street, around the block, and sometimes up to the school on Saturdays; just to play on the playground. There were no fancy skate boards for us. We’d take the wheels off of street skates & attach them to scrap boards to make our skateboards. Those were such fun times.
I also remember all the girls wore dresses to school. Pants were not allowed until around my ninth grade in junior high school. Yes, my school was a junior high not a middle school. We moved after I was promoted from sixth grade to seventh. I didn’t know anyone in our new neighborhood or my new school. Therefore. I tended to ride my bicycle by myself, walk to and from school by myself carrying my books in my arms. I don’t recall backpacks back then.
I remember always having Sunday dresses that were only worn for church. We went to church every Sunday morning, every Sunday evening, and on Wednesday evenings. There was always Church worship and Sunday School. In the evenings after Sunday church worship, the youth would gather at a members house for a time of fun. In the summers, we would meet at someone’s house that had a pool so we could swim and splash around. Occasionally, we would meet at Mission Bay. Those were fun times. That’s where I learned how to water ski. No matter what activity we enjoyed, there was always singing & a short devotional.
There are more things I remember, but then that would be like writing a memoir. Too much for a single post.
One thing I remember and treasure from my early days, are given a love for the outdoors, the enjoyment of camping & hiking, and being taught about the live of Jesus Christ and His wonderful mercies.
God Bless. Thank you for taking a trip down memory lane with me. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Copyright ©️ 2021@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Pull Up a Seat ….
Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2022@DebWaters74
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Black and White Challenge
Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
God Bless. I trust your 2022 ended as you wished. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
A reflection of Coleman’s life throughout the year, 2022, before beginning the New Year. He’s grown so much in so many ways in such a short time.
The First Three Months: January-March…
The Next Three Months: April-June…
Onward to the Next Three Months: July–September…
The Last Three Months of 2022: October-December…
Where has the year gone? My little grandson, my hiking 🥾 buddy is not so little anymore. He’s become very adventurous. He loves to explore the outdoors. He love to visit Anne Springs Close Greenway. He has already hiked all 26 trails multiple times for more than 36 miles within the Greenway. He knows the trails better than some adults.
He does not like bad weather day’s especially since he does not like being cooped up in doors. He’d rather be outdoors all the time if he could. I pray his adventurous spirit will never be squashed.
Continue on little man, keep growing, keep learning, and always stay adventurous loving the outdoors.
God Bless. Happy New Year! Thank you for visiting. See y’all in 2023. I appreciate y’all.
Not exactly a Holiday Color, but a Holiday picture
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll be looking for y’all in 2023. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Enjoy your holiday celebrations. Happy New Year! I appreciate y’all.
Here’s my entries for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge.
Wednesday morning Ho Ho Waffles 🧇.
Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Reflecting back on Christmases past is something I don’t often do. This year I have been trying to remember what Christmases used to look like while I was growing up. Odd thing is I cannot remember much about them. Not what gifts were given or received. I know I gave and received them, but if you asked me what I received in any particular year I would not be able to tell you.
These photos are from my archives. Most likely taken by my father, Nornal Hule Waters.
The first photo by the date is of my very first Christmas taken with my dad, & my brother. So, this one my mom probably snapped. This first Christmas was spent in Great Falls, South Carolina. Great Falls is a town (not a city). The second photo is also taken in Great Falls, SC with my mom I presume the following year. And the third photo was taken in San Diego, California when I was either in Junior High or a sophomore in high school. Definitely before 1974. My brother went into the Air Force early in 1975 and was no longer home for Christmas afterwards.
The one constant which I remember is that every Christmas Eve growing up, we went to a Christmas Eve Service at church. We would dress up in our very best church clothes to attend the special service. It would be filled with music, both from the choir and the audience. It would be a joyous occasion, extremely uplifting. The emphasis would be given though a message (some would call a sermon) as well as the music on the true meaning of Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ and the visit by the three wise men presenting the Christ child with precious gifts. This tradition was not continued each and every year after my marriage and living what I consider my hometown (not my birth city). Sadly, it is one that I remember and miss the most.
The above pictures were taken after I had my eldest son and later after my marriage. The first photo is of my eldest son, John Thomas Waters III. He was named after my paternal grandfather who was also named after his paternal grandfather. The next one is the first Christmas photo after my marriage. And the last one is with my daughter for her first Christmas.
The next group of photos are random pictures of my family throughout the years.
More Random Christmas Photos:
Capture the memories with your family and friends while you are still able. You never know when one of them may no longer be with you. Photographs speak a thousand words, more than you’ll ever know. I wish I could spend another holiday with my dad, mom, husband, and grandparents, but sadly they will only be here in spirit.
I pray y’all had a wonderful Christmas and will have a blessed New Year.
My grandson had to wait half the day before he could open his Christmas Presents due to his mom working in the morning. He was having a hard time understanding his needed to wait for his “Ho Ho” presents. Before then he and I enjoyed some cuddle time.
I trust y’all enjoyed your holiday (or at least the day) relaxing.
Photo Credit: Copyright (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. See y’all next time. I appreciate y’all.
Linking up with Sandee @ Comedy-Plus WordlessWednesday
Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com …. All Rights Reserved
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Photo was taken at the Anne Springs Close Greenway Horse Stables Entrance. The Greenway has many different types of farm animals besides the many, many horses.
Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Wishing y’all a Happy & Blessed New Year!
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Captured this plant with my iPhone 13 Pro at my local Aldi’s.
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: Copyright (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank You for Visiting. Hope y’all had a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kawanza, or your special holiday with family and friends. Remember I appreciate y’all.
From my archives: Disney Frozen on Ice
The above photos were taken at a performance of Disney’s Frozen on Ice at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina back on April 16, 2016.
We just barely got a tree this year. This is Coleman’s first HoHo (Christmas) Tree. He was so delighted that he finally has a HoHo Tree.
Another Throwback from my Archives.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Shadows captured January 2022:
Reflections Depicted at Andrew Jackson State Park:
Reflections Recorded at Lake Haigler:
Shadows of a 2022 Christmas Tree:
Cee’s Black and White Challenge – Shadows and Reflections
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate y’all.
I bought myself a couple of new lenses for Christmas. Hey, I figured the only way I would receive any thing for Christmas was to buy want was on my wish list myself. Anyway, one of the new lenses I bought is a Altura .35X Fisheye HD lens attachment 58mm lens with Macro.
We only put up a Christmas tree yesterday and today after my daughter arrived home from work and ate her supper (Coleman & I already ate) we decided to wrap Christmas presents. Mind you, my grandson, Coleman is supposed to be sleeping. We almost get them all wrapped when he starts saying “eat, eat.” So, we stop wrapping and get him out of his room to come out and eat again. When he saw the wrapped presents, he thought “HO HO” (What he calls Santa) had already come and he thought he could open presents. We had a time trying to convince him that “HO HO” still needed to come and he had to eat and go back to bed.
Since we had most of the presents wrapped and sitting by the tree, I thought I might as well take a few pictures. Some are using the wide angle and others are using the Fisheye. This is the first time I’ve tried using a Fisheye lens. It will take me awhile to figure things out in using it.
Wide Angle Shots (First one is on Manual, I forgot to adjust the settings):
Fisheye Shots:
Photo Credit: Copyright (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Happy Holidays to one and all! Enjoy and Blessings to y’all. I appreciate y’all.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 