Flowers from my hike with my grandson taken at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Posting these photos for Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.





God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
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
Flowers from my hike with my grandson taken at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Posting these photos for Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.





God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.

God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.

God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
This year National POW/MIA Recognition Day is on September 16, 2022. The day designated to recognize POW/MIA Day is on the third Friday in September. It has been recognized on the third Friday in September since 1979. Before that time, there was not an official day to recognize the POW’s and MIA. The resolution passed by Congress and the President made it official. However, it took the families of more than 2,500 Vietnam War POW/MIAs to push for their full accountability.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a time to remember the sacrifices that were made by the prisoners of war (POW) and the many servicemembers who are still missing in action (MIA). The first observance of POW/MIA Day took place at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C… It included a remembrance ceremony. Since that time, the official observance by the Department of Defense is located at the Pentagon. Other ceremonies to recognize POW/MIA Day occur at various military installations across the nation.
The need for a symbol of POW/MIAs was first recognized by Mrs. Michael Hoff, an MIA wife in 1970. She set the wheels in motion to have a flag designed to represent America’s missing soldiers. The POW/MIA Flag is the only flag ever displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. It is also the only other flag besides the American flag to fly over the White House.
“On this National POW/MIA Recognition Day, let’s take a moment to think about the soldiers who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing, as well as their families.”
GIFQuotes.com
You Are Not Forgotten; the central phrase behind the POW/MIA remembrance movement. This movement has been going on since the days of my youth. I remember wearing, as many others wore, copper bracelets with the name of a POW or MIA soldier imprinted on it. It was an ever-present reminder to remember America’s prisoners of war and those who were (and still are) missing in action. During my time in high school, we were honored and proud to wear those bracelets and to remember our POW/MIAs.
As we recognize POW/MIA Day, let us take a look at the immense importance of this movement to remember those soldiers who have been listed as POW/MIAs.
American POW Numbers:
The following statistics are according to a Congressional Research Service report on POWs.
American MIA Numbers:
The MIA Numbers are according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency 83,114 Americans who fought in those wars are still missing. The list includes the following:
These numbers are devastating. The POW/MIAs will never be forgotten. There are constant continuous efforts being made to find those soldiers (Men and women), to identify them and to bring them home. [As a side note, I am very fortunate that my family members who served in the various wars came home alive. My maternal grandfather came home from France during World War I; he was wounded during the war, but thankfully he came home. My father and his brother came home from the Korean Warl; my uncle was wounded during the conflict. My husband (deceased in 2018) and his older brother came home alive from the Vietnam War. I know my husband suffered from PTSD due to the effects of what he went through during the conflict. My younger son suffers from PTSD from his time served in Afghanistan; but he came home alive unlike many others.]
I urge everyone to take a moment to remember the extreme sacrifices which were made by our POW/MIAs and the pact America made to them. That we will take care of them, and no matter how much time passes they will make it home. Let us Never forget our POW/MIAs. Their sacrifices insured our Freedom.

God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
This photo is from my walking out my back door and to the end of our complex with my grandson to spot what we could see on a short walk. Not many flowers were spotted, but we we lucky to spot a couple to brighten our day.

God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.



God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.

This is actually one of my maternal grandfather’s photos I inherited after his passing when I was 12. It is very precious to me. On the back of the photo, he wrote what the name of the place. My maternal grandfather, Harvey Martin Watson, stayed on the fifth floor of the building on the right side of the photo. While he was there he received treatment for a wound he received during World War I. I not only gained a photo, but a piece of his history as well. That in itself means a great deal to me. It is extremely precious and definitely appreciated.
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.


God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
My entry for Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge come from my archives. It was taken back in April of 2013 with my Minolta XG7 35 mm camera.

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These are my entries for Clare’s at Clare’s Cosmo Blog’s monthly challenge, Share Your Desktop. One is actually my screensaver and the other is my background.


God Bless. Thank You. I appreciate y’all.


God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.

Today is the 21st Remembrance of 9.11.2001. A day most of us will never forget. A day we cannot erase from our memories. It was an extremely devasting time in American history. It seems like the event occurred just yesterday instead of twenty-one years ago today.

What was this horrendous event? it was an extremely well planned out terrorist attack against America. This is the day we remember the loss of both of the Twin Towers and the devastating loss of nearly three thousand (3,0000) people. A good percentage of us were working our normal day when the tragic news of the hijacked airplanes colliding into the Twin Towers occurred.

What, I think, A lot of people remember about 9/11 is the tragedy that occurred in New York and the collapse of The Twin Towers. Let us not forget that on that day two other targets were targeted as well. American Airlines Flight 77 was one of two other Airplanes that were hijacked. It was hijacked by five Saudi men affiliated with al-Qaeda. The plane was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, near Washington D.C… All Sixty-four (64) people on board (six crew and themselves included) and an additional One Hundred Twenty-Five (125) who were in the building.

Let us not forget there was still another airplane that was hijacked on that tragic day, 9/11. United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked by four al-Qaeda terrorists on board as a preplanned part of the September 11 attacks. The difference with this particular Flight is that the brave crew and passengers fought back. Flight 93 was destined to fly into the Capitol building. Due to the heroic efforts of those on board that did not happen. Instead, it was crashed into an open field located near a wooded area in Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. All Forty-four (44) people on board including crew and the hijackers were killed. Let us never forget the brave heroes that sacrificed their lives to save many more on the ground.
Have we learned anything from the events of this horrific day? Hopefully we have. Our country has become a stronger nation. The terrorists wanted to destroy the United State of America. Quess what, they didn’t succeed. We are a united people, who all love this country and unite together whenever there is a need.
I hope you were able to take time out of your busy day to remember the tragic events that occurred on 9/11 twenty-one (21) years ago. Strive to Never Forget those we lost, the survivors whose lives were forever changed, and the courage demonstrated by the many first responders as well as the everyday heroes. I will never forget the horrendous events of 9/11. Watching on live television as the airplanes collided into the Twin Towers. I will never forget the lives that were lost on that fateful day. Remember Always and Never Ever Forget.

God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.



God bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.




God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD) challenge is always a pleasure to join.


God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Good day and welcome to my blog. Today my photos have a multi-purpose. One purpose if for Brashley’s Mid-week Monochrome (MWM) Photography Challenge, next is Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge (CBWC), and lastly, Travel with Intent blog’s One Word Sunday Challenge – Curve. I’m a little behind on posting the Sunday Challenge, hope y’all do not mind.
Swinging in Riverwalk Greenway: My grandson, Coleman loves taking a break from our hiking on the swings in the Greenway.
When hiking, we encounter various #curves along the trails.
Kayaking is a blueway activity that is enjoyed by many in the Carolinas. One can see Kayakers on the Catawba River at Riverwalk and several other locations along the river.
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you’ve enjoyed and will visit again. I appreciate y’all.
Soaring in the Air:



Soaring on the Trail:



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God bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
A couple of potted plants for Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.


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This is my first time participating in XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge. I hope y’all will enjoy my entries.





God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Brian from Bushboy’s World challenges all to post The Last Photo on the Card or on their phones for August 2022. The rules are simple and are as follows.
The rules are simple:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st January (use current month).
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do
4. Create a Pingback to Brian’s post here
5. Tag “The Last Photo”
From my iPhone 13 Pro:

From my Canon EOS Rebel T3i:

God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Flowers from my hike along North Steele Creek at Anne Springs Close Greenway is my entry for Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge .


God bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.





God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.

God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.

A bench is a wonderful place to sit and catch your breath. A place you can enjoy the view. A place you can read. A place you can relax. A place you can reflect on life, On what God has done for you.
This particular bench is one I take advantage of when visiting Andrew Jackson State Park. I love the views from here of the lake. I thank God for His beautiful creations and the delight it brings me.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.



God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.

God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34 NIV (New International Version)

Saying do not worry is a lot easier than actually not worrying. When you worry, you allow yourself to dwell on the negative, the difficulties, the troubles in your life. Worry doesn’t help anything, it doesn’t prevent troubles from coming your way. So what does worry do? It can lead to feelings of high anxiety and possibly cause you to become physically ill. It is natural to worry about our problems, our situation in life, however, it never resolves anything.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4: 6-7 ESV (English Standard Version)

God already knows our thoughts, our troubles, our concerns so why not talk to Him about what is on our minds? Pray about your troubles and concerns. Pray about what causes you to be anxious and worry. Do not lose sleep over your troubles. Give them all over to God through prayer instead. God cares about every detail of your life. Do not suppress your emotions, it is better to pour your heart out and lay your thoughts and concerns at the feet of Jesus.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
John 14:1-3 KJV (King James Version)
Why should you pray? There are many healthful benefits of praying. God instructs us to pray. The following are a few reasons why we should prayer.
“Casting all your anxieties on him. because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 ESV (English Standard Version)
“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
Psalm 34:17 ESV (English Standard Verion)
God takes care of you always. He has in the past, he is now in the present, and he will continue to take care of you in the future. Even though it is hard not to worry, giving your troubles over to God is for your betterment. God will not fail you. God loves you and only wants the best for you. Lean on Him. Let God be your strength in difficult times.

God Bless. I pray the Lord strengthens you, guides your every move, protects you from harm, and grants you the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for listening. I appreciate y’all.
My Flower of the Day (FOTD) is one I took in August 2021. I hope you enjoy it.

God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
Yesterday, August 22nd, was National Rainbow Baby Day. Have you ever experienced a Rainbow Baby? Do you know what is meant by a Rainbow Baby? I do and remember every year.
A Rainbow Baby is a baby born subsequent to a miscarriage, stillbirth, or death of an infant from natural causes. I actually have three Rainbow babies. Each of my three living children were born within a year of a miscarriage or stillbirth. I have not and will now ever forget the babies I lost. I treasure the babies, now grown, which God graciously allowed me to have.
The Rainbow represents beauty after a dark time. It is sad that nearly one in four pregnancies ends in loss. That loss could be due to miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, or blighted ovum. My maternal grandmother lost a baby girl after fourteen days of her birth. I had two miscarriages and one stillbirth. The loss is one which is never forgotten, even though you go on with life. The majority of people would never know the experience you went through.
The term Rainbow Baby began to be used approximately around 2008. Before that time things like that weren’t really discussed. The term Rainbow Baby has gained popularity through social media and on blogs. The term has come to symbolize hope and healing.
On August 22nd, families throughout the country commemorate the lives of the infants they lost while also celebrating motherhood. I, myself, commemorate all three of the infants I lost and am very grateful for my three living children. Those of us that have experienced the loss of a baby welcome and celebrate our Rainbow Babies with joy, reflection, healing, and a deep set of mixed emotions. When one carries a Rainbow Baby after a previous loss, one can feel anxiety as well as joy. You grieve the one you lost while celebrating the new life growing inside of you. The feelings of anxiety come from not knowing if the new baby will survive, if you’ll lose it as well. You pray that the Rainbow baby will be healthy and that you’ll be able to hold him or her in your arms.
God Bless. Thank you for listening. Rainbow babies are very dear to my heart. Mine bring me joy, but I will never forget the ones I lost. I, truly believe I will see my babies I lost again one day. I appreciate y’all.



God Bless. Have a funtastic day. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
These entries are from my hike along the Catawba River. The flowers I notice along the river are not always the same. Different ones catch my eye at different times. The wildflowers are beautiful to observe and enjoy .
My entries for Cee’s FOTD Challenge from 8/22. Hope y’all enjoy.


God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
My grandson turned three on July 25th and had never met the majority of his paternal relatives including his paternal great grandmother. His paternal great grandmother lives in Japan and hasn’t been in this country, at least not for a very long time. She recently got on a plane in Japan and flew to South Carolina. She is here because her daughter, my grandson, Coleman’s paternal grandmother, is extremely ill. She doesn’t seem to know where she is, hasn’t been eating for weeks before she was taken to the hospital. Her lack of substance and her alcoholism has destroyed a lot of the normal bodily functions, like walking, her organs, and her breathing to name a few. At this time, she has not been given a sufficient diagnosis and was sent to a rehabilitation facility. This does not make since to several people, but the only person who has any say in her treatment is her husband. She is on oxygen, is unable to walk, even for short distances like to the bathroom. Prayers would be appreciated on her behalf.

Most people that cross Coleman’s path on the trail or out and about know he is not usually shy, but very friendly and says hi to everyone. That was not the case today when he met his paternal great grandmother for the very first time. He backed away, hid behind me and didn’t say anything for a long time. I’ve never known Coleman to be shy. Coleman’s dad, David picked her up from his dad’s home and brought her to our home. The meeting was in familiar surroundings, but a strange person in his home seemed to baffle him. It took some coaxing to get him to sit next to her.

Since Coleman has a very strong attachment to me, I left the room to try to help him not to cling to me, but to allow him an opportunity to get acquainted with his paternal great grandmother. I feel gratitude that Coleman was given this opportunity to meet her. Thankfully she does speak a little English as her primary language is Japanese. My grandson’s father does not speak Japanese, it was not taught to him when he was growing up.



Thankful for the short time Coleman had to spend with his paternal great grandmother. Maybe she can come again to visit him while she is in the United States.
God bless. Thank you. I appreciate each and every one of y’all.
Here’s my entry for John’s Cellpic Sunday



God bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.

God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Today as Coleman and I hiked along Timberline Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway we saw several groups of Mushrooms. Several of the hikers in the hiking club enjoy taking photos of mushrooms. Some refer to them as shrooms.
A Mushroom or toadstool is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruity body of a fungus. They are typically produced above ground, on soil, or on its food source. Most mushrooms have a stalk (aka a stem), and a cap, which is usually disc shaped.



The mushroom helps the tree extract minerals and water from the soil. In exchange, the tree supplies the mushroom with sugar compounds. An interesting fact is that mushrooms are genetically closer to humans than plants. You might wonder how that can even be possible. Well, I wonder that too. It is something I never knew before. It is always beneficial to keep learning new things. Below is a list of amazing facts regarding mushrooms.
I try my best to make sure that Coleman, my grandson, does not touch any mushrooms we see out on the trails. One question to ask: “Is it okay to Touch a mushroom?” There are many common mushrooms which contain toxins, so one needs to be cautious about touching them. It is important not to touch mushrooms growing in the wild. Why you might ask? They may be rare species which should not be damaged. It is difficult to tell if a mushroom is toxic, so it is pertinent to instruct your children to not touch or play with mushrooms. Mushrooms are typically fragile; therefore, it is best to leave them untouched. Touching them may damage or discolor them dye to the oils that are present naturally on our skin.
God Bless. If you come across wild mushrooms, think twice before touching them. You never know the harm that touching them might cause. Thank You for stopping by. I appreciate y’all.
My entry today for Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge (FOTD). A, I think, beautiful Tea Rose Hybrid.

I originally took this photo of a rose from my garden back in September of 2013. I loved having a small garden back then, but unfortunately I am unable to have one at present.
God bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
Brashley Photography blog Mid-Week Monochrome challenge. This week I decided to post Monochrome pictures from my past.



I love to research my ancestry and visit my ancestral cemeteries when possible. It is fun for me to look back and enjoy the memories.
God bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
All photos ©️gfpacificbee. Photo Credit: Debbie L Waters


God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
My entries for Cee’s FOTD Challenge. I hope you enjoy them.






God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
The sound of flowing water is calming to the soul. It can calm you spirit, help you to relax, and improve your sleep quality. I enjoy being near the flowing waters at the river and lakes. Do you? My grandson loves to be near any outdoor body of water. He enjoys watching the water flow, but he loves playing in it more. He loves to jump in water or throw things like rocks, tree limbs, or whatever he can find and watch them make the water splash.
The Bible often speaks about water. It uses water as a symbol for faith, salvation, and provision. Water is used as an example of our relationship with God.
When I see the river or lake waters flowing, I am amazed at the wonders of God’s creation. The natural calming effect the sounds of the flowing waters have upon me. It is truly miraculous how it all flows together for our benefit.
Take the time to enjoy nature and if possible watch the waters flowing from a lake, river, or stream and let me know how you are affected by them.
God bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.




Couldn’t pick just one. Catawba River and Coleman. Love ❤️ them both.
God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.

God bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Brashley Photography blog Mid-Week Monochrome challenge





God bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Moving Water




God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
~ Harriet Beecher Stowe ~

Never means that at no time in the past, present, or future; on no occasion; not ever. Simply put it means that we will never do something; not now, not ever. So don’t hold your breath for me to change my mind. I will never give up.
The Bible speaks several times about the term never. It speaks of what God will never do. The following is just a few of the things that God will never do.
“ 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 NIV (New International Version)
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
— Hebrews 13:5 ESV (English Standard Version)
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
— Psalm 55:22 NIV
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee.”
— Isaiah 49:15 KJV (King James Version)
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
— John 10:28 NJKV ( New King James Version)
If God never gives up on us, how can we give up on ourselves? We need to follow God’s example and NEVER give up.

You may think life isn’t fair, what’s the point in going on? The point is your life is worth it, it is not over. Never Give Up! God has a purpose for your life, a reason for you being on this earth. Sure, you may fall, but then pick yourself up. You may stumble and when you do, stop, recover your balance and go on with your life. No matter what life brings you, always remember to Never Ever Give Up.


There are a few positive things regarding Never.
The list could go on and on. Let’s always remember to think positively and Never Give Up.

God bless. Thank you. Stay strong. Keep learning. Keep growing. Be confident. You are loved. You are worth it. Never give in to the war within. Remember I appreciate y’all.


God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Today, August 9th is National Book Lovers Day. It is a day to encourage the joy and fun of reading. It celebrates literature and books, encouraging people to out down their smart phones and to simply enjoy reading. It harnesses all the excitement which bibliophiles feel about books into one celebration.

National Book Lovers Day is an unofficial holiday observed to encourage bibliophiles to celebrate reading and literature. You might ask what is a bibliophile? Simply put, it is a person who has a great appreciation for or collects books. This term I have not been familiar with, but I suppose you could say that I am one. I love books. I love reading books. I love the feel of an actual book in my hands and prefer a physical book to an eBook even though I do read eBooks on occasion.

It is unknown exactly when or how National Book Lovers Day became a part of the calendar. It is noted that people have been carrying around books with them for centuries. At one time books were extremely large and expensive so only the wealthy were able to afford owning them. Today books come in a variety of formats for the Book Lovers to enjoy. There are many different genres, authors, and books from various time periods. Book Lovers have the option to choose from thrillers, romance, non-fiction, and graphic novels. There are many subdivisions to each of these categories as well. Personally, I love to read Amish fiction, both romantic and mystery novels.

Books are easily accessible for everyone on computers, smartphones, tablets, and kindles, as well as the trusty old common paperbacks. As I stated earlier, I love the feel of a book (paperback or hardback) in my hands. I love to turn the pages while I am reading. Reading on my computer or smartphone just does not give the same feel, the same thrill or enjoyment for me while I read.

I want to take the time to thank all authors for their inspiration, their dedication, their research, and thought inspiring words they put to print so that I may escape to another realm, to be inspired and learn life lessons from their vast knowledge. Thank y’all for being dedicated authors who desire to write wholesome faith-based novels that continue to relate and captivate the interest of not only me, but many others also.

God Bless. Take time out of your day to read. Read a book, a magazine, read online or pick up a book in your hands and take pleasure in reading. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.





God Bless. Thank You! Remember I appreciate y’all.