Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Posted as part of John’s Cell Pic Sunday Challenge.
Cell Pic Sunday: October 9, 2022
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Author: Deb L Waters
I am an avid reader. I read mostly Amish fiction but also read other novels. I enjoy romance, mystery, and Christian devotionals. I enjoy hiking in the outdoors, especially in Greenways and State or National Parks. I love my grandson. He is my favorite subject, so I'll post about him and his antics.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Silent Sunday: 10/09 – Painted Rocks
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Silent Sunday
The Beauty of Hearing a Bird Sing
Cee’s Black and White Challenge:
In my neighborhood this time of the year I don’t hear or see many birds. So when I took my grandson, Coleman for a short walk out the back door, I was delighted to hear a bird singing. Even though storms may pass our way, I am blessed and thankful for what God has given me. I am thankful for the blessing of hearing the beautiful bird’s song.
“Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?”
– Rose Kennedy
Up
High
Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings.
~ Victor Hugo
Among
the
Branches
“Every bird, every tree, every flower reminds me what a blessing and privilege it is just to be alive.”
~ Marty Rubin
&
Beauty
in
Hearing
a Bird
Sing
“Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”
~ John Burroughs
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
CBWC: 10/08 – Candid Coleman
Cee’s Black and White Challenge : My grandson, Coleman, my favorite subject to photograph. He loves to have his picture taken.
With a bit of Color Pop
Monkeying
Around
on
the
Bars
Sliding
Slides
with
Color
Pop
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
FOTD: October 7, 2022 – Pink Garden Cosmos
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge entries:
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Last Photo: September 2022
Bush boy.Blog challenges us to post the last photo on the SD card and/or last photo on your phone. Here are my entries for September’s #TheLastPhoto challenge.
From my iPhone 13 Pro:
Aka
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ian
Winds & Rain Clouds
From my Canon EOS Rebel T3i:
(Silybum marianum)
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Wordless Wednesday: 10/05 – ASCG Spillway
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Mid-Week Monochrome # 108: 10/05 – Power-lines Amongst Cloudy Skies
I
See
Watching
the
Amongst
Skies
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all. #MWM #Mid-WeekMonochrome
Monday Portrait: 10/03/2022 – Horse
at
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Dairy Barn Entrance
God Bless. Thank You. I appreciate y’all.
Cell Pic Sunday:
John challenges us to post cell pics for his Cell Pic Sunday challenge. Here is my entry fir the challenge.
or
Grasshopper
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Monday Windows: Apartment Windows
on Side
of my
Apartment
(ignore the reflection)
looking 👀
into his
Bedroom
Window
This is also my entry for Cee’s Black and White Challenge. Monochrome Apartment Windows, our view from the outside.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Silent Sunday: 10/02/2022
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Sing and Shout to the LORD
“O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
—–Psalm 95:1-2 NASB (New American Standard Bible 1995)
The Psalms are full of praise to the Lord. They instruct and remind us of our need to worship and praise the Lord. We need to consistently turn our attention toward God. Our focus should be on obedience and reverence to our Lord and savior.
When and where should we worship and praise the Lord? Should it be done only in church? I think not. Should it be done only on Sunday (or whichever day your church meets)? I think not. Why do I think not? I think and believe that we ought to worship God “in spirit and in truth” as suggested in John 4:23.
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”
—John 4:23 NKJV (New King James Version)
Don’t disregard my meaning. I think worshipping with others in a church setting is important, however, I do not feel it is our only option for worship. Worshipping “in spirit and truth” suggests that we can worship God wherever we are, wherever we go, and whenever we desire. We should worship the Lord in everything we do, even in every minute aspect of our everyday lives.
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
—- Colossians 3:17 NKJV (New King James Version)
Do we have to sing to worship the Lord? Some might have beautiful singing voices while others of us “make a joyful noise.” Throughout the Bible it continually speaks about singing to the Lord, so it must be important. Does God care if we can carry a tune? I, personally, do not think it matters. If you are in a group singing perhaps others would appreciate you being in tune, but maybe when you are alone you can sing and shout praise and thanksgiving to God however you are able.
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
—- Ephesians 5: 19-21 KJV (King James Version)
Singing helps to bring our hearts, our souls, our minds, and our strength together to focus solely and completely on God. When we praise God, it changes us. How might you ask? Praising God changes us for the better by refocusing our affections, realigning our priorities, and restoring our souls. Our spirit becomes open and receptive receiving God’s Holy Spirit.
Worship to God can be expressed in many different forms such as dance, acts of service, generosity, fellowship, prayer, obedience, and the study of scripture. even if we do not use music, we can still express our thoughts, our hearts to God. Praying for those in the line of Hurricane Ian can be one way to “sing,” to worship God.
Take time to Sing and Shout to the Lord. Pray for others. Let your heart be known to God. Thank Him for what He has done for you. Honor God through your Words and your Actions.
God Bless. Thank You. I appreciate y’all.
Morning Sky: Different in Each Direction
Stepping out my back door, I looked left, then walked 100 feet and looked right, and looked in-between. What I saw was unique in every direction I turned. I was checking the sky and wind for a possible approach of Hurricane Ian to our area. So far Hurricane Ian has not fully impacted the Carolinas, but we have been put on alert. I pray for the safety of friends and family already in the path of Ian. I pray God’s protection be upon them giving them strength to see them through this powerful storm.
View to my Left:
View to my Right after Walking 100 feet:
My View from In-Between:
Beautiful
Display
of
Colors
Colors
in the
Sky
The colors in the sky are amazingly beautiful. The colors of the Sun through the clouds, the contrast of the light and dark, and the brilliant glow was something I do not see much in my neighborhood. It was a delight to see and enjoy.
God Bless. Thank You for stopping by. I appreciate y’all so very much.
God’s Artwork: Lake Haigler
Beautiful
Artwork
in
Nature
Lake Haigler
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
FOTD: 9/29 – Garden Pumpkin
My entries for this week’s Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge taken from out my back day and walking a short 20 feet to our right. Not what you expect out back in an apartment complex.
Pumpkin
Flower
God bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
The Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Comporium Amphitheater was the location for a concert by the Charlotte Symphony Strings Orchestra on Sunday, September 25, 2022. The tribute concert honored Anne Springs Close, founder and matriarch of the Greenway. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Christopher James Lees, the Resident Conductor.
Normally, it is extremely expensive to attend a concert performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, however, this particular concert in honor of Anne Springs Close held at the Anne Springs Close Greenway was absolutely free. It was suggested that people attending the concert bring canned or boxed food items to be donated to You Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina or a gently used book to fill the Little Library located behind the Greenway Gateway.
waiting
for the
Orchestra
to begin
This concert was a rare opportunity for me to expose my three year old grandson, Coleman, to fine classical music. He seemed to enjoy the music and behaved rather well in the outdoor setting for the concert. He clapped every time the orchestra completed a piece.
enjoying a snack
while waiting
for the concert 🎶
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the Central Carolinas. The Charlotte Symphony plays approximately 100 performances each season and employs 100 professional musicians. The Orchestra’s principal home is the Belk Theater of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. It also serves as the resident orchestra for Opera Carolina and Charlotte Ballet.
getting ready
the
Charlotte
Symphony
Orchestra
The Orchestra played a mix light classical from 3-4pm. The classical music included:
- Hoe Down from “Rodeo”, Copland
- Andante Festivo, Opus 117a – Sibeliu
- String Quartet No. 2 “Company” – Glass
- Elegiac Melodies, Opus 34 (II. Last Spring) – Grieg
- With Malice Toward None (from Lincoln) – Williams
- Danse Negre, Op. 35, No 4 – Coleridge-Taylor / arr. Daniel Bukin
- Ashokan Farewell – Ungar / arr. Bob Cerulli
- St. Paul’s Suite for String Orchestra (I. Gigue)– Holst
Some of the music was soft and easy flowing while others were upbeat and moving. Guess which ones Coleman preferred? He preferred the more upbeat pieces including Divertimenti K. 138 (Mvt. I) by Mozart.
Christopher James Lees
Conducting the
Symphony Orchestra
If you ever get the opportunity to go hear a symphony orchestra perform, I would highly recommend you going. This was an amazing opportunity I had to share with my grandson, Coleman. Truly blessed. Thank you Charlotte Symphony Orchestra fir a delightful performance. Thank you Anne Springs Close Greenway for hosting the Orchestra for our pleasurable enjoyment.
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Happy Fall Y’all: Autumn Hues
leaves 🍁
in the
water
Leaf 🍁
standing
proud
display of
Autumn Colors
of the
Leaves 🍁
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Black & White Challenge (CBWC): My Picks
My picks this week for Cee’s Black & White Challenge is of my favorite photo subject, my grandson.
Coleman,
my favorite
photo subject
my
❤️
playing
in the
Catawba
River
my
hiking 🥾
buddy
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Cell Pic Sunday: 9/25
John’s Cell Pic Sunday challenges us to display our amazing cell phone photos. Mine this week comes from the Wagon Loop Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Garden
Spider
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Silent Sunday: 9/25
Gaggle
Of
Geese
Lake
Haigler
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
PULL UP A SEAT: Wherever you Choose
A PHOTO CHALLENGE OF PLACES WE SIT…OR MIGHT SIT…OR ART ABOUT SITTING, Pull Up A Seat, is hosted by XingfuMama. My entries for Week 37:
It doesn’t matter if it is a bench, a sign, a tree, or a wooden board; if my grandson, Coleman, wants to pull up a seat he’ll sit wherever he chooses.
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
FOTD: 9/23 – Campsis radicans
From my walkabout out my back door. This time my grandson and I ventured right took approximately 100 steps (mini steps) and located these creeping flower vines. My addition to Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.
Cow Itch Vine
In North America, the trumpet vine is also known as the Hummingbird Vine. It can be seen in many areas throughout the Carolinas. I see them not only on the grounds of our apartment complex, but also in wooded areas along the Catawba River and along the trails at Anne Springs Close Greenway.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
The World Mourns: RIP Your Majesty!
This has been an amazing opportunity to watch live the funeral procession and other events honoring and remembering Queen Elizabeth II. Many of you may have watch some of the live coverage of the various events occurring of the past several days to celebrate the life of Her Majesty, the Queen. May she rest in peace. I was not able to watch every coverage of the lying-in state, the processional with Princess Anne accompanying her beloved mother back to London from the Queen’s Balmoral Castle in Scotland, but I was able to watch parts of the proceedings over the past week including the funeral procession today.
Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, in London, United Kingdom and passed onto her home in Heaven joining her beloved husband on September 8, 2022. [As a side note, she was born three short years before my father]. She had been the reigning monarch for my entire life. I felt as if I knew her even though I did not really know her. In this modern age of television, her live and reign as the Queen of England, The United Kingdon, and The Commonwealth her live as been on display for the entire world to see. That being said, it is no wonder why she is being mourned by the world, the United Kingdom, The Commonwealth, as well as her family.
Watching the funeral procession, Monday, September 19th, the long trek from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey and on to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, Britain was an honor, sad, and extremely heartfelt. She was the first to be televised throughout her reign, and the first Monarch to have her funeral and processions televised across multiple media site for the whole world to watch and mourn. I know for myself there were times throughout the processional and funeral that I was almost brought to tears. If I had been there, I know I would have shed some tears for Queen Elizabeth, beloved by most everyone.
The slideshow pictures above are screenshot pictures from watching the processional via YouTube. I was amazed about the thought process and the intricate details of the entire arrangements for Queen Elizabeth. They were well thought out and carried out with great finesse. It was wonderful to see differences put aside for the greater good of honoring and remembering of Her Majesty, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. Prince William and Prince Harry side by side carrying out their roles and duties together for the sake and benefit of their beloved Grandmother.
President Biden and his wife were amongst the 2,000 guests in attendance bidding farewell to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the streets and parks to get a glimpse of Her Majesty’s coffin as it was driven throughout London. There were 500 world leaders and foreign dignitaries present for the funeral in addition to The Queen’s closest family members which included Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte.
This is a sad time for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, but also a time for new beginnings. King Charles III has already ascended to the throne as Britain’s new monarch. Let us not be disrespectful of any members of the royal family. They are in mourning and will be for some time even after the official mourning time has passed. Let us remember the family of Queen Elizabeth in our prayers. May the Lord comfort and strengthen them in the coming days.
REST IN PEACE your Majesty
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Mid-Week Monochrome: #106 – 9/22/2022
Greenway monochrome shots: Tracks, Tables, Tree Shrooms.
Built by Ian Burke
2021 Eagle Scout
Troop 422
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Wordless Wednesday: 9/21
December 2010
Lancaster, South Carolina
Lancaster, SC
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
FOTD: 9/20/2022
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.
Monday Portrait: Horse Loving
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Silent Sunday: Flowing Water
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National POW/MIA Recognition Day
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.
Veterans.com
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.
- 130,201 World War II service members were imprisoned; 14,072 of them died.
- 7,140 Korean War service members were imprisoned; 2,701 of them died.
- 725 Vietnam War service members were imprisoned; 64 of them died.
- 37 service members were imprisoned during conflicts since 1991, including both Gulf wars; none is still in captivity.
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:
- 73,515, from World War II (an approximate number due to limited or conflicting data)
- 7,841 from the Korean War
- 1,626 from Vietnam
- 126 from the Cold War
- 6 from conflicts since 1991.
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.
FOTD: 9/17
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.
Monday Windows: Rustic
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Mid-Week Monochrome: #103
Main Hospital Soldiers Home
Dayton, Ohio
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.
Wordless Wednesday: 9/14
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
FOTD: 9/14
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.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Share Your Desktop: September 2022
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.
WTVP.com
God Bless. Thank You. I appreciate y’all.
Monday Portrait: September 11
God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
Remembering 9/11: Never Forget
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.
Silent Sunday: Railroad Trestle
God bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
Backyard Nature:
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Flower of the Day (FOTD): September 9
Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD) challenge is always a pleasure to join.
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Midweek Monochrome: Swinging, Hiking, & Kayaking — Pleasurable Activities to Enjoy
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.
Wordless Wednesday: Soaring – Air and Trail
Soaring in the Air:
Soaring on the Trail:
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Silent Sunday: Great Blue Heron
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FOTD: September 5th
A couple of potted plants for Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 