From the last week of December and the last week of the year 2022.
iPhone 13 Pro:

Canon Rebel EOS T3i:

Anne Springs Close Greenway
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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
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.
Pull Up a Seat ….





Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2022@DebWaters74
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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.



Here’s my entries for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge.
Wednesday morning Ho Ho Waffles 🧇.







Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
My selections this time come from the trails around Wagon and Haigler Loops as well as by the Canteen at Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Pull Up a Seat Along Wagon Loop:


Pull Up a Seat beside Lake Haigler:

Bruce T. Rush Pavilion:

The Bruce T. Rush Pavilion is located at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It is an open-air shelter, available for rental, which features a hardwood ceiling with a stone fireplace. It overlooks the beautiful Lake Haigler. It is an ideal area for company picnics, birthday parties, receptions, and small intimate wedding ceremonies.
In Front of the Canteen:

Photo Credit: Copyright (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your Holidays! Remember I appreciate y’all.
My grandson, Coleman and I loved to venture out into nature and roam through the trees whenever the weather permits. It has been raining a lot here lately, so we haven’t been out much. Only twice this week. Coleman loves to go hiking at the Anne Springs Close Greenway which is only a few miles from where we currently live. The Greenway has five different entrances, and we choose a different entrance to begin our hiking each time we go.
From the Horse Stables Entrance: Should we go to the Left or to the Right?


Next, we switched to the Lake Haigler Entrance for some hiking near Lake Haigler.
Posted as part of Which Way Photo Challenge

Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com …. All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you’ll visit again soon. I appreciate y’all.





Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com …All Rights Reserved
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Photos taken at Anne Springs Close Greenway Canteen in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
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Photo Credit:
1st photo: ©️Coleman Gouveia (my 3 yr old grandson). All others: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
Posted as part of Mid-Week Monochrome. Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness photography challenge.
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God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
My Screensaver:

My Wallpaper:

Posted as part of Clare’s Share Your Desktop Photography Challenge.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
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Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
For this week’s Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC) we are asked to post black and white photos of traveling/ movement displaying Up and Down. My Up and Down were taken along Lake Haigler Loop at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.








Posted as part of Becky’s Walking Squares #14.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacifibeeintrospection.com
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On Saturday, I had the opportunity to borrow my daughter’s car. So, Coleman and I took a drive to the Fort Mill Dam and then to Catawba Park. We walked around and enjoyed the scenery.


Coleman does more running around in the playground area, it is hard to keep up with him. I do not run.

Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeinrrospection.com
Posted as part of Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge.
Posted as part of Becky’s Square Challenge – Walking Squares
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Coleman, my grandson and my walking/hiking buddy hiked the Seven Oaks Preserve Trail on Tuesday afternoon. It was a warm sunny day unlike the past couple of days where it has been chilly, windy, and rainy.





Whenever I have the opportunity to go out, it is almost always with my grandson, Coleman. He loves to hike. He doesn’t tend to walk much but run along the trail. I walk/hike and try my best to keep up with him. We always see different amazing and interesting things as we hike along the various trails.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeinrrospection.com
Posted as part of Bren’s Mid-week Monochrome Photography Challenge.
Posted as part of Becky’s Square Challenge – Walking Squares
God Bless. Thank you for observing my walks/hikes. I appreciate y’all.
Along the Trail one can find Water, Water, Everywhere





Water, Water, Everywhere Under the Trestle



Posted as part of Jez’s Water, Water, Everywhere Photo Challenge,
Posted as part of Becky’s Squares Challenge – Walking Squares.

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My Screensaver:

My Desktop Background:

Posted as part of Clare’s Share Your Desktop October 2022
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Posted as part of Brashley Photography blog Mid-Week Monochrome Challenge.
#Mid-Week Monochrome #MWM
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Posted as part of Debbie’s Travel With Intent blog’s One Word Sunday Challenge.
Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
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BICYCLES:


Motorcycles:



TRICYCLE:

Posted as part of Cee’s Black and White Challenge ( CBWC).
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Posted as part of Kate’s Pull Up A Seat Challenge and Brashley’s Mid-Week Monochrome Challenge.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
These past two weeks my family and I have been suffering from bad cases of bronchitis. Therefore, I have not been able to get out and about like I would prefer. My grandson definitely prefers being outdoors in nature to being cooped up in our apartment. Hopefully we’ll be able to get back outside in the next few days.



Welcome to my world. Filled with unexpected surprises, love, and adventures ( sometimes misadventures), but who cares. We are family and we love each other.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all. #MondayPortrait
Cee’s Black and White Challenge : My grandson, Coleman, my favorite subject to photograph. He loves to have his picture taken.






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


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.

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.


The Orchestra played a mix light classical from 3-4pm. The classical music included:
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.
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.
My picks this week for Cee’s Black & White Challenge is of my favorite photo subject, my grandson.




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

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


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




Couldn’t pick just one. Catawba River and Coleman. Love ❤️ them both.
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Brashley Photography blog Mid-Week Monochrome challenge





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Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Moving Water




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Coleman used my cell phone. iPhone 13 Pro Front camera— 23mm f2.2. ISO 250 1/40s
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Did you see what my grandson, Coleman and I spotted on our afternoon hike? It is amazing what you can see out in nature if you keep your eyes open and observe your surroundings c l o s e l y. The only problem with our observations is that Coleman tends to speak real loud when he spots an animal that he scares them into running away.
God Bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.