My Bright Idea!

NOTE: Written, owned by Gloria Faye Brown Bates. Photo owned by Me, too. I am sharing from where I write on MyLot.com.


APRIL 28, 2020 9:35AM EST



I wrote about my idea for 'free light' at nighttime ... for nightlights. They do work perfectly for when the electricity goes out during a storm.

Each day I put the containers in the sunshine (on my window sill or outside on the porch to recharge.

At nights I place the containers of lights along the hallway and in the bathroom for us, Skip to see better. I have nightlights in different places but now, I have lights that will stay on when/if the electric goes off for any reason. Free solar light.

I am a person who needs light to be alright. I don't like pitch-black darkness. The only time it never mattered was when my son died ... I was already living in the blackest, darkest dark of all.

I have this one big glass container that is heavy, clear. I put 10 solar lights in it (from the Dollar Tree) ... arranged them like 'flowers'. At night these 'flower arrangements' make me happy ... they are so pretty ... and useful all at the same time.

I get to enjoy them because I am a night owl. I walk all through the house many times to make sure home is all okay ... I look out windows at my neighbors' home across the way to make sure all seems peaceful. It's my nature to do this.

This is a good idea I think (strictly my Gloria Opinion) ... for people who live alone who need lights that stay on if the electric goes off ... you can set them in the window where the sun shines brightest to recharge each day.

I wanted to let everyone know how my 'bright' idea is working out. Wonderful!

My bright idea has brought me joy at night time ... the light shines brightly ... sparkling from the 'glass/clear plastic' that is faceted. For now ... I have 10 of them. I will buy more and have several 'flower/light' arrangements sitting all-around at nighttime.

Something Different ... Unique Idea

NOTE: Each day I share here what I write on MyLot.com. This ... and photo are owned by ME, Gloria Faye Brown Bates.



I had a unique idea about 2 weeks ago. I've never thought of such a simple thing to do before.

It's attractive when arranged pretty ... inexpensive ... mood-lifting ... happy. Well, at least to ME it is.

I'll share my idea and maybe all of you have thought of it before and ... some might even do it already.

I was in the Dollar Tree when my eyes saw the box of solar lights ... the idea popped into my head. Why not buy solar lights to charge in the daytime by the sun ... at night time set them all around inside as night lights.

If a storm came up through the night and electricity goes out ... you have light ... free light.

I have 10 solar lights I put in a plastic container standing up. I set it in on the window sill during the day where the sun shines brightest to charge them.

Each night I set them where I want them ... each morning I put all back into the container and set on the sunny window sill.

If it's cloudy ... I probably won't have light. We have 2 battery-powered lanterns to use.

I wanted to share my idea in case it appealed to anyone else. After spending a dollar on a solar light ... the light is free. You can sit several in containers to look pretty ... to put out cheerful light at night.

Let me know if you have any simple ideas like this. I always love to learn something I don't know.

Appreciating The Smallest of Things

NOTE: I am sharing what I wrote on MyLot.com today. Photo, this are owned by ME, Gloria Faye Brown Bates.




APRIL 24, 2020 8:30PM EST



Businesses like beauty salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, restaurants, bowling alleys, and other non-essential businesses opened up today in different states.

I was wondering how safe that is going to be. I would like to get my hair trimmed but, I'm not going to risk it. Besides ... nothing will open up before May 8th here. I'm not sure anything will get to as long as the cases of coronavirus keep rising.

Just 2-3 miles from here 3 more deaths occurred at the nursing home today ... totaling 14 deaths there in the past week or so ... and there are many cases of coronavirus there.

It's so sad ... the nursing home is locked down. No family members can go inside at all to visit there. They are worried about their loved ones. It's just a bad situation. Some people do go there and visit at the windows ... with the glass between them.

Gracious ... I feel very sad for all of them. I keep the images of them in my mind ... the family stands on the outside of the window and their loved one on the other side ... everyone has tears in their eyes. I know those people need to be hugged.

By the time all this is over ... being hugged again will be so treasured. I miss hugging, comforting people.

We are all learning to appreciate even the smallest of things. I have already been appreciating the smallest things ... now through this pandemic ... I'm learning to appreciate even more thing.

What do you miss doing, what do you appreciate so much more?

Twinkling A Big Smile Is Almost As Good As Smiling With Our Lips ...

Twinkling A Big Smile Is Almost As Good As Smiling With Our Lips ...

By Gloria Faye Brown Bates (Note: I wrote this on MyLot.com this morning as I thought about how the masks we wear hides our smiles. Owned by Me, and photo owned by Me)

APRIL 23, 2020 1:18PM EST


Well ... today in the time of wearing masks to cover half our faces ... our lips ... we can't see people smiling back at us.

I've been paying close attention to this as I am always studying human nature. I'm fascinated by what makes us all 'tick'.

Eyes have to do all the work now. To convey a smile ... the eyes have to change to reflect our inner light ... so, we just twinkle a smile to each other. Some people will twinkle big ... some just a polite twinkle with very little light reflecting.

I try to twinkle happy smiles to others. Yesterday when we were out ... my eyes connected with a young woman's eyes ... she twinkled the biggest smile to me, waved ... her inner light reflected so big. I felt her smile ... it made me feel happy.

So ... twinkling a big smile ... with our eyes is almost as good as when our lips are seen smiling. This is my Gloria Opinion.

We Smile At Each Other Behind Our Masks ... Air Hug

NOTE: I am sharing this from what I wrote on MyLot.com this morning. This, and photo are owned by ME, Gloria Faye Brown Bates.


I've been listening to the news at noon. I saw where drones may be used and I think are being used ... to spy on people. They don't call it spying but, that's what I call it.

I have read in the past that they can be flown to peer into windows of a home if needed to. I don't know how true that is.

They say it's to see if people are complying with coronavirus distancing rules, so on. I worry about things we have read about in fiction that's is slowly becoming true. I don't think people will stand for it. They are already protesting. That worries me.

There was a protest here in Raleigh, NC today ... they were very vocal, loud and I felt obnoxious. You know how you have your loudmouth in everything. I didn't like seeing protestors screaming, ranting, raving, cursing the nurses and medical people standing there. I thought to myself that one day soon that nurse, doctor might be treating that protestor as they lay dying with the virus.

Not everyone was wearing masks, nor keeping their distance. I worry it's a matter of time. I shouldn't worry about people ... I do.

Today we went to get groceries. We sat in the parking lot to eat our biscuits we got at McDonald's drive-thru. We people-watched as we ate.

So many people didn't have masks on ... and I was alarmed at all the children who didn't have masks on either.

Walmart does good ... everyone did keep their distance from each other. No one on top of the other. Instead of hugging people we used to hug ... now, it's air-hugs. We smile big behind our masks ... our eyes reflect it ... no one can see each other's mouth.

Who would have thought we would be communicating behind masks ... talk, smile behind our masks ... give air-hugs one day?

It Means The World ...

NOTE:

Copied/pasted ... what I wrote this morning on MyLot.com. Photo/story owned by Gloria Faye Brown Bates. I like to share what I wrote there ... here, on my Blog.


APRIL 19, 2020 9:31AM EST


Yesterday both Skip and I and our Pups2 were in the living room watching tv. We all fell asleep ... something we are doing a lot of lately.

I woke up to the sound of a horn. I looked outside as I went to the door. It was our neighbor... and friend, who lives close by. She told me to come out, she had something for me.

I went out to her car and she handed me a bag, told me her brother was a chef and he'd cooked brisket. They gave us plates with brisket, macaroni & cheese, green beans, and cabbage with carrots. And ... a strawberry shortcake.

Skip and I felt so honored. We have caring friends around us and for that we are most grateful for. It feels so good ... comforting to ... have someone. We love them all. When I say 'love' ... I mean for-real ... Love.

I took photos of our plates before we sat down to eat. Skip and I felt so special. We were thought of and didn't know it. These are the Friends we have all around us. It means the world to us.

Just As I Suspected...

NOTE: I write on MyLot.com daily. I will copy/paste what I write there ... here on my blog to share with you. Stories, photos are
owned by ME ... Gloria Faye Brown Bates.



APRIL 18, 2020 7:58AM EST



I've been paying attention to something for quite some time before this coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Now ... I am seeing so much of it in every country ... just everywhere. I'm amazed and ... it's just as I suspected.

Have you taken time to listen to everyone taking their time to cheer up neighbors by doing things they have talent for?

How about when they sing? I'm telling you now ... most of the singers are talented enough to hold a concert. They are as good as any famous singer I know. Some are really better than some famous singers.

Have you noticed? If people would listen to, hire the talent in their towns, cities, countries, states .... we would have our own stars ... local, home-grown.

Some singers get so above others that they think they should be paid lots, and lots of money. They think no one can get anyone better or equal to how they sing. I beg to differ. Yes, people can.

You are seeing such talent coming out on their balconies to sing to, cheer others who are scared, nervous during this pandemic. These are the heroes ... these are the ones who deserve good things to happen to them.

There are good people who are celebrities, also. They are doing so much to help others and sing for free, also. They are heroes because they give of themselves too.

Has anyone been thinking about this lately? All this wonderful talent no one is seeing until now ... it's just ... as I suspected.

We Have To Be Normal In Our Own Little Worlds ...

NOTE: I copied/pasted what I wrote this morning on MyLot.com where I write daily to share here on my Blog. Story/Photo owned by ME,
Gloria Faye Brown Bates.



APRIL 16, 2020 9:13AM EST


I am looking outside at the beautiful day ... sun shining brightly, a slight breeze. Nice!

I have a project in mind to do with old bricks I have outside in a pile. I really hope it all turns out like in my mind. If so, I'll take a photo to share.

Our Kissy had surgery on his right back leg several years ago. Sometimes ... when he gets up I can tell he feels it now. He is getting older even if he still acts like a puppy.

We have steps he has to go down and back up when he goes out on the little porch ... it takes him out into the fenced-in yard. It hurts his back legs ... they hit the ground a little too hard. I don't like that. Over time it could cause him problems.

So, I'm going to build up with bricks to make it easier for him. I know I have to do in a tight, secure way. I'm thinking I may have to get some cement in a bag.

Do you have projects you have in mind to do during this time? I also, want to keep my promise on painting a big rock that is the headstone for our friend's dog that died. I have her name on it ... now, I want to paint a heart with a sunflower. I'll also, take photos when I accomplish that.

I want to begin rearranging the house again. I have a lot to do ... I just needed to feel better from all of this to feel motivated. I have felt so much more myself for the past week.

I think like everyone ... we've all been in a shock, stunned by how our world has changed ... all that has been, is happening.

It's time to be normal again at home in our own little world even if we can't be when out from home. For a time my Heart just wasn't in doing anything more than keeping all just neat enough so it wouldn't drive me crazy.

Now ... it's time. It's time to act as if all is normal at home where it is normal. That way when all is alright again ... we will be ready to enjoy living outside the home again.

That's All I Can Do ...

I copied/pasted here my story I wrote on MyLot.com this morning. I will share what I write there daily here on my Blog as that's what is on my mind. Written by Gloria Faye Brown Bates ... Photos owned by ME.


APRIL 14, 2020 8:58AM EST


Remember I told you about accepting what I can't change no matter what I do? I've been able to cope much better with all going on now. I do at times feel a little sick when I see the ugliness coming out of our leaders on the news. I don't even discuss such with anyone ... I don't choose to.

I find myself feeling much better each morning when I wake up. I am a person who can smile no matter what time day or night I wake up. Skip is the same way ... we always wish each other a good morning and say ... I love you. We tell our Pups2 the same thing and pet them.

Have you ever known people who can't talk, smile before they wake up, have their coffee? Oh my, they are mean people. I knew family members in the past who were like that ... they really wanted to raise Hell ... cuss, fight first thing in the morning. I grew up in such as a little girl. Sometimes, I was their scapegoat ... I was the nearest and just looking at them could get me slapped around because 'I looked like my daddy!'

I did favor my daddy a little ... but, I also favored my beautiful mother. My expressions would remind them of my dad and make them angry. My mother and dad had divorced and they hated him.

Getting back to feeling better since I've accepted I can't change a thing about this coronavirus pandemic happening no matter what I do. I can however, ... react in a more positive way ... and be the best person I can be, the kindest.

If I'm needed to do something ... I will know in my Heart it's my time and do. That's all I can do ... and what a lot of us can do if we aren't already out there working hard to save people, get food to people and all the good things people are doing. I can care, love from a distance and do my part by taking precautions. That's all I can do.

'Calm Before The Storm' ... We Are Experiencing Tornado Weather At This Moment

This is my story I wrote on MyLot.com this morning. We have really bad weather until 4 pm this evening. I copied/pasted it here to share on my blog. Gloria Faye Brown Bates


APRIL 13, 2020 8:09AM
The storms that are moving across the states are here now. Tornadoes are happening all over, the storms are causing trees to fall ... the winds gusts are rocking the trees around us. Electric power is out so far for 240,000 people in NC.

I love to watch the trees blowing in the winds but, not when we could have a tornado at any time. I love the wind.

My Heart hurts for all the tornado damage in Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia ... some people lost their lives. Gracious. We all are experiencing so much as it is and now ... the storms taking lives. I'm so, so sorry for the extra grief people are suffering.

I have our bag packed with some essential things, plus medicine ready to grab with my purse on the way out the door. The Pups2 leashes are beside it. If need to be and possible ... we will leave if we have to. One needs to be prepared in this kind of weather.

We are fully dressed. Normally ... we have clothes on to lounge around in at home during the day when not going anywhere. Of course ... we can't go just anywhere anymore because of the coronavirus pandemic.

For the moment the winds have calmed down. I can't help but, to think of ... 'the calm before the storm'. I don't think so ... I hope not

We will be alert ... this is an all-day event. My Heart breaks for all affected everywhere yesterday and this morning by these powerful storms.

Accept What I Can't Change ... There's Nothing I Can Do To Possibly Change A Thing

NOTE: I copied/pasted this story of mine that I wrote on MyLot this morning. By Gloria Faye Brown Bates




Accept What I Can't Change ... There's Nothing I Can Do To Possibly Change A Thing


Gloria Faye Brown Bates
By Gloria Faye Brown Bates
@GrannyGee (2967)
Louisburg, North Carolina


APRIL 11, 2020 10:41AM CST
I remember when my son died ... for years I wasn't even a real person. I couldn't cope with the knowledge he had died. The knowledge that I wouldn't ever see him again ... the knowledge I wouldn't hear my son laugh, joke again ... especially when he did his 'cowardly lion' laugh like on The Wizard of Oz.

I didn't think I could survive his death. I was only one person to hold so much pain that was way bigger than Me. I slept to not think ... I lived in the darkest of dark.

Nothing mattered anymore. I couldn't find joy in anything at all. I never talked to anyone, I grieved alone inside myself.

When I cried ... I cried silently unless when no one was around I would cry aloud. I didn't share my pain with anyone.

Skip worried for me constantly. At one point he would check to make sure I was breathing when I slept. For the first time I took medicine that was very potent ... I would take it not knowing when I last took it ... when I woke up and felt the pain I would take it again. I wasn't used to taking drugs before my son's death.

Skip asked me to stop taking it, he was afraid for me. He drove a big truck and had to leave me alone for 2 weeks at a time. I had no family left to check on me ... there wasn't anyone to care for what I was going through.

When Skip called (he called often all through each day) and I wouldn't hear the phone ... he'd be upset by the time he got me. I would be sleeping too deeply.

I didn't recognize the woman who looked back at me in the mirror. I did see the terrible pain in her eyes. She looked so beaten up ... weight gain changed her face. I couldn't bear to look in my mirror.

Until some years later when I made the decision to find peace one way or other ... I began to see splashes of light in the darkness I lived in (I realize now that was 'hope') ... in my mind I used them as stepping stones back to the light.

I wanted to channel my grief in a positive way ... I was always a positive person before my son died. Oh my, it took several more years ... it was the hardest road I'd ever traveled.

It was by far the worst thing that happened in my life. Even when I almost died, fought my battle to live from cancer ... that was a 3 year battle plus two major surgeries.

I began to realize that no matter how much I cried, slept to get away from it ... no matter what ... nothing I could do would ever bring my son, Tommy, back. Nothing.

He had died ... whether I liked it or not ... lived with it or not ... NOTHING I did would bring him back. I also ... realized that instead of wanting to sleep ... not wake up ... I ... wanted ... to ... live.

I began to take each day to come back to the light ... I was an awful mess ... overweight, ugly ... an unrecognizable person to myself as my eyes opened wider. I almost gave up ... but, that famous fighting spirit I'm known for ... came back alive.

That took more years ... next month ... May 29, 2010 ... will make 10 years my son has been gone. I'm okay now ... I'm at peace now ... when I have my moments of sadness which is to be expected ... it doesn't take long until I'm alright again, because ...

I accepted what I couldn't change ... accepted the fact I couldn't change a thing about it. I would either go forward or not go forward. The choice was mine.

I have come forward through several more crises in my life ... I've made it ... I'm here today. And now ...

We have a world crisis ... our world is sick. Everything in this world has affected all globally ... we feel what the other feels. People are dying ... people are going through so much fighting their battles to live.

Nurses, doctors are fighting to help them in their battles. So many things you already know about so, I won't name any more. Many battles are going on in our world to survive.

I felt like I was feeling the pain of the world ... for the past month I've been sleeping a lot ... just not myself. I felt all the emotions people are feeling today ... fear, panic (I didn't go out panic-buying up everything though), sick inside ... I wasn't well at all.

For the past several days I've been trying to inspire myself to be alright again. This morning I got up feeling like myself again ... I walked to the window ... looked outside ... and thought 'I accept what I can't change ... there's nothing I can do to change it at all'.

I can only love, care, protect my husband and Pups2. I can only be the best person I can be ... when I see an opening to do my part in somehow helping someone ... I will do it.

That's all I can do ... accept what I can't possibly change ... go forward now. One day everything will be alright again ... no matter what ... no matter how long it takes ... one way or other ... everything will be alright.

We Are All On A Level Playing Field Now ...

Note: I am sharing this from my Facebook page. This is what I wrote this morning while thinking about the 2020 coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Gloria Faye Brown Bates




We Are All On A Level Playing Field Now ...


My Heart has a never-ending prayer for all happening in our world. One day this will be in the past.

One day we will sit together, talk about it. One day when everyone can be together again will be the day when realization sets in.

Realization that you've become closer to your loved ones ... grown to love strangers who have touched your life, some even becoming a permanent part of your families, your life.

Realization that all your life you've been rushing to go somewhere, never stopping to really look around you. You will be used to slowing down, stopping during this coronavirus pandemic ... you might not want to rush anymore.

During this time of having to stay at home while the whole world is literally shut down ... we have to examine our Hearts, think about our lives.

We have to open our eyes ... we have to see around us ... and realize so much we've taken for granted ... we are fortunate to have ... our families, pets, homes, vehicles, food ... the list goes on. There is always something to be thankful for.

Because for the time being we each walk beside an invisible enemy that could claim us, our loved ones at any given moment. If we aren't touched personally by this invisible enemy personally ... we are listening, hearing about others.

If we aren't touched by this invisible enemy ... we have our lives to be most thankful for because this invisible enemy doesn't care who it takes ... rich, poor, smart, not smart ... beautiful ... not so beautiful ... powerful ... not so powerful. It levels the playing field for everyone ... at this moment ... we are all equal.

This invisible enemy can't distinguish between who is better than the other ... nor does it see color ... race ... it doesn't have feelings to care either way.

I hope our world can learn that during this time. I hope eyes will be completely opened by the time this virus goes away ... so that when all goes back to normal ... we all will be so much better for this.

Don't let all this 'bad' happen in vain ... let's all find something positive to learn from it in our lives. This is one Hell of a Life's Lesson ... if this doesn't help us in some way we won't ever be helped.

This is my Gloria Opinion ... this is how I think. I don't push my opinions, beliefs on anyone. We all have the right to think our own thoughts about life.

I respect your opinions just as you respect mine. I don't argue anything with anyone. I pick, choose my own wars when I think they are worth fighting.

Colors In My Life...: Thank-You To Our Everyday Angels ... Heroes During...

Colors In My Life...: Thank-You To Our Everyday Angels ... Heroes During...: Everyone is staying home now ... something no one is used to doing. Who would have thought 2020 would have begun like this? 2020 ... I...

Thank-You To Our Everyday Angels ... Heroes During Pandemic 2020

Everyone is staying home now ... something no one is used to doing. Who would have thought 2020 would have begun like this? 2020 ... I loved seeing the year 2020 ... even numbers. I said at the beginning of the year it was going to be a wonderful year ... the numbers are beautiful to me.

Yes, many beautiful and good things are happening all over the world now. People are uniting in ways they couldn't have ever done before the pandemic/coronavirus/COVID-19. Our world had grown to be so fast-paced ... people rushing to work, after school activities, events, even sleeping to get up to do it all over again ... day by day. No one had time to stop to take time with families, friends, to speak to others. They had to hurry to get somewhere.

Today ... people are confined to their homes. Parents have become school-teachers ... children can't go to school. They are being close to the children they didn't have a lot of time to get close to. I'm thinking children and our pets ... love this! I hope parents are loving it too. They aren't used to spending so much time at home.

While we are in our homes ... so, so many are out on the frontline fighting an unseen enemy ... that is sadly taking many, many lives and sickening so many. They are doing without proper medical equipment, masks, ventilators. It's almost come to having to decide who lives, dies.

While this scary, terrible drama is going on in our whole world ... so many beautiful, good things are going on too. People caring, giving ... for others. People taking time to volunteer, to sew masks for the medical people ... to do so, so much. My Heart was warmed seeing people taking time to give our truck drivers meals to carry with them ... they truly are part of the very backbone of this country just as doctors, nurses, first responders ... law enforcement are. I think people are finally realizing this.

I have driven a tractor-trailer with my husband. I saw where truck drivers were taken for granted, not treated with respect when they went to the companies to do their pick-ups. The office staff would treat them like dirt, ignore them or speak hatefully to them. Some took satisfaction in doing so.

Now, I wonder if they are treating truck drivers with respect as they should have done before? They deserve it. They drive so hard to get to places on time ... sometimes, the delivery dates are 'almost impossible' causing the driver to not get rest, sleep. No one will ever know what a driver goes through if they've never been in the trucking world.

Not only that ... at rest stops, truck stops there are always scammers and others ready to prey on a driver to get his money. Sometimes they are robbed, beaten. Truck drivers are normally good-hearted, good people. Sure some are rough, gruff ... they are good people. Now, we are truly depending on the truckers who risk their lives just as our medical people, law enforcement ...everyone who comes in close contact with people.

It's so strange, even special ... to see so much good going on at the same time as all that isn't good is happening. We have everyday people who are for-real angels ... heroes ... they risk everything to help others. Why? They care so much ... from their Hearts. I pray for all of them. They truly are the ones who keep hope alive just as they work hard at keeping people alive. How special are they!

Thank you to all our everyday angels, heroes ... who are more than everyday people.


Note: Written by Gloria Faye Brown Bates

From my very Heart I can't thank all the people who are so tired from working to save others during this time ... and it looks to keep on for time to come. You are truly the angels, heroes in this world.