Coronavirus/COVID19 Pandemic 2020

We are experiencing something in our lifetime that's never happened before. Coronavirus/COVID19 2020 Pandemic. Our whole world is suffering. We've never seen, heard of so much sickness, death. It's happening here in our country, the USA. We were late getting testing and such. No one knew ... at least not everyday people. It was known about though.

This evening where I live ... an order to stay-at-home came into effect at 5:00pm. Skip and I have been staying at home for the past 3 weeks. We both have compromised immune systems, have to try to be careful as possible. There may be a curfew coming if people continue to be out at night ... they mentioned on the news a 9:00 pm curfew.

My Heart goes out to all the people who are keeping our country going ... doctors, nurses, medical staff, EMS, Pharmacists, Law Enforcement ... truck drivers, utility workers ... so many I can't name. They all do it at the risk of becoming sick themselves, dying. So many doctors have become sick, many died. Our whole world is fighting an unseen enemy ... one that can sneak up on one without them knowing. It can travel in the air when one sneezes, droplets fall on surfaces.

Social distancing has become the norm now ... stay at least 6 feet apart when out and about. I see people disobeying that and it worries me. They either aren't aware or maybe they forget. We can't invade the other's personal space now ... out of respect for their life ... our life. Someone could actually walk away and days later become very ill, die. This is how bad the novel virus is ... it makes a person gravely ill ... they have to be placed on a ventilator.

There's a shortage of ventilators, masks, medical equipment for the thousands of people who have, are becoming sick. Tractor-trailers are lined up to receive bodies at hospitals in New York City. New York City has become the epicenter for the virus. New Orleans is doing the same ... they had the Mardi Gras ... and so many people attended not knowing they were carrying the coronavirus. They infected others.

I have been journaling as in the future it will become history. I was thinking that if people journal this for their children one day ... they will have a piece of history to explain what happened while they are children so one day they'll understand.

This is our first evening for the new order in effect. It has been in effect for 2 hours as of now ... it is 7:00 pm. My prayers are for somehow everyone get through this ... sadly I know it's going to get worse before it ever gets better ... and it is going to probably take months.

Tips Needed To Keep Our Dogs From Fighting Time To Time

I am looking for tips to prevent a fight from happening to begin with. It doesn't happen often but, once is too much. It upsets our whole life. Skip Bates and I are so close to each Pup that if we let one go, it's like losing a child. I know, we tried to let Dukester go to a wonderful home to a special person who loves Pitties. Skip asked me not to do it ... she was so understanding when I told her. Skip has been very sick ... and he began to sink into a deeper depression when he knew I was going to let Dukester go. I can't let that happen ... Skip, our Pups3 are all I have that's mine in this world ... they are my world. I love, treasure them and am thankful I'm not all alone. If you have sound tips that will help I would appreciate them ... but, don't offer tips that won't work. I need solid advice from people who have experience, know exactly what to do. I know sometimes, we like to share knowledge that 'we know' but, haven't really used, lived with. That's not helpful at all. Thank you.


I wrote below on MyLot.com where I write at ... asking for tips to help. Like a toolbox, I want to have all solid, positive, good tips like tools ... in it. This is what I wrote there:


FEBRUARY 25, 2020 9:07AM CST


I was wondering if anyone here has pets ... dogs, in particular? We have 3 big Pups (they aren't babies as they are 5, 6 and 9 years old).

We have a Rottie who is 9 ... I got him as a little 6 week old Pup. Of course now, he is big. He is precious. I named him Kissy ... he lives up to his name and is still a 'wiggle-waggle' pup.

Later, I rescued a Catahoula Pup. Her name is Camie ... she was dying when I rescued her. She had no hair and her skin was in the most awful condition. Anyway ... I was her nurse, guardian angel. She was mine, also ... I had lost my son, my only child. I can't tell you the darkness I was in. Through time caring for her ... I began to live again. She saved me, I saved her.

Several years later, we rescued a Pit Bull we named Dukester ... he was truly mistreated, not physically but ... he was on the big chain, left alone for days tangled in tree stumps unable to get to his delapidated dog house, water that was always green, and his spoiled dry food.

I could go on but, I won't ... you can guess how bad his life was, be right. Anyway, I almost had to beg for him just like I almost had to with Camie, even with her dying. Finally ... each owner came through, told me I could have them.

They've lived good since we have had them. They live inside where they are warm, cool ... have good food, clean water, lots of love and caring. They have a fenced-in yard ... and a pet door to come, go at will.

They know nothing but, love from us. This is what upsets me time to time ... sometimes a fight happens. Dukester will jump on one of the others. I physically break it up. Don't tell me not to do it because, it's not my nature to stand by and not protect. These are my babies.

I never feed them together ... there's always a gate up to separate the doorway to each room when they eat. I'm always watching, sensing, alert.

Does anyone have tips on how to keep Pups from fighting time to time? I have a spray bottle of water I call a 'No Bottle'. They respect that when I correct them ... I don't let them all get in the same space at one time. We've down-sized so our space is smaller.

They know only love ... they aren't ever mistreated. I just need to know how to stop our Pittie from sometimes, wanting to jump on one of the others. I know I'm not the only one to live with this with multiple dogs. I hope you will share your tips with me.

We don't want to give either up as their lives have already been bad. Kissy, our Rottie, hasn't ever known how it is to live a 'bad' life.

Thank you for anything you have to offer in the way of tips on how to make them never fight. Our Pittie is the very strongest because he has always pulled so hard trying to get to his food, water. If they kept fighting it's obvious what would happen. I can't let them fight.

I Don't Want To Hurt My Fictitious Characters' Feelings!

OKAY ... here's something funny you can laugh at ... about ME.

I told Skip Bates ... he laughed and ... this is what he said: "You need help!" :) :) :) <3 <3

I told him what I'm telling you now. Tell ME what you think. I told Skip I decided I can't write 'scary-horror' stories anymore! He asked, "why?"

I told him because ... I can't bear for any of my characters to be hurt again ... be scared again. I don't want them to bleed ... I don't want them to be mutilated. I don't want anger to be directed at them. Oh my ... what to do?

What's happened to ME in the past months to change ME in a way I didn't realize. After all ... characters in a story ... are imaginary ... they aren't real. They aren't really feeling pain, they aren't bleeding or walking, dragging around with no legs for being mutilated, limbs severed.

They aren't really screaming, 'Help me!' They are just fictitious characters ... they don't even feel joy, happiness. They don't even cry, laugh ... nor talk.

So, what has happened to ME to cause me to begin ... worrying about fictitious characters ... and their pain, fear?

I'm not so perfect I want to write perfect stories about perfect people who were born perfect ... even to their ..... smelling like roses all their life. I know Life isn't perfect ... I know there are people who think they are perfect ... sadly by the time they realize, learn Life's lessons ... they've wasted so much of their own valuable time/years of their life.

So ... what do you think? Have I gone crazy without knowing it? I mean who has ever heard of someone who loved scary stories, movies, wrote scary stories ... change their mind .... care for the fictitious characters' feelings? Why in the world do I care?

WELL ... sometimes, I worry about things we see, think about in our minds. You know ... thoughts. Thoughts travel ... sometimes have a way of coming true. I do believe we have to be careful what we wish for ... see in our minds.

I don't even wish awful things to happen to people I truly dislike, despise. If I saw one struggling, needing help ... I'm still a good person ... I walk over to help. It's my nature. I don't want anything to do with them but, for a moment ... I would help, go my way ... and not waste any insincere words with them.

I believe in peace, respect even when I truly 'hate' someone. I won't be the one to mistreat them nor do I seek revenge. I'm hoping nothing ever so bad happens to make me act in the opposite way I am ... because someone would 'have pure Hell to pay'. I truly could have become that person growing up ... was becoming ... I was growing up in revenge, hate, greed, anger.

So, how in the world did ... I ... keep from being the most awful human being who does mean, evil things to another person ... enjoy it. Laugh in glee at their discomfort, feel pleasure in letting them know ... 'I am king of this mountain' ... don't f___ with me!

I knew ... I know ... exactly how to be 'that person' but, it truly isn't ME.

My favorite one 'cuss word' is ... 'damn!' (I earned that word as a little girl when my beautiful mother tried her best to wash it right out of my mouth ... I hid it with my tongue ... she never did find it, it's MINE! :) :) :)

I know some more cuss words ... how could someone live in Hell and not know them. I had knowledge of things no child should have known. Today ... that's a good thing because ...

Because through time ... it taught ME how I ... didn't ever want to be. Damn! (yes, that's MY word, I told you!) ... Damn! I have finally reached the point of worrying about fictitious characters' feelings! I don't want them to hurt, bleed, cry, die ... anymore.

Damn! What's up with that?

Note by this Author:

Well, as Tommy would say if he were here at this very moment ... 'well damn, Mom!' I can hear him all the way to Heaven laughing at his silly mother!.

Now ... I really have found a distaste for writing scary, evil things recently. I just can't do it ... for now. Why? I don't know. I thought by writing about it I would find an answer. The answer didn't come this time when writing.

Maybe ... just maybe I am wishing the for-real ... impossible. I wish bad things didn't happen to people ... animals. It breaks my very heart.

I am realistic ... I face Life just like it really is. I learned to meet it head-on so, I could go ahead ... live. Oh my, my , my. In my life time I have shed more tears than smiles. I've loved with my very Heart ... when I never meant to . If I hadn't loved ... I wouldn't have ever had to cry.

So, I'll see what I write about ... truly ... I don't care as long as my fingers are tapping on the keys, and my mind is on a roll ... it's like flying .... flying with words not wings. Flying with words not wings.

Written/owned by Gloria Faye Brown Bates. Photo owned by ME, also. Skip Bates Tommy M Sidden Gloria Bates Colors

Photo is of my Tommy Dragonfly Tattoo I had done in Memory of my only child, my son ... Tommy M Sidden who died May 29, 2010 at Myrtle Beach ... collapsing on the soft sand as he ran with his young son while playing, laughing ... he went to Heaven hearing the ocean waves ... seagulls sing. My son had 3 blockages to his heart ... no one ever knew.

Just ... Be Careful

I want to share my words here that I wrote this morning on MyLot.com where I write. I think they are very important, even to offering advice to families, people who are there for the other ... to use. That's to have a secret password, emergency word to alert the others something isn't right, danger. This way no one has to draw attention and can look without being noticed ... react according to the situation at hand. This is only from me ... I'm no expert on anything excepting ME.


I think my heart felt a little funny just now listening to the news. Especially when there's mention of the coronavirus, fear of pandemic.

I heard it on the news then, Googled it. It makes me feel alarm ... different from feeling panic. Just alert.

I think almost everywhere people have moved from other places, countries. People here, there ... are always mobile now. It's hard to not know someone who travels, flies constantly ... therefore, they are exposed to more than they know. We, who don't travel now ... are exposed to ... being around friends, acquaintances, strangers.

Here where I live is a huge hub ... everyone from everywhere in this world has moved here, are constantly moving here everyday. Good jobs, living, climate. So many new homes, apartment buildings and such through the past years ... it amazes me at such growth ... rapid growth over time ... and it hasn't slowed down one bit.

One can't escape meeting someone even going out for a simple errand. The thought is always in the back of my mind to be careful.

Just what does the words 'be careful' mean? Really, what does the words be careful mean when you go out from your home to grocery shop, enjoy a meal out, go to a movie, shop?

You are going to breathe the air others breathe, cough in ... and be exposed to all in the air. I know Skip and I are pretty much home-bodies not going out all the time. It doesn't matter ... we could go out at the 'wrong' time. You could do the same.

It's like all the shootings here now ... every day, night ... someone kills someone here ... it's always close to us. People now mug, rob others at ATM machines, in Walmart parking lots ... at supermarkets, just everywhere.

All we can say is, "it's here now ... it finally got here from the west coast". The reason we say it like that is because for years we traveled all over the country on a tractor-trailer knowing what was going on everywhere. It wasn't like this 'at home' ... then.

I used to be so shocked over all the drive-by shootings in LA. Skip told me that one day 'it would be here' ... sure enough, it's here 'big time'.

The locals are almost gone ... I rarely see them anymore. Everyone is from somewhere else. Of course, where people go ... crime follows. The wolves follow the herd ... this thought is always in the back of my mind. Predators always lurk on the outskirts of humanity.

Oh my, that doesn't count the sex trafficking here now. I can't believe how rampant it is ... and things happen in the parking lots of Walmart. Just in the 'used to be' innocent places we've all enjoyed pretty much safety at. Now ... if you don't at least be aware of your surroundings ... you could become a victim.

Now ... having just touched on a few things that are ... yes, that are alarming ... should I be afraid to leave my home?

No ... no, no. I refuse to give up ... because I know there are good people as well as the evil, vile ... mean people in this world. If all the good people shut themselves away ... they would give evil the whole world ... no one good could ever enjoy anything ... they would always be hiding.

Like many people who are good people ... Skip and I are good people. We care, we love everyone but, we aren't naive. We know 'good' people do evil too. An innocent smile, being so nice doesn't always mean someone really is like that. We've been around, traveled so much ... sadly we know better.

We are going to keep going out from home, enjoy life ... we will ... be careful. Just what the words mean ... be careful. We aren't going to live in fear, afraid of our shadow.

We keep an eye on all around us, though at times we forget ... we have an 'emergency word' we would say to alert the other to danger, something unusual. We would react accordingly ... to what the situation called for.

I would like to make a suggestion to people, families ... have one word that means 'danger, something not right, unusual' for all to whisper, say to the other without drawing attention if ... you see something, sense something you can't speak aloud about, draw attention to yourself. Maybe have a plan ... we 'sort of' have a 'plan'.

So, here's to us all going outside our homes to enjoy life as always for as long as we can (some people aren't so fortunate such as people in war-torn countries that breaks my Heart). In today's time ... no matter what ... when ... where ... we really do ... have to be careful.

Be careful crossing the road in traffic, be careful not isolating yourselves, be careful not to fall out the window, balcony ... be careful not to get burned by fire.

You know ... we've always been told ... be careful of so much since we were babies. So, 'be careful' is exactly what these two words mean ... no more, no less.

Now ... having written this ... my mind wants to begin writing a 'scary' story, ha! That's ME. I won't begin to write it here. I'm just writing what I think 'be careful' means in a good way ... not to scare anyone ... only to bring self-awareness when you go out from your home. We even have to ... be careful ... at home.

Note: When I write ... I write to myself as well as write for others to read. Sometimes, writing is a problem-solver for me ... or making myself think ... and if someone reads and gets anything positive at all from it ... it is a good thing.

Letting Go ... Feels Good

My Things Had Become Strangers To Me ... written by Gloria Faye Brown Bates Gloria Bates Colors



Well, this makes probably the 4th-5th pickup load of 'stuff' ... treasured things I've kept for many years ... I have 'let go' of.

It wasn't, it hasn't been easy to arrive at such a mindset I'll tell you. I will tell you this ... since I've come to such a mindset I was very surprised at how easy it became to 'let go'.

I tested myself this way ... I went out to where I had stacked all very neatly ... stood, looked at it all expecting to feel big tugs at my Heart over something I had held special, treasured to my Heart. I didn't feel ... anything. My things had become ... strangers to ME. It WAS time to for-real ... let go.

Instead of feeling sad ... and rushing to 'save this, save that' ... I made myself walk over ... handle things, think about each. I saw only 3 things I decided to keep out of 'millions' of things. That was a purple/green cowl scarf (my lucky colors) ... one sweater, one shirt. Amazing ... as I loved all my ... stuff.

I will say all my things were very important to ME ... it's strange ... the more I learn in Life I realize I don't need all the material things we think we have to have in Life.

I have realized that letting go means ... freedom. Freedom ... space to be whatever I want it to be. Space to move, breathe in ... to stand, take deep breaths of relief knowing my life is lighter for it. Not only that ... I chose the person I wanted to have them because of all she does for others ... I felt she would enjoy going through, choosing whatever she wanted to keep, treasure. That makes me feel good because all my things were nice, not junk.

Why don't I want to keep all ... leave them to family as everyone else does? There's no one left in my immediate family to do that ... no one like my own child to have, treasure one day ... to hold dear anything I had ... knowing I was his mother so, my things would become most special to him.

Have you ever thought that one day ... all your family could just die quickly ... leaving you behind with only grief, sadness in your Heart? Oh my, who would have thought so many would die in such a short period of time. What is truly sad is ... their deaths weren't in any way natural, normal.

I've written through time about my life ... so much grief, pain ... tears. Thankfully ... I strive to always be as positive as possible. If I fail for a time ... I know in my Heart it is only a matter of time ... I will be positive again.

Sometimes ... I think I try on negativity just like trying on an ugly dress ... knowing I'm going to take it off ... but, get to feel what it looks like for a short time to make me appreciate the beauty of ... at least being as positive as possible.

For that short time of 'trying on' ... I can have the freedom of thinking mean, ugly things ... say them ... then 'let go' ... take off that ugly, horrible dress ... go on with Life. It's easier said than done but, somehow I manage ... because I mean to go to my grave a good person ... one who isn't a negative, hateful, mean, ugly ... disgusting old ... bitch.

Sometimes like everyone I know ... I CAN be a bitch but, I'm not really one. Sometimes ... Life can make us be like that no matter how good our intentions are. Sometimes, even the nicest, best person has to hold their ground, speak their mind ... make boundaries for others not to cross ... demand respect, protect others.

How in the world can one be 'beautiful' doing that? Sometimes in Life, we have to be fierce ... be a force. Think about protecting your child, pet, family, friends ... you are going to turn into the most fierce force ever to 'save them'. That's my nature ... I am protective and I 'walk through fire' never thinking first. I walk into the fire meaning to ... save, protect. Love is the most powerful force in this world though sometimes it seems the opposite is true ... especially now.

This morning I have been looking around ... to see if anymore of my things have become ... strangers to ME.

Facebook Asks: What's On Your Mind?

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? Well .........

This is what is on my mind this morning as I listen to the world news. The things I've listened to have created questions in my mind.

I will mention them here BUT I WON'T DEBATE them with anyone ... anyone who wants to argue, persuade, cram something down someone's throat ... be belligerent ... can go to their own Facebook page to do so. I don't have time for it ... too much negativity ... I like positive ... I am positive as possible.

Here ... this is MY page and my page REFLECTS ME ... my thoughts, feelings and mostly whatever I want to share. I don't always agree with everyone ... you will always see me be very respectful even if I don't agree.

I have to say this ... so far ... with the Facebook Friends I have ... most are good people like me. They know how to disagree without making it into a war. Like ME ... they don't keep on and on ... they go on about their life.

Lots of time it's better to not say anything at all ... I mean why would you if you didn't want to cause conflict on an inflammatory subject that upsets everyone? One can spot a troublemaker easily ... and like my Grandma Alma used to say: 'Nip it in the bud'. I follow her advice and don't wait around.

Why in the world would I be respectful ... when everyone is always ready to fight if someone is different from them?

BECAUSE ... I have a mind of my own ... I make my own decisions ... I decide what I believe and lots of times I have to 'sit on the fence in the middle' because ... I can see both sides of the situation. Because ... like ME ... I am always listening, learning ... changing my mind constantly as I form my own opinions ... so does everyone. I respect that ... it isn't easy to do.

We all experience Life differently ... in no way can everyone agree. No one can even take the exact same medicines ... we may be alike yet ... we aren't in certain aspects. I think we all can agree to agree on that for sure. :) <3

I AM NOT going to get into a 'war' with anyone over anything ... UNLESS it's of my choosing ... then, that means I intend to win that war ... one way or other. I don't often go to war ... but, if I do ... know that I am ready for it. If I'm going to 'make an ass of myself' ... I will do it big-time. I don't enjoy such things ... I don't run from them either ... it's 'do it or die'.

I love peace with my very Heart but ... I CAN hold my ground. It doesn't mean I'm weak because I like to be peaceful, be good. I'm sorry to say that I could be 'as bad' as the next one if provoked. That doesn't happen often. Why is that?

BECAUSE ... to be provoked is to become doubly-angered ... for being pushed too far ... and for whatever it is I chose to go to war for. That's when the fires of Hell begin burning in ME ... I was born in them ... I know them well ... and I know ... all Hell is going to break loose ... some Hell-raising is going to happen.

Am I proud of that? NO ... no, I'm not at all. I am proud though that I try to control anger, hate that is natural to me ... I am proud I never went on to let it consume me to be so evil, mean, horrible ... and ... it well could have happened. No one will ever know what I came through since a child ... I would have been bad ... very BAD ... but, all the goodness in me ... WON.

I was different from my family. I loved them with my very Heart ... but, I was different. They were ... pure Hell-raising people ... it never stopped ... through life when they lived ... oh my, my, my. They were the only family I knew ... I loved them ... but, I had to love them at a distance. I couldn't let them into my immediate life.

Okay ... this is what's on my mind: I am seeing such discord, turmoil in families, friends who have been friends forever ... break apart because of either being Democrat ... Republican.

I am listening to all the ugly name-calling ... I can't believe the name-calling like elementary kids ... we were taught to be better than that. As adults doing such ... it's dangerous ... as children, we are corrected, taught better.

Not so long ago we witnessed 2 women ... yes, 2 WOMEN ... almost come to blows because one was a Democrat ... one was a Republican ... and they didn't agree. Can you believe it?

They made pure spectacles of themselves ... oh my, the filth that poured out of their mouths. This is what politics have done to people. It's changed everyone ... and MY OPINION is ... it's changed many people in a very negative way. So much that families, friends are forever against each other.

I thought I used to hate with a vengeance when younger ... oh my ... the hatred I see, witness now is just horrible. Surely ... no one wants their children to grow up in such a world ... our role models have changed. The people who used to be very respected individuals ... aren't people I would let into my life ... and I am 'nobody special'.

We see every morning on our news shows drinking ... more and more cuss words are slipping in on tv than ever before ... everything that used to be wrong is ... right now. It's okay to be a 'bad' person now.

Now ... I know I can say a choice word or two ... I try not to do it when anyone is around ... it only happens when I'm working so hard at something and it doesn't cooperate with me ... I become angry ... I might cry.

When I do that ... it seems I begin to gain such extra strength to help me. So, I don't mind a cuss word at all ... it happens ... Life happens. It can be positive like when it becomes a force to help me in 'impossible' situations ... it's a godsend in an emergency to help oneself or someone.

Getting back to politics ... I don't discuss them. I do listen, watch quietly at the change I'm seeing today ... I shake my head in dismay. I try to pay attention to how I act, talk ... appear to others ... I wonder if others aren't caring about how they appear anymore? People used to care.

This is as close to politics I'm coming to ... as I'm not discussing my beliefs, feelings about certain things. I'm distressed from both sides ...I feel it in my heart.

I know it has to affect people at a medical level ... stress, depression, so forth. It's like working in a big place and that one person or several people are so bad ... that morale is to an all-time low. Once those people are gone ... people begin to act in healthier ways again. It was like that at the hospital I worked at years ago.

Anyway ... that's what is on my mind this morning. Gloria Faye Brown Gloria Bates Colors Skip Bates Tommy M Sidden

Christmas Morning 2019 ...
by Gloria Faye Brown Bates




Photo 2017 Christmas past ... Skip and Duke

Christmas morning ... Christmas morning ... Christmas morning.

There, that says it all. So many words to share to describe how I feel this morning and all I can say is ... Christmas morning.

I think I am still in shock ... pain, grief. We experienced a loss dear to our Hearts on Christmas Eve. One I can't even talk about ... I don't know that I'll ever talk about it here.

Sometimes, there comes a time in life we can't share with ours about things so close, personal in our lives. Why? I think because they are things so complex, so hard to talk about ... who has all that time to listen to ... understand?

Today's time we all are at a fast pace ... we have to do things quickly, move on. It's like that even for the most relaxed people I think. I haven't met anyone truly relaxed lately ... have you?

I remember when we drove team on the tractor-trailer. We drove to the west coast each week ... we came back to the east coast ... picking up, delivering ... vegetables, tee shirts, paper, glue, peanut butter, so many things. Do you know what struck me as unusual and what I never wanted to live in?

When we were in California during holidays ... vacation time ... we would see miles and miles of traffic waiting in lines to get into vacation attractions, places to shop ... people had to wait in line to have their vacation, go buy Christmas gifts. Oh my, that disturbed ME a lot.

Isn't that awful? This was in the 90's. Well, this is 2019 ... it's happening on the east coast now. So, so, so many people trying to live, work, vacation in the same space. Space ...

Space has become more valuable here on the east coast. Prices have soared ... traffic is out of this world here now. People ... people ... people everywhere where you used to see ... calm, empty space.

I am smiling ... I love people ... especially people who are different from Me. I never know what I might learn from them, their culture.

Gracious ... don't mention the possibility of snow here, now! The people who have moved here have laughed ... made fun of southerners running to the supermarkets to wipe out all the milk, bread ... they are the very ones who are doing it now. I am truly amazed. I laugh because ... we all are just human ... instincts kick in ... survival. Doesn't matter where one's from.

I try to have that problem remedied ... go to the bread store when there aren't any shortages, emergencies ... simply buy loaves of bread ... put them in the freezer. Then ... when bad weather arrives ... go to the freezer ... take out the bread.

Milk ... we try to always have 2 gallons of milk in the refrigerator. That comes from when Tommy was living ... lived with us. Oh my, how he loved milk. Skip loves milk. ME? That's a complicated story ... I love milk ... the unusual thing is ... when I open the refrigerator door ... I never ... see it.

I don't ever see milk sitting there. Strange? Yes, it's strange ... the story just as strange when a little girl ... ME ... learned not to drink milk ... why? To be sure the milk was always there for someone who needed it more than her.

Today ... I don't see milk because I leave it ... for others to drink. I do, however ... use extra cream in my coffee ... no sugar.

It's okay for ME in my mind to drink extra cream from the container ... because it isn't what I learned not to drink. I always see the carton of creamer in the refrigerator!

It is the same way with the orange juice ... it's only when I need to drink orange juice I see it sitting in the refrigerator unless Skip brings my attention to it. I love orange juice ... as the little girl who was taught not to get into the milk ... orange juice and chocolate milk were on that list. So ... it's rare I drink either ... I don't ... see them.

About the orange juice ... this is only for both Skip and I ... I don't push anything on anyone. I will share why, when I drink orange juice ... who knows it might help you if ... you try it. It has to be 100% orange juice. We get it with pulp ... doesn't matter though.

From time to time ... when one of us gets leg cramps at night time ... we go straight to the refrigerator, get out a glass of orange juice ... drink it. Oh my, the cramping hurts so bad while drinking it but, I am reassured in just minutes no matter how severe the cramp is ... it's going to stop hurting. It does every time!

How did I learn this? When taking chemotherapy years ago ... I began having really bad cramping in my legs ... I would wake up crying. Chemo drugs take a lot out of one's body. You don't have to be taking chemo for this to work ... just in our normal lives it works.

A nurse told me to begin drinking orange juice when a cramp would strike ... oh my, it makes all the difference and I thank God every time I have a leg cramp ... have orange juice to drink. I hope this little tip ... a valuable tip ... might help you someday. Let me know.

I have went from Christmas morning to grief, the pain of another loss in our lives that's completely changed it ... all the way to orange juice. I didn't know I would be able to write when I began writing just ... Christmas morning.

Note by this Author:

I write about real life ... my Life ... about ME. Sometimes, like now ... I can write about real life only not be able to write the details when something happens so bad I can't talk about.

No, I don't know I'll ever write about it. The pain, grief because of so much love is devastating. I won't write about this ... sometimes things are best left not said

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Story/photos written, owned by Gloria Faye Brown Bates/GBB.
Image may contain: living room, christmas tree, table and indoor

If I Could Peep Into Heaven ...

If I Could Peep Into Heaven ...


I wish I could simply lean over just as I did in the mirrors ... peep into Heaven for a moment, see ... hear my son. I would quickly come back so, as not to disturb anything. I would be most respectful. Wow, wouldn't that be such a gift to get to do that once in a while to see our loved ones who have died?

I was imagining Tommy's expression if he saw me ... his eyes would widen in surprise and the most precious smile would spread across his face. He wouldn't believe I did such an impossible thing. I smile now thinking about it.

This was just a thought that came to my mind when I was at the mirrors ... when I imagined doing such.


Note by this Author:

Photo, story owned, written by ME, Gloria Faye Brown Bates.

When Things Happen Unexpectedly ... Out Of The Blue

Grief is only the purest of Love. You feel it when you've Loved with your very Heart.

Today I have extra grief in my Heart I can't bring myself to speak about. Everything is going to be alright though it hurts really, really bad. More than bad.

Yet ... everything will go on to be alright ... and Life goes on. This is how Life is ... how Life is supposed to be. It can't stop for us ... only stop for the person who is feeling it.

Pain ... I know pain well. I've known it since a child so, there's no doubt I know when I feel it.

I am so thankful today is today ... that means I'm glad I'm in the present not the past. I'm glad I have sailed those waters where I faced every kind of storm through the years ... survived.

Yesterday a very, very sad thing happened to Skip and I. We can't talk about it ... the pain is too great. We can only go forward ... for now, going on means extra pain, grief in our Hearts. I saw Skip cry yesterday ... as I cried. I heard my husband actually cry for a brief moment as he covered it up.

The impression it has made in my mind ... seeing, hearing him breaks my very Heart. I've only seen him cry when I lay close to death during the times I fought my life-threatening battles. When a real man cries ... he is speaking love from his Heart aloud.

At first ... I didn't know what the sound was. I turned my head to see all the while trying to see for the tears in my eyes, pain in my Heart. I am crying silently as I write this morning. I am trying to write the pain again.

When I hurt just as when Tommy, my son died ... the pain is bigger than I am. I have to find my outlet to release the pressure just as you would to release water in a swollen dam before catastrophe strikes.

I can't, won't write ... speak about this Heart-breaking pain in my Heart this morning. I am coping with it as Skip will when he wakes up.

No one needs or has to feel they want/have to ask questions. This isn't the time.

Words can't help this ... only silent Love, Caring ... Prayers just to get past this.

If you see Me ... you will only see a smile ... if you see Skip you will see his everyday serious expression. You won't see our pain.

Skip Bates Skip and I have talked ... we know to go forward we have to put one foot in front of the other.

Today we have to do little positive things ... we can't dare sit, dwell about what has caused such pain. We have to ... we will make everything alright. Not the same again but, back ... alright.

No matter how bad ... Life always has a way of adjusting somehow to our grief, pain ... where we can live with it at the same time. How it possibly happens I don't know ... but, it did after Tommy died. Yes ... it can sometimes take years for it to happen. It doesn't happen overnight ... at least in my life it doesn't.

We will make this a quiet, nice Christmas. I will comfort Skip, he will comfort me. We will stay to ourselves to grow strong again as we've both been thrown to the ground ... we are in the process of dusting our pants off as we are getting back up. Get up ... we will.

Why did I write this ... it is ME. I am coping with my new pain, grief.

I AM the dam whose waters are swollen threatening to burst ... my written words ARE the waters released from the dam ... to find release, lessen the pain inside so, I can live another day.

So ... I can begin the process of being alright again ... help Skip to be alright again.

Sometimes things happen in Life that can't be spoken in words ... nor does one want to find the words to say. Sometimes, they may never be spoken about.

This is only real Life as I promised to always write. No, it isn't happy at this moment BUT ... I will make it all be better again. I will make Skip feel better again. I am the strongest for now ... it's my place to do so.

Everything IS going to be alright. I'm smiling now ... no tears are falling ... my cheeks are dry.

Words ... oh my, Words when I write them make all the difference as I can't sit down with other people ... actually talk about things that hurt ME. I'm not a person who can do that easily as I can't, won't ... pass my pain on to others. I can't cause pain to anyone if I possibly can help it. I care too much.

Today is Christmas Eve ... a new day. A new day to begin all over again. Just as if I went to accomplish anything I set out to do ... I will do the same today ... little by little ... making us go forward in time.

Everything will be alright again. I mean for it to bge.

Note by this Author: Words, photos are written, owned by ME, Gloria Faye Brown Bates.

My story today reflects how 'out of the blue' things happen unexpectedly to change one's life ... making it not the same anymore ... in the saddest, most upsetting way.

This is where we have to ... HAVE TO help ourselves instead of being so wrapped up in our pain ... help ourselves. No one else can know to know how to do that. For now, I know I have to be the leading force to accomplish this. For now, I am again the strongest one.

When we love any being ... animal or human ... they mean everything to us. Our Life is all about them. Our Hearts feel pure Love ... our Hearts hurt when they aren't any longer there.

Gloria Faye Brown Bates Tommy M Sidden Gloria Bates Colors Skip Bates


#Grief is pure Love, #When things happen out of the blue, #unexpected life events

This Is What I Wanted To Share With You ... I Forgot To Add

This is article I wrote on my myLot account ... I wanted to share it on my blog here. I forgot to add it with my story about how the world news affects us:




How Does World News Affect You ...


I have been up early this morning enjoying the quiet ... well, not exactly the quiet. I am always listening to the World News.

I wonder how many people are addicted (not really addictive but, have to stay tuned in) to the news? Skip and I are ... we constantly monitor the news.

I really feel one needs to be up on what's happening in our world at all times, especially in today's time. Then again ... maybe we should stick our heads in the sand and just be peaceful not knowing what's going on. What do you think?

I find it to cause anxiety ... my heart will feel as if I am scared and flutter. I try to stay away from the news for a time ... but, I can't. So much is going on and there are 'too many firsts' happening now. In my time ... I've never seen such.

I do worry at times ... I had double bypass heart surgery on April 26, 2019. I did have an issue with heart rhythm ... and when I feel anxiety, I worry it could be that again, not know it.

How many of you watch the news like this ... and does it affect you in any way? No one has to tell me to not watching the news ... I take breaks from it ... but, I will always watch it.