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.