HIGHWAY MILES

Oh my.
I took this picture because as I parked at work my truck rolled to 186,000 miles. I know. That’s kind of a silly thing to do, but I was going to send it to Troy and tease about needing to trade her in for a newer model.

This morning while drinking coffee, I was scrolling pictures and stopped.

This picture could be MY gauges.
Lots of miles and running on empty.
A little dusty too.
I am fortunate Troy doesn’t want a newer model.
I still have a few bells and whistles that work. And I top off my tank every weekend in preparation for a new week.

I’ve earned the miles.
And believe me, they aren’t all highway miles!
I’ve had some engine work, but no body work. At least I know that option is there if I need it.
A few dings and scuffs. My paint isn’t as bright as it once was, but appearance doesn’t affect performance.

As of late, my happy coffee is my fuel additive, giving me that extra boost each day.
I’ve never been garage kept, but being exposed to the elements just made me tougher.

And now, I am a classic!
A 1964 model.
So maybe my mileage isn’t all that much.
Tanks are refillable and a good spa day does wonders, not to mention an oil change and a new pair of shoes here and there.

Goodness, I am married to a car guy! How many women compare themselves to a vehicle. I am just glad he appreciates the classics, and he knows how to make them look and feel brand new.
I’m his living and breathing Retro-Mod.
And I have many miles of highway and back roads ahead of me.

Strap in and hang on if you are going to be a part of my journey!

Lorene

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SMALL MIRACLES

I am enjoying the rain.


Sometimes during the day to day, we forget to stop and appreciate the small miracles. We can complain about what we don’t have, what we’ve lost or things we just want and can’t have.
The rain this morning reminded me that wet miracle nourishes the garden, and as I fumbled in the rental car, that I hate by the way, to figure out the windshield wipers I realized I have a car.
Yes, I have this one because we were rear ended. Another miracle, Troy was driving on the busy highway. Had it been me, it would not have turned out so well. I have the nastiest bruise from my hip across my stomach. Another miracle, the seat belt did what it was supposed to.
Which brings me back to the stupid rental I can’t stand. I’m here, walking, breathing and alive, fumbling with wipers, a miracle in my own right thanks to the good Lord above who wasn’t quite ready to spend a lot of face to face with me just yet. 🙂


Thank God for small miracles, enjoy the rain.

Lorene 2014

DREAMS

Good morning and welcome to another day in paradise!
That’s right.
Paradise.
A place where I wake up next to my life partner and fur baby in a cozy bed.

I get to enjoy my quiet time, happy coffee and think about the dreams I had and the progression of my day.

Dreams fascinate me.
They seem so random and yet I can have a dream that contains something from many previous dreams. Like a certain window, or house.

I believe our dreams are our subconscious trying to tell us something. Every object, person, has a significant meaning. Deciphering it is what’s tricky.

Dreams about being pregnant used to scare me. Lol. Then I found out in dreams, pregnancy was the forming of an idea or plan. The baby was that idea.

I have had some strange dreams.
When I was a little girl, I had what I call now, night terrors. I would have the same dream over and over, wake up screaming, soaked in sweat and afraid to close my eyes again.
I don’t remember when they stopped.
And I have no idea why I had them.
I’ve often thought about being hypnotized to find the answers.

Then there are daydreams. That is what paradise is about.
Making your dreams a reality.
Being happy while working for more.
Enjoying all you have, grateful for each day.
Striving for a better tomorrow.

Anything you imagine can be yours.
Define your own happiness, your own paradise.
Savor each moment with gratitude.

Love Big my friends.
Lorene

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WATCHING

I’ve decided that mortality sucks. Wow, had to look at that again, thought I typed morality. LOL
I know there is another phase after life here, but this phase is just too damn short!


I think about watching my amazing children grow up, build their lives and their families. I think about watching the grand kids do the same. And what about the great grand kids?

Will I be around to see that?
I want to be.
I want to watch it all!


Life should have a pause button at the empty nest stage. That way you can slow things in your own realm down and watch your babies and babies’ babies grow.
Don’t take this the wrong way, I intend on being around for a long time, at least 100 LOL just wish it could go on forever sometimes.


I love watching my family.
I love life and what’s in store.

Lorene June 2018

VOICE

A magical bean, a world changing machine brewing a cup of sanity.
Of course my first cup is spike with happiness.

Taking my cup to my TV room, couch, blanket, fan, sipping my elixir promising a great day.

I know what’s in my cup itself isn’t truly a miracle. It is my focal point of meditation and zen place to get my mind right.

I’ve needed it more lately.

I need a boost every day, motivation and also calm my brain to think before I speak.
People come to me for advice, to vent or just use me as a safe space.
I am so blessed for their trust in me.
I don’t always know what to say.
I just want to comfort them, and make sure they know they are not alone.

I pray for guidance and the right words. Knowing whether to speak or just hold a hand. Knowing when the best advice is no advice at all. To hear what is being said, and not just waiting to answer.

Right now, in this time of unrest and turmoil, I have seen friends hurt by words and actions of others. Not physically, thank God, but emotionally.
My heart hurts that I don’t have the power to make that all go away instantly.

I looked into tear filled eyes the other day and saw fear. Fear to just be themselves in public. Fear that causes them to constantly look over their shoulder. Fear because they feel they are different.
I cant describe the way I felt at that moment.
My stomach hurt.
My heart broke.
Something happened to me.
I had no advice to give.
There was no, “I understand how you feel”.
Because I don’t.
I can’t fathom having to live life that way.

All I can offer is love
and my voice.
My voice to speak out against the things that make you fear living your life to the fullest.
Be part of the cure, not the cause.
Yes, you are different.
We all are different and yet the same.
That’s what makes you special.

Keep loving yourself, look in that mirror and remind you that you make a difference. You can change lives.
And love.
Love big.
❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍

Lorene

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CARRY ON

I was scrolling my Facebook page and I realize I have Facebook friends from all parts of the world and all parts of life. Preachers, drinkers, lovers, haters, teachers, stay at home mothers, family, ex lovers, grade and high school friends, athletes, customers, co workers, God fearing, atheist, Democrats, Republicans, car guys, musicians, crafty people, people recovering, surviving, cooking, cleaning, hanging on for dear life, in-laws and outlaws.

Whew! I’m sure missed a few.
You are all a daily part of my life. Amazing huh? Technology has brought people together we never would have known or kept in touch with otherwise.

Just know, I may not agree with everything I see, but I respect your opinions and thoughts. I thank those that pray for me and check up on me. I have but a tiny plot in this world and through all of you I get to see a little more.
Thank you for sharing a little part of you and yours with me.

That is all, carry on.
Lorene Wood 2016

HAPPY

Another day in paradise.

Woke up next to my life partner by the alarm on my phone.
In a queen sized bed, in a home set outside of town, where it is mostly quiet.
Good neighbors, school, firehouse and a cemetery as a reminder of those who came before us.
A beautiful garden out back that has already supplied fresh squash, tomatoes and peppers.

I sit in my TV room enjoying the quiet and cool air from the ceiling fan.
A leather couch and fuzzy blanket.
Sipping coffee and planning my day.
A day of work, doing my part at the hospital to take care of the patients and employees.
Comfort.

Gratitude.
I am grateful.

Not just for the material things in my life, but my life in general.

I’ve been happy with a phone connected to the wall, a single bed as a single mom.
A box fan circulating hot air through the room with windows wide open.
Sitting in lawn chairs in the living room watching a small portable television with foil on the antenna.
Eating blue box mac and cheese because, 10 for a dollar.
Working 2 jobs, waiting tables lunch one place and dinner at another.

My life hasn’t always been as comfortable as now, but I’ve always made my own happiness.
And no, my life isn’t perfect to some standards, but you cant define MY perfect.

I am perfectly happy.
What more could I ask for?

So I am grateful.
I’m thankful for each day. And those of you that share it with me.
Even those of you that try to give me grief, I am sorry you are so unhappy.
You cant steal my joy, just become a lesson for me.

Love and live life to the fullest.
Don’t waste time thinking about what you don’t have.
Be grateful for all you do.
Remember, what you have now, you prayed for yesterday.

Love Big!
Lorene

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RESET

I let Maddie out this morning and the colors of the sunrise were amazing.
The pink and blue made me think of a gender reveal for twins.
Let me say right now, I am in awe of anyone that has had multiple baby births. I was good to raise mine 6 years apart.
I just cant imagine.

Anyway, the sky was serene.
Calming.
I wanted to capture it on film before the colors faded.
Capture it on film, LOL well, that dates me.

I seem to be distracted easily this morning.
I am only a couple of sips into my first cup of liquid sanity.
I’ll be focusing better, soon.
A little Happy Coffee, my cool dark room…
My routine.

It seems life is full of distractions at the moment.
A chipped tooth on a cog that slips now and again, causing me to have to reset.
But that’s OK.
It forces me to stop.
Breathe deep.
Close my eyes.
And count.
Slowly.
5
4
3
2
1

Yes, there I am.
Back and ready to knock it out of the park.
Drawing from my inner energy and the good energy around me.
The perfect reason to surround yourself with positive people.

My eyes open to new possibilities and answers to problems and hiccups that cross my path.

It’s funny what a beautiful sunrise can do to my thoughts. Where it guides my mind.
A reminder we all came from this earth and will return one day.

Have a beautiful day!
Breathe deep and enjoy what nature has to offer.

Lorene

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CHAPTER 6

June
Chapter 6 of the book 2020.

It seems like 2020 has turned his back on us. Just doing his own thing, not caring how it affects the rest of us.

Remember the chemistry sets you could buy?
The experiments you concocted?
There are days I feel like we are components of a crazy lab experiment.
Lab rats in a game of 2020.

I looked forward to the 20’s. Honestly, I hoped flapper dresses and the carefree life would come back in style.
The roaring 20’s!!
Music, laughter, speakeasies.

I am going to reset my mindset.
Focus on the happy.
Draw in good vibes and spread them wherever I go.
You do the same.
We can beat this.
Together, our energy will win.

New month, the end of the first half of the year and the beginning of the next.
The month of change.

According to the zodiac. June expresses fullness of life, profound fulfillment of desires and vitality.

Sounds like the perfect month!

Let’s grab on with both hands and make it a glorious ride!
Love big my friends.
I am here with you!

Lorene

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WE ARE AMERICANS

My heart hurts for America and our people.
During a time we are reclaiming space travel, our economy and health, A black cloud of smoke smothers it all.

The images on my television look like another country. A country I have prayed thanks and gratitude that I do not live or raise my children.

“Protesting is an inalienable right, recognized by the Constitution.
Rioting is a crime.
Protesting is only protesting IF no crimes are committed.

It is wrong to identify a rioter as a protester.
It is misleading as to the person’s actions and implies that they have a right to commit crimes IF they do so as part of a protest.”

This isn’t about the murder of an innocent man.
This isn’t about a bad cop or police brutality.
Once you have stepped over the line of a peaceful protest, you are no better than the man that took a life.
You are a criminal and should be treated as such.
What you are shouting with your actions, is not peace or justice.
Now it’s all about you.

Too many great men and women changed the world without violence.
Linked arms and fought the systems of discrimination, unfairness and started an ongoing revolution.

Actions happening now, destruction of property, chaos, rioting is unraveling what these peace leaders worked so hard to change.

My stomach hurts, my heart breaks, I fear for my friends and family. I worry what our children will learn from all of this.

And I am angry.
The rest of us need to step up and say enough!
Protect what is yours.
Your family, your property and your rights.

This is the United States of America.
And we are Americans.
Act like it.

Lorene

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