Month: July 2020

The birds are singing, the sun is rising and rabbits are frolicking in the dewy grass by the garden.

I wrote that for Barbara Wilson.
I’m sure it’s all true, well, I haven’t seen the rabbits yet, but it is a beautiful morning.

She was teasing me the other day about how she can be having a bad night shift, See my overly positive posts in the morning and change her perspective.

My work is done.

It makes me happy to think even one person can take away something from my ramblings on, and feel good.
I write my thoughts.
I don’t worry about grammar.
Obviously
I forget apostrophes, commas and some times spell check may change a word and I don’t catch it.
I am typing with my thumbs on a tiny keyboard, usually in my dark living room, sipping coffee.

So a 55 year old woman, in her night gown or sometimes nothing, coffee cup on the footstool, blanket over her shoulders, bed head, sleepy eyed, at 5 am jotting down whatever pops in her head that morning…

Makes a difference.

Wow
Just wow.

That’s amazing to me.
I’m the girl. All through school had on her report card, “Talks too much”
I talked to everyone.
I never belonged to a “clique “
I liked you for being you.

And now, I can talk to the masses!
Well at least the couple of hundred people on my Facebook. Lol
I hope it doesn’t affect my life’s report card.

So if you are reading this, thank you.
I hope I can make a difference in your day.
Even with my sickening, overly motivating, singing and dancing animals images, Barbara. 🤣

I hope you have a reason to smile, and wonder,
“What does Lorene have to say today?”

I don’t know when I will be out of subject matter. It could happen. Lol
But I wont give up, and neither should you!

Have a wonderful day.
Frolic with the rabbits this morning, sing with the birds. Watch a sunrise and sunset.

Be happy.
Don’t give up.
Love big

Lorene

My body is reminding me that I am out of shape. It seems to need more rest than normal.
I worked the weekend went to bed early both nights, didn’t help much.
I put some extra Happy Coffee in my cup this morning. Maybe a bit much, lol, it’s pretty strong and bitter, even my ketocre didn’t mellow it out.
But strong is good this morning.
I may be growing hair on my chest today, but I got this.

We have started the second half of 2020.
And what a great start!
Celebrating our nation’s birthday.
How many know what we are celebrating?
How many think it’s just a holiday we get off work, picnic, maybe camping and set off fireworks?

244 years of Freedom.
Most civilized nations dont make it past 200 before declining.
There is a reason we are the strongest and best Nation in the world.
Why people spent days on rafts to come here, leave their home countries to start new lives and become Americans.
Why we are the ultimate melting pot.

Declaring our Independence.
Not unlike the child leaving the nest. Stepping out to blaze their own path, their own rules. A young adult, deciding their next step. Planning out their future. Not knowing if they will fall flat on their face, or skyrocket to the top.
Determined.
Scared
Making their mark.

Independence is an awesome feeling
It is also pretty scary.
Some find it easier to stay in the nest and depend on mom and dad.
Hold their hands out, and stay safe and warm without a worry in the world.
Let someone else brave the mean old world while enjoying the benefits.

But then one day, they are alone. Left to fend for themselves.
What happens then?
Out on the street?
Hungry?
Lost?

We must teach those hard lessons.
Pass them down from generation to generation.
Freedom isn’t free.
Someone sacrificed the ultimate so you can walk the streets free.
Worship your God.
Speak your mind.

We must continue to guard our Independence.
The minute we stop will be the downfall of life as we know it.
Speak up.
Stand up.
Help protect what we have so we can pass it down to our children.
And teach them our history, and to not take for granted our liberties.
To blaze their path.
Teach them Independence

And push them out of the nest.

I think I need one more cup of coffee before work.
Be proud
Happy Independence
Love Big

Lorene

Food tends to bring family together.
My Mom made some awesome food. She could knock out Italian, Cuban and Mexican.

Her meatloaf was a bit to be desired. Everyone else loved it, me not so much. The onions in it were raw. I don’t care if it cooked for an hour, they stayed raw.

Now, her tamales? I think that’s why Troy wanted to go out with me. I wish I had paid more attention to how she made them.

She always had something on the stove simmering. She would feed every friend that came over. Sometimes way too much!
It hurt her feelings if you said no. It was her way of loving you.

Her arroz con pollo was a beautiful bright yellow rice, speckled with roasted red bell peppers and bone in pieces of chicken. All in one pot. Of course as kids, we just called it yellow rice and chicken. The thighs were my favorite.
Delicious
There was a lot of love in that pot.

Maybe that is where I get my passion for cooking and feeding people.
I want to spread love.
I want to see the expression on your face when you take that first bite.

It is said, the way to a mans heart is through his stomach. That may be a very true statement.

There needs to be a little more love shared these days.
More sitting around the table, sharing a meal, breaking bread together.

Get in the kitchen and start cooking.
I am.

Love big
Lorene

Its been a while since I’ve opened the kitchen.
I’m drinking my first cup of coffee of the day while my equipment heats up.
I love how quiet it is.

I could sit here in the dark all morning if it lasted. There is just something about the peace and quiet I cant seem to get enough of.

Today is a holiday, Americas birthday to be exact. It wont be busy, a few employees for breakfast and patients to feed.

I would normally be home cooking for my crew that comes out with the grand kids and sometimes a grand dog. I did some cooking last night. Troy will do more this morning and when I get home I’ll do what’s left.

We will have our own Birthday Party celebrating our freedoms, rights and those that blazed that trail for us over 200 years ago.

There will be tons of food, drinks and fireworks. Laughter, kids running outside and did I say food?

Celebrate and remember our history so we learn from our mistakes and our victories.
We are indivisible.
We are one nation under God.
The land of the free and home because of the brave.

Be safe.
Have a blessed day!
Love each other and
Love big.

Lorene

Life would be so much easier if we all read from the same script.
I guess that would be boring, but man would Mondays go a lot smoother!

We are such a melting pot, not just race. Ethnicity and gender, but personalities.
Strong, big, flamboyant, shy, timid, over powering, intimidating, motherly, introverted and the list goes on.

Some have the leading role others seem to be extras. But we all play a part. We all have a reason for being. Like a million piece puzzle, if one piece is missing, the picture is just incomplete.
Just not right.

There is no dress rehearsal.
We are live and on stage every day.
Keeping the dialogue going with our own scripts.

Some want to be the Leading Man or Lady so badly, they push their way on stage, speaking over the other actors, standing out front, taking over the show.
They forget we are all Stars in our own sitcom.
Writing the future as we go.
If only we would listen and hear the lines of our costars. Not just wait for our turn to speak, but listen and learn from each other.

Each of us are Guest stars in each others production. Be courteous, letting their starlight shine will not dim yours.
Learn to share the stage.

My cue, exit stage left.
Love Big my friends
Lorene

What do your friends say about you when you are not around?
How would they describe you to a perfect stranger?
How does the world look at you from the outside in?

Will your character stand on it’s own?

Are you a motivator?
Cheerleader?
The type of person people just like being around?
You pass out compliments not criticisms.
You light up a room because you are always smiling.
Even during those rough days.

Or are you the one people avoid?
You never seem to have a good day.
You walk around complaining about anything and everything.
You suck the energy out of a room.
You have “friends” that stick by you only because they fear what you would say about them behind their backs.
Its safer to be with you than against you.

In high school, there was an assignment to write your own eulogy.
I challenge you to do that today.
You don’t have to share, keep it to yourself.
But be brutally honest.
Who would your audience be?
Are they there to morn a loss or celebrate good riddance.

Now is always a good time to evaluate your life.
Be the person that is talked about with admiration.
Be the person that makes a difference.
The one that is genuinely missed when they leave the room.
You know the type, I’m sure there is at least one person like that in your life.
The one you admire for being who they are, kind, thoughtful, strong, giving.

I have wondered what my eulogy would contain.
Who would give it.
Would more than one person want to share their feelings about me?
If everyone I’ve ever made a difference to showed up, would my funeral be held in my living room?
Or a stadium?

Use some mirror magic to remind yourself what a wonderful human being you are and what a great life you have. Remind yourself to be kind. Be that light in the room.

Then go out and work on filling your stadium.

Love Big!
Lorene

I am a pleaser.
There, I said it out loud.
I love when everyone is happy and getting along.
I’m sure its the reason I love cooking for people. I loved going out to the tables and making sure their experience was the absolute best. Second to none.

I have learned over the years and I have a few years under my belt, that you can’t please everyone.
Let me say that louder for those in the back.

YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE!

My mirror magic will include that phrase every once in a while.
Some people just prefer drama in their lives.
If they can not create their own, they will feed off someone elses.

Be aware, don’t be sucked in.
It’s really a mole hill, not that rocky, mist covered mountain.
Something that deserves 5, maybe 10 minutes of your attention.
Not the entire day, let alone a week.

Drama should be left to the stage.
A scripted play designed to entertain, not burden.
And the final curtain is the end.

There are people who actually enjoy seeing you drown in drama.
They will stir the proverbial pot.
Watch it come to a boil,
And step back so they are unscathed.
Watch you struggling and they will reach out with just more kindling to stoke the fire.
This usually comes in the form of advice, starting with…”if I were you”

It takes awhile to distinguish these people from the crowd.
They are clever, and act like they are doing you a favor when in reality they are priming the fire.
Shutting them down can be easy once you figure them out.
You just cant stop them.
They are who they are.
Your focus should be on you.
They will find another victim to prey on.

You can only pray that one day, they will look in the mirror and learn to love themselves.
That’s the key.
How do you expect others to love you and befriend you if you cant give yourself the attention and love you deserve.

Draw that crowd with your awesome personality, not your drama.
Your smile and laughter, not your pot stirring.
Being a friend.
Being there.
Being real.

It all starts with you and me.
Stop Drama in its tracks.
Don’t help sell tickets to the show.
Take a bow and walk away.

You cant please them and keep your peace.
Trying to please them will only pull you into that vat of drama.
No, you cant please everyone and there are some times,
You just shouldn’t.

Love yourself big!
Lorene

I may double dose on happy coffee today.
I have neglected my house and have so much I need accomplished.

A yard sale would help, but I don’t have time for that. I may just post stuff and do it online.
I need to declutter my life.
Make it simple.

I have staff that needs to take time off and being shorthanded, I will be the one working those extra hours.
Extra hours I just dont have in my day.
But it is what it is.
Regroup
Move forward
Make it happen

I have team members that rock it out of the park.
I am grateful for them.
I have a husband that keeps the home fires burning.
I am grateful for him.
I have my health.
For that, I am grateful.
I have family and friends I can lean on when I need that extra encouragement.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am blessed in so many ways.
There some slight inconveniences happening but an abundance of Good things outweighs them.
I may slip in and out of pocket.
Thank you for checking in on me and your encouraging texts.

Reach out to each other!
You all help me find my strength!
Love big!

Lorene