Where y’at Jen?

Where y’at Jen? Walking through this life; sharing the people, places, things, and states of being who/that make me smile

06/17/2026

My algarhythm is flooded with excited world tourists visiting so many places in our country.
And while, my heart is bursting with thankfulness for this lovely influx of happiness and reminders of the blessings of our country, I am also so thankful for the courtesy, kindness and respect that the visitors show.
While a BB championship celebration brought fires and looting as celebration in NY, NY, our visitors have brought joy, smiles, courtesy, and cleanliness all over this land!
They party AND find trash cans. They march in parades and stay within the law.
While they may be learning about the friendliness, freedom and security of the people and places of our country, I hope we are also learning, or at least being reminded, how to treat people and spaces with courtesy and manners.

Thankful to have the best of the world in our country: the lovely citizens of and visitors to the USA.
We are so very blessed!!!!

PS: Yes, I’m aware of the problems. They are constantly shouted. But, I am thrilled to hear the shouts of ‘the pursuit of happiness’ too.

Constantine’sGastonia, NCWhat a lovely and unique place!!!Our server, Sezar, and all of the others who cooked, helped wa...
06/15/2026

Constantine’s
Gastonia, NC

What a lovely and unique place!!!
Our server, Sezar, and all of the others who cooked, helped wait, etc… were also wonderful.
It’s a beautiful place with ambiance, warmth and friendliness.
The food is absolutely authentic and absolutely delicious.
I recommend everything!
Okay, to be specific, we tried several things. I don’t remember the names of everything; but, it was all exceptional.
- Bread with seasoned oil (dig to the bottom of the oil; but only put a bit of that bottom goodness on your bread ‘cause it’s rich)
- Eggplant dish (cold appetizer)
- Pottery cooked beef with vegetables (excellent food and really cool presentation.)
- Turkish hot tea
- Baklava.

Genuinely kind people, Seriously amazing cultural experience, ( i mean… 2 pm on a Monday??? In a beautiful Turkish costume with bells on my hat?!… who knew?!) and incredibly authentic and delicious food.

PS: My very basic descriptions really don’t do justice to the beauty and flavor of this meal of the very welco
Ing people.

If you’re in Gastonia, NC and have just a whiff of an idea to try Turkish & Mediterranean food, go here immediately.

06/09/2026

IHOP!
Kannapolis, NC

Let me ‘splain. It’s been a good minute since I’ve been to an IHOP because, well…
But, we found this lovely little place.
The food, service, decor and availability are just like the IHoP that we all loved waaaay back when.
They have alllll the syrups, the best pancakes, well maintained decor, huge portions, that tasted great, wonderful waitstaff and reasonable prices. Kinda took me back to the ‘80’s.
What a treat!

05/30/2026

North Carolina has been absolutely lovely so far. (Well, except for car titles & insurance… maybe, I’ll tell about that later.)
But, the people, the scenery, the care and cleanliness of the towns & roads, the availability of everything from mountains to shopping close by, the industry and, hopefully soon, the beach are fantastic!

I can honestly say, it’s wonderful here.
I’ve only met one rude person (post office); but, everyone else there was perfectly awesome.

I cannot tell you how many Mexican restaurants there are here. We’ve tried about 10 and I don’t think we’ve even been to 1/2 of them yet.

I can grocery shop at up-teen different stores with two or three farmer’s markets within 10 miles.
And, my fromt yard is a beautiful unending mass of blooms. Every day that I look out the kitchen window, there’s a new flower.

I do miss my kids and grandkids and brothers and family; but, man, life is lovely here.

PS: so far, even the mosquitoes buzz around you in pairs asking politely if you’d like to be bitten. If you decline, they move along, of slow down so they can be smashed. It’s just amazing.

04/08/2026

It’s been a minute; but, while waiting for an appointment in NOLA, I thought, I’d take a minute to say Hi and mention a few things about my home parish.

Vernon Parish is getting a little further in my rear view mirror and I’d like to mention a few things that I love about my hometown parish.

Churches: If you stop in anywhere, you’re going to find a welcome and people who are sincere in their beliefs. First UPC -Leesville is at the top of my list; but, I can truly say that I’ve never been to an unkind church in this area. (Imperfect people, of course. I am one; but, an unkind congregation… nope.)

Schools: we have good ones. We certainly need to add in more Arts (all of them) to our STEAM endeavors throughout the parish; but, we really do have excellent choices for public & private education in our parish.

Police Jury: just sayin’ my former Police Jury person is just the best at communicating and responding. Kenny, you are a blessing to our parish.

If you aren’t aware, we have a parish seat, Leesville, that has been working hard over the last few years. A long way to go; but, my goodness, they’ve really come a long way too.

And, hand’s down, we have the best state representation of any district State Representative Charles "Chuck" Owen, Louisiana House District 30, State Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn, & State Senator Mike Reese are incredible.

Market Basket: I’m telling you, there have been very few, if any, times that I’ve not found what I was looking for (grocery-wise). And, I’ve never ever known them to not support the community. Speaking of that, there are a plethora of locally owned and locally franchised businesses in this area who are just excellent. As I think of them, I’m gonna list them; because if you haven’t tried them, o, please do. I think you’ll enjoy the experience… And, yes, most of these places are quick to reach out a hand to our youth and other community. Consider that when you notice that their prices are a few cents higher.
Back To Nature, Inc.
Hazel's Tea Parlor
Jack’s All You Need
Cuore Coffee (Did you know this is the Italian word for ❤️? I just love that.)
Joe’s Italian
Hickory Smokehouse
Fina Garage
Dairy Queen
Anacoco Mercantile
The Front Porch (truly wonderful little gathering place in Anacoco.)
Leesville Florist
Fox’s Pizza
Battered Men’s BBQ
Aymond Spa (and, yes, book a massage with Vanessa or Barbie.: The absolute best.)
Happy Nails, New Llano
Day’s Inn (friendly folks who are constantly striving to make this little hotel better each day.)
Thad e Petch: Really, really good Thai food.
Nolen’s Garage
AGS Auto Glass
Phoenix Home Medical
Thrifty- Way Pharmacy
Nichols
Brenda’s (authentic Puerto Rican & Hispanic dishes…. and a pretty good gumbo.)
Bud’s Garage
Morris Real Estate (especially rentals)
Duhon & Son's Meat Processing / Meat Market

Also check out our local financial folks: Merchants & Farmers, Sabine State Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, Barksdale Fed. Credit Union

Community organizations are incredible and can use your help: Lion’s Club and many, many others.

Some of our best kept secrets (that really don’t need to be a secret):
Vernon Parish Library
3rd St. Farmer’s Market
Helping Hands
Vernon Council on Aging
Locally Hated Podcast (trust me; it’s local and I adore it.)

I’m pretty sure I’ve overlooked lots of fabulousness and I hope that if you’re in my little hometown neck of the woods, you find places and people that spark joy and peace in your life.

And, one more thing, if you see one of my family or friends, be kind. They can’t help that they’re related to me and they probably need a hug and a smile.

Peace and hope to all of you.
North Carolina, here I come.

03/17/2026

Sharing to save.

03/11/2026

Exxon, Natchitoches, LA

My guilty yum!
Small: 1/2 Livers & 1/2 Gizzards!
Why, yes, I am a Southern gal.

03/08/2026

Seven Brew
Airline Hwy, Bossier

Disclaimer: Why, yes. I am one of those folks who take a paragraph and a half to order a cup of coffee.

My standard questions at a coffe place.
1. Decaf? Usually yes (w/restrictions)
2. Coconut milk? Usually no; but, sometimes yes and sometimes they get the coconut milk ‘just for me’ (not really; but maybe. There are a lot of nice people in the world; especially local coffee shops.)
3. Sugar-free flavorings? Sometimes one; often three to five.
4. Any of the creams, toppings, drizzles whey free and sugar-free? Unanimously, no.
5. Which of the specialty drinks listed can you make with those parameters? Usually none; occasionally one.

At 7B.
1. Yes (all the drinks)
2. Yes coconut milk.
3. Yes, All the flavorings can be sugar-free.
4. Still no; but, hey, I’m not too worried about that.
5. All of them

First time I have access to the full menu…

So, I started near the the top.
Sweet & Salty (basically, a salted caramel & white chocolate frappe’. )

Now, let’s see if the coffee tastes good…..

Martones, Many, LAIf they are open, go. I had two appetizers This was yummy and sitting in front of the brick oven sure...
03/08/2026

Martones,
Many, LA

If they are open, go.

I had two appetizers This was yummy and sitting in front of the brick oven sure felt good on this rainy chilly day.
Seriously, folks. This food is as good as it is pretty.

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401 Laureate Way
Kannapolis, NC
28083

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