About Pat

Here is a place where you can come to get a lift for the day, perhaps, a little insight to carry you through onto the next adventure of your life. A place where I’ll share a story, perhaps a thought and some reflections and we’ll meet somewhere in the middle. I like to think of it as a gathering around the kitchen table late at night when everything is still and the world has quieted down to rest. Occupation: Writer, blogger, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and one learning and sharing stories in my life. Location: Bailey, CO Introduction: 2007 Plain Talk and Ordinary Wisdom came out of Wisdom for the Ages, which was born in the corporate world where I gave workshops and facilitated talking-stick discussion groups. When my employer closed their site in 2002 and relocated back East, I took it outside corporate giving presentations as a speaker at Kiwanis, Mile High Sales Professionals, CWEE (Center for Work, Education and Employment) and Business Honoring Spirituality meetings. I also led weekly discussion groups at Morningstar Assisted Living Center. I am passionate about creating a safe environment where people can put aside their differences, share their experiences and wisdom without being right or wrong and benefit from truly listening to one another. It all started with inspiration from a quote from Ram Dass in his book, "Still Here": ….”when there is true surrender and service between people, the roles of helper and helped and the boundaries between those in power and those who are powerless begin to dissolve.”

On A Snowy Christmas Night

snowy scene 1 katmary via Compfight

Here’s my card to you and may you all have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you all for being there with me this year. May God be with you no matter where you are and send His love and guidance.

Merry Christmas!

Pat from the ‘ol kitchen table

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Acknowledgements: Elvis Presley "On A Snowy Christmas N more...

Gather Round The Table

Let's Celebrate What's Good In Our Lives – Who Is Amazing In Our Lives – Courtesy of MSN Clipart

Let’s Celebrate What’s Good In Our Lives – Who Is Amazing In Our Lives – Courtesy of MSN Clipart

There’s room for everyone, as we celebrate Thanksgiving this week across this great land. Families and friends travel far and wide to get together and connect once more. We eat, we talk and laugh. It’s a time of giving, a time to catch up, to share and be grateful. There is much to reflect on this year and much for which to count our blessings.

“Every time I pick up a coin on the street, I view it as a symbol of the abundance that God sends into my life, and I feel gratitude.”
— Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Continue reading →

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Acknowledgements: "Room At The Table" by Carrie Newcome more...

Thank You To Our Veterans

Wounded Veterans

Wounded Veterans (External image) courtesy of MSN Clipart

My country, the US, has been greatly blessed over time and many have stepped up and given their all and continue to do so ― for which I am truly grateful ― veterans, law enforcement, volunteers to name a few. We are a giving people. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be called to work in situations where you face life and death decisions every day. It takes a special human to answer that call. Continue reading →

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Acknowledgements: "Remember" by Harry Nilsson; Photos o more...

Like A Blue Sky

Sky Puzzle

Sky Puzzle – WikimediaCommons – Courtesy of MSN Clipart

Do you remember putting puzzles together or painting by the numbers, when there was mostly sky? It was hard to find the pieces to put together, as there was nothing with which to match them up; or, in painting the sky, the same color got tiring ― maybe, even boring. It was how I was thinking about my life the past few months. Things slowed down to a halt with not much happening and I got to wondering what this was all about. Continue reading →

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Acknowledgements: "As It Should Be" - Michael Monroe at more...

Crutches ― For Real Not a Metaphor

My crutches

My crutches

Life has a way of sending messages and getting my attention . . . Whoa! Pump the brakes and back up the bus! This is not a metaphor. I’m really on crutches.

Let me see ― I managed to make it almost 69 years without a broken bone until a few days ago. Yep ― that’s right. I slid on gravel after hooking up the hose and fell fracturing my ankle in 3 places.  Continue reading →