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.”

11th Month – 11th Day – 11th Hour: Lest We Forget!

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Greenlight A Vet shines a light on the impact transitioning veterans make in and out of uniform in communities across the country. (Photo: Photo courtesy of Walmart Corp.)

It’s the time to pause, pay tribute and remember those who have fought for our freedom today on Veteran’s Day. It falls on the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month of every year and many are still giving the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe.

It’s not just this day but every day we’re reminded of the dangers and horrors of war. Many of our families have an empty chair at the dinner table. Some of us will fly flags, mount poppies, put flowers on graves, tie a yellow ribbon around a tree or (new this year), shine a greenlight for a vet to acknowledge their sacrifice and say a heartfelt thank-you. Continue reading

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Acknowledgements: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/ more...

Ghosts

Ghost

Ghost ~ Old MSN Clipart Image © 2008

In 2008, I wrote a story on my old blogger site about some true, personal ghostly adventures I had, when I was a child. I thought it would be fun to revisit it again and share it with you, especially with Halloween just around the corner. So, here goes . . . hope you enjoy:

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Making My Way Back

Poppies

Poppy Photo by Leon Roulette Posted at Discover Art

Hello everyone ― it’s been awhile! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by and ­­now it’s fall with winter just around the corner. I’ve written and rewritten this post so many times thinking, “where do I start ― a lot has transpired?”­ Be prepared, though, it’s a long one, as I open my heart and get personal. You may want to get a cup of coffee and pull up a chair. Continue reading

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2015 Pat Ruppel
Acknowledgements: Leon Roulette at Discover Art https:/ more...

Been Off The Grid — In Between Worlds

door ajar

Door Photo – © 2012 by Jim Ruppel

I’ve been off the grid with cataract surgery. I feel I’m in between worlds now with surgery done on one eye and the other scheduled for next week.

It’s like I’m walking in one door seeing the world the way I’ve always seen it and now feeling a transformation where I’m beginning to see what I’ve missed for so many years.

I don’t know what it will all be like when I come out the other side. Only, if what I’ve experienced so far is any clue, I’m in heaven.

I’m waking up to many things connected to my eyes — ha, even discovering that I didn’t know I was lost. Continue reading

Wouldn’t Take Nothin’ For My Journey Now

Men Walking in the Woods

Men Walking in the Woods by MSN Clipart

I’m lying low these days and taking advantage of the cold and wintry season to soak in the writings and reflections of others. I’ve felt spent with no words of my own, like what my fellow blogger Andrea Stephenson speaks about in “Anatomy of Creation”,

“My creativity was stripped back and emptied out.  Now, I’m armed only with dreams and bones.”

Maybe, it’s a way of discovering and nurturing dreams I didn’t know I had and the making of new decisions. I like what she follows up in saying: Continue reading