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.”

Why Do I Make This So Hard?

Writer's Block II

Writer’s Block Photo © by Drew Coffman — Courtesy PhotoDropper

Ughh — I’m making this way too hard. (Sorry, I’m venting.) Is this what they call ‘writer’s block’? I want to write something but not just anything. I’ve had ideas but then the mood shifts or the time just isn’t right.

Then, I think, do you really want to read random thoughts about me finally planting flowers, or the weather (Lord, we’ve had a ton of that)? (I know this is turning out to be random.) Have you ever felt like this?  Continue reading

Memorial Day – Lest We Forget

Always Faithful, Doberman, Military Working Dog, MWD, World War II Memorial, War Dog Cemetery located on Navel Base Guam - Courtesy of PhotoDropper

Always Faithful, Doberman, Military Working Dog, MWD, World War II Memorial, War Dog Cemetery located on Navel Base Guam – Photo © by Beverly & Pack – Courtesy of PhotoDropper

I remember when my father passed away in 1999. He was a WWII Veteran. They paid tribute to him by presenting a 21-gun salute and playing taps at his funeral. It was a moving ceremony for my sister and me. I know he would have been honored.

Continue reading

Can You Remember a Time When You Really Wanted Something?

Young girl praying outdoor

Young Girl Praying Outdoors – Photo Provided by © Fotolia ― Courtesy of MSN Clipart

Can you remember a time, when you wanted something so bad, you prayed and prayed for it? I can ― a couple of times, actually, that stand out for me. Once was when I was a child and the other was when I am an adult, married with a young family and new residents in the mountains.

Thanks to a fellow blogger, ­­­­Susan at “Finding Our Way Now”, for one of her stories that reminded me of this one particular time when I am an adult. I had completely forgotten about it and had to dig through my journals to recapture the events of what happened.  Continue reading

Pat’s Walkabouts: Pine Valley Ranch Park and The Pagoda

Pagoda 7

Looking out from the Pagoda – Photo © 2014 by Pat Ruppel

I’d like to introduce a new feature called “Pat’s Walkabouts”. For a change of pace, I will occasionally post photos and videos of places I visit around these Colorado Rocky Mountains of mine and wherever our travels may take us. You’re invited to join me on these adventures where we can walk about, explore and see the sights. I hope you’ll enjoy sharing these beautiful places with me.  Continue reading

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You Were There

Poem by Jim Ruppel

Poem © Jim Ruppel

When, in a distant place by the sea

And I was young and free and alone

I searched for a special someone

To walk beside, someone I didn’t know

AND YOU WERE THERE.

Later, when we left the sea

And came to the mountains

The vastness of this new place

Filled me with fear

BUT YOU WERE THERE.

I roamed from job to job

From trouble to trouble

Searching for something from within and without

Yet never quite finding and feeling the doubt

YOU WERE THERE.

And now in this time of finding

This time of happiness and joy

This time of reaching and growing

This time especially for sharing

YOU ARE THERE.

© Jim Ruppel

The world can be unsettling, at times, especially if you listen to the news. You don’t know what’s going to happen next or how to prepare. You can take comfort, when you have a constant in your life you can always count on, whether it be a companion, friend, pet or a special place. I know this to be true in many ways. Let me tell you how it began to unfold for me. Continue reading

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