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.”

Thank You For The Sunshine Award!

The Sunshine Blogging Award
The Sunshine Blogging Award

 I’m honored to be nominated for “The Sunshine Award” (twice) from a couple of my favorite inspirational, internet-blogger friends.

This most recent Sunshine Award nomination comes from Diane Reed on her “The One Thing I Know for Sure” site. I’ve come to know Diane through her life stories of struggle and triumph. She has been a testimony to me in how she shares her life in the highs and the lows.  Continue reading

Ghost Stories From an Old House

My Grandparents' House - Many Years  Later - Photo © 2012 Courtesy of My Cousin

My Grandparents’ House – Many Years Later – Photo © 2012 Courtesy of My Cousin

It was the home where my mother grew up in a small beach town in Virginia, situated on main street and only 2 blocks from downtown.

You wouldn’t think the house would be “haunted” just to look at it. And, oh, what would it say, if it could talk? “I remember that family ― the small, frail man and the large, strong endearing woman. She understood me.”

Not only strange phenomena were captured in the house but the joy and laughter of children, as well, along with evening prayers and the smell of fried chicken every Sunday.

It was a typical, modest two-story house with connecting bedrooms upstairs and one bath. Being the first-born of five, my mother earned the distinction of having the largest, back bedroom closest to the bathroom.  Continue reading

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

I hope everyone enjoys time together celebrating with friends and family remembering those who have served and who are no longer with us.

Here are some stories I’ve written over the years in tribute to Memorial Day remembering my loved ones and friends. I hope you have a safe, happy, loving and blessed celebration.

Little Golden One

Oriole 1

Oriole Photo © Jim Ruppel

“Hello, little golden one.”

(Please see my note at the end of this post that I later learned this “little golden one” is not a type of oriole but a Western Tanager.)

Yesterday morning before going to town, we had a visitor I had never seen before. In all the 30+ years we’ve lived in the mountains, this is the first time this little guy had come to call.

He is a beautiful type of Oriole, bright orange and black and full of curiosity. He hopped from the planter to the deck floor and came closer to peck at his reflection on the sliding-glass door. He chirped repeatedly, as if asking to be let in.  Continue reading

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2014-2023 Pat Ruppel

The Secret

The Stonehenge in England Photo Provided by Fotolia at MSN Clipart

The Stonehenge in England Photo Provided by Fotolia at MSN Clipart

 “We all sit around in a circle and suppose, while the secret sits in the center and knows” ~~ Robert Frost

I love this quote by Robert Frost and can relate in many circumstances. In fact, it’s probably what I’ve done most of my life, metaphorically ― analyze everything to death but would never get to the core.

Therein lies the frustration, when it seems the answers are right there ― so close you feel them. Only, you don’t know why you can’t see. Why you don’t understand and why it’s happening to me. Have you ever felt that way?  Continue reading