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.”

My Little Miracle

Tree Photo - MSN Clipart

Tree Photo – MSN Clipart

I’ve been reading a lot lately, books, posts, articles, and came across some of my old journals. I had forgotten about this incident I wrote about in December of 1999 . . . my little miracle.

It’s been more than 10 years ago and I can still remember it, as if it was yesterday. It was not so insignificant, at the time, or minor, as I recall, and goes like this:  Continue reading →

Yom Hashoa: Holocaust remembrance: Never Forget! Isacc Klein’s story – Guest Post by Barbara Topolsky

I want to share a post written by Barbara Topolsky on her site “My Life in my 60’s” and join with her in remembering Isacc Klein’s story.

I pray by keeping his story and others’ stories alive, we won’t forget and will remember them and what they endured. Together, with their help, may we find ways to forgive and love instead of hate.

Yom Hashoa: Holocaust remembrance: Never Forget! Isacc Klein’s story

 

Jewish prisoners being deported from the Krakó...

Jewish prisoners being deported from the Kraków Ghetto. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As time goes on, the Holocaust survivors are dying out.  Since this month we commemorate them, I think we owe a responsibility to retell their stories.

Recently, I visited the Holocaust Museum in Miami. A Holocaust survivor, Isaac Klein,was telling his personal story and answering questions.

Stern started out by describing his family life before the Holocaust. His parent’s names were Simon and Pepi Klein. His twin brother Tsvi and him were the eldest of eight children. Before 1938, the family were farmers, and led a normal happy life.  Continue reading →

Thank You … in Reflection

Rainbow Photo by Pat Ruppel

Rainbow Photo by Pat Ruppel

I felt especially thankful this morning for a new day, my family, my health, home, my life. I thought about the “ins” and “outs”, “ups” and “downs” ― considering all of it. I thought about the places I’ve been, people I’ve known and things I’ve done. If any of it had been a little different, would I be who and where I am today? Probably not.  Continue reading →

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Acknowledgements: Louie Schwartzberg - Nature, Beauty, more...

IMpossible!

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible and suddenly you’re doing the impossible” ~~ St. Francis of Assisi

coastal bridge

Coastal Bridge – MSN Clipart

I’m possible and impossible. What a difference a little spacing and punctuation makes in perspective. It’s like tuning in a station on the radio ― the perspectives are so close, yet worlds apart in meaning.

When I awoke this morning, before I got up, I lay there for awhile picturing my day, listening to the sounds outside and feeling the gentle, cool currents of the morning air with the windows ajar.  Continue reading →

Am I Where I Want to Be?

Winston Churchill quote from "Reflecting a Life" by Elle Sommers

No….but having said that, “I’m happy”. I just haven’t totally arrived yet.

As I look back through my life, I can honestly say I’ve come a long way.

There are places I could have been stuck, places where I wish I never ventured and places I wish I’d had the courage to go.  Continue reading →