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.”

Squeezed

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Pat

Have you ever felt squeezed in certain situations or in making a choice?

I had that happen just recently when I called for technical help on my site and noticed brakes screeching on the inside.

I felt that tightening in my chest when I asked a question on a specific problem I was having on my site and they weren’t able to help. Instead, I was referred to another area that wanted me to sign up for a month of technical support.

I was as polite as I could be in declining their offer and hung up after ‘mildly’ expressing my disappointment. I felt a difference this time. Before, in techy issues I would panic and fret knowing only enough to get me in trouble. This time, I felt a calm, though noticed the squeeze but didn’t respond to it. I decided to sit on it and check out some things on the internet and revisit it again the next day.

I wrote a few years back on a Dr. Wayne Dyer story where he talks about squeezing oranges and asked what comes out when you squeeze an orange. I guess I noticed it this time – the squeeze and the feeling that came out. But, I was able, in noticing, catch it and respond differently. Maybe, I am learning and changing a little here and there. Good for me to take stock. I’m not there, yet, but I’m better than before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMQQc-lnDu4

YouTube Video courtesy of Fearless Soul

As a result, what unfolded is a few days later a fellow blogger posted an article that related to my problem and I was able to fix it. I love when answers come much easier when I get out of the way.

Pat from the ‘ol kitchen table

Acknowledgements: What Comes Out Is What Is Inside at h more...

Snow In The Rockies

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Pat

Birds in the Snow

It’s that time of the year when old winter and a spry, youthful spring duke it out. It’s no different than here where I call home in the Colorado Rockies. We’ve gotten 18 inches today so far and still snowing.

I love this time of year, when the birds chatter, the soft sound of freshly fallen snow and the smell of wet earth. Life is stirring and, for us, in a couple of months it will be waking up.

I captured a short video of the birds feeding on our back deck as a recent snow storm was ramping up. Hope you enjoy it.

Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Pat

Warm fire on New Year’s Eve

May there be Peace for one and all, as we say goodbye to our gatherings of family and friends over Christmas.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I hope you keep the home fires burning and may you be blessed this New Year 2019 and realize all your dreams.

Happy New Year!

Pat from the ‘ol kitchen table

A Gift of Love

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Pat

Photo by Juan on Pexels.com

Christmas is almost here and family and friends are getting together. It’s a celebration of love all over the world. The gift to the world was a baby over 2,000 years ago and Christian faiths will bow their heads in holy worship to Jesus Christ, who came into the world to show us love. Others will pause to celebrate in their own private ways and different faiths knowing it’s a time to give and be more kind. The spirit of that gift of love is still felt today and alive centuries after for all.

Can you imagine how different the world was back then, when a man with his expectant wife traveled at night on foot and by donkey through narrow, dusty mountainous paths to get to the more populous town, Bethlehem? Government requirements were demanding, even back then. It didn’t matter that his wife was pregnant and they had to go far from home. He needed to find a safe place for his wife to give birth. Times became treacherous for them after and they had to flee for the safety of their newborn son.

We couldn’t be more worlds apart today than then and, yet, there’s much that is still the same. Still, there are those traveling on foot with their families to be safe and get to a better place. We all want to have what’s best for the ones we love, be warm, work, eat and enjoy our friends, family and watch our children grow as we get older. Not much on that has changed throughout time just the forms they come in.

Through all the commercialism and rushing around to get everything done, there’s magic and a different spirit at Christmas. I can feel it in the air and see it on the faces of people in the stores and streets. Of course, there’s more sparkle in the eyes of children as they burst with glee in anticipation of Santa.

No matter what someone may be going through, I feel grace and compassion in the attempts to love and feel loved, when it’s hard. It’s there and especially strong at Christmas. People are helping people with love. It fills my heart with hope that it will always be there.

Merry Christmas to all of you and God Bless in the New Year!

Pat from the ol’ kitchen table

Acknowledgements: Photo by Juan on Pexels.com at https: more...