Squeezed Oranges and More

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Pat

Oranges — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis at MSN Clipart

Yesterday, I was reminded of an analogy Dr. Wayne Dyer spoke of awhile back, when he asked (to paraphrase), “What comes out when you squeeze an orange?” Well, the obvious answer would be orange juice. But, he took it further in asking to take a personal look at ourselves and what goes on in our lives.

What comes out when we’re being squeezed? I think this is what I got hit with yesterday ― the stuff that’s held onto for so long in people’s hearts. It had to come out.

The story of the orange came to me after a series of phone calls. I was excited to chat, as I normally don’t talk on the phone that much ― at least, not this many calls, one right after the other. The energy built and momentum from one call to the next and I didn’t notice it at first. Continue reading →

Life’s Timeline

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Pat

Small business people on chess board — MSN Clipart

I’m noticing things are different, this time, after I retired in April 2012. It’s no longer an “in-between jobs” mindset. I’m in a good place and more settled and connected than ever. I feel as if my heart and head are coming together with purpose and meaning. Continue reading →

I’m Celebrating Today – One Year of Writing on My New Blog!!

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Pat

Today, June 12, 2013, marks the 1st anniversary of writing on Plain Talk and Ordinary Wisdom, my new site. I had just retired and decided to get back to my writing. I initially had the same site from 2007 with over 115 posts through Blogger and wanted to give it a fresh look with a modern, internet feel. Continue reading →

Thank You For The Sunshine Award!

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Pat

: 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

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Pat

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 →