Telling Stories – Holding Onto Memories

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Pat

“If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.” — Barry Lopez in “Crow and Weasel”

This quote by Barry Lopez from Patti J Christensen in an article called “Quotes About Story and Story Telling” expresses how I feel about stories and the telling of them. Like many of you, I have material for story inspiration from many scenarios and unique people in my life, as you can tell if you’ve read any of my stories on this site. I enjoy sharing them and feel a connection to you when I tell them. I feel someone out there might have a similar experience and together we can recapture the moment and hold it in time.

This is a picture of a personal, historical family book published in 1905 about the life of Thomas Edward, Associate of the Linean Society (one of the highest honors that science could confer on him).

Family Book Photo © Jim Ruppel 2012

He is my great-great grandfather and I inherited the book when my father died.

It was given to him by his mother, my grandmother, and granddaughter of Thomas Edward. This hundred-year old book entitled “Life of a Scotch Naturalist” by Samuel Smiles, LL.D, tells the life story of a lad growing up in Scotland with a passion for nature.

So much so, I learned, was his passion that he was kicked out of a number of kindergarten schools for smuggling in all sorts of critters, i.e., young rats, moles, hedgehogs, horse-leeches, bees, snakes to name several. His love of nature led to continued exploring and the collection of many unidentified species throughout his entire life but without an education, which he regretted.

As an adult with wife and family, each day would find him working 12-plus hours as a shoemaker’s apprentice and at night searching caves, gullies and Scotland firths for the next, undiscovered new species to collect and send off to scientists to identify.

Nearing the end of his life after many years having never received any recognition or compensation for his contribution to science, he was finally given an award and a monthly stipend by Queen Victoria (my dad told me of a wooden box his mother had given him with Thomas’s award from Queen Victoria but I could never find it after my father’s death).

Even more important than the award and compensation, Thomas Edward finally became known to the world and placed upon the Civil List Fund by Her Majesty with a memorial signed by many distinguished gentlemen of the time to include Charles Darwin, F.R.S.

If this cherished century-old book of my great-great grandfather had never been written and his life story documented, I would never have known about it. If we don’t pass along our stories, they will be lost forever and generations that follow will never get a chance to know us and what the world was truly like, as we saw it and lived. Many people will write historical journals about our era but only we can truly capture it first-hand and share it with our loved ones and others connecting us now and in the world to come.

I like to hear people share their stories capturing the memories and I want to hold onto the moment with them for just a little longer. There’s one such book you may be interested in called “The Figurine” by Rona Simmons, an author featured on Denise Baer’s “Pay It Forward” Skipping Stones Memories site. Rona writes of WWII experiences, as told by a nurse.

I will be sharing guest short stories on my site from time-to-time and I would like to hear your story. If you would like to participate with full copyright, please send your contact information via comment of this post or email me at pcruppel47@gmail.com. Please, under separate cover, send only true, personal story types (nonfiction) that are funny, unique, historical, inspirational or encouraging giving others hope and perhaps tools of lessons learned.

Let’s keep our stories and ancestors’ stories alive by telling them. It will mean something to our children and the generations to come.

Pat from the ol’ kitchen table ~~ Want to put a big grin on my face? Just leave a comment or question. I’ll be grateful!

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It’s the Little Things that Matter

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Pat

Giving – Microsoft Clipart

The other day, my husband did something for me without saying a word and I didn’t notice it until it was almost time for bed. A small gesture, nevertheless everyday love, expressed this little way struck me and sparked the writing of this post.

I’ve been bringing in plants every day acclimating them to inside temperatures for winter because the temperatures at mountain elevations cool down real fast after the sun goes down.

Almost time to turn in, he looked at the thermometer and commented on the temperature 48° and I jumped up thinking, “I forgot to bring in my plants”.

I then noticed they were already inside. I had appointments and errands to run earlier and, as it got late in the day, my husband brought them in. It’s what he does – a lot more than I.

It’s the little things that say: “I care”, “I’m here”, and “I love you!” Whatever type of relationship you have, the little things count – they matter. Whether you’re a couple, living at home or single with your dog, you notice the little things and respond. They are important.

You have a pet, your favorite companion, there to greet you when you come home every night like you’re the greatest person alive! No time is measured, expectations or explanations – just love, love, love – right now.

We live for the connections with one another, friends, family and the world. We can’t wait for the next text, tweet and reach for a written letter first in the mail. How we show our thoughts and communicate in the little things all gives us purpose. When we express consideration through a phone call, send a “Thinking About You” note or pick up a treat at the store you know he loves gives life meaning.

Do you remember the last time someone did a little something for you that touched your heart or how good it felt to send some fresh, garden vegetables over to the neighbor? Maybe, it’s been a long time since you’ve seen those little things.

Then, it’s time to pick up the phone and call a brother or sister you haven’t talked to in a while or whatever little thing seems right to you. It doesn’t take much but it’s so worth it and feels so good!

Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table ~~ Put a smile on my face and leave a comment or question!

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Rainy Day

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Pat

Backyard Puddles – Photo by Pat Ruppel

It’s a rainy September day with the feel of fall in the air. Snow will soon be flying and we’ll pull ourselves inside where it’s warm with reflections of the past summer months.

I remember one of those mornings this summer. Not many words needed to be spoken just experienced and felt.

It started with one of those rare, spontaneous moments of nature when a group of 8 young deer began playing in the backyard.

The young ones got it started and then the moms joined in bouncing, hurtling the fences between yards, rearing up and darting back and forth at each other daring a chase around the trees.

I don’t remember ever seeing wild animals play quite like that. It was a natural playground in our background. It made me smile to see wildlife play like children.

Many evenings would find my husband and I sitting on the deck looking out our backyard, breathing in the summer nights and fresh mountain air. How time passes ever so slowly but passing nonetheless – if only for a moment we could catch and hold on to it like a firefly.

As we draw inside with reflections of summer and dreams of what the future holds my heart warms with hope and love as I hear Alison Krauss sing, “You say it best when you say nothing at all.”

Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table ~~ Put a smile on my face and leave a comment or question!

Goodwill – Still Alive!

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Pat

Microsoft Word Clipart

A story on the local news touched my heart recently that renewed my faith in the basic goodwill of people. You may challenge me on this and say, “Pat – Goodwill? Where is it when all I see is hate and greed blasted all over the media, internet and newspapers every day! How can you trust anyone?”

You’re right. Scam artists are ‘crawling out of the woodwork’ creating new ways to get your identity and smugglers hustling their drugs across the border in bizarre ways – but, then, a story comes along.

It’s a story about a military family with more-than-your-everyday struggles sending out a call for help for Jake their beloved service dog with severe hip dysplasia. This soldier is not only struggling with his own health issues and his wife’s but now his one true friend and buddy is in pain and in need.

Karl Hofle has just about reached his limit with what he can endure but then you see the response from all over the country and Canada – it’s overwhelming. They needed $10,000 to cover operation expenses or, according to their vet, their companion would have to be put to sleep. By the end of the day $37,000+ was in the account. It’s the rallying around this family and outpouring of generosity and willingness to help that is beautiful and touching.

I know there is a lot of corruption in the world today and we have to be smart in how we shop, transact our business right down to checking out who we connect with on Facebook and Twitter. I just registered for an online networking course and for my protection my transaction was held until cleared by all parties because the funds were being sent out of the country.

I’m thankful for the protections we have in place in this country but even more for the freedoms we share and enjoy for which a heavy price was paid. The United States is unique in that we’ve always opened our borders to everyone no matter race, religion, or belief – political or otherwise – and the right to express our differences. Our basic culture has been to share and reach out to one another.

It’s our nature to help even though that’s challenged today in other parts of the world where our very presence is met with death, anger and hate. Our faith in each other is even being tested within our borders in homes and businesses across every town and city by mistrust as a result of the rampage of fraud and corruption. But the basic goodwill is still there with the desire to help and will, I believe, always show up when the call goes out.

A long time ago I remember a story a co-worker, new to the United States, had told me when her car broke down going home from work. In telling the story, it wasn’t so much the difficulty in getting the car back on the road as it was in how quickly someone pulled over to help. She said in her native country that was unheard of – no one ever stops to help someone broken down on the road.

I never asked why or got into the details because I was so taken back from her reaction to a responder to her distress. We use more caution these days, but I think there will always be those willing to help a person stranded on the side of the road in a broken car. It’s just the way it is.

In another less dramatic way, I was reminded again in a webinar I participated in how others are willing to offer their knowledge and expertise. With the status of world events in dire straits (if you listen to the news) it’s refreshing to experience the outpouring of giving in something as minor as a webinar. It felt genuine – not just another ploy of empty promises where someone is bating you with an opportunity to get you to buy something.

Perhaps, if we look more for the goodwill of people instead of what’s bad more will show up and we’ll realize somewhere along the way it was there all the time.

Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table ~~ Put a smile on my face and leave a comment or question!

Entitlement

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Pat

Microsoft Word Clipart

“I want my money…and I want it now!” How many times have you heard that shouted on TV commercials?

I got to thinking about entitlement last weekend and how many times it shows up in our everyday lives as we make our way through the commercialism and hype.

We have to shout louder or push harder to feel heard or get noticed over the rest.

It’s like a feeding frenzy of newborn puppies or a caller on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange shouting the latest trade. The one who pushes the hardest or loudest gets what they want.

When did it get to where more is expected and less offered? And have we been driven so much as overachievers in a competitive, instant gratifying world that we no longer notice how the attitude of entitlement shows up in our personal lives.

Today, we have so much commercialism thrown at us it’s no wonder we feel as if we should get what we want especially with the ease of purchase and credit. The system is set up so we can buy just about anything with entitlement as the driver byproduct of that commercialism and materialism as I see it.

But where is the value? I think we put too much value on material things instead of values earned like a job well done, difficult problem resolved or respect gained from co-workers.

Like many, I get irritated if something doesn’t respond immediately or I can’t find what I want with all the choices I have. I too make demands here and there. It’s no wonder I see a reflection of that entitlement in myself, those around me and our children.

We’re doing what we need to do to function in this world and how it operates. It’s been set up for that. Praise and prestigious promotions are expected for every little effort and our children get ‘participation’ ribbons in field-day events instead of 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd – robbed of the opportunity to see how they measure up and how they can improve.

Being with our grandsons last weekend I noticed the contrast between myself when I was the grandchild and today the adult. It seems harder to be a kid today – (heck) it’s hard to be an adult.

“Was it better then or now?” In either case, the world was different and the culture that goes with it. We, as adults, and our children have to learn how to function in the world as it is. That’s a fact.

But when I look at our children and their expectations, demands – entitlement – I wonder if we’re expecting too much of the wrong things from our new generation given the culture and how it functions? What are we doing to them and ourselves?

I find it hard to believe that kids would get bored more often today than they used to with all the technology, toys, video games and media available these days. But they do. I heard it several times last weekend, “Grandma, I’m bored!”

As usual when I reflect on a different time passed it is so different when compared to now. When I was a little girl, I adored my grandmother and to this day I still miss her. I remember I couldn’t stand to have her mad or disappointed in me and she didn’t treat me any more special than the others. I could be just as big a brat as anyone else and really good at pouring on the “poor me” act.

I know and still feel that love from her and my grandfather and wonder what it takes to love like that – what is required? They certainly didn’t give me a lot of toys or games. They didn’t have very much money and it wasn’t the places they took me.

My sister, cousins and I were just happy to be with them – the whole summer. That’s unheard of today – seven grandkids (7) staying with grandparents from the day school let out in June to Labor Day in September with no toys or video games.

What’s wonderful not only about children but regular adults as well is the magic and power of imagination and pretending not another big screen TV or video game. It’s like when you made mud pies in the backyard instead of making them in a fully equipped mini-kitchen with pretend microwaves.

That was the magic with my grandmother. She got down on the floor with us and played. She redirected our boredom with fun and imagination and gave us a part of herself. My grandfather likewise would hook a fish head on our line and sinker and take us crabbing in his skiff.

As an adult, I see the results of entitlement everywhere including the spiritual circles with the “law of attraction”. Entitlement is not a bad thing – it’s just taken out of context and given more value than it’s worth along with the hype of commercialism and materialism.

We just have to see it for what it is and redirect it with the magic of imagination and creativity – then do something, have fun and go play instead of asking for another car.

Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table ~~ Put a smile on my face and leave a comment or question!