Same and Different

On one hand we are all the same. But on the other, we are so different.

Happy Birthday Mom

The party was great. We had tons of fun. But the best was going to Mass together as a family. Happy Birthday. And many more Mom. And many more....

The Ultimate Fight Song

For all those fighting.

Down for a moment. Feeling like it's hopeless.

You're An Overcomer

We all have so much on our plates. It can be so overwhelming.

thank you for bringing this song to my attention junglejeff

Cat is to Teen as...

We are cat sitting for a colleague. This is not abnormal or out of the ordinary. Usually our favors last a long weekend where we go over to their home daily. Observe food has been eaten. Water consumed. Waste produced. We then added to and scoop away where required but never observe the cat. No worries for she is alive and aloof somewhere in the house. Normal.

This time the favor is extending over a week. And for 3 days all was no cat observed status quo. But then two days ago the little lady appeared. Chatting up a storm. I let her rub against my legs. Reached down and petted her head, but no more for this is the I don't want to be touched cat.

Two days ago she nearly tripped me moving between the still quite full food bowl and the sink. Stopping mid step I rubbed her about the ears. Her little purr engine was fully engaged. Interesting I thought. For this is not the cat we know.

Last night instead of feeding, watering and scooping first I sat on the couch. Seconds later the little lady was up in my lap. Allowing me to pet and hold her. Rub and cozy.

We sat there 30 minutes until she, after depositing a lifetime's worth of fur on my clothes, got up and moved to the neighboring chair. Then looking at me sent the clear message food was now desired.

The similarities between teens and cats is quite astounding.

What I Love....

Well one thing is: The creativity at our, in this case my daughter's, fingertips afforded by technology.

Go Girl Go! And yeah that's me.

Somedays end worse than others.

Be thankful. Make the best of them anyway.

God provides.

I went to visit my former Italian couple clients. It had been a good three weeks or more since I had the time to visit them at their facility. What would we talk about? What would we do? We would visit.

The dear wife was in bed. I woke her gently by whispering in her dialect, "Get up! You die in bed!" It might seem crass but she chuckled. Knowing it was our inside joke to use her own mother's words to start the rise and shine process. Alicia didn't rise but instead I sat on the side of her bed and got an Italian refresher lesson for 45 minutes. She started to tire. I told her I loved her. Kissed her and went to find her husband in the common room.

Gaetano was in his chair. He recognized me but my name escaped him. No worries dear friend; but he doesn't converse much now. Seemingly lost in dementia. So what to talk about?

"Dear friend, I have picked up the banjo again."

"Really?"

"Yes, and I even recorded some music on my phone. Would you like to hear it?"

We did. He nodded with the beat. We listened twice and he offered me a music teacher's encouragement talking for almost twenty minutes.

So really who benefited from the visit the most?

Sometimes it pays to walk

Riding a bike is great fun and exercise but I tend to speed along and not notice the details. Yesterday I walked the majority of the neighborhood bike route. Stopping to fix American flags, check out the progress on the Wickford Bridge project and examine a dead huge bullfrog. All things I would have zoomed by on bike.

What words do you use in text most often?

For me that question has an easy answer since I text my girls most. And those words are: Love You. Spelt out so there can be no confusion.

Is broken an opportunity?

This stained glass window was dropped off at the parish yard sale with a crack in the central piece. I was asked if I wanted it, for it was doubtful anyone else would want it broken.

"Sure I'll take it." For I had heard about how broken sections are removed and replaced but I had never attempted it. So here was my opportunity. My chance to learn.

What do you reflect?

What do you internalize and then send out to others? For me it's Disney and their world class customer service and attention to detail. It's like going through life as a secret cast member. Reaching out to others as if every street was Main Street USA. Yeah that's my happy place.

It's the truth

You can't have a sad day when there is banjo music .

Yard Sale Treasure

While setting up for the parish yard sale I found this treasure. I come from the proud and long line of parish yard sale workers. Treasure hunters to the core.

Have a great day knowing that you are loved; no button required.

Onions and People

Both have layers.

The Fraud?

This post was written to remind me of what matters. Maybe it can help you too.

While slowly taking on a hill, a cyclist stormed up behind me and then proceeded to pass me and my efforts as if I was standing still. There I was riding an excellent bike, wearing all the correct clothes, pedaling as hard as I could and whoosh; without even knowing the guy, the wind left my sails.

Did I belong out there? Slow... Could I really tell people that I love to ride after being pants so effortlessly? The guy wasn't even breathing hard.... Part of me felt like hanging up the fancy clip in shoes right then and there. Was I a fraud? Thankfully I was several miles from home to think about bike riding and the only person it should matter to, me.

The bike. She is a beauty and picked not for her sleekness but for her gentleness on my knees. She is a joy to pedal. I do love her, even though, right now, that knee twinges. No fault of the bike as I probably worked out too hard last night.

The clothes. Really would I wear such clothes if not functional? Tights or shorts? Shirt with back pockets for holding phone, shoes covers, etc... No. The clothes are required for functionality, comfort and warmth. I am looking forward to long fall rides.

A fraud? No. Just an old lady refusing to quit.

Look to the negative to see the positive.

God wastes nothing. Kindness. It's in there.

Are you hooked?

Hooked on kindness. Be the acts you wish to see

Peace. And. Quiet.

Bloom!

Bloom where you are planted.

Be Amazed

I was at the high school open house last night. And when I came home this out of this world stunning dress was what greeted me.

Created by my middle schooler. No pattern; just a vision in her head to guide her.

Our dining room looks like a sewing bomb exploded. I love it. I hope it stays that way for a very long time.

Go Visionary! Go!

So Patty, writing much?

No.
Hmmmmm.....
I know. Must make time for writing.

9-11

We will remember you.

A Carrier

After walking in the woods this weekend I discovered that I was a carrier. And as I casually distributed these seeds by the parking lot I wondered about other seeds I might be spreading... Humor. Caring. Love. Selfishness. Anger.

They all spread with little seeds. Careful what you pick up and carry. Careful what you sow.

Is cilantro ever a weed?

Reseeded an old cilantro section of the garden with spinach, kale and beets. Normally I would weed out between the rows of intended crops. But cilantro; is that ever a weed?

How do you know you've made a difference?

Three years ago when my lovely graduated from high school I gave her a box filled with life lessons. Some were on tea bags, coffee mugs, books, even a homemade bookmark; a quote from Walter Elias Disney. Imagine my joy when I visited her this weekend and saw the bookmark displayed on her message board. Dream. Work hard. Learn. Experience and Live.

Perk of walking in the woods

Long on Loyalty

 

Wherever life's paths take you. Where the trail is straight or twisty, rocky, or flat. Be long on loyalty.

The Last Lecture

By Randy Pausch. Does it take dying for us to learn how to live?

Who inspires you?

Who moves you to push on when you feel you have nothing left to push with? They aren't necessarily a public figure. They could be younger and sleep under your own roof.

Switching Gears

Some days the best you can do is to stay put.

I belong to you.

And you belong to me.
It's that simple.

Something's just don't belong.

They don't add up. Like this dead turtle lying  on the strip mall sidewalk. How? Why? So sad.
Like hate in Syria, chemical weapons and retaliation. Really? How? Why? Very very sad.

Thunderstorm at Tinmouth

Good Morning

Give Glory.
Rest from ye labors.

Perspectives

For some scaling a pebble takes true effort and crossing a mountain road life threatening. Never judge.