It's The Same

I spend Monday through Friday 7:30AM to 4:00PM in an office with no outside time. So early in the morning I ride my bike through areas that have water and fields and hopefully few cars.  

And when I see a roadkill I wonder if kids today, and many adults too, are desensitized to death and killing. That they don't see how precious life is anymore due to video games and media. It's just a frog, a squirrel, a hawk, a robin, a mouse or vole. We pass them by.

In the game, in the movies, death is clean. It's just a character, the enemy, the bad guy, a cartoon, a small trickle of blood. The body remains intact.

I'm tired of reading the bumper sticker Black Lives Matter.  Get real.  All Lives Matter. Yours. Theirs.   Catholic. Muslim.  Young. Old.  Depressed.   Imprisoned.   Holy.  Imfirmed.  Vibrant.  Jewish.   All.

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Thank you,

Patty

Blessed

Blessed is knowing exactly where and how your food is grown.   Exactly.  

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Patty

From My Daughters

Came home last night to this great gift from my girls.  So.  True.  

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Thank you,

Patty

Honor comes quietly

My dear friend and fellow World Youth Day pilgrim passed away recently from cancer. This morning, I was taking a pass through the cemetery, on a Pan Mass Challenge, training ride when I saw his grave marker.  I make these rides through to pay my respects and to visit a bit.  I stopped.  Remembered my dear friend and then saw the two stained glass windows I made for him.  

Such an honor to have small acts of kindness raised to such a high placement.  Proving the fact that we never truly know the power of kindnesses, big or small.  

Rest In Peace my dear friend.  I'll see you again on my next training ride.  

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Thank you,

Patty

Awesome

If cycling transportation brokers could fly...

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Patty

The View

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Patty

Our Own Fire And Ice

It's summer.  Time for backyard fires and puzzles.  Love being with the girls and their friends.  

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Patty

Babe in Brockton

Enjoying Father's Day with my dad.  

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Patty

PMC Red Sox Mariners

It was Sampson's first Major League appearance.  Wished him well. Met his mother.  Sat with some amazing people.  

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Patty

We can't hide

Or curl up with a good book and pretend evil doesn't happen.  It's at these times we must dig deep and love all the more.  

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Thank you,

Patty

Spin Spin Spin

Awoke yesterday with an appointment for a massage. Ended the day with a bike roadside flat.

Boss in pain, gifted my appointment.  Patrick the therapist is a miracle worker. Went for a bike ride instead.  Picked up a small shard of glass.  Changed the tube roadside. Another life's first.  

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Thank you,

Patty

Carving a Spoon

I saw a video where Dick Prentke carved a spoon for a friend's wife, as a thank you gift.  I was so amazed I had to try it myself. In two hours Mr Prentke had a spoon.  In two hours I had contentment and a few blisters.  

Think we will finish it today.  Or at least get closer. 

There is calm in handwork.  Prayers for all of us touched by the violence in Orlando. 

Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134

Thank you,

Patty

A Working Mom's Lament

A wonderful lady and mom with whom I work with commented that after she works in the office she still has a house to take care of and kids to love and manage.  

Talk about being over scheduled. All moms know the drill.  Work all day, come home to questions about dinner and a non stop request driven driving schedule.

I've learned flexibility. To shift boats mid stream.  It's not always pretty but  it is necessary.

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Thank you,

Patty

Gifts of Silver Linings

Long day yesterday.   Ride time came and I dragged to the bike.  Pan Mass Challenge.   Cancer patients don't have easy choices, no time for me to be a slacker.  

Ride review:  first time I truly nearly got whacked by a driver not paying attention.  I yelled and scared them.  Well they scared me first!  Afterwards I thought, I'm too young to die.  Silly thought. Cancer fighters die each day much younger than I.

Saw a huge turkey.  Always exciting. 

Got a bit further from home at dusk.  Thankful I have a headlight. 

Got caught in the rain.  Despite the thunder, it was a great ride.  Muddy and soaked I returned home safely.

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Patty

Active

At 5:30 AM this rainbow appeared.  I was outside gardening before work. Dawn is the best time of the day.  Thank God I get to experience it. 

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Patty

I Walked

Had a church meeting this evening. Did something different. Instead of driving, I walked.

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Patty

She walked

Happy Graduation! 

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Patty

It Takes A Team

Where a rider and their bike become one. The rider knows the bike and the bike fits the rider.  And they will roll happily ever after. 

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Thank you,

Patty

Time

Where does all the time go? Busy before sun up till after sundown.  Garden. Work.  Children. Bike. Graduation Party. Love.  Not necessarily in that order.  The next few weeks are a world wind. I don't wish them to rush by. I'm looking forward to savoring the journey.

Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134

Thank you,

Patty