Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Darkness isn’t the end

Every year I go through this same realization that life continues after the sun sets.  And before the sun rises.  Short days.  Long nights.  Breathe.  Go out into the cool darkness.  Find a calm peace there.  No sense of urgency.   



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Friday, September 28, 2018

👤

👤 Are you the faceless employee?  What does that even mean?  Faceless to whom?  I can't even wrap my mind around such a concept.  Still I find it hard to move on from such an assessment. No value added here.  Move along.  

Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Bill Cosby

As a child I listened over and over to Bill Cosby's skits on an album owned by my parents. As a family, we watched his TV shows and movies.  He was in our home and welcomed.  

And now it's official, that trust is broken for 60 women and for the whole world.   

His attorney asked for leniency for the legally blind 81 year old violent sexual offender.  Stating he would not offend again.  That he was safe tobe out in society.   

Thankfully the judge was not swayed.  The crimes, the drugging and rapes, the gross misuse of power, must be paid for.  Three years.... doesn't seem long enough.  



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Seemingly small

We collect fliptops. Turn them in for the price of scrap aluminum and donate the proceeds to Daniel's Table. Daniel's Table is an organization focused on ridding the world of childhood hunger one city at a time. 

Each fliptop is a small act of kindness.  So small.  Found in parking garages.  Sidewalks.   Bars.  Parties.  Our own recycle bins.  Opportunities to think of those hungry among us.  



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Monday, September 03, 2018

Left the Nest

She was at an internship all summer. Moved herself back into college but came up for one kayak paddle on the lake.  Where has the time gone?  She is her own person. I could not be more proud. 



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Friday, August 31, 2018

There is a story here

A elderly neighborhood woman, who speaks no English, walks the street collecting bottles and cans. She is often seen pushing a shopping cart overflowing with returnables down our Main Street. Holding up traffic.  Upsetting drivers. And bringing a smile to others.  In my mind she is a delight.  And on many occasions we have waved her into our yard to give her our bottles.  She always says something in Chinese and we both bow towards each other.  

Yesterday she came by and dropped off these two cucumbers. 

Gratitude crosses all languages. 🙏🏻



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Truth be told

I enjoy riding my bike alone in quiet. Is that bad? 

Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

A Favorite



I am very lucky as a mom to be able to watch my children grow into wonderful adults.  Two out of the best and one standing on the edge. Poised to jump off and spread her wings.  They are all heading to parts and life unknown.  And it's totally cool to watch them.  

Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Saturday, June 16, 2018

45 miles

The alarm went off at 4:45 this morning and I didn't really want to ride.  The covers called.  But cancer patients don't have a choice.  They have cancer. 

So I rode.  45 plus a bit more miles.  
I ride to fight cancer.  So that everyone can sleep in when they want. 

Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Monday, June 04, 2018

I am always amazed

I sent this photo of this tiny orchid to a former religious education student because he gave it to me two years ago and it continues to live and grow. 

A short email reply was sent but also a donation was made to the Pan Mass Challenge. From a 17 year old.  A young man.  A student.  I send emails all the time with my signature file.  Once in a very blue moon someone comments.  Maybe I got a donation last year.  I send requests to companies, our landlord at work who I see everyday, and other business acquaintances.  I'm looking for $10, $20....  Not hundreds... 

And a young man still in high school donates. 



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Monday, March 26, 2018

You never know

You never know how your actions truly impact those around you.  But we get glimpses.  Like this one...

After a town history lecture an acquaintance and past sponsor to my Pan Mass Challenge efforts came up to me to chat.  We talked about the event, teaching, work, the church, the girls and finally she mentioned the PMC.  She asked to whom should the check be made out. I said the PMC.  And thank you. 

For a while now I was thinking this is my last ride. It's a lot of work to train and to raise the funds.  I'm done.  But then this happened yesterday. 

A bit of backstory:  After the last two rides I place my ride pin on her husband's grave.  My post PMC ride takes me through the cemetery where I stop and pay my respects and leave my pin. 

Yesterday when we were chatting my friend mentioned that she took last year's pin "in" before the snow and she is waiting for this year's pin.  Truly I can't disappoint her.  



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Monday, March 19, 2018

Always amazes me...

I am completely baffled and amazed when I go into a public restroom, used strictly by adults, and I find discarded tissue on the floor.  These are other adult women.  Mothers who clean up at home.  Ladies who find it utterly crazy that someone else would leave a mess for them to pickup in their kitchen, bathroom, living room .  

So why a mess here?  You would think people would be more considerate. That they would think along the lines of:  I dropped it.  My mother doesn't work here.  I should pick up after myself. 



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Parenting 101?

Lordy, the grades on parenting are due out, and I am a risk of failing.  How do I know?  Came home from work today and the kitchen was a mess.  Two daughters home and the only way I know they are here is there are more dirty dishes on the counter than when I left. 

Am I failing?  I'm shocked by their lack of community.  It's not the example I attempt to set.  Maybe I'm too much all for one and one for all. For I pitch in and pick up when I see it. 

After a 12 hour hectic work day.... dishes are not the first thing I want to see when I cross the threshold.  

Maybe it will all sink in when they are on their own. I may be entitled to an extension.   



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Rainy Day Work

Writing donation letters for the Pan Mass Challenge 2018.  Also all the thank you notes for already received contributions.  



Help me wipe out cancer. http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134
Thank you,
Patty