28 June 2020
Wow, now that’s a stretch—4 years— since I wrote on here and 5 or 6 since I have been active at my place here. I have been posting my photography on Facebook in the last few years, but, alas, that is over. Southern Nevada has been my home base since October 2017 but I can’t seem to stay put so I do a lot of traveling on a few airplanes, but mostly in my van (my truck died on one of my trips from WA to NV). I came back to WordPress to post my photos to share with friends and family. More catching up later. I hope you are all safe and content and even thriving.
28 September 2016
Thank you for stopping by and checking on me. I’m still here. Over the last few years I have been mostly staying away from social media. I’ve been a little lost.
I’ve started reading again and that has always had a way of bringing me back. Many of the books have been fiction and non fiction about the rich history of the Columbia River. So I’ve been playing with maps and planning a journey from Astoria, Oregon to the river’s source in Canada. No set date, but I’m hoping to begin next summer and take several months to camp along the way.
I’ve also been on a health journey since the beginning of the year. For me that meant finding a local doctor who would jump right in and work with me on getting healthier. I now eat very simply, with mostly veggies and some meat. I’ve learned to make my own spices and I drink lots of water. I’ve dropped a few pounds (almost 40), am no longer insulin resistant and my heart is much healthier too. Okay, I haven’t quit smoking, but I will.
Other things that are helping me to find my way are short road trips, morning walks, working in the Secret Garden, allowing light to fill my beach cave, sharing my photos and working on my little camperette.
Another big part of finding my way is having less to carry. I’m still sorting through many years and several lifetimes of “things” that I have accumulated. I donated a truck load of boxes containing shoes, coats and clothing to a women’s shelter. I’ve passed things on to family and friends. I’ve tossed out broken, stained or useless items. My next step is selling or donating the rest. I did sell a bunch of things in a sale last summer, but need to do more to lighten this load. I hope to find someone local to help me over this last hurdle, as I still have an aversion to dealing with people.
As far as writing….baby steps. I did make a fresh chart for the memoir and I’m journaling almost every day again. I’m writing this. Hey, that’s more than I have been doing the last few years.
Thanks for your patience and caring,
Patti
26 July 2015
Welcome back, friends, that is if any of you are still out there.
I can’t blame you if you’re not though. And I can’t even be sure that I am back. For now, an update on the HOME page and a new post is all I know for sure.
I’ve always had an unwritten rule that if I post, I also have to visit and comment on posts that my friends write. So writing a post is like a little commitment. To you, from me. Even now, I’m not sure I can follow through, but I am sure that I am ready to try.
So grab a chair, hang out and let’s see where I go with this,
Patti
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3 Jan 2015
Hey, you, welcome!
I thought it was time to make my extended leave-of-absence official. I’m hunkering down and trying to regroup in my beach cave.
Meanwhile, feel free to wander the hallways here and open cupboards, drawers and closets.
Patti
Enough
Enough. These few words are enough.
If not these words, this breath.
If not this breath, this sitting here.
This opening to the life
we have refused
again and again
until now.
Until now. – David Whyte
October 30, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Hi Patti, I nominated you for an award. Thought you might have some fun with it!
http://jadereyner.com/2013/10/30/the-awesome-blog-content-award/
Take care, Jade.
October 30, 2013 at 9:38 pm
I love this award! Congrats! That Shaun is something else AND he has a big heart.
Alas, I gave up on awards earlier this month, but I sincerely thank you for thinking of me among your 8 nominees:>)
October 31, 2013 at 7:47 am
That is not a problem. I don’t always do awards but I thought this one was a bit of fun. Hope you are well. 🙂
November 7, 2013 at 5:42 am
Hi Patti, I love your introduction about yourself, but am saddened by your losses. I look forward to delving more into your blog. xx
November 7, 2013 at 9:28 am
Thank you and I’m happy to have you here!
November 24, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Hi Patti. You didn’t tell us about The Write Place. We’d of already hopped on over for a cocktail & gab while basking in some of that fabulous Pacific Northwest weather! (Preferably Scotch by the way!!) lol. LOVE your comment, “My interests are all over the place”
Spoken like a true Artist my dear. We haven’t met one of us, while in this blogosphere that didn’t have at least 2 forms of art up their sleeve. Add chef to that unbelievable list of your accomplishments & we’ll head on over to your house for dinner!! 😛
We are sorry to hear about your losses, Patti. And we mean that from the bottom of our heart. If we read right, we noticed you said (grands – 3)….do you mean your grandchild? No one should have to go through the loss of a child. Your strength & character, shows in all you do; taking your sorrow & piecing your heart together thru your crafts. Our hat’s off to you!!! Your an amazing woman! 🙂
We look forward to visiting in the future & reading more of your work. ❤
November 24, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Thank you again for such high praise. Yes, my son’s son, 3 year-old, Tiven died from a head injury in April. They lived very close, so I had really bonded with him and his brother. My days are infused in all this grief. One foot in front of the other…find the beauty in nature, share it, find some humor, share it, help someone else in pain, one foot in front of the other…
November 25, 2013 at 10:38 am
Love that you are constantly upgrading your site Patti, you tech wizard you! 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Ha! I have no idea what I’m doing:>) Glad it works though. Thanks for stopping by.
November 28, 2013 at 4:20 am
Hi Patti, I’m Margaret and looking forward to your site. Right now, besides writing, my life centers around my grandson so I love having a place where I can talk to grownups! He’s my angel baby – believe me no complaints. And, happy holiday!
December 1, 2013 at 12:56 am
Hi Margaret,
Got lost in the holiday blues, but back now. Had a good time visiting your site and learning about you and yours.
Peace,
Patti
December 6, 2013 at 9:51 am
Hi, I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Congratulations! Please check out this post for details: http://zainabjavid.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/the-versatile-blogger-award/
December 7, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Thank you so much for thinking of me. I stopped doing the blogger awards awhile back, but as I said, I do appreciate it.
December 7, 2013 at 11:26 pm
Oh OK no problem.
December 8, 2013 at 10:09 am
You have such a charming little space carved out here.
December 8, 2013 at 2:09 pm
Thank you very kindly. I hope you join us!
December 15, 2013 at 3:40 am
My name is Patricia, and I have just found you. I’m sorry that you are dealing with so much grief. As you know, one step at a time, one day at a time, and surround yourself with love and beauty and gratitude for the life you have now. I’m an educational consultant and have a tutoring service in essay writing, public speaking, editing, and conversational English for foreign business people and students. I live in Southern California in a house my family built 75 years ago and enjoy reading and writing in the garden. I am looking forward to reading more of your blogs.
December 15, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Hi Patricia, I’m glad you found me. I’m going to go visit your blog too. I love that you live in your family home and we sure have a lot in common, don’t we. Your job sounds fascinating and I look forward to reading more. Thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself.
December 18, 2013 at 2:39 pm
Hi Patti! You’ve won a copy of my book The House on Tenafly Road for Kindle. Just send me the email address you’d like me to send it to. Congrats!
December 18, 2013 at 4:49 pm
That is so cool. Thank you!
December 18, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Oh, btw, you can send it to my email if you want at morris_adrienne@rocketmail.com.
December 18, 2013 at 4:54 pm
sent you an email.
December 18, 2013 at 7:58 pm
Aren’t we a couple of lucky ladies today! We both will be enjoying Adrienne’s book. I look forward to following your blog and learning more about you. Have a very Merry Christmas, Patti. Blessings, Audrey
December 19, 2013 at 2:37 am
You too, Audrey. Welcome to our place.Things are a little scattered right now. Just jump in anywhere.
I am so looking forward to reading her book! I feel especially lucky because I just found he a couple of days ago.
I’ll stop by and see how things are going at your place.
Peace,
Patti
December 21, 2013 at 9:35 am
visit, read the article and thanks for posting your article is quite good and we hope that all our friends all success and thank you all, greetings. (This is a good thing) 🙂
December 21, 2013 at 9:39 am
Thank you and welcome to our little place in the ether:>)
December 28, 2013 at 7:56 am
Hey! I just discovered blog notifications I signed up for are going right to spam. I’m un-spamming and getting folks back to my inbox – in case you were wondering where i went. I was wondering where everyone went too.. which brought me to another realization I am working on : it was easy for me to believe everyone dropped me like a hot potato, damn those ex-husbands anyway…
December 28, 2013 at 8:59 am
Ahhh, Honey we aren’t dropping you, unless you call us dumb and give us a number:>)
Warm Hugs,
P
December 28, 2013 at 9:01 am
🙂
December 29, 2013 at 12:07 pm
I have just discovered the actual blog. I have been reading your posts as I was signed up somehow so they show up in my email. I never read this HOME deal. Keep me reading.
December 29, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Love you so much, Vic. There is tons of stuff here, hope you enjoy exploring:>)
January 7, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Hi Patti, my name is Becki and I also live in the PNW, I’ve lived here for 26 years. February 3, 2014 Arizona will become my new home. I found you on Share your wordpress blogs. I am looking forward to following your journey. Welcome !!
January 7, 2014 at 7:31 pm
Nice to meet you, Becki. My youngest sis lives in AZ and it is a beautiful place. My hands are pretty full with helping my mom, but once we get our system down I will have some free time to check out your place and join in with friends and family online. Thanks for introducing yourself and hanging out here with us:>)
February 4, 2014 at 5:56 am
Hi Patti, thank you for following Landscaping the Sacred. In light of your losses, I would like to I share my path through loss. You can find it in “Life after Life: A Claivoyant’s insight” in the Index of “Landscaping..” We are all moving along similar paths in this ever expanding community. Thank you for your companionship on the way.
February 4, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Thank you and I will stop by as soon as I can to check out your path.
February 11, 2014 at 8:41 am
The photos are quite lovely. I’m interested in ordering some books. I’m thinking that I do it through you, but can’t see how I access the proper site.
February 11, 2014 at 2:03 pm
Thank you, I enjoy sharing them. Ordering books?
February 22, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Patti…I just read your update….and wanted to send you love, light, and energy whilst you’re helping family!! Long distance is so tough…you are such a brave, strong and inspiring soul!! I don’t get the opportunity to visit as often as I would wish to…but please know…I’m always here thinking and praying wonderful and joyful thoughts for you!! Hugs and Blessings ~
February 23, 2014 at 10:21 am
Thank you so much,Christina! You made my day. And thank you for sending such good stuff my way. Warm Hugs
February 25, 2014 at 11:22 am
I just read your update. May 2014 be a better year for you. Sometimes the losses come all at once. I hope your mother recovers soon and you can get back to Washington. I have been missing your posts but hope to do better. Thanks for the recent visit to my blog – you have inspired me to write more.
February 25, 2014 at 12:29 pm
Ahh, I appreciate this visit. And I have been slowing down a lot since I’ve been here. Hope to get back to more regular posts when things settle down a bit.
Thank you and hopefully we can keep inspiring each other.
March 1, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Patti, my heart extends. I have been wondering about you. Losing contact here with friends is something I dread. I always wonder what is happening, if an individual is okay. I am sending the warmest embrace.
March 2, 2014 at 2:55 am
Thank you, Belinda. My hands are pretty full, but I did catch up on some of your latest a few days ago. Wishing you better health by the day. xo
March 2, 2014 at 1:21 am
You got our attention with your opening quote from Mr Coelho, one of our favourite authors 🙂 We had to follow!
March 2, 2014 at 2:57 am
Wow, thank you and I will head over for a visit. That quote really grabbed me too! Always glad to have new friends in our little place.
March 22, 2014 at 9:27 am
Thanks Patti for stopping by my blog. We share the Northwest; I hang out in southern Oregon but love the coast from San Francisco to the Olympic Peninsula. Sorry to hear about your losses. Sounds like you have had more than your share. But I was pleased to see you have a new love. Life does go on, one step at a time, as another person commented. –Curt
March 22, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Thanks for the visit, Curt. Your place is so full of travel and adventure, I just barely got started there! I also love Oregon and have day dreamed about living on the southern coast…still time…we’ll see.
Will stop by and see what you and your wife are up to again soon.
March 23, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Great Patti, I’ll look forward to the visit. –Curt
March 31, 2014 at 9:45 am
Hey… there you are. How’ve you been?
March 31, 2014 at 9:47 am
Good, but not around much. Good to see you to. Still have to get back over and catch up some more with you. Hope all is well with the 3 of you.
March 31, 2014 at 10:55 am
I don’t know if you’d consider it good or bad. Suffice it to say my grandson and I are hanging in there and I do love to write 🙂
See you around the funny papers!
March 31, 2014 at 2:47 pm
My only answer is that I hope it is good for you and him! xo
March 31, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Thanks! 🙂
April 4, 2014 at 7:40 am
Somehow through the #AtoZBlogChallenge that is going on during the month of April, we have found each other. I started my blog after publishing a novel, Greening of a Heart, in order to continue writing about English gardening and writers and things near and dear to my heart. One of my favorite parts of the blog is what I call ‘Reflections.’ I intend to follow you as we share this journey of growing up, making the most of our lives, loving and caring for others, and for me, writing, reading, gardening. I can tell that at the core of you there is joy regardless of the sorrow you feel. I write about that in Greening, Lovely to meet you!
September 23, 2014 at 3:04 pm
Somehow I missed this note, but I have finally got to it. Just visited your place and loved you S.C. garden tour and your Pat Conroy fixation 🙂 Now I better go finish your book so I can write that review…loving it so far! Apologies for this tardiness.
April 5, 2014 at 12:46 am
This is such a lovely blog with a simple outlook I’ve come across! *smiles*
– Rahul
April 5, 2014 at 12:47 am
Thank you, Rahul.
April 8, 2014 at 5:37 pm
What a journey! 🙂 Can’t wait to read more. Glad we “met” 🙂
April 8, 2014 at 5:39 pm
Me too and I had fun looking around your place too. You’ve managed some wonderful accomplishments!
P
April 10, 2014 at 10:55 am
Thank you for dropping by Malcolm’s Corner and liking some posts. As you know family, friends and love provide a great backdrop for healing and cauterizing the pain.
April 10, 2014 at 11:06 am
Inion N. Mathair sent me there through a FB follow. Will be back to read more and comment. Have read 3 articles recently about the depression/happiness topic. Still pondering…Thank you for the kind words here.
April 14, 2014 at 4:14 am
Thanks for following No Facilities and leaving a trail so I could discover your blog. I have enjoyed what I have read so far and I plan to keep reading. I lived in Seattle for 3-4 years back in the late 70’s into 1981, and I spent some time visiting the western coast where accessible. I have been back with my wife and again with my daughter on vacation, and both trips included a visit to the west coast of the peninsula. It’s a very special place and I’m happy to “meet” one of the people that call it home (at least some times).
April 14, 2014 at 4:21 am
Welcome, Dan. I’m so glad that you enjoyed your visit at my place. This is such an incredibly beautiful area—the Pacific NW–only Hawaii or Greece could pull me away. I think I need to add “Gypsy” to my list of names, as I can’t seem to stay put. Holler if you and the family get this way again and I’ll show you the best places for agate hunting and sunsets.
P
April 23, 2014 at 6:05 am
Thanks for commenting on my post. It caused me to look at your blog. When I saw the name of it I knew I had to check it out. I lost a sister too in 2008. I have adjusted but still think of her all the time. We had so much fun when she was here. I look forward to getting to know you and your world.
April 23, 2014 at 12:48 pm
Thanks for visiting, Sue. I loved seeing your new grandson, Cameron and some of your family history. So sorry for your loss. We have both been touched by the deaths of our sisters. Michaela was a jewel.
Look forward to getting to know you also.
P
May 1, 2014 at 3:19 pm
One of the secrets to your success is that you “reply to every comment and visit every blog.” I’m glad to partner with bloggers/writers who have high standards. Kudos, Patti.
May 1, 2014 at 5:57 pm
Thank you, Marian! It was crazy-making taking a few days off the internet. That is the longest I’ve gone without replying and it was not fun. Thank you for including me in that group with high standards. I ‘m glad we’re in this together 🙂
P
May 14, 2014 at 4:38 pm
So glad to meet you here, Patti! And I have to say how much I admire your strength in the face of adversity, and I’m happy to read that things are looking up for you now. I look forward to learning more about you here. 🙂
May 14, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Thank you for your kind words, Miranda. Glad to see you over here and I had a great time touring your place. You are a talented writer!
P
May 27, 2014 at 12:28 am
Hello Patti, I too am glad to have found you. I too am sorry for all your sadnesses; loss of loved ones and the accompanying grief and pain are hard to bear.
This thread of comments stems from a long while back already. I will check out your A-Z posts Patti …
Garden of Eden Blog
May 27, 2014 at 12:37 am
Thank you for stopping by, Susan. I enjoyed my visit at your place today.
P
June 18, 2014 at 7:38 pm
That’s a little bit too much loss for one person to bear, I’m sorry for your grief. Glad, though, that you are finding ways and people to help you through it. Nature is a grand thing, too.
June 19, 2014 at 1:09 am
Thank you, Alarna Rose (love that name of yours!). I agree, too much loss. I just keep my nose in nature and count my many blessings…mom, dad, 5 siblings, aunt, uncles, cousins, my 2 children, their 4, my huggable friends and all my new friends on this crazy internet. Glad you are among them!
P
August 18, 2014 at 9:11 pm
Hi Patti,
I’m excited to have found your blog and delighted that you spend time in both Alaska and Washington, as I do (Fairbanks and Bellingham). I look forward to exploring your blog and learning much more about you. I’m a poet, blogger, writer of magical realism, watercolorist, married to the most adorable man on earth, an artist I call R who was born in N. Zealand. We have children in Alaska, Taiwan and Canada, and a precious grandson, age 3, I call little r. I also know something about grief, as you will discover at my blog http://stilllifewithtortillas.com
All the best,
Susan
August 19, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Susan,
I loved your place! Another talented woman joins our community! And a traveler. You have me beat there. If I had the funds I would travel the world for the rest of my life…As it is, the U.S. is my oyster 🙂
This is my 3rd attempt to reply, which has never been a problem; hopefully that was a yesterday glitch and this one makes it through.
Your poetry and watercolors are beautiful.
“See” you soon,
Patti
August 19, 2014 at 8:49 pm
Thank, Patti. I’m happy to be part of your community. I see that you’re close to your family, too. I am in Alaska for a month every two months so that I can hang out/play/delight in my grandson, little r. Blessings for a heap of delights coming your way, too. ❤
August 19, 2014 at 8:56 pm
After too many losses I have learned to stay as close as I can to my family….even if that means riding those metal birds a lot 😦 Sheesh, not as much as you do though. Happy Alaska and family visiting to you too!
August 19, 2014 at 8:58 pm
🙂
December 27, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Blessed Solstice, Patti. Thinking of you with love.
January 13, 2015 at 12:05 am
Hi Patti: Sorry we’ve been ghosts as of late. Tomorrow Ging will go in for surgery and hopefully be on the fast road to recovery. Between her health, the three jobs each were holding and trying to finish our book, we can’t seem to catch our breath. Love the poem. Enough!!! Perfect! Now if you’ll excuse me, gonna knock around on one of my favorite haunts!! 😉 xoxox Miss ya girl! ❤
June 11, 2015 at 2:06 pm
I looked again. The cupboards are still bare. Glad to see your beautiful photos on FB.
June 11, 2015 at 2:26 pm
I’m reading this post again, Patti, and want to thank you for it…just what I needed today. All the best! ❤