Recovery. Sobriety. Living Wise.
This week’s post was inspired by a conversation with Tucker McHugh, a high school classmate who I have known for over 50 years. It was originally posted in December of 2017. I was raised on Wheaties, “The Breakfast of Champions.” Winning defined the purpose of my every endeavor: winning at school, winning at sports, winning with friends. Winning was symbolized by blue ribbons, gold stars, and A-pluses. … Continue reading Failure is a Gift
“It is said that the first storyteller crept at night to listen to the gods talking in their sleep — so each tale collected contained the breath of gods.” ~ Author unknown Every now and again when I’m researching a topic for a post I come upon an ancient fable brimming with wisdom. These stories are like character vaccines intended to fight sicknesses of the … Continue reading A Word to the Wise is Sufficient
I learnedIn the college classTaught by a nun We turn to poetryWhen it’s the only way to touch That delicate, delicate placeFloating somewhere between inside and outside ~ Marsha Hahn Marsha, thank you for your poem and for reminding us that sometimes poetry is the only way to touch that delicate place. Kevin Miller, a poet friend of mine, sent me a poem by Jane … Continue reading That Delicate Place
NOTE: I recently wrote a post inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Since it was published I’ve had a number of additional thoughts about this literary masterpiece, which I share with you now. ~ Pat Storytellers are gatekeepers to our conscious selves — where we learn everyone’s story is our story. Thank you to: Homer, for The Iliad and The Odyssey; Dante, for The … Continue reading Some Battles Are With Us Always
“The longer you look back, the farther you can look forward.” ~ Winston Churchill During these times when democracies around the world have been under attack by angry, xenophobic extremists my political disposition has become cynical and depressed. While political fires rage all around me I’ve found myself strangely disengaged, treating it all like bothersome background noise. What kind of citizen am I when I refuse … Continue reading Finding Our Finest Hour