Patricia L. Atchison

YA Fiction & Non Fiction Author

Patricia Atchison

Today… Don’t Get Too Comfortable

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Today I Am Quote from Patricia L. AtchisonI wrote the quote pictured here some time ago as a reflection of the way my life has always been. Today is no different, and tomorrow too. It seems if I get comfortable, many things in my life change. The Universe has a way of reminding one that life’s lessons are not over, and it’s time to ‘move on.’

Part of my’ moving on’ in 2019 was to write and compile a journal using quotes I’ve written over several years of learning how to find my way back to self. It’s titled, Today I AM… An Empowering Journal Back To Self.

I struggled through mishaps, accidents, and losses leading to a dark time in my life. Five years ago, realizing I was depressed, I asked myself, “Who am I?”. [Read more…] about Today… Don’t Get Too Comfortable

“I’m Happy.”

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Happy… the emotion, state of feeling pleasure. Finally!

Yesterday I had the joy of joining the Universal Women’s Nurture Circle in Calgary, Alberta, led by Tina Thrussell (Shin Dao Institute, The Way of the Heart). The evening featured a self-care, Hand and Face Reflexology healing session by Sandra Catania (Reflexologist at Elan Family Wellness Centre).

We started the circle talking about why we chose to attend. Themes of community, learning and experiencing something new, being there for self, and searching for joy and happiness were some of the comments made. Every woman shone with true light and beauty, as each shared their heartfelt emotions. After the reflexology session where we worked on face and hands, we separated into two small circles, and within my circle, each woman was given a chance to speak when they received the ‘talking stick’. The idea is when the stick is passed to someone, they hold it, breathe, and allow whatever thought or idea they wish to share to be spoken without interruption, judgment or comment from others in the circle. [Read more…] about “I’m Happy.”

Anna Linder ~ The Book Of Emotions – Completion Update

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Every now and then a project comes along which speaks to my heart and I know I must answer the call to write. The e-Book, The Book of Emotions, designed and compiled in 2017, by graphic designer, Anna Linder, shows Anna’s love of design and heart expression. She created the idea of an emotional directory and invited authors to participate in the, ‘how it feels to feel’, project by submitting works which reflected a journey of the definition of what an emotion felt like to them. While she completes the edits and final compilation of the project, I thought I would share the specific emotions (chapters) I wrote about.

If you would love to read the complete e-Book, sections can be downloaded at bookofemotions.annalinder.com/blog/ . If you would like to write a readers review, Anna would love to hear from you. [Read more…] about Anna Linder ~ The Book Of Emotions – Completion Update

On Turning Sixty… My Honest Look At Aging

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As I turn sixty and step into another decade of life, I find myself looking inward to see where I’m at in this moment in time. While I’m grateful to have ‘made it this long’, I know I am on the downward slope. I had a reading awhile back, where the psychic used cards to represent the decades of my life, laying down 8 cards (averaging one lives to be close to eighty). Being In my fifties, she removed 5 cards leaving three on the table. When I saw all those cards removed and 3 remaining, it left me with the feeling that time was slipping away. Now turning sixty, I can remove one more card. Now I’ve only 2 cards/decades left – twenty years if I am lucky (or maybe more – depending). It sure puts a different perspective on life. [Read more…] about On Turning Sixty… My Honest Look At Aging

Danceland at Manitou Beach

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Gems can be found in the most unique places, and Danceland is one of them. Nestled in the valley of Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan, Canada, along the shores of Little Manitou Lake is a historical dance hall called Danceland, built in 1930.

Little Manitou Lake

When we decided to camp this summer in the area of Manitou Beach, it was for the opportunity to go swimming in the “Lake of the Healing Waters”. Little Manitou Lake was named years ago by the Cree First Nations People in reference to the Great Spirit. Legend says that when their people were afflicted with illness, they consumed and swam in the waters of the lake, and became healed overnight. It is the only lake in North America with properties similar to the Dead Sea in Jordan. Swimming in it was a truly a unique experience as the mineral salts kept me afloat, and it was hard to stand up while in the water. My body felt rejuvenated and so soft after my dip in the lake.

Horsetail embedded into sub flooring.

Due to the popularity of the lake, the area blossomed during the 1920’s and it became a tourist destination equivalent to the throngs of people who visited Banff, Alberta, Canada during the same time. The original Danceland was built before 1919, but was replaced in 1930 with the current structure. What makes the 13,000 square foot dance hall so unique is its 5000 square feet of maple tongue and groove flooring. But that’s not all. The hardwood floor was laid without any nails being used. Beneath the floor is two sub floors with rolls of horsetail wrapped in burlap and tightly wound with wire, with six inches diameter between them. These rolls run cross ways under the floor every four feet. It’s the six inches of horsetail, imported from Quebec, Canada, which gives the floor its spring. The top sub floor has stops so the floor only goes down one to one and a half inches. The cushioning of the horsetail brings it back up. Imagine if you will, that the amount of horsetail used added up to one train car full (circa 1930’s). [Read more…] about Danceland at Manitou Beach

Ode to the Abandoned Dog

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I wrote the following poem at a time that I was volunteering at the Cochrane & Area Humane Society. So many dogs come through shelters that for whatever reason are abandoned. The other day my husband and I were having a discussion about how the number of families that have animals has increased so much from when we were children. I remember living in the PMQ’s (Private Military Quarters), Currie Barracks area in Calgary (1970’s). Families would get dogs, but postings came around so often, and with the moves (most likely overseas) the animals would be left tied to the steps. Other families would take in the dogs, or they would become ‘pound puppies’. Recently, the phrase ‘looking for a fur-ever home’ has been coined to help people realize that acquiring a pet in their home is for the duration of it’s life.

Ode to the Abandoned Dog
(Praise to the Shelter Volunteer)

They abandoned me
I know not why
Here I sit on my porch and cry.

The neighbours they just look
And shake their heads
Inside they go to their warm feather beds.

The day turns to night
I shiver and shiver
The moon comes out, but it’s just a sliver.

No need to bay
I’ve got their attention
It’s so cold out my cries reach perfection.

Men approach me
I’ve had enough
I bark and snarl as they grab me by the scruff.

I try to act tough
But as I’m tossed into a dark crate
I push my nose against the small grate.

Lights and strange noises
Pass before my eye
I shrink inside the shadows, afraid I might die.

My body bounces
In this small box
Suddenly the motion stops.

As the door opens
I try to escape
Rough hands stop me before I reach the gate.

I’m shoved into a small space
I struggle and claw
But it’s of no use, I close my jaw.

And then there’s this face…

Her touch is gentle
Her eyes are sad
I wag my tail a little; I don’t want her to be mad.

She pats my face, my ears,
My head
I nudge her hand as she leads me to a soft bed.

In front of me she places a bowl of water
I take a drink
I try not to think…

Of where my family is
And why they left me

Of who this lady is
And why she is so kind to me

Of where I am
And why I am here

For the moment
I feel safe
She’s brought me food now, I take a taste.

It’s good, crunchy
And yummy
I yawn, now I’ve got such a full tummy.

I lie down
And chew the corner of the nice fluffy bed
She sits beside me and holds my head.

My need to play and chase
For now will keep
As I drift off to sleep.

For now, I am still, for in this moment
The arms that hold me
Make me feel loved.

It is enough
I snuggle close
Trying to get the most

Of her warmth and comfort
I wag my tail
It flaps against the rail.

My new home is small and tall and different
From what I’ve known
But I am grateful for the love I’ve been shown.

I nestle deep
Into the bed
And lay down my very weary head.

© By Patricia L. Atchison
September 2012