THE CHAIN MAIL MAN

My latest labor of love is my coming-of-age novel about a boy searching for his dad who was lost to the Vietnam War.  Should be on Amazon about November/December of this year.  The amazing artist here is Anne Boydston, my long-time writers’ group buddy!

Check these for videos about my process of creating this project:

 

A BLINK IN THE EYE OF THE GREAT BLUE HERON

This book is about my journey into the discovery of who we really are, a journey that began at twelve-years old with a transcendent experience on the banks of a fishing hole. A great blue heron stood watching me from a few feet away.  Unable to find words to describe the moment, I asked myself for the first time, “Who am I.”

The road takes us through my forty plus years of as an educator. Each story is a brief blink into a moment in my life that illuminates a piece of the answer.  Most originated as speeches for Toastmasters International Speech Contest and most have won at various levels.  But the real prize for my fisherman’s heart, is in catching readers’ and listeners’ hearts.  Below is one such speech.  Scroll down and you will find several more.

Here’s an endorsement of the book:

“I’m keeping Pat’s book close by my bedside so that any time I forget what’s important, I can simply reach for it, open it, start reading, and be reminded. Every page elicits a deep breath, a gentle smile, and an awareness of how simple life can be from the perspective of Love.”

 

Ron Hulnick, President, University of Santa Monica, and co-author with Mary Hulnick of Loyalty To Your Soul: The Heart of Spiritual Psychology

 

 

ALAN

While in teacher’s college, I worked a summer job for special needs children.  At twenty years old, I thought I knew how to handle everything, until I met Alan.

INVISIBLE

I recently came across a speech I gave at the regional national finals in Las Vegas on You Tube.  Click here to view the speech. Invisible is one of my stories from Blink in the Eye of the Great Blue Heron.

 

Second Chances

Do you believe everyone should have a second chance.  Here’s a talk I gave that won at several levels of the Toastmaster’s International Inspirational Speech Contest.  This later evolved into one of the chapters in my book, A Blink in the Eye of the Great Blue Heron. Enjoy

TIDDLELYWINKS!

This speech called TIDDLYWINKS was later turned into a chapter in BLINK called BEFORE I WAKE.

Fish and Bell Pepper

Given here in my local club, this speech went on to win additional contests in the International Speech Contest of Toastmasters.  It’s close to my heart as it taught me a big lesson.

The Best Cup of Coffee

Here’s a story about one of the many students I was touched by in my job as principal of Aurora Continuation High School, a school for at risk teens located just six blocks from the Mexican border.

A Grand Lady

I carry inside of me the unconditional love of a lady who passed over at  Easter.

A Farewell to Robert

Farewell to Rob

Click on the above to listen to Pat’s speech.

FROM A SPEECH GIVEN APRIL 1, 2011

To read the text of this speech,

Click below:

A Farewell to Robert

A Father’s Blink

It’s just a blink. The time between my daughter’s birth and her wedding. A blink. The message of this story told at a toastmasters event is a simple one. In the time between, ENJOY THE DANCE!