

Darby Lee Patterson
- May 10, 2022
- 4 min
Requiem of Hope for the Mountains
Up here, where a forest fire drove entire communities from their homes nine months ago, we’re approaching warming weather and dire...


Darby Lee Patterson
- May 3, 2022
- 6 min
A Home without a Heart
Stories involving nursing homes are rarely uplifting. But the one I'm about to share adopts my outlook on life's shades of gray. I check...


Darby Lee Patterson
- Apr 26, 2022
- 4 min
Sculpting a Thank You to a Firestorm of Heroes
I've been engrossed in a special project since the start of the year. Only a few local friends know what I’m up to. But I want to share...


Darby Lee Patterson
- Apr 19, 2022
- 4 min
When Nothing is Unforgettable
A Personal Confession: While cleaning up after cooking, I put a half-gallon bottle of Wesson oil in the microwave. Easter Sunday, I...


Darby Lee Patterson
- Apr 12, 2022
- 4 min
The Goddess Eostre Makes a Spring Promise
I'm watching billowy flakes of snow dance down from a sky that yesterday was a blazing blue. Today the cedars that surround my house in...


Darby Lee Patterson
- Apr 6, 2022
- 4 min
A Distant War that's Close to Home and Heart
The war that few expected drags on, and a country that many of us could not immediately find on the map is now as familiar as the house...


Darby Lee Patterson
- Mar 29, 2022
- 4 min
Out of Body and On My Mind
I've had a trying couple of weeks. Our elder dog morphs from briefly bouncing like a pup to limping and sleeping. I check her breathing...


Darby Lee Patterson
- Mar 15, 2022
- 4 min
Polish Heritage Makes Soup and Superstitions
Poland is stepping up for the besieged people of Ukraine. Humane people worldwide are grateful to the Polish government and its citizens...


Darby Lee Patterson
- Mar 8, 2022
- 4 min
Over-the Top TV Soothes this Troubled Mind
Just when we thought the overwhelming events of the past two years might be ebbing, the tsunami of Vladimir Putin rose from the depths,...


Darby Lee Patterson
- Mar 2, 2022
- 4 min
Crossing Borders for the Common Good
by Darby Lee Patterson As some of you might remember, I detailed my varied work history in a former blog. Of course, "varied" is a...