Articles written by Patti Dobson
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We don't always end up where we think we will
We don’t always end up where we think we’ll be when we start out on our journey. For some, the journey is straightforward. I think about the people in my life who knew what they wanted to do and...
Spending another of Dad's birthdays without him
I’m spending the dog days of summer complaining about the soul-sapping heat, and tweaking my teaching materials for the fall. Because of that, I’ve fallen into a rabbit hole of sorts. I always...
This holiday marks puppy anniversary
The “dog days of summer” has an extra special meaning this year. This July 4 weekend marked an entire year with SassyPants, the great Pyr, patrolling the grounds. While just a pup, she would regul...
Trying to honor my father in all I do
Father’s Day is sneaking up on me. Since my dad died, there is a hint of sadness tied in with the gratitude I feel remembering my dad. This year, it’s compounded by the passing of my...
Godspeed to my dear Baaaaad Papa
This has been a tough year for losses. In February, my husband Wayne lost his brother, George, to Alzheimer’s. Then, a day before the fifth anniversary of my dad’s passing, Wayne’s dad, George...
Scatter seeds like wishes, and love will grow
I love spring. I’m antsy to clean up garden areas, and plant things. There are green blobs already sprouting in various tubs throughout the yards. Could be weeds. Could be flowers. Could be one of...
Baking an entire cookbook in honor of Dad
Grief is a sneaky beast. There I was, scrolling through social media mostly minding my own business, when it hit. It started out innocently enough. I was knee-deep in fancy chocolate blends and...
Still enjoying the moment with our tree
Our Christmas tree is still up. Neither one of us is in any great hurry to take it apart and put it in the duct-taped box. Clearly, since it’s February. In the wee hours each morning, I open the...
Looking forward to 2023's adventures
Now that 2022 is in my rearview, I’m looking forward to whatever adventures 2023 holds. Nothing says “new year celebration” like sitting outside being sandblasted by intense winds and trying to...
Change can come from grown-up Christmas list
Christmas was simpler when I was a little kid. Maybe it was just that my wishes were simpler back then. I didn’t wish for world peace so much as I just believed it already existed. And I didn’t...
Finding my roots already planted in Tucumcari
I blinked, and it’s November. Along with our usual flurry of activity with jobs and life and an eclectic crew of animals, my husband Wayne and I have had the added joy of serving as commissioned... Full story
Smart watches may be smarter than me
I need to hire a kid. STAT! I had the bright idea to get smart watches for us after seeing a news story about a woman whose watch alerted her to a dangerous medical condition. The watch detected an...
Hoping to keep walking in echo of father's footsteps
Growing up, we were taught to always do the right thing, no matter how difficult. We were taught that if we succeeded in something but did so by being dishonest or causing harm to another person or...
August means double helping of memories
I’ve been thinking about my dad more so than usual. Probably because it’s August, his birth month. August has always been a time of celebration because of my dad’s birthday. I’d start practi-b...
Ailing dog keeps living in the present
Patchie, a beautiful white and black heeler, is our resident grouch. We’ve had her almost 10 years and she was probably about 2, give or take, when we found each other. Like so many past and...
Hoping toads, frogs come back for sprinkle or two
June … it’s June. Usually by now, the toads and frogs are back. It’s oddly quiet out here at Head Acres. I don’t know if it’s because it’s so dry or if there’s some other toad/frog thi...