I'm here...working/thinking

posted by Patty James @ 7:46am, Sunday 25 April 2010.

Nancy called me last night to ask if I was o.k. She was worried because I hadn't posted anything for a few days. Very sweet. Here's why...not too much exciting has happened and I wasn't sure you wanted to know every little thing I think and feel and every detail of what I am working on. According to Nancy and a few others, you do. A few people have told me they look at what I'm doing every morning. One woman said she likes to live vicariously through me (she must not have all the details...). These past few days have been interesting in some personal ways and I have been getting really organized on the project front. I guess I could say 'work front' but most of the time it doesn't seem like work. Actually, it is all a tremendous amount of work until I get in front of the kids, then 'work' isn't the word at all.

This will be my last night in Bath, New York. It's a sweet little village and the people here have been wonderful. They are friendly and welcoming, interested and supportive. Perhaps it's small town life, and of course I am used to that. The population is the same size as Sebastopol -7,500 people-and people know and care for each other. I saw a sign downtown that said, "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all." Isn't that wonderful? Isn't that the truth? What is more important than being together? I also like the fact that you can be sipping on a cup of something at the local coffee shop (locally owned here-no chain stores) and 10 minutes later you're in the country surrounded by lakes and woods. This is the Finger Lakes region of New York. The hills are rolling, covered with tress, the lakes are the focus of the small towns that sit on their banks and people are relaxed. I can't imagine how beautiful it would be here in Autumn.

Patch and Wilma and I have enjoyed the park-Mossy Bank. I met a few folks there and had some nice conversations. Lena and I had an hour long chat the other day. We had met in town 2 days before and met again at the park. She had her Palomino horse with her and her 2 dogs. We chatted about life in general, our respective kids, the importance of eating at a table, and on and on. If I lived here, we would be friends. I suppose we are already. Lena works with special needs kids. Oh, by the way on the last post I told you about the farmer who didn't til his/her field. The farmer is a woman, Lena told me. Glad I didn't assume the farmer was male. I wouldn't anyway as my sister Margaret is a farmer in Talent, Oregon.

So I have spent about 3 hours a day at the park, split between morning and night. In between I work.

Here's what I have been doing these past 5 days.....

I have sent out surveys with personalized letters to everyone who was involved with kid's interviews thus far. As you can imagine, this is very time consuming. Actually I have a few more to go, but I'll finish today. Sonoma State University is waiting for the surveys to come in. If you can help me disseminate the surveys, even to your own families, I would sure appreciate it. The more data in, the better the program development will be and on a very basic note, the greater the chance for me to get funding for program development. Every dollar I have is going into this part of the project and I will need grant money for programs. Grant money is not possible for 'operating capital' which this is considered to be, hence my savings. I'm not saying this so receive any, how wonderful of you comments...really. This is just the facts and yes, I am always asking for help, whether it be donations to the cause or your time sending out surveys. Everything helps.

I have been working on future programs and that has been very exciting for me. I'm starting to see it all....I can picture the building, that someone will donate (!!) and a warm, open, collaborative feeling to the Kid's Center. A great kitchen where kids learn to cook and create and mostly have fun in the kitchen; big farm-style tables where we eat and talk about everything as we enjoy the meals they create. There will be a room where nutrition and anatomy is taught. Many kids have said they want to learn more about nutrition labels and how their bodies work. This room will also not be intimidating. Body models, posters, discussions. A classroom where body functions are taught with ease and lack of embarrassment. Case in point-constipation. Seriously, it's a huge problem for many people in this country, kids included. There will be a room where the discussion will be about toxins that affect body and Earth and how kids can help to eliminate both. A garden is a must of course. I could go on, but I hope you can see and feel the place as I do. I would love a building with a big brick wall, since I'm dreaming. Actually, it's not a dream-it will happen.

There are many more states to go to of course, so it's too early to choose all programs for the Center, but I wanted to give you a visual. Here is the flip side to the above Center. Part of it is me and my personality and part of it is wanting and needing to spread the programs mentioned across the country. I'll start with me....I get antsy...I need to get-out-there and explore and help. I know really well now that there are many under-served areas of this country.  Not to say that kids in California don't need help-they do- just saying other areas are in worse shape. So the answer might be multiple Centers in various parts of the country. I set them up with my 'team' of caring professionals/caring adults and then make the rounds visiting all of them. This sounds exciting and solves the wanderlust part of who I am. Hum..let me digress for a moment....

I am a very stable person. I stayed in one place when my kids were young so they could develop life long friends and have the roots of a town. That was important to me (not to say it is important to everyone) and that is what I wanted for my own kids. My kids are all grown, and are incredible by the way, and so now I can spread my wings some. Granted, after this year, I am probably not going anywhere for any long time frame for a while. I need my family and friends around me and a real house with a real kitchen. I need to stand at a stove, wooden spoon in hand, and stir a saffron risotto. I need to change sheets on a real bed and clean out a junk drawer. Sounds like heaven to me (throw in a kind, caring man who likes having family and friends around and then I'm really set-had to get that in since I'm being honest here. O.K. a just a few more things..a sense of humor and fun-loving is also important as is being able to carry on an intelligent conversation. That's it...well...There's another biggie-independence-together, but separate. There..done.) I would like to set up this center somewhere in Sonoma County-I am antsy to get started (anyone know of a building someone would donate-seriously!) I also know myself well enough-better than ever before- to know that the restlessness will kick in in about 6 months. I also know-also more than ever-that there are are incredible, caring people everywhere who want to help kids. I can think of many people at home who would want to be involved. After the center is set up, I wouldn't need to be there every day. My ego is not deflated knowing that the center would run perfectly while I'm at other centers or perhaps while I am traveling helping kids and adults with their health concerns and questions. Perhaps we can develop the 'model' and I act as a consultant helping others set up their own-just thought of that as I wrote it...great idea...My consultant fees helps to fund the center at home...Give me your feedback on all of my ideas. Please write in the comment page of the web site, rather than send me a personal email, so everyone can hear your thoughts.

I have also been working on the remaining states after my time with Erin is done. She will get me to Chicago with the media tour. After Illinois, I head back to Florida, pick up the RV, drive back to Victoria's house outside of Chicago in Naperville-she offered to keep Patch and Wilma while I blast down south and then blast back to Illinois-and then the doggies and I head west in our traveling home...Here are the states I will visit on the way west...this could change, of course. I believe that this gives me a good choice of states in every region of the country. Here they are after Illinois...

Wisconsin
Minnesota
S. Dakota
Nebraska
Colorado
Utah
Wyoming
Montana
Washington
Oregon

I feel this is a good representation of the remaining regions. Let me know your thoughts and if you have connections in these states.

I have also been working on my next book based on what the kids have told me they want and need.  I have an outline complete. Very exciting!

Well, that's it for now. It's almost 11:00 here and my doggie pals have been patiently waiting for their park trip-time to go.