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The Red Raincoat

Posted on September 24, 2022September 24, 2022 by Pam

I have lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1993. I remember needing a raincoat in 1993 and purchased a long red vinyl coat with a flannel hood. I wore it a lot and it did not survive very well. The next raincoat was also red (power color) but also easy to recognize if you are walking a dog on a grey and rainy day. I never liked it. First I lost the belt and replaced it with a brown belt to match the brown buttons. It was not a good red. It finally found its way to Value Village. I hope the new owner will enjoy and stay dry. Next a black professional-looking hooded rain/trench but not fit for the rugged upcoming missions experience. It is the wrong season to go to a mall because there will be no left-over sale winter coats. I think my Mom was good at keeping money. My Dad made it and she ran the household with frugal habits. Therefore – I am a sale shopper. I’ll never forget my recent splurge on fancy chocolate Easter eggs from Sees Candies for my grandchildren. I like the store and the concept of most things chocolate but after Easter (apparently I visit too often), those same eggs were half-price. Christmas is much the same. Our local Molbaks has the most beautiful Christmas displays but you will only see me on December 26th when the most beautiful Christmas displays are 50% off. How do these items lose value? It is called supply and demand. Hold that thought as it also drives the real estate market and so many other things. So here I am needing cold-weather items at the end of summer. How did I let this happen? It is called retiring and taking six trips in about two months. I’m tired but rely on people who are helpful and, maybe, not as tired as I am today. My cousin called this morning and, after some chit chat, she recommended WalMart. I wanted to avoid the mall so checked out Costco – puffers – but no raincoats so off to WalMart. Found about five that worked and purchased the cutest. Guess what – passed on the red and I have matured to a season of green, my Mom’s favorite color. These are silly ramblings but it has taken so many people, prayers, donations, sacrifices, and good stuff, to finally be almost ready – green raincoat and all.

"Thoughts from a genuinely evaluative mind."

Pam writes so that must make her a writer. Recently retired, she can now fill days with family, friends, missions, writing, creating, and showing up for whomever needs her. Pam loves the Lord and people. The Bible is God’s love letter to us (and who does not need more love) so she studies and writes some more.

Pam lives in the Pacific Northwest but was home-grown in Southern California. She attended San Jose Bible College and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at UCLA. She became a teacher, then a Research and Development Chemist, then she built two successful real estate businesses in two states. Pam also pursued study at Fuller Theological Seminary and just completed six months serving in missions abroad.

Pam has two amazing children, married to two precious in-laws, and five sweet grandchildren. Pam is a gifted connector and communicator and the Northwest has the perfect climate for staying inside and writing – or baking! She has been writing since a wee one and is currently converting many years of blogging, by topic, into ten books. The first is a collection from 2011 titled, Beautiful Enough. The second is a yearly day-timer titled, Weekly Planner - Lessons in Life, Glory, and Grace. Number three is in progress with the working title, Christmas Today.

Ten facts about Pam in no particular order:

  1. On the team that developed an insulation for the Alaskan oil pipeline.
  2. Loves looking at homes, decorating, and has flipped five homes.
  3. Likes being tall.
  4. Films have helped define her vocabulary.
  5. Comes from Colorado tenement farmers with history traced to Wales.
  6. Was lost but now is found.
  7. Baking makes her happy – as does eating sweets with coffee, of course.
  8. She thinks mission work is the most important work in the world.
  9. The church started in Rome so she is learning Italian.
  10. Pam is a work in progress!

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

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