Operation Spread Joy / Update

Last night I read 300 postcards. Some made me laugh, some made me tear up. All of them made me feel proud of the whole bunch of high school students who wrote them.

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that these cards were written to our Special Forces stationed somewhere in the remote regions of Afghanistan. I know that I personally feel an immense gratitude for the courage and skills of these men and women, and feel privileged to be able to reach out to them at Christmastime, to share some of that gratitude and spread a little cheer.

Reading the heartfelt words last night told me that the kids feel that way too.

Packages are also piling up, for both the soldiers and the local Afghan children, to be shipped out via military aircraft next week. What a thrill to have made this happen with the enthusiastic support of the high school, and the military transport thanks to the fantastic work of the  Silent Warrior Fund.

Most of all, I hope everyone’s efforts will make a difference overseas … so that while families gather here at home, and food is shared and gifts are unwrapped and lights are lit, these special heroes will know they’re not forgotten, know we care, and know we honor them.

Specially selected cards from Saxton's "52 Weeks of Peace" used for Operation Spread Joy


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“where in the world is peace?”… the emerald isle

Wishing Peace to the Irish. Many thank you’s for these shots of our Celtic Peace (week #29) bag in Dublin, Ireland!

Where to next…?

(ps:  all “where in the world is peace?” images are being compiled on a special “where in the world is peace?” page. Totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or join our FaceBook page and post them there. Let’s see where peace goes!)

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Post-Thanksgiving: Sundae Peace

Peace # 55 ….. is about some give, some take, some working, some sharing. It’s having enjoyed a great meal with great people, using a little muscle to help unload truck-fulls of stuff for your brother and sister-in-law’s move back east, and leaving them with a stash of homemade hot fudge sauce to enjoy after you’ve gone. And at the end of the day, being grateful for those simple things.

© Patricia Saxton

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“where in the world is peace?”… sunny california

One of our bags found its way to the west coast, winding up at Huntington Beach, California. (I have to say, the “peace with mermaids” made me smile from ear to ear.) All three are terrific shots, and I love seeing the concept spread. More peace ambassador thanks goes out!!

Where to next…?

(ps:  all “where in the world is peace?” images are being compiled on a special “where in the world is peace?” page, here. Totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or join our FaceBook page and post them there. Let’s’see where peace goes!)

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“where in the world is peace?”… west of the delaware and south of the mason-dixon line

Book by book, bag by bag, button by button, good people are spreading the message that “peace starts here”. Much appreciation to these new peace ambassadors!

The fabulous Hunga Bunga Java shop in Surf City, NC

The Hunga Bunga Java mascots!, North Carolina

off to school!

Christmas in October at Lake in Wood campground, Narvon, PA.

Delta Gamma house, Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH

"Tiger Spirit", Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH

My Jacket

(ps:  all “where in the world is peace?” images are being compiled on a special “where in the world is peace?” page, here. Totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or join our FaceBook page and post them there. Let”s see where peace goes!)

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“where in the world is peace?”… oktoberfest, of course!

We’ve made it overseas! To Stuttgart, Germany’s Oktoberfest.

Wonder if this peace bag got filled with spätzle and weiner schnitzel, some dark chocolate küchen and a nice Riesling. Maybe some dreikornbrot … ah, sehr gut. Danke schön for sending in!

Oktoberfest Peace

(ps:  all “where in the world is peace?” images are being compiled on a special “where in the world is peace?” page, here. Totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or join our FaceBook page and post them there. Let”s see where peace goes!)

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Book Signing at Wittenberg University

My years at Wittenberg University were among life’s best. So I’m psyched to be heading back to my Alma Mater this month for Homecoming Weekend ~ this time to sign books, instead of study them! Here are the details:

Saturday, October 22  /  10:00 – 11:00 am  /  Wittenberg Bookstore

The timing coincides perfectly with my newest release, 52 Weeks of Peace.  They’re also stocking my 2 children’s books, a toy, and a sampling of fun merchandise. (btw, you might want to check out my “where in the world is peace?” campaign, and join in!). And how cool that Dr. Kinnison is scheduled to sign his work from 11-12. I’m certainly in good company.

 

Ohio people (and Wittenbergers in general) are one of the nicest collective bunches on the planet, and one of the main reasons I chose Wittenberg way back when. So if you can, please stop by and say hello. I’d love to see you!

Patricia Saxton book-signing  /  Saturday, October 22, 2011  /  10:00 – 11:00 am  /  Wittenberg University Bookstore, 734 Woodlawn Ave, Springfield, Ohio  /  (937) 327-7457  

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“where in the world is peace?”… on the road

Last week it accompanied guitars, appreciated art, traveled to the airport, made friends with strangers and posed with a sports model (sort of). Thanks peace ambassadors! Where to next…?

on the road again ...

"Aesop's Fables" sculpture at MIT

9/11 art exhibit, jersey city

us airways baggage check

sharing a moment of peace with strangers (strangers no more!)

from the city of brotherly love


(All “where in the world is peace?” images are being compiled on a special “where in the world is peace?” page, here. Totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or join our FaceBook page and post them there. Let”s see where peace goes!)

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Art & Music / International Day of Peace

Because it’s the official “International Day of Peace”, and I seem to have a thing for peace, I thought I’d share some peacefulness with you … in the form of one of my paintings, and in the form of music, by my brother. It won’t save the world from its madness, but fitting some gentleness into one’s day sure can’t hurt. So take a moment, some nice deep breaths, and enjoy.

(click arrow to hear music)

……………….

First established in 1981, September 21 is designated as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire. The UN invites all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

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“where in the world is peace?”… north, south and west

This week one of our “52 Weeks of Peace” totes showed up in Boston, on 9/11. More from the southwest too, and one at a high point on the Appalachian Trail. (Even a North Carolina pup got into the spirit ~ sans official tote bag, mug or journal, but he’s worth making an exception to the rule!)

Where to next… ?

(By the way, all “where in the world is peace?” images are being compiled on a special “where in the world is peace?” page, here. Totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or join our FaceBook page and post them there. Let”s see where peace goes!)

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