About

Patrica Dutt is a writer living in Ithaca, NY.

Photo of me chilling on a summer evening, Seneca Lake in the background, near sunset, a few years ago. Anna and the gang were with me.

I have worked as a dishwasher, fast food server, babysitter, cleaner, pool hall waitress, nightclub waitress, seismic and magnetic data processor, petroleum geologist, Catholic school middle science/computer teacher (5th to 8th grade, and yes, it was insane), science writer for the US EPA, high school and pre-college science teacher, grant writer for Cornell University, book reviewer, executive director of a non-profit, technical writer for a porosity/permeability firm, science tutor, and landscape estimator. At a chaotic time of my life (raising three kids alone– but was life ever not chaotic?) I had four jobs at once (all part-time) and, also during that time, I lost five jobs.

Each job taught me something invaluable about myself and the world.

And now? I volunteer at Loaves and Fishes, and I have to say, my favorite job is washing pots and dishes, so in a way, I have come full circle. I have a blast at the sinks and trying to keep up with 300 hungry people. And at home? Let’s say dishes are not as challenging, and certainly not as compelling.

I write just about every day.

Those who know me would say I have turned into a plant person, and I’m a mission, along with friend, Maggie, to plant native plants on Ithaca’s West Hill and feed the insects and birds. Thus, I have an abundance of weeds on my property. Lawn? Huh.

My RI, Mike, and I try to live our lives sustainably, and have fun with his kids, and grandson and granddaughter, and my kids, and grandson and granddaughter. This past summer the two grandsons (four and three years-old) took a minute to look the other over, and then became instant friends, one speaking English, the other, German. Mike and I have talked about this.