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Patricia Sands

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November 11th ~ Remembrance Day in Canada

November 9, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

Lest we forget ~

Tomorrow at the 11th hour of the 11th day in this the 11th month, Canada will pause for two minutes’ silence to remember those  heroes who have given their lives and in respect of all who offer their service … in every country. 

We owe so much to so many. 

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I have posted this page in years past on this date. Since there are many new followers of my website, I want to share it again for those who haven’t seen it. For others, I hope you don’t mind the repetition. I feel these stories can never be shared too often.

In 2010, my husband and I went on a journey to locate the grave of my Uncle Harry whose Lancaster bomber had been shot down on June 13, 1944, near Cambrai, France. All six crew members  perished.

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We discovered they are buried in a small Allied cemetery in the middle of farmland, rather than in one of the major cemeteries in France.

It was quite an experience just finding it, but that’s a story for another day. When I inquired as to why they were in that location, the Office of Military Affairs explained that they had been buried there by the nearby villagers at the time and so would remain close to where they had died. The cemetery was immaculately tended … and watched over by curious cows.

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Coincidentally, just a week before our visit, another relative of one of the crew had visited the cemetery. He left a note in the guest book (found in metal boxes at every cemetery) that gave us some personal information about the day these men died. They had been on a bombing raid over the rail yards in Cambrai. The war was being won. The men were heading back to their base in England to make it in time for the local dance that evening.

Sadly, they did not arrive.

Learning this small piece of personal information, made our visit that much more emotional and intimate.

As a child, I had always been intrigued by stories about my Uncle Harry, the youngest of 5 boys, and only 20 years old when he died. There were framed photos of him in his uniform with a dazzling smile in my parents’ and grandparents’ homes. You could feel his pride. And theirs.

When we went on our mission to ‘find Uncle Harry’, we also spent a few days in Normandy and did the tours of the WW2 landing beaches, something I recommend to everyone who has the opportunity.

It’s an emotional experience as the history of the war becomes vividly presented by guides who must take courses in this information and pass exams before receiving a license to guide. The French take the preservation of this history very seriously and are to be commended for doing so.

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As we toured the museums and memorial centres, it struck me that in so many of the photographs of men and women in service for their country, pride was stirringly evident in their expressions. It seems to go with the wearing of the uniform and the understanding of what that represents.

Thank you to every one of the members of armed services – past and present – for putting yourself in danger for your country and taking on that onerous task with such commitment. We are proud of you and eternally grateful.

Thank you, Uncle Harry.

Normandy 2010

Wear your poppy proudly. Please make certain to preserve and keep alive the stories of the members of your families who have served in the armed forces. Always remember.

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No matter what our country, hearts are touched by the selfless giving of all who serve. The museums and preserved landing beaches of Normandy offer an emotional lesson in history to all who have the good fortune to visit that part of France.

Most Canadians proudly wear a poppy for a week or so before November 11th to show their respect for veterans. Click here for an  excellent explanation of how the poppy came to be such a strong symbol of remembrance.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have you preserved stories of your family’s service? Please do before it is too late.

Our wonderful autumn weather seems to be slipping away. I’m getting the snow tires put back on next week … we know what is coming soon! So it’s a good time to stock up on some excellent books for those indoor days!

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Filed Under: Blog, France, Social issues, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Allied cemetery, Canada, France, Landing beaches, Never forget, Normandy, Patricia Sands, poppy, Remembrance Day

Happy Thanksgiving in Canada

October 8, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

I hope you won’t mind if I post a similar message to past years. It’s the message I want to share at this time every year … every day, really …

I just returned from another of my tours in the south of France a week ago and each year I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have that opportunity. Just one of many blessings for which I am grateful. Make a list of yours.

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Thanksgiving. No shopping for anything but dinner ingredients. No lists of gifts. Bags of food being filled for the Food Banks. Volunteers serving turkey dinners at homeless shelters. Quality time spent as families and friends gather to share memories, love and laughter. An attitude of gratitude prevails. I am so thankful for the life I have. I hope you feel the same about yours.

As we consider our individual blessings, let’s remember those who struggle with hunger, illness, poverty, war and a multitude of other challenges in our own backyards and around the globe. The refugee crisis is heartbreaking. Let’s try to make the sentiments of Thanksgiving a part of every single day.

What a good feeling to see the food donation bins overflowing today. If you can’t get out to help, here’s a way you can play a part without leaving home! Click right here.

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I’ve written about these sites before, but they are always worth mentioning from time to time.  All you have to do is go to TheHungerSite.com  once a day and click on the button — sponsors give free food. You are not put on any list or bombarded with spam. There are other links to click where sponsors donate for appropriate benefits: Breast Cancer ~ remember it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Child Health; Literacy; Rainforest; Animal Rescue and a few others. All of this has been verified as legit by Snopes years ago. I pop in every day. Why not?

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While we are at it, have you ever played FREERICE.COM? ~ This is a unique way to increase your vocabulary and donate rice to needy countries. Play it with your children as there are 60 levels. It’s a great place to learn new words for Words With Friends … ahem, my addiction when I need a few minutes off from writing. It’s such a fun way to keep connected with friends too.

One big personal thank you to the readers who take the time to contact me. I love hearing from you and appreciate every single message. Thanks for subscribing to my newsletter (just click on the link in the column to the right) and for sharing my books with your friends. You light up my life!

This month the ebook of my new novel, THE SECRETS WE HIDE, is in a special October sale for just $.99. If you already have your copy, now is a great opportunity to pick up a few for friends. It’s easy to do on Amazon. The ebook is also available on Kobo and Barnes & Noble.

Also, a reminder that this giveaway below is still going for a few more days. Enter as often as you like! Good luck!

It seems like the giveaway season has begun! Be sure to let me know when you win something so we can all celebrate!

The more followers an author has on BookBub, the more often BookBub shares our work to readers all around the world. The beauty of subscribing to BookBub for readers is that this gives you access to information about great book sales. Think of it as an enormous library!

Just click here to enter to win 40 bestselling novels AND an eReader! How cool is that? Good luck to everyone who enters.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, Social issues, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: attitude of gratitude, book sale, Canadian Thanksgiving, Patricia Sands, psandsstories, thankful, The Secrets We Hide

October already? Let’s celebrate with a giveaway! Why not?

October 1, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

Hi everyone ~ I don’t want you to miss this great giveaway. It seems like the season is on! Be sure to let me know when you win something so we can all celebrate!

The more followers an author has on BookBub, the more often BookBub shares our work to readers all around the world. The beauty of subscribing to BookBub for readers is that this gives you access to information about great book sales. Think of it as an enormous library!

Just click here to enter to win 40 bestselling novels AND an eReader! How cool is that? Good luck to everyone who enters.

Today, October 1, is my final day in the south of France for 2022. I’m so grateful to have had the time here after travel being curtailed through the pandemic. For part of my time here in September, I’ve co-hosted our South of France Memories Tour with my partner in tour crime and good friend, Deborah Bine aka The Barefoot Blogger.

As usual, we’ve had an amazing time sharing our passion for the south of France with a group from Canada and the States. This year there were fifteen fabulous women who were a pleasure to be with every single day.

You can see the full itinerary of our tour here.

I’m going to post photos on the Travel page here on my website soon … after I get home tomorrow and recover from jet lag. But here are a few images to enjoy right now.

Wishing you a bon weekend wherever you are!

Have you ordered my newest release? Here’s the link on Amazon, Kobo and Barnes & Noble.

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, Contests, France, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Arles, BookBub, BookBub giveaway, eReader, Patricia Sands

Win books and an Airbnb gift card!

September 22, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

✨ BOOK + TRAVEL GIVEAWAY ✨
We all love a good read that captures our imaginations, transports us to a different time or place, and is so compelling that we spend every spare moment we have immersed in its pages.

The only thing better? Doing that on vacation.
Alison Ragsdale, Soraya Lane and I are giving you the opportunity to do both! One lucky reader will win a copy of each book in the graphic above PLUS a $150 Air B-N-B gift card.

✨  To enter: ✨

Follow me + click this link for more chances to win!

No purchase necessary. One (1) prize available. Open wherever Amazon ships. Starts 12:01 AM ET 9/16/22. Ends 11:59 PM ET 9/23/22.

Take a chance. Enter often! Bonne chance!

I’m in the south of France right now! READ OUR BOOKS AND PLAN A TRIP TO ITALY, SCOTLAND OR FRANCE OR WHEREVER YOUR HEART DESIRES ~ the world is waiting for you!

Have you read some of the great reviews for my new book? Click here to see what readers are saying. Visit Hawaii, Japan, Corsica and the south of France.

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, Contests, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: airbnb gift card, Alison Ragsdale, books, follow your dreams, giveaway, Patricia Sands, Soraya Lane, travel in books

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