Patricia Sands

Author

Amber West

A meaningful message from Thailand and other thoughts on giving …

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My friend Susan Baldwin Mayfield posted this on Facebook. If you have not already watched this brief video, please do. The message is strong, touching and a good reminder to each one of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS_EqmoRvns

Really, how much effort does it take for us to be kind to each other, no matter what the circumstances?

My friend, Amber West, talented author of The Ruth Valley Missing, started a #GoWithout Movement on her blog some time ago. This video reminded me it was time to get involved again.

Last weekend, The Adorables (our youngest grandchildren ages 4 and 5) were here for a sleepover with Nana. (My husband was away.) First they unpacked and set up part of my Santa collection. It was so much fun watching them be in charge and listening to their comments and questions.

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Then we took two gifts down to the tree in the lobby of our condo building, where gifts are collected each year for needy families. The Adorables wondered why the gifts were going under that tree and not theirs. A very lovely conversation with them ensued. Young children can be such a source of hope for the future! Their innocent thoughtfulness washes away the skepticism we adults often harbour about the world around us.

photo1989When we went back up to our condo, we looked through the Save The Children gift catalogue and they chose to send chicks to a family and a goat to another. They have piggy banks that have a special section to save money for “giving” and they will put their savings toward these gifts. I told them I would give up my Starbucks visits for a month. That will more than cover it and, come to think about it, why do I need to go there so often … okay, I’m addicted to skinny mochas! A month without them will do me good.

19This year our family decided not to exchange big gifts at our family party this weekend. Instead we all (with seven kids plus partners that can add up!) donated a certain amount to send one cheque to New Circles , a wonderful Toronto organization that provides clothing and opportunities to families in need. We received more joy from doing that for a change than exchanging amongst ourselves! We’ve attempted, in the past, to volunteer to serve Christmas dinners at shelters but the volunteer list always fills up quickly. How good is that? Obviously many people are way more organized than we are.

There are so many opportunities to give back to our own communities and those globally. I know many of you are involved in numerous ways. Share your ideas and let’s kick Amber’s #GoWithout Movement into high gear for 2014.

Christmas Day is just one week away. I know we will meet here again before then but in case I miss you, please know I am sending my warmest wishes for a peaceful and joyful Christmas. May 2014 bring us all the best of health and happiness and the opportunity to help provide the same good fortune to others.

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Be a Possibilitarian!

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The first time I recall seeing the word was on author Amber West’s fabulous blog “A Day Without Sushi” which I follow regularly. She displayed this poster and the word  possibilitarian struck a chord that has resonated with me ever since. 225391156320705857_f4fpjwu6_c

(We have never been able to figure out where this graphic originated. So if anyone knows, please tell me as it would be my great pleasure to share that information and give credit where it is due.)

I checked to make certain possibilitarian wasn’t a word Amber had made up. The clever way she has with language, I wouldn’t have put it past her.

By the way, since I’m mentioning Amber West right now I should tell you that she published her first novel, THE RUTH VALLEY MISSING, a few weeks ago and it’s a terrific read. Lots of suspense! I couldn’t put it down! Go ahead and click on that link to Amazon now. I’ll be happy to wait.

Now that I think about it, I would say that Amber is definitely a possibilitarian. Her “Go Without Movement” is a perfect example.

It’s not as if this word is new. It isn’t. In 1952, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale published The Power Of Positive Thinking wherein he issued this challenge.

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I really hadn’t thought about it in terms of just one word.

Once I did, I realized I’ve been a possibilitarian most of my life … through the darkest days of loss and the endless challenges, the flotsam and jetsam, that drift in the ebb and flow of life. It’s the key to being an optimist, to learning to appreciate that every day is a gift, to seeing the potential … the possibilities … life offers each one of us and make the most of them.

I know there are times when it may be easier said than done. Stuff happens.

Those are the times when it’s even more important to focus on this word.

Possibilitarian is a powerful word that inspires, motivates, encourages, and … well, in today’s jargon …  it ROCKS. Yes it does.

Grab it. Make it yours!

If you happen to be in Toronto, near the fabulous Lolë shop in Bayview Village, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 19th, pop in and join us, Sommers & Sands, for a chat!  You’ll see the details below. We would love to see you and hear how you feel about being a possibilitarian! If  that’s not quite in your neighbourhood,  leave a comment here about your approach to the possibilities of life.
Lole_BAYVIEW_JANV

Taking a week to breathe …

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I’ve been taking a bit of a break this week to celebrate typing the words “The End” on the last page of the manuscript of my next novel. Wooohoooo! Yippeeeee!  … ahem … sorry for the momentary loss of control …

For those writers in the crowd, you know what I mean. There’s a bittersweet feeling when we begin to cut our ties with the characters and settings that have possessed and taken over  been a big part of our lives since the first word of the story was written. If you aren’t a writer, there have no doubt been similar projects that occupied your time and mind until you finally dragged your sorry a**across crossed that finish line.

This week I have a lot of catching up to do. First of all I have to show my ever-supportive husband I remember how to have a long, focused conversation with him. We even went to a movie this afternoon and I made it all the way through without being distracted 50% of the time. I need to have a few GNOs and answer a backlog of voicemail messages. I have a lot of blogs to read and support to return to my superfantabulous peers in the online writing community. There’s a long list of social stuff to plan and enjoy. I may even start cooking again! Most of all, it’s time to celebrate … for at least a week or two … before the editing and revisions begin.

Ahhhhh – the joys of being a writer! I’ll get back to my normal blogging next week. Thanks for understanding!

How do you recognize the completion of a project? Do you take time off before diving into the next challenge? What’s your favourite way to celebrate? Do you quietly put your head down and sleep for a few days or do you kick up your heels?

And now for your viewing pleasure, check these out:

Amber West’s hilarious post that reminds us we can all be awesome and that there is never a day when someone somewhere doesn’t understand us. Even it’s our couch!

Jenny Hansen shares important health reminders for every woman.

Jane Friedman and the pros and cons of an author platform

Tele Aadsen provides a fascinating look into the joys and challenges of living the fishing/writing life in Alaska.

Sexy, smart Marcia Richards writes from the heart and shares 12 rules of writing from famous authors.

 

Meet Claire McAlpine, Reviewer Extraordinaire

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

From the Office of Tourism website

Last Friday we spent some time in beautiful Aix-En-Provence. Today I want to introduce you to a young writer and reviewer living there. I’ve been following her blog, Word By Word, for a while now and I’m sure you are going to want to add it to your list too!

Claire McAlpine writes book reviews that are a pleasure to read as much for her own literary style as for the book. She has a fine way with words … truly magnifique!

In her own words – About Me. I am originally from New Zealand, leaving when I was 26 to travel the world, basing myself in London, England. I met my husband in Aix en Provence on my way from London to a small fishing village in Italy (where my first novel is set) and when my daughter was born we went to NZ for a few years before deciding to live in France.

 Despite a career in Marketing, I’ve always had other passions and desired a lifestyle that could include them. I studied Aromatherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine in London which I now practice as well as teaching english as a second language to adults. I also write a monthly travel guide on the city of Marseille. I love to write fiction and continue practicing and I adore reading.

Word by Word (http://clairemca.wordpress.com) is part of my journey and where currently my reading and writing meet not just each other but that wonderful community of others like us out there.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the French government was removing the term “mademoiselle” from all of the official forms and documents. Around the same time, Claire wrote a super-interesting post about the French language. Click here to read what she had to say.

*Drum roll and fireworks* Claire recently received The Versatile Blogger Award and posted these seven random facts about herself:

  1. I am an Aquarian.
  2. The 1600-acre hill country sheep farm where I spent my childhood was one of the Middle Earth locations in the film ‘Lord of the Rings’.
  3. 
I once worked on the 104 foot (30m) tall ship ‘The Golden Plover”. I was employed as a hydro ceramic engineer (dishwasher), except when the Captain or 1stmate shouted “all hands on deck”.
  4. I have visited more than 30 countries.
  5. I was a bridesmaid at a traditional African wedding in Lagos, Nigeria.
  6. I am married to a man who was born in a manger refugee camp in Bethlehem whose name starts with J.
  7. I like to read Buddhist philosophy.
How’s that for a good story?  Find some time to spend on Claire’s website and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Claire, and letting the gentle readers here have a peek into your world. I’ve got to dash over to your place now and see what you are reviewing – wouldn’t miss it!
Don’t you love the opportunities we have in the blogosphere to hear stories like Claire’s? It’s such a pleasure to share them with you and I know you’ve got some to shout out too. Go ahead. Share them. 
A big thank you and cyber-hug to awesome blogger Amber West, once again, for the reblog of her post here last Tuesday.