Patricia Sands

Author

Thanksgiving

It’s that time again!

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Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

By Patricia Sands October 12, 2019

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Happy Thanksgiving in Canada! It’s my favourite holiday of the year. And to our American friends, I wish you a happy Columbus Day!

I’ve seriously neglected my blog since I returned from another wonderful South of France Memories Tour two weeks ago. The twelve days my co-host and BFF, Deborah Bine, and I spent with these 18 great women (pictured in Antibes below) built memories to last forever. We feel so blessed to have this opportunity every year now. This was the sixth tour and I will be posting all about it on the blog soon! Well, as soon as I finish the manuscript I’m working on …and get the load of photographs sorted …

The good news is that the writing is joyful work … particularly because it makes me feel like I’m back in the south of France. You know how I love taking you there with me! The deadline to finish Book #3 in the Villa des Violettes series, and get it to my editor, is the end of this month … but I’ll do it!

While I’m on the subject of writing, I should let you know that these four novels are on sale for October! Thank you Amazon! If you already have your copies, now is the time to pick up some to gift to friends at special times. It’s easy to do, just click here for directions, and they will thank you … as will I.

I know I promised photos from the tour (and, of course, I took a bazillion) and I feel badly I haven’t gotten to that! I will. I will! And now … seemingly all of a sudden … it’s Thanksgiving weekend. My favourite time of the year.

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 …

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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!

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Canada has a federal election coming up on October 21st. Living in a country where we can freely express our political choices, and vote without fear of losing our lives, is truly another reason to feel thankful. Please exercise that privilege and GO OUT AND VOTE! IT’S FREE! IT MATTERS! LET’S ALL DO IT! FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATE AND THE ISSUES AND BE INFORMED! Click here for more information.

Oh, excuse me, I think all those bold, upper case letters might have seemed a bit loud. Sorry, but this is important for each and every Canadian. Take an active role in what happens in your country. Plan a party to watch the results on the 21st and, whatever the outcome, be proud you did your part. Let’s do it! We’re going to an advanced voting station this weekend. How about you?

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Warmest wishes from me to you!

Thanksgiving giveaway

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Happy Thanksgiving to all celebrating in the USA! 

Even though we have already celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada, my philosophy is that every day is one of thanksgiving, a gift, and an opportunity to feel grateful for so many things … as well as a chance to do something for others, no matter how big or small the gesture.

Pop on over to my Facebook Author page and join in this giveaway. Leave a comment there about your Thanksgiving thought and have your name entered for a random draw for one signed copy of whatever your choice from the Love in Provence series. Click right here.

Bonne chance! Good luck!

And while I’m here, my husband just forwarded this story to me and I hope you will share it with others. What a wonderful story to celebrate! There is goodness in this world. Click right here to see what happens to a man who was giving free haircuts to homeless people. 

It will make your day, as it did mine!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving Canada

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Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday … and I often get to celebrate it twice if we are south of the border in November. BONUS!

I know I’m repetitive each year at this time, but these are messages I want to share at this time every year … every day, really … and I hope you share them too.

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Thanksgiving thoughts ~ 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.

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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.

logo-main

 

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?

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.

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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 and for sharing my books with your friends. You light up my life!

One way I’m celebrating Thanksgiving with my readers is by giving away a few sets of ebooks of the Love In Provence series. READ ON!

Love in Provence Series Thanksgiving #BookGiveaway ~ Thank a Friend!

It’s easy to enter ~ just click on the link above, which will take you to the proper page.  THEN TAG OR MENTION A FRIEND, thank that friend for what the two of you share, and he or she will also WIN. We will randomly draw the names on Monday, October 10th.

As Kat said to Molly and Andrea, “You helped me to believe in life again, to believe in myself, and to take chances. True friends—that’s what you are. I’m so lucky to have you in my life and that’s never going to change.” ~ I Promise You This, Book #3    Good luck! Bonne chance! Thank you!

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Happy Thanksgiving U.S.A.

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canstockphoto22451173The third Thursday of  November, the 26th this year, is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It’s the most important family holiday of the year for Americans, full of traditions and warm memories. My good friend Marti Smye celebrates those sentiments in a touching remembrance of her family’s rituals, published this week in the Huffington Post.

Here’s how her musings begin. Click on the link below to read the entire article which may well bring back memories of your own family.

Growing up in the not-so-booming metropolis of Salineville, Ohio during the 1950s-60s, families struggled with the same challenges of spending time together that they face today. My father was a dairy farmer and worked very long hours. My mother worked full-time to help make ends meet. My brother was the captain of the football team, and I was the editor of the school newspaper. While we all had demands … click right here to read the entire article.

Her post is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post and the 92nd Street Y, founders of #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that will take place this year on December 1. These stories highlight the work of organizations and people around the world who are committed to giving back and doing good this #GivingTuesday.

Let’s all make a plan to give back and do good on December 1 … and every day! Follow Marti’s lead and write a story about your family’s traditions.

In Canada, we celebrate our Thanksgiving Day on the second Monday of October. I’m often in the States in November and feel fortunate to have a second opportunity to celebrate this special day.

~ Warmest wishes to all ~

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