Patricia Sands

Author

The Bridge Club

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womens-prize-logoIs your TBR pile in danger of toppling, like mine? Thank goodness we have the choice of creating our literary towers in the virtual world now. Book reviewer extraordinaire, Claire McAlpine, has just posted the long list for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2013. I’ve only managed to read a few of these titles so have already added others to my tower.

Which titles have you read or added? Are you prepared to predict a winner at this point?

And may I just say, I look forward to seeing names from our great community of indie authors gracing this list in the near future!

https://patriciasandsauthor.com/2013/03/2957/

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.

Possibilitarian-Quote-268x300

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

TRAVEL THEME: GLASS

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

I love it when I can tie the travel photo theme into something I know about France. This week’s theme of “Glass” is a perfect opportunity for me to share one of my favourite villages with you.

Biot is a picturesque medieval hilltop village that’s not too high up … unless you decide to walk up from the train station as my DH once suggested (before I knew better), assuring me it was just a few minutes … 4 km later in my strappy little sandals and silk sundress, covered in sweat and puffing my way up the final 50 steps … oh wait … that’s a whole other story …

Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos

BTW, that 1565 is NOT the street address! LOL

Biot is an easy 10-minute drive from the coast and about a half-hour west of Nice. Click here to see a fab website with great photos and info. We rented a house there a few years ago for a wonderful three months filled with visits from family and friends … hmmm, many other stories …

*bringing my focus back to GLASS* – Rich in fine clay, the area around Biot has been known for its pottery since antiquity. Today, the village is renowned for its glass works, typically a clear or colored transparent glass with little bubbles. I absolutely LOVE the variety of colours! This photo just shows a small sample.

Biot glass-PSandsPhotos
Biot glass-PSandsPhotos
Biot glass-PSandsPhotos
Biot glass-PSandsPhotos

There are several glassworks down the hill around the outskirts of the village and an excellent Galerie Internationals Du Verre with world-class works of art.

Galerie Internationale Du Verre, Biot-PSandsPhotos
Galerie Internationale Du Verre, Biot-PSandsPhotos

In La Verrerie de Biot, you can see the artisans at work and a comprehensive gallery of this famous studio and its award-winning pieces is displayed in beautifully lit showcases. Attached to this is an enormous sales area with a selection of something for everyone. Be forewarned: you will leave with parcels!!!

La Verrerie de Biot-PSandsPhotos
La Verrerie de Biot-PSandsPhotos
La Verrerie de Biot-PSandsPhotos
La Verrerie de Biot-PSandsPhotos

There are several small glass-making studios, including one right on the main street where you look through an open window to watch the craftsmen work their magic.

Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos

There are many reasons to visit this historic village but, as you can see, the  glass of Biot makes it even more special.

Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos
Biot-PSandsPhotos

Do you have a fascination with the art of glass-blowing? Have you ever tried it? I am always intrigued and impressed by the tremendous effort, delicate touch, and creative talent of these artists when I have the opportunity to see them in action.

In case you missed it, here’s the link to my post about the October 2013 12-day tour of the south of France that I, along with Susan Sommers, will be leading! Join us … sorry, guys, it’s a women-only party! Only 16 spots and they are going fast.

Check out some of these excellent photos sites from photographers who aren’t quite as obsessed with France!

http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/01/11/travel-theme-glass/

http://imagesoftheheart.wordpress.com/

http://www.richardsugden.com/blog – I LOVE his quote “The important thing is not the camera but the eye”.

http://thewanderlustgene.wordpress.com/

And for my fellow writers, I wanted to share JoAnna Penn’s latest post from The  Creative Penn. If you don’t follow her blog, I highly recommend it along with these:

 http://janefriedman.com/

http://www.thebookdesigner.com/

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND … and yes, I do know it is Saturday and not Friday … sometimes these posts take longer to put together than my optimistic nature imagines!

Pack your bags and come to France!

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

PLEASE NOTE:  This trip has been temporarily postponed as Uniglobe Instant Travel in London, ON, was taken over by another company on February 1st. 

The good news is that another fabulous women’s travel group is working with us and we hope to have the trip rescheduled in the near future. Thanks for all the interest and support and as soon as I have the details I will let you know. We ARE going to do this so I am leaving this post up as an invitation to join us soon!

Happy New Year! Meilleurs Voeux Pour L’année 2013!

Is this the year that you and your best girlfriend, your daughter, your sister and/or your mom take a trip to the south of France? Or perhaps your entire book club?  Seriously, it just might be!

Spend the first four days in the captivating town of Nice in the beautiful Hotel La Perouse overlooking La Promenade Des Anglais and the magnificent Mediterranean. With plenty of time to shop and explore, we will also visit galleries and bookstores and have a chat with author Ted Jones. I’m already excited!

La Promenade Des Anglais-PSandsPhotos
La Promenade Des Anglais-PSandsPhotos
Nice, France-PSandsPhotos
Nice, France-PSandsPhotos
Daily Market, Nice-PSandsPhotos
Daily Market, Nice-PSandsPhotos

Is this breathtaking or what? Visit the 11th century hilltop village of Eze.

Eze Village-PSandsPhotos
Eze Village-PSandsPhotos

Tour the Royal Palace in Monaco.

Royal Palace,Monaco-PSandsPhotos
Royal Palace,Monaco-PSandsPhotos

Follow the footsteps of Cezanne in Aix-En-Provence.

Aix-En-Provence-PSandsPhotos
Aix-En-Provence-PSandsPhotos

Relax for seven nights in the beautiful Domaine de Capelongue, just outside the village of Bonnieux in the peaceful countryside of Provence. A wine-tasting visit to a local vineyard as well as a cooking class are just two of many activities.

capelongue-bienvenue-photo3lieuxetundomaine-fr2
capelongue-bienvenue-photo3lieuxetundomaine-fr2

Explore ancient villages.

PSandsPhotos
PSandsPhotos
PSandsPhotos
PSandsPhotos
PSandsPhotos
PSandsPhotos

My friend and fellow author, Susan Sommers, and I have been invited to lead this carefully planned women’s tour to the south of France from October 12th to 24th, 2013. Organized by Uniglobe Instant Travel in London, Ontario, all of the details can be found on the day-by-day itinerary attached. You will notice plenty of time allocated for relaxing and reading as well. The memories will be magnifique!

Just click here to contact Jennifer Fassina for more information and to see how very experienced this company is in planning special trips for women. We hope you can join us!