Patricia Sands

Author

travel

Friday, March 8th is International Women’s Day! Celebrate!

by

top_header

It’s that time again- Friday is International Women’s Day! How does it come around so quickly? I’m posting before March 8th so you have time to check and see how you might get involved. There are many events and celebrations planned around the world. Check here to see what is happening in your area.

In Toronto, International Canadian activist, speaker and author Sally Armstrong will be hosting a live blog which is something we can all be part of no matter where we happen to find ourselves. She is truly a woman who lives as she believes and puts herself in harm’s way on a regular basis to further the cause of women around the world. Here’s the info:

Date & time: 08 March 2013 12.00 to 13.00
Event: LIVE BLOG WITH JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST SALLY ARMSTRONG
About: Sally Armstrong will share stories from her new book Ascent of Women. She says a new revolution is unfolding and the exciting story is being written by women in mud-brick houses in Afghanistan and Egypt’s Tahrir Square and in Congo’s forests. She introduces us to change makers – women who are claiming their space at home, at work and in the public square, including girls in Kenya suing their government for not protecting them from rape. Join us for a live chat with Sally Armstrong on International Women’s day as she shares these stories from the front lines. You will be able to join the discussion, ask questions and comment.
Venue: Join us online at MSN.ca, Toronto, ON

iwd_header_15

In recognition of International Women’s Day, I am posting a reminder about the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Please click on the name to visit their website and see how you might get involved.

You may have read about this before on my blog as I like to give a shout out to this extraordinary organization when I can. I’m proud to be a member of this group that is constantly researching needs and building programs through the actions of a community of women and men coming together for a common cause.

Over the last twenty years, the Canadian Women’s Foundation has invested $35 million in more than 1,100 community programs across Canada.

logo_en

A public foundation, it consists of committed supporters, donors and volunteers across the country and diligent, enthusiastic staff workers that passionately believe in the importance of social change.

In the simplest terms, CWF invests in programs that move women and girls out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence. In part these programs strive to:

 teach young people about healthy relationships;

 counsel children who have witnessed violence, to help them heal and prevent them from becoming victims or abusers themselves;

  support women as they rebuild their lives after abuse.

Investing in the power of women and the dreams of girls. 

I also want to share this link at one of my favourite travel websites Journeywoman.com. To recognize International Women’s Day they have posted a wonderful photo gallery of women from around the world. The photos were taken by bloggers as they traveled about on their personal journeys. Take a break and enjoy!

Needless to say every day is a day for considering the equality of every single person. However these special days are set aside to help build awareness and connect the global community. How will you recognize International Women’s Day? Whether your recognition is a quiet word of support to a woman in need, an offer to help another, or a big brassy celebration, everything counts. Do something!

CBBH PHOTO CHALLENGE:View from an aircraft

by

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

As we approached Nice International Airport in May 2011, we flew directly over the apartment building in Antibes that we were going to call home for five months. I had googled it so often in the preceding months, I knew precisely where it was.

Antibes-PSandsPhotos
Antibes-PSandsPhotos

It’s the largest of the white buildings in the lower right corner of the photo, with no structure in front  to block the fabulous view of the harbour.  If I could figure out how to put an arrow on the photo, I would show it to you. Trust me, it’s there!

Don’t forget you can enlarge any photo on my blog by clicking on it. The bigger, the better, applies here.

On the way home in October, I took this shot as we left the coast and flew over the Alpes-Maritimes. The dream-like quality of this image portrays my feelings as our fantasy came to an end … until the next time!

Leaving Antibes-PSandsPhotos
Leaving Antibes-PSandsPhotos

This challenge was issued by Marianne on her East of Malaga blog. Treat yourself and visit some other blogs participating in this challenge. Here are two of my favourites this week:

The Urge To Wander 

This next site didn’t post views from an aircraft but has an exquisite gallery of portraits. Love it! Click here and check it out.

Pinch me!

by

If it’s Friday, it must be France ...

Ooops – I’m late again  – I know it’s Saturday, but we have company and I’m attempting to sneak this post in while still being a somewhat gracious hostess. Good thing we have understanding friends who realize writing and blogging are  consuming my life  somewhat distracting at times.

What I want to say today is this: if you have a dream, keep pursuing it.

You never know when unexpected opportunities will become a reality.

Taking a deep breath and publishing our writing, into which we put our hearts, minds, and bare our very souls a good chunk of our lives, sometimes opens doors we might never having imagined.

PSandsPhotos

Here are the best parts of writing for me (without getting into the satisfaction, frustration, challenge and all-around buzz of crafting stories): connecting with readers ~ becoming part of amazing communities of writers and bloggers all over the planet ~ receiving invitations to share thoughts, knowledge and experience ~ hearing the same from others ~ discovering ways to give back through what we do ~ listening, learning, laughing ~ feeling inspired to keep writing.

Yin-Yang – Image from Wikipedia

To be sure there’s another side: the search for the right words and ideas ~ the questioning and self-doubt that sneaks in ~ the hours of researching, editing, rewriting ~ the demands on time and money and presence that may be needed elsewhere in our lives ~ the inevitable struggle that is part of any creative process. And for many, that’s just the short list.

The yin and yang.

And then, out of the blue, may come something totally unexpected.

For example being invited to lead, along with my good friend, non-fiction author and speaking partner, Susan Sommers, a tour of 16 women (sorry, guys … this an all-girls’ party) to the south of France for 12 days in October, 2013.

It’s part of the innovative Broad Horizons program  of Uniglobe Instant Travel based in London, Ontario

Seriously.

It happened.

And you know how I love the south of France.

I’ve been guiding friends around that part of the world for years and love to do it.

Here’s the fabulous itinerary – South of France Itinerary 2013. We’ve worked hard to ensure it’s going to be a very good time – inspiring, energizing, providing memories for a lifetime.

There’s just the right combination of literary, art and laughter: enjoying café au lait or sipping pastis in the shadow of authors we have read, walking in the footsteps of great artists, touring, shopping, wining (including wine tasting at an ancient vineyard) and dining (including a cooking class in Provence), and relaxing. Call your bestie and  come if you can. It’s going to be superbe, magnifique, and fantastique … and if you can’t go with us, rest assured I’ll be writing about it  to share here with all of you.

We’ll be here …

EZE – PSandsPhotos

And here …

Nice,FR – PSandsPhotos

And here …

Monaco-PSandsPhotos

And in the countryside of Provence strolling streets like these …

Provence-PSandsPhotos
Provence-PSandsPhotos

Visiting places like this …

Antibes-PSandsPhotos
Marché Provençal-PSandsPhotos

And taking endless photos of these

Valbonne-PSandsPhotos

Tempting? There’s more info on my website too. Click here if you would like to see it.

Keep dreaming. Keep believing. Keep writing. You just never know …

What are the lows and highs of the yin and yang in your creative process? How do you find the balance for which we all search? Share your dreams. What doors have opened for you?You know we care.

Villefranche-Sur-Mer – PSandsPhotos

Weekly Photo Challenge: GEOMETRY

by

This week’s photo challenge is guest hosted by Quintin Lake of Quintin Lake Architectural Photography. Click on the link  for more about this week’s theme and his photography tips!

Geometry: This challenge is about the shapes and rhythms that make up the geometry of our world.

Here’s my shot looking through the porches of the change huts at a beach in the beautiful town Forte Dei Marmi on the Italian Riviera. End of season! Nobody does geometric on beaches better than the Italians.

Forte Dei Marmi-PSandsPhotos

Consider this quote from Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908 – 2004), a French photographer, painter and draughtsman, generally considered to be the father of modern photojournalism.

“For me photography is to place one’s head, heart and eye along the same line of sight. It is a way of life. This attitude requires concentration, sensitivity, a discipline of mind and a sense of geometry.”

Head on over to The Daily Post at WordPress to check out more fabulous photos!

Here are a couple of my favourites this week:

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/weekly-photo-challenge-geometry/

http://thepetalpusher.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/weekly-photo-challenge-geometry/

http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/11/02/i-love-france-33-weekly-photo-challenge-geometry/#comment-4472  – How could I possibly not have found a blog entitled “I Love France” before this?

How do you see geometry in the world around you? Got a photo? I would love to see it!