From here to ??

Coming soon to a screen near you (PERHAPS)

My original blog I set up at blog.com this will soon join the many, many seemingly abandoned blogs on that site, and here I am in transition… 

http://audrey-forca.blogspot.com/

Today I had reason to turn the tables on myself. I tried to imagine how my children will feel when I take off on my travel to Africa. Ive always been there, just a call away, they have always known how to reach me, where to reach me, and if I felt it necessary and urgent I would drop things to be there and present for them. Thats how its meant to be, sometimes not easy but at the end of the day, that simple.

Patrick leaves on Wednesday, I feel a mixture of pride, pleasure and shared excitement for him.  He, as he said he would, is travelling opting for Venuezela, Caracas and backpacking down to Brazil. 

S**t , that was the first thought that entered my head,I asked if he didnt fancy a month just relaxing on a beach in Spain,  but having already explored a few options with him, I knew this was of no interest to him.  His choices were limited due to not being able to acquire necessary Visa’s for his first choices  at the last minute. So hes off, not really prepared I feel, or am I just a mother…lol

I perhaps shouldnt have shown him my travel brochures from i to i who arrange overseas placements nor told him about STA travel who arrange student travel, but I did and now Im nagging or at least thats how it feels..Have you got this, have you got that, promise you will keep contact every couple of days etc etc etc.

I think my main issue or concern is that he is travelling alone, but Im sure he will be fine.. 

There now Ive got that off my chest I can shut up, it has however made me realise the importance of little things, informed risk taking, the importance of preparation and keeping contact with those sitting at home wondering if you are ok,  I may just slip a few little reminders in his Calvin Kleins ***RING YOUR MOTHER***  CALL HOME OR ELSE!!!  any suggestions welcome..

Patrick wants to see Angel falls which is apparently the highest waterfall in the world, and having found it on Youtube I can fully understand why, its absolutely astounding, now I wish I were going with him and that this blogsite would allow me embed from Youtube, but sadly it doesnt.

Well its been almost, but not quite a week since Pats arrival home, safe and sound, I could relax…PHEW!!! thought I.

Having said that he has just this evening arrived back from a cousins wedding in Ireland… Well to be factual it was a wedding reception without the wedding as the bride called off 3 days prior to the actual day of the union..I have to add I admire her for making a very brave decision, but also acknowledge it will have caused a great deal of heartache and problems for both families. 

Anyway the reception went ahead for  the grooms family which is enormous, Pats father is one of 15 children and all the accompanying children can make for quite a gathering.

A good time was had by all despite the cancellation, and Patrick enjoyed his weekend away.  Today it was he who was making his way down the stairs, me the one coming through the door having just finished work.  ‘Was that a limp’ thought I….or has the dog done a doo doo on the carpet, not that she does, but one never knows….

Sure enough it was a limp, he told me he had hurt his leg fooling around,the I banged into a door story ( good as any ) then procedes to show me his leg, ( its the first time Ive seen his legs in years I think).  To my shock and horror his left knee is swollen to the size of a balloon, he can neither straighten nor bend it. so tommorrow I take the wounded soldier up to casualty..

Thats life………..LOL

A little food for the spirit and a gentle pat on the back, just because you are woman…a little celebration

“Women have a way of treating people more softly.  We treat souls with kid gloves”….Shirley Caesar.

“ I say if its going to be done, let’s do it. Let’s not put it in the hands of fate. Let’s not put it in the hands of someone who doesn’t know me. I know me best. Then take a breath and go ahead……….Anita Baker

Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They’re what make the instrument stretch- what make you go beyond the norm…   Cicely Tyson

The cock croweth but the hen delivereth the goods…anonymous

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat”……Rebecca West. (1892 - 1983)

Supposing  you have tried and failed again and again.  You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘ failure ‘ is not the falling down, but the staying down…..Mary Pickford

If I had to live my life over again, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time……Nadine Star

It occured to me when I was thirteen and wearing white gloves and Mary Janes and going to dancing school, that no one should have to dance backward all their lives……..Jill Ruckelshaus.

Once you live with the issue of women and the landscape for a while, you find that you cannot separate them form the notions of peace, spirituality and community.  As women we must learn to become leaders in society, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of all people.  We must support and protect our kinship with the environment for the generations to come….China Galland

” Ive got the woman’s ability to stick to a job and get on with it when everyone else walks off and leaves it”……Margaret Thatcher.

The genius of women I believe to be electrical in movement, intuitive in function , spiritual in tendency……Margaret Fuller….(1810- 1850)

“Women are repeatedly accused of taking things personally. I cannot see any other honest way of taking them”….MARYA MANNES b 1904

They talk about a woman’s sphere as though it had a limit;

There’s not a place in earth or heaven,

There’s not a task to mankind given,

There’s not a blessing or a woe,

There’s not a whispered ‘yes’ or ‘no’,

There’s not a life ,or death, or birth,

That has a feather’s weight of worth

Without a woman in it.

Above all , remember the most important thing you can take anywhere is not the Gucci handbag or the French cut jeans; its an open mind…………………..Gail Ruben Bereny

Thanks George…great song

FORCA