Following an ever-twisting path, I write, love, parent, and watch the sun set into the Indian Ocean from the veranda of my tropical island home in Seychelles.
This is my personal blog, so what goes here is whatever the hell I want to post. If you’re looking for some of my pro stuff … that’s what search engines are for, although nowhere close to all I do is available online.
Caveat: I swear a lot.
(Photo credit: KJP)
This page has the following sub pages.
A collection of my short stories:
I'm in this one, too ...
And I'm in here, as well ...
Paradise Preoccupied 
Sandra – this is really an attractive site. Many kudos; I’m so proud of you for pulling it together.
Nice job!
Janice
Any chance of running into you on the island?
thought I commented, not replied… phone surfing is tough sometimes 😛
Hi Sandy. I hope my privious “letter” wasn’t tooo long and that you got it. This is your old Harllow’s buddy. Hope to hear from you. Your friend…Steve
Hello,
Great site. I am envious that you were able to set up shop on the Seychelles! I also run a blog, you can see it in the “website” section. I recently did a post on a new golf resort coming to the Seychelles that I thought you might be interested in. If you are interested in posting it on your blog just let me know.
Best,
Mark.
What a shame, another resort? Is there room for that?
They seem to always make room … sigh …
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6897567.stm
I thought this might be of interest. Cheers, Kate 1.
Love your blog and enjoy the way you write.
Mahalo from a Haole Hawaiian in Arizona planning on the Seychelles after the New Year..Ray
I like your blog and envy you your location. Thanks for your comment on my blog. Best
Adoptive dad
Sandra,
Cheers! Could you please pass me a glass of that wine I sure could use it..
This little piggy went to the market
this little piggy stay home
this little piggy had roast beef
this little piggy had none
and this little piggy went We We We
all the way home.
Happy New Year!!!!
Hey Sandra, Marky Mark, CJ and Sam!
Happy New Yeay to you all, I see from your pictures that you had a great festive time in the heat. Not quite so warm here, although walking to the local pub to enjoy the heat of their open fire and, of course, for a pick me up (to counter the night before) was very warming!
I saw that Bro of yours being interviewed last night on BBC1, Jonathan Ross Show. Thought you might like to check it out, you can now view shows over the web – I hope they don;t restrict it to overseas viewers though… Web link below, ’twas a very funny interview – and we did see some of you in him, or vice versa!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b008nl3r.shtml?filter=txdate%3A11-01&filter=txslot%3Aevening&start=1&scope=iplayerlast7days&version_pid=b008nl37
Off for an early morning cycle ride now, the sun has just come up.
Say Hi to one and all, and hope to see you all again soon. It seems way too long ago already, albeit only 5 months.
Love, M&Cx
M&C,
Thanks, but the interview is “only available in the UK”. Bummer.
Happy New Year to both of you, too!
Sandra, I have been enjoying your site very much. I would like to place a link to it on my blog. Would that be OK with you? Please let me know.
Thanks!
Dee
[another adoptive mom]
That would be very nice, Dee. Thank you.
I just saw your site and I think you are doing a great job.Keep it up.
Eke
http://www.neministries.wordpress.com
Sandra,
So nice to send you a line. Jaren is my dear, sweet guy, and we have been together for almost four years.
Thank you for all your contributions to this world — mainly Jaren. He is beautiful.
Anna
Sandra,
Your descriptions of Seychellois life and the foreigner’s mentality are “spot-on”. Having lived in the Seychelles for 4 years and married to a wonderful island girl, I feel most at home there.
Keep your chin up, you’ll have better balance!
Best wishes,
RichA.
I´m a Costa Rican freelancer journalist, creative writer, and mass communication student in Mexico. I write briefly because I want to interview and know more about your writing career.
Thanks,
Mauricio
Dear Sandra Hanks Benoiton
First of all congratulations for your excellent professional achievements. The reason because I write this mail is I want to know which possibility do I have to make you an interview talking about your works.
Hope to be in future contact,
Best Regards,
Mauricio A. Rodríguez Hernández
Dear Sandra
We met briefly in Lynton England earlier this year, and you gave us some advice on adoption, would be great to get in contact with you again, as we plan to go to Cambodia in January.
Hope to hear from you soon
Thanks
Steve and Irene
I want to make you an interview for a mass media magazine in Mexico. I´m a freelancer journalist from San Jose, Costa Rica, and student in Mexico.
Best Regards,
Mauricio
Janet- I would like to read more of your writing.
Hello Sandra. I learned about you from John Griffith of Spider Kelly. I’m his Mom. I live in Wiesbaden, Germany (via Sacramento, Califoirnia). I enjoy your site and love your writing. I’d love a copy of your book. How can I order it? Oh, and I love the nice things you’ve written about Spider Kelly and especially about my sweet son John. OK, so I AM biased! But it’s true that he is a great guy! He admires you and thinks the world of you!
Love and Happiness Always,
Lucy Griffith-Mueller
So goes the life has of the check and the bad there, especially needs to keep(the check and suprimer the bad. The paradise is on the earth and nowhere else, and you asz of the luck to live in the paradise.I like your site very held well and has in the daytime I you often come to read,you like write see his, and I I like reading, good luck
For an article on which I am working, I would be very grateful for the exact source of your statement that in 2015 there will be four hundred million orphans in the world. Many thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Hi Sandra! Reconnecting after so long. Hope you get in touch then we can brief each other on our life progresses. Gros bisous! Annie – Kuching, Borneo.
Annie!!!!!!!! How wonderful to hear from you after all these years! I will be so happy to catch up, to hear all! I have thought of you often over the past couple of decades and wondered where and how you are.
Sorry Sandra for taking ages to reply. You know I live in the jungle with no access to internet. The situation has improved though, I can read my email on my BlackBerry. Yeah! I hope you can catch my email address from the form I just filled. I’d love to catch up with you, mostly I remember laughing, and laughing and laughing (more!) while with you. Anyone and everyone reading me, Sandra is the most contagious happy person I have ever met.
Bisous Sandra, I keep you in my heart, always.
Thanks, Annie! I hope we can stay in touch now …
Thank you for the kind words and for posting this on your FaceBook page. Even though I took a sarcastic spin on the subject, plagiarism is a serious offense that hurts all creators of intellectual property.
I like your site, and your life in Seychelles seems very interesting. With your blessing, I will add a link to it in my “Blogroll”. Thanks again for stopping by. It was a pleasure meeting you!
I’d be proud to be on your blogroll, thanks!
Hi Sandra,
I’m Julie, the editor of “Mamapedia Voices”, and we feature guest bloggers on Mamapedia, a site for Moms all across the country. I’ve just found your blog, and would like to invite you write a piece which could be featured on our site.
Though Mamapedia Voices has just started out, it is already receiving a lot of attention, both on our site, on our guest bloggers’ sites, and beyond. We promote our featured guest bloggers through emails, Twitter, Facebook and more. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow your audience!
If you would like to participate, please take a look at Mamapedia Voices. Next, sign up here http://bit.ly/BloggerSignUp to be on the blogger roster, and then you will be able to see the complete (and easy) instructions for submitting a piece for consideration.
Also, because we like your blog, please download a recognition badge from us- there are many fun designs to choose from here: http://www.mamapedia.com/voices/blogger_badge
If you have our badge on your blog, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win $100 for your favorite women’s, children’s or family charity! And you’ll be listed on our blog roll.
Thank you, and I look forward to reading more of your work!
Best wishes,
Julie D’Agostino
Editor, Mamapedia Voices
hi, sandra…
Hey mom 🙂
Miss you very much!!! I hope I can catch you on skype soon. Things are going well here in Seattle WA. It dose rain about every day it seems, but its ok. I talk to Jen the other day. I check up on her and Ad as much as I can. I got Ad a cool digital camera for Christmas that let’s you be all creative and make silly faces. It’s cool. She love’s it. I spent the last few hours reading your blogs. I’ll make sure to be your number one fan ok. Love you!!
Seb
Seb! My darling boy!
I miss you, too. You’re in my heart and my mind constantly and I can’t wait until the next time we’re in the same place at the same time.
Glad to hear all is going well in the new town and with the new job. Save up some holiday time and get over here!
My skype connection has been total crap lately, but we will connect someday soon.
I love you!!!!!!
Ma
Love Him,
Will be celebrating the big guys B-day by playing the guitar and doing a little drinking. Not to much cuz I have to work tomorrow. Justin put out some flowers at Jarens site the other day, on his day off. Said he had a few beers and listen to some of Jarens songs and music he liked. He took some pics of the Headstone with his I-phone. It looks very nice, has picture of Jaren and one of his guitars. I’ll get some for you some how if you want. Love you very much!!!
Sebastian
P.S. I am imaging giving you a big HUG that you want.
Thanks, my boy!
I have been wondering about the headstone … if it was finally placed and how it looks … and would very much appreciate a photo. There are some friends who are talking about making the drive up to see it and spend some time under those oaks.
I love you.
Ma
Dear Sandra, I can’t believe that it’s almost a year since Jaren passed away and that I just heard about it. Sandra, I am so sorry. My son John sent me an email asking me if I knew about it, as though I wouldn’t have told him if I had known! Needless to say, we were both shocked and so sad. You are in my thoughts and my prayers Sandra. You will be hearing from John”Horsey” Griffith soon if you haven’t by now. Look in your snailmail box. I love the pictures of you and Jaren, the one where he is all dressed up for a party and you are kissing him and wishing him a good time. You look like a little girl in that picture. Wow, he sure was tall and handsome. In the other one, you both look so happy and beautiful together. I read your son Sebastian’s posting as well. From what he writes, he sounds like a fine loving affectionate son too. I will be visiting your site more often from now on. I love your book and I look forward to more of that good stuff you write. I bet I’m the oldest fan you have! After all, who else could be older than I? As George Burns used to say: “At my age, I don’t even buy green bananas!”
I wish you love, peace, strength and courage always,
Lucy
Thank you, Lucy. I know John remembers Jaren as a little boy who would sometimes come to band practice, and I’m happy for all the memories of him held by so many people. I would, of course, love to hear from him! Unfortunately, Sebastian is Jaren’s brother, but I am only his honorary mom. They have the same dad, but I’m allowed mom status simply because he’s so wonderful.
I’ve not been posting much here, but have plans to get back on the bloggity blog with some regularity soon.
Love, peace, strength and courage to you, too.
Sandra
“Sometimes there are no words…”. I have a couple appropriate ones describing me, though…. Chump! Loser! A.D.D. afflicted A-hole! F’n worst friend ever!!
Sandra, even if I had the stellar vocabulary and way with words you possess, I’d still be at a loss for what to say in order to adequately express my feelings. With my own limited language skills and lack of a larger lexicon, I sit here struggling for the right words, which never come. I can merely apologize for only recently reading your posts and finding out the hideous news. I’m so sorry that you’ve had these painful losses, trials and tribulations. You deserve nothing but happy surprises, and hopefully that’s all you’ll be getting from now on! Please know there are hearts full of love out here wanting the very best for you always.
I had been thinking about you, just random good thoughts and memories. At the risk of exposing my own many musical shortcomings, I thought I’d send you a little homemade CD of ditties I made up and recorded in the bedroom studio back in the mid-eighties while switching gears from Spider Kelly to ‘real world’ mode. “It sucks” would be the rating given by the average listener, no doubt, but knowing your kind and forgiving nature, I thought I’d give you a glimpse of whatever it was / is that spews forth from my mind when it’s in that particular creative state. Anyway, I put the CD in an envelope, sealed it up and then got online to see if I could find your address. What I found, instead, was the bad news – and that’s what led me to the above proclamation of my own guilt and admission of loserness. Yes, I suck even more as a friend than as a musician.
I did eventually get an address from your German penpal Lucy. Assuming it’s still current, the CD is on the way. As if you haven’t suffered enough….
Oh, you sweet Horse, you … ADD and all …
Got the CD today and will spend the evening giving a listen. Thanks SO much. Record time for mail from the US, by the way. You have some magic with the global post, but that doesn’t surprise me at all.
Love your website! And love you!
Thanks for your nice reply, Sandra. From one of your comments that I read here, I thought that Sebastian might be adopted. He does sound like a wonderful son and brother. Is your daughter a lot like you and Jaren? I hope so! Johnny did tell me that he used to know you as Sandy Combes years ago. He thinks the world of you. He’s feeling pretty bad that he hadn’t been keeping in touch. He’s had some bad back problems lately but he tells me it’s getting better. I know that you will hear from him very soon.
Love, Lucy
DEAR SANDRA,
You may not know that the Seychelles and Canada have significant in common, that the name Benoiton is unique in our jurisdictions.
However, we are not quite in the same category as celebreties. Our nearest to that is a family of adopted cousins in Philadelphia, which included “Miss Pennsylvania” in the Miss Universe contest in the early sixties. Her sister also participated in a notable performance as a singer in Las Vegas. Aside from that, my son now in his thirties, is an exceptionally talented (I am told) professional guitar player and teacher.
Other than that, I happen to be personally acquainted with a few superstars in the world of hockey. You may not know that this ice-skating activity provides what is arguably the finest spectacle in the world of sports.
If you ever come, I could get you a ticket to a game in Montreal, all of which is not easy.
It’s interesting that you spent several years of your life in California. Los Angeles citizens brag about being the 4th largest Canadian city in North America (behind Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver). Our country has often been listed as one of the best countries in the world in which to live. Fortunately, the competition excludes the country’s respective climates. We have the reputation of being one of the coldest places (dry cold) in the world, in Jan & Feb.
But most of us prefer this to the abundant rains in many areas at that time of year.
Canada is also very blessed to have as official languages, the two most widely recognized languages in the universe (as in the Olympics for instance). And I am one of the fortunate ones in our country to have been raised in both of these languages.
So I do hope you can find time to respond to my curiosity of knowing how you came to have the name “Benoiton.”
Sincerement,
Rene
I was married to a Benoiton …
This is my 3rd (or is it 4th) attempt at getting your attention, difficulty at doing so, due I presume to your being a celebrity.
You are famous also because of your brother Tom, who is after all a Hollywood movie star. I couldn’t help but notice last night during the Los Angeles Kings hockey playoff game against Vancouver Canucks, that he was quoted during one of the intermissions.
One way or the other, as I’ve repeated several times, I am very curious to know how you came about to have the name “Benoiton,” which is unique to our family in North America. The Carribean, especially Barbados ( I’ve been there every year since becoming a widower in 1990), has been my family’s most frequented tropical spot to visit for sea and sunshine. As my daughter Danielle recently mentioned, we’ll now have to consider the Seychelles.
Best wishes, “bisous”, et a bientot,
Rene D. Benoiton
Thanks exceedingly for replying that you were married to a Benoiton.
The question arising, is where was he from?
Bien a vous,
Rene D.
He is from Seychelles …
To reiterate, I am extremely pleased to have received, not only one reply from you, but two. Merci beaucoup.
I mentioned before that my late wife and I had a girl and a boy, and the boy has a girl and the girl has a boy. I think I told you that my daughter is expecting twins sometime in July. The fresh knowledge on this, is that it has been established that they are both boys.
My daughter is married to a David Barlow, and she uses both the names Benoiton & Barlow. I will of course try to encourage the name “Benoiton.” In the province of Quebec here in Canada for instance, a law requires the wife to keep her maiden name. They are ahead of their time, but nevertheless it seems to be a trend with all the “women’s lib,” etc.
So hopefully, the name will live on.
‘Les Benoitons, oui oui oui,
Les Benoitons, non non non,
Les Benoitons ne perirons pas
Les Benoitons, oui oui oui
Les Benoitons, non non non
Les Benoitons ne peririons pas’
Merci infiniment.
Rene D. Benoiton
As I said, there are many, many with the name here. I have two children who carry it. To be perfectly honest, however, I’ve rather lost my enchantment with it and rarely use it now …
I think you have a very likable blog here, Sandra. I’ve bookmarked it.
Thanks, Paul. Happy to know you’re here … there … whatevahhhhhh …
LOL! I live in Colorado, USA, Sandra.
The Rocky Mountains begin about 18 minutes by car from my front door. I love the wilderness, but not the town I live in.
Lovely state, but a bit cold by my standards after 16 years on a tropical island. Do miss the mountains, though.
True. It’s cold enough up in the mountains. But where I’m at, the weather is more reasonable.
I no longer consider anything under about 72F reasonable …
I certainly won’t call you “spoiled”, although I know some people who would. But I will think of your attitude towards the weather as merely “enlightened”.
I have been called ‘spoiled’ … after stomping my little feet and throwing a hissy, people usually take it back.
I have been looking at that website you link to that is about the Seychelles. I so want to visit!
It is a special place …
It seems there is an 11 hour difference between our locations, so we are on opposite sides of the earth. Somehow I like the thought of chatting with someone on the opposite side of the earth. The thought has a touch of poetry to it, I think.
In what sense are the Seychelles special? I have a little bit of a foolish tendency to think of every place and every person as unique, beautiful in their own way, and special, so I’m curious about what you meant when you said the Seychelles is a special place?
Yep. I’m 12 times zones away from my beginnings in California. If I’d gone any further, I would have gone nearer.
What makes Seychelles special:
1) The only mid-ocean granitic islands in the world.
2) The only endemic mammal is the fruit bat.
3) Nothing on land that can kill you … other than humans … including malaria.
4) Multiracial, multicultural and virtually free of racism.
5) No pollution of air or sea and very little of noise and light … although this is changing.
6) No fast-food franchises/
That’s for starters.
It’s easy to see now the islands are remarkable in many ways.
A list does help … 😉
Yes, I will keep that in mind from now on. A list helps. That’s good to know.
To my untutored brain, the fact the Seychelles are granitic would indicate they are sometime in the past split off from a mainland. But if so, then which mainland? Trivial minds want to know!
If they are split off from a mainland, then I would expect more endemic mammals — so, now, I am confused by the fact the fruit bat is their only one.
We have reached the end of my knowledge and reason. And we didn’t even get past #2 on your list. How shameful! I must commit sepuku! (But not during this decade, though.)
No splitting here, Paul. These islands are the vestigial remnants of the ancient super continent, Pangaea. That’s why no other mammals. The dirt here is too old to have even fossils.
Put aside your wakizashi …
Interesting blog, nice writing and fantastic location, your tropical island. I came here via Paul Sunstone. As I gather from the conversation, your last name is French-Canadian. I like la francophonie also because my father’s family comes from an area in north western Italy bordering with France.
Au revoir.
Actually, the last name is that of my ex-husband and originated in Brittany. Fishermen from there headed for the Indian Ocean about 5 generations ago and he descended from one of them. My last name is Hanks … Brit stock, I am, on that side of the family.
Actually I had realised that afterwards, while reading the conversation. But I had already pushed the ‘submit’ button. Then I will say:
See you soon.
Looking forward to that!
To clarify to “man from Roma,” the name “Benoiton” does
originate from Brittany, where my grandfather “Etienne” emigrated
from after the 1st World War, to “Kenora, Ontario”, on the edge
of the Lake of the Woods, not far from the Manitoba border.
My fathers’s first job was with the Royal Bank here, Canada’s
largest, and he ended up in Somerset, Manitoba, named after
someone from Somerset, England, but actually a French-speaking
area, populated by many Labossieres, Lafreniereres, Girouards and Fosters. So that explains my two-language upbringing.
[…] swing, the strong rhythm is just one of the things attracting me to this poem by Sandra Hanks. Another quality attracting me to this poem is Hank’s skill at being both light and serious […]
Hi Sandra!!! We want to thank you for the book, the cd but especially for your company. We met a very special person!!! You are a very wonderful woman!!!
Thank you so much!!!
Take care.
A big kiss to you and to your children
Love Lucia and Andrea
Prego! You are so welcome, Lucia! It was wonderful meeting you both, and I look forward to the next time!
Baci,
Sandra, Sam and Cj
Sigh. I swear a lot too. So much in fact that my running joke is this:
Person: “Do you speak a 2nd language?”
Me: “Why yes I do.”
Person: “Which one?”
Me: “Profanity.”
At least you are cursing a blue streak in a gorgeous location…enjoy it. 🙂 (Turning green with envy in Cleveland.)
At least you have that fuckin’ lake, Teri!
Lake Erie…the Indian Ocean…yeah, that’s the same. (And I type this as I watch snow fall for the 12th consecutive hour…) 🙂
Cheers
I get your point, Teri. I have been to Cleveland. Maybe you should think about coming here sometime! You’d be most welcome …
I got my geography lesson googling “Seychelles”. I am so jealous!! Nice blog!
Thanks for having the Breast Cancer button on your page.
It’s a beautiful place that welcomes visitors, Sister!
Hey Sandra – I don’t know anything about the professional you (sorry !) but I sure as hell like the real you. You’re a breath of fresh air !!! I love what I’ve seen of your blog so far. Please swear some more, as the need arises !!! The world needs more comedic-tragic inspired swearing !
The spirit in me honours the spirit in you,
Bright Garlick.
Thanks, BG.
Swearing happens, as it’s my knee jerk to shit and there’s never a shortage of that.
I’ll be working on that piece you asked for after spending some time on your page.
Very nice to meet you!
Sandra
NOTHING can exist alone. Life cannot exist without death. God cannot exist without the devil. You in spirit cannot exist without a body. Everything is in motion around the sun, that is why there are always two forces.
There’s one opinion, albeit a bit simplistic. Here’s a thought … more than TWO forces.
It has been a while since I have visited your Blog Sandra……The dissolving Xmas story was interesting….
I will visit more and if I do not see you out there, have a Wonderful Xmas in the Islands…
Your Friend!!
Greg
Thanks, Greg. Hope all is wonderful in your world.
S
Dear Sandra, we want wish to you and your children a really happy new Year!!! All the best to you!!!!
a lot of kisses Lucia and Andrea 🙂
Grazie, Lucia … baci to both of you!
Bonne et Heureuse annee, et le paradis a la fin de vos jours.
You already have “Paradise,” but it shouldn’t be overlooked
that the Seychelles is only a foretaste of Heaven in eternity.
It’s nice that you’ll be able to have it in both worlds.
Sincerely,
Rene
Merci, Rene …
Yesterday I was awarded the Versatile Bloggers Award. One of the conditions of the Award is to pass it on to 7 other recipients. I chose you are one of my 7.
Visit http://teamoyeniyi.wordpress.com/awards/ to collect your award.
As I am new to this world of blogging, I hope I have done it properly! I’ve written that you probably need no award from me, but that you are always at the top of my reading list! Advertising is good, is it not?
Robyn
Thank you, Robyn! How very kind of you. I’ll get to my duties with this very soon.
Congratulations on your Versatile Bloggers Award,
However, the condition of passing it on to 7 others, is a type of “chain letter.” These always get bogged down somewhere
along the way. So although I will pass my message to you,
on to a few others, I wll definitely be short of the seven.
Sorry, but I’ve already been subjected too often to chain letters. Thanks anyway for keeping me in the loop, and for continuing
to include me on your list.
A la prochaine,
Rene
Rene, I’m inclined to agree. I am very new to all of this and so everything is a learning experience.
I think it is a good idea, but we do need to be careful to not make it like those darn chain letter emails – which I NEVER pass on!
Swearing doesn’t bother me and I have been known to talk about the big three in public, so beware. (Religion, Politics, and Sex) You have been warned. ;O)
Doesn’t bother me, either. In fact I don’t know how some get through a day without it …
very nice to have stumbled upon your terrain. i curse a fuckload too, so you’re in good company. or am i? either way…fun to meet you.
Thanks for joining in the fun …
Thank you….glad to add fodder. I was wondering….life here in New England (NH to be exact) has reached critical mass for yours truly. I have mad oyster shucking skills and have been known to wax a few boards in my heyday, so my question is…..have you seen any beach shanties in your neck of paradise in need of a grunt with the aforementioned skills, willing to trade work for a hammock? My only request is that the hammock sleep two, as my gf would never let me bail solo. She has innately mastered the seek to my amateurish hide.
Not an easy thing to do, JK … they rather frown on “will work for hammock” visitors, unfortunately.
Praise God Allmighty, I have my own hammock and my own Island to live and play on and another one,Pelican Island,to be employed usefully on.We welcome you all like our latest edition to our prized armada,Cruiseship Magic.! Island life certainly has its sunsets and Omegas!Great big flounder are running right now.Enjoying the nonglare of an overcast day of leisurely Sundays-Cussing tolerated and understandable!.We all sometimes have momentarily lapses.Will you please listen to only a gentle voice and ‘Please, remember your manners, though.(Thanks for not hitting me.)My Mother too,took me to Mass. Hillmans in Dickinson,Texas hire shuckers and along with it comes a nice little house nearby on the bayou. Go there. A onetime matriarch of the family,now deceased at a ripe old age,was once my patient.I work as a private-duty Registered Nurse. Want to hear something to take the sting off of some of that bad pap? Well after you had set sail on your own adventures,I met and knew your brother Tom.We were very young! I now remember him as the most diligently affectionate and attentive young man. And he was so enthusiastic about going to the moon! It didn’t seem absurd or ‘itinerant’ of Tom to believe he could get his wish,even though this was the era of The Sonny and Cher Show ( and towheaded little girl Chastity
) and the ending of Vietnam finally,J.F.K. and the legalization of Roman candles.For a young girl like I was it was the most headiest young romance.Does he really think of himself as a’ spaz,death to women, and geeky ‘? I’ve only recently ‘boned’ up on his movies,it is so incredibly endearing to see him as a full baby,oh so comfy in a cave (a live -like Jesus) and,of coarse, a hurting,wounded,caring man.What girl could ask for more ? (Have you ever been rafting on the Guadalupe or to New Braunsfel ? Totally serene rafting ,until the white water hits. It is so amazing that he’s come close to meeting his goal of being on the moon. LOVE,PEACE,AND QUIET AND GOOD LUCK.May GOD Be With Your Spirit !
GREETINGS FROM MY ISLAND TO YOURS, TOO! Sandra, It’s pronounced as Sa”ndra”,though.(As close as I can show with these keys.SANDRA MARIE MILLER) P.S.I remember being as chocolate as you. Enter The HAWAIIAN TROPICAL TAN GIRL pagent in Galveston.Years ago it was a quick,easy $1,000.00!!!
Hey Sarah..
Your description regarding life in Seychelles has been somehow helpful for me. I will moving in some weeks to work in Seychelles for 02 or 03 years. It will be my first experience going out of my country. What advice can you give me.. What should I bring? Arriving to Seychelles what are the first that I need to do.. you know information that can help me to easily settle down there!!
hello Sandra,
just discover your blog
we living in Belgium and coming to the seychelles on holliday for the 3th time now ( from 30 march – 8 april). It’s beautiful @ seychelles but most of all the people are “SUPER”
bye, maybe we could met at Seychelles ?
happy belgian family : Karl, Katrien Luca (son 12 y old)
Sandy,
Glad to see everything is going good!
Cheers, Patrick
Patrick!!! How great to hear from you after all these years. How goes life in your world?
Good, still in beautiful Sacramento. I thought of you as there was just a Reaper mishap in your neck of the woods. I’ve transformed careers into a unmanned aircraft systems guy or, the unofficial drone whisperer.;-) Still no facebook but am on linkedin. Please tell everyone I said hello.
V/R Patrick
Pleased to hear from you again Sandra, as it turns out, on the occasion of a message from a “Patrick,” just a couple of weeks after March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day. Coincidentally also, your message comes the day before Good Friday (Vendredi Saint), marking the crucifixion of Christ, the day most commemorated on our calendar, other than Christmas (Noel). Most encouraging is that this holiday (Holy Day) brings not just the Easter bunny, but the Resurrection of our Lord’s body with the promise that our bodies too will all be resurrected. The present trend is bound to result in men being outnumbered by women. But like Christ’s, our resurrected bodies will be neither male nor female. What a consolation to men’s masculinity!
Best wishes.
Amen.
Rene Benoiton..
Really cool blog, Sandra! I enjoyed reading the many intelligent conversations and cant wait to read more.
I read your blog post from 2008 about the types of people who want to move to Seychelles. How long have you lived in the nation that you write so scathingly about Seychelles wannabes?
I’ve lived here for almost 20 years, and I was most welcoming until some asshole threatened my life when I told him that life here has issues … just like everywhere else.
Will you be the next?
Hi Sandra would you email me tour email so i can talk privately. Thanks Christian
Thanks again/merci encore, for keeping me in The Loop.
Hello,
I have found your blog and comments very helpful. We are hoping to move to Seychelles in July 2013 from Calgary Alberta Canada.
I am trying to find out information about the International school. Do your children go to the French school or the ISS? How do you find this school? Are you happy with the staff, building, curriculum, testing etc?
Is there a lot of homework? Are there school buses?
Also how do you find the cost of food today from 4 years ago? Are there local radio stations? How reliable is the internet and cable tv now with the new system? Are you able to receive many tv channels? Is there a good mountain bike shop? Is it easy to get around the island by bike or are the roads crazy?
Are there any craft shops or scrapbook shops? Is there is a good computer store?
Thank-you for any help you may be able to share.
Cheers!
Moira
Hi, Sandra I saw your post about Seychelles. It is very awesome. I plan to come to the Seychelles by the end of this month, and I plan to stay and work there for some time. Just that I don,t know anyone there as it will be my first time. If you could help me i will be more than happy. Thanks
sandra,
I wasn’t sure where you would most likely see this comment so I am leaving it here. It isn’t about the Seychelles, but about adoption. I am the adoptive parent of two kids adopted internationally.
Thank you for publicly criticizing Mirah Riben. I have read some of her articles and had some personal e-mail conversations with her. She twists the facts to suit her agenda. It is disgusting.
Criticizing the Riben is a pleasure. The woman is a loon and not very bright, so it’s a simple, if frustrating, endeavor.
i am glad you agree. some of her articles are totally out of touch with reality. There is one which states that it was common for teens to be parents in the 14th century so it should be OK for them to do it now.
The other one states that 22-year-olds who became moms as teens earn more money than those who did not get pregnant as teens, so it proves that teen moms are not destined to be poor. what she failed to discuss is that many 22-year-olds are still in college and don’t work much because of that. I think that the 22-year-olds who are already moms are more likely to work full-time and not go to college than those who don’t have kids. What she really needs to do is look at what these women are earning at age 32.
Trying to reason with her is a waste of time and effort. Ignore her. Everyone else does.
Sandra, is it true you used to live in Bournemouth? I’m having an argument with my wife who says she has no knowledge of this. ( and she is born and bred in Poole). could you confirm? thanks, Cliff Moore
Yep. I did. In Westbourne.
Thank you kindly – it’s very much like the Seychelles in Westbourne. The next question, should you wish to answer, is why did you live in Bournemouth?
My husband was in the Dorset Constabulary. Bournemouth was his beat.
Where is Bournemouth?
In Dorset … Southern England …
Hi Sandra !!!
howe are you ??? howe are your kids ??? time goes and always happens a lot.. I saw yesterday a docu from Seychelles and been thinking about you ??? i hope you are happy and healthy ! I tried to send you fotos last summer on your splash email… I am not sure if you got them ???
so I will trey to send you fotos from our Mexico trip to my girlfriend in Chiappas, close to the Guatemala border. We been there over christmas and new year for 4 weeks ! the best time to travel ! you can see on the fotos howe Selina and Laurin are grown ,and the parents a bit older ; – )
I hope this fotos reach you !
do you travel ? do you still live in your house ???
would be great to talk with you ! on Skype ?
I send you a big hug and kiss from all of us !
carola
https://picasaweb.google.com/107293914319202514084/Mexico2013?authkey=Gv1sRgCKzl2sfm7d65Pw
https://picasaweb.google.com/109937698495584941146/Mexico2013?authkey=Gv1sRgCK3P2Lu595ji1wE
Hi Sandra. Great blogs. I’m holidaying this July. Well I say holidaying , hopefully looking at options of relocating . In a good few years as lots to sort. Do u think a tattoo studio would be well recieved there or do you think it would be thought of as anti social. Anyway great reading your works of art. All the best brad
Tatts are quite popular here and I’ve had a few done by local artists. Whether or not there would be enough business for another studio, I don’t know. You’d have to check that out for yourself.
Well, this has been quite a random read!
From casually scrolling through Wikipedia and eventually landing on a link to your brother, I discover you exist, and how I’ve enjoyed reading all about you and your blog, to discovering some random small world facts! Keep up the great work 😊
From Matt, a Police Officer, due on an early shift, who should be asleep, living in Westbourne, Bournemouth!
Thank you for helping create the last smile of my day!
Glad you found me, Matt, and that you enjoyed the read. And from Westbourne, no less. What a hoot! Thanks for letting me know.
Hello Sandra!!! Thank you for sharing information on Seychelles.It is hard to find accounts like yours. I find out soon if we will be moving there for my husband’s work. We would be on the small island of La Felicite. I am a mother of a 21 month old. I have a super practical question… wondering if there is a resale market of baby/toddler items on the bigger islands you are a ware of. I want to travel light as possible as we will be coming from Indonesia, but realize items are limited on the island itself. Where I am now there is a website expats use to sell items they no longer need and it is a great resource. Any info would be extremely appreciated!!!
Not that I know of, Misia. There is a facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/marrket.seychelles/, that might help, though.
Thank you. I will check it out. Cheers!
Hi, dear Sandra! This is a message from Heike and Wolfgang, the small German community of Anse Louis, more or less a kind of your closer Seychellois neighbours! While I am working on a new book about Seychelles (sort of short stories) I found your blog! Thanks for sharing your special point of you ouf so-called “paradise”. It was nice to meet you and Patrick during our shopping trip at ISPC. As you were one of our first friends here in the Seychelles 15 years ago, it would be nice to continue with a sundowner on our terrace during our next stay (Sept./Oct.) I will let you know our final trip details earlier. Please stay in touch! Yours, Heike
That would be terrific, Heike, and with a follow-up here on my veranda. See you both in a few months!
And I’m glad you found the blog. Enjoy!
I really enjoy your blog posts! It’s fascinating to discover places like Seychelles which seem so far away. Thanks for the posts. I’ll keep reading 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Hello Sandra. This is the Robinson’s that was there many years ago visitiing Lucy. First time been on you page. Just found it. Have lost track of every one there. Hope all is well with you and yours. Would love to hear from you. We are just the same only much older.
Hello Ms. Hanks,
This is going to sound weird, but: I came across your info by chance while doing a Twitter search on the Seychelles. I have been Twitter searching pretty much every spot of land on Earth recently for a specific reason. In my hometown of Westerly, RI, there is an 8-year-old boy, Dorian Murray, who is dying of cancer. His last wish as expressed to his family is to be famous. A hashtag, #DStrong and online movement have been born from this request. People all over the world have either posted photos holding up signs saying Dorian is famous in whatever location they happen to be in, with the #DStrong tag, or retweeting the hashtag. His Mom has been posting updates on his condition on a FB page called “Praying for Dorian.” I have taken it as a mission to try to spread the word to as many states and nations as possible, to try to get people to affirm Dorian’s fame where they live. People in every state in the US have sent either tweets or messages to Dorian online, as well as every nation in North and South America, Europe, Australia, Antarctica. all but 3 countries in Asia and all but 4 in Africa. Could I ask you to tweet or leave a message for him on Praying for Dorian saying that he’s famous in the Seychelles? I thought it couldn’t hurt to ask. If you do send him a greeting, could you let me know so that I know that the Seychelles are accounted for in this effort? If any other members of your family would like to send him best wishes, I’m sure he would appreciate it as well. He’s living life to the fullest to the last and has affected a lot of people. Thanks, Brad Benson Westerly, RI
Do you know where I can get a video of yesterdays 5 o’clock news on KCRA
Dan? Wow.
Yes, just a couple of weeks older and Seven grandkids later. Was on T street saw your house and had to track you down. Made me smile to see your site and read the blog.
Best
Dan
So glad you did! Today’s world may be a mess, but it sure makes finding old friends easier. So … all’s good in your world?
Hi Sandra,
I’m an editor for a subscription website (called CultureGrams) that is used in schools to teach kids about the countries of the world. We are in the process of developing a report on Seychelles for primary-aged students and are looking for a native or long-term resident to review it for accuracy and write a few paragraphs of cultural information. This is a paid project. Please contact me for more details. And if you’re not interested yourself, I would really appreciate any recommendations you might have of someone who might be. Thank you!
Rachel Ligairi
rachel.ligairi@proquest.com
I have been going to the islands for 25 years or so. I am from the Uk. My life over the past 6 years has been almost a book! I would seriously love to live in the Seychelles for 6 months of the year it has always been a dream and if i dont do it soon it won’t happen. I paint a bit and I think I could keep busy. I am coming to Anse Soleil in March. Would you let me buy you lunch down there so I can have a proper talk to you.. I quite understand if this would not be a good idea for you. You sound so ‘ Black and White ‘ and I just think you could help me with some little confusions I have…
I would like that, Julia, but doubt I’ll be in Seychelles at all in March. Feel free to ask any questions, though …
I remember you from many years ago when you lived in Red Bluff. You were married for a short time to a friend of mine Stan Combs. Where did you go from there?
That’s a very long story that covers a lot of ground.
Sandra, hi. We met many moons ago while you had your cafe on the hill. My friend Tracey and I had been running. We were staying with my very great friends in the Seychelles Andre and nadege who lived down the hill from the cafe. . We met again on Bird where my husband and I were staying after getting married.(again) We were friends with Marie France who died of cancer and her sister who owns anchor cafe. We haven’t been back to Seychelles for a number of years and as I now have terminal cancer looks like I never will. I often think of the Seychelles and wish I was there, such an easy place to love. My friend and I often wondered how you were doing and it appears you are doing well. Keep up the good work and live well. How I envy you.
Good luck, oh and I swear like a trooper…
Hello dear friend,
A lot of water has run under the bridge and up the beach since we last met. I keep getting older…not a fan of that 🙂
Those two wonderful children must be strapping, handsome brainboxes now?
Did you manage to sell and live in the harbour? Do you still lunch on the pillared house with your posh friend? How is our friend, who liked a glass or ten of white wine, from the top of your driveway? Have you found a knight worthy of your attentions?
I live in Bournemouth again now, after 28 years on the Isle of Wight. I spent the last few years earning a living, designing and painting murals on a famous building on the Island. They called me ‘The Island Banksy.’ I work selling stuff at events across England. I’m still single.
I hope the Seychelles is obscure enough and shielded from plandemics, famines, wars, WEF, WHO, CFR, UN and Bill Gates.
I haven’t travelled much, but spent 3 weeks living in Old Jerusalem in 2016. I was there the day Trump moved the embassy and a whole lot of other stuff.
My mum passed away recently after a lot of pain. I had a vision of her in Heaven, so she’s in great shape….just us lot that are still here battling through 🙂
I hope this finds you, and finds you well and fulfilled….i know us caring creatives live a bit of a rollercoaster.
God bless you Sandra.
Christian