Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Aspirations and dream...by Invitation Only



Welcome to my dreams...


My first time being part of Marsha's group of gifted writers... Marsha as you may know is the incredibly talented blogger known as Splenderosa. It's early Saturday morning, coffee on my nightstand, sitting in bed, computer on my lap, I feel very intimidated to be part of such accomplished writers... Tish Jett, Greet, Vicky, Deborah..to name a few.






The subject is very dear to me ..."tell the world what you have always wanted to do or wish you could do, but just haven't done it yet "


I have reached the age of reflection, a time when I can look honestly at my life. I have been a very tough self critic, but with enough years behind me now, I am trying to be a little kinder to myself. This subject is touching a sore chord, very deep inside all the mixed emotions .


Frankly, I have wanted to do everything (except politics) ... see the world, fly airplanes, climb mountains, write a book, build my dream houses.... (yes, that's right, its Houses, not a typo) but feel that I have accomplished so little... My bucket list keeps growing and I can never hope to catch up!


My heroine Emilia Earhart...while flying my small Cessna, I would dream of her adventures
Photo: aviation-history.com

Let's be a little wild and as Marsha suggested, forget about time, money, obligations.

Everest through my lens

I have a vision... following months if not years of preparations and training, I reached the summit of Everest. I feel the pain of breathing, every muscle screaming, the burning fear of the descent, the tears of joy, and the purest love  of life. I would have survived the harshest conditions where life is so fragile that the wrong step, the slightest mistake, or simply bad luck will kill you.
I must have read nearly every mountaineering book, watched so many documentaries and lived vicariously through the great climbers. Listening to stories told by Peter Hillary during the evenings following our days trekking in Tibet, I would block out the world and live through his words, sometimes brutal,describing with such precision the harsh realities of mountain climbing.



This is actually a smile of pure joy with Mount Everest in the background

With Peter Hillary following in his father footsteps as the greatest mountaineer ever...
A fabulous story teller as well



Wake up! this is just a dream but isn't it fun to dream...


I feel so fortunate and thankful as I live my life fully, never looking back. As a young girl, I flew my airplanes, skied as if the devil was in me, and dreamed of America (Please keep in mind I was born in a village with fewer than 500 inhabitants in a remote beautiful part of France, Lot et Garonne)


My small village of Clermont Dessous

I made it to America and many of my dreams and wishes have been fulfilled! I am blessed with a wonderful family and amazing friends. I love designing, gardening,hiking, skiing,reading... but most of all, love showing the world to my two sons. (now worry to death as my younger son is becoming passionate about.... roped mountain climbing!)


I have yet to build my dream mountain house, or my hut on some deserted island or write that book about life, design, travel and adventures, get back into the pilot seat, and still need to visit 147 out 195 countries !!



Found "my" island in the Indian ocean, off the coast of Zanzibar

Found "my" hut



Go and live your dreams...

A bientot,

Francine


Please, visit Marsha at By Invitation Only and read about these bloggers dreams


Marsha Harris
http://splenderosa.blogspot.com/


Members of "By invitation only"



TISH JETT

YVONNE PRATT

CHARLOTTA WARD

GREET LEFEVRE

CATHERINE ROBINSON

ANNIE BOUTERSE

COTY FARQUHAR

DEBORAH PETERSON

DUSTJACKET ATTIC

SHARI MILLER

TINA

MONA THOMPSON

FIFI FLOWERS

JACQUELINE MUMFORD

KARIN JANSKY

CECILIA GONZALEZ

RENEE GRANIER & ANGELA FOSTER

JANELL

LISA

CHRISTINA FLUEGGE


SANDE CHASE
http://agiftwrappedlife.blogspot.com


ISA CHANDLER
http://isaslittleworld.blogspot.com/











13 comments:

  1. Thanks for dropping by. Looking forward to exploring your blog more fully.

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  2. Your appetite for life is inspiring Francine...how far you have come and how far you will go!

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  3. Brilliant Francine.....Such dreams and some accomplishments....Bravo....xv

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  4. Oh Francine,
    What a wonderful 'By Invitation' post. I just knew that you would have so many exciting things to say for this post, as you have done so much. I am so content with my life and, having reached 60 now, have had quite a few years to fulfill many things that I have wanted to do and, although I still want to do so much, I am not quite as desperate as I used to be !!
    I absolutely love the look of the village in France where you were born....what wonderful views and surrounding countryside.I would love a visit to Clermont Dessous. I shall have to put that on my wish list !!
    Here's to many more adventures. XXXX

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  5. PS. I saw your comment on Vicki's blog and couldn't help but add two things: 1) travel safely today and 2) I have an adventure for you for your Namibia trip. Abu Camp in the Okavango Delta is a short plane ride away--safari on elephant back!

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  6. Francine, you are my inspiration for actually achieving all that we dream. The things you've done are amazing, I love all your stories, and I can feel your joy. A beautiful post, my friend. How much more all of us could feel by simply embracing our world. Sending love.....

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  7. So nice to meet you Francine. Your zest for life is contagious. You've lived so many of your dreams and are still dreaming...that's what makes a beautiful life. Bravo. Mona

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  8. I agree with Heather - your zest for life is impressive. I loved following your Everest conquest - go forth and conquer!!

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  9. Francine-
    You are certainly not a dull person. I love reading posts about your wonderful journeys, and look forward to reading about those in the future!
    Truly enjoyed this post.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  10. Hello Francine,
    A very encouraging post for all dreamers!

    Greetings from the PĂ©rigord,
    karin

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  11. HI Francine, so lovely to hear your dreams and to see how many you have realised.. Amazing.. We all need to dream it keeps life interesting. Carla

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  12. I am so glad that you are home safe and sound and have your feet planted firmly on solid ground...that is until you're climbing side-by-side with that son of yours. Gee I wonder where he get's his sense of adventure?
    Great post Francine. I was late to link to the invitation but you did inspire me to write a few thoughts.
    xo Lisa

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  13. Melanie here! I enjoyed this piece, please email me--I have a question about your blog. MelanieLBowen[at]gmail[dot]com

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