Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
Time for a quick cuppa? Great, thank you for inviting me in to your world today.
I am here, but I am mourning.
2020 is proving to be a tough year.
Globally, I mourn for the lack of civility being shown by those in positions of power.
Globally, I mourn for those who have died because of the colour of their skin.
Globally, I mourn for those who died defending freedom.
Globally, I mourn for those who raised or educated in a system perpetuating racism or judgement of any kind.
There is a once in a lifetime (hopefully) global pandemic along with a centuries-old global systemic problem of tribalism.
Yesterday, demonstrators marched in Charlottetown against anti-black racism in wake of the George Floyd murder. CBC story here.
Pitting people of a different colour, sexual orientation, and social status against another is wrong.
I need to listen again to all communities of people. I will work to have a deeper understanding of their experiences and pain.
I need to commit to doing everything I can to fill gaps in my knowledge about systemic racism. Books, podcasts, and film.
As a company, we commit to our continuation of being inclusive. And support our staff who experience difficulties in life because of ignorance.
I need to do my part to speak and work against systemic racism.
We are all one of a kind. Let’s be kind and one.
When I started to write this Saturday morning blog, I committed to myself speaking with a voice of encouragement and hope.
Today, I am still hopeful of peace-loving people coming and working together for change.
We receive our “education” in many places, home, school, church, on the street, and media.
What is said, and not said affects us all.
If you have the courage, I recommend watching, “A Class Divided.” Jane Elliott, the teacher deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. The wisdom shared by the grade three students brought me to tears.
Logic will lead you from point A to point B. Imagination will take you everywhere. ~ Albert Einstein
Artists have always been a voice for change.
In many cities where boarded-up windows are part of the landscape, artists are painting messages of hope and inspiration.
I do not want my house to be walled on all sides and my windows’ shutters to be shut and nailed: I want culture of all countries to flow into my house freely. And yet, I do not want to be knocked off my feet. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Yo-Yo Ma plays J.S. Bach's Cello Suite No. 1
Yesterday, our photographer, graphic designer and friend, Katherine MacLaine captured wonderful photos in our gardens and share them in our Gardens of Hope blog. Click here to view.
Starting today and until next Friday we have a contest. Three lucky winners will be able to choose any mug from our selection of Dunoon Fine Bone China and we will send it to them. Enter Here. Tell me which one you would like.
Much love to you and yours, and please be safe out there.
Take care. Each of us is our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.
Bruce & Millie
There is enough dividing us, let’s unite in hope. And humour helps.
ps. "The restoration of humour is one clear mark that a person is getting healthy because I think ... finding something funny means being able to distance yourself ... being able to manipulate ... being able to think about things in multiple ways, which really is the core of a healthy, well-lived human life." ~ Dr. Steven Gimbel
pss.
“I love my job,” a farmer says out loud. A sheep replies, “Ha! All you do is boss me around all day!” The farmer, clearly upset by this responds, “What did you just say?” The sheep replies, “You herd me!”
Comments
Derinda Lyall said:
Amazing Video Bruce, thank you for sharing. It is a sad world at this time, but hopefully lessons will be learnt. On a brighter note, your wonderful gardens, Millie and your weekly Blogs are a Ray of Sunshine for many of us I am sure. Keep safe and we look forward to visiting again next year.
June 08, 2020
Audrey Wilde said:
Hi Bruce, I love your blog. It always gives us things to ponder and think about. So glad you are part of our lives. I have Hope through prayer that the lives will be changed: To open hearts and minds to loving accept each individual for who they are.
I do enjoy my cuppa every morning! Blessing to all of you. Audrey
June 08, 2020
Michael D. Healy Bangor, Maine said:
Just love your blog and the items you choose to highlight in them. We have visited the island every year for the past 15 years and stay at the Cavendish Beach Cottages on the Gulf Shore Drive. We love your restaurant and your gardens. We have reservation for this July for 10 days but are wondering if the border will be open by then. We will play it by ear and hope for the best. We also love your Jams and Jellies.
June 07, 2020
Susan Mayo said:
Always, ALWAYS enjoy your blog! Yo-Yo Ma is still serenading me! Also, I have a brilliant idea, which came from your photos, I loved your video and words, hearing your voice, thinking this would be fun to see in your blog each week? Blessings to y’alls!
June 07, 2020
Murdock Morrison said:
Bruce – we are all mourning because we care about ourselves, the people around us, those who are hurting and those who need us now. I truly believe that it will take a culture change in our society , all societies to the violence and hate that we see in so many ways and our leaders need to provide a new face of more tolerance and love for all people but especially people of color. I will be writing in local papers on the culture of guns and policing as the scenes and actions of those who are there to protect us has definitely got to change as they are a big part of the problem. Let peace and love be motto that is posted in every police station and hope for change. Bruce, we are hoping to be given the green light to come and open our beloved cottage so speak to Dennis eh!!!!!!!- murdock
June 07, 2020
Debbie Wynne said:
So thankful to be on your mailing list and save your emails for my Sunday cuppa.
Enjoy yours words of humor, hope and healing every weekend. You and Corrie are my Sunday morning sanctuary….I think Coronation Street my be coming to an end due to Covid…..please don’t leave us Bruce….we need ya!
Entered contest and would love the dragonfly mug….spirits live on in dragonflies.
June 07, 2020
Beverly Dow said:
If we all lived the lesson taught by Mrs. Elliott the world would be a much better place. Let us all live the lesson taught by Mrs. Elliott in our hearts and minds. We will all be the better for it. Bruce, this is by far your best blot and you have written a lot of good ones.
June 06, 2020
Mikel & Kay Stevenso said:
We are grieving…for those so highly impacted by the pandemic, for the long history of systemic racism in our country and for lack of a leader who at least tries to unite our country.
Thank you for this compassionate blog…we open it each Saturday morning to lift our spirits.
June 06, 2020
Diane Vog said:
Sad to say Ms. Elliott was much criticized by some for putting children through that experiment. I thought she was brilliant. Her lesson and the classic 50s experiment when adults gave what they thought were increasing shocks to strangers demonstrate how quickly and easily humans can be manipulated to treat others despicably. Thanks for the reminder.
As for your remark about humor, I once told my mother if she ever lost her sense of humor, I’d know she was in real physical decline. She stopped joking a couple of months before she died.
Thank you for sharing you view from the restaurant window. I miss it. It is truly one of the loveliest scenes on the Island.
June 06, 2020
Joyce Simpson said:
Thank you so much for “A Class Divided.” I wish I’d had her for a teacher. I also wish my parents had her as well. She was tough, but she was loving as well.
Thanks, Bruce.
June 06, 2020
June Erlandson said:
Well stated….
We weep, pray & seek to do something positive.
I am a retired nurse. Nursing is a team effort and often having
diverse coworkers gives us strength.
June 06, 2020
althea said:
Bruce, for me, your finest blog yet. Humble. Truthful. Thought provoking. Courageous. Simple in its beauty and honesty. Thanks, once again, for Katherine’s lovely shot of the gardens. Helped ease a 1965 Montreal memory brought back from A Class Divided. Love. Hugs. Peace. Blessings.
June 06, 2020
Patricia Jones said:
I certainly hope our borders will open soon and I can drive over the bridge.. it was such a treat to see the beautiful photos , and Hope Cottage where I enjoyed a few days last summer, and your heartfelt message..
Stay safe..
Patricia
June 06, 2020
Mary Mosher said:
Hi Bruce – If I were to win the mug draw I would love to have the Henley birdsong pink. I am awaiting tendon surgery on my hand and have dropped and broken 3 of my beautiful mugs. I miss the morning ritual of choosing the cup of the day for my coffee.
So look forward to your blogs each week. Thank you for taking the time to brighten our lives.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=210226790420522 – came across this on You Tube and thought you would enjoy it. Take care
June 06, 2020
Marlene Boakes said:
Amazing video “A Class Divided” and beautiful view through the gardens. I miss coming in with the coaches. Always a great blog. Have a super day.
June 06, 2020
Mary Larson said:
Very much appreciate your blog. I remember fondly our visit and the excellent food. I just entered for a free mug, but because of my computer skills, I may have requested the wrong mug if I win. Don’t know how to change it.
June 06, 2020
Julie MacKenzie said:
I love Jane Elliot. I saw that clip of her in the classroom about 2 years ago. It was all-telling…such a simple experiment…but just showed how easily that kind of division can separate & cause anger & hatred. A great lesson learned. She is genius. We all live in an imperfect world…but, the awakening has started & we just have to realize we are one race. The “Human race”. Your Blog was wonderful. Realizing there is a problem, is a start for change. One step at a time…;)
June 06, 2020
Tati said:
Dear Bruce, Thank you again for your post. I look forward to them every Saturday morning. I listened to this blog post by Brene Brown this week. You may find it of interest https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-ibram-x-kendi-on-how-to-be-an-antiracist/
Thank you for all, your words, thoughts and always the music shared with us.
June 06, 2020
Marlene Andrews said:
Spring is such a beautiful season and the pictures of the gardens are lovely. Thinking of you and your family as you face an uncertain summer.
June 06, 2020