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Billy Joel + Thank you, Teachers + Doctor’s Orders

Billy Joel + Thank you, Teachers + Doctor’s Orders

Good Morning from Warren Grove, Prince Edward Island.

Thank you for joining me for a cuppa. 

This past week has been interesting; COVID moved in and lives with us as I write. We feel a bit better and thankful to have had the vaccines and boosters. I can’t imagine having had COVID without them.

Amongst a variety of symptoms, I found the virus brings brain fog, making it difficult to read and write. (I am laughing now, as it took me five tries to type this sentence.) So it might be a shorter blog than usual, and boy, oh boy, I am grateful for spell check today. 

I watched a video of Billy Joel at his old high school opening of the Charles “Chuck” Arnold Theatre Dedication. The video makes me reminisce about my school teachers. 

I have had many friends and still have friends who are teachers, and bless them all for jumping in and doing their part for society. However, a few weeks ago, a friend mentioned she went to high school graduation, and of the hundreds graduating, not one said becoming a teacher was an aspiration.

One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child. ~ Carl Jung

Thank you, Miss MacDonald, for being my grade 11 and 12 English teacher.

Watching a dormant passion within someone gets lit by another person's generosity is fantastic. 

In a Washington Post story, I read about 11-year-old Andrii Sidorov fleeing Kyiv in late February; he packed a small suitcase of essential items. But unfortunately, he had no choice but to leave his prized Lego collection behind.

“He was so sad,” said his father, Igor Sidorov, who drove with two of his four sons to Vienna on Feb. 23, just before Russia launched its assault on Ukraine. His two older sons — ages 19 and 16 — stayed to fight in the war. Their mother remained in Kyiv, too.

Without instruction manuals and using his imagination, he would craft intricate trucks, ships and robots since he was three. Over the years, he acquired thousands of pieces and cherished his vast collection.

His Dad mentioned the situation on social media, and consequently, the hotel where the Irish government had arranged their stay got inundated with Lego packages worldwide. 

Generosity and kindness inspired the young man to start his YouTube Channel, Lego Boy Star

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~ Unknown

If you have the time, I enjoyed this Fareed Zakaria, a favourite interviewer of mine, interviewing Billy Joel. Includes some well-known stories that keep getting deeper and deeper. Interesting to hear Joel talking about his 1970 suicide attempt and other tales of his life.

If you don’t have time for the interview, here is a lovely song, piano and vocal combination. 

Have a great weekend, and stay healthy. 

With love from Prince Edward Island

Bruce + Millie


ps. Your Morning Smile 

A man goes to the doctor with a swollen foot. After a careful examination, the doctor gives the man a pill big enough to choke a horse.

"I'll be right back with some water," the doctor tells him.

The doctor has been gone a while, and the man loses patience. He hobbles out to the drinking fountain, forces the pill down his throat and gobbles down water until the pill clears his throat. Then he hobbles back into the examining room.

The doctor returns with a warm water bucket, 

"Okay, after the tablet dissolves, soak that foot for about 20 minutes."

I am pleased to write this on behalf of the new owners, Adam and Marsha Doiron. Now retired as the founder of Prince Edward Island Preserve Company, I have started a new blog, A Bunch of Good Things. Newsletters go out Sunday evenings. Please Sign Up Here. 

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Comments

Jack & Lillian Paul - July 23, 2022

We are happy to hear you are recovering from “Mr Covid.” He can be really difficult for some people. Thank you for another great blog. I appreciated the story on Teachers. I have always felt they are very much under appreciated….after all they have our children for about as many waking hours as we do in a day.
Lillian

Barbara Ewart - July 17, 2022

Hi Bruce!
Imagine my surprise to read that you just watched Fareed Zacharia’s interview with Billy Joel. I just watched it this morning myself. As a lifelong Billy Joel fan who has enjoyed live perfoances over my 74 years, it was great to see him looking so well! That wasn’t the case 20 to 25 years or so ago. His life with wife, Alexis, appears to have made a significant difference. I’m always glad to see someone I admire who had gone through some tough times, come back stronger and better.
As a music fan all my life, I’ve been following Leland Sklar’s video blog. Leland is a professional bass player whose credits run the gamut from James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Toto, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt and so many more, to his current tour as bass player/arranger for Lyle Lovett’s current tour. He first appeared on James Taylor’s debut album and has been both an in demand L.A. session player as part of The Section, and he’s contributed to more than 2,000 recordings across musical genres. His blog can be found daily on YouTube. He offers insights into the life of a touring musician, in depth look at music you are doubtless familiar with, and anecdotes from over 50 years as a professional musician. As a break from music, he also posts walks with his two Bassetts Marcello & Rossano, named after the two famed Italian actors. Did I mention he has a terrific sense of humor? Anyway, I’m sure you’d enjoy a quick peak at Leland’s blog, where he often talks about specific artists he’s worked with & enjoys – including backstories and music. Lately on this tour with Lyle Lovett, he’s been making backstage videos of the specific venues they’re playing; most recently the Red Rocks amphitheater. It’s a vantage point most of us have never seen, no matter what live music concert we attend, from Classical to Rock & Roll.
Keep well, take care, and I hope your new retirement experiences will keep you inspired to continue your blog.

Best Wishes,
Barbara Ewart

Dorothy Michalek - July 17, 2022

So, so sorry to hear COVID found your house. And so grateful you and Shirley are vaccinated and boostered – if that’s a word. Take it easy, get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. There are COVID support groups out there.

And so thank you for the blogs.

Fran - July 16, 2022

Wishing you good health in the days ahead. Also want to thank you for posting the Billy Joel music and stories. He is such a talent and a humble soul. Thanks for all your interesting blogs – always a great read!

Murdock Morrison - July 16, 2022

Very nice blog especially the story of the boy who loved Lego and how social media provided this boy and his brother many legos. The Fareed interview was very good with Billy Joel as it covered many important tools of interest to many. Sorry to hear about the Covid in your household and glad that you both are Ok thanks to the vaccinations and boosters . Murdock

Annie - July 16, 2022

I am so sorry Covid found you and yours. Praying the fog is lifted soon and all other symptoms dissipate quickly. Thank you for all things Billy Joel in this post – he has always been an inspiration to me, and getting to see his concert the first time is one of my most treasured memories. You know what else is inspiring? You rising early on a Saturday morning, weighed down with Covid symptoms, diligently typing out incredible words of hope and goodness, and sending them out into the hearts and homes of your readers. Thank you for not waiting even one moment to do your part in improving the world.

Julie MacKenzie - July 16, 2022

I loved the interview with Billy Joel & the song by Comet Blue —Spaceship. I look forward to reading your blog every weekend. Thank you for sharing your blog with us. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Have a great weekend.

Greg Skala - July 16, 2022

God bless you and yours with a speedy recovery.

Jamie - July 16, 2022

So sorry to hear that you have coved. Glad that you are recovering and your spirit is as giving and generous as always. Continue your giving. It is a beautiful thing Thank You.

Kay - July 16, 2022

Thank you for your wonderful blog. Enjoyed the Billy Joel article, the tribute to teachers, glad to know that teachers are recognized. The story of the Ukraine boy & his Legos & how talented he is. It touched my heart to read about the generosity of the people that sent Legos. Glad you are feeling better, stay well.

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