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Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
 
Put the kettle on. I don't know about you, but every once in a while I see a stain at the bottle of our kettle. Knowing that it is "limescale," I put a cup of white vinegar in and boil it. Doing this removes the build-up of minerals. A kettle used to boil lots of water will experience the build-up of this harmless material. I put fresh water in and boil again to remove any hint of vinegar. 
 
There the kettle is clean and ready. Thanks for allowing me into your space this morning. Ready now for a cuppa.
 
The Atlantic Bubble started on July 3, 2020. Anyone from Atlantic Canada can come and go from Prince Edward Island. All you need to do is fill out this form. There has been a wee increase in business. And right now, every bit helps.
 
We will keep our focus, and remember the very best will always be in demand.
 
People who love to travel the world and enjoy other cultures might will enjoy Window Swap. It is an inexpensive way of seeing the world through the window of someone else. I find it to be a neat website that lets you gaze out of other people's windows across the globe. It is one way to get the feel of being in a new place while staying safe during the pandemic. Take a peek here.
 
This week, I have been thinking a lot about music and how it can influence our emotions.

"Music replays the past memories, awakens our forgotten worlds and makes our minds travel." ~ Michael Bassey Johnson

In researching, I found, The British Academy of Sound Therapy, founded by Lyz Cooper.

Lyz began her journey with sound in 1994 when she had to leave a busy career in advertising due to a life-limiting illness. During this time, she found that sound and Music not only helped her relax, but certain sounds actually improved her health and well-being. The life-changing journey motivated her to find out more about how why sound and music can affect the mind, body and emotions. She went to university, got an MA in Education and an MSc in Applied Music Psychology and conducted research to find out more.

"Music has real health benefits. It boosts dopamine, lowers cortisol, and it makes us feel great. Your brain is better on Music." ~ Alex Doman

 

You may enjoy reading about her research through this article.
Music as Medicine – The Musical Recommended Daily Allowance.
 
Music and Memories
 
The first time I heard of Alzheimer's disease was near 30 years ago while attending Shirley's grandfather Warren Buchanan's funeral. The old country church was filled with family members and hundreds of rural Prince Edward Island residents.
 
When the organ started to play, Myrtle, his wife, started loudly singing the hymns word for word. Myrtle had Alzheimer's. Unaware that she was attending her husband's funeral, there was not a dry eye in the house.

 

The Power of Music and Love

Filmmaker Alex Widdowson interviewed each member of his family to talk about Jamie.

Jamie was diagnosed with severe Down's Syndrome at birth, being mostly non-verbal has a remarkable sense of empathy and a wicked sense of humour. Jamie loves clowns and Music.
 

Words from Alex, his brother.

"We rarely see portrayals of the diverse, ordinary lives of people who have Down syndrome (unless we are connected to someone who has it). Much of what we hear instead is based off a medical narrative. As prenatal screening tests improve, the birth rate of people with Downs has fallen. I believe people should be able to base life-changing decisions on accurate information. But I also feel that a diagnosis does not reflect my brother's human worth. This film attempts to complement the medical narrative with first-hand stories of what it is like to have someone with Down syndrome in your family. Jamie has enriched our lives, and I believe a society can be measured by its capacity to nurture those who are most vulnerable." 

I loved his animation and storytelling.

 

Thank you goes to LaVonne this week for sending me to the Music of Canadian pianist and singer, Laila Bali.

The Book of Love 

The book of love is long and boring

No one can lift the damn thing

It's full of charts and facts and figures

And instructions for dancing

But I

I love it when you read to me

And you

You can read me anything

The book of love has music in it

In fact that's where Music comes from

Some of it is just transcendental

Some of it is just really dumb

But I

I love it when you sing to me

And you

You can sing me anything

The book of love is long and boring

And written very long ago

It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes

And things we're all too young to know

But I

I love it when you give me things

And you

You ought to give me wedding rings

And I

I love it when you give me things

And you

You ought to give me wedding rings

You ought to give me wedding rings

 

"Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart."

~Pablo Casals

With love from Prince Edward Island.

LOVE MORE.

 
Sincerely,
 

Bruce & Mille

ps. 

A Quote, I am pondering. 

 
"Be forgiving with your past self.
 
Be strict with your present self.
 
Be flexible with your future self."
 
~ James Clear
 
pss.
 
Man (to his doctor): "What l am worried about are my height and not my weight."
Doctor: "How come?"
Man: "According to my weight, my height should be 7 feet, 8 inches."

Comments

  • Michelle Greenwell said:

    Lovely blog post! I enjoyed all the different aspects. Thanks for making my day :)

    July 19, 2020

  • Murdock Morrison said:

    Thanks for the tip on the kettle and limescale as that is so true . We have 3-4 cups of either tea or coffee per day and there is that build up as it is there and now I will follow your advice and get my kettle back to it’s old self. Yes music is the essence of enjoyment no matter where it is coming from as I hear every genre whenever I am inside and sometimes when I am outside. Alex’s story of his brother was very touching as these stories have so much meaning. Will try Windows Swap at some time -thanks-and we are enjoying our cottage every day as so far we have no skunks, racoons but lots of squirrels and chipmunks and they are family eh!!!!!!! Murdock

    July 19, 2020

  • Kimber Porter said:

    Bruce, Thank you for your blogs. They give me peace, thoughts to ponder and humor to brighten my day!

    July 18, 2020

  • Valarie LaBore said:

    Thank you for sharing the link to WindowSwap. I’m really enjoying that. I’m listening to Vaughn Williams- Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
    Val

    July 18, 2020

  • Mary-Julie Adamowicz said:

    So sad that my yearly trip to your beautiful Island can’t happen this year. Your photograph and blog bring me back to PEI and I very much appreciate that. Looking forward to next year. Thank you.

    July 18, 2020

  • althea said:

    Hallo, Bruce. Just fyi: put baking soda down kitchen and bathroom drains; followed by the boiled vinegar from cleaning the kettle; wait till bubbling stops, then run hot water tap for couple seconds. Voila! cleaned/cleared drains. My ‘thank you’ for your delightful and beautiful start to weekends.

    July 18, 2020

  • Susan E-J said:

    As always, your Blog is a delightful part of my weekend musings, Bruce. Thanks for sharing – and I loved the Window Swap!

    July 18, 2020

  • Diane Voge said:

    I am far from the Atlantic bubble, and to paraphrase Anne, “You don’t want me? You don’t want me because I’m an American?” Sigh. I miss my other most favorite place in the universe and can only be happy that I am stuck in this one. I always appreciate the photo at the top of your blog, when I can daydream myself sitting with a cuppa gazing out at the prettiest spot in New Glasgow..

    July 18, 2020

  • Audrey Wilde said:

    Loved the video about Alzheimer’s and music. It hope for all of us as we continue to go older. My husband plays trumpet and has always loved music. For us music is a language that brings all people together. We’ve been very fortunate to travel to a number of countries because of the Kiel Municipal Marching Band that he has been a member of. It was a wonderful experience to see and feel the warm welcomes we all received as we traveled around the countries. Thank you so much for continuing your weekly blog. Blessings. Audrey

    July 18, 2020

  • Julie MacKenzie said:

    I loved this week’s topic. I know music has the ability to heal & has the possibility to make you feel better. I sing in 2 choirs & I play the harp. I know my life wouldn’t be the same if music wasn’t a part of it. It gives me so much joy. 👍😉😊

    July 18, 2020

  • Kirby Nowlan said:

    Look forward to your blog every Saturday. Today I loved Laila’s music. It truly made my day. Thank you for sharing.

    July 18, 2020

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