Good Morning from Warren Grove, Prince Edward Island
Thank you for inviting me into your time and space today. I hope you had a fruitful yet stress-free week.
Let’s have a cuppa? Today, I’ll have one of my favourites: our in-house blend, PEI Organic Breakfast.
While browsing a local bookstore, I noticed a book, many actually, but one in particular. The sticker on the upper right-hand corner had a sticker on the cover - Staff Book Choice of the Month.
James Baldwin, a man’s name, I’ve seen many times in many diverse articles. There he was again, James Baldwin and his book, The Fire Next Time.
I purchased and read it this week.
Spontaneity is the province of youth. ~ Jacqueline Carey
What a maestro with his words. He wrote this book in the early sixties. He paints a picture of racial injustice in a way that leaves you wondering if we have made any progress since then.
I found myself being in awe of his writing. I had to put it down to take a break often, the subject deserved reflection.
The book and his writing is timeless. Mr. Baldwin opened my mind even more to the power of love. His grasp of humanity, learned from his life’s experience, led me, on a path toward more understanding and healing. Growth.
He writes lyrically, and we learn more about ourselves as a species. And because of this, I found it hopeful. But, he points the brutal facts. He tells it like it is. Unvarnished.
"The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself." ~ Albert Camus
If you wish to do deeper on James Baldwin, you may enjoy this article I read on a favourite blog of mine, Brain Pickings.
On the evening of August 25, 1970, Margaret Mead (December 16, 1901–November 15, 1978) and James Baldwin (August 2, 1924–December 1, 1987) sat together on a stage in New York City for a remarkable public conversation about such enduring concerns as identity, power and privilege, race and gender, beauty, religion, justice, and the relationship between the intellect and the imagination.
As heavy as racism and injustice can be, his words’ and his foundational values have redeeming qualities. There is Power in Love.
We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace. ~ William Gladstone
And here it is.
Valentines’ Day weekend, when more chocolates and roses meet their fates than any other time of the year.
Speaking of love…
Julia Child was a passionate promoter of French Cooking.
This woman probably ate thousands of pounds of butter and seemed to enjoy quite a bit of wine in her lifetime, and lived to be 91 years of age. ~ Ian. C, a commentator on the video below.
I hope you watch it and add it to your morning smiles. The video cracked me up.
While I was in culinary school learning classical French cooking methods, her book series, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, became available. And it was all the rage. I couldn’t afford the books as a student, but I remember loving the books’ cover design.
Music This Week: All week I have been listening to a marvellous Icelandic pianist.
BBC Music Magazine writes, "Víkingur Ólafsson takes Bach playing to a whole new, incredible level. This is music-making that’s crying out to be heard."
Sample the beauty of his talent here.
Blog Post I Enjoyed the Most This Week: Harold Stephens Has Died.
What an incredible story. And a beautiful tribute written by friend, Peter Rukavina.
Dreams of Travelling? Let’s Go Together Somewhere Today.
Thank you goes out to Allan, Althea, Cynthia, Debbie, Jasmine, Kathryn, Laura, Lillian, Mary Lou, Melissa, Patricia, Peg, Peggy, Susan, & Suzi. I appreciate you for taking the time to leave comments on last weeks blog.
Have a nice weekend and a intentional great week ahead.
With love from Prince Edward Island,
Bruce & Millie
ps. Your Morning Smile.
A minister was planning a wedding at the close of the Sunday morning service.
After the benediction, he had planned to call the couple down for a brief ceremony in front of the congregation.
For the life of him, he couldn't think of the names of those who were to be married.
"Will those wanting to get married, please come to the front?" he requested.
Immediately, nine single ladies, three widows, four widowers, and six single men stepped to the front.
Comments
Clive Cudmore said:
Yet to sign up for your blog, wanted to say Great to see you in Zoomer.
Regards.
February 20, 2021
Patricia Takahashi said:
Love your virtual visit each week ❣️ May I suggest looking up Prof. Eddie Gladue recent book about James Baldwin Begin Again & Caste by Isabel Wilkerson? Both excellent 💖
February 14, 2021
Julie MacKenzie said:
Loved the Faroe Island video. 👍 Dreaming about the day I can travel again. Thanks for sharing that Bruce. Love your vlogs. I look forward to them every weekend! 👍😊😉
February 14, 2021
Audrey Wilde said:
What a wonderful way to travel during our Covid-19 confinement. I loved the video of Favor Islands as well as the music. Thank You ! Audrey
February 13, 2021
Kim Elliott said:
As a US citizen and so disappointed in the results in DC today your included quote, from William Gladstone today, hit hard.
Thanks for taking us to the Faroe Islands…just beautiful..
February 13, 2021
Kay Schuld said:
Enjoy reading your blogs each week. Thank you for the trip to Faroe Island-interesting & beautiful.
February 13, 2021
Cynthia said:
Wow Bruce.You give glimpses of life that make me smile and yearn,longing for experiences that I may never see.Read a book.Share a song.Faroe Islands, how beautiful.I used to watch Julia all the time.Just loved her.When roasting chicken,waving knives and shows sponsored by Polaroid were all the rage.How far forward have we come? We cling to the memory of certain times gone by with the hope that we live longer,learn more and love deeply.Love your blog.Thank you.
February 13, 2021
Sharon Alford said:
Thanks for your blog each week. I love the pictures from your part of the world. The video of the Faroe Islands was amazing. Hello from Georgia, USA
February 13, 2021
Gillian Keane said:
What a wonderful start to my Saturday. A great smile with Julia Child and a beautiful introduction to the Faroe Islands.
Thank you
February 13, 2021
Joan Cummins said:
Beautiful Faroe Islands video, thanks for sharing
February 13, 2021
Monica said:
Thank you Bruce for taking the time each week to put together lovely pieces on music, poetry, local PEI news and the list goes on. Every Saturday I find myself laughing, crying and wishing I could one day call PEI home.
February 13, 2021
Marlene Boakes said:
Great blog as usual. The recipes are sure tempting!! I really enjoyed Faroe Island video. Hopefully get back to your Island in the near future and this world gets straightened out. Keep up the great blogs.
February 13, 2021
Wendell Hennan said:
Good Morning Bruce
You manage to pack so many wonderful tidbits into your blog each week. Dreams of Travelling was beautiful but I want to thank you for leading me back to James Baldwin. I read Go Tell it on the Mountain some years ago and found it wandering and sadly out of my depth due to my own immaturity. Now as of this morning, I understand that his writing was his way of exploring and understanding his own self. The discussion he held with Margaret Mead was incredible, it does make us wonder if anything has changed and if any progress has been made. And by the way, your description of James Baldwin as “a man’s man” was pretty clever.
Have a good week Bruce, until next Saturday, God Willing.
Warm appreciative regards
February 13, 2021
Derinda Lyall said:
Thank you Bruce for another interesting Blog. You really are an Educator, I learn so much from them. I did look up James Baldwins book. Maybe on my list for Spring. Loved the Julia Child’s Video. Hope PEI is doing well in this unsettling time. I am just grateful for my Family, Home, Friends and the ability to get out and walk in our beautiful countryside here in Niagara. We will return to PEI when this is all over.
Derinda
February 13, 2021