Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
Put the kettle on...do you the time for a cuppa?
Our province is now asking all Health PEI staff to wear medical masks when in direct contact with patients and when they are unable to distance at least two metres physically.
Since this was mandated earlier this week, we decided to follow suit. All our staff now wear masks. They are encouraged to wear the design that pleases them. Shirley purchased the masks for staff through a three-way partnership between the QEH Foundation, PEI Women’s Institute, and PEI Mask+Aidefrom. You can order and support the cause online here.
Keep wearing masks and social distancing — it works, new McMaster study states.
I smiled and hoped the best for this young man while reading, P.E.I. teen touring small towns with a big screen. Dash’s Drive-In is pulling into rural parking lots this summer. Kudo’s to him and his supporters. I think we will have to take in one of these events.
Lately, while working hand in hand with nature in the Gardens of Hope, I began thinking about solitude. Taking time to drink in nature’s offerings, has been rewarding this week. For example, watching the osprey build their nest high above the gardens and beside the River Clyde’s God-given fish buffet flowing through River Clyde is such a treat. It is such a thrill to watch the osprey dive for their dinner and come up victorious.
Henri Nouwen, states it well...
Nature is a Gift
In recent decades we have become particularly aware of the crucial importance of our relationship with nature. As long as we relate to the trees, the rivers, the mountains, the fields, and the oceans as properties to be manipulated by us according to our real or fabricated needs, nature remains opaque and does not reveal to us its true being. When we relate to a tree as nothing more than a potential chair, it cannot speak much to us about growth. When a river is only a dumping place for our industrial wastes, it no longer informs us about movement. And when we relate to a flower as nothing more than a model for a plastic decoration, the flower loses its power to reveal to us the simple beauty of life. When we relate to nature primarily as property to be used, it becomes opaque, and this opaqueness is manifested in our society as pollution. The dirty rivers, the smog-filled skies, the strip-mined hills, and the ravaged woods are sad signs of our false relationship with nature.
Our difficult and very urgent task is to accept the truth that nature is not primarily a property to be possessed, but a gift to be received with admiration and gratitude. Only when we make a deep bow to the rivers, oceans, hills, and mountains that offer us a home, only then can they become transparent and reveal to us their real meaning."
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more”
~ Lord Byron
For a few days this week, I was without my computer, as it was in for repair. I had others to choose from but decided to not. Being without a computer was a very different experience, but it turned out to be an enjoyable one. And my desire to spend less time listening to the news, written or other forms, is growing.
“Simply put, humans are not wired to be constantly wired.”― Cal Newport
Life right now is what it is, and need not be affected to the point of becoming an emotional trainwreck after listening to or watching the constant barrage of negative headlines.
So I will be more aware and move right along towards a more peaceful existence.
I enjoyed reading the Aeon article below by Thuy-vy Nguyen, who is an assistant professor in psychology at Durham University in the UK.
Time alone (chosen or not) can be a chance to hit the reset button.
From the article, “In a culture fuelled by fast-paced lifestyles and convenient technologies, we are easily pulled by our devices and our obsession with productivity. When we are alone, we find ourselves working, and when we have a free moment, we want to catch up with what other people are doing by picking up our phones. This can be true even when people are in lockdown and unable to socialize in person. Such a mindset, in which we actively seek to avoid solitude, only increases the chance that we’ll find the experience unpleasant when it arises. Conversely, by seizing the opportunity for relaxation and reflection afforded by moments (or even stretches) of solitude in our busy lives, we can reap the benefits. Time, when we are unexpectedly alone, can be difficult, but, at least for some, it can be a blessing in disguise.”
Today I have been listening to and enjoying Canadian Oscar® and Grammy®-nominated artist Stephan Moccio, pianist, composer. He has a new album coming out later in August, but here are a few songs to be enjoyed here.
The Lyrics below are written by Stephan Moccia and Marc Jordan.
Tears of Hercules
So it goes history shows deserts must expand
Camels sail-like wooden ships like women down The Strand
There's sand on Second Avenue and the wind blows like a train
Taxi's line-up like a strand of pearls around the block again
I remembered everything every windowpane
Every word came back to me the way it used to be
Then I saw your face across the street
Through the tears of Hercules
There's a bus that leaves at 8:15 and another one at 10:00
Should I climb aboard risk everything-and ride it to the end?
Watch the hill like roller coasters up into the sky
And wish that you were here by me so close that I could die
You say love wrecks everything and none of us survive
But I got over you last night and I am still alive
'Til I saw your face across the street
Through the tears of Hercules
You say love wrecks everything and none of us survive
But I got over you last night and I am still alive
'Til I saw your face across the street
Through the tears of Hercules
This weekend, I hope you find the time to enjoy the time.
With love from Prince Edward Island,
Sincerely,
Bruce & Mille
ps.
Three weeks ago, I sent my hearing aid in for repair...
I’ve heard nothing since.
Comments
Paula Mueda said:
I am WAY behind in reading emails, and have just gotten around to reading this this edition of your blog. As usual, there was much to savor, but I especially enjoyed the “Nature Is A Gift” piece y Henri Nouwen. Thanks for the blessing, and my wish for you and your family is that you stay safe amidst all the craziness that is going on in our world! Blessings to all of you on Prince Edward Island!
September 05, 2020
Janice Waggoner said:
Hello from Eastport Maine. It has been 3 years since my visit to PEI and I loved my visit. Therefore I enjoy your blog and photos to reconnect to beautiful memories. Thank you for sharing the music. Be well. Be safe. Be blessed.
July 18, 2020
Murdock Morrison said:
What you survived without your trusted computer-and you survived your blog friend – good for you, All of us who are seasonals are just so happy to be here on this beautiful island even though it is so different, so quiet , so empty and yes we have to get used to it as it may be the norm for some time to come. Enjoyed reading Nature is a gift as it has such a message for us to remember how fortunate that we are. Tears of Hercules was also a great choice for us to remember this important message as well. We are happy to be able to enjoy many of the things that we looked forward to when we are here and the one for me is that I finally was able to play golf at Eagles Glenn and in my 2nd game with my buddies I shot an amazing 81 to match my age -pretty special and totally unexpected and it happened on July 9/20. Murdock
July 16, 2020
LaVonne Bilby said:
Bruce, your thoughts and sharing of music is always most welcome! I often think back to the lovely meals, Special ice cream stand, strolls through your gardens and butterfly sanctuary back in 2003-2008 when we lived in PEI!
Thanks for the introduction to Marc Jordan which also led me to a Canadian jazz treasure~ Laila Biali.
July 12, 2020
Derinda Lyall said:
What a beautiful recording, touched my heart. I too look forward to your Blogs, I feel like I am there again walking around your beautiful gardens. Solitude is a precious gift, and one that I appreciate even more during these difficult times. I love to sit under my Tree with a book, cold drink and the birds singing away.
You are so blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful scenery.
Derinda
July 11, 2020
Derinda Lyall said:
What a beautiful recording, touched my heart. I too look forward to your Blogs, I feel like I am there again walking around your beautiful gardens. Solitude is a precious gift, and one that I appreciate even more during these difficult times. I love to sit under my Tree with a book, cold drink and the birds singing away.
You are so blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful scenery.
Derinda
July 11, 2020
John said:
Stephan Moccio . WOW! Thanks. What a beautiful combination of piano and voice and lyrics but when the strings come in it tugs my heart apart. Great photo of the Island. I hope to walk the Gardens soon and visit my beloved Island.
July 11, 2020
Lillian Paul said:
Thanks Bruce for the blogs. I truly enjoy them and today went back to re-read a couple.
Take care & stay safe.
July 11, 2020
Julia said:
Hello from Idaho! I, too, look forward to your writings every Saturday morning. It is a breath of fresh air and a reprieve for my soul from all of the bad news. I am missing my Canadian home and family so very much as I sit in the US, surrounded by massive spikes of COVID19 and angry people. Our family took a picnic on a Chamber of Commerce summer day along a Greenbelt and people floating in rafts along our local river. In this crazy upside down world, we will be watching the NHL playoffs in August. Drop the puck!
July 11, 2020
Cindy said:
Had to enjoy your visit with a glass of iced tea. 104 degrees here today!!
As usual you did a wonderful job and I too hope to just enjoy the peace!!
Have a wonderful week!!
July 11, 2020
Marion Sawatzki said:
Bruce, thanks for sharing this beautiful song and your thoughts in this great blog. I always enjoy reading it.
I so miss coming with my groups to PEI and your place. Stay safe and healthy.
Marion
July 11, 2020
Susan Mayo said:
Rooibos Red Chai in hand! Thank you, Bruce, for the recommendation. Now I can resume my reading of your wonderful blog.
Blessings~
Susan
July 11, 2020
Valerie said:
What a beautiful song. Living in the U.S., I don’t often hear Canadian artists(although Ontario is right across Lake Erie. I live in Erie,Pennsylvania). Enjoy your news letters each week and can’t wait to visit PEI again.
July 11, 2020
Marian Brophy said:
We look forward to your blog each week. We have been coming to PEI for 17 years for 2 weeks in September but won’t be able to come this year due to the corona virus :( May the Lord bless you and yours, keep up the great work. Grateful, Marian
July 11, 2020
Kathy Dickson said:
Good read while I drank my tea on a Saturday morning! We never go out without our masks! ❤️❤️
July 11, 2020
Mary said:
The raspberry pie ‘Welcome Home’ I left at the cottage was a hit! Thanks so much. Bruce!
This is a lovely blog piece… 😊🖐
Have a fantastic day….
Namaste
July 11, 2020
Julie MacKenzie said:
Loved the song by Stephan Moccio….Thanks for sharing.
July 11, 2020