Rural Love, Going to Miss You All, This Changes Everything
Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
I hope this finds you well.
This week’s Prince Edward Island COVID-19 announcements.
Salutes and prayers for this young man and all on the front lines.
Congratulations to Morell Co-op being awarded for continuing to support its customers and community. Story here.
Rural retail is in most cases the heart of the community.
Being adopted into a family of merchants I remember as a young lad sitting on the counter of my uncle Marvin’s store in Black River, New Brunswick. I share a photo of my uncle Marvin pumping gas. Sure wish I had those signs today.
I can remember people coming and going and they usually had stories to tell. There was lots of laughter. People coming in the store to pay for the gas would pick up a bottle of pop or some candy. I remember some men being offered a “swig” of something behind the counter, then heading out the door to drive away. I will never forget the “outhouse” visits with the old Eaton’s catalogue for toilet paper! You can see the two-holer in the background of the photo.
There were lots of chickens running around the house. I recall the pee pots under the bed. and sunrise sunlight streaming into the room. Awaking to the sound of birds chirping, a rooster crowing and the smell of bacon wafting its way upstairs. I can see, smell it and feel it as clear as today.
During these times there a need to count our blessings and use the power of giving thanks or gratitude. But we also need to laugh and to cry.
I will start with laughter. I appreciate Cindy sending me some Ponderism’s this week.
- Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
- Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
- Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
- If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
- If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
- Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Do you need a good cry? Go for it. It is healthy. Read. The Need for a Cry.
My family members are keeping time and minds active doing word puzzles. Such as crypto quote, crosswords, etc. I tried for a bit but it is not doing it for me.
I recently read a TED Ideas story by TED Ideas Editor Daryl Chen.
Haiku is a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world. Read More Here.
I watched this TED video about Zezan Tam who writes haiku - one every day. By taking a step outside his comfort zone, he discusses his forays into daily poetry. And how it has allowed him to reflect on his life. Teaching life lessons around gratitude, courage and humility.
And this morning I wrote a Haiku.
While sitting on
the forest floor giving thought
you feel alone? No.
For the last 10 days, Millie and I head out the door before sunrise to play fetch, watch the sunrise, listen to the birds, give thanks and just sit and listen.
Wishing you and yours a good weekend and take care of each other.
With love from Prince Edward Island,
Bruce & Millie
Ps.
I remember the first time I saw a universal remote control.
I thought to myself... "Well, this changes everything!"
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