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Staying Hopeful + Almost Here + Magic Trick

Staying Hopeful + Almost Here + Magic Trick

Good Morning from Warren Grove, Prince Edward Island.

Thank you for being here with me this morning; I appreciate you. 

I headed into the woods this morning before sitting down to write and the silence was beautifully complimented by the song birds.

Now, I am ready for a cuppa and chat. 

I have to be honest I feel so much sadness for the families and the children affected by this week's tragic events in Texas that I find it hard to concentrate and write. 

Of course, I feel many other things as well, but I had promised this blog was not to be a pulpit for politics, and it won’t be. 

But there can be no reasonable defence as to why 288 school shootings in the United States since 2009 are 57 times as many as the other six G7 countries combined.

The trauma of these tragedies affects families, the local community, and the country, affecting the global community. 

“Energy moves in waves. Waves move in patterns. Patterns move in rhythms. A human being is just that, energy, waves, patterns, rhythms. Nothing more. Nothing less. A dance.” ~ Gabrielle Roth 

I am optimistic that things will change, but as Martin Luther King said, "darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." 

“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, and kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvellous victory.” —Howard Zinn.

Looking for some good news this morning, I thank Kevin Yarr of CBC PEI for sharing this story about grade seven student Emerson Hammill.

“I’m starting to think this world is just a place for us to learn that we need each other more than we want to admit.” – Richelle E. Goodrich.

In Kevin’s words….”Tuba players don't often get much time in the spotlight.

Instead, they will sit near the back of the stage, not usually attracting a lot of attention, adding bass depth to the melody or helping to keep the rhythm, passing the glamour roles to violins or trumpets.

Emerson Hammill is an exception to that rule.

At the MusicFest Canada earlier this month, the tubist earned the Slaight Music Outstanding Performer Award after being selected to play in the Canadian Junior Honour Band with about 100 other student players from across the country.”

Congratulations to Emerson, her parents for their support and to her teacher, Kirsten MacLaine, for guiding and encouraging her. 

“Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan.

Freedom Day for the cows and the Keepers. 


Summer is coming. I am looking forward to spending as much time in and on the ocean. 

We have been to the beach a few times this year to sit, relax and read. And I am looking forward to the first dunk. Last year, Shirley and I swam together on June 7, our wedding anniversary. 

If we had wanted to swim together in the late 1700s, this would have been the only way we could have done it. 

“Picture that moment when you finally get to the beach after a long winter, excitedly peel off your clothes, run madly towards the water and crash into the salty waves without a care in the world … this is not that. If you were a beachgoer in Georgian or Victorian times, more specifically, a female beachgoer, your day at the seaside would’ve likely had all the fun sucked out of it by a little invention known as the bathing machine.”

Take a “peek” at the Victorian Prudes and their Bizarre Beachside Bathing Machines. 

Does anyone want to sing and dance together and shake it all off! 

Lyrics included! 

Everyday People! 
Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I'm in
I am everyday people, yeah, yeah
There is a blue one who can't accept
The green one for living with
A fat one tryin' to be a skinny one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby-dooby-dooby
We got to live together
I am no better and neither are you
We're all the same, whatever we do
You love me, you hate me
You know me and then
You can't figure out the bag I'm in
I am everyday people
There is a long hair
That doesn't like the short hair
For being such a rich one
That will not help the poor one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on, scooby-dooby-dooby
We got to live together
There is a yellow one that won't
Accept the black one
That won't accept the red one
That won't accept the white one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and
Scooby-dooby-dooby

I am everyday people

Have a wonderful weekend! 

 My blog, “A Bunch of Good Things,” newsletter goes out Sunday nights. If you have signed up already, thank you. If you have not, you can sign up here. 

With love from Prince Edward Island, 

Bruce + MIllie

ps. Your Morning Smile

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Comments

Murdock - May 31, 2022

We are all shocked at the the total madness of an 18 year old to go into an elementary school with a high powered weapon and only wanting to kill human beings. To be sold this killing machine without any checks and balance is beyond reality and the NRA is totally at fault for allowing these weapons to be sold.. Bruce I also liked the story of the national award given to a PEI youth tuba player- just wonderful. We are all hoping like you and Shirley to take a dip in June and maybe could have today as it was a beautiful day. Take care – murd

Julie MacKenzie - May 31, 2022

I loved all the videos today. I look forward to every weekend for your blog. Now, I also look forward to your newsletter. We are getting spoiled. Thank you for sharing them with us. 👍😊

Carol Mcknight - May 31, 2022

Thank you for your thoughts each week. This one was extra special.

Derinda - May 29, 2022

Thank you Bruce, another good Blog. Loved Everyday People. Hope you both get to go for your first swim of the year. You are so very lucky to live in PEI. We will be there again in September and will be going to the PEI Jam Factory, love it there. Also want to see the Garden of Hope. Emerson is so talented.
Derinda

Bonnie In cavendish - May 28, 2022

I so look forward to reading your blog.
Can’t add anything more ….Your readers have said it all.
Your kindness and goodness comes out through these writings.
All the best to you ,Shirley and Milllie too,

Kay - May 28, 2022

Thank you, thank you for your wonderful blog this morning-so interesting, laughter & loved the music of “Everyday People”.

Sue in Nepean - May 28, 2022

Thank you so much for this. I was looking for a reason to get out of bed this morning (as is sadly where my spirits are often these days), and decided I was looking forward to finishing the novel I started yesterday. That got me up, and even to do my morning exercises, but “Everyday People” put the first smile on my face for the day. I played it twice and then shared it so others needing a lift could also smile.
I love Playing for Change and have 2 of their CDs so will now dig them out to play on a short road trip today.
Thank you again for the gift of a smile.
Sue

Suzi - May 28, 2022

Oh Bruce, this was a home run for my reading and enjoyment! Thank you for sharing your gift for writing. From the opening photo of the trees covering over the lane, to Emerson, the adorable young tuba player, to the Peek at Victorian bathing, and the fun song of Everyday People that included those beautiful artists, and one of my favorites, Keb’ Mo, and concluding the Monkey trick. What a laugh. First magic trick that I saw how it was done!
That said, my heart also breaks with the tragedy that has happened, again. When will this ever end? That said, this blog lifted my heart! I even went deeper when after the videos you included, one of them had the song, Way Maker. Great music. Caused my heart to sing.
Thank you dear Bruce. Love my Saturday’s because of your visit to my computer. Love and hugs!
Susan
P.S. I hope to one day, to be able to walk down that lane of the opening photo.

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