Category Archives: Sunday Stuff

Politics, Sunday Stuff

Trump is being played

Trump is being played, but Putin is the one doing the playing.

Every move on the global chessboard shows it. While Trump thinks he’s calling the shots, Putin has been setting the board, moving the pieces, and waiting for Trump to fall into traps.

It’s not about strength — it’s about strategy. Trump thrives on headlines, ego boosts, and instant wins. Putin thrives on patience, manipulation, and long-term power plays. One chases applause; the other chases control.

The danger isn’t that Trump doesn’t see the game.
The danger is that he doesn’t even realize he is the game.

My Thoughts, Sunday Stuff

The United Nations utter incompetence

The United Nations has once again proven its utter incompetence when it comes to matters of global importance — especially the Russia–Ukraine war. For years, the UN has positioned itself as the world’s peacekeeper, yet when the moment for real action arrives, all we see are empty statements, symbolic votes, and endless “condemnations” with no teeth.

The Russia–Ukraine conflict is a glaring example: millions displaced, thousands killed, cities reduced to rubble — and what has the UN delivered? Endless meetings. Vetoes blocking any meaningful resolutions. Bureaucratic paralysis while civilians pay the price. The Security Council, crippled by its own structure, allows aggressors to wield absolute power over outcomes, making the entire institution look like a stage for hypocrisy rather than a defender of peace.

And it’s not just Ukraine. Time and again, whether in Syria, Yemen, Myanmar, or countless humanitarian crises, the UN’s involvement has been characterized by delay, indecision, and a failure to protect those most in need. The pattern is clear: speeches instead of solutions, committees instead of consequences, promises instead of protection.

The world deserves better than an international body that claims authority but consistently shows itself powerless. Until the UN reforms itself from the ground up, it will remain little more than a talking shop — a monument to inaction while wars rage on and human suffering continues unchecked.

Sunday Stuff

Short and Fleeting Summer

A Short and Fleeting Summer in Saint John

   Summer in Saint John has always been a bit unpredictable, but this year it feels like we hardly had one at all. The warmth came late—July felt more like early June, with fog rolling in off the Bay and more gray days than golden ones. When the sunshine finally arrived, with its heat it felt like a relief, a quick reminder of how beautiful this city can be when the weather cooperates.

   But just as quickly as it came, it seems to be leaving. The evenings have already cooled, the breeze off the water has a bite to it, and a few early leaves are starting to change. Walking through the uptown or along the Harbour Passage, you can feel that quiet shift—the season is turning before we’ve had the chance to really soak it in.

   It’s always bittersweet. Saint John summers may be short, but they’re filled with a kind of magic: patios packed with laughter, markets buzzing,cruise ships dotting the harbour, and the simple joy of seeing the city in full light. Maybe that’s what makes it special—it never overstays its welcome, and we treasure it all the more because of its fleetingness.

Here’s hoping September surprises us with a few warm, lingering days to carry us into fall.

 

Sunday Stuff

A Read For A Sunday

The Perfect Job: A Life in Flowers

   For over fifty years, I have been blessed to work in what I believe is the perfect job—bringing beauty, comfort, and joy through flowers. In retail and wholesale, I have delivered blooms for every occasion imaginable: birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, births, and, yes, even the difficult moments like farewells and condolences.

   From the very beginning, I realized that flowers have a universal language. A simple bouquet can celebrate life’s happiest moments, offer comfort during sorrow, or mark milestones in between. Whether it’s a radiant spray for a wedding, a cheerful bunch for a birthday, or a gentle arrangement to honor a loved one’s passing, each delivery carries emotion and meaning.

   What makes this work so special is the reaction I see when I arrive—smiles, tears, laughter, and heartfelt thanks. No matter the reason for the delivery, people are always glad to see me. I’m not just bringing flowers; I’m delivering memories, love, and connection.

   Over the years, I’ve worked with every corner of the flower world—wholesale, retail, and personally delivering them into people’s hands. I’ve met countless families, celebrated generations of life events, and built relationships that span decades.

   Even after half a century, I still feel the same excitement as I did on my first delivery. The joy of making someone’s day never fades. I have no plans to stop—because as long as people have something to celebrate or remember, there will be flowers to deliver and smiles to share.

   In this job, every day is different, every customer has a story, and every bouquet carries a piece of my heart. That’s why, after all these years, I still believe I have the perfect job.

The 'Brittany' in Rothesay New Brunswick, Sandra Miller Floral Designs

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