Dear friend,
Before you settle in with your scissors and thread, here’s a little card of house rules, the sort you might find tacked beside the counter in a country post office. Nothing stern, just the gentle boundaries that keep this a warm and welcoming place for all.
1. No politics
This is a cottage, not a debating hall. We leave the wider world at the gate.
2. No religion
Everyone is welcome here, and we keep the space neutral so it stays comfortable for all.
3. No unkindness or poor manners
No rudeness, no snide remarks, no sharp tones. We speak to one another the way neighbours once did over a garden fence, kindly, simply, and with good humour.
4. No drama, no stirring, no troublemaking
This is a place for making, mending, and gentle company. Anything that disrupts that peace doesn’t belong here.
5. Violations will result in removal
Anyone who disregards these boundaries, or behaves in a way that makes others feel unsafe or unwelcome, will be kindly but firmly shown the door. The cottage must remain a safe, cozy place for everyone who steps inside.
Think of it this way: If you wouldn’t say it at a neighbour’s kitchen table, it doesn’t belong here.
Thank you for helping keep this school warm, respectful, and full of good company.
With warmth, Ellie Cottage Grandma