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Lobster Season, Staying Optimistic, What About the Groceries?

Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
 
I hope this finds you and yours safe and healthy.
 
Put the kettle on, let's have a cuppa. And thank you for allowing me into your home and schedule today.
 
The photo of the lobster boat with captain and crew on their way to set traps for the 2020 season. Photo by Katherine MacLaine.

Lobster fishermen set their traps from ports around Prince Edward Island Friday morning, after a two-week delay to the spring fishery. More photos and comments about the season here on the CBC story

And to celebrate the "setting" for the 2020 lobster season, we are giving away 10 pounds of freshly cooked lobsters. Unfortunately, we can only ship in Canada by overnight express. (sorry to our US cousins) To enter the contest, all you need to do is subscribe to our newsletter. If you already have, don't worry, you won't get the newsletter twice. But you do need to enter the contest. Click here to Enter: Win Ten Pounds of Lobster
 
I don't know about you, but there was a time during this isolation where I felt like I was grieving something. Now I have moved to a place of acceptance. It is what it is, and having a positive attitude makes it easier to deal with situations.
 

Over the long term, the future is decided by optimists. To be an optimist, you don't have to ignore all the many problems we create; you just have to imagine improving our capacity to solve problems." Kevin Kelly, the founder of WIRED magazine

Trevor McKendricks wrote the manifesto below in his Monday morning newsletter, How It Actually Works. 

Optimism2020: A Manifesto

1) Focus your time & attention on the things you can influence.
2) Do something today instead of daydreaming about tomorrow.
3) See problems as opportunities to learn, grow, and give meaning to our lives.
4) Keep promises to yourself, no matter how small. Telling yourself, you'll go on a walk and then doing it. Promising to call a friend, and doing it. Committing to your boss, you'll send that email, and doing it.
5) Have confidence you'll be able to figure out how to fix that thing that just broke.
6) Choose carefully the stories you tell yourself about who you are and what you're capable of.
7) Move fast. Most decisions can be reversed later.
8) Be you. Not because you're entitled to be heard but because there is some unique thing you have to offer, if you can find it.
9) Believe we can think, and build, and create ourselves out of any problem.
10) Internalize that the pie is not fixed, that life is not zero-sum.
11) Focus on why something could work instead of why it won't.
12) See yourself as part of the solution, not a victim of the problem.
13) Pay for the drive-thru order of the car behind you.
14) Recognize problems as temporary and specific, not permanent and expansive.
15) Believe problems are solvable. Maybe not right away, probably not easy, but that it can be done.
 
We are anticipating our sales to be down well over half this year. In preparation for this, we need to batten the hatches and weather the storm being wise with the use of our resources
 
Thank you for your supportive online orders this spring. The compliments about our product and service and the reviews you provide are a source of encouragement to all of us. Ghost hugs to all, and thank you from us.
 
The weeks at home have given time to organize "stuff." I read a few articles on living a simpler life by removing the unnecessary in it.
 
Such as this article out of the UK, The Ultimate Guide to Decluttering Your Home. It is thorough and helps one tackle the house room by room and ends with a 30-day challenge. It starts with a great quote.
 
"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." ~ William Morris
 

Another story out of the UK this morning. Graffiti artist Banksy made a painting of a Superhero Nurse and donated it to National Health Service.

Full story here in Artnet news.

 
I enjoyed reading This New York Times article as it adds insight into explaining the difference between Canadian and US Health Care Systems. Two Medical Systems, Two Pandemic Responses.
 

Paraprosdokians are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising. Here is a sample. 

In filling out an application, where it says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.' 

Inspiration this week: Read an inspiring story this week about a 107-year-old artist who beat COVID-19. It was the second pandemic she survived. The story of artist Marliee.
 
Discovery this Week: The Newseum. The front pages of newspapers from all over the world updated daily. Neat stuff for news junkies. Check it out here.
 
Ever notice, they begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
 
 
I recognize that not everyone enjoys classical music. But if you watch this video for the complete performance, how can you not? The passion and the skill of all musicians and vocalists are treasures to listen to and to watch. 
 

Take care and all the best. Stay positive. 

 

With love from Prince Edward Island,

 
Bruce & Millie
Sunrise near Brackley Beach.
ps. 
They say you shouldn't go grocery shopping when you're hungry...
But I ran out of food a few days ago, and it's just getting worse!
Previous article Happy News + Rewilding + Magicians Dilemma

Comments

Kenneth Culp - May 19, 2020

Well I closed my eyes and listened to Hauser and let his music minister to me. Very refreshing. During this time of being sequestered I have been listening to a lot of music on u- tube. Love What A Beautiful Name by: Hillsong.

Cindy - May 18, 2020

Thank you for a beautiful concert. First time I have seen Hauser play while he is wearing shoes. What an amazing talent.
Have a wonderful week.

Mike from WI - May 18, 2020

Another great, uplifting newsblog. Keep them coming. Guess I better get ordering soon to keep our neighbor to the north going.

Julia clark - May 18, 2020

We are missing you and your wonderful food but do want you to stay safe and understand why we can’t be there yet. Hope it will be safe for all of us to travel soon.
We are so fortunate in Kingston that we have only had 61 cases and they are all fully recovered and back at work. None for 15 days.
Stay safe, til we meet again !!

althea - May 17, 2020

Hallo Bruce, Please tell photographer Katherine MacLaine I’m not the only fan. Am sure you know how affecting and touching I find your blogs. Peace.

Jamie - May 17, 2020

As always, I look forward to your weekly blog for it is a highlight of the week. How I miss visits to your dear isle. Thank you one again for lovely, positive and uplifting inspirations. Bless you.

Murdock Morrison - May 17, 2020

Hello again Bruce – yes it is true that we have to be optimistic if we are to meet the challenges of this pandemic and we can only do that in in keeping our mind and body as active as we can. The Manifesto was a great read and we should follow many of the guidelines as we can as there are many things that are no longer needed in our houses and giving them to charities is a great way to feel good in doing this. I have an email that shows how a man made a clarinet out of a carrot and played it beautifully and will send it to you as it is amazing what one can do in the most simple way. Stay safe and stay well . Murdock

Allan R. (Max) Davidson, Tour Director - "Insight Vacations" - May 17, 2020

It seems like only yesterday on the Sunday morning of the weekend so many of us here in the Maritime Provinces and especially on Prince Edward Island were waking up to the “after shock” of Hurricane Dorian. It was on that Sunday morning you called me to say you had no way of being able to host my forty guests for lunch that day and after a short conversation you said, “Give me a few minutes to see what we can do.” Shortly after you called to tell me you and your staff would be able to provide us with a “cold” buffet lunch and so off we set from Charlottetown to New Glasgow for what turned out to be one of the “highlights” of the trip for my guests.

Personally, and I know I’m not alone when I say this, “I’m going to miss all the wonderful folks in the travel and tourism industry in all parts of the Maritime Provinces who go above and beyond to help me provide exceptional and wonderful memories for our guests when they join us here in the best part of Canada.” Albeit of course LJH our Island tour guide telling our guests, “Prince Edward Island is the most beautiful…” and always with her wonderful sense of humor and candor.

Like “Dorian”, the COVID-19 crisis is like another hurricane blowing through our lives at the present time but just taking longer to get past us.

Wishing you and all your staff and every “Spud Islander” all the best in the coming weeks and months ahead. Stay safe and stay healthy and as always my very fondest regards until we meet again…..

Max D.

Gary Davis - May 17, 2020

We love your newsletter. Can you tell me about the picture of N. Rustico.How would one go about securing a print thereof?. Many memories contained therein.

Gordon McK. Bateman - May 16, 2020

Bruce,
You are the best! The Raspberry Cordial arrived safely today with all bottles in tact! My grandchildren will be so happy when they open this surprise for their birthday! Thank you so much for going the extra mile for my family. Your customer service can only be described as “Top of the Line!” Our preserve orders will keep coming and hopefully our family can visit your dining room in the not too distant future. Warm regards, Gordon

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