HELLO!

Kim and I were married in June 1991. We went on our honeymoon to the Normaway Inn in rural Cape Breton. Later that summer Kim’s parents, who loved PEI, invited us to join them at their rented cabin by the beach. Kim and I were not yet used to traveling together and each other’s default instincts when it comes to planning. Kim looked at the forecast, it predicted sunny days. She packed accordingly. She took more than she needed, but that is par for the course with her. I packed much lighter, BUT I also included rain attire. I also included a few other items we might need in case things were not as advertised at the destinations we expected to visit. Kim was confused. “Why worry about such things, everything is likely to turn out just as we imagine.” I am the total opposite, I always have a Plan B, C and D, I always am prepared for things not to work out. On the other hand, I am typically the least likely to complain, I am low maintenance in that I don’t need much to be happy.

What do I complain about? When I worry and am dismissed, “Oh you silly person, why are you being too negative, everything will turn out just fine.” I am not a complainer, I would be happy with almost any outcome, but I know people, and I know how upset people will be if things are not to their satisfaction. So I plan for things to fall apart, ready with an alternative. On that trip to PEI, in 1991, it did rain, it poured. And we had no clothing to meet this moment. Did I say, “I told you so”. Yes, I did.

I get asked to do a lot of public speaking. In 2026 it is now the norm for the speaker to show up with a power point presentation, for the images on the screen to be the content, the speaker reading off the screen what everyone can see. When I show up, the AV team are anxious for my thumb drive, and I tell them there is none. They respond with a look of disbelief. I will tell you what often happens, when I am sitting in the audience at such a presentation. The speaker arrives 5 minutes before the start time. S/he plugs in their laptop to the system in the Hall, and…something is not working. The devices are not connecting. The speaker is lost, annoyed and muttering, “It worked at home, it works everywhere else, I don’t know why it is not working here…” And I am thinking, why didn’t you come earlier to do a mic check, to make sure the devices connected with each other? In these cases, there is a long delay, dead air, and the presentation is cut short. Because the speaker is only prepared to read what is on the screen, s/he is utterly lost.

At my presentations, I wait to be introduced, I step forward, and talk. If the mic is not working, I talk louder. People hear me. I am ready. In general, whether it is liturgy, public presentations, plays that I write/direct, retreats I lead, I keep things very simple, uncomplicated, and have Plans B, C and D. And with this philosophy things usually go without a hitch, no one is thrown under the bus, no stress.

Peace, Kevin “planning ahead, planning for things to go wrong” Little

PS At Margaret’s House today, while serving coffee I spotted flowers for the guests. Before the guest could take any, I asked Cathy (Shirley Pond’s daughter) to take this photo, so I could show Bethe, I am a man of flowers. Bethe’s response? “I still have more flowers than you.” Ouch!