Oh, are you not just starving for good news these days?
Remember me telling you about the elderly gentleman in England who walked up and down his garden to raise money for the NHS?
He was knighted by the Queen in her first public appearance since the Covid 19 lockdown. ( I knew she would do that! Please, don't ask me how I have the insight on what the Queen will do, I can't tell you ALL my secrets!) Captain Tom Moore wanted to raise 1000 pounds by walking 100 laps around his garden. I think the final total raised was over 23 million pounds. (Be sure to look at the BBC and see the videos of Captain Tom speaking about this! Excuse me, SIR Captain Tom!)
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Then this week, a man in Wisconsin, USA won the lottery. He won MILLIONS! He chose the cash option which gave him $16.7 million. Here is the good news about that...he chose to share it with a friend of his! They had told each other that if one of them won the lottery, they would split it. They sealed the deal with a handshake back in 1992. Hey, a deal's a deal.
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A young boy in Minnesota, USA protected his sister when a dog attached her. He shielded her but he had to receive 90 stitches in his face. Chris Evans, the actor who portrayed Captain America, heard of this and sent him a message that an official Captain America shield was on its way to the lad!
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On the home front, butterflies are suddenly appearing on our bright orange Mexican sunflowers and this morning, a bright yellow (male) goldfinch landed on one! (This photo of the goldfinch was from last year because I couldn't get to the camera quickly enough but the one this morning was just as gorgeous!) And do you see the twig where the bird has landed? That is the remains from the Mexican sunflower from LAST YEAR! It was in a pot, you see, so we move it there where we can see it, the birds have a place to land and we can see them!
Have you heard that people have really taken a great deal of interest in the birds this year due to the lockdown and folks noticing nature for the first time? That is good news to me since my husband and I have enjoyed the birds for years! They bring so much beauty to us.
Also, the butterflies have been a bit scarce this year but with our Mexican sunflowers blooming more, we have gratefully seen more of them!
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More good news! FINAL: The Atlanta Braves beat the Mets 5-3 at Citi Field today! Down to their LAST strike in the 9th inning, Ozuna tied it and then, the Atlanta offense scored 3 in the top of the 10th inning to win the game! Oh goodness me, how my Dad would have loved that game. "It's not over til it's over", he always said, "there's always hope". (Loved watching the baseball games with him as we talked on the phone together!)
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Have I told you all before that I pronounce my husband's name the English way? In America, Richard sounds like "Rich-URD" instead of Rich-ARD". If you can't understand what I mean, you might remember "Keeping Up Appearances" and Hyacinth giving her poor husband such a hard time. Not that I would ever do the same! "Oh, Rich-ARD".
Well, not much anyway! (Be sure to look at the web version if you look at this on your phone so you can listen to the video I have for you!)
Take care everyone! Wear masks and keep your distance! Looking forward to the day when saying this is just a memory.
Share your good news and stay positive. Keep encouraging each other. Have I told you lately how much I appreciate all my blogging buddies? Y'all are just the best.
Captain Tom is a legend! What a perfect gesture from the Queen. Sir Tom gave a cute interview on Australian TV, such a sweet man. We love the birds too - I wish we had the gold finch 💛. I had not noticed the different pronunciations of Richard but in Australia it is more like the English way. My father was Richard and one of our sons has it as a second name. Nice name 😍🙋♀️
ReplyDeleteYes, I am sure you pronounce it the same way that Mrs. Bucket says it! :-) And I so agree, Richard is such a great name.
DeleteOf course you love the birds, you even call yourself Red Cardinal and you don't even have them! I love that!!
I thought Captain Tom was just delightful and so nice to see that good news that he was knighted. A lot of the comments on social media poohed poohed the idea of him being knighted but I just KNEW that the Queen would do so, we think alike you see!
Yes...Sir Thomas Moore's story has been on news segments from his 100 laps through to his knighting by the Queen. It's a lovely story...as is the one re the little boy who protected his sister. That story, too, has had coverage here.
ReplyDeleteTo top the $16m lottery win...a person here (in the state of Victoria, that is) won $80million in one of our lotteries...Powerball which is always drawn on Thursdays.
Good news is always welcome...and more so these days when there is too much of the other hanging heavy around and over us.
Take care, Kay. :)
AH but did your person in Australia split that 80 million with a friend? See,that is what was such good news to me! I can hardly watch the news these days so I think we should focus on anything positive. It is good for the soul.
DeleteTake care, Lee!
Yes, it's so nice to hear GOOD NEWS these days. It's been very difficult to stay positive in such a negative world. So proud of our GA BRAVES! Proud that they won but even more proud that every last one of them stood for the national anthem!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYay for good news! And you know I was to tickled they won that game! Let's hope they win tonight also! (And I was also glad they stood for the National Anthem. Respect all views but when our national anthem is played and the flag is displayed, one should stand at attention.)
DeleteThank you so much for all the good news and cheery photos too. Certainly made my day brighter for having heard all that. I like your dad's philosophy It ani't over until it's over. I figure we've still a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad also said, "Do the best you can" and "Let it go". Two points that I need to remember during this pandemic! Do the best I can and stop worrying about everything!
DeleteThat poor boy, defending his sister against that vicious dog. I cannot imagine such a horrific situation.
ReplyDeleteI know, it is something that happens quite often but not sure it makes the news every time. People need to control their dogs. I see it often when I am walking. Of course, small children are the ones at the most risk. Brave little fellow, I am glad that he got something positive from it.
DeleteMy brother's name is Richard and I had to repeat it out loud to see how we pronounce it...still not sure! Ha! I love all the good news you shared and I'm so hoping for a good news end to 2020 so we can say we survived the first 6mo and finished on a home run! (I'm not a big baseball fan but I wanted to impress you...hehe!) Have a good Sunday and a great week. Yes, wear your mask. I wear one daily and have for almost 50yrs and can't understand all the fuss. Take care!
ReplyDeleteOf course, you won't have to wear them to work much longer...since this will be your last week working. HAPPY retirement!!
DeleteI bet you say it the AMerican way! I did until I married my Richard!!
So wonderful to read lots of good news, Kay! Thank you...Sir Captain Tom Moore is a real hero! I imagine the Queen does not often get to knight someone older than she is. He accomplished so much! And his family all look so proud of him when you see the photos...I love nature. I think you know that. I believe it comes naturally when one grows up in a beautiful place among family who all care about and appreciate the life all around them. I don't go anywhere, but occasional doctor's appointment, but I do wear masks and keep my distance and sanitize my hands. Wishing you and all your family well!
ReplyDeleteHA! You know I am getting to the age where if someone is older than I am, it makes me so happy! Yes! I loved his family in the videos also, they all just seemed such a great family. You can see they don't fall too far from the tree! (I love that expression.) I don't get out much at all! I go to work and come home. AND try to walk as much as possible. I walked over 4 miles today and much of it was in my own yard! The butterflies really came out today, they must have read my blog! TAke care!
DeleteGood news is always welcome in this world of ours! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTalking about good news...seeing your comment here while I know you are taking a break, that is very good news for me. You always make me smile. Take care, Debra!!
DeleteI followed Captain Tom's continuing story with much interest. He deserved his knighthood. I actually thought of your father when baseball season finally began. He loved the Braves like I love the Tigers. And I call my son (Richard) Rick.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for remembering my Dad with the new baseball season! You have made my day.
DeleteAnd Richard has a good friend in England who calls him Rick, I think he is the only one. Everyone else calls him Richard. (Henry, you know I am talking about you!)
Good luck for your Tigers this year!
Kay, I saw where Captain Tom was knighted by the Queen. Totally wonderful news. Thanks for sharing with us. The young boy who saved his sister was sad. But he is being rewarded and loving his new following. Blessings to you, stay safe. xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you, Susie! Keep a positive attitude! I know you will. xx
DeleteFocusing on positive news is such a blessing. Thank you for sharing this happy snippets!
ReplyDeleteHappy to do so! We have to be serious about things now but that doesn't mean we can't rejoice with any snippet of good news!
DeleteLots of good news. My wife and I maintain quite a few bird feeders around our house. This year we've seen a number of birds we haven't seen before. I just haven't been able to take any pictures of them. Beating the Mets might be good news for you, but not to me! ;) Long time Mets fan here.
ReplyDeleteThe nice thing, if you see a bird you don't recognize, you can always look it up on the internet! Back in the day, my husband and I had to rely on bird books!
DeleteOh, of course you are a Mets fan! The Braves have always had a big rivalry with the NY Mets! My son and I really enjoyed the days at Shea Stadium, when we fans used to taunt Chipper JOnes with "LAR-RY....Larry!!". Remember that? Chipper Jones made sure he was one of those cut out faces in the stands, he has hid photo there, along with his son, SHEA! (Named after Shea Stadium, don't you know!) :-)
It was uplifting to read some good news for a chenge.
ReplyDeleteJust some bits and bobs, as Richard says...glad you liked them!
DeleteI see goldfinches here and always exclaim with excitement and scare them. They like to come to my echinacea when the flower is gone so they can eat the seeds.
ReplyDeleteYes! Our coneflowers did very well this year, they usually get eaten by the deer! The goldfinches are landing on them, but they realize that the seeds aren't there yet. They will be back, since you know we will leave the seeds there for them!
DeleteGo Braves!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You are a great blogging buddy, even cheering for my Braves and I know you don't care one thing for American baseball! :-) Guess what, the Braves lost last night with a score of 14-5, something like that, I try not to remember scores like that when my team loses!
DeleteA lovely collection of good news, dear Kay. The goldfinch does of course have to be among my favourite birds - he is yellow!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how people need something like a Covid-19-lockdown to make them NOTICE how beautiful nature is? Good job there have always been plenty of us around who have appreciated it all for as long as we can remember; otherwise, there may not be much left to admire now.
And the most amazing thing about the goldfinch, that bird will completely change color for the wintertime, it turns a rather dull brown color, it is most startling! One magic time, we were on top of Arabia Mountain in the Autumn and I saw these dazzling white birds, I called them "angelbirds". I contacted the Audubon Society and they said that the goldfinch as it loses its color for the winter will...for a very brief time...be a white color before they turn brown. So thrilled I got to witness that! It is a bit sad really to think of folks seeing nature for the first time only because they were forced to do so due to the pandemic.
DeleteHi, Kay! I enjoyed all your positive news! I did know about the wonderful centenarian in the UK. What an amazing, inspirational human being! I loved your goldfinch. It's one of my favorite birds. I'm glad that you've had a chance to enjoy a little baseball. I worry about the health and safety of the players and staff, and I wonder if they can keep the season going. I did love seeing Dr. Fauci throw the first pitch, even if he missed home plate. He's one of my heroes. Terry and I are doing well, in spite of being socially isolated. I'm more at peace with being stuck at home. And we're doing everything we can to avoid getting or spreading the subject. All the best to you and Richard. Take care!
ReplyDeleteHello, blogging buddy! I was so thankful for seeing your comment here! If I am not able to blog for a while, I will see I have a comment and it will be that horrible thing blaming the baby boomers for all the trouble in the universe, I know you know the one!! So, to look here and see FUNDY BLUE, it is wonderful!!
DeleteI not only worry about those playing baseball but I also worry about all the people who act as if the virus is over with and meet in large groups and also go out to eat! Richard and I are still working but we just go to work and straight home. We wear masks and try our best to stay 6 feet away from people. Richard does most of the shopping. My worry for the world translates into prayer, so I am praying very hard. You and Terry take great care out in Colorado! xxx
Thank you, I enjoyed your good and positive news. I planted red salvia this year, the hummers have finally decided they like it, I usually use sugar water feeders, raccoons destroyed them last summer. Jenny
ReplyDeleteOur hummingbirds also really like our Mexican sunflowers, just as the butterflies and bees do! It is Tithonia and we grow them from seed every year, the leaves look weedy but the flowers are so worth it!
DeleteTake care!
Captain Tom ... so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and can remember "Keeping Up Appearances" :)
All the best Jan
Did you see on the news where someone made a chair from a WW2 uniform? Awesome good news!
DeleteTake care, Jan! xx