Anything is Possible!

May 11, 2024
by JoAnna 17 Comments

SoCS: The Loan Application, the Closing, and the Big Backyard

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “loan/lone.” Use them any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use both. Have fun!

Loan! The word looks strange when I type it here. But loans have been a big part of our lives for the past month. The loan for our new house in particular. The “paperwork” was crazy at times. Preliminary after preliminary had to be signed online. I did my best to read the fine print before signing and asked what they might have thought annoying questions, but I don’t like to just sign things without having some inkling of what they mean. By the time we got to the closing on Wednesday, I had seen almost everything already so, after a quick review, initialed and signed where the attorney said to. The stack of papers was daunting, but we got through it in half an hour. Whew! I would not want that job.

One cool thing about the closing is that they let Marley come in the conference room for all the signing. I had confirmed this ahead of time, and that’s why we went in person. He was a very good boy!

Now, we get to the moving which will probably take a couple of months and multiple trips since DIY Dave likes to do things himself. He often says, “I’m not frugal, I’m cheap.” He’s also a very hard worker for which I am grateful, most of the time. Two months will give me time to process and adjust to moving across the state after having lived in this same house for over 35 years.

My favorite part of the new place is the big backyard. For most of my life, I’ve dreamed about a backyard like this. All it needs is some fencing. And mowing…. The “barn” is really a workshop for David. In this picture below, you might be able to see David and Marley in the distance near the greenhouse. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m sure I’ll like doing it much more than paperwork!

The gallery includes an old guitar I painted, an eastern click bug on my mailbox, the sunset coming home from the closing, and a turtle with a cracked shell that I took to a local wildlife rehabilitator on Sunday. There was a lot more blood underneath than you can see in the photo. The wildlife rehabilitator thinks it will heal in a few weeks.

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To learn more about Stream of Consciousness Saturday,

visit our host, Linda Hill

by clicking HERE.

May 7, 2024
by JoAnna 16 Comments

Good News Tuesday for May 7, 2024: United Methodists Allow Gay Clergy Ordination, Green Cement on the Rise, Whales Saved in Australia, and a Student Raises Money to Help with Classmates’ Lunch Debt

Methodists Overturn Ban on Gay Clergy

United Methodists in the US voted overwhelmingly to overturn a ban on the ordination of gay clergy in their denomination which is the nation’s second-largest Protestant body. religionews.com has the story HERE.

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“Green” Cement Production is on the Rise

The production of a more sustainable and cost-effective low-carbon cement, aka, “green” cement, is increasing at a new plant in California. GoodGoodGood has details HERE.

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Most Whales Saved from Stranding on Australia Beach

130 out of 160 stranded pilot whales were returned to sea according to the department of Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia. CNN has the story.

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Short and Sweet

Eleven-Year-Old Daken Kramer has been raising money to help pay off student lunch debt:

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Got Good News?

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May 4, 2024
by JoAnna 14 Comments

SoCS: Unnecessary Worry and Moving Along with The Force

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “note.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Taking notes has always been helpful for me. I took notes to the doctor yesterday. She is a specialist. I liked her sense of humor about something that has been worrying me for a couple of months. I’m not going into much detail since it’s personal, but I learned AGAIN, not to worry so much, especially worry from reading too much on the internet about the worst possible things my symptoms could mean, though I didn’t have all the symptoms and not even the “hallmark” symptom for the scary thing. David joked with me (in a compassionate way) about pretending I was a doctor which I am NOT.

I asked the specialist, on a scale of 1 to 100, how confident she was that I did not have the aggressive type of cancer I’d been reading about on the internet. She said she is 100 percent certain I do NOT have that and 99 percent certain I do not have cancer at all. My symptoms have more to do with age and my particular body. We discussed options and she suggested evening primrose oil for inflammation.

Seems like as we get older, more things start to show up that need attention, like nano socks and cushiony shoes for my plantar fasciitis and a compression sleeve for my knee. Chewing gum helps my acid reflux. I don’t take acid reflux meds since they can make my osteoporosis worse….

Enough of that!

Hey! It’s May the Fourth! May the force be with you!

Maybe I can use The Force to strengthen the affirmations I’ve been writing on note cards.

Talking to myself:

“You don’t need to worry about that.” (Obi wan wave of the hand)

“You are healthy and strong. The Force (God) is with you, JoAnna”

“You can go about your business… Move along.”

The storm troopers represent my anxiety.

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For more Streams and rules,

visit our host, Linda Hill

by clicking HERE.

April 30, 2024
by JoAnna 13 Comments

Good News Tuesday for April 30, 2024: It’s Video Day! with Two Rescues, a Young Heart Restarts, and a Lost Dog Reunion

Three Stranded Men were Rescued from a Micronesian Atoll

Three mariners were rescued after becoming stranded on the Pikelot Atoll, in Micronesia. The men had taken off in a 20-foot boat for a 100-nautical-mile voyage. Six days after their departure, a relative reported them missing. In a coordinated search by the Coast Guard in Micronesia/ Guam and the U.S. Navy, the men were located after their palm leaf HELP sign was spotted on the beach. The Good News Network has the story. … plus there’s a video below:

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Team of Bystanders Gets Man Out of Burning Car

A team of good Samaritans worked to get a man out of a burning car in Minnesota.

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Four-Year-Old Cartier’s Heart Restarts After 14 Hours

Strep had led to sepsis and Cartier’s heart stopped beating. After 14 hours and a lot of prayer, his heart restarted.

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Lost Dog Reunited with Family

Mishka, a dog from California showed up at a Michigan shelter several months later. Watch the reunion toward the end of this video:

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Got Good News?

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April 27, 2024
by JoAnna 21 Comments

SoCS: Prayer, Response, and the Radon Result

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “show.” Use it as a noun or a verb. Have fun!

As you may know, the house we are hoping to buy in the mountains (piedmont really but there is a small mountain range nearby) tested positive for radon in the basement. Since then, I’ve been reading a lot about radon. I know that it decreases by half with each floor you go up and that it can be safely mitigated from the air with what some people in rocky areas call a “radon vac” which is sort of what the system is. I also read a lot about radon in well water and all the different levels, risks, and systems to mitigate like aeration.

Water quality is extremely important to me, so I requested one more test for radon in the well water, thought our realtor didn’t think we needed it since radon levels in water have been low in her experience.

And I prayed.

Me: God, let it be safe.

God: I would not have led you there if it wasn’t safe.

Really? I thought. (How can I ask God, “Really?”) So, I tucked the response away, hoping it was really from God. Sometimes I get a very clear response, and this was one of them. God likes to show us things. Still….

While visiting the hills last weekend to get the lay of the land so to speak, David and I discussed at length our possible responses based on what level of radon showed up in the water. If it was over 10,000 pics per liter, aka piciliters (PCi/L), we would walk away, regardless of the due diligence money and inspection fees. Water quality is that important to me. Under 4000 pic/liter is safe. 4000 to 10, 000 is a gray area. Each state has different recommendations. Risks include….never mind. I read all about the risks.

I prayed for clarity. Again, and again. Clarity, please.

Finally, on Monday, we got the results.

There was ZERO radon detected in the well water. Zero. That’s pretty clear. But really? Yes, really!

I still believe I did the right thing in the getting additional test. God used this to show me, I don’t need to worry so much, and that David can be very supportive and patient.

Really.

After lunch in the small town of Pilot Mountain, we took the easy trail at the bottom of the “metamorphic quartzite monadnock” known as Pilot Mountain.

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For more streams and SoCS rules,

visit our host, Linda Hill

by clicking HERE.

April 23, 2024
by JoAnna 12 Comments

Good News Tuesday for April 23, 2024: Seven Countries using Almost 100% Renewable Energy, US Climate Corps Website and Solar Grants, EPA to Require Emission Reductions, Saving the Northern White Rhino, and a Ukrainian Teen Runs 5K on Prosthetic Legs

Seven Countries Get Almost 100% of their Energy from Renewable Sources

Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Iceland, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo generate over 99.7% of their electricity from geothermal, hydro, solar, or wind power. Another 40 countries generate at least 50% of their electricity from renewable sources. For details click HERE.

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US Climate Corps Website and $7 Billion in Solar Panel Grants

On Earth Day (yesterday) US President Biden announced $7 billion in grants for solar panel projects for lower-income communities and launched a website for applications for his Climate Corps jobs and training program. NPR has more HERE.

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US Environmental Protection Agency to Require Emissions be Reduced in 200 Plants

The EPA finalized ruled earlier this month requiring more than 200 chemical plants to cut toxic emissions. The goal to “dramatically reduce the number of people facing cancer risks due to air pollution. For details, see this article from The Hill.

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How Genetics Could Save the Northern White Rhino

In the following Salon interview, Dr. Aryn P. Wilder with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, explains how a genetic breakthrough could save the Northern White Rhino from extinction, and that we still need to continue traditional/preventative conservation methods. Click this link for details: https://www.salon.com/2024/04/16/thanks-to-a-genetic-breakthrough-a-rare-rhino-species-may-be-rescued-from-extinction

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13-Year-Old Ukranian Girl Who Lost Her Legs in Missile Strike, Runs 5 K

Yana Stepanenko, age 13, ran a 5K at the Boston Marathon on Saturday to show the courage and strength of Ukrainian people and to raise money for a Ukrainian soldier. She lost both legs in a Russian missile strike in 2022. See the video below and click this ABC News Story for more.

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Got Good News?

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April 20, 2024
by JoAnna 10 Comments

SoCS: Great. Just Great.

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: ends with “grate/great.” Use one or bonus points if you use them both. Enjoy!

I’m rarely sarcastic and not a fan of sarcasm, but the title to this post is sarcastic.

There’s a fly in the house hunting ointment. It’s a radon fly. I’m not sure I want to write about it yet. Doing research. Waiting for more results on the water. Going to the hills to visit my daughter and her motley crew. Planning to work on gratitude. I don’t want to be an ingrate. Probably need to make a gratitude list. The rustic, whimsical vrbo cabin is nice. Going to ~~try to~~ enjoy the weekend. Exploring…

I hope you enjoy your weekend, too.

Peace and Blessings….

~~~

Stream of Consciousness Saturday is hosted by Linda Hill.

For more streams and info,

visit Linda by clicking HERE.

April 16, 2024
by JoAnna 15 Comments

Good News Tuesday for April 16, 2024: Better MRI Images, Closing the Gun Show Loophole, EPA Limits PFAS Chemicals, and a Cancer Survivor Finishes Chemo and Gets a Suprise

New MRI Images Ten Times as Detailed

Researchers in France recently shared brain images from the world’s most powerful MRI machine. The images are ten times more detailed than those from a standard MRI and took much less time. It is hoped that the detail will help someday help with finding better treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other diseases. You can read more HERE.

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New Gun Control Law Closes Loophole in US

A new law requires guns sold on the internet and at gun shows will be subject to the same mandatory background checks as licensed gun dealers. For details, see this article from ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-close-gun-show-loophole/story?id=109109314

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EPA Announces National Regulations Limiting PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water

“For the first time ever,” the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a regulation limiting the amount of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (aka PFAS) found in drinking water. Here’s the story from CBS News.

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Cancer Survivor Finishes Chemo and Gets a Proposal

Watch as Angelica May finishes chemotherapy for breast cancer and then gets a surprise proposal:

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Got Good News?

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April 13, 2024
by JoAnna 10 Comments

SoCS: Bound for a New Adventure

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: ends with “ound.” Find a word (or words) that ends with “ound” and use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

Well, I guess I better pound out something for SoCS, but it might not be profound. I’m behind on responding to comments and reading other blogs, but there’s no rule about that I know of. We found a house, and our offer was accepted. Now we are in the thick of the process of inspections, blah, blah, blah. Not to be disrespectful, (inspections are very important) but I don’t like paperwork/bureaucracy/red tape as it used to be called. Why red? I don’t know. It’s late, Friday night, so I probably won’t look it up. But the paperless paperwork does sometimes threaten to overshadow the excitement and nervousness of a new adventure.

Still, I am grateful for the opportunity, for the possibility of a new adventure.

Anything can be an adventure if we frame it that way.

I might have lost a single pound and would like to lose about 9 more. It is definitely harder to lose weight when we get older. I imagine myself doing yoga out on my new deck in a couple of months. It’s not a done deal but imagining is okay. It’s like manifesting which I believe was helped by certain getting ready actions – painting an old window in my kitchen, getting rid of the rusty flat-tired bike I haven’t ridden in years, picking out books to donate…. the decluttering continues.

Now lots of ound words are running around in my head. The sound of music when our old hound Doodle used to bay when I tuned my guitar. I miss that girl. Maybe one day, Marley will sing with me. I’d like the sound of that.

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It’s now Saturday morning and a group workday at the Farm Animal Sanctuary, so I’ll be back to WP later this evening. Thank you for your patience. I’ll catch up on comments eventually.

May peace and blessings abound to you and your loved ones.

~~~

For more streams and rules for SoCS,

visit out host, Linda Hill,

by clicking HERE.