Instead of using conventional rock salt, which can poison birds and small animals, Sweden has begun testing a biodegradable, edible road salt made from beet extract and maize starch. The edible mixture melts snow and ice efficiently and provides a small boost of energy and hydration to birds struggling through winter. This information came from Animal Planet’s Facebook page. (Other sources and links had too many ads.)
…
A Tuition-Free College Education
The University of the People provides an online college education free of tuition. Funded by a nonprofit organization, the University does charge a one-time application fee and minimal assessment fees per course. Their website says they currently serve 170,126 students from 213 countries and territories. Though the university was founded in 2009, I just found out about it from Good News Instead.
…
Slow-Release Implant Eliminated 82% of Bladder Cancer Tumors in Clinical Trial
A slow-release method of treatment eliminated tumors in 82% of patients with high-risk bladder cancer that had resisted prior treatment. In most cases, the cancer disappeared within three months, and nearly half of the patients remained cancer-free one year later. This article from Science Daily has details.
…
Dream Flights Celebrate 25 Years of Inspiring Teens
Each year, Delta Airlines partners with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals to inspire teens with a free flight and talks with role models. This year they celebrated 25 years. This article from the Good News Network tells the story and includes a video.
…
From Stray Dogs to Security Guards
Gabriel, the new owner of a gas station in Brazil adopted the neighborhood’s stray dogs giving them security and safety as full time security guards.
Today’sprompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “pop.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
Soda pop is where my mind settled soon after reading the prompt. It will show up later. As I write this Friday evening, I remember that earlier this afternoon, in the shower, after doing a lot of yard work, I was thinking about a teacher I had at the community college in the late 1970s. Why I was thinking of her, I have no idea. It must have been its own stream of consciousness.
I had a rocky start to college life and will not go into all the sordid details, but with some emotional challenges, boyfriend issues, a bit too much alcohol, and angsty codependency, I dropped out once or twice before I got serious again. Community college was good for my first two years that turned into three years as I was trying to find myself. Though I finally got serious about going to classes, I still had a wild side.
In my third year at the community college, I took classes I was interested in – just for fun, outside the realm of my stated major of biology, like acting, voice, and psychology. Getting back to the instructor, she taught psychology which I found fascinating on multiple levels. It was also what I needed. Her first name was Michelle. I don’t recall how to spell her last name, but it sounded like, Modazesky. Miss Modazesky was young and pretty, and she had subtle ways of supporting me. She saw my potential since I made good grades (after limiting the alcohol to weekends, mostly) and I probably asked interesting questions in her classes. I had done an informal, self-motivated survey of students at the little college about something I was curious about. When I mentioned my survey (no idea what the topic was) she asked me to come to the front of the classroom and present my findings. This was a surprise, but I had had fun writing my data on the board and sharing my results. Miss M. asked, jokingly I assume, when I was going to publish my results. She planted a seed of confidence in me.
One weekend, there was a college sponsored dance or event at a place that served alcohol, and Miss M was one of the instructors in attendance. Maybe she was a chaperone or something. Anyway, we said hi and maybe chatted a bit. Then my friends and I said something like let’s find the booze, or something enthusiastic about drinking. Miss M said she was going to find a soda pop. I laughed and said, “Soda Pop?” drawing out the words with a grimace meaning it was weird to drink “soda pop” out on a Saturday night or something like that. (Plus, nobody said soda pop anymore.) She just smiled and went merrily on her way to find her soda pop. But she planted a seed that there were alternatives. (It’s funny now, that I no longer drink alcohol, having downed my share.)
One time in some informal office where students and instructors were sort of hanging out, we were talking about tennis, and I mentioned I wasn’t that good at it. Miss M. offered to play tennis with me. I didn’t take her up on this, thinking it was odd and feeling socially awkward. But looking back, I suspect she knew about my wild ways and wanted to have more opportunities to positively influence me. Who knows?
As I write this now in SoCS, these seem like small things, but they were firmly planted and remain clear in my memory, showing how the little things (small acts of kindness and encouragement) can influence us in big ways.
Oh, and when I transferred to the university, I ended up changing my major from biology to psychology. It was what I needed.
Speaking of confidence, here are the rest of my photos from our Pilot Knob Trail hike. Last week I shared the south face photos. Below are photos from the north face. It was my goal to hike this trail before turning 70 next month, and, in spite of my fear of heights, I DID IT!
David on trailEastern Sauratown MountainsMore stepsDavid and Marley Moss and Lichen Almost done! Pilot Knob Trail at the …..… base of Pilot Mountain aka Jomeokee
Colorado Program for Veterans Reduces Self Harm Thoughts and Attempts
A program in Colorado called Next Chapter pairs veterans with mentors so they have a constant support system and is staffed entirely by veterans. “A June 2025 report found that more than 80% of participants reported a drop in their thoughts of self-harm and suicide…” The Colorado Sun has more HERE.
…
Bottle Found with Letters WW I Soldiers Wrote in 1916
Peter Brown and his daughter Felicity, who regularly walk and clean up the beach in Western Australia, found a bottle containing letters from World War I soldiers. Malcolm Neville and William Harley wrote the letters in 1916, put them in a bottle, and tossed them in the Pacific Ocean as they headed to support Australia’s 48th Infantry Battalion. The bottle and letters were in good condition, and Peter was able to find the soldiers’ descendants who were very happy to have this connection across generations. This article from the Good News Network includes photos and a video.
…
US Supreme Court Declines Appeal to Overturn Legality of Same Sex Marriage
The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal to overturn its decision that legalized same-sex marriage ten years ago. For details, see this PBS article.
…
Free Food from Vending Machine at NYC Boys and Girls Club
The nonprofit Change Food For Good is introducing its first free food vending machine at a Boys & Girls Club in New York. The produce in these machines is often grown through the nonprofit’s hydroponic gardening programs. For details, see this article from Good News Instead. (GNI somewhat makes up for annoying ads with beautiful watercolor illustrations for each story.)
…
Carpenter Gets Married at Notre Dame
A carpenter who worked for three years to help rebuild Notre Dame after the terrible fire was granted permission to get married at the Cathedral. The video below explains that the archbishop of Paris gave permission as a “one off” exception to the normally stringent requirements. Martin and Jade were married October 25.
Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “something you enjoyed.” Write about something you thoroughly enjoyed. Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
We’ve had some wonderful weather here lately that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. The air is crisp and the sunshine has made blue, blue skies. My favorite place has turned golden.
Can you thoroughly enjoy something even though there’s a little fear, like when I step outside at night, usually with Marley, to look up at the stars. We have a fenced in yard, and there’s not much to be afraid of except I have such a vivid imagination. Still, the enjoyment definitely reigns supreme over the fear. That also applies to our most recent hike.
There’s enjoyment in knowing and sharing that I MET MY GOAL to hike the Pilot Knob Trail before my 70th birthday next month. We hiked the trail on Tuesday. The weather was perfect with highs in the mid 60s and plenty of sunshine.
The Pilot Knob Trail goes around the base of Pilot Mountain, aka, Jomeokee, which is a “metamorphic quartzite monadnock” sticking up out of the surrounding hill.
Pilot Mountain, aka Jomeokee
Jomeokee means “The Great Guide,” in Native American, likely the Saura tribe that lived in this area. You’re not allowed to climb the big pinnacle, which I might have tried in my 30s, but I enjoyed seeing and touching the rock. Rocks are cool. I collected them in my childhood and even now have a rock or two sitting around on a bookcase or in a dish with seashells in my house. I especially like the sparkly ones.
I thoroughly enjoyed touching and seeing the big rock formations and the views at around 2000 feet, as long as I stopped to look at them. The biggest challenge was not all the steps going up, or even down, but my fear of heights really kicked in when the trail narrowed and I looked out toward the horizon. I’ve always had a fear of heights, and it may be worse now since I have some dizziness issues. Fortunately, my balance is good from doing yoga, and I’ve done some dizziness exercises (need to do more.) I am also grateful for David’s patience and support. He kept asking me, “Where are your feet?” A good question for wandering minds with too much ample imagination. He asked what I was afraid of, and I realized I was afraid of falling. It helped when I actually looked at the nearby slopes and saw they were a little more gradual than my imagination imagined when I looked out in the distance.
David even offered to have me walk on the inside next to the rising walls of Jomeokee with him on the outside. I didn’t like the idea of him being that close to the edge even if the drops weren’t that sheer, but I took him up on it once or twice. David is amazingly fit for 68, plus he was walking Marley on a leash the whole hike. Thankfully Marley was a good boy – he’s about to be 10 this month! I assured David that I wasn’t going to freeze or anything like that. I knew I could do this. I just had to take my time and keep my eyes on the trail and my feet, leaning into Jomeokee when the trail narrowed. I could only look at the views if I stopped in a place where I felt safe which were available many times.
If I do this trail again, I want to have hiking poles and do it at a time when there aren’t so many people. This is peak time for the fall autumn colors, and there were busloads of school kids on the trail. I like kids, but they can be unpredictable. We stopped a lot to let groups pass us.
The gallery has a few photos from the approach and the south side of Jomeokee. I’ll share photos from the north face another time.
stepsand more stepsThis is what I came here forLooking straight upFeeling safe here…and here.A Room with a View…David and Marley
I think I’ll enjoy the autumn colors in my comfort zone for a while.
~~~
For more streams,
visit our persevering host, Linda Hill (FEEL BETTER SOON!)
Portland Coffee Shop Raised $200 to Give Free Breakfast to People Losing SNAP Benefits
A Portland, Oregon coffee shop is offering free breakfast for anyone losing food benefits as a result of the US government shutdown. As of October 31st, Heretic Coffee, the volunteer-run, nonprofit coffee shop had raised $200,000 to help provide these free breakfasts. Donations have come from all over the world.Here’s more from oregonlive.com.
…
300,000 Land Mines Removed in Sri Lanka
After 16 years of work, the British nonprofit HALO Trust announced it reached a milestone of removing 300,000 landmines in Sri Lanka allowing over 280,000 displaced persons to return safely to their homes. Read more about HALO Trust and the process, in this article from The Good News Network.
…
California Farmworkers Save 20 Children and Driver from School Bus
Two farmworkers in California saw a school bus billowing smoke, alerted the driver, and helped get 20 children off the bus to safety before it started burning up. Carlos Perea and Angel Zarco were honored as heroes in a Madera County proclamation. The Good News Network has the story including the video below.
…
Husky Escapes Kennel at Shelter, Makes a Mess, and Still Gets Adopted
Titan escaped his kennel the evening after being surrendered by his guardian and made a mess of the Alabama county animal shelter. The good news is his antics got him adopted by a person experienced with huskies and a fundraiser more than covered the damages. Here’s Jen, That Good News Girl, with the video:
Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “company.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
We don’t have company often, especially since covid, and I embraced my inner introvert. Who am I kidding. I didn’t have company much before that, though I did enjoy the occasional visit with good friends and have thrown a couple parties in my lifetime. It’s easier for me if there is a specific purpose, like singing or working on a project, not just random, vague socializing.
Dogs are the best company. They socialize by playing ball or getting a belly rub.
Artist: Stephanie Lambourne (found on FB)
I’m thinking about having an afternoon party for my 70th birthday in December. Singing will be a focus. Maybe some Christmas carols and old hippie peace songs. One of the best parties I ever had was over 20 years ago when friends took different parts singing the 12 Days of Christmas in my living room.
Last weekend, David and I went to the annual fundraising dinner for the no kill animal shelter where I volunteer. I participated in the silent and online auction and got this framed print:
We had talked in advance about not staying for the live auction. Last year it was too much noise, and we didn’t want to be out that late. So, we sat at a table near the exit for an easy escape. There was only one other couple sitting at the table – the woman is an artist who donated some artwork for the auction (so did I!)
Did I share the art I donated for the online and silent auction? Here it is:
Angel Dog and Cat on Rainbow Bridge by JoAnna of the Forest
I painted this specifically for the shelter fundraiser and got it professionally framed in silver. I don’t know what it went for. Doesn’t matter. Someone got it. I hope they love it.
Anyway, I enjoyed talking with this sweet young couple (younger than us and with kids at home) who were very much in love and also loved dogs. I found out the woman had once lived in Pilot Mountain like me. Now they have a small farm. I kept meaning to ask her where she had lived in Pilot but kept getting distracted. Finally, as we were getting ready to leave, I asked her. She said she had lived on the same highway that is now our address. Then she said she and her Ex-husband had remodeled a blue mobile home on a lot that is now overgrown.
“Was there was a reddish-brown house and a barn next door?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said with curiosity.
“That’s my house!”
She had lived right next door to where I live now!
I’d been wondering why the place had been abandoned since before we moved here a year and a half ago and wished someone would clean up the mess around the RV I see every time I walk Marley on that side of the property. The young woman told me she and her EX lived in the RV while they remodeled the mobile home. We told her we might be interested in buying the property if the price was right (especially if there is a mountain view.) She said she could see the mountain if she walked out to the pasture and that she’ll let her EX know implying it would be good for him to sell it. She told us about the original couple who owned our property and the woman, Evette, who was from Peru and planted all the wonderful flowers and herbs here. I’ve been wanting to know more about her. I’d heard she used to sell herbs at the farmer’s market.
It’s interesting that we just happened to sit at the same table as this young woman who used to live next door. Sometimes social events are worth the effort.
~~~
The gallery relates to the marigold seed I planted in late summer near a daisy plant that had been slow to bloom from a pot. The marigold plant got really big but didn’t seem to want to bloom. Maybe it needed more sun, but they can dry out with too much sun. Just in the past month it developed an abundance of buds and is finally blooming as we approach frosty temperatures. Plus, there was a Halloween caterpillar that seemed lost, so I put it in a patch of weeds near a tree after the photo.
For the past nine years, Christophe Waggoner has searched Texas thrift stores to find Halloween costumes which he washes and repairs if needed. Then, every year, he hosts an event to give away free costumes for kids, adults and dogs. Read more about this project and see photos of some of the costumes in this article from The Washington Post.
…
Affordable Housing Complex for Seniors Wins Award
Appleby Blue Almshouse, which provides affordable flats for south London seniors, won this year’s prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture. The complex has 59 flats and communal facilities to reduce loneliness, including a roof garden, courtyard and community kitchen. You can read more and see photos HERE.
…
Sea Turtle Populations Rebounding
Scientists at Deakin University in Australia joined NOAA Fisheries to study global sea turtle population trends. The 2025 study found that most sea turtle populations around the world are rebounding due to better protections to nesting areas. Read more about global sea turtle populations in this article from The Good News Network.
…
Thirteen-Year-Old Invents a New Fall Detection Device for Seniors
Kevin Tang, age 13, developed a fall detection device for seniors. His invention is different from other brands worn on necks or wrists. Kevin’s invention, FallGuard, is a camera monitoring system with an algorithm he programmed to identify falls and alert family members. Kevin won $25,000 and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” for his invention. Read more and watch Kevin’s video in this article from USA today.
Today’sprompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “alarm.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb or an adverb or an adjective, use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
Don’t be alarmed, but I think there’s a giant monster in the trees! Do you see it? There in the middle of the treetops?
This guy looks scary, because he’s got a scary expression on his face. Why is it a he? I don’t know. If it was an Ent like from The Lord of the Rings, that would be cool. Maybe he’s angry because people are cutting down so many trees.
But not HERE, Tree Monster! So, chill out! This is a safe place for trees. I was trying to take a picture of the blue, blue sky, and you showed up. I’m sorry people are cutting down so many trees. Maybe you’ve been traumatized by too many alarms coming through the underground network, lost too many friends.
We should only use the trees that have fallen down. Buy used furniture. I know my man buys new wood for some projects, but I won’t. And he repurposes a lot.
I know you give us oxygen, clean our air, and make homes for birds… and humans take you all for granted.
Relax, tree monster. Let’s be friends. You’re safe here. I’ll try to help.
~~~
Here are some photos from a recent day trip about two hours west of us where the fall colors were starting to pop out.
The falling lights remind me of Spanish moss back east.“More please.”
We ate lunch at Kaye’s by the River in Newland, NC. David and Marley enjoyed the breakfast buffet. I had spinach salad with pecans and cran-raisins, and we all had fries. Then David walked Marley on the bridge over the “river.” Marley has been afraid to walk on bridges, but he’s getting better with practice.
Anything is Possible! 