Saturday Stories of Positivity . . .

Saturday . . . the end of the week. Most people's first of a two day off weekend. Time to relax and do not a lot if anything at all. Time to have a bit of a lie in, extra kip, an indulgent breakfast, and to catch up on all of the news of the previous week.  I think a little good news helps to cheer anyone's day!

Here are my Saturday Stories for October 20th, 2018.  

 

As a means of combatting loneliness, a major grocery chain is launching a string of new meeting places that will encourage people to talk to strangers. 20 different Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK are offering “Talking Tables”, a pilot program for their cafés. The tables will serve as meeting places for people who may need human connection or conversation.

According to the supermarket, the tables will either have a sign that will identify itself as an meeting place for interested participants, or it will serve as a designated spot for charity-led community support groups and social ambassadors to host scheduled talks and activities.

I think this is a great thing.  We live in communities which are becoming more and more isolated.  Most people don't even know who their neighbors are.  Its also kind of sad in a way that we have come to this point in our society!  Why not just say hello to one of your neighbors today and greet them with a smile!  Lets start a revolution of reaching out to others!

 

He's 107 years old and he's still cutting hair! Anthony Mancinelli may be a staggering 107 years old, but he is still working full-time as a barber.  The same job that he has been doing  for the last 96 years.  He dropped out of high school at the age of 11 to become a full time barber and has been clipping away ever since. 

When he turned 96, Guinness World Records named him the world’s oldest barber, and over a decade later, he is still going strong. His secrets to longevity are simple. He has never drank or smoked very heavily. He says that he has never exercised much. He does, however, outlast many of his younger friends by standing on his feet for eight hours a day, five days per week. 

 “I only go to the doctor because people tell me to, but even he can’t understand it,” Mancinelli told The New York Times. “I tell him I have no aches, no pains, no nothing. Nothing hurts me.” Mancinelli’s customers and co-workers have constantly expressed their adoration for the centenarian, along with the tourists and celebrities who flock to the Fantastic Cuts salon in New Windsor, New York from all over the world to get a haircut from the world’s oldest barber

He still has a full head of glorious white hair along with all of his teeth, and his hands are still steady on a pair of clipper. He takes no daily medication, and says that he only eats thin spaghetti so he doesn’t “get fat.”  He doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon.  What a wonderful example of Longevity to us all!  

I need to start eating thin spaghetti!  I already cut hair.

 

UK supermarket chain Tesco is set to remove more than 100 further best before dates from its fruit and vegetables, in response to customers saying it helps them reduce food waste. Best before dates will be scrapped on 116 products including apples, oranges, cabbages and asparagus. This follows the supermarket removing the guidance dates from around 70 fruit and veg lines earlier in 2018.

As they say, every little helps! 

 

A very kind store manager at a Tesco shop in Bradford noticed a man struggling with his son in the shop and invited the boy to get behind the til in what the boy sees as his "Favourite Shop" and start scanning food just like a real til operator.   Dave (the father) was having problems coaxing his son away from behind an empty  cash register point because the lad had decided that he wanted to workfor the store that day. (We've all been there!)  Noticing his struggle, the manager of the shop opened the Til lane so that Jay (the son) could have a go at operating on a real til. Delighted to see his son so focused and engaged, Dave has praised the store's staff for their patience and empathy in helping him to turn a challenging moment into a wonderful memory.

 

Five year old Blake Mompher was born with Spina Bifida, and uses a wheelchair to get around, but that won't stop him from celebrating Halloween this year with a really cool costume.  His granddad  has made him a custom costume that works in tandem with his wheelchair, a bright yellow school bus that he can use to cruise around the neighborhood  with true Trick or Treating style.  As Blake also loves school buses, this costume is a double winner with him! 

 

Megs Yunn, who was the director of Volunteer Programs at a Pittsburg local college came to the realisation one day, whilst tutoring and helping a young homeless child with their reading that there are children in sad situations (such as poverty) that have never been to, or had a Birthday Party. Sobbing in the car on her way home as she thought about all the lovely Birthday parties she had given for her own children Ms Yunn decided that she needed to do something for children living in poverty or in shelters who have never felt the excitement and joy of a birthday party.

When Yunn learned that an insurance company was sponsoring a contest for people who wanted to make a difference in their communities, she came up with the idea of Beverly’s Birthdays . . .  a nonprofit organization that would partner with local businesses, schools and social services agencies to throw parties for children in need. She won first place and $2,500, which she used to buy birthday gifts, cake mixes and decorations to get a start. Since that day in February 2012, Beverly’s Birthdays has brought birthday fun to more than 30,000 children in the Pittsburgh area who are poor or homeless. She now has a dedicated and growing group of more than 200 volunteers.


“When you strip away the birthday aspect, this is about letting children and their parents know they matter,” said Yunn, who left her job to run the charity, which is funded through donations and grants.


In addition to hosting parties, Beverly’s Birthdays provides “birthday in a bag” kits for families that would like to bake their own cakes, as well as classroom supplies so teachers can recognize students on their big day. She also recently launched the “Birthday Boutique," which is a renovated bread truck where the birthday kids and their friends can “shop” for new outfits, pajamas, shoes, accessories and more. All free.

And those are my stories of positivity for this week.  If you look for rainbows, you will find them!

A thought to carry with you  . . .

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *“With everything that has happened to you,
you can either feel sorry for yourself
or treat what has happened as a gift.
Everything is either an opportunity to grow
or an obstacle to keep you from growing.
You get to choose.”
~Wayne W. Dyer   •。★★ 。* 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Mixed Berry Pudding.  A delicious dessert which boasts sweet berries on the bottom topped with a light cake and toasted almonds.  Serve warm with either dollops of thick Greek Yogurt or lashings of cream for a dessert they will never forget!

Have a fabulous Saturday!  Don't worry, be happy, share smiles and above all don't forget along the way of your day that

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

And I do too!

Saturday Stories

 

 Saturday . . . the end of the week. Most people's first of a two day off weekend. Time to relax and do not a lot if anything at all. Time to have a bit of a lie in, extra kip, an indulgent breakfast, and to catch up on all of the news of the previous week.  I think a little good news helps to cheer anyone's day!


 

Second-grader Christian Bucks, of York, Pa., knew that some of his classmates felt lonely during recess, and he decided to do something about it. His simple, utterly heartwarming solution was to install a playground "buddy bench."

As reported by the York Daily Record, a buddy bench is a designated seating area where students feeling lonely or upset can seek camaraderie. The area is customarily painted in bright, inviting colors. Bucks first spotted a buddy bench in a brochure for a school in Germany, according to the Record. He pitched the idea to Roundtown Elementary School Principal Matthew Miller, who immediately got on board. Miller even let Bucks help pick the bench's style and colors.



Jessica Eaves from Guthrie, Oklahoma recently had her wallet stolen by a man while she was grocery shopping. Most people in that situation would immediately get the authorities involved, but she found a way to resolve her problem herself.

 "I saw this gentleman down the aisle from me," Jessica tells us. "He walked behind me, and when I got a couple of aisles over, I realized my wallet was gone." "I spotted him in a crowded aisle and approached him," she continues. "I'm a pretty out-there personality, but I was quiet and calm." "I said to him, 'I think you have something of mine. I'm gonna give you a choice. You can either give me my wallet and I'll forgive you right now, and I'll even take you to the front and pay for your groceries."

The alternative? Jessica reporting him to the police.  "He reached into his hoodie pocket and gave me my wallet," she recalls, adding that the man was extremely grateful for her help and forgiveness.

"He started crying when we walked up to the front," she says. "He said he was sorry about 20 times by the time we went from the pickle aisle to the front. He told me he was desperate."

She spent $27 on his groceries, which included milk, bread, bologna, crackers, soup and cheese. "The last thing he said was, 'I'll never forget tonight. I'm broke, I have kids, I'm embarrassed and I'm sorry.'"

"Some people are critical because I didn't turn him in, but sometimes all you need is a second chance," she adds.

Proof that you're never too young to make an impact, a 3-year-old with brain cancer is doing his best to brighten the holidays for other sick kids. In 2011, rambunctious toddler Bennett Nester began falling down a lot and would hold his head. He was admitted to the Texas Children's Hospital the week before Christmas, and was diagnosed with a tumor pressing on his brain stem.

During his hospitalization, Bennett received a present from two sisters who had lost a sibling to cancer. They gave him a Build-A-Bear, and included the message, "These are for the kids who don't go home for Christmas."

"Right then, we said we are doing this next year," said Bennett's father Randy Nester.  "We have to pay this forward."

The family launched Bennett's Bears, collecting as many of the stuffed toys as possible and delivering them to children in the hospital who need cheering up around the holidays.
The Nester family received around 250 bears last year. This year, they received twice as many.

"It is fantastic. We smiled for a very long time," Randy said. "You are able to put a smile on their face for a few minutes and make them feel like they are not in a hospital bed. Make them feel like they are at home again."

Bennett is still receiving chemotherapy, but he hasn't lost his joy for helping others.
If you'd like to donate either a Build-A-Bear toy or gift card to Bennett's Bears, head here.

 

A Massachusetts couple lost everything in a house fire.    On November 24th, John and Peggy Ford's house in Braintree, MA caught fire. The couple and their dog survived, but all their belongings and both cars were gone, and the home destroyed. They had raised their family in that house, built for them by Habitat for Humanity 19 years ago.  Countless goodhearted people, many of them strangers to the couple, began raising money for them through an online fundraiser. More than $7,000 was raised in just a few days.

"When there's a moment like this in your lives, people do pull together," says John. "It's great. It's just humbling."

"We'll pay it forward," said Peggy. "That's what we were taught to do, so we will."

That's not just lip service. The Fords don't plan to keep all the money they've received. Instead, they've decided to donate it to those suffering from the typhoon that recently ravaged the Philippines. 

In a world that mired in all that's negative, it does the heart good to read about the positivity that happens and which we rarely ever hear about!!



My baby boy turns 25 tomorrow.  He and Sara are in Boston for the weekend, a Birthday present from Sara to him.  He is mad about the Boston Bruins and his birthday present is to go to a Bruins game in person.   Apparently yesterday he was able to watch them at practice.



Now THAT'S a smile!  (He only ever very rarely smiles in photos for some reason.)  It looks like they are having a lovely time.  I'm sure this will go down as his favourite birthday of all time!

Shall I leave you with a thought for today?  But of course!

 ✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ.

 "Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world.
We cannot cure the world of sorrows,
but we can choose to live in joy."
~Joseph Campbell  

 

Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . delicious, spicy, crisp and buttery Speculaas!  These taste like the real deal!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Saturday Stories

 

 Saturday . . . the end of the week. Most people's first of a two day off weekend. Time to relax and do not a lot if anything at all. Time to have a bit of a lie in, extra kip, an indulgent breakfast, and to catch up on all of the news of the previous week.  I think a little good news helps to cheer anyone's day!


 

This is a story that I have been meaning to tell you about for several weeks now.  "Fear, Faith and Miracles for 10 Sister Missionaries Trapped in the Philippines.

"The water was rising fast.  In the darkness of early morning, Amanda Smith moved away from the window to shield her face from the slashing rain. She had shut it just moments before to ward off the raging storm whipping through the palm trees outside.  But now the wind had ripped it open, and the wooden shutters were slamming violently against the wall again and again. Sister Smith, an LDS missionary from Elk Ridge, Utah, couldn’t see anything outside, but she could smell the sea, which seemed to be getting closer and closer. They had to get out of here."

Prepare to be inspired as you read the rest of the story here.   It truly is an amazing story.



What would you do if a "decrepid looking homeless bum" showed up at church tomorrow morning and sat down in the front row?  A congregation in Utah got to experience that for real when their Bishop engaged the help of a make-up artist to help make him up to look like a homeless man.  He showed up on Sunday morning and made his way to the front row of the chapel.

“As a bishop I try to always be as giving as I can, and I was surprised at my own inability to have compassion,” Bishop Musselman said in an interview with the Deseret News. “I thought about some ways I could somehow convey the importance of not being critical … and sometimes the best way to do that is through experiences that go beyond just a talk in church. And so I just laid awake many nights just thinking about what I could do, and then this kinda popped into my brain.”

You can read the rest of this fascinating story here.   I, for one, hope that I would be compassionate were this to happen in our own ward, but you never know do you?  And yet, as I say that, I think of the times I have grumbled inwardly when someone with really noisy and active children sits next to me . . . I need to kick my own arse.   Makes me feel ashamed.



 There is a very touching story about a five year old's reflections on life and death that you can read here.  Out of the mouths of babes and all that.   It will make your heart tweak.

Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
~Khalil Gibran



Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you chose to give away or sell everything you have in an effort and bid to live more simply?  I found this blog about a couple who actually did that.  Called Rowdy Kittens, it's inspiring and amazing.  I found myself thinking about all the stuff I hang on to, but could live without.  I am a real pack rat.   Intellectually I know that there is a whole lot of stuff that I could and should get rid of . . . but the minute I try and start to look at it, I begin to rationalize all the reasons I should keep it.   Am I alone in this?  There is a part of me that would love to be able to do this . . .



Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. 
~Mark Twain 

One of my favourite all time writers has to be Mark Twain.   His books are filled with wisdom and I've never found a quote from him that I didn't immediately fall in love with.  (I adore quotes!)  I found a fabulous article which outlines Twain's top 9 tips for living a good life.    It's a jolly good read and filled with some incredible insights about people and living.

I was kind of dismayed this year to see many shops in the UK adopting the "Black Friday" idea from America and it was amazing to see how many shops were offering "Black Friday" discounts, etc. yesterday.  Surely Thanksgiving should have been celebrated first?   Is it just me, or does this just seem totally wrong????  It doesn't make sense to me  . . . 

I did get my lesson finished pretty much yesterday.  I banned myself from the computer for most of the day so that I could accomplish this.   Except for a few little tweaks it is all done.  Whew!  I even managed to create 36 handouts to give to the ladies that they can hang on their Christmas Trees this year as a reminder of the main point of the lesson.  I hope it goes down well.

I am also almost finished my English Kitchen newsletter for December.   I am hoping to have it completely done by tomorrow.  There is no rest for the wicked, and with that thought I shall leave you with an inspiring thought for today . . .

We are all inventors,
each sailing out on a voyage of discovery,
guided each by a private chart,
of which there is no duplicate.
The world is all gates, all opportunities.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson  


 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today, a simple dessert/brunch dish.   Chocolate Sauced Banana Brioche Buns.   Delish!



Have a great Saturday!!

Saturday Stories

 Saturday . . . the end of the week. Most people's first of a two day off weekend. Time to relax and do not a lot if anything at all. Time to have a bit of a lie in, extra kip, an indulgent breakfast, and to catch up on all of the news of the previous week.  I think a little good news helps to cheer anyone's day!

Here are my Saturday Stories for October 26th, 2013.



Of course this week the big news was the Christening of Prince George at St James Palace.  The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning as always!   She is such a pretty girl and they seem such a sweet couple.   Love them to bits.   They were showing one of the official photos on the telly, showing the Queen seated with Prince Charles to her left behind her and Prince William on her right holding little Prince George.   This is a very unsual photograph in that there is the present Monarch in it along with three future Kings.   It has been more than 100 years since something like this has been seen. The last time was in 1894 at the christening of Edward VIII, at which the future King was cradled by Queen Victoria!

 

Mom was to see her Vascular Doctor this week and he removed that part of her toe which had been affected with the narcosis/gangrene.  He froze her toe and did it right there in his office, removing her toe nail and all of the affected tissue and scraping away part of the bone, which I suppose he kind of had to do as otherwise the bone would have been exposed.   There was a bit of infection building in it so I guess it had to be done.   Mom had also been experiencing quite a lot of pain with it and it had been keeping her up some nights.   We are hoping now that real healing can begin with it, although walking will be a bit awkward for her for a while.  I like this photo of her, my self and my brother which was taken before her operation in April.   I am so grateful for that time I had to spend with her prior to her going into hospital.  Things are very different now.  I wish so much that I could do more for her, but it is difficult living so far away, and I am grateful that my sister can be there with her.  My mother is too.  This is an answer to prayer for me as, at first  . . . my mother had not been really warm to the idea of anyone living with her on a permanent business, and was a bit upset at all the changes.   Things have settled in beautifully though and I am very thankful for that.



Earlier this week on our Family Home Evening night we watched this film called Ephraim's Rescue.  It was really good.  It is a true story about a simple man who was called to do extraordinary things.  Ephraim’s Rescue relates the story of Ephraim Hanks: a rescuer of the Martin Handcart company.  When the Mormon pioneers were travelling West to Utah, a large number of them pulled handcarts across American to get to their Zion in the West.  One of these groups, the Martin Handcart company left too late in the year, contrary to the advice they had been given, and Winter arrived earlier that year as well, and so they were caught un-prepared and suffered a great deal.   Men were sent by President Brigham Young to rescue them.  Ephraim Hanks was one of those men.  Amazingly he had seen this all in a dream prior to the event.   It was an amazing film and deeply inspiring.  This film was shown in theatres in American, but unfortunately the only way you will get to see it over here is by purchasing it.



LDS Church apostles and leaders of other faiths increasingly are cultivating relationships with one another, a process recently accelerated by shared concerns over religious liberty.  This past Monday saw what once might have been considered a unique speech at BYU,  given by an Evangelical leader in which he said that while Mormons and evangelicals are divided theologically, they share "common concerns and urgencies" about "unprecedented and ominous" attacks on religious freedom.

"I do not believe that we are going to heaven together, but I do believe we may go to jail together," said R. Albert Mohler during a speech to nearly 400 students and faculty in an almost-full Varsity Theater in the Wilkinson Student Center at BYU.

That is somewhat of a turn for the books, and quite heartening!



I found this video earlier this week.  In Union Square, NYC, a group of missionaries for the church found a unique and novel way to share the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation with passers-by.    They did a huge chalk drawing of it on the ground.  It looks like it attracted a lot of attention and discussion.  Way to go Missionaries!  What a unique way of sharing!



I read this article earlier this week about three small things which can bring about big results.  
If you really want to make a difference in someone’s day, try practicing the following three kindnesses.

1.  a kind word
2.  a genuine smile
3.  a thoughtful gesture

These things have long been my practice and it was nice to know I was not alone in my thinking.  You can read more here if you so wish.  It just might make you smile.  

That's it for today.  I have come up with a bit of work this weekend, so that is good.  We can use the extra little bit of income for sure.   Also on the good news front, our car did not do too badly on it's MOT!  God is good.  We only needed to replace a bulb and some other small thing, which didn't cost very much at all.  I am sure the power of prayer helped!



A thought to carry with you through today . . .

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!”
~Humbert Wolfe

We've been told we are in for a wild storm this weekend.   Time will tell!

 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . a delicious steamed Marmalade Pudding with a Grand Marnier Custard.  Easy and fabulous! 

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Saturday Stories

 


Saturday . . . the end of the week. Most people's first of a two day off weekend. Time to relax and do not a lot if anything at all. Time to have a bit of a lie in, extra kip, an indulgent breakfast, and to catch up on all of the news of the previous week.  I think a little good news helps to cheer anyone's day!

Here are my Saturday Stories for October 19th, 2013.



Apparently there are no less than 7 ways to be insufferable on Facebook!   The number one way is bragging.  I, personally, like to read when something good happens to one of my friends, or they accomplish something great.  I don't find it annoying at all.  I suppose it is all a matter of perspective.  I'm not really threatened by someone else's successes, but rather I am happy for them.  Anyways, you can real the full article by clicking on that link up there.  Some of it is rather funny!















I fell in love with her when she was on Britain's Got Talent, and I was really excited to read earlier this week that she has gotten her first film role.  Yes, it's Susan Boyle!  She will be appearing in one of this years Holiday films, coming to our screens on November 22nd this year.  It's called The Christmas Candle and promises to be very entertaining.  It's a period piece. I just adore period pieces.   My father loves Susan Boyle as well.  Obviously we both have good taste in music!



According to the BBC there is a real science of communication going on behind the laughter of babies!  Researchers now think that laughter and games like peek-a-boo could be telling us something more, and giving us a way to peer inside the workings of their minds.

"Laughter and smiles start incredibly early, just like tears," says Dr Caspar Addyman, a baby laughter researcher at Birkbeck College in London. 

"So this leads us to think that it's a form of communication," he told the BBC.  

Duh!  I love listening to children laugh, especially babies.  It is so honest and forthright and always makes me want to laugh as well.   It's good for the heart.   Laughter is the best medicine!

 

I love a good news story that makes my heart twinge.   I don't know about you, but I am betting that pretty much all of us can look back at our school years and think of at least one Teacher who made a difference to our lives.  Mine was Miss Ross, my Grade 8 Home Room and French teacher.   I was so pleased to be able to tell her of the difference she had made in my life once I became an adult and she ended up being my middle son's teacher in kindergarten.   Carolyn James had a teacher who had made a big difference in her life as well.  It was her old high school music teacher, named Marty Hayes.   She set out to find her in 2004, wanting to thank Miss Hayes for having inspired her to become a teacher herself.   

“She meant the world to me,” said Ms James, now 62.  “She made everyone feel special, that they brought something to the table.”

When she managed to find her, she discovered that Miss Hayes was suffering from a debilitating illness called Lewy Body Dimentia, which is a mix of Alzheimers and Parkinson's Disease.   At that point she and her husband began regularly visiting Miss Hayes to help her pay bills and bring her to medical appointments. Eventually, in 2007, when her condition had grown worse, she moved in with the Jameses. “We felt God was telling us that we were the ones who were supposed to help her,” James told the paper. “I feel fortunate to be able to.”

It does my heart good to know that there are such selfless and giving people in the world.

   
(Credit: John Minchillo / AP Images for "The Friskies")


I think we've all seen "Grumpy Cat."   This week he picked up a lifetime achievement award from Friskies.   Running true to form . . .  he does not look very impressed.  We love you Grumpy Cat!





Malala Yousafzai was reduced to fits of laughter on Friday by Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip as she met the royal couple at Buckingham Palace. The 16-year-old, who was shot by the Taliban for championing girls' rights to an education, met Queen Elizabeth at a reception for youth, education and the Commonwealth. The activist survived being shot in the head on her school bus on October 9 last year and was sent for treatment to Britain where she now lives.    You can read more about this remarkable young woman here.   I really admire her courage and tenacity!  There is an old saying which goes  something like this.  

"All that is necessary for Evil to Triumph is for good men to do nothing." 
~Edmund Burke

I am truly touched when good people act upon the promptings of their hearts, and create change in the world.  I strive to be one of those people daily.  My father always put that another way . . . he used to tell us that "If we were not part of the solution, then we were part of the problem."

And there you have it, a little good news from this week just gone past.  Do you have anything special to share?  I'd love to hear it!



A thought to carry with you through today . . .

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
“With everything that has happened to you,
you can either feel sorry for yourself
or treat what has happened as a gift.
Everything is either an opportunity to grow
or an obstacle to keep you from growing.
You get to choose.”
~Wayne W. Dyer  


 

Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . Cinnamon Roll Scones!   Very scrumdiddly-icious!

Have a great Saturday!

Saturday Stories

 

Saturday . . . the end of the week. Most people's first of a two day off weekend. Time to relax and do not a lot if anything at all. Time to have a bit of a lie in, extra kip, an indulgent breakfast, and to catch up on all of the news of the previous week.  I think a little good news helps to cheer anyone's day!

Here are my Saturday Stories for October 12th, 2013.

 

According to the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board, the average person who lives to 80 will spend 13.4 years watching television.  That's a lot of time spent on your bum, but is it all bad?  Not really, research has shown that . . .

• children who watched only socially conscious programmes such as Sesame Street were more disposed to helping others than those who watched a wider variety of shows.
•  a study at the University of Rochester, New York, found that people who viewed nature scenes were more likely to give money to a good cause afterwards than people who looked at urban settings.
•  in a large-scale survey, 55% of 18-24 year-olds said they learned about politics from legal and government-themed dramas.

• It can also raise awareness of health and social issues.  (When Sally Webster discovered her Breast Cancer (Coronation Street) the incidence of women attending Breast Clinice increased and so did the numbers of women attending their physicians after doing self examinations, etc.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.  It's still not a good reason to spend most of your time sitting on your bum though.  It's also been shown that people who spend six hours in front of the boob tube each day also shorten their lives by 4.8 years.



Thousands of workers sent home, cancer patients denied new drugs and weddings postponed. But the way some individuals have responded to chunks of the US government closing down has lifted the spirits, says Tom Geoghegan. The sight of Chris Cox pushing a lawnmower across Washington's National Mall, a chainsaw hanging from it, was one that warmed the heart of many. "If they shut down our memorials, we're still going to take the trash out, we're going to clean the windows, we're going to cut the grass, we're going to pull the weeds, we're going to do the tree work,'' he told a Washington radio station. Cox, who made the trip from South Carolina and was carrying the state flag, says his "memorial militia" crusade was non-political, merely an attempt to keep the area between the Lincoln and World War II memorials tidy before thousands of veterans are due to attend an event on Sunday.

 

Flying instructors in Britain told a passenger over the radio how to land a plane after the pilot of a small aircraft collapsed and died at the controls. Rory Murray, one of two instructors who guided the four-seater Cessna 172 onto the ground on Tuesday, told the BBC that the passenger had done a “remarkable job.”

On the downside, the thought of a pilot dying at the controls of an aircraft he is flying kind of scares me.

 

Giving is not about riches. Many people, who are wealthy with millions, if not billions, of dollars in bank accounts, use their money for themselves only.  Reaching out to the needy in society, whether within our boundaries or assisting in far fledged countries, is a special calling but also one that ordinary people can get behind.  Here are the 10 most Philanthropic Celebrities as selected by "Why I give.".

1. Matt Damon - This actor, writer, producer has been recognized for his tireless efforts in the campaign aimed at stopping the Darfur war. He is also the co-founder of water.org to address the water crisis in Africa. Damon is also a board member of Tonic Mailstopper whose work is to try and stop the flow of junk mail and reduce the cutting of trees. He has supported the One Campaign in the fight against AIDS and poverty and became an ambassador of ONEXONE to improve the lives of children in Canada, the United States and around the world.
2. Oprah Winfrey -  Rated as the most philanthropic African-American personality, Oprah's successful life has been an inspiration and help to many. She has given millions of dollars in her philanthropic work. Oprah's Angel Network has encouraged ordinary people to help make a huge difference for people in need, including hurricane victims.
3. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie -  This superstar couple has been involved in building new homes for residents of New Orleans who were displaced by hurricane Katrina. Through Pitt's Make It Right Foundation they have immensely contributed towards the reconstruction of New Orleans.  Angelina has also been involved in assisting and advocating for the needy in society as a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
4. Ben Affleck -  Affleck has put his best foot forward by tackling the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was involved with the United Nations in the release of a film that highlighted the refugees problems in DRC.
5. Alicia Keys -  this singer songwriter has inspired American youth to achieve success. Keys is also the ambassador for Keep A Child Alive and has traveled to countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, speaking to teens and young adults who have lost their parents to AIDS and are now the heads of their households.  
6. Madonna - her Raising Malawi foundation also provides water, food, schooling amenities and medical care in Malawi for hundreds of the country's orphans.
7. Michael J Fox -  Fox has vigorously supported research for Parkinson's disease. Through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research he has raised over $100 million to date.
8. Sir Elton John -  His vast wealth has been used to support the fight against AIDS in the world. Through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which he founded in 1992, he has raised more than $125 million to support programs in the world.
9. Bono -  Bono's RED campaign and charity concerts have advanced the alleviation of poverty and debt in third world countries. His calls for debt relief and AIDS awareness campaigns have benefitted  millions and boosted groups such as Greenpeace and Amnesty International.
10. Jackie Chan -  Chan has been actively involved in helping youngsters who are at risk in Hong Kong. He also made a huge donation to UNICEF for tsunami relief in 2004. He also donates money to the Chrysalis, a non-profit in Los Angeles assisting the homeless.

I thought I had read somewhere at one time that Bill Gates was also one of the world's greatest philanthropists.  Correct me if I am wrong!

 

John and Ann Betar of Connecticut have just been named the longest married couple in the U.S.! He's 101 and she's 97, and have been married 80 years.  Don't they just bring a smile to your face?



 He may be worth billions but he is also one of the best employers in the world.  I'm talking about Richard Branson, the owner/head of Virgin.  Mr. Branson also hosts an annual summer party for all Virgin employees at his country home outside London. This year the party lasted seven days, and more than 25,000 employees and family members attended. Nearly all were greeted at the door by Mr. Branson, who is likely to be the first in the swimming pool.  This is a photograph that one of my friends, whose husband drives a train for Virgin, took at his most recent annual summer party.   Oh, that most employers were as good to their employees.  It does the heart good to see hard work appreciated in such a way!

And that's it for this week.  I hope you enjoyed some of what I have shared.  It's nice to know that not all news is bad news.

 

A thought to carry with you through today . . .

"You're going to ruffle some feathers
if you want to fly, it's inevitable.
It is impossible to please everybody.
It's far better to meet your own expectations
and let someone else down
than to let yourself down
to meet someone else's expectations.
If you're serious about success
knowing this will help you get there."
~Jackson Kiddard  


 

Baking in The English Kitchen.  If you only bake one cake this year, let it be this fabulous Sticky Ginger and Prune Cake.  It's fabulous!

Have a great weekend, and Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian family and friends!