95 years ago today, Fred P. Newton became the first person to swim the length of the mighty Mississippi River. The 1,826-mile swim broke a record for the longest ever. It took him about six months to finish his journey from Ford Dam, near Minneapolis, Minnesota, to New Orleans. The Depression-era salesman from Clinton, Oklahoma, was in the water for 742 hours and protected his body from the cold by a layer of axle grease. READ more from on this day… (1930)
A Rare Cancer-Fighting Plant Compound has Finally Been Decoded
Canadian researchers have figured out how plants make a rare natural substance—mitraphylline—with its potential for fighting cancer and becoming a sustainable new medicine.
Mitraphylline is part of a small and unusual family of plant alkaloids, molecules that are defined by their distinctive twisted ring shapes, which help give them powerful anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects.
For years, scientists knew these compounds were valuable but had little understanding of how plants actually assembled them at the molecular level.
In solving a long standing biological mystery, progress came in 2023, when a research team led by Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan identified the first known plant enzyme capable of creating the signature ‘spiro’ shape found in these molecules.
Building on that discovery, doctoral student Tuan-Anh Nguyen led new work to pinpoint two key enzymes involved in making mitraphylline—one enzyme that arranges the molecule into the correct three dimensional structure, and another that twists it into its final form.
“This is similar to finding the missing links in an assembly line,” says Dr. Dang, the university’s Research Chair in Natural Products Biotechnology. “It answers a long-standing question about how nature builds these complex molecules and gives us a new way to replicate that process.”
Many promising natural compounds exist only in extremely small quantities within plants, making them expensive or impractical to produce using traditional laboratory methods. Mitraphylline is a prime example. It appears only in trace amounts in tropical coffee trees such as Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw).
By identifying the enzymes that construct and shape mitraphylline, scientists now have a clear guide for recreating this process in more sustainable and scalable ways.
Toward Greener Drug Production
“With this discovery, we have a green chemistry approach to accessing compounds with enormous pharmaceutical value,” says Nguyen. “This is a result of UBC Okanagan’s research environment, where students and faculty work closely to solve problems with global reach.”
“Plants are fantastic natural chemists,” Dr. Dang said.
“Our next steps will focus on adapting their molecular tools to create a wider range of therapeutic compounds.”
“Being part of the team that uncovered the enzymes behind spirooxindole compounds has been amazing,” added Nguyen, whose team collaborated with researchers at the University of Florida.
Lost Grey Seal Pup Rescued After Being Netted by Fisherman 20 Miles Away
A surprised fisherman hooked an unlikely catch the day after Christmas when he netted a lost seal 20 miles up river from the coast.
The angler was in a row boat on the River Bure in Norfolk when the grey seal went after his day’s catch of fish.
The hungry seal looked up at the stunned fishermen from inside the net before he called a rescue charity to come help.
Arriving on the scene near Horning, a representative from the wildlife charity called the sea mammal significantly underweight, and then took it to the RSPCA shelter.
The pup, now called Sunshine, likely came from Sea Palling near Horsey Gap which is home to one of the largest colonies of grey seals in the UK.
Around 3,000 pups are born each season but the charity, Friends of Horsey Seals, said this was ‘one of the strangest seal rescue stories’ they’ve seen.
“Horning is 18 kilometers away, over a 5 hour walk, from Sea Palling,” said a Horsey Seals spokesperson. “Chances are that the seal didn’t come over land.”
“Instead it probably swam up the river Bure from Great Yarmouth. The distance from Great Yarmouth to Horning by river is 20 miles.”
SURPRISE: ‘Trashed Panda’ Story Raises $180,000 for Animal Shelter That Discovered it Drunk in the Bathroom
“The startled fisherman went to land the fish when the seal appeared—and also went for the same fish.
“He ended up with both the fish and the seal in his keep net, at which point he called our rescue number.”
The seal pup weighed 12 kilograms (26 pounds), whereas most pups of its age should be between 30 to 45kg.
But, it’s now recovering well thanks to the holiday surprise and rescue.
PASS ON THE SWEET FACE By Sharing it on Social Media…
Best Friends Exchange the Same Birthday Card–Back and Forth–for 81 Years Straight
On her 95th birthday, Pat DeReamer received a greeting card that was already 81 years old.
It all started in 1944, when the Kentucky resident first received the card for her 14th birthday, after her family moved to Indianapolis during World War II.
The “new girl” didn’t have many friends. But one of them, Mary Wheaton, would prove to be the lifelong kind.
“I didn’t know very many people, so, Mary kind of picked me up out of the gutter and, you know, was nice to me,” Pat told a reporter for Kentucky’s WLKY News. “We became really good friends.”
The memorable birthday card featured a cartoon dog on the front with a red bow and the greeting “Here’s Wishing You a Birthday That Really is Colossal.” On the inside, there’s a massive dinosaur skeleton with the message, “‘Cause It’ll Be a Long, Long Time Before You’re an Old Fossil!”
After enjoying the card, Pat saved it. Then she signed it, and sent it back to Mary a month later for her birthday in May.
A tradition was born.
The playful gesture sparked a back-and-forth birthday card custom that has lasted for 81 years and counting.
It survived World War II and went on to earn a Guinness World Record (for the longest greeting card exchange) after 60 years. It has also manufactured a multitude of smiles twice a year for more than three quarters of a century.
“We never said, ‘We’re going to do this’. At least, I don’t remember ever saying that. It just happened,” Pat told WLKY. (Watch the video below…)
“Every year it would give us some reason to call each other and talk.”
The decades passed, the card kept making its rounds, and the world kept changing.
Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Computers became commonplace. Email was invented—and most people quit sending cards altogether.
But not the two girls from Indiana. Even as the decades passed and adult life sent them to separate states, the childhood friends kept the tradition alive.
SO SWEET!
• 105-Year-old WWII Veteran With No Surviving Relatives Receives 3,000 Birthday Cards
• Kindhearted Boy Used His Birthday Money to Start a Food Bank in His Garden Shed
• Retired Teacher ‘Jumps for Joy’ at 80th Birthday Surprise Reunion with Her Favorite Kindergarten Student
Pat knew it would show up in her mailbox this year when she turned 95.
And she’ll sign it, date it, and send it back to Mary in May, just as she’s always done—a tradition of simple joy that brightened her day so many years ago, and will continue to mark a pair of birthdays for another blessed year.
(Watch the local news coverage below…)
START A TRADITION WITH YOUR FRIENDS–Start the Discussion By Sharing This on Social Media…
New Eco-Friendly Tech Eliminates ‘Forever Chemicals’ With Record-Breaking Speed–And it’s Reusable
University researchers in Texas and Korea have collaborated to developed an eco-friendly water purifier that captures—and destroys—toxic “forever chemicals” (PFAS) more than 1,000 times better than current methods.
Their study marks a major milestone in addressing one of the world’s most persistent environmental and health threats.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals first created in the 1940s for use in products ranging from Teflon pans to waterproof clothing and food packaging. Their ability to resist heat, grease, and water has made them valuable for industry and consumers, but that same resistance means they do not easily degrade.
Current health studies have suggested their lingering residues in water are linked to possible liver damage, reproductive disorders, immune system disruption, and certain cancers.
Traditional PFAS cleanup methods typically rely on adsorption, where molecules cling to materials like activated carbon or ion-exchange resins. While these methods are widely used, they come with major drawbacks: low efficiency, slow performance, and the creation of additional waste that requires disposal.
“Our new approach offers a sustainable and highly effective alternative,” said Professor Michael Wong at Rice University, who specializes in nanotechnology, chemistry, and biomolecular engineering.
CHECK IT OUT: Maine is First U.S. State to Ban PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in All Products—and Huge Companies Are Getting On Board
The innovation centers on a layered double hydroxide (LDH) material made from copper and aluminum, first discovered by South Korean Professor Keon-Ham Kim, while he was a grad student at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in 2021.
While experimenting with these materials, a student at Rice, Youngkun Chung, discovered that one formulation with nitrate could adsorb PFAS with record-breaking efficiency.
“To my astonishment, this LDH compound captured PFAS more than 1,000 times better than other materials,” said Chung, a lead author of the study.
“It also worked incredibly fast, removing large amounts of PFAS within minutes, about 100 times faster than commercial carbon filters.”
The material’s effectiveness stems from its unique internal structure.
Its organized copper-aluminum layers combined with slight charge imbalances create an ideal environment for PFAS molecules to bind—with both speed and strength.
Works equally well in river water, tap water and wastewater
To test the technology’s practicality, the team evaluated the LDH material in river water, tap water and wastewater. In all cases, it proved highly effective, performing well in both static and continuous-flow systems.
The results, recently published in the journal Advanced Materials, suggest strong potential for large-scale applications in municipal water treatment and industrial cleanup.
Closing the waste loop
Removing PFAS from water is only part of the challenge. Destroying them safely is equally important. The team at Rice developed a method to thermally decompose PFAS captured on the LDH material. By heating the saturated material with calcium carbonate, the team eliminated more than half of the trapped PFAS without releasing toxic by-products.
INTERESTING: Breakthrough in Fuel Cell Recycling Turns ‘Forever Chemical’ Problem into Renewable Resources Using Sound Waves
Remarkably, the process also regenerated the LDH, allowing it to be reused multiple times—refreshing itself for reuse.
“It’s a rare one-two punch against pollution,” wrote Science Daily, “fast cleanup and sustainable destruction.”
Preliminary studies showed the material could complete at least six full cycles of capture, destruction and renewal, making it the first known eco-friendly, sustainable system for PFAS removal.
“We are excited by the potential of this one-of-a-kind LDH-based technology to transform how PFAS-contaminated water sources are treated in the near future,” said Professor Wong said.
“It’s the result of an extraordinary international collaboration and the creativity of young researchers.”
MORE GOOD NEWS: Researchers Develop Water Treatment that Zaps ‘Forever Chemicals’ for Good
SHARE THE BREAKTHROUGH With Clean Water Advocates on Social Media…
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Quote of the Day: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Image by: Shad Meeg
With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?
Good News in History, December 28
Happy Birthday to Denzel Washington who turns 71 today. The acclaimed actor grew up in blue-collar households in Mount Vernon, New York, and Florida, after which he attended university and discovered his talent for acting while working at a summer camp. He went on to win a Tony and two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for the historical war film Glory and Best Actor for the crime thriller Training Day. READ more about the great actor… (1954)
Veteran Inspired Drone Company Finds Lost Dog in Frigid Cold in Just 41 Minutes–Leading to ‘Cinematic’ Reunion
More than twenty-four hours had already passed with frigid temperatures outside.
Gina Manfredi’s five-month old puppy was lost. The American Bully mix named Shade was headed out for a walk with Gina when a sound startled the pooch and he took off into the cold New Jersey night.
Neighbors went looking for Shade but no one had any luck.
“It started getting really dark. It was cold, the winds started picking up, and (it began) lightly snowing,” Gina told NJ.com.
She placed clothes and other items outside the house that smelled like home, hoping to lure the puppy back. A friend put Gina in touch with Bailey’s Bridge, a local service that specializes in locating lost pets—but nothing worked.
More hours passed and Gina knew something drastic had to be done. Bridge to Home recommended the USAR Drone Team, a veteran-based nonprofit that provides a variety of services, including pet rescues.
Michael Parziale founded USAR in honor of his father, who was a World War II veteran. The group can use its drone technology to assist with open water rescues, dropping life preservers to people stranded at sea. From their location in Manasquan, they also field numerous calls to help with lost pets.
To help find Shade, USAR arrived at Gina’s home at about 7:15 pm, after the dog had been missing for more than 24 hours. He launched a drone equipped with a thermal camera which makes it adept at locating animals at night.
“We saw a lot of different animals for about 20 minutes because we’re near woods,” Gina said.
Then, another image appeared that seemed to resemble Shade’s profile. It was him. (Watch the video below to see the moment…)
“I start in the inner circle and work my way out,” said Michael, who has learned that lost animals typically don’t travel very far from their home. “Fortunately, he was right there.”
Miraculously, Shade was only two blocks from home—and when a family member headed to the location and called for him, the dog came running.
USAR had found Shade in just 41 minutes.
Moments later, the lost dog was headed home, and Michael called the reunion ‘cinematic’.
It was also a new record for the fastest rescue by the Jersey Shore-area drone team. The group does want to charge for its services, but never seems to reject a rescue—so it set up a GoFundMe campaign to collect tax-deductible donations further expand its operations.
And Gina hopes it’s only a matter of time before another pet—or even a person—is saved by the USAR drones.
“Michael donates his time and expertise to help those who cannot afford to hire a professional, dedicating countless volunteer hours to reuniting families with their pets,” Gina said in a Facebook post that detailed Shade’s ordeal.
“It’s a beautiful reminder of the incredible kindness that exists in the world…In a world that can sometimes feel uncertain, this experience has been a powerful reminder that there is far more good than bad.”
GOOD NEWS DRONES:
• Seizures Bar Him from Swimming –So He Saves a Drowning Girl with His Drone
• Nations Team Up to Use Heavy Lifting Drones to Clear Everest Slopes of Trash
• Firefighting Drone Can Douse Wildfires From Above Hillsides Where Firefighters Can’t Go
SHARE THE RESOURCE With Dog-Lovers on Social Media…
Merry Kiss-mas: Thousands Gather Under 10-Foot Mistletoe in DC to Set Guinness Record for Festive Smooches
Suspended 30-feet in the air, a Christmas beacon hangs in Washington, DC—a 10-foot bundle of greenery and ribbons that locals are calling the National Mistletoe.
It served as the perfect setting to herald a ‘Merry Kiss-mas’ and break a world record for holiday smooches.
On a Saturday in December, 1,435 couples gathered around the Mistletoe to kiss for five-seconds in order to set a new Guinness record.
After arriving at DC’s Anthem Row, each couple helped maintain the mood by holding up a small sprig of mistletoe as they locked lips.
The public display of holiday affection broke the previous mistletoe record set by 480 kissing couples in St. Louis in 2019.
“Last night felt bigger than a world record attempt,” said one of the organizers, Gerren Price, who shared video of the moment on Instagram. “It was a reminder of what happens when a city shows up for joy, love, and community above all else.”
“THANK YOU to every single couple who stepped under the National Mistletoe and helped us make history!!”
Mistletoe’s link to holiday traditions date all the way back to prehistoric Europe and winter solstice celebrations. Back then, it was often considered a symbol of fertility and rebirth.
Many years later, a 1784 musical comedy, Two for One, included the song lyric, “And kiss beneath the mistletoe,” according to NPR. The romantic connections continued to grow from there, with festive holiday traditions boosting the plant’s popularity.
In Washington D.C., the massive symbol of holiday love has been hung for two straight years thanks to funding from the District’s Streets for People art grant. The National Mistletoe will remain on display throughout January for anyone seeking to fulfill a romantic New Year’s resolution.
MORE CHRISTMAS MAGIC: Cloning the Original Tree Safeguards Century-old Legacy of ‘Christmas Tree Lane’
There are also plans to continue the tradition next year and perhaps even find ways to help single people find a partner, because anything is possible when love—and mistletoe—is in the air.
“Events like this bring people together in such a memorable, joyful way and show the true vibrancy and energy in the city that we love,” Price said in a statement.
“Whether you’re sealing the deal, rekindling the spark, or just joining for the fun—this is the holiday kiss you won’t forget.”
SPREAD THE EVERGREEN LOVE By Sharing This to Your Social Media Feed…
Top New Years Resolutions for Americans Feature Financial and Health Goals – Poll Shares Some Hacks for 2026
Saving money, exercising more, and getting healthier are Americans’ top New Year’s resolutions heading into 2026, according to a new survey.
The poll of 2,000 Americans revealed that ten percent of respondents felt very good about 2025, labeling it “a great year”. Some of the remainder are seeking to turn things around in 2026, with 38% setting personal goals or resolutions.
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Talkspace, the study found that people are creating six resolutions, on average, for the new year, with the most common ones being putting more money into savings (45%), getting more exercise (45%) and improving overall physical health (41%).
Along with those, respondents said they want to eat healthier (40%), improve their holistic financial wellness (34%), spend more time outdoors (29%) and boost their mental health (29%).
Men are more likely than women to set goals for the coming year (44% vs. 35%), with millennials being the most likely to create New Year’s intentions (57%).
But with goals come hurdles to complete them. Younger Americans said that not having enough money is their biggest barrier to accomplishing their goals, while 37% of baby boomers cited not having enough willpower.
Respondents also said mental health challenges (28%) and lack of time (22%) sometimes hold them back from accomplishing their resolutions.
Responses to these challenges differ by generation. When confronted with failure while pursuing a goal, Gen Z most commonly responds by criticizing themselves or feeling guilty (36%), while millennials (42%), Gen X (48%) and baby boomers (55%) all accept failure as part of the process and keep moving forward.
RELATED: Millennials and Gen Z Redefine ‘Asking for Help’ – Especially With Money
“Setting meaningful personal goals is a positive step for mental well-being and growth, but it is equally important that we go easy on ourselves if we don’t achieve them right away,” said Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi, chief medical officer at Talkspace.
“Remember that there can be growth in trying to achieve goals, even if you don’t always achieve exactly what you set out to, or the outcome doesn’t look or feel like what you expected.”
Looking ahead, half of the people polled were optimistic, saying 2026 will be ‘their year’.
Already, Americans rated their mental health as a 7 out of 10, on average, with men scoring above average at 8/10.
To maintain their mental well-being, Gen Z cited time with family and sleep (both 36%) as their most essential habits, while millennials opt for listening to music and podcasts (43%) and just under 50% of Gen X and baby boomers prefer regular walks.
Nearly four in ten said they have a unique personal hack they use to improve their mood, including treasure hunts, lifting weights to rock music, and skateboarding.
CHECK OUT: Gen Z is Turning Out to be More Financially Strategic Than Their Stereotype Portends
One person said they like listening to their favorite music and “dancing like nobody’s watching”.
Mood boosting hacks can be as simple as binge watching TV while cross-stitching or having a nail day with her daughter.
One respondent shared that her simple hack was crying. “Sometimes you just gotta make yourself cry.” While another said, “I love encouraging others. It takes my mind off any issues I have, and in many cases, I get the pleasant surprise of returned encouragement.”
COMPARE GOALS WITH YOUR FRIENDS By Sharing The Poll on Social Media…
Your Weekly Horoscope – ‘Free Will Astrology’ by Rob Brezsny
Our partner Rob Brezsny, who has a new book out, Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)
Here is your weekly horoscope…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week of December 27, 2025
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
A newly planted orchard spends its first year growing roots, not fruit. Underground and unseen, the real work happens. I surmise that’s like what you will be doing in the coming months, Capricorn: mostly invisible stabilization and preparation. If anyone asks you what you’re producing, smile inscrutably and say, “Depth.” Be committed to the quiet, hidden work rather than any showy song and dance. As my rough and rugged spirit guide Esther likes to say, “You don’t got to prove nothin’ to nobody!” The nourishment you will be storing up will sustain later abundance.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
Engineers may engage in “stress testing.” They evaluate a system’s hardiness and reliability by subjecting it to pressure or force. I suspect that life will bring you a benevolent version of this trial in the coming months, Aquarius. That’s a good thing! It’s not meant to break you, but to prove how much resilience you have developed. Situations that might have formerly cracked your confidence will affirm and reveal your upgraded endurance. Take note of your composure and congratulate yourself for it. You will have every right to exult in the vivid evidence of how much you’ve grown.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
Piscean author Anaïs Nin wrote, “Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don’t know how to replenish its source.” Apply her counsel dynamically during the coming months, dear Pisces. Be the great replenisher. Make yourself into a fountain of beauty as you share lavishly. Nurture tenderness and adoration with unexpected flowers, gorgeous music in the midst of the routine, and affection expressed through artful thoughtfulness. Be brilliant and persistent in ensuring that love thrives. Your elegant generosity and fond attention should enrich everything you touch.
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
In the Brazilian rainforest, Cecropia trees and Azteca ants have a special relationship. The trees’ hollow branches serve as nesting spaces for the ants and offer them sugar-rich food. In return, the ants aggressively defend the trees from herbivores and predators, protecting them from damage. This mutualism benefits both species. The trees get protection that enhances their growth, while the ants gain shelter and nutrition. In the coming months, Aries, I invite you to seek symbiosis that’s equally vigorous. Enjoy the fun challenge of reducing your solo struggles as you rouse collaborations that boost your power and everyone else’s. The goal is intelligent alliance, not compromise. Be resourceful as you trade a bit too much independence for just the right amount of interdependence.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
When potters center clay on a wheel, they typically use one hand inside the vessel to apply steady, controlled force. The other hand remains fluid, guiding and stabilizing the outer rim of the spinning clay. This balanced use of pressure—one hand firm and bracing, the other adapting minutely to the shifting clay—helps bring the lump into perfect symmetry. I propose you make this a prime metaphor in the coming months, Taurus: control meeting surrender. You will be crafting a new balance between security and surprise. Too much rigidity, and the form cracks; too much flow, and it collapses. Practice the middle art.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Poet Audre Lorde spoke of how caring for herself was the exact opposite of being selfish. It was the foundation of her ability to serve and inspire other people. My Aunt Sophie used to say, “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.” Educator Stephen Covey advised, “Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.” Poet Vironika Tugaleva writes, “Learning to love yourself is essential and life-changing.” Everything I just said should be your keynotes in the coming months, Gemini. Boost your self-care to sublime levels.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
A remarkable species of jellyfish can circumvent the aging and death process that affects all other animals. Turritopsis dohrnii converts its mature, specialized cells back into stem cells, essentially recycling its own body into youth. The process may repeat indefinitely, making the animal theoretically immortal. In the coming months, Cancerian, your emotional wisdom will also show amazing regenerative power. Challenging and intriguing situations will be opportunities for you to initiate stunning acts of renewal. Like the jellyfish, you won’t merely manage change but will use it as a catalyst for vigorous growth. Have you ever before been blessed by such wildly rejuvenative powers of metamorphosis? I don’t think so.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
According to ancient Egyptian myth, the sun god Ra rode a celestial boat across the sky by day. Each night, he plunged into the underworld to wrangle with chaos so he could rebirth light in time for the dawn. That’s your mythic assignment for the coming months, Leo: not to be nonstop luminous, but to renew and nurture your radiance in the dark. Your courage will lie in feeling and learning from your doubts without identifying with them. Your magnetism and wisdom will deepen as you descend. You won’t be less golden for passing through shadow.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
In medieval monasteries, scribes added whimsical drawings called drolleries into the margins of sacred manuscripts. These marginalia included scenes like frogs playing harps, nuns chasing rabbits, and fantastical creatures engaged in playful or absurd activities. How should we interpret these seemingly prankish additions? Scholars disagree. In any case, I recommend you experiment with drolleries of your own, Virgo. Inject improvisation into duty. Add ornament to order. The coming months will reward your serious play. You’ll accomplish more by enjoying the work than by obsessing on perfecting it. A touch of friskiness may even improve efficiency. So when you edit, doodle; when you analyze, wink.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Italy’s Orto Botanico di Padova is the world’s oldest botanical garden still in its original location. Since its inception 480 years ago, it has been a center for botanical research, education, and conservation. Its layout is striking, a square-inscribed in a circle, symbolizing harmonious order. In the coming months, Libra, you will be wise to associate yourself intimately with a similar wonder: an enduring source of beauty and revelation that you can both serve and benefit from.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Astronaut Chris Hadfield has spent 166 days orbiting the Earth in the International Space Station. In the microgravity of outer space, he says, motion is very smooth; objects and people float. He marvels at how everything is always moving, and yet the pace itself is tranquil and unhurried. I foresee you enjoying a lot of this kind of grace in the coming months, Scorpio: momentum without mania; constant fluidic movement that’s never hectic or rushed. What a great privilege! I expect you will rack up many flowing accomplishments.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
In Kyoto’s famous moss gardens, caretakers practice artful arrangement rather than total removal of shed foliage. They use delicate tools to gather trees’ cast-off leaves and arrange them on the moss to create visual harmony rather than bare tidiness. This approach reflects the Japanese aesthetic principles of embracing imperfection. Supposed “flaws” become part of the beauty of the garden. I propose that you regularly adopt a metaphorically comparable approach in the coming months, Sagittarius. Integrate rather than edit. Be creative with what’s changing form. Treat so-called messes and unexpected plot twists not as blemishes but as rich textures that feel meaningful and inspiring.
WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com
(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com, CC license)
SHARE The Wisdom With Friends Who Are Stars in Your Life on Social Media…
“Learning to love yourself is essential and life-changing.” – Vironika Tugaleva
Quote of the Day: “Learning to love yourself is essential and life-changing.” – Vironika Tugaleva
Image by: Getty Images for Unsplash+ (cropped)
With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?
Good News in History, December 27
45 years ago today—just three weeks before he was killed—John Lennon released his seventh, and final, studio album: Double Fantasy. It hit No.1 and stayed atop the US charts for 8 weeks, along with its hit song Just Like Starting Over. The Grammy-winning album marked Lennon’s return to recording music full-time, following a five-year hiatus to raise his son with Yoko Ono. SEE the ‘Watchin’ the Wheels’ music video with scenes of John and his son… (1980)
Couple Who Started IVF Last Christmas Day Welcomed a Baby After 11 Year Battle
A couple who started IVF last Christmas Day has given birth to a baby boy after 11 years of trying to conceive.
Helen Delgard was warned she may never be able to conceive naturally with her husband Stephane, but following a January surprise, they’re getting to celebrate Christmas with little Noah, who’s now 14 weeks old.
The couple started trying for a baby soon after they got together in 2014, but Delgard already had a complex medical history. She had undergone abdominal surgery to remove much of her bowel and been told she might never conceive naturally as a result
“I was very unwell when Stephane and I first met, so he was aware of my issues and we thought we’d just see where life took us,” Delgard told Britain’s Southwest News Service.
After a few years of trying, Delgard underwent a surgery to try and remove some of the scar tissue from previous surgeries which was believed to be potentially blocking her fallopian tubes. They were referred to Bristol fertility clinic for help after the surgery failed to make a difference.
After starting treatment on Christmas day, Delgard found out she was pregnant in January.
“However, despite all the care that had got us to that point, I became quite ill and experienced heavy bleeding at the end of the third week of pregnancy which led us and the medical team to anticipate that I might have lost the baby,” she told SWNS.
MORE STORIES LIKE THIS:
“My six-week scan was therefore carried out with the greatest delicacy, mindful of our potential loss, and the radiologist very sensitively positioned the screen so the image was not in our line of vision.”
AGAINST THE ODDS:
“But then, with a huge smile, she turned it back and showed us Noah’s tiny heartbeat. We both broke down, and the team were crying too. After that it was a relatively uncomplicated pregnancy and our beautiful boy was born at 37 weeks, weighing 6lbs. 10oz.”
“The support from the clinic throughout our journey was incredible… We thank the whole team and wish them a very merry Christmas.”
CELEBRATE This Couple’s Hope And Joy On Christmas Day On Social Media…
Town Devastated by Wildfires Wins Half-a-Billion Christmas Lottery: ‘Something that has fallen from the heavens’
A Spanish town devastated by wildfires in spring has seen its luck turn with a hundred-million-dollar windfall from a national lottery program.
Left with 120,000 acres of scorched woodland and 8,000 displaced residents, La Bañeza, in the region of Castilla y León, was engulfed in trauma and grief as much as smoke and fire.
The town prayed for rain, but the sunny Spanish sky declined.
Now, having bought 117 numbers in El Gordo Christmas lottery from the Spanish government, the town’s misfortune has turned to staggering quantities of luck, as each number paid out €400,000.
That means the village raked in half-a-billion USD as near as makes no difference. With roughly 10,000 residents, and considering that lotteries are normally heavily taxed, it would land each villager with somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000 —a godsend for those whose lands or homes were damaged in the fire.
“Winning the lottery, as well as cause for joy and excitement [sic], is something that has fallen from the heavens to a place that needs so much,” La Bañeza Mayor Javier Carrera said, adding it caused “a cascade of emotions after such a terrible year.”
LOTTERY STORIES TO DROP YOUR JAW:
- Lottery Ticket Hidden in Woman’s Bible Earns Her $1 Million
- Woman Overcomes Homelessness And Then Wins $5 Million Lottery
- A Man from Luck Won the Lottery
A truly beautiful superstition surrounding El Gordo numbers is that lightning never strikes twice, and that good luck follows bad. This sometimes sees players buy tickets in areas that have suffered misfortune.
The story of La Bañeza will undoubtedly reinforce this tradition of gambling that luck will turn around.
SHARE This Green Rain From Heaven On A Town That Needed It…
Thought Extinct, Snail Scientists Embark on Largest Snail Breeding and Reintroduction Effort in History
A group of Australian biologists have discovered that a giant snail species considered extinct hasn’t gone the way of the dodo.
They undertook one of the largest captive snail breeding and reintroduction efforts in Australian, and perhaps world history.
Campbell’s keeled glass snail was listed as Extinct by the IUCN in 1996 after several surveys couldn’t locate it, or traces of it, across its home on Norfolk Island, a territory controlled by Australia located between the continent and New Zealand.
In 2020, snail biologist Dr. Isabel Hyman received a photo from a Norfolk local named Mark—it was an unusually large snail, which Hyman immediately recognized.
“Large” in relative sense, the Campbell’s keeled glass snail measures just 2 centimeters. This is still more than 10 times the size of the smallest island snails.
While Australia and New Zealand were instituting some of the most draconian lockdown measures of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Hyman nevertheless secured permission to visit the island to search for these rare brown beauties.
In a sheltered valley, Dr. Hyman and her colleagues found their quarry: a small assortment of Campbell’s snails, which they transported back to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney with hopes of beginning a captive breeding program.
Through tragedy and triumph, death and birth, the zoo amassed a collection of some 800 snails and took them to Norfolk this year for a reintroduction attempt.
ISLAND INTERESTS: Endangered Chick Appears in ‘Christmas Miracle’ Hatching to Parents Thought Infertile
“Invertebrates are a whole group of animals that are probably underrepresented when it comes to conservation,” said Melinda Wilson, natural resources program manager at Norfolk Island national park, whose rangers helped to reestablish the snail’s presence by conducting monitoring work and pest control, as the island still hosts invasive rats and chickens that would make a meal out of the snails.
In a different, yet equally sheltered valley, surrounded by palms and native hardwoods, the Campbell’s snails were released—each and every one of which were painstakingly tagged for tracking their movements. A primitive irrigation system was also set up in the valley to ensure that if the snails faced an unusually-long dry season, they’d have the necessary moisture to survive.
BEAUTIFUL SNAILS FROM CUBA: Photographer Unites With Cuban Scientists to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Snail
Over time, the Guardian reports, the snails gradually became harder and harder to find, which is somewhat in line with previous invertebrate conservation programs. The belief is that, rather than having gone extinct again, they have spread out beyond the confines of their valley, and then given a good rainfall, will become more visible as their numbers grow.
“To have these snails front and center as part of our conservation actions … has been really rewarding,” Wilson told the Guardian.
SHARE The Story Of This Little Lost And Unloved Critter With Your Friends…
Atlanta Restaurant Provided for 100 Families During the Shutdown, Now Throws Christmas Giveaway for Them
In Atlanta, what began as an emergency helping hand to the community has been extended to a Christmas giveaway, where 100 families received free meals, gifts, and more.
The Santa’s Workshop event held on Monday surprised dozens of Midtown Atlanta families with new toys, bikes, and even electronics: to support outdoor play and school work.
Crystal Drakes, co-owner of Crescent City Kitchen, said she ‘adopted’ the kids and their families during the historically-long government shutdown, when the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits went unfunded.
At Crescent City, these 100 “handpicked” families were given food, cleaning and hygiene supplies, and other household necessities.
“I’m gonna make sure that I can touch a life every single chance that I get, and I’ve done my job and that’s all that matters to me,” said Drakes.
The owner of Crescent City is a single mother of 3, and said she empathizes with the stress that others feel when they’re unsure of how to provide for their families.
“I understand there’s always someone that has it harder than me,” said Drakes. “So to be able to give back and see smiles on faces, it warms my heart and makes me just as happy as well.”
WATCH the story below from Atlanta News First…
SPREAD This Christmas Cheer Across Social Media…
“Home is a building you live in. It’s also a metaphor for the inner world you carry within you.” – Rob Brezsny
Quote of the Day: “Home is a building you live in. It’s also a metaphor for the inner world you carry within you.” – Rob Brezsny
Image by: Nathan Dumlao
With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?
Good News in History, December 26
47 years ago today, the inaugural Dakar Rally Raid was staged, with the course stretching from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. 182 vehicles took the start of the inaugural rally in Paris, with 74 surviving the 10,000-kilometer (6,200 mi) trip to Dakar while crossing terrains such as sand dunes, mud, camel grass, hamada rock desert, and more. The race is split into motorbikes, cars, trucks, and quads, and is much tougher than a regular rally championship track, which is usually run by modified road cars. READ more about the competition’s history… (1978)
‘This Area is Slightly Haunted but Manageable’: New Signs Look Official But They’re Public Art Designed to Delight
From New Zealand comes the story of a public art project in disguise—as official-looking signs with bizarre declarations.
One warns that an abandoned building is “slightly haunted,” while another one cheekily announces a walking speed limit of 2.83 kmh. Another simply reads “Don’t.”
Despite borrowing the font and color palate of official Christchurch signage, the 6 installations are meant to “play with the way we take authority and signage so seriously.”
Those were the words of the Cameron Hunt, who designed and mounted the signs as part of the Little Street art festival early this month.
“The idea was to make signs that look official, but with completely absurd messages, therefore creating moments of confusion, followed by little bursts of joy,” Hunt told the Guardian.
Kiri Jarden, the city council’s principal adviser for community arts, agreed.
“We totally support artists using humor to gently interrupt and engage passersby.”
The Guardian hunted down some online engagement, as in this era of digital media the signs quickly made their way onto social media. One, a self-described “fast walker” on Reddit, asked a community group if the signs were “for real?”
Another thought it some of the best “Guerilla art” he’d ever seen.
SHARE The Humor With Your Friends On Social Media…