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Veterinarian’s Simple Question Inspires Wave of Donations of IV Fluids That Would Normally Be Thrown Away

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Andy Corbley
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Credit insung yoon, via Unsplash
Credit insung yoon, via Unsplash

A clever veterinarian is helping address a shortage of IV fluids for animal care by accepting donations of leftover fluids from blood banks.

Though hospital regulations in Australia and likely in most countries dictate that leftover intravenous fluid, also known as saline, should be discarded for sanitary standards, its use for animals had never been explored.

ABC News AU reports that Dr. Felicity Cole donates blood often, and sees how the saline used to rehydrate and replenish blood cells in donors is often not fully used by the time the procedure is finished.

“I knew the product [saline] was being used and a large amount of it was possibly spare or being discarded,” she said.

Her clinic in Newcastle has experienced shortages of saline in treating animals. It’s often used to help pets maintain blood volume while under anesthesia or during trauma operations. In July last year, Dr. Cole wrote to the team at Australia Red Cross Lifeblood to ask if it were possible to salvage that leftover saline for her clinic.

“It was such a great idea,” Lifeblood spokesperson Jemma Falkenmire said. “But there was certainly some work to do, from our end, to get approval to donate that saline.”

Using a method called heat-sealing, bags of saline can be conserved for future use with animals, and Lifeblood has now pioneered best practices for the procedure in case any other facilities want to do the same with leftover saline.

CONTINUE READING: Macgyvered Neck Brace Saves Rare Peruvian Grasshopper: ‘no matter how big or small’ the Zookeepers Care

The first box of saline arrived in August of last year, with the average bag providing a cat with 10-20 hours of fluid depending on the procedure and the cat’s condition.

Best of all, Lifeblood has made a real effort out of Dr. Cole’s simple request, and has now donated 5,000 bags of heat-sealed IV fluids to around 100 vet clinics across the nation of Australia.

MORE AUSTRALIAN NEWS: Australia Launches into Space With the ‘Roo-ver’ – Their First Lunar Robot

A veterinarian at the Australia Zoo told ABC that the saline allowed them in some cases to continue delivering life-saving treatment, including for koalas, an endangered species that “rely on these lifesaving fluids.”

SHARE This Veterinarian’s Brilliant Idea And The Revolution In Pet Care It Started…

100-Year-old Piano Prodigy Is Last Surviving Pupil of Rachmaninov–She Even Dropped an Album at 97

By
Andy Corbley
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CREDIT: Decca Classics via YouTube video
CREDIT: Decca Classics via YouTube video

This is Ruth Slenczynska, the 100-year-old, last living pupil of Sergei Rachmaninov who still performs wearing the Fabergé egg necklace the legendary Russian musician gifted her.

Despite her age, Ruth continues to play—recently at the Chopin International Festival and Friends at the Polish embassy in New York City in 2021. During COVID-19 lockdowns, she recorded videos to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th Birthday.

Then, amazingly, she recorded and released a new album at 97 years of age.

“Whoever heard of a pianist my age making another album?” she said at the time of its release. “Music is meant to bring joy. If mine still brings joy to people, then it is doing what it is supposed to do.”

My Life in Music is an ebony and ivory journey through a distinguished career that included studying under Rachmaninov, but features primarily music from Chopin, an artist who had an extraordinary impact on her thanks to her father, Josef Slenczynski, a skilled violinist.

He would make her perform all 25 Etudes, the solo studies of Chopin, before breakfast. The album also includes works from Grieg, Debussy, and Bach.

“If you don’t know something thoroughly, you can’t do anything with it. This is something I got from Mr. Rachmaninov,” she said in a video released by Decca Classics, who signed Ruth at 97 for My Life in Music. 

“I remember I played for him something and he said ‘you don’t know that well enough to play it at the tempo you’re taking it,'” she recalled. “And I said, ‘well I’ve been playing it for three weeks already.'”

ANOTHER LATE RELEASE: Previously Unknown Mozart Song Discovered in German Library After 200 Years

“And he said, ‘three weeks, that’s nothing! After three years, working with it slowly, fast, until it is yours, then you can present it; but that takes time.'”

Ruth even once filled in for “Mr. Rachmaniov,” according to her, after he had to withdraw from a performance date due to an injury.

TIMELESS CHARACTERS: Dick Van Dyke Dances in New Coldplay Video Premiering on His 99th Birthday (WATCH)

As if these weren’t enough for one lifetime, Ruth has performed for presidents Kennedy Jr., Reagan, and Carter—and alongside Truman and Empress Michiko of Japan.

Ruth Slenczynska celebrated her centennial on January 15th.

WATCH and LISTEN to Ruth Do her stuff…

SHARE This Timeless Woman’s Incredible Gift With Your Friends… 

“We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours.” – Dag Hammarskjöld

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Good News Network
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By Dariusz Sankowski

Quote of the Day: “We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours.” – Dag Hammarskjöld

Photo by: Dariusz Sankowski

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?

By Dariusz Sankowski

Good News in History, February 3

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Good News Network
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The West Portal entrance to the Twin Peaks Tunnel in 1967 - public domain

107 years ago today, the Twin Peaks Tunnel, connecting the neighborhoods of Castro to West Portal underneath two of the three highest points in San Francisco was opened. When service began it was the world’s longest underground automobile tunnel at 11,920 feet (3,630 meters). It cost around $100 million in today’s money, and boring was completed 3 months ahead of schedule. READ more… (1918)

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DJ Teaches His Parents How to Use Decks–Now They Host Kitchen Raves Whenever They Want (WATCH)

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Good News Network
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Dominic and Janine Yacovelli in kitchen rave via Phillip’s video / SWNS
Dominic and Janine Yacovelli in kitchen rave via Phillip’s video / SWNS

A 23-year-old DJ taught his parents the ropes of using his music decks, and now they’re hosting spontaneous raves in their kitchen.

The full-time DJ, Phillip Yacovelli, saw that his parents had some spare time since they’d recently retired—and says Dominic and Janine took to it straight away.

Now, the family in Atlantic City, New Jersey, turn up the volume on the beats in their kitchen at any time of day.

Phillip says the idea came from nowhere, but was a triumph (as you can see by the video and photos below).

“I graduated college and was still living at home with my parents. I was DJing all the time, and I suggested my parents hop on and play.

“They thought it was funny—and said ‘why not?’. Now they play once a week, maybe more.

“They’re not that good, but when they have free time they like to play around. I give them tips when they’re playing, telling them what the different buttons do.

Dominic Yacovelli – SWNS

“They definitely bring a lot of energy when they’re on the board.”

Phillip Yacovelli / SWNS

“They’ve never produced their own music but if I could get them into that it would be pretty fun…Maybe one day!”

WATCH the videos below from SWNS and the New York Post on Facebook…

INSPIRE THE RETIRED By Sharing The Fun on Social Media…

A Leap of Hope: Endangered Frogs First Seen by Charles Darwin Give Birth in London to Help Avoid Extinction

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Good News Network
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Rhinoderma darwinii –By Jalmonacida, CC BY-SA 4.0 wikipedia
Rhinoderma darwinii – By Jalmonacida CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikipedia

The birth of 33 frogs at the London Zoo has been hailed as a “landmark moment” in the ongoing battle to save an endangered species that was first described by Charles Darwin during his epic voyage on HMS Beagle in the early 1800s.

A deadly fungus was threatening to wipe out the Southern Darwin frog in its native Chile following the introduction of the chytrid fungus to their native habitat.

The tiny frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii), which are particularly susceptible to the fungus, needed a refuge until conservationists figured out how to make their forest home safe once again.

So, conservationists embarked on an urgent 7000-mile rescue mission last October to a remote island off the coast of Chile that retrieved healthy frogs for safeguarding at the London Zoo.

The expedition was documented by wildlife filmmaker Paul Glynn, and his new film, A Leap of Hope, is due to premiere tomorrow, Monday, Feb 3, on YouTube. (Watch below…)

After 52 frogs were collected and declared chytrid-free, they travelled in specially designed, climate-controlled boxes on a six-hour boat ride, then a 15-hour drive to the capital Santiago, and a final flight to Heathrow airport and their new home in London.

The first births

“This is a landmark moment in our work to protect the Darwin’s frog from the devastating impact of chytrid fungus,” said Ben Tapley, Curator of Amphibians at London Zoo.

“The successful parent-rearing of these froglets is a powerful symbol of hope for the species, and highlights what can be achieved when conservationists work together.

“We knew we were embarking on something special. The clock was ticking, and we needed to act quickly if we were going to save these frogs—and capturing this work on film has really cemented just how vital our work is.”

CHUCKLE-WORTHY: 7 New Frog Species Were Named After Star Trek Captains: ‘To Boldly Croak’

Southern Darwin frog by Ong ranita CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikipedia wikipedia.jpg

The catastrophic fungus

Southern Darwin’s frogs in the Parque Tantauco forests of southern Chile faced devastation in 2023, when surveys confirmed the arrival of the chytrid fungus.

That led to a “catastrophic” 90% decline in monitored populations within a year, due to amphibian chytridiomycosis – a disease which has now affected at least 500 amphibian species, making it the most devastating infectious disease recognized by science.

Andres Valenzuela-Sanchez of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), an Institute of Zoology research fellow, explained, “By working with partners in Chile, we’re able to safeguard these frogs in their new home at London Zoo, ensuring that this unique species has a fighting chance of recovery.

“These frogs are not only vital for the future of their species but also help us better understand how we can combat chytrid fungus and safeguard other amphibians globally.”

The 33 froglets were carried and brooded by 11 of the male frogs rescued. This male brooding makes Darwin’s frog distinct from any other frog species—except for R. rufum, which may be extinct.

LOOK: Toddler is Best Friends With a Frog: They Eat Together, Watch TV, and Go on Walks

The frogs use a unique strategy to protect and rear their tiny tadpoles, carrying them inside their vocal sacs. After the females lay eggs, which develop into tadpoles, the male Darwin’s frog moves them into his vocal sac so they can mature in safety.

After traveling by boat, plane, and car to London, the fathers – each fully grown yet weighing less than two grams and measuring a little over one inch (3cm) – continued to carry the tiny tadpoles until they metamorphosed into the next generation of the extraordinary species.

AMAZING PHOTOS: Newly-Identified Species of Transparent ‘Glass’ Frogs Unveiled in Ecuador

With the rearing of 33 froglets and more soon to follow, London Zoo hopes that its population of Southern Darwin’s frogs will grow from strength to strength, eventually supporting reintroduction efforts in Chile. (Watch the ZSL film which premieres at 1:00pm (EST) on Monday…)

MULTIPLY THE GOOD By Leaping This News to Frog-Lovers On Social Media…

10 Tips for Overcoming Self-Doubt – Including Adopting a Power Pose

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Good News Network
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By Tim Foster
By Tim Foster

A life coach and former nurse Christina Russell has shared her top ten strategies for overcoming self-doubt, including adopting a “power pose,” which is proven to help boost confidence.

There are ups and downs in every personal-growth journey, says the Florida coach. But self-doubt is “a pervasive issue” for many.

Here are ten actionable strategies to help you prioritize yourself and identify your boundaries, dreams, and aspirations:

1. Create a ‘WINS’ Journal: Write down daily accomplishments, no matter how small. Sometimes simply acknowledging regular wins helps reinforce what you’re capable of. It shifts the focus to your strengths rather than your failures.

2. Rewire Your Inner Critic: Instead of succumbing to negative self-talk, treat yourself with the same respect you’d show a friend. Replace ‘I’m not good enough’ with ‘I’m still learning, and this is part of the process’.

You can even try “positive punishments” like doing 50 sit-ups whenever you backslide. This can help build consistency—and a good habit.

3. Visualize Your Future Self: Emphasize the power of imagining yourself as the person you aspire to become. Step into this mindset either right before bedtime or early in the morning. It can be an incredible confidence booster.

4. Adopt a Beginner’s Mindset: Give yourself permission to not have all the answers. Challenges are opportunities for growth, not failures.

5. Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People: Positive energy is contagious. Be around people with goals who support one another.

6. Take Tiny Steps: Breaking down goals into small, manageable actions is a cornerstone of a positive philosophy. Momentum will build your confidence.

CHECK OUT: Woman With Fear of Rejection Cures Herself by Asking Odd Requests of Strangers

7. Practice a Power Pose: Try posing in confidence-boosting postures for two minutes before tackling a challenging task. It’s proven to reduce stress and increase self-assurance.

8. Learn to Celebrate Failure: View setbacks as feedback. List alternative solutions and view the problem as an objective outsider—instead of taking it so personally.

9. Ask for Feedback: Honest feedback from a friend or professional can help you identify blind spots—or strengths—that you may be overlooking.

10. Create a Personal Affirmation Ritual: Writing affirmations that resonate with your values and goals can help instill them into your consciousness. Say them aloud each morning—and tape them to your mirror—to set a positive tone for the day.

FANTASTIC IDEA—> Improving Her Depression, Woman Tries Something New Every Day for a Year –And Vows to Keep it Up

Christina Russell Coaching, based in Ocala, Florida, helps clients overcome self-doubt and build strategies for flourishing.

SHARE THE TIPS With Doubting Friends On Social Media Today…

Cats With Arthritis Are Wearing Caps in Groundbreaking Research to Understand and Relieve Their Pain

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Good News Network
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Cat's brain is scanned using electrodes under specially-knitted wool caps –Credit: Alienor Delsart of UdeM / SWNS
Cat’s brain is scanned using electrodes under specially-knitted wool caps –Credit: Alienor Delsart of UdeM / SWNS

Cats are wearing hats for science—as researchers use brain scans to understand pain in arthritic felines, and find a way to soothe it.

It’s a world first for veterinary scientists at the University of Montreal (UdeM): they found a way to scan the brains of cats while they’re still awake, using electrodes concealed under specially-knitted wool caps.

Chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis affects over 25 % of the adult feline population and this incidence increases with age.

Seeking to understand how cats experience the chronic pain, the researchers wanted to create a non-invasive method to study their brains.

In previous studies, the cat subjects would shake off and chew the wires of traditional electrodes. The answer was to incorporate the sensors into comfy crocheted beanies.

“We had the idea of the little knitted hat that would keep the electrodes in place,” said Aude Castel, Assistant Professor at UdeM Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences.

The team wanted to use sensory stimulation to try to reduce the aches, exposing the cats to soothing stimuli such as colored lights and comforting smells, as a way to ease their suffering.

Credit: Alienor Delsart / UdeM (via SWNS)

“With some treats and positive reinforcement, the cats tolerated the hat very well and allowed us to record their brain activity while awake and being exposed to different types of sensory stimuli: citrus smell, different light colors.

In all, they studied 11 adult cats with osteoarthritis, assessing their stress and pain using the electrodes that produced electroencephalograms (EEGs).

POPULAR KITTY NEWS: Scientists Finally Discover Why Some Cats Are Orange–and Why They Tend to Be Males

“The reasoning behind exposing them to different stimulations is that we wanted to see if, just like in people, we could modulate their brain activity and, by the same token their pain perception, with sensory stimulation.”

The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience Methods, found that the hat method is feasible, and spectral analysis are efficient methods to characterize the response to a given sensory stimulation.

“This opens new avenues for investigating chronic pain mechanisms and developing novel therapeutic strategies,” the report concluded.

LOOK: Special Delivery From the Middle East—The Stray Cat who Stole a Sergeant’s Heart is Now Rescued

“We now plan to obtain NSERC funding [Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada], in partnership with private companies, to enable us to establish a genuine EEG signature for chronic pain, and many other applications that will enable us to automate chronic pain detection in the future,” said Éric Troncy, who co-led the study.

PUT ON YOUR NEWS HAT By Sharing the Development For Cats On Social Media…

“Happy are those who dare courageously to defend what they love.” – Ovid

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “Happy are those who dare courageously to defend what they love.” – Ovid

Photo by: ©GNN

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, February 2

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Good News Network
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Archipel Bolama-Bijagos Ramsar site in Guinea-Bissau - CC 4.0. BY-SA - Powell.Ramsar

54 years ago today, The Ramsar Convention on the Sustainable Use of Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran. When stopping to think about it, it pre-dates many of the landmark international agreements of the original Environmentalism Movement by some margin, such as the Convention on Biodiversity (1994), the Convention on Migratory Species (1979), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1975), and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1985). READ about the success of the Ramsar treaty below… (1971)

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Most Single Americans Look for Partners With These Career Values and Passions: New Dating Poll

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Good News Network
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KrakenImages / Unsplash
KrakenImages / Unsplash

A survey of 2,000 single Americans revealed that 56% of respondents agreed it’s important that their partners have the same career values that they do.

In terms of ambition, 44% would prefer someone whose career ambitions were the same as their own, while 34% are looking for someone who is even more ambitious.

Regarding salary, 39% of all respondents—which were equally divided between men and women—said they would prefer to be an equal “breadwinner” with their partners. Unsurprisingly, this was much more common for women, with 45% of females preferring salaries to be equal, compared to 33% of men.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of the dating app The League, the survey also looked at the most desirable careers for 2025.

29% of men and women agreed that those in the health care field make the best partners, while careers in education ranked as the second most attractive for the men surveyed (28%).

21% of women are interested in dating an entrepreneur, 19% were interested in an educator, while finance guys and artists were desirable for 18%.

Also ranking in the top most dateable jobs for both genders are lawyers (24%), scientists (16%), and careers in tech, like web or software developers (14%).

The poll also explored the ideal time to have “the career conversation” with potential partners. Nearly a quarter of respondents (22%) said that, ideally, they’ll have a conversation about goals and aspirations before going on a first date—but most will bring up the conversation by the end of their first date.

“Transparency is more attractive than ever,” said Rachel DeAlto, a dating expert at The League. “While there may be no perfect time to talk about careers and ambitions, bringing it up in conversation sooner than later in the dating process allows singles to determine if they share similar values and life goals from the start.”

Despite many respondents being eager to speak with potential partners about their career, that doesn’t mean single Americans are “all work and no play.” 40% of singles surveyed want their potential partners to have a passion for what they’re doing but also prioritize a work/life balance.

Gabriella Clare Marino

Additionally, over one in five respondents are looking for partners who have a desire to leave a positive impact on society or other people.

64% are willing to date someone in graduate school, further demonstrating the appeal of having drive and goals, no matter where your career is at the moment.

“When partners share similar aspirations and value the same things in life, they’re better equipped to support and understand each other. The key is to stay open to finding that alignment,” said DeAlto.

On the flip side, constant burn-out (32%), long overtime hours (29%) and switching jobs every year (25%) are some of the top career “red flags.” Interestingly, being an “influencer” was also a “red flag” for more than one in five respondents (22%).

WHAT CAREER VALUES ARE IMPORTANT IN A POTENTIAL NEW PARTNER?

  • Passion for what they’re doing — 40%
  • Prioritizing work/personal life balance — 34%
  • Understanding that there is always more to learn/ways to improve — 28%
  • Ability to work well with others and build relationships with colleagues — 25%
  • Desire to leave a positive impact on society or other people — 21%
  • Competitiveness or wanting to be successful — 19%
  • Desire to leave a positive impact on the environment — 15%
  • Desire to be a good manager or leader — 15%
  • Commitment to pushing the boundaries and paving new roads — 15%

Being Social–Like Dining Out, Traveling, or Playing Bingo, May Delay Dementia by 5 Years

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By Curated Lifestyle for Unsplash+
By Curated Lifestyle for Unsplash+

Visiting friends, going to parties, and attending church or community bingo games may help keep your brain healthy, according to research conducted at Rush University that shows frequent social activity may help prevent or delay dementia in old age.

“In this study, we show that the least socially active older adults developed dementia an average of five years before the most socially active,” said Bryan James, PhD, associate professor of internal medicine at Rush.

Social activity can strengthen neural circuits in the brain, making them more resistant to the buildup of pathology that occurs with age. Social behavior activates the same areas of the brain involved in thinking and memory.

The findings, published online in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, suggest that more frequent social activity points to a 38% reduction in dementia risk and a 21% reduction in mild cognitive impairment risk, compared to the least socially active.

In addition, a five-year delay in dementia onset has been estimated to yield an additional three years of life and an economic benefit of reducing dementia costs by 40% in the next 30 years, potentially $500,000 in lifetime health care savings for each person who would eventually develop dementia.

Authors note that the findings highlight the value of social activity as a possible community-level intervention for reducing dementia.

The study included 1,923 dementia-free older adults with a mean age of about 80 who are participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project, an ongoing longitudinal study of common chronic conditions of aging.

DID YOU KNOW? Popping a Daily Multivitamin Could Prevent Cognitive Decline as we Age, Shows Third Study

A total of 545 participants developed dementia, and 695 developed mild cognitive impairment. They each underwent yearly evaluations that included a medical history and neuropsychological tests.

Social activity was measured based on a questionnaire that asked participants whether, and how often, in the previous year they had engaged in six common social activities that involve social interaction — for example, whether they went to restaurants or sporting events, played bingo, took day or overnight trips, did volunteer work or visited relatives or friends.

Cognitive function was assessed using 21 tests for various types of memory as well as perceptual speed and visuospatial ability.

Use it or lose it

At the start of the investigation, all participants were free of any signs of cognitive impairment. Over an average of five years, however, those who were more socially active showed reduced rates of dementia. Other variables that might have accounted for the increase in cognitive decline — such as age, physical exercise and health—were all adjusted for in the analysis.

MUSIC KEEPS YOU YOUNG:
• Practicing and Listening to Music Can Slow Cognitive Decline in Healthy Seniors by Producing More Gray Matter
• Singing or Playing Music Throughout Life is Linked with Better Brain Health While You Age

Why social activity plays a role in the development of cognitive problems is not clear. One possibility is that “social activity challenges older adults to participate in complex interpersonal exchanges, which could promote or maintain efficient neural networks in a case of ‘use it or lose it,’” James said in Rush News.

The study is a follow up on previous papers from the Rush group showing that social activity is related to less cognitive decline—even mild cognitive impairment.

HELP PREVENT DEMENTIA By Sharing the Tips On Social Media…

Watch Giddy Florida Man Experiencing Snow for the First Time–And Making a Snow Angel

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Jakeem Johnson makes a snow angel during once-in-a-lifetime snowfall – via SWNS
Jakeem Johnson makes a snow angel during once-in-a-lifetime snowfall – via SWNS

Feel this guy’s joy as he experiences snow for the first time, having lived in Florida all his life.

Jakeem Johnson was overjoyed when he woke to a rare snowfall that blanketed the southern state in January, with some areas getting up to ten inches.

The 39 year-old dashed outside in his sweatpants to soak in the experience.

“My wife woke me up early and told me it was snowing and I was like, ‘What? No way!’,” said the Tampa resident known as BigCheese. “It felt surreal.”

“I am born and raised in Florida, so to see 8-10 inches of snow in Tampa was mind-blowing.

“I always said if I ever saw snow, I’d do a snow angel—and I was a man of my word.

“I forgot one of my gloves, but it didn’t matter. It was a joyful, wonderful experience.”

Jakeem Johnson sees snow for first time – via SWNS

The once-in-a-lifetime experience left Jakeem dreaming of more snowy adventures.

“Next time, I’ll get a sled and find a hill.

“It makes me feel like you’re never too old to try new things.”

HILARIOUS: See the Crazy Winners of a Hair-Freezing Contest at Canadian Spa

Watch the moment, from SWNS news…

SEND SOME JOY By Sharing a Chuckle With Friends On Social Media…

Your New Weekly Horoscope from ‘Free Will Astrology’ by Rob Brezsny

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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 February 1, 2025
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
As I envision your life in the coming weeks, I am moved to compare you to certain birds. First, there will be similarities between you and the many species that can literally perceive Earth’s magnetic fields, seeing them as patterns of shadow and light overlaid on their regular vision. You, too, will have an uncanny multi-dimensional awareness that helps guide your travels. Secondly, Aquarius, you will be like the migrating songbirds that recalibrate their internal compass every day when the sun sets. In other words, you will make steady efforts to ensure that your magical ways of knowing are grounded in earthy rhythms.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
In some Polynesian cultures, there is a belief that one’s mistakes, including excessive anger, can cause physical sickness. Hawaiians traditionally have employed a ritual remedy for such ills called ho’oponopono. It includes acts of atonement, forgiveness, and correction. It may even involve a prayer conference where all the people involved talk about their mutual problems with respect and compassion, seeking solutions and restitution. The coming weeks will be a fantastically favorable time for you to carry out your own version of ho’oponopono, Pisces.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
In medieval Europe, beekeepers made formal reports to their hives of significant events in the human world, like births, deaths, marriages, and departures. They believed the bees needed to be continually informed so as to ensure robust honey production. The practice was called “telling the bees.” Let’s make this an inspiring story for you in the coming weeks, Aries. I invite you to keep your community fully apprised of what’s happening in your life. Proceed on the assumption that sharing your plans and changes with others will generate harmony and support. Like the beekeepers, you may discover that keeping your community in the loop will strengthen your bonds and sweeten your endeavors.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
A regular guy named Jesse Ronnebaum bought an old painting at a yard sale for 50 cents. For the next ten years, it hung on the wall in his living room. Then he noticed a dim inscription on the painting that suggested maybe it was more valuable than he realized. Consulting an art dealer, he discovered it was an unusual composition that featured the work of seven prominent artists—and was worth a lot of money. Ronnebaum said, “Years of struggling, barely making bills, and the whole time there’s $50,000 hanging over my head, literally.” I am predicting metaphorically comparable events unfolding in your life during the coming months, Taurus. Hidden value will no longer be hidden. You will potentize neglected sources of wealth and finally recognize subtle treasures.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
In Namibia’s arid grasslands, ‘fairy circles’ periodically emerge—highly regular rings of bare land surrounded by vegetation. What causes them? Supernatural entities—as believed by the local people—or, termites or hydrogen-loving microbes, according to scientists? I love mysteries that thwart attempts at rational explanation. In accordance with astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to specialize in tantalizing and unsolvable enigmas in the coming weeks. Your soul needs rich doses of provocative riddles, mysterious truths, and fun puzzles. Exult in the liberating declaration, “I don’t know!”

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Wherever you wander, be alert for signals that remind you of who you used to be. This will stimulate your creative speculation about who you want to evolve into during the next few years. As you ruminate about your history, you will get inspirations about who you want to become. The past will speak vividly, in ways that hint at your best possible future. So welcome clues from people who are no longer alive. Be receptive to old allies and influences that are no longer a central part of your world.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
“Crown shyness” is a phenomenon seen among some trees like lodgepole pines. In forests, they grow big and strong and tall, yet avoid touching each other at their tops. This creates canopies full of pronounced gaps. What causes this curious phenomenon? First, if branches don’t brush up against each other, harmful insects find it harder to spread from tree to tree. Second, when winds blow, branches are less likely to collide with each other and cause damage. There’s a third benefit: More sunlight penetrates to the forest floor, nourishing animals and other plants. I propose that you adopt crown shyness as a metaphor for your use, Leo. Express your beauty to the max—be bold and vivid and radiant—but also provide plenty of space for your allies to shine. Be your authentically amazing self, but create boundaries that allow others to be their amazing selves.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Some astrologers assert that you Virgos suffer from an ambition deficit. They authoritatively assert that a fiery aspiration to achieve greatness never burns hot within you. But in the coming months, I will work to show you a different perspective. Let’s start now: Many of you Virgos are highly skilled at being self-sufficient. But sometimes this natural strength warps into a hesitancy to ask for help and support. And that can diminish your ability to fulfill your ambitions. My goal will be to celebrate and nurture your self-sufficiency even as I coach you to be dynamic about gathering all the assistance you can.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Life is not fair. In the coming days, you will be odd proof of this fact. That’s because you are likely to be the beneficiary of uncommon luck. The only kind of karma that will be operating in your vicinity will be good karma. X-factors and wild cards will be more available to you than usual. Your timing will be impeccable, and your intuition will be extra incisive. You may even be tempted to theorize that life is conspiring to bring you an extra supply of meaningful experiences. Here’s the clincher: If anyone in your sphere is prone to feeling envy because you’re flourishing, your charm will defuse it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Here are three questions to ruminate on: 1. What resources are you afraid you will run out of or squander? 2. What if your fear of running out or squandering these resources obstructs your ability to understand what you need to know and do so that you won’t run out or squander them? 3. How can you dissolve the fear and feel confident that the necessary resources will keep steadily flowing in, and you will use them well?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Most stars have at least one companion star, sometimes two. Our sun, which is all alone, is in the minority. Astronomers have found evidence that our home star once had a companion but lost it. Is there any chance of this situation changing in the future? Might our sun eventually link up with a new compatriot? It’s not likely. But in contrast to our sun’s fate, I suspect that 2025 will offer you a significant diminishment in your personal loneliness quotient. If you crave more camaraderie and togetherness, the coming months will be a favorable time to seek them out. Your meditation question: What’s the opposite of loneliness?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
In the coming weeks, your authenticity will be your greatest strength. The more genuine and honest you are, the more life will reward you. Be alert for situations that may seem to demand camouflage when in fact they will ultimately reward your complete transparency. You will be most powerful and attractive as you allow yourself to be fully seen. You can even use your vulnerability to your advantage. Be openly, clearly, unabashedly yourself.

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)

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“Find a job you like and you add five days to every week.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “Find a job you like and you add five days to every week.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Photo by: Priscilla Du Preez

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, February 1

By
Good News Network
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I Want to Hold Your Hand

61 years ago today, the British Invasion arrived in the US after The Beatles reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with I Want to Hold Your Hand, before eventually being replaced by their previous #1 single, She Loves You. The little 32-bar diddy in G-major was written by John and Paul, as the former described it “eyeball to eyeball; into each other’s noses” and was recorded on a 4-track. READ what happened next… (1964)

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Woman Shouts ‘Jesus!’ After a 10-foot Painting of Crucifixion Is Uncovered in Old Barn from 70 Years Ago

By
Andy Corbley
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Sarah Worne and Rev Sheila Bawden with the painting of Jesus which was found in a barn in late January - credit: SWNS
Sarah Worne and Rev Sheila Bawden with the painting of Jesus which was found in a barn in late January – credit: SWNS

A couple was left stunned after finding a 10-foot painting of Jesus on the cross inside their barn.

After locating a date and signature showing it was 70 years old, they contacted their local reverend and managed to get it lodged in the Church of Saint Bartholomew in Lostwithiel as a piece of holy local history.

Sarah Worne and her husband bought an acre of land last October near Lostwithiel in Southwest England.

The Cornwall site included the barn which the couple said was filled with 30 pieces of plywood sheets they needed to remove. Imagine their surprise, however, when behind one of the last sheets was a painting of Jesus.

Made in the shape of a cross and measuring 10 feet tall at its highest point, the work depicts the crucifixion of Jesus and possibly the Virgin Mary and his disciple John.

Mrs. Worne, who happens to be a former art teacher, told English media nothing could hold her back from exclaiming “Jesus!” when she first saw it.

“I was pushing the sheets back to my husband and I am passing them back to him and as I pull forward the last sheet to pass it to Mike he couldn’t see what was behind it and I just said ‘Jesus!'” she said.

“And he said ‘Why, what have you found?’ and I said ‘No, I mean it is Jesus.'”

Apart from a crack here and there or a growth of light mold, the painting is in remarkable condition given the exposure of the barn.

“There is very little damage but it would be lovely to see it cleaned so the colors can shine,” said Worne.

LOST PAINTINGS IN UNLIKELY PLACES: Long-Lost Sketch by Landscape Master John Constable Found in an Old Suitcase

The artwork shows Jesus on the cross beardless and wearing a plain white cloth. On the left side there is a woman all in blue, possibly depicting Mary, and on the right side a man dressed in dark blue and black.

Memory of a work in a similar style made in England from the 1920s and 30s leaped to the forefront of her mind, until she found a faint signature on the back of the painting which read ‘Teresa Fuller 1951 – 1952.’

Worne said very little was known about the artist and she had appealed for people’s help to find out more about who painted it.

BARNYARD MASTERPIECES: Artwork Found in Shed Covered in Bird Droppings Turns Out to be Early Van Dyck Now at Auction for $3 Million

“I was also hoping that the people in the town of Lostwithiel will be able to see it and give me some history about it,” she said, after bringing it to the church under the blessings of Reverend Sheila Bawden. The previous owner of the barn hasn’t been reached as yet.

“I am intrigued with the story and with the journey that it is going to take me on and who I am going to meet along the way,” Worne said. “I studied history of arts at college and then I went on to paint and do ceramics in China and then I got into teaching.”

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10-year-old Deaf Girl Is ‘Blown Away’ with New Caption Glasses That Let Her ‘See” Spoken Words

By
Andy Corbley
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Kendyl Pool tries on new HearView caption glasses – SWNS
Kendyl Pool tries on new HearView caption glasses – SWNS

This is the moment a deaf girl tried on a pair of high-tech, $1,500 glasses, which allow her to “see” conversations in real time.

Kendyl Pool was born profoundly deaf due to malformations in her inner ears and has used American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate since she was six months old.

Her mother Bri first discovered these ‘caption glasses’ on TikTok and knew they could be life-changing for her daughter. The glasses transcribe speech into words in real time and display them on the lenses.

She gave the glasses to Kendyl as a surprise gift on her birthday.

“Kendyl had no idea these even existed so when she put them on and I started talking, she was completely shocked,” said Bri. “She was just blown away, she even cried a little bit because she couldn’t believe she could see what I was saying right in front of her.”

The caption glasses developed by HearView connect via Bluetooth to an app that uses voice recognition technology to transcribe spoken words onto a tiny screen embedded inside the lenses. Not only do they allow Kendyl to follow conversations more easily, but they also help her practice speaking by testing whether her own words appear correctly on the screen.

“She can’t hear herself speak so she uses the glasses to check if she’s pronouncing words right,” said Bri. “She’ll say ‘Mom, Mom, Mom’ and wait to see if it pops up. When it does, she gets so excited.”

The 10-year-old is the only deaf person in her family and has sometimes struggled to understand why she is different. The glasses have already given Kendyl a huge confidence boost, allowing her to take part in more social activities and communicate with people who don’t know ASL.

The glasses also store conversations in the app, meaning Kendyl can review important discussions later such as instructions from her teachers or doctors.

OTHER INCLUSIVE INVENTIONS: Man Is Overwhelmed with Emotion Trying Color Blind Glasses for First Time–‘My God. This is Amazing’ (WATCH)

“For so long, captions on TVs or devices have been inaccurate or lagging, making it hard for deaf people to fully experience what’s being said,” Bri told the English media outlet, SWNS. “But I tested these glasses myself speaking fast and tried different phrases and they are incredibly accurate.”

“This is a huge step for inclusion. These glasses provide full access to conversations in real time and that is life-changing.”

WATCH a news report and see a little what Kendyl sees…

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Unused Train Stations Across US Are Being Revitalized into Hotels, Restaurants and Even Museums

By
Andy Corbley
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Michigan Central Station before its transformation - credit: Bartosz Brzezinski, CC 2.0. via Flickr.
Michigan Central Station before its transformation – credit: Bartosz Brzezinski, CC 2.0. via Flickr.

Across major American cities, old unused rail depots and train stations are seeing second lives as hotels.

Along with preserving relics of America’s past, these structures are often made of stone or brick and were built with the intention of welcoming tens of thousands of people per day, making them strong and long-lasting as well as aesthetically lovely.

Most of these have been in disuse since the 1980s. In Detroit, the Michigan Central Station is one such case. Shuttered, unloved, and picked over by scavengers, Central has now been resuscitated thanks to a $1 billion investment by Ford, turning it into a multi-use facility that includes 13 acres of parks, office space for startups, along with some for Ford itself, and a hotel that will occupy four of the 16 floors in the main tower.

For those who are interested in historic renovation, the Bloomberg exclusive on Central Station’s revival is a must-read.

Denver’s Union Station used to welcome 50,000 passengers per day, but since the very early 2000s it’s enjoyed only a small fraction of that. Though never abandoned, it was very much out of touch, until $54 million in renovations changed it into a hive of activity centered around a luxury hotel.

Denver’s Union Station from 2007 – credit: NPS, public domain.

Cafes, shops, and dining venues all enjoy the light from the massive arched windows in the central hall, all of which have contributed in no small part to the revival of Union Station as an actual train station, with rail traffic increasing back up to 10,000 per day by 2024.

In Salt Lake City, Union Pacific Depot saw a decline in rail traffic after Amtrak took over the lines from Rio Grande.

Union Pacific Depot in SLC – credit: CC 3.0. Eric Pancer

By 1986, even Amtrak departed: to a station three blocks south, leaving only small sections of long-distance trains to use Union Pacific. In 1997, both of these were discontinued, and the depot was made redundant.

In January 2006, three floors opened as a restaurant and music venue, known as The Depot, but in 2024 it became the walls and roof of the Asher Adams Hotel, named in homage to the two men who first depicted railroad routes.

Containing 225 rooms and 13 luxury suites, it is also the ‘gateway’ to The Gateway development, a large shopping and business space reached through the depot’s main hall.

ANOTHER STORY LIKE THIS: Historic Homes Being Turned into Heritage Building Materials by These Awesome Savannah Women

“The public had an emotional connection to it,” Emir Tursic, a partner with HKS Architects, which led the restoration, told the BBC, saying that demolishing it was simply out of the question. “It’s part of our cultural heritage.”

The BBC profiled all these stations and more, and spoke to one expert who believes that, far from being governed by decisions of the heart, these refurbishing projects actually make logical and financial sense as well.

PRESERVING THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE TO ENJOY: Ancient Cultures May Hold the Key To Keeping Buildings Cool in a Changing Climate

“Economically and environmentally, it makes a lot of sense to preserve what you have, instead of tearing something down and building up something new,” said Diana Melichar, president of Melichar Architects in Lake Forest, Illinois, and who has renovated several train stations in smaller communities.

“If they have good bones, these buildings built of stone or brick will last another century.”

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China Bestows Rare Honor on Minnesota Pawnbroker Who Returned Historic Photos of 1937 Massacre–Only 3rd Westerner to Get Award

By
Andy Corbley
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Evan Kail from MN honored by Chinese for returning historical photos – Government of China
Evan Kail from MN honored by Chinese for returning historical photos – Government of China

At a gala that seems like the Chinese equivalent of America’s ball drop in Times Square, a Minnesotan was honored with a prestigious award for his service to the Chinese people.

Evan Kail runs a pawn shop in Minnesota where in 2022 came into possession of a photo album containing dozens of stills that document Japanese war atrocities during the 1937 attack and occupation of Nanking, now Nanjing.

“One of my rules when handling artifacts related to WWII is that if an item has any direct connection to a war crime, or holds potential historical significance, it doesn’t belong in private hands. Instead, it belongs in a museum or a place where it can be studied and preserved for the public,” Kail told China Daily. “I also wondered if the photos, if previously unknown, could have historical value beyond my means to assess.”

After sufficient perusal, Kail contacted the Chinese consulate in Chicago explaining that the photographs belonged to the Chinese nation, and hoped to organize appropriately for their repatriation.

Kail enjoys a significant social media following on TikTok and Instagram. Following the discovery, other reports have quoted Kail saying that he began to get bizarre, threatening messages from people looking to get their hands on the photo album, or who accused him of being a spy for the Chinese.

The Nanjing massacre is still a hot political issue today, and there are some ultranationalistic Japanese who deny or downplay that it ever happened.

The consultant sent a letter of thanks to Kail that also contained an exquisite yellow porcelain tea jar—a rare honor bestowed to foreigners who have performed acts of remarkable service to the Chinese people. The porcelain is made by hand with one of the most ancient surviving methods.

Kail explained to China Daily that he had studied World War II in high school, but the topics rarely delved into the experience of the Chinese, who as a whole suffered the second-highest number of casualties during the worldwide conflict. The TikTok videos Kail made drew massive attention from Chinese viewers, and it got him interested in learning more about Chinese history.

Eventually, in December 2024, Kail embarked on a 1-month trip to China as a “global peace advocate,” a role Chinese media were more than happy to bestow on him.

Kail visited Nanjing, obviously, but also Shanghai, Tianjin, and Beijing, and he even received an invitation to attend the Chunwan, an annual variety show that’s part of the Lunar New Year’s Gala.

A SIMILAR STORY BUT IN JAPAN: Wife of WWII Soldier Spends Decades to Reunite Japanese Family With Photo Album He Found on Okinawa –LOOK

“It’s great to see Evan, the American who donated a precious WWII photo album to China, at our national Spring Festival Gala this year!” the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, wrote on social media.

“Whoever shows kindness to the Chinese people will always be reciprocated with kindness. Evan, you now have 1.4 billion Chinese friends!”

MORE POSITIVE CHINESE STORIES: China ‘Angel’ Stops 469 Suicidal People Jumping off Bridge Over 21 years

The porcelain Kail received represents an honor that has been given to only two other Westerners, South China Morning Post reports, both in connection to their efforts to save and protect civilians during the Nanjing massacre.

“China has made this the proudest thing that I have ever done in my life. This is my greatest achievement in my life,” Kail told the Global Times.

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