Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF – Good News

~ John W. Howell

Hey, Friday, welcome back. It is so good to see you. We all could use a weekend, and I think you arrived just in time.

Today’s good news includes an animal story and an octogenarian story. Since I’m also an octogenarian, let’s do the animal story first, so at least we know we’ll get that one covered.

This is the story of a bull Elk and a couple of wildlife officers who cared.

About two years ago, a bull elk was spotted on a trail camera sporting a tire around its neck. It was evident that the tire posed no threat to the animal’s health, but since it could become entangled in the brush, it was decided to try and remove it. Four attempts were made over the period, and finally, last Saturday, officers Dawson Swanson and Scott Murdoch were successful in cornering the animal and removing the tire. Here is a video of the elk which led the officers to its location.

The other good news story is about an 81-year-old music teacher who is suffering from dementia. Paul Harvey had taught music for 20 years, and before that, he was a composer and classical pianist.  Five years ago, Paul began living in a memory care facility. Last September, he composed a two-minute piece using just four notes-F natural, A, D, and B natural. His son Nick posted Paul playing the composition on Twitter. The post went viral. Paul’s piece was recorded by the BBC Philharmonic orchestra and sold as a singe. The proceeds went to Alzheimer’s Society and Music for Dementia, which campaigns for music access for people with dementia.

Here is Paul playing his Four Notes piece. For the BBC Breakfast show. The first Twitter post by Nick Harvey will not play. Just skip to the second.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1320621712753524736

Paul was invited to conduct the BBC Philharmonic orchestra playing his Four Notes and an earlier composition named Where’s the Sunshine to mark the first anniversary of the recording. Here is a video with the whole story about Paul. His son reports that he is back with them while playing the piano.

Today’s JohnKu talks about hope and caring. I wish you all a beautiful weekend.

Four Lettered Words

A four-lettered word,

Can be more than disgusting . . .

Like hope and care can.

 

 

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

99 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF – Good News”

  4. You surpassed yourself John. A wonderful heartwarming story about the Moose who was very tyred and then this piece about dementia. I admit I wasn’t expecting much from a piece consisting of four notes .I was blown away.
    Thanks for making this a special Friday.
    hugs

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Harmony. As you can imagine I’m loving them as well. Much nicer searching for good news than having to deal with the reality of what is out there. Wishing you a peaceful weekend. 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

  10. What interesting stories. Following the links in both was well worth the time. I didn’t know that there was a way to reverse the effects of anesthesia in animals (and maybe in humans, too? I don’t know). Now, if only someone can find a way to reverse dementia!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That would be good, Linda. Finding the cause would be a great start. It is such a random disease. Here I am at 80 with full(well) capacity and he is 81 and has been struggling for years. Have a great weekend. 😊

      Like

  14. Thank you for sharing these stories, John. I had seen the one about the elk, but I didn’t know how they got the tire off. I was thinking they would cut the tire, but it looks like they cut its antlers. And the story about Paul Harvey is super nice – made me feel good!

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Wiping away tears — two beautiful stories, capturing the human spirit. We are all gifted blessings – and at times, we glimpse the miracle. Thank you for sharing these, John. Blessings… 💗

    Liked by 1 person

  18. What a wonderful Friday post, John. Too bad they had to cut the elk’s beautiful antlers to free him from that tire.
    That piece is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing that. They say music stays with Alzheimer’s patients. This is proof positive.
    And I’m with you on four-letter words. We can focus on the positive ones like Hope, Care, Like, Love…
    Happy Friday to you!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. That elk story went straight to my heart, John, so moving. Then the story of Paul and his four-note musical creation is absolutely incredible. Love your Ku, too. 🙂
    Thank you for ending this week with hope and encouragement.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Beautiful stories, Boss. Those guys deserve a medal for what they did for the elk, that is amazing. And big props to Harvey for never letting go of the dream.

    Have a great weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Two delightful stories, John. When I visited my mom in her assisted living facility, they would have people come in to play music. I saw residents with dementia suddenly come to life and participate in sing-a-longs.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Thank you for sharing these two touching stories. Paul Harvey’s story brought tears to my eyes. He made a wonderful choice of the four notes – F natural, A, D, and B natural. The B natural adds the depth of emotion to the melody. Much well-known music only uses several notes up and down the scale, such as “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” is the final movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Music touches people in many dimensions. It could bring back emotions and memories better than words and other means. Thank you, John. BTW, you’re an inspiration as an octogenarian.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Agree! Been wondering since I saw the pic. Poor thing. It must have been exhausting for the sweet animal, lugging that rubber yoke around.
        There is no end to man’s devastation from our trash!

        Like

  35. I saw the story about the tire, but the guy with dementia is new to me. Thank you for spreading the word about how good music is for people! Sorry I’ve been AWOL for a few days — bad storms lurking here.

    Liked by 1 person

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