Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF – Good News

October 15, 2021 · by John W. Howell · in TGIF · 99 Comments

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 saga of the bull elk with a tire around its neck is over. Thanks to the residents just south of Pine Junction on CR 126 for reporting its location, wildlife officers were able to free it of that tire Saturday.

Story: https://t.co/WHfkfPuAck

📸's courtesy of Pat Hemstreet pic.twitter.com/OcnceuZrpk

— CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) October 11, 2021

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.

Four Notes – Paul’s Tune https://t.co/T7f1OsfMIG

— Nick Harvey (@mrnickharvey) October 26, 2020

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.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, Eternal Road - The final stop, fiction favorites, Friday, Haiku, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, My GRL, Our Justice, TGIF, The Contract with Gwen Plano

99 comments

OIKOS™- Art, Books & more · October 15, 2021 - 4:13 am ·

Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:08 am ·
  
  Thank you, Michael
  
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more · October 15, 2021 - 4:14 am ·

Thanks for sharing these wonderful and in every manner heart touching news, John! Have a nice Friday, and a beautiful weekend ahead. xx Michael

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:09 am ·
  
  I thing touching is a good word for these. Thanks, Michael
  
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Victoria Ray NB · October 15, 2021 - 4:28 am ·

💙💙 love this post, wonderful music with so much ‘hope’. And haiku is so true…🤸🙃

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:10 am ·
  
  Thank you, Ray. I liked putting them together. The music is wonderful. 😁 Thanks and have a great weekend.
  
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  1. Victoria Ray NB · October 15, 2021 - 10:39 am ·
    
    Have a great weekend ☕️🐕🐕🍫👻☀️
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 11:28 am ·
    
    🥃 🍸 🍰 🐕 🐕
    
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davidprosser · October 15, 2021 - 4:55 am ·

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

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:17 am ·
  
  That music filled my heart, David. The debth of sound was a surprise to me as well. Thank you and I wish for you a peaceful weekend. 😊
  
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harmonykentonline · October 15, 2021 - 5:31 am ·

Two lovely stories. That four-note piece blew me away. Thanks for sharing, John. I’m loving these good news Fridays 💕🙂

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:19 am ·
  
  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. 🤗
  
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Staci Troilo · October 15, 2021 - 5:51 am ·

I thought the tire story was wonderful. Then I got to four notes. God bless that man. What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing these, John.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:20 am ·
  
  Listening to the music was an amazing experience. Thank you, Staci. Wishing you a peaceful weekend. 😊
  
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srbottch · October 15, 2021 - 6:06 am ·

Wonderful post, John. Very moving. Very moving…thank you.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:22 am ·
  
  Brought tears when the Philharmonic orcastra welled up. It was moving I agree.Thanks, Steve.
  
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GP · October 15, 2021 - 6:17 am ·

They’re both excellent stories, John.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:22 am ·
  
  Thanks, GP. Have a geat weekend. 😊
  
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Liz Gauffreau · October 15, 2021 - 6:25 am ·

This post brought tears to my eyes. What a gift for a Friday morning. Thank you.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:23 am ·
  
  Mine too, Liz and that’s saying someting about an old curmudgeon. I hope your weekend is peaceful. 😊
  
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  1. Liz Gauffreau · October 15, 2021 - 5:30 pm ·
    
    Thank you. John. I hope so, too.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:10 pm ·
    
    😊
    
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shoreacres · October 15, 2021 - 6:30 am ·

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!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 7:27 am ·
  
  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. 😊
  
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Jill Weatherholt · October 15, 2021 - 6:42 am ·

Wow! Great stories, John. Thanks for starting our day on an uplifting note. Happy Friday!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 8:02 am ·
  
  Hopefully it will last through the weekend. 😁
  
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Charles Yallowitz · October 15, 2021 - 6:43 am ·

Really cool stories. Surprised the elk made it 2 years with the tire on.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 8:03 am ·
  
  I know. Pretty heavy too.
  
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coldhandboyack · October 15, 2021 - 6:47 am ·

Wonderful to see some good news being shared. It’s almost like the Paul Harvey I remember from radio.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 8:05 am ·
  
  I remember him too. When I was in broadcasting school he was the “do not do” example.
  
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  1. coldhandboyack · October 15, 2021 - 9:53 am ·
    
    Aww! He was pretty popular in his era.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:56 am ·
    
    Yes he was. “and now for the rest of the story.”
    
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Book Club Mom · October 15, 2021 - 6:49 am ·

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!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 8:06 am ·
  
  The Paul Harvey story made me feel goo too. The music is so moving. Yes they cut the antler since they could not cut through the steel belted tire. Thaks, Barbara.
  
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  1. Book Club Mom · October 15, 2021 - 6:50 pm ·
    
    Oh I see – they thought that through pretty well.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:08 pm ·
    
    Yes they did.
    
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2. Miriam Hurdle · October 15, 2021 - 9:23 pm ·
  
  The antlers fall off and grow back every year.
  
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  1. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 6:40 am ·
    
    Yes they do in the winter. These had to be cut now though. Hopefully, it won’t hamper the bulls ability to maintain his territory.
    
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  2. Miriam Hurdle · October 16, 2021 - 11:19 am ·
    
    I hope so. Hope it will survive.
    
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  3. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 3:27 pm ·
    
    I’m sure he will.
    
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  4. Miriam Hurdle · October 16, 2021 - 3:52 pm ·
    
    That’s good. 🙂
    
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Gwen M. Plano · October 15, 2021 - 7:03 am ·

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… 💗

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 8:08 am ·
  
  If that music doesn’t inspire someone they are made of stone. Thanks, Gwen
  
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Jan Sikes · October 15, 2021 - 7:36 am ·

What incredible stories, John. I absolutely love these positive uplifting stories! And you are so right about the four-letter words!! LOVE@!!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 8:08 am ·
  
  Yes, love is one as well. Thanks, Jan. 😁
  
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Keith Edgar Channing · October 15, 2021 - 7:37 am ·

I remember seeing Paul and his 4-notes piece on BBC breakfast TV some time ago, when it was first aired. What a testament to the power of music and musical/muscle memory to break through even the walls of dementia.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 8:09 am ·
  
  Yes, so well said Keith. Thanks.
  
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Dale · October 15, 2021 - 9:06 am ·

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!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:56 am ·
  
  Live is a good one too. Thanks, Dale.
  
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  1. Dale · October 15, 2021 - 10:06 am ·
    
    Oh yes, Absolutely!
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 11:32 am ·
    
    😁
    
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  3. Dale · October 15, 2021 - 12:11 pm ·
    
    🙂
    
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Teri Polen · October 15, 2021 - 9:46 am ·

Both of these just warm my heart. Thanks so much for sharing them, John.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:52 am ·
  
  They were good ones. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed them, Teri.
  
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D.L. Finn, Author · October 15, 2021 - 10:14 am ·

Heartwarming stories that brought a smile to my day, John 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 11:31 am ·
  
  I’m glad, Denise. Thanks for letting me know.
  
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The Coastal Crone · October 15, 2021 - 10:41 am ·

Oh, John, that story and music brought me to tears. Just lovely and moving. Good news indeed! Life is good. TGIF to you. Sometimes four notes or four words are enough.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 11:26 am ·
  
  They are, Jo. The story moved me as well. The music is so beautiful.
  
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Baydreamer · October 15, 2021 - 11:20 am ·

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.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 11:25 am ·
  
  That is what we need more of, Lauren. Thank you.
  
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Joan Hall · October 15, 2021 - 11:51 am ·

Two inspiring stories, John. Thanks for sharing them.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:18 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Joan. I loved the music
  
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C.E.Robinson · October 15, 2021 - 12:15 pm ·

Love this, John. Bravo to the park rangers! And the Paul Harvey Four Notes was heart-warming. It brought tears to my eyes. Happy Friday. 📚🎶 Christine

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:17 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Christine. It was very moving. 😁
  
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kethuprofumo · October 15, 2021 - 2:01 pm ·

So wonderful stories, dear John! Thank you! Have a nice week-end!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:15 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Maria. The music was very moving. 😁
  
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B R Chitwood - My Mission: Writing to Discover Me · October 15, 2021 - 3:05 pm ·

Great and uplifiting stories!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:13 pm ·
  
  Thanks, Billy Ray
  
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Dan Antion · October 15, 2021 - 3:45 pm ·

Thanks John for another upbeat Friday. It’s amazing what can be done with four notes.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:12 pm ·
  
  My pleasure, Dan. 😁
  
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Mae Clair · October 15, 2021 - 5:08 pm ·

Two fantastic and heart-warming stories, John. Just what we need today.
And that composition with four notes? Wow! I could listen to that for time on end!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:11 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Mae. It was really moving. 😊
  
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Sorryless · October 15, 2021 - 5:53 pm ·

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.

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:08 pm ·
  
  Thanks, Mark.
  
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  1. Sorryless · October 17, 2021 - 2:44 pm ·
    
    🙂
    
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Becky Ross Michael · October 15, 2021 - 6:56 pm ·

Sure like seeing this good news, John!

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1. John W. Howell · October 15, 2021 - 9:07 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Becky.
  
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  1. Becky Ross Michael · October 15, 2021 - 11:32 pm ·
    
    My pleasure, John! Have a nice, cool weekend:)
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 6:40 am ·
    
    You as well.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  3. Becky Ross Michael · October 16, 2021 - 10:56 am ·
    
    I am!
    
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  4. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 3:28 pm ·
    
    😊
    
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petespringerauthor · October 15, 2021 - 8:45 pm ·

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.

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1. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 6:37 am ·
  
  Music does have a super effect. Thanks, Pete. 😊
  
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Miriam Hurdle · October 15, 2021 - 9:20 pm ·

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.

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1. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 6:39 am ·
  
  Music does have that ability, Miriam. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Also, thanks for the nice words. 🤗
  
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  1. Miriam Hurdle · October 16, 2021 - 11:21 am ·
    
    You’re welcome, John. I still sing in a chorale. 😊
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  2. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 3:26 pm ·
    
    Good for you.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  3. Miriam Hurdle · October 16, 2021 - 3:53 pm ·
    
    🙂 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  4. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 4:00 pm ·
    
    😁
    
    LikeLike
Resa · October 16, 2021 - 1:39 pm ·

A wonderful and positive post!
Paul Harvey’s story is a good gut wrench.
The music is lovely.
The JohnKu is perfect!
Thank you!

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1. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 3:04 pm ·
  
  The music is very moving. Thank you Resa.
  
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Resa · October 16, 2021 - 1:40 pm ·

I’m so happy for the elk!!! YAY!!!!

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1. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 3:04 pm ·
  
  Me too. Gotta wonder how he got that tire on his neck in the first place.
  
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  1. Resa · October 16, 2021 - 3:22 pm ·
    
    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!
    
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Debbie · October 16, 2021 - 1:44 pm ·

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.

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1. John W. Howell · October 16, 2021 - 3:03 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Debbie. Stay safe from the storms.
  
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Jennie · October 17, 2021 - 8:33 pm ·

I loved these stories, John. Thank you!

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1. John W. Howell · October 18, 2021 - 6:40 am ·
  
  They were good. Thanks, Jennie.
  
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  1. Jennie · October 18, 2021 - 8:49 am ·
    
    You’re welcome.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person