We have two good news stories today.
The first is about saving turtles with a twist.
From the Port Aransas South Jetty of December 22
This photo shows folks transferring cold-stunned sea turtles from an airplane to waiting vehicles in Corpus Christi, Texas. (A still from South Jetty staff video © 2021 by Lee Harrison.)
Thirty-two cold-stunned sea turtles were flown in for treatment at facilities, including the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) in Port Aransas, Texas.
All of the turtles are juvenile Kemp’s ridleys, an endangered species, rescued after they were found in distress in the area of Cape Cod, in coastal Massachusetts.
Eleven were being transported to the ARK, according to Lee Harrison, president of the non-profit Friends of the ARK organization. (Harrison also is a South Jetty staff photographer.)
The rest went to the Texas Sealife Center and the Texas State Aquarium for rehabilitation.
Sea turtles are cold-blooded reptiles that require warm temperatures to stay alive.
When the water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, sea turtles can suffer from decreased heart rate and circulation.
Lethargy can be followed by shock, pneumonia, and possibly death.
It is good that Texas could help out and good that there is an organization that flies turtles to points of rescue.
And now a relaxing story from the North.
Photo courtesy of Aurora Borealis Observatory
As winter begins to settle across the Northern Hemisphere, webcams in wild places have been picking up some startling sights.
Pictured is a reindeer in a snowy birch forest. The aurora pulses overhead in swirls of iridescent light as it grazes. It’s beautiful, a truly relaxing sight.
Today’s JohnKu talks about the new year. I hope you have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve.
2022 by John W. Howell © 2021
We hope it’s better,
Than the mess 2021 . . .
Let us make it so.
* * *
There is an issue leftover from yesterday’s post. So to Twiggy and Lucy. Yes, Dad did the leaves.
Here’s the proof. (photo was taken at 11:57 AM Central time December 30, 2021)
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Grand stories to set the tone for a grand year ahead! Happy New Year, John!!
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Happy New Year, Annette. 🎉
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Looks like you’re ready for the new year, I wish we were… We are thinking of going back a few years and finding a year we know will be good!
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I have an agreement that 1923 is one of the better years. Check it out.
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Wish I could, John, as I’m sick of this one already!
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Let’s hope it gets better cause you have 364.3/4s more to go. 😁
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It has to get better though, doesn’t it?
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One can hope. 😊
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Thank you for the good news, John! Your yard looks wonderful. The greenery along the fence is coming along very nicely.
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Yes it has taken off for sure. Happy New Year, Liz.
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Cheers to ARK in your old home for their work! Never get enough Aurora Borealis images. You picked a great one to use. Ready to kick 2021 to the curb in order to move on to 2022. Then again, let’s not forget that 2021 was better than 2020. Then again, 2020 set a low bar to beat.
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We can only make the year good if we try to find ways to do it. Happy New Year, Frank. That shot was from a video.I thought it looked pretty good too.
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Yes, you showed me proof! And these stories give us hope to the future. Thanks, John!
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Yes they do, GP. Happy New Year to you and yours. 😁
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Thank you very much, John.
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😁
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Good news and a good job on those leaves, John. I hope the turtles enjoy their stay in the south, and I hope you can avoid those nasty cold snaps.
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We have two days (Sun & Mon) coming where the nighttime temps are going into the 30s. Then back to 70s
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Keep those pups warm.
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And the plants. Sorry about the Pitt game although I did graduate from Michigan State.
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I won’t hold that against you, not for long, anyway. I guess we did pretty well for playing behind a third-string QB.
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I would say so too.
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Wonderful news to share! Your yard looks beautiful and inviting. In our area, folks are huddled indoors from the below-freezing winds, but I’m dreaming of Spring. 😊
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Hahaha. The nice part is spring comes pretty early there. Happy New Year, Gwen.
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Great news about the sea turtles. The photo of that reindeer in the forest is so peaceful. And I’m sure Lucy and Twiggy are happy about the leaves.
Happy New Year, John!
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Than you, Joan. Happy New Year to you and yours. 🎉
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Two lovely stories, John. Thank you! And, you did a good job on the leaves. Happy New Year!
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Thak you, Jennie. Happy New Year. 🎉
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You’re welcome, John. 🎉
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Grateful, as always, for your ‘good news blips,’ John. A very happy new year to you, the Producer and the girls. And the yard looks terrific!
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Happy New Year to you and yours Lori.
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I love animal rescue stories. As a kid, there was a woman in my neighborhood who was the ‘go to’ person for any wounded animal/bird. If we found it on the street, we’d make sure it got to Mrs. Lemon to recuperate. Wonderful turtle story.
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Thank you, Steve. It is a great story. Happy New Year.
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“Let us make it so.” It really is that simple if people would only do what needs to be done. Proof accepted, well done.
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Thank you, Pamela. Happy New Year. 🎉
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Nice to see Dad is so alert to Twiggy and Lucy’s comments! The photo of the aurora with the snow and reindeer is spectacular, and the sea turtle rescue is an uplifting way to start the New Year.
Happy New Year, John!
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Thak you, Noelle. Happy New Year. 🎉
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Wonderful news about the sea turtles! The yard looks gorgeous, John. Well done! Happy New Year to you, the Producer and the girls. Will they stay up to watch the ball drop?
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We will all be sound asleep by then. Thanks, Jill. Happy New Year to you and family.
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Thanks, John. It’s always good for me to hear about some good happening in the world. Happy New Year! I hope yours has bright and shining moments to savor.
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You as well, Tim. Happy New Year. 😁
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So glad those turtles are on to warmer waters. That picture with the reindeer is stunning. Happy New Year, John!
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Thank you, Teri. Happy New Year.
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Nice nature pic and story. Happy New Year.
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Thanks. Happy New Year, Charles.
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Lovely heartfelt post, John. You left me smiling.
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I’m glad you were left smiling, Maggie. Happy New Year 🎉
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Thank you.
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Yes, let’s make it so! Happy New Year to and yours, John!!
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Two wonderful stories, John. Good news for those poor turtles.
And that image with the stag and the Aurora Borealis is stunning!
Happy New Year to you and the Producer! May 2022 bring you good health and happiness because everything else will be gravy if you have those two! xoxo
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Thanks for sharing a feel good story, John. I especially needed it as we end this trainwreck of a year. Wishing you and pupsters a safe and better 2022.
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Thank you, Monika. Happy New Year. Stay safe (not always an easy thing)
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I adore your good news stories. I think someone should give you your own broadcast and a crew of interns to do research.
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Happy New Year, John! Your yard is beautiful and green, not like the mud trough we’ve got. Sigh.
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I love hearing about animal rescues, John. It make me all warm and fuzzy and fills me with hope for humans. And totally awesome picture of the light show. Wow. Finally, your yard looks amazing. Well done! Happy New Year.
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Thank you, Diana. Happy New Year. 🎉
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All three of these entities do a good job with sea life. Always glad to see the turtles rescued and reindeer in peace. Yard looks great! Hope the girls are happy. And a Happy New Year to you and yours!
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Thank you, Jo. Happy New Year to you and yours as well. 🎉
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These are the kind of animal stories we need more of, as they often seem to be based on humans messing up their lives instead of improving them.
I sure like your turf. By the way, do you gather the leaves by raking them? I’m curious if you have to use another method not to mess it up.
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Yes the turf is wonderful. It is a special “pet friendly,” version. The leaves are blown and then raked if desired. I have a vacuum to pick up and mulch the piles. You can’t hurt the stuff. Thanks, Pete
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Wonderful contrast in stories.. So happy Turtles are being rescued and oh those Northern Lights and the Reindeer photo.. My wishes for you too John are the Same.. May 2022 be brighter, better and more Enlightening for all… Happy New Year John..
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Thank you so much, Sue. Happy New Year to you as well. All the best to you.
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I read about the turtles and it’s a blessing, this story. To have people who commit themselves to making sure all God’s creatures find their rightful places on this earth, it gives me hope that better things are not only possible, but probable.
And thank you for that beautiful embrace of an image from up North. We need more of it.
PS- I had no idea there was a “Leave Gate” situation going on at your place, but really, I never had a doubt you would come through. No surprise at all.
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Yeah a number of doubts as to ole Dad doing the leaves. Thanks, Marc.
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Haha!
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Happy New Year, John! I so enjoy reading your good news, continued proof that there is good in the world. Thank you!
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Yes indeed
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What wonderful stories, John. I would love to see the Aurora! What a great photo. And good for you for raking the leaves. 🙂 Love the JohnKu!
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Thank you, Jan. 😊
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Wish you a happy new year!
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And to you, Ankur.
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Your yard is lovely, John. I love the reindeer photo and anyone who helps my friends, the turtle, are heroes to me. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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Yes, they are heroes for sure. Thank you.
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Love the Turtle tale! I love animals. We should do WAY more for them.
Yes, let’s make your JohnKu come true!
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We all should try.
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❤
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😊
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