Our Good News today comes from the Good News Network. Here is the story
Tourists Come to See Tulips in Holland Once Again, Grabbing Incredible Photos of Spring – LOOK
By Good News Network –
Tulip fields in Lisse, Netherlands by Matt Cooper – SWNS
Photographs in the last few weeks show the stunning kaleidoscope of colors bursting into bloom in Holland’s tulip fields.
Beginning in late March, millions of blooms have been delighting visitors in the Netherland with their patchwork of color.
British photographer Matt Cooper was one of those visitors. The 48-year-old from London traveled over the Easter weekend and shared his images and drone footage.
The images show Holland’s famous flower field landscapes, which have become a rich blanket of tulips with row upon of row of vivid block colors.
Tulip fields by Matt Cooper – SWNS
“I went there especially to shoot the tulips,” he said. “This is the best time to shoot them, as they flower in April and May every year.”
Cooper’s 4-day trip took him all over the country capturing the iconic fields by drone—especially the famous Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, one of the world’s largest flower gardens.
Noordoostpolder, Netherlands, by Matt Cooper – SWNS
The Garden holds an annual festival—but 2022 is the first time the festival has been open to the public since the pandemic. It runs through 15 May.
Cooper said the Dutch people take their tulips very seriously, and across the small country, “there are hundreds of millions of tulips’.
By Matt Cooper – SWNS
“The weather was beautiful too.”
SEE the scenes of the resurgent Keukenhof Tulip Gardens…
The good news is that beauty is around us even in the toughest times. Today’s JohnKu talks about not missing the beauty around you. I hope you have a super weekend.
I am at Marcia Meara’s today. She invited me over to talk about ten things you may not know about me. Most of you know Marcia from her outstanding books. I know Marcia as a friend and exceptional author. So come visit, and while there, check out her beautiful books. Thank you for having me today, Marcia.
Good Morning, Everyone! Today I’d like you to help me welcome a great friend and supporter of writers everywhere, #StoryEmpire member John W. Howell. I think you’ll really enjoy John’s post today, so let’s get things rolling!
Thank you, Marcia, for having me on your #TenThingsYouMayNotKnowAboutMe feature. When we initially talked about doing this, I explained to Marcia that the first item on the list would be the fact that I have evolved into a close imitation of Howard Hughes. You may recall in his later years; he became a recluse. Marcia being the kind and generous person she is, thought that would be an excellent beginning to the list. So, with that encouragement, here are the #TenThingsYouMayNotKnowAboutMe. You will note the Howard Hughes one is not there because you already know that one.
Ten Things You May Not Know About Me
by John W. Howell
The sequel to Eternal Road – The final stop, is now ready for the excellent input from beta readers. It has a working title of The Last Drive.
Here is a brief blurb
Sam and James are reunited and tasked with finding two souls who seem lost on the Eternal Road. Unfortunately, the higher-ups believe there has been some interference by Lucifer, so Sam and James must return and find out what happened to Ryan and Eddie.
Ryan was killed in Afghanistan, trying to avoid a schoolyard with his crippled plane. Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan’s hero, is to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home, and now both are missing.
So come along with Sam and James as they try to find the missing souls while staying one step ahead of the prince of Darkness, who is interested in Ryan’s soul.
The Last Drive is an inspirational thriller and is approximately 80,000 words. (300 pages) Since Lucifer is the antagonist in this novel, there are historical scenes that may be intense.
If you would like to beta read The Last Drive, it is available in four formats, ePub, MOBI, PDF, and MS Word Docx. I will be emailing your request to you and would like your comments returned by July 1st. My questions are easy.
Did you enjoy the story?
Was the ending satisfactory?
Were there missing or confusing parts?
Did the story flow at a comfortable pace for you?
Were the characters believable?
What, if anything, would you want to be included or excluded in the story?
This is not a professionally edited version (that comes after your fine input). There is no expectation that a beta reader needs to be responsible for highlighting grammar errors in the manuscript. The final formatting is done when the book is ready to publish so you will have an unformatted version.
If you would like to beta read, Please send me an email to johnhowell(dot)wave(at)gmail.com. Let me know your format preference. I will be sending the file out when I get your response.
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”
Look at all those idiot cows running for the hay. “Here Bossie,” they call and you would think these bovines never had a meal before. That old hefer with the bell is the worst. She goes clanging down the hill and the entire herd takes off like some one shot a starter’s pistol. Not me brother. There is no amount of that dry geen stuff that’s going to turn me into a galloping fool.
I have a certain degree of dignity to maintain. After all, I’m the youngest, and If I may be so bold, the smartest of the spring calves. That’s another thing. Those calves. You would think their mothers would teach them a thing of two. Oh no it’s like they are destined to be wild animals. Just the other day two of them jumped the fence and were found on the road. On the road mind you. The place with all those smelly metal cow flatteners flying by at break neck speeds. They were lucky the farmer got them back onto the farm.
Did anyone punish them. Oh hell no. Their mama’s cried buckets when they were reunited. If that had been me I would have been grounded for a month. Just shows how the neighborhood is going to the dogs so to speak. Ah, that reminds me. If that border collie snaps at me one more time, I’m going to give him a hoof he won’t soon forget. Damn thing thinks he owns the place. Always bossing everyone around.
Hmmm. I think I hear the old farmer yelling. Oh yes there he is down the hill cupping his hands and trying to be heard. It looks like he is yelling at me. Okay I’ll take a couple of steps to see what the commotion is about. That’s better now I hear him calling me home. Sure I’ll come home when you offer a little more than dried salad. What’s that? Did I hear him say grain? There it is again and this time I distinctly hear the word grain.
Okay then I have to cut this short. You see I do talk big when it comes to alfalfa but grain is a whole other story. If you will excuse me I need to get going. I guess I better signal that I’m on my way. See you all later.
This post ran in June of 2015. However, I think it may still have some worthy seeds of advice.
* * *
The inspiration for this list is a lifetime of observation of people’s behavior who finally let down their defenses. The lowering of defenses may have resulted from being over-served or just a decision of not wanting to hold back any longer. Although becoming open and honest without pretense can be the right thing, the consequences of Id liberation make such a move potentially the source of regret. I hope you enjoy the list.
Top Ten Things Not to Do if Your Inhibitions Have Been Set Free.
10 If you feel uninhibited, do not free your body from clothes to match your mind. If you do, at best, you will be all alone in the woods. At worst, you will become aware of your condition as the mall cops wrestle you to the floor and try to hide your parts. (Besides, i’s cold on that floor.)
9 If you feel uninhibited, do not ignore the speed laws. If you do, at best, you’ll get home in one piece. At worst, you will find it hard to explain to the justice system that you no longer think the laws of the land apply to you since you feel free. (You will also risk having a mandatory psych evaluation before your trial.)
8 If you feel uninhibited, do not walk out of a store with unpaid merchandise. If you do, at best, you can explain you forgot to check out, and no harm done. At worst, you will be escorted to the rear of the store by a guy with SECURITY on his shirt. (Walking past the fifth grade class of your kid’s school on their annual retail field trip.)
7 If you feel uninhibited, do not overestimate the value of the truth. If you do, at best, your truthful comments will be limited to the weather. At worst, your truth-telling on some subjects will lead you to be asked to leave the country for good by some somber-looking people. (Their shirts have the word ICE on them. They are not selling drinks.)
6 If you feel uninhibited, do not blow your horn to encourage the pack of Hells Angles to get out of your way. If you do, at best, they might move over to let you pass. At worst, you will find yourself on the back of a Harley Softail hanging on to Moose for dear life with the next stop in Sturgis. (Oh, and your car is in several of the member’s saddlebags. (They promise they will put it back together after the rally.)
5 If you feel uninhibited, do not tell the checkout person about all the things you couldn’t find today. (Even if asked) If you do, at best, you will realize no one cares about what you couldn’t find. At worst, the checkout person will call the manager with the words “whining customer on register four.” (Those behind you will be calling for some tar and feathers.)
4 If you feel uninhibited, do not take the survey you are offered during your call to customer service of the electric company to report that your power has been off for four hours. If you do, at best, you will not see your power for three days. At worst, your survey will be handed to the uncooperative employee you talked with and includes your home address, phone number, and hours when your electricity usage is lowest. (You will wonder what that black car is doing across the street every night. Hint, leave town)
3 If you feel uninhibited, do not answer the question, “Where would you like to go for dinner?” If you do, at best, you will resent the fact you had to decide the rest of the night. At worst, you will rant about why you always have to arrange everything. You will ask, “Why just this once can’t you make the $#@*&% decision.” (The result will be carry-out and total silence at dinner and for the rest of the month.)
2 If you feel uninhibited and someone from management asks what you think should be done to improve the workplace, do not tell everyone what you think. If you do, at best, your coworkers will endeavor to move away from you. At worst, you will, in two minutes of meaningful suggestions, render yourself a pariah. (And a perfect candidate for that assignment in Iraq.)
1 If you feel uninhibited, do not visit any store with merchandise priced any higher than a dollar. If you do, At best, you will snap out of it in time. At worst, you will finally be stopped by the credit card security group, which honestly believes your card has been stolen. (Your limit was reached in only two stops, and one was a diamond store.)
Today we are celebrating Earth Day in Lakeway. (It was Friday but we are taking a trip back in the wayback machine) Here is the announcement from the city.
Celebrate Earth Day, The Lake Way on Friday, April 22, 2022 by volunteering to help pick up trash along some of our local roadways and in our area parks. The City of Lakeway will supply trash pickers, safety vests, trash bags and a map for volunteers the day of the event. Volunteers will then team up and head to their designated areas on the map to pick up trash, and then head back to City Hall to receive a special certificate, lunchtime snacks and pick-up some other Earth Day goodies and information. It’s an engaging way to help keep Lakeway beautiful and meet some of your neighbors in the process. We are catered by Brooklyn Breakfast Shop in Austin. Our entertainment is Willie Nelson
Menu
Classic Bacon, Egg & Cheese On A House Made Bagel – Substitute bacon for sausage, avocado, or brisket
Braised Brisket, Smoked Pepper Jelly, Pickled Red Onions & An Egg On A Biscuit
Fennel Sausage, Fresno Pimento, Cheese, House Pickles, Sunny Egg On Our House Made Whey Biscuit
Hatch Chile Sausage And Pimento Everything Bagel Kolache
“The Jessica” Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Green Chile/Smoked Cheddar Queso, Avocado. Pickled Serranos on Brioche
We have everything you wish to drink as well.
So let’s go. Get on the bus.
Here is Lakeway City Hall. All the volunteers willmeet here.
Lots of givaways.
Another shot of the giveaways.
Here are the tools being supplied. Vests, Gloves, Trashbags and picker uppers (My term)
There is fruit, cold water and snacks when the work is done.
The mayor will be joining a crew.
Volunteers starting to arrive.
Getting outfitted.
Here’s the map where trash will be picked up. We’ll be heading to the City Park.
And here we are to observe a team hard at work. Congratulations everyone for participating. Now let’s have some food and listen to Willie sing “Always onMy Mind.” I hope you all have a super week.
Too many times, the Saturday mornings have started the same. Get out of bed, make coffee, be stunned by something on the porch or falling from the sky. Today will be different. To this end, there will be two cups of coffee instead of one. It is hoped that this break from the routine will act as a catalyst for change.
The only change desired is that the day is typical without a cartoon character causing an exponential increase in heart rate. Just the idea alone makes for a calmer morning. Taking the last sip of the magic soothing syrup is interrupted by a notification that something has entered the optical path of the Ring doorbell.
Hands shaking causes the image on my phone to look like a 3-D movie without the glasses. Taking two hands to steady the vibration, it is clear something has been left on the front porch. A deep sigh escapes knowing the worst has probably been visited upon me. I cross the moat, raise the timber, throw back the series of bolts, disengage the electronic shock barrier, punch in the secret code, and open the front door.
It’s a box, my Lord, on a flatbed Ford. Taking it easy is the first thought that crosses my mind. I approach the Ford hoping nothing will pop out of the box. As happens to most of my hopes, the box’s lid pops off and out jumps a perfect replica of Yosemite Sam. “Howdy, Partner,” he yells and then starts shooting two six-guns into the air. I caution Sam that shooting six guns in the air in Austin is usually as welcome as a government mandate. He stops and wonders if there are any varmints in the area. I point him to city hall. He hands me an envelope and runs off down the street. Of course, the envelope contains the prompt from Linda Hill.
I read the prompt, wondering why I can’t get this off the internet. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “too/to/two.” Use one, use ’em all, bonus points if you use all three. Extra bonus points if you start your post with one. Enjoy!
Bigger than Texas: Huge New Marine Park Will Protect ‘Australia’s Galapagos’
By
Good News Network
Today’s Goodnews comes from the Good News Network.
Photo courtesy of Australian Parks / YouTube
Massive new marine parks will now protect and preserve the Australian oceans surrounding Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands—home to life found nowhere else on earth.
These two parks in the Indian Ocean will protect over 287,000 square miles of spectacular seascapes (744k square km), an area greater in size than Texas, and twice as large as the Great Barrier Reef.
Australian Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley called it a “globally significant contribution to marine conservation and a further demonstration of Australia’s leadership in ocean protection.”
“The region, which is often described as Australia’s Galapagos Islands, supports unique underwater reefs and rare aquatic species which act as a natural laboratory, helping us to understand more about the evolution of the oceans.”
60 Commonwealth marine parks around Australia are now protecting 45 percent of the island country’s territorial waters.
Officials wanted to ensure that island fishermen could maintain their sustainable local food source and way of life.
“The offshore parts of these parks will be placed under the highest level of protection, while the inshore areas important to island communities will continue to enable sustainable fishing to occur,” said Nola Marino, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories.
Gaze at the local wildlife in this beautiful video from Australian Parks
The government allocated $5.4 million to manage the marine parks—which are 99% offshore, and one percent inshore to support local fisheries.
The good news here is real action is being taken by the Australian government to protect its natural resources. Today’s JohnKu supports that activity. I hope you all have a super weekend.
If you would like to beta read, Please send me an email to johnhowell(dot)wave(at)gmail.com. Let me know your format preference. I will be sending the file out when I get your response.
