Tag: Circumstances of Childhood

Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell ~ 115 Comments
Photo by Simone Uriartt

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety. Also, for those concerned about Twiggy. The operation was a success, and she is home and resting comfortably. She had a torn meniscus as well as a ligament, so the surgery was a must-do. Twiggy will see you all next Thursday. Thanks for all your messages and well wishes.

Top 30 Most Delightful Things That Happen Unexpectedly–Like Finding Cash in Jeans or Compliments from Strangers

By

Good News Network

A new poll compiled the top 30 most unexpectedly delightful things to happen, including pulling cash from the pocket of an old pair of jeans, getting a surprise refund, and receiving a compliment from a stranger.

The survey of 2,000 adults found 36 percent love it when someone lets them jump the line in a supermarket and when they find a treasured item that had been lost.

Driving through a run of green lights, catching a whiff of a familiar smell from your childhood, and hearing your favorite song pop up on the radio, also feature in the top 30 list.

(Imagine feeling double the joy if you run into all green lights while your favorite track begins to play!)

Commissioned by Alpen Delight (UK snack brand manufacturer), a spokesperson for the snack brand said: “The nicest things are those which are totally unexpected, and they don’t have to be big things—sometimes little moments lead to big smiles.

Respondents guessed that unexpectedly delightful things happen to them an average of twice per week, and it automatically puts them in a good mood.

But it’s not just being on the receiving end of these unplanned surprises that brings the most joy. 77 percent of those polled find making others happy improves their mood, too—which is why 36 percent try to do this as often as they can.

Such acts include smiling as they walk past another person (52%), just being there to listen to a friend (50%), and telling someone they’re proud of them (38%).

Nearly four in ten have cheered up others by making the effort to cook someone a meal or by letting another driver into their lane while on the road.

And a generous 19% find joy in paying for the meal while out for dinner.

84 percent of those surveyed by market research firm OnePoll, said these moments in life restore a little hope in humanity. And half say they’re more inclined to pay such moments forward if they’ve been on the receiving end themselves.

“It’s good to see how people enjoy delivering, and not just receiving, lovely surprises,” said the Alpen Delight spokesman.

TOP 30 UNEXPECTED MOMENTS OF DELIGHT:

1. Finding money in a coat or jeans pocket
2. Getting a surprise refund
3. A compliment from a stranger
4. Someone letting you go ahead of them in line at a store
5. When the radio plays your favorite song
6. Receiving a bonus at work
7. Constant green lights on the road
8. Hearing your baby’s first word
9. Your partner randomly showing affection
10. When someone actually understands what you’re talking about
11. A familiar smell from your childhood
12. A loved one randomly telling you they’re proud of you
13. Finding a treasured lost item
14. Waking up before your alarm and getting to sleep for longer
15. Getting upgraded – on an airplane or at a hotel
16. Thinking it’s Thursday, but it’s actually Friday
17. When a child starts a conversation with you
18. Receiving a postcard
19. Hitting the exact number when getting gasoline
20. Getting home from work and finding someone else has cooked dinner
21. A work meeting getting canceled last minute because the boss isn’t in
22. Seeing a funny car license plate
23. Getting asked for ID when you’re way over 21
24. When you’re brought breakfast in bed
25. When you and your friend say the same thing at the same moment
26. When your teenager wants to spend quality time with you
27. Your neighbor bringing over a baked good
28. Bumping into an old schoolteacher – and they recognize you
29. Catching the eye of your favorite artist during their performance
30. Witnessing a proposal in public

The good news here is that if we recognize these things that delight others, we can easily do just that. Today’s JohnKu talks about doing unto others. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Pay it Forward by John W. Howell © 2023

A list of thirty,

Things that delight other folks . . .

Pick one, go for it.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Kizzy Comes to Play

~ John W. Howell ~ 123 Comments

“Hello, cousin. So nice to have you over.”

“Great to be here. How’ve you been?”

“Well, you know the torn CCL has given me some trouble.”

“Not healing completely?”

“No. It is still weak. I have trouble running.”

“Well, let me do your running for you.”

That’s sweet. I do have to have surgery to fix it.”

“Oh my gosh. I hope everything goes well.”

“Mom tells me we have the best surgeon, and they do these all the time.”

“Well, that’s good. I hear it is a long recovery.”

“Yeah, eight weeks. No running or making any big moves.”

“I think we should go out and play a little. Sounds like it will be a while till we can.”

“Whoa there. Who are you?

“Prarie buffalo taking out the puma.”

“Okay then. Better watch your flank.”

“Got my horns sharpened just for you.”

“The puma waits for the perfect moment to strike.”

“The buffalo is thinking of what to have for lunch.”

The puma decides to take the buffalo on the run.”

“The buffalo decides to gallop by the threat.”

“If the puma could run, that buffalo would be dead meat.”

“The buffalo decides to be easy on the puma and call it a day.”

“Hey, Kizzy, how about a treat?”

“You buyin’ I’m flyin'”

Twiggy tore the CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament – knee joint) in her left leg several months ago. As is our custom, we wanted to try a less invasive treatment before putting her through a surgical procedure. Unfortunately, we now have to move to the next level of treatment. This post captures last Sunday’s visit. Twiggy will be in surgery today, and we pray for the best.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #404 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

In Keith’s words. “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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

Here is a link to Keith’s post – https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/10/23/kreative-kue-404/

The photo

Alarm by John W. Howell © 2023

“What the heck is that noise.”

“I’m not sure. Sounds like an alarm of some kind.”

“But who set it off, and for what reason?”

“I have no idea. Let’s go out and see.”

“You crazy? If it’s an alarm, you could get hurt.”

“I suppose you’re right. It’s just how long can that noise last?”

“I would suspect until the danger is over.”

“Yeah, that certainly makes sense.”

“So you’re staying put?”

“Until it stops, I am.”

“Smart.”

“Wow. The silence is deafening. It stopped.”

“Now you can go out there and see what it was.”

“You coming?”

“I’ll watch you from here.”

“Okay, I’ll report back.”

“Wait. It’s a trap. That Bald Eagle over there  made that noise to lure you out of the den.”

“Whoa, that could have been a big mistake.”

“He loves chipmunks, and a big tasty bite like you would have been right up his alley.”

“Hold on.”

“What?”

“You calling me fat?”

“Erm. Might be better to take my chances with the Eagle.”

“You said it, not me.”

 

 

 

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do If Your Internet and Cell Service Are Down

~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments
Photo by Mike van den Bos on Unsplash

 

This post ran on September 18, 2017; given the coming winter storm weather, it could happen to all of us.

* * *

The inspiration for this list came from living without the internet and very spotty cell service for the last two weeks. It took me a while to get used to the fact that I could not do what has become everyday activities with my devices.

Top Ten Things Not to Do If Your Internet and Cell Service Are Down

10 If your internet and cell service are down, do not try to send emails. If you do, at best, you’ll never get an answer. At worst, you will convince yourself that you have been cut off from the world and will start filling bottles with notes. (Forget the fact that the most significant body of water near you is the dog dish, Barnaby.)

9 If your internet and cell service are down, do not look for “likes” on that last selfie. If you do, at best, you’ll think no one saw it. At worst, you’ll feel no one actually liked your selfie and could spiral into a black hole of self-doubt. (Your raging FOMO is about to overtake you, huh, Barlow?)

8 If your internet and cell service are down, do not think you can poach off your neighbor. If you do, at best, they will have a secure connection. At worst, your neighbor’s brother-in-law, Tiny, the WWF champ who just returned from survival school, will notice you crouched in the bushes close to the house. (That scream you are hearing was taught to Tiny to throw off the enemy he is about to pounce upon. Guess who, Bartek?)

7 If your internet and cell service are down, do not think you can sneak into a coffee house and use theirs without buying anything. If you do, at best, the manager is sixteen years old and afraid of you. At worst, the manager is a retired Marine who has just been told by a twenty-year-old District Manager that they will be fired if they allow poaching of the WiFi. (Looks like you made it out of there unscathed. Too bad about that flying laptop. The landing was not pretty right, Bastian?)

6 If your internet and cell service are down, do not try to meet your book publication deadline in spite of the difficulties. If you do, at best, you will be forced to set a new deadline. At worst, you will end up bald and with a bad case of PPSD. (That’s Post Publish Stress Disorder Bubba.)

5 If your internet and cell service are down, do not try to stream a movie that you have wanted to watch. If you do, at best,  you’ll have to watch an old Harry Potter DVD. At worst, you’ll refuse to believe that the “LOADING” sign is a lie. (So after watching the LOADING sign for two hours, maybe it’s time to call it a night, Bub.)

4 If your internet and cell service are down, do not keep picking up your phone after every little noise. If you do, at best, you’ll be continually reminded that it’s gone. At worst, you might develop a tick requiring long-term therapy. (Try explaining to the doctor that your illness is cell phone related, Berkley.)

3 If your internet and cell service are down, do not put your life on hold until they return. If you do, at best, you’ll miss out on trying new things. At worst, your family will begin to wonder if they need to orchestrate an intervention. (Sitting in a chair all day will not bring the internet and cell service back faster, Bixby.)

2 If your internet and cell service are down, do not lay out sheets in the backyard spelling the words, “Help, I Have No Internet.” If you do, at best, a passing helicopter will drop some supplies in your yard. At worst, the Channel Six news team will hover above you and broadcast a story about the world’s shallowest individual. (You could have guessed the story would go viral, right, Bojan?)

1 If your internet and cell service are down, do not think anyone will miss you on your social media accounts. If you do, at best, your feeling of isolation will drive you to books. At worst, you take to standing at the traffic light with a sign that says, “Will work for Tweets.” (Notice how many drivers look away when you get near, Benny?)

Views of the Neighborhood – Sculpture Garden Ribbon Cutting

~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

Today, we are attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Lakeway Sculpture Garden. The construction of the garden and the footbridge have been projects conceived and led by the Department of Parks and Recreation. We are catered by the Salty Sow of Austin. Our entertainment is Rick Nelson.

Menu

CRISP CHICKEN THIGHS
fried smashed potatoes, neck bone gravy
CANDIED PORK BELLY
collard greens, pot liquor, soy balsamic syrup
RANGER CATTLE WAGYU CHEESEBURGER
caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, pickles, Salty Sow special sauce, duck fat fries
SLOW COOKED BEEF SHOULDER
mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, fried egg
PETITE BONE-IN FILETS
mixed mushrooms, red wine sauce
SMOKED PORK CARNITAS
avocado, tomatillo salsa, corn tortillas, bbq hominy
GENUINE BLACKENED REDFISH
quinoa + lentils, smoked tomato, chipotle Tabasco lemon butter
Picture of an old time school bus
So let’s go
Parks and Recreation have cookies for the event. In the background, you can see the giant scissors that will be used later.
One of the sculptures. The chess players.
The elk family.
Lakeway Sculpters
The Crane.
The community orchestra is ready to play.
The spectators are in place. (looking much like an Edouard Manet painting)
A view of the new footbridge over Hurst Creek.
To the right is the old footbridge.
Looking back toward the garden. A paved path and rock retainers.
Thomas Killmore, the mayor, makes a few remarks.
The ribbon cutting
Now is the time to relax and enjoy the music and food. I hope you have a super week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Material

~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

If a deity is in charge of coffee, then it would be a good idea to offer thanks. The dark, steamy liquid waits for my approving sigh. There it is, the first sip and then the crashing reminder of that box on the back patio. Yelling, “What a curse,” does no good for poor Twiggy’s nerves. She can only react to the volume level of the expression.

Once Twiggy is off the ceiling, finding out what is in the box must be addressed. Another ear placed against the box produces the same result as last time, namely, no sound. A crowbar comes in handy to remove the top. Peering over the edge gives no information since whatever is in there is surrounded by packing material.

Pulling out each piece of material gets me down to another box. The top is quick work, and inside is a clock. It appears to be an old-fashioned alarm clock with two large bells on the top. On the back is a key to wind for the clock and one to wind for the alarm. There is also a third key that is unmarked. The thought goes through my mind that this is a strange gift from the CEO of Warner Brothers. Instructions for the clock are in the box as well. When there’s time, they should be read.

While holding and inspecting the clock, my attention goes to a sudden movement beside the box. It is a carrier pigeon with a message attached to its leg. The message when unrolled reads Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “material.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun! Obviously, it is from Linda Hill. If you would like to read other responses to the prompt, visit Linda’s blog at https://lindaghill.com/2023/10/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-21-2023/

Material by John W. Howell © 2023

“You sure Linda doesn’t set up these prompts for you?”

“Of course, I’m sure. Very coincidental, I would say.”

“I mean, having a box filled with packing material is very suspect.”

“I can assure you she doesn’t play favorites.”

“What is with the clock?”

“I wish I knew.”

“Who’s running this blog anyway?

“I wish I knew that too.”

“You are hopeless. You would think you controlled your own material.”

“Look at you with the prompt word.”

“Slipped out. Didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Sure.”

“You ready for the pub.”

“You order Über?”

“Right over there.”

“I don’t see a haywagon.”

“No, right there.”

image by Dan Antion

“Oh, that 88 corvette?”

“That’s the one.”

“How are we both going to fit.”

“You’ll sit on my lap.”

“Oh, brother. Why can’t we get normal Über drivers?”

“We save the equivalent of two Voo Doo Rangers this way.”

“Say no more. Let’s go.”

 

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA -TGIF Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell ~ 96 Comments

Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network

Breakthrough in Recycling EV Batteries Can Recover 100% of Aluminum and 98% of Lithium Thanks to Swedish Scientists

By Good News Network
–
Photo of Léa Rouquette by Henrik Sandsjö

Swedish researchers say they have developed a new method of recycling batteries from electric vehicles that allows recovery of 100 percent aluminum and 98 percent lithium.

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have presented an efficient way to recycle metals from spent batteries and, at the same time, minimize the loss of valuable raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese.

Furthermore, no expensive or harmful chemicals are required in the process because the researchers use oxalic acid—an organic acid that can be found in the plant kingdom.

In the Chalmers battery recycling lab, Rouquette and research leader Martina Petranikova showed how the new method works—taking the pulverized components in the form of a finely ground black powder and dissolving it in a transparent liquid – oxalic acid.

Rouquette produces both the powder and the liquid in something reminiscent of a kitchen mixer. Although it looks as easy as brewing coffee, the exact procedure is a unique scientific breakthrough. By fine-tuning temperature, concentration, and time, the researchers came up with a new recipe for using oxalic acid, an environmentally friendly ingredient that can be found in plants such as rhubarb and spinach.

“We need alternatives to inorganic chemicals. One of the biggest bottlenecks in today’s processes is removing residual materials like aluminum,” says Martina Petranikova, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers. “This is an innovative method that can offer the recycling industry new alternatives and help solve problems that hinder development.”

The crushed car battery in powder on the left is dissolved in transparent liquid and filtered for aluminum and lithium (green liquid), with other metals, like cobalt, nickel, and manganese, remain in the dark solids (right) – Photo by Anna-Lena Lundqvist.

The aqueous-based recycling method is called hydrometallurgy. In traditional hydrometallurgy, all the metals in an EV battery cell are dissolved in an inorganic acid. Then, you remove the “impurities” such as aluminum and copper. Lastly, you can separately recover valuable metals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium. Even though the amount of residual aluminum and copper is small, it requires several purification steps, and each step in this process can cause lithium loss.

With the new method, the researchers reverse the order and recover the lithium and aluminum first. Thus, they can reduce the waste of valuable metals needed to make new batteries.

The latter part of the process, in which the black mixture is filtered, is also reminiscent of brewing coffee. While aluminum and lithium end up in the liquid, the other metals are left in the “solids.” The next step in the process is to separate aluminum and lithium.

“Since the metals have very different properties, we don’t think it’ll be hard to separate them. Our method is a promising new route for battery recycling – a route that definitely warrants further exploration,” says Rouquette, who published her results in the journal Separation and Purification Technology.

Petranikova’s research group is involved in various collaborations with companies to develop electric car battery recycling and is a partner in major research and development projects, such as Volvo Cars’ and Northvolt’s Nybat project.

The research was funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, BASE Batteries Sweden, Vinnova.

The good news here is the extensive mining of precious metals needed for EV batteries can be supplemented with recycled materials, offsetting the problem of supply and mining pollution. Today’s JohnKu talks about one issue with EV proliferation.

Electric Vehicles by John W. Howell © 2023

To power EVs,

Electricity needs rise . . .

Where’s it coming from?

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Gets a Visitor

~ John W. Howell ~ 96 Comments

“Okay, Dad. I thought you were going to a wedding.”

“Well, it seems a member of the wedding party has COVID.”

“So you’re not going?”

“I can’t take the risk. I’ve got to be careful since I’m older and have other risk factors.”

“What does that mean for me?”

“Well, for one, you don’t get Mom all to yourself.”

“Wow. That’s a kick to the heart. I was counting on some alone time with Mom.”

“Your cousin Kizzy was going to visit for four days, too.”

“She does come on Sundays, so I guess I’ll get by.”

“I have no fear you’ll get by. Kizzy sent you a text.”

“Hey, Twiggy. See you Sunday.”

“That was nice. Well, Dad what should we do now?”

“We can play a game.”

“That sounds great.”

 

 

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #403 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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. Thank you for taking part.” Here is a link to Keith’s post https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/10/16/kreative-kue-403/

The photo.

Dirt Track by  John W. Howell © 2023

“What’s he doing?”

“From here, it looks like he’s going around the track.”

“He can’t do that.”

“Who’s going to tell him?”

“You think he’s got telemetry?”

“Look at his gear. What do you think.”

“Let’s call the track judge and have him give him a red flag.”

“It may work, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

“Why’s that?”

“You think he even knows what the red flag means?”

“Good point. He’s going to be in big trouble when the rest of the field laps him.”

“They’ll try to avoid him, right?”

“If they see him.”

“We better have the judge hit the caution flag and get everyone to slow down.”

“Good thinking. Hitting that lawnmower at 200 Miles per hour won’t do either any good.”

“Look, he’s turning onto the infield.”

“Call the police.”

“Wait a minute. He’s doing a victory donut.”

“Call the network and get a reporter down there. This might be a good PR story.”

“What? An old guy on a go-cart causing the race to be delayed?”

“Look, he’s standing on the cart with his arms in a v above his head, and the crowd is going nuts.”

“I called the network. They’re heading there with a magnum of cheap champagne.”

“This is epic. The video will go viral.”

“And you and I could be the laughingstock of racedom.”

“For being kind to an old fart. I don’t think so.”

“Maybe, we can sign him for endorsements.”

“Now you’re talking. Let’s get down there.”

“How about the race?”

“Who cares? Oh, wait. Yeah, restart it, then let’s go.”

 

 

 

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do Before You’ve Had Your Coffee

~ John W. Howell ~ 86 Comments
Photo by Fahmi Fakhrudin on Unsplash

This list was published on September 27, 2017. I think coffee still has its magic, so I hope you enjoy it again or for the first time.

* * *

Top Ten Things Not to Do Before You’ve Had Your Coffee

The inspiration for this list came from the various and sundry things that needed to be done to begin to get back to normal after Hurricane Harvey. I haven’t done any of these, but it was fun pretending, and I would certainly have some coffee before trying.

10 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not meet with a Government representative. If you do, at best, you’ll have to excuse your behavior. At worst, the US marshalls will call in reinforcements to help extricate you from the room. (Who would have thought raising your voice would have caused that reaction, Baltazar?)

9 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not call your cable provider to request service. If you do, at best, you’ll be on hold for an hour. At worst, you’ll get to talk to Tiny, the WWF champ who just got released from his sociopath support group. (The two of you are having an excellent debate. Why does he keep wanting to know where you live, Banjo?)

8 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not take your car in for service. If you do, at best, they will honor your appointment time. At worst, you’ll sit in the lounge for an hour trying to avoid being stepped on by two hyperactive toddlers. (They have already apologized for the fact the coffee machine is out-of-order. You might as well try to relax and, for heaven’s sake, quit thinking about that letter you plan to write to the CEO of the service company, Barnaby.)

7 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not visit the license bureau to renew your driver’s license. If you do, at best, you’ll get a low number for service. At worst, you have pulled number 208, and they are now serving number four. (The drive-through at McDonald’s wait now looks like a breeze compared to this, huh, Beaudoin?)

6 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not visit the bank to ask for a loan. If you do, at best, it is a bank holiday. At worst, you will finally admit that you really need the money and will, therefore, be denied the loan. Too bad your decaf state caused you to forget the rule about “Those who have gets,” Bellamy.)

5 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not meet with your boss to discuss your career. If you do, at best, your boss caught the flu and is out sick today. At worst, your discussion could have taken a nasty turn when your boss suggested you need some additional training. (If you had some caffeine, Benjamin, maybe you would not have pounded on the boss’s desk, causing security to escort you to the parking lot. Tomorrow ought to be interesting.)

4 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not try to complete that delicate experiment with the new product at work. If you do, at best, you’ll come to your senses. At worst, you are now in a position of being responsible for a complete redo. (You were sure your shaking hands would not be a factor, right, Bennet?)

3 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not try to write that breakthrough chapter in your book. If you do, at best, you and the keyboard will have a staring contest. At worst, you will forge ahead and write what you think is the best stuff you have ever done. (It’s really tough to file 13 all those words, isn’t it, Bodee?)

2 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not read that last two-star review. If you do, at best, you’ll be diverted by a natural disaster. At worst, even though some of the points may be well taken, you vow out loud to hunt the person down and hit them with a poison dart. (Sure, it’s the lack of caffeine talking, but you are scaring the kids, Braddock.)

1 If you’ve not had your coffee, do not try to create that meaningful post that you hope everyone will love. If you do, at best, the typos will kill you. At worst, only after you have posted and read what you have written do you see the similarity to the Unabomber manifesto. (Good luck getting that one canceled off all the social media sites, Brayden.)