As many folks take to the airways this holiday, you can bet some will get a little overwhelmed, especially the kids. For those traveling through or to Denver, the good news is there is help.
More than 100 dogs (one cat) make up the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) at Denver International Airport. It’s the most extensive airport therapy animal program in the country and is entirely volunteers. The dogs, cat, and their volunteers walk around the airport in four-hour shifts, dispensing cuddles for anxious travelers (or anyone who wants to give a belly rub). While the program was suspended from March 2020 until May 2021, these days, they’re back patrolling the terminals, looking for humans who could use some stress relief.
Let’s meet some of the stress relievers. All photos courtesy of CATS
Here is Jackson the Goldendoodle. He likes dental treats and swimming.
Meet Blue. His favorite treat is Moist and Meaty, and his favorite activity is playing with his sister Amelia
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Toby’s favorite treat is Bacon (you go, Toby). His favorite activity is hiking in the mountains.
Xeli’s favorite treat is catnip, and her favorite activity is making friends.
Matilda’s favorite treat is salmon, and being hugged is her favorite activity.
These are just five of the 100 at the airport this weekend. What good news indeed. Today’s JohnKu talks about help in times of need. I hope you all have a super weekend.
Keith Channing is still doing NA/No, so today is another finger point prompt. Today’s prompt came from the book Eternal Road – The final stop by the bon vivant John W. Howell. The book was opened to a random page, and with eyes closed, the finger was placed on the page. Here is a shot of that event.
You can see the page is 72, and the finger is on the word ‘wall.’
Photo by ConvertKit on Unsplash – No that is not Twiggy –
This post ran on November 24, 2014. Since this is Thanksgiving week, I thought it might be good to review it again.
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This list has been inspired by numerous friends staying overnight and, sad to say, doing one or more of the things on the list. Since this week is Thanksgiving, I thought it would be good to post some behavior tips if a visit to friends is in the cards. (Oh yes, I know you would never do any of these)
Top Ten Things Not to Do While Staying Overnight with Friends
10 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not ask, “what’s for dinner?” if you do, at best, you will come off as pretty a demanding guest. At worst, your host may send you out for fast food. (by yourself)
9 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not sneak late-night snacks. If you do, at best, you may scare your guests thinking there is an intruder in the house. At worst, you might be asked to come out of the house over a bullhorn held by a big person from the local SWAT team. (I would not argue. Just come out.)
8 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not keep telling jokes in which you keep forgetting the punchline. If you do, at best, your friends will take pity on you and try to change the subject. At worst, your friend will believe you are a prime candidate for an intervention, much to the amusement of others in the house. (Full video recording too.)
7 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not keep grabbing extra portions of food. If you do, at best, your friends will wonder why you are not eating regularly at home. At worst, they will assume you have an eating disorder and insist you see their couple’s counselor. (which raises a whole new problem)
6 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not assume your friends want to stay up with you to see the dawn. If you do, at best, your friends will hope you pass out. At worst, the last few drinks made by your friend will be strong enough to ensure you pass out. (Say goodnight Gracie.)
5 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not get sick in their bed. If you do, at best, the stay will be very short. At worst, you may wake up in the backyard with a large dog named Bruno, who thinks you are cute. (I know the drool is annoying.)
4 If you stay overnight with friends, do not sleep until noon, even if you usually do so at home. If you do, at best, your friends will think you rude for missing the brunch they prepared. At worst, your friends will go about their day and leave you in the house to fend for yourself, which will include warding off the affections of Bruno. (He wants you to keep throwing the ball.)
3 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not think it is okay to adjust the thermostat to suit your own comfort. If you do, at best, you might not be invited back. At worst, your friends may surprise you with a deluxe suite which is, in actuality, the back seat of your own car. (You could have saved all those hours driving.)
2 If you are staying overnight with friends, do not take an ordinarily long hot shower. If you do, at best, you may encounter some hostile looks since your host community is under severe water restrictions. At worst, the hosts will be served with a cease service order which will mean no more water for them and a wanted dead or alive poster for you. (You can run, but you can’t hide.)
1 If you are staying overnight with friends, don’t forget to say thank you. If you do, at best, you won’t be invited back. At worst, your friends will come and stay with you and do their best to eat, drink and create mayhem for revenge. (I don’t think they are going home soon.)
When we see Christmas decorations, there is cause to ask, “What about Thanksgiving?” We just finished an outstanding Halloween so let’s see if we can find some Thanksgiving festive decorations. We are being catered by Lucky Robot of Austin. Our entertainment is Bob Seger ( I know he’s been here before, but we Detroit boys have to stick together.)
T O K Y O B R U N C H Saturday and Sunday 11-3
NIKKEI OMURICE Japanese omelette, crispy rice, red bean, shiitake, & cremini mushrooms, peas, choice of salsa macha or ponzu Verde
add Niman Ranch pork belly
PRIME CHIRASHI BOT Big Glory Bay king salmon, Bluefin Tuna, 2 types of daily prime market sashimi over sushi rice, avocado, cucumber, sunomono pickles, sesame, 144 degree egg
NOMNOMIYAKI Japanese savory pancake, Niman Ranch pork belly, napa cabbage, topped with 2 sunny side up eggs, spicy mayo, tonkatsu, sriracha, bonito flakes, microgreens
I fixed a nice cup of coffee and wandered out the front door to walk to the mailbox. I was expecting a delivery of this week’s prompt from Linda Hill. Unfortunately, I had completely forgotten about the box from the Acme fireworks company sitting on the porch. The package also reminded me about the key which fell from Linda’s envelope last week. This box has been sitting a whole week, and I’m sure Mr. Coyote is frantic by now. The key was still lying on the porch as well.
My first thought was to figure out how to contact a cartoon character about the missing box. It was only a second thought about the key. Second or not, I picked up the key and put it in my pocket. While walking the short distance to the mailbox, I happen to see a quick flash of light like when a mirror hits the sun. In this case, it was a chrome bumper on a 1953 white Cadillac convertible that stopped in front of me. The driver was dressed in black and wearing a chauffeur hat and sunglasses. “Hey, big boy.”
It was a very colorful person in the back seat, seemingly talking to me. “W-who me?” was my erudite reply. She nodded and beckoned with her finger. Then, moving to the car, it was terrific to see Jessica Rabbit. She was wrapped in a feather boa and wearing a red dress that contrasted with the grey leather interior of the vehicle. She handed me an envelope and then ordered the driver to pick up the box. He got out and, with ease, moved the box to the front seat of the car. All the while, Jessica fussed with the boa and kept checking herself in a pocket mirror. Finally, she said no more as the vehicle made a sweeping turn out of the cul-de-sac and disappeared around the corner. Jessica did give me a four-finger wave on her way out. I think I’m in love.
I opened the envelope, and here was the Linda Hill message. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “black, gray, and white.” Use one, use ’em all. Bonus points if you use all three. Have fun! If you would like to have, fun go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2021/11/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-20-2021/
It is Friday again, which some of us believe to be Saturday eve. However, we all know Saturday represents an element of freedom, so we are happy to see you Friday.
Today’s good news stories are about humans and bees.
Story one is about the kindness of a Billings Montana Firefighter. Take a look at this photo.
Photo courtesy of Allie Marie Schmalz
Yes, that is Firefighter Ryan Benton reading a story to a little girl. The girl and family were involved in a car accident, so the firefighter took her to the side of the road and read her a story. This brought her mind off the trauma while he family dealt with the situation. It is the policy for the Billings fire crews to carry stuffed animals and books for such an occasion. Yet the goodness here is Ryan Benton saw a need and stepped in to help a small child without a moment of hesitation.
Our second story is about discovering honey bees in the UK that could mean the return of a subspecies there.
Photo courtesy of Filipe Salbany
800,000 native honeybees, which some thought extinct, were found in ancient oak woodland at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England. Experts said they could be the last remaining descendants of the British isle’s original forest honeybee populations. Since these bees are thriving, it is thought that this is an excellent second chance for the subspecies.
A bee-keeping veteran with more than 40 years of experience, Filipe Salbany found 50 separate nests in the estate’s forest. The grounds have had no gardening activity, and the property isn’t open to the public, so this has been a ‘rewilding’ area. The good news is the bees seem to be immune to the varroa mite—a big killer of bees.
Today’s JohnKu talks about those news items that make us feel good. I hope you have a delightful weekend.
Since Keith Channing is involved with Na/Mo, I am making finger point prompts this month. Today’s prompt was found by randomly opening Eternal Road – The final stop. The page that turned up was 183. After hiding my eyes and pointing at the page, the nearest word was ‘stars.’ So that is our prompt today.
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