Tag: My GRL

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments
http://www.returnmycup.com

 

Today, good news comes from the Good News Network.

City Experiments with Reusable Cups at Starbucks, Taco Bell, and 30 Other Restaurants–with Return Bins all over town

By Andy Corbley –

A consortium of small firms is creating a renewable revolution within the boundaries of a small city in Northern California. The city will be the testbed for a use-and-return concept for fast food drinks.

Around 50 billion disposable drink cups are used every year in the US, but in the city of Petaluma, we will see if Americans have the discipline to reduce this footprint.

The city has around 60,000 people and will participate in the Reuseable Cup Project. The aim is to furnish 30 local restaurants, from Starbucks to Taco Bell, with identical, durable plastic drink cups. Customers and diners can use these cups and then either leave them on the table or deposit them in a network of dropoff bins around the city.

NextGen Consortium, led by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners investment firm, asked the city government for help identifying partner restaurants. A firm called Muuse will provide professional cleaning and distribution services to redeliver the cleaned cups back to the locations.

“What they’ve told us they like about Petaluma is that there’s already a spirit of sustainability in Petaluma and [an] interest in trying to reduce the amount of waste that we’re creating collectively as a city,” Patrick Carter, assistant of the city manager who oversees the program, said in a phone call with FOX Business.

“They liked the combination of kind of a denser downtown, more businesses together that are serving these drinks, these beverages, but with a smaller population.”

Located between Santa Rosa and San Francisco, Petaluma’s residents will not be charged a penny more for their drinks and are only asked to drop them off in one of the networks of bins when they are finished. A map showing the locations of the bins can be found on the project website.

Along with reducing cup waste, it should also reduce the number of throwaway hot drink sleeves since the cups themselves are more durable and less conductive to heat.

A three-month trial starting on August 5 and running into November will provide NextGen with the data it needs to understand whether such a program can be used in larger cities.

The good news in this article is that the government, community, and individuals are all working together to eliminate waste. Today’s JohnKu talks about cooperation. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Together by John W. Howell © 2024

Projects done alone,

Require increased energy . . .

Better to have help.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Miss Our Sister

~ John W. Howell ~ 104 Comments

“So Twiggy. When is Our Sister coming back?”

“It is hard to tell. She lives in Indiana.”

“It was so nice meeting her and playing. I loved her visit.”

“Yes, it is always nice when family comes over, and she is fun.”

“That’s the door she went out.”

“Yes, it is. She just left with Dad.”

“Where is she going?”

“She has a meeting in Dallas, so they are headed to the airport.”

“Airport? I don’t know what that is.”

“Well, they have these things that fly through the air, and people get on them to go to different places. They start at an airport.”

“So, back to my question. When is she coming back?”

“After Dallas, she is going home again. I don’t think she will be back for a while.”

“Well, in that case, I will sit here and wait.”

“I don’t think that is a good idea, Little one.”

“Why not?”

“Well, it takes a lot of time to be human, so it may take a while.”

“Alright then. I’ll just lay here then.”

“I think you will be more comfortable waiting somewhere else.”

“You are the smartest, Twiggy.”

“I certainly try Tempe. I certainly try.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – A Repeated Story

~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

 

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

A punch of the Latte button produces an 8-oz-tall bit of heaven. The first sip brings back memories of the clock. Today, it is set for St Louis, MO, July 19, 1924, and lasts an hour. When the plunger is pulled, we are in St Louis stadium.

We witness the celebration of pitcher Herman “Hi” Bell of the St. Louis Cardinals, who started and finished a doubleheader baseball game, pitching all 9 innings of a 6 to 1 win over the Boston Braves and all 9 innings of the second game of the day, a 2 to 1 win. Bell was the last Major League Baseball pitcher to pitch all 18 innings of two games on the same day.

The beer flowed like water, and before we had one too many, the alarm went off, and our trusty couch cushioned the fall. A text is received from Linda Hill and reads; Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a repeated story.” Include in your post a story you’ve repeated again and again or a story you’ve heard again and again. Or write about the phenomenon itself. Have fun!

If you want to see what others have done, here is a link to Linda’s post. https://lindaghill.com/2024/07/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-20-2024/

A Repeated Story by John W. Howell © 2024

“That was a repeated story for sure.”

“Funny how the prompt worked right into our schtick, right?”

“Sometimes you have it too easy.”

“Oh, come on. I have to do the research and find things to write about.”

“I hear your oldest daughter is coming for a visit.”

“So true. She arrives today.”

“That will be nice.”

“Yes, we always enjoy her visits. In fact, I will be taking a break from blogging.”

“Another break? Man, what must we do to keep you at the keyboard?”

“I will be showing her around, so the break will be from Sunday to Tuesday.”

“No Views of the neighborhood?”

“Nope.”

“Top Ten and the prompt with Keith Channing.”

“Nope, to both. I will be posting on Wednesday, though.”

“That is a normal day off.”

“Yeah, but I have an announcement that I need to make.”

“A good announcement?”

“I’m putting out a call for beta readers for my next book.”

“I thought it might be something like free VooDoo Rangers.”

“Well, that wouldn’t be much of an announcement for you. You call Uber?”

“He’s right over there.”

“A 1941 Packard Convertible? What a ride.”

“Nothing’s too good for you.”

“Since I’m buying, right?”

“Well, as long as you said it, I’ll take it.”

“Let’s go.”

 

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

~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

 

photo released by Shaurya Jain (right)

Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network.

These 2 Northern Virginia High School Students Just Got a $15,000 Grant to Use AI to Prevent Deer from Running into Cars

By Andy Corbley –

Every Virginian over 30 you could hope to meet will know someone who has collided with a deer in their car: the state is in the top ten nationwide for deer-related crashes.

These two high school seniors have just received a large grant to pursue their research into a device that detects cars and deer via artificially intelligent cameras and helps both avoid collisions.

Shaurya Jain and Anmol Karan from Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax County received $15,000 after presenting their prototype.

The money came from the Animal Welfare Institute as a part of the Christine Stevens Wildlife Award, leaving the two young men feeling “honored.”

“Not everyone would trust a bunch of high schoolers with this kind of money,” Jain told WTOP.

Positioned on the side of the road, if the device detects cars and deer in the vicinity, it emits high-frequency pulses and animal sounds to deter the deer from attempting to cross at that moment. If positioned in places with high deer traffic, the boys hope it will stop them from impacting traffic, especially at night when visibility is low and deer are most active.

In 2022, 6,100 traffic collisions, or 15% of the total number in the state, involved deer, an incident ratio that left 500 people injured.

Mr. Jain says he was inspired by his religion, Jainism—which holds all animals to be sacred and carriers of souls, while Karan was moved to action by the news that his uncle had collided with a deer in his car at night in Loudon County and was severely injured.

“Seeing him caused me to just feel that there probably is some type of method that we can use to keep on these roads to prevent such accidents from happening,” said Karan.

The Virginia Transportation Research Council applauded the students’ idea and wrote letters of encouragement to them. They are still collecting data on deer injuries and hope to start roadside testing soon.

The good news in this article is that two young men felt strong enough about a problem to do something about it. Today’s JohnKu continues the theme of embracing people who are called to action. I hope you have a terrific weekend.

Action by John W. Howell © 2024

A problem exists,

Some would simply ignore it . . .

Others take action.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Beat the Heat (Sort of)

~ John W. Howell ~ 100 Comments

“Hey Tempeste. The only thing in the pool is a ladybug.”

“Where’s the water?”

“Mom said she will be right out to fill it.”

“Does she know that it is hot out here?”

“She is well aware that it is 98 degrees F (36.6C). Why do you think we have a tent and misting fan?”

“We need to get some toys for the pool.”

Well, that’s a start. What’s this on your butt?”

“I need to get more. What do you mean on my butt?”

“Oh, nothing. I think it is part of your coat.”

“You had me concerned there for a minute.”

“Sorry, I just never saw that part of you before.”

“I’m going after more toys.”

“I’m going to sit here and enjoy the misting fan.”

“Why do I have to do all the work?”

“You are the youngest. Besides, fetching toys is not work.”

“Speak for yourself, one who sits under the fan.”

“Do you think you have enough?”

“I’m not sure it matters. I’m bored with the toy fetch.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. What are you doing?”

“I thought we could play while we are waiting for Mom.”

“Ew, get that stinky thing away from me.”

“It’s not stinky. I’m the only one who has played with it.”

“I guess that’s my point. What are you doing to the pool?”

“Doing a little Fandango while we wait.”

“How do you think you can cool off in a crushed pool.”

“Mom will fix it.

Tuesday- Anything Possible – Kreative Kur #440 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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.”

Link to Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/07/15/kreative-kue-440/

The Photo.

Lesson One by John W. Howell © 2024

“Okay, that didn’t go well.”

“I don’t know. Looks like everything is in one piece.”

“That descent could have done us in.”

“You didn’t tell me about that lever.”

“One of the main reasons I didn’t is I didn’t want you to be tempted to touch it.”

“It was right there, almost begging me to pull it. It even had the word ‘pull’ on it.”

“If you had read the rest of the words, it says ‘pull for fire.'”

“Well, obviously, it didn’t work.”

“What do you mean?”

“There was no fire.”

“Going forward, there have to be some rules.”

“Look, I’m here to take lessons from you. I would hope there are rules.”

“The first is no touching anything until I tell you.”

“Sounds like a good one. What’s the second rule.”

“The second is for me, actually.”

“That’s interesting. What is it.”

“Never, ever book a student who obviously has the mental capacity of a grape.”

“Hold on. You referring to me?”

“Oh, no, sir. I’m just making a rule for the future.”

“That’s good. Now, what is this thingy here.”

“The thingy that says ignition?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

“It is a magic converter that turns electricity into an order for the engine to begin to rotate in anticipation of igniting the spark that will fire this sucker into action.”

“When do we use it?”

“After you open that door and get out.”

“But how will I be able to fly if I’m not in the vehicle.”

“Try beating your arms, or I’ve heard there are some drugs that may help. Try not to slam the door on your way out. Mind that seat belt release; it can be tricky.”

 

 

 

 

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Reading a Book

~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

 

This post was published on June 18, 2018. The advice still looks good.

* * *

I was inspired to create this list while traveling. As I watched several people reading books and doing other things, I realized that there are several things that one should not do while reading a book. I hope you enjoy this list.

10 If you are reading a book, do not drive a car. If you do, at best, you may lose your place when you drop the book to avoid an accident. At worst, you may lose the book when you end upside down in a culvert. (Didn’t see that curve while you were wrapped up in the murder scene, huh, Esau?)

9 If you are reading a book, do not walk in heavy pedestrian traffic. If you do, at best, you’ll avoid getting knocked down. At worse, you will run into Tiny, the WWF champ, as he is leaving his tactile psychosis support group. (Hard to believe someone has such a problem with being touched. I don’t think offering Tiny the book will offset his reaction, Efrain. Maybe running is a better choice.)

8 If you are reading a book, do not sip hot coffee without taking your eyes off the book. If you do, at best, you’ll only spill a drop. At worst, you might miss your mouth and feel the joy of 180-degree liquid on your chest. ( Lucky for you, Eloi, your lap was under the table.)

7 If you are reading a book, do not step onto an elevator. If you do, at best, there is room for you. At worst, the elevator is packed with members of the NFL bargaining unit members, and they just lost a bargaining point to the owners. (Kind of shocking they wouldn’t make room for a dweeb with a book, Ealdun. Lucky for you, your foot didn’t get stuck in the door.)

6 If you are reading a book, do not eat pasta marinara. If you do, at best, your book is on Kindle, and the screen is cleanable. At worst, you are reading the first edition of War and Peace, which you borrowed from the Library of Congress. (It looks like destroying a national treasure carries a significant penalty, Eban. Maybe a fishing trip to Canada is in order.)

5 If you are reading a book, do not operate machinery. If you do, at best, the mechanism doesn’t have spinning blades. At worst, your machine is designed to chop a twelve-ton steel block into one-inch pieces. (You might want to put that book down, Ebo. It looks like the feeding phase inadvertently has your shirt tangled with the twelve-ton steel block.)

4 If you are reading a book, do not continue your free fall while skydiving. If you do, at best, the exciting part will end in time for the ripcord pull. At worst, you are at the part in the book where the detective is about to expose the murderer’s identity. (Only two more pages, and you’ll know, Edoardo. Too bad the ground is there in one.)

3 If you are reading a book, do not take the black five-diamond downhill ski run. If you do, at best, a ski patrol member will be close. At worst, your fall and roll was the beginning of the giant snowball that crashed into the lodge through the huge dining room floor-to-ceiling window. (Lucky you survived, Eero. The hotel management would like to know if you want to put the $50,000 window on your room tab.)

2 If you are reading a book, do not shoot the curl of a gigantic wave off the coast of Hawaii. If you do, at best, your wipeout will be well offshore. At worst, you will ride the wave entirely distracted until you land on the shore. (Just how hard did you hit the sand, Egon? We sure hope you can get out of that ten-foot-deep crater. Give Egan a hand for that unorthodox landing, folks)

1 If you are reading a book, do not continue to compete in the world airplane aerobatics competition. If you do, at best, you might miss a loop. At worst, you may lose your orientation and think up is down and down is up. (Time to put the book down, Ekon. If you are quick, you just may pull out of this dive before dropping below the horizon. It is very hard below that horizon.)