Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

July 3, 2026July 2, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 43 Comments

3-year-old Moran (left) and Mr. Cantillo (right) rescued from disaster – credit, office of the Acting President of Venezuela, via SWNS

Today’s Good News story comes from the Good NewsJul 2ork

3-Year-old Rescued After 6 Days Beneath Rubble in Venezuela as Rescuers Arrive in Droves to Help the Country

By Andy Corbley – Jul 2, 2026

A week after two magnitude 7 earthquakes struck Venezuela’s capital of Caracas, search and rescue teams from around the world are still rescuing people from the jaws of death.

This includes Aaron Levi Cantillo, who was trapped under rubble for more than 4 days, and a 3-year-old named Klieber Moran, who was rescued by Jordanians visiting to aid in the rescue effort.

It took 43 hours to rescue Cantillo, who had already been trapped for more than 2 days under a collapsed building.

Footage released by the office of the Acting President of Venezuela also showed 3-year-old Moran face down and covered in dust when he was located by snake cameras operated by rescue teams above.

The boy was underneath the Caracas building for 6 days.

The video, filmed on June 30th, 6 days after the earthquakes occurred, shows members of the Jordan International Search and Rescue Team carrying the child to safety after pulling him from the debris.

The U.S. has provided over 2000 personnel and $300 million in humanitarian assistance since the disaster. Shortly after the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes, the U.S. military helped fly in about 310 specialists from urban search and rescue teams who are now on the ground.

Among international calls of solidarity, South American leaders from both sides of the political spectrum—who often have nothing good to say about one another—stepped up to help as well.

Brazil’s President Lula Da Silva dispatched a team of 71 firefighters, 4 National Civil Defense technicians, 6 specialists from the National Telecommunications Agency, and 6 firefighter dogs, as well as at least 12 tons of search and rescue equipment, 100 water purifiers, 6.5 tons of medical equipment, and a Brazilian Navy portable hospital, operated by 93 Marines and medical specialists.

Chilean President José Antonio Kast sent a Chilean Air Force plane carrying 37 members of the Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Group. The following day, a second plane was sent with 16 rescuers, three tons of humanitarian aid, and two tons of firefighters’ equipment.

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management of neighboring Colombia deployed more than 60 rescuers, 4 rescue dog teams, and 12 metric tonsJun 26ipment.

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa said he had ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, the deployment of 46 urban search-and-rescue personnel, search dogs, and 6 metric tons of equipment.

More than 150 Salvadoran rescue workers and supplies arrived in Venezuela on 26 June as part of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele’s pledge to send 300 rescue workers and paramedics and 50 tons of medical supplies.

Mexican authorities provided 250 military rescue crew, rescue dogs, medical supplies, and rescue equipment on board 4 aircraft.

The National Emergency Commission of Costa Rica announced a deployment of 48 specialized rescuers along with approximately 12 tons of rescue equipment and humanitarian supplies.

Other nations, such as Italy, Czechia, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, India, Vietnam, Thailand, the UK, Qatar, Jordan, and even Syria, also deployed emergency rescue personnel.

The good news in this story is that countries around the world are pitching in to help. Today’s JohnKu talks about the world as one. I hope yo have a great weekedn and a happy 4th of July

A disaster calls,

The world responds with action . . .

We are all family.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Deal with the Deer.

July 2, 2026July 1, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 107 Comments

“Tempest, come here.”

“What’s the problem?”

“That deer came right up to the window.”

“Well, it is telling mom to get the carrots.”

“I’d say that’s a little pushy, wouldn’t you?”

“You know how it is when handouts are free. They are expected.”

“I suppose. It just took me by surprise.”

“I can understand that.”

“You know I almost feel that a good bark to St. Louis might be a good lesson.”

“I think Mom might have something to say about that.”

“Yeah, she does love to see the deer come around.”

“We could pretend that the FedEx guy just arrived.”

“That’s a pretty good thought.”

“Come on, let’s go to the door. We can bark them through it.”

“Are you going to come over here and help?”

“I think we need to change strategy. Mom’s out there with the deer.”

“I think barking Mom to St Louis would be a big mistake.”

“You can say that again.”

“So, we’ll just have to wait for another opportunity.”

“I could almost taste the victory.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – System

June 30, 2026June 29, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Today I randomly opened The Last Drive to page 145 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger is “system.” That is our prompt today.

“How do I get out of this?”

“I don’t think you can.”

“Why not?”

“You have to go through the system. No one just gets out.”

“But I don’t understand the system.”

“Ignorance is no excuse. If you do the crime, you need to do the time.”

“But that’s just it. I didn’t do anything.”

“If I’ve heard that once, I’ve heard it a thousand times.”

“So you’re not going to let me go?”

“Nope. Only the judge can do that.”

“I want my lawyer.”

“Of course you do. Until your lawyer gets here, you’ll stay put.”

“Can you and I make a deal?”

“Oh, so now you want to bribe your way out?”

“Call it a gift.”

“You have nothing I want. I would just sit down and behave myself before more charges are added.”

“What charges are on me now?”

“Let’s see. Destruction of property, assault with intent to harm, public indecency, trespassing, running loose without a license, and avoiding arrest.”

“It’s not my fault.”

“And why is that?”

“My owner left the gate open.”

“So that gave you permission to tear up the newspaper, bite the animal control officer, poop in the neighbor’s yard, run uncontrolled through the neighborhood, and dodge the animal control officer.”

“Well, yes. I was confused. Out of my element.”

“Tell it to the judge.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do in the Great Flood of 2348 BC.

June 29, 2026June 28, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

This post continues the Top Ten Not to Do list with a historical background. This post ran originally in November of 2018. Pretend you were there, and here is a list that will keep you out of trouble.

Top Ten Things Not to Do in the Great Flood of 2348 BC.

10 In the time of the great flood, do not mock Noah’s boat building so far from water. If you do, at best, he won’t hear you. At worst, after forty days and nights of rain, you are going to wish you had never. (Good luck on treading water for a few months, Gregory. Those boat jokes seem a little lame now, don’t they?)

9 In the time of the great flood, do not offer Tiny the WWF champ some help with that rhinoceros. If you do, at best, he’ll pass on the assist. At worst, Tiny, who has just finished his group session on self-esteem, will believe you think he is incapable of loading that snorting beast into the Ark. (Now you have to worry about a loose rhinoceros and soothing Tiny’s feelings, Giovanni. I think the rhino might be an easier task.)

7 In the time of the great flood, do not ask Noah about who is playing in the show lounge. If you do, at best, Noah will think you are joking. At worst, Noah will realize you think the whole boat thingy is a Carnival cruise. (I suppose you should feel grateful Noah allows you to ride in the dinghy, Graham. He could have just tossed you overboard.)

6 In the time of the great flood, do not start singing the Unicorn Song. If you do, at best, Noah will think it cute. At worst, since Noah was not able to get the unicorns on board, he’ll feel bad. (Don’t forget Noah is 600 years old, Gilbert. He probably never heard of the Irish Rovers, and now you are in the brig on bread and water.)

5 In the time of the great flood, do not smack a pesky mosquito. If you do, at best, it will recover. At worst, you just killed one of the two on board. (Although it seems like you have done a service to humanity, Gustavo, Noah is going to be plenty pissed since he was supposed to have two of everything. I would lie low if I were you.)

4 In the time of the great flood, do not try to bring more than one carry-on bag on the Ark. If you do, at best, the second bag will be floating. At worst, you’ll be caught, and Captain Noah will allow the bags to ride but toss you off. (I don’t think the punishment is too harsh, Gustavo. What if every being brought two suitcases?)

3 In the time of the great flood, do not try to water ski off the back of the Ark. If you do, at best, you won’t lose your grip on the rope. At worst, the Ark is not going fast enough, and you’ll sink like a stone. (It doesn’t do much good to signal for help, Gerard. That giraffe has no idea what you mean.)

2 In the time of the great flood, do not ask Noah for a turn at the tiller. If you do, at best, he will turn you down flat. At worst, he will give you a spin. ( The fact that you don’t know North from South is not going to play well here, Gabe. Lucky, the mountain tops are fourteen cubits under the water. What’s a cubit, you ask? Go look it up.)

1 In the time of the great flood, when Noah asks you to release a dove, do not release that duck. If you do, at best, the duck will come back. At worst, the duck will be able to float, so there is no need to return to the Ark. (Noah is now asking you how to determine if the waters have receded.) “Wait until you see land,” is not the answer he is looking for, Gideon. Those water wings should help keep you up until you sight land. By the way, the shark following you has not eaten for a couple of weeks.)

Views of the Neighborhood – 4th of July Decorations

June 28, 2026June 27, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

SHRIMP SCAMPI – linguini noodles, shrimp stock, butter, herbs, cherry tomatoes, parmesan, breadcrumbs

SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS – spaghetti noodles, pork, veal, and beef meatballs, marinara, parmesan, herbs

BOLOGNESE- tagliatelle noodles, brisket, bacon, tomatoes, parmesan, herbs

CHICKEN PARMESAN – spaghetti noodles, marinara, mozzarella, herbs

PAN SEARED RED FISH – roasted cauliflower, roasted corn, heirloom grape tomatoes, castelvetrano olives, chimichurri

ROASTED CHICKEN – romesco sauce, brussels sprouts

Everybody board the bus.

Here is a double-duty decoration.

Little flags around the flower bed.

Full house display.

Flags in the rocks.

Bunting on a fence.

Flags in the beds.

More bunting and a flag.

Some bunting and little flags

Very curious. Small flags with individually solar-powered lights.

A pretty crape myrtle and tidy bow.

Well, that about does it. Time for food and music. I hope you have a great week and happy 4th.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Peak/Peek/Pique”

June 27, 2026June 26, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

Imagine my pique when I approach the coffee machine and see these words on the touchscreen. Of course, the action taken was as any red-blooded person would take. The touchscreen was cleared, and the two coffee buttons engaged. The coffee machine growled to life and delivered the elixir that would put to rest the hammer-meets-anvil sound in my head, indicating a dangerously low level of caffeine. The first sip does just that. The second, as we have come to expect, is accompanied by what sounds like the crashing crescendo of a Yamaha grand piano hitting the Grand Canyon floor. It is the Westminster chime of the doorbell and the baying of Igor’s hounds by Twiggy and Tempeste at the peak of their Barking Back to St Louis duet.

The toss of a bone into the soundproof room and a slam of the door brought Oh Happy Day back to life. A peek at the security monitor confirms that someone on the porch is none other than Pepé Le Pew. Hoping to be able to talk him out of a personal interaction, for obvious reasons, I ask if the envelope he is holding can be left. He assures me that a signature is needed. With a sigh, the security shut down is begun.

The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above the front door were fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. The front door is opened.

With a clothespin on my nose, the clipboard is signed and returned. A ten-dollar bill is clipped to the board, and the life tip is passed to Pepé. “Don’t play rugby in a cowfield.” The door is shut, and the envelope is opened. Inside is a note from Lnda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “peak/peek/pique.” Use one, use all three (for bonus points), use them any way you’d like. Enjoy!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here’s the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/06/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-27-2026/

“Well, nailed the bonus points.”

“Yup. Seemed to work well.”

“What about that coffee machine.”

“I’m the boss.”

“Okay but don’t you need coffee.”

“I do and I’m sure the machine knows that.”

“So shouldn’t you give it some time off?”

“Are you kidding me? It makes three cups of coffee a week. plus some speciality coffees on the weakend.”

“Sounds like a lot.”

“Oh please? It’s not like it is a Starbucks or something. The thing sleeps all day and night and only works five minutes a day.”

“Okay, okay. Didn’t mean to hit the pigue button.”

“Also it is not even near it’s peak capacity. A couple of old folks having coffee is nothing.”

“Okay, I get it. Let’s take a peek at the Uber car over there.”

“I give up. Whar the heck is that?’

“Look like a half finished Ford Bronco.”

“With a milk carton for a seat.”

“Yeah about that.”

“What?’

“The guy borrowed the carton so we have to use our own lawn chairs.”

“I can’t wait to get my hands on a cold VooDoo Ranger. Maybe things will get better.”

“I’ll go get the lwan chairs and the goggles.”

“Goggles?”

“There is a lot of dust and stuff in that Bronco. I’m sure it is going to blow around once we hit the highway.”

“So wearing winter white might be a mistake.”

“I hear Dalmation print is in.”

“Go get the chairs.”

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

June 26, 2026June 25, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

A ranger measuring a turtle’s shell and collecting data at the Canto camp. Image courtesy of The Turtle Foundation.

Today’s good news story comes from Mongabay.com and was sent to me by my correspondent Noelle Granger. Thank you, Noelle.

Former poachers guard Cabo Verde’s endangered sea turtles

by Sonam Lama Hyolmo

Former sea turtle hunters in Cabo Verde, off the coast of West Africa, have shifted to loggerhead turtle conservation work along the archipelago nation’s main nesting beaches. The change was propelled by 2018 legislation that criminalized killing threatened turtle species, Sonam Lama Hyolmo reported for Mongabay.

Rangers, around a dozen of whom used to poach or hunt turtles, now patrol key beaches where turtles lay their eggs, walking several kilometers each night during the nesting season, which runs from June to October. Turtle meat has historically been consumed in Cabo Verde and many other regions, creating a conflict between conservation needs and local customs. However, awareness campaigns and employment opportunities are helping to bridge that gap.

“I had turtle meat for personal consumption and never realized I could make a living out of conserving them,” Roni Nelson Batista Ramos, a ranger and camp coordinator at the Turtle Foundation, told Mongabay. “But now, I guard them against the poachers, and it’s motivating to see how these efforts have driven positive impacts for their conservation.”

Ramos and others monitor around 31 kilometers (19 miles) of coastline, patrolling the beaches on foot, and using drones and dogs for added assistance.

Roughly two-thirds of loggerhead turtle nesting activity in Cabo Verde happens on the eastern island of Boa Vista, which has seen a dramatic decline in illegal turtle hunting, according to the Turtle Foundation. In 2007, 1,253 female loggerheads were illegally caught on the island; by 2024, there were just 20. Over the same period, loggerhead turtle nests on Boa Vista increased more than sevenfold.

Cabo Verde’s loggerhead turtle population is the largest in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the third largest in the world, after Oman and southeast Florida.

Another four of the world’s seven sea turtle species roam the waters of the Cabo Verde archipelago: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).

Bycatch in fishing is another significant threat to sea turtles in the region. In 2024, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) renewed a five-year allowance for 56 fishing vessels from Spain, Portugal, and France to fish in Cabo Verdean waters.

Read the full story here. Warning: some photos are disturbing

The good news in this story is that those who hunt turtles are now protecting them, benefiting both. Today’s John Ku talks about reversing trends. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

Once there were hunters,

Who saw their game disappear . . .

They turned to help save.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Hello Kitty Pays a Visit.

June 25, 2026June 23, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 115 Comments

Hey, Tempeste. You have a guest.”

“Who is it?”

“Come and see for yourself.”

“Well, look at that. It’s Hello Kitty.”

“Yes. Dad just dropped her here.”

“Hmmm. Not sure playing with a kitty is a good thing.”

“Oh, come on. It’s just a stuffed toy.”

“What makes you think it’s not haunted or something?”

“My experience tells me it’s just something you can try and tear apart.”

“That is something I do well.”

“Well, why don’t you get to it?”

“I have a funny feeling about this one.”

“So how long are you going to ignore Hello Kitty?”

“Till I’m sure there is no funny business connected with it.”

“Whoa. It just moved.”

“You are just trying to scare me.”

“I’m not kidding. Look, it’s over by me now.”

“I’m hearing Twilight Zone music now. How did that happen?”

“Okay, Dad moved it.”

“Why did you do that, Dad?”

“I thought you would go after it.”

“Not only did you break the fourth wall, but you also overestimated my desire to play with something named Hello Kitty.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Direct”

June 23, 2026June 22, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

Today, I opened Eternal Road – The final stop randomly to page 143 and, with eyes closed, pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “direct.” This is our prompt today.

“You could be less direct, you know.”

“I don’t know. What do you mean?”

“Well, when I ask your opinion, you don’t have to come right to the point.”

“You want me to lie?”

“Not lie you oaf. Just be more subtle.”

“That’s a funny thing about you asking my opinion. I thought you wanted me to be honest.”

“Well, I do. I just think you could soften the response.”

“Give me an example.”

“The other day I asked if you thought I was gaining weight.”

“Yeah.”

“Instead of saying, ‘yes,’ you could have said, ‘I think you look wonderful.'”

“But you do look wonderful. That was not the question. It would be like answering a question about the weather with an order for dinner.”

“Not exactly. The question was designed to get a little assurance that you still love me.”

“But I still love you, fat or not.”

“Oh, there it is again.”

“Why don’t you ask me a question that can be answered without hurting your feelings?”

“Okay, I’ll give it a try. Do you find me attractive?”

“Yes, very.”

“Okay, that worked. What is it about me that you find attractive?”

“Your ability to catch fish.”

“Huh?”

“I love the way you can catch a fish without even trying.”

“I think this is heading in the wrong direction.”

“You and I both know that catching fish is very important.”

“So is love.”

“Who said anything about love?”

“So you do think I’m fat.”

“Absolutely. It’s the only way you’ll survive in this cold.”

“You know I could have had my pick of any sea lion on the ice.”

“I know, and you picked me, you cute as a button seal you.”

“Sweet talk will get you everywhere.”

“Let’s go fishing.”

The Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Founding of Harvard College in 1636.

June 22, 2026June 21, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

This post continues the Top Ten Things Not to Do with history as a backdrop. Harvard College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1636. This post was published on October 28, 2018.

The Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Founding of Harvard College in 1636.

10 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not suggest a celebration with a kegger party. If you do, at best, the kegger store will be closed. At worst, the administration will create a rule against keggers. (Congratulations, Fyodor. You are the first student at the college to be put on probation.)

9 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not pledge a fraternity where Tiny, the WWF champ, is a member. If you do, at best, Tiny will flunk out before you get there. At worst, Tiny, who was just criticized by the dean for unnecessary hazing, had ordered you to bend over. (Let’s hope the dean’s lecture has not made Tiny even angrier, Frederick. Is that paddle as big as it looks?)

8 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not organize a demonstration protesting the dorm food. If you do, at best, no one will join you. At worst, the college put you in charge of food procurement. (Looks like your fellow students are getting tired of squirrel stew, Falcon. I think I would try to raise a few vegetables if I were you.)

7 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not cut class on the first warm day. If you do, at best, you can get notes from the nerd. At worst, your professor will pull a pop quiz that is 20% of the term grade. (No amount of begging is going to help, Fallon. I would go to the infirmary and see if you can con someone into an excuse.)

6 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not try to organize a football team. If you do, at best, no one will know what you are talking about. At worst, you’ll find some players who are ready to play but can’t see a ball. (Looks like you will have to make one, Fraser. Try to get it a little rounder, okay. That thing looks like a fat sausage.)

5 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not go outside wearing that Yale sweatshirt. If you do, at best, no one will notice since Yale was founded in 1701. At worst, someone will take offense, thinking Yale is an acronym for Young American Liquor Enterprise. (You have to understand the Puritan Ethic is still pretty strong, Fiorello. The time in the stocks will go fast. Think positive.)

4 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not fail to return your library book on time. If you do, at best, the fine is only 1p a week. At worst, a press-gang will come looking for you. (It would have been easier to return the book, Ferril. Now you won’t get back to the college until your sea duty is over. Five years will go pretty quickly.)

3 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not try to organize the first co-ed dance. If you do, at best, your fellow students will just laugh. At worst, the administration will pass a rule prohibiting co-ed dancing. (Good luck finding a co-ed, Fabrice. The first sex-blind admissions were not until 1977. Oh, and you need to serve time in the dunking chair for the rule violation. I hope those hold-your-breath contests come in handy.)

2 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not park your horse in the faculty parking lot. If you do, at best, no one will need the space. At worst, Professor Curmudgeon will alert campus security to shoot you on sight. (Never thought taking a tenured professor’s parking place was that big of a deal, huh, Faddei. Those musket balls look like they would hurt.)

1 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not buy your books ahead of time at the used bookstore. If you do, at best, you might save money. At worst, the professor will change the course text with no notice. (Well, it looks like your used books will make excellent fire starters, Fadil. Better luck next term)