Life is what happens when you are making other plans~ John Lennon
An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind~Gandhi
The time is always right to do what is right~ Martin Luther King Jr.


Showing posts with label cute animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cute animals. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Funny Snake Memes

Snakes are one of the more popular choices in pet. They can range from small garter snakes, corn snakes and milk snakes to larger snakes, such as members of the python family or even boa constrictors or anacondas. But, of course, there are people out there who make funny memes that are just hilarious or hilarious and adorable. They can bring a smile to your face, a laugh to you or just brighten your day. Especially if you love animals. I especially love when people say snakes are dangerous and incapable of love. Then there are pictures out there proving snakes can be lovey dovey and cuddly and just plain adorable

I do love snakes; I think they are very beautiful creatures. I love the spots or colors they have. Absolutely gorgeous! Of course, it also helps to know how to differentiate the venomous from non-venomous species

Whenever I need a five minute breather at work, I'll go on Google and type in "funny animal memes" and just laugh. It gives me a five minute breather. Unless I'm laughing so hard I cannot breathe

















Thursday, April 17, 2025

10 Cultural Taboos to Avoid When Visiting Australia

Known as "Down Under" by a lot of people, Australia is one of the more popular places for people to travel. But, unfortunately, there are good, respectful tourists and then there are bad, disrespectful tourists. You can usually tell which group tourists fall into depending on what they say or do. According to MSN.com page Crazy Nomad, here are 10 cultural taboos to avoid when visiting Australia

Also, when in doubt, ask the locals. They are a treasure trove of useful information. By asking them what to do and what not to do, while explaining to them that you want to ensure you do things accurately and respectfully, you're showing respect for the cultural customs of that country and you're being a responsible, respectable tourist

This is on my travel bucket list. There are so many things I want to do and see if I get the chance to go to Australia

1. NEVER mock / make jokes about Aboriginal culture

-It's important to remember this: Remember whose country you're in. Making fun of / mocking the local Aboriginal culture is not just wrong, it's plain offensive. Aboriginal culture is a massive part of Australian culture and history, and as such, it would be bad to mock this. They have endured social injustices over the years, including "The stolen generations." This refers to Aboriginal children who were taken from their families. These children were put into households with non-indigenous people and denied access to their culture, language and more. When visiting Australia, ask questions about the culture, show a genuine interest in the history. For example, when visiting Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, don't touch the rock or climb on it. When you take time to ask curious questions, this shows you are taking an interest in the culture and showing an appreciation for the locals

2. Don't assume that everyone drinks alcohol or likes to casually party

-Australia does have a vibrant party scene, depending on where you're at. It's not safe to assume that everyone will be drinking at all hours of the day or partying. This can create stereotypes and make for some awkward situations. Many people in Australia refrain from drinking due to religious, cultural and personal reasons. Simply respect these choices that those individuals. Just because you're on vacation and want to drink does not mean you need to pressure someone into drinking. If you're unsure, ask that person. When you show that you are sensitive and understanding of various lifestyles, this will work out to your favor. It will put you in a good light with the locals and ensure that all interactions are open, inclusive and respectful

3. Don't mock / criticize Australia's love of sports

-In Australia, there are various sports that are widely loved by the population. Aussie Rules Football, known as AFL (Australian Football League) is one of the most popular sports. In addition to Aussie Rules Football, there's also cricket and rugby. Together, these sports hold a special importance to most Australians. Mocking them and/or criticizing them is wrong. Instead, engage in a conversation about said sports, ask questions. This shows that you are genuinely curious about the inner workings of that sport and shows respect for that sport. Even if sports are not your thing, asking curious questions to learn more about that sport shows you are respecting something that someone is passionate about. It helps you connect better with the locals and understand their traditions better

4. Avoid tipping excessively - it's not usual

-Australia is one country where tipping is optional. Workers earn good wages, so gratuities are not usually expected, like they are in the US. You can leave a small tip, which is appreciated. If you tip excessively, this will show that you are unfamiliar with local customs. Make sure to understand these local customs and respect these practices. By respecting these unique practices, your dining experience will become better. And, if in doubt, ask a local. The local residents provide a wealth of useful information that will result in success!!

5. NEVER confuse Australian and British cultures

-Their accents may sound similar, but they are not the same. Never, for one second, assume that Australian culture and British culture are the same. Yes, they do share historical ties, but that's where the similarity ends. Australia has a wonderfully unique cultural identity that the residents take high pride in. Simply assuming that the cultures of both Britain and Australia are the same shows you are dismissive and unaware. Australia has its own slang, traditions and a unique laid back way of life. Knowing the difference between British culture and Australian culture will help you build a rapport with the locals and, thus, earn their respect while also avoiding insulting their national pride

6. NEVER makes jokes about deadly wildlife - it's a hot button issue

-People do make frequent jokes about the deadly wildlife that exists in Australia. "Everything that can kill you lives in Australia." Australia does have wonderfully diverse and, yes, deadly wildlife that is native to this large country. But, deadly wildlife can live anywhere, not just Australia. Making jokes about it will come off as insensitive, offensive and just plain wrong. Those who live in areas where these deadly creatures live might be offended by the jokes; they have to contend with these creatures on a daily basis and know what risks they pose. Instead, ask curious and respectful questions about these forms of dangerous wildlife. Adopting this mindset will not only keep you from making a major cultural faux pas, it will also help give you an education into the unique biodiversity of the land known as "Down Under." And if you're still curious about the unique wildlife, visit any one of the fantastic zoos in Australia. The staff will provide a wealth of information about the interesting insects and animals that call Australia home

7. Do not discuss hot button issues like immigration or politics

-Politics, religion and immigration are hot button issues to avoid at all costs, no matter where you go. It's especially wise to avoid discussing these issues in Australia. If these topics do arise in conversation, keep an open mind. Be open to different points of view. Don't make assumptions or pass judgement. By keeping an open mind, you are showing respect to that other person and making them feel their opinion is also valued. It also helps show that other person that you understand the diverse social and political landscape of Australia

8. NEVER litter / disrespect the environment

-Australia is known for its rugged landscape and beautiful environments, which provide homes, food and more to the wonderfully diverse animal and insect life. Those in Australia take deep pride in their gorgeous landscape. By littering, you are disrespecting the environment. It's not only frowned upon to litter, but illegal. Dispose of your litter in proper ways, such as waste baskets or bins. Take part in eco-friendly ways of disposing of litter, such as recycling and avoiding single-use plastics. This shows you are being a responsible tourist, helping to keep the environment clean and also helps you show respect for the local values. Not only that, you will make a positive impact

9. Avoid being overly informal in professional settings

-While it's known that a laid-back lifestyle is common in Australia, there's a time and place to be laid-back and there's a time and place to not to be laid-back. It can come off as disrespectful if you're being overly casual in what seems like a professional setting. Until you are told / invited to use first names, it's better to address someone by their title or surname. Ensure you dress appropriately and maintain a polite, professional form of communication in the workplace. This will show that you respect / understand their professional requirements. This will help you build relationships and show awareness of the unique culture of Australia, especially in formal settings. And, if you're unsure, ask. Ask how someone would like to be addressed. Let them know that the reason you ask is to ensure you do things the right way. Asking always works and shows you want to ensure you do things respectfully

10. Avoid mocking / overusing Australian slang

-Australia is known for its unique slang. Mocking it or overusing it can be seen as disrespectful. Listen to how the locals speak and adopt the slang occasionally. This gentle hand approach shows you respect the locals culture without looking as though you're trying to fit in too hard

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

16 Nutty Facts About Squirrels

People either love squirrels or hate squirrels. These adorable little critters always make an appearance in gardens, especially if bird feeders are present. They are highly intelligent, but also goofy at the same time. Their antics make one giggle. According to MSN.com writer Shaunacy Ferro, here are 16 nutty facts about our furry friends of the forest in honor of National Squirrel Appreciation Day, which is on January 21 of every year

1. Squirrels are amazing jumpers

-These little critters can really jump. According to a study done by researchers at the National University of Singapore, plantain squirrels can jump more than 8 feet from a tree stump to a feeding area. Flying squirrels can travel farther, because of the flap of skin between their hands and feet, acting as a sort of sail, allowing them to glide

2. Squirrels are organized

-A study done in 2017 found that squirrels are more organized than most humans. They store nuts based on type. They were given a mix of nuts consisting of walnuts, pecans, almonds and hazelnuts and the squirrels used in the study took time to place each nut type in its own spot. It may have even been discovered that they separate nuts based on size

3. Squirrels can be forgetful, and it's their forgetfulness that helps grow new trees

-Tree squirrels are extremely important for the growth of new trees. While they take care to plant nuts in specific spots, they will tend to forget where they buried them from time to time. This forgetfulness has an important result-new trees. The acorns they bury result in new oak trees growing and more acorns for squirrels

4. Squirrels help truffles grow

-Truffles are a type of mushroom that grows underground. Unlike other mushrooms who spread spores through the air, truffles spread their spores through animals picking up the spores and carrying them and eventually depositing the spores elsewhere. Most squirrels eat truffles and when they relieve themselves, the spores come out on to the forest floor and start growing

5. Squirrels are one of the few mammals that can come down a tree head first

-Squirrel's ankles can rotate 180 degrees, allowing them the fantastic feat of going down a tree head first. They can rotate their paws to go up the tree just as fast

6. Several towns are battling it out for "Home of the White Squirrel"

-White squirrels are pretty rare, as are black squirrels. Squirrels tend to be a popular mascot for a lot of towns. There are various cities fighting to be known as the "Home of the White Squirrel." Those cities include Brevard, North Carolina, Kenton, Tennessee, Marionville, Missouri, Exeter, Ontario, Canada. Olney, Illinois is the city with the highest population of white squirrels. Local law states it's at least a $750 fine from the local police for killing one of these furry critters. They even have the legal right of way on roads. Even the city keeps a census on the creature. As of 1997, local government decided that cats were a threat to these majestic creatures and urged local residents to keep their cats from running loose. 2002 saw a 100 year White Squirrel Celebration. This involved a monument being created and even a "squirrel blessing" by a local priest. The police wore special squirrel-themed patches for the event

7. Squirrels could aid in research for strokes

-It might sound like something out of a fantasy, but it's becoming a reality. Since ground squirrels hibernate in the winter, and their brain functions during that time, scientists have been using this as a research to form new drugs to reduce the brain damage caused by strokes. When ground squirrels hibernate, they can lower their body temperature to as low as 26.7 degrees Fahrenheit. During this period, squirrels' brains undergo cellular changes to help adjust with reduced blood flow. Scientists are researching drugs that could mimic that process, only in the human brain, preventing cells from death when blood flow to the brain is reduced during strokes

8. Squirrel fur might have been how leprosy was spread in the Middle Ages

-In the 9th century, it was thought squirrels spread leprosy. Scientists believe that Vikings, who often had squirrel furs, helped unintentionally introduce the disease into other parts of Europe

9. Squirrels can do more damage than hackers

-There is a website called Cyber Squirrel 1 that documents every record of a squirrel or other animals causing mayhem to power services. This site goes back as far as 1987. There have been more than 1100 squirrel-related power outages across the world. In a 2016 survey concerning public power utilities, wildlife was the top cause for power outages. With most power companies, squirrels are the number one suspect

10. Squirrels heat up their tails to fend off predators

-California ground squirrels have an interesting way of fending off would-be attackers. Like cats, squirrels can puff up in defense mode. Squirrels will wave its tail at a would-be attacker to show its strength. When these attackers can sense the heat coming off of them, they back off

11. Squirrels are the best way of determining if a forest is healthy

-Scientists look at the local squirrel population to determine if a forest is healthy. Forests depend on seeds, spores and more to grow and support a good ecosystem. High populations of squirrels tell scientists that a forest is doing excellent, and providing more than enough food for not just squirrels, but other animals as well. Dwindling squirrel populations tell scientists that there is something wrong, whether it be logging, fires or other forest-changing events

12. Squirrels are liars

-Gray squirrels can deceive both humans and other squirrels. When burying their food, they will keep an eye on the area, and "pretend" to bury something and then pat the dirt down. This fools other squirrels into thinking there is food there, when there is really nothing. The squirrel will actually have the food in its mouth to bury in another spot. It's called tactical deception

13. Squirrels were once America's most popular choice of pet

-Most states require a permit to keep squirrels as pets, since they are wild animals. Once upon a time, it was commonplace to have a squirrel as a pet. Warren G. Harding, one of the Presidents of the United States, kept a squirrel named Pete. He would bring Pete to White House meetings, where members of the cabinet would bring nuts. Pet squirrel ownership has dwindled due to exotic animal laws

14. Just one squirrel can attract more squirrels

-In the 1800s, American cities rarely saw wildlife. In the summer of 1856, a gray squirrel escaped from its cage inside a New York apartment and earned a write up in The New York Times. The paper's article stated several hundred people gathered to stare at the tree where the squirrel was located and they tried to entice it down. It took a police officer to disperse the crowd. Unfortunately, the fate of the squirrel was not mentioned

15. Squirrels were used to teach compassion in the 19th century

-The mid-1800s seen squirrels being introduced into city parks. It was a chance for city dwellers to witness wild life at its most unique. It also taught young boys a lesson. Observing / feeding wild squirrels was seen as a way of turning boys away from cruelty. Ernest Thompson Seton, founder of the Boy Scouts, said in a 1914 article that cities should have "missionary squirrels" for boys to learn how to befriend them. He thought this was a great way to have boys learn compassion and sympathy. Feeding squirrels was also considered an act of charity. It was thought that, even if you couldn't provide charity for a human being, providing charity for the squirrels was a good way to give back

16. Squirrels hate tax season too

-Not present in big cities, most of the US was once overrun with squirrels. In Ohio, the main breed of squirrel is Eastern Gray Squirrel. Once there was such a large population of squirrels that they caused farmers to want to hunt them to reduce the numbers. 1807 seen the Ohio General Assembly adding squirrel bodies on top of their taxes. Taxpayers had to submit a minimum of 10 squirrel pelts to the town clerk a year. 

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Be Bear-Smart When Going Camping

It's only natural that when you go camping in the wilderness, that you're bound to encounter local wildlife. Especially bears. Bears can be dangerous because of their fast speed at which they can run, their long, sharp claws and their immense size. Here are some tips on how to stay bear-smart when camping.

According to the Ontario government's Bear Wise program, here are some tips they recommend on camping with bears in the area

Know your bears!
-Educate yourself on the various species of bear. There are numerous species of bear, from grizzly bears to polar bears to black bears and more. Depending on the region of the world you're in, you're bound to have at least one species of bear native to that area! In the US and Canada, there are three major species of bear: grizzly, black and polar.

Black bears aren't always black
-The only reason people call this particular species of bear black bears is because their fur is mostly black. This is the most common species of bear and is most often found in mountainous regions, like in parts of Canada and even in places like Gatlinburg, Tennessee. These bears can be black, blue-black, dark brown, cinnamon colored or even white

Grizzly Bears
-Mostly found in Western Canada and the United States, grizzlies are much larger than black bears and are more aggressive. They come in a wide array of colors, from blonde to dark brown

Polar Bears
-The fuzzy Alaskan and Northern cousins to the black bear and grizzly bear. These bears are particularly found in cold regions and are known for their fuzzy white fur. They are also said to hunt humans

Preventing Encounters
-The best tip to stay safe is to avoid encountering these large animals if you see them in the wild. Stay away from them if you see them. It's okay to take pictures of them, as long as you are doing it at a distance to where they don't feel you are threatening them

Never surprise a bear
-This could be a fatal decision. When hiking, make noise when walking through the woods. This alerts bears in the area that you are coming. Bears will only attack if they feel threatened. Otherwise, they will turn and run. Bears don't like to be surprised. Making noise gives them time to make a getaway

Make noise
-Sing, use a bear bell, do anything to make noise. Making noise will let wildlife, especially bears, know you are coming, and they will run away. Purchase a "bear bell" to attach to you, your children or dog so they make noise when they move

Travel in groups or hike with friends
-Never travel alone in the wilderness. Bears are far less likely to approach a large group of people. Travel in groups for safety

Keep a safe distance
-Maintaining a safe distance not only keeps you safe, but it also allows the bear to stay safe. It will tell the bear that you are not a threat to them. If you see bears out in the wild, stay at least 100 feet away. You can take pictures or use binoculars, but do not approach the bear!

Keep a clean campsite!
-Bears love nothing more than food. If you have a messy campsite with food containers strewn about, then it's only natural that bears are going to smell the food and come to investigate. Bears have a highly strong sense of smell. Do not store food in your tent. Maintain a clean campsite and put food in a tightly locked cooler

Hang up your food
-It might sound strange, but if you use bear-resistant bags to hang food up in a tree, hang it up at least 4 meters off the ground and and 1 meter away from the trunk. While bears are good climbers, they won't be able to climb that high

Keep your dog tethered on a leash
-It's only natural that a dog will want to chase wildlife. Anyone who has walked a dog in a park can attest to their dog wanting to chase squirrels. Out in the wilderness, especially if you are camping in bear country, it's important to keep dogs safe by keeping them tethered on a leash or harness. A dog roaming freely could incite a defensive attack on the bear's part, or the bear could chase the dog back to their owner

Don't bother a bear!
-This is not a good idea. If you see a bear in the distance, simply stay away. Bears are dangerous and unpredictable, especially if they feel threatened. Simply leave the area and give the bear its space

Stay calm
-The last thing you want to do in a bear situation is panic. Staying calm tells the bear you are not a threat to them. Hearing you talk to them in a calm, clear voice that is not yelling, but calmly talking will tell them you are not a threat to them

Take shelter if you can
-If you have to, take shelter inside a vehicle or building if you encounter a bear

Do not run!
-If you think that, for one second, you can out run a bear, you're fatally mistaken. Bears can run at incredibly fast speeds. And with the weight of muscle behind them, that makes them even faster! They can run up to 50 km/hour and they respond to quick movement. The best way to escape the situation is to remain calm and back away slowly, keeping your eyes to the ground. Like any animal, if you look a bear directly in the eyes, they may take that as a challenge

If the bear is calm, keep quiet
-If you're yelling, then the bear is going to react to that. If you're calm, then the bear is going to react to that. If the bear is calm, quiet and not showing any sort of aggressive behavior, such as clawing at the ground, moaning or growling, the best option would be to avoid spooking the bear. Speak softly and calmly to the bear as you slowly back away. This will tell the bear you are not a threat

If the bear becomes aggressive...
-...then get noisy. Bears don't like noise. If they are exhibiting aggressive behavior, bang pots, make any kind of noise. This will make you seem scary and hopefully scare the bear off

Make yourself big
-It sounds strange, but if you make yourself seem bigger, the bear will be impressed with your size and decide it isn't worth the risk of injury to itself. This is only recommended if the bear is showing aggressive behavior

Don't climb a tree
-As mentioned before, in the tip about hanging food from a tree, bears are excellent climbers. Despite the popular myth that climbing up a tree will protect you from bears, it won't work. Bears are excellent climbers and will follow you right up the tree

Don't play dead
-This is an urban myth that doesn't work. Like the concept of climbing up a tree to avoid bears. Playing dead will not deter a bear. Authorities firmly believe that if you are attacked by a bear, the best option is to fight back as good as you can

When you encounter a mother bear with cubs
-The only time "playing dead" will work is in situations where you encounter a mother bear with her cubs. She is clearly not out looking for food. She will leave you alone as long as you leave her alone. Roll into a fetal position to protect vital organs

Bear Spray - Use as Needed
-When camping in bear country, it's a good idea to have what is called "bear spray". It's important to know how to use it. It can deter bears from coming closer or even attacking

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Heart-Warming Stories That Put a Little Faith Back in Humanity Pt II

Anymore, all we hear are negative stories on the news and read them on the internet. But how often do we get to read stories where someone else thinks of others before themselves? Stories of people helping one another? It's not too often. Here are some good stories of others helping others.

26. For the people in the back

-There's a fine line between being safe and being nice. If you're a woman, that line is even finer. Women are on constant alert from being victims of violence, from both strangers and people we know

-If prioritizing your own personal safety means alienating people, who think you're a queen B, then clearly, you don't need those negative influences in your life. Safety is always more important than how someone feels if you put your safety above their feelings. Follow your intuition, instincts and gut feelings. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Your gut instinct will hardly ever lead you astray







27. Your friendly neighborhood Spiderman

-Photoshop from Adobe can be used for all sorts of things. It can be used by professional graphic designers to create artwork and more. It can also be used by us everyday people for various reasons. It's tricky at first to learn, but when you start getting the hang of it, the possibilities are endless

-Clearly this parent is overjoyed with the program Photoshop

28. Stress Test

-Not everyone retains memory about stuff. If you're learning a foreign language, you can't just pull out your notes every time you need to know to say something. Or if you are in some other job, you can't just pull out your notes

-In some situations, what really matters is where to look for the info, not whether you can reel it off from the top of your head

29. Beautiful diversity

-In almost every office in the world, you'll often deal with or work with someone who is different. Whether it be a different culture, different religion, different sexuality, etc. It seems like in years past, people have become far less tolerant about things. In fact, pre 9/11, you hardly had a lot of issues regarding those who were Muslim or different. In fact, there were hardly any issues at all; we all seemed to get along far better. After 9/11, it seems that almost everyone who was Muslim was seen as "the enemy", just like those of Japanese descent were seen in the 1940s, during WWII. Now that 9/11 is over, everyone seems to people into groups based on this fact or that

-It's incredibly beautiful to see that coworkers came together to buy something for this employee, who happens to be Muslim. They banded together to buy a beautiful prayer mat and a beautiful box to put it in so he can do his daily prayers. Even the box has a uniquely beautiful Middle Eastern touch to it. That's how you show diversity successfully

30. Doggone

-Some say it's silly to mourn the loss of a pet because it's just an animal. Animals are more than that. They provide companionship, someone to adore and love and love you right back. Pets are members of our family. They're goofy, have unique personalities and we grow attached to their quirkiness, whether it be a childhood pet or a pet you get later on. When they pass on to that great land above, it's hard to get over their loss. Sometimes, adults still mourn the loss of their pets

-I hope that this is true. That when we get to Heaven, our beloved animal friends are waiting there for us, waiting for one more game of fetch, one more round of meowing or playing with yarn or chirping or other stuff other pets do

31. Romantic cooking

-Movies often skew the idea of being romantic. They make it seem so easy. That all it takes is some romantic mood and cooking to woo someone. But, everyone who is in a relationship has a different take on "romantic cooking" or "romance" in a relationship

-Being married is tough, but as long as you both get through the tough times together, there's going to be everlasting love, laughs and more

32. A proud father

-Not everyone is so supportive of their kids if they come out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. It's something that a lot of people are still getting used to-the idea of their son or daughter liking either the same sex or both sexes. But, thankfully, a lot of parents are realizing that they love their children, no matter what. That who they love is not important; as long as they are happy

-Here is a strongly supportive dad supporting his daughter, who just married a woman. Clearly he supports his daughter and her partner

33. Following the rules

-Shepherd dogs are usually used to round up sheep and other livestock. These dogs are incredibly intelligent, follow orders to the T, understand commands from the humans who care for them, they understand what their job is. They even understand where to lead the creatures they look after

-You almost can't be mad because you're too busy laughing. Clearly this dog did its job well. The only downside is that the sheep didn't belong to that farmer. They were just random sheep from local areas

34. A cute little prodigy

-Raccoons are smarter than people give them credit for. Yes, they are one of the highest carriers of rabies, but aside from that, they are cute little intelligent creatures capable of anything

-The best thing ever about this is the look of joy and happiness on that little raccoon's face. You could stare at that for hours and just be so proud of that cute little raccoon

35. Everybody everywhere

-It's funny that the things we remember as kids stick with us forever

-This little song helped people clean up and at least enjoy doing it

36. Bed buddy

-A lot of people have a strict rule about no dogs in bed. For some, that lasts all of five minutes. For some that means what it sounds like-no furry critters in the bed. For this woman, clearly her pooch keeps her company when her boyfriend is not home

-It's often comforting to know your furry friend is there

37. Happy Ending

-Something you normally only find in movies and books, this is something you rarely see in real life. It's one of those "once in a blue moon", rare type situations

-This guy was able to successfully say he had cancer and also beat it in the same screen shot

38. A snake Rocking out

-Community art projects are meant to bring communities together and brighten someone's day. Clearly the inventor of this community art project hit it out of the park with their rock snake

-This is a cute idea for a community art project

39. Boyfriend of the Year Award

-Taking criticism without getting defensive is hard. But with some people, they take criticism and turn it into positivity

-This guy is avoiding the knee jerk reaction of anger and defense and trying to do better

40. A Beautiful Helmet

-People say appearance is everything. Unfortunately, in this world we live in, appearances also encourage judgement of others. Everyone gets judged on their appearance "too fat", "too thin", "too pale", "too dark", "too" anything. When it comes to construction workers, these men and women are tough as nails and would never do something to make themselves look less than tough

-This construction worker has two daughters who felt they needed to decorate their dad's hard hat. It's almost as if he put his daughters' happiness and entertainment above what others think about that

41. A+ Shirts

-Wearing matching shirts is cheesy in some people's eyes. It can also be cute and even hilarious

-If it's older couples wearing matching shirts, it's both cute and hilarious. It's even more hilarious if it has a silly pun on it

42. Dogs in Hats

-Sometimes it's the little things in life that bring the most smiles. Animals are one thing that everyone can agree on making them smile.

-It seems that dogs in hats make people smile a lot

43. Let yourself enjoy things

-Life is too short to waste time on things. We have so little time on this planet, that we should enjoy the things we have and the time we have on this planet

-It's all about enjoying all that life has to offer while we're here

44. Couples who slay together, stay together

-There are times when you look at couples and think "You were definitely made for each other". And that gives you hope that everyone can find someone. You just have to look a little harder than others sometimes

-Clearly she knows someone who gives out giant swords upon graduating university

45. Bad dates

-It's almost a stereotype that men forget anniversaries. As for bad dates, a lot of people have had them. But in our modern world, where everyone, including young children, have smartphones, there's always a way to remember something

-This gentleman had a momentary slip of memory. He didn't know you could put an anniversary on the calendar and set it to repeat the same day each year. A woman at this person's company was on top of the situation and seen to it that it was taken care of

46. Kind words

-All it takes are some kind words to put a smile on someone's face. It's even better when you encounter a military vet and tell them something like "thank you for your service to the country" or "cool hat" if it's a veteran-related hat. And sometimes social media can be used for good. Like posting a good natured story that warms hearts and brings smiles. While the other side of that coin involves posting something that might seem a little controversial and suddenly you're in a hurricane of crazy

-Sometimes, you get kind words from people you don't know or people you don't expect. In this case, a local Orthodox priest. Sometimes, social media can bring about good things. And you get support from people when you least expect it

47. Checkmate

-It's way too easy to get caught up in our own lives. We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of going to work, coming home from work, cooking dinner, getting ready to go to bed only to repeat the process the next day. You can break that cycle. Change things up. You can do things like make connections in your community

-If you saw this guy at a mall, it wouldn't hurt to ask if it's okay to sit down to a game of chess with him. He probably makes this a habit to clear his mind or maybe he came there with someone so long and they passed away and he keeps up the tradition

48. What's in a name?

-Scientists have been naming creatures after pop culture icons for generations. It's nothing new

-Clearly the unique names scientists give creatures shows they do have a sense of fun. They just have to be a bit business when it comes to their job. But that doesn't mean they can't have fun on the job

49. Crazy Cats

-Cats are interesting creatures. They sneak up on you like little furry ninjas. They have built in weapons. And also, they're very cuddly and they know when you're not feeling well. They'll make sure they're there to soothe your pains away, and of course, get cuddles in the process

-Cats do make interesting noises as well

50. What a crochet

-True love can be defined in so many ways by so many couples. Some couples think true love is wearing matching outfits. Some couples think true love is being able to read the other's mind. Sometimes true love is even making sacrifices for yourself or your wife/husband or boyfriend/girlfriend

-The fact that this man's wife loves to crochet and he is in full support of her hobby shows true love there

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Heart-Warming Stories That Put a Little Faith Back in Humanity Pt I

Anymore, all we hear are negative stories on the news and read them on the internet. But how often do we get to read stories where someone else thinks of others before themselves? Stories of people helping one another? It's not too often. Here are some good stories of others helping others.

1. A cute cat

-Let's face it. Animals are smarter than us. Crows can learn to use tools. Pigs recognize their reflections in mirrors. Dogs can be trained to medical alert dogs to detect changes in our bodies and know if a medical emergency is afoot

-Clearly this kitten is intelligent when they see humans exchanging green stuff to get fish

2. One Bus Ride Can Change A Lot of Things
-Homeless people on the street is nothing new. Some are friendly in their approach. Others are aggressively begging, almost threatening people if they don't fork over some money. There are not too many people who take the time to contemplate new ways of helping them
-This woman's idea of helping people was using her bus rides to help the homeless get jobs. Judging from the scream, she got the news she wanted-the man she was helping was able to secure employment. She got a call that proved her actions are working

3. Heroic Firefighters

-Firefighters are among the toughest around. The men and women that fight fires are some of the real heroes out there. Their job is tough; wearing heavy gear, fighting 100+ degree blazes. But it all pays off when lives are saved.

-The father died, but was brought back to life by one of these heroes. Now the firefighter gets to meet the son whose father he saved

4. Mother's memory

-We all have good and bad memories of parents. Sometimes, when they've been gone a while, the smallest things will remind us of the good times

-Here's the moral: don't second guess yourself. If you can do something kind for another, do it without a second thought. The person in this story got the memory of a lifetime-hearing her mother's voice all because of a stranger reaching out via social media

5. Wow, what a journey

-Halle Bailey is making a name for herself as not only the first black actress to play the Disney princess Ariel, who was originally a redhead, in The Little Mermaid, but also as a singer

-Her grandfather came from hard times. Watching his father pick cotton is a pretty good indicator that not only was his father a sharecropper, but his son was too

6. Overcome the past

-The old saying "you can never change your past" is true. You can't go back in time to change your past because it would alter your future. The Back to the Future films should teach you that. Coming from families that are physically or emotionally abusive will have you definitely not wanting a family of your own. And there's also the worry of passing on that same behavior to your kids. It's a vicious cycle that's nearly impossible to break

-It can be overcome. With a little hard work and dedication, every obstacle can be overcome

7. Kindness at the Beach

-Love can overcome all, whether it be skin tones, religions, languages and more. When the person who offered this story, a Muslim woman lost her hijab, the traditional head covering worn by Muslim women, leaving her feeling bare and exposed, another woman came up to her and gave it back to her

-While the woman who offered help didn't have the same cultural issues as the Muslim woman, the thought behind the action is still what counts. The kindness behind the action is important

8. Hair from the Heart

-We all have read about the battles cancer patients have to fight. Losing hair is the #1 issue. A lot of companies make wigs for patients out of real hair donated by salons and barber shops. But what some of these companies don't put out there is that these patients often have to pay a lot of $$$ for these wigs. Losing hair during a cancer battle may not seem like a big deal, but it's part of your identity

-This woman's son grew his hair out just to make a wig for his mother. And it worked out for both of them. They're both incredibly happy

9. A mother's love

-When someone loses a child, it can be traumatic. You pour your love into other sources just to get through the grief. This woman put all of her love into the canine variety

-Even though Daisy lost all of her puppies in a barn fire, she looks so joyful and content taking care of the foster puppies. She gets to be a dog mom after all

10. Fancy

-Getting expressions of love and support are always gratifying. This poster got some love and support from an unexpected source-a cleaning lady

-It's incredibly sweet that the maid wishes this man happy pride month. She calls it the month your people celebrate being fancy. How sweet of her

11. What a Steve

-There's a concept out there that people who get nicknamed "Karen" are people who insist on seeing the manager at stores for the stupidest things or insist on not following the rules. People who are actually named Karen get stereotyped for this bad behavior. And to have your named used as an insult and swear word must be worse

-There are good people named Steve. Like, for example, the bottom right corner. If it was not for Steve Irwin, a lot of kids would not have learned about the various animals that inhabit our planet

12. Joy in the little things

-It's always better to find joy in the simple things in life. Take this mouse, for example. Someone thought it was a good idea to give her an ultrasound. Afterwards, she was on cloud nine, getting warm air from a hair dryer to dry her off after getting the ultrasound goo off

-This mouse looks like she is on cloud nine. She's enjoying every second of that lovely warm air

13. Women can play sports too

-Women are fighting a big battle to have their sports accepted right alongside men's sports. Many people don't find women's sports exciting or don't want to give them a try. Clearly, one bar owner decided to give it a try and it turned out to work

-Whatever is the key to success for this bar owner, it needs to be repeated

14. Repair, Reuse, Recycle

-It seems like when something looks less new and looks old, dated, we just throw it out without a second thought. Many cultures are incredibly wasteful in their mindsets. If it's old, we throw it out. If it's broken, we just throw it out and get something new. But many people are taking the liberty of repairing, reusing and even recycling items into something new

-It's always important to learn how to repair, reuse and recycle. It was done in the eras of our grandparents, who grew up with very little money and had to make do and mend

15. A complete 360

-Some people find it frustrating to have to wait a long time to see a doctor. You'd think they would be a little more considerate given that the doctors do have other patients. But for some people, just being in a doctor's office is a different experience

-The person who donated this story has an extra reason to smile. She survived childhood cancer and grew up to work as a nurse in the very same hospital where other doctors and nurses worked hard to save her

16. What's important to you?

-An interesting thought to have: if your house was suddenly on fire, and you only had time to grab one thing, what would it be? Whatever you choose will tell a lot about you and what you choose to prioritize

-It's both sad and sweet. It's sad because his home is a smoking ruin. It's sweet because he chose his cat as the most important item in the world. He doesn't care if he's temporarily homeless, as long as he has his cat, he's content

17. When can we see each other again?

-Social media can be used for all the wrong reasons. Cyber bullying. Spreading misinformation. It's rare when people use social media for good reasons. And thankfully, when people do take to to social media for good reasons, we get to hear about them either on the news or we read them

-This woman, who went on a cruise with her family, had befriended another little girl and had lost touch over the years. She took to Twitter to see if she could find this girl. Years later, this girl reaches out and they meet up

18. A reason for joy

-Some people don't feel appreciated for various reasons. The person who donated this picture has a solution

-A rescue animal is always a good choice. Those dogs and cats want nothing more than absolute cuddles and love from people. Judging from the almost smile on that dog's face, they are in heaven with their new owner

19. A little kindness goes a long way

-A true measure of people is how they treat those who are beneath them. Many people treat people such as waiters/waitresses, cleaning staff, customer service, secretaries and more horribly because they are considered to be not worthy of respect or kindness

-Whether people realize it or not, janitors are real people. This janitor is grateful that someone became his friend, all through the simple act of having a cup of coffee with him. Unfortunately, with some janitorial staff, they're not always nice, even if you show them kindness. In those situations, simply kill them with kindness

20. A brainy pair

-How some careers pay more and some pay less, there's a disconnect somewhere. The vitally important jobs such as medicine, airline crew, etc., don't get paid well while entertainment careers pay exorbitant amounts of money for something like singing, playing instruments or throwing/kicking a ball around. There's a serious disconnect somewhere

-These two surgeons look like rugs-they're beat. I would be too if I just completed a 32 hour surgery. They just finished a high risk surgery and yet they don't get paid too well. While athletes get paid millions just for throwing/kicking a ball around, driving a racecar or musicians get paid to play instruments and sing

21. Canine compassion

-Whether people acknowledge it or not, animals understand grief and loss. They get sad too. Animals can grieve over the loss of someone they care about

-One would think that with one animal out of the way, it's more food for them. But clearly this dog misses their sibling and still carries on the tradition of saving food for them

22. Gotta Catch 'Em All

-This is a phrase usually uttered by fans of the anime program Pokemon. There are fans all over the world dedicated to this anime program

-It's the thought that counts. Even if this mom doesn't do any kind of art, she at least made an effort for her son's 21st birthday. Good for her

23. By the power vested in me

-These words are usually uttered by someone ordained and finishing a wedding service. Sometimes people do matching outfits because they have a goofy, fun loving personality

-This family seems all too happy to match. And that is just adorable

24. I Wanna Hold Your Hand

-One of the more popular songs by British pop group The Beatles, in this particular case, talking to strangers can create an interesting memory

-This person had a stranger holding their hand and now they'll have a hilarious memory to cherish

25. Be honest about something you don't know

-It's completely okay to ask for help or ask questions when you don't know. It's not good to assume you know everything when in reality you don't have a clue

-Not only does admitting that you may not know something make you more honest, it models the people around you to do the same. Be honest when you don't know something. It's completely okay to tell them that you are unsure of something and that you can do some research to get accurate information