THE MOTHER OF THE MCCAUGHEY SEPTUPLETS AND HER SISTER (Photo by Ambassador/Sygma/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
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On November 19, 1997, Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey of Carlisle, Iowa, made history, welcoming the world’s first set of surviving septuplets. Now, the famous siblings — Brandon, Kenny, Natalie, Kelsey, Joel, Alexis, and Nathan — will soon turn 25, and the world is checking in on how things have changed since that fateful day.
For one, the home they grew up in alongside older sister Mikayla, which was donated to the family after the historic birth, has since been sold to a good cause. It’s now owned and operated by a local nonprofit that houses and supports young mothers.
“As our kids are leaving the nest, it seems to be the right time to start a new chapter,” Bobbi told the Des Moines Register in 2018. “We have been blessed to receive such a wonderful gift, and nothing would please us more than the idea of our home being used as a place of refuge to others in need.”
As for the septuplets, they are all grown up and several are starting families of their own. Click below to learn more about each of them, including their jobs, where they’re living, and their best traits — all according to Mikayla.
Bobbi McCaughey said the septuplets’ older sister, Mikayla, was the best person to describe her seven siblings. Three years ago, Mikayla wrote something to each on their birthday. Their mother said the letters perfectly described the seven, and she read parts of them.
Brandon
Married to Alana with a daughter, Ellie. In light of security concerns with his military career, the family does not disclose where he’s living.
Career: Sergeant in the U.S. Army.
Best known for: His hard work and dedication.
Mikayla’s comments: “He is the most hardworking and driven person I know. He continues to make himself better and push toward new goals while being funny and giving positive encouragement to those around him.”
Kenny
Lives in Dallas Center with his wife, Synthia. They’re expecting a child in late November.
Career: Cabinet maker at Waukee Cabinet Works.
Best known for: His love of building and sense of humor.
Mikayla’s comments: “He is hilarious and kind and has a servant’s heart who is always willing to help those who need it. He is always willing to share his snacks without complaining.”
Lives in Hannibal, Missouri, with her husband, Shawn Geralds.
Career: Working on her master’s degree in athletic training at Culver-Stockton College.
Best known for: Her hard work.
Mikayla’s comment: “She is gracious and hospitable and always has encouraging things to say.”
Kelsey
Lives in Hannibal, Missouri, with her husband, Kevin Morrison.
Career: After earning a degree in public relations at Hannibal-LaGrange University, she worked in public relations before becoming a receptionist at a medical office.
Best known for: Her singing.
Mikayla’s comment: “She has reminded me countless times to love one another as Christ does, and she practices what she preaches. She is always willing to share her makeup and clothes.”
Career: Works in IT at Emerson Electric in Marshalltown.
Best known for: His quiet nature and smarts with computers.
Mikayla’s comment: “It turns out you are pretty funny, Joel. You are so smart and talented and gifted, and I know you will accomplish great things in the future.”
Alexis
Lives with her parents in Runnells.
Career: After earning a liberal arts degree at Hannibal-LaGrange, she works at Altoona Kids World.
Best known for: Her dedication to children, especially those with special needs like her, and her kindness.
Mikayla’s comments: “She is sweet to whoever she meets no matter who they are or what they are like. That is a unique and wonderful quality.”
Nathan
Lives in Des Moines.
Career: Works in IT at Wellmark.
Best known for: His willpower in moving forward and thriving, despite his challenges with cerebral palsy.
Mikayla’s comments: “His laugh will never stop being easy to make fun of, but thanks for being a good sport. He is funny and smart and always willing to help his not-so-tech-savvy family with their tech problems.”
Bessie Hendricks is the oldest living person in the United States. She celebrated Last Monday with three of her kids in Lake City.
At 115 years of age, Bessie Hendricks has lived through some things.Twenty-one presidents. Two world wars. A depression. The sinking of the Titanic. And even two Chicago Cubs World Series championships (1908 and 2016).
According to the Gerontology Research Group, she is the oldest person living in the United States and the fourth oldest person in the world. “I don’t know how you put it into words,” said her daughter, Joan Schaffer, who turned 90 a day earlier. “It’s marvelous that we still have her.”
All three of Hendricks’ surviving children joined her for a birthday party at Shady Oaks Care Center in Lake City. They all highlighted what a hard worker she was.
“Her mother died when she was about 13,” Schaffer said. “I think mom was about 13 years old. And she raised her siblings after that.”
The siblings sang to their mom, held hands and enjoyed a moment few in the world ever have.
“She’s always caring about her family,” said Leon Hendricks, her son. “She always did that. Family came first to mom. Always.”
NEW YORK, US - NOVEMBER 6: Over 50,000 athletes and participants ran the 51st edition of the 51st edition of TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 6. People laced up their running shoes for the 26.2-mile journey across all five boroughs. The organization, which is one of the biggest marathons in the world, gave New Yorkers great excitement. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Finishing the New York City Marathon is a major feat in and of itself, but finishing it in under four hours as a duo is another level of achievement. On Sunday morning, Steve Bluhm and Bobby Imamura teamed up to complete the iconic race together, and crossed the finish line as the second fastest duo team and in the top fifth of all competitors.
Even more remarkable, Bluhm is 71 years old and is battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, so Imamura pushed him in a wheelchair for all 26.2 miles. “I was a runner for years, but I’ve never done a marathon. It’s incredible that I get to experience the New York City Marathon at age 71,” Bluhm said in a press release shared with Nice News.
“To see Bobby and Steve come together, it’s magical,” added Steve Becvar, the vice president of sports and entertainment for the ALS Association. “They did not know each other prior to making the commitment for the NYC Marathon. However, they bonded right away. It’s as if they did know each other. Both are competitors, ALS is highly personal, and they are determined to impact this disease by completing the world’s largest marathon. It’s truly inspiring.”
A girl, 8, from Bath has become the youngest person in the world to use prosthetic legs with computerised knees.
Harmonie-Rose Allen had all her limbs amputated after she contracted meningitis when she was ten months old.
She was fitted with microprocessor knees three months ago as part a trial at Dorset Orthopaedics. The internal computer, designed by manufacturer Ottobock, can constantly monitor Harmonie-Rose’s movements and makes adjustments to the knee’s resistance.
Harmonie-Rose said: “I love them. On a scale of one to ten – it’s a ten! I’m really enjoying them.”
The new prosthetic legs allow Harmonie-Rose to bend her knee while walking for the first time. It means she has more control when sitting down, can independently stand up from the floor on her own and walk in a more natural way.
Harmonie-Rose’s mum Freya Hall said: “Harmonie trialled them for about a month at home just to see if they were the right thing for her. Basically they changed her life within a week.
“We knew straight away. Harmonie was able to walk along so much more comfortably.”
Staff at Dorset Orthopaedics believe she is the youngest in the world to use this type of technology.
Matt Hughes, who is Managing Director of Dorset Orthopaedic, has been working with Harmonie-Rose since she was three years-old.
Mr Hughes said: “Previously she was wearing legs that had fixed locked knees with really springy carbon fibre feet.
“She was functional in terms of she could get around. But she was not walking in a symmetrical normal fashion because her knees were locked.
“For her to then be able to do simple day to day tasks like sitting and standing was difficult to do and to do safely.”
Mr Hughes adds that by giving her knees which are still constrained but give some control have allowed her to move in a more conventional way.
But Harmonie-Rose says the biggest benefit to her new prosthetic legs is that she can wear knee length socks and tights for the first time, something she says is truly “amazing.”
Freya added: “It’s opened up a lot of opportunities that we take for granted every day.”
A dozen Wisconsin monarch butterflies that emerged or soon will emerge from their chrysalises two months past normal will get a big lift from FedEx.
The monarchs, neatly packaged in an insulated FedEx box, will make a 1,600-mile overnight journey from Appleton International Airport in Greenville, Wisconsinto a home in Mission, Texas, to catch up with fellow monarchs already in South Texas on their migration to Mexico.
Jack Voight, president of the nonprofit organization, said $130 is a small cost to save 12 monarchs, which otherwise would be in peril on their flight to Mexico at this time of year due to a lack of nectar along the way and the potential for freezing temperatures.
“If we can save 12 monarchs, and half the monarchs are females, each one will lay 400 eggs next spring,” Voight told The Post-Crescent, part of the USA TODAY Network. “So we’re going to increase the population. The population has gone down by 80 to 90%.“
The monarchs were found as eggs by Alicia Griebenow on her and her husband’s property in the town of Dale. Griebenow plants seven varieties of milkweed in her yard to attract monarchs. Milkweed is the only plant monarch caterpillars eat.
Griebenow’s efforts resulted in the raising and release of 204 monarchs this year.
“I was concerned early on that it was a bad year,” she said, “but it took off, and it was once again a part-time job.”
No one knows why this last generation of monarchs lingered in Wisconsin. The lifecycle from egg to adult butterfly takes about 30 days, so the female or females would have laid the eggs at the beginning of October.
Griebenow and Voight both speculated that the tardiness might be an effect of climate change. Last year, Voight also sent late-season monarchs on an overnight flight to Texas. All but one survived.
“Something’s going on,” Voight said. “More of these monarchs are now producing eggs later in the season.”
When Griebenow found the eggs in early October, she was aware of a line of thought that she should let nature take its course and leave the eggs in the elements to perish. As a monarch enthusiast, though, she just couldn’t find it in her heart to leave them and brought them inside.
The eggs soon hatched, and the caterpillars (larvae) voraciously fed on milkweed until they spun into chrysalises.
As the monarchs emerged from the chrysalises, Griebenow fed them a solution of one part homegrown honey and eight parts water in preparation for the FedEx flight to Texas.
The monarchs were shipped in a state of torpor, as the insulated box contained a cold pack. Voight gently pinched the wings of each butterfly and carefully placed it in an envelope, then in a second envelop and then in the box. He also prepared three chrysalises for the trip.
“This is emotional for me,” Griebenow said as she watched the process. “I get into this.”
Voight said the monarchs needed an assist this late in the year. The overnight flight will cut 1,600 miles from their migration.
“Most monarchs left our area two months ago,” he said. “If we release them now, they would die because there’s not enough nectar on the way to Mexico,” where they overwinter.
My two favorite breads are Whole Wheat Sourdough and Multi Grain Bread. The article says this is a Beginners, but I’ll pass. I usually get mine from a Amish or Mennonite Bakery. No Preservatives.
Tangy, chewy sourdough bread is a lot easier to make than you think. I’ll walk you through how to make sourdough bread, with lots of tips and advice along the way.
Aged 90, Brian Wilson is undoubtedly among the world’s oldest working lorry drivers. And, after more than 70 years on the road, he has no plans to apply the handbrake just yet. BBC News’ Kevin Shoesmith went along to meet him at a Sheffield haulage yard.
Brian Wilson does not bother with a sat nav. He does own a road atlas, although he tells me “it’s about 40 years old” and, in any case, is kept in his car boot.
“I don’t need a sat nav or a map,” says Brian, straightening up, “it’s all up here.” The 90-year-old, sporting a high-vis jacket over an old jumper, grins and taps his temple to reinforce the point.
We are sitting in the cab of Brian’s 1993, ‘L-reg’ lorry. Next to the modern Scania trucks lined up in this haulage yard, on the outskirts of Sheffield, Brian’s lorry stands out.
The gearstick is held together with tape, the upholstery has seen better days and there is a whiff of tobacco. But, like him, it ploughs on.
According to Guinness World Records, the oldest male HGV licence-holder is the UK’s Jack Fisher, at 88 years and four days, as of 27 January 2021.
But Brian has been invited to make his own claim on the record by submitting proof of age and occupation. “I don’t really think about it,” he says. “I just go out to work.”
Whether he is just being modest or matter-of-fact, it is hard to tell.
Image caption,
Brian has been invited by Guinness World Records to submit a bid to be recognised as the world’s oldest HGV driver
A packet of 20 cigarettes, a lighter, a copy of the Daily Mirror and rags occupy the space between our seats.
“I get restless when I’m not working,” he says.
Brian shows me some photographs, as we take a trip down memory lane, from fresh-faced soldier to nonagenarian.
There is an image of him on holiday. He is sitting at a table, studying a newspaper. He does not look like a man on holiday.
“Two or three days of not working, not doing anything, and I’ve had enough,” says Brian. “I have to be doing something. I always want to get back to work.”
In the haulage industry, he is known as “an original”. While others rely on ratchet straps to secure loads, Brian prefers the old fashioned way, using rope and sheeting.
It is a dying art, he tells me.
Image source, Brian Wilson
Image caption,
Brian pictured during his National Service with the Royal Horse Guards
Brian credits his uncle with teaching him to drive aged 16, although his National Service in the 1950s – driving American troop carriers in Germany with the Royal Horse Guards – undoubtedly sharpened his skills.
In the 1960s, following a stint delivering petrol for Esso, Brian joined his father Edward’s haulage company – E. Wilson & Son.
“I used to deliver ten tonnes of sugar,” he says. “You’d be in trouble if it rained and you’d made a mess of your rope and sheeting.”
Brian recalls paying just under two shillings for a gallon of diesel. “I’d do a week’s work on £40 worth of fuel,” he says.
Today, Brian owns the family business, transporting mainly steel springs.
“I mostly go to the Midlands,” he says. “Every Thursday, I am up at four o’clock, ready to leave the house at quarter past five.”
Brian reels off his “drops” for the day. “Leicester, Tamworth, Redditch, Birmingham, Telford…” he says, “I will do about 300 miles.”
Image source, Brian Wilson
Image caption,
Brian and Mavis Wilson on their ruby wedding anniversary
Birmingham’s infamous Spaghetti Junction causes him no problems, he says, but he gives London a miss.
“You end up crawling along in London,” he says, haunching over the steering wheel to labour the point.
Brian is a man of few words, and he makes them count. His demeanour softens when I spot his wedding band.
“We’ve been married 67 years,” he says, smiling. “I was 15 when Mavis and I met at a fairground in Attercliffe.”
He shows me a photograph of the couple taken on their ruby wedding anniversary. “She still looks after us all,” he says.
Senior record holders
The oldest recorded commercial pilot is Jun Takahashi (Japan, b. 8 October 1922), who was still flying towing gliders at Fujikawa Airfield, in Shizuoka, Japan, on 5 March 2014 aged 91.
The longest career as a postal worker was 53 years and 48 days and was achieved by Takashi Miyaoka, who worked at the Shinjuku postal office in Tokyo, Japan, from 9 August 1958 to 26 September 2011.
The oldest practising doctor is Howard Tucker (USA, b. 10 July 1922) who was 98 years 231 days old, as verified in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, on 26 February 2021.
The oldest person living is Lucile Randon (France, b. 11 February 1904) who was 118 years and 73 days old, on 25 April 2022. Ms Randon is also the record holder for ‘oldest person living (female)’.
The oldest female racing driver is Jeannie Reiman ( b. New Zealand, 19 April 1913) who competed in the Canadian Vintage Modified’s 10 lap Powder Puff race at Sunset Speedway in Stroud, Ontario, Canada, on 3 August 2003, aged 90 years 106 days.
Source: Guinness World Records
Brian may take after his mother, Gertrude, who lived to the age of 102.
Like his lorry, Brian also requires a full health check each year, with his next due before Christmas.
If he is deemed fit to work by his GP, Brian intends to carry on for at least another year before contemplating retiring.
“It also depends on how my wife is,” he adds.
Image caption,
Haulage company boss Martin Fisher describes Brian as ‘an original’
Other hauliers speak highly of him.
Martin Fisher, owner of Martins Distributions, where Brian parks his lorry, has known him 10 years but calls him “Mr Wilson” – a respectful nod to his seniority.
“I asked him the other day when he thought he was going to retire,” says Martin, chuckling. “He just looked at me funny. He’s a true ‘original’, as we call them. They’re a dying breed.”
Michael Hopley, transport manager at Ember Transport Ltd, has known Brian for 30 years. He says he is “very youthful”. “He’s on and off his wagon like a man 30 years his junior.”
Paul Mummery, from the Road Haulage Association, added: “Seventy years behind the wheel is phenomenal service and shows an amazing dedication to our industry.
“He will have seen a lot of changes over the years as the job has evolved and it’s really heart-warming to see that he still loves driving lorries. He’s an inspiration to us all.”
Back in the cab, Brian acknowledges there will be some who believe, at 90, that he is too old to drive a car let alone a lorry.
“I know, I know,” he says, staring out of the window. “But I’ll know when it’s time.”
“It’s a toss up which will retire first,” he adds, “me or the lorry.”
The best part of shrimp scampi is arguably the garlicky sauce, usually poured over pasta or mopped up with bread. This recipe offers another take: Pillows of potato gnocchi are crisped in a skillet that is then used to cook the shrimp. The gnocchi add heft, and their soft yet chewy texture goes nicely with the springiness of the shrimp. Serve this with a big green salad to round out the meal.
In a large, preferably nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add gnocchi to the pan, breaking up any that are stuck together. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, tossing every 1 to 2 minutes, so they get golden and crispy all over. Transfer to a bowl or plate.
Step 2
In the same skillet over medium-high, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and all of the butter, letting it melt for a few seconds. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add wine, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper and all of the red-pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, and let the wine reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
Step 3
Add shrimp and sauté until they just start to turn pink, 2 to 3 minutes, depending on their size.
Step 4
Return gnocchi to the pan and add another ¼ teaspoon salt. Using a Microplane or other fine grater, grate the zest from the lemon into the pan. Add parsley, tossing well. If your pan looks dry, add a splash of water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing to combine, then remove pan from the heat.
Step 5
Cut the naked lemon in two and squeeze in the juice from one half, gently tossing to combine. Taste and add more salt if you like. Cut the remaining lemon half into wedges for serving.
Step 6
Top with more olive oil and more red-pepper flakes, if you’d like, and serve with lemon wedges on the side
Well what a day to post this. Halloween. Well as usual I took the pictures and Mrs. M did the decorating. I thought I’d throw in some living room shots along with the Kitchen. Enjoy.
Some say it started in the late 50’s. For me the British invasion was the music of the 60’s and the 70’s. Much of it was American blues, but with a different beat. Some of it was American rock but Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and the Isley Brothers sounded nothing like this.
So play anything from any UK country. Also any time frame will do. 50’s to today.
Last Year we had 64 apples in the decorations. This year we’re up to 81. We actually in our travels ended up with over 100. But the 81 works well. So let’s see how they turned out.
Hospitalized babies in Illinois participate in adorable Halloween costume contest- FOX News Photo
Views: 6
Hospitalized newborns at an Illinois neonatal intensive care unit are celebrating their first-ever Halloweens in style.
Advocate Children’s Hospital, located in Chicago’s suburbs, posted pictures of their tiny patients dressed up in Halloween outfits on Wednesday. The infants were dolled up by their parents as part of a contest.
“Parents with babies in our neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across Chicagoland are getting into the Halloween spirit!” the Facebook post read.
“It’s time to VOTE for your favorite in our annual Advocate Children’s Hospital NICU Halloween Costume Bash,” the hospital added, asking Facebook users to vote by liking their favorite pictures.
Advocate Children’s Hospital is holding a Halloween costume contest for their intensive care patients. (Advocate Children’s Hospital via Facebook)
“We think they are ALL winners!” the post concluded.
Pictures show the babies yawning and sleeping in adorable costumes, ranging from superheroes to Disney characters to insects and animals. Many of the miniature costumes appeared hand-knit due to the youngsters’ small statures.
Some of the sleeping infants were dressed as Wonder Woman and Batman, while others were dressed as caterpillars and scuba divers. Some of the captions described the children’s medical conditions and the meaning behind their costumes.
“Alaysia was born at just 23 weeks old. Since day one, she’s been fighting a tough fight in the NICU,” one of the captions read. “It’s fitting that Alaysia’s parents dressed her up as a little boxer/fighter as she truly is ‘Mommy and Daddy’s little fighter’.”
Advocate Children’s Hospital asks Facebook users to vote in the contest by liking their favorite pictures. (Advocate Children’s Hospital via Facebook)
The Illinois hospital, which has two locations in Oak Lawn and Park Ridge, will wrap up the costume contest at noon on October 28. The two babies with the most Facebook likes will win a prize.
He takes bags of shopping to people or his parents give him a lift in their van at weekends which has been customized with Isaac’s instantly recognizable rainbow logo.
Those in need are also able to go to Isaac’s foodbank shed, which is open 24 hours a day, and help themselves.
The youngster, who was born with a rare chromosome disorder, started the foodbank after learning that his new school didn’t accept food donations.
Isaac, from Redditch, Worcs., is now planning to expand the service and has a local charity sponsoring him to open a foodbank in the town.
Proud mum Claire, 42, said: “It started in the car on the way to school.
“We’d always donated to food banks and during the pandemic, he would take food parcels into school which would be given to people in need.
“When Isaac moved from mainstream school to a specialist school he was left confused as to what he was going to do with his food parcel.
“It was in the middle of the pandemic and his new school wasn’t offering food parcels.
“Being the resilient little lad he is he said ‘it’s alright, we’ll give them food at my house’.
“I was laughing but he had just broken his arm so I let him do it to cheer him up.
“I doubled what money we gave them normally for food parcels and he went off to Aldi.
“With a little bit of help, he put all the food he bought in a little greenhouse with some lights and started offering it from there.
“Someone spotted it and put it on one of those Facebook community sites and it went mad. People came and donated.
“The greenhouse lasted four weeks before I had to go and get a shed because we ran out of room.
“By Easter 2021 we were funded a bigger shed by the free masons. He ran his little shed and his big shed on the drive.
“We have the big shed on the driveway and operations will continue from the house. Luckily we have a big driveway.”
Isaac has attracted the help of big sponsors like Morrison’s and a local charity called Building Bridges to keep his foodbank operational.
YouTuber Mark McCann donated a fully taxed and insured van to help get the foodbank mobile.
Mum-of-four Claire added: “It’s gone from a little project to a vital community project.
“I can’t believe it’s been two years coming up. He had a van donated.
“Isaac loves YouTube and we had a YouTuber called Mark McCann the driveway who donated the van, it was fully taxed and insured.
“Morrison’s jumped on board and started supporting us with the cause, so has the community.
“Our local community donate as and when they can.”
The selfless youngster even asked family and friends not to give him birthday presents this year and instead make foodbank donations.
Claire added: “For his 11th birthday he just wanted foodbank donations and it was absolutely rammed.
“He just wanted to get as many donations in as possible to help as many people as he can.
“I see roughly five visitors a day. The shed is always open and they don’t need to knock and I know we get visitors who come late at night and avoid seeing people.
“We think the situation for people is going to get worse and worse as the winter comes up. As it gets colder people are going to have to choose between heating and eating.
“We’re stocking up on pet food, food, winter clothes and wellingtons to help people keep warm.
“Isaac’s always been very kind-hearted. Anything he comes across he always wants to stop and help. I’m very blessed.
“It’s massively helped with his confidence, with his disability it has massively helped.
“To help all these people and hear how much of a wonderful job it’s boosted his confidence.
“He can’t read or write but he can fundraise.”
Isaac has now been nominated for a local business award and hopes to open his second foodbank in the town next month.
Well it’s that time of year. So we have a nice Lemon theme. I hope you enjoy this. It’s been done for a month now, but we bought more treasures and of course my wife will change things around till she gets it right. We also have some garden pictures but those will go in the comment section. Enjoy.
Data collected by the flying telescope. NASA Photo
Views: 2
Article taken from Nice News.
For over a decade, the world’s largest airborne telescope, NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), has sailed through the stratosphere 41,000 feet above Earth, using infrared light to capture incredible images and valuable information about the cosmos.
On Thursday, it embarked on its final flight: No. 921. Although the telescope — which was housed and flown in a modified Boeing 747 aircraft — has finished its mission, astronomers still have a trove of data to sift through, NASA said, and it’s possible SOFIA could produce even more scientific discoveries. Click here to see some of the captured cosmic imagery.
As we all prepare to step into a new week and continue on the mindfulness journey we’re taking together, we at Nice News want to create space to ponder what it means to walk through life with gratitude — consistently giving thanks for the beauty and goodness around us. You may have heard that gratitude can have tangible and transformative effects; in fact, there isn’t room enough in this edition to list all the benefits. Studies suggest that gratitude can help you sleep, eat, and feel better, and that the simple act of writing down three things you’re thankful for each day can improve your health. But while it’s easy to acknowledge the advantages, we don’t always take the time to build the habit, especially when we’re experiencing negative emotions. To help you take that step, consider this your extra encouragement to begin regularly practicing gratitude. If you get stuck, here are 492 things to be grateful for, including the warm morning sunshine, the kindness of a stranger, and the breath in our lungs.
Many families have their own lore — oft-shared tales of ancestral kin who led incredible lives. For Julie Klam, those relatives were the four Morris sisters. All self-made millionaires, one sister is known to have advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt while another romanced J.P. Morgan. Or did they? This is the “fascinating and funny true story” about a family history that may be more fiction than fact.
What’s better than watching lion cubs, newborn seals, and toddling young elephants learn the way of the world? Listening to Helena Bonham Carter’s soothing voice narrate the action as you do. Wild Babies is a docuseries, so in addition to heartwarming moments, be prepared for an honest look at some of nature’s harsh realities. That said, the level of cuteness is truly off the charts.
In 1981, David Bowie and Queen combined creative forces to write and record what would become an anthem for the ages: “Under Pressure.” This year, the “biggest rock band on Earth,” Rockin’ 1000, performed an amazing cover of the hit song as part of a two-hour concert in Paris. All 1,000 musicians sang and played together, a moving display of harmony in every sense of the word.
As we mentioned in Wednesday’s edition of Nice News, an exciting lineup of celestial events is in store for stargazers throughout September, and this free digital planetarium can help you make the most of what you see. Enter your location or point your phone at the sky using the app to identify and learn about stars, comets, constellations, planets, and more, all in real time.
These gorgeous notebooks aren’t just easy on the eyes — they’re also eco-friendly, made with 100% post-consumer-waste recycled paper and printed with soy ink. Browse the vast selection of artistic and colorful designs to find your favorite (or favorites, more likely). We think it’s the perfect medium to begin a new gratitude journal.
If you’re a candle fanatic, you’ll love this fun find. Hand-poured and crafted in London, cent.ldn’s unique wax creations are designed for household decor. Choose from incredible representations of real objects, or if you’re feeling extra fanciful, go the bespoke route and bring your own design to life, including a custom scent. Order from the U.K. or check here for a retailer near you.
Have memories of begging for a taste of cookie dough before a batch went in the oven? Doughp, which was featured on Shark Tank, has created flavored cookie doughs that can be eaten raw or baked into warm, gooey treats. Even better, the company is “committed to reducing the stigmas around mental health & addiction,” and a portion of each sale supports a nonprofit recovery charity.
*Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.
Video of the Week
A bustling street in downtown San Antonio, Texas, comes to life in this restored and colorized footage from the 1940s. With multiple camera angles, there’s so much history to soak in. From the cars and buses to the clothing and hairstyles, you’ll be transported back in time — and the added sound design makes for an even more immersive experience. Enjoy poring over the vintage signage and spotting different groups of friends and families going about their days. (Credit: NASS / YouTube)
I recently fractured several vertebrae in my spine and can only walk short distances. On a recent trip from Seattle home to Milwaukee, my wife and 8-year-old granddaughter were pushing my wheelchair and dragging our luggage. It was an unusually long distance to the gate, and they were struggling up a small incline. A woman asked if she could help, and with her help, we made it to the gate. She hurried off to her own gate before we could really thank her for this simple but meaningful act of kindness.
Les B.
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Challenge
Send a Thank You Note
In addition to taking stock of all you’re grateful for this week, put your appreciation into practice and send (or hand deliver) a thank you note. It could be for something simple, like your local barista making you the perfect pumpkin spice latte each morning, or something more impactful, like a good friend supporting you when you needed it most. For inspiration, check out author Gina Hamadey’s experience writing a daily thank you card in what she dubbed her “year of gratitude.”
Quote of the Day
“This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.”
Hello there! We hope you took some time to relax over the holiday weekend before getting back into the swing of things this week. Are you ready for your latest dose of positivity? Today we’re sharing some stories highlighting progress and hope — like the exciting news that the world’s clearest large lake could get even clearer and how these incredible drone-delivered defibrillators can save lives in mere minutes. Learn about the deaf-owned restaurants that are helping to create community (and serve up great food) around the world, and meet the inspirational NFL player-turned-neurosurgeon who took the term “brains and brawn” to a whole new level.
Exploring and Living / Shutterstock
Environment
Lake Tahoe Could Become Clearer Due to Changing Plankton Populations
Lake Tahoe, which Mark Twain called “the fairest picture the whole earth affords,” is famous for its stunning crystalline waters. And in the next few years, scientists say, the world’s clearest large lake could become even clearer due to changes in its ecosystem.
Since our viewers are and Ireland.International, I thought this would be a good one. Maybe they can comment on the locations in the UK, Italy, Canada, and Ireland.
Nothing beats the warmth and comfort of a fall evening spent by the fire. Thankfully, there are plenty of quaint and cozy inns around the world that embrace the autumn feeling and provide the perfect, intimate getaway.
Whether you’re looking to snuggle up with a book by the fireplace or gaze upon colorful fall foliage during breakfast, the following inns will meet all your seasonal needs
Fall in Vermont is perfect for biking, hiking, picnicking, and of course, leaf peeping. Nestled between the scenic Green Mountains of Vermont in the charming village of Warren is The Pitcher Inn. While staying at The Pitcher Inn, all of those classic fall activities are easily accessible due to the property’s proximity to the Roxbury State Forest. Choose a one or two-bedroom suite in the “barn” or a room in the main house. Jet out on a fly fishing adventure or stay in and curl up next to one of the inn’s 14 fireplaces. Guests can also indulge in seasonal fare onsite at the onsite pub or private dining rooms.
The Three Chimneys is a world-renowned restaurant and inn in picturesque northwest Scotland on the Isle of Skye. Its six charming guest rooms are in The House Over-By, each featuring stunning views of Loch Dunvegan and offering direct garden and seashore access. Dinner at The Three Chimneys is a must during your stay. The award-winning restaurant serves delicious Scottish-style meals with ancient Nordic influences. The Three Chimneys is known for its professional, yet warm and inviting staff — making it a comfortable and unforgettable stay.
On the rocky shores of the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island is Wickaninnish Inn. This serene stay boasts cozy yet modern accommodations in the Beach Building and the Pointe Building. Enjoy panoramic water views throughout the property, which you can enjoy over dinner or cozied up in an armchair on the deck. Visit the Ancient Cedars Spa to be pampered or enjoy daily Hatha yoga in the Rainforest Haven room. This coastal getaway on a chilly fall morning is the perfect way to reset and get in touch with nature.
Enjoy an authentic New England fall getaway at The Lodge at Moosehead Lake, a AAA 4-Diamond property in Greenville, Maine. This lakefront bed and breakfast boasts five lodge rooms all with a fireplace, sitting area, four-post wooden bed, and lake or garden views. Four spacious carriage rooms are also available with scenic decks facing the lake. The staff at The Lodge will help you book exciting fall activities during your stay, from backcountry moose watching to seaplane rides.
Tucked away in the western Italian Alps, Les Trompeurs Chez Odette is a renovated family home that’s now a cozy six-bedroom inn. Each room has the same rustic feel, but is decorated individually — making the space feel snug and relaxed. Fireside breakfast is served in the wood-paneled dining room with traditional pastries and jams. Les Trompeurs is located in the small town of Cogne, a valley nestled between snow-capped peaks. This region is dotted with medieval castles and fortresses along with world-class ski resorts — providing guests with plenty of things to see and do.
You’ll feel right at home in this award-winning, 18th-century Irish country house in the heart of the midlands at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The warmth of Roundwood Country House radiates throughout and showcases authentic Irish furnishings, crackling fireplaces, and the smell of fresh bread baked daily. Bookcase-lined walls, stonework, and ornate light fixtures create a comforting atmosphere, begging you to stay in and enjoy the house. This quintessentially Irish bed and breakfast boasts two types of accommodations — private rooms in the main house or a cottage in the garden.
Dreamer extraordinaire. Ardent food lover. Vivian is prone to wander and escaping from responsibilities. At heart, she is a curious backpacker with a thirst for adventure. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Vivian is perpetually browsing through seat sales and scheming her next getaway.
The regional cuisine of New England is as varied as the landscape, influenced by the rocky coasts, weathered mountains, and wild forests. States in the Northeast host miles of apple orchards, self-pick berry farms, and fleets of fishing boats. They’re home to innovators of sweets and ice creams, and rich and hearty pastries.
Whether you’ve never been to New England, plan on traveling to the region sometime in the future, or have been a life-time visitor, try these seven beloved, and Northeast-approved, food items to get to know New England from the inside out.
As a staple of New England life, clam chowder is as typical as trips to the beach, followed by cups or bowls of the soup. New England clam chowder is commonly made with clams, potatoes, celery, onion, and salt pork mixed with a thick, hearty broth. Native to the area since the early 1700s, clam chowder became popularized throughout Boston in the 1830s when it was served at the famous Union Oyster House. Comforting and addictive, this seafood stew is perfect on any day and for any occasion.
In the early days of America lobsters were so common they piled on beaches, making the “cockroaches of the sea” a poor man’s meal (or even fertilizer). By the second world war things had drastically changed, and the shellfish were undeniably a delicacy. New England is now synonymous with lobster rolls. This coastal luxury is served on a grilled bun and is available at practically every seafood restaurant in the area. Lobster rolls arrive warm, dripping with butter, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. You can even top it with mayonnaise and chopped celery.
In Boston (or Beantown), baked bean recipes are sweetened with molasses rather than the brown sugar sweetener used in traditional English baked beans. The difference is a rich, honeyed flavor that has existed in the area for centuries. It was originally prepared throughout New England and was a staple in the Pilgrim diet from the 1620s on. Baked beans are available as a side dish, sometimes served beside brown bread (another New England specialty) in restaurants around coastal Massachusetts and beyond.
In the 1920s, two Massachusetts residents created a remarkable new marshmallow creme spread that’s now a common jar in most grocery stores: Fluff. While the taste is familiar for anyone who’s ever roasted marshmallows over a campfire and snuck a few of the pure white cylinders, the consistency is quite a different story. This is a spreadable confection that can be eaten on its own, but for a true New England experience a Fluffernutter sandwich (allergy permitting) consists of a layer of Fluff on one slice of bread and a thick spread of peanut butter on the other.
Saying the words “whoopie pie” outside of New England draws some intriguing glances. This cake-like dessert is best described as a type of sweet sandwich, two mound-shaped pieces of cake on the outside and a hearty layer of cream between the two. Whoopie pies are available in a variety of flavors, the most traditional is a chocolate cake whoopie pie with a white cream filling. Seasonal flavors are offered during the year, such as pumpkin whoopie pies in the fall and peppermint cream whoopie pies during the holidays.
Unless you’re in or around Rhode Island, asking for a glass of coffee milk may get you a mug of regular coffee with a little extra milk. But as the official state beverage of Rhode Island, coffee milk is a common accompaniment to breakfasts and brunches. Bottles of sweetened coffee syrup are mixed with milk (not unlike making hot chocolate), and served beside heaping platters of eggs, bacon, and toast. Take it a step further and get a coffee cabinet, a vanilla ice cream, coffee syrup frappe.
Hoodsie Cups
Hoodsie cups were created by the Hood milk company in Massachusetts in 1947. These adored desserts are made with vanilla ice cream on one side and chocolate ice cream on the other, and are served in small wax paper cups with even smaller wooden spoons. For many New Englanders, childhood memories consist of Hoodsie cups alongside slices of cake at birthday parties, and even a few late-night snacks when no one else is around.
New Englanders cram into Fenway Park, pulling their Red Sox caps down against the sun to watch the game. Since the park’s 1912 opening, Fenway Franks have been a staple of this regional and cultural gathering space. Other stadium hot dogs are grilled or steamed, but not the Fenway Frank. First boiled, and then grilled, the meat of these nostalgic ballpark treats is spiced with garlic, onion, and mustard, and cooled specially to make them the juiciest possible. Visitors top them with their preferred garnishes and bite between cheering for their team, or buy a pack for their own home-game cookout.
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Courtesy of The Pitcher Inn 
Photos by Angus Bremmer, Courtesy of The Three Chimneys 
Photo Credit: Chris Pouget and Anthony Redpath, Courtesy of Wickaninnish Inn 
Courtesy of Jumping Rocks 
Courtesy of Les Trompeurs 
Courtesy of Roundwood Country House 
