Dream every night
Vol. 5, Issue 27
“The fact that everybody in the world dreams every night ties all mankind together.” --Jack Kerouac
THE GOOD NEWS
Sharing stories with strays
Nehemiah Turner recently celebrated a major milestone. He is the first child to spend 100 hours reading to the animal residents of the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS).
The 11-year-old boy joined the shelter’s Pawsitive Reading program in 2024. Participants volunteer to spend at least 30 minutes reading to dogs or cats during each session, but there is no maximum time limit. They can bring their own reading materials or borrow books from the JHS library.
According to the shelter, the program helps kids work on their literacy skills and has been proven to lower the animals’ stress levels.
“This is a place where we can put the tablet and the electronics down, pick up a good old-fashioned book, and read to somebody who really wants to hear your voice,” Lawrence Nicholas, the CEO of the shelter, told Action News Jax. “How can you beat that?”
Each time Nehemiah visits JHS for a reading shift, he sits on the floor with a book and shares stories with the dogs who are waiting to be placed in their fur-ever homes. His favorite resident and reading companion was a dog named Hopper, who spent nearly 400 days in the shelter before he was adopted.
For his generosity and dedication, JHS has given Nehemiah numerous colored paw print stickers for his name badge as well as a special certificate.
“It makes me feel great,” Nehemiah said. “Proud and great.”
FMI: Click here.
Decades together and still lovin’ it
When you’re in a long-term relationship, it’s important to savor your time together. One couple makes a special effort to do so every week.
John Carroll, 101, and his wife Jerry, 100, have a standing date at their local McDonald’s in Murfreesboro, Tenn., every Friday. The couple often meets with friends, and they always order the same thing: the Egg McMuffin with sausage.
When the staff at the fast food restaurant discovered their favorite couple had celebrated their Oak Anniversary, they decided to share that achievement with the world by updating the yellow sign under the Golden Arches to say:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CARROLLS
80 YEARS & COUNTING
FMI: Click here.
Welcome to the world, wee pudu
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THIS WEEK’S POLL
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On July 30, 1935, the first Penguin book was published, launching the paperback revolution.
On July 31, 1998, the British government banned landmines.
On August 1, 1961, the first Six Flags amusement park opened in Texas.
On August 2, 1865, British author Lewis Carroll published the novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
On August 3, 1949, the National Basketball Association was formed.
On August 4, 1958, Billboard launched its Hot 100 singles chart. Ricky Nelson’s “Poor Little Fool” took the No. 1 spot.
On August 5, 1914, the world’s first electric traffic signal was installed on the corner of Euclid Avenue and East 105th Street in Cleveland, Ohio.
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
July 30 is International Day of Friendship, World Snorkeling Day, National Cheesecake Day, National Chili Dog Day, National Father-in-Law Day, National Intern Day, National Support Public Education Day, National Whistleblower Day, Paperback Book Day and Share a Hug Day
July 31 is World Ranger Day, National Avocado Day, National Jump for Jelly Beans Day, National Mutt Day, National Raspberry Cake Day, National Talk in an Elevator Day, Lifeguard Appreciation Day, Shredded Wheat Day, System Administrator Appreciation Day and Uncommon Musical Instrument Day
August 1 is International Can-It Forward Day, International Childfree Day, International Mahjong Day, World Wide Web Day, National Disc Golf Day, National Girlfriend Day, National Jamaican Patty Day, National Mustard Day, National Play Outside Day, National Promise to Care Day, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day, National Sunflower Day, Homemade Pie Day, Lughnasadh, Mead Day, Sandcastle Day, Spider-Man Day and Woman Astronomers Day
August 2 is International Beer Day, National Coloring Book Day, National Friendship Day, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, National Sisters Day and Psychic Day
August 3 is National Grab Some Nuts Day, National Watermelon Day and Esther Day
August 4 is International Clouded Leopard Day, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, National Coast Guard Day, National White Wine Day, Assistance Dog Day and Hooray for Kids Day
August 5 is National Couscous Day, National Dash Cam Day, National Oyster Day, National Underwear Day and Blogger Day
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Hosting a barbecue or party? Offer nonalcoholic beverages for people who don’t drink.
* Going out with friends? Volunteer to be the designated driver.
* Listen to the stories your friends and family members share, even if you’ve heard them a million times. People want to be heard.
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Kym MacKinnon, Unsplash, Nice News, the Jacksonville Humane Society, Action News Jax, Good Morning America, YouTube, People Magazine, John Carroll, Facebook, NewsChannel 5 Nashville, Inside Edition, the American Library Association, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, America’s Test Kitchen, The Written Word, Experimental Living with A.J. Jacobs, Emily Charlotte Powell, While I Was Drawing, Counting Beans, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions. Note: Generative AI was not used during the ideation, creation or publication of this newsletter.
KEEP IN TOUCH
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