Category : * General Interest

Friday Morning Mental Health Break–Louise Lear gets the giggles reporting on the weather for BBC

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, * International News & Commentary, England / UK, Humor / Trivia, Media, Weather

Do not Take Yourself Too Seriously Dept: (Babylon Bee) Elevation Church Debuts Water Slide Baptismal

Regular attenders of Elevation Church reported being surprised Sunday morning when they were directed to the “new balcony entrance” for seating.

“We normally get there early so we can sit as close to pastor Steven as possible,” Marie Dotwiler told reporters. “We were all like, ”˜What’s going on?’” They did not have to wonder for long.

Pastor Steven Furtick took the stage under a single spotlight, and after some coy banter, he reportedly announced that it was “Baptism Sunday,” but that this was “not your Mama’s Baptism Sunday.” At this cue, a giant water slide, stretching from the balcony down to a small pool of water, was unveiled from behind a large curtain as the worship band began performing TLC’s 1994 hit “Waterfalls.”

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, Humor / Trivia, Religion & Culture

Charleston, Folly Beach consider curbing plastic bag use; could bring national fight to SC

Isle of Palms became the first town in South Carolina to ban plastic bags last year, and now Charleston and Folly Beach are looking to curb consumption of the single-use bags, possibly by banning them or imposing a fee at checkout counters.

In doing so they could bring the nationwide fight over plastic bags to South Carolina, which happens to be the headquarters of one of the largest packaging manufacturers in North America, a company leading the fight against such restrictions.

Folly Beach City Council is voting at its Aug. 9 meeting on whether to prevent the island’s merchants from distributing or selling plastic bags, and also Styrofoam coolers. Members of Charleston County and city of Charleston government, environmental groups and nonprofit organizations have joined forces on an online survey to gauge how the public feels about measures to curb plastic bag use.

Read it all from the local paper.

Posted in * Economics, Politics, * General Interest, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Animals, City Government, Consumer/consumer spending, Corporations/Corporate Life, Economy, Energy, Natural Resources, Ethics / Moral Theology, Politics in General, State Government, Theology

SeaWorld Orlando Caring for Two-Week Old Manatee Calf

So adorable!

Posted in * General Interest, Animals

Selimah Harmon Launches a Website about her animal photography

Selimah Harmon is a freelance photographer and vet student at Tufts University beginning Fall 2016 where she will focus on wildlife medicine.

Check it out from our youngest daughter.

Posted in * By Kendall, * General Interest, Animals, Harmon Family, Photos/Photography

Sunday mental Health Break–Mutual Rescueâ„¢: the story of Eric & Peety

Wonderfully encouraging–watch it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, Animals, Ethics / Moral Theology, Health & Medicine, Theology

Icelandic Artist Hugleikur Dagsson on Brexit

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * General Interest, * International News & Commentary, Art, England / UK, Europe, Foreign Relations, Humor / Trivia, Iceland, Politics in General

Do not Take Yourself Too Seriously Dept–Yes Minister on Why Britain Joined the EU

Posted in * Economics, Politics, * General Interest, * International News & Commentary, England / UK, Europe, Foreign Relations, Humor / Trivia, Politics in General

Americans Confused By System Of Govt In Which Leader Would Resign After Making Terrible Decision

Read it all from the Onion LOL.

Posted in * Economics, Politics, * General Interest, * International News & Commentary, England / UK, Europe, Foreign Relations, Humor / Trivia, Politics in General

Thurs Mental Health Break–the Woman Reuniting Vets With Their Retired Service Dogs

Retired military dogs that are being put up for adoption are getting a second life alongside the soldiers they served with ”” thanks to Molli Oliver. Watch it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Animals, Health & Medicine, Military / Armed Forces

Everyone stays mum on future of quake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral in NZ

Government ministers, campaigners and Anglican leaders are staying silent on the future of the Christ Church Cathedral, months after an announcement on the quake-damaged building was expected.

Once outspoken restoration campaigner Jim Anderton is sticking to an agreement not to make any public comments while a community campaign group is now agitating for information.

The Anglican cathedral has been sitting damaged in Christchurch’s city centre for more than five years, with no clear decision on its possible fate. The Government last year appointed mediator Miriam Dean, QC, in an attempt to break deadlock over the building.,,,

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * General Interest, Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, Anglican Provinces, Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, etc., Parish Ministry

Sun. Mental Health Break Kitten vs mirror for the first time – Wiske the cat!

Enjoy it all.

Posted in * General Interest, Animals, Humor / Trivia

Sat. Mental Health Break–Buddy the Rescue Dog and his Wonderful Fetch Machine

Posted in * General Interest, Animals, Humor / Trivia

(BBC) In pictures: The Queen's 90th birthday celebrations

Check them all out.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * General Interest, * International News & Commentary, England / UK, History, Photos/Photography, Politics in General, Religion & Culture

Last surviving 9/11 search and rescue dog laid to rest

Monday was a sad day for the men and women with the Cy-Fair Fire Department as they said their final goodbyes to Bretagne (pronounced “Brittany”), the last known surviving search and rescue dog who worked at Ground Zero after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Bretagne would have turned 17 in August, but the golden retriever’s health had been declining recently and Monday her handlers took her to the vet’s office to be put down.

Read it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * General Interest, Animals, Death / Burial / Funerals, History, Parish Ministry, Terrorism

Remembering South Carolina's Deadliest Flood that happened on this day in 1903

According to Brad Steinecke, Director of Archives and Local History Programming at the Spartanburg County Libraries, there was a big, booming system of textile mill villages that had built-up around where textile plants were located on rivers in the Upstate by 1903. “The flood catches people by surprise, they are sleeping. They wake up to this, and it’s already at that point a pretty catastrophic thing,” Steinecke said.

Historical and media accounts from the time said that when the flood waters on the Pacolet reached the ten mile stretch of river where the mills and mill villages were located, the current was moving at about 40 miles an hour, and the water level was believed to be 22 feet above the river’s flood stage.

“It’s enough to move buildings, it’s enough to float the wooden houses, it’s enough to erode these enormous brick structures,” said Steinecke. “Trees and everything you can imagine is all up in that water,” Steinecke also said.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, * South Carolina, History, Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, etc.

My favorite story from Ali's life–The flight attendant w/ the best comeback to his egocentricity

Read it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, Death / Burial / Funerals, Humor / Trivia, Parish Ministry, Sports, Travel

Memorial Day 2016 in Pictures

A look at scenes from around the United States on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016

Take a glance at them all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, Death / Burial / Funerals, Marriage & Family, Military / Armed Forces, Parish Ministry, Photos/Photography

For Memorial Day–Tom Rinaldi Tells the Inspiring Story of the Saratoga WarHorse Program

Warrior and Warhorse from The Seventh Movement on Vimeo.

Saratoga Springs, N.Y., famous for its historic racetrack, is among the most idyllic places in America. But on a recent fall weekend, not far from the track, horses were serving a different mission: retired thoroughbreds were recruited to help returning veterans at Song Hill Farm. A group from the US Army 2nd Battalion, 135th infantry, united in grief over the death of a fellow solider, gathered for the first time in five years to be part of Saratoga Warhorse, a three-day program that pairs veterans with horses. Tom Rinaldi reports the emotional story of the veterans, paired with their horses, undergoing a rebirth of trust and taking a first step toward healing.

Watch it all, and, yes, you will likely need kleenex–KSH.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, Animals, Death / Burial / Funerals, Health & Medicine, Military / Armed Forces, Parish Ministry

Saturday Mental Health Break–An Amazing Multitasking Man

Watch it all and be aware that it begins slowly and you need to finish to appreciate it fully.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, Humor / Trivia, Music

Do not Take Yourself Too Seriously Dept–Jimmy Fallon on Dumb things People do

Posted in * General Interest, Humor / Trivia

(Independent) Can you pass this British Mensa quiz? Find out here

Check it out and see how you do.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, Anthropology, Education, Psychology, Theology

Do not Take Yourself Too Seriously Dept–Toddler Barfs In The Car, Dad Freaks, Epic Text Exchange…

Every parent has an epic barf story, and we trade them like old generals recounting the horrors of war, but despite the terrible things we’ve all seen, it’s likely none of us has a story as hilariously awful as this one. Recently, a dad posted some screenshots of texts he sent to his wife after their toddler threw up in the the car, and his story is so outlandish, it’s got thousands of parents laughing and dry heaving in sympathy.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * General Interest, Children, Dieting/Food/Nutrition, Health & Medicine, Humor / Trivia, Marriage & Family

Saturday Mental Health Break–Cute pandas playing on the slide

Posted in * General Interest, Animals, Photos/Photography

Navy sees increase in ”˜sextortion’ cases; NCIS warns sailors about online behavior

After a spike in reports of sexual extortion, or “sextortion,” across the Navy, including at the Naval Submarine Base, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is warning sailors not to engage in sexually explicit activities online.

Sextortion is a crime in which someone requests money in exchange for not releasing sexually explicit images or information.

Both the number of cases and incidents is growing, according to NCIS, which says that since August 2012, perpetrators have targeted at least 160 sailors and marines across the country, resulting in the loss of about $45,000.

Typically, perpetrators will request anywhere from $500 to $1,500.

Read it all from The Day (Hat tip:MY).

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * General Interest, --Social Networking, Anthropology, Blogging & the Internet, Defense, National Security, Military, Ethics / Moral Theology, Photos/Photography, Science & Technology, Sexuality, Theology

Bird is the Word: Selimah Harmon’s Photographs


Enjoy them all and you can read more there

Posted in * By Kendall, * General Interest, * South Carolina, Animals, Harmon Family, Photos/Photography

The Harmon's 29th Wedding Anniversary

Any resemblance by actual personages to those in this photo is currently under dispute.

Posted in * By Kendall, * General Interest, Harmon Family, Photos/Photography

Do not Take yourself too Seriously Dept–Being a Dog is not Easy

Hilarious–enjoy it all.

Posted in * General Interest, Animals, Humor / Trivia, Photos/Photography

[Cranmer] Wise unto salvation: the Christ in Shakespeare

William Shakespeare died 400 years ago today, on St George’s Day, at the age of 52, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. His was the greatest English mind ever to have existed. Sir Henry Irving observed: “The thought of such a man is an incomparable inheritance for any nation.” And truly, it is impossible to calculate the depth and breadth of influence his writings have exercised upon the nations and peoples of the whole world. “He was,” as Ben Johnson wrote, “not of an Age, but for all time!”

Read it all

Posted in * General Interest

Stunning–The 2016 Audubon Photography Awards Winners

Enjoy them all (Hat tip: VM).

Posted in * General Interest, Animals, Photos/Photography