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Best Buds Peggy & Molly. so happy together..
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly is a Council Chronicle series that offers a glimpse at unusual stories in the news around the world. They are intended to provoke thought, inform and elicit a range of emotions from joy, outrage, anger, amusement to hope. These are a summary of stories worth knowing. Each month we will feature a story of the Good, the Bad & the Ugly around the globe. If you come across a news item that falls into any of these categories, please email it to me for possible inclusion in the monthly e-newsletter.
THE GOOD
UNLIKELY PALS PEGGY & MOLLY ARE REUNITED
An Instagram-famous duo, Molly the magpie and Peggy the Staffordshire bull terrier have been reunited after an online outcry in response to the Australian Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) removal of the bird from his family and home of four years. A petition for his return garnered over 150,000 signatures after being circulated online.
In 2020, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen rescued the Australian baby bird when he fell from a nest and was abandoned by his mother. They found the chick in a dog park while walking their dog, Peggy. The couple were very concerned the magpie would become prey to one of the dogs in the off-leash dog park if left alone and defenseless.
"We did what any animal lover would do and made the decision to bring him home and care for him,” Wells said in an online post.
They named the little bird Molly and over the next few months they nurtured him, taught him how to feed, fly and put him outside as much as possible because their goal was to release him back out into the wild. But Molly didn't want to leave because he had bonded with the family dog, Peggy.
BFF's Molly & Peggy catching up on the days events.
During the pandemic, Wells posted images of the animals together to social media to encourage people in quarantine with motivational slogans like “Days spent with you are my favorite days” and “You are my Happy Place.” In the four years since their bond was posted online, the unlikely pair had amassed about two million followers on Instagram and Facebook.
T-shirts were printed, calendars sold, then a deal was signed with one of the country’s biggest publishers. A book was written about Peggy and Molly and was marketed as “heart-warming photos and simple life lessons about what it means to be a true friend and how we can all learn to be kind, humble and happy.”
Australian wildlife officials became aware of the situation due to all the publicity the bird and dog buddies garnered online. The officials said they worried that others would follow the lead of Wells and Mortensen of domesticating wild animals. They removed Molly from the couple’s home on March 1, 2024, citing native bird rules.
REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD. Molly & Peggy enjoying being together after their separation.
The decision was met with a huge public outcry of people who argued that separating Molly from the family’s dogs, Peggy and her puppy Ruby, was cruel and unfair given their strong bond and the wildlife officials determination that the bird could not be returned to the wild. In less than a month's time, over 154,000 Australians signed an online petition urging authorities to reunite Peggy and Molly. After a 45-day separation, Molly was finally returned home to his family.
I can understand the wildlife official's argument about attempting to domesticate a wild animal if Molly was a dangerous creature such as a lion, bear or crocodile but this is a magpie, it's not a bird of prey. I'm glad they bowed to the pressure of public opinion and returned Molly to his Staffy buddy. The Wells/Mortensen household is once again one big happy family. 🧡
REUNITED: Juliette Wells, Reece Mortensen with Molly on his shoulder, and dogs Peggy and Ruby. 💞
ALENA BALAKOS (D15) 5/2
CHRISTELLA PHILLIPE (D21) 5/2
OLIVIA BENNETT 5/5
BEN RENO-WEBER 5/6
MARKUS WINKLER 5/8
JECOREY ARTUR 5/19
BARBARA SHANKLIN 5/24
DAN SEUM 5/28
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
TRUTH BOMBS are described in the urban dictionary as surprising but true statements. A fact or piece of knowledge that, when told to a listener, is devastating to the listener's argument or world view.
New Yorker Seth Phillips has gained a cult following for his truth bombs that protest anything from loud engines, phones that shatter easily, “x” in espresso, and other very specific, small things that add up to our daily lives. He has a over 7.5 million followers on social media. Phillips has gone mainstream enough that fashion brands are selling "Dude with Sign" shirts in their collections.
And, of course, there’s always something new to protest. Such as, hot coffee in summer or verifying you’re not a robot online. Those of us who have had enough of everything will get a chuckle out of this series.
Crunchy Mandarin Orange-Chicken Salad.
Even when life gets especially busy, you can still enjoy a fresh, satisfying salad at home or at a potluck. These salad recipes require very little effort and yield flavorful and filling results for those occasions when time and energy are in short supply.
CRUNCHY MANDARIN ORANGE-CHICKEN SALAD
This salad recipe is a variation of The Cheesecake Factory's Chinese Chicken Salad. The wonton strips and crispy rice noodles used in the restaurant's version are substituted with a block of dried ramen, broken up. The crunchy, wavy noodles act as croutons in the salad. Also, try substituting the almonds for cashews or peanuts, too.
3 cup finely chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
2 cup shredded red cabbage
2 cup shredded chicken
1/2 cup jarred mandarin oranges, drained
1 instant ramen packet, crushed (flavor packet discarded)
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup sliced almonds
DRESSING INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. hoisin sauce
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. minced ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup vegetable oil
INGREDIENTS.
DIRECTIONS
1. SALAD: In a large bowl, toss together lettuce, red cabbage, chicken, mandarin oranges, crushed ramen noodles, carrots, green onions, and sliced almonds.
2. DRESSING: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Slowly drizzle in vegetable oil, whisking constantly until emulsified.
3. Before serving, drizzle dressing over salad and toss to combine. Enjoy.
I love a salad that's a blend of sweet, savory, nutty, crunchy and protein. Yum.
AN ACCIDENTAL SELFIE. 🐾💓
1. Would you rather eat sticky foods or spicy foods?
2. Would you rather go to prison for three years or battle cancer for five years?
3. Would you rather replace chicken and meat with fish or coffee with carbonated beverages?
4. Would you rather
5. Would you rather be stuck inside a lion's den or have your flight hijacked by terrorists?
Majestic Lion.
6. Would you rather be book-smart or street-smart?
7. Would you rather be sticky or slimy?
8. Would you rather be a strict manager or a lenient one?
9. Would you rather turn completely vegan or eat only steamed rice every day?
10. Would you rather give up Chinese food or Italian food for a year?
Chinese Food.
AFTER being rescued and adopted.
BEFORE & AFTER RESCUE DOG TRANSFORMATIONS
According to the ASPCA, a staggering 6.3 million companion animals enter animal shelters every year in the US. Every year, more than 900,000 of those animals are euthanized (300,000+ dogs and 500,000+ cats). It is so heartbreaking to know that many of these animals never get a second chance at life.
Who can resist a heartwarming makeover, especially when it involves a sweet dog? Whether they were abandoned, lost or mistreated, these down-on-their luck dogs were in dire need of a loving presence in their lives. That's where caring animal shelters, pet rescues and foster parents come into the picture. With lots of love and much-needed TLC, these rescue dogs started thriving — inside and out. These before-and-after transformation pictures speak for themselves. Hopefully, it will inspire you to adopt a rescue pup of your own.
BEFORE. ☹
Who can resist a heartwarming makeover, especially when it involves a sweet dog? Whether they were abandoned, lost or mistreated, these down-on-their luck dogs were in dire need of a loving presence in their lives. That's where caring animal shelters, pet rescues and foster parents come into the picture. With lots of love and much-needed TLC, these rescue dogs started thriving — inside and out. These before-and-after transformation pictures speak for themselves. Hopefully, it will inspire you to adopt a rescue pup of your own.
AFTER. 😍
Please consider adopting a pet from your local animal shelter or a pet rescue if you have room in your home and heart for a new furry family member. Trust me, you'll be so glad that you did. 🐾❤️
KENTUCKY OAKS DAY 5/3
INTERNATIONAL FIREFIGHTER’S DAY 5/4
KENTUCKY DERBY 5/4
CINCO D MAYO 5/5
WORLD LAUGHTER DAY 5/5
NATIONAL NURSES DAY 5/6
NATIONAL TEACHER DAY 5/7
WORLD ASTHMA DAY 5/7
EAT WHAT YOU WANT DAY 5/11
MOTHER’S DAY 5/12
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY 5/15
BIKE TO WORK DAY 5/17
ARMED FORCES DAY 5/18
NATIONAL RESCUE DOG DAY 5/20
NATIONAL WINE DAY 5/25
MEMORIAL DAY 5/27
NATIONAL BURGER DAY 5/28
WORLD OTTER DAY 5/29
WORLD MS DAY 5/30
WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 5/31
ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
BIKE SAFETY MONTH
HEALTHY VISION MONTH
LOU GEHRIG DISEASE WARENESS MONTH
LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH
MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
NATIONAL AMERCIAN STROKE MONTH
NATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH MONTH
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
NATIONAL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE EDUCATION MONTH
NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS AWARENESS & PREVENYION MONTH
NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS & SPORTS MONTH
NATIONAL SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
1. More calls are made on Mother's Day than any other day of the year. There are an estimated 122 million calls made on the second Sunday of May every year.
2. One of the earliest Mother's Day celebrations was in Ancient Greece. The Greeks would have spring celebrations in honor of Rhea, the goddess of fertility, motherhood, and generation.
3. Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants. According to the National Restaurant Association, 48% of people go to a restaurant for Mother's Day.
4. Mother's Day is the third highest selling holiday for flowers and plants. Approximately one quarter of all the flowers purchased throughout the year are bought for Mother's Day.
5. Carnations have a special meaning on Mother's Day. Red and pink carnations symbolize that your mom is still living, and white carnations mean she has passed away.
A Carnation.
6. In 2023, over $35 Billion was spent on Mother's Day.
7. In the vast majority of the world’s languages, the word for “mother” begins with the letter M.
8. Mother's Day is celebrated all over the world. While the celebrations may be held on different days internationally, Great Britain, Canada, Costa Rica, Samoa, Georgia, Australia, and Thailand all have designated celebrations to honor their country's mothers.
9. The shortest span between two babies is by mom, Jayne Bleackley. She gave birth to her son on September 3, 1999. Then only 208 days later gave birth to her daughter (on March 30, 2000).
10. Beauty salons and spas also get a Mother's Day boost. According to the National Retail Federation, on Mother's Day, people will spend $2 billion on personal services (like spa treatments) for their mothers.
Beauty Salon.
ABIGAIL CHEEK (D8) 5/1
TONY HARDIN 5/1
SOPHIA WHITE 5/4
KYLE ETHRIDGE 5/23
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY TO ALL!!!
In the last several years, we have all experienced new challenges that have affected our mental, physical, and social well-being. Many of us have felt anxiety, increased stress, and emotional exhaustion which is why wellness and self-care are more important than ever before. Our wellness journey is an ongoing one, and we have to prioritize our emotional and physical health. Here are some ideas to care for the many dimensions of wellness, so we can nourish our bodies and nurture our minds.
Spring is here, and that means so many things are starting to happen. Flowers are blooming everywhere, there are more hours of daylight, the weather is heating up and there’s more outdoor activities to engage in during the springtime. Make a list of all the things you want to do this spring and check them off as you accomplish them. Here are some activities to celebrate the reawakening of Spring.
SPRING TO DO LIST
1. Have a picnic outside on a blanket with your kids or fur babies.
2. Fly a kite at a local park or beach.
3. Pack up those winter clothes and put them in airtight storage bins.
4. Pull out those bright or pastel clothes and put them in the front of your closet.
5. Plant seeds in your garden.
6. Clean out your workspace, studio, closet, or car.
8. Visit a playground.
9. Pick wildflowers.
10. Bird watch.
11. Create a nature themed scavenger hunt for friends.
12. Splash in puddles.
13. Take a long ride on your bicycle to benefit your physical and mental health.
14. Cut up fresh fruit and keep it in the refrigerator so quick, tasty and healthy snacks are readily available.
A bowl of delicious fresh fruit.
15. Watch the sunrise.
16. Draw a rainbow.
17. Check out yard and estate sales
18. Open all the windows in your house.
19. Go kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boating.
20. Visit a farmer’s market.
21. Change your hair by cutting, coloring or varying the style.
22. Visit a Tulip Garden or Botanical Garden.
23. Do some yoga outdoors.
24. Go for a hike.
25. Pick up litter on the streets to create a clean environment.
26. Put fresh cut flowers in a vase in your house.
27. Sun yourself in a park or your backyard.
28. Go on a Spring Break vacation.
29. Use something delicious to make popsicles.
30. Visit a flea market.
A gorgeous sunrise.
31. Get a bright fancy pedicure to prepare your tootsies for flip flips and sandal season.
32. Photograph flowers.
33. Attend opening day for your local baseball team.
34. Skip stones in a pond, lake, ocean.
35. Hang a prism from a window in your home.
36. Detail your car inside and outside.
37. Splurge on a colorful, fancy umbrella.
38. Hang up a windchime.
39. Play golf with friends.
40. Visit the beach in the off season.
41. Plan a Summer vacation
42. Try making pressed flowers.
43. Revel in the longer daylight each day
44. Plant a butterfly bush
A Butterfly Bush.
Try out some of these fun and relaxing ideas to make the most out of springtime. Pick out a few things on this list to do each week of spring. You may be surprised how much you enjoy these little celebrations of spring rituals. Take photographs of your spring adventures and email them to me to be shared in next month's Council Chronicle. Happy Spring, y'all!
Establishing healthy habits is a challenging but important part of maintaining your wellness. Small actions and simple activities can make a big difference in your holistic health. The holistic approach to health care focuses on the health of the entire body and mind and not just parts of the body.
I pray for equality, unity and peace in every city in our country. Equality for all people everywhere. I pray for justice for all those who have lost their lives needlessly and unjustly. I pray that all people, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status be treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve. I pray for change so that healing can begin in this country and around the world.
Amen.
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