There are times — I suppose we all have them — when the world’s drama just becomes overwhelming, and you need to get away from it all. Perhaps not literally, but at least mentally. Yesterday was one of those days for me, and — miracle of miracles! — there were actually some cheery items that made it into the news, when I wasn’t even searching for them. They all came to me compliments of CNN News, and of course, I have to share:

Lottery Win: This was a special story because the winner of the $5 Million scratch-off jackpot was a 75-year-old great-grandmother in Pennsylvania, one Donna Osborne, who had recently completed her treatment for breast cancer. She had given up on a flight she was supposed to have taken to Florida that was delayed and delayed, and she finally left the airport to return home, no doubt in a less-than-wonderful frame of mind. Stopping for gas, she impulsively bought a ticket at the gas station and scratched it there. The rest is history. And I can’t think of many people who better deserve that kind of luck. Use it well, Mrs. Osborne . . . and in the best of health.

Moulin Rouge: I wasn’t aware that the iconic windmill at Paris’ Moulin Rouge had lost its blades three months ago. No one seems to know just how or why it happened, but it really doesn’t matter. Happily, the world-famous cabaret was able to have its new blades installed before the Olympic flame passes through its Montmartre neighborhood on July 15th. Around 500 spectators attended the installation event, along with a performance by some twenty can-can dancers. Now, that’s one I would love to have seen! They do know how to throw a party in Gay Paree, don’t they?

Canine Chef: He was probably just trying to fix himself a snack, but a pup in Colorado Springs, Colorado managed to set his home on fire — well, the kitchen anyway. According to home security video footage, he accidentally lit the stove where some boxes had been placed when he tried to climb up, probably to see whether they contained anything edible. The good news is that the homeowners were awakened in time to put the fire out even before the fire department arrived, and no one was seriously injured — including the offending pooch. Lesson to homeowners: Keep flammable stuff away from the stove! Duh.

And finally . . .

Hermes: Not Just For Fashion: In Bulgaria, of all the surprising places, some local archaeologists unearthed real treasure this week while digging in an ancient Roman sewer: a well-preserved marble statue of the Greek god Hermes, said to be the protector of human heralds, travelers, thieves, merchants, and orators. That’s quite a lot of responsibility for one god to handle on his own, and all while also acting as the herald to the other gods. No wonder his scarves are so expensive!

I don’t know much about the Greek gods, but I will say this for Hermes:

Nice buns, dude!

They say you should always get off the stage while you’re hot, and I don’t think I can do much better than Hermes’ heinie. So on that note, I’m out of here until tomorrow. I feel better now.

TTFN . . .

Brendochka
7/9/24