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Let's talk about some more good stuff that happened this week.

Wonderful, surprising, and happy things happened all over the world this week. No, really!

Take, for example a new migraine-preventing drug that could one day help millions of people. Then there's the town in Sweden that is considering paying its residents to have sex with their partner (of course it would be in Sweden). Oh, and don't forget that Nokia is bringing back the 3310, otherwise known as everyone's favorite, blocky, indestructible cellphone from the year 2000!

And that's not nearly all.


Here's a look at some wonderful things that will make you feel G-R-E-A-T about the world.

1. A video surfaced of the most friggin' enthusiastic kid ever during a sing-along at school.

I'd like to make a motion that we all begin each morning like this.

The little guy in blue will change your mood

I challenge you not to smile Credit: ViralHog

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Viral Thread on Tuesday, February 21, 2017

2. More and more people are adopting senior dogs. They're cute, and they won't eat your shoes!

We all know most everyone wants an adorable puppy, but gray-muzzles need good homes, too. One organization that specializes in rehoming senior pets happily reports they're seeing more interest from people in bringing an older dog into their home. Let's keep it up!

3. India's Ministry of Health just said it's OK to be gay (and some other cool things). That's a huge deal.

Official laws in India are a bit behind the times on issues like homosexuality and consent, but the education community at least is making a push to change that. New guidelines encourage educators to tell young people it's OK to be attracted to the same sex and that consent is important in any sexual encounter.

4. Scientists say sea snails might one day save us from pain. Yippee!

Opioid addiction and overdose is a major problem in America, but the drugs are super important and effective in mitigating pain. Early testing shows that venom from sea snails (though the snails themselves aren't all that easy on the eyes) could one day be a safe and effective alternative.

5. People are already banding together to hide and shelter undocumented immigrants.

CNN reports that people all over the country are already working together, forming a network to help house immigrants who may be wanted by ICE for deportation.

I don't know about you, but watching people stand up for their neighbors, documented or not, makes me swell with pride for our country.

6. A small-town hero gave a stranger his own car so he could make it to a funeral on time.

Todd Steinkamp's car gave out on him during a long drive to a funeral, stranding him in unfamiliar Wild Rose, Wisconsin. A mechanic there said he could fix it, but it'd take a couple of days, and the town was fresh out of rental cars.

So the kind mechanic gave Todd the keys to his own truck and told him to get going.

Let me tell you the story of Glenn. I had to go to a funeral yesterday up by Green Bay, Wisconsin. As it was a long...

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Todd Steinkamp on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

7. New trials for an HIV vaccine are extremely promising.

A new study out of the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute in Barcelona reports that a hybrid of existing vaccines helped curb or eliminate HIV in a number of participants. If the drug progresses successfully, it could one day eliminate the need for expensive, daily treatments for HIV patients.

8. This baby hugging a cat.

This is the best.

9. A trope-busting horror movie about racism scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Director Jordan Peele. Photo by Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images.

We all know the ancient trope about the black guy dying first in horror movies, but in Jordan Peele's "Get Out," the black guy is the main character, and the film isn't afraid to tackle the racial issues of today's America head-on.

Oh, and apparently the movie is good. Like really good.

It's awesome to see a smart filmmaker of color pushing forward in a genre in desperate need of change.

10. Fashion FTW. A report just claimed Fashion Week in New York was as inclusive as it's ever been.

A model for Marc Jacobs during Fashion Week. Photo by Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images.

The Fashion Spot reports that the recent mega-fashion event in New York City held earlier this month featured at least one model of color on every runway, which hasn't happened since anyone has been keeping track.

11. And finally, a woman in a wheelchair broke major barriers in the Miss World Australia competition.

There's no such thing as too many stories about inclusivity. Beauty comes in every shape, size, color, and ability, as Justine Clark proved by advancing farther than anyone using a wheelchair had in the competition before.

I love my job. The impact I'm able to make just by being a part of other people's lives in whatever makes them feel whole. This year I decided to help people do more of what makes people happy. In case you missed it, over the weekend I hosted the Adelaide @missworldaustralia preliminary with contestant; Justine. @fitalicous_vegan_barbie Being in a wheelchair does not define her or limit her abilities to represent our country with the #missworld #crown and I congratulate my boss @pageantqueenaus for always supporting and empowering us women in more ways than our exterior beauty. Love, serve and nurture. I was in tears when I presented this group of girls. They make me proud to be a part of a social and emotional revolution which is changing history in the way beauty is being viewed. #lovemyjob #wellnesscoach #mc #presenter #Adelaide #author #healthyliving #wheelchair #eveningwear #beauty #beautywithapurpose #beautiful #model #rolemodel @dailymail

A post shared by Author / TV Presenter (@andi.lew) on

There's bound to be great news next week, too. You might have to look a little harder for it these days, but I promise you, it's worth it!

A pitbull stares at the window, looking for the mailman.


Dogs are naturally driven by a sense of purpose and a need for belonging, which are all part of their instinctual pack behavior. When a dog has a job to do, it taps into its needs for structure, purpose, and the feeling of contributing to its pack, which in a domestic setting translates to its human family.

But let’s be honest: In a traditional domestic setting, dogs have fewer chores they can do as they would on a farm or as part of a rescue unit. A doggy mom in Vancouver Island, Canada had fun with her dog’s purposeful uselessness by sharing the 5 “chores” her pitbull-Lab mix does around the house.

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Joy

5-star Scottish resort offers whimsical afternoon tea experience with 'naughty sheep'

Cameron House's Woolly Wellness retreat includes tea in the garden with adorably rude guests.

Cameron House/Naughty Sheep

Cameron House's Woolly Wellness retreat includes a unique sheep encounter.

Remember when "goat yoga" was all the rage? And then "cow cuddling" and "turkey cuddling" made everyone's bucket lists?

Now we can add "nuzzling with naughty sheep" to the mix, but with a fancy Scottish twist.

Less than an hour from Glasgow, Scotland, the Cameron House resort sits on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, looking as if it were plucked straight out of a fairy tale. Sprawling green grounds, gorgeous lake views and a four-story castled mansion greet guests as their "home away from home" (only better), and a perusal of the reviews show guests raving about the 5-star resort's elegance, beauty and exceptional service.

I mean, just look at this place:

drone view of cameron house grounds and lakeCameron House sit on Lake Lochmond in Scotland.Cameron House


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Innovation

A student accidentally created a rechargeable battery that could last 400 years

"This thing has been cycling 10,000 cycles and it’s still going." ⚡️⚡️

There's an old saying that luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.

There's no better example of that than a 2016 discovery at the University of California, Irvine, by doctoral student Mya Le Thai. After playing around in the lab, she made a discovery that could lead to a rechargeable battery that could last up to 400 years. That means longer-lasting laptops and smartphones and fewer lithium ion batteries piling up in landfills.

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@caitlin.the.realtor/TikTok, used with permission

Wait, so 90's fashion is in, but 90's hair is out?

Every era has its own version of what’s attractive. And very rarely does that aesthetic hold power with the following generation. In fact, it often becomes the opposite of cool.

Just think of Elvis. He might have been a universal sex symbol for a time, but it also wasn’t long before his pompadour became passé. Same goes for Paul Newman’s rugged manliness, David Cassidy’s babyface, Tom Selleck’s mustache. Indeed, for everything a season.

Which brings us to the 90s. The age of beach blonde surfer boys (real surfing skills not required, but a plus). Of flannel, lots of flannel, and super chiseled bodies. Let’s not forget this was the dawning of the term “metrosexual,” and also the time period that brought us that Calvin Klein ad with Mark Wahlburg.

How exactly would these guys measure up with the Gen Z kids today?

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A Eurasian crow.

A family from Denmark has created a touching video montage documenting their unique friendship with a wild Eurasian crow. This crow, affectionately named Russell, has become an honorary member of their household, forming special bonds with each family member, including the pets.

However, the crow's relationship with their son, 2-year-old Otto, is truly extraordinary. “They could spend hours just playing,” Otto’s mother, Laerke Luna, says in a video shared by The Dodo. "When Otto is outside, he will never leave Otto’s side.”

Russell, the free-spirited crow, ventures away from the family's home from time to time, but never for too long. He always comes back and announces his return by tapping on the door, swooping in to lounge on the sofa, or awaiting Otto's return from school atop their roof.

“When we are inside, he will sit inside the window because he wants Otto to go outside with him,” Laerke said.

The family’s relationship with Russell didn’t come out of nowhere. When Russell was a young bird, he had health problems so the family took him and nursed the bird back to health. Eventually, they witnessed his first attempts to fly.

Recently, Russell became friends with another family member, their second child, Hedwig. Although he does get a little annoyed with the bird’s frequent attempts to nab his pacifier.

Even though it’s rare for humans to strike up such a close bond with a crow, according to research, it’s not that surprising. Audubon says that crows are “some of the smartest animals in the world” with an intelligence “on par with chimpanzees.” They are also very social and family-oriented, so no wonder Russell loves Otto and his family.

Crow Named Russell Waits For His Favorite Kid To Get Home From School | The Dodo


Learning

Why you shouldn't throw your dishwasher pod into the bottom of your dishwasher

Dishwashers actually use the dirty water to know how to wash your dishes.

Photos by cottonbro studio and PhotoMIX Ltd. via Canva

Why your detergent shouldn't go in the bottom of the dishwasher

There always seem to be something going on with the pods and powders you're supposed to use in the dishwasher to clean your dishes. Either the pods don't dissolve completely or the powder gets all goopy and hard, never really fully dispensing into the dishwasher.

The inconsistency in product dispensing can leave you wondering if the dishes are even getting cleaned, causing some to toss the detergent pod into the bottom of the dishwasher. It would seem that placing the detergent at the bottom would allow for it to actually reach your dirty dishes. But Melissa Pateras, a domestic expert, explains that doing it that way isn't doing what you think it's doing.

Pateras actually breaks down exactly how dishwashers work to clean your dishes while explaining why putting the detergent on the bottom is ineffective.

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