Category: Good deeds

Bitmo Sunday book review

Sunday Book Review – Tree Fairies and their Short Stories by D.L. Finn

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Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. I’m delighted to share my review for D.L. Finn’s middle-grade story – Tree Fairies. Truth be told, I ordered the paperback copy for my young niece, and of course I had to read it first! This is a wonderful book for any age to read this enchanting story with lessons learned through the wise trees and fairies.

 

 

 

Blurb:

When reality and magic meet in the forest

It’s 1969, and twelve-year-old Daniel Burns is camping in the redwood forest with his family. Danny wants to listen to his music and read, but his family has other plans. S’mores around the campfire and stories end their first day. The family is sleeping soundly in their secluded tent when Danny wakes up and finds his sister, Colette, is missing. Assuming she went to use the outhouse, he goes after her. When he finds his sister, they discover there is a thin veil between reality and fantasy. Two bonus short stories offer a glimpse into the magical world that finds Danny and Colette. These hidden beings not only share our world but have a role in protecting their forest.

 

 

My 5 Star Review:

Finn takes us into a fantasy world of fairies and humans working together to save the forest. Danny and and his sister Collette and his parents go camping 1969, one night while Colette sleepwalks into the forest, Danny noticed her gone and goes to find her. It’s outside at night they meet the fairies – the protectors of the forest. The fairies know Danny’s mother is a writer and ask if she could write a book to help save the forest. The Wise Old Trees offer help with their wisdom.

The book consists of 3 parts, 3 continuing stories. The next generation – Danny and Colette and their kids go camping in the same forest in 1990 and learn about some baddies dumping barrels of waste in the forest. Danny, now a writer with his kids Wren and Sierra, and Colette, now a movie director, come back to the forest to visit the fairies and wise trees and to take care of bad business happening to nature. Mom is still writing and dad is retired and they are both living off the grid.

The three stories are linked and all have the same characters as not to confuse young readers. It deals with different issues, from clear cutting, to stopping toxic waste dumping, to catching and sending away poachers, all while offering entertaining fantasy characters from the forest, yet teaching life lessons on the importance of working to keep the environment clean and sustainable, demonstrating the humans working together with the fairies to help save the forest.

The author has a wonderful way of weaving a magical story with real life issues and lessons the children learn about nature from the fairies and trees.

 

©DGKaye2021

 

We are the World Blogfest

#WATWB – We are the World #Blogfest #RandomActsofKindness, New App for Hearing Impaired – Sign Language

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Welcome to the last post for the year for the WATWB – We are the World Blogfest. Each last Friday of the month, a group of writers contribute an article about something good going on in the world to deflect from so much of the negative going on in the world. For this month, I’m sharing my finding of a new App for the hearing impaired.

 

British High School senior, Mariella Satow, found herself stranded in New York during the pandemic and in between her online school classes she decided she wanted to teach herself how to do sign language. Later, Mariella couldn’t find one streaming platform that added sign language. Her determination to create something for the hearing impaired inspired her to create a Google Chrome Extension called Signup. This is a box that comes up that can be clicked on with some streaming services now that will bring up a sign language interpretation version for the chosen movie compatible with the app.  Since Mariella created this, she is getting many requests for video translations. And since she created the app, others are getting the idea to create ‘Sign’ apps for many more streaming services.

 

Amazing how it only takes one concerned citizen to open up a new world for the hearing impaired. You can read the complete article at Goodnet HERE.

 

 

Here’s an example video of ‘Signup’ catching on with the American Sign Language for Ohio Citizens for Deaf Cultures

 

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Original Source:

https://www.goodnet.org/articles/this-app-lets-kids-hearing-loss-enjoy-movies

 

Come join us next year, the last Friday of each month. Find an inspiring article and share it for WATWB, then just add the link to our group post on our Facebook WATWB group page so others can share and read. Hosts this month for WATWB are: 

 

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©DGKaye2021

 

 

We are the World Blogfest

#WATWB – We are the World Blogfest, #Gooddeeds – Feeding the Sick in Rwanda

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Welcome to the October issue of #WATWB – We are the World Blogfest, where a group of writers share something good going on in the world to inspire and keep focused on some of the positive things happening in the world.

 

In this edition, I’m sharing an initiative I came across where the organization of Humanity United and  Kuzamura Ubuzima have united with the first ever Food share initiative. This initiative was formed in order to aid in the food shortage in Rwanda with the Food Forest Program, and recently added, food delivery for patients in hospitals. Food is not free for hospital stays in Rwanda and many cannot afford to buy the food, and many more have nobody to bring them food.

 

 

“Food Forests – also known as forest gardening, are a world apart from traditional agriculture. Standard farming models require that crops are planted in neat rows, segregated by species. In contrast, the food forest model revolves around planting techniques which mirror the ecosystems found in nature.

This means that crops are allowed to grow in the places where they naturally thrive – think shade-loving mushrooms underneath heavy canopied trees, or plants that mutually benefit each other interspersed in the same area. Because the food forest follows patterns found in nature, it is low maintenance and self-sustaining, requiring only basic upkeep from farmers. . .”

 

Please continue reading about this amazing initiative at Goodnet.org.

 

Anyone is welcome to join in at any time to post something good going on in the world on the last Friday of each month for the WATWB by posting a link to your post on our WATWB Facebook Group Page post. Hosts for this month are:  Sylvia McGrath (professorowlsbookcorner.com) and Belinda Witzehausen (BelindaWitzenhausen.com)  

 

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©DGKaye2021

 

 

We are the World Blogfest

#WATWB – We are the World Blogfest #RandomActsofKindness – Inspiring Young Readers

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Welcome to September edition of #WATWB – We are the World Blogfest, where writers join in on the last Friday of each month to share something good going on in the world. In this edition I’m sharing a wonderful initiative – publishing books for children to read for free to fulfil its mission, believing that every child by aged five should own at least 100 books.

 

Bookdash is a literacy organization that publishes books in eleven South African languages, an initiative that began in 2014, and has so far published over 146 books and over one million copies.

 

“Almost 60 percent of South African homes do not own a single book according to a 2016 South African Book Development Council report. According to the report, having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact on a child’s going on to higher levels of education. The impact of having 100 is even more pronounced.”

 

“The reason that so few South African homes have books is because they simply cannot afford them, Book Dash’s  director Dorette Louw told the Christian Science Monitor. Many families cannot purchase glossy children’s picture books in bookstores. Printing short-run books for a South African market is very costly.”

 

 

You can read the whole article at Goodnet. And enjoy this video that shares more about the dire need for these books to improve literacy for the children in South Africa.

 

 

 

Original source: https://www.goodnet.org/articles/book-dash-inspires-young-readers-to-soar

 

If you’d like to join in with an inspiring post for #WATWB, you can add your link to the group Facebook Page. Hosts for this month’s WATWB are: co-hosts are Eric Lahti (https://ericlahti.wordpress.com/) and Susan Scott (https://www.gardenofedenblog.com/

 

©DGKaye2021

 

 

We are the World Blogfest

#WATWB – Meet the Young Woman Helping Others Smile, One Bouquet at a Time! – Goodnet

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Welcome to the the #WATWB – We are the World Blogfest, where a group of writers share something good going on in the world to deflect from negativity on the last Friday of each month.

 

Today I’m sharing an article I came across where one woman doctor brings the smiles one bouquet at a time.  Eleanor Love (appropriate name), worked part time as a florist while going through medical school and has a gifted knack for making bouqets. She has taken it upon herself to bring cheer to patients by collecting leftover flowers from weddings and making bouqets and giving them to patients to brighten their day.

 

 

Meet the Young Woman Helping Others Smile, One Bouquet at a Time!

 

 

“Eleanor Love knows that flowers have the power to bring joy to people.”

 

This young doctor’s mission is simple but genius: she turns something old into something new. Here’s how. She collects leftover fresh flowers from weddings and rearranges them into beautiful bouquets for re-gifting to hospital patients.

 

“But in this simple gesture of giving gorgeous flowers to lonely hospital patients, she is also gifting a healthy dose of instant happiness, bringing joy to her smiling recipients.”

 

“The floral passion of the appropriately named Ms. Love all started two years ago when she was a medical student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, reports the Washington Post. Inspired by hearing about the regifting of flowers happening on the West Coast, and equipped with the hacks to create a beautiful flower arrangement from her part time job at a floral shop before medical school, she decided to add some joy into patients’ lives. She continued the effort by setting up an organzation called The Simple Sunflower, which keeps up with the flower deliveries. . .

Visit the full article at Goodnet

 

Check out the video which explains the Simple Sunflower project

 

Source: Meet the Young Woman Helping Others Smile, One Bouquet at a Time! – Goodnet

 

If you’d like to join in posting something positive going on in the world, please add your link to our #WATWB Facebook group.

 

Hosts for this month are: Mary J. Giese (https://maryjmelange.wordpress.com/ and Belinda Witzenhausen (https://www.BelindaWitzenhausen.com/) 

 

©DGKaye2021

 

We are the World Blogfest

#WATWB Stray Dog Steals Stuffed Unicorn from a Store

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It’s that time of the month again, the last Friday of the month where a group of writers share an article about something good going on around the world to deflect from negativity for the We are the World Blogfest, #WATWB.

 

Well, it seems this little stray dog had an attraction to a stuffed unicorn that he was determined not to leave behind – no matter if legal or not!

 

Stray dog kept stealing a stuffed unicorn from a store, so animal control bought it for him

 

Thieves are usually apprehended by the police. But for this four-legged shoplifter, the authorities had to make an exception.

A big stray dog couldn’t keep his mouth and paws away from a stuffed purple unicorn at the Dollar General store in Kenansville, North Carolina. And since he had no owner to buy it for him, the pup had to resort to “illegal” methods.

Every time a customer exited, the dog would dart into the store and go straight into the toy aisle to grab it. The Lab mix kept going back inside to steal the same stuffed purple unicorn, doing it on five different occasions!

Sisu with his stuffed purple unicorn

 

It was evident that he really wanted that unicorn. But business is business, so a Dollar General store employee was forced to lock their door and ask help from the Duplin County Animal Control to take the thieving dog away.

But the pup ended up getting what he wanted after all. Samantha Lane—the officer who responded to the store’s call—purchased the $10 stuffed toy for him!

Please read the full article over at MyPositiveOutlooks.com

 

A simple thing to make someone happy. I’m glad that officer had the compassion to give the stray, lonely dog something to be happy about!

 

If you’d like to join our #WATWB group and submit something good on your own, please do so at our WATWB Facebook Group.

 

Sylvia McGrath (https://www.professorowlsbookcorner.com ) and Belinda Witzehausen (https://www.BelindaWitzenhausen.com/) will be co-hosting this month.
We ask those on Facebook and Twitter to like visit, comment and share posts and please reciprocate to those who promote your post.

Source: Stray dog kept stealing a stuffed unicorn from a store, so animal control bought it for him

 

©DGKaye2021

 

We are the World Blogfest

#WATWB – An Autistic Man Posts Online for Work and Gets 7 Million Views! – Goodnet

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Welcome to this months #WATWB – We are the World Blogfest where a group of writers take the time to post about one good thing going on in this world, to deflect from some of the negativity, on the last Friday of each month.

I heard about this amazing guy, Ryan Lowry, on the news and then came across the article I’m sharing here today, where an autistic man struggled to get a job because of his autism, so he decided to hand write a letter and post it on Linkedin. He got over seven million views as his words touched many hearts, and optimally, got himself a job.

 

 

“A young autistic man recently posted a letter on LinkedIn asking for a job. This honest and personal letter sparked such compassion, it was viewed over 7 million times. He opened the hearts of all who read it and within four days, he landed a scholarship in his dream field.

The 20-year-old from Virginia had a vision. Ryan Lowry was looking for a job in IT or animation and wanted to get the word out, so with the help of his dad he opened a LinkedIn account, according to TODAY. He wrote a handwritten, personal, and deeply honest letter that stood out from the other posts.

In the letter, Lowry explained upfront that he has autism. He added that he is a quick learner, gifted at math, and has a great sense of humor. “I realize that someone like you will have to take a chance on me,” he wrote to a prospective employer. “I don’t learn like typical people. I would need a mentor to teach me, but I learn quickly, once you explain it, I get it.”

This letter spread across the LinkedIn community like fire, warming hearts along the way. It gained seven million shares and 180,000 likes. There was so much activity centered around this one letter, LinkedIn closed the account thinking it was suspicious, according to TODAY.

The account was soon reopened and a flourish of comments picked up again. Catherine Fisher from LinkedIn told TODAY, “Ryan is leading by example, he’s showcasing his unique skills, being authentic and asking his community for help. We can’t wait to see when he updates his profile with a new job.”

Please continue reading this beautiful article at Goodnet.org

Source: An Autistic Man Posts Online for Work and Gets 7 Million Views! – Goodnet

 

If you’d like to share something good going on you’ve come across, please share a link at our WATWB Facebook page to post. Hosts this month are: Sylvia McGrath and Belinda Witzenhausen.

 

©DGKaye2021

 

 

Sunday Movie Review

Sunday Movie Review – Hacksaw Ridge – WWII Hero

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Welcome to my Sunday Movie Review. I thought I’d share this movie because despite the ‘war’ content, which I always cover my eyes when I see violence or blood, like a gag reflex, I loved the message and the compassion of Desmond Doss, played by Andrew Garfield, whom I’ve never heard of, but wow, this guy can steal your empathy in Hacksaw Ridge. He almost reminds me of a young Sean Penn?? I had this review in draft for when I didn’t have a book review to share, and I managed a few stolen moments to edit and post here for your enjoyment.

A WWII true story about the unlikeliest hero, Desmond Doss who enlisted to save lives, not kill them.

This movie from 2016, was a based on a true story about a man who enlisted himself to join the fight in WWII. He grew up in Virginia under the belt of his abusive father and God-loving mother. But Doss is a compassionate soul who when he had the chance to kill his father after near beating his mother to death, he couldn’t. The story is about a man who wanted to do something for his country but would not participate in violence and only wanted to be a medic – who turned into a hero.

Desmond Doss grew up and was known as a ‘conscientious objector‘ who desperately wanted to serve in WWII as a medic. The problem was he refused to carry or even touch a gun. He was abused by the court martial sentence, but he stood his ground. He made clear he wanted to serve his country by saving lives, not killing them.

His life in the army was tough as at first he took a lot of teasing for his stance. There’s a beautiful love story in this movie too, despite the fact that much of the movie was war footage in the battle at Okinawa, which of course was the main theme of the story about how Doss came to be a respected medic and eventually receiving a gold medal of honor for saving 75 lives in that gruesome battle. Too be honest, despite the gore and the pain I feel when I see the injured, and despite the fact that the theme was about the ugly war, this guy had me swallowing my heart through his rescues that I had to peel my hands away from my eyes to make sure he lived. Being that it was a true story and all I’d read was he’d received the gold medal for his heroic rescues, I wasn’t sure if he received the medal as a survivor or posthumously. And there, I will leave you hanging to find out for yourselves.

Check out this gripping trailer. It pretty much highlights what I highlighted in my review. Lol, maybe I’m in the wrong business? I love reviewing movies, especially the ones that grab my heart and require Kleenex.

 

I always like to look at book reviews for a movie after I’ve watched, to see what people got from the book to discover which was better. Most times, the book is better because, after all, it was good enough to make into a movie but then gets rewritten in script form where time is taken into consideration, so naturally, some things are left out. But I have seen some fine movies in my time that the book somewhat disappointed.

I dug around Amazon to look for this book and I saw a few. But I was searching for the original author’s book and I came across this comment in a review for a book version that is an abridged version,

“Redemption at Hacksaw Ridge (hardback) is a much expanded, reedited edition of the original The Unlikeliest Hero, which went out of print in 1967. The new edition contains nearly three times as many pictures, a new Foreword, and Epilogue.”

 

I found the book on Amazon:

 

Have any of you seen this movie or read the book? If you like hero stories about survival, standing your ground for your beliefs, you will surely love this movie.

 

©DGKaye2021

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