Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Daylight savings starts this weekend
This Sunday clocks go forward an hour and we begin a period of daylight savings that lasts a little bit over five months, until they go back again on the first Sunday in April. It’s taken me the better part of my lifetime to work out when the clocks go forward or backward and the old North American adage, ‘spring forward, fall backwards’, has finally taken hold. Though now in the age of the smartphones the time change is automatically worked out and there are no surprises like there used to be previously when time management was entirely manual.
I like the extended months of daylight savings that was introduced in 2007. The more light the better, as far as I’m concerned, and it always seems as if the good weather actually arrives just after our clocks go forward. it’s been a long winter and we all need a bit of heat and sun to lift our spirits.
5 stars – here’s to a fantastic Kiwi spring and summer with those long warm nights!
Zoo in China found out after counterfeit pandas exposed
Pandas are great. They’re big, fluffy, temperamental, cute, and they do no harm. Everyone seemingly loves pandas, so much so that if pandas aren’t available for your zoo, then the next best thing is to create pandas of your own.
That’s exactly what some enterprising zoo owners in China did.
“It turns out the bears, which were said to be the star attraction at the zoo in Shanwei, Guangdong Province, aren’t actually bears at all but are ‘panda dogs’. The barking and panting were perhaps a bit of a giveaway. The owners of the zoo admitted to painting a couple of fluffy Chow Chow dogs to make them resemble the country’s most famous animal.
“The zoo did claim that it had not intentionally misled guests, as there is a sign on the enclosure that said the animals are ‘panda dogs’. It said it wanted to introduce a fun element. The owners also stated the dye used wasn’t harmful to the dogs.” (Source: “Watch: Dogs in Chinese zoo painted to look like pandas,” by Alan Granville, 23rd September, www.stuff.co.nz).
None of that stopped disappointed zoo visitors from demanding refunds.
5 stars – no stars for the deception but 5 stars for the story and the laughs it gave me, and hopefully you.
Inspiring acts of kindness go a long way
In the United States, one woman’s keen observation has led to an outpouring of anonymous public generosity. Seeing a purse in the baby aisle at a store, Denaesha Gonzalez realised that one mother had sacrificed something for herself to buy essential items for her baby instead. Now women are leaving gift cards and sometimes money in items in baby aisles as welcome surprises for other mothers across the US.
After posting a short video, hoping to inspire other mothers, Gonzalez’ message has gone viral and been seen by over 20 million people so far.
“The hashtag #shedeservedthepurse challenge took off last week when mum influencer Cecily Bauchman told her 2 million followers that Gonzalez’s video had inspired her. Bauchman then posted a vlog of her buying a US$100 Target gift card. On the back of the receipt she wrote, ‘Hey! You deserve that special ‘you’ thing. You are amazing!’ She slipped the gift card and note in a package of Huggies diapers.
“Katie Beach, a stay-at-home mother of a 2-year-old boy and 2-month-old girl, told the Post the videos had affected her deeply. She shared the videos with her group chat of mum content creators and encouraged them to give back. Last Friday, she went to her local Target and bought four US$50 gift cards, then went to the customer service desk and borrowed tape. She stuck the gift cards, the receipt and a note on various formula containers.” (Source: “Why mums are leaving gift cards in nappy boxes — and sharing it on social media,” by Amber Ferguson, 24th September, www.nzherald.co.nz).
