Housing Bounceback in the United Kingdom

Good news in the housing market was noted in the United Kingdom last week. Property values increased by 0.9% over the previous month. This increase was a deemed a "surprise bounce." For more details, click on the link provided:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7977683.stm

Editor of AGNADL

Vermont Holds Steady on Same-sex Marriage Rights

The Vermont state legislature voted to override the governor's veto of same sex marriage to become the first state to allow same sex marriage through legislative action rather than a court ruling. Vermont joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa (at least for the moment) in becoming the fourth state to adopt same sex marriage rights. Gosh, 46 mores states and we will be as progressive as Canada, parts of Europe, and the UK. Seems to me that "the land of the free and the home of the brave" ought to be a little more up-to-date in their inclusion of who gets to be free. Remember, "equal rights" aren't equal if we don't all have them. Please click the link below for more details.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/us/08vermont.html?_r=1&hp
Editor of AGNADL

Record Numbers of Rescuers in Italy Earthquake Efforts

Here at All Good News All Day Long, I endeavor to focus on good news. Even though there are a lot of news situations that are not likely to become topics for this publication, it isn't because I am unaware of them or choose to turn a blind eye to suffering. Every day I sift through hundreds of articles and headlines on multiple news sites online, so I am probably more aware than your average news reader of what is transpiring internationally.

While there is no way truly to put a positive spin on a major earthquake that has caused massive destruction and taken dozens of lives, I have trained my eyes to look for the upside in challenging situations, the glimmers of hope, if you will. As I read this morning more about the destruction left behind by the recent earthquake in Italy, I did notice a mention of record-breaking numbers of rescue workers who have shown up to help search through the rubble of the medieval city of L'Aquila. Even in our most difficult moments, there are always, always so many kind-hearted people reaching out a hand to help a fellow human being. If that isn't good news, then I don't know what good news is. Also good to hear is that the Italian government is apparently well-equipped and financially able to deal with this situation.

Editor of AGNADL

Spring is in the Air--Atchoo!

I know spring is here, even though it seems to be taking the meandering path to get here, because I've had random acts of sneezing and sudden moments of grittiness in my eyes. But there are also nicer hints of it. These photos are from Ginny Hardie in Olympia, Washington, where her garden flowers are flowering. Enjoy!


Lungwort

Hellebore

Rhododendron

Camelia

Editor of AGNADL

Spring is Better Late than Never

Our daffodils are out in full bloom finally, but they're about two months later than normal. Our tulips are barely budding, but the Tulip Festival in Skagit County, Washington normally happens for the entire month of April. What do they do if the tulips are being shy? Mine may bloom in the next couple of weeks, but the Tulip Festival is already happening. Here's some info from the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival headquarters. Note the bit about what to do while you wait patiently for the tulips to bloom. Apparently I'm not the only one with shy tulips. As least they are going to show up. I'll add a photo from my yard tomorrow to this article to illustrate my point. I forgot to go back out and take a shot or two when I noticed that they were really getting serious about showing up this year.

http://www.tulipfestival.org/

Editor of AGNADL

Knock Me Over with a Gay Feather

Iowa has ruled that the gay marriage ban in that state is unconstitutional. Hmm. Iowa, huh? Who da thunk it? But I'm dancing in the streets for them. Way to go! I'm not saying it isn't causing quite a reaction on both sides, but at least people are waking up to the fact that denying citizens of the United States equal rights regarding legal marriage is just plain wrong. Equal rights aren't exactly equal if we don't all have them. Is there some part of that which doesn't make sense?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30027685/

Editor of AGNADL

Hidden Dolphin Community Revealed

Until recently, it was thought that the number of Irrawaddy dolphins, a rare Asian species, was extremely low. The largest known groups numbered in the low hundreds. But now researchers for the Wildlife Conservation Society have discovered a community of nearly 6,000 of them. Irrawaddy dolphins are related to orcas, or "killer whales," one of whale species that make their home in and around Puget Sound. This community of dolphins was discovered living in freshwater regions of Bangladesh’s Sundarbans mangrove forest and in the Bay of Bengal. To learn more about this wonderful discovery, click on the link below.

http://www.livescience.com/animals/090331-rare-dolphins.html

Editor of AGNADL

Sweden Votes in Favor of Gay Marriage

Sweden becomes the fifth European country to pass a law in favor of same-sex marriage. Other European nations include: The Netherlands, Norway, Belgium and Spain.
Hurray for tolerance and acceptance!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29998181/

Editor of AGNADL

Mother Nature's April Fools' Joke in the Pacific Northwest

Spring's here! April Fools' Day! -- Love, Mother Nature



This photo is fresh off the press from the Vancouver, B.C. area. We're getting something similar to this in the Puget Sound area, south of Seattle at least. It's not over my place at the moment, so I may be in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains, but I've had several friends in the area--Tacoma, Olympia, Covington--reporting snow at their homes. Thank you to Flo Harrah for being on the spot with evidence of Mother Nature's April Fools' Day practical joke!

No, really, spring is here. It's just doing its normally confused thing. Remember the poem? Yeah, I'll run it again.

Ah, Spring

Ah, Spring at last,
season poised between winter and summer,
gentle pendulum swinging to and fro
above this happy medium.
Gone now the chilling winds of winter.
Not yet the scorching rays of summer's sun.

Ah, Gentle Spring,
whose steady, soaking rains,
whose warm sunshine
make way for the greening of the earth.
Thank goodness for confused Spring.
One day echoing winter,
the next foretelling summer.

Ah, Spring,
season of change,
moment of rebirth.

Poem by Beth Mitchum, published in bethwor(l)ds: 20 years of poetry.
Copyright 2008 Beth Mitchum




Editor of AGNADL

Helpful Hints for Living the Good Life

This article is not so much news as it is good information. You've probably encountered similar tips for being the best you can be, but this article arrived in my inbox this morning, and I wanted to share it with you. I have found that these tips are quite effective if diligently applied in your life. Too many people forget that the better life for which they long is always, always built upon a strong foundation of self care. I've been telling and teaching people for decades that they need to be more selfish, in the good sense of the word as discussed in this article.

http://www.changeforgood.com/articles/7behaviors.asp

Editor of AGNADL