You'll Know a Happy Japanese Motorcyclist by...

...the summer dragonflies in his teeth. Yes, it's that season again, when these beautiful creatures flitter and flutter around the landscape.

It's not BIG news, but the dragonflies are pumped about it, I'm sure. Wouldn't you be ecstatic to fly around and symbolize a season?

Go the Extra Mile in the UK

Have fun walking or running a mile to raise funds for poverty around the world.

Just do it.

Happy Toilets

Have a look at this article about restroom specialists in Singapore. I was especially impressed with the notion to cut down on long lines in the ladies' loo. Anybody who can accomplish that has my vote for sure.

Enjoy the reading, and have a flushing good time.

Just don't forget to wash your hands afterwards, please.

Choir Brings Hope

This article about the Montreal Homeless Choir gave me goosebumps. Read the update at the end of the article as well to see what's happening now. I love happy endings.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

The temperatures are rising and ice cream is calling my name. I love to try out new flavors and brands here in Japan. There are some unique ones you'd never expect: green tea with sweet red beans, sweet potato, and apparently in some rural areas they actually have fish flavor, but I wouldn't like to try that one.

Well, tonight my hubby and I were having our dessert (his was chocolate), and as I spooned into my vanilla with orange and pineapple sauce, I realized the fruit flavors were in this happy shape!

Looking at this, you just gotta smile.

Body Language

Did you know that 55 percent of our expression is in our body language? I found this article really interesting, especially as I have a small son who is growing faster than I can blink! These tips will come in pretty handy as he gets older and asks me 300 questions in an hour.

Uncross those legs! Don't frown! Eye contact!

I'm practicing now.

A Beauty of a Story

Belle the beagle has saved her owner's life by using his cell phone to call 911. Check it out!

Not Afraid of Heights

A piano has been found near the top of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. If you are feeling curious, get tuned up and read on.

Old Friends

We had some good friends visit this weekend, and they are moving far, far away in two weeks. Isn't it a blessing to know that distance doesn't have to separate people from each other? Have you ever read the Anne of Green Gables series? Anne was always talking about "kindred spirits." So the fact that our friends are going to be in another land isn't good news for us, but we will definitely stay in touch and see them again, whether here or there. That's the encouraging thing about beautiful kindred spirits.

M and A, eat lots of salad!

Jamaican "Sister P"

Portia Simpson Miller (aka "Mama" and "Sister P") is Jamaica's first female prime minister. Of course, she is a politician, and most politicians make promises they know they'll never be able to keep. But Prime Minister Miller is bringing lots of encouragement to the island country, which has seen its fair share of internal troubles.

Mamas do tend to bring smiles to faces and hope to hearts.

We're Walking, We're Walking

Three cheers for Geoffrey and Gregory, two teenagers from California, who are walking 400 miles across their state to raise awareness and support for AIDS orphans in Kenya. Read more about it here.

Did you know that more than 15 million children around the world have lost one or both parents to AIDS? World Vision is helping. So can the rest of us. Pray. Research. Tell your friends what you find out. Give money. Share your time.

I don't know about you, but I have a baby son, and I'd be heartbroken if I was on my deathbed and knew there was no one else to take care of him. Geoffrey and Gregory, thanks for getting me thinking about how I too can help children devastated by AIDS.

Go Russia!

No, I'm not rooting for them in the World Cup.

Actually, I'm encouraged because Russia has decided to write off $688 million in debts for 16 African countries. Read more about it here at HappyNews.com. The G8 will be in Russia July 15-17, so let's hope there's even more good news to report then as well.

Rain, Rain, Come Again

Where would we be without precious rain? The tsuyu (rainy season) is here now in Japan, and everybody (including me sometimes) complains about it, but to me, it's the last semblance of semi-cool weather before the oven door of summer is opened. This rain helps the plants to grow, keeps the allergens at bay, and gives little kids in bright rain boots something to frolic in.

Bring it on!

The Heart of the Matter

"The heart pumps about 1 million barrels of blood during an average lifetime--that's enough to fill more than 3 super tankers." Did you know that? Check out these other super facts about the human heart.

It just might make your heart pound even harder with admiration and awe!

Rush Hour

This story from the BBC really does make me want to "Buckle Up for Safety." These two young brothers actually sound like better drivers than most people I know, though.

Home at Last

Osama Sattar, poor kid, was stuck in Pakistan while his parents waited at their home in Scotland for him. He's back with them now, and raring to go back to school, unusually.

Unbelievable but True

The little guy can win! You've got to read this article about a cat treeing a bear in New Jersey. I read it an hour ago and it's still making me smile.

I Just Knew It

Chocolate is good for you! This article in MSNBC and millions of hormonal women around the world can't be wrong. (Though flavonoids don't sound exactly appetizing, do they?)

The gooey sweet treat has such a powerful influence that here in our neck of the woods, they've built a government on the premise that all chocolate is created equal. Equally more-ish.


P.S. Submit your favorite chocolate recipe here in the comments section!

It's Officially Summer

Here in Japan, the rainy season started yesterday, it's pretty muggy, watermelon and sweetcorn are big sellers again in the stores, and the summer windchimes are back in action. These fuurin make a beautiful tinkling sound in the warm breeze. Japanese friends have told me the chimes make them feel cooler. So if you're in the northern hemisphere and feeling hot and sticky, just close your eyes and let your imagination sink into these refreshing melodies.

Power to the People

Portugal is on to something great. Enough solar energy from one station to power 8,000 homes. And enough grass underneath to keep 5 billion sheep happy for a good long while.

Gourmet Lunch for Kids, Bike Lights, and Dog Double-Hips

These stories are from last year, but let's face it, I'm sure many of us are still putting 2005 on important documents. If there was such a thing as bank checks here in Japan, I know I would be.

That's Good News

A woman judge was just appointed yesterday in Bahrain. They already have two women ministers in the government, as well. Check out Good News Network for more details and other great news.

Hooray for India's High Courts

Have a look at this uplifting article about a blind man in India winning a court battle against discrimination. Good news indeed.

Chocolate'll Put a Smile on Your Face

Not exactly news per se, but it's my blog, so I can do what I want.

Did you ever read A Chocolate Moose for Dinner? I just remembered it was one of my favorite books as a kid.

Enjoy it for yourself. Savor it with your kids.

But as delicious as it looks, don't try to eat it.

Feel Free

Any good news you know about out there? Please leave a comment with your story or link. Share and share alike.

Here Goes

As this is my first-ever post on For Goodness' Sake, I thought I'd start with some close-to-home happiness. The sun is shining today, the sky's a deep, deep blue, the birds are sharing their tunes, our baby boy's a smiler, our apartment has fresh drinkable running water, we've got plenty of food, our five-year wedding anniversary is coming up on Friday, and I'm just good and thankful. Life is sweet. And so is that banana raisin cookie waiting for me in the fridge. Gotta run.