Clancy Tucker's Blog, page 93

19 January 2020 - THE 2020 IRISH FARMER'S CALENDAR

 THE 2020 IRISH FARMER'S CALENDAR
G'day folks,
Brace yourself for something different. 
11 years on, the Irish Farmer Calendar has helped the lonely Irish farmer find love in this tongue-in-cheek look at farming life in Ireland. It is so gratifying to see the reaction on people's faces when they look through the pictures in the calendar - they smile and laugh. I love it!

























Clancy's comment: Well, get over there, girls.
I'm ...

18 January 2020 - RUSSIAN BOY PAINTS TO SAVE ANIMALS

 RUSSIAN BOY PAINTS TO SAVE ANIMALS
G'day folks,
Not all heroes wear capes but their good deeds speak for themselves. This is yet another story to prove that even the smallest of us are capable of changing the world for the better and restore the faith in younger generations. Children come up with the most brilliant ways to solve problems that adults often fail at.




How to combine a love for art and help for stray animals? A kind-hearted 9-year-old Russian boy Pavel Abramov has the perfect answer to this question. The young artist from a small city of Arzamas in Nizhny Novgorod has been painting beautiful portraits of pets and not to make money for his toys or a new phone, as you would expect. He exchanges his lovely portraits for animal food and supplies and donates it to a local shelter. Everyone can help in their own way.






 Pavel and his mother Ekaterina Bolshakova started this project called “Kind paintbrush” about a year ago. This idea originated in Pavel’s brilliant mind when the loss of a four-legged friend hit the family and he could no longer ignore stray animals wandering the streets of the city. He needed to take part in making a change in memory of his dear Barsik and he definitely did; in the most creative and generous way.





But this wasn’t the start of their volunteering journey of helping animals in need. The duo has been managing a group on Russian social media site, VK, called “What a little volunteer is capable of?” which has been proving time after time that a little human being can bring a positive change and the others will follow. 
The young altruist doesn’t have a helping hand from funds and organizations; he doesn’t have managers and employees– but he has a huge heart and an undeniable talent.

Clancy's comment: Wow. Great artist. Awesome kid. Love ya work!
I'm ...






 

17 January 2020 - A BUNCH OF INSPIRING QUOTES

A BUNCH OF INSPIRING QUOTES 
G'day folks,
Welcome to some great quotes. 



















Clancy's comment: Mm ... There are some great reminders here. Spread them around.
I'm ....

16 January 2020 - PRIEST INVITES STRAY DOGS TO MASS

PRIEST INVITES STRAY DOGS TO MASS
G'day folks,
Here is a heart-warming story. A nice change, eh?
 Homeless dogs in Brazil regularly attend church services to meet their new owners. If you think that dogs magically turn to God for help, unfortunately, it’s not exactly the case, but this extraordinary scenario can still be encountered every Sunday at Paróquia de Sant’Ana Gravatá.




Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes who is the head of the parish of Santana in the city of Gravatá in Brazil does the kindest and most inspiring thing for stray dogs around his church. He invites forgotten dogs from the streets to become a part of his service to help them find loving homes. The doors of his church, as well as his big heart, will always be open for dogs. And who wouldn’t attend Mass if dogs were involved?

 




Dogs provide us with unconditional love, laughter, and precious memories and it’s nothing less than fair to pay them back. Whether you are a faithful believer in God or not, as long as you believe in kindness and compassion, we can slowly make the world a better place.






 Father João Paulo is housing stray dogs in his rectory away from the dangers of the streets. However, he brings his furry friends to the church service in hopes that they will be noticed. This is why every Sunday, the priest makes sure the dogs are in the center of attention, an honorable spot where everyone can see them. As loyal and as important they might look in front of the altar, dogs will be dogs and they are always in for some petting. 
Being excited and adorable as they are, pups often join the priest at the altar for some attention and belly rubs, and Father João never disappoints!

Clancy's comment: Well done, Father Paulo!
I'm ...







 

15 January 2020 - INSPIRING CHURCH SIGNS IN NEW YORK

 INSPIRING CHURCH SIGNS IN NEW YORK
G'day folks,

 Religion has a very different place in people’s lives than barely half a century ago. It used to be commonplace to go to church every Sunday and barely a soul grumbled about it. But nowadays, more and more individuals are acting like Homer Simpson and wondering if it wouldn’t be better to sleep in and stay toasty in bed.

Well, one place that certainly knows how to get the attention of both the faithful and non-believers and make them laugh and think, is Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church in New York. It uses hilarious (and sometimes deep) signs to make comments about religion and the world.

 Pastor Ron Garner of the Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church explained the inspiration for the witty signs and talked about the role of religion in the 21st century.

“Our church is located on a very busy street in Wantagh. I want to convey to the public that Christianity doesn't have to be staid. I also want to convey that people who follow Jesus are not called to be apolitical but are called to take social justice issues seriously. We are a small congregation but we have new members who came because of our signs.”
So, let's check out some of these signs.















Clancy's comment: Love ya work, Rev!
I'm ...

14 January 2020 - ETHAN WILLIS - GUEST AUTHOR

ETHAN WILLIS - GUEST AUTHOR -
G'day folks,
Today, I ask  my toughest questions to an author from the UK. 
Welcome, Ethan ...


1.   Tell us about you and what you do.
I HAVE A FULL TIME JOB WHERE I WORK FOR A SCHOOLS IT COMPANY. I AM IN MY FORTIES AND AM NOW MARRIED WITH 5 CHILDREN. I KEEP MYSELF FIT AND ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE SINCE I WAS TINY.
2.   What was the happiest moment of your life?
MY CHILDREN BEING BORN
3.   What was the saddest moment?
MY GF DYING AND ME FINDING THE BODY
4.   What surprised you most?
PEOPLE SEEM TO NOT WORK OUT I KNOW VERY LITTLE. I KEEP EXPECTING TO BE ACCUSED OF BEING A FRAUD AND HAVING NO DEFENCE
5.   What was your greatest disappointment?
MY MUM DYING A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND NOT BEING AROUND TO SEE MY CHILDREN GROW UP
6.  Who did you misjudge? Why?
SOMEONE I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO HELP ME GET MY BOOK MADE INTO A FILM BUT HE RAN OFF WITH MINE AND MY FRIENDS MONEY. I GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE EXCITEMENT OF IT ALL
7.   What or who was your biggest challenge?
MY FILM AND BOOK PROJECT. MAKING THEM HAPPEN AND CARRY ON WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.



8.   What has been your biggest regret?
I NEVER HAVE REGRETS. I LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL, ALWAYS SAY SORRY AND ALWAYS TRY TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF ME. I DON’T WANT TO BE OLD AND IN A NAPPY IN A HOME WISHING I HAD DONE SOMETHING
9.   What would be your dying comment? Why?
A PIECE OF ADVICE. DON’T LET TEARDROPS RUST A SHINING HEART. AN IDEA YOU CAN LIVE YOUR LIFE BY.
10.               Who or what stunned you the most?
MY WIFE. SHE NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME
11.                What would you like written on your tombstone? Why?
THANK YOU. A PHRASE WE FORGET TO EASILY.



12.                Who would you rather have not met? Why?
THERE IS NO ONE. PEOPLE MAKE YOU STRONGER AND BETTER, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER
13.               Who were you most envious of? Why?
A NEGATIVE EMOTION. YOU CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO BE. ASPIRATION NOT ENVY.
14.                Who did you forgive – for doing something you never thought you’d forgive?
MY BEST FRIEND WHO WASN’T AROUND WHEN I NEEDED THEM THE MOST. TIME REALLY DOES HEAL.
15.                What was your greatest moment in your life?
TOMORROW. ALWAYS TOMORROW.
16.                What is your greatest achievement?
A BOOK, A FILM, A FAMILY I ADORE. I AM PROUD OF IT ALL.
17.                What personal traits would you like to have in your next life?
BE EMOTIONALLY STRONGER. BE MORE MUSICAL.
18.                What advice would you give to world leaders?
SORT IT OUT AND BE REMEMBERED FOR DOING SOMETHING POSITIVE
19.               What advice would you give to parents today?
 SPEND AS MUCH TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN AS YOU CAN. PLAY WITH THEM. MAKE THEM FEEL LOVED.
20.                Who would you choose to be stuck on a desert island with?
MADONNA. MARTIN LUTHER KING. MICHAEL JACKSON. ALFRED HITCHCOCK.
21.                Have any heroes? Why? Who?
AGATHA CHRISTIE. CONSISTENTLY GREAT STORIES. GENIUS
22.                What are the greatest legacies you will leave behind?
A BODY OF CREATIVE WORK.



23.                What’s lacking in the world today?
EMPATHY
24.               Any pearls of wisdom for the rest of us?
NOTHING TOO DEEP. JUST KISS THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE EVERY DAY
25.                What would be the last sentence you ever write?
TIME TO SLEEP NOW
26.                What inspired you most?
MY MUM. SHE WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, YET WAS A WONDERFUL MUM AND A GREAT NAN. AND SHE HAD THE SOFTEST SKIN WHEN I KISSED HER GOOD NIGHT.
27.               Who or what made you laugh the most?
LEE MACK. A MODERN DAY COMIC GENIUS.
28.               What would be your top three chosen careers in your next life?
WRITER. FOOTBALLER. SONGWRITER
29.                What is your prime focus in life today?
TO FORGE A CAREER IN WRITING AND WATCH MY CHILDREN GROW



30.                Do you have any fear of doing something wrong?
NOT ANY MORE. IT CAN CONSUME YOU IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL. JUST LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES.
31.                If or when you reflect on your past, can you identify any world events that you believe had a significant impact on you?
THE DEATH OF PRINCESS DIANA. IT MADE ME REALISE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, AT ANY TIME
32.                Do you think one can live a purposeful life without knowing the meaning of life?
WE ALL DO EVERY DAY
33.                 From your perspective - what is the way forward for the world?
  MIDDLE GROUND. NOTHING IS ABSOLUTE. IF WE ALL COMPROMISE ANYTHING CAN BE ACHIEVED.
34.               Imagine that you were given a chance to live again, what will you do first and what will you do differently?
I WOULD HAVE SPENT MORE TIME WITH MY GRANDPARENTS. OH AND NOT BEEN SO DIFFICULT WITH TRYING NEW FOODS. I WOULDN’T TRY AND CHANGE THE WHOLE WORLD, JUST MY BIT OF IT.
35.                 Do you have a bucket list? Tell us more.
BE THERE ON THE FIRST DAY OF FILMING FOR MY FILMBE THERE AT THE PREMIERE, ANONYMOUSLY, SO I CAN SEE WHAT PEOPLE REALLY THINKBECOME A GRANDPARENTWALK MY CHILDREN UP THE AISLE (BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN THAT ORDER)WRITE MORE ‘STUFF’
36.               Any great claims to fame?
MY FILM PROJECT, LEARNING AS I HAVE GONE ALONG
37.                Anything you’d like to add?
WE DON’T CARE ENOUGH AND WE ARE NOT HUMBLE ENOUGH. THOSE 2 THINGS WOULD GO SOME WAY TO MAKING THINGS BETTER



BLUE AS THE SKY MOVIE
LIFE, LOVE AND HANDBAGS



Clancy's comment: Thank you, Ethan. These are tough questions, but you were brutally honest. Well done. 

I'm ...

13 January 2020 - ABANDONED RAILWAY TUNNEL IN ARIZONA

ABANDONED RAILWAY TUNNEL IN ARIZONA
G'day folks,A partial tunnel blasted into a steep ridge is all that remains of a failed railway across Arizona.   In 1881, businessman James Eddy was struck by inspiration. Northern Arizona was connected to the rest of the country by transcontinental railways and was dense with ponderosa pine forests and a burgeoning timber industry. Southern Arizona, meanwhile, was even more populated, and the isolated mining boomtowns in the deserts were home to some of the richest silver and copper veins in the world. If he could connect the south to the railroad network in the north, he would stand to make a fortune. 
The benefit of connecting the two halves of the state would be twofold: sending much-needed lumber and supplies to the communities in the south, and freighting mined minerals back north where they could more easily be shipped to the industrial centers on the coasts. Only one thing stood in the way of Eddy’s plan: the Mogollon Rim.

The southern boundary of the Colorado Plateau, an elevated region that crosses into four states, is the Mogollon Rim, a massive ridge of steep slopes that cross much of Arizona. When Eddy formed the Arizona Mineral Belt Railroad company, his engineers calculated that to run a railway across the Mogollon Rim at a gentle enough grade for trains he would need to create a tunnel 3,100 feet long and 16 feet wide.




In 1883, work on the tunnel began. Over 40 men spent all summer blasting a passage through the rock. Only 70 feet of the tunnel had been completed, however, when the company ran out of funds and the work came to a halt. Eddy spent the next several years finding investors and hyping the railroad project, managing to get another 35 miles of track laid when the money ran dry and the work stopped again, this time for good.




Over the subsequent years, the 35 miles of track south of Flagstaff were torn up by locals who reused the scrap. Today, the only remaining evidence of Eddy’s ambitious but failed project is the partially completed tunnel deep in the Tonto National Forest. Other than some graffiti near the entrance, it still looks more or less exactly as it did when the Arizona Mineral Belt crews left it in 1883. The crumbling structure to the right of the tunnel entrance is the remains of the powder house where the workers stored their explosives while blasting through the ridge.

 Clancy's comment: Ah ... Men of vision, eh? We don't seem to have too many of them today. I'm ... 

12 January 2020 - AMAZING HISTORICAL WAR PHOTOGRAPHS

AMAZING HISTORICAL WAR PHOTOGRAPHS
G'day folks,
Welcome to some interesting photographs taken during some awful wars.





























Clancy's comment: Mm ... Many did it tough, but all wars suck.
I'm ...

11 January 2020 - CLANCY TUCKER PHOTOGRAPHY

CLANCY TUCKERPHOTOGRAPHY
G'day folks,
Well, as promised, here are some of the many shots I took recently in South East Asia. Yes, I finally got to see a whale, and whilst in Southern Thailand, I was a guest speaker at an expat's club. The latter experience also landed me in a television interview. Anyway, here are some samples of my work.












































































Clancy's comment: There ya go. These are just random shots of whatever took my eye. My visit to an open zoo was fantastic. Although tiring, I could have spent a week at that zoo.
I'm ...

10 January 2020 - HELL ON THE HOTTEST CONTINENT ON EARTH - AUSTRALIA

HELL ON THE HOTTEST CONTINENT ON EARTH - AUSTRALIA -
G'day folks,
Yes, I'm a fiction author, but what is depicted here on this post is very real. 
In 2020, it feels like we’ve reached a new level of tension. Nearly everyone’s talking about the possibility of World War Three breaking out. Meanwhile, Australia’s still on fire, with devastating consequences.
To show you just how serious the situation is, I have collected some random images that clearly prove that things are absolutely terrifying in the Land Down Under.
Stay safe. It's far from over.


































Clancy's comment: Yep, it doesn't get any more real than this. It just doesn't. We have lost heaps of people, including firefighters, and more than 2,000 homes. But it is only the 10th of January and we have February and March to come. Farmers have been battling drought for years, and also struggling to find water for their animals, and then this comes along. Not to mention the massive loss of unique wildlife we have in this country.
How can you help? A donation would be fabulous, and thank you in advance. Click on the Red Cross link below, and send this post to your friends.
RED CROSS I'm ...