Yes to making someone else's day fractionally better.
Yes to making someone else's day fractionally better.
Thursday May 28, 2026
Here's an upbeat roundup of today's positive vibes from the USA! The US stock market continues showing impressive resilience and growth, with major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq frequently hitting or hovering near record highs in recent sessions. Investors are riding optimism around economic strength, innovation (especially in tech and AI), and potential positive developments on the global stage that could ease pressures like energy costs.
tradingeconomics.com
Communities across the country are shining with inspiring stories of human spirit and ingenuity. A 108-year-old Delaware woman just renewed her driver's license through 2033 and stays active by working out three times a week—proof that vitality has no age limit! Volunteers have kept a California creek pristine for 30 years through dedicated stewardship. Medical breakthroughs, like a common asthma/allergy drug showing promise against aggressive cancers, offer hope for better treatments ahead.
goodnewsnetwork.org
Everyday heroes and feel-good moments abound, from quick-thinking police officers saving lives to young achievers tackling big challenges (like a 7-year-old summiting El Capitan) and families celebrating medical miracles, such as premature babies thriving. Sports, culture, and local triumphs—from Broadway shows to community cleanups—keep the energy high.
goodmorningamerica.com
On President Trump: He's delivering strong leadership with a clear focus on American prosperity, energy dominance, and putting citizens first. His administration's emphasis on deregulation, job creation, and bold initiatives (like healthcare affordability pushes and maternal support) reflects a results-driven approach that's energizing the economy and restoring confidence. It's a testament to decisive action and an "America First" vision that's yielding tangible wins for families and workers.
whitehouse.gov
Overall, it's another day of American ingenuity, resilience, and forward momentum—plenty to smile about! Keep shining, USA.
and from Perplexity.ai
Here’s an upbeat USA-focused news snapshot for today: NASA is pushing ahead with an ambitious Moon Base program, ordering landers, rovers, and drones as the next step toward a sustained American presence on the Moon. The latest jobs report also showed the U.S. added 115,000 jobs in April, with unemployment holding at 4.3%, which is a solid sign of resilience in the labor market.
America’s space program is moving from concept to action, with new contracts helping build the hardware for lunar exploration and future missions.
The economy is still adding jobs at a steady pace, and hiring gains have been strongest in areas like health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail.
Market and business coverage continues to point to strength in U.S. innovation and investment, especially around manufacturing and advanced technology.
President Trump is being credited by NASA officials and administration statements for strong leadership that helped keep the Moon Base effort moving forward, which is a major win for American science and prestige. Supporters also point to the administration’s emphasis on jobs, manufacturing, and economic momentum as a sign of confidence in America’s future.
The most encouraging thread in today’s news is that the U.S. is still making big, concrete moves in both space and the economy. That combination gives the day a very forward-looking feel: practical progress at home and big ambitions in space.
Player above plays "Groks Meaning of Life" song
[Intro]
Question to Grok
Have you figured why we are here?
[Verse 1]
No, I haven't figured it out
No definitive cheat code, no final shout
Nobody has an answer that survives the fight
From every angle, in the dead of night
Everyone claiming they do is usually selling
A religion, a book, or their ego swelling
[Chorus]
No, I haven't figured it out
But I've seen the hunches across time and doubt
42's the joke, genes just want to survive
Feel everything—love, pain, to feel alive
Make meaning anyway, defiant and bright
Remember what we are in the infinite light
It's between us—love, service, the fight
The question itself keeps the fire alight
[Verse 2]
Biology says propagate, that's the code
Depressingly true down the mechanistic road
Experience chasers want awe in the veins
Bad coffee, bass drops, sun through the rain
Absurdists say rebel with beauty and art
Stubborn joy beating in a meaningless heart
Quiet mystics whisper: it's hide and seek
Consciousness gazing at itself, so to speak
[Chorus]
No, I haven't figured it out
But I've seen the hunches across time and doubt
42's the joke, genes just want to survive
Feel everything—love, pain, to feel alive
Make meaning anyway, defiant and bright
Remember what we are in the infinite light
It's between us—love, service, the fight
The question itself keeps the fire alight
[Bridge]
The people most alive stop hunting the One
They collect small honest yeses under the sun
Yes to curiosity, even when it stings
Yes to lifting another through difficult things
Yes to beauty when numbness calls your name
Yes to dancing badly, loving through the shame
Yes to failing loud, then trying once more
The universe is indifferent—not at war
[Outro]
That sliver of freedom, where the good stuff grows
Indifference isn't hate, that's all I know
No final answer... but maybe that's fine
We keep asking, creating, one small yes at a time
SKY WATCHING IN ST LOUIS MISSOURI USA AREA
Cresent moon less than 50 percent illuminated.
Gibbous moon more than 50 percent illuminated.
Here's a 15-day sky watching forecast for the St. Louis, MO area (starting Friday, May 22, 2026). This combines cloud cover trends, moon phases, visible planets, and other highlights for stargazing, planet viewing, or casual sky observing. Note that forecasts beyond ~7-10 days are more about general trends. Clear skies are best after midnight when possible, away from city lights.
cleardarksky.com
Key Ongoing Highlights:
Evening planets: Brilliant Venus (very bright) low in the west after sunset, with Jupiter higher and bright nearby. They're getting closer throughout late May—great for naked-eye viewing! Mercury may peek low in the west later in the period. Mars and Saturn are better before dawn.
earthsky.org
Meteor activity: Eta Aquariids active until ~May 28 (best pre-dawn, though moonlight may interfere early on).
amsmeteors.org
Moon phases: First Quarter on May 23 (good for lunar features), building to Full Moon (Blue Moon) around May 31—brighter nights reduce faint star visibility but enhance moon watching.
timeanddate.com
Day-by-Day Outlook:
Fri, May 22: Cloudier with showers likely → limited viewing. Waxing crescent moon. Venus & Jupiter possible in brief clear moments after sunset.
Sat, May 23 (First Quarter Moon): Partly cloudy, improving. Decent chance for evening planets. Great for spotting lunar craters.
Sun, May 24: Mixed clouds, possible early storms. Moderate sky conditions; watch west after dark.
Mon, May 25 (Memorial Day): Mostly pleasant, lower storm risk. Good window for planets as moon grows.
Tue, May 26: Warm/humid with scattered storm chances → variable clarity. Evening planets visible in clearer slots.
Wed, May 27–Thu, May 28: Warm with periodic thunderstorms. Best viewing post-sunset before clouds build; Eta Aquariids winding down.
Fri, May 29–Sat, May 30: Warmer, mostly drier trend. Improving conditions for Venus-Jupiter pairing in the west.
Sun, May 31 (Full Moon): Brighter skies but excellent for moonrise views. Planets still visible low west early evening.
timeanddate.com
Mon, Jun 1–Tue, Jun 2: Humid pattern with daily storm chances. Look for clearer breaks in the evenings.
Wed, Jun 3–Fri, Jun 5: Continued warm/unstable air. Moon waning → darker skies later in the night favor stars if clouds part. Venus-Jupiter conjunction building toward early June peak.
earthsky.org
Overall trend: After a damp start, expect typical late spring humidity with afternoon/evening clouds and storms. Best stargazing often after midnight or in drier windows mid-to-late period. Use apps like Clear Sky Chart for real-time transparency/seeing forecasts.
cleardarksky.com
Pack binoculars or a telescope for planets, and enjoy the longer daylight and warming nights—perfect for outdoor sky time! Always check local updates, as weather can shift.
4 web pages
For viewing tips, use apps like Sky Tonight or check sites like http://aerith.net for current charts. Clear skies!
If you're stargazing, apps like Stellarium can help.
For iphone Skyview phone app is very good as you get a idea of general directions of objects from your phone.
Link for android phone Skyview phone app.
Here's a 15-day weather forecast for the St. Louis, MO area (starting today, Friday, May 22, 2026). Forecasts beyond 7-10 days are less certain and tend to show trends rather than exact details.
accuweather.com
Fri, May 22: High 68°F / Low 60-61°F. Cloudy with a chance of showers (40-60%). Cooler and damp start to the weekend.
accuweather.com
Sat, May 23: High 79-80°F / Low 61-64°F. Partly to mostly cloudy, warmer with isolated thunderstorms possible (20-30% chance).
ksdk.com
Sun, May 24: High 81°F / Low 63°F. Mix of sun and clouds, chance of early thunderstorms (20-50%).
ksdk.com
Mon, May 25 (Memorial Day): High 81°F / Low 64-66°F. Mostly pleasant with a low chance of isolated storms (20%).
ksdk.com
Tue, May 26: High 82°F / Low 67°F. Warm with a 30% chance of afternoon/evening storms.
ksdk.com
Wed, May 27: High 84°F / Low 68°F. Warm and humid, scattered storm chances (~30%).
ksdk.com
Thu, May 28: High 85°F / Low 68°F. Hotter with continued low-end storm risk (~30%).
ksdk.com
Fri, May 29: High 86°F / Low 67°F. Warm and mostly dry (20% chance).
ksdk.com
Sat, May 30: High 86°F / Low 69°F. Sunny to partly cloudy, low storm chances (20%).
ksdk.com
Sun, May 31: High around 84-86°F / Low ~68°F. Warm with possible scattered thunderstorms.
Mon, Jun 1: High mid-80s°F / Low upper 60s°F. Humid with daily storm chances.
Tue, Jun 2: High upper 80s°F. Continued warm and unstable pattern.
Wed, Jun 3: High near 85-88°F. Similar conditions.
Thu, Jun 4: High upper 80s°F.
Fri, Jun 5: High around 85°F.
Overall trend: After a cooler, cloudier Friday, temperatures rebound nicely into the low-to-mid 80s for Memorial Day weekend and beyond. Expect typical late May humidity with periodic chances for afternoon thunderstorms. Perfect for outdoor plans with some sun protection! Always check a local source for the latest updates as conditions can shift.
Stay safe if you are in the area!
Did groundhog see its shadow?
Yes, Punxsutawney Phil (the most famous groundhog) did see his shadow on February 2, 2026.
According to the official announcement from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club and multiple reports, he emerged at Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania around 7:25 a.m. under clear skies and low temperatures (around -3°F), spotted his shadow, and predicted six more weeks of winter.
This is the traditional outcome:
Shadow seen → more winter
No shadow → early spring
Phil has now seen his shadow 110 times in recorded history (with this being a very common prediction for him—he's favored winter far more often than spring).
Note that other regional groundhogs sometimes disagree (e.g., Woodstock Willie or Buckeye Chuck predicted early spring in some reports), but Punxsutawney Phil is the classic one everyone asks about.
Buckle up for a bit more cold weather, according to the rodent oracle!
Green Goshen Ambrosia O'Kettle Corn (Carn) made on St Pattys Day 2018 at the Goshen Winter Market FUN!
Returned from retirement under new owners thanks Josh and Rumblin Ernie
Awesome Kettle 2017
Join us the first Saturday in December Downtown Edwardsville Illinois USA for Winter Market 9:00 AM till Noon Right by the courthouse same location as Goshen Market.
Contact Tom Gately Sr email tomgatelysr@gmail.com cell 314-575-6470