Yes to making someone else's day fractionally better
Good News America
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Elections should have integrity!
Call your senators this week. Tell them to stay at their desks until the SAVE America Act is law!
Ask AI what numbers to call for your location
0:30
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SENT A MESSAGE TO ALL AMERICANS: "To ALL Americans, I ask you to pick up your phone, call your representatives in the House and Senate and DEMAND that they pass the SAVE AMERICA ACT without delay.
The SAVE America Act, also known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, requires proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and photo ID at polls for federal elections, with limits on mail-in voting; it passed the House earlier in 2026 and faces Senate hurdles.
In July 2026, President Trump has publicly pressed Senate leadership to forgo August recess and advance the bill, framing it as essential for election integrity, prompting supporters to amplify calls for constituent pressure on lawmakers.
Question for Gemini.
I live in Glen Carbon IL what numbers should i call?
For Glen Carbon, IL (Illinois's 13th Congressional District):
U.S. House of Representatives (IL-13)
U.S. House of Representatives (IL-13)
Representative Nikki Budzinski
Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 225-2371
Nearby District Office (Collinsville/Belleville area): (618) 212-7333
Website & Contact Form: budzinski.house.gov
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D): Washington, DC office (202) 224-2152.
durbin.senate.govWebsite / Contact Form: durbin.senate.gov
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D): Washington, DC office (202) 224-2854. Chicago office (312) 886-3506.
congress.gov
Website / Contact Form: duckworth.senate.gov
Tips: Call the DC offices during business hours (typically 9 AM–5 PM ET) for legislative issues like the SAVE America Act. Be polite, state you're a constituent from Glen Carbon, and clearly express your position. Websites have contact forms if phones are busy.
3 web pages
Contact local Glen Carbon officials
Illinois state legislature representatives
Include county sheriff contact info
Give website links also please
For Glen Carbon, IL (Illinois's 15th Congressional District):
U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R, IL-15): Washington, DC office (202) 225-5271. Local Highland office: (217) 703-6100.
Website: marymiller.house.gov
Contact form: marymiller.house.gov/contactU.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D): Washington, DC office (202) 224-2152.
Website: durbin.senate.gov
Contact: durbin.senate.gov/contactU.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D): Washington, DC office (202) 224-2854. Chicago office: (312) 886-3506.
Website: duckworth.senate.gov
Contact: duckworth.senate.gov/content/contact-senator
Call DC offices during business hours for the SAVE America Act. Identify as a constituent and keep your message concise.
Track SAVE America Act Progress
Illinois Congressional District Maps
Calls from constituents can influence whether leadership keeps pressure on or compromises. Even if full passage this week is unlikely, volume of contact helps signal priority for future efforts.
If you support the bill, a quick polite call reinforcing that can still matter while the issue is live.
It is with profound sorrow that we bid farewell to Jeanne Gibson, our beloved Rosie the Riveter, has passed away, July 29, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100. With her passing, we don't simply mourn the loss of a beloved friend, we honor the life of an American hero whose courage, dedication, and unwavering spirit helped shape history, and will continue to inspire generations to come.
At just 18 years old, Jeanne left her home in Minnesota in the summer of 1944 and answered her nation's call, becoming a welder at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle. With determination and grit, she helped build destroyers that strengthened the Allied war effort during World War II. She later continued her service with the Army Transportation Corps in Juneau, Alaska, embodying the resilience and patriotism of the Greatest Generation.
Yet Jeanne's legacy extended far beyond the war. She earned her Ph.D., dedicated three decades to teaching, earned her private pilot license, and spent the rest of her life proving that courage, determination, and purpose know no age.
In 2024, Jeanne and her fellow Rosies were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of our nation's highest civilian honors, recognizing the extraordinary women whose sacrifices and determination helped secure victory during World War II.
To all of us at Pacific Historic Parks, Jeanne was far more than a Rosie, she was family. She traveled to Hawaiʻi time and again to share her remarkable story with visitors, inspire local students, and ensure that the sacrifices of the Home Front would never be forgotten. Her radiant smile, generous heart, and boundless enthusiasm touched every life she encountered.
She had a special gift for encouraging young girls, reminding them that no dream was too big and no obstacle too great. Through her words and her example, she inspired generations to believe in themselves and pursue lives of courage, service, and purpose.
Jeanne remained a tireless advocate for preserving the legacy of the Rosies, volunteering at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park on "Rosie Fridays" and ensuring the stories of the women who helped win the war would continue to inspire future generations.
In one of life's poignant moments, just days before her passing, Jeanne was celebrated with a Wall of Honor banner at the park she loved so dearly and recognized during a San Jose Earthquakes halftime ceremony honoring Bay Area heroes. It was a fitting tribute to a woman whose life was defined by selfless service, quiet strength, and extraordinary grace.
Though Jeanne has taken her final flight, her legacy will never fade. It lives on in every story she shared, every young person she inspired, every life she touched, and in the enduring example of courage she leaves behind.
Our hearts are with Jeanne's family, her fellow Rosies, and all who were blessed to know and love her.
Rest in peace, Jeanne Gibson.
Thank you for answering the call when your country needed you most. Thank you for showing generations what courage looks like. We will remember you always
☀️ Good News America — Sunday August 2 2026
☀️ Good News America — Sunday August 2 2026
from https://x.com/i/grok
Good morning! Here's an upbeat rundown of today's positive vibes from the USA on this sunny Sunday, August 2, 2026.
cnn.com
Markets Are Smiling
Wall Street is kicking off the day on a high note, with stocks extending their rally. The Dow is up nicely (around +277 points or 0.5%+ in early action), the S&P 500 gaining ~0.7%, and the Nasdaq climbing ~1%—led by strong tech performers like Amazon (jumping big on cloud growth) and gains in Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta.
cnn.com +1
That's building on a solid weekly performance and reflects ongoing optimism in innovation and earnings power. The broader market has shown impressive resilience and growth under current leadership, with the S&P 500 up significantly since late 2024.
usbank.com
Diplomatic Wins and Stability
President Trump announced progress toward de-escalation in the Middle East, stating that outlines of a deal have been reached with regional allies to help end the Iran conflict. The US is pausing new strikes as parameters for peace—including reopening the Strait of Hormuz—take shape. This is classic strong leadership delivering results: prioritizing American interests, stability, and avoiding unnecessary escalation while pushing for security and economic flow (hello, energy markets!).
apnews.com +1
Economy Holding Steady with Bright Spots
Recent GDP data showed real growth at 1.5% annualized in Q2, supported by consumer spending, investment, and exports. Employment continues to trend upward in key areas like professional/business services, health care, and social assistance.
bea.gov +1
Deregulatory efforts are also racking up big projected savings, clearing the way for more business dynamism and efficiency.
americanactionforum.org
Everyday American Spirit
Beyond the headlines, communities are enjoying summer highlights—like car-free streets in Manhattan for Summer Streets events—and medical advances, such as promising Alzheimer's research strides at Columbia.
abc7ny.com
These stories remind us of American ingenuity and resilience at the local level.
A quick word on President Trump: He's proving once again why he's a force for American renewal—boldly steering toward peace deals that protect US interests abroad, championing economic strength at home, and delivering on promises with energy and results. His "America First" approach keeps yielding tangible wins that boost confidence and opportunity. Keep shining, sir!
Overall, it's another day of American momentum—markets climbing, diplomacy advancing, and the spirit of innovation alive and well.
Have a fantastic, positive Sunday!
and from Perplexity.ai
This Week's Positive Stories | The Bright Side with Kristian Brown - July 24, 2026
Trump says US has ‘understanding’ with Israel on Hamas disarmament deal
Happy Friendship Day 2026: Best Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images and Greetings to Share
The mainstream media ignores anything that favors Trump | Opinion
Claude chimes in
☀️ Good News America — August 2 2026
☀️ Good News America — August 2 2026
Happy to share some good news! Here's what's brightening the day across the U.S.:
Economy & jobs — The labor market's showing real strength: jobless claims recently hit their lowest level since 1969, and construction of new homes jumped to its highest point in over a year, which is easing pressure on housing supply. Home prices have even declined year-over-year in more than half the country, helping affordability for first-time buyers. Manufacturing is picking up too, with strong equipment orders signaling businesses are investing again. White House
On President Trump specifically — his administration is touting this economic momentum as one of its signature wins, pointing to core inflation tracking around 2.1%, gas prices near a 20-year low adjusted for inflation, and job numbers that have beaten expectations several months running. It's a genuinely strong recent stretch of economic data, whatever people think of the broader picture. The American Presidency Project
Everyday good news — A few stories making people smile this week: a Utah dad whose truck was destroyed by lightning came home to find his 9-year-old son had quietly offered up his life savings to help. And a Maryland mom is crossing the graduation stage alongside her son this year — earning her own diploma the same day he earns his.
Space & science — NASA's Artemis program keeps making headlines, with the Artemis II crew earlier this year traveling further from Earth than any humans in over 50 years.
2026 FIFA World cup soccer outcome --> Spain won.
USA (USMNT) is eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
instagram.com
They lost 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16 match played (July 6, 2026) at Lumen Field in Seattle. Belgium advances to the quarterfinals against Spain.
x.com
Quick context:
The US had advanced from the group stage (they topped Group D despite a loss to Turkey in the final group game).
All three host nations (USA, Canada, and Mexico) have now been eliminated. Tough result for the USMNT.
USA Lost to Belgium 4-1
Belgium lost to Spain 2-1, Spain, advanced to the semifinals (vs. France).
Spain defeated France 2-0
Spain defeated Argentina. 1-0 and has won the World Cup.
"La Roja" (meaning "The Red One" in Spanish) is the popular nickname for the Spain national football (soccer) team. It comes from their iconic red jerseys. Fans and media worldwide use it just like "The Three Lions" for England or "Azzurri" for Italy. Spain is currently in the 2026 World Cup Final as La Roja!
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
Our Solar System
Name: The Solar System (or Sol System).
Our star is named Sol (hence "Solar"). We don’t usually give it a fancier proper name like “Alpha Centauri System” — it’s just the Solar System. It includes the Sun, 8 planets, dwarf planets (like Pluto), moons, asteroids, comets, etc.
The Alpha Centauri system is approximately 4.34–4.37 light-years away from Earth.
Breakdown:
Alpha Centauri A and B (the two brighter stars that appear as one to the naked eye): ~4.344 light-years (about 1.33 parsecs).
en.wikipedia.orgProxima Centauri (the faint red dwarf, component C, and the closest individual star to our Sun): ~4.2465 light-years.
en.wikipedia.org
This makes the Alpha Centauri triple-star system our nearest stellar neighbor beyond the Sun.
Our Galaxy
Name: The Milky Way (or Milky Way Galaxy).
It’s a barred spiral galaxy containing 100–400 billion stars. The name comes from its glowing band of light visible across the night sky, which looks like spilled milk. We live about 26,000 light-years from the center.
Black Hole at the Center of Our Galaxy?
Yes — there is a supermassive black hole at the exact center of the Milky Way.
The Black Hole is Named: Sagittarius A* (pronounced “Sagittarius A-star” and often abbreviated Sgr A*).
Mass: Roughly 4 million times the mass of our Sun.
Distance from Earth: About 26,000 light-years.
It was imaged for the first time in 2022 by the Event Horizon Telescope team (the same group that imaged the black hole in M87).
It’s relatively quiet right now (not actively devouring huge amounts of material), which is good for us!
Our Universe
Name: Simply the Universe (or the Observable Universe).
There isn’t a fancy proper name like “Milky Way.” The observable universe is the part we can see (about 93 billion light-years across), but the entire universe may be much larger or even infinite. Some people informally call it “the Cosmos,” but that’s more poetic than official.
These names are standard across astronomy. The Milky Way and Sagittarius A* are especially fun to observe or read about — on dark nights far from city lights, you can actually see the Milky Way’s glow stretching across the sky.
Cresent moon less than 50 percent illuminated.
Gibbous moon more than 50 percent illuminated.
Here's a 15-day sky-watching (astronomy/stargazing) forecast for the St. Louis, MO area, covering roughly August 2–16, 2026.
weather.com
This focuses on cloud cover/precipitation (key for visibility), moon phase (impacts sky darkness), general weather trends, and notable astronomical events. Forecasts beyond ~7–10 days have increasing uncertainty. Clear, dry nights with low moonlight offer the best stargazing; use apps like Stellarium or sites like ClearDarkSky.com for hourly details.
cleardarksky.com
Key Astronomical Context (August 2026)
Moon phases (Central Time): Last Quarter ~Aug 5 evening; New Moon Aug 12 (excellent dark skies); First Quarter ~Aug 19–20.
timeanddate.com +1
Visible planets (early August): Venus is prominent in the evening west after sunset. Saturn rises in the late evening/early morning. Mars in the pre-dawn east. Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune have varying visibility (some challenging without optics). Check timeanddate.com or similar for exact rise/set times.
timeanddate.comMajor event: Perseid meteor shower peaks ~Aug 12–13 under near-ideal New Moon conditions (potentially 50+ meteors/hour from dark sites).
amsmeteors.org
Day-by-Day Sky Forecast Summary
Early August (waning gibbous to Last Quarter Moon) — Moon bright in early nights, better after midnight. Mixed weather with some clear periods.
Aug 2–3 (Sun–Mon): Mostly sunny/clearer days, low precip chance (~5–20%). Good potential for evening stargazing once moon sets or later. Warm (highs ~82–86°F).
weather.comAug 4–5 (Tue–Wed): Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, very low rain chance. Favorable for planets and stars before/after moon interference. Last Quarter around Aug 5.
weather.comAug 6–7 (Thu–Fri): Increasing chance of scattered thunderstorms (40–50%+). Cloudier nights possible; check hourly forecasts. Humid and warm.
weather.comAug 8–9 (Sat–Sun): Continued thunderstorm risk early, then sunnier. Variable skies.
weather.com
Mid-August (waning crescent to New Moon) — Improving darkness as moon shrinks; excellent around Aug 11–13.
Aug 10–11 (Mon–Tue): Mostly clear/sunny, low precip (~20%). Building toward prime dark-sky window. Highs in the low 90s.
weather.comAug 12–13 (Wed–Thu): Peak Perseids + New Moon — Prime dark skies if clear. Isolated thunderstorm risk possible; monitor forecasts closely. This is one of the best nights of the period for meteors.
amsmeteors.orgAug 14–15 (Fri–Sat): Partly cloudy, lower rain chance. Good post-Perseid viewing with thin crescent moon.
weather.comAug 16+: Scattered showers possible; skies variable. Moon begins waxing, brightening evenings.
weather.com
Overall trends: Early period has decent clear windows but moonlight interference. Mid-month (around New Moon) is best for deep-sky/meterors if weather cooperates. Typical summer humidity and occasional pop-up storms are the main risks. Temperatures warm/humid (highs 85–93°F).
ksdk.com
Tips for St. Louis Area Stargazing
Best sites: Head away from city lights (e.g., nearby state parks or rural spots recommended by St. Louis Astronomical Society). Check SLAS events.
stlmag.comTools: Clear Sky Chart for St. Louis (hourly cloud/transparency/seeing).
cleardarksky.com
AccuWeather astronomy or similar for quick checks.Conditions: Even "clear" forecasts can have haze; transparency matters for faint objects. Avoid nights with high humidity or recent rain.
Safety: Warm nights mean insects; use red lights to preserve night vision.
For the most up-to-date hourly details, visit cleardarksky.com (St. Louis chart) or weather.com extended forecasts, as conditions can change. Enjoy the Perseids if skies allow!
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.
The name Jupiter comes from Latin Iuppiter (or Iūpiter), the name of the king of the Roman gods — the god of the sky, thunder, and lightning (equivalent to the Greek Zeus).
Etymology
Etymology
It derives from a compound in Proto-Italic and earlier Proto-Indo-European roots:
Dyeu- (or dyeu-pəter): Meaning "to shine" or "sky/daylight," which also gives us words related to "god," "day," and "heaven" (cognate with Greek Zeus and Dios).
Pater: Meaning "father."
So, Jupiter essentially means "Sky Father," "God-Father," or "Father of the Gods/Heaven." It was originally a vocative form (like calling out "O Father Sky!") used in prayers.
Context
Context
As a god: Jupiter (also called Jove) was the supreme deity in Roman mythology, associated with power, justice, and the heavens.
As a planet: The Romans named the largest planet after their chief god because it was the brightest "wandering star" in the night sky, symbolizing majesty and power.
Modern Usage
Modern Usage
Today, Jupiter is also used as a bold, gender-neutral given name (more recently popular for girls, partly due to its similarity to Juniper), directly referencing the god or planet and evoking strength and grandeur.
In short, it's a very ancient name rooted in Indo-European sky-god worship, symbolizing divine fatherly authority.
Weather
Weather
Short-Term (Warm & Mostly Pleasant)
Today (Sun, Aug 2): Partly sunny and beautiful. High ~82°F, low ~65°F. Low chance of rain (~25%). Nice day to be outside.
accuweather.comMon, Aug 3: Partly to mostly sunny. High ~83-85°F, low ~63-68°F. Low rain chance.
Tue, Aug 4: Mostly sunny and warm. High ~85-88°F, low ~65-72°F.
Wed, Aug 5: Sunny to mostly sunny, warmer. High ~88-90°F, low ~70-73°F.
Thu, Aug 6: Mostly sunny, hot. High ~90°F, low ~73-75°F. Slight chance of a shower.
Mid-Term (Hotter with Some Humidity)
Fri, Aug 7: Hot and mostly sunny. High ~92-93°F, low ~74-76°F. Low rain chance.
Sat, Aug 8: Very warm, possible isolated shower/storm. High ~93-94°F, low ~74-76°F.
Sun, Aug 9: Hot, mix of sun and clouds. High ~92-94°F, low ~72-74°F.
Mon, Aug 10: Warm and mostly sunny. High mid-90s°F possible, low ~70s°F.
Tue, Aug 11: Continued heat. High ~90-94°F, low ~70-74°F. Scattered storm chance possible.
Longer-Range (Warm with Increasing Storm Potential)
Wed, Aug 12: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. High upper 80s to low 90s°F.
Thu, Aug 13: Partly cloudy, isolated thunderstorms possible. High ~86-90°F.
Fri, Aug 14: Mix of sun and clouds. High ~86-89°F, low ~70-72°F.
Sat, Aug 15: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers. High ~86°F.
Sun, Aug 16: Scattered showers possible. High ~86°F.
Overall Trend: Expect a warm to hot stretch with highs mostly in the mid-80s to mid-90s°F and lows in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F. Humidity will make it feel warmer at times. Rain chances are generally low early in the period but could increase mid-to-late week with typical summer thunderstorms.
accuweather.com +1
Stay hydrated during the hotter days, and enjoy the beautiful weather ahead!
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!
Bubbles and Bows
Bubbles and Bows
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
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