Top 5 Feel Goods 9.18.20

What a week it’s been! So much has been happening and specifically, sending out love and light to those on the West Coast dealing with the wildfires. It’s been devastating to hear all the stories around that hoping some of these below lighten the mental load even if for only a few minutes. One of them is specifically a story about helping pets in a fire emergency. Hope these bring some cheer, inspire and help you remember that there is always good to be found. Have a great weekend!

1. Happy Birthday Lawrence Brooks!!! He is the oldest living US veteran of World War II! How lovely that the National WWII Museum held a socially distance birthday celebration for him complete with cake and the musical stylings of The Victory Belles, the museum's vocal trio. Lawrence Brooks has five children, five stepchildren, 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren! What a beautiful amount of family. How proud they all must be of him as I am of all our veterans. They have given so much of themselves to protect us and keep us safe that it’s only right that we honor their incredible lives. Especially those who fought in World War II! One of the most important wars in our history. Read more about his service and bday celebration here. And even though this might be a bit belated, you can still send him a birthday card or just a card to thank him for his service to

The National WWII Museum c/o Happy 111th Mr. Brooks!

945 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70130

2. I can’t get enough of The Dodo Odd Couples series and this one is super cute. Teddy and Robin! I loved towards the end of the video watching them run together. There is nothing like watching horses and dogs run and play. That sense of freedom and adventure just fills my heart with joy. These two are the sweetest companions and this made me smile instantly.

3. The Drew Barrymore Show premiered this week and this Charlie’s Angels reunion on the first episode was one of the sweetest and funniest moments on daytime TV that I’ve seen in a while. I loved seeing these powerhouse actresses discuss friendship, motherhood, girl power and more together. This moment in particular about the “bathroom messages” Drew failed to send correctly cracked me up! They even end this entire segment with an ode to the E.E. Cummings poem, I Carry Your Heart With Me which is a poem I adore. The show is quirky, slightly awkward, delightful and funny just like Drew Barrymore herself so I’m excited to watch as it unfolds. The whole show might not be your jam, but this segment will certainly give you a chuckle.

4. Age is just a number and I was so inspired by Patti Curtis creating this art collective for artists over the age of 50. After being laid off at 53 and finding that companies weren’t hiring someone of her age, she took a stand for all the “old fogies” out there and started Fogue Studios. Having a creative space for older artists to flourish is so amazing. Patti also gives most of the commission back to the artist which is really unheard of in the industry. Fogue Studios only takes 15% vs the typical 50% to 60% that typical galleries take from helping artists sell their work. Due to the pandemic, they can’t sell their work with events like they were so, they have outdoor markets and of course, sell online. Watch the story above to find out how she started it all and then, go check out the artwork on the website so we can support these talented “Fogues”.

5. Debra Jo Chiapuzio has donated 7,500 pet oxygen masks after rescuing dogs from wildfires through the Emma Zen Foundation. As California is going through some terrible wildfires (thinking about all those affected and thankful for our firefighters & first responders) this news really warmed my heart. Debra along with her dog Emma Zen (pictured here) have visited several fire departments and donated masks and trained firefighters on how to use them. These pet oxygen masks can save lives. Pets are family members so during a fire, it’s important to make sure they have a fighting chance to be able to survive an emergency like that. Emma Zen herself is a the survivor of a fire. When she was in a shelter on a fire hold and her family never claimed her, Debra walked in and scooped her up. From there, they have been on this journey to create the Emma Zen Foundation and do this life saving work. The masks have primarily saved dogs and cats, but they’ve also been used on miniature pigs, guinea pigs and an iguana. Read the entirety of their heartwarming and giving story here.