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One Attendees Santa Pen-pal That She Met At Burning Man

There are a lot of odd characters at Burning Man, the annual Labor Day Weekend celebration in the western desert, but the last one folks usually expect to see there is Santa Claus. However, as it turned out in 2017, that’s exactly who one attendee met, and she struck up a penpal relationship with the character ever since.

The idea of penpals came from the 1970s with kids’ programs intended to help them learn more about the greater world and to make connections with similar kids in other countries. TV programs, schools, kids’ after-school care programs and similar all ran some kind of version of penpals. The benefits were multiple. Kids learned to read and write faster, they built relationships with other kids internationally, and they learned more about other communities just on the natural talking to their connections. So, while the idea of writing a paper letter today seems like a memory of yesteryear, the term of “penpal” is still alive and well, referring to long-distance connections that start out of the blue.

Back to the Burning Man, Rudie met Santa Claus, or a fellow dressed up like him in 2017 at the desert festival, complete in costume and carrying a large sack. Of course, Santa Claus wasn’t the only out of the norm character there; Burning Man is famous for all sorts of outlandish costumes, constructs, bike-related vehicles, and lots of partying. Santa was in full character mode, handing out gifts from a large bag he was carrying, while enjoying the crowd at the Jazz Café.

Rudie ended up chatting with Santa quite a bit, but never exchanged anything more in the way of contact information to followup. So she pretty much chalked up the experience to the festival and forgot about it. However, in 2018, Santa Claus was there again at the next Burning Man. And he recognized Rudie from the previous year. They chatted up a storm again, and this time the Man of the North Pole brought a saxophone and started in impromptu gig on the stage. It went well with the name of the café. And, at the end of it all, Rudie was able to get an email address in 2018. She didn’t send an email right away; Rudie waited until Christmas itself that year, and then sent a long email explaining how special the Santa Claus theme was to her and thanking him for spreading the cheer at the festival.

She wasn’t expecting a response, but “Santa” did write Rudie back on Christmas Day the same year. That started an international tradition, and the following 2019 Burning Man, Rudie, Santa and a few other characters participated in the whole Christmas gig at Burning Man, much to everyone’s amusement. Unfortunately, 2020 and 2021 were fouled up by COVID, but Rudie and Santa stayed connected online anyways.

Plans are on though for everyone to reconnect in person again at Burning Man 2022. And Rudie, currently living in Spain and with a full name of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as a character, is looking forward to the desert party with the Old Man from the North all over again. No pandemic is going to keep them down for long!

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Feline Globetrotter: The Siamese Cat Conquering Europe One Backpack at a Time

Kelly Taylor

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An adventurous Siamese cat named Felix has become an unlikely travel companion, accompanying his owners on journeys across the UK and Europe. This three-year-old feline has captured hearts and turned heads as he explores the world from the comfort of a specially designed backpack.

Felix’s humans, Magda and Adam Orpel from Hertfordshire, have transformed their travel experiences to include their furry friend. What began as short local walks has evolved into extensive travels spanning multiple countries, including France, Germany, and Switzerland.

The Orpels’ innovative approach to pet ownership stems from their love for outdoor activities and travel, combined with a reluctance to leave Felix behind. They’ve adapted their travel methods, opting for ferries and trains over quick flights to accommodate their feline explorer.

Felix’s adventures are not limited to passive observation. He enjoys long walks on an extended leash and has become accustomed to various modes of transport, including bicycles, buses, and trams. His owners ensure his safety with a secure backpack, allowing Felix to satisfy his curiosity without risk.

The sight of a cat in a backpack has sparked numerous conversations and surprised reactions from passersby. Felix has become somewhat of a celebrity, with his exploits documented on a dedicated Instagram account that showcases his global escapades.

Despite the unconventional nature of their travels, the Orpels emphasize that Felix’s participation is entirely voluntary. They believe these experiences enrich Felix’s life as much as their own, creating a unique bond through shared adventures.

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Auction Surprise: Endangered Przewalski’s Horses Discovered Masquerading as Mules

Kevin Wells

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In an unexpected turn of events, two critically endangered Przewalski’s horses have been identified after being sold at livestock auctions as common mules. This remarkable discovery has stunned both animal rescuers and scientists, highlighting the rarity of these animals and raising questions about their origins.

Hannah Huckabay, a Colorado rancher with a background in equine science, first spotted one of these horses in an online auction. The animal’s distinctive features, including a mohawk-like mane and unique coloration, immediately caught her attention. Her suspicions about the horse’s true identity were later confirmed through genetic testing.

Almost simultaneously, a similar case emerged in Utah, where Kelsey and Gunnar Bjorklund of the Lazy B Equine Rescue and Sanctuary acquired what they believed to be an unusual mule, only to suspect it might also be a Przewalski’s horse.

Genetic analysis conducted by Texas A&M University’s animal genetics lab supported the rescuers’ hunches. The lab’s director, Rytis Juras, expressed surprise at finding potential Przewalski’s horses in such unexpected circumstances, likening it to discovering a luxury sports car in a scrapyard.

The Przewalski’s horse, native to Mongolia and critically endangered, is the last truly wild horse species. With only about 2,500 individuals worldwide as of 2022, the presence of these horses at common livestock auctions has baffled experts.

The rescued horses, affectionately named Shrek and Fiona, are adapting to their new environments. Both animals have shown signs of improvement in health and socialization since their rescue.

This unusual situation has raised concerns about the potential for endangered species to slip through the cracks of livestock auctions. It also highlights the importance of proper identification and protection of rare animals.

As the investigation into how these horses ended up at auctions continues, the rescuers hope to eventually place Shrek and Fiona in professional conservation programs where they can contribute to the preservation of their species.

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Texas Family Saves Baby Bird with a Warm Tortilla Twist

Jess

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A family in Amarillo, Texas came across a baby bird in their backyard while enjoying a summer cookout. They noticed the little bird all alone on the ground and, worried it was cold, decided to take action.

Here’s the surprising part: they wrapped the bird in a warm tortilla!

Yes, you read that right – a tortilla! While it might sound unusual, it actually worked. The warm tortilla kept the little bird cozy until help arrived.

The family contacted the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, thinking they had a baby barn owl. When they mentioned the tortilla technique, the rescuer was a bit speechless at first. But they quickly arranged to pick up the bird and, to their surprise, found a healthy Mississippi kite chick snuggled in a flour tortilla!

The resourceful family’s quick thinking, along with the handy tortilla, ensured the baby bird stayed safe. The little raptor, now affectionately nicknamed “Taquito,” is being cared for at the rehabilitation center. They’ll be getting a steady diet of insects and frozen mice until they’re ready to return to the wild.

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Ordinary People Experience Stardom on Belfast’s Red Carpet

Shannon Jackson

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In a delightful turn of events in Belfast, Ireland, TikToker Alan Wallace treated unsuspecting passersby to a taste of celebrity life by rolling out a red carpet for them to strut their stuff. Known by his social media handle Inspiring Belfast, Wallace enjoys a following of over 50,000 on Instagram. His latest stunt captured the hearts of viewers, racking up more than 8.5 million views and over 720,000 likes on Instagram alone.

Wallace is celebrated for his feel-good content that often highlights the charm of Belfast, his native city. According to Upworthy, the most charming aspect of this event was how each participant wholeheartedly embraced their moment in the spotlight, displaying a range of responses from graceful walks by the elderly to playful dances and athletic stunts like cartwheels and skateboarding.

One standout moment featured a construction worker who dazzled onlookers with a performance reminiscent of a fashion show finale, demonstrating both confidence and joy.

While the video suggests some coordination might have been involved in the setup, the genuine delight of those featured was unmistakable. The video not only spread smiles among viewers but also served as a reminder of the joy simple pleasures can bring.

Comments flooded in from viewers who felt uplifted by the clip. One viewer expressed, “I’ve had such a bad day, and this has really cheered me up.” Another commented on the pure happiness the video brought, “Proof that simple things can provide so much joy! Infectious joy at that! More please!”

A particularly touched viewer noted, “I love how everyone reacts but especially the elderly. They are often lonely and overlooked. They’ll be thinking about this with a smile for a long time 😍”

This heartwarming spectacle underscores the impact of small gestures of kindness and how a simple act of fun can brighten someone’s day without needing a deep connection—sometimes, a smile or a playful interaction is all it takes to lift spirits.

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A Surprise Upgrade: How a Mistake Gave an Edmond Couple a New Roof

Kelly Taylor

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Imagine coming home to find out that your roof has been replaced by mistake! That’s exactly what happened to Deborah and Scott Senner from Edmond. “We were like ‘Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh,'” Deborah said. “We didn’t order a roof.”

The couple was actually five hours away when their 5-year-old roof was being removed. “I think it was about 80 percent off when they realized the mistake,” Deborah said. That’s when they got a surprising phone call from Doug Gray, the owner of Graco Roofing and Construction.

Gray admitted to the mistake, saying, “Had to be humble. We made a mistake and here’s what we can do to fix it.” Graco Roofing has been around for 30 years and had never made a mistake like this before. Gray even sent the Senners pictures of the progress, showing a huge dumpster, trucks, and a chute for throwing shingles.

The Senners could have been upset, but they weren’t. “They were very gracious, very sweet,” Gray said. “They understood – a little shocked obviously.” Scott found humor in the situation, saying, “It was pretty funny. You don’t expect something like that.”

The mix-up happened because of a small error in the address given to the installation team. “There’s protocols we put in place for years to avoid that,” Gray said. “Several of those were missed.” Despite the mistake, the Senners praised Graco Roofing. “We’re a total advocate for him. We think they did a phenomenal job,” they said. “Now we say we recommend Graco.”

In the end, the mistake turned out to be a blessing. The new roof was an upgrade, more resistant to hail, and it even lowered the couple’s homeowners insurance. “They did the right thing big time,” says Scott. Sometimes, a little mistake can lead to a big improvement!

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