Strange goings-on at neighbor’s roof spark reports from Dutch village residents

By
Monica Pop
-

Snow had settled over the Netherlands, turning streets and homes into a winter landscape. For most villagers, it was a familiar sight. Yet in one small village, a single house caught the attention of many because its roof stayed mysteriously bare, even as the snow covered all the others.

At first it didn’t seem like a big deal. The village residents thought it could be that the house owners were doing some renovations, or maybe they had installed special roofing. Who knew?

However, as days passed by and new snowstorms kept coming, the bare roof became hard to miss.

Well, it turns out that in the Netherlands, there’s a known reason for this oddity and it’s not related to home renovations. So, the villagers alerted the authorities.

The Dutch police knew right away that the “snow-free roof” could indicate a large-scale cannabis cultivation.

Haarlem Police

Growing cannabis indoors on a commercial scale requires strong lamps, heaters, and ventilation systems. This equipment generates a lot of heat which escapes through the roof and melts snow almost immediately, even in icy conditions.

For the police, the effect works like nature’s own thermal camera.

Officers didn’t have to search long to find the source. Inside the house, there was a fully equipped cannabis farm with plants under strong artificial lighting, heavy humid air, and the distinct smell of marijuana. The heat produced by the hundreds of plants didn’t allow the snow to stuck on the roof, exposing the house’s owner’s “little” secret.

This wasn’t the first time the police to discovered such an operation. In Haarlem, Zutphen, and Arnhem, police used snow-free roofs as a signal to investigate. Their raids uncovered cannabis farms ranging from 88 plants in a converted bedroom to nearly 500 plants worth roughly €50,000.

Haarlem Police

Following these snow-assisted raids, Dutch police used social media and local news to ask residents to report suspiciously snow-free roofs, which could signal large-scale cannabis farms. As one officer said, “Sometimes, the snow tells you more than the neighbors.”

The reason is simple: cannabis grow rooms produce intense heat from lamps, which rises and melts snow on the roof, even in freezing temperatures. Sometimes only the grow rooms’ areas melt, creating a patchy, almost thermal-map effect.

Foreigners are often surprised to learn that the Netherlands, known for its cannabis-friendly culture, limits marijuana cultivation. Individuals may possess up to five grams and buy small amounts from coffee shops, but growing more than five plants is illegal. Commercial-scale cultivation, such as the farm found in the snow-free house, counts as drug trafficking and carries severe legal consequences, which Dutch authorities enforce rigorously.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Mom doesn’t dare go outside with baby born with black spots

By
Monica Pop
-

Baby Kacy was born with a skin condition that affects one in 500,000 people. When his parents first laid eyes on him, they were shocked and unaware of what was wrong.

Kacy’s body was covered in huge black spots. “They were just everywhere. Spots on his face, on his legs, his back is covered,” his mom, Stephanie Dworksy said.

The condition he suffers from, melanocytic nevus, is the reason he has these spots. While they do come with an increased risk of skin cancer, the spots themselves are otherwise harmless and mainly affect appearance.

GoFundMe

“You know, you go through 10 months doing everything that you can do to have a perfect pregnancy and be healthy, and then you think you did something wrong,” Stephanie said, explaining that she sometimes feels guilty for her son’s condition.

Both she and her husband, Kacy’s dad, Dan Dworsky, are doing their best to raise awareness of melanocytic nevus. They want people to know it’s something you’re simply born with, and that the spots it causes are not contagious or a sign of poor health.

GoFundMe

When Kacy was born in 2016, doctors warned the parents that his appearance would likely cause unwanted glances and comments.

“People are going to stare at him, kids may say some mean things (…) you may even find parents that don’t want their kids to be near him, because they don’t know what this is,” father Dan said.

While Kacy was still very young, there were days when Stephanie chose not to go out, worried her son could face ridicule or bullying.

“I try not to go out, and I feel so guilty about it,” she said at the time.

By sharing Kacy’s story, his parents hope people will better understand his condition and realize he’s no different than the rest of us.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

After 35 years of loyalty, I was fired—and the reason left me in shock

By
Monica Pop
-

There are people out there who pour their heart and years into a job, giving their all—showing up early, staying late, and quietly carrying more than their share—yet their efforts go unnoticed until it’s too late.

A Reddit user, 60, decided to share his life story, not aware his post would attract so much attention.

Namely, he started by explaining that he had been working at the same factory for 35 years.

“I started there when I was 25, raised my kids off that job, paid every bill,kept us afloat through my wife’s illness,” the user wrote adding that he was providing training for every new employee at the factory, including half the people who are still working there. He’d show up early and leave late, never having any issues with the management or any of his co-workers. Well, until recently.

For illustrative purposes only/ Pexels

A few months back, someone started stealing his home-made food — which his wife prepared for him in order to cut on spendings and avoid eating out. So, unsure of his options, he chose to store his food in a small refrigerator of his own instead of the company’s.

It wasn’t long before he was called into the manager’s office. He admitted feeling a flicker of hope since he hadn’t had a raise in years, thinking maybe this was finally it. But boy was he wrong. Instead of a raise, he got fired right there and then, after 35 years of loyal service. And for what? For “not being a team player” and bringing his own fridge at work. According to the manager, it was selfish of the user to do such a thing, no matter the fact that his food got repeatedly stolen.

Pexels

Following the incident, the user, obviously frustrated, decided to share his story on Reddit. To his surprise, it reached way more people that he could ever imagined. Among them? The manager of the factory. As expected, people defended the user and everyone agreed the manager was the one in the wrong here.

Shortly after the post went viral, the manager called the user, apologized to him, and offered him the position back. But guess what? The user said no.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Trump deploys US Marines

By
Monica Pop
-

The Pentagon is sending 200 Marines to Florida to help “with critical administrative and logistical capabilities at locations as directed by ICE.” The deployment is part of a broader mobilisation of 700 troops across Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, approved by the Secretary of Defence on May 9 in response to a DHS request for logistical support with interior enforcement. It comes as deportations increase, including removals to South Sudan.

Officials say the Marines won’t be involved in any enforcement activities but their role would be administrative and logistical support, primarily working inside ICE detention facilities.

While their mission isn’t combat, the deployment has raised eyebrows, as a lot of people say they are uncomfortable with uniformed troops taking part in immigration operations.

While critics believe the deployment blurs the line between the military and domestic law enforcement, supporters view it as a needed step to help the strained immigration systems.

Pexels

A statement from the NORTHCOM read, “These Marines are the first wave of U.S. Northern Command’s (USNORTHCOM’s) support of this ICE mission

“Other support locations will include Louisiana and Texas. Service members participating in this mission will perform strictly non-law enforcement duties within ICE facilities. Their roles will focus on administrative and logistical tasks, and they are specifically prohibited from direct contact with individuals in ICE custody or involvement in any aspect of the custody chain.”

The operation is approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“These service members, drawn from all components and operating in a Title 10 duty status, will provide logistical support, and conduct administrative and clerical functions associated with the processing of illegal aliens at ICE detention facilities. They will not directly participate in law enforcement activities,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnel said.

REUTERS via NewYork Post

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump deployed some 4,000 National Guard personnel and 700 Marines to California under a law known as Title 10, which enables the deployment of troops to defend federal assets and personnel.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

K9 dog wouldn’t stop barking at room 207 in a hospital – what they found inside was horrifying

By
Monica Pop
-

Throughout the years, dogs have shown incredible affection and loyalty towards the human kind. These amazing creatures have served many roles, making our world a much better place.

Not only they are beloved pets, but also emotional support animals, service dogs for people experiencing different kinds of disabilities, therapy dogs offering comfort, and working animals in tasks like herding, guarding, and search and rescue.

Some dogs, mostly German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Labradors, have also shown to be a valuable part of the special enforcement K9 unit.

As part of the law enforcement, these dogs are trained to detect drugs, explosives, firearms, and even electronic devices or human remains.

Pexels

Max, one special German Shepherd who has been part of the police for a couple of years, is one such dog.

His story caught the attention of everyone who has heard it, and it’s all for the right reasons.

That day, the hospital corridors echoed with Max’s persistent barking at room 207. Being part of the hospital’s security team, his presence radiated comfort and loyalty to those around him. That’s why his sudden barking raised concerns.

The hospital staff got curious, especially because room 207 hadn’t been occupied for quite some time.

His handler, Officer Kelly, had never seen Max act like that, so she knew something wasn’t right.

She and the staff approached the room cautiously, not knowing what to expect. What they encountered was a state of chaos — furniture flipped, wires tangled, and medical equipment scattered across the floor.

The search led them to a concealed compartment behind a loosened section of the wall containing illegal substances and suspicious materials.

Back up was called, the area was secured, and an investigation was started right away. And Max? He was praised for the job well done. Thanks to him and his instincts, authorities uncovered a covert operation within the hospital premises.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Dubbed ‘the most beautiful twins in the world:’ this is what the Clements sisters look like today

By
Monica Pop
-

From the moment they were born in 2010, these stunning twin sisters took our breath away.

Their physical appearance, the blue eyes and blonde hair, distinguished them as one of the most beautiful babies in the world. And now, after eleven years, they are still on the top of the list of most adorable children.

Their mom, Jaqi Clements, became aware of how gorgeous her twins actually are when she couldn’t get them out without people paying them a bunch of compliments and calling them the most beautiful children they’ve ever seen.

‘“For as long as I can remember strangers would approach me when we were out asking first if they were twins. Their follow up would always be…’Wow they are so beautiful, you should really think about getting them into modeling,’” she said

Once the girls turned 6 months old, their mother signed them for a modeling agency but regretted her decision because she felt they were way too young to be exposed to that type of life. She decided to wait until the right time comes.

clementstwins via Instagram

As the time passed by, the girls became even more beautiful and their mother felt like it was just the right time for her to revisit the modeling idea. When they turned seven, Jaqi saw it as a sign to help them pursue a career.

‘“Aside from the fact that I’m a huge believer in signs and have been told by almost everyone that 7 is a lucky number, I just had a feeling that this year was going to be a fun and exciting year for them,” she said.

Everything started when the mom started an Instagram account for her twins called @clementstwins. She knew people adored her children but she didn’t really expect that many people to become their followers on social media. At the moment more than 1.8 million people follow the twins.

When these beauties got the attention of many modeling agencies, the mom got offers from many of them, and currently the girls are working for two different agencies and children’s clothing brands and magazines.

They are also part of a swimming club and a dance studio. They say how they simply love what they do, although their life is quite different than that of their peers.

clementstwins via Instagram

It seems the beauty runs in this family, and besides the two sisters, their handsome brother is a model himself.

He sometimes appears on the Instagram photos along with his sisters. The parents are pretty good looking themselves so we are not surprised how the children are so attractive. They certainly got it from their parents

A few years back, Leah and Ava used their popularity to help their father Kevin with his battle against leukaemia and lymphoma. They made it their mission to find a matching bone marrow donor for him and were stunned by the number of people who signed to get tested. Eventually, Kevin found a match in his brother and received the so much needed transplant surgery.

clementstwins via Instagram

Even today, these beauties use their Instagram account to raise awareness of this type of cancer.

“It’s an easy process to be a bone marrow donor, and I think a lot of people have this misconception that it is hard and painful, but it’s really not,” Kevin said.

“Having them have a chance to do that and to help me out, but also to help so many other people out, it’s amazing.”

At the same time, Leah and Eva are working together with a nail polish company for which they design and sell their nail polish line. They use a great portion of the money they make for their cousin Shane who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at 10-months-old.

What do you think of this lovely family?

Please share this story with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and peace

6 foods that silently drain calcium from the body, the more you eat, the weaker your bones become

By
Monica Pop
-

Calcium is not only a mineral that keeps your bones healthy, but also helps your heart beating, your muscles working and your nerves firing. 

The Cleveland Clinic states that calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body, with more than 99% of it residing in your bones and teeth to give them strength and structure. The remaining 1% — which does a lot of good despite the low percentage — is in your muscles and tissues and circulating through your blood.

Since your body is not capable of producing calcium itself, you take it in through what you eat and drink or from supplements.

However, while there are foods rich in this mineral, there are also types of food that drain calcium from your body. The more you eat them, the weaker your bones become.

1. Soda (Soft Drinks)

Pexels

Most sodas, especially colas, contain phosphoric acid, which can block calcium absorption and cause your body to lose calcium from bone tissue. The extra sugar adds to the problem by increasing inflammation that wears down bone strength over time.

In short, consuming sodas regularly can reduce bone strength and increase the risk of fractures, so make sure you substitute these beverages with healthier options such as herbal tea, perhaps.

2. Salt (Sodium)

Pexels

The more sodium you consume, the more calcium is excreted from your body through the urine, leading to weaker bones.

Foods that contain sodium in large amounts are fast foods, processed snacks, and packaged meals. Cut down on added salt and make a habit of checking nutrition labels for their sodium levels.

3. Caffeine (Coffee, Tea, Energy Drinks)

Pexels

When you consume caffeine, your body tends to lose calcium through urine. Drinking coffee, tea, or energy drinks in excess on a regular basis can slowly weaken your bones, increasing the risk of fractures over time.

Having 1–2 cups of coffee daily is considered safe, but anything above that amount daily can impact calcium stores.

4. Alcohol

Pexels

Heavy drinking can hinder your body’s ability to absorb calcium and slow down osteoblasts, the cells that build bone. It also lowers vitamin D levels, which are necessary for calcium absorption.

At the same time, consuming too much alcohol — more than 1 drink daily for women, 2 for men — increases the chances of osteoporosis.

5. Red Meat and Processed Meats

Pexels

Processed red meats like sausages, bacon, and hot dogs are rich in phosphorus. If your calcium intake is insufficient, this imbalance can interfere with bone health and increase the risk of weakening bones over time.

So, have red meat in moderation, and mix in healthier proteins such as fish, chicken, or plant-based foods in order to give your bones the support they need.

6. Spinach and Rhubarb (High in Oxalates)

Pexels

Oxalates in spinach and rhubarb can interfere with calcium absorption, meaning your body may not use all the calcium these foods contain. Combining them with low-oxalate, calcium-rich vegetables such as kale and broccoli, can help keep your bones strong.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Inside Oprah’s emotional reflections on her mother

By
Monica Pop
-

Oprah Winfrey has been a media magnate, an author, and a cultural phenomenon for many years. Yet, behind her glory, her late mother Vernita Lee was embroiled in a turbulent mother-daughter relationship. Born in 1935 in Mississippi, Vernita became a mother at the age of just 18, giving birth to Oprah. Life was hard for a young African-American mother in the segregated South, but she strived to nurture and raise her daughter.

Oprah mostly spent her formative years with her grandmother, Hattie Mae Lee, while Vernita worked as a maid in Milwaukee.

It was Hattie Mae who instilled in Oprah a love of reading and oratory skills that would form the basis of her future success. When she was 6 years old, she was reunited with her mother; however, the next few years were challenging. Between her mother in Milwaukee and father, Vernon Winfrey, in Nashville, Oprah went back and forth. She was abused in her childhood, had a teenage pregnancy, and lost her baby shortly after birth, a secret that went with Oprah into the sky-rocketing fame.

Shutterstock/Everett Collection

In spite of all the other obstacles, Oprah garnered wisdom from her grandmother, her father, and her mentors, including Maya Angelou. She decided not to have children of her own but chose instead to be a mother to millions, mentoring young women at her Leadership Academy in South Africa and inspiring people across the world.

In a podcast with Dr. Bruce Perry, a childhood trauma expert, Oprah recalled a time when she had been invited down to talk about her mother. While others shared moments they had with their own mothers — with one girl describing how her mother prepared special lunches, had her boots ready for wet days, and kindly assisted her in taking them off when she got home — Oprah realized such memories with Vernita were few. Still, she said she was grateful to her mother for having her. “She didn’t abort me,” Oprah said, adding that her mother did the best she could.

From these reflections, Oprah realized that she could not rewrite the past.

Accepting her mother for what she was brought Oprah to a certain peace and served as an inspiration to listeners confronted with similar battles. Many commemorated the importance of honoring one’s parents who made them in one way or another.

Oprah Winfrey with her mom Vernita Lee and sister Patricia/ OWN Communications

Vernita passed away on Thanksgiving Day, 2018, at the age of 83. Though complicated, Oprah’s mother’s never-give-up attitude helped shape a daughter who would revolutionize the television industry and become a beacon of hope for millions around the globe.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

1...606162...964Page 61 of 964