Living

Living story sections

A New Brain Worm

by RDavis | Activism

A lot of American’s brains have been invaded by a new brain worm that creates a host of symptoms that just won’t go away. You won’t find this disease in any medical book because it has not yet been widely recognized, yet too many of us have felt its effects.

What I am referring to is the unrelenting occupation of our thoughts by the biggest bully and newly anointed American king, Donald Trump. Like it or not, he has been able to weasel his way into almost every aspect of life and, unless you are living under a rock, you are not immune to this infection.

When I was growing up I was bullied a lot. I think it was mostly because I was a fat kid and the bully types looked at me as an easy target. This went on for a number of years until I finally decided to fight back. In the late fifties and early sixties the culture was different than today and when I went to my father to tell him about kids picking on me his only reaction was to tell me to fight back. I don’t think most parents would say that today.

The Kennedy Death Squad

by RDavis | Activism

Trump and his amoral, unethical goon squad of cabinet members are doing everything they can to hurt the people they don’t like, which is a big chunk of the American population. They have no respect for people and prioritize ideology and personal profit above the value of human life.

At least 10 million people will lose health insurance and millions, many of the same people, will lose food stamps. It is still to be determined if those same people will no longer have the safety net of federal fuel assistance, but the pattern is clear. “Those people” need to stop relying on federal assistance of any kind because they are making it too hard for rich people to profit enough from American commerce.

Bus Drivers Update: Lockout Ended

by IsaacEF | Activism

Recently I posted about joining me at the picket this week with the school bus drivers and monitors. Based on news on Monday, it sounds we can hold off on the picket for the moment. The Brattleboro Reformer has reported that the lockout of the bus drivers and monitors has been dropped, and that they are allowed back to work! This is good news for children and families who will see their regular drivers who know the bus routes. And it’s good for the drivers who can return to work while contract negotiations resume!

Join Us At The Picket: Support Our School Bus Drivers!

by IsaacEF | Activism

Happy Labor Day! As billionaires try to take over our country, this is a critical moment to stand with working people. Will you join us this week to stand with our school bus drivers and monitors? I’ll be there Tuesday, September 2, outside Brattleboro Union High School at 7:30am.

Kuzmeskus, which is owned by an out-of-state private-equity firm, has locked out school bus drivers and monitors for the Windham Southeast district. It has been chaos for students and families, with scab drivers who don’t know our community or our streets. Teamsters Local 597 and community supporters are picketing to get Kuzmeskus to go back to the table, stop the lockout, and get our bus drivers back to work. I’ll be there bright and early Tuesday morning. Will you join us?

August 2025 Precipitation Report

by local | Nature

A second dry month in a row with brown lawns and gardens needing regular watering. At my location recorded 2.06″ compared to the NOAA normal of 4.32 inches.  A little less than half of normal.  For the calendar year still a little ahead of the average with 32.52″ compared to the average of 30.73 inches.

This month there have been a number of small scattered rain storms traveling thru, and if you were lucky you may have received more rain than I.  All numbers are from my location in the S.E. corner of Brattleboro and do vary.

High Blood Pressure Still #1 Killer

by RDavis | Health

It’s worth checking in on some basic health care issues from time to time because expert guidance changes and new developments are always worth considering. When it comes to blood pressure experts have long recommended that a person’s blood pressure should be at or below 140/90, but in recent years recommendations are for that to be 130/80.

According to a recent article on the Medscape web site, “The target blood pressure level for adults remains below 130/80 mm Hg, but drug therapy should be initiated sooner, according to new guidelines published Thursday by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC). Eleven other medical organizations endorsed the new guidelines, which replace those issued in 2017. “We’re trying to get started earlier in the process of preventing cardiovascular disease,” said Daniel W. Jones, MD, dean and professor emeritus of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, who chaired the guidelines committee. Almost half of American adults have hypertension, according to the AHA.”

Guilford Church Embraces ‘A Joyful Path’ Curriculum for Sunday School in September

by Nanci Leitch | Spiritual

The Sunday School at Guilford Community Church on September 7 will resume the curriculum of the ‘A Joyful Path” in which spiritual lessons for children kindergarten through 6th grade are both heart-centered and experiential, according to Sue Owings, chair of the church’s Christian Education committee.

Owings explained that this curriculum was chosen for many reasons, not the least of which was for its integrated approach to every lesson. “Children will listen to oral stories, reflect on their impressions as a group, and create projects that relate to the spiritual theme of the day,” Owings stated.

Terrific Tag Sale this Saturday

by ann.newsmith | Family

Don’t miss the annual All Souls Tag Sale on Saturday August 23, from 9 am to 1 pm. You’ll find a huge array of clothing, household items, small furniture, toys, books, puzzles, and more, with free face painting for kids. Everything is by donation! Free face painting for kids while you shop!All Souls Church UU, West Village Meeting House, 29 South St, West Bratt (up the driveway from the West B Fire Station).

Retirement Retrospective

by RDavis | Living

Retirement is a strange concept. For some people it is not something that is in their vocabulary and, for others, it is something that makes them count the days until the new phase of their life begins. If your life’s work and your passion for what you do blend perfectly then it seems likely that you don’t want the kind of life you lead to end. Working under other people’s rules tends to make many people long for a new kind of freedom.

It has been ten years since I mostly walked away from a 45 year nursing career. I enjoyed the ride and it turned out that the last job I had was the most satisfying in many ways. But working within the American health care system, no matter where, can wear you down and make you feel like you are not doing the best you can for your patients.

Last Week To Order From Leda’s Kitchen Until October!

by LedaS | Food

This week at Leda’s Kitchen: order by 8/19, pick up 8/21
I’ll be going to India for the month of September, so this is the last week to order until October.

KALA MASALA CHICKEN CURRY (GF/DF)
Dosa Kitchen’s signature chicken curry that has fed countless customers over the last ten years. Free-range chicken in a base of tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, and a spice mix (kala masala) created for us in India.
$26 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)

While Looking at Meteors… A Strange Sight

by cgrotke | Nature
strange thing in sky sketch

I saw something strange in the sky last night. I was out looking for Perseid meteors around 10:30 pm. It was a bit on the early side but I thought I might get lucky. And I did. After 10 minutes or so I saw some very faint little shooting stars above me. It was mostly clear, with a bit of high haze in the east.

I looked across a field to try a different direction. It was clear above me and to the west. Almost immediately I saw a big fiery, flaming meteor come whizzing down. It had a long streak and looked great. Whoo hoo! Mission accomplished – I saw a good one. Time to go in. Then I noticed what looked to be a small plane or satellite moving very slowly in the west. It wasn’t blinking like a plane, though, and it seemed to be moving too slowly to be a satellite. I kept watching.

Explore the Food & Culture of Oaxaca, Mexico, in Brooks Library Presentation

by roadnews | Travel

Long-time resident of Brattleboro and Oaxaca, Mimi Marchev, will lead a presentation on the unique culture and cuisine that has evolved in this ethnically diverse region of southern Mexico. The presentation will be held at Brooks Memorial Library on Wednesday, August 20, at 7:00 pm.

Oaxaca has become a leading culinary destination, both for Mexicans and for visitors from the United States. Its reputation is well deserved, and it is based on much more than a collection of top restaurants. Oaxaca’s cuisine has sprung from the area’s strong indigenous roots; notably from the Zapotec and Mixtec people. Food is not merely sustenance in Oaxaca; it is an expression of heritage, identity, and community.