“We can't track down all of the Vermonters who spent more … than they were supposed to,” Clark said. “It's a donation that sort of honors and symbolizes a return to the community of the money” We'll piss away the remaining $475,000 off radar. Nice. #Vermont www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2...

Sun snow. This place is possessed.

Insurance companies are getting desperate as the business model fails in the face of climate change. My home insurance provider tried to get me to plug in a "safety" device. In the small print was the trip wire that it will also tell them if my wiring might be faulty but I'll get 1k towards a fix.

Anyone ever get this from @blueskybot9.bsky.social in their DM's before? Think I'm getting too old for social media. Should mindless ranting on a Bulletin Board System (sorry techies that's all this is, and yes, AI is just a reational database) ever really rise to the level of a security concern?

The agreement to open the Gov includes a provision to allow senators to sue the Gov if their phone records are accessed without notification. It's retroactive to 2022 for eight Republican senators whose phone records were subpoenaed as part of the investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack.

What a beautiful wintery sc.... ...Shit!!! I knew I forgot something. A scraper/brush thingy for the truck.

I'm starting to think some bird gave me a bad Yelp! review. I dug out the other bird feeder and have taken up surveillance. I'm getting a bird feeder complex.

Not going anywhere today, or this month, or rest of this year, and some of next year.

Man I love this guy to death!

First snowfall! <looks at 5th wheel> {Insert sigh here}

Oh! Boy! First power outage to test the batteries and it's not even winter yet.

You have to insure yourself against: 1 ) Fire 2) Flood 3) Collison 4) Healthcare. youtu.be/m6keZIUJBsQ?...

An oil furnace would look like a Cadillac to me right about now. Three cords to stack. One neighbor uses 5 cords. We both "call the guy" to get split wood delivered Two other neighbors do the process all in house. Down the tree, slice it up, split it, and then stack it. They're both in their 80's.

Today for the 1st time, I don't feel like the USAPATRIOTACT labeling me a terrorist was personal. rvterrorist.wordpress.com/doubt-the-tr... The guy next to me at the DMV raises his voice and says "what do you mean my Military ID isn't valid proof of my identity?". I'm glad to have my VT plates.

Ready to put the garden to bed for the winter. Weeded, tilled, & ready to be covered with cardboard so no weed seeds left behind germinate. Hope next year is better. This year the drought left me with zero cucumbers 🥒 and corn 🌽. I was bummed. Now a water barrels in place incase of a dry spell.

I put up this marker by my bulk head so the propane guy doesn’t back into it this winter. Figured I add a bird feeder on top. Something must be wrong. I don't know if it's too close to the house, the fact that it's blue, or the feed mix but it's been 3 weeks now and the birds aren't interested.

I used to think nothing beat a red maple. I think I've had a change of heart looking at these beautiful orange leaves up against a clear blue sky. I don’t know if those are ash or poplar. The hills of grass are the new leach field. That barren field in front should be a sea of lupines next year.

<looks at calendar> If we finish with fall in September, 🤔 then what happens in October?

Solar panels are in place. This is better than a game of monopoly. I own the electric utility & water utility. Now. Where to put the railroad. 🤔

This! This is why the country has a president that's a moron.

The stand is finally finished. Now I just have to get the solar panels on it. After squatting a thousand times and going up and down the ladder all day long, I think there's something to be said for painting lumber before you build.

There are some things a big city just can't hold a candle to. Like the West Newbury Vermont Sunshine 🌞 Festival 2025.

What's up with the bees 🐝 They get in behind my vertical siding and go crazy nest building. I know. Putting the furring strips up is on my list. Then they attack the excavator guy while he's trying to prepare for plumbing out back. Now, they are building this huge nest under a rock in the drive.

We won the great neighbors' lottery when we moved here. Today, we found strawberries, blueberries, and the local paper in our mailbox with a note from one neighbor that said, "Welcome back!". Don't ever believe what an appraiser tells you your home is worth.

We're camping tonight at a local campground to get a shower, empty waste tanks, and fill up on fresh water. To be ready for more camping at home while we wait for water and septic to be competed. Each day, we just take on the projects necessary should we have to sit out traveling this winter.

Camping at the Vernon Downs Casino in Vernon, NY. Lots of open space.

When it rains, it falls. Niagara Falls, NY, to be exact. youtu.be/lEl6D_eb--Y?...

James V. Glynn is the CEO of the company that operates sightseeing boat tours at Niagara Falls. He joined in 1950 as a ticket seller & later purchased it in 1971. James V. Glynn is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts and his strong relationship with Niagara University.

Hanging out at Niagara Falls State Park. Waiting to board the Maid of the Mist boat tour.

Visited Fort Niagara. The fort played an important role in the history of the region. The French military controlled Fort Niagara from 1726 to 1759. You can see a musket firing demonstration at this link: youtu.be/7HS2mHWw5O4?...

The garden has officially begun growing, even though we're not even home yet. We have two cherry tomato plants sprouting, and one of the Big Boy tomato plants is coming out in the little starter pots. Can't wait to get this party started.

The Four Mile Creek State Park Campground we're camping at is only 20 minutes from Niagara Falls State Park.

Niagara Falls with Toronto Canada off in the background. @dbcurren.bsky.social you have a nice porch from which to watch the world go mad. If I wasn't living under a Nazi regime, would've booked a city tour. With a dog in the trailer, no way I'd risk being locked out by U.S. zealots at the border.

Last stop on our Great Lakes tour. Lake Ontario in Youngstown, NY. We missed Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. We'll save those for our deep dive into MI, WI, and MN next time around. Tomorrow, Niagara Falls. parks.ny.gov/parks/fourmi...

Geneva State Park, OH on Lake Erie. It's kind of freezing here. I guess that's the lake effect. I may make a run for it and swim your way tomorrow @dbcurren.bsky.social Use a fishing pole that can stand a 40lb braid & a hook that holds 7lbs of prime rib bait. You may not need a fishing license.

Well, this was a pleasant surprise on the Ohio Turnpike, considering we were heading for a night at a Flying J Travel Center. Just $20 for a site with electricity, with a dump, and potable water at the exit. Chillax mode commenced.

I started my tailgate garden today. By the time I get home in May, I'll either have an early start for my tomatoes and greenbeans or one hell of a mess for the shop vac. The peat moss for the biodegradable pots is sourced from Canada. Thank you, Canada 🇨🇦 🙏 😀

Chicago is beautiful. I'd see news clips of people running thru wind & snow and think, who would want to live there. I do not think that now. The city is clean, friendly, and amazing with its mix of new & old and open spaces. I don't know 'bout the cubs, but the city hits it out of the park.

Caught the Big Bus in Chicago. It's an open-top double-decker bus that makes 11 stops in the city. You hop on or off at any stop. It's a convenient way to see the city. Buses arrive at each stop every 30 minutes, and with their app, you can see the buses on a map so you know when they're coming.

My kind of town, Chicago, is My kind of town, Chicago, is My kind of razzmatazz And it has all that jazz And each time I leave, Chicago is Tuggin' my sleeve, Chicago is The Wrigley Building, Chicago, is The Union Stockyard, Chicago, is One town that won't let you down It's my kind of town!

Tomorrow, Chicago!

Camping at the county fairgrounds in Springfield, IL. Lincoln's Tomb is just a walk down the road at the Oak Ridge Cemetery. The obelisk on top of the tomb is 117 feet tall. The tomb features four bronze statues representing the different branches of the Union military.

Springfield, IL has elected a new pope.

Sometimes, you just get a bad feeling in your guts. We chose to leave the campground and are at good ole Flying J, which has never been as good after Pilot bought them out, but that's for another day. We squat until the weather breaks and hope we'll miss the hail and tornados 🌪

Honestly, it's a step up from the city of Kevin in Montana. Trust!

Goodnight from Oklahoma! Not the show, the state.

Morning at the campground.

Checked out the boat ramp at Blue Creek Claremore,OK. I go out on the floating dock available for swimmers and notice a safety device in case anyone is in trouble. As a person who sinks like a cinder block in water, I thought the advice was spot on. "If possible, send someone else for assistance."

Took 5 hours to get here, a little more than I prefer to put on the drive itinerary for one day, but Blue Creek Campground in Claremore, OK, didn't disappoint.