What kind of shoes should you pack for your visit to VT?

Warm waterproof boots Sept-May. Sandals in the summer.

Slippers to change into when you get inside.

Crocs for taking out the compost.

I'm tired

Is Vermont’s motel program a ‘magnet’ for out-of-staters experiencing homelessness? Brave Little State investigates a persistent narrative about the rise in homelessness in Vermont.

FYI there's not a lot of evidence that the out-of-staters represent any significant portion of the houseless population

share.google/DWJMOxbmTeUp...

Two cats looking out a big picture window in the living room, to green grass and a dusting of snow outside

Cozy morning with first snow

I introduced myself to the newest neighbor on the block. He said he knew me through ultimate, although he was one year older than the first kids I coached. I blurted, "you bought this house yourself?"

I mean, good for you, kid!

Crowdsourcing question....where do folks get accurate weather data these days?

I used to love Wunderground but I've had too many bike commutes in the rain to trust it completely anymore.

A forest path with large boulders on the side. The path has reddish brownish leaves all over. Tree canopy is yellow and green

Colors are poppin' even moreso in the rain

"Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people." -Eliot Schrefer in Queer Ducks

Almost all the windows are closed

Wow!

Adelita Grijalva won her election fair and square.

Now House Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to swear her in because she would be the final signature to release the Epstein files.

Mr. Speaker, respect democracy. Obey the law. Swear Representative Grijalva in immediately.

I got to wash dishes in my kitchen sink for the first time since July 21 🌊🤩🍽️ yay kitchen renovation being almost done

I've saved voicemails from some of my favorite people, some dating back to 2009. Two were from my grandmother, who has since passed. I'm not sure how sad I should feel about it, or how hard I should work to get them back.

Overheard in the middle school classroom:

"How do you spell 'especially'?"

"Just sound it out."

Oh, no...

Trump says he’s sending troops to Portland to | CNN Politics President Donald Trump is directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “provide all necessary troops” to Portland, Oregon, a city he says is “war ravaged” and protect ICE facilities he claimed are “und...

This ought to be a huge story everywhere. It is imperative that we not normalize sending troops into blue cities on false pretenses. The consequences could be tragic. Journalists must rebut the lies and quote the outraged at the top of their articles and segments. www.cnn.com/2025/09/27/p...

View on a cloudy day above the canopy of evergreens and yellow deciduous trees, and a white wind turbine. Farther away are hills with fall foliage and clouds in the valleys

Bolton fire tower ranks up there as far as scariness to climb!

4 hands pushing buttons on a white cabinet arcade game, with two Mortal Kombat characters about to battle

We went to Retro Realm in Middlebury today as part of our middle school retreat week. Tons of 1990s arcade games for one flat price. Highly recommend!

Thanks, Tylenol...but I don't want to start relying on advice from drug manufacturers because our government won't fund science

Ahhh Mike if you're going to catch a mouse and bring it inside, at least eat it all please

Honestly the downhill felt way longer! Love a good rock scramble though

Today we hiked Mt Hunger in Doc Martens

What’s. It. Going. To take?

SAVU We’re looking to expand Savu across the US in the next few years. We believe that there shouldn’t be any limitations to where saunas can go and who can experience them. Edge of the ocean, top of a mou...

share.google/vzwnD0xTGM9A...

Co-teacher brings in a painting of a koala to hang on our classroom wall.

Me: is a koala a bear?

Class: No!

Me: Why not? It has all of the koala-fications.

Student: Get. Out.

An outstretched hand holding a brown and black fuzzy caterpillar, with two tiny green balls in the middle of the hand. Green grass in the background

I'm pretty sure that's wooly bear poop!

Mood

Someone in a blue shirt and grey shorts with outstretched arms, holding a tabby cat that has a striped chipmunk in her mouth, inside a house's living room

That's the face of a fierce hunter with no regrets

Also my knight in shining armor that bravely removed said hunter from our bedroom

@kochalka.bsky.social

I did this one for the first time the other day! That view was way more than I expected for that hike

I just love that you see the brook