John Downs
@gradyryan1.bsky.social
Taught science/technology NC public schools 20+ yrs, Interests: photography, weather, nature, Irish heritage, my schnoodle dogs, Christmas Trees/farming.🇮🇪🎄
Pinned
No Kings's event, “NO KINGS Boone” - www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
NO KINGS Boone · No Kings
**In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.**
Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Bo...
www.mobilize.us
October 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM
No Kings's event, “NO KINGS Boone” - www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
Some good news !
Y'all. Over the last few months, I've been involved in a semi-secret project involving joy, connection, story and Ronald McDonald House Charities. I am so excited to finally share it with you. Big thanks to my friends at @bookelicious.bsky.social for making this happen! #tlsky #tlskychat #edusky
Helping Ronald McDonald House Care for Readers’ Hearts: One Bookmoji at a Time!
First, A Disclaimer: This is not a paid or sponsored post. I wasn’t asked to write this. I am not being compensated to tell this story. Rather, I’m sharing it because I believe deeply in the power of ...
www.librarygirl.net
September 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Some good news !
Cringeworthy 😬
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on social media(X) that federal border agents will be assigned to NPS sites as part of the broader federal law enforcement push in DC. He said the Interior Department had authorized a “service-wide deputization” of Customs and Border Protection
August 22, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Cringeworthy 😬
Reposted by John Downs
It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
August 2, 2025 at 2:18 AM
It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
#nokings Boone, NC 6/14/25 @indivisible.org
June 15, 2025 at 4:23 AM
#nokings Boone, NC 6/14/25 @indivisible.org
With everything happening, this song seems more relevant today than ever. The sun also rises. #StevieNicks
“Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away”
“Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away”
June 8, 2025 at 12:18 PM
With everything happening, this song seems more relevant today than ever. The sun also rises. #StevieNicks
“Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away”
“Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away”
😞
I was hesitant to write this obituary. Struggle as I might, I don’t have a grand life lesson of his life; nor I any clear meaning to make of his death. I’m just heartbroken that he’s gone. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/in-m...
In Memory of Bode: The Best Dog Ever
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
May 28, 2025 at 3:30 AM
😞
Our favorite Stevie Nicks moments for her birthday - ABC News - abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/... via @ABC
Video Our favorite Stevie Nicks moments for her birthday
Happy birthday, Stevie!
abcnews.go.com
May 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Our favorite Stevie Nicks moments for her birthday - ABC News - abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/... via @ABC
Winston Salem’s Wake Forest University !
As America is under attack from a fascist authoritarian despot, Scott Pelly issues a clarion call to graduates of Wake Forest. The Nazification of the US is unfolding under Trump and Project 2025 and America's youth is the last bulwark preventing autocracy.
May 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Winston Salem’s Wake Forest University !
Got back to Valle Crucis this morning to see the final hesitant bluebird chick leave the nest. This will be the last post of the Blue birds all of which appeared to have made it out alive. Chat GPT says they won’t return to the nest once they have left unlike many American children. 😳😭🐣 #birds
May 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Got back to Valle Crucis this morning to see the final hesitant bluebird chick leave the nest. This will be the last post of the Blue birds all of which appeared to have made it out alive. Chat GPT says they won’t return to the nest once they have left unlike many American children. 😳😭🐣 #birds
Check out these little blue flowers, Myosotis sylvatica, wood forget-me-not. Lots of buttercups too. I try and leave areas of my property along the Watauga River uncut to encourage wild flowers and pollinators. 🐝
High 71 low 41, Nice spring day. #ncwx
High 71 low 41, Nice spring day. #ncwx
May 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Check out these little blue flowers, Myosotis sylvatica, wood forget-me-not. Lots of buttercups too. I try and leave areas of my property along the Watauga River uncut to encourage wild flowers and pollinators. 🐝
High 71 low 41, Nice spring day. #ncwx
High 71 low 41, Nice spring day. #ncwx
A good article from @wral.bsky.social
“ Driving past Valle Crucis school a couple days after Hurricane Helene they saw a math teacher crying—These kids are not ever going to get to step foot in their school again.”
Thanks @dongregorio09.bsky.social for sharing 🙏🏻
www.wral.com/news/state/h...
“ Driving past Valle Crucis school a couple days after Hurricane Helene they saw a math teacher crying—These kids are not ever going to get to step foot in their school again.”
Thanks @dongregorio09.bsky.social for sharing 🙏🏻
www.wral.com/news/state/h...
May 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A good article from @wral.bsky.social
“ Driving past Valle Crucis school a couple days after Hurricane Helene they saw a math teacher crying—These kids are not ever going to get to step foot in their school again.”
Thanks @dongregorio09.bsky.social for sharing 🙏🏻
www.wral.com/news/state/h...
“ Driving past Valle Crucis school a couple days after Hurricane Helene they saw a math teacher crying—These kids are not ever going to get to step foot in their school again.”
Thanks @dongregorio09.bsky.social for sharing 🙏🏻
www.wral.com/news/state/h...
When you don’t bring enough food for everyone. 😳. View from my blue bird porch box this morning.
May 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM
When you don’t bring enough food for everyone. 😳. View from my blue bird porch box this morning.
Looking for a nice escape from reality? (I know I’m late to this show) but not only was #Juryduty funny but also restored a little of my faith in humanity. On Prime Video.
May 2, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Looking for a nice escape from reality? (I know I’m late to this show) but not only was #Juryduty funny but also restored a little of my faith in humanity. On Prime Video.
My blue birds are getting bigger 👏
May 2, 2025 at 2:56 AM
My blue birds are getting bigger 👏
Seems bad for democracy (are we still a democracy in the US?)
Republicans today seized control of North Carolina's elections board, upending 124 years of precedent in the state. The purpose of this power grab, NC's former House speaker has admitted, is to give the GOP even greater advantage in NC.
Background in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/north-caroli...
Background in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/north-caroli...
GOP Grabs Control of North Carolina Election Boards, Rushing to Negate November Losses - Bolts
In their final weeks before they lose the ability to pass laws, Republican lawmakers gutted the powers of incoming Democratic officials and upended who runs elections.
boltsmag.org
May 2, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Seems bad for democracy (are we still a democracy in the US?)
I’ve never understood why dental care is not considered health care. Even as a teacher, dental care was just a supplemental insurance you could buy. Now a cap costs over $2000 🫣
May 2, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I’ve never understood why dental care is not considered health care. Even as a teacher, dental care was just a supplemental insurance you could buy. Now a cap costs over $2000 🫣
The baby birds still not loving Dad’s food choices 🫣
April 30, 2025 at 2:47 AM
The baby birds still not loving Dad’s food choices 🫣
Good morning from my day old blue birds getting fed by Dad here. I’m still not sure they are liking the breakfast menu (looks like a bee) #birds
April 28, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Good morning from my day old blue birds getting fed by Dad here. I’m still not sure they are liking the breakfast menu (looks like a bee) #birds
Reposted by John Downs
Bluesky is collegial and interesting, the way Twitter used to be. Bonus: most people can spell.
April 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Bluesky is collegial and interesting, the way Twitter used to be. Bonus: most people can spell.
😳
This video shows the fire damage inside the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion.
Governor Shapiro’s reaction to the arson attack is on my timeline.
Governor Shapiro’s reaction to the arson attack is on my timeline.
April 14, 2025 at 12:29 AM
😳
❤️😍🌷
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
📍Portland, Oregon 🇺🇲
📍Portland, Oregon 🇺🇲
April 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
❤️😍🌷
History rhymes
“They were careless people…they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness…and let other people clean up the mess they had made…” -- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (April 10, 1925).
April 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
History rhymes