John Downs
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gradyryan1.bsky.social
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.🇮🇪🎄
#nokings Boone, NC 6/14/25 @indivisible.org
June 15, 2025 at 4:23 AM
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”
June 8, 2025 at 12:18 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
May 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM
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
May 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
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...
May 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
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
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
My blue birds are getting bigger 👏
May 2, 2025 at 2:56 AM
The baby birds still not loving Dad’s food choices 🫣
April 30, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Buttercups
April 30, 2025 at 2:45 AM
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
April 6, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Rather than continue to doom scroll, I had to step outside and look at my bridal wreath bush which is at peak bloom. The forecast low here on Tuesday night is 24 degrees but it’s quite hardy. Tulips 🌷 might not be so lucky. #ncwx
April 6, 2025 at 11:58 PM
With agencies like NOAA being cut without strategic planning or oversight & tariffs threatening our way of life & our allies, I think many Americans are realizing this isn’t what they expected when they voted last November. Today I saw people from every walk of life in Boone, NC protesting.
April 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
My blue bird is making slow but steady progress building his nest. #birds
March 31, 2025 at 3:26 PM
First day of spring snow in Valle Crucis. The birds were wild 🤪
March 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Two days until spring and this time of year, a sunny mild day is like a drug that cures. #ncwx
March 18, 2025 at 11:45 PM
It was a frosty morning in Valle Crucis with a low of 26 here in the valley while ridge tops nearby were milder (Boone close to 40). Foretells a milder day ahead. #ncwx
March 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Cheers to everyone on this Saint Patrick’s Day ☘️💚. My Mom grew up in Belfast, steps away from where the Titanic was built, survived the German blitz bombings of 1941 and the Troubles of sectarian violence. Their survival inspires me in times of trouble #SaintPatricksDay 💪🇮🇪
March 17, 2025 at 12:40 PM
A little Saint Patrick’s Day snow falling in the mountains this morning. I recall many a ☘️ Day with snow so it’s non uncommon this time of year ❄️
33 degrees this morning, 70 degrees yesterday afternoon. Almost a 40 degree swing in less than 24 hrs. 🎢😳 #ncwx
March 17, 2025 at 12:27 PM
What’s that sound ?
March 17, 2025 at 1:21 AM
With my old iPhone 12, it’s hard to capture the #LunarEclipse but it’s definitely pretty to the naked eye. 😍
March 14, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Check out the Moon 🌕 tonight ! #ncwx
March 13, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The mild days and the time change bring energy and light . In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, I’m featuring Irish music this week . Sinéad O’Connor was a singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice, emotional performances, and advocacy for the downtrodden. ☘️ #SaintPatrick
March 12, 2025 at 1:04 AM
My dog, Lizzie channeling how everyone feels this week since the time change. 🥱 #daylightsavingstime
March 10, 2025 at 11:44 PM