Topher
@greenfret.bsky.social
Energy Curmudgeon, Permaculture Enthusiast, Passivhaus Designer.
Found this lovely window in a work photo.
December 5, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Found this lovely window in a work photo.
I am very happy with the root cellar (aka the basement egress) this year. New buckets with sawdust and 100 pounds of vegetables and fruit from the local farm. Some tree seeds getting ready for spring.
December 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I am very happy with the root cellar (aka the basement egress) this year. New buckets with sawdust and 100 pounds of vegetables and fruit from the local farm. Some tree seeds getting ready for spring.
Reposted by Topher
After gleefully and illegally plowing over every statute and regulation they don't like—such as by destroying USAID, refusing to enforce CFPB regs, and withholding SNAP funding—the Trump admin has decided 88 FR 8255 is ironclad law that must be ruthlessly enforced to ensure more people go hungry.
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
November 2, 2025 at 9:49 PM
After gleefully and illegally plowing over every statute and regulation they don't like—such as by destroying USAID, refusing to enforce CFPB regs, and withholding SNAP funding—the Trump admin has decided 88 FR 8255 is ironclad law that must be ruthlessly enforced to ensure more people go hungry.
This, a winter or two's worth of heat showed up in the dark of night, last night. (Not the cat's fault)
October 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This, a winter or two's worth of heat showed up in the dark of night, last night. (Not the cat's fault)
Reposted by Topher
The "war zones" the Administration keeps talking about? It's *making* them by attacking peaceful neighborhoods. Those "domestic terrorists" ARE FEDS.
ICE unleashed tear gas on the street in Chicago’s Logan Square today and I tried to find meaning among the fog and my own anger about, well, everything. dansinker.com/posts/202…
October 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The "war zones" the Administration keeps talking about? It's *making* them by attacking peaceful neighborhoods. Those "domestic terrorists" ARE FEDS.
This has been coming for more than a decade, they have been increasing their production at nearly 2x per year. The question is will other countries accept (i.e. without tariffs) all that production, or will China take all energy intensive jobs (metals production, fresh water, CO2 sequestering).
MAJOR MILESTONE 🏆 China's installed capacity of solar has now reached 1TW☀️
It's an astonishing achievement, and seemingly accelerating. 92GW were commissioned in May 2025 alone 😮 By contrast, total UK solar capacity is just over 20GW.
Just amazing.
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/06/23/c...
It's an astonishing achievement, and seemingly accelerating. 92GW were commissioned in May 2025 alone 😮 By contrast, total UK solar capacity is just over 20GW.
Just amazing.
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/06/23/c...
China hits 1 TW solar milestone
China’s solar power capacity has surpassed 1 TW, marking a historic milestone as the country accelerates its energy transition. Around 92 GW of new PV systems were installed in China in May alone, but...
www.pv-magazine.com
June 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This has been coming for more than a decade, they have been increasing their production at nearly 2x per year. The question is will other countries accept (i.e. without tariffs) all that production, or will China take all energy intensive jobs (metals production, fresh water, CO2 sequestering).
Took our anniversary trip to Pemaquid. I took the iconic picture of the lighthouse with the just rebuilt bell building in front. I particularly like the shadow of the flag and the seagull on the roof of the weight building.
June 22, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Took our anniversary trip to Pemaquid. I took the iconic picture of the lighthouse with the just rebuilt bell building in front. I particularly like the shadow of the flag and the seagull on the roof of the weight building.
Reposted by Topher
I think we're going to need some members of congress who haven't sold their votes and/or their souls.
April 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I think we're going to need some members of congress who haven't sold their votes and/or their souls.
It really hits me sometimes how many hard core capitalists forget the most fundamental truth of capitalism. "The trick is increasing the number of customers." This means making poor folk rich enough to afford your stuff. It means that fighting for low wages, or isolationism is counter productive.
January 16, 2025 at 8:38 PM
It really hits me sometimes how many hard core capitalists forget the most fundamental truth of capitalism. "The trick is increasing the number of customers." This means making poor folk rich enough to afford your stuff. It means that fighting for low wages, or isolationism is counter productive.
Rarely seem, and only by people with very efficient windows, my windows are currently fogged up on the OUTSIDE. This requires the the exterior surface be colder then the outside air, while also being heated from the inside. Note: left hand window is triple pane, right hand (without) is double.
December 11, 2024 at 6:04 PM
Rarely seem, and only by people with very efficient windows, my windows are currently fogged up on the OUTSIDE. This requires the the exterior surface be colder then the outside air, while also being heated from the inside. Note: left hand window is triple pane, right hand (without) is double.
Sealed off the bulkhead door (basement outside door). Set as a root cellar until spring.
November 20, 2024 at 9:13 PM
Sealed off the bulkhead door (basement outside door). Set as a root cellar until spring.
Moments ago. Sunset season is well and truly started.
November 16, 2024 at 9:22 PM
Moments ago. Sunset season is well and truly started.
Back in the business of collecting solar energy to heat my hot water.
November 7, 2024 at 8:44 PM
Back in the business of collecting solar energy to heat my hot water.
Seriously thinks a grandmother living without documents is an offense against "sovereignty"?
October 30, 2024 at 2:48 PM
Seriously thinks a grandmother living without documents is an offense against "sovereignty"?
Just a cool tree trunk by the river.
September 27, 2024 at 9:11 PM
Just a cool tree trunk by the river.
Reposted by Topher
The people who complain about class warfare won the war - the richest 400 Americans now pay the same effective tax rate as the poorest half of America. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
May 3, 2024 at 11:25 PM
The people who complain about class warfare won the war - the richest 400 Americans now pay the same effective tax rate as the poorest half of America. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Eclipse wrecking a perfect solar day...
April 13, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Eclipse wrecking a perfect solar day...
My best shot from yesterday.
April 9, 2024 at 4:55 PM
My best shot from yesterday.
First crocus of the year. Very early.
March 16, 2024 at 8:53 PM
First crocus of the year. Very early.