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lhvt.bsky.social
L hale
@lhvt.bsky.social
170 followers 240 following 390 posts
Writer, nature photographer, cat caretaker, music maker, and general do-gooder.
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lhvt.bsky.social
I wonder how long it's going to take for James Ehlers, an advisor to Lt Gov. Rodgers, and Lila Bennett, the ED of Journey to Recovery, to pull this post off LinkedIn about an event featuring Sam Douglass...
Original LinkedIn post from Lila Bennett Executive Director of Journey to Recovery Community Center "Come one come all! Lt. Gov John S. Rodgers and Senators Samuel Douglass and Russell Ingalls will be speaking. Many leaders across Vermont will be with us! We welcome you as well!" Post includes a graphic that is an event invite to an Oct 29th event featuring Sen Sam Douglass, Lt Gov James Rodgers, and Sen Russ Ingalls Reply by James Ehlers Chief of Staff "Thank you, Lila Bennett and team, for the important work you do to strengthen our communities. And to you, especially, Lila, for your unflagging leadership." Post in response to James Ehlers from Lila Bennett Executive Director of Journey to Recovery "Thank you James. Thank you for all your hard work behind the scenes for so many Vermont communities as well. See you on the 29!"
October 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
@loveandcrossbones.org is the best because when I spend half the time we go anywhere looking at plants and bugs she displays saint-like patience. Today's outing involved me stopping to ogle this cicada, showing her a hummingbird moth, and IDing all the bees on a sunflower and we're still married :)
A close up photo of a cicada on pavement. It has a long black body with flecks of green and gold with beautiful, delicate wings
July 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
I watched this furry dingus use his paws to pull himself around the coffee table while keeping his lower body in this position. I went from crying to laughing watching his performance
A grey tabby cat is laying on a rug with his belly and paws up. He looks poised to do something ridiculous
June 19, 2025 at 12:27 AM
lhvt.bsky.social
I joke that I garden for the bugs, not people, but it's only kind of a joke. I was delighted to see swallowtail butterfly caterpillars this morning in the dill I grew for them!
A top down look at a caterpillar with black and white alternating stripes along with yellow dots on each of the black stripes. It is on the stem of a dill plant.
June 17, 2025 at 7:12 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
I have never had a cat who loved making a blanket nest and being cozy AF as much as Langston does. The dude may run toward danger and give me regular heart attacks, but he knows how to be extremely cute.
A grey tabby cat is resting with his belly up on a pile of blankets. He looks completely unbothered by the world.
June 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
4 years ago I planted a native columbine in the yard. Since then I've scattered seeds from that one plant and now there are dozens, feeding hundreds of insects and growing tiny ecosystems. May all who need it find the hope today to scatter the seeds of what you are trying to grow in this world.
A photo of a red and yellow columbine flower set against a background of bright green leaves
May 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
The babiest of seckel pears
A close up photo of a very small pears forming on a pear tree. The bulbs that will become the pears are dark maroon and one has two white petals still attached.
May 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
The pear trees are flowering for the first time since I planted them in the fall of 2020!
A close up photo of a pear blossom. There are five white flowers with yellow centers clustered together on the top of a branch
May 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Ooh, we could do this with gf noodles and tvp!
May 3, 2025 at 9:37 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
The plum tree is the first in the yard to bloom this year ❤️
A photo of branches of a plum tree with dozens of small white flowers in clusters along the length of the branches
April 30, 2025 at 10:28 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
The first pea plant is up in my garden ❤️
A close up photo of a tiny bit of a green stem emerging from the top of a tan pea seed
April 20, 2025 at 4:29 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Meanwhile back at home...
A photo from the perspective of a person sitting on a couch looking out at the living room. A ginger cat is asleep on their legs and The Great North is playing on the TV.
April 20, 2025 at 1:00 AM
lhvt.bsky.social
After.
A tree stump with logs lined up in front of it.
March 18, 2025 at 4:23 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Before.
A person is crouched at the base of a tree with a buck saw, starting to saw the trunk.
March 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Hey #VT folks - VT Senator Tanya Vyhovsky @tanyavforvt.bsky.social introduced an important bill on Friday. S.104 will increase limits for property tax income sensitivity starting 7/1/25 and then move to an income based tax on 7/1/26. This could use constituent outreach to your senators! #vtpoli
A graphic from VT Senator Tanya Vyhovsky's Instagram announcing Vermont Senate bill S.104 that reads "Senator Vyhovsky Announces Tax Relief Bill" at the top, "The bill increases income guidelines for property tax breaks in 2026 & moves to an education income tax in 2027" in the center, and "'We have the tools right now to make sure our public schools have the funding they need without sending Vermonters into financial crisis.' - Sen. Vyhovsky" at the bottom A screenshot from Sen. Tanya Vyhovksy's Instagram post that reads "After four years of research and collaboration with education funding scholars, tax policy experts, my fellow legislators, and constituents, I’m proud to introduce S.104 today that will provide immediate property tax relief in the next fiscal year by moving the source of education funding to a simplified income-based tax. One thing has been painfully clear for years: our current system of relying on property taxes to fund education does not work for most Vermonters. Due to our income sensitivity cut-offs for tax relief that are decades out of date, the highest earning Vermonters on average pay the lowest percentage of their income on school taxes and middle income Vermonters pay the highest . This has to change. We have over ten years worth of studies showing the viability of an income-based tax as a more progressive way to distribute the cost of education and make sure that those with the most ability to pay are contributing their fair share. We have the power right now with S.104 to lower the property tax burden and make this system far more equitable." A screenshot of the second half of a post from Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky's Instagram account that reads: "S. 104 will: As of July 1, 2025: 1. Raise the current thresholds for income-sensitivity for tax rates up to amounts that makes sense for today’s incomes and property values and not what made sense 20 years ago. This will provide immediate relief to low and middle-income earners on their FY26 tax bills as they become eligible for lower rates. 2. Increase the marginal tax rate for Vermont’s top earners to offset the taxes that will not be charged to low and middle income Vermonters. This increase will sunset in 2026 as the system transitions to an all income-based tax system. As of July 1, 2026: 1. Establish a new income tax to fund education and repeal the current homestead property tax. 2. Exempt renters from the education income tax until 2029 when a new renter credit will be available. With the support of constituents throughout the state who have long called for tax reform and the support of legislators elected to represent them, we can make sure our public schools have the funding they need without sending Vermonters into financial crisis."
March 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
It's deep winter here in VT and I am immensely grateful for my paphiopedilum and phalaenopsis orchids that have just come into full bloom. Every year they save me from myself when the days are this short.
A paphiopedilum orchid, also called a slipper orchid, bloom. It has a large top petal that is bright purple with white edges that comes to a point at the top. There are two petals - one left and one right - that come out of the center and dip down toward the ground. They have green in the center that moves to purple at their tips with small dark purple dots all over. At the bottom center of the flower is a petal that has formed up cup, like a thimble with the opening facing up, that is bright purple all over. A stem of phalaenopsis orchid flowers. The flowers are bright purple with five wide petals that radiate out from the center. In the center of each flower is a modified petal that has one long section that comes toward the viewer and two smaller sections that come out like arms at either side of the center.
February 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
I got this as a gift for my wife @loveandcrossbones.org and now it lives on our bookshelf. The first Pride was a riot and the full glorious diversity of queer and trans people were part of it. We are the keepers of our own history, not a fed controlled website. They have no power to erase anything.
A cross stitch in a white frame. The cross stitched lettering says "THE FIRST PRIDE WAS A RIOT" with cross stitched flowers surrounding it.
February 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
This little lady crowntail betta just took up residence in my 7 gallon planted cube aquarium and she is living large! All corners are being thoroughly explored ❤️
A close up photo of a small turquoise and blue betta fish. She has long fins with spines that extend past the top of the fins on her back and abdomen. She is in a planted tank and there is java fern attached to a long rock behind her. She looks alert and is aware that there is a large presence outside of her new tank.
February 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Don't miss the Fletcher Free Library's annual seed swap on Sunday, Feb 2nd from 1-4:30pm in the main reading room at 235 College St in Burlington. There are always A TON of seeds so don't sleep in this if you like to garden or want to start

#seeds #gardening #btv #vt
A graphic with the words "SEED SWAP February 2, 1:00-4:30pm, Main Reading Room" above an image of two hands with seeds in the plans next to each other. At the bottom is the Fletcher Free Library logo
January 26, 2025 at 7:53 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Today we continue our study of how long I will stay put with an 18lb cat on me after my legs have fallen asleep.
A large, long, ginger cat with a white belly is laying over two human legs covered in a blanket. The cat is sound asleep, as are the human legs.
January 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Timeline cleanser! Here is my gigantic ginger cat's very soft belly.
A ginger and white tabby cat lays on his back in a couch with his belly, paws, and neck. The belly is furry and very squishy and begging for pets.
January 15, 2025 at 6:40 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
FYI Burlington #VT
EXTREME COLD WEATHER SHELTER TO OPEN
Saturday 12/21 & Sunday 12/22 from 5PM-8AM @ the Miller Center (130 Gosse Court)
-Adults Only, Low Barrier, Pets Allowed
-No Pre-Registration Required
-Transportation Provided from COTS (95 North Ave) & Fletcher Free Library
A black flyer with white text that reads: EXTREME COLD WEATHER SHELTER OPEN: Saturday, 12/21: 5pm-8am Sunday, 12/22: 5pm-8am WHERE: Miller Center 130 Gosse Court, Burlington VT CONTACT: SARAH RUSSELL, 1-802-829-6326 or SRUSSELL@BURLINGTONVT.GOV LOW-BARRIER- ADULTS ONLY, 18+ PETS ALLOWED NO PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED Anyone is welcome to show up during hours of operation TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED: From 95 North Ave (COTS Daystation) and Flecher Free Library to Miller Center; beginning at 5pm and 6pm SPONSORS: City of Burlington, CVOEO, VT Agency of Human Services FOR MORE SHELTER INFO: Call 211 or VT Economic Services: 1-800-479-615
December 20, 2024 at 9:25 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
When an 18 lb cat decides to enjoy time in the cube meant for 10 lb cats, the cube becomes a trapezoid...
A large ginger cat looks out from the front hole of fabric cat tent that is supposed to be cube shaped. His weight is holding the front down and squishing it, and his legs are coming out of the side and holding that side down as well. The tent looks mangled. The cat looks unconcerned.
October 1, 2024 at 1:52 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Here's the US chart for anyone interested -
A chart from Our World in Data that is displaying data on maternal mortality rates from 1900-2020. The rate drops dramatically in the 1940s, drops again in the 1980s, and rises slightly by 2020. There is a huge difference between the early 1900s and 1980 on.
September 28, 2024 at 7:22 PM
lhvt.bsky.social
Lewis sends his love and condolences
September 15, 2024 at 6:24 PM