Profile avatar
ktwinters.bsky.social
Northern New Mexico-based writer. Former higher education policy researcher. Rural issues. Romance reader. Gardening with native, waterwise, pollinator- and bird-migration friendly, high-desert perennial plants
542 posts 1,040 followers 522 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
comment in response to post
Well, I mean, this IS Mr. Jefferson's University after all...
comment in response to post
How long do you think it will be before we have well-trained goats who will be able to destroy just the bind weed and cheat grass growing in my yard and leave all the rest? Sign. Me. Up.
comment in response to post
Logged in to double check my consolidated student loans status at MOHELA, and all are still in administrative forbearance because of a federal injunction blocking implementation of the Biden-era SAVE income contingency plan. Screenshot of banner in my payment portal as of 27 Jun 2025.
comment in response to post
I have endometrial cancer, and part of my treatment plan is an MRI I have done annually for the past 3 years because my body size requires that kind of imaging. I’ve had UHC with no problems getting it pre-approved until this year. Last week got EviCore denial determination: not medically necessary
comment in response to post
Bet it will be all but that one pesky lady pilot…
comment in response to post
Ummm, if we are going on precedence, at minimum you deserve to air your grievances as an invited speaker at a US political party Presidential candidate nominating convention…
comment in response to post
So many family micro-histories that show that human migration is messy, perilous, and more often than not, undocumented.
comment in response to post
I came in 5th place in the 1994 Class A Minnesota State Speech competition. Does that mean I am owed attention, donations, and a national platform if I find out, 30 years later, that one of my co-competitors is trans?
comment in response to post
And so many American citizens have ancestors who were kidnapped and not given a choice to be here. US immigration and citizenship is freaking complicated, and also so interesting. I’ve learned so much national and regional US history by studying the (un)documentation trail of my own family.
comment in response to post
Yes! And I get to be seen as 6th generation (settler colonist) Minnesotan as a some kind of proof of the bootstraps/ manifest destiny progress narrative.
comment in response to post
Amateur genealogist here. My Irish ancestors settled first in Quebec, then crossed into US via porous border with Canada, settled in MN-territory, enlisted in Civil War, and no documents exist of their naturalization or entrance into the US.
comment in response to post
One of my favorite aspects of the Boston Massacre is that John Adams represented the perpetrators in court because he deeply believed in due process for everyone, even those he personally disagreed with, deserved a fair trial and legal representation.
comment in response to post
Those blond ringlets on a giant face...
comment in response to post
It already exists! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691126...
comment in response to post
Over/under on when we start seeing the phrase “Cult of Domesticity” in everyday parlance?
comment in response to post
I suspect this is why Senate reconciliation bill wants to divest from public lands in Western states en masse. Not wanting to pay out future lawsuits due to mismanagement (e.g. Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon fire in NM) or climate change disasters …
comment in response to post
My only notes are that the goons in this ad actually look plausible as trained law enforcement. They have cohesive uniforms.
comment in response to post
I live in Taos. Zoom in to find Taos, NM on this map. Note how they are selling public land on all sides of us. Now imagine your watershed comes from those mountains. Your wildfire risk mitigation, on all sides, comes from federal management of those lands they now want to privatize.
comment in response to post
This is the real reason why they want to sell lands in the West—to no longer have accountability to or responsibility for the effects of climate change.
comment in response to post
I know there is a rather large fire north of Silver City, and that is my guess for today. Looked at our smoke map, and I see a 200 acre fire north of Cimarron.
comment in response to post
I am curious if Hegseth, another Minnesota native and Christian Nationalist adherent, has any connections to Boelter. I'm originally from Minnesota, and there genuinely aren't that many people who live in the state. Once you start dis-aggregating by sub-populations...
comment in response to post
And the law enforcement officers are being VERY careful to not talk about motives publicly. I suspect that the Hoffmans, who both have survived surgery, have eye-witness information that has not been shared publicly.
comment in response to post
My understanding is that the Hoffman's daughter was shielded from gunfire by her mother Yvette. This daughter, named Hope, called 911 and described the situation. They then went to the Hortman's and basically watched the crime happen live before he escaped out their back door.
comment in response to post
I am here in solidarity today with everyone in the country, including folks in MN who would have attended a protest. Self care is important, which is why this is a multi-state, multi-site, marathon of a movement.
comment in response to post
As a 6th generation Minnesotan who now lives in New Mexico, I will be protesting here with a heavy heart, and holding your fear and anger in Minnesota in my heart. I understand people need to practice self care, so if Minnesotans opt out of attending, please know I'm with you in solidarity in NM.
comment in response to post
Her facial expression- the frustrated eye roll begging the Heavens to intervene. Reminds me of what my grade school piano teacher must have looked like at all our recitals.
comment in response to post
They are gorgeous. I planted some out two weeks ago by some cosmos, and I hope they will be as pretty as yours.
comment in response to post
I'm sure it's all the fault of Joe Biden and trans folks. Aren't those the usual scapegoats?
comment in response to post
Are those Cheyenne Spirits?
comment in response to post
The Mineshaft Tavern alone is worth a day trip up-- everything I've had there has been great and such a cool location. I'm a fan of the cemetery, even though it's a bare rock road to drive up to it. One of the most beautiful and funky spaces I've ever been to.
comment in response to post
Parking in Madrid will probably also be a challenge, but I suspect the protest signs may be more artsy and the satire more cutting.
comment in response to post
It's a small room with only a few people in it. How in the world can Noem's security detail NOT know who the people are in the room, especially if one is a sitting US Senator who has their own staff there too. There's only 100 of them in the world!
comment in response to post
This is my second go round with pow wows. I bought seedlings last year from a nursery, and they didn't thrive or come back, so I opted to start them from seed this year, had a good germination rate, and just planted 15 out a couple of weeks ago. Fingers crossed 1 or 2 are as lovely as yours.
comment in response to post
Oooh! I just planted some of those and the pow wow pinks this spring. I really hope they bloom this year. Getting excited now.
comment in response to post
I'm not fancy and don't have anyone inviting me to anything, but am totally going to borrow this idea. "OH! I can't make that family reunion in Minnesota in March, I'll be in Taos." Brilliant!
comment in response to post
Beautiful! Do you know which variety these are? Always on the lookout for more Echniacea varieties to put in my pollinator gardens.