The Fixit Hub
“When 79-year-old George retired, he didn’t buy a golf club or a hammock. He hung a handmade sign in his garage window: “Broken things? Bring ’em here. No charge. Just tea and talk.”
His neighbors in the faded mill town of Maple Grove thought he’d lost it. “Who fixes stuff for free?” grumbled the barber. But George had a reason. His wife, Ruth, had spent decades repairing torn coats and cracked picture frames for anyone who knocked. “Waste is a habit,” she’d say. “Kindness is the cure.”
She’d died the year before, and George’s hands itched to mend what she’d left behind.
The first visitor was 8-year-old Mia, dragging a plastic toy truck with a missing wheel. “Dad says we can’t afford a new one,” she mumbled. George rummaged through his toolbox, humming. An hour later, the truck rolled again—this time with a bottle cap for a wheel and a stripe of silver duct tape. “Now it’s custom ,” he winked. Mia left smiling, but her mother lingered. “Can you… fix a résumé?” she asked. “I’ve been stuck on the couch since the factory closed.”
By noon, George’s garage buzzed. A widow brought a shattered clock (“My husband wound it every Sunday”). A teen carried a leaky backpack. George fixed them all, but he didn’t work alone. Retired teachers proofread résumés. A former seamstress stitched torn backpacks. Even Mia returned, handing him a jar of jam: “Mom says thanks for the job interview.”
Then came the complaint.
“Unlicensed business,” snapped the city inspector. “You’re violating zoning laws.”
Maple Grove’s mayor, a man with a spreadsheet heart, demanded George shut down. The next morning, 40 townsfolk stood on George’s lawn, holding broken toasters, torn quilts, and protest signs: “Fix the law, not just stuff!” A local reporter filmed a segment: “Is kindness illegal?”
The mayor caved. Sort of.
“If you want to ‘fix’ things, do it downtown,” he said. “Rent the old firehouse. But no guarantees.”
The firehouse became a hive. Volunteers gutted it, painted it sunshine yellow, and dubbed it “Ruth’s Hub.” Plumbers taught plumbing. Teenagers learned to darn socks. A baker swapped muffins for repaired microwaves. The town’s waste dropped by 30%.
But the real magic? Conversations. A lonely widow fixed a lamp while a single dad patched a bike tire. They talked about Ruth. About loss. About hope.
Last week, George found a note in his mailbox. It was from Mia, now 16, interning at a robotics lab. “You taught me to see value in broken things. I’m building a solar-powered prosthetic arm. PS: The truck still runs!”
Today, 12 towns across the state have “Fix-It Hubs.” None charge money. All serve tea.
Funny, isn’t it? How a man with a screwdriver can rebuild a world.”
While George from Maple Grove may be fictional, but it is inspired by real people around the world, who have done remarkably similar things. Here are a few inspiring real-life individuals and movements that mirror the spirit of the story:
1. Martine Postma – Founder of the Repair Café Movement (Netherlands). In 2009, Martine launched the first Repair Café in Amsterdam. Volunteers fix broken household items for free — from lamps to toasters. The idea has since grown into an international movement with over 2,000 locations worldwide. Her motivation: to reduce waste and bring communities together.
2. Kyle Wiens – Founder of iFixit. An American entrepreneur who started iFixit, a free online repair guide for electronics. While not a community café, iFixit empowers people to repair rather than discard their tech.
3. Sugru and the “Fixpert” Community (UK) : Sugru, a moldable glue brand, helped launch the “Fixperts” initiative. Volunteers use their fixing skills to help others — often students, designers, or retired professionals. It’s a global network of story-based fixers who share their repair work for social good.
4. The Men’s Sheds Movement (Australia, now global) : Started in Australia in the 1990s to combat isolation among older men. Sheds became workshops where men could fix things, build projects, and connect over shared skills. There are now thousands of Men’s Sheds worldwide, providing free repairs, mentorship, and community support.
5. Peter Mui – Founder of Fixit Clinic (USA) : Started in 2009 in California, Fixit Clinic is a traveling event where people bring broken items and learn to repair them. Peter focuses on teaching repair skills, not just doing the repairs. Clinics now take place in libraries, makerspaces, and schools around the U.S.
These people and groups may not have started in their garage with tea and duct tape, but they embody the same values: community, sustainability, kindness, and empowerment through repair.
Permaculture Passion
Ten years ago, I learned the truth about our food system and it broke my heart. But it also planted a seed that changed my life.
The Radical Garden is my current passion project, or maybe it’s more of a mission. A living, breathing response to the ecological crises we face and a personal act of resistance and regeneration.
I first learned about the scale of environmental destruction while studying at university in Wisconsin. Like many, I was shocked by the reality: climate change, deforestation, mass species loss and at the center of it all, the industrial food system. I felt overwhelmed, anxious, even hopeless. And perhaps worst of all, I felt I was participating in the problem every time I ate.
Alongside that despair at the same time, I discovered a lifeline. A solution so simple and powerful that it changed the course of my life: growing our own food. I joined a local community garden and began learning from my first mentor, Wes. From there, I dove into studying regenerative agriculture, working on organic farms, WWOOFing, and taking permaculture courses.
All of that has led to this: The Radical Garden.
A small-scale, regenerative garden (just 50 x 50 feet) designed to show what’s possible in a fraction of an average American lawn. This is a living experiment in what any family can grow and manage with intention and consistency.
It’s a closed-loop system, a soil-building, biodiversity-boosting, food-producing powerhouse. My goal is to generate at least 80% of the compost needed from within the system itself, and to grow enough food to feed myself and my partner year-round. (Honestly, I think it could feed more.)
But this isn’t just all about food. It’s about reclaiming power. Healing disconnection. Taking real, tangible steps toward a more regenerative way of living. My hope is to make this as replicable as possible to share with others.
The Radical Garden is really my simple message to the world. It’s where I turn eco-anxiety into action. It’s where I become the kind of person I believe the future needs.
And I hope it inspires you to do the same.
The Great Colonnade of Apamea
Imagine walking down the most magnificent street ever built – welcome to the Great Colonnade of Apamea. This wasn’t just any ancient walkway; it was a stunning 2-kilometer parade of massive columns that would make modern skyscrapers seem modest in comparison. Each column reached as high as a three-story building, thick as a small car, and lined a street longer than 20 football fields!
Built during the height of the Seleucid Empire, this wasn’t simply architecture – it was a show of power carved in stone. When a devastating earthquake shook the region in 115 AD, the people of Apamea didn’t just rebuild; they created something even more spectacular. Imagine yourself there: massive columns rising on both sides, their carefully carved spiral patterns catching the sunlight, their shadows dancing across the wide avenue as merchants, nobles, and travelers passed beneath.
Each column stood like a stone giant, 9 meters tall, with bases so perfectly squared they’ve survived nearly two millennia of time’s endless march. The fluted patterns spiraling up their sides weren’t just decoration – they were a statement: “This is Apamea, where even our street corners rival the grandest temples of other cities.”
Today, we build impressive shopping malls and broad avenues, but none quite capture the sheer audacity of Apamea’s Great Colonnade – a street that didn’t just connect two points, but proclaimed to the ancient world: “This is what power looks like when it’s carved in stone.”
Natural Pest and Bug Control Hacks
Click to view the video: https://x.com/Rainmaker1973/status/1928112644982010319
Measles Deaths Declined Prior To Vaccines
Informed Consent
Informed consent is the term given in law and commerce to describe the condition of a person having all relevant information known to them prior to making a decision.
There are various statutes that proscribe how this is to be applied – insurance terms and conditions, investment prospectus, health regulations, even nutrition information panels on food products.
This is to ensure that people making decisions are fully appraised of all factors, for and against, and are not blind-sided by factors that would have affected their decision if they had known them prior to making the decision.
These different pieces of legislation came about as a result of various unsavoury activities – from withholding information all the way up the scale of dishonesty to deception, lies, fraud, confidence tricks, covert attempts to harm or kill etc. Any means by which a person could be led to make a decision not in their best interests.
As we have experienced during the Great Covid Con, even governments, their agencies and medical authorities, let alone educational and medical research institutions, big Tech, big Pharma and the media have all been guilty of abusing this principle.
OK, that’s all about ’the other party’. What about you and me, the person making the decision. What’s our responsibility in this?
Well first, we have to be prepared to look at the actual facts of the situation. Not what we’d like to see, not what we hope to see, not what was there before, not what we are told is there, not what is inferred to be there, but what is actually, observably there, here and now in present time.
Only by looking at what is there can we be fully informed for our decision.
“No argument!” you say, “Makes perfect sense.”
Oh yeah, but do you do it? How well do you apply that principle of “Informed Consent” to your decision making?
Do you read the political platform statements of the representatives for whom you vote come election time?
Do you read the nutrition information panels of every food purchase you make?
Do you know the health risks of every food additive, colouring, preservative and flavour enhancer you allow in your diet from ultra-processed foods?
Do you know the 20 different names by which aspartame is called on food labels?
I don’t pose these questions to make you wrong but rather to illustrate the point that we can all do better in applying this principle in our lives. And be better off for doing so.
Now I know what most will think when reading this, that it’s all too hard. There is so much to know and I am busy enough already.
But as I have in my personal email footer:
Our most formidable enemies are:
Personal and collective ignorance,
personal and organisational out-ethics,
lack of personal integrity and
lack of self-discipline.
What we don’t know and what we know we should do but do not discipline
ourselves to do are two things that will kill us. Gradually or suddenly.
Self-discipline is a skill and just like any skill, it improves with practice.
On what are you going to practice yours today?
To your being better off!
Angela Lansbury
During the production of “Murder, She Wrote” (1984-1996), Angela Lansbury’s generosity changed the course of a struggling actor’s career. The young performer faced severe stage fright, leading to multiple retakes that frustrated the crew and raised concerns among producers. His role was at risk, but Lansbury personally intervened, inviting him to rehearse privately. She helped him refine his lines and manage his anxiety, ensuring he delivered a steady performance. Her guidance not only salvaged the scene but also reinforced his confidence. Years later, the actor credited her support as a pivotal moment that saved his career.
Lansbury’s dedication to nurturing talent was deeply ingrained in her approach to acting. She understood the pressure of the industry, having started her own career at a young age. Her breakthrough role in “Gaslight” (1944) earned her an Academy Award nomination at just 19. Throughout the years, she worked with numerous struggling actors, often mentoring them on and off set. Her belief in fostering new talent was evident in “Murder, She Wrote,” where she advocated for casting lesser-known actors, giving many their first major television roles.
Her kindness extended beyond individual mentorship. She often took the time to acknowledge the efforts of crew members, ensuring a supportive working environment. Many co-stars recalled instances where she stepped in to mediate conflicts or spoke up for underappreciated colleagues. Her commitment to fairness even led her to negotiate with network executives to secure better pay for cast members and crew. Unlike many leading actors who focused solely on their performances, Lansbury viewed television production as a collaborative effort.
She once recalled how early in her career, she had witnessed seasoned actors dismiss or belittle younger performers.
Determined not to repeat such behavior, she made a conscious effort to be approachable. On “Murder, She Wrote,” she would often spend time between takes chatting with guest actors, ensuring they felt comfortable. For those struggling with dialogue, she would rehearse lines with them rather than leave them to figure it out alone. These efforts created an atmosphere where actors, regardless of their experience, felt valued and capable of delivering their best work.
Her generosity also extended to financial assistance. She discreetly helped actors and crew members facing personal hardships. In one instance, she learned that a longtime crew member was dealing with medical expenses beyond his means.
Without seeking recognition, she covered the costs, allowing him to continue working without financial distress. Such acts of kindness remained largely private, revealed only years later by those who had benefitted from her support.
Even seasoned actors acknowledged her influence. Co-stars like Len Cariou and Jerry Orbach praised her ability to balance authority and warmth, describing her as a leader who ensured professionalism without creating an intimidating atmosphere. Some actors who had struggled in other productions found working with Lansbury to be a transformative experience, as she provided not only acting guidance but also emotional support during difficult moments.
Beyond “Murder, She Wrote,” Lansbury continued offering guidance to younger actors in her later projects. Whether on stage in productions like “Blithe Spirit” (2009) or in voice roles such as “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), she remained committed to supporting her colleagues. Her kindness was not a calculated effort to enhance her reputation but an instinctive part of who she was.
Angela Lansbury passed away on October 11, 2022, at the age of 96. She died peacefully in her sleep at her Los Angeles home, just five days before her 97th birthday. In her final years, she remained in close contact with many of the actors and crew members she had mentored, offering advice and encouragement long after their professional collaborations had ended.
Those who knew her best remembered her not only as an accomplished actress but also as a person who profoundly influenced the lives of those around her. Her generosity, both on and off set, left a lasting impression on Hollywood, ensuring that her legacy was defined not only by her performances but also by the countless people she uplifted along the way.
Fluoride Is A Horrendous Endocrine Disruptor
Dr Jenn Simmons, MD
Fluoride Displaces Iodine, Shutting Down Thyroid Function & Calcifying The Pineal Gland.
Fluoride Is The Biggest Health Scam Of The Century.
Fluoride Toothpaste & Fluoridated Water Had Nothing To Do With Health, But It Had Everything To Do With Profit.
Fluoride is a waste byproduct of the aluminum manufacturing industry. Sigmund Freud’s nephew, Edward Bernays, was hired to produce an advertising campaign to convince the public that Fluoridated toothpaste & water was healthy.
Paid off Doctors & faulty studies accomplished this lie & the public was duped to believe that it is acceptable to consume toxic waste grade fluoride which contains billions of atoms of lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium & thallium.
Fluoride is more toxic & lethal than Lead. Fluoride was a common household rodent & pest killer in the early 20th century. Fluoride shuts down our Pineal & Thyroid Gland, causing us to be submissive & bland.
Conditions Caused By Fluoridated Toothpaste & Fluoridated Water:
Bone Fractures & Osteoporosis
Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Disease
Autism & ADHD
Lowered IQ
Epilepsy & Huntington’s Disease
Depression & Mood Disorders
Degenerative Eye Disease
Hypothyroidism & Pineal Gland Calcification
Displaces Iodine, Causing Deficiency
Asthma/COPD Airway Hyperreactivity/Panic Attacks
Metabolic Syndrome & Diabetes
Cardiovascular Disease & Hypertension
Autoimmune Diseases & Allergies
Chronic Kidney Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
NAFLD & Pancreatitis
PCOS & Infertility
Cancer & Tumors In Every Organ
There are 100s of Non-Fluoride Toothpastes available to purchase in stores & online. It’s also very easy to make your own with only 3 ingredients.
Let me know in the comments if you’d like my toothpaste recipe.
Fluoride infiltrates where Iodine should be & harms thyroid function. Hypothyroid is caused by heavy metals poisoning because Iodine cannot uptake into the cells. Which is why Iodine supplementation & a healing protocol heals Hypothyroid permanently.
Ten Life Transformative Benefits of Iodine Therapy:
1: Detox Mercury, Aluminum, Lead, Fluoride & Bromide
2: Shrinks Cysts, Fibroids & Tumors
3: Prevents Cancer & Parasitic Infections
4: Heals Candida & Fungal Infections
5: Relieves Menopause symptoms, hot flashes & acne
6: Breaks down scar tissue & adhesions
7: Lifts mood & brain fog
8: Heals Hypothyroidism
9: Stimulates hair growth & relieves cold intolerance
10: Heals immune system & reduces inflammation
Sodium Fluoride Is Neurotoxic
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1104912
200+ Studies On Fluoride Harm & Toxicity
https://atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp11-c9.pdf
Public Health Threat From Fluoride
https://mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/8/1427
Click to view the video: https://x.com/ValerieAnne1970/status/1927633544525799631
Fermenting Jalapeños in Honey
Fermented jalapeño honey is a perfect way to spice up your life while incorporating the potential benefits of raw honey and jalapeños! Jalapeños and raw honey are a delicious combo, and now is a great time to access them to their fullest in this deliciously spicy natural ferment.
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/fermented-jalapeno-honey/