What happens when lifesaving weather alerts and forecasts are weakened or go silent altogether? As budget cuts hit the National Weather Service, every community—whether facing hurricanes, tornadoes, or everyday storms—stands to lose. This post explores how these cuts affect real people, the history behind our warning systems, and why protecting weather services is vital for everyone’s safety.
Author: Vicki Andrada
A Little About Me I was born on February 25, 1972, in Flint, Michigan, at McLaren Hospital. I lived in Michigan until I was almost 40, then moved to Tampa, Florida, where I stayed for seven years. After that, I relocated to Arizona, living with friends in Glendale and then in Phoenix for about eight months. I spent two years total in Arizona before returning to Florida for a little over a year. Eventually, I moved back to Michigan and stayed with my parents for six months.
In May of 2022, I moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where I’ve been ever since—and I absolutely love it. I never expected to return to Michigan, but I’m so glad I did.
I was born blind and see only light and shadows. My fiancé, Josh, is also blind. We both use guide dogs to navigate independently and safely. My current Leader Dog is Vicki Jo , a four-year-old Golden Retriever/Black Lab mix. She’s my fourth guide dog—my first two were Yellow Labs, and my last two have been Golden/Lab crosses. Josh’s guide dog, Lou, came from the same organization where I got my previous dog—now known as Guide Dogs Inc., formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Josh and I live together here in Traverse City, and we both sing in the choir at Mission Hill Church , which was previously known as First Congregational Church. A lot of people still know it by that name. We both really enjoy being part of the choir—it’s something that brings us a lot of joy.
I also love to read, write, and listen to music—especially 60s, 70s, and 80s music. Josh and I enjoy listening to music together and watching movies, especially when descriptive video is available. We also like working out at the YMCA a couple of times a week, which has been great for both our physical and mental health.
I’m a big fan of Major League Baseball. My favorite team is the Detroit Tigers, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies. In the NFL, I cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers—and I still have a soft spot for the Detroit Lions, especially now that they’ve started turning things around.
I’m passionate about politics and history. I consider myself a progressive thinker, though I also try to take a balanced, middle-of-the-road approach. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ and a strong believer in respecting people of all faiths. I love learning about different religions, cultures, and belief systems.
Writing is one of my biggest passions. I haven’t published anything yet, but I’ve written several books that are still in progress. Writing helps me express myself, explore new ideas, and connect with others through storytelling.
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know a little about me.
Protests in America: Our Right, Our Voice — Why Speaking Out Still Matters
Why do protests matter in America today? This post explores the real story behind recent demonstrations, the power of peaceful protest—from the Civil Rights Movement to the ADA—and why protecting the right to speak out is vital for democracy. Includes personal stories, history, and what’s at stake for us all.
Tanks on the Street, Cuts in the Budget
As a massive military parade takes center stage in Washington, I can’t help but wonder what it says about our country’s priorities. This reflection asks: Why is there always money for pageantry, but not for people?
What AI Really Is—and Why We Don’t Need to Be Afraid of It
Artificial intelligence is changing fast—and for many people, that can feel confusing or even scary. In this post, I break down what AI really is, how tools like ChatGPT are built, and why we don’t need to fear them. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or just starting to explore what AI can do, I hope this post gives you a better understanding of how it all works—and why I find it exciting.
From Judgment to Compassion: My Faith Journey on LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Raised with traditional beliefs, I spent years struggling with what the Bible says about LGBTQ+ people. This is the story of how I moved from judgment to compassion—and why I believe love is at the heart of faith.
Who’s Really in Control? The Threat Behind AI and American Democracy
The Real Danger Isn’t AI—It’s Who’s Trying to Control It As I write this blog post, I’m actively researching something I heard earlier today on historian Heather Cox Richardson’s livestream. She had a guest on named Gil Duran, and he talked about someone I had never heard of until now—a man named Curtis Yarvin. The… Continue reading Who’s Really in Control? The Threat Behind AI and American Democracy
A couple of new stories that have been on my mind in the last few days.
Stories That Have Been On My Mind Lately Hi everyone. This will be a shorter post today—I’m feeling a bit under the weather with a slight cold, but I still wanted to share a few things that have really been on my mind. Hopefully, I’ll be back soon with more when I’m feeling better! Are… Continue reading A couple of new stories that have been on my mind in the last few days.
How AI Changed My Life: A Blind Person’s Perspective
Introduction Following yesterday’s post about daily life as a blind person, today I want to dive into one of the biggest tools that helps me—AI. Today, I’d like to talk about AI—also known as artificial intelligence—and how it has completely changed my life. Yesterday, I shared a post about what blind and visually impaired people… Continue reading How AI Changed My Life: A Blind Person’s Perspective
What Do You Do All Day? A Glimpse Into Life Without Sight
What Do You Do All Day? Understanding Life Without Sight Over the last few days, I’ve shared some pretty deep posts on my blog. Today, I thought it would be good to lighten things up a little. While today’s topic is still educational, it’s a bit more lighthearted compared to some of the heavier subjects… Continue reading What Do You Do All Day? A Glimpse Into Life Without Sight
The Truth About Immigration: What I’ve Learned and Why It Matters
My Thoughts on Emigration Emigration is a deeply personal and complex issue, but it’s also a reflection of our national character—how we treat others, the compassion we extend, and the values we uphold. It’s not just about policy; it’s about humanity. I’ve noticed a prevailing sentiment among some Americans: the belief that the United States… Continue reading The Truth About Immigration: What I’ve Learned and Why It Matters