Green Mountain Meandering Missives

Photo: Vermont State House (taken by Morgan W. Brown). Revisiting Mental Health Treatment within Vermont The very nature of self-determination as well as independence would seem to dictate not merely having freedom of choice, but rather also include both the freedom and the right to ensure one's self-defined and self-expressed wishes, choices and decisions are not defined, limited, narrowed or controlled by outside influences, no matter how well-intended or well-meaning. Each person needs to decide as well as do what is best for themselves and, as such, they are the only one who actually knows what that is during any given moment or circumstance. When it comes to health care and, most particularly concerning mental health treatment and related matters, save (i.e., except for retaining one's own) true and actual freedom of choice regarding such decisions, this means that like most anything else in this life there are truly no absolutes, nor should there be any imposed on any pe...

Photo: Camel's Hump (taken, by Morgan W. Brown, from the Hubbard Park Tower in Montpelier; circa: May 31, 2009) Although not a native born Vermonter, having only been a resident of the Green Mountain State for nearly thirty five (35) years now; and, more than likely, including due to my heavy Southern New England accent as well as accompanying sarcastic sense of humor and wit, shall always be considered a flatlander as well as resident tourist , at best, by many of those whose preceding generations are and have long been native to the state; when I first became a permanent resident of the state years ago, the fact is that I finally moved home or so it seemed, planting and eventually growing deep, solid, strong roots and have enjoyed living here ever since; something which cannot necessarily be said of those numerous places where I had previously traveled or lived, at least not to the same degree. While neither the State or the communities where I relocated to might not have inv...

When it comes to dreams, from my youth onward, I have never unnecessarily put much if any energy, faith, need or time in finding meaning, symbolism, nor a message in them; because, for me, sometimes a dream is only that, a dream, merely something to entertain us while we are asleep, nothing more. However, whether or not there is meaning, symbolism or a message to be ascertained from a particular dream, I have always found it best to not allow it to overly dominate my thoughts or behavior one way or another. Instead, I might sometimes allow it to slowly brew on the backburner within my mind and, if there is something pertinent to eventually be applied, use it to help be an informational guide concerning how, where and when it could be needed either at the moment or somewhere down the road. In addition, having long been a fan of quality science fiction (sci-fi) books and movies, it is no surprise that during my sleep this morning I found myself in the midst of what could be defined as a ...