iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 12h

I like the tiny white centers of the individual flowers on the bright pink globe amaranth inflorescences. I think the texture of the flower made it so my phone camera couldn't really focus on them. #BloomScrolling #FlowerFriday

A ball-shaped magenta flower head, with tiny white stars in some of the individual flowers. Many more flower heads are visible behind the focal flower of the photo

030 3

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 18/10/2026

Fall greenhouse cleaning always makes it look so good. The outside, in particular, was super dirty. I haven't been cleaning in the spring because it is empty in the summer but I think I'll probably start. #gardening #greenhouse #pnw

A glass greenhouse with green supports around the glass, photo taken showing the long side. The roof is freshly washed and looks pretty and clear. There are lots of flowers in pinks and oranges in beds in front of the greenhouse from a warm fall. Cleaning supplied lean against the front side of the greenhouse along with a wheelbarrow. The day is dry and sunny but the greenhouse is in the shade

010 1

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 17/10/2026

I have one more (far away) photo where you can see the blue-eyed, light colored kitten watching the feather toy as I stand outside "their" room. One of the kittens in the cardboard box actually played with it, which felt like quite a break-through after a week […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

A small, white and beige kitten with a dark tail sits across a small bathroom from the photographer, looking at a feather wand toy. The room is filled with cat paraphernalia like food, bedding, and toys. Another kitten can just be glimpsed within a cardboard box with a kitten-sized door cut in the front.

000 0

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 17/10/2026

One week in and we've made miniscule progress with socializing the feral foster kittens. But they are about as cute as they come! If they can learn that people are OK I'm confident they'd be snapped up. Poor little Floof started vomiting yesterday and was still […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

4 kittens dozing at the back of a plastic cat carrier. Three are looking at the camera. The 4th, eyes closed, is black and hard to see againstthe back of the crate. Two of the kittens are white and brown and one is tan/white.

120 2

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 14/10/2026

We volunteered to take another set of kittens to foster in this seemingly unending kitten season. This batch of 4 was described as "They have URI's, they're very stinky, and need some socialization badly", and came into the shelter after being found in a car […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

A very floofy black and white kitten wrapped in a gray kitchen towel so only its head shows, held up by someone wearing gloves. This kitten has been pretty mild, but a sibling was scared enough to bite so the gloved are a precaution when handling them to give eye drops twice a day

010 1

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 09/10/2026

This warm, dry fall is accelerating the pawpaw harvest, which was looking pretty slow. We have 3 varieties putting on their first fruit this year. One was a lot firmer than other varieties when it fell off the tree but still with the sweet pawpaw flavor. #gardening #GrowYourOwn #pnw

5 pawpaws sit on a countertop, three larger fruit clustered on the left and 2 smaller ones on the right. A quarter (coin) sits between them to give an idea of scale. The fruit are each some mix of green, yellow, and brown

030 3

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

These three silly foster kittens, Sally, Gillian, and Frances, have all gained plenty of weight and went back to the shelter this morning. They are all well over two pounds (closer to 3!). Since Frances' eyes never improved they are going to wait for a full vet […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

Three mostly black kittens are piled together on a brown chair, with each one looking at the camera. Sally is on the left, on top of Gillian and Frances. Gillian is facing away from the camera on her side, so is looking at the camera from a sort of upside down position.

022 2

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

This dahlia likes to wait and bloom extremely late in the season. The foliage comes up in the spring like clockwork but then just slowly grows until fall, when it finally puts buds on. #BloomScrolling #flowers

A bright, red-orange dahlia with a single layer of petals with a dark center blooms above dark, black-purple foliage. A second blossom is behind, out of focus.

040 4

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026

The foster kittens head back to the shelter for a check up tomorrow. If they've gained enough weight and are healthy they'll be staying, ready to find forever families. ❤️ #Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #cats

A black kitten with yellow eyes sits on a white windowsill behind a white curtain, gazing up and out the window. A perfect reflection of her gazes back inside from the window glass.

071 7

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026

For #WhiskersWednesday, here is foster kitten Frances. She has been struggling with URI symptoms and some eye issues even after a week of treatment but is still ready to go-go-go. She's such a cutie with those big ears and the splash of white on her face! #CatsOfMastodon #cats

A cute brown and white kitten sits on a flat rug next to a felt ball toy in the sun, gazing at the camera

183 8

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026

The foster kittens have conquered the top platform of the tower. And, key skill, can get themselves back down, haha #CatsOfMastodon #cats

2 small black kittens look owlishly down at the camera from a rectangular carpet-covered platform. White ceiling above

081 8

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

Ha, these 2 juvenile red crossbills came bombing down to the fountain for a drink while I was standing next to it. I had my phone in my pocket and managed a couple of OK pics. A goldfinch decided to join them, looking for a bath. #birding #birds #BirdsOfMastodon #pnw

Two stripey birds with a yellow wash perch on the edge of the top bowl of a two-tiered fountain. The closer one has its back to the camera but the other is sideways to the camera so you can see it's cheek and bill. A smaller, plainer goldfinch stands on the plate covered by water. The fountain water is quite green, partially driven by the heavy use of the fountain by bathing goldfinches. The fountain is surrounded by flowering pots in plants and other vegetation

032 3

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

Foster kitten Sally, a classic black cat and intrepid explorer. The brave one of her litter! A week after their arrival at the shelter and they are filling in a little, starting to look more cute-kitten and less sad-kitten. Another week before a check-up/weigh in. #Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #cats

An all-black kitten sits looking at the camera with round yellow eyes and a serious expression. Sally can be serious and thoughtful but was also the first kitten to ask to be picked up for cuddles. Quite a cutie!

071 7

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

And on the 6th day they climbed. Foster kitten Gilly managed to climb up to the bathroom sink this morning. I'll have to revamp my "I'll just put this high up so the kittens can't reach it" plan, haha #CatsOfMastodon #cats

A small black kitten sits on the back of a small bathroom sink, gazing calmly at the photographer. The sink has a food bowl and a pair of yellow plastic gloves in it, as this is the sink in the bathroom the foster kittens are currently housed in

000 0

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 23/09/2026

We're fostering 3 kittens over the next couple weeks. They came into the shelter quite underweight so they need some extra time. They are named for Practical Magic (Fances, Sally, Gillian) so I call them Franny, Sally, and Gilly. #CatsOfMastodon #cats

Three little black kittens piled in a fleece blanket circle. We can see a single eye of the middle cat, Sally, who is the litter leader. We only see the ears of the browner front cat. The smallest cat, Gilly, is tucked in the back.

043 4

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 16/09/2026

Lots of progress on the more complex quilt block square we're working on. Ran into a snafu with the center square paint, which comes from trying to use old paint we already had. Whoops! I think it is salvageable. I am sort of liking the more abstract quilt […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

Looking down at a 16x16 inch wooden square quilt block painted in reds and greens to give the impression of a red poinsettia flower. This is based off of a LeMoyne quilt block. The center square is taped off with blue masking tape and painted in yellow, the final area of the block that hasn't been painted. Various painting a sanding paraphernalia is visible around the block on the same table

0102 10

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 14/09/2026

These collarette style dahlias were OK with the weekend rain #BloomScrolling #flowers

Looking up at a red single petal layer dahlia with a white center collar and yellow center against a bright but cloudy sky behind large conifers. A second flower is directly below. Both flowers are covered in tiny water droplets from recent rains

020 2

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 12/09/2026

More of the wooden quilt block project: Two simple Star of Virginia blocks for my sisters-in-law. The blue triangles turned out fairly clean, just a few touch-ups needed where they meet. Colors are from old house projects, although we bought exterior paint for […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

Looking down at 2 16x16 inch wood blocks painted in a Star of Virginia quilt block pattern. The pattern is based off of a 4x4 grid of squares. Various painting paraphernalia is scattered on the same canvas dropcloth covered table. The 2 blocks have the same dark blue colored triangles but the center diamond color differs, one in a burnt orange and one in turquoise. The centers are still taped, with only a single layer of paint completed

0102 10

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 11/09/2026

We saw someone on here with some beautiful painted quilt blocks and decided it would be a fun project for Christmas gifts. We have some squares ready to paint the design, including this one I adapted from a LeMoyne Star block to be reminiscent of a poinsettia […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

A 16 in square painted board leans against the back of a couch. An 8 by 8 grid of squares has been drawn on the board in pencil, and then various diagonal lines added and areas marked with symbols to show where different colors will go. The next step is taping and painting sections. On the right is a four inch square mock-up of the final design that will be used, drawn and colored in with reds and greens in a flower-like pattern on a large envelope.

062 6

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 06/09/2026

I harvested some of the breadseed poppies to collect the seeds for eating. I got about 3/16 cup from 18 very small to medium pods. I was really interested to see the variation in color, with some pods having more purpley seeds and others more blue #gardening #GrowYourOwn #harvest

Looking down at a small teacup with the bottom filled with freshly harvested poppy seeds. In the background, the cut seeds pods are set in a plastic dish, out of focus

011 1

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 06/09/2026

The flame seedless grapes are just starting to color up but not quite ready to eat. We just had some big rains for this time of year and have some minor splitting that will likely bring in the yellowjackets. #gardening #GrowYourOwn #pnw

Several loose bunches of round, pink-red grapes dangle on the vine

152 5

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 05/09/2026

We are talking about getting a portrait as a remembrance of our Mochi cat. Any recommendations out there from someone who has done this? #Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #cats

A small dilute tortoiseshell cat sits primly on an old beige dog bed, looking up at the camera

9170 17

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 04/09/2026

A late summer bouquet, with mostly asters, four-o-clocks, and globe amaranth. #BloomScrolling #FlowerFriday #pnw

A short, wildflower-like bouquet of flowers in a beautiful ceramic vase with carvings on it. On an otherwise empty countertop, the light made it difficult to photograph and there are bright spots and shadows on the tile wall behind

111 1

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 03/09/2026

[Death of a pet] One of our doors stopped latching correctly and earlier this week our little Mochi cat managed to get outside in the middle of the night and got hit by a car. We are absolutely gutted. She has been such a bright spot in these dark times since […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

A small dilute tortoiseshell cat is curled up asleep on the padded seat of a wooden chair.

100 1

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 31/08/2026

I put in a raised bed by the backdoor last year and it is really going gangbusters with flowers this year. Some perennials made it thru the winter plus some annuals that are sort of taking the bed by storm #BloomScrolling #flowers

The top of a corrugated, square raised bed filled with flowers. It includes purple and orange flowers spilling over the side, some almost hidden darker orange flowers in the middle, plus a mass of tall pink flowers on the left that are about to topple out of the box. Mostly in shade but afternoon sun visible all around

001 1

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 30/08/2026

Summers here in western Oregon are dry. A dry summer after a comparatively dry winter with little snowpack means it is now very, very dry. Some trees are reacting to the stress by starting to change colors early, like this maple. #oregon #pnw #trees #LeafScrolling

A trio of maple leaves have already turned maroon with green veins near the end of the branch. More leaves and branches can be seen behind. A conifer of some flavor is visible in the background

041 4

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 30/08/2026

We've had increased activity of burrowing rodents in the garden and the roots of one of the melons got damaged. So the Moonstruck honeydew melons were harvested slightly early. Still good flavor but not quite ripe all the way to the edges. #gardening #GrowYourOwn

Two pale melons on a counter, one still whole and the other cut in half showing the insides. The right half is partially eaten and the left half still has the yellow-brown seeds in the middle. Moonstruck honeydew melons have very pale flesh when ripe instead of darker green like other honeydew varieties

020 2

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 29/08/2026

A little less earwig damage now than on the earlier flowers #BloomScrolling #flowers

A many-petaled pale pink dahlia with a yellow-cream center. The waterlily style flower has petals with notched ends, giving a slightly frilly look

040 4

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 29/08/2026

Peach salsa season! Not enough peaches to can this year (it was quite a winter treat) but enough for tasty snacking. #gardening #GrowYourOwn

A white bowl of colorful salsa made primarily with tomatoes and peaches (2 to 1 ratio) along with onions, cilantro, and hot peppers, all from the garden

020 2

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 25/08/2026

We've been having a series of hens go broody. It is late in the year but this hen convinced us to let her give it a try by her sheer meanness. One chick so far. #chickens #chicken

Looking through a hexagon of chicken wire at a white hen sitting in a bed of straw inside a wooden structure. A tiny chick peeks out from underneath her

121 2

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 23/08/2026

The first batch of hibiscus flower buds got eaten by deer but so far a second batch has survived. So pretty #BloomScrolling #flowers

A just-opened hibiscus flower in pinks with a darker center. The pattern of darker and lighter pink on the petals gives a slight impression of a pinwheel pattern

000 0

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 22/08/2026

One #GardenFail this year for us is the raspberries. They've been somewhat undercared for but doing OK but we didn't water them this summer and they are very sad. Now we've decided to rework their raised beds. Long run it will be a good change, making the fruit […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

A long metal raised bed sits in place perpendicular to the camera. Some raised dirt with sad looking raspberries is in front, part of the original raised bed after the sides were removed. A wheelbarrow filled with dirt and a big pot of raspberry plants that were removed to fit the new bed is in the background in front of a brushy area

100 1

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 22/08/2026

This pale pink aster (Callistephus chinensis) fades to an interesting pink-white as it ages #BloomScrolling #flowers

A close up of a large aster flower with a single row of very pale pink petals. Below are more flowers on the same plant, some in a darker version of pale pink from newly opened flowers. The background is a blur of a mass of gold marigold flowers

040 4

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 21/08/2026

I found a little Pacific tree frog friend resting in the dahlias this morning while dead-heading. I left its perch for another day #BloomScrolling #frogs #pnw

Looking through the leaves of a dahlia at an open flower with a bright green tree frog sitting in it. The frog is resting against a petal, facing away from the camera. The flower is bright oranges and yellows and the frog makes a nice contrast

031 3

AO Smith @aosmith16.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 21/08/2026

Last year I grew three petunia varieties in different pink-based patterns. It has been fascinating to see the offspring from saved seeds, such as these. Pink pink pink! #gardening #BloomScrolling #FlowerFriday

Petunia flowers cascade out of a pot in a variety of pink colors, from a very pale pink-purple at the top through hot pink into a dark pink. Other flowers, not shown, have some striping but also are much smaller.

010 1