iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

And Elon is none too happy about it. Weird.

Screenshot of a post from X.com by Elon Musk stating, "Zelensky has gone too far".

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Since I no longer write as part of a job, I've been playing around writing creatively. This was inspired by a woman I saw the other day.

Sat on a bench, she can't buy a ticket
to the movie passing by.
Drivers don't look. Walkers look away,
finding pavement, or phones to fix their gaze.

Seasons blur as strangers avoid her.
Same wool on her back beneath every sky.
Climate-controlled, the drivers glide past,
while soaked by a storm, her skin wind-cracked and raw.

Her people long scattered.
A son's number disconnected. Friends she outlived.
One photo she keeps, thumbing the folds.

Her life on the bench, long since dismissed
by strangers one diagnosis, one lost job,
one missed payment away from a bench of their own.

230

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

These merry pranksters are some of the finest human beings you could hope to have in your life. 30 years as friends and always as if we'd never been apart for a day.

A group of six long time friends gathered around a long table set with white tablecloths, menus, plates, and glasses at a restaurant. Three people sit on the left along a red tufted booth bench, while three others sit across from them on individual chairs. They are all smiling towards the camera in a warmly lit dining room setting. My favorite people in the world.

040

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

How is CHICANE not in the word list???

Screenshot from the New York Times puzzle, Spelling Bee. The letters in today's Bee are I, A, H, C, M, E, and the center letter N. It rejected the word CHICANE as not being in the word list.

011

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Both my RBs (Price and Hall on the Jets) on IR now. My replacements not cutting the mustard. If you only had one good score on the bench, you're still doing well!

Screenshot of fantasy football results from Fantrax. Suffice to say my team, the Chicago Bears, stinks. Decimated by injuries though after a good draft. There's only so much you can do!

010

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Who was that crazy guy learning aerobatic stunts? It me. What feels like a lifetime ago, and yesterday.

A man with messy brown hair and red-framed sunglasses smiles while seated in the open cockpit of a Pitts S-2B biplane. Another person wearing a red shirt stands next to the aircraft, looking down into the cockpit to speak with the pilot.

250

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

He's clearly wearing a support brace on both legs now. Either the drop foot style, or something more substantial like this (which is my bet given the frequent protrusion under his coat tails)

Photo of a black carbon fiber dual leg exoskeleton. It wraps around the wearer's waist, and then has articulated supports which extend down for each leg, attaching to the calves at the bottom.

110

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I don't write a lot anymore, but I've been scribbling lately. Mostly when I can't sleep. Sometimes in my head while riding.

"I've done some things. Rebelled. Failed. Overcome and excelled. Taken numerous forks in the road. Flown airplanes. Raced cars and bikes alike. Fell in love in Paris. In April no less. I've led and inspired others (their words). Climbed ladders and towers. Made and lost it all. Twice. Now what?

Outlived family and friends and lovers. Like hourglass sand they slipped by. Survived crashes, and falls, and shenanigans I shouldn't have. Have I outlived my life? How to know. I've seen lands far and wide, but never the eyes I hoped to find across from mine. A crisis of faith (of sorts) but not time to go. Is there more yet to do? To give? To whom? I don't know.

261

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The ups and downs of fantasy! I'm getting clobbered. The negative points from Seattle's "star" running back didn't help.

Screenshot of fantasy football stats for Jadarian Price, running back, Seattle Seahawks. He scored -1 point for the week.

100

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

These polling questions from Nielsen are hilarious. Can't imagine who paid for the poll:

Screenshot of a political polling question (one of many with the same bent to them):
Would you be more likely to vote for a Republican candidate who will being tough on crime and put violent criminals, sex predators and drug dealers behind bars or a Democratic candidate who will be soft on crime, letting violent criminals off and putting criminal's interests before those of victims.

A = Strongly more for a Republican

B = Somewhat more for a Republican

C = Totally undecided

D = Somewhat more for a Democrat

E = Strongly more for a Democrat

I answered E.

000

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Storm #712 of the summer rolling in. Strobe show outside activated.

A radar image of southeastern Wisconsin shows a storm moving in from the west, with different areas of intensity represented by shades of green, yellow, and red.

110

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Yesterday's interlude of feeling sorry for myself over. Life goes on. Back to windows. Probably the last full one I'll do. Give the linseed oil a day to soak in so the new glazing bonds better. Bonds are important in life, and in glazing.

000

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Twenty seconds of peace along Lake Michigan (though you may hear me faintly gasping for air in the background as I was out riding).

060

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Twenty years I've owned this bike & had never ridden it. Threw an old saddle on it last night & finally got to enjoy what an amazing ride it is. Designed by French architect Henri Gouron who was unhappy with other bikes on the market. Sold as "American Flyer" (not that one), they are quite rare.

A titanium road bike rests against a red brick wall on a porch. The bicycle features blue-patterned handlebar tape, thin blue tires on Mavic wheels, a black Reynolds front fork, and light blue frame lettering. A blue water bottle sits in a frame cage, and a small black storage bag is mounted beneath the black seat.

030

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Happy New Year to those on the list celebrating. And happy #FlowerFridayFamily to everyone!

A close-up photograph of tiny brown mushrooms growing on a decaying log surrounded by green foliage.
In the center, a small mushroom with a smooth, light tan umbrella-shaped cap and thin dark brown stem stands on top of the dark log. To its right, another tiny mushroom sprouts vertically. To the left, a tiny mushroom emerges near a patch of fuzzy white mold on the bark. Bright green leaves surround the log in the background, creating a soft, blurred natural backdrop with sunlight filtering through.

250

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

In 1946, Richard Feynman wrote a letter to his wife, who had died 16 months prior. It's a real testament to the power of love, and has me completely in tears re-reading it. Just beautiful.

October 17, 1946

D'Arline,

It is such a terribly long time since I last wrote to you.

I find it hard to understand in my mind what it means to love you after you are dead - but I still want to comfort and take care of you and I want you to love me and care for me. I want to have problems to discuss with you - I want to do little projects with you.

or learn We started to learn to make clothes together Chinese or getting a movie projector. Can't I do something now? No. I am alone without you and you were the "idea-woman" and general instigator of all our wild adventures.

When you were sick you worried because you could not give me something that you wanted to and thought I needed. You needn't have worried. Just as I told you then there was no real need because I loved you in so many ways so much.

And now it is clearly even more true you can give me nothing now yet I love you so that you stand in my way of loving anyone else - but I want you to stand there. You, dead, are so much better than anyone else alive.

My darling wife, I do adore you.

I love my wife. My wife is dead.

Rich.

P.S. Please excuse my not mailing this - but I don't know your new address.

1414

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Nine years since my dad died. Son of immigrants. Army Special Forces. PhD. Lifelong science educator. No matter what obligations he had, he made time to coach my soccer teams, or come to track meets. Taught me what true integrity & ethics look like. He'd be appalled by the state of the country today

A close-up portrait of an older man smiling outdoor in late-afternoon sunlight. He is wearing thin-framed eyeglasses, a light beige baseball cap with a dark brim, a blue plaid button-down shirt over a white undershirt, and a black jacket. The background features blurred palm trees and natural greenery under soft, golden light.

5121

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I don't know if Orb weavers have a peak time of summer but they're absolutely everywhere right now. This one was setting up shop in the late evening sun.

A brown spotted orb-weaver spider sits at the center of its intricate web, set against a softly blurred green foliage background. Late evening sunlight catches the silk strands around the spider's striped, patterned legs and rounded abdomen.

000

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Success! Able to get a rope through the wing strut and then cut away a few branches and lower it gently. Totally rebuildable!

A bright yellow vintage remote control Piper Cub sits on some green grass. It has damage to the front end where it crashed into the tree. The brown trunk of an old oak tree is visible behind the plane.

110

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

A 40' ladder turns out to be about 8' to 10' too short. Worried this may not end well.

A large bright yellow model airplane lodged high up in the dense green branches of a large tree in a residential backyard. A 40' aluminum extension ladder stands fully extended against one of the tree's main branches. To the left, the side of a white house with siding frames the yard, under a clear blue sky.

220

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

So this just happened. 83" wingspan R/C airplane crashed into one of our trees. It's about 40' in the air, in the backyard, and the poor guy who was flying it is so apologetic. No idea how he's going to get it down but no damage done so it's all kind of fun!

010

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

So many ghosts being back at my parents house, not the least of which are my late father's old cars. This one has been in the family since 1977. I grew up sitting on the little rear shelf , usually with the top down, later graduating to copilot for rallies & shows. Strange trying to enjoy it now.

A bright red Triumph TR6 sits in the sun on a concrete driveway. It sits at an angle, towards the viewer, with polished wheels set against a suburban background of the street and green lawns in the distance.

140

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Interesting. Born in England. Preschool eastern PA. From kindergarten on in WI. I tend to think I have a pretty neutral accent but 🤷‍♂️.

Map of the United States, using color shading to indicate my vocal dialect most closely aligns with the Washington DC to Philadelphia corridor.

000

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Another one bites the dust. Oh well. That's only the 3rd out of 32 I've broken while restoring them. Off to the glass shop to get a new one cut.

A rectangular white-painted wooden frame sitting on a light wooden workbench, with a concrete block wall in the background. Resting over the open center of the frame are two overlapping pieces of broken glass.

000

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Huge web from an orb weaver just outside the kitchen window. She's been busy this morning!

A large orb-weaver spider hangs at the center of an intricate circular web outdoors. The spider is silhouetted against a softly blurred green garden with trees, grass, and patches of soil in the background.

000

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

A Google Maps search for Lake Ontario produces no result now. Lake America comes up as a suggestion instead.

Screenshot of a Google Maps search for "Lake Ontario". The search results return no exact match and instead present a list starting with Lake America instead.

100

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Yes, the month has flown by! The summer for that matter! Throwback to the WI State Fair a few weeks ago with this orchid from the Grand Champion Hall. Happy #flowerfridayfamily!

A close-up photograph of a dark burgundy and nearly black orchid in bloom, with broad, dramatically curved upper petals and intricate dark veining. The flower is supported by a green stake and tie. Blurred orchids, foliage, and a wooden display structure form the background.

191

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Had a clear view from just across the WI border but a cell phone camera just doesn't cut it for something like this

110

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Wish I had my real camera with me. Cell phone pics of the eclipse just don't cut it. Thankfully lots of you are posting great ones! Thanks to everyone posting their eclipse pics!

A photo of the moon during the lunar eclipse. It is a small reddish dot in a sea of black. A tiny portion of the top is still brightly illuminated, but 90+ percent of it is red, the shadow of the Earth changing its appearance during the eclipse.

020

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Final night of the season at the Kenosha velodrome (the oldest continuously operating track in the country, marking its 99th year of racing). 20,000 people used to pack into the bowl to watch. Now it's a little smaller crowd, but no less fun. Beautiful night to end the season!

010

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Happy #flowerfridayfamily everyone. Not technically a flower today but I have a variety of mushrooms coming up. Not sure what they are but I'll eat one of each and report back. (Joking...I think this one is a baddie.)

A small cluster of vibrant orange mushrooms growing nestled among thin blades of green grassi. The largest mushroom in the foreground stands upright with a smooth funnel-shaped cap and visible gills running down the top of its stem.

130

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

They may look a bit of a mess but I really make great pancakes.

A stack of golden-brown homemade pancakes rests on a white textured paper towel set on a plate. The thick, irregularly shaped pancakes have crisp, darkly browned edges and textured surfaces. A metal wire whisk and kitchen countertop are visible in the background.

010

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Happy #flowerfridayfamily from the Wisconsin State Fair. These are the dahlia entries in this year's fair. That winning red one (top row center) looked like a chihuly glass work. Quite the variety!

Three tiers of flowers from the dahlia competition at the Wisconsin State Fair. It features a light green sign reading "DAHLIAS" centered above two tiered black-draped tables. On the tiers, multiple individual dahlia flowers in green and black vases are arranged in a row. The dahlias feature a wide array of colors, including bright red, dark burgundy, pale yellow, bright pink, orange, and purple. Several entry vases are adorned with purple prize ribbons, and black curtains hang in the background.

290

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

A little blast from my past I found this morning. Those were fun times.

000

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Mosquito season is officially here in WI. Bon appétit little lady!

A close-up photograph of an orb-weaver spider resting near the center of a finely detailed, delicate spiderweb. The spider features a brownish-orange patterned body and spiky, striped legs with alternating dark brown and pale cream bands. The background is a softly blurred, lush green hedge (badly in need of trimming, I know).

31047

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

This trash was delivered with today's mail. It presents itself as a mild political mailer on the cover, but inside it descends into white nationalist propaganda, including lots of images of minorities & immigrants currently incarcerated in WI. Can't figure out the source. Address turns up nothing.

232

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Not much to share for #flowerfridayfamily this week but I did have to shoo this little one away from the neighbor's spiraea so I could cut the grass. He's 91 (the neighbor, not the bunny) so I try to cut their grass when I can.

A young rabbit sits in the grass beside a garden bed filled with pink Spiraea flowers and green foliage. The rabbit faces left, its long ears upright, while a concrete driveway is visible in the background.

140

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Pretty but stinky. Pretty stinky.

A shield-shaped green and burgundy stink bug sits on the glass of a window. Its bright green body with a deep burgundy triangular marking covering most of its back, and a small yellow spot near the center. The insect's long antennae and thin legs are visible against the blurred background.

000

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Happy #flowerfridayfamily everyone! Hard to believe it's August 1st already. And Saturday. I'm a day late with the post.

Close-up of a pink hydrangea bloom with soft pink outer petals surrounding clusters of tightly closed lavender-pink buds. The flower is in sharp focus against a blurred background of green leaves and garden soil, highlighting its delicate texture and color.

010

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Happy #flowerfridayfamily everyone! A variety of flowers still blooming in the yard but these daylilies are hard to beat for the color pop.

A close-up shot of a single pale yellow daylily in full bloom. If has prominent yellow stamens and slightly ruffles at the edges of the petals, set against a blurred background of a wooden fence and green foliage.

060

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Found a picture of my old bus from college. It was a Penthouse camper, not the better known Westfalia variety. Possibly the slowest vehicle ever made but boy I loved that thing.

A medium blue Volkswagen bus camper van with a white pop-top sits in a suburban driveway, with green grass on both sides of the drive.

030

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Gemini offered to make a "professional headshot" for me. Sure, give it a go I said. Yikes. Startling to see yourself but also not yourself. The only instruction I gave it was to use a purple tie (the only color I wear). The implications for actual photo studios must be pretty devastating.

020

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

A lone periwinkle in the woods along the yard for this week. Nice little pop of color as it sits by itself. #flowerfridayfamily

A close-up of a single purple flower, a periwinkle, with five petals and a light center, surrounded by green leaves.

030

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

I was going to stay in all day but had to go for more lumber. It was bleh outside. Horrible taste from the air.

120

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Some of the hostas in the yard have just started to bloom. This one has about 15 more flower buds above it yet to open. Surrounding it, but invisible to the eye until you're taking a photo, are 600 million mosquitoes. Roughly anyway. #FlowerFridayFamily

A close-up photograph of a hosta flower spike with several pale lavender-white buds and one open, bell-shaped bloom revealing white stamens tipped with bright yellow pollen. Large, blue-green hosta leaves fill the softly blurred background.

050

Patrick @atomicpopwi.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

No, I'm not racing but oh to be 17 and that fit again.

A tan cement veledrome set into a grassy hillside as riders in the infield prepare for the night's races.

020