iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Yesterday-Me got the coffee all ready to go so Today-Me only had to press one button. Chocolate scones with espresso glaze. Green and blue velvet cushions. The single Werthers a customer snuck onto my work station when I wasn't looking. Vietnamese cinnamon. Stitching myself together today.

010

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

What is it about 57 that suddenly all the pain & shame & grief I've been successfully squashing since I was 16 is surfacing? Through my oldest's 10 yr addiction odyssey & 3 of my 4 kids' suicide attempts, & my parents' weird deaths 6 months apart, & *(USA, horrible people, planet)* all THIS?

100

Reposted by Beth B is probably reading.

Jacob Clifton @jacobclifton.com · 07/07/2026

In my house is a tiny tiny door & behind that door is a tiny tiny room & in that dark & tiny room there is a mirror that if you look into it and say "Mitch McConnell" three times, you can talk to him for about 20 minutes

132

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Accidentally adopted a medium to go with small and large, and this is our house now. (Reminder: I'm a cat lady). Welcome Gopher, a sweet baby, the nutella on our peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Sweet Gopher lies in my arms like a baby. He's a lab, pittie, husky mix with very good button ears, guyliner, and a permanent smile.

My husband sits on the loveseat, completely overrun with 3 dogs. The smallest perches on the back of the couch, making an annoyed face. The largest claims him by standing over him like a conquering horse. The new baby medium dog rests in his lap, oblivious of this primal fight for claim to the Papa, but he'll learn. My husband, Andy, wears Andes mints socks. This is important.

Morning in the upstairs hallway. Teenager joins the pack on the floor. Small Fifi is haughty about it as the boys stretch out uncouthly on the floor.

240

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

The very best Mother's Day celebration is a queer/non-binary drag show with your oldest 3, cheering on your young friend/performer in the best, cheekiest, most safe, loving, supportive, hilarious, joyful environment possible! Bonus points: hugs & affirmations for other mothers' kids who needed mine.

Me and my 3 gorgeous oldest kids at a tiny bar table in a packed, colorfully-lit club. Quill wears the vintage silk scarf I got them in Paris as a headwrap, Charlotte wears my ankh necklace from the 90s, and Ethan wears the shirt I found him at Goodwill. We are all 2 drinks in, and happy.

020

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

After an hour with the metal comb, we have a lion. (The bestest and goodest boy, when annoyed or ouchy, reacts in the sweetest way, by slow-licking your comb-hand. Please beloved mama, no more please.) 💙🐕 #dogsky

Teddy the huge golden doodle is an absolute pouf of a himbo.

Magnificent lion dog perches in stately fashion on back step, floofily.

091

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Currently apoplectically scream-barking at the woodpecker sound in the nearby woods. 💙🐕 #dogsky

Fifi the beautiful little red Cavapoo with the white chin and curly chest senses an intruder!

Fifi's up! Go-get-em stance engaged! Intruders beware!

040

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

HAHAHAHAAAAA having a soon-to-be Gopher is so much fun.

In a catalog image, a hyped woman and man side-hug in their HIDEOUS ketchup and mustard striped overalls - U of Minn colors - their outside arms raised high as they each point a single finger skyward. The U Minn overalls are labeled "gopheralls." I sent this photo to my 17 yr old senior, who has chosen U Minn for college.

The only response from him: "Disliked an image."

000

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Taking my son to visit U of Minnesota and U of Wisconsin (applied math) in a few days and we VERY much want him to be a gopher or a badger so what should I include in our whirlwind trips to Minneapolis and Madison that will snag him? #Minnesota #Wisconsin

Beautiful teenage boy with long brown curls sits sweetly next to me, bespectacled, black-cherry-haired mama in a vinyl-covered foam circle in the main Indianapolis library kids' section. The theme appears to be blue, red, and smiling with no teeth.

100

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Let's GOOOOOO!!!!! My beautiful, smart boyboy rules. Come on, U Chicago! Show us the $$$$!

Congratulatory letter from the National Merit Scholarship people telling Holland he's a finalist!

Teensy 7 year old Holland/Tiny Tim in a dressing room during "A Christmas Carol" stands on a chair to model The Ghost of Christmas Present's huge, green, fur-trimmed robe and ivy crown.

The Smoulder. Holland sits in our living room looking beautiful with his long brown wavy hair and perfect eyebrows (you're welcome, kid) and elegant piano fingers holding a pink bunny dog toy.

2 yr old Holland on some beach vacation in a blue and green union suit bathing costume sits in the sand playing with a truck, looking happy and darling with his heavy sun-kissed brown waves of hair.

020

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

I went stress shopping at TJoe's last night and spent $200. That is a stupid full cart at TJoe's. So now we're ALL stress eating all the things.

Favorites: dark chocolate Mini Heart Cookies and the elite French Galettes Butter Cookies.

Hoooooly shiiiit this stuff. Chocolate Whipped Light Cream. Put it on everything. Make the dogs sad.

110

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

If I thought it would elicit any real change, I would light myself on fire in front of the white house. I have no useful outlet at the scope of my rage and anguish. I have no words to quantify this evil, to define, frame, and diminish it. Daily life feels like bad puppetry. What do we do?

120

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Welo, it happened. I finally told my mother-in-law (who doesn't like me because I saved her son from her basement and helped him build a beautiful home and successful life, and also I'm too prissy & fancy for her, insisting on things like... our children need to be fed actual meals, not just sugar)

230

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

As an Indy resident whose theater is visited by that reprehensible ghoul, Mike Pence, I often think he has such an opportunity to do the right thing and write a book detailing all he knows about Trump, in scathing fashion, and he just... doesn't do it. This man's boss woul've been cool with him

120

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

My daughter spent Thanksgiving weekend with her boyfriend's large family at a huge rental cabin in Pigeon Forge and at first she was all charmed and delighted and, "They're so NORMAL!" But pretty soon it was, "It's all sports and wine and nobody is DOING anything... I'm just knitting on the couch."

150

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

My newly 21 yr old daughter at college. Enraging and heartbreaking.

Texts:
Daughter: I went out to the bars for Sofi's bday last night and a drunk pervert 51 year old groped me. I hate being a woman.
Me: Excuse me?! What the FUCK. What did you do? You need to tell the bartender that shit.
D: I teared up and froze then walked away.
M: Oh honey. You must tell your friends and all of your group can advocate for you.

Me: I'm so sorry that happened to you.
Daughter: I ate my feelings with a huge burrito.
M: Just to be clear, you are not to blame for any of that, not the event or your reaction. I would tell your friends so y'all have a mutually agreed action plan if that happens to ANY of you. So you know what to do and freezing is less likely, and you feel more empowered.

130

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

My beloved NanNan's 1920 converted Baldwin player piano, kept from me by my uncle (has had issues with me since I was 12 & started calling him out on his misogyny and bigotry) arrived from Louisville yesterday and I sobbed so hard the movers hugged me. 1/2

A white upright converted 1920 Baldwin player piano with 2 black wrought iron fighting roosters on the mechanism sliding doors (attached by my grandfather, as they were symbols of the Kentucky democratic party) sits happily, finally, in MY living room and plays nicely off the black and white tiled fireplace. My grandmother's book of piano music, inscribed by my grandfather as a gift in 1942, sits on the rack.

130

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

It occurs to me during these exciting soccer games leading up to state, that these anti-immigrant, white supremacist assholes have no idea about the true love and respect and teamwork happening on these beautifully diverse soccer teams in the HEARTLAND. 1/2

A proud Varsity soccer team in purple poses in the goal with their Sectional Award.

A thrilled varsity boys soccer team jumps and celebrates on the field jumps and claps and celebrates their first sectional title in 7 years.

120

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Me holding my coffee this morning watching my 17 yr old through the window, hacking thick, icy frost off of his windshield while wearing shorts and a t-shirt: "*snort* Ope."

010

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

So this beautiful baby, Harry Styles-looking, National Merit Semi-Finalist boy of mine submitted the application to become a finalist and I am super proud but also I think the whole thing is a test to see who has the most stamina to complete all the forms, because DANG! So now... SHOW US THE MONEY!

5 yr old soccer boy smirks over his shoulder and the back of his jersey says Hollywood.

Winsome brown-eyed 1 yr old with copious brunette waves and curls looks at camera.

Harry Styles is on our sofa for some reason.

Supernaturally beautiful teenage boy with long brown curls smiles down at his homemade chocolate mixed-berry 17th birthday cake.

010

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

In a first, I actually spent a gift card on *myself,* because the heart wants what it wants, especially when it's available for a limited time only.

Two boxes of the unparalleled Dark Coffee Scotchmallow, by See's Candies, as well as a bottle of Good Karma shower gel and a big ole tub of orange scented body scrub, from Lush. Arrayed on my desk at work.

040

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Sitting in the tiny waiting area of the local mechanic getting a new battery, and I surprise-sneezed 3 times in rapid succession (like a good citizen, into my elbow) and this also-waiting manperson doesn't say, "Bless you," or, "Wo!" or "Ha, you sound like a cat," or ANYTHING. Boo! What a dickhead.

000

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

My main worry about the apocalypse is that I won't be able to get coffee. Guess I'll just trek slowly southwards in search of wild beans.

130

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

It's sweet when your gay son/coworker leaves you little notes.

000

Reposted by Beth B is probably reading.

Todd Dillard @toddedillard.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

I just want to read things I've never read before that make me recognize and give shape to things I've felt all along

714018

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

My oldest kid, now 30, after so many heartbreaking years of mental health struggles and drug addiction, and several recent years of sobriety and healing, has auditioned and made it into the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, and will be back in the land of his heart--serious SINGING. I weep & rejoice.

Precious peach of a placid baby, all cheeks.

Delicious toddler with blonde bowl haircut, yellow t-shirt, and blue plaid summer short overalls. Still much cheeks.

Halloween mama witch and 3 yr old skeleton in a front yard utterly filled with leaves.

Blonde 1st grade boy and his red-head mama with blonde streak touch foreheads, eyes closed, as usual.

130

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Monkey's exploration of the physics of glasses on faces ended up with a discovery about gravity.

Me with a pretty albino corn snake weaving her way from my shoulder, through my space bun, to the top of my head.

The snake has dropped down my forehead onto my glasses.

Blurry photo of me catching my falling glasses but not the snek.

040

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Sometimes the work conference swag just hits. Helps to be in the live events industry.

Me, red hair up in messy space buns, burgundy cat eye glasses, and a pale pink t-shirt that reads, "Get in Loser."

020

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Heading to Long Beach to present at a conference next week & I know people don't love those, but I DO for some reason, and I'm like manically excited but for 10 yrs this level of heightened mental intensity was only associated with terror for my struggling kids & now my body is being weird about it.

000

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

It's so so hot. I hate it. Only low space buns will do.

Car selfie. Hey it's me! In all my 56 yr old summertime glory. Violent Femmes shirt I hacked the collar off of, burgundy tortoiseshell cat eye glasses, acid green magpie earrings, freshly re-redded hair in low, behind-the-ear messy space buns. Too much red lip gloss. Green eyes with metallic burgundy in the lower waterline. Surviving.

140

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

These. Big bag of these. Not those dinky Sno-caps, either. The big old wagon wheel disks. Dark, not milk. Need now.

6 enormous dark chocolate nonpareil candies, crusted with the eeny teeny white balls. Old lady candy favorite of mine.

130

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

One thing about having older kids is that they can do things. Like Quill making their brother Holland this beautiful chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream, dark chocolate ganache, and mixed berry compote filling for his 17th birthday.

A round layer cake on a crystal cake stand on a dining table with crimson striped tablecloth and gold runner. The cake has pink (raspberry) buttercream icing and a thick drip layer of chocolate ganache on the top, which is then completely covered with a beautiful circular mandala-ish design of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, which also run the perimeter of the base of the cake. There are red and blue birthday candles ready to be lit.

060

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

My daughter sent me a photo of the cake from her bestie's 20th birthday party, and

Homemade birthday cake with orange icing, green rosettes around the perimeter, and blue lettering that reads, "Congrats on beating teen pregnancy." This is why our families are friends HA.

070

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

My parents & grandparents LOVED Charlie Harper. His art was all over our house, & these 2 beautiful (autographed! with special included screen prints!) books were mine. With illustrations that haunted and fascinated me. He didn't shy away from the violence inherent in science & nature. #booksky 💙📚

261

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

Was looking at some of my mom's childhood books today, and was newly charmed by Tales Told in Holland, illustrated by the wonderful Maud and Miska Petersham. #booksky 💙📚

Red front cover of the children's storybook Tales Told in Holland. It's a large hardback, cloth cover with a dodecagon in the center, showcasing a beautiful young princess, her blonde hair up, pinned with a red rose. She wears a puffy, ornate black and gold gown with an enormous, stiff Elizabethan lace collar as tall as her head. 2 seeming King Charles Cavalier spaniels peek over her skirts.

Colorful and charming illustrations of scenes of everyday Dutch life adorn the inside cover. My Dutch grandfather lettered my mom's and uncle's names and the year 1942 carefully omto the white aprony skirt-front of one of the women.

The next page offers the book's info: Tales Told in Holland, Edited by Olive Beaupré Miller, Illustrated by Maud & Miska Petersham. Publishers: The Book House for Children, Chicago. (Copyright in 1926)

Two short illustrated children's rhymes on facing pages: "Zacharius and His Sister," and "Jakie Stand Still." The first illustration is children by a canal with a sailboat and a swan in a lovely town, the second, 5 little girls and a boy in a country scene with a farmhouse and windmill in the distance. All the children wear wooden clogs and traditional clothing.

240

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Human in a dog suit insists that morning scritches continue, even if you DO have fresh hot coffee in your hand. #dogsky 💙🐕

Close-up of a giant, wavy blonde golden doodle head looking at the camera over his shoulder with pleading golden-brown eyes and a wet muzzle from snoofling through the dewy morning clover.

070

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

I would often spend weeks in the summer in Louisville with my Nan-Nan, eating pimento cheese sandwiches and playing cards, reading on the cool breezeway floor, listening to her play the parlor organ in the living room, or curled in the corner of the booth as she recorded books for the blind.

Nan and Mom on the front doorstep of their home. Both in cool cotton 1960s bermuda short sets and tennies. Mom's red hair is in a fantastic bouffant. Nan's red hair had already turned its beautiful silver-white.

Nan and Mom pictures outside in the late afternoon bringing the 1960s hairdo realness. They are shaded by a giant magnolia tree not pictured. If you look closely enough, you can see the floral patterns on their cute button-up cotton blouses. Nan looks so much like my cousin Sarah, and Mom looks like my 2nd kid Quill. Eerie.

Somebody call the fire department because mother's red bouffant hairdo is FIRE. A sunglassed Nan's displeasure is somehow apparent even despite her extremely cool black/blue tortoiseshell cat-eye sunnies. I COVET her white knit mock turtleneck, which is patterned with lavender, blue, and green roosters, and has turquoise stripes at the neck and short sleeve hems. Mother is in a navy and green plaid dress, and her bouffant up-do comes together at the back seam with a little swirling curl of hair, as if by magic. Why so glum, ladies?! You look fab!

110

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Thunderstorm Fifi. So silky. Doesn't even feel real. Like sometimes you touch blankets or stuffed animals these days and you're, what is this?! How is this so soft? But she IS. There is no comparison on earth to her angel-floss silkiness.

The silkiest little red cavapoo lies curled on a muddy, threadbare, once pretty pale blue damask comforter, which is thrown into stark relief by her silky, wavy beauty, and precious little black eyes and nose.

040

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

O thank heavens, a thunder storm! No more fireworks! Also not one frillion hellish degrees! Also a little atmosphere around here, it's about time, gah.

020

Beth B is probably reading. @beth4444.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

@natania.bsky.social Hwifar and I are drowning our sorrows today in cappucino and the world's hugest chocolate cherry cheesecake croissant. We do what we must to survive (hate summer, hate July 4th, hate everything, and it's too hot). #booksky

A beautiful foamy cappucino in a black cup, a giant chocolate cherry cheesecake croissant, dusted with powdered sugar in a checkered pattern that matches the cafe table on which it sits, and the excellent novel Queen of Fury by Natania Barron.

Borage café, and market, a beautiful and friendly oasis where I take many of my fictional friends. This is a view of the in-house bakery, coffee bar, and market, with comfy coffee shop seating.

Sit-down end of Borage café, a delicious and charming escape from the horrors. My 2nd bébé Quill is a line cook who's been here since Day 1, a year ago. The staff all calls me Mom. I bring them macarons on the regular.

140

Reposted by Beth B is probably reading.

The Whimsical Muse @whimsicalmuse.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

It's so important to support your local theatre, café, bookstore, bakery, and library. They are little corners of magic in a world full of chaos. Without them, a town loses a piece of its soul. Keeping them around not only saves them, but in many ways, also saves us.

449399