iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 4h

If you are not yet listening to the podcast of authors reading Ursula Le Guin's blog entries, start with this week's episode read by @premeemohamed.com - I especially enjoyed it! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

podcasts.apple.com

Premee Mohamed reads "Petty Expectations"

Podcast Episode · In Your Spare Time: From the Blog of Ursula K. Le Guin · September 30 · 18m

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 28/09/2026

If you are near Harvard Sq Cambridge MA avoid the area near Memorial Hall - Harvard just alerted on a bomb threat. evb.gg/n#lpwqqxrlo6h

evb.gg

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 28/09/2026

Got all 4 napping cats in one shot without getting out of my chair.

4 cats asleep- 3 on a blanket and cushions on a couch, one foreground on a padded stool.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 23/09/2026

I always look to strangers like the best person to ask about the current environment.

A pale-skinned woman standing in the woods. She is wearing a tan ball cap, gray fleece jacket, binoculars, a camera, water bottle, and tick proof gaiters.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 22/09/2026

Good thing I came to @massaudubon.org Wellfleet on Sunday - saw this massive group of Great Egrets, Snow Egrets, and Yellowlegs. Today, one lone Yellowlegs flew in and wondered if he got the party date wrong.

A marsh area with some open water spots. Foreground is crowded with smaller and large white longnecked birds.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 21/09/2026

Hmm - I’m scheduled for a weekend birding event on Star Island off the coast of Maine, but the forecast models are all agreeing there will be a strong nor’easter :-( If I’m lucky they will postpone if the boat can’t go, but if not I will likely cancel myself - boats & I don’t get along at best.

Weather info and wind gust forecast showing 43 mph gusts off Portsmouth NH on Friday 3pm when my boat leaves.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 20/09/2026

Really unexpected lifer today in Wellfleet (Cape Cod): a Crested Caracara, which is supposed to be down the length of South America, maybe as north as Florida. Seen by many. @aba.org is this a MA first?

A slightly blurry bird: white neck, grayish/black body, black top of head, reddish orange face, pale thick curved bill. Standing in marsh grass.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 17/09/2026

Well, that's fun: the customers of my vet's office are getting spear phished. Someone has obtained their customer emails and is sending believably formatted "secure attachments" and "online pharmacy" messages whose headers are not immediately verifiable as fake. They are aware.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 17/09/2026

My BirdWeather PUC bird monitor got a software upgrade that now can monitor for bats overnight - got my first detection! This is an upgrade to my original PUC which was designed for bird detection - they also now sell a bat-specific detector that can better distinguish bat species.

A visual representation of the bat detection: a dark blue chart where the X axis is time and the Y axis is frequency up to about 65 MHz. Sound detections show as light blue marks. persistent sounds at the bottom of the frequency range are various crickets etc. towards the top of the chart are multiple horizontal lines indicating bat squeeks.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 14/09/2026

@catsofyore.bsky.social the responses are too long for me to check if you have already had this sent to you.

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Reposted by Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats)

Tisha Mark @tishamark.com · 13/09/2026

Hey Bluesky! Can you please help me spread the word about this online art auction? Every purchase supports Metro Housing Boston's work to help folks who are facing housing insecurity. View the full collection on Artsy: www.artsy.net/auction/what... #art #painting #TraditionalArt #SciArt

artsy.net

“What Walls Can Hold”: Metro Housing|Boston Benefit Auction 2026 | Artsy

<p>Walls provide more than shelter. They hold memories, create a sense of belonging, and provide a foundation for what comes next. Art does more than...

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 11/09/2026

Yay! It's "solve my property fencing for free" day - back yard abutting house flip contractor wants to replace old crumbling fence, plus learned side neighbors would just as soon remove the rotting driveway dividing fence (that my former owner put up to hide view of a trailer) and will do it!

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 08/09/2026

Yay! Seventh in line for @premeemohamed.com ‘s Wickhills at my library :-)

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 05/09/2026

Browsing CVS after my covid vax I ran across this in the Halloween decorations.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 05/09/2026

Rode my ebike 1.3 miles to Kickstand Cafe to meet up with a group of over 50s who meet 2 Saturdays/mo at cafes near bike paths to socialize. One of the outdoor waitstaff was quite taken with the bike and offered to buy it any time I wanted to sell it! (Storing in my car for easier access)

A yellow bike is folded down so it fits in the hatchback trunk of my blue Prius Prime.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 03/09/2026

Towards my goal to get out more to new places, I just bought an Attending membership for the Sept 2027 Montreal WorldCon, because it's only a 5-hr drive (plus Customs) and assuming USians aren't banned from entering by then, the exchange rate should still be very favorable.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 03/09/2026

@ravenlyn.bsky.social FYI this looks like an interesting account to follow.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 02/09/2026

Wondering how much of a frequency shift this provides/measures? lol (FYI a DOPP kit is so called because of Charles Doppelt, a German leather craftsman who immigrated to Chicago and whose company popularized the leather toiletry case in the early 1900s.)

The bottom half of a toiletries bag, with the description underneath "OGIO - Doppler Kit"

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Reposted by Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats)

Shecky @shecky.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Still no takers. I don't *understand*, and it's killing me. LOOK AT THESE FACES.

Gray cat with small white flash on throat, sitting on bed, looking up.

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Reposted by Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats)

Shecky @shecky.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

ORPHANED CATS NEED FOREVER HOME IN NORTHEAST (PLEASE READ *ENTIRE* THREAD) My wife's childhood friend died Thursday, leaving his two *mildly* special-needs cats. The elder, Wally, is about 13. ABSOLUTELY affectionate cat; GLORIOUSLY dim. His only issue is that he poops in bathtubs if given a chance

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 25/08/2026

Shoot! Y was sure I had ordered @tkingfisher.com 's Daggerbound, out today, but didn't get any notification. When I checked my "preordered" spreadsheet (created to prevent ordering multiple copies of exciting stuff) I realized I ordered "A Devil of a Crime" but not the other - so a release day sale!

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 20/08/2026

@musicologyduck.bsky.social I thinkI found where your bus driver was next employed…

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 14/08/2026

Sometimes I wonder if I am paying enough attention to my work - then my boss mentions an app mail delivery problem we need to look at Monday, I look at the mail daemon error he forwarded and immediately see the problem is the programmers misspelled the email address in question...

static.klipy.com

Alt: Classic meme of a baby looking serious and satisfied holding up a fist, with "YES!" below.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 04/08/2026

don't mind me - I'm just over here going through each app that transferred to my new phone to see which needs to be relogged in, and/or bluetooth re-paired, or has new AI features to try to turn off...

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 02/08/2026

One of the local to me #cat folk I follow on Instagram had a brain aneurysm last Monday. 911 saved her life but she is in Neuro ICU for at least 21 days, then recovery. She’s a self-employed catsitter so no income indefinitely. Please consider donating/sharing www.gofundme.com/f/support-ju...

gofundme.com

Donate to Support Julie’s Recovery After Brain Aneurysm, organized by Julie Nashawaty

Julie is a loving wife, devoted cat mom, and the heart behind Auntie Jul… Julie Nashawaty needs your support for Support Julie’s Recovery After Brain Aneurysm

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 30/07/2026

Glad I decided to wait outside for the dryer delivery - continued annoyance at whoever decided to make [streetname] CT off of [streetname] ST since typing [streetn…] into gps pull up CT first. Running after the truck, handwaving, & yelling “over here!!” required.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 27/07/2026

Well, my v old (came w house in 2015) clothes dryer has been limping along for over a year, but not even spinning enough to dry 2 tees means time to replace. Was thinking to hold off until taxfree weekend 8/8-9, but saving $42 to not deliver until late Aug seems a false economy.

static.klipy.com

Kitty Exercising In The Dryer

Alt: Kitty Exercising In The Dryer gif

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 25/07/2026

@shanahipharpy.bsky.social I think you might enjoy this - especially the brief “quotes” part way through…

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 18/07/2026

The AQI has gone up from 45 to 121 in the time I ate breakfast (& another 5 since starting this skeet) - definitely not going to ArtBeat in Somerville & no way I’d consider actually parading with my brass band! Map shows smoke briefly clearing 7-10pm… when heavy thunderstorms are forecast :-(

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 17/07/2026

I think the need for updated AQI reading by so many may have broken the PurpleAir map.

Message trying to access PurpleAir:
Error: Server Error
The server encountered an error and could not complete your request.
Please try again in 30 seconds

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 15/07/2026

How to tell a headline writer is old - how many people remember that mercury was used in thermometers? Even I, an Old, first read it as referring to the planet (it IS Mercury Retrograde).

Headline: Mental health ca suffer on hot days
Subhead: Growing body of literature shows various disorders, anxiety, stress, substance abuse, hospitalizations rise with mercury. ["rise with mercury" is highlighted]

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 15/07/2026

I'm not always certain what the work airflow is doing since sometimes the humidity isn't dealt with well, but at least this AM when the outside smokey air reading was 45 for 2.5ppm the indoor reading is 14. Yes, I do carry around an air sensor ;-)

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 14/07/2026

Bought myself a birthday cake because I wanted one - half went into the freezer as single slices FFR. Best benefit of the day is I get to cancel upcoming jury duty (not obligated after 70) - I do think it’s a civic duty, but they assign a courthouse far from your address, so annoying commute.

A round cake with beige frosting and coffee beans placed around the perimeter. Dark brown lettering says “Happy 70th Birthday.”

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 11/07/2026

Trying to decide which of my 2 folding bikes in the basement to haul out & have refurbished: 10yo 20” ebike or 19yo 24” 8-speed. Both weigh about the same. Ebike would be easier to get back to riding but shops charge more to work on (if they even will since a dead brand). Other is harder dis/mount.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 08/07/2026

Mercury Retrograde is hitting our hardware extra hard this week...

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 07/07/2026

If you are in need of a cat or two in the MD area:

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 04/07/2026

Guess I don’t need to water stuff this evening. I doubt the Boston Esplanade crowd got to shelter - at least so far no lightning.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 03/07/2026

9:30pm - it might get down to 78/8F by 5am. Gonna try to hit Wegnans between 6-7am while the air is hopefully still breathable.

Phone screenshot showing time is 9:34 (pm) m, the temperature is still 89F and with the dewpoint the RealFeel is 96F.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 30/06/2026

Work has unveiled a new website for calculating one's retirement benefits based on age and current balances. Per it I have sufficient resources to last another 50 yrs, which would put me at 120 yo. Though probably should remove Social Security $ from that calculation given current govt shenanigans.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 27/06/2026

I have been wanting to get one tomato plant but places available weren’t convenient to stop - so am happy that the food pantry was giving them away this morning!

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 24/06/2026

I haven’t attended many live shows since post-lockdown, so prices I’m seeing now don’t encourage me to do so - $50 for a local original play, $190+ for Indigo Girls at a former movie theatre. (Both are thru TicketBastard). Guess I’ll stick w the real local venues ($20 for Burren shows, $35 @ Passim)

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 23/06/2026

When no email is incoming and you can't even load your ISP's server & core status pages it's a good bet they have an outage - but since they don't show up on Down Detector (and my website is still reachable) I called to check - yup.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 20/06/2026

Well, that’s worked out: I sold J’s never-used ebike to a nice lesbian couple. I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle their four $100 bills, but the estimate I just got from the arborist is about an hour’s work @$365/hr and he’d love cash :-)

A young tree growing beside a white house. The branches are touching the roof. Less visible are the wires threading through it. There’s also an overgrown rhododendron bush in the foreground - I was able to chop that back myself.

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Reposted by Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats)

Citizen.Coping @propcazhpm.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

The String Queens "Troubled Liberty / Wade in the Water" 🎶👑🎻

youtu.be

The String Queens - Troubled Liberty (Official Video)

YouTube video by The String Queens

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 19/06/2026

I’m never going to be an “on the stand 30 min away at 6am” birder, but I did get there by 9am and got 2 lifers. I only figured to hear the Rail, but it actually flew low from on side of the path to the other in front of me!

Screenshot of the top of my eBird life list showing #195 Willow Flycatcher and #196 Virginia Rail

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