iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 08/10/2026

Yay! <sarcastic> Trump's tiny bribe has appeared in my wife's account.

Screenshot of a bank account entry showing a deposit of $90 today from Social Security.

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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 · 26/09/2026

I laughed at yesterday’s “high migration alert” for Boston, since as I expected:

Live migration snapshot from 22:30 ET with the New England area circled in green to highlight the total absence of any detections in MA-RI-CT.

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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

Ah - not a first, but only the 7th group of sightings since 1999.

Screenshot from the MA Avian Records site showing accepted sightings in 1999, 2007, 3 different locations in 2015, and 1 in 2020.

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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

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 · 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 · 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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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 · 14/07/2026

When the juror website is functional they are quick!

An email from the Juror Help site:
Badge Number: [redacted]
Dear [redacted]

The Office of Jury Commissioner has now processed your submission requesting a disqualification from juror service for the following reason: Age 70 or older. You have been disqualified from service based on the information you supplied to this office.

You will receive written notification of your disqualification by mail in 7-10 days.

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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 · 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 · 28/06/2026

Does this device need to be portable? If not, you could combine some wifi-only phone device with a bluetooth receiver that has manual controls. Once you logged in on the phone to the app & connected to BT receiver you use the latter to forward/stop/etc. I have this that also powers my old speakers.

Screen shot of a Pyle stereo amplifier with bluetooth and remote.

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

If they are the backs with curls, those collect gunk inside the curls that is difficult to clean without taking off and rubbing something around the inside (like the earring post). I used to soak mine in hydrogen peroxide.

A silver earring back with the ear side down so the 2 curved pieces are facing you.

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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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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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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 18/06/2026

Half an inch of rain in 30 minutes. Good because we are in a drought, but so much at once rolls off before it can sink into the dey soil.

A rain gauge viewed through a water splattered window.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 04/06/2026

For some reason Google thinks this is in Italian...

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 04/06/2026

I looked up in my email - after I signed up last spring they sent a message offering to send it for free - don't know if that's still a thing.

An email addressed to me offering to send a free Garden for Birds sign if I agree to post it in a publicly viewable spot.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 03/06/2026

The front yard robin’s eggs have hatched - right after this a parent arrived with food.

A round nest made of sticks at the intersection of several branches. In it two baby robins have their bills pointed up and open awaiting food.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 03/06/2026

Got the signs up in my front yard native plant beds.

Two signs on a pole in front of two 4 by 4 raised beds in my front yard: ““Cornell lab Bird Spot - This sanctuary offers essential habitat and native plants to support healthy bird populations” and “Native Plants provide food and habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies Learn how to
support biodiversity in your own yard at grownativemass.org”

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 01/06/2026

Attended a fun party this weekend organized by a friend with lots of musician friends. We played 4 pre-chosen cover songs for fun, had a Mexican buffet dinner, then played a music-related game (teams name songs using a specific word). Partial video clip of one song:

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 01/06/2026

Neighborhood red fox decided to chill out in my back yard yesterday.

A Red Fox curled up on the ground on a path mowed through tall grass.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 29/05/2026

Zoe does not approve of harp crescendos, but I told her she was free to go to another room while I watched this celebration of life video for a friend’s husband (who I just learned was born inly a few months before me )

A calico cat sitting on a lap facing away and looking towards a TV screen. Her ears are up and listening critically.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 20/05/2026

This is a cat checkpoint: show the most recent cat photo on your phone. *BOOP* you’re it

A gray shorthaired tabby stretched out between two human jeans=clad legs. his left paw is forward, holding onto a black stick which is part of a cat toy.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 19/05/2026

I think it’s safe to say the overnight high migration has dumped one or more Tennessee warblers on my yard

Screenshot from Birdweather PUC app showing 645 detections today of Tennessee Warbler song.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 13/05/2026

After following @maryrobinettekowal.com 's cat Elsie & their friend Flounder I finally bit the bullet for some @fluentpet.bsky.social buttons for a great price (plus RC gift cards) from Chewy. I'm hoping Zoe at least will be interested.

A calico and white cat stretched out asleep on a lap.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 12/05/2026

Someone has claimed a home in the front yard cherry tree. #birds

A round nest about a foot tall, made out of twigs and a few shiny bits, sitting in the intersection of 3 thick and one medium branches.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 07/05/2026

A warbler-ful morning in my backyard (stats from my Birdweather PUC detector)

partial screenshot of the Birdweather app report for my PUC:
Detected Species

Black-and-white Wa...
7 May 2026 at 12:59:47 PM
205 Detections

Nashville Warbler
7 May 2026 at 9:06:58 AM
92 Detections

Cape May Warbler
7 May 2026 at 9:14:01 AM
3 Detections

Bay-breasted Warbler
7 May 2026 at 9:59:07 AM
2 Detections

Tennessee Warbler
7 May 2026 at 8:55:47 AM
1 Detections

Warbling Vireo
7 May 2026 at 10:27:18 AM
1 Detections

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 04/05/2026

One of the MN birding trip guides does such a good barred owl imitation that a real one came to check him out.

A bunch of leafy branches. Between two trunks behind leaves is a blurry barred owl.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 02/05/2026

I just spent the week in se minnesota birding - still kinda early. Our group had 89 confirmed species tons of butter-butts & blue gray gnatcatchers. At least I got 9 lifers!

A yellow-headed blackbird sitting on dry reeds in a marsh.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 30/04/2026

Seven #lifers so far this week on my Minnesota trip:

Ebird.org my life list showing this trip’s new lifers so far:

191. American Kestrel
View All
29 Apr 2026
W29078 WIS-35, Trempealeau US-WI 44.06999,
-91.53069 | US-WI
190. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
View All
29 Apr 2026
Perrot State Park, Trempealeau US-WI 44.02345,
-91.48575 | US-WI
189. Yellow-headed Blackbird
View All
28 Apr 2026
9 Whitewater WMA (Wabasha Co.) | US-MN
188. Broad-winged Hawk
View All
28 Apr 2026
Whitewater WMA (Wabasha Co.) | US-MN
187. American White Pelican
View All
28 Apr 2026
Whitewater WMA (Wabasha Co.) | US-MN
186. Sandhill Crane
View All
28 Apr 2026
Whitewater WMA (Wabasha Co.) | US-MN
185. Blue-winged Teal
View All
# 27 Apr 2026
• Frontenac-Co. Rd 2 West | US-MN

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 26/04/2026

Hoping I can lift the 20-lb carryon into the overhead bin.

A gray backpack with a gray fleece draped over. Behind there is the extended handle of a rolling suitcase with a bag over the handle. A soft water bottle hangs off.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 17/04/2026

Nice thing: twice this week I've been approached by passers-by as I entered/left my car in the driveway to say how much joy our blossoming cherry tree gives them - got it as an Arnold Arboretum member perk ~10 yrs ago.

A tree covered in pink blossoms next to a sidewalk and a blue car.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 09/04/2026

After 8-10 trips hauling soil in 5-gal buckets from a bed someone is removing to my new raised beds I decided today to take advantage of a sale that will deliver 7 1cu-ft bags directly to my house for $40 & end my bucket lugging so I can start planting.

Two 4 foot square 7 inch high wood frames on the ground, partly filled with soil, leaves, and sticks.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 02/04/2026

Randomly decided to watch the Artemis launch. And I am not the only person with Challenger PTS…

Screenshot showing the number 1 trending topic currently is “Challenger Trauma”.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 26/03/2026

(exclamation, not question) Why is it whenever I follow a B&N link I alsways get a crap text page with a link to download Internet Explorer?!?

Screenshot from the B&N landing page when following a link. It says "Uh-oh, it looks like your Internet Explorer is out of date. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now (link to Microsoft IE download, which is probably broken or redirects to Edge)" - I am using Chrome.

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Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 17/03/2026

Restarting the front yard garden after it had turned to mostly weeds interspersed with milkweed (which was good). Last spring it took 8 bags to fill one 4-ft sq in back but someone is deconstructing a deep raised bed full of good soil. Got 3 buckets tonight - gonna take many more trips, but free!

A pair of 6 inch high 4 foot square wood frames on mostly bare ground next to a paved driveway.

The same two four foot square wood frames now very partially filled with dark soil. There are strips of rug under the frames as weed block.

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