iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 12h

Argh - tried to send my flu vax info to my PCP for my medical records. But CVS puts everything in your online account now, and some UI designer didn't think to put the patient's name on the same page as the vax type details, only on the summary page for all dates, so hard to make a legit copy.

000

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 12h

<Sigh> so monthly LTC insurance payment was slightly delayed because they were confused by the Oct invoice I sent (per their prior instructions) plus the Sep invoice & confinement cert (proof she was there all month) from the facility. Thus I should NOT send invoices myself (until they change again)

000

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 04/10/2026

The work restroom tampon dispenser had what appeared a metal flanged turning knob, but as plastic it cracked off, slicing my finger. Not only required stitches but I had to submit a report about it to HR for workman’s comp.

020

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 04/10/2026

Is the piano top open or closed? If open, the soloist might not want to have so much sound coming right at their ears, plus it might impede the pianist from hearing the soloist. Now if the top is half stick and soloist in front of the crook by 5’ or so, that could work.

010

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 03/10/2026

Hmm - all my recent High alerts haven’t panned out, but last night was high with no alert.

010

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 02/10/2026

Was the weight loss relatively significant? I had to do the pricy ionized calcium test, which came back Idiopathic (not malignacy caused) so she now gets weekly Fosamax, and $250 levels tests every few months.

110

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 02/10/2026

@ravenlyn.bsky.social thought you'd appreciate this passing mention - I know nothing else about this comic.

120

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 02/10/2026

Question: is the fogging less if you plug the valves, or only when they are open to expell breath?

100

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 02/10/2026

I start closing off some avenues of escape (the basement) the night before so they are only annoyed, not alarmed, in the morning. But for some of them I still need to get them out from under places by running the vacuum. Good luck!

110

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 01/10/2026

Seemed only fair since I got the book for free :-)

010

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 01/10/2026

Drove by the fire site this morning, and it appears that my good restaurant may have been spared. The block is made up of two mixed-use building sharing a wall and only the other one had boarded up windows. Will check their site/call to confirm later.

110

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 01/10/2026

! read the ARC. I don't use Goodreads but left a review on StoryGraph - not sure if that's helpful?

100

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 30/09/2026

That’s not good - my favorite Indian restaurant is in that building :-(

200

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 30/09/2026

Already envisioning a Cats of Yore fundraising calendar!

080

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 30/09/2026

Took some finagling (Couldn't get the Venmo QR code to work so looked you up manually) but I just got some free $ from some Oracle settlement so sharing.

2260

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 30/09/2026

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

1113

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 29/09/2026

Yay kittens! Boo poorly-constructed bodies :-(

0141

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 29/09/2026

I hear you - when I suddenly had to figure out how to pay for my wife's memory care, before the LTC insurance waiting period ended it was very tricky. I took advantage of the town food pantry and community fridges to make sure I ate.

010

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

Latest text at 11:05: “Harvard Alert Memorial Hall and Memorial Church to remain closed until further notice. More information to follow.”

100

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

Note the detectors have an expiration date on the back. Also, good to replace before that date if you don’t want to be awakened at 3am when it decides to start beeping to say it’s necessary. Ask me how I know…

020

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

Shelter in place has been lifted but still avoid Memorial Hall/Science Center Plaza evb.gg/n#le3mm5amo6h

evb.gg

100

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

122

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.

041

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 26/09/2026

Don’t know yours, but I was upset recently to discover my favorite Cookietime Bakery cookie version (white chocolate tuxedo) is discontinued after ~20 yrs!

100

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.

010

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.

000

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

All it needs is an Icelandic elf interlude and it could be nominated for a Hugo Best Related Work.

040

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

I feel your pain. I have 90% fewer birds in my yard all summer due to a gut renovation on adjoining property. The Birdweather PUC keeps id’ing power tools as owls etc.

010

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

You might not need separate pedals with the right amp. My Fishman Loudbox Mini has controllable reverb & chorus built in, and is pretty lightweight. fishman.com/dp/loudbox-m...

fishman.com

Fishman Loudbox Mini

The perfect singer/songwriter’s acoustic amp, with plenty of volume for moderate-volume gigs or band rehearsal.

110

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

Hopefully there is a barn! My scheduled birding conference in the Isles of Shoals was cancelled due to the boat company smartly canceling all trips.

110

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

And have learned the boat company is smart and has cancelled all weekend trips, so at least I get a refund.

130

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

Oy - I think I should bail on my trip, then! Even in calm weather my stomach is not happy on boats.

140

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

I await your details. I am supposed to take a boat from Portsmouth to the isles of shoals Fri afternoon and return Sun afternoon - even if the trip can go on Fri I don’t want to be stuck there on Sun.

120

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.

010

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

This one has been hanging out in the same area since sometime in August per reports. I am vacationing and heard about it from staff at the nearby MA Audubon sanctuary.

010

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.

000

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

Thanks for sharing - just turned off auto install and complained to Apple.

030

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.

020

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

Looking at the ABA rare bird alerts there’s been “a huge influx” since August in Eastern Canada and northeastern US.

010

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.

6356

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 19/09/2026

Right, from 2016. But they aren’t going to make a portable one to drive around if he gets like Mitch.

000

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 19/09/2026

This - and don’t be afraid to use your local food pantry. Despite a well paid job, my finances got tight due to spouse medical issues and the free beans/eggs/pb/etc helped until the LTC insurance $ started. Also check for community refrigerators.

140

Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats) @bettywiderski.com · 19/09/2026

If he was on better terms with The Mouse there would be an animatronic waiting in the wings

110