iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Almost 24 hours post-surgery. I can feel the incision now and it HURTS! This is my life for the next two weeks. I shouldn't complain -- the broken leg was much worse. But Felix and Fanny are afraid of the brace AND the sling. Sigh.

Woman in pajamas standing in front of mirror with left arm in sling

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

But the bright side of the surgery is that my son took care of me all day, quite cheerfully, and it could not have been clearer that we love each other a lot. Which is really all I've ever wanted with my boys, and it feels spectacular.

Young man sitting in chair in hospital room

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

This is my poor hand after surgery today. Apparently when I fell last November and got a compound fracture in my leg and ankle, I also tore a tendon in my wrist when I tried to stop my fall. I'd better not find any more injuries from that day, because I will just burst into flames. Ouch!

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Iowa is gleefully imposing work requirements for low-income people if they want to keep receiving Medicaid. Our family is now scrambling to survive this mess. One extended family member yesterday: "they're trying to kill homeless people first, then single mothers" hhs.iowa.gov/medicaid/pla...

hhs.iowa.gov

IHAWP Community Engagement Requirements

This page provides information on the proposed work requirements for certain members who receive care through the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP).

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

@seankatz.bsky.social What an adorable puppy! I hope you post a few pictures of him/her in your feed so I can admire them properly! Here are Felix and Fanny. They're littermates and they do everything together. #catsofbluesky

Two black cats curled up close together on a bed looking rather suspiciously at me

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Felix is SO sleepy this morning! He should be begging me for breakfast by now. Also I'm trapped under the blanket. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Black cat stretched out completely on his tummy with front legs fully extended. Sleeping.

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Fanny cuddled with me an epic nap after I got IV meds for my migraine. She's still keeping me company next to my pillow till I actually get up. My little nurse. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Small black cat snoozing in the sunlight on a plaid pillow

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Dan Silverman @dmsilverman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

New study shows that — contra widely accepted narratives — there is NO EVIDENCE that professors change their students’ politics and make them more liberal through their teaching

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I sang the chorus of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" as "Fanny in the Sky with Diamonds" and she turned her head and looked at me patiently every time I sang her name, then looked ahead again through three choruses #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Small glossy black cat sitting on bed in front of rather large black cat curled up behind her

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Felix is NOT helping me deep clean the bathroom. I need to rewrite his contract. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Black cat head sticking out from a blue and white afghan that is tucked snugly all around him.

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Let's match the Seven Sins with the Six Evil Ones and their Master! Trump: Gluttony Roberts: Pride Thomas: Greed Alito: Wrath Kavenaugh: Lust Gorsuch: Envy Barrett: Sloth (feel free to rearrange or illustrate) #sevensins #SCOTUS #game

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

If you're not keeping up with Raygun's T-shirts this summer then YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG! I get compliments and great conversations every single time I wear a Raygun T-shirt in public -- people stop me to find out where I got it. I'm considering carrying their business cards. Seriously. #raygun

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

# of Raygun T-shirts currently in our house: 27

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Fanny REALLY wants to go to this math conference with son 2. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky #math

Small black cat sitting in suitcase trying not to be noticed

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

C'mon, you were only waiting for this moment to arrive

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GOLIKEHELLMACHINE @golikehellmachine.com · 14/06/2026

if a president started an annual county fair day at the white house, i think that would probably be fine, tbh

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Movies Silently @moviessilently.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

This week’s #OliveArtClub prompt is a classic: please make a picture of this apple. Total beginners welcome (everyone is really supportive!), digital or traditional mediums okay, no AI. I took the picture, all humans are free to share or sell their images based on it. Enjoy!

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

So I'm TRAPPED in my bedroom with Fanny and Felix. Why, you ask? Some genius put a restored Steinway grand in the living room of my house AND three people play it on the reg. House footprint is 900 sq ft. Wood floors. Entire house is basically a soundboard. Am losing sanity. #piano #catsofbluesky

Two black cats sitting on bed with light reflecting off their coats.

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Fintan Mallory @fintanmallory.com · 25/05/2026

THE POPE IS QUOTING GANDALF!!!

213. The twentieth-century Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien, in the words of a protagonist in one of his novels, described our responsibility in this way: “It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.”

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Want to have a tiny art project and make friends? Check out THE OLIVE.

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Bad news: I have a fever Good news: Felix and Fanny are keeping me company #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Two black cats curled up asleep on rumpled bed

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Reposted by Cheryl McNeilly

Zach Wahls @zachwahls.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Iowa! Early voting starts today! Head over to your local county auditor’s office to vote early in person. To find information on early voting hours and location in your county visit zachwahls.com/earlyvote

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Reposted by Cheryl McNeilly

poorly drawn cats @poorlycatdraw.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

yeah… i’m all ears (at least i try to be)

a doodle of a kitty behind a table, text above it says “listening and paying attention”

same kitty, with a stretched neck, now the text reads “i didn’t understand a thing you just said”

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

I saved my marriage YET AGAIN by not bringing home the two orange tabby brothers I met at the vet and instead being satisfied with my two void kitty siblings. I didn't even take pix of the tabbies b/c I knew I would have shown them to my husband. We have a two cat limit. Sigh. #catsofbluesky

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

If you're interested in a great live-posting of a judge administering a masterful slap down of a lazy/incompetent attorney trying to justify using generative AI in legal work ... Randy is your guy! Awesome thread.

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Not quite sure how to confess this: I woke this morning to find spearmint chewing gum stuck in Fanny's fur. She was sharing my pillow when I fell asleep. I just might have been chewing gum. Fanny is now gum-free. (scissors were used) #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Pretty black cat snoozing on me and my cardigan sweater

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

The most delightful thread you will read this week (don't skip the alt text)

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Reposted by Cheryl McNeilly

Acid Rain @bearysweet.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Dear Santa 🧑‍🎄, The cats have been affectionate, good bois this year. Please consider giving them a present. Thank you. Respectfully yours, The President of the Earth Felines Union 😻 #cats #goodboi

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Fanny is ignoring me because she DOES NOT LIKE this broken leg situation and finds me boring and clumsy. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Broken leg in foreground, small black cat in background on bed.

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Felix learns I'm turning into a cyborg! (that's the part they fixed. the fibula that my surgeon referred to as "obliterated" they just leave alone) #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

X-ray post-op of a broken right foot with multiple torn ligaments and bone breaks held together with hardware)

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Fanny would say good morning if she wasn't already halfway asleep. It's "first nap" time, which comes after first breakfast. (she's already asleep) #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Small black cat falling asleep on white blanket

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

This is my life now -- me and my broken leg covered with a blanket and Felix asleep in my lap. I was complaining but I've changed my mind and now I'm just bragging. This is my life! And Fanny is snoozing next to me also! Cats are great. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Black cat curled up on lap blanket, broken foot in background

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Reposted by Cheryl McNeilly

Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 28/11/2025

Special thanks to the developers building our decentralized future. Mastodon, Bluesky, Pixelfed, IPFS, Matrix, Solid, and countless other projects advancing open standards and keeping the internet weird, resilient, and truly shaped by its users.

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Fanny's Thanksgiving was excellent as you can see! (all her days are pretty good now that i spend most of them lying on the bed with my broken leg elevated) omg Fanny and Felix are going to be so spoiled #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Little black cat sitting in the curve of my arm with her paws folded neatly and eyes peacefully closed

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Felix is helping heal my broken leg through sleep therapy with extra purring. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Black cat sleeping on blanket covering me except for my broken leg sticking out at top right.

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

I broke my leg and ankle today in a bad fall. Turns out I'm terrible at using crutches, which needs to change soon since I can't put any weight on it for ??? weeks. Felix and Fanny are now just two little fast tripping hazards. They're still inspecting my splint and crutches. #catsky

Swollen right leg wrapped in a temporary splint

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Fanny has the bedtime banana at the ready, and it's time for bed. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

i stayed up too late last night. Fanny got so aggravated that she dragged her bedtime banana (pictured) downstairs while meowing loudly, dropped it next to me, sat down firmly and glared at me. i wrongly thought bedtime banana was only for the bed. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Felix and Fanny do NOT understand why I have not gotten out of bed yet. They're on my stomach. If I don't get up soon they'll drape themselves over my neck and on my pillow. I'd better make some coffee. #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Two black cats perched on blankets and bedspread very close to my face.

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

i love Bluesky because tonight I chatted with delightful cat people and ... saw some beautiful jewelry and art, discovered an online copy of a rare book, made jokes about cybertruck drivers, and made some commentary on sexual harassment in academia all from the comfort of my couch ❤️ #catsky

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

also my feet are a little cold hoping Fanny will wander in and sit on my feet (please admire my incredibly baggy tie-dye PJs if you wish) #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

large black cat sleeping on my pajama'd legs

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Felix is insisting that I stay on the couch which is a problem since at minimum I need more coffee and I really should be sorting through file boxes #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Large black cat sitting between my pajama'd legs on the couch

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Reposted by Cheryl McNeilly

Claire Willett @clairewillett.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

somebody brought this up once in the context of Florida voters in 2000 and it fucked me up so much just the cascading effects on our whole society from losing such a tidal wave of queer people

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Cheryl McNeilly @cherylmcneillyphd.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Ran out of photo storage so posting cat pix has been a challenge! But here's Felix enjoying a sunbath! This is actually Fanny's grey blanket, so she'll come back soon and just lie down on top of him until he moves. Siblings! #catsofbluesky #blackcats #cats #catsky

Black cat sunning himself on rumpled gray blanket.

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