iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

My OCIA workbook is making me hate the Bible for the first time in my life. Seriously. First time. I was literally summoning demons and loved the Bible while I did it. But that workbook? It's changing everything. Or this week's section had that effect. I hope it gets better.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Went in to image/treat my cervical spine instability. Doctor went, "We don't do that imaging, get a lying-down MRI instead." This is like discerning whether snow exists by measuring snowfall in summer. I thought I'd need to cancel. But good news! My insurance denied it. Huzzah!

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This was 90% of the reason I started going to church. 'Let's all be unique snowflakes' is ideological capture that demeans collectivism and collaboration in favor of everyone being alone and powerless. No crowd is perfect. But big ones are powerful.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Just read about the Sign of the Cross in this book. It is straight-up magick, a wholly typical invocation performed for guidance, strength, and conformity to God's will. I knew priests did magick in the Eucharist, but nobody told me parishioners routinely do ritual invocations.

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass by Edward Sri.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I've always loved popes. I loved Benedict, I loved Francis, I love Leo. As long as I've been paying attention, they've been golden. And I know that's odd; few love all three of these people. But my encyclical binging of late has taught me why I love them: they're Catholic.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Despite my years spent protesting the fact, I do, in truth, have a favorite song. And given the heavy hand it's had in my personal history, it will probably always be my favorite. The type of favorite that holds you, shapes you, guides you, and reminds you of who you will always be.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Having one of those days where painless wounds bleed everywhere and I have to keep looking to see whether the irrelevant-to-me injury is still making a mess. I knew I wasn't doing well mentally. But I hadn't realized I was dissociating. That's one way to find out.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Healthcare forms sometimes ask "Do you exercise?" And I say no. Because I can't exercise in any real way. But I do engage in physical therapy. I do it at home even when I'm not attending PT appointments. Am suddenly wondering if you're supposed to include PT for that question.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Pretty sure my Chihuahua hears, "You're obnoxious," as, "Awww! So cute! I love when you do that!"

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Stumbled upon an encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI that addresses the fear of eternal life. I've only seen religious people discuss the obvious desirability of Heaven before. As if that's universal. Which always left me feeling alienated. But here it is, discussed.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Have had three medical appointments per week for weeks now. I cannot read nonverbal communication in real time. So I never know if providers care and believe me or are quietly diagnosing me as a hysterical hypochondriac. Result? One panic attack after another once I'm home.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In a babytalk voice, "That's just the skin of your ear; I don't need to cut that off."

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

"Only half of my face is swollen now! I don't even know if the swelling's visible on me, but it feels better when it's less puffy." "It's not visible. Your face weight changes a lot anyway." ... "That's the swelling."

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Kashana @kashana.blacksky.app · 20/09/2026

Americans: oh, look, a systemic issue. I will solve it individually

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Waking up before dawn had a significant positive impact on my mood despite my only getting four or five hours of sleep. Who knew sunlight was important?

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I definitely comment more and ask more questions than the rest of my OCIA class. Which isn't shocking, what with the being-a-Johnnie thing. There was a time that would embarrass me. But at this point, I'd rather dispel all doubt about my being a fool than sit in silence.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

My son is super into politics. He used to ask me what was happening; I would look into things and then share. Now, however? He looks into it and tells me. This is the best system to keep up with the news I've ever had.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

They called to tell me they changed the procedure for medical transport. I burst into tears and stuttered about having to call them back. I don't even remember what's different, what I need to do. I was too distressed to process the conversation. My nervous system is frustrating.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Social security psychiatric evaluation had me say what pairs of words had in common. I always began, or attempted to begin, with linguistic similarities. Sounds. Letters. Lengths of words. Syllables present. This is the first thing I see in any spoken notion.

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pmamtraveller.bsky.social @pmamtraveller.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

‘Queen Of the Night’ by Marjorie Miller 1931

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I found my missing bra! It was sitting on top of my Machiavelli.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Do different religions have distinct failure modes or does each religion tend to attract/retain specific sorts of people who are naturally inclined towards those types of failures?

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Got new toothpaste for our dogs. Did the Chihuahua first. Noticed her actively licking it instead of trying to pull away. Then I went to our Shih Tzu, and she came over and tried to lick his toothpaste away for herself. She was the difficult one. I am excited.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Wellbutrin dropped my resting blood pressure by 30 points when it knocked out my baseline anxiety. I still get spikes that seem to go as high as before. But my blood pressure outside of those spikes is no longer high. And all thanks to a drug known to raise blood pressure!

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Accidentally spilled a new perfume sample on my finger and keep sniffing it compulsively.

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Miaganga @miaganga.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

🙏🕯️💙🌸🌹

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Like most longhairs, my hair is almost never down. But this past washday, my partner caught me with it down, snapped a photo, and proceeded to send it to all his friends. I like my hair. But the shot is terrible.

A photo of me hunched over my kitchen counter with damp hair in a super frumpy super comfy purple sweater I bought when I was a hundred pounds heavier. The hair is medium brown, wavy with curly ends, and reaches my knees.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Just learned that I've felt ashamed of my hips for 30 years because I'm an X-hourglass and off-the-rack pants aren't usually made for us. I thought my hips were too low, too wide. Evidently, I'm just unprofitably uncommon. I hope this is the last of the dumb-shame lurking in me.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Squeezing squishy toys at the grocery store to self-regulate.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Drastically cut down on caffeine the past few months on doctor's advice. Result? Intended biometric change didn't occur, but I suddenly struggled to sleep. Mental health crashed and burned. Last night, tried tea at bedtime. Slept exceptionally well for the first time in months.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Watching a priest equate Lindsay Clancy's actions to 'liberal women' who get abortions. He says they hear a voice telling them killing unborn babies is good. Share of women who get abortions (source in comment): Independents: 15% Democrats: 14% Republicans: 12% Pro-lifers: 10%

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Pull my shoulders out of socket and require a doctor's visit to make sure no connective tissue has been significantly damaged? That's what it would do for my body. If the article says something else, it lies.

An image of a woman hanging from a bar above text that reads, "What Hanging From a Bar for 30 Seconds Can Do for Your Body". Beneath the headline is Time Magazine's red T with the word 'Time' beside it.

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Reposted by Melinda Gwin

Brandy Bryant 🏳️‍⚧️ @inkmasterbator.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

At the rate our food is being recalled under this regime in the US, the only thing left that'll be safe to eat is the rich!

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Reposted by Melinda Gwin

Kendra, spooky version @kendrawcandraw.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Tim Curry and Dolly Parton have taught us not only that you should be bigger, weirder, gayer, and freakier, but also that those qualities are what people will love about you. The things that make you strange and amazing are the things that will resonate with other strange and amazing people

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Two people folding into each other creating one coherent figure of lines and curves alike. An infinity symbol is even buried within the form, probably incidentally, but conveying unending love regardless.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

*laces corset closed* "Ah! I can breathe again!"

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pmamtraveller.bsky.social @pmamtraveller.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

The Sandman, 1966 by Salvador Dalí

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

It's ironic and terrible that exacerbating my cervical instability by going to my orthopedist means I now need to schedule another long car trip that will further destabilize my neck to see my spine doctor. EDS sucks, man.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Took a double-dose of my muscle relaxer like they prescribed that time I presented to the ER with this symptom cluster. No longer feel like I'm choking on my own throat. Good, good.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Injured my spine going to the doctor today (this is normal when I'm upright more than 3+ hours). Started seeing faint stars constantly. Said I couldn't do a physical task at home. Started doing it anyway. Saw the stars grow/multiply when I bent over, stopped. Wonder what that is.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

When I lost a bra in a dissociative fugue, I assumed I'd find it in the laundry or in one of two dresser drawers. Did laundry. Searched the drawers. It's not in any of them. Did I go streetwalking and lose it at a stranger's house or something?

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Gary Buckley @garybuckley.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

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Nothings Monstered @nothingsmonstrd.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Dancing Skeletons — Kawanabe Kyōsai, ca. 1880 Painted silk 136 x 66 cm www.britishmuseum.org/collection/o...

Description from the British Museum:
"Painting, hanging scroll. Skeletons dancing; one skeleton seated on grave marker and playing shamisen beneath torn paper lantern; other skeletons, some with bamboo swords at their sides, others with towels bound around their foreheads, enjoying music and dancing. Ink and colour on silk. Signed and sealed."

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Ultimately, my being torn between Catholicism and Thelema was down to confusion about whether I loved or hated myself.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I respect all life--plant life, animal life, all of it. But I also know that life is a cycle, a cycle where life feeds life. I respect and accept that. Part of accepting that is putting freshly harmed flora and fauna in my food. I am conscious of and grateful for every sacrifice.

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the Asylum Art @yvesbroeckx.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I W H E R E F I R E M E E T S S I L E N C E I A landscape of endings and beginnings, where light rises through the ruins and even the darkest horizon holds the promise of renewal. #AbstractArt #ContemporaryArt #Impressionism #LandscapeArt #ArtOfTheDay #FineArt #SunsetArt #EmotionalArt

$— The Asylum Art — A dreamlike landscape suspended between destruction and renewal. The burning amber sky, fractured trees, and reflective water create a quiet tension between darkness and light, the sun becoming a symbol of hope emerging from the ashes. Art copyright ©Yves Broeckx This is digitally created art concept and execution by Yves$

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Outside smells like petrichor and mature, deep green summer foliage tonight.

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Nothings Monstered @nothingsmonstrd.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Tsam dancer, Mongolia — Jatenipat JKboy Ketpradit www.jatenipatketpradit.com/gallery

Color photograph of a Mongolian man in an elaborate costume that I find it a struggle to describe.
Tsam dance is a religious ritual in Mongolian Buddhism.

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Melinda Gwin @gwinsome.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Our Chihuahua has figured out that if she uses the full length of the hall and living room to reach top running velocity, she can open the door into the bedroom even when it's properly latched. Sometimes it takes her a few tries. But she'll get in.

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