Betty Widerski (aka Betty4Cats)
@bettywiderski.com
Rock violist in band GingerIbex.bandcamp.com
40+ years in IT
Trumpet mentor in SchoolofHonk.org
She/her, cis lesbian
Owned by 4 cats
40+ years in IT
Trumpet mentor in SchoolofHonk.org
She/her, cis lesbian
Owned by 4 cats
I was getting hung up on trying to sort out my wife’s bedroom (despite knowing logically she won’t ever need many of the clothes), so instead I started tackling her spice rack - most of which had expired 2020 abd before - newest expired 2023. Penzey’s has a gift card deal this weekend to start over.
January 17, 2026 at 4:24 PM
I was getting hung up on trying to sort out my wife’s bedroom (despite knowing logically she won’t ever need many of the clothes), so instead I started tackling her spice rack - most of which had expired 2020 abd before - newest expired 2023. Penzey’s has a gift card deal this weekend to start over.
Cats are ensuring I take it easy after platelet/plasma donation.
January 11, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Cats are ensuring I take it easy after platelet/plasma donation.
My cat is getting texts now, for a Rx of the drug I decided against taking for osteoporosis - she's getting it to lower the calcium in her blood. And Wegmans had the best GoodRx price.
January 9, 2026 at 7:05 PM
My cat is getting texts now, for a Rx of the drug I decided against taking for osteoporosis - she's getting it to lower the calcium in her blood. And Wegmans had the best GoodRx price.
We considered our present 4 stairs nothing compared to our previous house!
January 7, 2026 at 1:44 AM
We considered our present 4 stairs nothing compared to our previous house!
Yeah - this was really a kludge:
January 6, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Yeah - this was really a kludge:
I'm trying winter sowing this year: put various native seeds in translucent jugs outdoors in sunlight with top open, let them get rained/snowed on, eventually they are supposed to sprout.
January 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM
I'm trying winter sowing this year: put various native seeds in translucent jugs outdoors in sunlight with top open, let them get rained/snowed on, eventually they are supposed to sprout.
Either this year will be really good or I won’t need to mow.
January 1, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Either this year will be really good or I won’t need to mow.
The good news is I’m getting $480 refund from the vet. The bad news is it’s to make up for needing to do a THIRD fasting blood draw on Zoe bc their lab partner has again mishandled the Hypercalcemia of Malignancy panel processing (1st one skipped test, 2nd delayed sending the sample too long).
December 31, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The good news is I’m getting $480 refund from the vet. The bad news is it’s to make up for needing to do a THIRD fasting blood draw on Zoe bc their lab partner has again mishandled the Hypercalcemia of Malignancy panel processing (1st one skipped test, 2nd delayed sending the sample too long).
We’ll see how long this lasts before my legs fall asleep.
December 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
We’ll see how long this lasts before my legs fall asleep.
Did my first successful platelet donation yesterday. The phlebotomists at the new Bedford MA Red Cross managed to work with my “tiny” veins - earlier attempt in Boston failed bc they poked and just said “no good veins.”
December 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Did my first successful platelet donation yesterday. The phlebotomists at the new Bedford MA Red Cross managed to work with my “tiny” veins - earlier attempt in Boston failed bc they poked and just said “no good veins.”
And after the vet, recovering in an emotional support cardboard box.
December 27, 2025 at 4:07 AM
And after the vet, recovering in an emotional support cardboard box.
Early for Casey’s annual vet appointment. It only took 15 of the 30 minutes I had allocated to corral him, though I need to move my bed back into place afterwards.
December 26, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Early for Casey’s annual vet appointment. It only took 15 of the 30 minutes I had allocated to corral him, though I need to move my bed back into place afterwards.
It’s only been a few months since Babushka, adopted ~8 yrs ago at <1 yr old, has approached me for pets and now comes to my lap. All on her own terms - I can’t pet her in any other location!
December 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
It’s only been a few months since Babushka, adopted ~8 yrs ago at <1 yr old, has approached me for pets and now comes to my lap. All on her own terms - I can’t pet her in any other location!
Decided to try winter sowing for native plant seeds: plant in transparent containers with drainage in damp soil, put them outside where they get sun, snow, rain to give the seeds that require cold to germinate the right conditions. Wild strawberries, mountain mint, random yard plants.
December 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Decided to try winter sowing for native plant seeds: plant in transparent containers with drainage in damp soil, put them outside where they get sun, snow, rain to give the seeds that require cold to germinate the right conditions. Wild strawberries, mountain mint, random yard plants.
Got the remaining Folio Society books pending buyers into labelled boxes except for the two oversized ones. Box 6 has some space for any further FS books I encounter as I eventually go through the multiple bookcases and piles that aren’t as easily categorized.
December 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Got the remaining Folio Society books pending buyers into labelled boxes except for the two oversized ones. Box 6 has some space for any further FS books I encounter as I eventually go through the multiple bookcases and piles that aren’t as easily categorized.
Zoe wonders why the crunchie bowl has disappeared. It’s because the lab screwed up her blood tests so she’s fasting again before another draw today.
December 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Zoe wonders why the crunchie bowl has disappeared. It’s because the lab screwed up her blood tests so she’s fasting again before another draw today.
Today’s #graciesicecream Advent calendar flavor is especially pretty.
December 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Today’s #graciesicecream Advent calendar flavor is especially pretty.
In very important cat news: Babushka who has for years been semi feral (indoors) and only in recent months has started to request pets is right now sitting fully on my lap! She might fall asleep except I need to move one of the crossed legs soon (oh good! She just got off herself)
December 15, 2025 at 2:40 AM
In very important cat news: Babushka who has for years been semi feral (indoors) and only in recent months has started to request pets is right now sitting fully on my lap! She might fall asleep except I need to move one of the crossed legs soon (oh good! She just got off herself)
When apps don’t share information.
December 11, 2025 at 1:02 AM
When apps don’t share information.
Giving myself a gold star today for actually using 1 of the 2 sweet potatoes bought several weeks ago before it went bad (with thanks that the uninsulated mud room works as a root cellar in colder seasons.)
December 7, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Giving myself a gold star today for actually using 1 of the 2 sweet potatoes bought several weeks ago before it went bad (with thanks that the uninsulated mud room works as a root cellar in colder seasons.)
Given the current economy (esp. food & utility prices 'way up) I can't complain the 2026 rate for my wife's memory care residence is up 8.6% - but that's another $1K/mo so I'm going thru my Patreon & other monthly optional costs to cut as much as possible (cute Zoe just cost $1K for tests).
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Given the current economy (esp. food & utility prices 'way up) I can't complain the 2026 rate for my wife's memory care residence is up 8.6% - but that's another $1K/mo so I'm going thru my Patreon & other monthly optional costs to cut as much as possible (cute Zoe just cost $1K for tests).
I've got to admire the tenacity of these folks - I bought one beret from them in the early 2000s so once a year in December they send me a flyer, even unilaterally updating my address when I moved in 2015.
December 2, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I've got to admire the tenacity of these folks - I bought one beret from them in the early 2000s so once a year in December they send me a flyer, even unilaterally updating my address when I moved in 2015.
Taking an AWS course - wondering for how much longer this metaphor will be understood.
November 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Taking an AWS course - wondering for how much longer this metaphor will be understood.
Reskeet with a time you looked cool
November 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reskeet with a time you looked cool