Catherine P
@cath97.bsky.social
Science (chemistry laboratory) by day, crochet by night, easily distracted all the time. Love my dog, my books, my peace and quiet, and my craft projects. "Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship." ~Omar Bradley~ she/her
This is fun. I got a chicken.
I decided to ask the most trustworthy modern oracle -- xkcd's Emojic Magic 8 Ball (xkcd.com/1525/) -- about my upcoming year, and:
Either I am definitely going to have a good year OR I am going to be subject to a volley of 100 rocket attacks.
High variance year is what I'm getting out of this.
Either I am definitely going to have a good year OR I am going to be subject to a volley of 100 rocket attacks.
High variance year is what I'm getting out of this.
January 1, 2026 at 9:34 AM
This is fun. I got a chicken.
Reposted by Catherine P
Just making sure that 2025 is definitely over
January 1, 2026 at 4:43 AM
Just making sure that 2025 is definitely over
Decided I'm going to focus on using my yarn stash in 2026 and not buy anything unless it is needed to complete a project I am currently working on. No more buying for future someday vague ideas!
So I ordered a bunch this month before 2026 started lol. 🙃
So I ordered a bunch this month before 2026 started lol. 🙃
January 1, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Decided I'm going to focus on using my yarn stash in 2026 and not buy anything unless it is needed to complete a project I am currently working on. No more buying for future someday vague ideas!
So I ordered a bunch this month before 2026 started lol. 🙃
So I ordered a bunch this month before 2026 started lol. 🙃
Last work day of the year and then I get a 4 day long weekend. Hopefully there won't be multiple days of ice and freezing rain like over my Christmas break so I can start the new year productively. 🤞
December 31, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Last work day of the year and then I get a 4 day long weekend. Hopefully there won't be multiple days of ice and freezing rain like over my Christmas break so I can start the new year productively. 🤞
The end of the year is always dark and depressing, but before I could hope that the next year might be better.
I don't think that anymore. I just assume each year will be worse than the previous one until I finally keel over. There are far too many awful people.
I don't think that anymore. I just assume each year will be worse than the previous one until I finally keel over. There are far too many awful people.
December 30, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The end of the year is always dark and depressing, but before I could hope that the next year might be better.
I don't think that anymore. I just assume each year will be worse than the previous one until I finally keel over. There are far too many awful people.
I don't think that anymore. I just assume each year will be worse than the previous one until I finally keel over. There are far too many awful people.
Christmas eve and day were nice, but Friday was freezing rain and ice, Saturday everything was icy, and today has been raining all day with MORE ICE. Tonight is supposed to flash freeze and be windy so I fully expect my power to go out during the night.
Glad I was off work but weather is GROSS. 😠
Glad I was off work but weather is GROSS. 😠
December 29, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Christmas eve and day were nice, but Friday was freezing rain and ice, Saturday everything was icy, and today has been raining all day with MORE ICE. Tonight is supposed to flash freeze and be windy so I fully expect my power to go out during the night.
Glad I was off work but weather is GROSS. 😠
Glad I was off work but weather is GROSS. 😠
Tomorrow is a normal work day, not a holiday, but basically everyone except the operator and I think one maintenance guy took it off. Considering that the forecast for tomorrow includes ice and freezing rain I'm glad I don't have anyplace I must be until the weekend.
December 26, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Tomorrow is a normal work day, not a holiday, but basically everyone except the operator and I think one maintenance guy took it off. Considering that the forecast for tomorrow includes ice and freezing rain I'm glad I don't have anyplace I must be until the weekend.
One day even my youngest niece and nephew will be too old to want their aunt to crochet them stuffies for Christmas, but not yet.
The ray was heavily modified from an existing pattern, but the turtle was completely made up on the fly. Both were immediately hugged once free of their boxes. 🎄🙂
The ray was heavily modified from an existing pattern, but the turtle was completely made up on the fly. Both were immediately hugged once free of their boxes. 🎄🙂
December 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
One day even my youngest niece and nephew will be too old to want their aunt to crochet them stuffies for Christmas, but not yet.
The ray was heavily modified from an existing pattern, but the turtle was completely made up on the fly. Both were immediately hugged once free of their boxes. 🎄🙂
The ray was heavily modified from an existing pattern, but the turtle was completely made up on the fly. Both were immediately hugged once free of their boxes. 🎄🙂
Fortunately having a get together at my sister's place with her kids means I do not have to be ready for merriment at dawn. And also I have several extra hours to finish making presents which is good because I just completed the last stitch. 🙂
Now to put in boxes and locate a few cards and done.
Now to put in boxes and locate a few cards and done.
December 25, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Fortunately having a get together at my sister's place with her kids means I do not have to be ready for merriment at dawn. And also I have several extra hours to finish making presents which is good because I just completed the last stitch. 🙂
Now to put in boxes and locate a few cards and done.
Now to put in boxes and locate a few cards and done.
My couch has 3 cushions. My dog is 60 pounds. I am considerably more than that.
Why is she taking up 2.5 cushions and I have the very edge squished next to the arm for myself? 🐕
Why is she taking up 2.5 cushions and I have the very edge squished next to the arm for myself? 🐕
December 24, 2025 at 10:21 PM
My couch has 3 cushions. My dog is 60 pounds. I am considerably more than that.
Why is she taking up 2.5 cushions and I have the very edge squished next to the arm for myself? 🐕
Why is she taking up 2.5 cushions and I have the very edge squished next to the arm for myself? 🐕
Reposted by Catherine P
Thanks for sharing this document, @rweingarten.bsky.social.
I read it, and I believe it's inexcusably inadequate and will not prepare teachers or schools to confront the very real dangers of the "A.i." products pushed by your partners, including OpenAI.
A few thoughts for your consideration...
I read it, and I believe it's inexcusably inadequate and will not prepare teachers or schools to confront the very real dangers of the "A.i." products pushed by your partners, including OpenAI.
A few thoughts for your consideration...
Read about Commonsense Guardrails for Using Advanced Technology in Schools aiinstruction.org/sites/defaul...
aiinstruction.org
December 24, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Thanks for sharing this document, @rweingarten.bsky.social.
I read it, and I believe it's inexcusably inadequate and will not prepare teachers or schools to confront the very real dangers of the "A.i." products pushed by your partners, including OpenAI.
A few thoughts for your consideration...
I read it, and I believe it's inexcusably inadequate and will not prepare teachers or schools to confront the very real dangers of the "A.i." products pushed by your partners, including OpenAI.
A few thoughts for your consideration...
Reposted by Catherine P
Can confirm: Pulled 60 Minutes “Inside CECOT” segment on the El Salvador mega prison housing hundreds of Venezuelan deportees sent by the U.S. is on Global TV’s free app
December 22, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Can confirm: Pulled 60 Minutes “Inside CECOT” segment on the El Salvador mega prison housing hundreds of Venezuelan deportees sent by the U.S. is on Global TV’s free app
Reposted by Catherine P
Now seems like a swell time to point out that Frontline just released this excellent 11-minute mini-documentary about what happened inside CECOT.
Surviving CECOT (full documentary) | Deported to a Maximum-Security Prison | FRONTLINE + ProPublica
YouTube video by FRONTLINE PBS | Official
m.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Now seems like a swell time to point out that Frontline just released this excellent 11-minute mini-documentary about what happened inside CECOT.
I know some of my friends are struggling. This is for you. ❤️
December 21, 2025 at 11:08 PM
I know some of my friends are struggling. This is for you. ❤️
Doesn't mean I won't remind my supervisor every so often that I could give my notice ANY DAY. I *won't*, but I *COULD*. 😄
December 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Doesn't mean I won't remind my supervisor every so often that I could give my notice ANY DAY. I *won't*, but I *COULD*. 😄
Realizing that I could take early retirement any time 2026. That's weird.
A few years ago I would have jumped the second I was eligible and taken a chance at finding another job once I left. But after a certain coworker retired, it's a much more pleasant place to work. Also economy is garbage.
A few years ago I would have jumped the second I was eligible and taken a chance at finding another job once I left. But after a certain coworker retired, it's a much more pleasant place to work. Also economy is garbage.
December 21, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Realizing that I could take early retirement any time 2026. That's weird.
A few years ago I would have jumped the second I was eligible and taken a chance at finding another job once I left. But after a certain coworker retired, it's a much more pleasant place to work. Also economy is garbage.
A few years ago I would have jumped the second I was eligible and taken a chance at finding another job once I left. But after a certain coworker retired, it's a much more pleasant place to work. Also economy is garbage.
Crocheting a couple stuffies for Christmas gifts. My youngest niece and nephew saw some at a stall they liked and took pictures so they could ask me to make ones for them. Of course, I'm just happy they want things from their aunt still. 🙂 Plus I can do a better job because of a couple things...
December 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Crocheting a couple stuffies for Christmas gifts. My youngest niece and nephew saw some at a stall they liked and took pictures so they could ask me to make ones for them. Of course, I'm just happy they want things from their aunt still. 🙂 Plus I can do a better job because of a couple things...
Reposted by Catherine P
Happy solstice folks (winter for me, I can't wait until the daylight is long enough that I'm not commuting both to and from work in the dark.)
December 21, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Happy solstice folks (winter for me, I can't wait until the daylight is long enough that I'm not commuting both to and from work in the dark.)
Reposted by Catherine P
Shop is open 😊
Last minute #sciart gifts? I got you. Express shipping available, and I have my sneakers on to sprint to the post office
artologica.etsy.com
artologica.etsy.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Shop is open 😊
I really don't want to accept that people are so stupid as to think "they typed the same sentence i did, they are thieves" is rational and sensible while they all burn down the planet with each prompt, but the evidence is all over.
December 21, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I really don't want to accept that people are so stupid as to think "they typed the same sentence i did, they are thieves" is rational and sensible while they all burn down the planet with each prompt, but the evidence is all over.
🥹
When my grandmother was 9 years old, she and her family lived in Texas and they were extremely poor. She lived with her mother and stepfather and three sisters. My great-grandmother made all their clothes, and they scrimped on everything so that they had enough to eat.
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 AM
🥹
Because the sun was out for a little bit and the temperature rose to the 20s I put on her fleece hoodie and let her outside into he fresh air more often than yesterday. Now she is snuggled under a blanket and snoozing.
December 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Because the sun was out for a little bit and the temperature rose to the 20s I put on her fleece hoodie and let her outside into he fresh air more often than yesterday. Now she is snuggled under a blanket and snoozing.
Considering how insurance is going, I'm happy that someone i care about had a small stroke last week. With luck all the prescriptions and PT will be complete by the end of the year.
Having to visit the hospital with holidays coming up sucks but better this year than next, I think.
Having to visit the hospital with holidays coming up sucks but better this year than next, I think.
December 14, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Considering how insurance is going, I'm happy that someone i care about had a small stroke last week. With luck all the prescriptions and PT will be complete by the end of the year.
Having to visit the hospital with holidays coming up sucks but better this year than next, I think.
Having to visit the hospital with holidays coming up sucks but better this year than next, I think.
I'm glad my nieces and nephews enjoy shopping, because it makes it easy to give them gift cards for Christmas. Although my youngest nephew asked for a live turtle again, which he has wanted for years. I'm going to try making him a stuffed turtle in the next week at least.
December 14, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I'm glad my nieces and nephews enjoy shopping, because it makes it easy to give them gift cards for Christmas. Although my youngest nephew asked for a live turtle again, which he has wanted for years. I'm going to try making him a stuffed turtle in the next week at least.