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rowergirl.bsky.social
RowerGirl
@rowergirl.bsky.social
1.5K followers 970 following 870 posts
Voter, rower, cat lady. Knitter, baker, chocolate maker. Smarty pants, Oxford comma enthusiast, and all-around pain in the ass. 🦄

Don’t sleep on the Alt text 😉
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rowergirl.bsky.social
Since it is apparently cable week for #showmeyourknits 🧶I present a baby blanket I knitted for a friend several years ago. Not a great picture but it was a nice pattern.
#knitsky #knitting
November 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Post-Halloween hangover for our first #Caturday of November. I briefly got to pet not one but TWO kitty bellies at the same time!
#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
#AltText
Trixie, a fuzzy tortoiseshell cat, and Freddie, a short-hair black and white tuxedo cat, are lazily lying on a bed about a foot away from each other. They are both on their sides facing each other with their bellies exposed, as if to invite a gentle belly rub, which they did then receive. A perfectly tranquil start to the day. ❤️ Of course, shortly after this Trixie felt the need to rouse herself to go over and groom Fred, which he hates. Shoving ensued and Fred ended up jumping off the bed to avoid the onslaught. Oh well. 🤷‍♀️
November 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Free balls for members of Congress that have lost theirs. Harder to see but glued into the white space are various sizes and colors of pompoms.
Sign that reads "Free balls for members of Congress that have lost theirs." In the free space on the sign are various sizes and colors of pompoms.
October 18, 2025 at 8:27 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
#NoKings in my neck of the woods. Definitely seemed larger than last time, which was ~10K.

Democracy is worth standing up for! Hope you had a great turnout at yours!!
Picture of a No Kings rally. People are holding signs. And there is a large bird puppet being worn by someone. Picture of a No Kings rally with people holding homemade signs. Two people in inflatable unicorn costumes are centered in the shot.
October 18, 2025 at 7:21 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
I have one of these… Cats, man 🤷‍♀️

#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
#AltText
A black and white tuxedo cat is sitting? laying on? perched atop? a tall round scratching post. In actual fact, his belly is laying across the small round top and his long legs are kind of dangling down. He is looking at the camera as if to say, “what…??” Doesn’t look comfortable to me, but you do you Freddy. You do you.
October 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
I would like to add the Chattering Kittybutt. Always has something to say as she is sauntering right in front of you trying to trip you. 😼

Exhibit A 👇
I present a prime example of a Chattering Kittybutt. Trixie, a medium-haired tortoiseshell cat, is sitting deceptively quietly on a black ottoman looking at the camera. She has black and orange mottled fur but there is an orange stripe down her nose and the left half of her chin and neck are more orange and the right side are more black, showing her dual coloration. While in this picture she is looking regal, she is waiting for me to get off the couch, whereupon she will jump down and start to walk in right in front of me telling me everything that she would like (treats), please and thank you. Her kitty butt will be in full view as she tries to trip me toward the treat cabinet. Like I said, Chattering Kittybutt.
September 16, 2025 at 3:35 AM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Poem of the day
A poem entitled “Grit” Grit Though the world rolls and tilts I hang on Though evil seems poised to win I hang on Though life isn't fair I hang on Though help is not coming I hang on Though my nails are bloodied I hang on Though panic sets in I hang on Though there is no one to see me cry I hang on I hang on I hang on I hang on Because I refuse to comply I hang on Because they will not define me I hang on Because others need help I hang on Because beauty remains I hang on Because being good is enough I hang on Because hope is free I hang on Because my story is still being written I hang on I hang on.
August 23, 2025 at 11:01 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Happy #TuxieTueaday to this brave guy who has had to endure a couple days of LOUD NOISES as we’ve taken down and trimmed trees. While I have worked, he’s taken shelter at my feet for protection.
#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
#AltText
A brave black and white tuxedo cat lies on his side on a red and yellow patterned rug in between chair legs and beside a foot in a Birkenstock sandal. Freddy, whom I have raised from a kitten, has never had anything to worry about, yet he is a cat who worries. As a kitten he would run under the couch terrified when I sneezed. He’s better about that now. But I still apologize when it happens. Unknown noises though are still quite anxiety producing. But he is braver. There was a time when he’d be hiding in the basement. Progress…
July 29, 2025 at 1:04 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
This #Caturday Trixie would like to remind everyone that in these times of strife, sometimes you just gotta let it all hang out there and get in some good trouble. But Freddy says that once you’re done, it’s ok to retreat for a little while to power back up for later.
#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
#AltText
A fuzzy tortoiseshell cat is laying on white sheets. She is on her back with her belly exposed. It is a metaphor for being vulnerable and putting yourself out there when you don’t know what the outcomes could be in uncertain times. We all have to contribute something if we want this shit to get better. Attend the town halls, call your Sens/Reps, go to the rallies, speak with your wallet, volunteer/donate to help vulnerable populations, push back on people who spread hate and misinformation. Big and small, it all counts.✊🏼 …But with Trixie this is also a literal invitation/plea for some belly rubs, which she actually loves. 😻 A black and white tuxedo cat is laying on a fabric covered ottoman. He is in his side and covering his kitty face with a paw. He is demonstrating that we all need some recovery time after fighting for democracy and justice. Watching all the BS in real time and taking actions large and small makes it often feel like we’re operating at 1% battery. Remember to be good to yourself. And do those things that feed you and help you take breaks so that you don’t become desensitized or apathetic to the chaos. We need everyone in the fight.
July 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Well attended #NoKings rally in my neck of the woods.

I really hope many of you are attending something today, whether it be large or small. Everything counts.
Picture of a woman holding a sign that reads “Trump or Morality. Pick one.” She is surrounded by a crowd of people at the protest rally. Crowd scene at a protest rally with people holding various signs. Also there are a number of people holding American flags. A couple of Palestinian flags too. The is also someone holding up and Energy Star flag for some reason? Maybe there is something on the front of it? I don’t know lol A couple signs: One says “Hands Off: Immigrants. Abortion. Trans kids. Science.” One says: “Deportation Without Due Process is Kidnapping” One says: “Nearly all men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man’s character give him power”
June 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Happy #Caturday from Freddy with a side of toe beans. And a bonus pic of five years ago this week when Freddy came to me as a little baby.
#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
Freddy, a black and white tuxedo short hair cat, is lying on his side on a brown fabric ottoman. Closest to the camera and in best focus are his four white feets with mostly black toe beans showing. Out of focus on the top of the photo is his reclined body and head. His eyes are open and he is staring off to the side. Beyond him a little more in the distance you can see a partly shown brick fireplace with a wrought iron screen with ginko leaf motif. I love this naughty, impossibly cute cat. It was five years ago this week that he came to me as a little pandemic kitten. Freddy, a little bitty baby black and white tuxedo kitten, is shown here with his head peeking out from in between two white pillows on a bed. His head is mostly black with a thin white blaze that starts between his eyes and widens toward his whiskers. It is very symmetrical. His little nose tip is all black and looks like a little upside down triangle. He has one front paw outstretched toward the camera and he is spreading his toes with his claws visible. A little baby murder mitten. At the foster, I had a choice between Fred and two other longhair tuxedo kittens. But this one was the one who kept trying to jump off the table to go explore stuff. Impossibly cute and naughty. So, of course, he's the one I brought home. To this day he continues his impossibly cute and naughty run. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
June 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Happy #Caturday to the most devoted coworker and the silliest derp. Even on the worst days these two will make me smile. 😊

More in AltText.

#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
Trixie, a fuzzy tortoiseshell cat, is laying on the table where I am working. She is right next to my visible elbow and looking up at me with her yellow eyes. She is obviously supervising my work. She loves to come up and hang out while I am working especially in the morning when she might get to lick a little butter off the plate when I have some toast. Always good to keep a close watch for opportunities… Freddy, a black and white tuxedo cat, is seen at the edge of an area rug with his front legs underneath the rug as if diving under it. There is a corner of a bed in the foreground and part of a bookshelf behind him. Freddy loves to bury hair ties under rugs and then dive under the rug to find them. This pic is obviously in the daylight but often he does this in the middle of the night. Part of the game at those times is bringing me the hair ties to fling off the bed so that he can then run and get them to bury under the rug. 🙄
May 24, 2025 at 4:36 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Lazy #Caturday over here with Freddy and Trixie
#Cats
#CatsofBluesky
A black and white tuxedo cat is lying on his side on top of a hand towel on top of an orange and white duvet on the bed. His head is in the lower right of the frame. He is looking unfocused at the other side of the room thinking lazy thoughts. You can see his exposed belly because he is holding the front and back paws on the upper side in the air. In the background are a dresser and a window. Funny thing about the hand towel. There are actually two on the bed. They are at the foot of the bed and it helps both Fred and Trix gravitate to the same one every night at bedtime. It keeps them from being disagreeable over a soot and also puts them in the right locations to I have room for my feet at night! A fuzzy tortoiseshell cat is laying on top of a cream colored fuzzy area rug. A pair of Birkenstocks is partly visible on the floor. She is on her back with her belly exposed. You can see her looking at the camera because she wants me to come down and rub her belly. For many cats this is a trap but mine both love belly rubs. 🤷‍♀️
May 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
A sunny #TuxieTuesday for this crazy troublemaker.

A story about Freddy and this rug in AltText.

#Cats
##CatsofBluesky
Freddy, a black and white tuxedo cat is sitting right near the corner of a fuzzy, cream-colored area rug. His upper body is bathed in the sunlight shining through the bedroom window. He is looking earnestly at the camera with his light green eyes. When I got this rug, Freddy HATED it. It was lava to him. In truth, he does not like any fuzzy blankets either. He will jump over them or go around them but absolutely NOT sit on them. He’s weird that way. So anyway, I got two of these rugs -one for each side of the bed. His reaction was, “What have you done?????” I would purposely place him on the rug and he would spring right off it. Until one day…he didn’t. He has reluctantly come to the conclusion that…maybe it’s not so bad after all? Maybe I like it even?? And now I catch him especially when the sun is shining right there chilling on the rug he used to hate. Little weirdo. 🙄
April 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Omg you guys… Trixie and Freddy have just been added to the #WhiskersWednesday Signal chat! They’re gonna just be real quiet and see what happens 👀😺
#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
An up close, almost profile view of a fuzzy tortoiseshell cat’s head and neck. She is a mix of black and orange mottled fur and has bright yellow eyes. And apropos of Whiskers Wednesday, her long whiskers are prominent. She is beautiful and she knows it. Also, she has unflattering opinions about people who add her to random Signal chats. She will absolutely be publishing any classified whisker information that she finds out. A black and white tuxedo cat is lying on his side and looking at the camera. His head is mostly black with a white blaze between his eyes that widens out as it approaches his nose. The very tip of his nose is black, as is a patch under his chin. It is a very symmetrical face. His eyes are a lemon-lime color. His white whiskers are very prominent against his dark face, including the ones above his eyes. Freddy is less interested in the Signal chat and would like instead to know if the camera holder has a nice snack. But he’ll stay on to see if anything goes viral.
March 26, 2025 at 8:39 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
This week I was able to ask my Dem US Rep a question in a live town hall. This is what I said/asked. I wish I could say that I got a good and thoughtful answer but I didn’t. I was glad to be in a room of people demanding answers though and that his feet were held to the fire.
1/
I want to first tell you about me as a voter. I am a lifelong Democrat. I might have considered myself progressive at one point but I feel like the progressives have gone a little left of me, not because I don't necessarily believe in progressive policies but I just don't believe that the country is there and from a policymaking standpoint I am very pragmatic. That being said, I believe that an important role of government is to try and level the playing field for all citizens. It has never been perfect and we have made a lot of mistakes but at our very best, that means that the Democrats try to protect and lift up the most vulnerable populations in this country: the sick, the elderly, the hungry, the homeless, people of color, LGBTQ including trans people, poor people, immigrants, asylum seekers. We understand the promise of education and science and diversity of thought. We believe in women's rights and control over their own bodies. We know that strong foreign relations protects us. We believe that economic strength means opportunity for the many, not concentration of wealth only for the few. I am and always have been a high information voter. And right now I feel assaulted on a daily basis by that information as I see that vacuous, grifting orange nightmare, the toadying Republican Party, and their billionaire puppet masters chaotically disassembling the government, fighting with allies, cozying up to dictators, punching down on every vulnerable class of people in this country, and trashing this land and democracy that people have fought and died for throughout our history. I have two related questions: 1) One of the common themes that I am both seeing on social media and the news and experiencing when I talk to people is confusion, frustration, and incandescent rage about the lack of a coordinated plan opposing Trump and the Project 2025 agenda that is being implemented. I fully understand that we are in the minority in the House and Senate but what we don't understand is why we do not see the anger and fight that WE have mirrored in our elected representatives. So, what can you tell us here today to either give us confidence or a reality check that our Democratic congressional and party leaders are meeting the moment: the fight, the opposition, the messaging, the plan? 2) I'd like to know what you see as things that they are not doing that we should be doing and what you are personally doing to influence or act to close those gaps.
March 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Took this pic of Trixie last night whilst she was laying on top of me. Also Freddy being a recent nut job (as usual). More in alttext.
#Cats
Close-up photo of a fuzzy and beautiful tortoiseshell cat's head. Trixie is in side profile looking off into the rest of the living room. You can clearly see the mottling of black and orange colors of her face and an open, bright yellow eye. Under her chin is a light orange ruff. Beyond her and out of focus in the background is the corner of the room and you can see a door (out to a side porch) and a staircase to the second floor). Fun fact about Trixie, she has N E V E R sat on my lap but she will quite often jump onto me to sit on my chest. I guess it helps that I have a bit of a "shelf" to sit on. In this pic though, I am laying on the couch and she is sitting on my side. Oh, Freddy. In this picture you can see a small foyer with the upper half of an open front door. The wooden door is black, with a gold tone knocker. Above that you can see three of four small windows at the top of the door. And. On top of that is a tuxedo cat crouched lengthwise on the thin top of the door. He is crouching between the top of the door and the ceiling right above him, which is close enough that he could not stand up. This view gives you a clear view of his black and white markings, one of which (and one which you don't see fully in most pictures at lower heights) is the large black circle under his white chin. It is slightly smaller than a quarter. Mostly when you see his face you see enough of this that it looks like a small goatee on his lower chin. He is looking at...a wall. Fun fact about Freddy and this door. This is a spot that he tries to get me to help him to frequently. He is persistent about wanting to be up there. Why? Who knows. He "white knuckles" it the whole time he is up there and the foyer is small so he just looks at the ceiling and the walls. I mean...ok? 🤷‍♀️
March 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Welp. My progress with laundry on this #Caturday has been, uh...hampered by Trixie. 🤷‍♀️
#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
Trixie, a fuzzy tortoiseshell cat, is inconveniently curled up at the bottom of a laundry basket (hamper, if you will) taking a nap. She is unaware that I need this to continue doing the laundry. If she were aware, she still would not care.
March 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Oh, that was rather satisfying for my alter ego, Fuckyou Youtraitors. 👍🏼
Screenshot reading “Thank you for completing our survey, Fuckyou. Now, will you join the fight to end wasteful government spending?”
March 2, 2025 at 3:34 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Current mood on this #Caturday. Same, Freddy. Same.
#CatsofBlueSky
#Cats
A black and white tuxedo cat is curled up on his side at the foot end of a bed with an orange and white comforter. He is in a 99% croissant position with his top paw flung over his eyes to keep out the light and the world. What he doesn’t yet know is that we are getting up shortly and his nemesis, the vacuum, is coming out. He’ll be in the basement in a hot second. So, rest well for the next few minutes, buddy.
February 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Great idea! My response👇
A Google feedback form about the Gulf of Mexico being called the Gulf of America. It indicates that the “Gulf of America” is incorrect and in the detail section reads,”It is the Gulf of Mexico, you assholes. I don’t need to include a screenshot because you know exactly what I am fucking talking about. JFC, can the billionaires in the country grow at least one set of balls that they can share between themselves???”
February 12, 2025 at 5:14 AM
rowergirl.bsky.social
This #TuxieTuesday I present Freddy and his drooly biscuits.

#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
February 11, 2025 at 5:25 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
Trixie is wishing everyone a gentle #Caturday. Take care out there. We have a long way to go. (She has more advice in the AltText)

#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
Trixie, a fuzzy tortoiseshell cat, is seated on the floor and is looking up at the camera with her bright yellow eyes. She implores you to periodically take a moment for yourself and prioritize your mental health. Even a cat who has a cushy life bossing her household around knows that everything is a lot right now. Read the book, watch the movie, play the game, knit, take the walk, spend quality time with people you love and who love you back, go to the concert. Do the thing that brings you joy. Don’t worry, the shit show will be there when you get back. There will be plenty of time and opportunity for agitating.
February 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
This #Caturday Trixie is trying to solve the mystery of what Freddy is doing under the rug.

?????????? (More in AltText…)

#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
Trixie, a fuzzy tortoiseshell cat, is sitting on a red patterned rug in the foreground. She is in the dining room surveying what is going on in the living room. A few feet away, Freddy, a black and white tuxedo cat, has his head and upper body shoved under an area rug on a hardwood floor. Only part of his midriff, tushy, and tail are visible. What is happening here? What could Freddy be doing? Is there a rug monster trying to pull him to another dimension? Is he trying to hide from his bookie? Is there…a snack? Then it hits her. Trixie remembers that Freddy uses this and any other rug in the house as a stash spot for the hoarding of hair ties. Not any other toy. Just hair ties. Pick up the corner of any rug here and you will find his stash. And right at this minute Fred is actively shoving a hair tie way up in there. Kind of like making a deposit into a bank… 🤔 Having solved the mystery, Detective Trixie has now wandered off to find a good napping spot. Tiring work. A job well done. 😸
February 1, 2025 at 7:10 PM
rowergirl.bsky.social
This is a “find comfort where you can” edition #Caturday. The world is going crazy but these two are having a rare snuggle session. (More in alt text about that). The point is, while we go through this find things that bring you peace, if only for a moment.
#CatsofBluesky
#Cats
Trixie, a fuzzy tortoiseshell cat, is curled up next to Freddy, a black and white tuxedo cat, who is also lying down on a bed. They are both on a white towel on top of an orange and white comforter. They are looking at the camera and appear peaceful. I cannot emphasize enough how rare this sight is. When they get close like this, Trixie invariably wants to groom Freddy. Freddy will tolerate it for a nanosecond before either straight up running away or just starting to fight with her. Trixie had had a litter of kittens before I got her and has always wanted to mother Freddy since I got him at 10 weeks. He just never really took to the concept, to her utter and undying frustration. 🤷‍♀️
January 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM