iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

1st frost tonight in SW Ontario. I’ve still got tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, kale, and chard in the garden. So…guess whose garden has blankets festooned everywhere. Dug up and brought in my Rosemary plant. 🪴 #HomeGarden

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

It’s a terrible hardship to have to drink 4oz of vodka from a 28oz bottle to make room for the vanilla beans. 🫘 #VanillaExtract

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

My very colourful & fragrant weekend (+ 6 quarts of stewed tomatoes not pictured). 😊 Tonight I’ll remove the rings, test the seals, and move everything to the cold cellar. #Canning #Homemade

Image shows a tabletop filled with canning jars. The jars are filled with colourful pickled carrots, pickled hot peppers, and crushed tomatoes.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Yesterday, I broke out my pressure canner for the 1st time — from a half bushel of tomatoes we canned 7 jars of crushed & 6 jars of stewed tomatoes. Then we water-bathed 7 jars pickled carrots & 6 jars of pickled peppers. 🍅 🌶️ 🫑 🥕 from our own 🪴 Walked 12K steps around my kitchen. #Canning #Homemade

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I won first prizes for my 2 entries to the Paris Agricultural Fair this year! So very pleased that the judges liked my matching Llama quilt & cushion 😊 #ParisFair #Handmade #Quilting

Image shows a red 1st prize ribbon affixed to a quilted cushion. The image on the cushion is of a Llama.

Image shows a quilt folded in half & laid across a bed. In the picture there is also a cushion. Both quilt and cushion have a fabric pieced image of a Llama on them (Not pictured — the other half of the quilt has a mirror image of the same Llama in it, but with teal accents instead of purple). Both items have ribbons attached to them.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

What I’m reading atm. 💙📚

Image shows 2 book covers to outline what I’m currently reading and what I’ll be reading next.
Current: Oathbound by Tracy Deonn
Next: Plant Lady by Minyoung Kang

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

What are my top 2 reads of the 54 📚 I’ve read in 2026 so far? I’m so glad you asked. 📖🎧📖🎧📖🎧📖🎧 1. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This - Omar El Akkad 2. The Reformatory - Tananarive Due Both are devastatingly emotional must reads. 💙📚

Image displays the cover of the book The Reformatory by Tananarive Due.

Image shows the cover of the book “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.”

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Reposted by Crystal B

Theresa McLeod @westtexascatlady.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

So much truth here! 😢

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MapQuest @mapquest.com · 27/08/2026

We’re not changing it.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Sometimes I scare people off by discussing tea with them. 😂

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Just came in from my garden — I’ve got ground cherries, orange cherry tomatoes, & a fat yellow carrot to break my fast tomorrow at 11am! I’ve started intermittent fasting again. I’m 2 days into wk 3 (16 hr daily fast) of the 28-Day Fast Start challenge. Feeling good! #IntermittentFasting

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Tried our hand at waxing turnips that we harvested from our garden today to preserve them for the fall. We also picked a second harvest of pole & bush beans — processed, blanched, and froze them. Tomorrow I’m canning beets. Busy long weekend.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

What is this new trend of no showing for an interview? 🤔 I had 4 people booked yesterday for an interview with me and 3 no showed. Wish I could log that on Indeed. In my opinion it shows a distinct lack of professionalism. How hard is it to send a ‘thanks but I’m withdrawing my application’ msg?

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Back from vacation & I think the cool weather followed me back to Ontario from Gros Morne in NL. It was so cold, rainy, & windy while I was there that I had to layer—toque, mittens, wool socks over regular socks, leggings under hiking pants, a long sleeve shirt, a heavy duty hoodie, & a rain coat.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The iPhone camera focus bug with iOS 26.5.2 is killing me. 🤦‍♀️📱🤳 Photo & Portrait modes worked yesterday, today they won’t focus. But every other mode focuses just fine. 🤷‍♀️

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Currently reading The Reformatory. This is an absolute 5-Star read!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Historical horror with elements of gothic fiction. I’m not even done, but I highly recommend everyone read it. I’ve cried, gasped, cringed, been outraged & heartbroken — I’ve run the gamut of emotions. #TheReformatory 📚💙

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

For Ford to discontinue the Escape, replace it with the Bronco Sport & not offer a Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, or Full Electric option is beyond irritating. I love my Hybrid Escape, but I’d be trading down to go to a Bronco Sport, even with their top package. More money for fewer/poorer options. 🤦‍♀️👎

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

My husband is currently stapling chicken wire to our gate & fence at 9:42pm to keep the rampaging bunnies from our garden. 😂 I was brushing my teeth & looked out the window to see the largest wild rabbit sampling the pepper & pea plants. Hubby chased him away. But he slinked back 5 mins later. 🐰🫛🫑🪴

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

I just harvested my first bounty of Haskap berries from the 3 tiny shrubs we planted last spring. They’re tart & sweet & juicy. 😋 #Haskap #Berries #Gardening

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

What is up with every single shirt in the Reitman’s summer collection being cropped so damned short? It doesn’t even hit your waistband — I know I’m not permitted to wear crop tops at work — I don’t know about anyone else. 🤔 I miss Ricki’s.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Dialing back my daily walking a bit as I’ve been experiencing some tendinitis. It acts up when I walk outside, not when I exercise on the elliptical. Focusing on stretching & leg exercises for a few wks with elliptical cardio. The new running shoes should help as well! 😃👟👟 #DailyWalking #15KSteps

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Took a class a month ago to learn to sew pj pants. Hadn’t finished my first pair until this afternoon. They’re cozy, flannel, & have pockets! I think my next pair will have an elastic waistband instead of a drawstring, but I’m pleased enough with how these turned out. #Handmade #MeMade #Sewing

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Anyone else planning their neighborhood walks this spring around how many lilac trees are on their route. Gotta stop and sniff the flowers. 😃

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

What is with modern running shoes? 👟👟 They’re so built up they feel like I’m wearing high heels & the insole is too plush—it feels like you’re walking on a really unstable, memory foam pillow. I don’t like them. Give me a minimalist shoe with zero or low drop, a low stack, & with a wide toe base.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Why did Apple remove the magnifying glass in the control panel for iOS 26.4.2? There is so much I dislike in this update. This is the main item on the list.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

I hit 19,000 steps yesterday & I felt good — That’s huge for someone who hit burnout a couple yrs ago. I’m thrilled to be consistently walking 15k+ steps a day now. I’ve been working up to it since February. #Walking

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

I took a class to learn how to sew lounge / pj pants this past Saturday. It was fun, and now I finally know how to make my own flannel pants that are tall enough for me & how to sew pockets. Bonus — I also now know what everyone is getting for Xmas this year. ✅😉 #flannelpants #Sewing #handmade 🪡🧵

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

As always, Anne Bishop’s newest is fantastic! Love, love, love her writing. It’s definitely dark fantasy, but her writing style shows her deft artistry and it’s comforting to read the work of a true wordsmith. Hers books are a must buy for me. #AnneBishop 📚💙

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Tetley discontinued their Blueberry Green tea blend. Why? 🤦‍♀️ It was the only product of theirs that I bought. I just brewed my last tea bag. ☕️😢

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

My frozen shoulder finally felt well enough to pull out an unfinished quilt project today. Finished all the piece cutting — made sure my rotary cutter had a new blade. We’ll see if I pay the price tomorrow. 😣 Background fabric is 100% cotton & the feathers will be flannel for a textured quilt top.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Just finished Oyinkan Braithwaite’s newest, Cursed Daughters. What a fantastic read! And the narration was beautifully done. 📚💙

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Very sad day today for anthropologists, primatologists, and society at large, as I hear that Biruté Galdikas has died, a mere 6 months after Jane Goodall. The “trimates” are no more.

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Does anyone know when the NL Parks Reservation system will be open for the 2026 camping season? www.parksnl.ca Tried to book today and couldn’t. Tried calling the particular park and the number was not in service either.

parksnl.ca

ParksNL - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

So glad I went and got to hear her talk about her newest book and her research — she’s amazingly knowledgeable and quite funny!

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

I am very much enjoying the audiobook of Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang. First book of hers that I’ve read. Moira Quirk does a fantastic job narrating! #BookSky 📚💙

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

I’ve recently started exercising more regularly again & what I find slightly annoying is the (mostly) well-meaning, but somewhat condescending advice from people who already have a well-defined exercise plan. Eg. “I’m surprised you haven’t incorporated weightlifting yet.”

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Reposted by Crystal B

Dr. Roux @tcrotte.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

I’m so fucking tired of hearing about Trump every fucking day..

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I endangered my life bringing home an elliptical machine last Friday evening. We rented a HomeDepot cargo van to move it & apparently the van didn’t have winter tires, so when it started snowing, we had zero, zilch, NO traction—headlights were crap too. It was a wild & scary drive home on the 401.

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Reposted by Crystal B

Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

👇👇👇👇

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

2nd week going to an evening lane swim at my community pool. Still feeling wholly out of shape, but amazingly my frozen shoulder feels ever so slightly better than last week!

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Crystal B @crystalsmusings.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Cozy goodness—today’s tea purchase from my favourite tea shoppe in Stratford, Ontario—Distinctly Tea. We braved the extreme cold temps and punishing winds and ventured out to Stratford since they no longer have a Waterloo location. #DistinctlyTea #TeaDrinker #Tea #StrafordOntario

The pictures shows a selection of loose leaf tea from Distinctly Tea—a small Canadian Tea Shoppe located in Stratford, Ontario. Teas are: Cinnamon Chai Pu-Erh, Scottish Breakfast, Chamomile Flower, Blueberry Black, Chocolate Black, Earl Grey Green, Chocolate Supreme Rooibos, and a free sample of Black Currant tea. The first 4 are favourites of mine, but the green and chocolates are new for me to try out.

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