iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Out and about near Hintonburg this gorgeous Saturday? Come see me for a tarot card reading out front of Studio Me Hair Design, as a part of A Taste of Wellington West!

Dani in her witchy regalia doing tarot card readings at a recent event.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

You’ve clearly put an appropriate amount of thought into this. I myself was perplexed by Annie’s previous utter lack of curiosity about her mother. Any teen girl I know would exploit that drama source like an artisanal well. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

It’s so ironic that they’re building apartments too small and houses too big.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Wrapping up Sterling Point and found this, that I could have written. Esp #13 ‘What is wrong with all the Gen X adults in this show and when did we become the lame parents on TV? Cool tats tho.’ (Spoilers) chatelaine.com/living/cultu...

chatelaine.com

28 Random Thoughts I Had While Watching Sterling Point - Chatelaine

If you, too, are a middle-aged woman who got sucked into Sterling Point, there is help available. Just clearly not from me.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Helping out at a farmer’s market recently, an elderly lady smiled in delight when I counted back her change from a $10 on a $4.65 purchase: “Ten cents makes 75 and a quarter brings it to $5 and another $5 makes $10.” “I haven’t had change counted like that in 20 years!” Redundant genX skills FTW!😂

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

We’re wildly overdue to have these sorts of restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods in Canada.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

O Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? Fucking finally 😮‍💨

Purple crocuses in a cluster in the sunlight

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Ooops, I guess I’ve been away for a while. Here’s what I’ve been up to: carving linocut stamps and making quippy cards with my letter stamps. Getting ready for the Dickinson Days craft market!

A hand printed card with a floral border that says ‘I must remain whimsical to survive the horrors’

A set of hand printed cards with images of retro TVs, record spindles, turntables and manual typewriters with words that spell out ‘Be patient with me, I’m from the 1900s’

A set of hand printed cards with an image of a witch hat that spell out ‘a woman of a certain rage’

A hand printed card with an image of a crow that says, ‘could I get an ETA on when ‘this too shall pass’?’

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

One of my favourite things about listening to the Artemis lunar flyby broadcast was the concern and havoc over the SD cards. My dudes, even NASA and astronauts suffer version control issues. There is hope for me yet.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Why does the Environment Canada weather app show the rain icon when there is a 70% chance that it will not rain?

Screen shot of the weather app showing 3 hours of forecasts with a rain icon while the text says only a 30% chance of rain

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

I had to get one of the kids to help me find a way to watch the baseball game on the streaming machine in the living room. When the fuck did I lose touch with the TV?

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

I was just thinking that this is delightfully (and also maybe troublingly) late in the season for 25C. I don’t want it to end.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

I mean, I would definitely want to know!! 👻

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

As seen on a drive out to Eagle’s Nest Lookout on Calabogie Road. I have SO MANY questions!! 😂

A teen pulls a comic quizzical face while looking at a real estate sign with a red sign topper (where ‘open house’ or ‘sold’ usually appears) that says ‘not haunted’

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

I rescued these three gorgeous slabs of thick granite from my neighbour’s trash. I have no idea what I’m going to do with 15 lbs of granite but I’m thrilled with them nonetheless. 😂

Three thick slabs of black marbled granite about 10x10 inches each, polished to a mirror finish on one face.

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Reposted by Dani Donders

Julie (unprofessional) @juliebalt.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

My delightful friend (and professional photographer) Dani aka @curiouscrone.bsky.social took some pictures of me last week. This one is my favourite.

Julie, a white person with short brown and grey hair wearing blue glasses and a black shirt, stands with her hands behind her back. The photo is taken from above.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

This one was my favourite too!! Though the ‘boss’ photo makes me laugh at how you reacted. This was so fun!!

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Reposted by Dani Donders

Lara Wellman @larawellman.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Once upon a time a time I thought 70 was so old I wouldn’t want to live past that age. Thankfully my idea of what aging means and how it can feel has changed! Thank you Dani for joining Rowan and I on the podcast this week! @mavenofmayhem.bsky.social @curiouscrone.bsky.social

open.substack.com

19: Aging and Your Career with Dani Donders

Much of society thinks of retirement as the end of something important.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

I really wish I had an internal control panel with a series of lights beside helpful tips like ‘you feel like shit because you’re hangry. Eat a banana ffs.‘

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

The first hour or two of moving to my newly upgraded iMac (from my 10 year old one) were heady and exciting. The 8 hour long tail of figuring out which goddamn folder had my Lightroom export presets and where to put them now is making me weep. This is why I only upgrade my tech once a decade.

A new iMac computer with the ‘hello’ greeting on the screen.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

This week’s art/science mash-up: chlorophyll printing, with nothing but two leaves and sunlight. How cool is this?

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Pretty reflections despite the fire smoke haze this morning as I kayaked around (and through) Upper Duck Island in the Ottawa River this morning. I’m always fascinated by this odd little spot - it feels like a secret.

The end of Upper Duck Island, with green trees, is reflected in still water with hints of clouds in the sky and reflection.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Oof, this was painful 😣 Connections Puzzle #782 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟩🟦🟨🟩 🟩🟦🟨🟦 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟦🟦🟨🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟨🟨🟨🟨

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

That’s one of my favourite photos ever - he was 3 then and 17 now. :)

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Ooops, I forgot to tag this for #BlueSkyArtShow - hope this works!

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

This hot sunny weather is perfect for cyanotypes - making photo prints from sunlight. Some of these worked better than others, but it’s fun to learn and experiment. And I have no shortage of photos in my library!

A blue and white cyanotype print of a little boy mid-leap jumping into a puddle.

Two blue and white cyanotype prints, one of a dandelion in seed and the other of Watson’s Mill in Manotick.

Two blue and white cyanotype prints, one of a sunflower and the other of two kids paddling a canoe in still water

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Seven months after they rolled out the change, Instagram finally got around to making my grid rectangular today. Thanks for not forgetting me and my 300 followers entirely 😂

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Reposted by Dani Donders

Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The other day I drew a subway-style map for The Hobbit, and it was very well received. Some of you asked if I could do one for LoTR, so I have! Forgive the eel watermark; I'm working on making these something you can buy, if you like.

Subway style map to go with The Lord of the Rings, showing the different pathways of various parties throughout the book. The title reads: "Lord of the Rings Transit Map: One Does Not Simply Walk Ino Mordor When One Can Ride." The map takes up the middle part of the page, and there are two keys. The one on the left is titles "Standard Service Lines, and has color keys matched to the subway lines on the map. Lines are named:
"Shire-Bree Commuter Line
Old Forrest Crescent
Wildland Scenic Line
Fellowship Line
Gollum / Sméagol Line
Uruk Hai Express
Three Hunters Line
Fangorn Slow Service
Rohan to Gondor Business Line
Black Ships Ferry Service
Oliphant Direct Line
Army of the West Line
Gandalf Express

A smaller key on the right side of the map is labeled: "Limited Service Lines" and has color keys matched to the following names lines:
"Eagle Express
Paths of the Dead Line
Nazgûl Search & Resuce
Valinor Ltd."

A note at the bottom reads:
"* Mount Doom station only accepts Rings of Power in payment. Plan accordingly."

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

…. Hermit is about taking the time to seriously consider the implications - the reason to balance the whimsy of the 7 cups. Fun reading, lots to think about. Thank you!

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Haha, this is a wildly accurate reading. I’ve been considering moving to a new province in the next few years. 7 cups is about how random of an idea it is, wishful thinking. Judgment is how it will transform not only my life - a new start - but the lives of my family….

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Needed an anklet. Made an anklet! (Possibly related: it’s hard to take a flattering photo of your own ankle)

Dani’s ankle sporting an anklet made with rainbow bugle beads and glass stars

An anklet made with rainbow bugle beads and glass stars on a painted surface

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Such an amazing show - my first-ever Bluesfest. Future acts have a lot to live up to.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

I am excited to announce that local corn is in season and if my family isn’t sick of it by harvest season, I haven’t done my job.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Oh shit, now I need a new starting word!! 😂 Wordle 1,491 1/6* 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle stat page showing 1167 games played, 98% success and only 2 puzzles solved in the first guess

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

I didn’t notice until the photos were juxtaposed that Lucas the teenager and Percy the cat are regarding me with the same expression of general annoyance with the barest hint of affection 😂

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

Got a new toy - literally, a toy camera. It’s a faux TLR digital camera and the lack of control over everything except composition is a fun new challenge.

My new Chuzhao digital faux twin lens reflex camera beside my coffee cup - it’s considerably smaller.

An extreme close up of Percy, our orange tabby cat. There is a slight green tinge to the photo, from the cross-processing filter added by the camera.

A black and white photo of Lucas, a 17 year old with long hair who might appear to be scowling but is holding an ice cream cup so can’t actually be all that grumpy.

A mirror selfie of me, Dani, from a wide angle showing almost full body, wearing shorts and a jean jacket in front of an open door and looking down at the Chuzhao camera at belly button height.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

Not sure what happened - I did avoid picking the rhubarb for the first year, but it came up puny and faltered. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I got a yard full of unexpected wild strawberries as a gift this year, so that’s a fair trade. Maybe next year the rhubarb will come through?

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

lol I can’t though. Third year planting it, it keeps dying or doesn’t take. Thank goodness for the generosity of my local buy-nothing group!

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

I was so surprised and disappointed to hear the government capitulated on this one.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Gift of a summer evening watching a free concert from the #OttawaSymphonyOrchestra at AY Jackson Park in Manotick. Great to encounter friends and neighbours , plus #MerryDerry!

A family selfie with Dani, a smiling woman with freckles and dimples, her husband who has a salt and pepper beard and wears glasses and Lucas, an older teen with long hair.

Members of the brass section of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra perform in casual clothes in a green park while people sit on the grass to listen and kids play on the lawn.

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Unexpectedly so good. I did not expect to get so attached and invested!

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Yes, have seen both North of North and Somebody Somewhere. Have been eyeing The Last of Us for a while, and don’t know Hacks. Thanks!! Have you watched Sort Of? I think you’d love it!

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

What have you watched that’s good lately? I finished Sort Of today and I’m bereft. Where should I go next?

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Quick getaway to Toronto with my middlest kid to see Briston Maroney in concert with Peach Pit. Decided to risk driving instead of the GO train & were rewarded with a perfect parking spot and amazing dinner at LibertySoho. Then collected rocks on the beach on the way home. #summer2025microadventures

Dani, a smiling middle-aged mom with brown hair and dimples, and Simon, her 21 year old son with dark hair and eyes, at a table in the LibertySoho restaurant in the Liberty Village neighborhood of Toronto

Dani, a smiling middle-aged mom with brown hair and dimples, and Simon, her 21 year old son with dark hair and eyes, in front of the Toronto waterfront skyline at Ontario Place, with the CN Tower and Lake Ontario in the background

Briston Maroney on a colourful stage set at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto, taken from a distance

Lots of rocks in the foreground and Lake Ontario in the background at Paradise Beach in Ajax, Ontario.

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Reposted by Dani Donders

Vicky Smallman @offhandremarks.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Amazing news!

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Dani Donders @curiouscrone.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

We had three good downpours. My laundry is still drying! 😂

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