No, I am not doing a 2020 recap. 
I thought I would end out the month and year with a recap of how this was my year of electronics. 

First my phone started to act up so I replace it with a Moto Razr, which is one of the newer folding phones. I do like the smaller form factor when it's folded and the screen is great when open.

Then my personal development machine refused to boot. The SSD drive some how died. Not only did I get a new drive put in, I went for almost a Terabyte of space because the cost we not much more. 

THEN my fun laptop decided to also start acting up. I replaced the battery since it was over 5 years old but the internal power charging would work somedays and not others. I then bought a new model and sold the old one off on eBay with full disclosure.

AND THEN I realized I needed/wanted a new FitBit because the one, I can't see the display when I am outside.

AND THEN my mini-tablet (android) that I use for an e-book reader truly died; it's deader than a brick. I found a nice 7" tablet on sale which is actually a smidge smaller then then old one but has a bigger screen.  

Note: before moving to Texas, my mac died and was replace AND the shop elf got a new computer too and so, with luck next year we will NOT be purchasing any electronics!

Yup, the last day and I figured I should write something to get a post this month. 
Much has happened.

• I got my COVID booster shot and was not feeling well for 4 solid days and it took a full week for me to feel ok. I had head aches, light sensitivity, all over aches, fever, and chilllllls plus lack of appetite. Then there was the pee-ing. I do drink at least 2 liters of water a day but I think I was in the bathroom once per hour even though the night thus pissing more than I drank.
• I fell behind on the walking training because of the down week from the above booster shot. I am almost back on schedule; I am currently walking about 5 miles and not feeling completely wiped out afterwards.
• For my big walk, I bought my rain gear, pants and jacket, for the trip as I need it now so I can still go for my walks when it rains. I also bought a few other things like an emergency whistle, blister/foot first aide kit, a small vacuum bottle so I can carry a cuppa coffee with me for a break in the afternoon, and a midge net to put over my head so they don't go up my nose, in my ears, eyes, or mouth. I still have many other things to gather which I won't go into here.
• Also for the trip I found I CAN use my mobile phone in the UK for a small fee, daily which won't have extra long distance or international fees. Thus I will be able to call home or Mike and Elisa of Scotland; which allow me to check in daily. 
• Though I have stopped the pandemic stats, I have read 4 books this month but made no progress on the quilt for my niece.

Here is a picture of the Craigellachie Bridge which crosses the River_Spey. I will go over this bridge on my second day of walking.

So what is a POLYHISTOR?  I am a polyhistor!  But I do not think I am a polymath since there are areas of learning that hold no interest to me such as philosophy.  And because of my age I am a Opsimath too.

Please refer to this image of the definition of a polyhistor, then keep reading for more background and understanding.

​
​When the Covid-19 pandemic started, I was doing some metal work and temari; reading. After a few weeks into the lockdown I was still making temari and started a weaving project; the metal work was set aside. Now one year into the pandemic I have set aside the weaving and I am spending my evenings mostly working on temari and yubinuki. 

It was during this past year I began to ponder my penchant for learning which to me was a bit odd considering I did not enjoy "school" as a child. That's not to say I did not like going to school or all of the things I was told I had to learn; what I did not enjoy was some of the things I had to learn and the more I thought about it I realized I did not enjoy the subjects where the learning was difficult due to my then unknown dyslexia.  The subjects I did enjoy were home economics, physical education, art, poetry, the sciences except the heavy math parts, and many after school activities like stage crew, (more) sports and Girl Scouts. It was the math, spelling and learning French - all for a while until I learned, on my own, how to make a game of learning and mastering the rules. 

What can be even more confounding is that I chose to pursue an engineering degree after high school.  I decided on the degree because I am a "natural engineer" and my father was one too and he said I would have a more difficult time trying to follow my dreams without a degree, like him, than with one (being female in the 60-70's being the other).  College was extremely difficult and my undergraduate grades where crap (gong to a very difficult school did not help) but I did graduate. 

NOTE: A natural engineer is NOT a person who engineers nature or natural resources. A natural engineer is someone who is an engineer but has no formal training and exhibits the ability to see and solve problems at a young age. I was telling my father how to fix things, he was working on, starting sometime around 5th grade.

Since then I have had this desire to learn new things - embroidery and crewl work, weaving and spinning, quilting (which is very different than sewing clothing which I do as well), knitting, temari and yubinuki, metalsmithing, raising and sinking vessels, constructing boxes, chasing and repousse and learning to make the tools for metalsmithing - all subjects that are, in a way mathematical and engineering related while allowing the person doing them to be creative. I say they involve engineering and mathematical aspects because all do require the use of math, some more than others, and they have a technical aspect to them; when you know the basics there are challenges and problems to be solved when an idea presents it self.

As I said, I realized this past year that I like learning and specifically learning where I can solve problems or processes. When I find a subject that piques my interest, I am ALL IN.  I find ways to learn at my own pace, I acquire the books, tools and other aqutromonts to master it. Many of the skills I have listed I really enjoy and have done for 30, 40 or more years And yet.... I realized that for some of these other subjects, which I also enjoy(ed) I have set aside and never come back to.  So do I enjoy the learning and gaining the understanding MORE than the act of doing it?
​
I present to you as an example my 10 year foray into Metalsmithing, shall we. I first learned how to cut and polish a cabochon, then I moved into basic jewelry so I could wear what I had made. I enjoy making the odd piece of jewelry but it did not inspire me to make more.  I like working with metal because of the underlying science and engineering which most metalsmiths have no interest in. From there I tried chain maille which I found boring after a while and from there I moved into raising and sinking of vessels - now that challenged me and continues to do so.  To do more with the vessels I made, I then learned chasing and repousse; to color my work I delved into the alchemy behind patina and the construction techniques of making boxes and hinges. 

Throughout all of this I realize that I am very good at the technical aspects and can make some wonderful things many of which are my own original ideas. What I lack is the continuous flow of creative ideas that would make me a true artist in some things I have learned but not in others.  I am OK with that which is why I am an Artisan not an artist.  

I know I can find a subject I enjoy, learn it, become proficient in it and make and be creative and sell these items as a polyhistor and an artisan.

As a child I learned embroidery, crewel work (embroidery with wool) and to sew which I really enjoy. As I got older I learned and became quite good at quilting while still sewing clothing.  

And with a love of fiber, I learned to knit, spin (but not really enjoy) and weave. I can weave rugs or "fabric" to then use as the basis of a garment. 

Along the way I have collected many things - Fraternal Organization pins, Scandinavian Enameled Jewelry, early 1900 chain maille purses used by the flappers as well as collecting gems and minerals.  Along the way I learned how to "cut" a cabochon and eventually how to set them in metal of copper, brass, silver or gold (very rarely) and then how to make jewelry, raise vessels, and do chasing and repousse. 

10 years ago I started learning about Japanese Temari and Yubinuki.

I have  plethora of books covering all of these subjects.

With the pandemic and being home for 170+ days I have been looking at all I do and I have come to the conclusion that I need to simplify my life

Let's start with the sewing. I have a good sewing machine which is big and bulky and a smaller machine which is good for workshops. I don't do a lot of workshops these days so I think it is time to sell the portable machine.

I had/have 3 looms - a rigid heddle, a 8 shaft 30" wide table loom and a large 8 shaft 40+ inch wide floor loom. At one point I also had a 4 shaft folding floor loom which I sold to my friend Yuko when she returned to Japan plus a 16 shaft table loom which has also been sold. Recently the rigid heddle loom has been sold and the 8 shaft table loom will be traded/sold this weekend.  I want a small portable loom for sampling so I don't have to setup the big floor loom and I settled on the Ashford Katy Loom which has a 12" wide weaving width and is 8 shafts plus it folds. I put the table loom up for sale and found someone who wants to buy it and she mentioned that she had a Katy which she thinks is too small. I suggested a trade and she went for it. 

Some of the knitting, quilting, and other books will also go. 

Some of the antiques I have collected over the years will also be sold.

It all comes down to do I need this stuff anymore?

Here I am almost done with December and 2019. 
Earlier this month I was down with the flu, for about a week and then recovery took just as long. I canceled a metal workshop I was to teach and just slept, read, and zoned. I had not caught the flu or other bug that floats around during Winter in several years so I guess my time was due.

The year has flown by. 

We have been here for 2+ years now and we have settled into a route of sorts - I go to work weekdays and Erich takes care of the house, the cars, Cowboy Boots and me; on weekends he relaxes and I am in my studio.

Friends from California are getting ready to move to the area, early next year which will be nice as we have know them for as long as we have been married. 

I am planning my retirement from the day job - 2 years and counting. I will work for a while to take advantage of medical insurance, socking money away in the 401K, and of course the extra income. Eventually I go to part time work so I have more time to do what I want while still having some extra income coming in. 

​Here's a calm view, from the studio back door that I took last month. 

​Wow, it's been three months since I posted. So much has happened.


A friend from California has visited in May and he and his wife are getting close to retirement and have decided to relocate to this part of Texas. They are here this week now looking at home and will hopefully mover by April of next year when their lease runs out and she has retired from her job.

​

Then my sister came for a visit in June. She was in San Antonio for work and we spent the weekend seeing the area. One thing she wanted to see what an H.E.B grocery store. She use to teach marketing research and H.E.B was one of the case studies she covered, so she found it very interesting so actually see it in comparison to what she knew of them from on paper.

And I was feeling betting an working in the studio and getting deep into projects at the day job. I now lead a team of off shore developers for one project and we are pushing to get it finished before October but there was a lot of code clean up to do which I took on while the off shore team worked on other things.

​Then just over two weeks ago, while making my lunch one morning, the knife slipped and sliced open my right thumb; I was removing a pit from an avocado. Yes, I was doing it "correctly" as everyone has proceeded to tell me or send me to links on YouTube. The avocado was VERY ripe and so the pit slipped and the knife came out and went into my thumb.  Oh it bled and it was deep.
​
I now have what is called Avocado Hand. It should be noted that Bagel hand is something else.

So I wrapped it up and when to urgent care. They first cleaned it, gave me a tetanus shot, and took x-rays because there was a chance I nicked the bone, but did not, it was that deep. No stitches were put in cause I had to see a hand surgeon next.  Later in the day I was on my way to the surgeon who said I did not knick the tendon as I could flex it without pain but may have nicked the nerve since I had tingling along the side by my nail. Again no stitches were put in as they have 14 days to do surgery and IF they  had to go in, stitches would have to come out; so I butterfly bandage closed and wrapped up in elastic gauze tape and told to come back in a week.  I have now seen the doctor a second time and still have a bit of tingling along the side of my thumb but I can grip with no problem, confirming tendon is fine. So at this point it there are no guarantees the tingle would go away and since the area where it is like that is so small, the doctor doubts he might even be able to put in a stitch. This means the time and expense to do it plush the healing time are just not worth cutting my hand open. 

Let's must move on.

..get my life back under control and other times, I am learning to let it go. 

I realized that the move to Texas was more stressful than I though and I was not listening to the signals that I am (was?) ill. 

I haven't been sleeping well; I'm stress at work for no reason; I can't focus on what's being discussed and I let me mind wander to other non-work related things; I wanted to cry for no apparent reason; and what I was eating was/is crap so I put on all the weight I lost 3 years ago PLUS more - see below  

So last week, after a month of reading a book, I started a new eating regime (It is not a diet).

Since I had thyroid cancer, it has been exceedingly difficult for me to loose weight. 2+ years ago I started walking and found that if I walked for an hour every day and really limited my calories (and was always hungry) I was able to loose weight; I eventually lost about 20 pounds. But over time not only has that 20 pounds come back but I put on a more and trying to loose it has been a horrible struggle.

Last month a friend told me about her thyroid issues and how a nutritionist told her to read a book and follow the plan detailed in the book. She has since lost 40+ pounds and the sluggish and tired feeling have gone away. So 3 weeks ago I read the book and started the plan, I was feeling good and excited to see some changes and result in the next few weeks!

So what is it that I doing?  I am following the Plant Paradox by Dr. Gundry

I do not have some of the heavy autoimmune issues many have nor do I have diabetes but as I have said, I suffer from a very sluggish metabolism. I also have tinnitus (this appeared after my torn rotator cuff surgery and a bad reaction to the anesthesia), constipation, along with feeling sluggish, brain foggy, and depression.
  
I am now one week in and so far so good. I have not done the cleanse and there a just a few minor things I have been eating that I should not per the plan, but for now, it is more about small changes versus radical one.  I am still using a small amount of soy sauce to make my roasted veg, regular milk Greek yogurt, and a vegan, gluten free, salad dressing.

I have made the decision to cook a big meal on Sunday's and eat it as "left overs" for dinner during the week. This is so I don't have to cook every night nor will I resort to frozen meals. This past week I had roasted veg (cauliflower, brussel sprouts, fennel, and asparagus) with wild Alaskan salmon; for lunch I had a spinach salad with avocado, tuna, and sheep's milk feta with that vegan salad dressing; for breakfast I had yogurt with either fresh blueberries or strawberries; and for a snack some mixed raw nuts (walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts). 

So how was my first week? Pretty good. I don't feel hungry and I am enjoying what I am eating without worrying about tracking what I eat nor how many calories and grams of protein/fat/carbs or points I consumed!  I seem to be sleeping a bit better though having the sun come through the window at 6:30 am has and will be an issue since the bedroom window faces east but with the days getting longer it will resolve it's self until next summer roles around. And yes, I had THREE amazing bowel movements this week too.  I weighed myself and I am down 4 pounds. I will now not weigh myself for a month; this is so I don't obsess over it. 

Today I am back to the supermarket for this week's shopping and then I will make a beef stew for my week's dinner and get some other cheeses to add to my snack. 
​

Two weeks ago, a metals friend called me; she was distraught need help. She called me because she did not know what to do but I might be able to. 

Here is the background... 
Months ago she had her website redesigned but it wasn't until this month that she realized that her sales had not only fallen off, a lot!; but her position in various search engine results had gone from the first page to page 7 or higher. After a few hours of research it was apparent that the website redesign killed the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) because the pages had been renamed and redirects had not been setup; the website description and keywords had not been configured correctly and more geeky stuff. 

To put it nicely, her web programmer (I will not call them a developer, see below for more) gave a lame answer about not knowing how to fix it. 

Note: a programmer, in my book, is someone who will do what you ask without thinking off the consequences and as a result bugs and other issues can result. A developer will do what you ask and more; they will make suggestions about possible improvements, will raise a flag if an issue is found and will also care about your final product and business. 

So there were two choices - either I fix it or find someone who could.  I was asked to fix it. 

It took a week of working for an hours or two in the evening and a full Saturday but the changes and a few improvements were made and they were published.

Then we waited.... 

..Slowly over the course of the next two weeks, her website rose in the rankings and now, depending on the search terms, her website is back in the results and traffic to the site in 15 days was double that is was for the entire prior month. 

Being a good developer and consultant (in a prior life) I have now sent a follow up document on my thoughts about how the website should be moved to a more advanced platform (it is currently just HTML and JavaScript) and what enhancements could be implemented with the platform change.  I did this on my own time 'cause that's what friends and good consultants do and we don't expect to be hired because of it. 

This is York, a micro elephant that Bunny Bravehart met when we were in New York City a few years ago. Turns out Bunny Bravehart was hiding York in my sewing closet among all the fabric.

So what's York story? 

It turns out that York was born when her parents were in NYC with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey circus. Because she was so tiny - peanut sized; she got lost in the straw and eventually found herself in the sewers of the city. The alligators and crocodiles who were there showed her the ways of the city and eventually she developed the ability to camouflage herself and blend in with the subway tiles in various stations.  Where she foraged for food along with venturing out into Central Park to feast on nuts and cotton candy sold by the vendors and dropped by the tourists. 

It was during our visit in November 2016 visit, that Bunny Bravehart met York and she hid in my messenger bag. Here is Bunny Bravehart surveying the park.

30 days ago I arrived in Texas to live and work. I am now settling into a routine.

Weekdays, I am up a 6:30 am, get ready for work, make my lunch, and head off to work around 7:30 am. The drive is about 21 miles and it takes me thirty some odd minutes to come out of the hills, on local roads, into New Braunfels and to arrive at the office.   

At work I am working directly with Marty, and we maintain the current production environment and code for a large number of applications, databases, services, and reports. The entire IT team that I am on consists of 8 people and they are a nice bunch of guys (yes, I am the only woman, as usual).  I start the day looking at error logs and tickets that have come in over night and address them. Then I move on to fixing any code. In my first two weeks, I found code that had been "lost" (not checked into source control) and then rewrote it since it was last touched in 2007, so we can deploy it to a new server next month. Along the way I also removed swaths of dead and obsolete code which saved at least another week of work. This application is now on the testing server. 

After work, which is 5:00 pm (yippee, no long hours!) I usually head back up the hill to the house; but at least one day in the middle of the week, I do my grocery shopping and get gas.  Friday nights, I am going to a knitting shop for a 2 hours "knit and bitch" get together. 

Speaking of gas, right now it is anywhere from $2.09 to $1.88 depending where you are around town. I am also only filling up once per week since my drive is so short - time and mileage.   

After dinner, I sit, watch some TV and do a bit of knitting, chat with Erich and head off to bed by 10:00 pm.

On the weekends, I am still unpacking, putting things away, running other errands, and more.   Three weekends ago, I drove up to Austin to go to the IKEA to get some stuff for the house and went to a knitting shop. Two weekends ago I cleaned up the property as there was lots of construction garbage everywhere; that took 4 hours. Then last weekend I met up with a Facebook friend and we went to two knitting and weaving shops in the area and I also found a great place to go swimming in the Guadalupe river such that I am not paying for parking or river access AND it is only a 15 drive from the house.  This weekend, well just more stuff that has to be done in the house. 

Here are some pictures of the wild life - Deer and Gray Fox plus some of the river.