Here we go … headed toward Christmas and the end of 2023.

Some catching up from late September …

My work hiatus/retirement that occurred 7/6 … kind of came to an end in early October. I was not actually thrilled … I had a LOT of time to think about things.

Short story is that I realized how much anger/angst/annoyance had been involved in the work environment. And at 68 with hopefully 20-25 ish years left on this earth … I re-evaluated and decided that my mental health and happiness did NOT lie in that situation.

The work hiatus started/stopped and holy cow … what a mess. I could not just walk away as I had been paid and owed some hours. But I did make clear that I would work those hours and then I was done … time for me to move on.

It was not what I planned. I hoped to work into my 70th year (end of 2025). We (tech team) had a great plan and I anticipated that we would complete deployment of that plan in 2025 and it would be a timely time for me to be done: 2 more years of income at a level that would allow me to get the house in shape to be most easily maintained as I aged as well as a good reserve.

I saw two quotes that resonated with me.

“Sometimes, no matter how much you love what you’re doing, it’s not worth becoming the person it’s turning you into.”

— Whale Harbor Dreams (Saltwater Sunsets Book 1) by Fiona Baker https://a.co/gvTwCEs ***

And …

“What you tolerate is what you validate” … Instagram anonymous.

Those words helped me understand my need to step away from my plan, from a long-time team and client and from sure-ish income.

I should be done, i.e. fulfilled my hours owed commitment by 12/20 latest: Merry Christmas to me!!

Meanwhile …

I need to fill in some income in order to stay in this house. Or I could sell and be able to buy a little house in a different area for cash and … well be darn comfortable. I want to try to keep this house … I think.

So, I have some “irons in the fire” !!

Social media content producing: I enjoy the videography and photography AND writing so I am pursuing that.

Business consulting: Not my first choice but maybe some opportunities to leverage my own experience.

My own social media: I’ve had limited success with blog and YouTube, but I haven’t been giving it my all, so maybe a possibility

Various online work from home gigs: bookkeeping, virtual assistant, database entry/programming ???

At any rate, some options and I am excited to see what happens.

I did an experimental walk through of Wild Thing (RV) using my 360 camera. This was to give info to a consignment dealer as well as gain experience with doing interior 360 video:

Thanksgiving 2023 … I had a lovely day … cooking, walking and being outside with Oscar and Emmett, a delicious meal … it was one of those days where I just relaxed and did all that I wanted to do. As I was doing all, I was posting photos and short video to Instagram stories. Finally, I made a mini-movie from all of the IG story posts:

One of my “for fun” things … I decided to learn watercolor painting and colored pencil drawing. I am very much enjoying both! It is relaxing to spend some time in the evening messing with one or the other.

I did realize that I needed a spot somewhat dedicated to painting and drawing. I ended up getting a small art/drafting table. The bookcase in my office was really just a place holder piece of furniture so it went away and the art table is in its place.

The table fits perfectly in place of the bookcase. It has a pull-out shelf which holds my iPad so I can follow along with tutorials. Two small drawers to hold supplies or at least supplies for current projects. To the right is a ring light. I bought that for multiple purposes: light on me for Zoom meetings, light on objects and/or food for photography and videography and light on that table for evening painting. The ring light is shown fully shortened but it extends to nearly the ceiling. It has a built in battery so can be run cordless, thus easy to move around … AND it has a phone holder so I can set up my phone to record video. There is an adjustment that allows the ring light to bend to 90 degrees and all in between. I have used it with much success.

Ultimately I am thrilled to be semi-retired and exploring other projects and light work opportunities.

AND!!! It is December 1 and we woke to an inch of snow and 2 Winter Storm warnings … YEA!!

Here we go Winter!

Although the Autumnal Equinox was officially early on September 23, tonight is the night in NW Montana where night is 12 hours and tomorrow is 12 hours, i.e. equal day and night :)

The weather and light is beautiful … mostly sunny days, warm-cool temperatures and the golden light of Autumn.

We had unusual late August rain which damped down most fires … still getting some haze but rain last week and forecast rain this coming week help.

The woods and yard have revived a bit: some green and the ground is not dusty dry.

As far as my porch garden goes … the deer ate the gorgeous coleus!! And the impatiens :(

The parsley was not touched but I decided to harvest it all, just in case …

I used it to make a chimichurri style “sauce” … parsley, olive oil, red wine vinegar, spice and crushed red pepper.

I’ve been making this all summer and it is good on everything: scrambled eggs, chicken, steak, fish … I love it! As of this writing, the parsley has regrouped from its harvest and I just might get another small batch before a frost.

The RV trip is on hold … maybe not happening. A number of issues with the motorhome as well as me being a bit of a wimp. Thinking about it … I worked hard all summer doing what I could to get it ready to go and I’ve been working with Emmett on the steps … We will see!

Meanwhile, I finally got the video on YouTube about assembly of my Uplift Desk.

For 29 years, I have been working on my homemade door on top of sawhorses desk:

After adding some support cushions to my chair, the height was not quite right … and some other things (explained in the video).

The new desk and also a new chair:

Seated height … I can adjust the chair to proper height and the desk to match.

And I can raise the desk to work standing up. I love that option for a break from sitting as well as if I am cooking or baking and maybe back and forth for emails or other computer tasks.

I wish I had bought it sooner!

The video details the assembly which was not difficult. The challenge was turning the desk right side up after assembly … Have a look! Subscribe to my channel … Like the video … you know the drill :)

So … mid Summer July 2023.

So far mild-ish heat as in mid 90’s F being the hottest so far.

While still hotter than I like, compared to many spots of the world, it is not that bad. AND I have my cooling tools :)

Worse than heat, though is that rain has been sparse and all vegetation is drying/dying out … and…

Fire weather.

As per usual, I prep for bugout if there is a fire.

I have a list:

Every time I go outside, I take something to the motorhome. I spend 15-30 minutes every morning working on motorhome systems: plumbing, electrical, etc. It is full of propane and water. The frig is cold. If I had to jump in and go, it is livable but not quite all mod cons yet.

One thing at a time.

One thing at a time has been my mantra the last month.

There are times when the volume and variety of “chores” seems overwhelming.

I make a list(s): must do today, things to do when time … the list(s) adjusted daily.

So, the “short summary list”:

• Prep motorhome to go short notice
• Make “to go short notice” list and organize items (this is lightning hits my woods, starts a fire and I need to GO NOW!
• Yard work needed
• House work/cleaning needed

Oh. Work. If you follow my Instagram, I have been on a work “pause/hiatus” since July 6. Good timing actually but circumstances are not all that pleasant especially as my boss/friend is majorly impacted :(

Meanwhile, I am taking care of me and mine.

Video to come:

Uplift Desk … Oscar and I LOVE IT! The switch is just out of the photo to the right, but the desk can be raised and lowered. I like it at standing height when I am back and forth … like in the morning when I might be doing bookkeeping chores in between meal prep chores. Assembly was not difficult but there was one thing … (video :) )

This year’s EcoFlow items, i.e. kind of semi-off grid/transportable power device stuff:

EcoFlow Glacier Frig/Freezer with icemaker. This is to enable me to save expensive meat in case of long term power outage … battery (lithium) powered: wheels on one end, handle on the other so easy for me to move around as well as use one of my “dog ramps” to load in the Jeep or motorhome.

EcoFlow Wave2. Last year Wave1. Wave2 is cool and heat with its own battery. Super quiet and efficient.

More in a video to come.

This squirrel! It jumps at the window, it has been attacking my front porch plants. I let Emmett and Oscar out with instructions to kill. So far, the squirrel has survived ….

I am working on videos … REALLY … hopefully soon.

It is actually Easter Monday as I am writing this. I intended to write and post yesterday (Easter Sunday) but got caught up in finishing a video and ran out of steam!

It was a lovely Easter Sunday with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures to 57F at my house. It felt positively balmy.

A week ago, it looked like this:

I made a crazy board and rug path over the ice from the front porch to the garage … horrible, especially if I was carrying anything to or fro.

If you watch the video below, which I shot yesterday, you will see that things look much better!

The driveway is down to bare ground also … what a relief. Things look mashed down, brown and dirty at the moment, but it is a change from almost 5 months of snow cover.

While I am not a fan of Summer heat, I am looking forward to some Spring green, wildflowers and hopefully front porch fuchsia and herbs!

The thumbnail for the video notes that it is Version 2. I posted Version 1 last evening … was not 100% happy with it … made some adjustments this morning and posted the below. I still have a LOT to learn but am making some progress so onward!

I know … no posts for months and then 2 in 2 days … go figure!

But, over the last 2 weekends, I made incredible progress in my video editing knowledge.

I had a LOT of clips … and several weeks ago, I promised myself that I would take no more video until I made some progress with video editing.

I have made some progress … a LONG way to go, but I’m feeling more comfortable with basic editing concepts.

So … from some Insta360 X3 “me mode” clips … Walk with us: a sunrise morning walk of the property perimeter. Emmett and I walk a short loop close to the house when we wake … dark walk unless it is Summer. Sunrise-ish we take this .25 mile property perimeter walk.

A week into Spring 2023 so a belated “STELLAR WINTER 2022-23”!!

First Friday of Spring:

Although a late fall (early November) heavy, wet snowstorm did a LOT of damage in my woods … more on that recovery in a separate post … early November through now has been a wonderful winter for me, Emmett and Oscar!

There has been snow on the ground since early November and for the most part, it has been great for snowshoeing (me) and walking Emmett. The snow fell regularly but in manageable amounts, i.e. not a big deal to clear and not a big deal on our walk paths on the state land.

Close to Christmas, I bought new snowshoes which I LOVE. They are easy on and off and do very well on the game trails as well as on the various times we got 4-6 inches of new snow.

I snowshoed more this winter than I have in many years of winters’ past combined! And because the snowfall came in manageable amounts, it packed well on my property and the state land so Emmett was able to negotiate on and off trail. We were out nearly every day for 1/2-1-1.5 mile outings!

Meanwhile … workwise a new version/new tools … again. So, typical headache inducing learning of a new way of doing things. It is a combination of fun, aggravation and ultimately joy in successfully navigating a new paradigm … old dogs (me) CAN learn new tricks and I am convinced that it is good for an aging brain to soldier on!

Various life stuff, work stuff … etc. but when I could, I have been working on video: shooting technique and editing. I added 2 360 cameras to my shooting arsenal.

***For my viewers who have issues with spatial orientation … skip the below marketing video … lots of spins and swoops, etc.

The 360 cameras are a complete game changer. I had thought I wanted to add a drone to my camera pack, but the 360 cameras actually allow me to mimic drone shots in a way that is easier in my walk/keep an eye on Emmett scenario.

The 360 cameras have 2 180 degree lenses … one on each side. The camera software then stitches the 2 180 degree images together to make 360 video.

The 360 editing software allows me to reframe the 360 video however I’d like so ultimately it does not matter where I point the camera as it captures everything. After hours of tutorials and trying this and that, I am still at the newbie beginner stage, but also at the stage where I can SEE the incredible possibilities. The Insta360 marketing video above shows the extreme possibilities of the camera … and of the editing.

At any rate … after a lot of time watching tutorials, experimenting and understanding that it will take me a lot more time to get super creative with the cameras, I decided it was time to just post something! This video is a combination of clips from my Insta360 X3 as well as from my iPhone 14 Pro. The 360 video was reframed using the Insta360 mobile app. Clips were combined and final editing was done in Adobe Premiere Rush.

Finally, a favorite photo that did not make it to Instagram:

One of several Winter full moon nights … the moon, stars and snow made for many lovely night time walks this Stellar Winter.