Dispatch no. 21 - Updates Podcast

Extremely late to the game, but I’ve been binging your Patreon content while I’m in bed with COVID. It’s fun to hear you talk about things you were unsure about but have since accomplished. The reason I’m commenting, I want to recommend the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY. It’s a great museum because it is an art, science, and history museum all in one. It’s not super close to Albany, but it’s close to Ithaca and I’m guessing you will travel near there sooner or later.

I'm catching up on this super-late, but I just wanted to put in a plug for Berkshire County, MA, where I grew up. It borders New York State so is probably close to some of the places you've been looking at. PROs: - cheap compared to most of MA - very politically liberal for a relatively rural area - touristy, so a lot more cultural attractions and restaurants than some rural places - old houses all over the place - can drive to Boston for a day-trip, or NYC for a weekend, convenient airport at Albany CONs: - internet sucks in some places, my mom couldn't get broadband until THIS YEAR - only fabric store that I know of is Jo-Ann, though NYC garment district is in striking distance, Albany may have some - winter is cold and snowy, summer is humid

As ever, please take care of yourself. In a counter-intuitive way, taking time off allows you to get more done. Re: places to look at as possible places to move, Rhode Island and northwestern Connecticut have a lot to offer. Houses are still reasonably affordable and on the cusp of more cultured areas. RI has the RI Institute of Design with an interesting museum and fashion/textile exhibits. Because of the college, there is local accessibility of art and clothing design supplies. Great independant fabric stores. There are a number of cultural exhibits and small museums close by. Boston isn't too far away. The train makes NYC a day trip, although a long one.

Unsolicited advice is a killer, I know, but if you want dedicated writing time plus socialization find yourself a group to do sprints with. 10-20 minute chunks of writing interspersed with chatting. It has kept me sane and productive this past year. You do good work here and we'd hate to see you burn out.

As one of your ‘bosses’ I concur with everyone else that you deserve a break and should take a lovely long one. I live in the Midlands in the UK, about an hour from London on the train, and this has really made me realise I take it for granted! Thank you for another year of lovely content, and for real updates on projects that don’t turn out right - weirdly it’s a confidence boost for those of us still learning, and dealing with projects going wrong what feels like allllllllll the time

Owl fan! Please make another fan!!!!!!!!! As your boss, I agree you have to take 4 weeks off and we will hold you accountable.

Wise decision re travelling abroad in 2022 - we have made the same decision. House saving can be fun - just keep thinking about all the lovely decisions you're going to make about the fabric of the house. Our fist house was in St Anne's on Sea- big house building boom here in the UK during the Edwardian period too at the seaside. Accrington brick, stone bay windows with leaded lights and tall ceilings- it may have been a semi-detached in a street of the same - and needed a lot of work which enjoyed. I loved bringing her back....❤

Bianca, if we really are your bosses, how 'bout you put up a poll for us to decide the dates of your 4+ weeks off this year, and to keep you accountable in taking them? Take care, get those appointments ok? All the very best for the rest of the season and into the new year!

Right before the panini, I moved to St. Catharines (from near Toronto) partly so that I could be close to upstate NY. The plan was to be able to go for day trips over the border, enjoy drives along scenic roads and lots of poking around antique stores and old neighbourhoods. Alas, it's all been delayed and I dream of the day when I can explore upstate NY. I can see Youngstown, NY from close to my home, that's it for now, maybe in 2022, it will improve? I studied in Rochester and NYC and have very happy memories of the state. The Catskills are gorgeous 😍 and I loved Jamestown. I would be happy if you ended up in that area. Of course, you need to explore and find the place that's right for you. I like that you want to learn piano, a bit of doodling in the key of D-minor does a body good and you don't even need technique for that. Enjoy your time off, we celebrate your accomplishments this year! P.S. Thank you for the owl fan link. I'll admit I greedily poured over photos on The Fan Museum website.

I, too, grew up in Northern New York about 2 hours from Montreal. And spent my first ten "career years" in Central New York. So feel free to ask me questions at any time. Maybe you can buy the house next door to Christine McConnell ;-)

e.g. https://www.oldhousedreams.com/2021/10/19/1861-italianate-in-ogdensburg-ny/

Re: NYS. I grew up in a small town in northern New York State, not far from the Canadian boarder. You might want to consider visiting Ottawa, Montreal, and/or Quebec City. These cities are some of the oldest architecture in North America and have more of a European feel. Old Montreal is so picturesque and quaint. An idea: northern New York State and northern Vermont have some beautiful and quite spots (with fall colors straight out of a post card), old Victorian houses in need of restoration and are just a couple hours drive to these Canadian cities. ;-)

Wow! I've been collecting fabric since the 80s. I always joke that I have enough fabric to open my own quilt shop. We retired to Pueblo (from VA). I have been slowly using up my stash. It is VERY HARD not to buy new fabric. Lots of good advice has been given, so I won't repeat. Upper New York state is wonderful, especially if you like winter. My husband and I love GB. But it is so expensive to buy and live there. You might look at Whales! Look forward to what you have instore for us next year. This year was perfection.

Self care or even winter hibernation is a must. We'll still all be here for you. On another note: I was hoping you may put your beetles (beadles) on Etsy.

Definitely not in London, but in Hastings there is a Victorian era silk flower maker/museum which would be a great visit (its on the to do list but s pain to get to from Gosport. As for value for money housewise if you did want to look st the UK - go Midland / North. Liverpool and Manchester are still big cities with big history and museums etc but ince you get an hour or so out the house prices are a lot more reasonable than the m25/m4 corridor areas. Cities like portsmouth and gosport are largely victorian houses but they arent great, they were built for speed (cities doubled/tripled in size in the 1860 to 90s). Ive got a friend with a vintage hoard up midland way eho lives in a big ole victorian mansion I need to visit!

Forgot to say if you ever get to Greenwich (I've been meaning to visit the Fan Museum for a long time) head up the hill and (if it's open) visit the Rangers House in Blackheath - full of many curios you'd love it!

Sorry to hear about your project not working out - it's painful when something you imagine doesn't work out (for whatever reason). But I'm a believer that these things need to happen to keep our skills honed. Your dissapointment is natural and shows you care about what you do. But sounds like you need a break from sewing otherwise you'll end up hating what you do. Also please don't beat yourself up over what you do and don't for us or YouTube. We're here to support you and sometimes that support means giving you a bit of time/space for your mental health. Take care of yourself and have a happy new year :)

Please take time of to write. And keep in mind that employees have Holliday time. See yourself as an a employee that have free time. No one wants you to burn yourself out. This is coming from someone who did just that years back. Hugs

Indeed, take the time off. We all believe in you. Plan writing time in every month to recharge. I do want to read your book(s)!!!

I am all for you to take time to rest and recharge. If writing does it for you, then do it. It all comes down to how much you love yourself. Maybe you are getting to the point of recognizing that you really do love yourself? I hope so. I've been on SSRI's for 20+ years. They aren't really a guarantee that you will feel better all of the time, but rather they attempt to quiet the self-doubt enough to give you the opportunity to make decisions that will benefit you. I will always have to take these as I have PTSD and unfortunately, it never goes away. I will be dealing with this for the rest of my life. So I am doing everything that I can to be the best I can be under these circumstances. Also, remember that it can take a few months for the dosage to build up to the point of real change. Please take the time to find a good therapist. Your regular MD probably knows someone or more than someone who you could set an appt with. It's very important that you like and agree with the style of the therapist or it won't do much for you. Don't waste your hard earned money on someone who doesn't seem to get you or understand what you want to achieve in therapy. Goal setting is very important and you can only progress with someone who you feel you can trust with your innermost thoughts/feelings. I wish you the very best...you deserve nothing less. Hugs

Take the time off to recharge. If you know writing feeds you in that sort of incorporeal manner, you owe it to yourself to do so. And whilst I can’t speak for all the patrons, I would feel actually better if you sat down with some cranberry juice and worked on your manuscript. How will I ever be able to go to the bookstore and buy your book if you don’t write it?

Hi Bianca ! I say this as a mom with a 32 year old daughter that has a Type A personality, take the mental health days because if you don't it will catch up and kick your butt and we will miss you too much! I know how difficult it is to turn off the switch in your head but it's worth a try. My hometown is Syracuse NY even though we live in California and love it here but will be moving back to Central NY at some point soon. It's a beautiful state and if you work from home the winters are doable.(winters are not friendly) ..plenty of old historical buildings along with victorian homes. We were planning on visiting family in NY in the spring but not now, it's just too scary so plans are off. Be good to yourself and take the time for you ...it has been such a tough two years for all of us and life is to short to push....my best to you and I know you will find that balance that works for you!

Always nice to get genuine updates, because...ooof. Relatable. Enjoy your rest days, good luck on the house front. We went up near Fort Collins because of prices and lucked out ten years ago. If we hadn't, we'd be looking in the New York area too.