This is the answer that actually explains my problem! I went to the Learn X in Y site that another comment recommended and scrolled to the python guide[1]. It is a list of syntax, but it is (in my mind) insane! It goes right through all the math that is there and then jumps into lists. The first thing it does is show this!

# Add stuff to the end of a list with append li.append(1) # li is now [1]

And this is exactly the kind of stuff that keeps me from getting deeper into programming. I look at that, and wonder, "what the hell is that . doing?" Now, I know enough python to know that it is calling some function on an object called 'li', and that li is a list. or something that can take a .append() command. I also know that append() is some kind of function. But, these guides never give me enough detail on what the . means. Worse, it seems difficult to find answers to this kind of stuff in aggregate. If I google everything I can find stack exchange pages on each piece of syntax and can get to the point, but for fluency and retention I really need that conceptual piece.

I don't write software, but I use python/pandas for basic work with restructuring data. The hurdle to understanding how to slice data frames was incredible for me. I couldn't understand from the examples why the behavior works the way it does. I often feel like I can get working code without any real connection or understanding of why the code works.

You're answer is great, I wish there was a solution for this disconnect since I can't imagine I'm the only one who feels this way.

[1] https://learnxinyminutes.com/docs/python/