Sunday, September 11, 2022

Today’s the anniversary of horrible events in 2001, the day suicidal religious zealots successfully rammed commercial airplanes into New York City’s Twin Towers, after commandeering two American aircraft. Another set of zealot compatriots commandeered and downed an American airliner in Pennsylvania. Yet another group, hijacking another American plane, failed in ramming it into a government building in D.C.

Not long afterward, we saw videos of Taliban Leader Bin Laden. He was nodding and smiling while hearing his commanders brag that their pre-planning and death-volunteering warriors had successfully penetrated American airspace, murdering thousands.

On that day, this nation’s losses made average Americans understand the nature and power of religious zealotry. More solidly than in the past, the Middle East had alerted a larger world to the possibilities of high risk-taking, previously not fully recognized.

Zealotry has continued to be murderous, by groups and individuals, believing their image of Prophet Mohamed is somehow being injured. Attacks on innocent citizens commonly occur worldwide, and nowadays are not surprising.

Twenty-one years after those September 11 tragedies, populations are more aware and cautious, worried about a worldwide future, economically, politically, and socially. Especially concerning is if and how the world’s population may adjust to ever more powerful technologies and reduced critical natural resources.

Dear Friends: “Optimistic caution” becomes a catchphrase for “mood.” Diana

Saturday, September 10, 2022

This week’s news is an example of how modern communications keep us informed and has changed us.

Queen Elizabeth II’s death two days ago was no surprise. After all, she was 96 years old. Truth be told, there seemed an element of staging immediately preceding her passing. A day before her death, Elizabeth appeared small and assisted by a cane in a photo; and seemed capable while warmly greeting the brand new British Prime Minister.

Following the photo opp, Elizabeth was rushed back to her Scotland home, to die, and did the next day.

Since that bit of staging before her death, all media are reporting on Elizabeth’s life. Media are running old and new footage, gathering reflections of those who worked with the Queen, and emphasizing her exemplary character, dedicated career, and critical family episodes.

In fact, we already know all that. Since the mid-forties, Elizabeth has been on the public stage. During her tenure, technology has advanced. She’s been revealed and reported on, in all her critical decisions and moves. We’ve often re-heard her initial address to the nation, promising to “do her duty” in her important new role. We’ve seen pomp and circumstances, witnessed her children growing and handling their lives relatively well or screwing up, and observed Elizabeth’s personal conflicts in touchy times, like the immediate period after Diana’s death.

We have seen it all, know it all. We’re now being bombarded by old sights, sounds, and familiar impressions.

I am attracted to obituaries for the famous because I’m curious about elements in their lives and accomplishments. I’m interested in knowing about their families, childhoods, and educations.

Modern technology doesn’t protect the privacy of individuals. We already know almost everything about Queen Elizabeth. Her life has been available, in reality, or as staged in screenplays. Radio and video have captured her. Now, reporting faces challenges in using historical documentation to recapture and re-engage the public.

Reporting on her passing reveals a need to improve technological and human interfacing. The process needs a boost that more capably turns “old news” into communications that can stimulate renewed interest and greater thoughtfulness.

Dear Friends: We are finding that mass communication needs updating. Diana

Friday, September 09, 2022

I wonder why the British willingly pay taxes to maintain a “Royal Family.” There probably are questions about what might happen to crown jewels and more objects of incredible value if there are no designated users. One solution might be to dedicate a museum to Royal valuables and turn their stories into lasting memories of royal status and history.

I grew up through the entire era of Queen Elizabeth II and liked her. Well, mostly, except during the period following Diana’s death when the Royal household fell into chaos. The Queen found coping difficult; she appeared more human in her struggle to step up to the plate.

She finally acknowledged publically that Diana had been an “outstanding” (my word) individual. In an astonishing gesture during Diana’s funeral procession, Queen Elizabeth courtesied to Diana’s coffin, against a standing protocol: “The Queen doesn’t courtesy to anyone.”

Technological advances during Elizabeth’s lifetime gave the world images of a Royal family’s wins and losses. Their marriages, family life, official duties, and personalities, gave the world uncensored images of a dysfunctional family group. Like all families, some had characteristics we could choose to appreciate or not.

Throughout her life, Elizabeth paid obeisance to Royal traditions, while women’s roles rapidly evolved beyond the Palace walls. Diana’s short and fantastic life embodied those social changes. During Elizabeth’s reign, Diana’s presence in the Court (and that of another modern royal wife, Fergie) revealed cracks and craziness in traditional protocol and dysfunctional Royals.

Such insights revealed the Royals, like us all, as a family struggling to cope. Except some of them are adored by the public and all are very wealthy. Some portion of their accumulated wealth belongs to England’s population. Determining who owns what would require legal minds, and findings would force updates to traditions and laws.

Today, among all the pressures from worldwide, add the local Brexit situation and a renewed, determined Irish ethnicity. Some relevant questions now: Are the Royals still blindly adored? Is there growing public support for altering their tax-supported and majorly-elevated status?

Dear Friends: This dynamic socio-economic world pushes us to re-prioritize. Diana

Thursday, September 08, 2022

Thanks, friends, for asking about my recent physical injury status.

Last week, I fell from my horse, dumped by a suddenly-slipping saddle. I landed hard on my back’s right side, in a rockless spot, and luckily, had a riding companion who helped me onto my feet, resaddled my horse, and led the horses and me to our rig. Although in pain and some shock, I managed to walk. Fortunately, the accident occurred relatively near the trailhead.

After receiving an official “cracked rib” diagnosis and a supply of painkillers, I wished to continue my cashiering work in a supermarket. The store’s managers gave me permission to experiment with pain levels and I practiced. All went well; I’m still working.

Not much can “help” a cracked rib; it simply has to heal, which takes about six weeks. Activities requiring support from my core (like sitting down and rising up, getting into and out of bed [or a vehicle], and similar moves) cause either consistent or stabbing pains.

I’m no medicine-taker but am using painkillers. They don’t erase discomfort but help by reducing pain. Enough for me to take care of my large animals and do my supermarket job.

The status is that I’m functional and healing. I’m being forced into patience about what’s possible physically and mentally. By reducing physical activities, I’m shifting toward the “head-tripping” areas, like photography, editing, and writing.

Dear Friends: More will come from attention shifting; it’ll be good. Diana

Wednesday, September 07, 2022

The computer I have ordered is a droid laptop. to replace my Apple desktop. Earlier, as this year began, I changed to Apple from a lifetime of working exclusively on droids. Changing was an experiment, and these nine months of using all Apple components (including a watch, tablet, and cellphone) have been disappointing.

People I know and trust who are “into Apple” swear by the products. I’ve been influenced and understand why. Apple items, cool and attractive, offer fun options.

None of my Apple products still work correctly. The cellphone and watch batteries regularly fade and shut down before a day completes. My computer quickly drops its wifi connections and needs multiple shutdowns and restarts for it to recapture wifi. Completing my internet work becomes wearing and time-consuming.

Last week, a closing chapter to my Apple life occurred when I fell off my horse. I landed hard and solidly, cracked a rib, and incurred serious bruising. An Apple Watch is supposed to react to its wearer’s fall by detecting and confirming an occurrence and offering assistance. Last week, my watch didn’t notice my falling and landing.

So, this begins my Goodby to Apple, Hello to Droid. Once my new computer has proved satisfactory, I will start searching for a dependable droid smartwatch and phone.

From all I’ve heard, seen, and read, my disappointment with Apple products is unusual. Apple folks love their equipment, and so it’s with apologies to those of Apple Persuasion that I move to different possibilities.

Dear Friends: The internet and wifi have become mightily-needed resources. Diana

Tuesday, September 06, 2022

I have ordered a new computer capable of designing and editing complex graphics.

For years, finding a machine that’s able to accommodate the complete Photoshop editing package has been on my mind. I’ve ordered a laptop designed to provide all I want.

I’m an amateur photographer who’s still learning about that hobby and its associated processes. I can identify a good image and also understand what makes it so. Often, not-so-good captures have more potential than a glance or two might offer. I have wished to work with the not-so-goods and make them better or even special.

The most complete editing package available is Photoshop. It’s huge and calls for a powerful operating computer to produce high-end graphics.

I’m just beginning to shoot scenes with a new camera. It’s capable of offering more than I know how to use, a potential that invites exploring. Shooting is one part of producing images. Another is doing more with the camera’s images, from adjusting lighting to rearranging entire scenes and creating outcomes akin to art.

Achieving great images is my long-shot plan. I’m a relative beginner, accustomed to holding a camera and pointing and shooting. Finally, I’m investing in a long-term dream.

I’ll update my progress, and hopefully before long, may display artful images here.

Dear Friends: An evolving dream for thirty-plus years, and soon a new reality. Diana

Monday, September 05, 2022

Happy Labor Day! This named date has a specific historical significance, but to me, it primarily marks when potato salad ends, and potato soup begins.

Now the Central Oregon weather is cooling. These nights, I enjoy sleeping under a blanket. Through a window, I can see the over-half-full, beautiful September moon.

Our Pacific Northwest has come through another too dry summer and already nearby fires have broken out. It’s a worrisome possibility of spontaneous wildfires.

In my part-time work as a supermarket checker, I listen to citizens. These days, I hear a focus on wildfires. There are focuses on vigilance and confidence in local firefighters having solid experience and equipment.

I love that September initiates a string of nearly three months of beautiful weather. This period is about cool colors, birds and trees, breezes and shadows, moons and night lights, chopped wood, and fired-up hearths.

All that’s what Labor Day means to me.

There’s steady evidence that this Holiday’s true significance is evolving. Technologies have changed working places, equipment styles, job opportunities, and workers’ paths to learning. Today’s working-age population views work as differing vastly from those of our earlier-times heroes. Their right to unionize was a high achievement that remains essential.

Today, with hot dogs, chips, and beer, we celebrate earlier American workers and their hard-won right to unionize. In the time ahead are bound to be multiple new reasons for having a Labor Day and considering it special.

Dear Friends: Time changes, and changes evolve; only moments may offer static. Diana

Sunday, September 04, 2022

Last Friday, after leaving Urgent Care with a “cracked rib” diagnosis, I went to my part-time employer, a supermarket, and met with its managers. I explained my injury and asked to continue working, by experimenting to assess my pain levels. I could test my ability to cashier actively, by performing work from left to right or vice versa. They agreed to let me experiment by using cash registers that face either north or south.

Yesterday, the store took good care of me. I could choose registers and experiment. I could have taken more breaks, or stopped and gone home for time off. It happened that in both directions, I worked efficiently.

That morning, I had taken a careful dose of narcotic, to ease pain and not interfere with cognizance. I remained, while working, aware of discomfort but it didn’t rule.

So, having figured things out, I will continue actively working as a cashier. Much better than hanging around the house and thinking about my sore ribcage.

The best now is the ability to refocus my energies and do what’s pleasurable. Understanding my back pain more frees me for better things, like reading fiction and practicing with my new camera.

Dear Friends: Our human attributes include the capability of living with pain. Diana

Saturday, September 03, 2022

It’s a good morning.

Yesterday, at Urgent Care, I learned that there’s a crack in one of my ribs. That explains the intense pain hounding me after my saddle slid, and I fell off my horse.

Just a note to say all’s good today. I’m choosing to go to work and running late.

I will explain more tomorrow.

Dear Friends: Thanks for your concerns and offers to help as needed. Diana

This will be short as my plans for today have changed.

Through no fault of my horse or myself, the saddle I was riding suddenly slipped sideways, dumping me onto the ground. Fortunately, I landed in an area with a brush and no rocks. Plus, I was not riding alone and had assistance.

Earlier today, I called out from work. I am ambulatory, but moving does cause pain in my lower right-side back. I will go to urgent care for a look-over.

I can handle routine chores at home, so don’t need help. I want Urgent Care to explain the source of my pain and want to return quickly to my part-time job, which requires some physical strength.

It was a fluky incident. I had been riding for some time before the saddle, without any warning at all, suddenly turned. I slipped off and completely free from my horse, a good girl, she stopped and waited.

Also, I have been taking pictures with my new camera. It represents new technology and is cool to use with amazing potential. Ahead for me is practicing, with a big learning curve and the fun of achieving.

Dear Friends: All’s well; being cautious, and planning to semi-retire that saddle. Diana