Monday, June 13, 2022

The Time and Date website illustrates a special lineup of planets arriving soon in our pre-dawn sky. A viewer can see Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn lined up, in a sort of “celstial choreography.” The Sun joins as a reddish glow from just beneath the horizon. This will occur at 4:40 a.m. (local time) on June 24.

Coming tomorrow evening is the rise of June’s fullest Moon, “Strawberry.” I’ll be in a farmer’s field out east beyond city lights with my moon-chasing friend, Susie. We’ll be there watching the dark horizon to witness Strawberry Moon’s earliest appearance. A full globe’s first lights and risings are amazing events that excite and satisfy.

June’s Full Strawberry Moon is named after the plentiful strawberries that grow this time of year in our Northern Hemisphere. “Strawberry” happens to be a Super Full Moon. A Super Moon looks bigger than a regular Full Moon, it’s an excellent subject for photographs. Susie and I will capture images as this one rises above the horizon!

As of today, I’m officially an ex-employee of Wilco. Working there has been fun. Its managers are kind and people-oriented. I learned about being in a retail environment and am moving forward to a new challenge. I’ll operate a cash register for the supermarket chain, WinCo.

For local readers who shop at our WinCo, look around for me. My cash register will be somewhere among the many, and I hope to see familiar faces.

Dear Friends: Never-ending changes, in the sky, societies, human activities. Diana

Sunday, June 12, 2022

This will be another day of work, once again back at Wilco. I owe the store a day to receive earned vacation time. I’ll purchase goods for upcoming needs while my employee discount exists. There’s much I will miss about Wilco, it’s a kind environment.

My new workplace, Winco, is a super busy store. I’m at a register checking out people and the lines are constant. I’m learning on the job, making minor mistakes but not hurting the store. Getting quicker is my essential goal. I’m not memorizing product codes but can find them faster.

Because we’re busy, working hours pass quickly. So far, so good.

A couple of ex-coworkers from Costco suddenly appeared at my check-stand at the same time. We celebrated a brief reunion. Word’s out, that I’ve moved on!

Rain, beautiful rain, we’ve been getting it. Not heavy, no downpours, but daily drizzles. I’ll call my hay-guy hoping to learn his crop will be good. It’s been very dry, making hay hard to find and very expensive. Many of us having horses worry about gaining enough hay to carry our animals through another year. Keep coming, rain!

Incoming populations are making Oregon liberal enough that a gun control measure may get onto the next ballot. If so, hopefully, gun control resisters won’t misbehave. Gun control and abortion issues make some individuals crazy and heighten an already tense environment.

On that note, I’ll sign off now.

Dear Friends: Everything changes constantly, and too little changes really. Diana

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Yesterday was my second day on the job and I asked to work at “my own” register. The Leads appeared surprised but assigned me to one located near an experienced cashier. She kindly assisted when I got stuck and early on that was often. Eventually my glitches became fewer, and by shift-end, I could reasonably well process customers through.

The fastest cashiers can rattle off product sku numbers from memory, which I’ll never do with any competence, for my brain doesn’t process numbers efficiently. I can’t count as well as I can process words; but experience teaches that I am flexible. I can figure out how to elevate my performance and be a winner in this new game.

The store has lots of employees, mostly on their toes and aware of what’s going on and who’s doing what. It’s similar to my former cashiering job but on steriods. This store is a one-stop, and convenient workplace for almost everything. I’ll need to shop elsewhere mainly for clothing and farm animal products.

Except that I want make some furniture changes. That might take traveling to Portland and finding Ikea.

Dear Friends: Interesting and absorbing, the inner world of commerce. Diana

Friday, June 10, 2022

Last month, I made a mistake by switching to IOS from Windows. The transition hasn’t been smooth and I’m unhappy with the Apple Computer. Changing operating systems has messed up some platforms I use, like this Word Press.

A key interference is that I’m adapting to new working conditions and having to alter home routines. I can’t focus on researching, fiddling, and learning to operate the Apple smoothly. At least (and finally), I can get into Word Press and write a blog. Now, a problem is that I can’t locate photos saved to Apple and insert them into blogs.

The header photo is from a couple of years ago and not related to a theme. I like the image and wish to go horseback riding in this fine weather. This photo is up, because I could find and insert it in today’s blog.

I’ll keep working to learn how to save and retrieve photos. Meanwhile, this is a quick good morning to readers.

I spent all of yesterday at work “shadowing” a cash register operator, meaning I watched as she worked. All good, until I began jerking myself awake and couldn’t keep paying attention. Well, that’s how the store trains. Today, however, I will request to operate a register by myself. For awhile, I won’t work quickly, but will learn and that’s the goal.

Also, the checking clerk I watched yesterday is twenty years old. A surprise, that someone too young to drink legally can sell beer and wine. She was rigorous about checking IDs of buyers appearing too young to drink. I will ask about this, just curious.

Dear Friends: Get yourselves outside, enjoy this beautiful day. Diana

Thursday, June 09, 2022

One of my baby chickens has begun laying eggs. They’re small as Bantam eggs, although none of my hens are Bantams. The bland color of shells doesn’t point toward any particular hens. This morning for breakfast I will poach mystery hen’s eggs. They’ll gradually enlarge as she matures.

The middle egg, pictured for comparison, is from a turkey. I do love turkey eggs. My two turkey girls are laying and they’re broody. I have to shove one or both aside before collecting eggs, theirs and the chickens’. Shoving aside a turkey isn’t easy. She’s heavy, can be stubborn, and knows I’m after the eggs. Her bellowing replaces her usual soft squeaks and whistles.

Those critters and my others offer relief and fun after my full days of working. Yesterday, I was oriented into my new job, had to tolerate hours of video training. Each module ended with test questions which I had to answer correctly or couldn’t exit. I became a figure only half-alive, brain-dead and incredibly sleepy, but somehow got through the process.

Today, I’ll work at a cash register. Better, because it’s hands-on learning. I wonder how well my current register skills may transition to another business. Hopefully soon, I’ll start working independently.

As of now, my pets and I must adapt to changed conditions. They will eat according to my new schedule and won’t like it, nor will I, but we will do what’s needed. Welcome wages will contribute to new flooring that’s scheduled for my home.

Dear Friends: Ahead, new challenges, new friends, new learning, new fun. Diana

Wednesday, June 08, 2022

Today will be my first in a new job. A year ago, the supermarket, WinCo, part of a huge cut-rate grocery chain, moved into town. Many of us looking forward to WinCo’s arrival waited through months of renovation to the building that would hold it. We cheered its opening, which occurred just ahead of the pandemic.

Like most businesses during the pandemic, WinCo had difficulty finding and maintaining adequate staffing. Occasionally, some departments remained dark; but as promised, it remained well-stocked and accessible twenty-four hours daily.

Very impressive, as the pandemic forced many businesses to close. Stores couldn’t staff and merchandise adequately, and potential customers were staying at home.

Last week, I was interviewed for a job at WinCo and learned it’s a large chain. Founded in 1967 and based in Boise, WinCo is privately held; owned by former and current employees through a employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The chain has 126 stores and 20,000 employees. WinCo has large distribution centers stocking its stores, in Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, and Montana.

Thanks to the six months I worked at Wilco, I’ve the marketable skill of opearting a busy cash register. Cashiering often is an entry-level position, and where I’ll start with WinCo.

Dear Friends: Today, I’ll gain insight into the store’s culture and learn much more. Diana

Tuesday, June 07, 2022

The dye is cast, and today there’s an order going forward for vinyl flooring that I selected after reviewing pattern choices.

I try to re-imagine throughout my house, first, the carpeted floors becoming carpet-less, and then, recovered with vinyl in a wood-like pattern. My installer says to stop imagining, and instead, start packing away the tchotchkes, on display in large cases that he must move before stripping and recovering floors.

Tomorrow starts my new job at the supermarket, Winco. I haven’t a weekly schedule and regardless of what it might become, I must engage actively in packing and tossing. Let the downsizing begin!

The header photo shows one of my turkeys close-up for petting. Both of my friendly hen turkeys are about a year old. Currently they’re laying and are broody, setting on their eggs and those from chickens in the community nest. Some of the chicken hens also are broody and taking turns with turkeys on the eggs. It’s illogical to imagine a turkey hatching a chicken or a chicken hatching a turkey, so I pull all the eggs. The turkeys are aware that I’m removing their eggs and object by following me closely with noisy squeaks and whistles.

Dear Friends: On this last employment-free-day, my to-dos are overwhelming. Diana

Monday, June 05, 2022

After a workdday I exit my Jeep at the barn, to feed the horses before going up to the house. Louie watches intently. He loves balls and if invited to join me will hurry to a neighbor’s and search for a ChuckIt Ball. He’ll steal and bring it, insisting physically and noisily that I toss so he can chase.

That’s why Louie is fenced off when I’m in the barn area. I don’t mind his ball-stealing, for I simply toss them back to where they belong. I worry that Louie is thirteen years old and now somewhat arthritic. If a territorial dog spots and chases the little guy, he’d be toast.

Louie is bold, in his head believing himself a kingpin. Often he stiff-legs around my larger dogs and tries to growl them into submission. Thankfully, they mostly ignore him.

I’ve learned to appreciate Louie’s odd quirks. They’re companions to the marble eyes that confuse where Louie might be focusing. He has a great “stink-eye look” that deters would-be Louie-petters in stores. When he accompanies me, many become attracted by my small merle-coated dog, but far as Louie is concerned, he’s mine, only mine, and untouchable by strangers.

That is, except for those who display great comfort being around dogs. Louie recognizes and enjoys petters that don’t get put off by his little-big-man attitude. Those folks make Louie’s eyes soften.

Dear Friends: Little Louie, brave and loyal, always a wonderful trail buddy. Diana

Sunday, June 05, 2022

Today will be my next-to-last working in the part-time job I’ve held for six months. In midweek, I’ll move into a new position at the local Winco, a supermarket in a large cost-cutting chain.

Work in a supermarket might not sound exciting, but will be meaningful to me. I’ve begun to understand today’s employee issues, the scarcity of good applicants in environments now requiring them. I find myself even at an advanced age considered a good hire.

In recent months, I’ve worked with young people generations behind me and learned about them. Young workers technically are great and quickly grasp rules and requirements. What’s lacking often in modern, relatively inexperienced employees, is understanding when to apply common sense as opposed to following rules. Common sense that veers from rules is appropriate if it’s explainable and justifiable.

Common sense is an element that experienced teaches. Wise interviewers “hear it” in the voices of post-retirees. That tone and a retiree’s working history suggest a good employment candidate.

All those have renewed my relationship to the world beyond home and property. It’s renewed some relationship to myself. For instance, I am aware of a more active brain and good memory. Working recalls significant elements of education and experience that I put into action. Yes, in today’s economy, I am a good candidate.

All that’s fun to think about. And, after grasping my Winco job and work schedule, I will reactivate other key interests. I’ll ride horseback, hike with the dogs, play with a camera, and toy with images.

Dear Friends: Whatever one’s age, there’s always potential and a future. Diana

Saturday, June 04, 2022

The young ducks have begun living totally outside in (what was) a dog run. The large enclosure is well-fenced, safe from predators, and preventive of duckling escapees. A large Dogloo inside has a bed of straw. Beside it is is a wading pool and plenty of duck pellets. When I toss chopped kale and dried mealworms into their wading pool, the ducks are in heaven.

All my chicken babies are out and being integrated into the mature flock. Except for two babies that will be ready for fledgling in a couple of weeks. I’m watching the little one-eye who’s doing well among the flock, but whether she adequately can hold her own remains questionable. If I continue doubting, she’ll relocate to the house as a companion to my retired twelve-year-old Wellsummer (she BTW has laid another egg).

Today is my penultimate day of working for Wilco, at least during this week. After tomorrow, I will work there on one day next week. Meanwhile, during the week, I’ll be orientating and starting to work at Winco. A busy and exciting transition period.

More about all this soon.

Dear Friends: New pictures coming of puppy; he’s approaching Mitzvah in size. Diana