Saturday, May 14, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Gibbous @96.4%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

Yesterday, I returned to work, back into the swing, and the event went smoothly. That morning, lots of chicks had arrived along with some ducklings. Customers paraded in to admire babies in the brooders.

A coworker gave me a new mask, handmade from a chicken-print fabric. So cute; I wore it as a perfect fit for my “chicken lady” role in the store.

Another new thing, and a plus, the store manager pulled some numbers for me doing with chicken sales. I had requested them as an incentive to sell more. The company doesn’t push employees to make sales; it focuses instead on teamwork. Because many who are very young work, too, it might be that a “teaming over profit concept” works okay. Unapologetically, I’m old school; I want to know what I’m accomplishing, and please, Dear Manager, by the numbers.

That was a big nod, getting some numbers. They’re not excellent and detailed but general and uninformative. However, it’s a step. I’ll be quiet a while before asking for more, but I will return to the topic. Sharing data is the correct way to involve people and encourage high effort.

In my career days, I worked with top managers to create communications and leadership training. I then worked with subordinate managers of profit centers to communicate to and train their teams. It’s funny today that I’m trying to teach upwards from a lowly position as a chicken lady. My point is that, as much as most things change, not everything does. Excellent employee leadership and communications never change except for vocabulary adjustments.

Speaking of numbers, I have a longtime friend who lays floors professionally. He is an exacto kind of guy. I’m calling on him to consider my floor replacement job. Even if he can’t take it on, he’ll give me an idea of the project’s actual value, which will help when I’m gathering estimates.

Dear Friends: The fun number is tomorrow’s 99.9% Flower Moon + Total Eclipse. Diana

Friday, May 13, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Gibbous @90.8%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

Thanks to my friend, Susie! She quashed my animal care headaches. Round one is done: the puppy had an inoculation, and the goats received worm meds. A second round of the same will occur in a few weeks.

The puppy, Chase, grows more innovative and robust every day. While outside this morning, he romped with new vigor and boldness, and inside, he focused longer on each toy with which he played. Seeing him changing is a treat; he’s a flower bud unfolding.

I received what seemed an ungodly estimate to replace flooring throughout my house. The pricing falls into line relative to today’s inflated world; I will accept it. I must wait for at least three months for my work to begin. Starting delays in work related to construction and remodeling is another factor in times of high demand.

I understand these time and money factors have to do with meeting the demands of an aging population. Retirees and those near retirement have benefitted from high yield times, saving excessive money and upgrading their holdings. I tiptoed into the category, aided by the years of steadily rising markets for stocks and homes.

I remember tiptoeing into the 2005-2006 housing market, excited to buy and remodel a home to increase its resale potential. That rosiness took on a gray tone in 2007 and blackened out in 2008, followed by some years of financial gloom and doom.

Is this cycle different enough, or have key inflation controllers learned enough to prevent another 2008? I will face the situation and have the floors re-done, even while questioning the economic future. Just as most everybody else does, and as most of us did, pre-2008.

Dear Friends: At work today, chickens will have me forgetting all else. Diana

Thursday, May 12, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Gibbous @83.4%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

This morning I have an early commitment, and this is a brief hello.

I’m not going to my workplace but have an appointment with a contractor. It’s time to have some remodeling and repairs done to my house. I like my house, but renewals are ahead after twenty years of living with dogs.

Anyway, this fellow is bringing samples and a tape measure. We will discuss possibilities and potential. When hiring a contractor, the biggest thing is getting work scheduled, as everybody in construction is several months behind in their commitments.

Once this gets going, I’ll toss my heavy furniture. I want simplicity, like Ikea! After years, it’s become clear that I hang out in just a few spots. Aside from utilizing the whole kitchen area, I have a favorite chair for watching TV, a chair for my computer desk, and a chair that works for reading. Of course, there’s a bed.

My house might wind up on the empty side. It’ll be easier to clean, and I’ll be comfortable and happier.

By the way, I dumped Netflix and am going to do that with the other streaming platforms. Too much blood and gore and too little real substance. My chair for TV watching might go, too.

Dear Friends: A remodel, a new era, we change, and little remains the same. Diana

Wednesday 11, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Gibbous @75.1%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

My little puppy, Chase, is nine weeks old and matures daily. A physical challenge, impossible yesterday, becomes doable today. He’s good about following, responding to my calls, but dislikes being kenneled. He squirms and protests mightily, but that’s life, fella.

Today, Mitzvah will meet up with Chase. She’s always curious and hangs around his kennel. Mitzvah is a dependable walking companion, and while with the puppy won’t lead him astray.

Chase needs his puppy shots. I have a first shot but doubt he will remain still for a sub-Q injection. It makes sense to check with the vet clinic for a brief opening today or tomorrow for a puppy shot.

Better, a neighbor might have a moment to hold Chase while I give him a shot. To a neighbor who might help, Chase will need two follow up shots, each three weeks after the one before.

I understand that when it’s time for his first rabies shot, if I show wrappers and receipts as proof he’s been vaccinated, a vet might administer just the rabies.

Immunity became an issue yesterday. Chase surprised me by drinking from a ground-level birdbath. He lacks immunity to any external condition that may attract him. The little fella, full of puppy curiosity, needs those shots.

Dear Friends: He will need managing and anchoring before receiving a shot. Diana

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Tuesday 10, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waing Gibbous @65.3%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

I didn’t ask for a work schedule change. I thought about economics, not just money but social.

This is a period of confusing politics and social attitudes. It’s also a time of relative affluence for average Americans. Our wages, savings, and investments are up or holding steadily enough. The Americans who own homes are sitting on a profitable resale market.

I held off asking for a schedule change in these unusual times. Fewer people hunting for jobs are making it difficult to hire. Good employers are bending over backward to retain appreciated employees. My workplace needs a worker where it has placed me.

My decision has to do with fairness. I will hold off on requesting reduced hours and help management by continuing my current schedule and making a decent effort. If my hours remain too wearing, I will request a change.

These are odd times. Ahead is a future of cloudy economics and social attitudes. An individual’s current choices and decisions must consider what’s likely to work out best.

Dear Friends: This replay of cloudiness reflects less confidence in today’s leaders. Diana

Monday 09, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” in First Quarter @54.9%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

The feed store where I work has a garden department that’s been busy during the last couple of weeks; the weather has been great. Except that yesterday snow fell, enough to leave standing white stuff through afternoon and nighttime. Last evening, employees left work talking about how disappointed those who planted must feel.

This morning, I must be at the store before it opens to ready the chicks. The store has reduced my hours at my request. Now I have a four-day schedule, but it’s too wearing. I close three nights and arrive home late; I open one day but too early after a late evening.

Today, I will ask for a three-day-only schedule. The store needs someone on chicks for four days, so my role will change. I am willing to return to cashiering, would be okay closing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and then being off Mondays through Thursdays.

I’ve enjoyed the chicks and am glad to have been responsible for them. I’ve learned a lot, met friendly people, and had fun. However, the physicality of chick maintenance and care has increased as more chick quantities arrive regularly for summer sales. Late and early working hours, and the business of caring for chicks, interfere with responsibilities at home.

I hope the store will work out a better schedule for me, and now I must rush.

Dear Friends: Plus, chicks are tempting; already, I have too many of them. Diana

Sunday 08, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @45.5%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

Again, a growing perception of women as equal citizens is under assault. The leaked “Roe v. Wade” document declares war on women’s rights and, by inference, other individual freedoms that have improved our lives over the last fifty years.

Evangelicals and power-hungry white men, a social Band of Brothers, are floating on an ocean of social conflict. Their ploy is to destroy individual social rights while war is waged “across the world” in Ukraine. Far away are Russia and Ukraine; and now is the time to bring women and minorities under control.

That is, unless the madmen in Russia and North Korea turn to nuclear and/or biological weapons. Then war won’t be far away; it will be a major preoccupation. Until such a time, our guiding political and judicial bodies are a mess, fighting over ridiculous issues while world peace is at risk.

Joe Biden is a statesman negotiating with enlightened nations to help bolster Ukraine’s offensive. Biden has not sent America’s Armed Forces to war, different from how this country has participated in previous battles against challenges to America’s economic welfare.

Our leadership bodies are preoccupied with reducing individual rights. Their noise dims attention to possible international war and nuclear realities. Our powerful bodies in this time of national confusion are trying to sack key elements of equality and individual rights.

Historically, today, and in the future, Roe is the tip of a vast iceberg. Regardless of how Roe may work out, the goal of influential people is to corral fifty years of hard-earned gains in social equality.

I am a beneficiary of the birth control pill and Roe vs. Wade. Those elements freed women from kids and kitchens. I realized a dream of not spending my working life as a secretary by taking advantage of new night-time degree programs that allowed continuing day-time jobs. I achieved degrees and gained a career.

I had a sense of achievement and forever have been grateful for the factors that promoted widespread equal opportunities.

Dear Friends: Now, fronting the Supreme Court is an unscalable wall. Messy! Diana

Saturday 07, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @36.7%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

The header photo is of my beautiful, quirky, big sister, six years ago. We were lunching at Baldy’s BBQ shortly after she had moved into assisted living. Now, she has been gone almost three years.

I think about her every day. In my mind, the good and bad in our relationship tend to roll and merge. Mostly, all’s good.

Time changes perspective. I’ve reached more of an understanding of us as individuals and together.

She was a handful, sometimes unpredictable, often challenging. On getting an idea that she liked, she would start moving to accomplish it. And did accomplish some amazing things. She used to enjoy quoting the song, “I did it my way.”

She strongly influenced my likes and dislikes. She was opinionated, and I struggled against her sometimes-overpowering views and demands. During the last couple of years, I have reached an understanding that I adored her.

In today’s wisdom, if we could wind time back, and relive some of it differently.

Dear Friends: My big sister was uniquely great, funny, and fun. Diana

Friday 06, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @27.6%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

The header photo is of Peaches, on first spotting our new eight-week-old puppy, Chase.

After three days at home from work, I’ll return to the feed store this afternoon. Another three and one-half days working there, and I’ll have another three to stay at home. Being off Tuesdays through Thursdays might become my regular schedule. Not bad, and I’ll see how it may work out.

My productive time off this week has involved fledging chickens, and so far, so good. The first youngsters released into the larger flock are managing to integrate. My turkeys, after going dormant for months, are beginning to lay eggs; I love turkey eggs and yesterday collected one. The week-old Ducklings are a handful, noisy, busy, growing rapidly, and guzzling water like there’s no tomorrow. Ahead, a few more chicks to fledge; they’ll be the last, no adding to them.

The puppy has filled the time in-between taking care of other critters. He’s a clever little fella and cuter than a button. Today will be his first time staying alone while I’m away working for four hours. He will be in a large kennel on a tiled floor with his bed, toys, food, and water. If all goes well, that’s a plan for the next three days when I am away working for eight hours. I can dip in to check on him at lunchtime (and refill the ducklings’ water).

Busy day, busy day, busy days.

Dear Friends: My other favorite eggs are ducks’; this summer, I hope for some. Diana

Thursday 05, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @19.3%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

A woman appears in the feed store where I work part-time. She’s carrying a puppy, and I ask if I may hold it. The puppy snuggles into my neck. She says he’s eight weeks old and that she’s a pet rescuer from Warm Springs. This puppy from a litter of eight is for adoption.

His new name memorializes Susie’s and my frequent outings to “chase” rising full moons.

The Warm Springs Woman said he’d last eaten that morning. The evening I brought him home, he was quiet. He ate, drank, and fell asleep. The next morning, he was more energetic. He received periodic meals, hyration, naps, and exercise through the day and perked up lots.

He’s a smart tyke, learns quickly. He follows me, plays with new toys, and explores. He’s a brave one, here first meeting the pack.

That’s as close as he’s allowed to my other dogs. They’d be okay with him, and Mitzvah is eager to play with Chase. He’s tiny, still awkward, and may integrate fully in a few days.

Upon discovering our kitty, Maxwell, the pup insisted on playing with him. Max tolerates the puppy’s aggressiveness and dodges away when it’s annoying.

Chase and I went walking and met a neighborhood friend, Julia. She was walking with her Doodle, Indie. Chase ran directly to Indie wanting to play, and Indie was kind but avoided him. I recognized that tiny Chase is very bold. He needs to be leash trained.

As to his breed, the rescuer said she’d seen his parents and muttered something like, “Chiweenie.” That suggests little Chase might remain small and match well with Mitzvah.

Dear Friends: I should find work in a different environment, say a stationery store. Diana