Hot July Daze

Thursday, July 04, 2024

The weather prediction is for unusual temperatures covering the West Coast today and for more days. We Central Oregonians are anticipating triple-digit heat and are warned to plan for staying cool enough indoors and outdoors through the overheated days and nights.

That’s the expectation on this July 4th. Tonight, open windows will let hot air into our homes, accompanying the noisy, lengthy serenading of exploding bombs and skyward rockets. We must hope no sparks ignite something highly flammable in this dry heat.

Despite the many weather warnings, last night’s was wonderful, and the coolness continues this morning. I’m not on today’s work schedule, so I will be home to ensure all stays okay through the heat and noise.

Yesterday, a customer gabbing with me offered very welcome news: Tyler Newton, a very capable equine veterinarian who used to be with Bend Equine, still is working locally and has his own mobile practice.

Tyler had been at my place several times to examine and treat my donkey, Pimmy. He was capable and kind. Sometime later, I heard, and unhappily, that he had left Bend Equine; and that practice was tight-lipped about his whereabouts. Now that I know how to contact Tyler, I will call him tomorrow to say hello and learn about his practice.

Dear Friends: Even idle chatter can spark unexpected insights. Diana

Pre-Holiday

Wednesday, July 03, 2024

Happy pre-July 4th! This is one of my two least favorite holidays (Halloween being the other) because I find them both scary and invasive. July 4th brings an even greater array of frights, creating a night of stress rather than rest with loud bangs that frighten dogs and lights that worry livestock. It’s often a seriously threatening enabler of personal and environmental dangers, such as injuries and wildfires.

Fireworks pose increasing risks that make it crucial for us to reevaluate the tradition. Rising temperatures and changing environmental conditions make fireworks a more significant fire hazard, especially in drought-prone areas. They also cause air and noise pollution that impacts the larger environment. Fireworks debris, for example, litter both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

I understand that some communities are exploring alternative ways to celebrate Independence Day. For example, laser or drone light shows that create intricate and dazzling displays in the sky are safer and more environmentally friendly options. Enhancing community events, like parades and concerts, could reduce our long-term reliance on fireworks.

As our awareness of environmental issues grows, so must our methods of celebrating events. Finding new ways to honor July 4th must allow us to balance tradition with a renewed commitment to sustainability and safety.

Dear Friends: With hopes for rest and patience tonight and tomorrow night. Diana

Oops!

Tuesday, July 02, 2024

Yesterday at work, I followed a detailed checklist I had created for my role in the Fine Jewelry Department. Throughout my evening shift, I methodically checked off each task, which helped me manage the various requirements without feeling overwhelmed. When it was time to start closing the department, I smoothly handled all the necessary routines—fine jewelry has more closing tasks than any other area in the department store. As a result, I’m often one of the last employees to clock out.

Last night, after completing my checklist, I was indeed the last employee to clock out. As I walked down an aisle towards the employee exit door, my iPhone rang. My watch showed it was a call from North Carolina, so I dismissed it, thinking it was a marketer. Little did I know that I would soon face an unexpected problem: the exit door wouldn’t open, and I found myself locked inside the store.

Fortunately, the night manager was still outside the door, concerned that a last vehicle was still in the employee parking lot. While I pushed on the stubborn exit door, the store manager called out loudly, asking if I was still inside. She unlocked the door, setting off silent alarms, and I stepped out. We waited together to see what would happen next.

How could I have known that the call from North Carolina was actually the night manager trying to reach me?

As we waited, the store’s General Manager called the night manager and provided instructions on how to resolve the situation. Thankfully, no police arrived, the alarm was reset, and my “savior car” took me home.

Had I been left entirely alone, I wouldn’t have been able to contact anyone for help. This experience taught me the importance of having store-related emergency phone numbers handy as part of my checklist.

Dear friends, Gratefully, I didn’t have to walk outside with my hands raised in surrender! Diana

A New Round

Monday, July 01, 2024

I ordered a new e-collar this morning for Chase, my young Rottweiller/Shepherd. Yesterday, Chase behaved badly by picking a fight with old and arthritic Miles. I managed to distract Chase and immediately sent him into lockdown. He spent all day in solitary, looking pitiful.

Going forward, he’ll spend longer hours in the standalone escape-proof kennel and also will be reintroduced to wearing an e-collar.

I felt angry with Chase and again wanted to rehome the problem dog. Chase is a great companion but he’s also an efficient escape artist and tends to be aggressive toward older and weaker dogs.

Some unknown breed in Chase’s complex mix has given him a mega-streak of determination. When Chase digs, it’s nonstop; when focusing on leaping a fence, it’s nonstop; and when combating a weaker dog, it’s relentless.

I dislike thinking about tossing this smart problem boy. He needs special attention, and how many others would bother with that? Well, I’ll try to hang on until he matures and hopefully becomes more mellow.

Starting now, Chase may freely roam among my other dogs only when I’m home, is in an e-collar and I’m carrying a remote. When I must leave home, Chase will be in the standalone until I return.

Miles is approaching 13 years old and is special. After years of running alongside me on horseback, he’s a little arthritic and stiff. So far, Miles’ larger size has deferred Chase’s dominant behavior, but recently, I’ve noticed domination hints from Chase and that Miles tends to avoid the younger dog. These will escalate unless stopped.

Dear Friends: Sweet mother of pearl! It’s like Groundhog Day over here. Diana

Tasked!

Sunday, June 30, 2024

This morning, while planning my day, I had a pleasing surprise–this is a day off from work. That’s calling for wrapping my head around, feeling free, and replanning a lot.

This day off also relieves me of having to go in and face the music. Last night, while closing the jewelry department, I became sidetracked and neglected a step in the evening’s routine—a small one and without much obvious purpose, but always getting done.

I was anticipating having to listen today about my error. Now, I can hope that that issue will seem more minor tomorrow.

My problem is that I prefer to organize and track only in my brain and rarely write a routine. Now, that must change. I did some research and downloaded a daily planning sheet. I will commit each morning to writing a plan for carrying, referring to, and adjusting as needed.

I know the Jewelry Department’s opening and closing routines well enough, but I recognize that I may become sidetracked and thus forgetful. To counter this, I will write a list of all the daily tasks required and check each off upon completion.

This is a new beginning for me. A written daily plan is undoubtedly a valuable tool for maximizing productivity. It’s a writing habit that helps to reduce stress and achieve goals. I will experiment to find the best planning style to support my evolving needs and priorities.

Dear Friends: Mistakes are simply unacceptable when it comes to fine jewelry. Diana

Relationships

Saturday, June 29,, 2024

Yesterday evening, my friends (and neighbors) Dale and Susie got together with me to celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary. We had a fine and fun dinner at Blacksmith, appreciating the establishment’s excellent service and perfectly prepared food.

The hors’ devours were sheer deliciousness arranged atop potato chips

After dinner, we strolled around on the downtown streets. Although last evening wasn’t a “first Friday,” many others like us enjoyed walking around the streets or simply hanging out.

It took planning to free Dale and Susie for a non-work-related period. For several years, they have owned and operated their growing business. Their “HeliLadder” product began as a vision, dreamed up and then created. The HeliLadder is specifically designed to accommodate better and thus facilitate helicopter repair. HeliLadder is an exciting product; it has international appeal and is increasingly becoming more known and in demand. (It’s also a colorful and pretty ladder.)

Even though elements associated with business responsibilities always top their minds, Dale and Susie relaxed last evening for some fun. Each is very bright with a fine sense of humor and a quick grasp on “the moment.” Their often unique “takes” on what’s happening make ordinary moments more enjoyable and interesting.

I’m honored that they’re friends as well as neighbors.

Dear Friends: The sense of ‘a village’ slowly is weaving itself into my understanding. Diana

Snafu

Friday, July 27, 2024

Again, today, I haven’t had time to think up and write a blog. I must hurry early to a lab for a blood draw before a routine appointment with my doctor later this morning.

Yesterday, I went to the lab to have that done. I arrived there at 4:14 and learned it routinely closes at 4 p.m. Across town is a sister lab and it’s open until 7 p.m., but Seri fell down on me by not recognizing the lab address. I repeatedly entered it into my phone, and each time, Seri gave me directions to various neighboring cities and/or other states. I told Seri to shut up.

Dear Friends: Dear Friends: I really need to get better at planning my days. Diana

Wild Horse

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Early yesterday, I was walking to the barn and saw a horse nearby free and grazing. Because of her color, I thought at first she was one of mine. I didn’t see familiar markings and realized she was a stray. As I approached, she trotted away; I moved toward her, and she moved on.

I hurried to grab a halter and lead rope, found a carrot, and went onto the quiet street that fronts my property. I saw her again; this time, she moved away more quickly and disappeared among the junipers. I phoned as many neighbors as possible for someone available to help hunt for her. Johnny down at the corner said her owner was searching the neighborhood, and they’d be right over. John across the street said he’d hurry out and help.

As I learned, that mare was a five-year-old formerly wild horse, adopted two weeks previously and not yet halter-broke. We became a group and actively tracked her; her trainer on horseback, her caretaker driving a powerful all-terrain vehicle, John and I riding in a golf cart, and Johnny on foot. After an hour or so, I had to give up.

I needed to attend to a worrisome break in my horse fencing. Its cause was Sunni’s frequent episodes of butt-scratching with her entire weight pressuring the fence fabric. I was hammering away when a strange vehicle came onto my property, its driver saying my horse was loose. Knowing that was incorrect, I looked to where she pointed. That mare had returned, drawn to be near my horses.

Just then a searcher showed up, and the mare, sensitized now to being sought, galloped off, and fortunately, away from the busy street, toward areas of trees and brush. I didn’t rejoin the trackers for having to keep repairing my fence.

Before having to leave for work, the last I saw of the chase was a searching group, still confounded. After work, I called the mare’s caretaker, who said they had contacted Kate Beardsley, our local expert on everything horse, including lost horse tracking. Around 7 p.m., Kate’s team rounded up the mare as she trotted eastward along the highway. By 8 p.m., the mare was captured, corralled, and home safely.

Today’s header photo makes it obvious that the young mare is drop-dead gorgeous. She’s worth all the attention, is smart, and is a fabulous prospect for the right person.

Dear Friends: I did manage to resecure my fence against Sunni’s scratching. Diana

Presence

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

I’m in an excellent mood and unsure why my brain feels happier than usual. Maybe it’s to offset inner anxiety because I anticipate finding myself in trouble when I arrive at work this afternoon. Yesterday evening, while closing my department, I didn’t take care of two routines. The evening had been quiet, so my slips weren’t critical, but I am charged to do them always.

I must be authentic in considering all this, as brains don’t technically “feel” emotions like humans do. Some physical and social activities can release certain chemicals that induce the brain states we associate with happiness. Some factors that contribute to a “happier” brain are exercise, social connections, sleep, and purpose. Some or all might be fueling my brain with “happiness” chemicals (e.g., dopamine) in these moments.

Physical components are also involved. Exercise, sunlight, and gratitude are some of the things that might be helping to fuel today’s “high.” My exercise routines still aren’t enough, but are happening. The days are abundantly sunlit. I have worked on focusing, being aware, and expressing gratitude for some time.

Why do I feel happy today despite anticipating worrisome workplace problems? Well, complex brain chemistry forced me to do some research. Now I understand, that even in the face of impending problems, a brain can release neurotransmitters (like dopamine or endorphins) that lend temporary feelings of happiness. Maybe those are why I’m feeling happier today, with an upped willingness to go to work and face the music.

Everyone experiences emotions differently. Although feeling happy in the face of problems might be a healthy coping mechanism for me, that’s unlikely to be the same for everybody. I am accustomed to working at recognizing and comprehending my emotions, but often, that means wading in deep and complicated waters.

Dear Friends: Focusing on the present moment can increase happiness. Diana

A Stone Diary

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

My short time working in jewelry sales has awakened my desire to learn more about the technical aspects of jewelry art. Understanding the properties of different metals, alloys, and gemstones requires knowing how various basic materials interact in a complex combination of chemistry and physics.

There’s much to know about jewel-making. The artists work with earth materials and have analytical minds. They have dived deeply into geology and have a scientific perspective. They can identify future jewels by knowing why a stone’s “growing environment” creates unique optical properties. They can assess a raw stone’s potential for cutting and shaping and estimate its future value.

A stone’s potential value involves another complex dive, into the “commercial world” of appeal. Consumers assess their wishes for apparel items against complicated innate desires, involving self-expression, status, cultural influence, passion, and investment worthiness.

While selling a jewelry piece, I am aware of how long a potential buyer views an object. I watch for body language clues and listen for verbal cues. To encourage a customer’s interest, I ask open-ended questions and do my best to teach by providing technical information.

Falling short in teaching drives a desire to learn. I want to understand the elements involved in identifying a raw stone’s potential and the ways artists transform found raw earth objects into desirable jewels.

Dear Friends: This is unlocking a door to endless possibilities. Diana