Cyber Monday, November 27, 2023

This morning, I spent some hours exploring cyber offerings without clicking any buy buttons. I’ll gamble that throughout this holiday season, almost anything wished for will still be available and on sale.

I did subscribe to streaming platforms. Most are offering deals now. My iPad lets me watch Hulu, Disney, and Premium YouTube. The iPad can help me drift off when I’m too wired to fall asleep.

I started watching the streaming by tuning into “Yellowstone,” a highly acclaimed series starring Kevin Cosner. I couldn’t hang on watching much beyond its opening scenes that suggested cruelty to horses. I’ll revisit the series by ignoring its upsetting qualities and wrapping my head around its potential to entertain.

Yesterday, I blocked the hole my puppy, Chase, dug under the fence and wiggled through, escaping our yard and visiting neighbors. All day yesterday, I watched him and saw him lacking a smidge of interest in the area where he had dug out. He’s probably not intent on escaping but as an opportunist will upon spotting an avenue.

I’m planning to take Chase shopping to widen his perspective. Maybe to Home Depot, where dogs are welcome, and anyway, where I ought to go and say hello to former coworkers. If Chase behaves while in HD, he could accompany me to WinCo, which also allows animals.

Dear Friends: After the slammer sales days at Macy’s, I have some free ones. Diana

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Yesterday, my puppy from hell, Chase, again escaped and went roaming. After digging a large hole, he crawled beneath the yard fence, and fortunately, headed directly to my kind next-door neighbors.

Yesterday on Black Friday #2, Macy’s had scheduled me to work long hours. Early in my shift, Frank texted that Chase was loose. I panicked and couldn’t leave Macy’s until my lunch hour. Frank brought Chase home and secured him in a large standalone kennel that I had made inescapable. He texted that Chase was in solitary confinement, and also, that he had blocked Chase’s dig so my other dogs couldn’t escape.

That standalone kennel still holds Chase. Last night, he was inside when I arrived home late.

Starting today, I have some time off from Macy’s. I will try to escape-proof (again!) my dogs’ fenced large area. I hope Chase may continue being there among his buddies. Unless I stop his escaping, Chase must stay in the standalone when I’m away.

Chase is a Rottweiler/Shepherd, and now is one and one-half years old. He’s smart and driven and also graced with a very good nature. My job is to keep him safe, but he’s an escape artist, constantly testing boundaries and pushing at the slightest give. He’s a master at leaping high, climbing incredibly, and digging determinedly.

Dear Friends: This pup begs an old dilemma, “What’s a mom to do?” Diana

Saturday, November 25, 2023

I survived this season’s official first Black Friday at Macy’s which was slammed with customers. All day and on my feet, I worked a register facing unending lines of folks waiting for “their finds” to be checked out. The Store exceeded its sales goal of $200,000.

With my feet in the fire, I figured out how to operate nearly every function a Macy’s electronic cash register is capable of. The day’s biggest challenge (aside from my sheer exhaustion) was interacting with two Spanish-speaking-only customers wanting checks of item prices and to make purchases. They tried communicating with me using a phone translator app, which didn’t cut it. I had to go searching for a fellow salesperson fluent in Spanish which gobbled up time, and finally found one who could help facilitate the transaction.

Today, Black Friday will continue, and I’ll be working more long hours. Afterward, the worst should be over, until ex-Christmas. Then, as I understand, the store will have customers lined up at the registers and wanting to make returns.

Dear Friends: This is necessary sales experience for my retail resume. Diana

Black Friday, 2023

This will be a rosy day despite my having to be working at Macy’s for ten hours straight. I’ll be supporting the Black Friday rush.

My day will be pleasant by remembering yesterday’s fun at Ashley’s and Jon’s Thanksgiving event. I found myself among many cool and intelligent folks; and this holiday got to meet Ashley’s mom, visiting from California, and her sister and bro-in-law, visiting from Texas. Everybody mixed well, generating palpable energy; and as always, Jon and Ashley (a great cooking team) created food lovely to see and then delicious.

This year, I feel immensely grateful for certain key advantages. Like, living where I’m neither forced to be religious nor to wear a special covering for women. Also, I’m grateful for having good friends; and for an economy (weird as it is) giving me work outside my home. Actively being out, among others, and doing and learning, is keeping me feeling more relevant.

Today’s header photo seals fond memories. It’s of Russ (our good friend); Cynthia (Ashley’s mom); Ashley, me, and Brooke (Ashley’s sister).

Dear Friends: Now, to the extreme, a plunge into the mad weirdness of Black Friday. Diana

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I’m up early and streaming on Peacock–what else?–Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade!

Tomorrow, Black Friday, Macy’s has scheduled me to work ten hours. I assumed those long hours were a mistake but found out differently. All of us sales folks without physical disabilities must be on duty Friday and for long hours. At least I don’t have to show up on the sales floor at 6 a.m. when the store opens.

Yesterday, Macy’s was very busy with customers out being ahead of Black Friday. We employees just kept moving, and thankfully, I could work more than usual on my own, managing well enough with customers and operating the store’s registers.

After next week, my official training will be over. So far, I’ve been regularly assigned to the ready-to-wear and intimates department. Soon, I might be able to work in other departments, finding more opportunities to learn about customers’ needs and Macy’s business in general.

Interestingly, too, Macy’s stock is doing well. A couple of weeks back, its share price was $8 and yesterday had risen to nearly $15. I wonder what’s making this old-line store outdo many of its top-line competitors, now with sinking stock prices. I find that many key stock analysts are determining that Macy’s is positioning itself well for continued profitability.

The Macy’s biz is turning out to be more interesting than I had anticipated. It’s one of the reasons I’m feeling thankful today. Another reason is the local weather; while this afternoon will be very chilly it’s without rain or snow. So sad for the skiers and thankful for us foot trekkers.

Dear Friends: Have a wonderful today and a relatively unstressful tomorrow. Diana

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

I’ve written about searching for a new primary care doctor after the one who took care of me for years retired. For months, I searched the local medical community to find a physician with an opening for a new patient. This city, in which I live, is having a population explosion that’s slammed all its medical providers. My fruitless search had me feeling completely out of luck; I quit counting on finding someone locally and considered looking for a doc in Portland.

Suddenly, I got a tip suggesting that the local Mosaic Medical might have an available M.D. I called Mosaic, and truly, that was so. Moreover, I had a choice of being treated by a woman or a man. So, I became a new patient with that providing organization.

My first appointment isn’t until early December. This story is in case a local reader might need a new provider. Considering that Mosaic gave me a choice of genders, there must have been at least two doctors available.

Another good thing from my perspective is that the clinic is nearby. I’ll not have to drive across town for appointments–a welcome plus.

Dear Friends: Tomorrow’s weather, on Turkey Day, will hover in the chilly thirties. Diana

I’m geared up to go outside, feed animals, and continue repairing my fencing. No exciting plans for today, but doing what’s necessary.

Things here are changing a bit. My renter has found an apartment and, over the next few weeks, will be moving. I will miss her, but am happy with her that she’s found a place of her own. There’s much to be said both for sharing space and for living alone. Every change requires some readjusting.

I’ve been wrapping my head around my changing household; especially when months ago she moved in, and now, with her leaving soon. Initially, to provide space for her, I tossed lots of stuff I’d been hanging onto for no useful reason. Now, those tossings will make reclaiming the space easier, and actually, it’ll be larger.

So, things evolve, and we adjust to constant changes.

Speaking of change, there are inquiries about puppy Chase and whether he’s contained. Yes, and I’m incredibly relieved. That fellow could scale any fence, creating a major issue of whether I could continue keeping him. The problem was that, if I couldn’t contain him, it was likely that nobody else could. I had trouble imagining the chances that this trouble-pup would wind up in a safer home. Thankfully, I did the right thing, or he matured and lost interest in fence climbing; both are likely.

Dear Friends: Hope you’ve begun to thaw your turkeys! Diana

Monday, November 20, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving week! This week is never a year’s easiest. Many of us will find ourselves wrestling mightily with various situational issues. Like, how to cook a turkey or another main dish that ought to be a Holiday Dinner Special; or what we can take that’s perfect for adding to a dinner we’ve been invited to, or wondering if we will stay cool among a group of diners that tend to agree or disagree in personal passions.

Yesterday, some women customers told me they always cook big Thanksgiving dinners and will this year, too. Some added that only she and her husband will share that dinner these days. I get it that the tradition of big cooking combines the holiday mood with a good outcome of having leftovers and not needing to cook again for several days.

Through the years that I’ve lived alone, I’ve often cooked on Thanksgiving, even if I were eating alone–for the same reasons–to participate mindfully in the holiday and to enjoy some leftovers. I find very few eats are a smidge more delicious than biting into a sandwich made of day(s)-old cooked turkey with spooned-on cranberry sauce.

I’m still debating my potential contribution as an appetizer to the Thanksgiving dinner I’ll attend. While shopping in good old WinCo the other evening, I ran across a charcuterie board set that included sauce jars and utensils. I brought it home and started reconsidering what to take. Now, I’m leaning toward some cheeses complex and delicious. The trick might be finding what I want.

In previous years’ holidays, Costco typically stocked a few fine imported French cheeses. So far, I’ve not spotted those on its cheese shelves for this holiday. Across town are gourmet markets that might carry some fine cheeses, and I’ll go looking today.

Dear Friends: A holiday week that’s never easy until finally, people are gathering. Diana

Sunday, November 19, 2023

My old bathrobe has served well for many winters, but I’ve never been overly fond of the garment. It’s made of heavy cotton fabric and often seems too heavy. I’ve considered getting another, which has become more real as PJs and robes are sold in the Macy’s department where I work.

I’ve occasionally browsed through the department’s hanging robes. Like most else in Macy’s, none quite would fit me. I’m short and can see myself in one of the plushy robes with its bottom dragging on the ground. Most also have designer labels and pricey tags. Although just about everything in the store is on sale, and I get an employee discount, a Ralph Lauren Robe could set me back more than $60.00.

Besides, Costco carries robes priced half that, so I eschew Macy’s robes.

Yesterday after work, I was starving and dashed into the WinCo Supermarket for a lemon-pepper roasted chicken. Hurrying through its variety aisle, I glimpsed several tightly packaged house robes and paused to examine them. Their anchored folds prevented my opening a robe, but according to the label, “One size fits most.” The price was $15.00, so I went for a robe; and grabbed a companion pair of Sherpa Footsies, also cheap. Might as well, what the hell.

At home and for under $20.00! My impulse robe fits perfectly, is the correct length, and the booties are comfy-warm. Good old WinCo. And there’s more, for yesterday several customers admired my new sweater and asked where I found it. I said I couldn’t recall–didn’t want to say, “It’s from TJMax,” not while working in Macy’s.

Dear Friends: A future blog might tell of my cool new faux-diamond earrings. Diana

Saturday, November 18, 2023

It’s time to winterize, seriously. The Pendelton weather station has sent notices that heavy snow will fall this weekend and top the Cascades. Apparently, the snow won’t fall to the ground here in town, but certainly the local “real winter” is en route.

I’ve drained and stored my water hoses. Have placed an outdoor heater in the barn, it’s capable of quickly unfreezing stiff fingers. A battery-operated snowblower is at the ready.

The horses are sporting plushy thick coats and will get along in freezing weather. My chickens mostly are too de-feathered because they do community plucking. But their huddling gene counterbalances short-on-feathers.

I want to beef up the Dogaloos with cushions to warm the dogs better while they’re outside. And I’ll try, but I’ve discarded too much torn-up bedding to be confident new cushions will last. They’d be safe after puppy Chase matures, but if he’s doing so, it’s not apparent.

To be fair, Chase is smart, fun, and loveable. He’s now one-and-one-half years old and still puppylike. I figure he needs three or four years to settle. So, in this short term, I’ll probably be tossing more torn pillows.

Dear Friends: Fur, feathers, and pillows! “Oh my, oh my.” Diana