Wednesday, April 12, 2023

I must aim for a 6 a.m. arrival at work. This morning, I lagged too much and find myself lacking time for thinking and writing.

The header photo is of Janice as she tries to crush the Russian Thistle loaded in a trailer. We had teamed to pull those weeds from along the roadside. She did a fine crushing job, which let us double the load inside the trailer. Actually, we hauled a couple of crushed weed loads to the Dump. That overdue clearing has begun the spring cleaning for this property.

Now, the time has become too short; I must go.

Dear Friends: Have a great day. Diana

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

One printed-out schedule shows me reporting to work today, and another printed days later has me off today. Good, because today I must stay home and try to find someone available and capable of repairing a broken fence.

I spent yesterday attempting to patch a fence section after my mare, Rosie, kicked it apart. Unfortunately, her kick left twisted and broken wires exactly where the horses mostly hang out. Broken wires can cause injuries. I always try making repairs myself, and yesterday did so; however, I can’t fix what I can’t outsmart, that instead requires sheer physical strength.

Always, fences and horses are an iffy and necessary combination. Over time and after facing many fencing issues, I’ve learned how to repair many horse-caused damages myself. A problem with keeping horses is that their restless energies stress structures and other property components.

Dear Friends: They’re the stuff of life, the daily surprises and problems. Diana

Monday, April 10, 2023

I spent much of yesterday watering plants. Watering has become my job and isn’t my preferred work. However, the pay is good, and so, all’s fair. My at-work job attunes me highly to the arriving spring. I have today off, and it’s a damp morning after a light rain, perfect for starting to weed and clean the property.

Usually, it’s well into summer before I pay attention to the grounds. Many other needs interrupt, like fences that need repairing, horses that need exercising, dogs that need outings, and vehicles that need attention. Thanks to my newly heightened awareness, now this property won’t be sidelined long. That makes sense, too, for confronting initial grounds needs early in the spring will make those appearing in midsummer easier to address.

It’s too early to plant anything but not to start turning some earth where plants later might go in. I’d enjoy seeing flowering plants near the barn. Today, my tasks will include finding an appropriate spot and turning some earth.

Dear Friends: Maybe my tasks related to watering plants will prove excellent experiences. Diana

Sunday, April 08, 2023

Happy Easter, or in other words, happy spring. Well, almost here in Central Oregon. I know from experience that our spring is just around the corner, but could wait for mid-May to happen. I’ll take spring anytime it finally gets here.

Meanwhile, today’s header photo is one of my favorite memories with Peaches. Some time ago, we were walking and came across this beautiful short-horn bull. On seeing Peaches, he stood perfectly still, watching the bird. Peaches was intent on him, too. I was fascinated by the stillness of each and how intently they stared back and forth. The bull had seen many birds but surely none like Peaches. For Peaches, a bovine sighting was new, especially one staring at him.

Later, I learned that this bull had been hand-raised and was a gentle fellow. By the way, notice the white marks on the bull’s forehead. They are crossing, with each going from a horn to an eye. Those whites are natural and the only off-markings in his otherwise solid color. What a stunning guy.

Finally, at Home Depot, the Garden Department has received fresh, cool spring plants. I’m tempted to bring home fragrant lavender and thyme, but I self-caution. It’s too soon because more spring plants will arrive, and so will better gardening weather. My manager at work, Enrique, promises that in under two weeks, plants will inundate our department, making us crazy busy with customers.

Dear Friends: The “Bird & Bull” would be an excellent name for a pub. Diana

Saturday, April 08, 2023

I made a toy for my Cockatoo, Peaches. He is destructive, and buying finished toys is expensive. My bird begins destroying a toy from the moment it’s hung in his condo. He can dispatch in an instant. My pocketbook feels this, as parrot toys cost anywhere (more or less) from $30 to $50. So, Peaches will begin playing with homemade hanging toys.

After bringing home a long pine board and cutting it into various lengths, I drilled a large hole in the center of each piece for assembling and hanging. Then, I painted each with food coloring and when all were dry, assembled the toy.

All its components, including construction tools, were costly; however, what’s not wood is reusable. Creating this toy was quick and generated ideas for other designs.

Here’s an idea:

Of course, Peaches is my ultimate instructor. He’ll show me which designs best draw his attention, and wistfully, too, I may discover that some designs may take him longer to destroy.

Dear Friends: This has been a time-out for the bird. Diana

Friday, April 07, 2023

This header from my Pixel camera is the result of a very distant shot. It’s a fairly good capture of Ravens perched very high in a tall dead tree. They were attending to each other and might have been an adult with a juvenile or a courting couple. The pair stayed on those branches for quite a while and their interactions fascinated me.

Ravens are incredibly smart. I never tire of hearing and sighting them. Yesterday’s sighting was a nudge, reminding me to carry a better camera. If my phone could have captured more feather details, it would have created a super bird photo, IMHO.

This will be my last day off from work this week. Having done all my needed shopping and running around, today I will turn my attention to photography. Roaming with a tripod and fine camera will refresh my image-sensing skills.

Closer to the subjects, my Pixel captured well the equines happily grazing on a neighbor’s pasture.

Dear Friends: Have a great day. Diana

Thursday, April 06, 2023

Puppy in the aisle: Labradoodle. Isn’t he a cutie!

Yesterday was super busy. It included a couple of trips to the dump with the result of lots of clean-up work. Because my neglected old trailer needed refurbishing, I visited Home Depot, and there bumped into Enrique, the Garden Center Manager. He’s also my manager, but he treated me as a customer. He guided me to the appropriate lumber for replacing the old boards in a trailer bed. He suggested that I not buy for in his home supply were two exact boards, which he didn’t need and intended to discard. He volunteered to donate them and I happily accepted.

He lives in a new neighborhood about thirty seconds from my home. As he loaded the boards, his wife, Crystal, drove up bringing their four-year-old daughter. I invited Enrique and Crystal to come and meet my equines; and to photograph their baby sitting on my donkey, Pimmy. It was so cool, Enrique’s kindness and meeting his family.

Today will extend both the property cleaning up and working on the trailer. That is if the weather holds up. I gather it’s to become rougher with rain tonight and lower temps tomorrow. Hopefully, before rain appears, my equines may spend most of today grazing on pasture.

Dear Friends: Today, too, I will take time out to relax for a while in my little new nook. Diana

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

The other day, this adorable and beautiful Samoyed pup, a year and a half old, appeared in an HD aisle. Although timid with strangers, she cautiously accepted a treat from me.

Another customer whose dog I was photographing suggested that I initiate a “Home Depot Dogs” FB page. The idea appeals as many customers bring their dogs while shopping. But an online creative notion, associated with a giant commercial establishment and without its endorsement, isn’t a bright notion. It’s best that my “photos from the aisles” stay local.

Today begins a string of three days off from work. Well, off from at-work working, but not from all work. This warmer weather opens a barrel full of needs at home, like pulling weeds and addressing small repairs. Soon after returning to work, I’ll be faced with several 6 a.m. show-up days. For now, I’ll put aside that yukky obligation and just enjoy these days off.

My bedroom has a new, cozy little nook. Next to a large window, under which are my bookcases, there’s a comfy reclining chair, a small television, and a desk. Or a retreat, where I may read and work undisturbed. Sure, not much in my home disturbs me, but it’s a comfort having a unique space that’s mine alone. I can recline quietly and read a book without the dogs sensing my location and hounding the window for attention. Otherwise, they know exactly where I am and track my presence in this long, ranch house-style dwelling.

I’m off to feed the horses and then retreat to my nook. I’m still trying to work through the thousand pages of the ancient Japanese novel, The Tale of Genji.

Dear Friends: After I tire of reading, I’ll straighten up the house and start making repairs. Diana

Tuesday, April 04, 2023

Yesterday, this area didn’t get the predicted snow. Instead, a little sunshine and lots of wind created a chilly day, and surprisingly, lots of people felt motivated enough to show up at the garden center where I work. Most wanted flowering plants, which haven’t arrived but will soon.

My manager said the large watering system will be turned on later this week. He’s devising a distribution method that lets me handle the store’s watering hose without endangering wandering customers. There’s a large outside area with plants that I’m to cover and it’s a big challenge for him. He’s a clever fellow, but I can’t imagine what he’ll come up with.

He’s a long-time HD veteran and knows the best ways to arrange this store’s outer area for plant selling. He explains, however, that the new store manager specifically wants the current arrangement. I wondered why he doesn’t advocate for a better layout, and he says, “It’s his store, and I’ll do it his way.”

“His store,” that surprised me. I have assumed the store’s management team collaborates on key decisions, but maybe the organization supports a top-down power arrangement. Or maybe its long-time employees are unaccustomed to negotiating with higher-ranking personnel and don’t speak up.

I’m a tiny cog in the wheel, inexperienced with arranging plants outside for optimal care and sales. Moreover, today is my one working day before next weekend. Then, I’ll learn how we may water the plants in that problematic outside area.

Dear Friends: A big learning curve, in re-comprehending large-organization management ways. Diana

Monday, April 03, 2023

I’m reminded vividly of a generation gap by trying to read and comprehend start-up instructions for a new electronic item.

On opening a new package and finding a small folding piece, I start trying to read and fail. My usually adequate eyesight can’t decipher too-tiny illustrations and equally too-tiny type. Even a familiar product may have new design bits, making it challenging simply to examine the item and figure out how to make it work.

Today, clearly, the kids can get it. A kid glances at bitty instructions and quickly gets a new electronic piece to start working. As for me, staring and attempting to comprehend, clearly, my sighting and brain skills aren’t quite up-to-snuff in this modern world.

Now, I find myself with an unworkable new electronic that was relatively inexpensive. So, I start coping with yet another modern world struggle. Whether to return or simply discard the darned thing.

Dear Friends: To be fair, instructions should be readable and understandable by everybody. Diana