Category: Uncategorized

Stepping Foward

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Today, I’m off from my part-time job. I will start working on my short story, “Little Miss Merry,” and consider using AI to illustrate it.

Yesterday, I re-read the story after years of not seeing it. I liked it well enough, but my writing style has changed over the years, and now, the story’s flow could use improvements.

I’ve played around with AI’s editing capabilities. On a lengthy document, it’s not helpful enough. I’ll practice more with AI, maybe achieving better results by feeding the story in small sections for editing instead of the entire document at once.

If I can’t get AI to edit adequately, I’ll have to roll up my sleeves and work harder. I trust that my ongoing writing experience has given me gains in self-editing skills over those of my past.

Stepping ahead, completing the story, filling in the blanks, editing, and illustrating will be one thing. Following all that, another biggie will be to learn the ins and outs of self-publishing.

I feel motivated and energized this time to do the necessary work on a good story draft.

Dear Friends: I won’t let “Miss Merry” fade away again. Diana

Merrily Onward

The “Real Deal”

Monday, March 10, 2025

I have found how to keep my thoughts busy and away from continuing assaults on and insults to our nation’s democracy.

Yesterday, I found a complete draft of my short story, “Little Miss Merry,” after not having seen it for years and eventually not thinking much about it. I first wrote “Merry” in 2012, after my adorable young Welsh Pony, Merry Leggs, suffered a severe colic attack and died. The story was a tribute to her, and writing it was essential to me as a way of working through my deep sadness of intertwining loss, grief, and guilt.

For weeks, while writing that story, I discovered it was impossible to self-edit effectively. “Merry” needed an outside editor and also an illustrator. I knew no capable editors and artists and couldn’t afford to hire those talents. Eventually, I set “Merry” aside; she finally wound up “lost” among my long-stored papers.

Recently, I began playing with AI’s editing and illustrating capabilities and suddenly remembered “Little Miss Merry” and that story’s needs. I also didn’t know where to find the story draft or even if one was still around—until yesterday, when I discovered a hard copy.

After quickly scanning the story onto my computer, I purchased a Word Platform subscription (which transformed the draft into an editable document). This morning, I re-read my original draft for the first time in years and enjoyed it. I discovered a gap in the story’s flow and will write a “bridging section.”

Afterward, I’ll test AI editing and illustration capabilities. Hopefully, the editing will strengthen my story’s flow and understandability, and maybe AI can accommodate my sense of Merry in its image creations.

Dear Friends: Pure creativity is all-embracing, a condition of rush. Diana

Zooming In

Sunday, March 09, 2025

I’ve begun to explore zombie companies—businesses that generate just enough revenue to keep operating and can service their debt but lack enough profitability to invest in growth or fully pay off their obligations. I’m learning that these companies may survive because of favorable economic conditions, like low interest rates.

I see some publicly traded companies labeled as potential zombies because they have persistent financial struggles (many of which trace back to economic disruptions in the COVID-19 era). Some “zombies” are Peloton, Beyond Meat, Carvana, and AMC Entertainment. Their futures are uncertain, however, as restructuring efforts or shifts in market conditions could turn things around.

I work part-time in a retail department store and see firsthand the mounting pressures on the retail sector, from shifting consumer behavior to evolving business needs. Many zombie retail companies might be teetering even more on the edge in today’s volatile political and economic climate.

I often think of this as a chainsaw environment—a ruthless, high-stakes reality shaped by national leadership. It threatens the broader retail industry and deepens consumers’ personal financial anxieties.

This chainsaw environment—defined by high interest rates, tightened credit conditions, and changing consumer habits—poses a grave risk to zombie companies, particularly in retail. While some large retailers survive in times of cheap debt, rising borrowing costs erode their ability to remain afloat.

Tight economic conditions affect everything. They may force a zombie business into bankruptcy, like Bed Bath & Beyond, or force one simply to disappear. Economics certainly influences our personal comfort as consumers.

My retail experience teaches about a brutal industry. A retail company’s survival depends on its adaptability, capital availability, and market confidence. Unless economic conditions shift favorably—or they secure an external bailout—today’s struggling retail businesses may run out of time.

Dear Friends: Witnessing chaos reduces spending, and we worry about our jobs. Diana

Pimmy’s Check-Up

Saturday, March 08, 2025

Yesterday, to my surprise, Pimmy loaded herself into the horse trailer. She’s teaching me more about donkeys now than when she was constantly among the horses. These days, separated from the horses (for dietary needs), Pimmy seems more like my big dog than an equine.

This time, while encouraging her to load into the trailer, I allowed her to resist loading. I gave her plenty of time to think things over, and suddenly, she voluntarily popped into the trailer.

That’s the thing about a donkey. It doesn’t just follow orders and isn’t just stubborn; it needs to evaluate the possibilities before deciding on an action. It’s taken me over a dozen years with Pimmy to learn this, and yesterday, I felt proud of myself for finally being a bit smarter.

The header photo shows Pimmy getting a physical yesterday. The doc says Pimmy’s vital signs are fine, and her weight is lower. Those are good. The most quickly assessable bloodwork was excellent. We must wait for more bloodwork results to learn if her Cushing’s Disease remains under control and if her glucose level is corrected.

Yesterday, too, she received routine inoculations, and the veterinarian floated Pimmy’s teeth. Then, the slightly drunk donkey needed time to recover from the floating anesthetic, so I left to fill my rig’s tank at a gas station. By the time I returned, Pimmy was awake enough to hear me calling and came to me. She loaded into the trailer relatively quickly, and we left for home.

If her glucose has reached a normal range, I will reduce her meds from twice daily to once daily–a welcome relief. Pimmy’s doctor has ordered an additional ingredient, Vitamin E, for the regimen.

Pimmy is a sweet, smart, and delightful being. Through these months, I’ve not enjoyed treating her illness or separating her from her beloved horses. By now, however, knowing this donkey more personally, I much better appreciate her.

Dear Friends: The horses will get floats and inoculations in two weeks. Diana

Hauling Along

Friday, March 07, 2025

Despite the apparent recklessness of America’s newly installed leadership, the volatile stock market swings that unsettle me, the widespread neglect of climate action, concerns over healthcare, and the moral uncertainties within the judiciary—despite all of it—I must remain grounded in the activities of my daily life, carrying on as usual, unless (or until) those sorts of conditions force me to adapt.

In reality, I’m already adapting by prioritizing savings. My grocery choices are more deliberate and budget-conscious, my online shopping has dropped significantly, and instead of cycling back into the department store where I work part-time, my paychecks are making it home.

Much like during the “Days of Covid,” I can stay grounded and engaged on my small property, tending to the land and my animals. There’s always plenty to keep me active, allowing most of those bigger worries to fade into the background.

Today, I face the challenge of working with my donkey, Pimmy, as she heads to the equine vet for a blood draw to check her insulin levels and overall health. The first hurdle will be getting her into the horse trailer—she tends to resist loading unless one of her horses is already inside. To make the process smoother, I’ll keep her breakfast light, ensuring she’s hungry enough to be tempted by a bag of hay waiting in the trailer. The next hurdle will be to reload her after our vet visit, but on that end, someone will be available to help.

Otherwise, this day off from my part-time job will be routine tasks—feeding the animals, tidying up around the barn, and tackling some organizing (or reorganizing) inside the house. To prevent a tendency to dwell on political and economic concerns, I’ll stick to my to-do list and focus on getting things done.

Dear Friends: Confusion clashes with our sense of order, inviting a “bumpy ride.” Diana




Jittery Edge

Thursday, March 06, 2025

I’m feeling pretty down this morning—the stock market is crashing again.

Those who pushed for a “strong” right-wing leader are now facing the fallout. Under this new administration, layoffs are rising, prices are climbing (or about to), climate progress has been abandoned, and personal freedoms are teetering on the edge.

Businesses are uneasy, investors are on edge, and uncertainty is dragging the market down.

In an attempt to counterbalance personal stress, I am evaluating a couple of recently-ordered mood enhancers: KSM-66 Ashwagandha and L-Theanine. Given this morning’s chaos, maybe this is a good time to put them to the test. I gather that both are known for their ability to support stress relief and mood balance. They are supposed to work in different ways.

Ashwagandha is supposed to help regulate cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. It’s said to build resilience against anxiety and sharpen focus—exactly what I need while dealing with market swings.

L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. It’s supposed to promote relaxation without causing drowsiness and increase the alpha brain waves associated with a calm yet alert state. People often use it to ease caffeine jitters or stay sharp under pressure.

I don’t recall exactly what led me to order them, but here they are. Given the emotional rollercoaster of this current market, I’m going for it.

And now, a lighter moment from yesterday: As I placed a bottle of wine in my shopping cart, a fellow shopper pointed to it and said, “My grandma used to say, ‘With that in the cupboard, it’s going to be a wonderful evening.’”

We laughed, knowing Grandma was absolutely right!

Dear Friends: I’ll be experimenting with mood enhancers for the next four years. Diana

On Her Birthday

“Magical Mommy”

Wednesday, March 05, 2025

If genetic advancements had been available during my mother’s lifetime—capable of extending health and longevity—I might be celebrating her birthday with her today. I’ve long wished for at least one more conversation, a chance to ask the many questions that could fill the blank spaces of her early life.

Reflecting on why I never asked more about her life brings back memories of my own trials and tribulations growing up. Each day was a lesson in adaptation, filled with new challenges and shifting realities. I naturally focused on myself—learning, adjusting, and figuring out how to navigate life one step at a time.

Back then, I felt an urgent need to escape a past that seemed confining; I needed to step into a future that was broader, more inviting, and yet daunting. All that forgotten past included both my parents and grandparents. I might never have seriously reconsidered all of them if not for the rise of DNA and its profound ability to connect one’s history with one’s future.

I give deep nods to technology and genetics and to an equally powerful force—the unbreakable connection between parent and child. Its hold isn’t always smooth but shapes and defines us in enduring ways.

Today, on my mom’s birthday, I’ll hold her in my thoughts. A sudden memory might surface, filling in a blank or two about her life. I like to imagine that she can somehow “hear” my thoughts—so I’ll share a few, letting her know how I’ve grown and changed, shaped in no small part by her insight and encouragement.

Dear Friends: Science fundamentally reshapes how we perceive and evaluate ourselves. Diana

Murky World

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

I worry about today’s stock market because it’s unpredictable and volatile in these early weeks of DJT’s Administration. I like it to behave like a crystal ball, which tells us where the economy is headed. But now, I’m not sure it’s predictive or reacting to what’s already happened, and it’s clueing more confusing volatility ahead.

The stock market reacts in real time. It declines before a recession occurs as investors sell off stocks while detecting hints of slowing growth, tightening monetary policies, and/or shifts in consumer behavior. The stock market responds to political shifts, too, by slumping or rallying.

That’s getting to me right now. The market is reacting wildly to quickly fluctuating employment numbers, worries about inflation, and potential GDP growth. This market is responding instead of predicting.

Its shiftings aren’t based on complex data; they are deeply influenced by investor psychology—fear, optimism, herd behavior, and media narratives. Enough investors believing a downturn is coming and starting to sell may create the crisis they fear.

Financial news sensationalizes markets. Negative headlines spark panic selling and hype, inflating a bubble. The market has predicted recessions that never happened and failed to see crises coming (e.g., the 2008 financial crisis blindsided many).

I struggle to view this market’s potential in light of today’s political complexities. I remind myself to avoid reacting emotionally to daily swings and instead focus on long-term trends. In today’s short-term “noise,” it’s complicated to strategize or know what “proper diversification” currently may mean. (Here’s an instructive fact: Warren Buffet has elected to sit on piles of real cash.)

The market may hint at the future, but it isn’t infallible. I am trying to remain rational and prepared. Today’s volatility may signal a future downturn or reflect much current uncertainty. That remains to be seen.

So, I uncomfortably watch as the stock market predicts, reflects, and seems heavily psychological. The best a small investor can do is be informed, rational, and prepared. Here’s the catch: a stock market isn’t just about numbers, it’s about people—and people are anything but predictable.

Dear Friends: America’s governing body is behaving unpredictably, on steroids. Diana

The Art of Aging Stylishly

Monday, March 03, 2025

I’ve been brainstorming a new blog series focusing on Aging & Style, inspired by my year working part-time in retail, particularly in women’s fashion. I’ve noticed how many women are eager for ways to refresh their appearance, making this topic well worth exploring. My blog could blend practical advice—covering fashion, skincare, and fitness—with personal reflections on style, confidence, and self-expression.

I’ve learned that style isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about wanting to feel vibrant and authentic at any age. Through the new blog, I will explore what that means for women 70+, drawing from my personal experience, my time in retail, and the women I’ve met (and will meet) along the way.

Many aging women still love fashion, beauty, and self-care, yet we don’t always see ourselves reflected in the conversations. I’d love to connect with other women to discuss style and aging challenges—what’s missing from mainstream fashion and beauty discussions and how we can redefine aging with confidence and flair.

I imagine writing this new blog once a week or perhaps biweekly. It might be possible to embed a link to Aging & Style on this WordPress site, making it available alongside Diana’s Morning Blog, but not replace it.

Some of the first topics I could explore include dressing with confidence, choosing colors that brighten and flatter, and finding minor styling tweaks that make a fresh impact.

Could we explore this together? Does this feel like a conversation worth having? What aspects of aging and style interest you most? Your feedback would help shape the direction of this series.

Dear Friends: I know, it’s off-topic, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. Diana