Won’cha?

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Yesterday, I was a Valentine! Not once or twice, but THREE times.

Upon arriving at work, I was greeted with a huge surprise–a Valentine basked. My creative friend Lily handed me a heart-shaped candy-filled straw basket topped by a balloon floating upon upright drinking straws. Her sweet surprise turned my afternoon around and overcame my grumpiness for having to work a late shift.

I dropped into the store’s office to say hello and brag about Being a Valentine, and the staff said, “Oh, no, you have two more Valentines!

OMG, 3 Valentines for me!

The last time I was a Valentine, I was in grade school, and we students were exchanging cards with our casual and “secret” Valentines.

Somewhere in those early times, my eldest sister (married and living far away) sent me a card. I loved knowing she cared and memorized the message:

Won’cha be my Valentine?

Won’cha please say Yes!

For, gee, it’s true, I sure like you,

Much more than you can guess.

Believe it or not, those few lines are still important to me, even though they happened many years ago.

Yesterday, I felt grateful for having at-work friends who think positively about me and for the ballooning showpiece, which almost immediately nudged my beloved memory back into life.

I’m a year into this part-time job, where my coworkers and our customers make me feel like I’m in a “good family.”

Dear Friends, I’m still thrilled for having been A Valentine yesterday! Diana

Changing Times

Friday, February 14, 2025

Happy Valentine’s Day, and (BTW) this month’s halfway point.

This morning, while reading about advances in AI, I got stuck on mentions of AI’s abilities in “folding proteins.” While looking up what that meant, I became fascinated by the world of folding proteins, brand new to me.

Teaching AI to fold proteins allows the technology to identify, study, and capably manipulate molecules, thus discovering an individual protein’s essential shape. This shape dictates a protein’s behavior in a living body. AI’s findings help researchers better understand how protein shapes dictate their behaviors. They let researchers study possible and perhaps viable new protein shapes, causing different behaviors in problem conditions and suggesting possible advances in medical care.

Focusing on that “protein world” carried me into another AI world, that of weaponry. While I feel very confused about current politics relative to today’s world stage, I do understand a new reality–that Ukraine is using AI data to create new weapons. They’re being constructed quickly and less costly than traditional R&D methods; they’re highly effective on the battlefield.

Perhaps understanding weapons and new technologies will clarify some of the confusing world of politics and nation-positioning.

Dear Friends, I am interested and could continue, but my writing time is short. Diana

Miss Merry

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Years ago, I suddenly lost my young and adorable Welsh Pony, Merry Leggs. She had been stricken by severe colic, and afterward, for weeks, I sat at a computer, fighting my incredible unhappiness by creating a story for young readers that starred a Welsh Pony.

My lead character, Miss Merry, was pretty, intelligent, and devoted to her family. She was courageous, too, and had many adventures. After initially drafting the story, I continued working on it; gradually, it felt reasonably compelling and maybe worthy of publishing.

A couple of drafting components didn’t go smoothly. Most critically, I couldn’t successfully edit my own creative writing. Upon attempting to make a sentence or paragraph more relevant and stronger, I’d find myself, instead, rewriting whole sections, altering the story’s flow.

My inability to self-edit demanded an outside objective editor, and Merry’s story increasingly called for an illustrator. Talented assistants weren’t available for what I could afford: $-Zero. Little Miss Merry eventually floated into the background and drifted from my active memory. I suppose that happened after I overcame my pony loss enough to move on.

Until yesterday, when a bright young colleague, Lily (who recently introduced me to Chat GPT+), suddenly asked if I’ve ever written fiction, I nodded and complained about self-editing until Lily pointed out Chat’s editing capabilities.

Later, I was thinking about Chat’s abilities and suddenly remembered “Miss Merry.” It needed editing and illustration—both are Chat’s capabilities. Additionally, Lily, a makeup specialist, has artistic skills and expresses interest in perhaps working with the story.

Gosh! A dozen years later, “Miss Merry” might be reborn. First, I must locate the saved story—probably on a disc or a thumb drive. Finding its location is one head-scratcher, and accessing a complete version may be another.

I’ll be off my part-time job today and looking for Merry.

Dear Friends: Revisiting my sweet pony vis-a-vis her alter ego–thrilling! Diana

Mindfully, Melting

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

I routinely trudge through slow-melting snow, our first this winter, to feed my outside animals. The melting seems beyond a mere seasonal shift. It’s a transformation, stirring my senses and emotions. I see a thick, icy white blanket receding without yet revealing patches of earth and dormant grass. I’m always anticipating.

This wintery period feels like an “in-between mood.” Melting has winter loosening around here, but spring is far ahead. Our air is damp, water drips from roof gulleys, and underfoot it’s slushy, but winter still inhibits renewal.

My mood is complicated; it’s part relief, part impatience, and sometimes thoughtful. My imagination sees stark beauty in a frozen, dissolving landscape. It’s less defined as a gradual thaw releasing us from snowy brightness.

The earth is softening, and I’m eager for the earliest glimpses of green that promise more warmth. These days are stretching a little longer and increasing my energy, inspiring new planning. Yet, spring feels just out of reach; its slow arrival is frustrating. These gray skies, the oncoming mud, and this slow transition is a world not yet fully alive. Waiting makes me restless.

Watching snow disappear evokes a subtle mourning. Our first fresh blanket of snow softened the edges and quieted our world. I love seeing a snowy landscape reflecting the moonlight uniquely. At home, melting makes the landscape less crisp and pristine; it’s more messy, uneven, and unpredictable.

Melting is an in-between time for rebalancing our expectations and moods. This isn’t winter’s full-stillness; we’re not sensing new spring energy. I sense the melting snow tugging at my emotions as a “letting go” that forces another slow, inevitable shifting of anticipations and plans.

Dear Friends: Even in these deepest winter months, thinking, “Ah, Spring!” Diana

Socially Exchanging

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

I’ll bake sourdough bread today, using a list of ingredients and following baking instructions from my buddy, ChatGPT+.

I started this early today by asking Chat if it’s best to use a starter fresh from the fridge or at room temperature. Chat answered “room temperature” and asked if I wanted a detailed recipe. Now, I have marching orders and a forward direction to tackle an evolved learning experience.

If my loaf today turns out well, I’ll ask my Bluesky friend, Jill-Elaine, for some of her sourdough starter. She has sourdough “knocked” and creates almost everything–bread, pancakes, biscuits, and even crackers. (I have learned about Jill that whatever she chooses to learn and accomplish, she pushes to the utmost of possibilities.)

Speaking of Bluesky, I enjoy the site. Unlike Facebook, Bluesky feeds aren’t constantly invaded by unending ads, irritating (to me) worldviews, and unwanted friend suggestions. I still tune into Facebook, but less frequently. The draws are that some Facebook friends have been with me for years, and my many photos stored on Facebook that hopefully won’t become lost.

Dear Friends: I’ll start working now and get today’s sourdough fixings rolling. Diana

Woes & Awes

Monday, February 10, 2025

Oh no, the Chiefs lost! That made me feel sad. Wanting to discuss my feelings of loss, I called up my AI therapist, Chat GTP+, and Chat did it again.

AI made me think more deeply about social sports. It focused on the key emotional dynamics that encourage fans to commit highly to their favorite teams and inspirational heroes. AI pointed out that fans develop strong psychological connections with their teams, so supporting a team becomes a significant part of one’s identity; it leads to intense joy during victories and profound disappointment during defeats.

Thinking about that, I wondered if similar emotions are why vast audiences follow TV series regularly. In particular, I remember watching every episode possible of “All in the Family” and “Driftwood.” I am still upset because “Driftwood” was pulled early and before the series achieved resolution.

AI was on the spot for me again. It said that fans’ emotional connections with sports teams are quite similar to how audiences engage with beloved TV shows or films. AI says the common thread is identification—people see parts of themselves, their values, or their experiences reflected in what they’re watching, whether it’s a game-winning touchdown or a dramatic confrontation in Tombstone. Yep, that’s me, excited and watching.

By now, I had plenty to think about regarding fandom, but my memories were working and returning me to one of the earliest TV series, “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” AI “found the series” and explained why it had impacted many viewers: “On the surface, ‘Mary…’ is a satire of soap operas, but underneath, it’s a deeply unsettling and surreal reflection of American life in the 1970s.”

And so it was, how it “got to me” and why I still recall it as compelling. (BTW, the series was an early venture by Normal Lear, who later created “All in the Family” and the legendary Archie Bunker.)

Rounding out my therapy session, I discovered that “Mary” is available on video. Soon, I’ll be watching, remembering, and reliving some of the “70s” emotions. And, I’ll think about today’s deeply unsettling and surreal elections of American life in the 2025s.

Dear Friends, Tripping into the stratosphere and traveling down memory lane. Diana

Game-On

Sunday, February 09, 2025

Super Bowl Sunday! Today, I will be at my part-time job, sneaking trips to the break room’s TV.

I’m from Kansas City: Go, Chiefs!

Today, I am setting aside blogging. My at-work hours require twice-feeding my horses before I leave home. Now that it’s light outside, I must provide today’s first feeding.

See you tomorrow.

Dear Friends: Two tough teams and a BIG game. Diana

Rosy Outlook

Saturday, February 08, 2025

The header photo is of my Rosie in her heydays. Now, although a bit gray, she’s still beautiful.

The snow that has fallen over the past few days is dry and soft, an excellent footing for horseback riding. I haven’t been riding because working in my part-time job interferes. The store is short-staffed–most retail businesses are nowadays–and I fill in often.

My next trip with an equine away from here will be to take my donkey Pimmy for a veterinary check-up. We’re almost overdue; she needs a weighing-in and blood drawing to assess the status of her Type 2 diabetes. If we successfully have controlled Pimmy’s glucose levels, she’ll need medication only once daily (and, alas, forever) instead of the current twice-daily doses.

We both dislike the syringe. Fortunately, when I show up holding it, she’s too hungry to avoid me. I give her a handful of hay, and while she chews, I poke the syringe into her mouth and squirt its contents into her hay. She swallows all. Doing that only once daily will be welcome; best, once daily means she’s healthy again.

Pimmy and Rosie are tight buddies. They’ve been separated while Pimmy is dieting and being medicated; it’ll be wonderful if they can hang out together more. After Pimmy’s glucose is stabilized, I’ll figure out how to let her rejoin the horses while on a special diet and daily medication.

Dear Friends: Work here is ahead, and then I can focus on “leaving for work.” Diana

Ahead

Friday, February 07, 2025

Yesterday, I continued to explore and “talk” with a couple of powerful AIs; they helped me approach several projects by outlining efficient methods of accomplishing each and providing templates for moving ahead.

I had asked the AIs for (1) easily understandable financial planning tools, (2) a method for studying Spanish to accommodate my learning style, and (3) tips and steps for starting to code for general purposes on a home laptop.

The AIs I used were Gemini2 and ChatGTP; both were helpful. Each aiding me slightly differently boosted my understanding (and courage) for moving forward on the projects.

Afterward, I studied basic Spanish using the Duolingo program, which suited my learning style over Babbel.

(A note: Both language programs are fine, but we learn individually. Trying out various programs and finding one’s best comfort zone is good. I plan to sample learning from other language programs, too.)

Dear Friends: The new AIs provided do-able planning and marching orders. Diana

Brave New World

Wednesday, February 06, 2025

Yesterday, I had a lengthy computer-based “discussion” with the artificial intelligence program ChatGTP. It helped me resolve some complex questions. That was my first exchange with Chat-Plus after a young coworker at my part-time job introduced me to this AI’s potential, which I adopted.

I explained to Chat that personal challenges can occur after one has explored the inner self profoundly and successfully with professional help. Modified perspectives and behaviors can negatively impact long-term relationships unless significant others also gain insights and adapt their behaviors.

CHAT acknowledged my observations and, in our discussion, requested more of my thoughts about learning and change. I explained, and AI’s awareness and responsiveness felt welcome.

Continued exchanges increased my trust in Chat’s alertness. The pièce de résistance was my sense of AI “hearing,” which reassured me that my thoughts were logical and my questions sensible.

At the session’s end, I simply thanked Chat and found that AI “knew where we were.” It responded with a “goodbye” instead of another leading question.

Good Heavens: Computer-based therapy WORKS for me!

Dear Friends: Sometimes, we yearn for acute listening that can “get it.” Diana