Birding Artist

Friday, January 10, 2024

Some time ago, I casually listened as an interviewer questioned the popular and successful writer Amy Tan. I’d not read anything by Tan; I became more attentive as she explained some experiences and interests that turned into creative inspirations. She said bird-watching was a high note in her daily life, and the activity gradually had changed–from being very casual to becoming highly attentive. Best of all, focusing on birds made another of her artistic sides evolve.

I am a great appreciator, a casual watcher, and sometimes a photographer of wild birds. I have two domestic birds in my home, each very different–a retired racing pigeon and a busy Cockatoo. Each is interesting and intelligent (most overtly, the Cocktoo) in its own way.

I long remembered elements of that interview with Tan and wished to learn more about her affection for birds. I finally ordered her book and haven’t been disappointed. In fact, it’s more delightful than I anticipated because her “other artistic side” is pen-on-paper artwork–and her own!

Tan’s bird art is a fine art. Today’s header photo is of the book cover, with birds by Tan, hinting at more art on its inside pages.

She’s an excellent writer, too. Her words share Tan’s observations and delight, bringing readers near the writer’s first-hand experiences.

Dear Friends: It’s an original, a beaut that evolved from wishing to learn. Diana

Partnership

Thursday, January 09, 2024

I’ll spend much of this morning watching PBS cover Jimmy Carter’s funeral procession. I’ve always believed Carter and Rosalyn to be outstanding individuals, a consistently highly functioning team. They remained actively involved and productive during and beyond his presidency years.

On PBS, some historians describe their personal relationships with the Carters and offer educated Carter-related historical perspectives. I’ve not heard anything new or surprising about the Carters, but gaining more understanding of their relationship, perspectives, dedication, partnership, and pre- and post-Presidency activities.

Pomp and circumstance events always make me tear up a little. Wondering why, my best guess is that I sense surety relative to all the elements–clothing, steps, sounds, and colors–all representing perfect planning in our imperfect world. These moments in time do touch me deeply.

He outlived Rosalyn by months before turning 100 years old. Carter was determined to stay alive, at least, until he could cast his vote for our next President.

Dear Friends: I intend to learn more about both the Carters and their legacy. Diana

Planner Lessons

Coworkers and American Cocker Spaniel, (adorable) “Charley”

Wednesday, January 08, 2024

Today is yet another early-to-be-at-work, but I will have a day off tomorrow. Early to work might not seem like too much, but it means lots of extra effort from me. An earlier to work forces me to speed up my morning and be outside before I must leave, feeding and caring for animals.

I see upon examining my new planner that (again!) I am focused on the wrong day. At least, it matches today’s due-in time at work and has me correctly tracking in these early hours. A key lesson (yet again) is to avoid focusing on incorrect days and dates.

That happens when I’m in a hurry and have lots on my mind. The planner is giving me a sobering picture of this month. January will soon be half over, which doesn’t seem awful, but my mid-month commitments are making demands and coming due quickly. That incentivizes my tendency to confuse dates and times.

More about that lesson. I must quit trying to feel happier by avoiding pressures from uncomfortable timelines and commitments. The solution will be starting to work at focusing more steadily on them, and I can do that.

I now have a “plan with the planner” to help me better manage time in the early mornings. My desired outcomes are: (1) an out-early blog, (2) animals appropriately cared for, and (3) at work on time.

Dear Friends: Sloppy thinking leads to sloppy planning that invites mistakes. Diana

Planning

Tuesday, January 07, 2025

I’m looking at a planner and reviewing the information I entered yesterday. I have elected to “find” my inner-organized and goal-achieving self, and I now have a book for planning. In it, I have scribbled some “things to remember” and my due-in times at work. It’s a start, can’t hurt, and best, will prove a helpful tool.

Without question, planners are wonderfully helpful. What’s questionable about planning are users. As for me, something inside resists organizing, and sometimes, I fly by the seat of my pants. I wonder why and have written about my struggles. Finally, again, I’m in the mood to challenge myself to get on board. I am using a simple-looking planner.

I see a scribble reminding me to buy bread flour. For some weeks, I’ve been baking bread. The loaves are turning out deliciously without bread flour. My instructions call for it, so bread flour might punch up the outcomes. This is nonessential but an entry; I’m trying!

Other notes are more weighty; reminders about sending money to the IRS, paying near-due bills, and replying to friends who’ve written to me. All that’s okay and helpful, but the planner’s most important job is to get me to work on time.

This planner is for keeping my head straight about work starting times. The other day, I should have been at work at 8:30 but showed up at 10:30 after focusing on another day’s starting time. That’s happened before. I’ve missed starting times by confusing myself by staring at the wrong day’s schedule.

Good planning to “get me to the church on time” would be a boon! I will try to be more diligent about making this effort effective. The win won’t be lessened from reminders of little things, like getting bread flour.

Dear Friends: Today has an early start time: I’m fully aware and moving Diana

A Climb

Monday, January 06, 2025

Almost every day, I think about planning for that day and estimating my needs for the week ahead. I designed a form to facilitate planning and printed copies of it to make planning easy. But I have the continuous problem of my head having a stubborn side that resists (or refuses) to create and follow a plan.

I insist on working in my head and keeping time and action needs there, but that’s sloppy. Sometimes, forgetting when and where I’m supposed to be forces me to show up on the edge or late.

Why, oh why!

I did some research. It taught me that some people have a high need for closure. They prefer certainty and predictability; they are more likely to engage in planning. They gain comfort from having a clear sense of direction and control. (Note: I’ve always assumed myself as such an individual.)

My explorations teach that others may be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty and are less inclined to make detailed plans. These folks seem more adaptable to change and may enjoy the element of surprise. (Note: I’d rather not admit that I might be one of these people.)

I have always disliked ambiguity, uncertainty, and similar conditions. I’ve also always been confident about knowing myself–and well. Reflecting on my resistance to making plans and armed with new insights, I wonder if I’ve known and understood myself well enough.

Pros and cons: Planning reduces stress, increases efficiency, and improves goal attainment. Spontaneity promotes present-moment awareness, enhances creativity, and increases flexibility. An ideal situation would be having the skills to activate both sides of the coin.

Ultimately, an individual’s best way to find comfort is by understanding and embracing one’s personality and cognitive style. A way to resolve planning and spontaneity issues is to find a suitable balance between them.

That points me toward working more to learn about and embrace my unique aspects. That would help me adapt more willingly to the typically daunting challenges of planning and achieving.

Dear Friends: Gaining more insight guides us into fewer tripping-ups. Diana

Yes!

Sunday, January 05, 2025

Today’s header image–“a find” in my Facebook feed–perfectly speaks for itself. A snapshot of joy and beauty that reminds me of many fun outings, most specifically, “chasing rising full moons” with my friend Susie. This image “says it all” without needing a caption.

The Calvin and Hobbes strips brilliantly point to adult sophistication using the antics of a six-year-old hyperactive boy and his “toy” stuffed tiger. I enjoy these strips that reconnect me to my early learning and to “my now.”

Last night, in a phone conversation with my longest-time friend, Linda, we reflected on the passage of time and on the evolution of human awareness. We discussed some complexities of living and marveled over the gradual unfolding of awareness between youth and maturity. Our periodic catches-up on each other’s lives helps us measure how much we’ve learned and continue to grow over the years.

We mutually recognize that a life journey involves self-discovery and expanding perspectives. Last night’s conversation, like most of ours, deepened our connection.

Later, I continued pondering the intricate tapestry of human experience and am still reflecting on it this morning. I selected today’s header image because it reflects many of the positive human attributes Linda and I were discussing.

Dear Friends: The “human experience” is rich with laughter, love, loss, and growth. Diana

Winter’s Puzzle

Saturday, January 04, 2025

Yesterday was the first anniversary of a major ice storm here in Central Oregon. That storm kicked off months of freezing weather. I remember cold, cold, continuously, until almost the Summer Solstice.

It’s hard to believe this area can skip spring, but it does, and often enough that old timers have jokes (e.g., “Central Oregon has two seasons, Winter and the Fourth of July.”).

This winter’s Central Oregon weather seems almost like last year’s. Our weather remained relatively mild through the fall and winter’s dark months. Since I remember last year’s surprising freeze vividly, I worry about that in this early January.

Every morning, I anticipate being greeted by a hammering freeze, with that kind of weather continuing nearly unendingly. Today, the sun has begun rising beautifully in the east, and I’m reassured, at least somewhat, of relatively mild weather today.

I’ve lived in Central Oregon for twenty years and cared for horses. I’ve had real-time wintery experiences outside that are memorable–and proof of the old-timers’ observations being right-on.

Winter and the Fourth of July. So far this season, not enough winter. The coin has another equally worrisome side. Not enough winter means insufficient snow and inadequate water in the spring. Central Oregon needs big winters, especially now, with a growing population and increasing amenities.

Dear Friends: We need snow and ice and thus willingly cope through deep winters. Diana

Hello, New Year

Friday, January 03, 2025

It’s not easy writing “2025” after long months of 2024. Soon, we’ll all adjust.

This year is the first I’ve not made resolutions because they usually drift to meaninglessness. Instead, I’m permitting myself to enjoy feeling optimistic and not trying to put my fingers squarely on “what about” and why. I am happy to have good friends and neighbors, appreciate my part-time department store job, and enjoy my critters, inside and outside.

All those are evolving toward a new and acceptable resolution to continue doing what’s already happening. I will also actively work to improve “sticky situations” when possible.

My perspective embraces the efforts a neighbor and I are making to patch long-standing differences. Years ago, we bumped heads over something unimportant and quit interacting with or speaking to each other.

What’s different are fallouts from life’s realities. We are single women with independent households, and we are aging. Simply put, our needs are different than in the past. We have recognized that collaborating would benefit us mutually. We have agreed to keep closer, more helpful eyes on one another. We will have the keys to one another’s homes and be more active socially.

We’ve always had much in common–our politics and love for animals–but unfortunately, our personalities didn’t mesh effectively. Ahead will be different because we’ve talked, want to, and are willing to collaborate.

I blocked my neighbor from my mind successfully and for a long time. Suddenly, in the early days of this new year, I find myself equally astonished and comforted by a strong sense of relief in knowing my neighbor and I can be friends.

Dear Friends: This “heavy world” makes feeling optimistic even greater. Diana

NY’s 2nd Day

Thursday, January 02, 2024

Yesterday, January 01, was New Year’s Day. That means today is the pluperfect NYD. This works for me because I went to work yesterday. Today, I’m free and can make this my New Year’s Day, proving that “Second can be lovely.”

I have four items on my NYD’s agenda: care for animals, go to the gym, visit my neighbor, and read more of Richard Dawkins’ The Blind Watchmaker {1986)–his geneticist perspective on “being human” blows me away. I’m rethinking, reconsidering, and reevaluating much I’ve always taken for granted.

I’m deeply in the learning and processing stages. I can’t yet step back enough to summarize coherently and intelligently here. I will, though, given time.

Experience teaches that I cannot “push the gym” experiences. Trying to do too much too soon (or all at once) ends my willingness and efforts. This year, I will go to exercise on my days off–hopefully, 3X weekly.

My neighbor has just returned from an emotional visit to her sister, whom I know and care about, and who’s dealing with the onset of dementia. My visit will have us catching up and planning for the year ahead.

Dear Friends: No resolutions yet, but I’m keeping an open mind. Diana

Greeting’s In 2025

Wednesday, January 01, 2025

Today starts another brand new year.

This is a time of renewal in a world facing many significant challenges! America soon will become Republican-led; Israeli forces continue letting loose on Palestine and thereabouts; Russia and N. Korea are unleashing unstoppable havoc on Ukraine.

Problems involving Israel and Ukraine aren’t the only or most worrisome situations. Much press attention makes these conflicts highly visible and people very aware of them. Throughout the world, many more active conflicts are occurring. Those that receive less press attention gain less public attention; however, all are bullying, starving, and destructive events.

I am proud of having done my part. I stayed aware and thoughtful, evaluated the options, and finally voted. Like everybody else, I must wait, hopefully, for satisfying resolutions to big problems.

Here in Central Oregon, the department store where I work part-time will be open today; I am being asked to go in and sell jewelry. Bummaroo, baby! I wish for more pleasurable activities, but like a good soldier, I will sell jewelry.

Dear Friends: Confusing times are making us yearn for clarity and order. Diana