Steps Onward

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Slightly over a month ago, my donkey Pimmy was hospitalized for days because her liver was failing. I hadn’t recognized the signs that was happening. Now, I understand that livers are lovely because they can regenerate.

Yesterday, Pimmy had a post-hospital wellness check. Her blood analysis shows that her liver is recovering and in the high-normal range. She’s not out of the woods yet.

Pimmy went into the hospital with her weight way down because she had lost her appetite. Post-hospital, she has regained both appetite and weight. I learned yesterday that her “downweight” level was perfect for her. But we had to get her to eat again, accomplished that, and now she’s too heavy.

Pimmy is being started on a diet. She may eat only 6.5 pounds of hay daily; she also needs meds (and resists being mediated). The vet explained ways to “trick her” into taking them. So last evening, Hungry Pimmy got a little gain sprinkled with a powdered med and ate that mix. She also gobbled a “Little Debbie” (something or other) with a bad-tasting pill buried inside. That pill had been double-disguised–inserted into a gelatin capsule–to hide its smell.

If she takes the meds freely, that’ll be so nice. Now that her liver issue is more under control, we have begun medicating for her Cushing’s disease. That means Pimmy needs the awful-tasting pill daily and for the rest of her life. She also must stay at an appropriate weight.

I’ll be playing by ear to feed and medicate her appropriately. I hope to manage without reducing my outside part-time working hours or quitting altogether. On some evenings, I help to close the store, which turns a last feeding for the horses (and Pimmy) into a very late effort that needs handling quickly. Now, it includes both medication and calorie control.

Dear Friends: I hold close that “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Diana

Moonglows

Friday, September 13, 2024

Today’s header is the lovely waxing moon in last evening’s clear sky. The previous evening, I had tried to capture this eye-catching moon, but it was scudding upward in a wildly cloudy sky, and my cell phone’s camera wasn’t capable.

This capture from my big auto-focus camera uses its programmed “moon setting.”

I was surprised to find the setting accurately capturing a complex area arrangement in the dim evening light. It zeroed in on the distant waxing moon, identified a nearby leafy tree branch, and found my low-hanging ham radio line. (Typically, I’d edit out that radio line, but this trio clear-capture delights me.)

I’ll practice more in the upcoming evenings. Next week, shooting from a hill on my property, my camera will seek complex area arrangements with this month’s impressive and fullest moon.

I said yesterday that my blogs would start going out later in the mornings, but my lateness to publish yesterday brought my kind neighbors over to check on my welfare. Their visit encouraged me to think about my situation more thoroughly.

So, I am deciding not to feed the horses and exercise physically before writing and publishing my morning blogs. I have become reawakened by reconsidering what’s most important. If I happen to stumble over a rock or get stepped on by a horse, finding me sooner may beat discovering me later.

That helps to ensure that the lights of silvery moons will keep shining on my ambitions.

Dear Friends: Today, Pimmy visits the equine hospital for a check-up. Diana

All’s Good

Thursday, September 12, 2024

It’s still morning, but my blog is late. I’ve begun rearranging the early hours to care for my horses and Pimmy instead of creating a blog first. Pimmy’s ill health is a wake-up call, and I will blog later each day.

Also, interrupting my early hours has been a growing intent to become stronger physically. I don’t have enough time to go to the gym regularly, so I have collected equipment at home for stretching and muscle-building.

Finally, I understand that if “I don’t use it, I’ll lose it.” My lifestyle, with horses and a part-time job, has forced me to focus on gaining and maintaining flexibility and strength. I had noticed physical shortcomings. While in a saddle, I discovered that looking backward by twisting to my left wasn’t as possible as turning to my right. Also, my left arm wasn’t as strong as my right arm (odd, as I’m left-handed).

More later. I’m way behind in sending it now and should already have explained changing my morning routines.

Dear Friends: Thank you for still “being here,” you’re as important as muscles. Diana

Contradicting Perceptions

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

We are saddened by this unforgettable date, already triggered in our memories by the brutal massacre in Israel last October. Those events stir mightily our increasing awareness of troubles occurring in many world places and what that suggests going forward.

Harris did a worthy job of giving the impression she would move forward more carefully in world affairs than Trump. However, the jury is still out regarding who might win the election.

My neighbor, Bill, has given me a Harris/Walz campaign button. I like having it but can’t wear it at work or around town. This city will likely go Blue as it’s done recently, but plenty of old-opinioned Ya-hoos around might cause trouble to an outed Dem. (I prefer to avoid Ya-hoos always.)

I need to be at work early (I’m a store opener today), and I must start getting ready.

Dear Friends: Once-confident Americans trusted Roosevelt with 4 terms in office. Diana

Rip Tide

Tuesday, September 10 2024

As I review opinions about tonight’s debate between Harris and Trump, it’s easy to remember that several years ago, Nancy Pelosi shredded a copy of Trump’s State of the Union speech in front of him (and the world). Pelosi understood how to handle Trump and did noticeably several times. Tonight, he’ll test Harris; she must prove capable of offsetting his aggressiveness.

Like many interested in national politics, tonight’s debate looms on my mind. Today, I will open the jewelry department at work and can be there for the event’s start this evening.

I enjoy having a pair of socks with RBG’s image on them. I don’t wear the socks to work, as her image might alienate some coworkers and store customers. However, for quite awhile, I’ve casually searched for more socks–a pair with Nancy’s image–without luck. A wanting for Harris to adorn my socks remains a TBD.

Dear Friends: This debate will significantly improve the last one; tune in and enjoy. Diana

Action, Camera

Monday, September 09, 2024

Good morning!

Today’s header photo isn’t fine, but it beautifully captures Chase’s joie de vivre. On that day, I slipped away from needed work at home, taking a camera and my dogs.

Here’s my cute ball of fire Mitzvah running full-out with wet feet.

And beautiful Osix. Photos of her rarely aren’t good, although this isn’t one of the best.

I carried my big zoom camera–not a great choice for a hiking outing, for it became heavier to carry as I went along. I discovered that forcing it to make quick automatic adjustments crates some images too darkly. My future hiking camera might simply be my iPhone.

Crazylegs is coming my way.

And bouncing up.

My big camera captured a lovely clover as we went along in summer’s fading days.

Dear Friends: A transitional season invites outings to savor the remaining warmth. Diana

EZ Day

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Today at work, my scheduled shift is known casually as “dream hours.” I won’t have to open or close my department; others will perform those jobs. I’ll have a sweetheart role of simply “being there,” if needed. I’ll happily avoid the bending and lifting necessary to open and close the department, but still, I’ll be on my feet identifying and assisting shoppers.

I’m doing stretching exercises to ensure my flexibility and strength are adequate for the bending and lifting necessary to transfer jewelry trays from or into the display counters and safes.

I’m also studying the grading of diamonds and gemstones relative to clarity and cut and memorizing the factors of assessing gem potential values.

All this is earning the happy freedom to spend a few dream hours at work. Today, I will simply show up, sparkling in my bling, and assist with customer service basics without guilt.

Dear Friends: Loving a light workload, no deadlines, and minimal stress. Diana

Oops!

Saturday, September 07, 2024

I became sidetracked this morning, and my time for blogging hello has slipped past. So, a quick “Good morning!” I’m running late and must handle routine morning chores before leaving for my outside, part-time work.

Dear Friends: Sayin’ it, in a nutshell: Have a great day! Diana

Round ‘n Round

Friday, September 6, 2024

This week has been sad, with yet another school-ager mass shooting and another of the stock market shrinking; plus, today is predicted to be downtown LA’s hottest this year, ~100 deg.

I was saddened by that mass murder and by watching my holdings shrink. It happens, too, that I can imagine being in 100-degree weather because it occurred locally this summer. Whatever and wherever something happens, we’re all in it together.

Thanks to ever-improving technologies and communications, our world becomes smaller daily. Years ago, I casually followed early attempts to create AI and couldn’t have dreamed it would develop as it has or that I would frequently use and appreciate what it offers and brings. Going forward, my imagination is significant but also primitive regarding AI’s full potential and ultimate impact on our social lives.

This week ends with me feeling out on a limb, so to speak, or perhaps in limbo. I know my brain can adjust, and later today at work, I will feel confident about finding myself in the company of generally kind and non-threatening others.

Dear Friends: As children, we’re urged to “hold on tight” while riding a merry-go-round. Diana

Muzzling

Thursday, September 5, 2024

My hours schedule in the jewelry department has been changed, and I’m not expected there today. That makes me free to work at home. Here, a broken fence post needs support, and several bags of concrete hardened by rain need hauling.

My donkey’s new anti-grazing muzzle has arrived. Wearing it, she may follow the horses freely on open trails but can’t graze on grass. Grass is sugary, and keeping her healthy requires avoiding excess sugar.

Donkey training is not as easy as horse training. Pimmy has followed me and the horses loosely on trails. She’s been adorned with a new piece of equipment and has the unending determination to get rid of it.

Today, Pimmy’s new training will start with an introduction to the muzzle. We will walk in the neighborhood and she might challenge being muzzled. She must be accepting or otherwise wait home alone until her friends return from open trails.

Dear Friends: Enjoy this lovely day early in the transitional month. Diana