Seeking Harmony

Friday, July 26, 2024

Whee! The Olympics, America’s presidential race, the Good Guys intercepting jets from Russia and China, and Netanyahu’s visit to America. Plus, in Central Oregon’s cooler weather last night, I slept under a blanket.

The chaotic world news forces us to find balance. Staying informed is worthwhile, and so is maintaining personal well-being.

We must know to vary our perspectives. Absorbing news through an historical perspective reminds us of how societies have navigated past crises. Absorbing news with a global perspective provides insight into how other countries are dealing with similar issues.

Following news with various perspectives to analyze it broadens a grasp of challenges and potential solutions. Those aren’t necessarily calming, which makes it important to constantly nurture personal balance and a sense of well-being.

News chaos that seems disheartening presents opportunities for growth, learning, and positive change. We must stay informed and engaged and have a sense of personal well-being. It’s how to navigate political and social turbulence, and hopefully anticipate a more stable and just world.

Dear Friends: These days of chaos have been refreshing my sense of hope. Diana

Moments

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Today, the weather bug anticipates that Central Oregon temperatures will drop significantly. A cooling-off will make working outside easier than in the intense heat during the last weeks. Fortunately, this is a day off from my part-time job. If it’s cooler outside, I will feel more like handling the work waiting here at home.

I said I’d not make political comments but am completely offended by a public persona, an alpha male, who has called women without children “cat ladies,” suggesting they’re not “normal women.” Bye, bye, dumb-sh*t. I sensed long ago, upon reading your book, that you have deep, unresolved psychological problems. Now, you’re confirming my impression.

Not only mine, because today’s social media are full of cat lady memes, clever, laughable, and on-the-point. This election cycle isn’t a good time to be picking on women’s choices; those are huge issues these days. Trump and Vance are misogynistic. It’ll be interesting to see how they will or if they can adjust their campaign styles.

Hey, if they even need to adjust! A large section of Americans, both men and women, consider those guys the tops and potential saviors of what’s best about this country.

While working outside in the cooler weather, I’ll stay aware of what’s happening politically. Like almost all (and likely worldwide) others, I intend to watch and listen and expect to have shifting perceptions.

Dear Friends: We are characters in a reality novel written in the moment. Diana

Realigning

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Online marketing has become incredibly aggressive, likely thanks to AI technology.

I have begun routinely wearing a multi-colored gemstone ring; it’s not expensive but charming. I began thinking of finding a daily-wear bracelet to go with it. I went to two online jewelry sites, didn’t enter any personal contact information, and looked at some multi-gemstone bracelets. Immediately afterward, my usual internet sites became bombarded with advertisements for bracelets of that type and from marketers I’d not contacted.

It isn’t as if I’d not noticed this before because I’ve seen clothing and shoe ads pop up. This time, however, is different because the bracelets are colorful, very specific, and in my face. As I scroll through the major online daily newspapers, multi-gem bracelets are popping up with easily accessible links to commercial sites. As I’m googling for information, those bracelets are popping up. I’ve been found.

My purpose for looking online wasn’t as much to buy as to explore. What’s happening feels invasive.

The Amazon phenomenon has changed everything, from how we shop to how items are marketed. Such an aggressive style of commerce is facilitated by AI technology, which Amazon was among the first to exploit. Today, sales aggression comes first and foremost.

Selling is always aggressive. As a former sales trainer, I can attest to encouraging aggressiveness while being cautious about stepping up the heat. The internet depersonalizes that process and is in-your-face aggressive. Becoming more immune to such aggression will encourage in-person salespeople to take more aggressive approaches.

In my part-time role of selling fine jewelry, I consider how to apply what I have learned from the internet. Customers becoming more tolerant might respond to more encouragement if it isn’t also overwhelming. I will consider this more and actively retest and adjust my sales skills as time passes.

Dear Friends: We spend lots of energy on many daily living nonessentials. Diana

Unsinkable

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

I can’t tear myself away from the news. Americans are witnessing a sudden, new gulp of historical change and guessing at the possible outcome(s). And the rest of the world is equally worried about American political turmoil. We’re all wondering how a “changing of the norm” will impact the larger landscape.

Experience has taught me not to write my opinions. I will comment generally because a massive social change deserves recognition. Watchers like me want to see political leaders reacting and adjusting appropriately to an unanticipated new normal.

One of the most difficult challenges in my life has been accepting that all things are impermanent. Time has taught me that my existence evolves with changes. Change is never a single event but a constant force that can reshape my life and the surrounding world.

We truly are in a moment of history representing a huge cultural shift.

Dear Friends: It’s like plunging into deeply rushing water and managing to swim. Diana

Point Of View

Monday, July 22, 2024

Yesterday, I had a lovely visit with my long-time artist friend Janet. Several years ago, she and her daughters created a much-loved Christmas costume for my donkey Pimmy; our team had lots of fun participating in parades and photoshoots with well-dressed Pimmy.

Janet and I caught up with one another before taking a tour of the High Desert Classic Horse Show. The gorgeous, drool-worthy, and awesome jumpers made me happy to be a horseperson and to grasp their athleticism and fun. Horses are amazing and wonderful creatures; humans develop a partnership with a horse–and actually, a relationship unlike any other.

Janet is an artist and sees everything through an artist’s eye. She has always encouraged me to take second looks and to adjust my perceptions. I love that, and thinking about it makes a connection to my part-time work selling fine jewelry. I encourage customers to perceive gemstones and designs in different ways. For example, offering a viewer a jeweler’s loop and teaching its use clarifies design details.

Thanks to Janet for helping me remake connections among art, relationships, and practicality. This trio fuels most of our thoughts and perceptions.

Dear Friends: She says also that once we connect, we can forever reconnect. Diana

Website

Sunday, July 21, 2024

I’m interested in creating a website but haven’t a clear vision of its ultimate purpose. I’m focused on simply getting started in web creation, which is new to me. I have quit wondering why I want a website; I can develop the details while moving along.

As a non-coder, I must first learn basic coding. That’s about as interesting as watching grass grow, but regardless, the world increasingly is demanding skills in at least one coding language. I will be stepping up.

My website might highlight Central Oregon; despite its constant growth and changes, it’s still a magical place. It’s impossible not to enjoy a place that’s minutes away from the surrounding mountains, forests, and deserts. However, there are also negatives. Climate change and its impact on water availability are a big concern because of our enlarging population and ongoing construction.

A website could promote my interests: animals, photography, and Central Oregon’s fascinating history. An active site could also affect my blogs, composition, and chosen topics. All those are yet to know because, starting off, everything’s about coding.

Here I am, reading mysteries, learning about gemstones, and planning to enroll in coding language courses. I’m also actively living. Today, my artist friend Janet and I plan to have lunch somewhere interesting and tour the horse show afterward.

Dear Friends: An evolving fantasy on the verge of becoming reality. Diana

Karma

Friday, July 19, 2024

During my twenty years living in Central Oregon, I’ve pulled trailer loads from my property to the city dump over a two-lane paved road that has divided two au natural properties. I’ve roughly estimated that the largest of them is about a section–a one-mile by one-mile square area of land. Along my route are rough parking spots for people exercising dogs or riding horseback.

This area’s population growth and housing construction seriously are altering what has been. Now, those dump-route properties are being developed into city neighborhoods. Their construction crews have closed the old road to the city dump, which interferes with their work, and created a temporary bypass route instead.

Yesterday, I was hauling a load of trash to the dump and traveling on that bypass when a sign warned of a bump ahead. That bump didn’t look like much, but it sent my trailer high, and suddenly, my Jeep began dragging something very heavy and attached. My first impulse was that a tire had gone flat or was trying to come off.

A long line of vehicles following me prevented stopping and taking a look, so I dragged whatever that thing was about a quarter mile, finally finding a small roadside space. I pulled into it, and a vehicle that had been following pulled over, too, stopping in front of my Jeep.

I hopped out and stared at the problem. That bump had popped my trailer completely off its hitch, and I’d been dragging that hitch. I needed help to lift and reset it. Suddenly, the driver of that second vehicle appeared, said he’d seen what had happened, and was there to help me. Before I could bend to help lift the trailer tongue, he grabbed and hefted it up, resetting the hitch.

All so fast, my jaw hung loosely.

He said, “The other day, I was pulling a very heavy load on this road, and that same bump caused this exact problem for my rig. A truck driver who pulled over to help had a power jack capable of lifting and setting my trailer on its hitch. I vowed that if I saw anything similar happening to anyone else, I’d stop and help.” He smiled, “You know, pass it on.”

I gave that fellow a mighty hug. Now, rescued from what could have been an awful plight and hitched again, I continued toward the dump, eager to complete my task and go home.

Despite anything unexpected that might happen en route to the dump site, it’s a trial ridding a trash load in that structure’s complicated setting. I will save yet another dump story for a future time.

Dear Friends: I’m grateful for the rule of karma and the kindness of strangers.

Speaking Arts

Thursday, July 18, 2024

I ordered a drawing pad on a whim. The cute pad connects to a computer; strokes on the pad appear on the computer screen. I thought, “Well, that sounds like fun.” After receiving and examining the pad and watching some training videos, I gathered that my scribbles are not up to the possibilities with this tool; it’s designed for skilled artists using specialized software.

I have few skills in comprehending artists’ software. That’s become apparent after years of using Photoshop. I’ve studied it, practiced utilizing image layers, and am most comfortable doing basic editing. The speed at which this new pad grabbed my attention (and money) is a mystery. I wonder what made the item so appealing that I couldn’t resist it.

Wondering about appeal and irresistibility goes beyond a drawing pad. I often think about it while selling fine jewelry, which isn’t a basic necessity but strongly draws people. Beyond the social influence of jewelry, there’s also an emotional level, reminding individuals of something they’ve loved or cared about. The artist’s pad touched a deep need inside me to draw.

Growing up in a complicated family taught me the safety of keeping my thoughts private. I began to mature with few conversation skills and wanted to become an artist. I could sit for hours drawing objects in my sight or depictions of my memories. Resistance to revealing my thoughts eventually became less, helped by a psychologist. I slowly began speaking more, and simultaneously, that slowed my drawing, and finally, I stopped drawing.

So, the pad is an emotional connection with drawing. It little matters that I don’t draw because my deep, ongoing attraction to drawing as an essence of self-expression is a hefty push.

Dear Friends: An item’s appeal aligns with hobbies, interests, and passions. Diana

Coolin’ Off

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Yesterday, we experienced intense heat, thunder, lightning, and a few raindrops. And we’re about to get going with similar today. The current weather and our national politics wear me out.

Right now and more cheery is the start of Central Oregon’s annual High Desert Classic horse jumping competition. Many gorgeous horse trailers are passing by, and I will stroll several times among the rows of stalls temporarily sheltering some of the most gorgeous, athletic animals.

Horses are herd animals. They bond with their “families,” and some stalls have a “horse buddy” with the horse. A co-stalled buddy might be a goat, chicken (roo or hen), or other types of critters able to soothe a competitive nature.

As usual, I will have my camera and capture some of the show’s impressive or simply cool elements.

This is one of my all-time favorite horse show images.

Dear Friends: We find ways to stay cool through an excess of heat. Diana