Movin’ Along

Thursday, August 01, 2024

We are entering the final month of summer. Here in Central Oregon, this year’s weather has been up for grabs, so hot that we have barely experienced a kind summertime. Now, I must start looking toward winterizing. That’s about bringing in hay and planning needed changes.

We had an early wet spring and hay is plentiful. I am waiting before ordering a new hay load, and am feeding older hay bales. They’ve been stacked at the rear of the hay shed. Clearing the back space will let me refigure the whole shed space. By rearranging how new hay bales are stored, I want to gain enough sheltered space for storing two lawn tractors through winter.

Another big task will be to clean and rearrange my “she-shed” workshop. Since last fall, a part-time job has kept me very busy and with too little time to be active in the workshop. This fall, I intend to reserve time to engage my brain’s creative side. I keep wanting to design and create; I don’t have ideas to focus on, but time for playing will grow them.

It’s unpleasant to already be considering the coming winter weather and shortening daylight hours. Having livestock and machinery forces thinking ahead and grabbing the future in friendly moments.

Dear Friends: The changing environment affects planning for our most routine needs. Diana

Murky Waters

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

I struggle to understand some commonly expressed views in today’s world. I believe there are great benefits from formal higher education, but I often gather that young people today see no value in attending college.

Recently, I became interested in a colleague at work. She’s in her mid-twenties and is very bright, and I enjoy hearing her explain some elements of retail selling. I stumbled into learning that she sees no reason to get a higher education because “that’s useless today.”

I learned long ago the value of formal learning: it enlarges perspectives and influences social and workplace opportunities. I wanted to “play it forward” by encouraging my young colleague to explore college learning, and instead, I quickly raised her fighting spirit. Our discussion went nowhere, at least from my point of view. We dropped the topic, for continuing to push it would reduce our now mutual trust.

I think encouraging an individual upon recognizing potential can feel frightening to a recipient who lacks the strength of genuine self-confidence. Adding to that is what’s gathered in the air and through the tea leaves, so to speak, or the contemporary social influence in general.

In a very different social atmosphere, long ago, I responded to a co-worker who said I was bright and suggested I take college courses. The idea of higher learning frightened my timid self; I resisted but somehow understood that higher learning supported personal strength and independence. Finally, enrolling in a college-level course, I gained respect from a strict teacher and earned an A. I’ve always been grateful to my co-worker, who encouraged me to attend college, which rewarded me with an interesting career.

I wish a similar journey for my intelligent young co-worker. Today, these times and social pressures are different from my own experience. My best plan is to hope that eventually, in some way, she will re-raise the topic of higher education.

Dear Friends: Navigating social situations is knowing an ever-changing social landscape. Diana

Oh, Pimmy

Tuesday, July 30 2024

A couple of days ago, my donkey Pimmy refused to eat. One thing about equines is the minute one doesn’t eat, it’s a worry. I watched closely and saw her eating again the next day, not vigorously but reasonably enough. Now, Pimmy has an appointment, for an exam by her equine veterinarian on my next day off.

Yesterday, Kate Beardsley, the knower of all things related to horses, came and took Pimmy’s vitals. Pimmy’s temperature and gut sounds were good; her heart rate was a bit quick, and Kate blamed that on some anxiety while being examined by a stranger. Kate also thought Pimmy’s front feet, while she walked, looked a little tender. That suggests oncoming laminitis, a worry, because Pimmy has a metabolic disorder called Cushing’s Disease.

We’ll know more later this week, and it likely will mean medicating Pimmy. That medicine is unpleasant. She has to accept a syringe along with bad-tasting liquid. After a single dose, Pimmy will start avoiding me. (A donkey tends to look sleepy but is keenly aware of everything, including what’s coming toward it.)

We’ve started down this road before, and each time I’ve quit that unpleasant medicating. Meanwhile, her disease progresses. This time, I must be on board and do what’s needed to stave off the Cushing’s.

Dear Friends: Experience with a donkey teaches that knowing one is a treasure. Diana

Worlds In Motion

Monday, July 29, 2024

In America, this week is starting with the national scene heating significantly. The presidential candidates are tied neck-to-neck, the Feds might cut interest rates, Joe intends to reform the Supreme Court by instituting term limits and an ethics code, and gender battles are re-energized and in an uproar.

There’s plenty to worry about locally, too. Here on the West Coast, wildfires are raging; they’re huge and destructive, with arsonists, as usual, responsible for many. I’m not personally fighting a nearby wildfire, but grid damages and supply shortages will increase my monthly electric and water bills.

Now, it’s much more than “the economy, Stupid.” Today, all nations are involved; “it’s” a world economy of environmental changes, supply chain inadequacies, overpopulation tensions, and religious and migration issues.

We’re all on edge with worries about earthquakes, wildfires, rising costs, and shifting populations, and we are doubting the once-rosy visions of promising technology. For example, electrical grids that can’t adequately charge the predicted waves of battery-powered vehicles.

Sure, societies have weathered big changes. They cycled through the Industrial Revolution, a horseless carriage era, and the Twentieth Century’s post-world wars. Finally, resistance to the war in Vietnam changed how societies weathered events.

My point is that this week is opening to a renewed wave of social-economic issues. They’re about who will run the country, who will legitimize decisions, and whether the economy can be regulated to help daily living become more affordable.

It’s about a world economy, Stupid.

Dear Friends: About the movie “Casablanca,” I love its naive dose of heroism. Diana

Reflecting

Sunday, July 28, 2024

I am excited to see how effectively my re-self-generating Spanish Lavander plant attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Today, I will add new sets of that easy-care, fragrant, and beautiful plant, even a whole section, with nearby seating for hanging out to see and enjoy insect action.

Before living on a small acreage, I rarely thought of insects as more than nuisances. Nowadays, it’s astonishing how well I have learned to appreciate and admire them. Also, what’s different from the “old days” is my great awareness of the value of small reptiles. Lizards and garter snakes that live on my property are always mightily seeking prey with quick tongues that flick and grab.

My increasingly trained eyes see much more around. Time has taught me the value of watching closely every tiny critter. Most of them have small footprints but are, as a whole, essential to environmental and plant welfare.

Having rethought my garden, I will select new plants, and those most applauded for attracting insects and birds. The high desert weather is perfect today for digging and planting activities.

Dear Friends: From the ridiculous (politics) to the sublime (nurturing). Diana

To See & To Think

Saturday, July 27, 2024

I wish Joan Didion, one of the most significant social observers and writers, were still among us and writing. She cycled through the Great Society’s changes, starting with the Kennedy-Johnson years, and wrote about societal situations with worthwhile insights. I would love to have her take on America’s current political landscape and how what is happening suggests for the future.

Naturally, we can all figure out for ourselves the ways that current happenings would frame the future. The male-dominated Republicans, now retreating, are trying to figure out how to combat an increasingly popular woman in a leadership role, without raising the ire of their more progressive followers.

Didion would know; she’d sense the possibilities and their impact on American and world populations. Sure, there are other writers tackling the issues and doing well, but none are doing as well as Didion did.

Her thinking was like a giant net cast over vast areas, captured and offered to us in essay after essay. Now, I want to re-read Didion’s writings to learn if she was predicting at least some of what’s happening today.

Besides, Didion was simply a great writer: spare, clean, and clear; she taught others how to do it.

In my perspective, the Repubs must refigure their fighting of fire with fire. They ought to start by highlighting their significant but reticent women, like Melania, to speak on their behalf about women’s issues. And they ought to reset Niki Haley, putting her in front again to message the general public about welfare in a Republican administration.

I know, I said I’d not be writing about politics. But, friends, this is a very different round; it’s mind-boggling and increasingly demanding attention.

Dear Friends: At heart, I’m forever a student of change. Diana

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