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

On The Edge

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

My horrid puppy Chase is at it again. In these Hottern’H*ll days, his fun is splashing every drop of drinking water from the dogs’ community tub. Yet again, this immature beast’s unexpected and undesirable behavior is reactivating my fantasies of dumping him at an animal shelter or shoving him off a cliff.

If I could’ve, by now, I would’ve.

I was thinking about Chase while deciding to secure that watering tub against common doggie assaults. Yet again, every effort to offset this dog’s impulses is challenging. Offsetting what might come next is hampered because Chase isn’t done maturing. (My hoped-for positivity that maturity may roll around). He will be three years old in eight months, the age when dogs are considered mature.

Only, normal age stats might not apply to Chase. Supposing that, mentally, he turns out to be a perpetual puppy, I’d be facing more constant antics from a bigger, stronger dog.

Well, I have a little hope still. Chase’s new e-collar has arrived and is on a charger. A training video is here, too, to teach me how to use the collar and control dog behaviors. Once Chase starts wearing that collar, I’ll watch him closely with my finger on a zapper.

Dear Friends: Zapping Chase bests the impulses to shove him off a cliff. Diana

Little Joys

Monday, July 15, 2024

Yesterday, a day off from my part-time job, I was called in to work. Like many other businesses, our store is short on employees, forcing our capable management team to work long hours. I appreciate those coworkers who are dependable about helping out, so I said “Yes” to the call-in.

The extra working hours didn’t assign me to my regular spot, the Jewelry Department, which has a bit of a dress code. So, yesterday, I felt free to play with wearables. That’s always fun and encourages me to suit up in whatever pleases. I decided to highlight my brightest necktie.

That day, as anticipated, checking out customer purchases invited some spontaneous and fun exchanges with folks who enjoyed “the look.” And something very special happened. A customer, visiting from Arizona, on learning I have horses, excused herself, hurried to her car and returned soon carrying a chain with charms attached. It featured a horse. She and a team of assemblers had created the chain of charms from recyclables. She’d been holding onto it, hoping to meet a horse person, and gave it to me.

Dear Friends: That bright pink necktie always invites fun! Diana

Musca domestica

Sunday, July 14, 2024

I am off from work today and tomorrow. This scorching weather will keep me battling newly popping hoards of houseflies. Yesterday, I killed many, for the flies were sluggish. My foot landed mightily on those standing motionless on the floor.

I wondered why this area’s searing heat activates unusually high numbers of these insects. A little research teaches that flies are cold-blooded, meaning they rely on external temperatures to regulate their body temperature. The hot weather increases their metabolic rate, making them more active and stimulated to find food and reproduce.

I’ll be racing around to stay ahead of the flies. That means cleaning carefully and ditching any food waste quickly. I must also make a few trips to the Dump, which I’ve avoided for weeks. That’s likely a clue as to why numerous flies are inside my house.

So, what’s a housefly? Their exact genesis (Musca domestic) isn’t definitively known. A common view is that they originated in the early Cenozoic Era, roughly 66 million years ago, and likely evolved in the Middle East.

Houseflies and humans have developed a close commensal relationship, meaning they benefit from our presence without generally harming us. Flies probably co-migrated with humans, and that spread them across the globe. Flys have adapted to diverse environments, becoming some of Earth’s most widespread insects.

Dear Friends: They’re ubiquitous in our lives, for better or worse. Diana

Space-Wacking

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Today, before I’m scheduled to work in my part-time jewelry sales role, I’ll be at home and doing serious weed-whacking. My target will be redefining too-long unused pathways in the “wild part” of my small acreage. I’ve been too busy for some time to continue a long habit of strolling regularly in the unused area and now want to revive the disappearing paths.

As our city grows in population and complexity, I’m ever more grateful for having a small acreage that still seems countrylike. It’s a space that lets me feel apart from anxiety-causing city stuff. Being outside while feeding my horses and chickens lets me feel distant from citylike unpleasant noises, problematic clusters, traffic problems, and overpowering construction.

A space of my own gives me feelings of connection to this location. I assume my more personal connection exists from finding this place and staying here. The deep connection might connect to early memories and cultural associations from growing up in semi-rural Oklahoma. Another connection, less deep but equally important, is that unique characteristics of my place, like those old pathways, still offer a sense of peace and joy.

Walking on these paths isn’t exactly pretty. I’ve fought through tall weeds and often have stumbled over hidden rocks. The area is entirely rocky and still wild. During my early years here, I wished for the area to be more garden-like, but that’s long past. I’ve learned that leaving a space unkempt encourages a sense of freedom.

Dear Friends: Leaving a space keeps a natural area lovely, in its own way. Diana