Mother’s Day 2024

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Here’s a giant cheer appreciating every mom, whether she’s an original, a step, an adoptee, or an adopted: Happy Mother’s Day! And, a shout-out to the pet moms who wrap their schedules around caring for and protecting their charges. Becoming any kind of mom is taking on a busy role.

Fortunately, today’s weather is beautiful for celebrating moms. I intend to leave my pet mom duties for a few hours and attend a classical music concert. I’ll be among an audience that likely includes lots of moms. It’s a great outing and fun for mom, taking her to lunch and afterward to a concert.

Mother’s Day looks different for everyone. Many see it as a complex, emotional, and mixed-bag-day, forcing a setting aside of family dynamics and having to focus on loving and appreciating. Others see it as an opportunity day that invites expressing warmth, gratitude, and deep appreciation for a mom’s sacrifices and caring.

Maturity can change how people respond to Mother’s Day. The passing of time may lead to developing a more nuanced understanding of our relationship with Mother. We gradually learn it’s possible to acknowledge family imperfections and past conflicts, and still highly value the positive aspects.

Dear Friends: Mother’s Day appreciates a powerful interpersonal relationship. Diana

Lil’ Joys

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Appreciating: A warm cup of coffee and thriving tulips, photos posted showing Northern Lights, technology advances that enable and facilitate communications, and having time free this Sunday to attend a concert by Bend’s Chamber Orchestra.

I plan to focus more on seeking joy from the “little things.” That’s not my habit, and I wish to adapt more to it. I usually worry about events short- and long-term, hoping to resolve, set aside, or simply forget issues. I am used to analyzing and deciding.

Deciding even a single thing can become difficult and lengthy. It requires balancing importance vs. uncertainty, negativity vs. positivity, and values vs. emotions. It’s work that can create emotional tolls. A final decision can provide relief and may bring joy.

Appreciating is an easier way of finding joy. By pausing, we can see the unexpected in a positive way, which can bring joy in the little surprises life throws our way. Shifting our perspective helps us experience unanticipated events in positive ways.

Appreciating is a rewarding path, a conscious choice to focus on the good. It’s a way of opening eyes to new possibilities and appreciating the critical elements of chance and possibility in life.

Dear Friends: I am exploring ways in which we absorb, learn, and retain. Diana

Surprises

Friday, May 10, 2024

Yesterday’s weather was warm enough to turn this doubter’s mind from winter. Abundant sunshine made it seem that spring finally arrived. Still doubting, I spent all day handling “stuff set aside” through weeks of cold weather that encouraged me simply to hover near one or another heating source.

Yesterday, things didn’t go perfectly well, with my unwinding of hoses, fiddling to straighten up in the garden, and doing some cleaning around the barn. I didn’t obsess about what didn’t happen just right, but instead, attended to my recent awakening and focused on appreciating whatever might happen. I was on the lookout for what might “seem sweet” and carried a little book for noting anything I happened to appreciate.

I did note each appreciation. Interestingly, most were from occurrences totally unexpected, and actually very surprising.

Thurs, May 9, 2024…Appreciating:

Myself, for managing to load heavy trash containers into my trailer and tarping the load
My Jeep, for managing despite a low gas gage reading to reach the dump, and then a gas station
Two men at the Dump, for spontaneously untarping my load, dumping bags and containers of trash, reloading and securing empty accroutements, for my hauling the trailer home
Teller at the Credit Union, for arranging to erase a $27 overdraft penalty and being kind in general
Chase (my puppy), for hearing my commands to stay inside the Jeep a couple of times as I was lifting its deck door
Gas station attendant, for showing me how to open my Jeep’s gas tank cover

Any of those might have become a dim memory too soon after occurring. But by especially noting and thus remembering vividly, my list gave me a huge emotional lift for that day. Even this morning, remembering all those kindnesses now is making me feel really good.

Dear Friends: Today, with anticipation boosted, hopefully, more grand surprises. Diana

Mind Full

Thursday, May 09, 2024

A PBS documentary focusing on human memory suggests that truth and reality, seen through the filter of our memories, are not objective facts but are subjective, interpreted realities. Memory research shows that our brains interpret the past. We tend to correct ourselves, add bits and pieces, and delete uncomplimentary or disturbing recollections. Essentially, our brains sweep, dust, and tidy things up.

The documentary included interviews with Lisa Genova, a trained neurophysiologist and best-selling author. She supported the documentary’s points that memory isn’t accurate but interprets the past. She also shifted a bit by asking, “Do many of us spend time practicing gratitude?”

Genova’s writings often make me pause to consider and research the topics she presents. The question about practicing gratitude made me wonder: Do I actually practice gratitude, and if so how? My cloudy memory on this topic had me ask basic questions: What is “practicing gratitude,” and how does one do that?

I gather there are gratitude exercises for training a brain to focus on the positive aspects of life, whether they’re big or small. Gratitude exercises can be a learned skill–like strengthening a particular muscle. Over time, consistently practicing gratitude develops an appreciation mindset that gradually becomes a natural behavior.

Wishing to “appreciate gratitude” means learning how to notice “good things” more readily and preserve them.

Research teaches ways of learning how to focus on gratitude. That might start with a daily gratitude list of 2-3 things and continue by learning to explore what resonates. Maybe by creating a daily gratitude journal, taking walks, or learning how to meditate. A caution is to avoid being grateful for obvious things, like health. Instead, to reflect on specific things, really appreciated–like a good night’s sleep or being able to exercise.

In time, a learner will understand that feeling gratitude goes hand-in-glove with being mindful. Mindfulness is a learned skill about being attentive in present moments and recognizing positive experiences. Appreciation is another learned skill about knowing how to save and savor moments of positive experiences.

Dear Friends: I enjoy thoughts about practicing mindfulness and appreciation. Diana

What’s Smarts?

Wednesday, May 08, 2024

Today is World Donkey Day, celebrating that most worthwhile companion animal and hard worker if you know how to train one. Over the years, I’ve attempted, and always in vain, to train my donkey, Pimmy. Instead, she’s taught me. I finally understood that a donkey is very different from a horse.

They’re closely related. Donkeys and horses share many distinct physical and behavioral characteristics but are very different to train. Unfortunately, donkeys are stereotyped as stubborn but are very intelligent and typically more cautious than horses.

Donkeys don’t particularly trust new things, which makes training them difficult. Horses basically are willing to do what’s asked, but not a donkey. A donkey needs to comprehend why it’s doing something. Otherwise, it participates unwillingly and escapes training situations as soon as possible.

I learned all that by wanting Pimmy to learn to pull a cart. Cart training began with me using a long lead rope and guiding haltered Pimmy to walk in circles. She refused to walk in useless circles; she never “got it.” Finally, I gave up.

To be truthful, “our problem” more was mine. I lacked the patience to keep Pimmy going until she became more accepting. That taught me that “if you can” when training a donkey is highly related to a trainer’s patience.

Pimmy is bonded to her horses, is loyal, and follows them everywhere. She’s also very alert and protective. Our donkey is a wonderful pet.

Dear Friends: Voting on World Donkey Day for lots more years with sweet Pimmy. Diana

Status Quo

Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Today, I’ll gather the dogs and head out into the countryside with a camera. I plan to search for and record random signs of this spring’s arrival. To me, it’s apparent because my garden tulips are popping. I’m already weeding, and weeds are the green surrounding almost everywhere. However, this green merely seduces me here in Central Oregon since the weather insists on clinging to “cold and dreary.”

I work part-time in a department store and often see customers purchasing lots of summer-style clothing. Most say they plan to depart Central Oregon this week or next and spend time in more summery places, like Mexico, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. I recall wonderful summertime weather and wish for it; am slightly envious of those traveling from cold weather.

As an intrepid homebody, I find those envies situational and momentary. I prefer staying home and making do with what’s around—my dogs, a camera, and, in cooperative weather, a horse to ride. Those make the local surroundings beautiful enough and deeply pleasurable despite our chilly spring times. To me, nearby open spaces are “The Tops.”

Nearby spaces allow for quick escapes from the urban grid. They make staying home as lovely as being anywhere else, and maybe more so. Connecting easily with nature offers a sense of peace and tranquility. Time spent in nature with my animals gives me “elbow room” or “breathing space,” reduces stress, and improves my mental well-being.

If this growing city becomes a more crowded urban environment, I’ll reconsider not wanting to travel. Nowadays, that’s a moot point because Central Oregon still offers the best of both worlds. We can access the excitement and opportunities of urban life and easily find open spaces nearby to relax, recharge, and connect with nature.

Dear Friends: Springtime will happen, is happening; and anticipating is exciting. Diana

Ode to Spring

Monday, May 06, 2024

It’s early today, and no signs of rain, at least not yet. Understand, please, that I love the rain, but mostly while inside and hearing its pitter-patter—and hopefully, reading a book or cooking something up. I like rain much less in times that horses need feeding, and when other stuff needs doing around the barn.

We in Central Oregon desperately hope for heavy annual rains. We want full nearby mountain lakes and heavy water runoffs. Some years, our area stays too dry to maintain farmed crops, keep green an ever-growing population’s landscapes, and adequately feed this area’s famous golf courses.

The point is we couldn’t keep existing without rain aplenty. So, I won’t complain about the rain anticipated this afternoon. And, just my luck, it’ll be a downpour exactly when I must hurry out to the barn and feed my horses.

These aren’t sour notes because now is Central Oregon’s beginning of spring. Plus, it’s May! Shortly, we happily will stash our heavy outerwear, plant beautiful flowers knowing they’ll survive, and go seeking bleacher seats to cheer on the Bend Elks Baseball Team.

Dear Friends: Soon, and right here, abundant summer fun means fine living. Diana

Wildlife

Sunday, May 05, 2024

Today, it’s Cinco de Mayo, enjoy!

It’s another rainy and chilly morning here in Central Oregon. Yesterday, my neighbors told me they had discovered a brown fox, apparently living in our neighborhood, at their pond. They caught it in the act of killing some of their chickens, including the brave rooster, and frightened the critter away. This morning, I have a closer eye on my flock. It has two big roosters, but a fat chance they’d willlingly work together, and they don’t reassure.

Luckily, over the years, predators haven’t terrorized my chickens. Maybe because tree limbs partially sheltering their area deter skydiving, scooping, and escaping. Oddly, neither does an occasional raccoon, evidenced by its footprints, cause damage.

I wondered why a fox would be in a densely populated neighborhood. They’re omnivores and hunt very small animals, like mice and rats. Thinking more about why, I suppose that scavenging in human communities, with freely available pet food and garbage, makes it easier to live. My neighbors are familiar with wild foxes and suggest that this one is likely feeding babies and nesting within a mile of us.

I need our chickens to be safe, and I am curious. I would like to spot a fox with its gorgeous tail. Long ago, while living in LA, I occasionally saw wild possums, and they frightened me. That was before I learned about possums—wonderful creatures—and could appreciate them.

My curiosity invited a real learning experience. My small animal veterinarian said she had rescued a baby possum and that she’d bring it to meet me. That did happen, and the half-grown infant clung to me. She roamed a little, with her toes tightly holding onto my jacket, finally nesting in my hoodie. I fell in love with that little one and have forever remembered the whole episode.

Of course, meeting a fox would be very different, especially if it’s in the act of threatening small domestic animals. Aside from that, I’ve wished to see a wild fox in real life; a whim that somehow might happen.

Dear Friends: Today, remembering that possum, we together, and me learning. Diana

A Bus Above

Saturday, May 04, 2024

One of my all-time favorite movies, released in 1994, is “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” I’ve often enjoyed watching this great comedy because it’s tender and thoughtful and has some excellent performances. Besides, its costumes and cinematography are phenomenal.

The story follows two drag queens and a transsexual who buy a run-down old bus, paint it, and name it “Priscilla.” The three performers set out on a road trip across the Australian Outback in their colorful bus. They’re forced to deal with bus breakdowns and other travel interruptions while also performing for enthusiastic crowds and homophobic locals.

This movie is fun to watch and uniquely grabs more attention by successfully creating a “bus character.” I’m always amazed by how Priscilla transforms into a lead “actor” and becomes equally real to all the others in the movie.

Priscilla was anything but a drag!

In the film, the bus is famously painted bright pink. However, the filmmakers could afford only one bus, so they painted half of it pink and left the other side silver, allowing them to shoot out of sequence.

In reality, Priscilla was a 1976 Japanese model Hino RC320 that was leased to the film’s production company for the shoot in September and October 1993. Afterward, the bus was hired out occasionally, but before long Priscilla vanished without a trace.

Recently, Priscilla was rediscovered. Crucially, some old pink paint hadn’t been removed from a hinge, which made news by enabling an accurate identification of the real Priscilla. It’s been a long and cloudy search for the actual bus because copies were made to support a stage musical and other versions of the story. In the end, old pink paint scrapings were what convinced everyone they’d found the original Priscilla.

And now, she’ll live again!

Dear Friends: Do steam the fabulous comedy, laugh aloud, and love that bus. Diana