Thursday, July 21, 2022

Today is a day off from my outside job. Aside from the usual daily chores at home, I have a few goals for fun. I will prepare sections of soil for planting wildflowers to help to save the Monarch Butterflies and to support visiting Hummingbirds. I’ll photograph birds.

I intend to watch the final January 6th Committee Hearing. Live coverage in the PNW will occur late this afternoon. The possibility of appreciating “a Chaney” never seemed remotely possible, but Liz is proving herself an outstanding member of Congress. Throughout my voting years, Republicans have turned me off. I will follow Liz whose example might encourage other moderate Republicans to come forward and address logically and constructively economic and social situations.

There appears to be a key contest of ideas, Chaney vs. Trump. We can hope for the best outcome.

In an associated mood, my friend Susie forwarded an article explaining water shortages in Central Oregon. It’s essentially about water pirating, or an age-old description of unquenchable human quests for visibility, money, and power, with little or no consideration about what’s best for all.

Water shortage is a continuing brutal story of development in Central Oregon. It began in the early 20th Century with the plundering of this area’s surrounding old-growth natural forests. Today, local house building is spreading, encroaching the few remaining local natural forest patches. Central Oregon’s water shortages are because of commercially-drained underground water resources. Behind that are wealthy power brokers, seeking increased profit margin by continually building new structures and commercial golf courses.

Here’s a link to the water article, https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/19/deschutes-water-rights-access-well-drilling-groundwater-central-oregon/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=First%20Look%20July%2019%202022&utm_content=First%20Look%20July%2019%202022+CID_a24c155aa7799e316c8a1c4ff2f34aa9&utm_source=firstlook&utm_term=Learn%20more

Having ranted prior to this afternoon’s hearing, I’ll take a respite to concentrate on butterflies and hummingbirds.

Dear Friends: The future looks really scary if power-hungry Putin wins his war. Diana

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

My computer today is running slowly. I’ll keep this short.

Thanks to the kindness of next-door neighbors, Frank and Annette, who’ve cut their pasture, my horses will receive a gift of hay. Those bales will help during this hay rationing period before our grower delivers. This year’s wetter weather has yielded more hay than last year’s too-dry season. Hay growing requires full irrigation canals. Hopefully, my coming supply will carry us until next July.

I’ve not been a snow seeker unlike many here in Central Oregon. I’m changing now and rooting more for heavier winters. We need the weather that fills lakes and snowpacks mountains. My perspective isn’t on skiing, but on growing enough feed for large animals and returning to affordability.

I worry about large animals that belong to people who can’t afford the current very-high costs of hay. My part-time job helps me manage the economics of horse-keeping, no cheap hobby even in the best times. Inviting a horse to live on a property means having it around for a long time and through better and worst. Yep, horses are family.

Dear Friends: Now, I’m off to do needed work, before off to my part-time gig. Diana

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Here’s when I like them best. Sound asleep, both. Otherwise, they’re in a totally opposite mode and very noisy, playing to the nines or knawing on old bones. Chase is five months old and does extra. He chews electrical wires, tears magazine pages, and ruins all possible shoes. The two are done when simply they drop, and wherever they happen to be, as in today’s header photo having landed on a pillow.

Today is a free one from my part-time job. I’ll be playing catch-up on needed work around the property, playing with the animals, and doing some reading. I’ll also be off on Thursday, and thus, will follow the final public hearing in regard to January 6 by the Senate Investigative Committee.

Visitors to Bend from Arizona and California coming through my checkout line describe the intense heat common in those areas. They say they’re amazed to find this summer that here is cool and comfortable.

A couple of ladies, one from Arizona and the other from Portland, were buying lots of food items and preparing for an annual celebration. They explained that Central Oregon’s consistently good summer weather draws ladies from various states who’ve known each other for forty years. Annually, they meet here for a week to revitalize friendships and catch up.

A reminder for locals. Let’s thank our lucky stars for summers of tolerable weather.

Dear Friends: And now I’m out to feed the horses, goats, and chickens. Diana

Monday, July 18, 2022

I’m fiddling unendingly with my Mac Computer to access programs fully. There were assets I appreciated back while using droid-based computers. Some “helpers,” or auxiliary programs I purchased, downloaded, and loved, this Mac can’t access. Or actually, I can’t and am wanting them again!

I like working on the Mac and will continue trying to fix glitches, but changing over is frustrating. I’m finding it impossible to transfer to the Mac images from my best camera. Also, routine text editing is cumbersome and time-consuming.

The key to achieving success is understanding the IOS system. Ah, but that stretches my brain’s capabilities. Anyway, there’s no going back, no returning to my droid. The puppy has chewed its power cord in half.

So here I’ll relax. I will shift my focus, not grind on and instead move around. I’ll go out and feed critters.

Dear Friends: Anyway, it’s time to assume other activities; today’s a workday. Diana

Sunday, July 17, 2022

That photo is of a baby Robin that had fallen from a nest last summer. It was tiny with parents frantically communicating with it and catching my attention. The baby was on the ground in a fenced area with my dogs. It needed rescuing. I picked it up and set it on the ground in a safer area. While leaving it for the parents, I realized the infant would be visible to flying predators. With the parents still carrying on, I decided to rescue the bird.

Knowing nothing about young birds. I embarked on a learning journey.

This one had feathers but couldn’t fly, depended on being fed. I knew it could eat live mealworms, but the pandemic still ruled and many miscellaneous live food producers had gone out of business. My bird needed feeding and I hurried to find someone who might know how to care for a baby.

I learned how at The Reptile Zone. The owner gave me advice which included finding big worms used for fish bait, and feeding those. It turned out that night crawlers were available. My little bird loved them.

It wasn’t pretty to feed big worms to a bird too small to consume a whole one. I cut them into pieces and used a forceps to poke them into the wide open beak. The little bird ate well, grew quickly, and I was a proud mom.

Once the bird knew how to balance, it safely could spend time perched on a tree branch. From that vantage spot, it could watch, learn, and become brave. In a couple of weeks, it went from remaining stationary in place, to flying from tree to tree.

It always came when I called. Until it didn’t. One day, I discovered the bird baby gone. And apparently for good. For days I called for it without getting a response. My Robin fully had fledged.

I hoped it would return this summer and nest in this area. I’ve no sense that it has done so. Sometimes I stand outside and in my “here, Baby” voice call for it. No dice.

I picture the Robin as having survived and now raising babies of its own. I hope someday, a mature Robin will fly in, land nearby, and offer a suggestion of knowing me. Regardless, the whole rescue experience remains a powerful memory.

Dear Friends: A miracle of witnessing natural nature taking its course. Diana

Saturday, July 15, 2022

Many people dislike chipmunks but not me. One of the best things about feeding birds is sitting quietly and watching as nearby chipmunks fill their jaws with dropped seeds. Those moments may become even more enjoyable by also indulging in a cold beer.

It’s summer!

Down at the barn there’s a young cottontail growing. Not yet any good photos of that illusive creature which I see often. Soon, I’ll come up with a worthwhile image.

Often, the horses’ watering troughs are hosts to perched Ravens. They’re fledglings, drinking and just hanging out until mom and/or dad reappears with food and instructions. Every summer it’s exciting to watch Raven parents training and protecting their offspring. Watchers learn quickly that those birds are very smart. Raven parents are excellent managers of family groups, and their babies are well-behaved.

This summer, despite that I’m less at home for working at an outside job, there are nearby easily available, highly enjoyable “small pleasures.” So many, under foot and in the air.

Dear Friends: A deep breath ending in “Ah, summer,” to a world of pleasure. Diana

Friday, July 15, 2022

That hurrying pony is Sunni (pronounced “Sunny”). She’s coming to grab a nibble from a full hay-net bag I’m shouldering for hanging from a tree branch. Yes, it’s Sunni’s hay, she can’t wait. Daily, we replay this scene often.

Next week, I’ll have a string of three days off from my outside job. The first is enjoying not having to work, the middle is for horseback riding, and the third is doing whatever is needed before resuming “cash register days.”

I’m considering which dogs may join my horseback ride. The only two savvy with horses and un-arthritic enough to run with them are almost twelve-year-old hound-dog, Ranger, and nearly ten-year-old Border Collie mix, Osix. It’s a mystery why these two after years of trail running haven’t succumbed to joint pain. I’m happy for experienced dogs still having the strength to join horses and me.

I’ve not introduced either puppy to horses. There’s evidence that Chase could become a trail dog. He’s enthusiastic, strong, and dependably stays nearby. Less so Mitzvah. Although a fast-running Jack Russell, she’s quirky and sometimes reluctant to do as asked. Because these puppies aren’t herding types, their full potential needs more time to surface.

Dear Friends: Now I must prepare to go to work, that store’s a busy place. Diana

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Today, I face another super-early (from my perspective) call to work. It’s nice getting off from work in a mid-afternoon. If about which might be best, it’s a guessing game. Go in earlier and leave early, or go in late and leave later.

My preferences are related to tasks of feeding my horses. Early-to-work means feeding them early and late-to-work means they must wait a bit. All horses hate having to wait. While in the process of preparing hay and supplements, I feel much pressure from Rosie. She’s kicking against the fence, snorting, demanding entrance.

Rosie is my lead mare, the trio’s head honcho. She can be sweet and yielding or belligerent and irritating. Over the years, she’s made it clear: the longer she must wait, the pushier she can become.

This morning is easy, a no-brainer. I must leave soon for work and Rosie, et al, may dive early into their hay allotments.

Dear Friends: Amazing creatures, horses, always teaching us more about ourselves. Diana

Wednesday, June 13, 2022

Hot ‘n hotter! Yesterday afternoon was a blast furnace. In the morning, my twelve-year-old hen, Welsummer, got to go into an outside pen to scratch and dust around. In early afternoon I found her panting, parked in a tiny spot of shade. The old girl shouldn’t be so stressed and was returned to inside quarters. There she perched and appeared more composed.

Puppy Chase is growing rapidly and suddenly he’s standing tall as Louie. To boot, that tough little monkey is good humored, loves people, and plays constantly. I try to avoid his busy mouth with sharp teeth that break my skin. It’s almost embarrassing, working at a cash register with hands and wrists nearly covered by scabs; but that’s how it is.

Speaking of work, I must be at a register this morning, and tomorrow, at 7:30 sharp. This is a quick hello and goodby.

Dear Friends: Full Super Moon rises tonight! Keep cool, stay awake, and enjoy. Diana

Tuesday, July 12, 2024

I went online to check an item at Costco. Its website has a totally new appearance. Exploring products available for shipping from Costco is similar to doing so on Amazon’s site. About time, Costco!

Recently while in Costco, I saw an interesting item but didn’t purchase. On rethinking, later I checked for the item online, not expecting to find it but did. A surprise. Costco’s website is revamped. Now it reveals all stock similar to any item and offers choices, with descriptive information. an item’s sales numbers, and customer ratings.

Costco’s site resembles Amazon’s.

I usually check what interests me on Amazon, wanting to see sales numbers, customer ratings, comparative items, and prices. That’s helped me decide whether and what to buy. Often, I’ll just order from Amazon for quick delivery to my door. On heavier items, I escape having to load and unload my vehicle.

I wonder why only now Costco is becoming a more worthy online competitor. It delayed that move, and I know from my years working within Costco. The website didn’t have enough online quality, pricing, and availability. Maybe it became an essential business move post-Covid to support ever-growing online commerce.

Covid has caused a yanking and renewing of many services. Even massive Costco’s website.

My work in a busy supermarket makes me aware of too few staff and lots of closed cash registers. Those open are swamped with lines of customers pushing full carts. Grocery shoppers are impatient, wanting to hurry home, store the ice cream, and head off to their kids’ sports games. Plus, in a high-traffic store, cash register work is highly physical and tiring.

I’m estimating that ahead is a time when few, if any, cash registers will exist. It’s logical that instead most people will self-check out. I mention this to customers and hear great resistance. Many like to receive services, and fewer prefer to self-check.

Maybe a factor is Oregon itself where people aren’t allowed to pump their own gasoline. They receive that service instead of doing themselves. Well, many from California know how to pump gas and prefer to. As a cash register operator, I witness long lines with inefficiency and dissatisfaction. Already, most large product-based businesses offer self-checking; they essentially have been transitioning shoppers.

Dear Readers: Bet me, more ahead will use technology over human labor. Diana