Daily I read a couple of major newspapers, wanting to “get a handle” on moods in general about one or more public issues. I suppose, too, hoping that gathering information will reaffirm my mood(s) or encourage me to make adjustments.
Dear Readers, we know that on some mornings I dump grumpier feelings here. Today, I’m dumping again, but now differently–less with anger, much with hope.
Because of a wonderful piece by Alexandria Petri, The Washington Post’s contributing editor. She’s returning from maternity leave, has composed “just the best” about loving and worrying. Her words make me feel warm, laugh aloud, and reflect on human kindness.
Yesterday, the critters and I were honored by a visit from our friend, Judy, and her visiting granddaughter, Ruby. Ruby lives in Missoula, is sixteen years old, loves animals and is considering becoming a veterinarian. She has a small flock of chickens.
Well, here’s what happened here.
They met turkeys! These hens followed us around and welcomed our petting. They chatted constantly, conversing in their squeaking and whistling manner.
Judy captured an excellent turkey portrait.
We talked “chickens” for a while. Ruby is interested in breeds and particularly admired the Silver Laced Wyandottes.
Our visitors loved puppy Chase. He offered his wiggling, itchy best. We couldn’t get Chase only separated from the pack, Osix and Mitzvah also slipped out. Poor Miles, locked within the fenced area, watched and envied the loose ones. Those scampering three kept us too busy to take pictures!
Ruby who’s not a “horse person” yesterday started along a path that could lead there. We three took a walk in the neighborhood with Pimmy, Sunni, and Rosie. Judy who has ridden Sunni led “her horse.” I managed Rosie’s lead rope. Ruby strolled with Pimmy.
Yesterday, the annual Pet Parade marched through downtown. Judy and Ruby attended and looked for Pimmy among the marchers. This year, my cute donkey didn’t march, which brought Judy and Ruby here to Eight Pines. Pimmy has a wonderful way of drawing our friends to visit.
Thanks to my critters, it was cool to meet beautiful young Ruby and catch up with Judy. Ruby is here looking at universities and considering her choices. She’ll return soon to Montana. Judy and I soon will horseback ride together again.
Dear Friends: It’s time for me to saddle up and go riding, so maybe today. Diana
Happy July Fourth! If you’re so inclined enjoy this day along with many who are like-minded.
Yesterday, we checkers continually were busy in the supermarket. Never-ending lines of folks checked out, their carts filled with salad-stuff, beer, wine, giant cuts of meat.
Independence Day. It’s a trigger-time for Booze & BBQ, dredging-up the good old days.
Those Good Old Days preceded our current worries, our overwhelming economic, social, and political issues. Modern issues pop up, seemingly only for seconds, and become superseded by mind-boggling newer concerns.
We’re living contemporary history that’s passing in the blink of an eye. Before our key current concerns can be worked through to meaningful extents, new concerns arise and divert our attention.
I’m going to check out from worrying and think less about what might happen regarding Ukraine, Roe, climate change, and etc. I’m returning to literature, and yes, starting today will read–serious stuff, written in earlier times and alluding to what we’re experiencing today.
I’m not kidding about “earlier times” writings. For one thing, I plan to re-read George Eliot. My first time reading her, I was a lightweight thinker and didn’t consider larger significance to her work. Now I will approach it differently.
Recently, I’ve become aware of talented writers, active from about the late thirties through the early 2000’s. I’m sampling short stories by incredibly excellent writers whom I’ve not known previously. Articles in the NYT have introduced me to Grace Paley, Bette Howland, and Lucia Berlin. Embarrassing for a lifelong reader, only now to discover them. My saving grace might be knowing and appreciating, already, some superbly talented writers like Tillie Olson and Jean Rhys.
How did many writers of equally fine ilk slip my attention? Today I will start catching-up.
Dear Friends: The sky will host light explosions; reading will enlighten my head. Diana
Today begins my second month cashiering for the supermarket chain, WinCo. I like working in the well-managed cost-cutting store. Its customers fairly represent this area’s growing and increasingly diverse population.
I like diversity but dislike coping with heavier vehicle traffic. Nearly always on my way to work, I’m surprised by unexpected sights, apartment buildings, road closures, new construction projects.
There’s also our weather.
Yesterday, in a heartbeat, the temperature dropped from beautiful t-shirt weather in the seventies, cooling about thirty degrees. Besides that sudden cold, the change brought thunder and lightening, rain and hail. Several hours of all!
Loud noises terrify my dogs, Miles and Osix. If we’re out hiking and suddenly hear from far or near a gunshot, both leave and race to the Jeep (it’s hatch remains open for hiding purposes). On arriving I may find Miles curled low in a passenger seat and Osix flat on a floormat.
At a first thunderclap while he’s home, Miles seeks some way into the house. At an open window, he rips its screen and tries climbing inside. Otherwise, he’s at the sliding glass doors, thumping and scratching, “Help me!”
Yesterday, I was home to let dogs inside. Today, I’ll be away, and forewarned of storms ahead, will leave windows shut. To soothe anxieties, my deck offers a row of DogLoos, each protects against the elements and sports a soft cushion.
Dear Friends: The thunder is a prelude to tomorrow’s fireworks! Oy vey. Diana
Surrounding me, my dogs are chewing on pigs’ ears. All but two have finished their treats. One still chewing is Mitzvah, now surrounded by would-be takers of her prize. Louie, too, is chewing, and no other dares challenge his ownership.
My other attention is on the rising sun. Today will be beautiful. More so because I have the day off from my supermarket job. Yesterday, during a “perfect storm” (payday, holiday weekend, and great weather) customers slammed the store and purchased from early to late.
July Fourth isn’t a holiday that I enjoy. This City will be shooting fireworks off a nearby butte and lighting up the sky. The area here is trending very dry and hopefully sparks won’t light up the ground. Besides, noisy fireworks frighten animals. Tonight, while trying to keep my dogs calm, I will worry about my horses during the hour of noises and lighting clusters.
Today, my floor guy is coming to complete one room. I must get it ready. Later, I will go down the street to check on a horse that’s temporarily being housed in a neighbor’s pasture. I understand the animal’s owner might be in transition and busy. I’ve been alerted that the trough might need filling with water.
The pasture owner is out of town. Its on his pasture that my horses often graze during winters. The large water-trough for some reason is an awkward distance from the nearest faucet. I have a hose of correct length to fill it, giving the animal plenty of days with access to water.
I hope that lone horse will be okay through this night’s noises and displays.
Dear Friends: Have a pleasant and above all safe Fourth. Diana
Recent Supreme Court decisions are like a bad superego generating concerns that push Putin’s War into background. How does one with limited reading time follow news of high interest? Topics like, Roe, climate management, the Terrible Thomases (et al), and Ukraine.
I scan major newspapers making notes for later reading. But on returning to key issues, I discover many updates with possibilities that muddy a reader’s focus.
Ukraine is in terrible trouble, post-Roe women are in terrible trouble, climate change management is in terrible trouble. We anticipate ahead more social-related decisions from America’s highest court, reinvigorating gender conflicts. Hey, I’ve not yet mentioned always-bubbling interracial and immigration issues.
People may wonder why I choose to have a job. There are many reasons, none really simple. One is that working equates to stretches of time focused on what’s immediate. Sure work is tiring, but relieves a worrying over social and political issues.
Dear Friends: Having ranted, I will point myself toward “cash register-relief.” Diana
I have worked a full month at the supermarket WinCo. I like the well-managed store with alert and helpful co-workers. Time has sped; in two months I’ll start receiving employee benefits, including an excellent ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan).
Now working at a bottom level, I recall my very-early jobs. While I was a kid, my mom said to learn typing, a sure skill for finding work. I became a fast accurate typist and worked as a secretary. Today, that’s sort of repeating. After learning cash register skills, I gained entry to WinCo. If my current position were to disappoint, new experience in groceries could carry me to a register at Safeway or Albertson’s.
I chuckle at this. I hold a Ph.D., have spent years in complex corporations working as an organizational expert. Now in this small city, my formal education and organizational skills are relevant only in my head. More generally relevant–and right up there with knowing how to type–are job-specific skills.
I am proud of having a viable entry to contemporary workplaces. I approach my role at WinCo with humor and good will, and look forward to gaining worker benefits. I’m pleased that the education in my head provides insights to the chain’s success.
It’s all fun, gaining information, insight, and learning, while punching cash register keys.
Dear Friends: A shout-out, thanking Mom (again!) for practical good advice. Diana
I have today off, feeling very tired from working yesterday until late evening. On the good news side, I learned that my 3:30 a.m. work-starting schedule arose as a computer error that’s been corrected. On the bad news side, I’ve not downloaded the dog-walk fun photos from my Canon Camera.
Before leaving for work yesterday, I became caught up by Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony to the House Panel investigating the Capitol break-in. Finally, the Dems might have found their John Dean. Hutchinson’s description of the break-in-day’s events, what the players knew, how they knew it, and the way they behaved, is horrifying.
What’s amazing is that our democracy although ragged is surviving this tumultuous historical period. While current democracy ain’t pretty, consider its potential if the Congress would negotiate reasonably and our Judiciary were balanced to assess fairly.
We must continue to think, and hope, while also being active. Casting our votes is essential to keep this nation a democracy!
Dear Friends: Young Kassidy is a heroine for doing the right thing. Diana
Today is Summer Solstice! This day in our hemisphere has the longest daylight time in 2022.
I hiked with the dogs yesterday and took lots of pictures. This morning my Apple Computer won’t recognize my Canon Camera. I’ve troubleshooted the problem unsuccessfully and need help from someone more informed technically. I’ll work on that.
Meanwhile, the two puppies, Mitzvah and Chance, on their first real outing running loose in a BLM. That was their first time out with the whole pack. The puppies having never seen a body of water needed a safe introduction, so we were at a BLM where a narrow irrigation runs through.
Initially, both puppies were timid and frightened by the noisy canal. My older dogs knowing the area ran way ahead. I encouraged the puppies who followed bit by bit while exploring the canal banks. Suddenly, Chase took a plunge. Hearing a splash, I turned and saw him swimming easily for a few strokes. He crawled out, shook off water, and immediately became a different, bolder, puppy. He played along the bank-side, drinking and occasionally splashing into the water.
Mitzvah needed longer to gain confidence. She tiptoed to the water’s edge, fearful and hesitating to drink. Eventually, following Chase, she managing to start drinking. Mitzvah never did swim, but she began going frequently to the water, winding up with her legs and belly dripping wet.
We turned to hike back to the car and both puppies followed, playing hard, not needing my encouragement. They were having a great time.
I will figure out how to download the photos for another blog.
Noticeable was my Miles, a once fastest and most athletic trail buddy. Now almost ten years old, he has become arthritic. Miles is a great swimmer, but yesterday had difficulty exiting the canal. His rear barely could push his body up the bank. After our hike, he needed my help to climb into the Jeep’s front seat where he rides. For years, Miles ran over miles of trails with my horses and me. He was an outstanding athlete.
Dear Friends: Such fun out there; pictures will tell the story more, and better. Diana
Yesterday, it struck me that my five month old puppy might not be a pure mutt. For whatever reason while watching him run, a breed popped into my mind, one I’ve not thought of in years. After doing some online research, I discovered myself onto something. I believe my puppy is a Manchester Terrier! He resembles a purebred in appearance, energy, and activities.
A photo from the internet matches to a tee my puppy, Chase. The AKC notes that it’s easy to recognize a MT, by its tight coat of rich mahogany tan and jet black, head long and wedge-shaped with tan spots above the eyes pointing up a watchful expression. A Manchester’s running motor has good reach in front, with a propulsive rear drive, powered by a muscular caboose.
All that’s my Chase! Plus, he has a Manchester’s long skinny tail which flexes that caboose.
I adopted him while working at Wilco, a local animal feed store. He was eight weeks old, carried into the store by a woman who claimed to represent a Warm Springs pet adoption facility. (Warm Springs is a Native American Reservation nearby in Central Oregon.) He was tired and quiet and adorable.
In a day or two, once rested and well-fed his “tired and quiet” disappeared. They were replaced by an increasingly active and fast. Over our couple of months, he’s demonstrated unstoppable energy, is a great match for my other energetic puppy, Mitzvah. She’s a Jack Russell. Those two play until they drop.
I’ve felt curious about a consistency of appearance as he grows. His coat texture and coloring haven’t changed, his body has sleeked, and conformation appears efficient and consistent. He doesn’t seem a typical puppy-mill mutt.
So popped into my head, Manchester Terrier. According to the AKC, Manchesters combine the streamlined grace of a small coursing hound and the instincts of a fearless Rat Terrier. I appreciate Rat Terriers, focused and fast, have wished for one to control barn and shop mice.
Chase is active and quick, it’s challenging to get a good photo of him. These from several weeks ago show his resemblance to breed.
Purebred is irrelevant, Chase is a great puppy. If not a named breed, he’s likely a future capable mouser.
Dear Friends: Today, I’ll try to capture good photos of buddies Chase and Mitzvah. Diana
Diana's Morning Blog 