Monday, June 05, 2022

After a workdday I exit my Jeep at the barn, to feed the horses before going up to the house. Louie watches intently. He loves balls and if invited to join me will hurry to a neighbor’s and search for a ChuckIt Ball. He’ll steal and bring it, insisting physically and noisily that I toss so he can chase.

That’s why Louie is fenced off when I’m in the barn area. I don’t mind his ball-stealing, for I simply toss them back to where they belong. I worry that Louie is thirteen years old and now somewhat arthritic. If a territorial dog spots and chases the little guy, he’d be toast.

Louie is bold, in his head believing himself a kingpin. Often he stiff-legs around my larger dogs and tries to growl them into submission. Thankfully, they mostly ignore him.

I’ve learned to appreciate Louie’s odd quirks. They’re companions to the marble eyes that confuse where Louie might be focusing. He has a great “stink-eye look” that deters would-be Louie-petters in stores. When he accompanies me, many become attracted by my small merle-coated dog, but far as Louie is concerned, he’s mine, only mine, and untouchable by strangers.

That is, except for those who display great comfort being around dogs. Louie recognizes and enjoys petters that don’t get put off by his little-big-man attitude. Those folks make Louie’s eyes soften.

Dear Friends: Little Louie, brave and loyal, always a wonderful trail buddy. Diana

Sunday, June 05, 2022

Today will be my next-to-last working in the part-time job I’ve held for six months. In midweek, I’ll move into a new position at the local Winco, a supermarket in a large cost-cutting chain.

Work in a supermarket might not sound exciting, but will be meaningful to me. I’ve begun to understand today’s employee issues, the scarcity of good applicants in environments now requiring them. I find myself even at an advanced age considered a good hire.

In recent months, I’ve worked with young people generations behind me and learned about them. Young workers technically are great and quickly grasp rules and requirements. What’s lacking often in modern, relatively inexperienced employees, is understanding when to apply common sense as opposed to following rules. Common sense that veers from rules is appropriate if it’s explainable and justifiable.

Common sense is an element that experienced teaches. Wise interviewers “hear it” in the voices of post-retirees. That tone and a retiree’s working history suggest a good employment candidate.

All those have renewed my relationship to the world beyond home and property. It’s renewed some relationship to myself. For instance, I am aware of a more active brain and good memory. Working recalls significant elements of education and experience that I put into action. Yes, in today’s economy, I am a good candidate.

All that’s fun to think about. And, after grasping my Winco job and work schedule, I will reactivate other key interests. I’ll ride horseback, hike with the dogs, play with a camera, and toy with images.

Dear Friends: Whatever one’s age, there’s always potential and a future. Diana

Saturday, June 04, 2022

The young ducks have begun living totally outside in (what was) a dog run. The large enclosure is well-fenced, safe from predators, and preventive of duckling escapees. A large Dogloo inside has a bed of straw. Beside it is is a wading pool and plenty of duck pellets. When I toss chopped kale and dried mealworms into their wading pool, the ducks are in heaven.

All my chicken babies are out and being integrated into the mature flock. Except for two babies that will be ready for fledgling in a couple of weeks. I’m watching the little one-eye who’s doing well among the flock, but whether she adequately can hold her own remains questionable. If I continue doubting, she’ll relocate to the house as a companion to my retired twelve-year-old Wellsummer (she BTW has laid another egg).

Today is my penultimate day of working for Wilco, at least during this week. After tomorrow, I will work there on one day next week. Meanwhile, during the week, I’ll be orientating and starting to work at Winco. A busy and exciting transition period.

More about all this soon.

Dear Friends: New pictures coming of puppy; he’s approaching Mitzvah in size. Diana

Friday, June 03, 2022

The Word Press Techies finally identified a problem blocking my attempts to publish. They suggested that I try a different browser. I did and after testing the process found everything working correctly. I can continue publishing on Word Press.

I had begun to develop an alternate site and will continue. If the other platform proves more powerful with better blogging options, I will transfer to it. Fortunately, I’ve no longer an immediate need to depart Word Press.

About my upcoming job change, good news. I heard from Donna, acting manager at Wilco where I work part-time, and we are in sync. I will work this weekend, and on one day next week. The extra workday will increase my payout by including earned vacation time. Donna was kind about my abrupt departure, and we discussed horseback riding together this summer.

Next week, I will start working as a cashier at the low-price supermarket, Winco. That is farther from home with tougher road traffic and longer working hours. The grocery chain appears to offer the high structure and energy that I prefer.

I’ve another preference: to avoid a working environment with adoptable animals. I’ve learned my vulnerability!

Dear Friends: Some new adventures of aging, in a Covid-changed world. Diana

Thursday, June 02, 2022

Chase puppy visited Wilco yesterday afternoon and was a big hit. His first time in a busy public place, the brave little fellow enjoyed attention. Folks couldn’t get enough of him.

We were there for a couple of reasons. First, Chase needed a halter that fits him and we found one. He’s also due for a second vaccination, and we brought home the shot.

A key, reason we were at Wilco was my intent to quit my job. In the wings, I have new employment starting next week. This has occurred quickly, on a single day. I was interviewed, hired, background-checked, drug-tested, and notified to be at two orientations next week.

Things at Wilco didn’t go as I had hoped. The store was in confusion. Its manager, Bobby, had just quit his job. The assistant manager, Donna, was super busy, on the phone and arranging next steps. It wasn’t an appropriate time to get Donna’s attention. Still, I had to give notice.

I decided to leave my job at Wilco because I was uncomfortable with Bobby’s soft style of managing. I prefer a more structured environment and strong leadership. Yesterday coming home, I debated staying with Wilco and seeing the changeover, discontinuing my plan to leave. Finally, I decided to move ahead and give notice to Wilco.

I did so in the best way possible, in light of Donna’s situation and my time crunch. I emailed her and she’s not responded. Today, I will go to Wilco hoping to speak with her.

I’ll end this morning’s note on that cliffhanger.

Dear Friends: It’s a day to roll with the punches, no perfect ending in sight. Diana

Wednesday, June 01, 2021

I’m still trying to work out the problems of writing and publishing on this site. Word Press has its live techies contacting me. They can’t figure out what’s wrong. From my perspective, if while writing I save this blog, I can retrieve it, but can’t edit or publish it. An odd situation.

So, today I’ll write straight through without periodic savings, to publish a complete draft. Please forgive any spelling and grammar errors that I might overlook.

The problems with saving and retrieving have me starting to blog on another highly-rated site, VIX.com. That platform might work out as well, or better, for writing and publishing. As my blogs transition to the new platform, I will publish links to them on this Word page. If the Word Press problems aren’t resolvable, maybe readers will change over to VIX with me.

My puppy Chase is twice the size he was when I adopted him. He’s grown taller but still is a little guy. His teeth are everywhere, grabbing at my clothing, digging into my skin, reminding me of why I’ve vowed never to raise a young puppy again. Well, we will get through this.

Mitzvah is helping. She’s a Jack Russell/Poodle mix, slightly older and still a little larger than Chase. Her energy level matches the puppy’s, and they play for hours before collapsing. She used to appear much larger but lately he’s catching up. I suspect he’ll eventually wind up to be about her size.

So, here’s a good morning draft, straight through. Now to find if it’s a publishable piece.

Dear Friends: Thanks for staying with me through days of technical confusion. Diana

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

I have written a blog today and posted it on WIX. However, I cannot get a link to that blog onto this page.

So, a good morning to you. I will keep working on this and hopefully can get us transferred to my new page tomorrow morning.

I have run into glitches with Word Press and cannot keep working with it.

Dear Friends: Have a good day, Diana

Movin’ On!

Monday, May 30, 2022

I am expanding my blog’s potential by changing to a new creative platform. For days I have struggled with a bot to regain access to my Word Press site, without success. It’s not possible to get a real person’s help with WP. The site refers me to “frequently asked questions” and provides robotic responses to emails.

I am in the process of switching platforms, turning to Wix, which is highly-rated. Wix will publish my blogs and photos on a new website, Diana’s Morning Blog.

Expanding the potential of my blogs has been my goal. Changing to a more flexible and helpful platform will allow greater creativity in publishing and interacting with readers.

I am working toward this change, targeting to be up and running tomorrow. I will publish new contact details on WP, and hope that friends and followers transition, too.

Dear Friends: This journey is taking a long awaited turn, stay for the trip. Diana

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Word Press continues to not recognize my current drafts, and I cannot post them.

I have been working away from home, and unable to pester enough for help from WP. If the site doesn’t respond to my already requests for help, tomorrow I will be home and more aggressively try working through the problem.

It used to be easy to contact a live person at WP, but the site has grown and now communications are by “frequently asked questions” or email. I’ve done both and am waiting.

Dear Friends: Technology! Great except for when it ain’t. Diana

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Friends, I’ve been kicked off the Word Press site. Trying to get this corrected. No blog today.

Sorry, Diana