Sunday 08, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @45.5%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

Again, a growing perception of women as equal citizens is under assault. The leaked “Roe v. Wade” document declares war on women’s rights and, by inference, other individual freedoms that have improved our lives over the last fifty years.

Evangelicals and power-hungry white men, a social Band of Brothers, are floating on an ocean of social conflict. Their ploy is to destroy individual social rights while war is waged “across the world” in Ukraine. Far away are Russia and Ukraine; and now is the time to bring women and minorities under control.

That is, unless the madmen in Russia and North Korea turn to nuclear and/or biological weapons. Then war won’t be far away; it will be a major preoccupation. Until such a time, our guiding political and judicial bodies are a mess, fighting over ridiculous issues while world peace is at risk.

Joe Biden is a statesman negotiating with enlightened nations to help bolster Ukraine’s offensive. Biden has not sent America’s Armed Forces to war, different from how this country has participated in previous battles against challenges to America’s economic welfare.

Our leadership bodies are preoccupied with reducing individual rights. Their noise dims attention to possible international war and nuclear realities. Our powerful bodies in this time of national confusion are trying to sack key elements of equality and individual rights.

Historically, today, and in the future, Roe is the tip of a vast iceberg. Regardless of how Roe may work out, the goal of influential people is to corral fifty years of hard-earned gains in social equality.

I am a beneficiary of the birth control pill and Roe vs. Wade. Those elements freed women from kids and kitchens. I realized a dream of not spending my working life as a secretary by taking advantage of new night-time degree programs that allowed continuing day-time jobs. I achieved degrees and gained a career.

I had a sense of achievement and forever have been grateful for the factors that promoted widespread equal opportunities.

Dear Friends: Now, fronting the Supreme Court is an unscalable wall. Messy! Diana

Saturday 07, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @36.7%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

The header photo is of my beautiful, quirky, big sister, six years ago. We were lunching at Baldy’s BBQ shortly after she had moved into assisted living. Now, she has been gone almost three years.

I think about her every day. In my mind, the good and bad in our relationship tend to roll and merge. Mostly, all’s good.

Time changes perspective. I’ve reached more of an understanding of us as individuals and together.

She was a handful, sometimes unpredictable, often challenging. On getting an idea that she liked, she would start moving to accomplish it. And did accomplish some amazing things. She used to enjoy quoting the song, “I did it my way.”

She strongly influenced my likes and dislikes. She was opinionated, and I struggled against her sometimes-overpowering views and demands. During the last couple of years, I have reached an understanding that I adored her.

In today’s wisdom, if we could wind time back, and relive some of it differently.

Dear Friends: My big sister was uniquely great, funny, and fun. Diana

Friday 06, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @27.6%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

The header photo is of Peaches, on first spotting our new eight-week-old puppy, Chase.

After three days at home from work, I’ll return to the feed store this afternoon. Another three and one-half days working there, and I’ll have another three to stay at home. Being off Tuesdays through Thursdays might become my regular schedule. Not bad, and I’ll see how it may work out.

My productive time off this week has involved fledging chickens, and so far, so good. The first youngsters released into the larger flock are managing to integrate. My turkeys, after going dormant for months, are beginning to lay eggs; I love turkey eggs and yesterday collected one. The week-old Ducklings are a handful, noisy, busy, growing rapidly, and guzzling water like there’s no tomorrow. Ahead, a few more chicks to fledge; they’ll be the last, no adding to them.

The puppy has filled the time in-between taking care of other critters. He’s a clever little fella and cuter than a button. Today will be his first time staying alone while I’m away working for four hours. He will be in a large kennel on a tiled floor with his bed, toys, food, and water. If all goes well, that’s a plan for the next three days when I am away working for eight hours. I can dip in to check on him at lunchtime (and refill the ducklings’ water).

Busy day, busy day, busy days.

Dear Friends: My other favorite eggs are ducks’; this summer, I hope for some. Diana

Thursday 05, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @19.3%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

A woman appears in the feed store where I work part-time. She’s carrying a puppy, and I ask if I may hold it. The puppy snuggles into my neck. She says he’s eight weeks old and that she’s a pet rescuer from Warm Springs. This puppy from a litter of eight is for adoption.

His new name memorializes Susie’s and my frequent outings to “chase” rising full moons.

The Warm Springs Woman said he’d last eaten that morning. The evening I brought him home, he was quiet. He ate, drank, and fell asleep. The next morning, he was more energetic. He received periodic meals, hyration, naps, and exercise through the day and perked up lots.

He’s a smart tyke, learns quickly. He follows me, plays with new toys, and explores. He’s a brave one, here first meeting the pack.

That’s as close as he’s allowed to my other dogs. They’d be okay with him, and Mitzvah is eager to play with Chase. He’s tiny, still awkward, and may integrate fully in a few days.

Upon discovering our kitty, Maxwell, the pup insisted on playing with him. Max tolerates the puppy’s aggressiveness and dodges away when it’s annoying.

Chase and I went walking and met a neighborhood friend, Julia. She was walking with her Doodle, Indie. Chase ran directly to Indie wanting to play, and Indie was kind but avoided him. I recognized that tiny Chase is very bold. He needs to be leash trained.

As to his breed, the rescuer said she’d seen his parents and muttered something like, “Chiweenie.” That suggests little Chase might remain small and match well with Mitzvah.

Dear Friends: I should find work in a different environment, say a stationery store. Diana

Wednesday 04, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @12.5%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

This year is nearing its midpoint; the summer solstice will occur in weeks. It rocks my head, for in Central Oregon, summer barely is here. Yesterday, I purchased a couple of short-sleeved shirts, planning to start wearing them soon. As it turned out, that afternoon became warm enough to shed long sleeves for a few hours.

These days darken around eight-thirty. The solstice period will extend daylights to after nine o’clock. Solstice is my favorite time of year. There’s light, aplenty, for doing chores. That goodness slips past quickly. Then starts the counting down of shortening daylights that precede fall and winter.

Among the “un-constants” of daily living are some “very constants,” measurable, predictable, and keeping humans grounded, making us hopeful. Some are the solar system, Earth’s gravity and rotations, and the dependable sun and moon.

Interestingly, humans depend on and build our lives around time, which isn’t real. Time is an un-constant, treated as a constant or semi-constant. That’s been so since time immemorial, and we’re aware, so go figure.”

Time perception is battled constantly and those play out regularly. We keep arguing the value of daylight savings versus standard time. Like many decisions delegated to a large body of decision makers, it’s perpetually unsettled.

This morning, time is getting short and outside is sunshine. I’ll slip into a t-shirt to go feed horses.

Dear Friends: My vote is to standardize a clock time with the most daylight. Diana

Monday 03, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @6.9%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on May 15.}}

My roosters are crowing, and I enjoy the sounds. Many people feel otherwise, and thus, roosters are not allowed inside city limits.

I don’t enjoy my roosters, beautiful as they are. They seem brainy enough to avoid attacking me. They do consider doing so but pause, from being young and not up to full strength or because of my handy boom.

Today, I will release into the flock three young hens ready to be integrated. I worry less about how the roosters will behave than how the Rhode Island Red might greet them. She is the head hen and might not like seeing newbies. I’ll hang around watching and learning.

This day looks beautiful, and I don’t have to work; well, not at the feed store, but there’s lots of catching up at home.

I especially need to catch up with myself. I seem to run in many directions. I will use this free day to reflect on what is essential, to refocus, replan, and re-energize. This lofty ideal I hope to learn to write about more clearly. First, I must put the thoughts into action and self-check for outcomes.

Dear Friends: Today is excellent weather for horseback riding! Diana

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Monday 02, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @2.7%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on, May 15.}}

Early today, there was pouring rain with high winds. I couldn’t crawl from under my warm covers. Now time is short for doing everything that needs to be done before leaving for work.

Blowing you a kiss, here’s a quick hello, have an enjoyable day, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

Dear Friends: May these rains create more hay to stock up on this summer. Diana

Sunday, May 01, 2022

^{_{“Flower Moon” is Waxing Crescent @0.5%; Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible on, May 15.}}

A cashier in the feed store where I work asked, “Did you take a tip from someone.” She said a customer checking out at the register had mentioned me, saying I was a “sweet salesperson” and that he had wanted to tip me. My young coworker overheard and was curious.

In the store with his wife, I remembered that man. He asked many questions about how to keep chickens and expressed great interest in my answers. I spent time describing chicken breeds, showing coops on display, and explaining how their standard designs accommodate typical bird behaviors. Toward the end, he repeatedly tried giving me a twenty-dollar cash tip. I refused to take it.

He tried repeatedly and couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t accept the money.

I said, “I am glad you are pleased and don’t need a tip. I just was doing my job.”

Finally, he asked, “What then can I do to reward you?”

“You could tell the store manager I did a good job.”

I don’t know if he contacted the manager. Now, it was surprising to hear he had mentioned wanting to tip me to a cashier, and that another cashier who overheard was asking about it.

I tried to explain why I didn’t accept his cash for doing good work. I’m not sure why now and wasn’t at the time. Our loading folks and delivery guys take tips. I’ve seen tips handed through car windows to fellows who pump gasoline. Taxi and Uber drivers take tips. They’re just doing their jobs.

I did not accept an unusual cash reward for what I continuously do in the chicken area, for bunches of customers, answering questions about chicken types and maintenance needs. More reasons for refusing would be guesses.

My young coworker looked thoughtful. Me, too. Why didn’t I accept the cash as most others might have done?

Dear Friends: Always, some “whys” are puzzlements ripe for exploring. Diana

Saturday, April 30, 2022

^{_{New Moon @1.0%; Full “Flower Moon,” + Total Lunar Eclipse, visible in Bend, May 15.}}

A day or two ago, the feed store where I sell infant fowl received a shipment of baby ducks. They were the breed, Khaki Campbell. We often receive ducklings as “dry runs,” meaning the hatchery didn’t identify sexes, and there’s a fifty-percent chance of each as male or female. These Khaki Campbells had been sexed and all were females. Two cuties came home with me.

Yesterday at work, there were more new ducklings, Swedish Blues, and a dry run. All the ducklings quickly sold out, except for two Swedish Ducks in a “hospital tank.” (That’s where weaker infants may be observed, helped, and [hopefully] will improve.) This pair came home with me.

Already having plenty of infant birds, I didn’t need more and struggled over adding these. I decided yes for having wanted ducks since December. Those days, I worked at a cash register and enjoyed quick chats with customers. Those with pet ducks spoke of fun with their critters and loved them. One described harnessing her devoted male duck and going for walks with him. Another customer didn’t eat eggs and brought me duck eggs to try. I poached those big giant eggs and loved the taste.

Now of four ducks, the Khakis are thriving and certainly will lay eggs. One of the Swedish looks vigorous, but the other, tiny and dullish, does drink water, snuggles with its companions, and (fingers crossed) may perk up.

Dear Friends: Unless these are the final adoptions, I should change where I work. Diana

Friday, April 29, 2022

^{_{April “Pink Moon” Waning Crescent @1.7%; Next Full Moon, May 15.}}

“Pink Moon” is disappearing; New Moon arrives tomorrow.

I’m still in memory lane.

The header photo shows my first horses, two fine Tennessee Walkers, mama Lisa and her daughter Special. The two had never been separated and I wasn’t about to do so. When I brought them home, Lisa was thirty-three and Special twenty-two.

I knew nothing about riding and didn’t intend to learn, but my new ranch had a fenced acre. Having the horses seemed a cool idea.

I understood that TW horses were smooth movers. I entertained fantasies but feared trying to ride and settled on just having them. They were well-mannered and easy to be around, and I enjoyed handling and grooming them.

Shortly into that year, I was diagnosed and treated for cancer, with chemo a low point in my adult life. During my long recovery period and wishing to feel well again, I decided to gift myself. I would learn to ride.

I randomly picked a date months ahead to become the day of mounting. Meanwhile, I studied the internet for tips on saddling and bridling, acquired equipment, and practiced with it. Finally, my cancer was in remission, and later, came the targeted date. I would get onto a horse.

I managed to saddle and bridle. I took a deep breath, climbed a two-step ladder, and waited. The horse didn’t move. I slid a leg over the saddle, paused, and then shifted the rest of me into place. She didn’t move. I sat wondering, what now? It occurred to me to lift the reins, and I timidly muttered, “Giddy-up.”

She started to walk.

I felt elated. First, I had managed to recover from the worst time in my adult life, and second, I was fulfilling a secret dream of riding horseback.

In a few years, Lisa passed away. Meanwhile, Special introduced me to a new enjoyable world. She carried me over local forest and mountain trails and made me a surprisingly good rider. She made it easy to meet new, like-minded friends. We rode and enjoyed our horses.

Dear Friends: A never-ending beginning; horses still are outstanding. Diana