Tuesday, February 22, 2022

^{(“Cold Moon” @ “Waning Gibbous”; New Moon @ 3/1, “Worm Moon” fullest @ 3/18.)}

The header cartoon from today’s “Economist” easily sketches me. I’m thinking and wondering. It’s a miracle if I get something constructive done. Just saying.

Yesterday at work, while stocking shelves, I heard a call over my radio to go to the cashiers. A young man with a carrier containing two baby chicks wanted to return them. His landlord refused to let him keep chickens. Of course, the tiny beings became mine.

They have overnighted in an aquarium under a heat lamp. These two don’t seem big and strong enough to join my other babies still living in a brooder. They’re about three weeks older than the newbies and very active.

It’s a little scary wondering how many chickens I might wind up with in my “Chicken Lady” stint in the feed store. I’m worried about the time and space to care correctly for them. Maybe that’s why today’s header cartoon attracted me.

Otherwise yesterday, I played sleuth. A young man entered the store’s Clothing Department wearing all black, carrying a large backpack, and with a scarf covering most of his face. He walked into an expensive boot aisle. Over my radio came a call for “extra eyes on this guy”.

The concern is a possibility of someone putting on new shoes, leaving his or her old shoes in an empty shoebox, and wearing new shoes to walk out of the store. A “look” common to potential thieves includes dark clothing with a backpack and mask.

I went into Clothing. He was deep in an aisle, pulling a box, and about to try on shoes. I grabbed a duster and entered the aisle, dusting shelves and demo shoes. He stood, trying out the new shoes, and I said, “Hey, those look great. Are they comfortable?” He was silent. I went on dusting toward his direction. Soon he returned the shoes to their box, stood, and left Clothing. He walked straight to the main exit and left the store.

It appears that collective experience teaches shopper “types” or “appearances” that suggest potential thievery. We employees are instructed, for safety, to do nothing to stop an act of theft, but instead, to gather all possible about how someone looked, their behavior, and the license number of a departure vehicle.

Dear Friends: A day of chicks and wariness, and last night of even some snow. Diana

Monday, February 21, 2022

^{(“Cold Moon” @ “Waning Gibbous”; New Moon @ 3/1, “Worm Moon” fullest @ 3/18.)}

I read national media and often worry about the environment, economy, and political world mishegoss. All those problems affect little old me in real-time here in Central Oregon. Some “whys” are emptier grocery shelves, higher prices everywhere, and drying-up, desperately needing rain in Central Oregon. Whew!

I worry about being stuck in such conditions. The popular media report on “action ways” to elevate anxious or bad moods. They recommend journaling, hiking, working out, or escaping into fiction and movies.

I have learned to elevate my worrying moods by practicing how to divert my thoughts. The bottom line is having gained more control over my brain processes.

The first step was to identify my feelings. Were they worried, sad, or simply bad moods? The second step was having an internal conversation with my brain. It went something like this: “Brain, I appreciate you. I understand your concerns about our future and negative challenges. But could we shift? Would you provide something more positive for me to think about?” I learned to “listen” for the brain’s response. It always does. A suggestion gears up my thinking and elevates my mood.

I practice often, “Having talks with my brain.” I speak with consideration, or in other words, treat myself well and anticipate kind responses. After all, my brain is me. I must practice being kind to myself.

Dear Friends: These thoughts are preliminary to an upcoming writing goal. Diana

Sunday, February 20, 2022

^{(“Cold Moon” @ “Waning Gibbous”; New Moon @ 3/1, “Worm Moon” fullest @ 3/18.)}

Yesterday the feed store where I work part-time sold the few remaining baby chickens. Many who enjoy the birds came in to purchase or simply see what’s in stock. I listened to “chicken stories” from visitors’ past and present lives through the day and shared some of my hard-earned wisdom.

It’s a non-brainer to suspect that recent pandemic years have boosted a general interest in having chickens. Folks staying home through the worst times discovered new hobbies on exploring for diversions. Many took up chicken-keeping. Some visiting the store have spoken of having beehives and how environmental circumstances make chicken-keeping easier than bee-keeping.

I’m watching my two big roosters, still getting along though sharing too few hens. My newest problem is seeing that the dominant rooster doesn’t like the two hen turkeys. He sees them as some sort of threat and gives chase. The turkeys are bigger but neither fast movers nor fighters. I love this rooster but worry that he’s begun to tread a thin line.

Ahead today, I’ll be chicken-less and focusing on the more extensive section of Animal Health. Maybe hearing customers’ stories about having horses, cattle, pigs, goats, and/or sheep. I’ll be in a listening mode and understand the role as a learning experience.

Dear Friends: This morning, just a quick hello and have a good day. Diana

Saturday, February 18, 2022

^{(“Cold Moon” is “Waning Gibbous”; New Moon @ 3/1, “Worm Moon” fullest @ 3/18.)}

I can’t resist borrowing the above two-sided jab cartoon from the most recent “New Yorker.” It’s ironic; it makes me laugh while also triggering fears of a scary future. Pictures are powerful, and this one I keep recalling.

These days most everything seems ironic. Consider how our “dependable moon” stimulates fantasy. After working yesterday’s late shift, I drove home facing the not fully risen “Cold Moon.” My mind couldn’t resist transforming the still-bright light into something like guidance, elevating a sense of hope, precisely as moonlight’s done for humanity through eons.

It’s essential to feel gratitude for cartoons, moons, and other symbols. They keep us aware of sharing fragilities and strengths. They provide reassurance that no one alone has worries or unique optimisms. We interpret daily the unending news, hoping to learn of big and little problem solutions. Those constructive activities help us cope with the world while fearing its ways.

Dear Friends: Meanings arise among the yin and yang of existence. Diana

Friday, February 18, 2022

^{(“Cold Moon” phase is “Waning Gibbous”; March’s fullest, the “Worm Moon,” rises 3/18.)}

Yesterday, the year-old pup I adopted last Thanksgiving received an initial round of vaccinations. Now she’s good to go running with her pack beyond my fenced yard. When I told her that, she wasn’t interested.

Okay, Mitzvah, but there’s more; you’ve gained weight! Now you’re ten pounds, looking bigger and healthier. Still not interested? Okay, then get this. Next week it’s arranged, you’ll go on a play date with Petey, the Gilberts’ Border Terrier. He might outweigh you, be slightly bigger, but no worries. You’ll outrun him anyway. Because you’re Ms. J. Russell/x; and that’s what you do.

Julie Gilbert and I discussed a play date for months, but until I could attend a veterinary appointment for vaccinations, Mitzvah was safest being confined. That is, if my fenced one-third acre dog-space is a “confinement.” Within, Mitzvah typically is found racing and leading my other four dogs, all larger than she.

Three days off from work this week were a welcome break. My horses daily could travel down the road to graze all afternoons on a neighbor’s pasture. Another nearby neighbor, Johnny, often joined our walks, and happily I’d turn over a couple of ropes. He loves leading equines!

On pasture grass, my three are in heaven. In late afternoons I show up and call. The trio comes running and kicking the air. After their carrot rewards, we head for home.

Dear Friends: Three days off makes me resist resuming the “employee mode.” Diana

Thursday, February 17, 2022

^{(“Cold Moon” phase is “Waning Gibbous”; March’s fullest, the “Worm Moon,” rises 3/18.)}

In yesterday’s early evening, I left my horses eating in their stalls, and after packing a few eats and cameras, drove east to the nearby community of Alfalfa. I parked in a spot offering a clear view toward the horizon and settled in with my faux dinner to wait for February’s fullest moon to rise.

As the moment neared, I found a place to stand, viewing the horizon through my cameras. I adjusted them, wishing to capture the darkened horizon’s earliest interruption by light from the about-to-rise “Cold Moon.”

The moon didn’t rise precisely where I anticipated, but the corner of my eye caught its light. I shifted my camera and began snapping the shutter.

The instant of breaking light warms and excites uniquely. That earliest light is stunning, too brief. One must prepare for it.

A rising moon quickly brightens begins escaping what initially seems an almost-hold to Earth.

Just then, a passing driver stopped his car and, smiling big gave me a thumbs-up. He said, “Like you, I saw it, stopped, had to take a picture!”

Perfect strangers sharing a moment of spontaneous joy and warmth.

That’s an example of how much moons can trigger human imaginations and emotions. An easy example is Shakespeare’s works, filled with references to moons and feelings. I can’t help wondering if we’d have equal urges and abilities to write meaningful poetry and fiction without at least being somewhat compelled by our lighted little planet.

On upward, it goes.

In last evening’s clear sky, the moonrise was straightforward, and the uninterrupted full moon above farmers’ fields was stunning. Seeing and capturing were breathtaking.

On a February evening, as if a full moon weren’t delightful enough, a nearby farmhouse strung with Christmas lights glittered cherrfully, giving me second thoughts about having disconnected mine.

I drove back west toward town while seeing structures and mountains highlighted by the setting sun’s alpenglow.

T’was a lovely evening.

It’s a distant sight, but that’s Cold Moon way high above my shoulder. It’s escaped Earth’s “hold.”

Dear Friends: The monthly fullest moonrises beckon all to look, feel, enjoy. Diana

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

^{(Moon phase is “full,” and this evening the complete February “Snow Moon” will rise.)}

Last night’s moon, not yet quite full, was gorgeous. I might not capture a more pleasing image tonight, although the moon will be in full phase or entirely lit by sunlight. A moon in full phase equates to a one-night wonder. That’s because the very next night’s still-visually full moon actually won’t be full but reflecting less sunlight and beginning the waning phase.

My moon-chasing buddy over months past has another commitment, so this evening I’ll be out east and on my own to capture this moon. Its rise above a dark horizon (if the clouds cooperate) could be dramatic and powerful. Photos of tonight’s moonrise will complete a year’s worth of such images. They’re to become fodder for a separate public interest article.

Thoughts of writing a standalone article expand my writing goals. I’ve enjoyed blogging as a way of processing activities and ideas. It’s a platform that enables communicating with specificity (after forcing me to learn writing with clarity). Besides that planned moon article, I’ve begun to draft another utterly separate article.

It will be more of the story behind that amazing aviary I wrote about recently. Its creator, Lisa, and I will meet soon, and I’ll learn some whys and hows doing with creating her wonderful space. The aviary story will include photos, and a logical publisher for it might be “Sunset Magazine” or AARP’s magazine. Maybe, but because Lisa’s story and achievements are remarkable, the article will be submitted to various publications.

My ideas go on and on, but this morning is short with time running out. Other needs await.

Dear Friends: Hoping for accommodating skies tonight and new writings ahead. Diana

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest tomorrow evening.)}

The common names of Earth’s fullest monthly moons trigger my energy and imagination. My mind playing with February’s ” Snow Moon” ups visions of landscapes. Those mind-lands are country-like, stretched-out, and Snow Moon is tinting everything bluish-white. I yearn to don warm boots and go roaming. I want to fall into blue-like snow and roll. My joy is absolutely primitive; it’s a human response to the first light penetrating a dark sky from time immemorial.

My vision isn’t entirely from imagination. Over the past year and monthly, I’ve felt these emotions in real-time after waiting beyond city lights and in darkness, and seeing fullest moons rise above nearly invisible horizons. Those breakings of night-times make me joyous, make me wish to dance. The considerable significance of natural light on our human senses is that it reduces caution. Elevating hope triggers sheer joy.

Tomorrow’s weather might be cloudy when Snow Moon breaks the horizon. I’ll be waiting for the moment of rising with a camera, and hoping for unobstructed viewing. Beautiful new light will appear, regardless of the weather, and revive that intense delight shared by humans for millions of years.

Dear Friends: So much available to be experienced invites us all! Diana

Monday, February 14, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

I recently adopted two heritage turkey hens. They’re in a coop mingling among goats and chickens and follow me everywhere when I’m visiting there. I enjoy hearing their constant turkey chatters in tones soothing and often punctuated by gentle whistling. They’re cautious, alert, and make sounds signaling an alarm when frightened.

Their constant following me has raised musings about whether they’re imprinted on humans. I’ve begun wondering if they’d follow me with the same dedication even outside the coop. It’s too early to test that notion. First, because they’re newly introduced to this property, and second, because I’ve no failproof way of recapturing both if my experiment fails.

I enjoy the notion that these two might be imprinted on humans. That occurs the instant an infant sees its first living being after hatching. If it sights a human, perhaps also handling and speaking to the newborn, a fowl assumes that’s the parent, immediately becomes attached, and imprints on humans.

This turkey’s adoring expression suggests she might follow me anywhere. On a very summerlike day, I’ll test my theory by inviting her and her sister out for a stroll beyond the coop. Naturally, that’ll be impossible if I’m incapable of rounding them up in open spaces. For unless they’re imprinted to follow a human, they quickly might scatter.

Dear Friends: They’re reminders of the old days and classroom psychology studies. Diana

Saturday, February 12, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

Early yesterday morning, bright light from a beautiful, nearly-full, setting moon awakened me. I arose and, once on my feet, whistled for the dogs. They were ready, followed me to the door, and I followed them outside. Oh, that lopsided moon!

This moon is waxing gibbous. Waxing means “getting bigger” as the moon’s lit-up part grows from 50% to 100%. The root word of gibbous means humped-back and refers to a waxing moon’s oval-to-round shape. This phase always makes me want to stretch and reach way up to hug that moon.

Notions of waxing and growing are reminders of yesterday in Lisa’s aviary. Several perfect photos from my secondary zoom camera refer to waxing and growing. Think of all the potential captured in this close-up of Lisa’s infant hours-old canaries.

More about potential, in this very close-up of a tiny mom-to-be in her brooding phase.

For fun, here’s a couple of adorable Japanese quail. They grow to about the size of a human hand!

And more fun from my zoom camera in this excellent image of one of Lisa’s purchased chicken feeders. Hanging in the air, it’s transformed into an aviary feeder.

Dear Friends: Waxing and getting bigger is also about growing, learning, loving. Diana