Wednesday, February 02, 2022

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

My part-time job is changing. I’ll move from behind a cash register to the Animal Health Department. My new role will involve caring for baby chickens and assisting customers with products for farms and pets.

This pleasing change suggests the organization recognizes performance and potential. Several months ago I began working part-time, and a goal of grasping the mysteries of electronic cash registers stretched my imagination. Capable young co-workers helping with hints and illustrations supported and cushioned my learning.

I learned how to work a cash register, quickly processing check-outs while chatting briefly with customers. Occasionally, I still seek assistance to document situations not routine, but in the future capably could be a backup cashier during hectic periods.

Cash registering can be confining, even tedious if the store’s not busy. What will be better in my new role is more space for moving around. Next week’s transition period will split my time between cashiering and orientating to a new department.

Essentially I’ll be in sales, in a profit center. That should be up my alley.

Dear Friends: As often noted, “If the rain don’t fall and the creeks don’t rise.” Diana

Tuesday, February 01, 2022

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

Today I read that the New York Times has purchased Wordle, an online word game. That made me want to explore the game, unusual because I don’t play word games. I avoid crosswords and such, not from disliking them but for disliking to lose.

I’m an armchair writer. Years of composing daily blogs have improved my writing. Although pleasant it’s happened, it hasn’t increased my interest in word games. Wishing recently to boost my blogging skills, I subscribed to a program that can analyze writing and provide feedback.

Surprisingly, it ranks me in its upper category of communication and language skills. More surprisingly, it classifies my tone as somewhat unconfident. I give this much thought, puzzled that my writing may lack confidence.

Anyway, mostly the feedback is a “feel good.” Likely today, that encouraged me to explore and play the Wordle game.

Wordle issues one new five-letter word daily, giving players six opportunities to discover it. The program provides hints by identifying letters not in the target word, identifying those that count, and if positioned correctly or misplaced. Encouraged by my high ranking among word users, I became involved, followed hints, juggled letters, (and Hooray!) solved the puzzle.

That exercise stretched my mind and imagination. Playing Wordle was fun and I will continue daily.

My learning was about me, perhaps touching that unconfident part. Positive feedback about my word-usage strength encouraged this exploration of a word game for the first time in years. Now, I’m drinking the wine of success, and will move ahead by accepting the challenges of Wordle and other word games.

Dear Friends: Time after time, I find that self-discoveries are great learning. Diana

Sunday, January 30, 2022

_{(New Moon tonight; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

A customer checking out at my register said he had just been in a major grocery store and was shocked to find many shelves empty of products. At the end of that workday, I went to a supermarket looking for small coffee filters and twist-tie bread bags. On spotting nearly-empty shelves, and scouring them without seeing my needs, I remembered that customer, understood his feelings.

Coming home, I thought of small items needed or simply wanted and considered stores where they might be stocked. Logic suggested that a supply chain unable to keep a significant supermarket stocked won’t do better for other stores. At home, I did something never before considered. I shopped online, and guess what? Amazon will provide all my needs and wants within days.

This post-pandemic world is altering many traditional expectations and behaviors.

Besides, there are plusses. Shopping online is quick. Items might arrive soon despite questionable delivery chains. (Late deliveries would force thinking ahead, ordering earlier.) There are worries of greater online prices but also valuable offsets. Online shopping can cancel searching by roaming, wasting both time and gasoline.

Dear Friends: Post-pandemic behavioral adjustments are highly instructive. Diana

Sunday, January 30, 2022

_{(Jan. “Wolf Moon” is Waning Crescent; New Moon on Jan. 31; Feb. “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

There’s no longer a question of whether my little dog is spayed. She’s in heat. I’ve seen my male dogs becoming interested in her, and likely now, she’s most accessible. For a few days, she’ll be sequestered from the other pups.

My dogs are neutered, so no worries about them becoming dads. The problem is, she’s too little for any, except maybe my mini-Aussie, Louie. He’s her best buddy and seemed unusually intrigued by her last night. I noticed, and so she overnighted in a kennel. Today, her outside times will have me as a lone companion.

She’s mostly a Jack Russell, cuter than a bug’s ear, and almost always in action. In heat or not, she flirts with pack buddies. The others might argue among themselves but much tolerate her.

Years ago, I met someone who said he lived with five Jack Russell dogs. That was difficult then to imagine, and today almost impossible. Jacks are a beautiful breed, loyal, intelligent, and fun. But always in action, or needing and seeking action.

I love my busy little pup. She’d have cute babies. No dice, though, for spaying is in her future.

Dear Friends: Another warmish day, but this puppy will stay alone inside. Diana

Saturday, January 29, 2022

_{(Jan. “Wolf Moon” is Waning Crescent; New Moon on Jan. 31; Feb. “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

My days off from working part-time are becoming more organized. They’re not granted in two’s like a weekend but spaced as one’s. I used to be off on weekends, hanging out on day one, and being busy through day two. Now, hanging out for a day means accomplishing nothing until another day off and proving inconvenient and irritating.

Organizing equates to becoming more productive. Yesterday, I handled various seemingly little things that needed doing. Each checked-off item relaxed a bit of anxiety and made me proud of myself. Maybe it seems silly, but remember, wins exactly are that regardless of how they’re achieved.

Where I’m not winning is my wish to create a running journal. As a New Year’s resolution, I ordered a fountain pen, yes the “real thing”, and began writing in an unused notebook (this isn’t the first time I’ve planned to journal). Nearly every day I picked up that pen, opened the book, and wrote. Yesterday, I ran across that pen, remembered not having journaled for a couple of weeks.

Arguably, creating my daily blog equates to journaling. To me, it’s not enough. My blogs begin with me staring at a blank computer page. I start to type with faith that musing will amount to some logic, which often works. In a process potentially more productive and satisfying, I’d handwrite journal entries, create topics, and wind up with better-planned blogs.

I wonder why the no-journaling. One area of difficulty is my hard-to-read handwriting, more problematic than in the old days of writing mainly by hand. For years, after primarily having written using a computer keyboard, my fingers are challenged to move a pencil or pen.

Shucks, I want to write by hand again, have outputs legible and meaningful. I want my hands feeling and moving an inspiring fountain pen. I wish for black ink markings to become observations and thoughts. I hope for inspiration, interest, and maybe food for internet blogs.

Dear Friends: I intend to keep trying to achieve consistency and integration. Diana

Friday, January 28, 2022

_{(Jan. “Wolf Moon” is Waning Crescent; New Moon on Jan. 31; Feb. “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

How time flies! We’re about to see this January wind down a new year’s beginning. We’ve not yet received enough snow to create water, eventually flowing from the mountains to feed local agricultural needs and this city’s growing population.

I received this year’s bill from irrigation water management, charging $800.00 for my share of agricultural water. In my early years here, that annual bill averaged $300.00. I have a big rub in that my share represents a sprinkle, but I’m billed near-equal to the most significant water users.

I’m allowed the equivalent of 0.8 acres of water; that’s very little. The neighbors I share water with have larger acreages. My share equals one day weekly of access to irrigation water. I don’t use my allotment because my property slopes, facilitating only runoff and feeding weeds along the outer roadway. I give my share of irrigation water to my neighbors.

The irrigation bill, unless paid, becomes a lien against one’s property. So, gritting my teeth, I’ve paid the bills, even last year’s at $600.00. This year’s bill of $800.00 is a stopping point, forcing an escape from my irrigation water rights and obligations.

Recently, I chatted with my hay supplier. He’s worried about having enough irrigation water this year to grow acres of hay. The irrigation water managers periodically reduce or disallow his allotment. He’s forced to share his yield among customers, says I might receive only part of my needs for horse-feeding.

Hopefully, my water share can be re-allocated toward more significant agricultural needs. Farmers need more water and I’ve no wish for an exorbitant expense.

Droughts raise complicated questions. There are concerns for this city’s future, worries about having large animals, and managing properties private and public. There are concerns about the local popular recreational sports dependent on water that bring tourists and new citizens into this area.

We’re forced to remember, “It’s the economy, stupid!”

Dear Friends: In very challenging times, often, we’re neophytes seeking solutions. Diana

Wednesday, January 27, 2022

_{(Jan. “Wolf Moon” is Waning Crescent; New Moon on Jan. 31; Feb. “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

A coworker held out her bare arm to show me space for her planned tattoo. From elbow to wrist and around her arm would wrap a dense forest. She loves forests and visualizes more of the tattoo. Continuing upwards, the forest top would become a Phoenix covering her shoulder and neck. She showed me a couple of favorite Phoenix images on her cellphone.

As I tried to imagine a bare arm covered with so much ink, she added that she was dissatisfied with the forest’s bottom. It ends at her wrist and too abruptly.

I wondered if she’s aware of a modern view of forest undergrounds, adding that forestry recently has found that beneath trees is another whole world of life. To her blank expression, I said it’s been found that fungi and tree roots communicate, share nutrients, and offer mutual protection. She shook her head, saying she was interested.

That wasn’t a situation where I wanted to risk appearing intellectual. I offered that knowing a little about an underground world might suggest more art for her wrist. I offered to find a summary of the findings. When she said she didn’t read much, I promised to keep it brief.

I checked the internet for brief, uncomplicated descriptions, finding none. The best words are from Suzanne Simard, the scientist who did the groundwork. Simard discovered and proved that “trees are not simply the source of timber or pulp, but are a complex, interdependent circle of life.” That “forests are social, cooperative creatures connected through underground networks, by which trees communicate their vitality and vulnerabilities with communal lives not [very] different from our own.”

The introduction to Simard’s book FINDING THE MOTHER TREE describes all that readably and could enlighten my coworker. I have copied and will take the introduction to her. It could add inspiration to her vision.

I am careful that the young people working with me don’t question my respect for what they know. They’re bright, and some outrank me in the organization. I pedal around practicing being silent or maybe gently adding to their knowledge.

Dear Friends: Modern education differs wholly from formal schooling in my day. Diana

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

_{(Jan. “Wolf Moon” is Waning Crescent; New Moon on Jan. 31; “Snow Moon” rises fullest, Feb. 16.)}

Thankfully, Rosie seems normal and is eating again. I can do a coin toss and guess what might have been wrong the other evening. She wasn’t showing signs of colic, but a horse not eating signals alarm. The following morning she seemed okay, and I’ll watch her closely.

Horses! Building a relationship with them is vital because they stay for years requiring steady attention and handling. Horses are large, thinking beings. Handling them effectively calls for physical strength, understanding, determination, and patience.

When something about a horse’s health seems off, one recognizes the strong relationship with that animal. Besides, horse maintenance over time is uber-expensive. Losing a horse is losing a significant investment.

Having said all that, I’ll admit to feeling as much attached to other pets as to my horses. Any emotional differences toward my pets may arise from their differing needs in effort and cash and from my imaginings of possibilities.

Shifting to chickens, my workplace will train me to oversee our incoming baby chicks next week. That new role will include backing up the Animal Health Department. I hope to prove a good fit, for it’s the department most interesting to me.

Dear Friends: Some in-store relationships seem to be changing as my role evolves. Diana

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

_{(January’s “Wolf Moon” is in 3rd Qtr phase Waxing Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

My mare, Rosie, wasn’t feeling well last night. I checked on the horses around eight and saw something that worried me, she’d not eaten. Anytime a horse won’t eat, something’s wrong. Rosie’s in her mid-twenties and has been in good health.

Yesterday, the horses were on pasture all afternoon. As we walked home nothing was different about any. Later, all entered the barn for hay and supplements. Sunni and Pimmy gobbled everything, and usually, so does Rosie.

This morning, I will go outside at first light to find what’s going on with her.

Aside from Rosie, and finally, I found the outside warm enough for shirt sleeves on that day off from work. Taking advantage, I tackled lots of outdoor labor, put-off for too long. Among the chores were biggies, like cleaning the goat house and the nesting boxes, dragging the dry lot, moving hay bales from storage to barn. I could go on.

Afterward and dead-tired, I didn’t need the worry of Rosie not eating. But the years have taught me about life with animals on a small acreage. Essentially, “It is as it is,” one works, and one worries.

I’ll go to my part-time job this afternoon if all’s well outside. Otherwise, I’ll call for a veterinarian and stay home to wait.

Dear Friends: Now, in this morning’s first light, I hope for us all a good day. Diana

Monday, January 24, 2022

_{(January’s “Wolf Moon” tonight in 3rd Qtr phase Waxing Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

I lost blogging time this morning, trapped in a sudden failure to access my existing Word Press site.

I’ve enjoyed using the Firefox internet engine and recently updated to its newest version offering lots of internet protection. Actually, too much protection. It became time-consuming and a chore to open my sites for emails and calendar. All site re-openings required triple security checks using email and cellphone. Today finding it impossible to access my Word Press site was too much. I hurried back to good old Chrome.

The news is about my two new hen turkeys and their buddy chickens. We rushed to bring them here after their owner’s (Josh’s) dog killed one of the chickens. But my place didn’t have an appropriate coop-shelter. Josh and my neighbors Grant and Bill helped to cobble together a too-small coop and too-small enclosure. That worked okay but overly confined the turkeys.

Early yesterday, I moved a dog play pen that gave my Old Welsummer Hen outings on sunny days. The six-panel pen has a human-size door. I attached it to the too-small setup and the pen added roaming space for the new birds and lets me enter. I’ve another play pen, might try using it to add more space.

Soon the new birds could roam a bit. My subordinate rooster, beautiful Cuckoo Maran, began flirting with one of the new Rhode Island Red hens. He danced and strutted, she was ambivalent.

On a sweet note, my duck-egg supplier, Katherine, brought her stunning Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and new duck eggs into the store. What a delight that she’s not fond of duck eggs! I fixed a duck egg for dinner. It wasn’t among the largest but had a double yolk!

I’ll try to coordinate with Katherine, so next time she’s in the store there’ll be turkey eggs for her.

Dear Friends: Yesterday, delightful too in the store, greeting my next-door neighbors. Diana