Monday, February 06, 2022

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

I’m to help open the store today so this will be quick.

Yesterday, my first day as the store’s “chicken lady” went well. I was alone for an hour before the store opened and remembered how to clean brooders and care for chicks from my one day of being trained.

I enjoyed a new role that makes it okay to move around in a larger area. Part of my job now is assisting our Animal Health Specialist. That lets me walk isles, observe shelves, and rearrange items moved around by customers. I chatted with people curious about chickens, cared for our chicks, and straightened shelved stock.

Back home, my petite Pepita chick working hard to get around in leg braces just couldn’t make it. Losing her was heartbreaking, but I’d try again. She taught me more about infant birds.

Now, I must hurry to get dressed and go feed large animals. On my next day off, I’ll open a gate and let my new turkeys and chickens integrate with the larger flock. I’m hoping for success.

Dear Friends: The inspirations for new events are our hopes for success. Diana

Sunday, February 05, 2022

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

My tiny chicken is days old and has lots of heart. She appears to have a condition called “splatters.” She has a useless left leg, and its toes are limp. She gets around by pulling with her right leg and dragging her left.

I’m trying to normalize her useless leg by following directions from the internet. Last night, I cut a thin strip of vet wrap several inches long, wrapped some of the fabric around each leg, and allowed a body’s width of space between the legs. That could let her good leg support the other.

Her efforts to stand and hop can strengthen the needy leg. This tyke tries hard, but progress comes with difficulty. I watch her move while braced and understanding more, I can improve that wrap brace.

Baby chicks grow quickly. Daily wrapping and her efforts to stand and move should improve the leg within days. It’ll be best for this baby to wind up standing and moving normally. It’ll be okay if she winds up with a forever limp. Most important is having both legs gain enough strength for lifelong support.

Today at work, I’ll begin my new “chicken lady” role. Maybe I’ll take Pepita with me and help her stand and hop at times.

Dear Friends: A tiny brave one, so motivated to manage her body and live. Diana

Saturday, February 05, 2022

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

Yesterday, my early go-to-work day, shadowing a young man familiar with the store’s chick-care routine, turned out to be fun for me. He showed a series of steps for cleaning brooders, re-stocking chick water and feed, and taking care of a back-room chick area. After those training basics, I was on my own.

I had no trouble finding ways to stay busy in the store’s brooder areas. I cleaned baby chicks with clogged vents and talked with customers looking or ready to buy. I listened to people’s stories about their past chicken experiences and shared some of mine. I captured baby chicks, packaged them, and explained products supportive of infant and adult chicken care to those wanting to know.

My past months of working behind a cash register helped. Many customers purchasing chicken care products shared their chicken experiences and learning. Their stories hiked my arsenal of possibilities and solutions.

My next-door neighbor once said that sometimes, I “think more with my heart than with my head,” which yesterday proved true. I brought home four days-old chicks. Three came from the back-room sick tank, all weak from being shipped in crowded conditions. One has a broken leg and two seeming to recover. My fourth chick is the lone healthy remainder of a breed that sold-out.

The three that will survive are company for the real-problem hen. She has a strong will to live despite a leg that appears broken, useless, and only slightly thicker than dental floss. Maybe she has the condition called “straddle leg.” Whatever, I hope saving her is possible.

Dear Friends: This new role must avoid falling for the weakest and leftovers. Diana

Friday, February 04, 2022

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

Hi, as a brief hello. Today, I must be at work by seven a.m., too early for my ease. This obligation forces me to rethink morning schedules and rearrange morning chores. My focus is on getting started, getting done, and getting to work.

The change is because I’ll be responsible for the store’s baby chickens in an upcoming role. The chicks must be solid and healthy-looking with clean quarters before eight a.m., when customers begin arriving. Today, I’ll shadow someone experienced in the role and learn to perform in it.

Changes don’t come easily. A seven o’clock arrival at work means early to bed the evening before and an earlier start the following day. Our clocks on standard time require feeding large animals in darkness before leaving for work.

The good things ahead are a more exciting role at work and leaving work earlier. The late afternoons will allow care for my large animals in daylight.

I’ll get a handle on needed adjustments.

Dear Friends: Each day should have challenges and inspire learning. Diana

Thursday, February 03, 2022

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

The natural light was spectacular late yesterday afternoon, particularly on the trees. As I walked north to gather my horses from a neighbor’s pasture, the trees ahead were alight. They seemed otherworldly. My heart raced.

Lately, I’ve been busy, haven’t bothered to carry a camera and seek photo ops. Yesterday’s spectacular highlights made me whip out my cellphone. The trees were magnificent. I snapped and snapped, pointing north to capture lights and memories.

In the distance high atop a Ponderosa, unmoving and captured by the light, perched a bird of prey, too distant for my cellphone. I repeatedly looked to confirm that sight was a bird, and likely the area’s young Red-Tailed Hawk, overseeing the pasture and my grazing horses.

On arriving home with my horses, I saw the sun setting west behind the Cascades, its ambient light glowing with colors that emphasized the range of peaks. Ah! But my hands were busy with lead ropes and otherwise helpless.

Long story short, beautiful lights and sights had me wishing for a handy and better camera. The evening’s surprises and sightings have encouraged me to carry one routinely again. And I promise to do so.

Dear Friends: I wished mightily for a capable camera to capture a light-bathed hawk. Diana

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