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

Sunday, January 23, 2022

_{(January’s “Wolf Moon” is Waning Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises @ fullest on February 16.)}

Today’s temperatures will reach into the low sixties. I’ll be at work.

I’ve refocused on starting my new in-store role after this week. Anticipating reduces my interest in operating a cash register, making hours of checking-out customers drag. Also, we’ve slower check-out lines in a relatively-dead time, after-the-holidays and before-another-biggie.

Soon though, we’ve two “biggies” starting. One is a company specialty labeled “Farmdays,” when all the company stores highlight and have on-sale farming and ranching products. Managers say The Farmdays are busy, with long check-out lines.

Another biggie is the soon arrival of baby chicks. Already, while being checked-out out and by phone-calling, customers are asking which day chicks will be here and what breeds. Small children accompanying shopping parents peer excitedly into now-empty brooders.

Like those children, I’m impatiently awaiting this week’s passing.

Dear Friends: Yes and anticipating, peering into those brooders. Diana

Saturday, January 22, 2022

_{(January’s “Wolf Moon” is Waning Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises @ fullest on February 16.)}

They’re here! Two hen turkeys and two Rhode Island Reds (variations).

I hurried to get them after receiving a text from Josh, their then-owner, saying his dog had just killed one of the three hen chickens I intended to adopt.

That blew a hole in my day off. My plan was to start building a coop for the fivesome, but suddently it became imperative to get them from Josh’s place. I needed to borrow housing for them, so hitched a trailer and took off.

We managed to load into the trailer a small coop, a dog kennel, and fowl care paraphernalia, feeders, waterers, and food. Josh joined me later at my home, bringing the turkeys and chickens. Grant and Bill, my neighbors, arrived to help with unloading and setting up.

Those three are long-time friends. It was Bill who facilitated the transfer of birds after learning that I wished to adopt a hen turkey. Josh and his wife intending to sell their home wanted to relocate the birds. Additionally, their recently-adopted dog has turned out to be an effective chicken killer. The dog’s last victory got us moving to transfer quickly the remaining birds.

My current chicken flock houses with my twin Dwarf Goats. The two species get along well. Often one or more chickens are hanging out on a goat’s back or just riding along.

The imported dog kennel allows newcomers and current residents to integrate while keeping safe both flocks. Josh managed most of the setting-up. He established the small coop at the back of the run, set up a feeder and waterer, placed the nesting boxes, and transferred birds from carriers to the coop.

Grant’s height lets him easily retrieve items from high places, and he did. Also without effort, he looped an extension cord over a tall opening. That prevents the cord from tripping humans and becoming a chew-target for critters.

The final result isn’t gorgeous. It works though until there’s time enough to make it better.

About today’s caption photo. One of those girls straight went to work. That huge egg appeared on the coop floor moments after Josh installed the turkeys.

We finished the job just as dusk closed in. Then thankfully, Bill and Grant walked with me to retrieve the horses. We returned in near-darkness, each leading an equine. I prefer not to walk in the darkness alone with three large animals. In little light they see perfectly, notice quickly what’s around or ahead and sometimes startle me.

Our last look at the new coop found a quiet group. One chicken had settled on top of the coop, one turkey was parked on the perch, with the other turkey and chicken atop the nesting boxes.

And, that was my day.

Dear Friends: Wise Bill suggests pausing my plan to add two baby ducks. Diana

Friday, January 21, 2022

_{(January’s “Wolf Moon” is Waning Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises @ fullest on February 16.)}

Next week, the feed store where I work will have in stock live baby chicks to sell. Workers have been arranging brooders, setting them up, hanging heat lights. Customers are excited, and so are we cashiers.

There’s not much cuter than one- or two-day-old chickens. The store might offer baby turkeys and ducks, too.

I’ve already been arranging to adopt a couple of six-month-old turkey hens. They’ll be a satisfying pair.

In a move that surprises myself, I’ll bring home two baby ducks. It’s because I’ve eaten duck eggs and found them delicious. I’ve asked duck owners (while checking-out customers) about their experiences of having ducks. All say ducks are fun, they love having them. They say ducks easily are satisfied with a “kiddie pool” to play in. One woman has a duck that loves being harnessed and taken for walks.

Yesterday, the store gave me a surprising opportunity, to move from my position as a cashier, and instead, to handle the business of incoming chicks. I’d take care of them and assist customers interested in them. Additionally, I’d become a back-up person for the Animal Health Department. I leaped onto those changes.

Essentially, they offer a crack at representing a profit center and selling in real-time. I love animals, by nature am a sales type. Everything new should be fun. Plus, it’s a heady moment with my efforts and potential being noticed

I’m stoked!

Dear Friends: Ahead, my favorite “stuff”, new experiences and more learning. Diana

Thursday, January 20, 2022

_{(January’s “Wolf Moon” is Waning Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises @ fullest on February 16.)}

Today is an early to-work for me, so this is a short good morning. A good thing, too, as my brain does seem blank. Impossible, though, for always my wiring is firing.

I’m focusing ahead, on getting outside, feeding animals, and appearing on time at the store.

Actually, I’m thinking about Susie’s and my recent moon chase, remembering an interesting place where the mobile was parked. The tiny off-road spot intersected three roadways.

I love seeing road curves. They suggest the possibility of a surprise laying ahead. They’re compelling, hint at secrets, fascinating to speculate on.

My recent blog about our Wolf Moon Chase featured some of our best photos, the glorious moon, and a few twilight surroundings. I could have included the atmospheric road-trio.

Today’s a good day to blog about them. They’re lovely, and give my slightly on-hold brain a rest.

Completing a circle is our Moon Chasing Mobile, in its tiny parking spot. Susie has grabbed a camera, is poised for getting an early shot of just-rising Wolf Moon.

Dear Friends: Many of my best-remembered photos are curve captures. Diana

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

_{(January’s “Wolf Moon” is Waning Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises @ fullest on February 16.)}

At my part-time job, one among our cash-register team became infected with Covid. She’d not been vaccinated and worked a couple of days with Covid while considering it a cold. Afterward, she was away from work for several days. Now working again, she says she’s fully recovered.

She’s young and seems recovered. A number of workers in the store haven’t been vaccinated. I can’t help wondering if others might have been affected by working alongside her during her active bout with the virus.

I haven’t noticed personal symptoms of illness. I’ve received the requisite three jabs, and wear a mask while in public and at work. However, I’m in a vulnerable group, associated with age and background health. I’ve accepted the known risk of “being out there” because working part-time with others is meaningful and worthwhile.

Without going into the yeas and nays of ignoring or dealing with Corona Virus and its mutations, I applaud Joe Biden’s recent anti-virus move. I’ve ordered the virus test kits he’s making available online. The Post Office will start shipping them next week.

Those at-home kits will allow self-testing for the virus, at the earliest signs of a “cold”. A positive result will justify seeking early care in the game.

Receiving home-based tools to recognize the virus helps. Additionally, our health care system must be prepared and capable of providing care to those who come forward after self-testing. Health care capacity is a huge issue, maybe a future blog topic.

First, let’s get those self-tests. They will by degrees boost our assurance.

Dear Friends: This “smart virus” has and still alters worldwide social systems. Diana