Monday, November 15, 2021 (November’s fullest moon [“Beaver”] rises on the 19th.)

Shoot! I didn’t manage to take that “fall ride” on horseback. Instead, I took care of business.

I drove east to pick up three stored Dogloos offered by a friend no longer needing them. I loaded the trio, brought it home, and disassembled and cleaned the big weather-beaters. They’re now installed on my deck, and today, I’ll search for appropriate pillows to assist my dogs’ comfort and warmth.

Locals here, with years of experience, expect coming winters to be very cold, often very windy. We seem to get less snow than in years before, and even enjoy some not-so-very-cold days, but mostly the winter atmosphere challenges.

The store where I’m a worker is sponsoring a used winter jacket drive. That’ll give some of us an opportunity to create space in closets. Over my years of working at Costco, I accidentally purchased duplicate jackets. Don’t ask me more about working there and unconsciously duplicating purchases–it just happens, that’s all.

Now, I’ll donate unneeded jackets to a good cause. That will ease using my jacket closet. Its doors won’t resist folding to open or close. It’ll be easier thumbing through fewer hanging options.

Anyway, I digress.

This winter my part-time job will keep me away for daylong stretches. In previous winters I’ve been home and keeping dogs inside through worst-weather periods. This year I don’t want my aging dogs outside unprotected. To the extent possible they’ll be inside until I return home. If they’re accidentally caught outdoors for a stretch, the Dogloos could help.

Hopefully they’ll use these shelters. My smart Border Collie mix, Osix, will, because I’ve seen her inside dog shelters. Not so sure about the others, they tend to dig holes and half-bury, or curl into balls against the cold and wind.

Anyway, I digress.

Today, I’ll try to get out with horses, taking a couple of non-arthritic dogs, to enjoy a fall horseback ride, with camera.

First though, an early focus on finding pillows.

Dear Friends: Winter is a challenging, beautiful season, and enjoying it needs preparing. Diana

Sunday, November 14, 2021 (November’s fullest moon [“Beaver”] rises on the 19th.)

Today will be another warm one, with temps reaching the high 60s. It’s not a workday for me, and so I’ll go riding.

Practice makes perfect. Another trailhead visit will let me tack-up again, and hopefully more smoothly than in my previous attempt following many months of not riding horseback. I needed pauses to recall some steps, like the sequence to attach Sunni’s English breast collar to her saddle. Then while poising to mount, I discovered Sunni’s saddle was crooked and listing to her off side. Re-do time! Then having tacked properly I rode, but getting us ready took too long.

Today should be easier. With practice now under my belt, I’ll ride Rosie. She’s a full sister to Sunni and with a less-round topside, so tacking her can be quicker. We’ll see.

Another reason to go riding is my wish to take photos of the desert in this fall season. That waterless landscape now clear of summer’s tough little blooms seems quieter, and it differs beautifully.

Dear Friends: Fortunate is the person with a horse to ride and a camera to carry. Diana

Saturday, November 13, 2021 (November’s fullest moon (“Beaver”) rises on the 19th.)

A co-worker who no longer needs her three “Dogloos” is giving them to me for my four dogs. I’m worried about working through cold days and whether to leave my now-older dogs outside. The youngest two are nine, and the oldest two are eleven and thirteen. I already have one Dogloo shelter, need more.

The Dogloo is designed like an Igloo, it’s an effective shelter and probably the best. My co-worker is offering a sweet gift.

Still I struggle over leaving the dogs outside in winter for long periods. My arthritis is a problem in early mornings while first moving around and avoiding stressing my little flexibility. The same should hold for dogs.

I’ll continue leaving them inside and unsupervised for long stretches. They’ll go outside briefly during lunchtimes, when I’ll also toss hay for the horses. They’ll be inside again until my after-work.

I’ll arrange the Dogloos and hope for the dogs to use them, which is doubtful. Through the years, their way of fighting cold has been to dig holes and bury half-self, or to curl into tight balls until invited inside.

This winter is different, for I like my job and wish to keep working. The dogs may remain inside, and I’ll learn what happens regarding a pack’s degree of “housebroken”, and its ability to get along with a cat and caged birds.

Nothing’s ever easy, so it’s best to go with the flow. If my dogs don’t shelter in the Dogloos and having them inside becomes too problematic, I’ll quit my job.

Aging in humans rearranges perspective as to almost everything. For pets it’s probably similar. I’m gambling that the dogs will “get it”, behave well overall, not be destructive.

Dear Friends: The mundane is less so while bolstering courage to support a life change. Diana

Friday, November 11, 2021 (November’s fullest moon (“Beaver”) rises on the 19th.)

After a couple rainy days, this one welcomes a glorious sky. Already, I couldn’t resist venturing outside to capture the beauty of an eastern sky. In a welcome change, today will be warmer.

The birds are migrating, all sorts flocking nearby and allowing for wonderful photos. Here are a couple currently feeding around my house.

This young Robin lets me mention that I’m testing these birds, hoping to discover “mine” from last summer. That fledgling left my care by flying off, as it should have, to mature on its own. I wish the bird will return, and in its “bird way” recognize my voice. I’d love some hint of an “Hello, again!”

Here’s a hawk that’s hanging around these days, and keeping its eyes mostly focused toward my neighbor’s pasture that has small wildlife. I think it’s a Red-tailed, young, and so its tail not yet red. If anyone finds it a different variety, I’d like to know.

Dear Friends: Enjoy this warm day and keep looking upward to a spectacularly clean sky. Diana

Thursday, November 11, 2021 (November’s fullest moon [“Beaver”] rises on the 19th.)

This morning, I became involved in writing something else, and now, have too little time to keep writing here.

It’s an early to-work day. I’ll help to open the store, and so, must very soon be outside, feeding and caring for large animals.

Yesterday, for the first time since last spring, I took the equines and my hound dog to go riding in weather, slightly foggy and very chilly.

I needed to practice saddling/bridling, to transition from a routine of harnessing my driving horses. Several embarrassing fumbles while tacking-up made it worthwhile to be alone at a trailhead. I needed plenty of time to think slowly through the process.

Good! I got the saddle on and cinched. I re-figured the bridle and breast collar arrangements. Then, mounted one horse, ponied another, and our donkey followed. My hound, Ranger (not showing signs of arthritis), led our way.

So good, sitting again in a saddle!

Lots of bulky inner and outer winter wear hindered my attempts to handle a cellphone, so no photos. Disappointing, because I love capturing winter scenery. We’ll soon go out again, and I’ll take lots of pictures.

Dear Friends: Last night fell much needed rain, and today watch for a wonderful sky. Diana

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 (November’s fullest moon [“Beaver”] rises on the 19th.)

There appeared before my cash register a young woman holding her pet snake. Now, we check-out types see lots of pets and enjoy them, but that was our first time for saying hi to a snake.

That snake’s person seemed one who might prefer having an unusual pet. I thought she’d be stand-off and remote, but she instead was articulate and friendly, loved talking about “Charcoal”, her snake. She said her relationship with him began after she lost a beloved pet hedgehog to old age. She went searching for another hedgehog, winding up at the local reptile shop and learning about Charcoal.

That shop sells reptiles, snakes, turtles, and such. Its owner is a very knowledgeable guy, who last summer explained how I should feed a rescued tiny Robin until it could be fledged.

In his shop I was fascinated by reptiles of many species, some I knew as very frightening and others I knew as docile and sweet. My visit happened at snake-feeding time. There were various sorts and sizes out of cages, stretched on floors, receiving meals. I left that shop wondering, if by not having explored reptiles as pets, I’d missed a boat.

Charcoal is about three years old, has lived a year with his person, could live on to around age twenty. He’s an endangered species from Florida wetlands, and an unusually-small version of his type. (Forgive me for having left notes about his exact variety in my locker, I’ll tag that information later onto this blog.)

His person explains that he’s very gentle, friendly, and well-behaved. We at the registers who didn’t feel intimidated by snakes handled him. His skin felt warm, slightly bumpy, and seemed very much like feeling a high-couture, ultra-expansive snakeskin boot or handbag. His sensing tongue works constantly and not threateningly.

Hey, reptile people, I get it!

In my personal journey, now isn’t appropriate for seeking new pets. But I am planning to visit again that reptile shop. My mind won’t be focused on caring for a needy bird, but on wishing to see, learn, and more enjoy the fascinating world of reptiles.

It’s fun to work in an animal feed store, where many kindred spirits shop.

Dear Friends: For experiences we tend to bypass, it’s well to pause, look, and learn to appreciate. Diana

Tuesday, November 09, 2021 (November’s fullest moon [“Beaver”] rises on the 19th.)

I shouldn’t care if GE is planning to break up into three separate companies, with only one, the engine-manufacturing plant, keeping its tried ‘n true moniker.

These days, I don’t know much about what’s been happening at GE. Plus, I don’t hold its stock.

But, and this feels like a biggie, GE has seemed one of the few unchanging threads in my life, always having “been there”. My main associations are electricity and light bulbs. Years ago, while working in the aerospace industry, I learned that GE produces aircraft engines which rank with the best.

Actually, as I’m writing and giving this more thought, memories are popping up.

Way back, right after high school when I was a teenager, I landed a job at a GE branch, the one dealing with finance. I vaguely recall sitting on a tall stool and arranging pieces of paper. I was beginning to face a problem though: I wasn’t a high school graduate.

High school is another story, but quickly, I didn’t graduate. I flunked gym and home economics. Truly, I hated both courses, was an uncooperative student.

GE was my first job out of high school. A week after being hired, someone brought a paper for my signature authorizing the high school to release proof of my graduation, a typical formality for new hires. I became worried, expected the worst, and in a few days simply didn’t return to that job.

Boy, memories are flooding back!

Lack of a high school diploma dogged me through several job starts and got me fired a time or two. Eventually, I took remedial courses at a night school and received that diploma. What’s odd is that, with a diploma in my hand, going forward, no employers ever asked to see it.

Anyway, I digress. Why GE’s breakup is impacting me is that it’s a long-time thread. Today, cultures and business seem to be less steady than when I grew up. Nonetheless, memories aren’t accurate. Some serious research surely would reveal many errors in my casual perceptions.

Dear Friends: Back then, high school was a tough gig for a child, angry, rebellious, and broken. Diana

Monday, November 08, 2021 (November’s fullest moon [“Beaver”] rises on the 19th.)

Yesterday morning, the set-back clocks confused timing and routines. That evening seemed worse when daylight dimmed very early. After the initial plunge into darkening days, the norm will be weeks with ever-lessening natural light.

And finally, capping these changes will arrive deep winter’s darkest day, the solstice. Actually, that day encourages joy. It offers a reality-based anticipation that light and warmth conditions will change. Immediately after the solstice, will occur bit-by-bit and daily, lengthening natural light. We can begin anticipating more natural warmth arriving also bit-by-bit, but much more slowly.

Thus, the very dark day of winter solstice does enlighten our spirits.

Between now and then, many of us will begin “scrambling in darkness” or participating in events referred to as Black Fridays. That’s when the commercial world in its way tries “enlightening” our days. It’s an opportunity for commerce, with shorter daylights inviting more online time, upcoming holidays inviting gifting, and we feeling encouraged to spend.

I’m carefully considering this compelling period, hoping to “get a handle” on it. Maybe it’s possible to get in front, so to speak, by sensibly planning a path through darker weeks ahead, that avoids being tempted by excessive over-commercialization, Maybe it’s possible to welcome winter solstice, having obtaining everything needed and still with some cash.

Dear Friends: Winter brings big challenges for impulse buyers, and I’m in their ranks. Diana

Sunday, November 07, 2021 (November’s fullest moon [“Beaver”] rises on the 19th.)

I slept my usual number hours and awakened to discover it wasn’t 5 a.m., but just 4 a.m.! Okay, I knew it was time to turn back clocks, but my deep sleep dulled any sensitivity to that change. Now while writing, I’m anticipating our collective “reward”, a glimpse of earlier daylight.

Earlier daylights won’t long make a difference to us, because anyway, natural light will continue to shorten. For many people earlier lighting isn’t at all important. For all living beings, however, something does become significantly different. It’s that artificial time changes confuse our internal clocks.

We’ve come to appreciate that our natural clocks trigger performance. We don’t appreciate having their work interrupted by artificial time changes. External clocks take over, forcing us to do what’s needed despite our feelings of “time being off”, or “…wrong”, to do what’s needed.

After many years of making semi-annual time changes wouldn’t ya think they’d be easier? Doesn’t it add up, that becoming accustomed to altering time could make adjusting feel more natural?

Nope, and here’s an example.

Now at 6 a.m., in the beginning first light, I’m still writing. A nearby external clock shows I’ve more time to write. Meanwhile down at the barn, my horses seeing this light rightly expect me shortly to appear with hay. Sorry, equines, despite daylight you must wait longer for breakfast.

Time-changing periods are bummers. But living beings will adjust, they/we always do.

Dear Friends: It’s unusual, but now early on the move and thinking horses, I’m going straight to them. Diana

Friday, November 05, 2021 (November’s fullest moon [“Beaver”] rises on the 19th.)

I pulled up the membership of a customer waiting to be checked out and stared at her name: Elaine May. I teased her, “Are you THE Elaine May!”

She shook her head, “I’m often asked that.” A pause, “Was she really good?”

“Better than good, more like an incredibly pure-genius.”

I didn’t suggest that the woman check the internet for May’s work and simply finished checking her out. I couldn’t quit thinking about May. Remembering her meant remembering, too, her once-partner in comedy, Mike Nichols. The two worked together wonderfully to improvise comedy routines. Their creative sketches, and combined talents in acting them out, achieved near mega-genius.

They were a wildly popular team, onstage and in recordings. Their innovative work inspired many young comedians, like Lily Tomlin, Woody Allen, Steve Martin, David Letterman, and others. At the height of their popularity as a team, May decided to break the team apart and go in new directions. The split devastated Nichols, but himself a genius embarked on an appropriate and rewarding path.

I loved those two, and their split devastated me! In time, I easily followed the work of Nichols. As a movie director, he made memorable hits. In my early viewing days, I disliked foreign films. They seemed grittier than Hollywood movies and often too poetic. After my senses matured, foreign films were my favorites. That led me to discover Elaine May’s film directing work.

Like Nichols, she had became a Hollywood movie director, no small achievement in those days. Women didn’t have directing roles, and perhaps May was the first in Hollywood to follow Ida Lupino as a woman director. May’s movies were more “foreign-like”. They starred innovative actors, searched for the “inner-person”, and called for thoughtful viewers. Americans then were less prepared to embrace May’s works than those of Nichols.

Today’s sophisticated viewers better perceive earlier, highly-creative work. May’s directing has earned worldwide recognition, with high regard for insight and brilliance. So has her writing work, for example, her terrific script for the hit movie, “Birdcage”, directed by her friend, Mike Nichols.

Still thinking about her work and finding it’s impossible to run out of memories doing with her creative talent and innovative boldness. Elaine May was, and since she’s still alive, is a sheer genius!

Dear Friends: Remembering May, with love; remembering also, sans love, to reset clocks tonight. Diana