Thursday, December 09, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Last night, I toasted to a win in a major jumping horse competition. The winning horse was one that experts once believed could never again “do it”. His rider/adopter was one who never stopped believing, “he could”.

I’ve written previously about Avantos, once a world-recognized champion jumper, sent to retirement because over time his hooves had become very damaged, were too painful for his continuing to jump. My friend, Ashley, heard he might be re-homed and rushed to adopt the discard. She succeeded.

Ashley would have provided Avantos a wonderful forever home under any circumstances. She happens to have as an almost lifelong friend, Russ, who’s an experienced farrier. Among farriers, Russ might have few equals. He assessed Avantos’ hooves, had doubts but was willing to try repairing them. Long story short, over a couple of years his work and Ashley’s care have returned Avantos to excellent physical condition. The horse again is athletic and capable with hooves supporting properly.

Ashley’s friend Kelly called yesterday to share her excitement over Avantos’ win at Desert International, the West Coast’s most-premiere jumping show. The short version is that in Ashley’s round Avantos jumped first, which set a marker for performance. Another entry, to win, needed to best Avantos’ time completing the round, and match his no-fault performance. None succeeded.

Kelly added as background that Ashley hauls Avantos to a trainer’s facility twice weekly. But nobody else, including their capable trainer, ever rides Avantos. After taking instruction from the trainer, Ashley brings Avantos home and routinely works with him two hours daily. Every bit of accomplished good has arrived from Ashley’s dedication and Russ’s skill.

According to Russ (who also takes care of my equines), Avantos is a half-million-dollar horse. Russ took on those badly-damaged hooves because he’s known Ashley for years. He was certain she’d put in every other bit of effort needed to return Avantos from the brink.

Avantos is seventeen years old, and Russ says right in his prime. An athletic horse’s prime years are sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen.

Yesterday’s win was huge for Avantos and Ashley. Before leaving home for the show, Ashley said that at least three of the horse’s previous owners would be there and watching him. I’ll look forward to learning details when the duo’s home again.

Dear Friends: Learning, determination, and belief, all together a powerful trio. Diana

Wednesday, December 08, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

A small stuffed sloth was the toy first to capture my imagination.

The feed store where I work has customers coming through my cash register line with items needed for work and their large animals. They’ll often toss in a toy or two for their dogs. Customers and I laugh over cute squeaky toys, in shared moments that nudge me to take cute toys to my new puppy, Mitzvah.

She loves toys, holds and squeaks them, even while running. A couple of small balls from the feed store delighted her weeks ago when I adopted her. The toy most familiar to me is a ball, the favorite among my herding dogs. Over the last weeks and now with a small dog, while handling toys for customers I’ve thought about widening my scope.

Yesterday I spent time browsing the store’s toy section. I saw toys that have come across my check-stand and delighted me, but not now. The huge array of possibilities gave me a rather helpless feeling for deciding what beyond balls to hand my puppy. I didn’t realize how personal my choice would be, until I spotted the sloth.

I love sloths. Real ones, I mean. They’re one of the slowest animals on earth (maximum speed when threatened is 0.17 mph). They’re known to be one of the smartest animals. They’re also funny, very noisy, can live up to forty years, and aren’t good as pets. They’re very cute, and enough so, to diminish a social “bad rap”, for representing slowness from unwillingness and/or laziness.

Similar unpleasant notions exist about other fine animals. Like possums, which many people dislike, assuming terrible things about them. If humans would do even a slight bit of research before making assumptions based on appearances and mannerisms, we’d all feel awed by the wonderfulness of many animals that otherwise many of us downplay.

But I digress.

I brought home the stuffed possum, gave it to Mitzvah. Today as I write, constant squeaking sounds come from all corners in the house announcing, Mitzvah is busy.

It’s not occurred to me that maybe toy-type purchases reflect an individual’s outlooks and philosophies. Maybe pet-toy choices aren’t particularly random, and instead reflect rather closely some of a chooser’s inner-senses.

Dear Friends: Routine check-outs of animal toys will have me reflecting. Diana

Tuesday, December 07, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.).

Cacti grow in hundreds of varieties. The plants endlessly are interesting, they’re often surprising.

A little research to learn more about my beautiful Christmas Cactus (pictured), turned up the news that there are three very-similar varieties: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Cacti.

Mine’s no Christmas Cactus. According to experts, it’s a Thanksgiving Cactus, easily recognized by the stem shapes. Thanksgiving Cacti stems have pointed and claw-shaped projections. That’s mine.

Here are the three varieties’ differing stems.

So, mine is a Schlumbergera truncata.

In Christmas Cacti, leaf segments have smooth, round edges. Thanksgiving Cacti have leafs pointy and jagged. Easter Cacti leafs have edges with bristles.

Aside that these varieties bloom in different seasons, they’re easily identified by how their flowers grow. A Christmas Cactus flowers flow downward. My Thanksgiving version grows them straight upwards. Easter cacti also grow upward, but with blooms very star-shaped.

Well, I’ve considered any wintertime leaf-bloomer a Christmas Cactus. Today’s bit of learning will go a long way.

I love my Thanksgiving Cactus, and now will add Christmas and Easter versions. The trio will illustrate the different blooming periods. They’ll show in real time the unique qualities among varieties.

Best, through our darkest months, November and December, two of my cacti will bloom and be colorful. And later, celebrating longer daylights, glorious star-shapes will be crowning my Easter Cactus.

Dear Friends: Cool ways of brightening winter’s climes and moods. Diana

Monday, December 06, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

A day off at last, after three straight working days. Not ordinary days, with Christmas coming and buyers worried about gift-stocks diminishing. At “my store”, running a cash register is beoming straight-on busy. Many evenings I must help to close the store and arrive home in darkness. Although I’m tired, more work’s ahead to care for waiting pets.

Speaking of pets I like my job in a feed and hardware store. Customers generally love their dogs, cats, horses, and reptiles. In moments of checking out, folks talk about their pets, what types they have and tell brief vignettes. Sometimes I speak about mine but mostly stay listening. Folks enjoy speaking of loves that aren’t overly challenging.

Customers buying hardware, at-work types wearing splattered clothing, speak quickly of their projects, and often explain a detail or two. Yesterday, someone told me how to build a goat feeder that can reduce hay wastage. (Goats are notorious for dropping hay, letting it mold on the ground.) While pitching hay waste, I groan about money waste. Hay’s in shorter supply now because of water shortages, has become incredibly expensive.

The same goes for all sorts of feeds. Grocery costs are becoming sky high, including pet foods. Customers say they’re finding grocery shelves emptied of common cat foods, like Friskies and Fancy Feast. That seems astonishing, but now everything’s about broken supply chains. A contemporary big issue is fewer active workers. And scarce working truck drivers.

So, my register brings shoppers, hurrying to find holiday and gift items they fear won’t be available much longer. Their concerns are catching, and I worry, too. For one thing, about whether to stockpile foods for my household pets.

We’re all in this together.

My work at a cash register is in an environment that allows employees to listen and care. That strengthens my sense of, and appreciation for the larger community.

Dear Friends: Yea! For working truck drivers, still transporting needed goods. Diana

Sunday, December 05, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Yesterday, Pimmy marched. She carried eleven-year-old Abby Gilbert. Joining them were Abby’s Aunt Darcy, and other Gilberts. Abby’s Grandma, Julie, texted to my workplace of their fun in the Parade. She said there were a great many onlookers, Pimmy’s troupe was popular with everybody, and our donkey had been willing, easy, a pleasure.

That wonderful news topped a busy morning that had Susie, Julie, and me readying Pimmy.

The donkey didn’t like being separated from her horses, and often wiggled from our piecing together a costume. Well, not “we” so much as our Susie. There to help, logical, organized, and patient, Susie figured how to fit and secure bits of fabric, creating an eye-catching look.

Julie brought her horse rig and worried that Pimmy might not load into a strange trailer. But true to herself, the donkey on spotting a treat leaped inside. I had time before going to work to accompany Julie’s rig downtown. I intended to help unload and settle Pimmy, but wasn’t needed for Pimmy cooperated nicely.

I disliked having to work, and missing the Parade. On the other hand there was the wonderful joy of a community of friends, coming together to help keep a promise to young Abby. That she’d ride Pimmy, with them both decorated, through downtown in the special march.

Dear Friends: Kids, animals, and events, all much fun, satisfying and rewarding. Diana

Saturday, December 04, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Today I’m not writing much, for having to ready Pimmy for the Christmas Parade. Details were in yesterday’s blog.

It’s about 5:30 a.m. now, and I’m on my way outside to feed the equines.

If you’re attending the Parade, look for Pimmy. Our donkey be led by Julie Gilbert (I have to go to my work in the feed store). Pimmy’s rider will be Julie’s granddaughter, eleven-year-old Abby.

Our Parade entry is #72. On Pimmy will be a placard showing that number.

So exciting, we’ve done lots of planning toward this event!

Dear Friends: Have a wonderful day. Diana

Friday, December 03, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

‘Tis the day before a long-lingering deadline: Bend’s 2021 Christmas Parade.

Tomorrow at 6 a.m., I’ll hit the ground running by hurrying out to feed horses. And among them my donkey, Pimmy. Soon as they devour their hay, Pimmy will be separated for readying to march in the Parade.

Readying a donkey requires harder work than needed for grooming a horse. Pimmy enjoys rolling, and does so lots, in all sorts of messiness she happens upon. Of course, horses roll, too, but making Pimmy harder to groom is her coat. That’s a nice description, her covering as “a coat”. More realistically, it’s totally “Bear Hair”, its top-layer captures debris, and under-layers absorb all else.

Thankfully, Susie will be helping to get Pimmy ready. That bear hair needs mucho currying and brushing to rid top-level debris and underlying dust layers. Believe me dear readers, that a normal friendly pat on Pimmy’s topside causes wheezing and sneezing.

Pimmy couldn’t care less.

While Susie’s clearing the difficult coat, I’ll be pulling together the found parts of Pimmy’s old Christmas costume. When we begin to arrange them on our donkey, we’ll hope to transform her into “a Christmas gift”.

Our efforts consider other elements, too. One is that eleven-year-old Abby Gilbert will ride Pimmy in the Parade. Also, that Parade onlookers will be stepping up and giving Pimmy pats.

Yes! Our package must be Christmas Pretty and Dust-Cloud-Free!

Dear Friends: Worrying goals may consume and dull imaginings for beyond. Diana

Thursday, December 02, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Today, Word Press offers congratulations for my having written, over the past 723 days, 723 blogs. I’m chuckling, because before beginning a relationship with Word Press, already I’d written at least 723 blogs. In the old days, those went via gmail. My mailing list grew, eventually became too cumbersome for gmail to handle.

Word Press offers a cool platform. Its “internet engine” consists of algorithms, moving blogs around and tagging blog-topics to searchers’ word-queries. Generating such associations attracts readers to bloggers.

As for having written many hundreds of blogs, the practice began from a “problem of myself”. I was aging, living on a rocky property alone, except for having horses. In a time before modern smart watches that can recognize if a wearer falls, I feared tripping accidentally, maybe breaking a hip. In the worst scenario, nobody else would know, my horses might starve. Writing daily became a quick way to tell friends, “Hello, all’s well.”

Soon it seemed that writing, “Hi, I’m okay,” couldn’t keep folks bothering to open and read daily sends. They had to be more interesting, and the notes began to evolve, eventually becoming small essays about various interests, those of observing, to recognize and feel, experiencing affections, facing challenges, and surprisingly, unending lessons and learning.

Blogging consistently is practicing, to improve one’s explorations, explanations, and editing skills. Gradually creative processes reveal an unexpected bonus, that of introducing more of oneself to one. Tall achievements.

I owe worlds of thanks to friends and family who read my blogs, and likely suffer through some, but get in touch if a morning message doesn’t show up. That kindness makes me feel safer, for knowing that if needed, help’s available for my animals and me.

Dear Friends: This one’s for you, and sends much love! Diana

Wednesday, December 01, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

I’ve begun introducing the new dog individually to members of my pack. The eldest, Louie, is thirteen years old, the next, Ranger, is twelve years old, and the youngest Miles and Osix, both are nine years old. All joined me during their puppy-hoods.

My mini-Aussie, Louie, the smallest, was first to meet little Mitzvah one-on-one. She loved him, was all flirty and having fun. He flirted a bit before wandering away. So far, so good.

Next introduced one-on-one, the pack’s biggest dog, Miles, kept a distance from Mitzvah. She seemed neither interested in him or frightened, she ignored him. More, so-far-so-good.

Today, my other large dog, hound Ranger, will meet Mitzvah. That timid fellow seems fascinated by her. Their introduction should go well.

The most-worrying introduction involves my Border Collie-mix, Osix. Until now, as the pack’s one female, small-to-medium in size, she often dominates the bigger boys. Osix isn’t particularly pleased with our new puppy. They’ll meet, but maybe days after the boys have interacted often with Mitzvah.

This isn’t my first time introducing a new dog. A few years ago, my pack numbered six. One that became integrated was Lil’ Bit, a female larger than Mitzvah and smaller than Osix. She weighed fifteen pounds and let nobody boss her around. There came also a big German Shepherd, Kinny. I worried that he might fight with the boys. But Kinny was a gentle soul, happy in the pack.

Lil’ Bit made me want another small dog. She was inquisitive, brave, easy to take anywhere, and above all, a wonderful therapy dog. When my elderly sister was ailing, Lil’ Bit would leap onto the hospital bed, licking my sister’s face, making her laugh. Always eager for our visits, my sister became very sad when Lil’ Bit passed away.

Mitzvah is a tinier package but like Lil’ Bit. She’s curious, brave, has a mind of her own, and is very affectionate. She’d be a great therapy dog, that might become a goal.

Dear Friends: This little ball of energy is re-energizing my mind. Diana

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

It’s officially confirmed that we’re participating in next Saturday’s Christmas Parade. “We” are my donkey, Pimmy and her young rider, Abby, accompanied by Abby’s extended family, “the Gilberts”.

This little city’s Annual Christmas Parade is a wingding. Many residents love animals. They’ll be marching with favorite pets, of amazing assorted varieties. Besides animals, named groups will march, there will be highly-decorated vehicles, large special Christmas floats, and marching individuals all decorated-up. The Parade will wind through downtown streets crowded with young and old viewers.

In this horsey community, the Parade always entices lots of riders.

In Parades, Pimmy often has been a lone marching donkey. She’s great fun, a willing companion, and always a hit with viewers.

That day I will be working at my part-time job. The Gilberts will be leading our team in the Parade.

Leading Pimmy and Abby will be Abby’s granddad, Dave. Abby’s grandma, Julie, will tote a muck fork (or hand it off to Abby’s dad, Matt). In past parades we’ve not carried a muck fork, but this one wants for each animal a designated mucker. If a need arises, receptacles aplenty will be handy.

My wonderful, very capable friend, Susie, has volunteered to join on Saturday morning to help clean and costume. We’ll finish most of the work before the Gilberts arrive bringing their horse rig. Ms Pimmy, all dressed-up, must willingly step into a strange trailer, and alone without one of “her mares” as company. We’ll entice her with treats. For them, she’ll usually do anything.

That’s the plan, we’re all excited. Well, except for Pimmy.

Dear Friends: A fun season with multi-colored lights, and an exciting Big Parade. Diana