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

Monday, November 29, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

My new pup has a name, “Mitzvah”. The name pleasantly suggests good-mood and transition. It suggests more, too, I’ll explain later.

She’s quick as a wink, dashes in big circles, is curious about everything and very smart. She learns quickly, follows off-leash, listens to recalls. In this country-like setting her tinyness worries, so I keep her close and watch for raptors.

For years, I’ve faced similar worries during my neighborhood walks with Cockatoo Peaches. Riding on my shoulders and sometimes on my head, he’s a bright-white little fellow. He might represent a grabbable feast, and continually, I peer overhead for raptors.

His positions keep Peaches handy, and quickly, he could be shifted, made less visible. A bigger challenge is an off-leash tiny puppy, running and vulnerable. Matzvah loves to dash, but musn’t have many free-ranging opportunities.

Her tinyness brings more challenges. Only slowly may she be allowed freely among my bigger dogs, to be certain they don’t see her as a toy or chase-able object. There’s also the problem of my long working hours, and not wanting her left home, crated. I’m thinking of how to make everything work, for she’s a keeper.

Her name is a donation from my forever friend, Jan, who lives in Kansas City. Yesterday, during our lengthy catch-up on video, the puppy joined and we toyed with name-ideas. Later, Jan texted a powerful message. She felt the puppy is a blessing, or a mitzvah in my life, and I’m doing a mitzvah by providing the pup a forever home. That insight hits the spot, and so, we’ve a “Mitzvah”.

Dear Friends: When we are feeling love, the kinds of persons we are is revealed. Diana

Sunday, November 28, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

The picture is of my brand-new mutt. She’s not yet named, at least by me, and I’m rolling around ideas. She’s about the size of a minute, maybe weighs 5-6 lbs., is quick as a wink.

I adopted her from a customer at the feed & tack store where I work at a cash register. I watched the lady enter with two leashed tiny dogs. They wore jackets and were very cute. As she showed them toys, the more active (my) tiny dog was super excited over each. If they’d come through my register, I’d play for a bit with the dogs.

The trio came and I gave the pups cookies, oohed and aawaed. The lady said the quieter dog was seven years old, and the active one just one year old. She had just rescued the active pup and intended to make her available for adoption.

I leaped, and long story short, found myself with a tiny lap dog.

That occurred early in my workday. The store manager, Bobby, happened to be nearby, and like us all, jaw-dropped. I asked him if I could kennel the dog through my shift in the store’s grooming area. He laughed, said yes.

(I consider that as payback for my having relinquished marching with Pimmy in the upcoming Christmas Parade, and instead agreeing to work on Parade Day in the store.)

The back story is that I’ve wanted another little dog after losing my Lil’ Bit several years ago. The pandemic scooped up most of the easily-adoptable dogs, made it challenging to find a “right one”. I’m not into finding a “designer dog”, cute as most are. I keep an eye on “Street Dog Rescue”, a good organization that rescues dogs from other countries, but haven’t been comfortable to select from a website’s multiple photos.

Suddenly, into my life walks a customer with two cute pooches.

I didn’t ask from what situation my dog had been rescued. The lady said she has all the necessary shots except for rabies. I’ll learn if she’s been spayed while we’re in for a rabies vax.

My dogs and birds went nuts when the newbie came inside. The dogs were curious and pushy while Peaches screamed his head off. The pup went into a crate with a new cushy pillow. For awhile she worried, finally eating well. At bedtime she slept and quietly through the night.

The photo from her outing very early today hints at her cuteness. My coworkers and I estimated that she’s a mix of Jack Russell, poodle, and more.

Dear Friends: I’ve often hoped for my “next dog” to simply just show up. Diana

Saturday, November 27, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Next week will be held the City’s Annual Christmas Parade. My donkey, Pimmy, will be costumed and marching, ridden by my friends’ granddaughter. Those friends will lead Pimmy. I’ll be absent for having to work at my part-time job. Bums me out in a way, but I’m happy we figured out how to keep Pimmy and her designated rider in the Parade lineup.

My nonworking days will be busy before the Parade with finding and piecing together Pimmy’s Christmas costume. It’s an original, designed by my artist friend Janet, with help from her creative daughters. Janet has made many costumes, ranks Pimmy’s as one of her best.

So does the public. A couple years ago, in a charitable effort, Janet and I hosted a “Holiday shoot” in her husband’s parking lot (his carpentry shop is on a busy corner). Folks driving by were attracted by our costumed donkey. Many stopped for photos of their kids on Pimmy’s back. We charged for pictures and donated to St. Jude’s.

Janet is busy this season and can’t help me re-costume Pimmy. Her eldest daughter is expecting and also moving into a new home. Janet is anxious and involved.

On the “marching day”, I’ll be free until noon. That leaves me the morning hours to ready Pimmy, and to help my friends load her into their trailer for heading downtown. They’ll march a mile or so, winding through closed-off streets, being cheered by lots of watchers.

This year Pimmy won’t wear cute socks. They tend to slide down, drag on the ground. My friends shouldn’t need to keep pausing and readjusting.

As she’s being re-costumed, I’ll take photos.

My Pimmy, always a sweet pet, often more dog-like than horse-like. She’s also a community treasure.

Dear Friends: Forwarding Thanksgiving’s energy ahead toward Christmas. Diana

Friday, November 26, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Thanksgiving dinner with friends, a warm friendly event. Afterwards arriving home, to friendly greetings from lights newly hung. Next going to feed horses, and enjoying lights hanging on the barn. A very pleasant day.

Except, it’s too warm during this holiday. Just before Thanksgivings, this area usually experiences at least one very deep freeze or a snowing. Those deep colds make grasses freeze, lose their sugars, and then my equines may graze for hours on pasture grasses. This year’s warmth makes me wonder if grasses now are enough de-sugared for my animals.

Regardless of whether individuals love or hate them, winter freezes and snow absolutely are necessary. Our current warmth and lack of snow creates huge worries. A key concern is that reduced melt-offs inadequately will replenish water supplies. Already, irrigation costs have increased with access to water decreased.

Warmth also is a notion. We have “feelings of warmth”, meaningful and enticing. A shared sense of being together, a warmth in gathering, unites folks.

Dear Friends: Wisdom grows, in events that encourage a reconsideration of potential. Diana

Thursday, November 25, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Happy Thanksgiving again! It’s here at last, surprising me with an emerging idea. I want to find a turkey, not to cook but to have as a pet.

The couple of times I’ve started small chicken flocks, I’ve wanted to include a turkey. I’ve avoided doing so, having been led to understand that turkeys are aggressive toward chickens. I’ve been advised against keeping turkeys and chickens together.

Recently a customer, buying a large bag of chicken feed and checking out at my register, mentioned she’d be feeding a live turkey. That made me uncomfortable but interested, and I asked if her family planned to “have that turkey” for Thanksgiving dinner. She shook her head, “Nope, she’s always been a family pet.”

“Where do you keep her?”

“With the chickens.”

“Is she aggressive toward them?”

Again, she shook her head, “She’s very sweet and gets along well with chickens. She loves people.”

Only this morning have I recognized how that brief exchange impacted me. While thinking about what to write this day and recalling that customer’s words, I’m suddenly wishing to add a baby turkey among my small chicken flock.

My flock of seven chick babies turned out to include two roosters. They’re big, beautiful, and have me in a learning process. The dominate rooster is sweet, hasn’t tried to attack me. The other hasn’t shown aggressiveness toward the dominate bird. Everyone seems getting along well. I do watch closely both roosters, to ensure they’re not fighting, and hope both may continue living in the flock.

I’ve wondered what to do if they begin fighting, causing harm to one another. The common option is re-homing one of the roosters. But I’d seek a way to keep the bird.

Like Old Welsummer hen, living in my garage for the past few months and doing well. She’s in a spacious cage with deep straw bedding, has a perch, heating-light, and eats well.

For a needy rooster, I could set up a similar cage. Could do this, too, after finding a turkey hen. At first, giving her a safe place to grow big enough for adding to the chicken flock. It would serve a second time if her presence among chickens doesn’t work out happily.

I’m among the elderly who’re “into more learning”. Today, I read that a now 89-year-old man recently returned to college and realized his dream of achieving a Ph.D. in physics.

Enjoy his story: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/11/25/retired-doctor-earns-physics-doctorate-age-89/

Dear Friends: Thankful for you, wishing you all, Very Happy Thanksgivings! Love, Diana

Wednesday, November 24, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Well, we’re approaching, “Happy Thanksgiving”. Yesterday, hundreds of times in my cashiering work, I repeated those words. Nearly all customers leaving my register paused, smiled, returned the greeting.

There were hundreds dashing to stock up on smoker pellets, meat rubs, and more, in moods generally good. I encountered only one who appeared morose, angry, impossible to connect with pleasantly. Early in my shift, she made me feel confused and bummed out. Afterwards I needed several minutes to refocus my perspective, again enjoy my work.

What might make her tight and offish before Thanksgiving. So many folks find this holiday difficult. People are encouraged to anticipate happy gatherings of family and friends and doing what most of us love–fixing, sharing, and eating great food. Relationships are complex and family and friend gatherings often uneasy.

To be honest, I usually don’t accept invitations to family Thanksgivings. The reason, I’m a single woman with a big interest in horses, without husband or children, not fond of traveling, nor a church-goer. It’s difficult to be comfortable through special family events with even the nicest folks. Lacking easy topics in common, briefer encounters improve casual friendships.

On Thanksgiving, people cook, decorate to make the day special, and invite. It took a long time to learn to say no to folks I enjoy. Too many times, while squirming through a family’s disputes and tensions, I’ve wished myself back home with my critters.

Surprisingly, this year I accepted an invitation. The gathering family has a farm, is horsey, and hosting “horsey friends”. I’ll tune into others’ stories and topics, maybe share some of mine.

Otherwise, Thanksgiving makes me consider conflicts surrounding the grand event. Perhaps they’re partially from trying to emulate stories we KNOW are untrue. Those associated to America’s First Happy Thanksgiving with Happy Sharers. By association, contemporary events of thankfulness might feel less real, gentle, inviting.

Dear Friends: As to relationships vs. expectations, all’s uber complex. Diana

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

Monthly, I post photos of full moons that my friend Susie and I watched rise and captured. Some of our photographs showing very clear, colorful, and bright moons, make me wonder if the wide sky could offer anything prettier.

An intrepid sky-watcher, Susie brings binoculars to our moon chases and searches for visible planets. She tells me where to look while handing over her binocs. I’ve felt interested, but now am surprised at being very caught up by these NASA photos. Of suddenly more beautiful old friends.

Through Susie’s binoculars, I’ve seen Juniper’s rings. But Hubble’s stunning new image, in today’s NYT, is “a close-up look at the candy-colored ribbons of clouds and storms on the face of the solar system’s largest planet.”

One looking closely sees atop Juniper a dark center. NYT says it reveals that “a mysterious six-sided hurricane has reappeared around the planet’s north pole. The storm, big enough to swallow four Earths, was first spotted by the Voyager spacecraft in the early 1980s. Last year it was hard to see but this year it has reappeared.”

Gorgeous sky-element photos have this almost total neophyte trying to re-imagine sky-space. Long grounded and happily satisfied with sightings of our shifting beautiful Moon, I’m surprised by wanting to see more sky elements and understand better their workings.

The Hubble Space Telescope is 30 years old. Like humans who manage to outlive “one’s best life”, it continues to serve. A new scope will launch in December, the James Webb Space Telescope. Nearly 3x bigger than Hubble, it’s capable of “seeing through” planet clouds and hazes, to find and map heat radiation, and send new information about the workings of Earth’s planets.

A link to today’s NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/science/hubble-telescope-jupiter-saturn-uranus-neptune.html

Dear Friends: Unexpectedly recognizing an interest, and wanting to know more. Diana

Monday, November 22, 2021 (December’s fullest moon [“Cold Moon”] rises on the 18th.)

During our last adventure, I mentioned to Susie some work stalled at home for lack of a helper. Susie volunteered, we discussed and felt that together we could handle the jobs. Also, we decided that day should begin with a horseback ride.

Yesterday, we groomed the horses and Pimmy, before loading the trio and heading toward the town’s east side. The header photo captures desert beauty in this winter. We had a quiet lovely ride.

Susie on Sunni led me on Rosie for most of the way.

Both horses remained easygoing. Following us, Pimmy in a great mood for being out and loose, cantered, kicking and bucking, and periodically faux-spooking. Here, bold Pimmy leads us all.

Adorning Pimmy’s halter are three bells, one a very-loud cowbell. Last year, while following my horses too slowly Pimmy got out of sight. At some point, on realizing that Pimmy wasn’t following and searching without success, I called on our friends, the Gilberts, for help. Together we learned that a Forest Ranger on seeing Pimmy traveling alone had confiscated her as a stray. The Gilberts helped me locate and retrieve Pimmy.

She’s now always has trail bells. Upon occasional “bell-silences”, maybe because Pimmy is pausing at some lush spot to graze, I quickly start looking to avoid another “missing Pimmy”.

Occasionally yesterday, we let the horses stop and nibble. Susie focused on her GPS to understand our route.

It was okay for Susie and her GPS to do the thinking. I share with my Rosie that following allows a reduced alertness. While Sunni and Susie figured out our route, Rosie and I just relaxed.

That began our day. After we arrived home and cared for the equines, Susie took the lead. She tackled the worming of my twin goats, making the process easy. She bucked hay bales for transferring to another storage area. She loaded heavy cumbersome trash into a trailer, tarped and secured the load, for moving to the dump.

I do many things myself, but sometimes need help and quickly. While Pimmy was lost, the Gilberts helped me keep breathing and searching for her. The two squirmy goats needed holding for their wormings. And that trash! I worried weeks about how to load big heavy pieces. Kind Susie, giving a day, rescued me.

Dear Friends: One’s history is as much about friendships as about doing. Diana