Wednesday, March 24, 2021

The dogs and I followed my “camera eye” to the city’s eastside, to a nearby BLM, where we wandered in a desert environment. The dogs raced happily while my eyes stayed groundward, spotting for young growth to record the onset of spring. There wasn’t much new, for what (hopefully) was our last snow only recently melted. Signs that the season is changing are tiny.

I’ve been playing with full-on Photoshop. Well experimenting, really. The complex, seemingly-massive software represents a sizeable investment for a casual user. One who will use Photoshop enough can gain sensitivity to the potential in photos. There are nearly-unlimited options for editing.

I’m a neophyte, find it satisfying and even sensational to have created a basic collage. The acts of editing, making placements, and applying colors didn’t come quickly. Photoshop forced me to spend time studying (and re-studying) instructions, and time experimenting with design elements. I prefer to learn with less effort.

The driver is my trying to create a website for Eight Pines Ranch, and hoping on my own to achieve that goal. The full-on Photoshop might be a necessity. Using it to edit means working with “layers” and knowing how to manipulate them. I’m just beginning.

Meanwhile, please enjoy yesterday’s tree sightings.

Dear Friends: Just a bit of learning transports one on toward newer visions and goals. Diana

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

On a day promising to be chilly, windy, and maybe snowing, the dogs and I went to the mountains. Well, more like close-to the highest points because they’re still snow-covered. Not daring to risk driving on snowy roads, we stuck to clear areas, lower near the Deschutes River.

In this transitional period there’s plenty of breathtaking landscape.

The unpaved off-roads in after-winter awful condition are ditchy, bumpy, and difficult to navigate. After stopping several times to walk and having to struggle my Jeep back to pavement, we finally found a road more comfortable for driving and parking, and did.

Finding ourselves near a worn horse trail, we took that natural beautiful path into the forest.

As promised, a light snow fell in the mountains. We got caught.

Just because, it’s nearly impossible to resist photographing this interesting fellow.

Dear Friends: This delightful, refreshing outing has encouraged more hiking soon. Diana

Monday, March 22, 2021

These days, when we’re pandemic-living with altered life styles, a topic that has gained interest is a mental state popularly called “mindfulness”. Simply, one achieves mindfulness by learning to focus an awareness on the present moment, and at the same time, calmly acknowledge and accept one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.

It’s a practical goal of learning to focus on and manage one’s inner-self. It’s an inviting manner of self-therapy, with the possibilities of enlightenment and self-control. I got interested in learning about mindfulness. The quest has introduced knowledge about the human brain based on scientific studies, and to my surprise, introduced the Dalai Lama and modern Buddhism. Just imagine.

Sharon Begley is a science writer, science columnist, and author. Her Train Your Brain, Change Your Mind, published in 2007, isn’t up to date on new knowledge from brain studies, but is close enough to enlighten us. Essentially, she reports that in the late 1990s, scientists studying the human brain began understanding it less of an unchangeable mass. Instead, it has the quality of plasticity. In other words, scientists began to recognize that enlightenment, from learning and physical activities, alters the brain.

Scientists became interested in knowing more about the link between mindfulness and Buddhism. Meanwhile, the evolving understanding of the human brain had captured the Dali Lama’s interest. He recognized an opportunity to reconsider some traditional concepts within the Buddhist framework. The scientists and Dali Lama began annual meetings to explore ideas about the brain and to exchange experiential knowledge.

That’s as much as I can share now, for only having begun my exploration. I’ll learn on, through what promises to be an adventure, and update you.

Dear Friends: This journey might lead to a whole new adventure, that of meditation. Diana

Sunday, March 21, 2021

I’m sorry not to have taken a photo of the one that’s hanging before I framed and hung it.

This photo is of an old homestead built one-hundred, or one-hundred-fifty years ago. It’s on a property that also nearby has a modern large home. Old structures still standing in Central Oregon fire the imagination. This one is in very good condition, relatively speaking.

Central Oregon’s history is young. It begins around 1850 with adventurers who drove their wagons west. Not all went all the way to California for the goldfields, or to developing cities like Portland and Seattle. In those days, the government was awarding land through the Homesteading Act to brave pioneers. They had to live on and improve acreage over a specified amount of time to earn their property deeds.

The earliest settlers dug in toward the north and near the Columbia River. Their followers trended southward, creating a few small communities before reaching Central Oregon in the late 1880s. Central Oregon had a massive timber forest, which attracted attention, and in the early 1890s, developers began to arrive with visions of creating a lumber industry.

That industry became viable around 1910. That’s when finally a railroad became a reality after the massive effort of laying rails. They were laid between the Columbia River and Central Oregon, in rugged country, through the Cascade Mountains and over deep fissures. There was competition to build a railroad which became a great war between wealthy rival companies. It’s a nail-biter story.

Anyway, my photo of large and probably wealthy homesite, built of wood and set in the then-countryside, might have belonged to a lumber baron. Someday, I’ll knock on the door of the nearby modern big home and inquire about the old home’s history.

About the photo, maybe from five years ago. I liked it enough to have it printed, before being sidetracked by care needed for my older sister. I forgot all about the picture. The other day, I accidentally rediscovered the print and again felt pleased. Best of all the image has held up well over time and now hangs proudly.

Dear Friends: If I can locate the original, saved somewhere online, it too will be posed. Diana

Saturday, March 20, 2021 (Spring 2021 arrives at noon)

Today is spring equinox, which officially introduces a summer season. At noon, the earth’s orbit will be at the point where sun shines directly above the Equator. At that moment across the globe, the sun’s position creates nearly equal daytime and nighttime periods.

The line of shadow, known as a “straight terminator”, exists only at equinoxes. Otherwise, it’s continually shifting because of the earth’s tilt, 23.5 degrees, on its axis. Without the tilt, earth’s shadow line (or straight terminator) always would be straight-up-and-down, there’d be no seasons.

Earth’s tilt and continuous shifting create the seasons. For example, at noon today, the Northern Hemisphere will tilt directly toward the sun’s rays, a position that lengthens days and makes them warmer. By September, the Northern Hemisphere gradually will have shifted toward a fall equinox, when earth leans away from the sun, receives less daylight, and winter approaches.

Astronomy is a fascinating topic, especially today with much happening (or about to) in space, a world of increasing importance that too few understand. Our growing worries, about earth’s changing climate, food supply issues, and sociological shifts, point us toward potential new opportunities in space.

Already, science has produced worlds of knowledge in astronomy–about earth itself and its relation to outer space. While struggling to understand a future relative to the larger universe, we can absorb what’s already known scientifically. The history of how humans acquired our current knowledge fascinates nearly as much as possible paths forward.

Dear Friends: We must understand our old world, to tackle successfully a brave new one. Diana

Friday, March 19, 2021 (2 days before the official First Day of Spring)

On warm and windy yesterday I had to work, but came home early enough to enjoy some of the nice afternoon before high winds kicked up, bringing chill.

Before bringing the horses home from my neighbor’s pasture, I decided to clean the barn. While walking toward it, I noticed a female Western Bluebird flying into the barn, and so, paused to watch for her exit. It’s been a couple of years since Blues showed signs nesting in the barn, and frankly a relief. Pretty as they are, the birds are stupid, wedging nests into crevices tiny and vulnerable to my cat, Max.

This gal’s flight from the barn was delayed long enough to gather that she’s building a nest. I entered the barn, peered in all the likely places, and saw no tiny nest common for small birds. In past springs, Blues have built nests in my barn, and now, somewhere is a new one. Likely, at least one of the working mates was born in and fledged from my barn.

Again, I’ll keep a close eye on Max, maybe keep him inside for weeks. For one, because of possible baby birds. For another, because last year I saved a tiny bunny from Max’s jaws. The bunny has continued to nest under hay stacked in the barn. The other evening, I saw mine (probably “a she”) and her buddy Cottontail hopping around, and said to myself, “Uh oh, baby bunnies.”

I love bunnies and have learned that those born wild must stay so. Instead of trapping baby, I kept Max inside long enough for a juvie to gain strength and awareness. Finally, when Max went to check out the barn, he discovered bunny…and baby noticed Max. Thus began their yearlong standoff. To this day, every morning Max searches for bunny and fails to find. There’s evidence though of its nearness and wellness.

Today, I will search better for the Bluebird nest in order to keep an eye on it. I’ll count the days, and before an egg can hatch, will have Max inside the house. Poor thing, also might have to outwait bunny infancies.

Dear Friends: Promising for myself today, a visit to emerging spring up in the mountains. Diana

Thursday, March 18, 2021 (3 days before the First Day of Spring)

I’m still captured and fascinated by signs of spring’s onset, and simultaneously, intent on improving my “camera eye”.

There’s little need to go hunting away from home with a camera. One can hunt in surroundings nearby and find opportunities to express moods, feelings, and art.

These days, I’ve been staring at the sage plants re-springing into life. They’re sporting pods, soft and cotton-like, that encourage one to reach out and touch. As a most-casual botanist (i.e., miniscule education), I assume pod-softness is how these fragrant plants encourage seed-spreading. Many activities can open the pods–being handled, pecked at, invaded by tiny critters, and blown apart by winds. They’re lovely springtime sightings.

One of my favorites has become this little view through a neglected shed. If the photo were taken in winter, this might work to represent that season. Maybe it’s worth trying, but meanwhile, no more dwelling on next winter.

Time passing is a big factor in photo appeal. Yesterday, I stumbled across a large print of a photo taken years ago. In fact, I remember my older sister, Elaine, in the car and waiting, as I climbed an embankment to capture a surviving historical Central Oregon dwelling. That would have been about five years ago.

I wanted the photo in order to paint its subject, but never got around to that, and in fact forgot all about the print. Yesterday, re-discovering it was an eye-opener. The good print should be a wall hanging! That sent me on a search for framing and matting materials–another project and maybe another story, as not for many years have I attempted any framing.

Dear Friends: Understanding and applying one’s inner strengths unlocks the way to creativity. Diana

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 (4 days before the First Day of Spring)

True to my plan, the dogs and I went hiking. We were out to record the last days of winter. Well, not quite a true plan, because we didn’t go to the mountains. Instead we trekked through a nearby BLM, a popular summertime spot with an irrigation canal, always flowing and a size safe for dogs that play in water.

This grandpa Ponderosa is a greeter on the canal route. Although it’s unwell with sap leaking, it’s a welcome and majestic sight. Usually the canal water is high enough to cover the tree’s discolored base, but winter bares it to create an impression of cold that matches the weather.

Here’s another grandpa, impressive, old, and beaten up. It’s bark is a wonderful honey-golden color that draws one to memorialize the sighting.

The area is alive with critters. Because of dogs running and exploring, the wildlife rarely shows itself. My camera, from a great distance, caught this chipmunk running up a rock and pausing. Got it, a split second before it disappeared.

While thinking about critters, I must include this new shot of my Miles. He’s a true Border Collie, always thinking about and planning his next move. These attributes are essential in the best of the breed, and always visible in captures of Miles.

Each juniper has a unique personality. They’re tough trees. Some old-time area dwellers dislike them entirely. They accuse juniper’s of smelling not good, and complain that the trees have relatively shallow roots and can “steal water” from other plants. To me, they smell fine and I know nothing about water stealing. To me, they’re always interesting to observe, and happily, provide homes to wildlife.

As often as I’ve trekked in this BLM, circling off the beaten path gets me a little lost. In the end, as usual, my dogs lead the way back to our vehicle.

Dear Friends: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! On Sunday, spring becomes official. Diana

Today’s header photo is by photographer, Susan Tusa. An inveterate hiker, she took a series of photos demonstrating deep-winter while trekking near her Michigan home. The photos are of winter sightings in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Today, I will drive toward the mountains with dogs and a camera, to create for myself a series of post-winter photos. I’m an almost-total novice and my efforts won’t adequately shadow Tusa’s work. She’s a professional with top equipment and experience using complicated editing software.

I’m eager to borrow from her photographer-eye and have learning goals. Today is to seek and recognize, beyond easily accessible ops, photo potential in unlikely places. I’ve a trustworthy eye for balance, but lack a constant reassuring sense of innate creativity, and tend to skip possibilities.

The dogs and I will have fun, get bunches of exercise, and maybe, bring home a camera with several special captures. There might be snow in the mountains, so it can’t hurt to take snowshoes. To be snowshoeing while taking photos would fulfill another of my key goals for this wintertime.

Tusa’s photos appear in today’s Washington Post and are breathtaking. Here’s a link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/interactive/2021/nature-photography-michigan-susan-tusa/?itid=hp_travel

Dear Friends: One steadily self-pushes, to overcome or slide past mental obstacles. Diana

Monday, March 15, 2021 (6 days before Spring is official)

It’s hard to resist an allure of traveling biographically into the world of women’s wrestling. Especially in these concerning days of common focus on #metoo and violence against women. I’m ready to be introduced to a woman who’s 6’2″ tall, topping-off herself with a blonde Mohawk, and wrestling professionally. The author, Jeannine Mjoseth, went by two monikers depending on whether she’d win or lose a match. “Lady Maxine” was the good guy, and alternately, “Mad Maxine”, the heel.

She learned the ropes and secrets of professional wrestling at a special school for women. It was run by Moolah, one of the first big-time female wrestlers of the ’40s and ’50s. Mjoseth says she despised Moolah, who skimmed money from her students, ignored their injuries and pimped them out to her friends.

Besides Mjoseth’s story of her wrestling training and subsequent career, she confirms that wrestling is a staged performance. Its moves completely are choreographed to avoid bodily hurts beyond bruising.

A year or so ago, I watched Netflix’s series, GLOW (Glamorous Ladies of Wrestling). That fun and well-done series got me interested in women’s wrestling. Mjoseth’s book got my attention because it suggests her dimensions way beyond her athleticism during her 20s. After her wrestling career ended, she spent thirty years working professionally as a reporter and researcher who became a science writer for the federal government.

So, she’s an ex-athlete and also a writer. Her book is on its way here.

Dear Friends: Like Wonder Woman, one capable of resisting physical violence. Diana