Enlightenment

Monday, January 20, 2025

This is Martin Luther King Day. Yesterday’s weather prevued this chilly but beautiful new day. I was outside several times to feed my animals. My gloved hands tended to become freezy, a signal to stay inside as much as possible. So, I did: cleaned the house, fed a sourdough starter, baked bread (machine), organized spaces, studied algebra online (Kahn Academy), and read more of Amy Tan’s bird book.

The more I learn about genetics, the more I appreciate that various beings, existing commonly alongside humans, may also “have intelligence.” Studies have revealed vast underground networks of tree and plant roots–intertwined, communicating, and exchanging nutrients. Researchers have learned more about how plants communicate with each other, respond to touch, store memories, and deceive animals for their own benefit.

A recently published book adds to such learning. It’s The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth. Its author, Zoë Schlanger, covers climate change and here explores the contemporary world of botany.

In the past twenty years, ideas of plants communicating are more broadly accepted. Research shows examples. Lima beans protect themselves by synthesizing and releasing chemicals to summon predators of the insects that eat them. Lab-grown pea shoots navigate and respond to the sounds of running water. In Chile, a chameleonic jungle vine mimics the shape and color of nearby plants.

Those behavioral mechanisms aren’t fully understood, and scientists have different opinions about whether plants can sense the world and communicate. I’m eager to start reading this book and thinking about possibilities.

Dear Friends: Are humans possibly less supreme among organisms? Diana

Flyin’ High & Low

Merlin, atop my juniper, captured several years ago

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Yesterday, I was too optimistic about this area’s “warmish” January weather. Last night turned into a deep freeze. I must tread into the uninviting outdoors soon to care for my outside animals. Meanwhile, my early morning rituals of coffee and headlines remain unchanged.

Regarding headlines and wishing to follow state and local news more closely, I have subscribed to The Oregonian. Like many others, I can’t imagine what might occur nationally and internationally after tomorrow’s leadership change; however, staying abreast of local impacts is essential.

I’ll be engaging my brain in matters more local and specific. Local, as in political, social, and economic impacts to Oregon, and specific, as in studying math and art again. I’ve yearned to be good at math and art all my life. I have pursued and got a “leg up” on each but haven’t maintained a grip on either after periods of inactivity.

The famous saying, “All politics is local,” will be my near-focus, besides occasional outbursts if I can’t “pack it in.” Today, I’ll start by reading more from Amy Tan’s “The Backyard Bird Chronicles,” enjoying her mastery of math and art–while imagining myself with similar skills.

Dear Friends: Shifting(s) in one realm may insist on shifting(s) in others. Diana

SF Legacy

Saturday, January 18, 2025

I’ve been feeding my new sourdough starter. It’s supposed to have descended from a 100-year-old starter created on old San Francisco’s Warf by a then-baker, the grandfather of today’s seller.

I’m interested in starting to bake sourdough bread. A San Francisco starter is best for producing airy, chewy bread with a distinctive tangy flavor. Theoretically, San Francisco starters benefit from that area’s unique local microbes and famously foggy region. The cool and moist environment creates a unique microbial ecosystem, perfect for starter growth.

Besides, sourdough bread is historic, starting as a San Francisco staple in the Gold Rush era when miners brought their personal starters. San Francisco has an iconic bakery, Boudin, founded in 1849. It has maintained its original sourdough starter for over 170 years, and its skilled bakers have perfected the art of sourdough bread making. Boudin’s loaves are widely distributed (I can find its sourdough bread here in Central Oregon). Boudin’s longevity and success have boosted San Francisco’s sourdough legacy.

Sourdough starters can thrive in various environments and will accept many flour types. I’m confident that my new starter (regardless of its actual age and origins) will produce loaves that will satisfy. I will find new bread flavors and textures while re-experiencing a little history.

Dear Friends: Now, I will go feed my new starter again. Diana

Weathering

Friday, January 17, 2025

Here in Central Oregon, the weather has been warmer, a January surprise. I recall this time of the year more typically as finger-freezing wet and snowy. For years, I’ve had to be outside daily and in all kinds of weather, feeding and caring for my outside critters. I can attest that this is not a warmish month!

I’m prepared for the rough January weather I’m accustomed to. I have handy ski outerwear, snow goggles, and gear that offsets swirling winds against my neck and ears. These aren’t always necessary before March but are ready for possible earlier needs. However, I’m going outside nowadays wearing lighter jackets. My well-padded, heavy coats are waiting.

I’ve lived in this area for twenty years. Until recently, our fall and winter temperatures were reasonably predictable. Our first snow usually fell before Thanksgiving, with more occurring periodically before and around Christmastime. Last year and this one, our weather was relatively mild without snow before New Year’s.

Last year’s heavy winter weather hit us hard in early January and lasted until almost the Summer Solstice. I’ve anticipated this January to be the same, but that isn’t happening…yet, or maybe it won’t.

Climate changes have become serious matters, and they are now even worse after being driven to world attention by massive wildfires in California. Climate change and its possible aftereffects are high on our minds.

Dear Friends: Watching for what sort of weather may next occur in Central Oregon.

Eyes Open

Thursday, January 16, 2025

January’s full Wolf Moon remains impressive. It lit my way home from work last night, and it was equally lovely later when I fed my outside animals. That globe, visible through my kitchen window, was a high note on a tiring day.

This is another of my early-to-work days. These “earlies” push me into a “hurry mode” and gobble my mornings. In fact, my outside job gobbles whole days now with darkness occurring early. Come on and get here, Spring!

Maybe I shouldn’t rush the months ahead. Getting ahead for a “little guy” is being tough enough. Like many, I’m worried now about what to expect from America’s incoming administration and how it might impact my own planning and budgeting.

I doubt grocery costs will become more affordable (I happily have a few laying chickens!). I anticipate electrical bills will skyrocket more (my home, built back when electricity was cheap, is all-electric). And, there are overall environmental conditions and concerns! Enough! You get my drift, and besides, I’m in a time crunch right now.

Dear Friends: Truly, big concerns, regardless of the administration that rules. Diana

Needing To Knead

Wednesday, January 15, 2024

Yesterday, my ancient sourdough starter arrived. It’s tiny and needs feeding right away. The instructions are to feed it today and again daily for a while. As this starter grows and becomes usable, it’ll also continually need appropriate feeding and storage.

(This resembles acquiring another pet.)

Along with the loveliness of eating sourdough–enjoying its taste and texture–it’s a bread that connects us to our historical roots. Sourdough dates back thousands of years as one of the oldest forms of leavened bread.

Working with sourdough is a little more complex than other types of bread baking, but it’s worthwhile. The processes of working with sourdough connects us more to the “natural world.”

These days, I am yearning for feelings of connection and am open to finding dependable and lasting processes! Feeding my new pet suggests a gain toward that today.

Dear Friends: Another early-to-work day forces me to head outside now. Diana

Alight

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

This month’s spectacular full Wolf Moon has been filling and setting in the west. It’s shown through my bedroom window these last few mornings, awakening me earlier than usual. Last night’s then-full, bold, and lovely light added visibility to my area; it eased the nightly routine of “tucking in” my horses and poultry.

Again, today’s header is “borrowed art” from Sandra Boynton’s FB page. I’ve found she’s one of a few cartoonists who mostly “hit it out of the park.” Boynton is multi-talented, and her FB page charms.

Today is another all-too-early in-to-work, and now, I must start moving. My morning routine mirrors my nightly routine of caring for equines and poultry.

Have a wonderful day.

Dear Friends: The full Wolf Moon will enlighten a few more nights. Diana

Fast Forward

Monday, January 13, 2025

The upcoming Beta Generation (2025-2039) begins with this month’s brand-new babies. Researchers are exploring how Betas’ lives may differ from their predecessors, and to me, some projected differences are not very surprising but slightly staggering.

Some projections are that the new norms won’t include nuclear families, and there will be more pets than children. Another is that outer space will be a popular vacation destination, and future career paths will be in that space world. The future finance world won’t print cash because Betas won’t use it.

No surprises, right? But still, wow!

Rapid technology has profoundly reshaped our world since WWII. My generation and those following have learned how and grown accustomed to responding quickly to required new learning. We have learned to adapt rapidly to enormous pressures for making personal and social changes.

Rapid technology has made incredible progress. Advancements have created ongoing challenges and ethical dilemmas, and we grapple constantly. Today’s solutions are designing the possible Beta World ahead. That future is becoming more visual.

Dear Friends: Paraphrasing “Pogo”: “We can see the future, and it is us.” Diana

Breeze, et al

Sunday, January 12, 2025

I acquired an adorable trio of African Dwarf Goats in 2010: the mama (Sego Lily) and her twins (Breeze and Poppy). Sego Lily had originally been adopted from a herd environment, and by 2010, her real age was only an estimate; her babies were months old.

The trio was sweetly bonded and inseparable. They participated in official parades and often strolled with me on neighborhood streets, leashed, alertly cautious, and keenly aware.

Mama passed away about five years ago when I was guessing her age at fifteen. Little Poppy passed away a year ago at age fourteen. And yesterday, I lost Breeze; she was fifteen.

That morning, while outside and feeding my animals before leaving for work, I discovered Breeze lying down and apparently unable to rise onto her feet. I tried lifting her but hadn’t enough strength. Breeze’s legs were stiff and unmanageable, and she might have suffered a stroke sometime in the night or earlier that morning.

Breeze passed away before the emergency veterinarian could arrive at my place. My workplace is painfully short of workers; I felt needed and went to work, where I arranged to meet an emergency veterinarian later at my place. Meanwhile, my kind neighbors watched over Breeze and hours later let me know she had passed. Later, a concerned co-worker followed me home and helped with her remains.

RIP, my Breezey.

Remembering those three sweeties this morning, I’m sad with an empty feeling.

Dear Friends: Cute, fun, and stubbornly determined when wanting something. Diana