Saturday, January 30, 2021 (In 49 days, the first day of spring.)

I’m in the age group scheduled for corvid shots. I have learned through public media that Central Oregon’s vaccines for my population were shifted over to Portland for its residents. Early on I signed up for an appointment and never heard back. Now, what to do next? One thing for sure, I’ll write a complaining letter to Governor Brown.

Okay, so vaccines are disappearing, along with Grape Nuts Cereal, and the still clouded-out Wolf Moon, again invisible last night and this morning. Aside from those issues, perhaps a most discomforting thing is the increasing referral to human populations as herds. I love animals, and yet hope that our common sense of humanity, even slightly, won’t seem dehumanized.

I searched for something to help offset this morning’s mental discomforts. The header photo from last summer shows Louie under the powerlines in our local outback. He’s drinking from a canal, a pleasant reminder of warm weather with running water and fresh grass. I recall, too, water lilies heavily populating the little canal. My photo didn’t capture them, but I’ll shoot those lilies when again there with a camera. Out in the outback–in some 40-odd days.

In another photo from last summer, my whole pack enjoys a larger canal.

Dear Friends: “Herd” refers to certain living species, and so does “humanity”. Diana

Friday, January 29, 2021 (50 days until the first day of spring 2021)

I’ve eagerly anticipated January’s Full Wolf Moon, and yesterday, saw its magnificent appearance in the evening through a kitchen window. Before getting my camera and photographing the lovely sight, I paused, to finish washing dishes in the sink. In the snap of those few moments of distraction, my moon disappeared. I tried without success to locate it among the still snowy and water-heavy clouds.

Seeing this Wolf Moon is one thing. As it happens, I can hear it howling, too.

Yesterday and serendipitously, my friend, Karen, who lives in Madras, sent the photo I’m borrowing for today’s header. Her shot captures how naturally this moon, in January’s sky and winter, simultaneously reveals the polar opposites of enlightening and haunting.

Thank you, Karen!

That Wolf Moon speaks is a reminder of coming spring, and by the calendar in fifty days. I’m calculating needed time and energy to get my horses into shape for riding and driving. To this end, I’ve stepped away from a supervisory role at work and reduced at-work days to three-weekly.

For several more nights, the light of January’s Full Wolf Moon will shine overhead, and hopefully in my area be visible enough to yield more enlightenment.

Dear Friends: Maybe spring on the calendar will become spring in the reality. Diana

Thursday, January 28, 2021 (Tonight, a Full Wolf Moon!)

I howled at the moon. It howled back, and I went into action, shopped online and finally found a dreamed-for zoom camera. On its way to me is a Canon 70X, with a 65x zoom and an eye-viewer. Among a camera’s accoutrements, eye-viewing is essential. A camera body braced against a forehead helps to steady zooms and to stabilize distant images.

In late afternoon, after ordering a new camera, I went outside with the Canon 40x zoom. Its lack of an eye-viewer has hindered my captures. Now, I felt relaxed and like playing with the camera.

In these cold and snow-covered days, few living beings stir. Suddenly, I spotted a dove in flight. It landed in a juniper about 50 yards away, camouflaged among the branches but visible to my naked eye. However, finding that bird on the camera screen, across distance or with zooms-in, seemed impossible.

Knowing the bird was there, unmoving, I used the zoom to identify a nearby object, and then, an associated tree branch. Following these clues located my subject on the screen. I snapped a picture, a fun capture. The bird was watching me!

Those birds, so incredibly smart.

As my screen still held the dove, I snapped another photo, and got a real goodie.

Modern camera technology, regardless of brand, makes satisfying creativity possible. If I took time to practice, my 40x zoom would yield greater numbers of satisfying photos. A new camera won’t eliminate the challenges of capturing over distance, but an eye-viewer eases the job. Minus a tripod, bracing camera against forehead counters our naturally-shaky human fingers and hands.

Dear Friends: Tune in fully to our new moon, see and speak to it, and listen closely. Diana

Wednesday, January 27, 2021 (Tomorrow a Full Wolf Moon rises.)

It’s a good thing the other evening that I caught the Full Wolf Moon’s rising. Yesterday afternoon, after new snow fell, our sky became cloud-filled and this morning reveals nada.

Early yesterday morning, I was awakened by the setting Wolf Moon’s shine through my bedroom’s west window, creating a world aglow. I slipped on slippers, donned a robe, grabbed my forty-times zoom Canon, and hurried outside to capture the magic natural light.

My two zoom cameras are Canons. The new 40x isn’t nearly as satisfying as my old 50x. That earlier camera, used for eight or ten years, has been steadier to handle than the new 40x. The 50x in sighting and shooting seems to capture in images more of surrounding elements.

For example, the 50x captured the moon traveling through clouds, with moon and clouds moving quickly, sometimes an unclear mish-mosh. The next morning, my 40x moon seemed holding steady. Its shine reached me through juniper branches. Although I hoped to capture moon and trees, a bald moon became the 40x camera’s best shot. There’s nothing wrong with the image, it’s just less than hoped for.

Not to dis the 40x, for it makes fun captures. Here are some early morning mountain bluebirds, pausing briefly in the cold. They’ll soon fly again and land on my horses’ troughs. There they’ll perch and take turns sipping and keeping watch.

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Trying to capture what I want returns me to the market for another zoom camera, and this time with better-defined goals and needs. I’ll seek expert advice from such as B&H Cameras. If my dream isn’t affordable, maybe Canon will accept my old satisfying 50x for repairs and refurbishment. Also worth exploring is ebay, which might offer a refurbished version of my 50x. Today, the search begins.

Dear Friends: This morning no visual moon, but it will reappear and grandly. Diana

Tuesday, January 26, 2021 (Wolf Moon rising)

January’s full Wolf Moon is rising. Not yet totally full and slightly lopsided, but almost all-round and satisfying enough. In my header photo, it lights a path up to the house. A close look at the photo’s bottom reveals waiting for me my dog, named “Osix” in memory of a fabulous Yellowstone Wolf.

That unique Yellowstone Wolf was the offspring of an early wolf reintroduced to Yellowstone from Canada. The 06 pup was born in Yellowstone and outfitted with a radio-collar. She had an official wolf number, but Park Rangers called her 06, because of her birth date, the sixth day of the sixth month.

O6 grew into a beautiful and brave pack leader. She never bothered domestic livestock, and became a favorite of Yellowstone wolf watchers. They occasionally reported seeing her bring down mature elk all by herself. She gave birth to several litters, was seen by watchers as an awesome mother and teacher.

I discovered 06 through postings of photos and descriptions of her pack’s activities by photographers and hobby wolf-watchers. They loved her. When the wolf was six years old, she ventured outside Yellowstone’s protected territory with one of her pups. Someone waiting with a shotgun for such an opportunity shot both animals. Along with the many others who loved 06, I screamed “Murderer!”, and whoever did the deed has remained since in hiding.

The end of 06 occurred just as I was bringing home a new puppy. That’s the story behind the name of my Osix.

Maybe fantasies about 06, her beauty, courage, and strength, are much of why I look forward to the emergence and light of January’s Wolf Moon. I’m not alone. Poets write to that moon, artists create to it, and I am envious of their abilities to illustrate its power and awesomeness.

And in a nod to another kind of realism, here’s one of my favorites:

Dear Friends: The powerful combining of fantasy and art cannot be over-estimated. Diana

Monday, January 25, 2021 (Overhead and shining, in 3 days will appear January’s full Wolf Moon.)

I’m still focused on snow. It’s here and staying awhile, plus is beautiful. Yesterday evening’s photo above, shows my uphill trek on a snow-blower created path. I’m heading from the barn to the house having finished feeding the large animals.

I turn around for a reassuring check that the gates were closed securely, and etc., and feel the warm glow that always pleases at a sight of my small ranch structure in a snow-scape.

It’s getting too dark to see my path and its surroundings. This evening walk uphill would be lonely but for noisy dogs running alongside, but within a fenced area. I near the hill top and they race up to the deck where there’s an access door. Soon as I open it, they’ll rush inside and surround me.

I must prepare now to leave to work. This day will require eight-hours of effort. The next two days, mine off, will free me for the Wolf Moon’s appearance. I’ll be on my hilltop, scanning the hopefully clear sky, to enjoy new light.

Dear Friends: Deep January, challenging, amazing, and almost gentled by a Wolf Moon. Diana

Sunday, January 24, 2021 (Four days before January’s Wolf Moon appears)

I’m keeping on watch for hints of the coming Wolf Moon, but see above for yourself the local fuzzy sky on these afternoons.

“I turned and looked another way, and saw”….

Honestly, folks, both photos are from yesterday afternoon around five o’clock.

Sure, the days have begun lasting longer, but this area’s recent and continuing snow-laden sky diminishes the sun’s reflections, and thus, too, our daylights.

Nonetheless, I will continue looking for an appearance of the coming new full moon. It will shine on optimistic minds, reopen to possibilities, holding high hopes for the future.

Much of our feelings of optimism are because of how our national election turned out, and what since has been evolving politically.

This morning, I’m in awe on learning that Arizona’s Trump Republicans are censuring three of the state’s most visible conservative Republicans–experienced leaders, who have been vocal and actively supported Joe Biden’s campaign. What do the censuring Republicans, still-determined hangers-on-ers, expect to achieve by attempting to ostracize Jeff Flake, Cindy McCain, and AZ Governor Doug Ducey?

Get on board, you Republicans!

The nation’s mood has changed. Yes, the worm has turned and most Americans again are sleeping better. Many of us already entertain increasing hope for a brighter American future.

Hey, Snow Sky, clear out!

Dear Friends: Today, and despite cloudy skies, what light does exists will be lovely. Diana

Saturday, January 23, 2021 (In five days January’s Wolf Moon appears.)

Yesterday’s early falling “light snow” soon turned heavier and finally dropped about six inches of powder. Wearing heavy-duty Sorels, I kicked a path down to the barn where the horses waited. Well, “waited” doesn’t correctly describe their behavior. On the bleak cold morning, they ran, bucked, and kicked. I opened the gate to their area while pulling a hay-loaded sled and waving a space-declaring, whip-like object. In very cold weather my waving helps to distance excited hooves.

Snow days are warmer than post-snow days, and I did the morning work quickly. I wondered if my manager who drives in forty miles from the south might be late, and so, decided to leave early for work at Costco. She reached the store before I arrived, and for awhile, we saw the place nearly empty of shoppers.

Through the day customers that showed up had feet in Sorels, bodies nearly lost in high-zipped parkas, and heads with knitted hats pulled nearly to the tops of face masks. I was over-dressed and too warm, but it’s hard to predict what several hours inside Costco might feel like. Its massive cold cases can dominate inside temperatures.

I enjoy reflecting on how snow recreates the known world. Besides its slippery danger, snow’s soundless and unending whiteness generates a caution of unknowns. While thinking about how snow alters ordinary days, I saw this article in today’s New York Times, “What it Means to Look at Paintings of Snow”, by Amy Waldman.

The writer, during a no-snow, warmest winter on record, visited galleries. She zeroed-in on snow paintings, becoming entranced by landscape colors, shape dynamics, and moods. Her article’s perceptions and writing are as lovely as the paintings that illustrate her observations.

This article lets us walk in the snow and experience its worlds: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/t-magazine/paintings-snow-winter-art.html?action=click&module=card&pageType=theWeekenderLink

Dear Friends: When snow is underfoot, how about those incredible sky colors! Diana

Friday, January 22, 2021 (In six days the Wolf Moon will appear.)

It’s exciting, the appearance next week of the full Wolf Moon that oversees winter’s coldest days. With daylight already lasting a little longer, January’s moon adds the essences of life, love, and sustenance hunting. Every full moon suggests the best of being alive, but right now in winter’s very heart, this particular oncoming full moon will be a welcome sight.

I’ll add, if we’re able to see the next Wolf Moon. Here in Central Oregon this winter has been unusually warm, but lately we’re experiencing sight-limiting cloudiness, and perhaps ahead more than a hint of wintery weather. Last night, for example, snow fell. Not bunches, but a suggestion of more to come. After all, it’s midwinter, with nights of wolf howling, days of snowshoeing, and now as always, hopes for better-lit pathways.

This hour I’ve been writing suggests that dreams may be prescient, for snow has continued to fall. As the dogs go outside, I look and see that early light snow is more accumulated by inches. Soon, I must go out into that snow and feed waiting large animals, but I’m not prepared. I wasn’t expecting a snow onslaught before early next week, to herald the appearance of Wolf Moon.

Dear Friends: In every “bleak midwinter”, a full moon warms and encourages. Diana

Thursday, January 21, 2021 (Seven days until the next full moon)

The inauguration ceremony was amazing, considering that D.C. was on lockdown and without the usual crowds that every four years fill the mall. For much of yesterday I watched, transfixed by beautiful colors, timed choreography, and the superb ceremonial fillers that television captured.

Moreover, instead of that major event ending as usual with formal balls and parties, our President and Vice-President went to work. He signed executive orders that will reverse some of his predecessor’s damage while she immediately began to swear in America’s newest senators. Yep, yesterday’s ceremony preceded activities with sleeves-rolled-up, to shape a welcome new page in American history.

Could the talents of Lady Gaga, J Lo, and Amanda Gorman be complemented beyond their near-perfect performances? Most of us watching found their offerings superb.

Yesterday, above and beyond all else, Joe Biden’s consistent confidence and forthright manner were striking, so different, and almost incredibly from a year ago, on his stumbling emergence as a presidential candidate. His history just gives us more reasons to love this guy, a real person to get to know, learn to understand, and increasingly, to witness his integrity.

Dear Friends: Next week’s full Wolf Moon will shine on good moods and joyous howls. Diana