Sunday, January 03, 2020 (17 days until Joe Biden’s inauguration)

Early today, fifteen minutes of monsoon-like wind and rain, could hear it hitting windows and landing on the roof. In a little time it continued, settled and more quiet, like a horse that’s been well fed.

Aside from the weather, today will be tough. It’s one of my two early-arrival days at work. My next early day is tomorrow, but this morning I don’t want to think more about that morning.

Of note is that on PBS Masterpiece Theater tonight the brilliant actress, Glenda Jackson, returns to TV in a movie, entitled “Elizabeth is Missing”. It’s Jackson’s first screen performance since 1992, when she left acting to become a member of Parliament. Now, she’s 84 years old and returning to her roots. She recently has appeared in several highly regarded theater performances. The Times describes her as “one of the most technically accomplished and ferociously intelligent actresses of our time”. I agree. Jackson, like no other, is way up there with Streep, but always unique and holds her own.

It’ll improve my day, anticipating tonight’s special Masterpiece Theater.

Today’s NYT carried a lovely photojournalism piece with stunningly beautiful photos. I’m including a link, but meanwhile, eagerly sharing these outstanding captures of Zambian wildlife.

These are as close as I’ll ever get to experiencing Africa in real time, and they very well lend a sense of the place that boosts my yearnings to go. They’re good enough to make my mind escape having to hurry this morning. But, real time tugs.

Here’s a link to the incredible journey: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/28/travel/world-through-a-lens.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20210103&instance_id=25601&nl=the-morning&regi_id=68981391&segment_id=48251&te=1&user_id=fcaa975f25ad07269658faaa47d2a8c6

Dear Friends: May your today be wonderful, though winter chores and commitments. Diana

Saturday, January 02, 2020 (18 days until Biden is confirmed)

It’s a short wait for Biden’s confirmation, but meanwhile on Sunday (tomorrow), the House will vote on its next speaker. Pelosi’s spot is up for grabs, she’ll likely keep it. In 2020, she did a masterful job of keeping the House together, and achieving legislation designed to help a majority of Americans. The Senate’s McConnell consistently has blocked most legislation from the House.

My sense of what’s optimal ahead is: Go, Georgia Dems!

Shifting to what seems a related editorial in today’s New York Times. Annalee Newitz reports on “What New Science Techniques Tells Us About Ancient Women Warriors”. What’s new is that long-held beliefs about so-called natural gender roles in ancient history are challenged recently by archaeological studies. Scientists increasingly are finding evidence of women as leaders, warriors and hunters for thousands of years.

The remains of a 9,000-year-old big-game hunter buried in the Andes, like others of the period, was buried with a specialized tool kit for stalking large game. It had projectile points, scrapers for tanning hides and a tool that looked like a knife. Scientists long had assumed the hunter was male. They recently applied a method used in forensics to analyze tooth enamel, finding a female version of a protein called amelogenin. That identified the hunter as a woman.

 The researchers then re-examined evidence from 107 other graves in the Americas, from roughly the same period. They discovered, among 26 graves with hunter tools, that 10 were women. Experts say the findings show that women have always been able to, and have hunted. This crumbles a long-held theory, of men and women in ancient societies having strictly defined roles. Men hunting, and women gathering.

Newitz points to the misguided theory of a “new evolution” of women in leadership roles. Her editorial enlightens, and forces readers to consider accomplishments by modern women, like Pelosi, Harris, Abrams. And, to recognize the extent to which AOC, whose career just has begun, sparks in younger generations courage and activity.

America is being forced to recreate itself in essential ways, in order to maintain its large populations, sprawling cities, connective infrastructures, and methods of processing for adequate production and distribution.

Of course, the future isn’t just about women. Men are adapting to new needs, by recognizing the need to to modify old, ancient and stubborn world views. Male leaders are starting (again?) to team visibly with women.

Here’s a link to the Newitz article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/opinion/women-hunter-leader.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

Dear Friends: We hope with bated breaths for “a best-leadership team” this New Year. Diana

Friday, January 01, 2021 (29 days to Biden’s swearing-in)

This morning, with hope and a cup of “Organic Rainforest Blend”, I’m considering our chaotic transition to this New Year. Such a messy turning might seem unprecedented, but not so. This date is very historical. It’s been witness to Castro’s revolutionary takeover in Cuba, Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the official beginning of a United Nations. Chaos tends to precede New Years Days.

That’s because we’re into transitions at a personal level. Wanting “new starts” of sorts, we target to change unwanted habits in the New Year. Mostly we fail for setting too tough personal goals, but with determination, as a year progresses, we re-plan for the new appearance of that key date.

As of midnight last night, the earth has begun an annual renewal of its travel around the sun. Thus, it makes sense that all life on earth, very sensitive to light and weather, begins yearning for renewals. All species survive by accomplishing such basics as hunting, planting, nurturing, protecting (these may vary in order of importance). They’re best accomplished in appropriate light and weather.

Each New Year signals the beginning of our world’s transition–from varying degrees of cold and darkness, to renewals of warmth and light.

Socially, this season’s slide into darkness, aided by technology, has emphasized within and among populations the existence of extreme differences and dislikes. Technology enables a more widespread audience to witness the realities and outcomes of great differences, and widened eyes and minds to the influence of power. It’s illustrated how the more powerful may help or hinder the “stuff of living” (e.g., hunting, planting, nurturing, and protecting).

American politics in 2021 will determine much, that greatly will be significant to this nation’s future.

I enjoy brilliant cartoons. They uplift my spirits, or like this one, hit the spot:

Dear Friends: Wishing for us all, a Happy New Year! Diana

Thursday, December 31, 2020 (New Year’s Eve!)

The New Year’s Bug bit. It got me working hard, ridding the garage of items that still work and are useful, but haven’t been used, searched for, nor remembered, say, for some three years. Boom, boom, and boom! Cleaning up, emptying out.

Here’s why, my garage had become overcrowded and even unsafe. A narrow path that took me from garage door to house door involved having to dodge stored items. That was too much, but really came to a head at Christmastime, because my electric garage door failed to close. I desperately called on my neighbor, Frank, for help. He got the door closed, but clearly, too little space was available for exploring and examining the problem, much less fixing it.

Fast forward to “Finally, all’s done”. As of yesterday, the garage has empty space and a door that works properly.

The act of discarding made me think about the difficulty of deciding to rid oneself of things that could still be useful. A concern is that, often after discarding an item, I’ve discovered a new need for it, and then purchased an exact duplicate. There’s also the nagging sense of waste that’s compounded by recalling past discarding sessions. Disvalue and waste make me shudder. Also, is personal history, in that each item of current disinterest once was important, somehow representing me then. Shrug, oh well: One just quits thinking and starts tossing.

Anyway, that space cleaning made my head need clearing. In a fun project, I delivered several “Advent Coffee Calendars” to friends wanting them.

Happy New Year, ya’ll!

Dear Friends: I so appreciate you! Thanks for your company through this complex year. Diana

Wednesday, December 30, 2020 (After another day the year turns.)

Google Arts provides daily a different museum image when I open a new tab. Today’s image (above) hangs in the National Museum of Asian Art. I didn’t know this artist nor could guess the era in which “Woman Writing” was created. A little research revealed the existence of many lovely pieces by Miyagawa.

This painting returned to me memories of an outstanding Chinese film, “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace” (2018), on streaming channels.

This series stars the excellent actress, Zhou Xun, as Ruyi. It chronicles her marriage to Qianlong Emperor, from her rise as Step Empress to become full Empress. Although she’s his favorite, the road upward is paved with treachery. She begins as the emperor’s consort, and quickly learns to navigate the Royal Court’s treacherous politics, before she moves up in the ranks.

The Court is a highly competitive environment. Upon becoming Empress, Ruyi must survive numerous conspiracies that arise against her from those wanting to replace her. The Emperor Qianlong (Wallace Huo) also must survive related conspiracies. Together the two mature and change. Eventually, the pressures of the Royal Court overcome their long relationship, which erodes even when Ruyi is able to overcome the challenges.

The long series (71 episodes) is satisfying. Zhou Xun is excellent in the title role. She becomes wise, proud, and decisive. She proves herself capable of doing what’s necessary to keep herself alive, and to protect those she loves.

The series, directed by Wang Jun, is gorgeous to watch. Besides the capable cast, he employs outstanding cinematography, superb period costumes, and an eye-candy pallet of colors. He knits together these elements for a captivating telling of this tale throughout its episodes.

The thoughtful writing of Miyagawa’s “Woman” reminded me of Ruji. She and the Emperor each write often, and gracefully, using carefully-pointed brushes, and enjoying the process.

Dear Friends: I’ve written before about Ruji, and now reminded will re-watch the series. Diana

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 (2 more days….)

Just a couple of days, but who’s counting? Well, me, I am.

For a month I’ve stared at the cover of Gary Larson’s “The Far Side 2021 Off-The-Wall Calendar“, a fat desktop with tear-off cartoons–daily absurdities from Larson’s weird humor. He drew ridiculous and wildly popular “The Far Side” cartoons for fifteen years (1980-1995), before leaving cartooning and pursuing other interests.

This calendar isn’t of new Larson cartoons but of his vintage work. It happens that the days and dates of 2021 are exact matches to the days and dates of 1999. This “new calendar” is a reissue of The Far Side Theme-A-Month 1999 Off-The-Wall Calendar, but updated with post-1999 holidays.

Long ago as a young woman, I worked in a giant corporation. Its staid and conservative environment triggered my rebellious side. Along with many others, I felt a kinship to Larson but really zeroed-in on his work with this cartoon, still one of my all-time favorites.

I reflect that, if I could have seemed more sheep-like, my career could have reached a greater height. But my mind, wanting to fly and create, perhaps like Larson’s, kept me slightly off-the-wall.

I’m not peeking ahead at the January 1st cartoon, hoping to enjoy a surprise. Maybe that first cartoon and those in days following will remind me (now with delight) of a “past me”. Oh! how mightily I struggled to appear to conform!

Dear Friends: George Booth, in “The New York Magazine”), always, too, was spot-on. Diana

Monday, December 28, 2020 (3 days until….)

A little past 4 a.m. and I’m sipping a cup of Java Love #14, by the Rodgers Family. Rodgers make wonderful coffees and this season put out a Coffee Advent Calendar. It landed on our Costco’s shelves, no surprise, as typically this Costco carries several Rodgers’ varieties. When I use a Keurig, Rodgers pods are favs, but in recent months, my morning cups are from a countertop Bunn. It brews whole pots quickly and well.

Anyway, I bought several of the Rodgers’ Advents, to give away and to drink myself. Each calendar contains twelve packages of finely ground coffee, measured for brewing eight-cup pots. Each coffee is different and labeled with its name. This morning, I’m drinking a Java Love #14.

One day long ago, on coffee duty at work, and bored, I began reading coffee package labels. All the coffees in our Costco are labeled as made from Arabica beans. But the beans for Folgers and those of instant coffees aren’t identified. I did some research and learned that Folgers and the instants are of Robusta beans. They’re less expensive, taste more rugged, because they grow at lower terrain levels. Robusta beans were used in all our early coffees. And Folgers, et al, remain very popular.

The Arabica beans are more expensive, they must be grown in terrains very high and complicated, and they taste smoother, more flavorful. The Arabicas dramatically changed our coffee tastes. My casual education suggests that the Peets folks were early to gather this, they brewed and popularized Arabica beans. Their success educated other companies, and ergo, finally Starbucks was born. We began to access with ease and pleasure new coffee varieties.

The Advent Calendar has been a fun way to sample and to learn. Beforehand, I knew one won’t go wrong with a Rogers coffee, but have zeroed in on a couple of varieties new to me, and delicious enough to brew regularly. Plus, ongoing drinking practice while going through a couple more Calendars will make me an expert on coffee tastes.

One day, again, I’ll find myself assigned to sell coffee. Can’t wait!

Dear Friends: Very simple experiences may teach us and become of high-value. Diana

Sunday, December 27, 2020 (4 days more of this year)

Today and tomorrow are my early-leaving, full-working days. With my blog page up and ready, I’ll take a break and toss on coveralls, before going outside to feed the large animals. I’ll invite a dog along for company. That’ll make leaving the house messy, as the dogs compete noisily to go, but it’s too early for all their noises out there. It’s also too dark to keep track of their whereabouts. Out in early morning or late evening winter darkness, I’m a chicken. An alert companion ensures that we’re alone.

* * * * * * *

Now, I’m again inside and the dogs have settled. At the earliest light, I’ll walk the horses to my neighbor’s pasture and leave them all day. I’ll be bringing them home not very late, but in darkness. Won’t it be wonderful when the days become longer!

My kind neighbor, Frank, helped me yesterday. Something had gone wrong with my garage door, which wouldn’t close. Apparently, a controlling wire was askew. Of course, it’s a Christmas-time happening…a repair needed exactly when nobody’s available. That gaping door would have prevented my working these days until a repairperson could be reached. Fortunately, Frank allowed me to interrupt his morning, and he knew how to close the door. Thank you, Frank, and yet again!

How ever could we do without others?

Meanwhile, it’s time to close this and go to move the horses.

Dear Friends: Early morning commitments force attention to time, and I’m learning. Diana

Saturday, December 26, 2020 Hail to a New Year in 5 days!

What will I be doing on New Year’s Eve? Well, I’ll be home with my animals, maybe sipping a little wine and anticipating a midnight racket–sudden noises that frighten my dogs, turning them into cover-seekers. My long-ago Cattle Dog, Cassie, always disappeared at midnights, on July 4th and December 31, by hiding in the bathtub, a choice understandable only to her.

Without making much noise myself, but celebrating with the entire world, I’ll hail the ending of this complicated, difficult year. And for sure not a second-place celebration, I’ll cheer the near-finish of our country’s destructive Republican-led administration. I will count eagerly the days until January 20, when Biden, et al, officially will become America’s leaders.

New Year’s Day will be great for celebrating twice. In the early morning, by taking the dogs to the country and letting them run happily. In the early afternoon, if weather permits, by riding horseback, or otherwise, leading my equines and walking through our streets.

Through 2020, I’ve held two fervent wishes. One became realized upon Joe Biden’s election. My other huge-want actually has two parts, (1) a real solution and (2) an efficient process, for stopping the virus that cripples our social-physical opportunities and the world’s economy.

Dear Friends: Let’s think and hope bigger, about a world larger than we once imagined. Diana

Christmas Day, 2020 (7 days until 2021)

For yesterday’s Christmas Eve afternoon, my neighbor and friend, Susie, and I, had planned a Happy Holidays event. We’d stroll with the horses and greet neighborhood friends.

We did for a bit and met neighbors with their little sweet dog.

Soon though, Susie and I became sidetracked. We decided to leave the horses in a neighbor’s pasture. Before we left, I had the heavy job of chopping ice in a trough.

Susie is a founder of and employee of HeliLadder [www.heliladder.com]. I needed her ladder expertise to analyze how to use my new Little Giant Ladder, needed to reach and adjust a bedroom ceiling fixture. After understanding the ladder’s components, Susie climbed it and fixed the fixture.

Meanwhile, I stared at a treadmill. It had stood, unused, in my bedroom for years and swallowing valuable space. “Susie, could we somehow manage to remove this treadmill from the house?” Now, I’ll add that Susie, along with her whole family, is an athlete.

Without hesitating she grabbed the treadmill, wrested it into an appropriate direction, but found it too wide to move through the bedroom door. By now into the project, I went to search the garage for a dolly while Susie removed the bedroom door from its hinges. The dolly was small, but we managed to get the treadmill onto it. We then wiggled that bulk through the too-narrow doorway, pushed it along a carpeted hallway, and then out the front door. Once outside, we paused beside it.

Where to now? Just leave it here?

Really, never had it seemed that my old treadmill could be standing outside. We considered options and I remembered an old trailer down by the barn, standing empty and large enough to accommodate the machine. Our challenge would be hefting the treadmill, somehow, from the dolly and onto the trailer.

We piled into my Jeep and (in another long story) managed to hitch the trailer, which amazingly still had working lights. We hauled the trailer up to the house and paused to plan how to tackle the transfer. Together we pushed and twisted, trying to make appropriate the treadmill’s weight and position, so we could shove it into the trailer. We did succeed.

What next to do about this on a Christmas Eve afternoon? Susie contacted the city recycling center, discovered it was open, and would be for another hour. Off we went in Jeep, hauling trailer. A worker at the Center kindly helped unload the machine, and also, took our picture.

Susie offered to help with ranch chores, and so, we moved hay! Numerous bales in storage needed relocating to be nearer the horses. Susie’s strength made the process efficient and quick. Now, beside the horse area is a hay supply, ready for feeding in the upcoming, colder winter weeks.

While at the barn, we strung colorful Christmas lights. They’re happy, and best, visible from inside my house.

Susie had driven her car and gave me a lift to the horses. She watched them coming in from far pasture and captured their sheer beauty.

We had been stoked by having accomplished heavy work, particularly the treadmill’s moving and disposing. While t’was impressive “girl strength”, still and amazingly, we could tackle and overcome that seemingly-impossible challenge.

What especially touches me is Susie’s generosity, and especially on a Christmas Eve afternoon, in lending her brain and strength. I can’t imagine any gifts lovelier or more welcome. Thank you, my friend!

(Plus, a shout-out of hearty thanks, to California and Linda (another special, forever friend), for today’s blog title!)

Dear Friends: Hope your yesterday was wonderful, and today, your Christmas Merry! Diana