Tuesday, November 10, 2020

It’s fun when odd lines from my childhood occasionally pop up, most learned while reading comic books to which I was addicted. Yesterday, a line occurred that I easily could recall Archie saying to Veronica, “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

That’s one of my favs and this morning is appropriate, for today begins my training for a promotion in my part-time job. I feel okay about being trained, but dislike that on each of the next five days it will gobble eight-hours. Moreover, this training means I must be at work by eight a.m. Come on!

I want the promotion, so yes, this morning am on my feet. I managed to sip a cup of coffee while pulling on a couple of sweaters and some heavy-duty coveralls. Now, I’m ready to strap on a headlight and go outside to feed horses. I’ll be watching Rosie and looking for funny, as she’ll be stunned by me treading downhill and toward her. Ah, yes Rosie, it’s no dream but real now, and will be throughout this week.

Dear Friends: Sorry for this moment when my brain can handle only this moment. Diana

Monday, November 09, 2020

The past few years have burdened us with emotions in bulk. At first I tended to ignore Donald J. Trump’s ridiculous ongoing campaign rhetoric. My mind changed upon the release of the open-mike tape that caught him explaining how easily a famous person can grab a woman’s pussy. That was disgusting enough, but his bullying increasingly became pronounced. During campaigning, he never hesitated to devalue human feelings and intelligence, he laughingly made a mockery of being handicapped, and he dismissed American heroes as “losers”. And then he won the presidency.

He didn’t win the popular vote. His support came from about a third of the constituency, but they were in states with the electoral college votes to win office. We then listened to him brag about building a wall, cozying up to powerful dictators, withdrawing the United States from international agreements, and isolating effectively this country. The list goes on and culminates last year upon the onset of a Novel CoronaVirus. He downplayed its outbreak.

If that virus had proved less virulent as Trump hoped, he’d likely have been re-elected. Despite the virus strength and Trump’s disassociation from social and infrastructure needs, his favorability among voters increased, from a third to almost one-half of current voters. It’s been a phenomenon of “Trump and altered-democracy”. Americans long will analyze the factors that have made popularity and emotional overburden almost work. We will comprehend upon unthreading what has occurred, on understanding what has so divided American society. That’s our guide to repairing divisinesses.

Now that a few days have assured Biden’s election is secure, the future seems better. I feel myself breathing more slowly. Last night, in contrast to ongoing months of tension, I relaxed enough to re-immerse myself in books. There was more, too. I patiently searched the incredible music catalog of iTunes for wonderful artists from the past, and afterwards sat listening to sheer talent.

Dear Friends: Environment, population, and infrastructure overwhelmingly demand. Diana

Sunday, November 08, 2020

Today marks the start of my weekend. On Tuesday, I’ll begin a new job as an assistant supervisor, by spending a week in training. Unfortunately, the training requires my presence at work for eight-hour days. I’ll be following the senior supervisor and learning to support her position. My first challenge is personal, forcing me to be more creative in early mornings before departing home. I want to continue blogging and also handle early ranch chores. Please excuse me, if sometimes I apologize for morning processes getting out of hand.

New elements in my work-life are associated to our newly-decided election. It gives me a sense of relief. While working in Costco, I can anticipate a continuance of mask-wearing. Until now, many shoppers have predicted the election outcome will allow for dropping masks altogether. Their disappointed likely will display in rebellion by continuing to wear MAGA masks, hats, and t-shirts. Recently, Costco hired outside security personnel to ensure normality during shopping hours.

After months of unemployment we sample servers on returning to work at first weren’t allowed to hand out samples. Despite a pandemic and mask-wearing, many customers complained, demanded, and even begged for samples. We began handing out samples on a limited basis, small pre-wrapped and pre-apportioned bits. We asked customers to consume samples outside the store so as not to remove their masks. At first, most customers complied, but quickly that changed. People ignored our requests, lowered masks inside the store, ate, dropped food and paper waste on the floor. For whatever reason, Costco has had enough, is reversing the trend.

Beginning Tuesday, sample servers returning to work won’t hand out samples. We will show an example of our product, verbally describe it and state price and location. Several months ago right after layoffs, that’s how we worked. We showed and described. Beginning Tuesday and as before, many customers will abuse us verbally, for “just standing around, talking endlessly, not handing out samples”. A common spitting-out is, “Why are you here anyway?”

“Well,” I’ve replied, “Finally, I am working again and receiving a paycheck.” Some customers have nodded in understanding and others have sneered.

For we Sample Servers, some things won’t change. For example, we’ll still have the ongoing pressure of assigned sales goals for each product being shown. Our individual performances will be measured against those sales goals.

On Tuesday, to assist with constantly changing conditions in our confusing work-world, I’ll be assuming a supervisory role. Please bear with me.

Dear Friends: My story is a microcosm of the unique disruptives in work processes. Diana

Saturday, November 07, 2020

Snow began just as I arrived home and was preparing to go to the barn and feed horses. Wouldn’t you know, while I searched for snow pants the mixed rain and snow turned serious. In it, I trudged downhill to the barn, my new jacket getting wet and water seeping through the hat on my head. Awaiting my arrival was Rosie, insistently pawing at the gate and trumpeting her right to be with hay in a stall.

Thus, our Central Oregon winter has arrived.

Today doesn’t look awful with snow having accumulated only about a half-inch. It’ll quickly melt off. For a short time that’ll be all, but years of experience teaches we’ll have a larger snowfall nearer Thanksgiving. After that, my horses will be allowed to enjoy the daylight hours grazing on a neighbor’s pasture (grass that has frozen won’t increase a horse’s weight).

My youngest dog is about to turn eight or nine, I forget which, but all are growing old. One dog is arthritic, another has a sprained back. On very cold days when I’m away at work all four will stay inside.

My new at-work position as supervisor may require increased days and hours away from home. I feel up to the challenge, because our weather won’t much invite horseback riding. Anyway, on most winter days, my horses happily will be out grazing.

In this changing weather, my weighted blanket feels pleasant and comfortable. Its weight captures and holds heat, creates a sleeping-spot that’s cozy, den-like, and maybe slightly primitive.

Dear Friends: Less troublesome and expensive warm-weather areas aren’t as fun. Diana

Friday, November 06, 2020

A photo is worth a thousand words, and today’s header has captured my joy on horseback.

That picture in my head these days helps to balance my brain. Much else is happening to consume time and energy. I’m busy, preoccupied and for awhile may hop less onto my horse and meander into beauty.

I write often about this time of stress among Americans. Our distress is from participating in and watching through this unusual election. The current tensions will be ongoing, for we’re asking, “What’s next?”, or, “Now, how are we going to govern?”

As America cycles through its changing of the guard, I chew on future worrisome possibilities. It’s mishmosh that fades during a horseback ride when I must focus on the horse. It’s less on my mind during my part-time working hours in a busy Costco. As a sample server, I’m assigned products and am responsible for hawking them to shoppers. Wait, since 2007 I was a sample server. It happens that the other day my boss offered to promote me to supervisor. Almost immediately, my training to the new position began.

For years as a retiree, I happily sauntered on a pleasant small ranch and cared for property and animals. My part-time, relatively easy work has motivated me to go out and be among people. At clocking-out time, that work has been forgettable. Years of serving samples makes it a “no-brainer”.

Suddenly, starting to view sample-serving processes differently, I’m slightly disoriented. A heightened sense of responsibility now speeds my activities. This is reflecting times in my long-ago career that offered an excitement of assuming new jobs. It’s intriguing, this unexpected opportunity to learn.

With a new job and an impending re-fi, I’m solidly in America’s threatened middle class, so vulnerable to interruptive politics and anticipated economic downturns.

Dear Friends: Oh, for shiny life-pathways that facilitate our journeys dependably. Diana

Thursday, November 05, 2020

In these days of political vote-countings, some friends and I are swapping texts to bolster our shared hopes that Democrats will win their races. Our observations and exchanges represent both commonality and community. Meanwhile, state-by-state counting processes are slow and confusing, they bum us out but we hang on, refusing to relinquish our dreams. In our lifetimes, we want to witness meaningful, real repairs to America’s politics and infrastructure, and a significant boost to America’s world status and influence.

Joe Biden could make America better, even if he winds up without a Senate that’s politically on his side. Joe’s been a professional politician for forty-plus years. He knows and has negotiated or worked with most others in key positions. He understands deal-making that benefits various positions. Throughout this last year of campaigning, only Donald Trump and his minions have spoken negatively about Joe Biden. Their believers in Joe’s corruption are Trump’s passionate supporters.

Ironically last year, in that first Democratic debate, Joe’s running mate Kamala delivered what might have been his hardest blow. From today’s perspective, few might find unusual or terrible that early in America’s desegregation process, Senator Biden resisted bussing children of color across towns to all-white schools. Kamala’s memory-story did strikingly criticise Joe, because of her uncanny ability to communicate at once on two levels. Her criticism had two extraordinary perspectives. One, her little girl’s fears in a separation from family; the other, her understanding of the good fortune in having been educated in integrated schools.

That debate moment and Joe’s later choice of Kamala as his running mate earns him high points for thoughtfulness and fairness. It’s a demonstration of his willingness and ability to operate within a larger picture that supersedes relatively unimportant incidences. Choosing Kamala set her communication talents on a trajectory that has underscored Joe’s humanity and experience, his planning and leadership skills. Kamala is proving herself an excellent co-campaigner, her supportive warmth and communication skills rise to a level of Jill Biden’s.

Our observations and hopes for a better future keep us texting, hoping, and mutually reassuring. We’re convinced that America could be more highly productive and offer increasing fairness to all citizens. No arguments can deny or reduce the values from great leadership. Leading well is a product of experienced, intelligent, capable, and essentially kind individuals. We couldn’t hope for any better than Joe and Kamala to renew America’s present circumstances, and encourage our better future to evolve.

Dear Friends: Every single moment of the vote counting business seems an eon! Diana

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

Today is: (1) National Stress Awareness Day, (2) National Chicken Lady Day, and (3) National Candy Day. Really?

Beginning with the stress bit. As of yesterday, everybody’s in the game and awareness is on steroids. In fact, heightened tension reaches a level of “international poster child” for stress awareness. I keep recalling and often re-muttering the sage words of MSNBC’s Brian Williams, who said, “The Democrats have never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.” Yes, the Dems again are proving you right, Brian. This time around they had the talent, lead time, issues, and the cash to nail it.

It so happens that I’m one of millions of other Chicken Ladies. This day is a welcome celebration of we who raise and love the yardbirds. We know them as way beyond beautiful. Essentially, chickens are alert and smart, their personalities are unique and fun, and “they give us their all”. I’m busy caring for large animals and working at an outside job, so can’t adopt more chickens. My surviving ten-year-old hens (LittleTail, PotAsh, and WellSummer) are alert and active. During daylight hours, they happily greet me always.

Actually last night, I had a personal national candy day while watching the countings of national votes. My part-time job at Costco makes easy buying excellent candy during price sales. I buy and stash my candy. I hide everything, try to forget the stash, and for long periods don’t give that candy a thought. Occasionally, I do wonder why my compulsion to self-test in such a weird way. Sadly last night provided an event of self-learning that victimized and enlightened me. The less my hoped-for team’s landslide failed to materialize, the more often and deeply I dived into my sweet stash.

Dear Friends: “Stress, Chickens, Candy”, a whole day’s worth of hefty themes. Diana

Tuesday, November 03, 2020 (National Sandwich Day, really?)

That’s Sunni comfortably standing in the small trailer and munching sweet hay. I’m now working with the horses separately to trailer train them. The reason for this is that Sunni is a piece of cake while Rosie is a complex sandwich. I’ve learned it’s too challenging to get both at once into and out of the trailer, unless another person is helping.

Rosie is capable of entering and standing quietly in the trailer, but sometimes she “talks back”. If she resists, I can’t also be managing Sunni. Yesterday, Rosie refused to step upon the ramp and some exercise on a lunge line reduced her nervous energy. Then as asked and without a hitch, she stepped onto the ramp and behaved well.

Going forward my training plan is to work with the horses individually. After each consistently enters willingly and stands quietly in either stall, I’ll practice loading and unloading them together.

Training is a layered, complex sandwich. The current trailer training is for both horses to enter a configuration different from what they’re accustomed to, and then stand quietly. Every training requires an understanding of unique ways in which individuals may react to new experiences. The difference between my horses is that Sunni wants to please a trainer, Rosie wants to make the decisions.

To succeed, and important as comprehending a horse’s nature, a trainer must reach deeply for self-understanding. Horses, to their most remote pores, are sensitive to what happens around them. A horse sensing a trainer’s tension becomes more tense itself and training fails. For a horse trainer ending a session, little feels worse than knowing the horse won.

I’m still a novice with horses. My years of working with them are a history of failures and stumbles into success. My horses and I have reached a reasonable mutual understanding, but now as a trainer, I’m again forced to search deeply for self-confidence. To reassure and calm my most sensitive horse, Rosie, I must focus on myself. That means breathing deeply, keeping my shoulders relaxed, and taking care to keep my voice quiet, my expressions neutral.

Yesterday’s training went well, because the horse didn’t win, we had a win-win. Feeling good, I walked uphill to my house and saw waiting up high, again that fabulous moon. I love that moon and fantasised about simply reaching up, plucking it from the sky, and putting that moon on a chain to wear around my neck. Here it’s a more realistic capture.

Dear Friends: Especially today, practice staying calm, breathe, relax, and wait. Diana

Monday, November 02, 2020

Hard work is paying off, wins are accumulating in introducing my horses to a two-horse straight-in trailer. Their training has progressed in steps. Now, on a command to enter or exit, both horses respond correctly. They tolerate being secured in the back by butt-straps, and too, being tied up-front. Yesterday to my joy, as the trailer’s ramp became lifted and secured, they were disinterested. There’s more ahead, for I’ve yet to try closing the trailer’s upper rear doors. If that goes well, too, I’ll begin pulling the loaded trailer short distances. That will allow the horses to learn how to balance while moving and different from how they maintain balance in my big three-horse trailer.

Shifting gears, I worked in Costco on Halloween Day, saw lots of people in fun costumes. The biggest surprise, and one that made me laugh aloud, was an appearance of our Costco Viking Guy. After work, I tracked him down for a photo.

The Costco employees work hard, but on holidays offer surprises. Around Christmas, one of the guys usually strolls through the aisles with his tuba and blowing out holiday music. This year, I’ll be sure to get his photo.

Speaking of photos, an amateur photographer encouraged me to use my iPhone for a picture of the blue moon that’s kept us alight night after night. This capture might not be the most wonderful, but is a joyful reminder of looking up at that most-gorgeous moon.

Recently, on a warm day, Anna and I loaded the horses, went for a ride. Here she’s on Rosie.

And finally, my little Louie has been diagnosed as having sprained his back. There’s no telling how that might have happened, but now Louie is happier. He’s a little high on opioids and once again his same bullying self.

Dear Friends: There’s more to write about “clock-turning-back”, but on another morning. Diana