Tuesday, October 13, 2020

My trusty old Jeep is in the shop. Lately, anytime its motor was in the process of cranking up, it reversed quickly and died. Jeep’s repair person didn’t provide pleasant feedback. I’m advised that “my little friends” had nested under the hood, chewed wires, invaded parts, etc. The shop is waiting for the arrival of these-and-those replacement parts. Hint: the fixing will be expensive.

Yesterday armed with a new awareness, I lifted the hoods of all my other vehicles (SUV, truck, tractor, Gater, lawn mower) and peered inside. Yep, each contained signs that my little friends had been visitors. I’d been advised to avoid future invasions by purchasing mothballs because rodents can’t stand the odor. I had acted quickly, shopped for mothballs and crew socks. After combining them, I stashed under each hood a smelly package.

Especially when in a hurry, I easily forget things. Maybe I’d overlook that something’s out of place beneath a vehicle hood. My mind rolled around on whether a running motor could flame-up a mothball-filled sock. To be cautious I devised a work-around, by placing on each driver’s seat a big sign: “Mothballs Aboard!” Overlooking that seat-sign before turning a key will signal I’m “too far gone” to be driving anyway.

Not my favorite things, peering under hoods and fiddling with objects that smell badly. For future reference, I’m seeking viable alternatives to mothballs.

Fortunately, my friend Anna texted suggesting we go horseback riding. For me her idea turned the tide.

She arrived while the horses still were eating, so we re-installed the center divider of my two-horse trailer. It’s a small, easy to tow trailer, but is a “straight-in”. My horses accustomed to a large slant-in trailer refuse to enter a straight-in. Well, they’re about to face training.

Finally, we gathered and saddled the horses, traveled on neighborhood streets to the local outback with overhead big power-lines. Beneath the lines is unkempt territory with a country-like road that runs through. Anna and I had enough time and daylight for a pleasant outing out there, in the middle of seemingly nowhere and close to home. The ride balanced my day.

Dear Friends: Country life introduces city folks to new realities and coping ways. Diana

Monday, October 12, 2020

These days I’m partly, and rather unwillingly, finding myself adapting to a modern concept known as positive psychology. Wikipedia defines positive psychology as “the scientific study of the “good life”, or the positive aspects of the human experience that make life worth living.” It adds that this concept applies in like manner to individuals and social groups.

I’m a traditionalist who subscribes more to old-style psychology. That’s the practice of studying problems in depth, determining their root(s), and thus, reducing their occurrences. My appreciation is from years of discussing my fears with a therapist. Afterwards, I felt happier. This gain hasn’t all been lost through these pandemic months. But it’s flattened by gloomy days and hours of isolation and bad news.

There’s a constant hammering from what I call The Big Lots. Those current elements in our social order make many unhappy. Examples are, our no-middle-class economy, diversively destructive social issues, disgustingly offsetting political maneuverings, and unimpressively lying leaders. There’s little that seems to decrease helplessness during isolation and social unrest. People are seeking lifts, I’m rethinking some past attitudes.

“Positive psychology,” I muse while clicking on Amazon and studying what’s available. Toward feeling happier, I’ve ordered several books. They differ from my usual reads and might tap into my better (i.e., happier) imagination. Similarly, on rediscovering the iTunes Store, I ordered some new remasters of old recordings. Maybe they’ll renew some positivity. After all, it can’t be nuttin’ but happiness to rehear, and in their prime, Ella Fitzgerald, Leontyne Price, and George Zell’s Cleveland Orchestra.

Dear Friends: Maybe the “good life” we once experienced is outdated. Let’s hope not. Diana

Sunday, October 11, 2020

This date in 1884 was Eleanor Roosevelt’s birthday. I’m reading a recently published biography of ER but have finished too little, don’t have many new insights into her evolvement. She went from an unhappy childhood to the role of married (and suppressed) house fra, and finally found success as a respected international icon.

We know that from her birth, she was estranged from an emotionally distant mother but was very close to a charming alcoholic father. By the time Eleanor turned nine, her mother had died from illness and her father was about to commit suicide. She grew up an “almost orphan” but among plentiful and wealthy Roosevelt relatives. Some took the role of overseeing ER’s care and education. Her life story is complicated by the family’s great affluence, and among them very strained relationships, and for ER herself high feelings of personal insecurity.

Throughout their Roosevelt childhoods, ER and her cousin Franklin had an Uncle Ted who was president of the United States. Their familiarity with presidential power and associated activities influenced Franklin’s political direction, and facilitated Eleanor’s assistance in his career path. As Franklin moved into major politics he also contracted polio. This forced ER from the primary role of mother to their five children and began her transition into public figure. She took the campaign role of Franklin’s surrogate.

That’s as far as now it’s possible for me to share an “inside Eleanor”. Like many others, I wish better to understand her inner self, her life path, and how she mustered enough courage against many odds to evolve from frightened youngster to world leader.

Beside the book I’m referencing, Eleanor, by David Michaelis, there’s an earlier three-volume, highly acclaimed biography by Blanche Wiesen Cook. Maybe the version I’m now reading will give me enough courage to tackle a whopping three volumes about ER. If so, I’ll be up for it.

Dear Friends: This isn’t enough, but I so wished to write about ER on her birthday. Diana

Saturday, October 10, 2020

The weather is changing, it’s cooler and with fewer daylight hours. These are annual changes, and anticipated but always seem sudden, sort of like awakening one morning and realizing that much is different. Now in my house, transitional jackets long forgotten are turning up and hanging on a banister, easy to grab on my dashes outside.

After stashing the summer fans in my garage, I’ve dredged up my collection of snow pants and jackets, heated gloves, merino wool hats, strap-on headlights and anti-slip shoe spikes. It’s because having to feed large animals makes a very big deal of the winters. These thoughts are reminding me to crank-up snow blowers and check if they’re in running condition.

Our experience in recent years with snowy weather has been relatively easy. We’ve had periods of snow and ice but nothing like the worst years we’ve occasionally experienced. Like several years ago, when almost daily snow fell and stayed on the ground for weeks on end. We had to wade through sitting snow stacked several feet high and try to avoid slippery areas.

Now we’re more experienced with a changing climate and recognize that the winter ahead may deliver periods of unusual and complex weather that though expected might surprise, frighten, and confuse. Anyway, I’ll anticipate a tough winter ahead and prepare, but will keep on hoping that this one becomes another that’s relatively gentle.

Dear Friends: Let’s get our seat belts ready, the “ride ahead” might be real bumpy. Diana

Friday, October 09, 2020

Harris “has it all”, a presence that’s capable, effective, and powerful. She’s intelligent and logical, vocally kind and very determined, and her nonverbal skills are consistent and effective. She’s proved herself a presence, is capable, effective, and powerful.

Those images from the VP debate revealing moments throughout offer viewers a sense of the discussion’s progression. Above all they reveal much about the individuals themselves. Kamala’s expressions are attractive and open while Mike appears tense and closed-off.

The experience was easier for viewers of Harris and Pence than while watching the earlier presidential debate. America’s physically large president desires to dominate and emphasizes this often with facial expressions. In the debate he mostly looked brutally-ugly. In sharp contrast his opponent maintained a face more steady and sometimes humored.

Dear Friends: Science and experience show that communicating mostly is nonverbal. Diana

Thursday, October 08, 2020

This morning it’s a quick feed-feed-feed before a get-ready-go. And about my part-time job, for today the “big boss” will be a “surprise” show up. We’ve a heads-up with warnings about her.

She’ll make certain the food demo employees are talking, talking, talking, and wearing the right clothes, colors, and no jewelry (could contaminate food). She’ll “drop in” but when exactly isn’t known. She might sneak up behind individuals to listen for acceptable words, or appear before our tables as a pretend customer. You see she’s new, and none of us know what she looks like.

We gather she’s tough and will write up anyone not talking unendingly to fulfill the demo role. We continually must communicate five points: (1) invite to sample the product, (2) explain why it’s good, (3) say its price, (4) state where it is, on our table or the shelves, and (5) sell! by saying, “Take some home today!”

We have the visitor’s description. She’s young, blonde, and slender. That narrows candidates to several thousand among our average daily shoppers.

This will be our first “big boss” visit since demos resumed (following layoffs) a couple months ago. Meanwhile, we’ve enjoyed an easier environment than any previous times in my memory. If we preferred, we’ve worn earrings, necklaces, watches, with cell phones tucked into back pockets. This can’t happen today, such accoutrements must be invisible.

My job will be to fill-in at various demo tables for those on breaks and lunches. Today, with many demos scheduled I’ll move from table to table. Since the big-boss might repeatedly come across me, I must know the products being shown, act energetically (noisy and inviting), and, sell, sell, sell.

Our relatively small store has oft-repeating customers who learn the products. Many become acquainted with demo folks and interactions eventually become social. The demo work is fun for getting to know customers, families, vacations, food preferences, and so on. Natural conversations create spaces for sales, and ours tend to be high. Requests for demos are increasing.

Nonetheless line management’s bottom line is to produce profitable results. Jobs of subordinates must be clearly defined with measurable work outputs (Have I mentioned our sales goals?). Anyway, while anticipating today’s visit is stressful, our team will meet expectations.

Dear Friends: It’s a big departure from past career days, but paychecks still please. Diana

Wednesday, October 07, 2020

Last week on entering Costco where I work part-time, it surprised me to see an armed police-type standing at the entrance and apparently on the job. This is a first, I thought, and wondered why, but in a moment and once inside, the store’s activity consumed me. The next day and spotting another guard, I again wondered before quickly becoming sidetracked.

Yesterday a Costco employee explained that recently a protest group showed up and intent on entering Costco. Those protesters were denying the reality of coronavirus, refusing to wear masks and resisting attempts to prevent them marching in the store. Before they got very far inside, however, the Costco team managed to turn around and force the group outside. After identifying the protesters and cancelling their individual memberships, Costco hired armed guards to watch the store’s entrance.

It feels strange that protesters are attracted to this relatively quiet Central Oregon community nestled in the Cascades, but passions are exploding and so are protests. Recently, at the base of Pilot Butte, a local landmark, a confrontation occurred. It consisted mainly of shouting and fist-fighting, but a police investigation found at least one loaded weapon.

Hints of that larger picture are played-out in Costco. People entering must wear a mask, but immediately afterwards many pull down their masks and walk around. They breathe on clothing and other product displays, and move closely in to question or comment to employees. I mentally turn my favorite t-shirt read (“I tell unfunny jokes because I’m an asshole”), into “I don’t wear a mask because I’m an asshole”. This may quash a tiny bit of anger and helplessness but doesn’t begin to tap my fervent wishes for a trap door and lever. I’d pop and drop those who annoyingly insist that “the pandemic is a hoax”.

Another of my favorite t-shirt reads: “Please, let 2020 end!”

Dear Friends: Don’t forget tonight’s debate between V-P competitors. Go, Kamala! Diana

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

This morning I’m uncertain about what to write, because so much happening makes our heads spin. There’s Trump’s ultra-masculine show at the White House of ripping-off his covid-avoiding mask; tomorrow’s Harris-Pence plexiglass-shielded debate; and articles sent to me describing research on a “human fear-of-death” and how it impacts decision-making (especially in this election); and oh dear, what else? Well, Much too Much.

This morning, a standout is rumbling from the Supreme Court. Justices Thomas and Alito want to revisit the decision that legalized gay marriage. Of course, it’s more goodbyes to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and more Thumps-Up to The Court. A large population of guy-guys want to retake the position of Dominant Gender. Their agenda includes a little-hidden wish to “return women to the kitchen”, as in the good old days. “Their ladies”, again, would be barefoot, pregnant, and little-heard from in matters of social, political, economic conditions. Yep, when the boys rule America will be strong again.

Of course, it’s not just fellows who pine for the good old days, many women do as well. There’s some forty percent of Americans, comprised of both genders, wanting to “make America great again”. Not long ago, and prior to WWII, Viet Nam, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the social order did evolve, but little and over long stretches of time. There wasn’t much change in the dominant order, which mostly was white, male, and though women finally could vote, they lacked a big voice. Among women, a rare exception was Eleanor Roosevelt.

By the way, I’m reading a recently published biography of ER. Her life and evolvement are the author’s primary focus, and thankfully for a change less about FDR. I want to understand how Eleanor evolved into a highly visible trail-blazer. I want to comprehend how her role impacted Americans. More about ER is on my writing agenda.

Dear Friends: Politically, ahead is another complicated week. Think carefully and Vote! Diana

Monday, October 05, 2020

Yesterday my “weekend” began with a lovely day and beautiful weather. Horseback riding was in the forecast and my friend Janet came to help load the animals. Off in the truck we went, to a nearby desertlike area with water for dogs to drink and space to ride horses.

Border Collie Miles shared Janet’s seat. He doesn’t ride in back with the other dogs, for the littlest, Louie, rides there and often snarls to declare his dominance. Louie’s snarkiness shoots from his twenty-five pounds and rules. The others outweigh and ignore, but Miles who’s less tolerant escapes by jumping up-front. If someone’s in “his seat”, he snuggles and won’t be pushed away.

After stretches of working days, it’s wonderful to climb on a horse’s back and unwind. This starts on beginning a ride and having the horse just meander. In open spaces are enormous beauties among land, flora, and sky. These enwrap a human and soon one begins feeling integrated to a world that’s larger and less defined.

As usual, Pimmy follows the horses and dogs. She wears a noisy bell with racket not natural to the environment but announces her presence and reduces twistings of my too-stiff back to look for her.

Life is wonderful in a saddle, although these days that may offer only brief escapes from the widespread social, political, and economic unrest. I try to resist writing about those hot topics, but even in our ride, they existed in Janet’s and my discussions.

Dear Friends: Many t-shirts are supporting big wishes to, “Please, let 2020 end!” Diana

Sunday, October 04, 2020

It’s almost two years since November 2, 2018, a memorable day when the world learned of a shockingly brutal murder and dismemberment of Saudi Journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. He lived in the United States and was a contributing writer for the Washington Post. His murder occurred in Istanbul almost immediately after he entered the Saudi Consulate to obtain needed documents for his approaching marriage. The order for Khashoggi’s ambush and destruction came from Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and de facto ruler.

In complicated Saudi Arabia, the crown prince, known as MBS, oversees a massively wealthy oil empire with a socially restricted population. Saudi Arabia does business with many countries that through the years have societies shifting toward becoming more open, progressive, and such changes pressure Saudi Arabia to loosen social restrictions. MBS has responded by loosening a few, and now it’s not illegal for women to drive cars or for people to attend cinemas.

Meanwhile MBS has no stomach for dissent. The journalist, Khashoggi, pushed the Saudi government and MBS by offering suggestions. For example, MBS could learn how to open the society gradually by studying nations already progressive; he could learn to manage successfully an open society by studying capable leaders in already socially progressive nations.

Early on, we heard a likelihood that Khashoggi’s death was directly ordered by MBS. Gradually, we saw evidence supporting that perspective. We’re aware that America helped MBS avoid having to reveal his role in the episode, his orders for Khashoggi’s murder. Now, we’re learning that months ago Trump openly bragged to Bob Woodward about having “saved his ass”, referring to MBS, the order, and the murder.

The many political and social elements involved in this story require a written dedicated history to cover them. The result would be a giant book that deals with the evolutions of wealth, society, and leadership. Nonetheless, all these continually are changing, often very dramatically, and we’re watching real-time via modern communication technology.

I’m attentive again to Khashoggi’s murder upon reading today’s Washington Post and a series dealing with the murder, it’s causes and impacts. The Post admirably refuses to allow the episode of its journalist’s murder and wanton destruction to slide into a silent past. Today’s articles on this topic are compelling perspectives with intent and clarity.

The series link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/01/jamal-khashoggi-path-justice/?arc404=true&utm_campaign=wp_week_in_ideas&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_ideas&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F2bea2e5%2F5f79ab7f9d2fda0efb3e8ded%2F5a15839aade4e232ba39053b%2F18%2F73%2Fe238b6ff9ca9e1bab716c7a31c09e3c3

Dear Friends: Worldwide changes are necessary, and voting is our active involvement. Diana