Saturday, August 17, 2024

These evenings, a nearly full moon is gracing the sky. Its ethereal beauty offers a glimpse of the upcoming full Blue Moon. A blue moon in August is rare. This one will be at its fullest and illuminate the evening on Monday.

On the town’s eastern edge, our Moon-Chasing Team will be waiting–decked out in our finest lunar-themed attire, enjoying snacks and lively conversation while eagerly spotting for the moon’s earliest glimmer. Our photography equipment will be poised to capture its majestic ascent.

Over the years, our moon-chasing has evolved into pleasantly more complicated events. First, there’s a thrill of being in total darkness and glimpsing the earliest moon glow, a breaking light that encourages our deep sense of promise and hope. We dance in appreciation to the thrilling light and play, almost childlike, at being creative. We photograph to capture and illuminate our sheer joy.

The full moons have become our serendipitous gateway to learning, playfulness, and flights of fancy. Yes, adults, too, need moments of liberation to safely loosen their grip on reality and embrace the whimsical.

Dear Friends: Deep down, our inner child never fades away. Diana

Friday, August 16, 2024

Yesterday evening, my friend Susie and I went out for dinner. Over sliders, French fries, and beer, she patiently listened to me explain a dilemma that I was facing. Talking makes me feel better and clarifies my thinking. Later, I managed to identify an overlooked element, adding understanding to my situation. Always a good listener helps; thanks again, Susie!

Yesterday afternoon, I had a lovely horseback ride on Sunni; she behaved perfectly. All the pups were running along, having a great time. Miles’ arthritic right front leg was noticeable but seemingly not bothersome, perhaps from his musculoskeletal additive. Osix was her usual self, independent and cute as a button. Chase was everywhere, and he flushed and chased a bunny with his own style of long rabbit-like leaping. Little Mitzvah at Sunni’s heels, followed in sand cooled by the recent rain.

While riding, I didn’t have my phone handy for photos. Today I will work during the store’s evening hours and this morning is open. I might horseback ride again, this time on Rosie. I would have a phone handy to capture images. Our high desert remains a bit smoky, but temperatures are perfect for being and doing in the outdoors.

Dear Friends: In the waning days of summer, reawakening to the magical outdoors. Diana

Thursday, August 15, 2024

It rained overnight, lots of it, and heavily, on four exposed bags of concrete mix outside my barn. The rain awakened and upset me. I had planned to repair a broken fence post today, but I must go shopping to replace now-useless materials and haul them home.

I have another choice today. I could trust the horses not to break through my fence’s weak spot. Outside is cool and horse trails will be nice and moist. I have been owing myself and my animal family an outing. By deciding “to heck with the fence,” I could load a horse and the dogs. We’d roam for a while, which feels like a win over coping with concrete challenges.

Here in Central Oregon, this last part of August feels the opposite of my earlier years living here. I used to anticipate these August weeks as the hottest of the year, but this season, they’re the coolest part of our summer.

I’m leaning toward horseback. That’s been waiting too long. I’d be on Sunni. She’s pretty safe for an out-of-practice rider, climbing onto her saddle, staying on, and refreshing one’s horseperson skills.

Dear Friends: New plans here in Central Oregon on a late summer soggy day. Diana

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Critical skills enable a newcomer to fit into an organization. They involve insight, sensitivity to the essence of a culture, adaptability, or an ability to fit in. This topic is big in my brain because a new hire is joining our department sales team at my workplace.

I immediately sensed her aggressiveness as she gave me an earful of her resume. She’s managed this organization and that one; she’s a licensed masseuse and is now applying for an Oregon license. She had no interest in my background, and sensing that she wanted to manage me, I began avoiding her.

She affected my coworkers similarly. Our consensus was “too aggressive and pushy.” The other day, she felt neglected by our department manager and complained to top management. That angered our department manager, and the day became tense. I received instructions to teach the new person about closing the department at the end of the day. After thanking me for showing her, she intended to complain again the next morning about our manager not treating her correctly.

I said, “You must be able to get along with our manager.” She said, “No!” I looked directly into her stare and repeated, “You must get along with our department manager.” She didn’t answer and appeared to be fuming internally. Finally, I reminded her, “Every organization has a culture.” To her credit, she nodded.

I don’t know what was churning in her brain. Hopefully, as an experienced worker, she has enough insight to recognize that up-front winning is less effective than being open to learning and adaptable. She has the basic smarts and sales skills for our sales team, and if she can adapt, she will be a valued coworker.

Culture is what it is, and it is neither right nor wrong. A culture is adaptable and can be influenced, but can’t be bullied. I know from experience how hard it is to grasp and adapt to a new culture and that doing so requires conformance. I also know that one can spice up a culture later by thoughtfully voicing bits of opposition.

Dear Friends: A concept of culture goes hand in glove with mutual trust. Diana

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

The veterinarian who recently examined my kitty Maxwell called and said that his bloodwork reveals the very early stage of kidney failure. Max is approximately 17 years old, give or take, and I resist imagining him not being around, underfoot and in my way, or on my lap purring and contented.

Max’s inoculations were updated during that vet visit, and since, I have debated whether to allow him to go outside a little. This late in summer there are few helpless young critters, if any, to maximize his hunting success. The veterinarian said that tasty and highly digestible mice are a perfect kidney-friendly food.

In his earliest years here, Max was an outside-only kitty and hung out in the chicken coop area. Nowadays, plenty of mice still run around there, but I hesitate to let Max go out. He’s been inside for a long time and, while wanting to go out, is accustomed to in-house confinement.

Years ago, I lived in Los Angeles and volunteered with a kitten rescue organization. I absorbed some rules that made sense, the most important being “inside-only,” which reduced dangers from traffic, predatory critters, and unkind humans. That rule still resonates with me.

My concerns now are about heavier vehicle traffic here in Central Oregon from exploding population growth. I worry about new neighbors coming from the city living and being unaccustomed to roaming cats. Those weren’t big factors in Max’s earlier free days.

So, the jury’s out on Max’s future, whether inside only or outside partially. It doesn’t help to weigh in a potential kidney failure journey. Meanwhile, all will be on hold, and I will focus on shopping for prescription kidney food, and weighing that against the benefits of delicious, digestible mice.

Dear Friends: It’s early, I’m over-worried while first-time imagining no Max. Diana

Monday, August 12, 2024

I’m reading Nancy Pelosi’s book; it’s very readable, and I recommend it. She’s very thorough and almost has written a textbook about understanding viewpoints, achieving goals, and staying focused and determined.

As a lifelong student of management skills myself, I am certain this book will become a classic study of managing the complexities of large groups and small team dynamics.

The book is fun to read. I recall many of the real-time political challenges and events she refers to. It’s refreshing to reconsider them and to gain insight as to how she influenced the outcomes.

Throughout modern social history, many outstanding women have contributed to the slowly changing feminine roles, as women transitioned from sexual objects, baby bearers, and household managers to business and political contributors. We remember those outspoken women mostly as individual influencers.

Today, that’s not so. A popular woman presidential candidate and her many female and male supporters are obscuring any old perceptions of singularity.

Dear Friends: Young voters are interested too, and becoming more active. Diana

Sunday, August 11, 2024

Yesterday, at my part-time job, I watched deeply tanned shoppers browsing through kids’ and juniors’ clothing and understood that we’re near the start of a new school year. This summer, in my mind, is only beginning, but in reality, it’s nearly history. Time keeps slipping away, and ever too quickly.

Now, I’m thinking ahead about what I need to get done during the next month or so of still decent weather in Central Oregon. It’s important to plan ahead to ease coping through our crummiest weather months. Not so far ahead, one year will end, and a new one will start and begin to build up, typically through our most challenging climate months.

Unfortunately, now are added months of challenges. This was a hotter summer with many large wildfires. These summer weeks have been smoky and unbreathably dull, with few exceptions. No wonder, without a memorably enjoyable summer, I’m surprised that fall is days away.

Off the top of my head, fence-fixing, hay-bringing in, and vehicle cold-weather preparations are needed. Space is needed to make wintery clothing easily accessible. And no forgetting, there’s ahead a significant time change. It will require readjusting how we perceive light and utilize our daily hours.

There’s lots to do between now and September. First, to have fun. Then, much will be needed between September and November, to prepare for colder weather and the time change. We in Central Oregon must be ready to hunker in and wait until our unpredictable spring occurs (historically, around Memorial Day).

Dear Friends: Required semi-annual time changes make everything worse. Diana

Saturday, August 10, 2024

My cat Maxwell has become apparent after a couple of days in hiding. He’s laid low since his veterinary examination, which included vaccinations, blood work, a dental exam, and worming. Honestly, I have not missed dodging Max who’s circling my feet as I stumble around in the early mornings. Nor have I worried much about his invisibility, for understandably, the crating, car ride, examination, and meds were a bit much for the boy.

The vet loved Max, as everybody else does. He’s friendly, loves people, enjoys being handled, and is handsome. I love him, too, but not particularly when he insists on being under my feet, especially when I try to hurry.

Now, I’ll face a dilemma about whether to let him go outside. He’s been an inside-only kitty for a couple of years. For one thing, I let his vaccinations lapse, and for another, he expertly kills lovable creatures.

I hate finding bird remains and those of chipmunks and lizards, all victims of Max. His final moment of freedom came a couple of years ago when I discovered him crouching before a cornered garden snake, a pretty creature I love spotting and having on the property.

Max got carried inside, and Snake moved off safely.

I’ll think more later about inside versus outside and what happens next. Right now, I see that Max is eating–a welcome sight after his disappearance, hiding and fasting.

Dear Friends: I will admit to being one of the many cat ladies who always vote. Diana

Friday, August 09, 2024

Today ends another week in America, with attention-grabbing stock market ups and downs and political turmoil that have captured me all week.

That is, except for taking my last three house pets to the veterinarian for physicals and updated inoculations. I’m tickled that my cat Maxwell is healthy; he could go outside if I decide to put little wild, non-rat/mouse critters at risk. The two youngest dogs, my fourteen-pound Jack Russel-X, Mitzvah, is just fine, and so is puppy Chase.

I must start routinely brushing Mitzvah’s teeth–something I don’t want to do. But she’s part Poodle, and the vet says that “poodle teeth” typically become troubling. The vet didn’t like a trend she could see occurring in Mitzvah’s jaw, so keeping the dog’s teeth decent means brushing them is necessary.

Now that all the dogs are inoculated, I will ride horseback and they will follow. Our vet said that, despite my Border Collie’s arthritic rear, Miles could safely run for two or three miles at a time. That’s enough distance for a decent family outing. The biggest plus is that Miles won’t be forced to stay home while his buddies climb into the horse rig. That makes him sad and he objects noisily. I needn’t worry now about leaving him behind.

Puppy Chase hasn’t been exposed to enough other people, and by nature, he’s cautious. The veterinarian and her crew were terrific. He responded to them well, became relaxed, and had a good time.

During next week’s continuing economic and political drama and trauma, I intend to be on horseback, and with all my dogs following.

Dear Friends: Keeping a balanced perspective takes effort and self-awareness. Diana

Thursday, August 08, 2024

This election appears to be Donald’s to lose, in a significant turnaround of what had seemed inevitable. Against new combatants, he can’t show signs of having changed. He hasn’t evolved or enlarged his vision beyond his personal ambitions. That it’s obvious argues for engaging ourselves in an important element in living and aging. That element is continually self-encouraging to evolve personally and socially.

It encourages us to follow or engage in a variety of interests. Learning forces us to readjust many of our held perspectives. It gives us a broader outlook and the skills to be more adaptable in various situations.

Of course, mental health plays a huge role in personal adapting. One must be willing to accept new knowledge to develop personally and utilize appropriate social skills in various situations.

Today’s politics is teaching us in real time that money and power alone aren’t necessarily able to combat uplifting surprises. Going forward, our politics will be a nail-biting journey.

Dear Friends: Learned necessities: pausing, thinking, evaluating, and arguing wisely. Diana