Agatha

Tuesday, July 09, 2024

High heat remains the topic locally. Today, I’ll return to work after a couple of days off. Guess what: I’m looking forward to being there. With very hot sunshine covering this area, hanging around the house is too warm. So is hanging around outside, with sunshine heating metal garbage can lids, making them too hot for bare hands.

High temperatures forced me to spend most of yesterday draped in an easy chair, facing a high-blowing fan. I had the self-assignment of focusing on Agatha Christie’s first published mystery novel, And Then There Were None. It’s a suitable read when weather conditions discourage concentrating.

I previously read just one of Christie’s books, and that was many years ago, back when I was a big admirer of Charlotte Bronte. In UCLA’s Library, I discovered and loved a book by Christie; no, not a mystery, but a brilliant exploration of Bronte’s life and talent. I noted Christie’s fine writing skills and appreciated her sensitivity and insightfulness toward Bronte.

I never was much interested in mystery stories, but then decided to someday read at least some of Christie’s fiction. This current story, And Then There Were None, became her first published novel. Reading it reminds me of her sparse and clean writing style. To progress the story, she disravels details carefully, one by one. She had to have planned, step-by-step, the mystery’s development and flow of events.

Experience is a great teacher, and I anticipate her following stories (some now waiting on my reading table) to be better designed with more gripping plots. If I weren’t expecting that to be, another great teacher, History, would help me “get it.”

Here’s why: Agatha Christe (1890-1976) wrote 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections; research ranks her the bestselling author in history, reporting that only the Bible and Shakespeare have outsold her works.

I have learned that small everyday events and casual observations could become Christie’s ideas for new plots. She wove glimpses of life and her quick ideas into novels from endless notes in dozens of handwritten notebooks. She saw in her jotted erratic ideas potential plots and characters.

She reportedly dictated her initial drafts into a Dictaphone, leaving the typing to an assistant. She would then meticulously revise the typed manuscripts by hand and re-dictate the pages. To gauge audience reactions, Christie read chapters aloud to her family during dinnertimes. Her stories quickly moved from scribbled notes to finished products.

Dear Friends: I’m in awe, and will continue reading Christie and keeping you posted. Diana

Scenting

Monday, July 08, 2024

Yesterday, my “midday shift” at work was a dream. My hours were free from the usual opening and closing duties, meaning I had no heavy lifting, no bending, and no worries about getting everything done perfectly. The primary purpose of my shift was to cover a coworker’s lunch break.

The scorching heat kept customers scarce, leaving me with ample time to explore a nearby fragrance counter. I had avoided perfume for years since my earliest gym days when I became wary of combining scents with sweat. But yesterday was a scorcher and our store had few customers.

After years of steering clear of commercial fragrances and now having free time, I wandered to Fragrances. It was hard to resist free-spray opportunities from numerous tester bottles, and I opted for a few casual sprays. However, when Chanel No. 5, a fragrance I had long forgotten, landed on my wrist, it triggered a flood of memories. Another surprise is that the original Chanel version is still pleasing.

The familiar fragrance instantly transported me back to younger, more carefree times and prompted me to reconsider my perfume aversion. I often returned to the Chanel tray through the rest of that shift. That classic fragrance will come back into my life; perhaps in one of its newer, slightly altered iterations.

A pleasant bonus was the lingering, subtle scent at the end of the day. That entire fragrance experience got me thinking about the fascinating world of scent perception. I could delve deeper into it, but for now, yesterday’s olfactory adventure adequately satisfies.

Dear Friends: What a delightful surprise! Diana

Heating Up

Sunday, July 07, 2024

The cool of this early hour is ideal for tackling outdoor chores and sprucing up the property. Soon, the sun will blaze overhead, and any trace of refreshing coolness will vanish. Temperatures of 101 degrees are predicted for today and tomorrow here in Central Oregon. That gets worse on Tuesday, with our anticipated heat reaching 104 degrees.

Global warming is a deeply concerning issue. For instance, I try not to dwell on its impact on polar bears and places like Iceland. However, experiencing extreme heat firsthand reinforces the reality of the situation and makes it clear that this is not just a local issue. The stark reality is that we all are interconnected, and on a global scale, climate change has consequences that impact individuals and locations.

Personally, experiencing these very high temperatures makes me realize that I’m coping with some emotional distress, and it’s related to climate change. I am gathering, too, that anxious feelings like mine are becoming more common. They’re often referred to as climate anxiety or eco-grief.

Well, today’s environment creates such new “anxiety tags.” I did some research and learned that “Climate Anxiety” is a chronic fear or worry about the future due to the effects of climate change. More research also clarified “Eco-grief” as a profound sense of loss and mourning for the already occurring environmental damage and the potential loss of ecosystems, species, and even entire landscapes.

Climate change is a global crisis. It affects every corner of our planet and evokes personal grief. I’m challenged to comprehend the complex and often contentious political landscape surrounding the issue, and internationally.

As more people accept the reality of climate change and learn to move beyond personal grief, we may gain a better understanding of the global political conflicts surrounding climate change, commerce, and power. More understanding could empower us to have a greater influence on these issues.

Dear Friends: The thermometer’s reality extends beyond mere temperature. Diana

In the Tea Leaves

Saturday, July 06, 2024

Among things I’ve never done: Read a mystery novel by Agatha Christie. That’s about to change because I ordered, on an impulse, several of her classics. They’ve arrived, and I wonder why this seems a time for me to be reading, and why Christie, on an impulse. It’s not easily answerable.

As background, I seek quick information and deeper knowledge from online sources. For a long while, I’ve not sat reading a printed book. I’ve learned that the quick internet offers snapshots and summaries that satisfy most of my explorations, and these days, AI technology often speeds up discoveries.

I suppose Christie’s novels are attractive for various reasons. First, they are enduringly popular. All her books have remained viable for a very long time, testifying to their quality and appeal. Second, for unclear reasons, I lately am yearning to sit awhile and read a tactile book; one that’s well-written, easy to read, and entertaining. Christie popped into my mind.

I’ve been wondering why I’ll read mysteries; the genre never particularly appealed to me. Perhaps it’s that in these days of great political and social turmoil, I wish for the comfort and nostalgia of “simpler times.” Besides Christie’s stories having complex plots, what is also attractive is that her mysteries are solved in the old ways, through observation and deduction, instead of advanced technology.

I’ll start this reading project with, And Then There Were None, considered as Christie’s most popular book.

Dear Friends: On sweltering summer days, light reading becomes very inviting. Diana

Post-Day

Strolling with “Wellsummer” my 15-year-old hen.

Friday, July 05, 2024

(Note, edited later, to correct the joke about “winter’s two seasons.”)

The most stressful (from my perspective) annual holiday this nation celebrates once again is history. Throughout last evening and night, my dogs were constantly on edge, scurrying around in response to the endless fireworks and rockets. I downed a cocktail and went to bed.

Like many, I wish for our community’s celebrations to replace real fireworks with simulated lights projected into the sky. Although projected lights with simulated sounds still could cause some stress, they significantly would reduce the risks of injuries and property damage from traditional fireworks.

This morning mirrors yesterday’s pleasantly cool start. But again, Central Oregon’s temperatures are expected to climb to an uncomfortable high this afternoon, likely reaching the 90s as they did yesterday. I retrieved my trusty electric fans from storage to combat the heat without resorting to costly air conditioning. Their whirring blades circulating air effectively are cooling my home’s interior.

Today is another day off from work. I’ll take advantage of the morning to complete any pressing tasks before the summer heat arrives. There’s an old joke that Central Oregon has only two seasons: “winter and the 4th of July.” This year, that rings true. Just days ago, it felt like jacket weather, and now we’re facing the intense July 4th heat.

Dear Friends: Enjoy the day despite the heat; summer has finally arrived. Diana

Hot July Daze

Thursday, July 04, 2024

The weather prediction is for unusual temperatures covering the West Coast today and for more days. We Central Oregonians are anticipating triple-digit heat and are warned to plan for staying cool enough indoors and outdoors through the overheated days and nights.

That’s the expectation on this July 4th. Tonight, open windows will let hot air into our homes, accompanying the noisy, lengthy serenading of exploding bombs and skyward rockets. We must hope no sparks ignite something highly flammable in this dry heat.

Despite the many weather warnings, last night’s was wonderful, and the coolness continues this morning. I’m not on today’s work schedule, so I will be home to ensure all stays okay through the heat and noise.

Yesterday, a customer gabbing with me offered very welcome news: Tyler Newton, a very capable equine veterinarian who used to be with Bend Equine, still is working locally and has his own mobile practice.

Tyler had been at my place several times to examine and treat my donkey, Pimmy. He was capable and kind. Sometime later, I heard, and unhappily, that he had left Bend Equine; and that practice was tight-lipped about his whereabouts. Now that I know how to contact Tyler, I will call him tomorrow to say hello and learn about his practice.

Dear Friends: Even idle chatter can spark unexpected insights. Diana

Pre-Holiday

Wednesday, July 03, 2024

Happy pre-July 4th! This is one of my two least favorite holidays (Halloween being the other) because I find them both scary and invasive. July 4th brings an even greater array of frights, creating a night of stress rather than rest with loud bangs that frighten dogs and lights that worry livestock. It’s often a seriously threatening enabler of personal and environmental dangers, such as injuries and wildfires.

Fireworks pose increasing risks that make it crucial for us to reevaluate the tradition. Rising temperatures and changing environmental conditions make fireworks a more significant fire hazard, especially in drought-prone areas. They also cause air and noise pollution that impacts the larger environment. Fireworks debris, for example, litter both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

I understand that some communities are exploring alternative ways to celebrate Independence Day. For example, laser or drone light shows that create intricate and dazzling displays in the sky are safer and more environmentally friendly options. Enhancing community events, like parades and concerts, could reduce our long-term reliance on fireworks.

As our awareness of environmental issues grows, so must our methods of celebrating events. Finding new ways to honor July 4th must allow us to balance tradition with a renewed commitment to sustainability and safety.

Dear Friends: With hopes for rest and patience tonight and tomorrow night. Diana

Oops!

Tuesday, July 02, 2024

Yesterday at work, I followed a detailed checklist I had created for my role in the Fine Jewelry Department. Throughout my evening shift, I methodically checked off each task, which helped me manage the various requirements without feeling overwhelmed. When it was time to start closing the department, I smoothly handled all the necessary routines—fine jewelry has more closing tasks than any other area in the department store. As a result, I’m often one of the last employees to clock out.

Last night, after completing my checklist, I was indeed the last employee to clock out. As I walked down an aisle towards the employee exit door, my iPhone rang. My watch showed it was a call from North Carolina, so I dismissed it, thinking it was a marketer. Little did I know that I would soon face an unexpected problem: the exit door wouldn’t open, and I found myself locked inside the store.

Fortunately, the night manager was still outside the door, concerned that a last vehicle was still in the employee parking lot. While I pushed on the stubborn exit door, the store manager called out loudly, asking if I was still inside. She unlocked the door, setting off silent alarms, and I stepped out. We waited together to see what would happen next.

How could I have known that the call from North Carolina was actually the night manager trying to reach me?

As we waited, the store’s General Manager called the night manager and provided instructions on how to resolve the situation. Thankfully, no police arrived, the alarm was reset, and my “savior car” took me home.

Had I been left entirely alone, I wouldn’t have been able to contact anyone for help. This experience taught me the importance of having store-related emergency phone numbers handy as part of my checklist.

Dear friends, Gratefully, I didn’t have to walk outside with my hands raised in surrender! Diana

A New Round

Miles, in his heyday

Monday, July 01, 2024

I ordered a new e-collar this morning for Chase, my young Rottweiller/Shepherd. Yesterday, Chase behaved badly by picking a fight with old and arthritic Miles. I managed to distract Chase and immediately sent him into lockdown. He spent all day in solitary, looking pitiful.

Going forward, he’ll spend longer hours in the standalone escape-proof kennel and also will be reintroduced to wearing an e-collar.

I felt angry with Chase and again wanted to rehome the problem dog. Chase is a great companion but he’s also an efficient escape artist and tends to be aggressive toward older and weaker dogs.

Some unknown breed in Chase’s complex mix has given him a mega-streak of determination. When Chase digs, it’s nonstop; when focusing on leaping a fence, it’s nonstop; and when combating a weaker dog, it’s relentless.

I dislike thinking about tossing this smart problem boy. He needs special attention, and how many others would bother with that? Well, I’ll try to hang on until he matures and hopefully becomes more mellow.

Starting now, Chase may freely roam among my other dogs only when I’m home, is in an e-collar and I’m carrying a remote. When I must leave home, Chase will be in the standalone until I return.

Miles is approaching 13 years old and is special. After years of running alongside me on horseback, he’s a little arthritic and stiff. So far, Miles’ larger size has deferred Chase’s dominant behavior, but recently, I’ve noticed domination hints from Chase and that Miles tends to avoid the younger dog. These will escalate unless stopped.

Dear Friends: Sweet mother of pearl! It’s like Groundhog Day over here. Diana

Tasked!

Sunday, June 30, 2024

This morning, while planning my day, I had a pleasing surprise–this is a day off from work. That’s calling for wrapping my head around, feeling free, and replanning a lot.

This day off also relieves me of having to go in and face the music. Last night, while closing the jewelry department, I became sidetracked and neglected a step in the evening’s routine—a small one and without much obvious purpose, but always getting done.

I was anticipating having to listen today about my error. Now, I can hope that that issue will seem more minor tomorrow.

My problem is that I prefer to organize and track only in my brain and rarely write a routine. Now, that must change. I did some research and downloaded a daily planning sheet. I will commit each morning to writing a plan for carrying, referring to, and adjusting as needed.

I know the Jewelry Department’s opening and closing routines well enough, but I recognize that I may become sidetracked and thus forgetful. To counter this, I will write a list of all the daily tasks required and check each off upon completion.

This is a new beginning for me. A written daily plan is undoubtedly a valuable tool for maximizing productivity. It’s a writing habit that helps to reduce stress and achieve goals. I will experiment to find the best planning style to support my evolving needs and priorities.

Dear Friends: Mistakes are simply unacceptable when it comes to fine jewelry. Diana