Relationships

Saturday, June 29,, 2024

Yesterday evening, my friends (and neighbors) Dale and Susie got together with me to celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary. We had a fine and fun dinner at Blacksmith, appreciating the establishment’s excellent service and perfectly prepared food.

The hors’ devours were sheer deliciousness arranged atop potato chips

After dinner, we strolled around on the downtown streets. Although last evening wasn’t a “first Friday,” many others like us enjoyed walking around the streets or simply hanging out.

It took planning to free Dale and Susie for a non-work-related period. For several years, they have owned and operated their growing business. Their “HeliLadder” product began as a vision, dreamed up and then created. The HeliLadder is specifically designed to accommodate better and thus facilitate helicopter repair. HeliLadder is an exciting product; it has international appeal and is increasingly becoming more known and in demand. (It’s also a colorful and pretty ladder.)

Even though elements associated with business responsibilities always top their minds, Dale and Susie relaxed last evening for some fun. Each is very bright with a fine sense of humor and a quick grasp on “the moment.” Their often unique “takes” on what’s happening make ordinary moments more enjoyable and interesting.

I’m honored that they’re friends as well as neighbors.

Dear Friends: The sense of ‘a village’ slowly is weaving itself into my understanding. Diana

Snafu

Friday, July 27, 2024

Again, today, I haven’t had time to think up and write a blog. I must hurry early to a lab for a blood draw before a routine appointment with my doctor later this morning.

Yesterday, I went to the lab to have that done. I arrived there at 4:14 and learned it routinely closes at 4 p.m. Across town is a sister lab and it’s open until 7 p.m., but Seri fell down on me by not recognizing the lab address. I repeatedly entered it into my phone, and each time, Seri gave me directions to various neighboring cities and/or other states. I told Seri to shut up.

Dear Friends: Dear Friends: I really need to get better at planning my days. Diana

Wild Horse

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Early yesterday, I was walking to the barn and saw a horse nearby free and grazing. Because of her color, I thought at first she was one of mine. I didn’t see familiar markings and realized she was a stray. As I approached, she trotted away; I moved toward her, and she moved on.

I hurried to grab a halter and lead rope, found a carrot, and went onto the quiet street that fronts my property. I saw her again; this time, she moved away more quickly and disappeared among the junipers. I phoned as many neighbors as possible for someone available to help hunt for her. Johnny down at the corner said her owner was searching the neighborhood, and they’d be right over. John across the street said he’d hurry out and help.

As I learned, that mare was a five-year-old formerly wild horse, adopted two weeks previously and not yet halter-broke. We became a group and actively tracked her; her trainer on horseback, her caretaker driving a powerful all-terrain vehicle, John and I riding in a golf cart, and Johnny on foot. After an hour or so, I had to give up.

I needed to attend to a worrisome break in my horse fencing. Its cause was Sunni’s frequent episodes of butt-scratching with her entire weight pressuring the fence fabric. I was hammering away when a strange vehicle came onto my property, its driver saying my horse was loose. Knowing that was incorrect, I looked to where she pointed. That mare had returned, drawn to be near my horses.

Just then a searcher showed up, and the mare, sensitized now to being sought, galloped off, and fortunately, away from the busy street, toward areas of trees and brush. I didn’t rejoin the trackers for having to keep repairing my fence.

Before having to leave for work, the last I saw of the chase was a searching group, still confounded. After work, I called the mare’s caretaker, who said they had contacted Kate Beardsley, our local expert on everything horse, including lost horse tracking. Around 7 p.m., Kate’s team rounded up the mare as she trotted eastward along the highway. By 8 p.m., the mare was captured, corralled, and home safely.

Today’s header photo makes it obvious that the young mare is drop-dead gorgeous. She’s worth all the attention, is smart, and is a fabulous prospect for the right person.

Dear Friends: I did manage to resecure my fence against Sunni’s scratching. Diana

Presence

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

I’m in an excellent mood and unsure why my brain feels happier than usual. Maybe it’s to offset inner anxiety because I anticipate finding myself in trouble when I arrive at work this afternoon. Yesterday evening, while closing my department, I didn’t take care of two routines. The evening had been quiet, so my slips weren’t critical, but I am charged to do them always.

I must be authentic in considering all this, as brains don’t technically “feel” emotions like humans do. Some physical and social activities can release certain chemicals that induce the brain states we associate with happiness. Some factors that contribute to a “happier” brain are exercise, social connections, sleep, and purpose. Some or all might be fueling my brain with “happiness” chemicals (e.g., dopamine) in these moments.

Physical components are also involved. Exercise, sunlight, and gratitude are some of the things that might be helping to fuel today’s “high.” My exercise routines still aren’t enough, but are happening. The days are abundantly sunlit. I have worked on focusing, being aware, and expressing gratitude for some time.

Why do I feel happy today despite anticipating worrisome workplace problems? Well, complex brain chemistry forced me to do some research. Now I understand, that even in the face of impending problems, a brain can release neurotransmitters (like dopamine or endorphins) that lend temporary feelings of happiness. Maybe those are why I’m feeling happier today, with an upped willingness to go to work and face the music.

Everyone experiences emotions differently. Although feeling happy in the face of problems might be a healthy coping mechanism for me, that’s unlikely to be the same for everybody. I am accustomed to working at recognizing and comprehending my emotions, but often, that means wading in deep and complicated waters.

Dear Friends: Focusing on the present moment can increase happiness. Diana

A Stone Diary

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

My short time working in jewelry sales has awakened my desire to learn more about the technical aspects of jewelry art. Understanding the properties of different metals, alloys, and gemstones requires knowing how various basic materials interact in a complex combination of chemistry and physics.

There’s much to know about jewel-making. The artists work with earth materials and have analytical minds. They have dived deeply into geology and have a scientific perspective. They can identify future jewels by knowing why a stone’s “growing environment” creates unique optical properties. They can assess a raw stone’s potential for cutting and shaping and estimate its future value.

A stone’s potential value involves another complex dive, into the “commercial world” of appeal. Consumers assess their wishes for apparel items against complicated innate desires, involving self-expression, status, cultural influence, passion, and investment worthiness.

While selling a jewelry piece, I am aware of how long a potential buyer views an object. I watch for body language clues and listen for verbal cues. To encourage a customer’s interest, I ask open-ended questions and do my best to teach by providing technical information.

Falling short in teaching drives a desire to learn. I want to understand the elements involved in identifying a raw stone’s potential and the ways artists transform found raw earth objects into desirable jewels.

Dear Friends: This is unlocking a door to endless possibilities. Diana

Compliant

Monday, June 24, 2024

Today, I must be super early to work—a whole hour before the store opens. That will allow me to fulfill the annual compliance training before handling the pre-opening routines for Fine Jewelry.

This morning, I’m mentally rearranging my early tasks. That interrupts my simultaneous stabs at thinking quickly and creating a blog. I’m sorry, but today can’t offer a story or blog.

May your day be enjoyable, and I’ll “see you” again tomorrow.

Dear Friends: I feel less of a stranger now in the unique jewelry arena. Diana

The Visit

Sunday, June 23, 2024

The very warm weather yesterday nearly overpowered both inside and outside. After having long waited for the natural warmth, I didn’t much mind, wasn’t about to complain, and instead said, “Bring more on!”

The aging large structure where I work part-time has inadequate air conditioning. My role in Fine Jewelry sales has a “dress code.” It requires wearing a jacket. This hot weather will have me challenging that current-day bit of meaninglessness.

I won’t do anything but follow every single rule before next week when a Very Big Gun visits our store. Yes, this relatively small store will soon host a major executive. On that day of brief examination, we will be mindful of keeping our areas tidy and being on our toes. Of course, we do those anyway, but to us, that visit represents a semi-grand “pomp and circumstances” event. We will be in a collective “steriod-like” attentiveness; I’ll wear an extra-special jacket.

Thankfully, pomp and circumstance occur often. They are important to keeping our store viable. Special occasions like business meetings, weddings, dances, graduations, and so on, are formal commitments. They encourage “the committed” to shop at our store which carries occasion-appropriate clothing and accessories.

We can see all around that the retail business is changing rapidly. Especially, we see retail moving away from brick-and-mortar stores and focusing more on selling online. This change is called “the Amazon effect.” (Amazon’s popularity, ease, and profitability are impacting all of retail, and much of the computer world [e.g., AI’s seemingly unlimited possibilities]).

As usual, I digress. Little telling how “liking heat and disliking jackets” guided me to Amazon.

Dear Friends: My thoughts often take unexpected turns. Diana

On Display

Saturday, June 22, 2024

I recently began selling jewelry in the department store where I work part-time. Yesterday, I discovered that coworkers had placed bets on how long it would be before I purchased a piece of jewelry. They were laughing while I was settling a deal for my shiny new ring.

I gain new intentions upon learning, and to me, quality becomes irresistible. Although I needed a ring like a hole in my head, I felt that my finger, flashing quality, could enhance my jewelry sales role (or some such rationale).

All logical rationale aside, jewelry simply attracts attention and admiration, especially pieces that host superior craftsmanship, intricate designs, precious metals, and gemstones. Attraction to high-quality jewelry varies among individuals. Some people become attracted by aesthetic appeal, others by investment potential, and for most, by fine jewelry’s emotional triggerings.

My jewelry choices reflect elements of personal style, taste, and creativity. For example, my new ring is conservative, high-quality, has good gemstones, and its design reflects my preferences. Eventually, I might wish for a more prominent ring. That could happen after I understand more about gemstones—their sparkle, shine, precious metals, and “sensing qualities” of feel and aesthetic appeal.

Dear Friends: The allure of high-quality jewelry extends beyond mere aesthetics. Diana

A “Strawberry” Team

Friday, June 21, 2024

Yesterday was the Summer Solstice, the year’s longest day when twenty-four hours split to share equally the daylight and darkness. It marks the end of slowly increasing daylight and starts us anticipating a dark season’s gradual arrival.

The evening light lingered and illuminated us Moon-Chasers. We donned our uniforms, took a camera, and headed to an appropriate place near the airport on the city’s east side. We intended to capture this month’s almost full “Strawberry” Moon. We were going for that “nearly full” moon because commitments prevented us from chasing June’s fullest moon, happening tonight.

In lots of lingering daylight, we watched the rising moon. At first, it appeared very dimly, hovering almost invisibly over the tall trees and ridge of peaks that were our horizon. The barely visible Strawberry made us unsure we could capture it adequately, but in elevating the moon became clearer and eventually very beautiful.

Photos of that moon capture the eastern countryside’s dark sky. The darkness was a significant contrast to a lighter sky west and toward the city.

Susie and I did lots of moon and airspace shooting. We quickly recognized that we were in an area that invited playing, and we did that, too.

We love our Team Uniform!

Dear Friends: Ode to an interlude of beauty, fun, and friendship. Diana

Chinatown

Thursday, June 20, 2024

On this date in 1974, Paramount Pictures released its movie, “Chinatown.” The screenplay was inspired by early Twentieth-Century California water wars and the Los Angeles interest in securing water rights in California’s Owens Valley. At the 1975 Academy Awards, Chinatown was nominated for eleven awards, receiving only one for Robert Towne’s screenplay.

Many rank Chinatown as one of the greatest films ever. It’s the last picture Roman Polanski directed in America and features many elements of film noir. The multi-layered story is part mystery and part psychological drama, perfectly interpreted by superb actors.

In 1975, Chinatown’s Oscar competition, The Godfather Part II, won for Best Picture and Best Director. Since then, I’ve wondered why Godfather won over Chinatown. Certainly, both films have had a lasting impact.

I think the Godfather’s wins were related to cultural impact. Audiences found its story easier to absorb than Chinatown’s.

Back then, The Godfather saga’s exploration of the American immigrant experience and the dark side of the American Dream probably resonated more deeply with audiences and critics. That suggests “cultural relevance” was significant in the Academy’s decision.

Today, deciding which film is best might have a different outcome. It’s important to remember that awards are subjective; contemporary choices are influenced by various factors, e.g., personal preferences, industry trends, and campaign strategies.

To me, “Chinatown” is a masterpiece of filmmaking. It forces viewers to explore some innermost and perhaps conflicting perceptions. Unquestionably, “The Godfather Part II” is also a fine movie, with similar storytelling ambition, technical excellence, and powerful performances.

Differences in perceiving them means thinking back to the 19970s. Godfather’s resonance was easier to comprehend and more comfortably relatable. Today’s populations are better informed, generally wiser about psychology, and often consider Chinatown the best picture.

Dear Friends: This anniversary of that excellent film’s debut is a cause for celebration. Diana