Surprises

Friday, May 10, 2024

Yesterday’s weather was warm enough to turn this doubter’s mind from winter. Abundant sunshine made it seem that spring finally arrived. Still doubting, I spent all day handling “stuff set aside” through weeks of cold weather that encouraged me simply to hover near one or another heating source.

Yesterday, things didn’t go perfectly well, with my unwinding of hoses, fiddling to straighten up in the garden, and doing some cleaning around the barn. I didn’t obsess about what didn’t happen just right, but instead, attended to my recent awakening and focused on appreciating whatever might happen. I was on the lookout for what might “seem sweet” and carried a little book for noting anything I happened to appreciate.

I did note each appreciation. Interestingly, most were from occurrences totally unexpected, and actually very surprising.

Thurs, May 9, 2024…Appreciating:

Myself, for managing to load heavy trash containers into my trailer and tarping the load
My Jeep, for managing despite a low gas gage reading to reach the dump, and then a gas station
Two men at the Dump, for spontaneously untarping my load, dumping bags and containers of trash, reloading and securing empty accroutements, for my hauling the trailer home
Teller at the Credit Union, for arranging to erase a $27 overdraft penalty and being kind in general
Chase (my puppy), for hearing my commands to stay inside the Jeep a couple of times as I was lifting its deck door
Gas station attendant, for showing me how to open my Jeep’s gas tank cover

Any of those might have become a dim memory too soon after occurring. But by especially noting and thus remembering vividly, my list gave me a huge emotional lift for that day. Even this morning, remembering all those kindnesses now is making me feel really good.

Dear Friends: Today, with anticipation boosted, hopefully, more grand surprises. Diana

Mind Full

Thursday, May 09, 2024

A PBS documentary focusing on human memory suggests that truth and reality, seen through the filter of our memories, are not objective facts but are subjective, interpreted realities. Memory research shows that our brains interpret the past. We tend to correct ourselves, add bits and pieces, and delete uncomplimentary or disturbing recollections. Essentially, our brains sweep, dust, and tidy things up.

The documentary included interviews with Lisa Genova, a trained neurophysiologist and best-selling author. She supported the documentary’s points that memory isn’t accurate but interprets the past. She also shifted a bit by asking, “Do many of us spend time practicing gratitude?”

Genova’s writings often make me pause to consider and research the topics she presents. The question about practicing gratitude made me wonder: Do I actually practice gratitude, and if so how? My cloudy memory on this topic had me ask basic questions: What is “practicing gratitude,” and how does one do that?

I gather there are gratitude exercises for training a brain to focus on the positive aspects of life, whether they’re big or small. Gratitude exercises can be a learned skill–like strengthening a particular muscle. Over time, consistently practicing gratitude develops an appreciation mindset that gradually becomes a natural behavior.

Wishing to “appreciate gratitude” means learning how to notice “good things” more readily and preserve them.

Research teaches ways of learning how to focus on gratitude. That might start with a daily gratitude list of 2-3 things and continue by learning to explore what resonates. Maybe by creating a daily gratitude journal, taking walks, or learning how to meditate. A caution is to avoid being grateful for obvious things, like health. Instead, to reflect on specific things, really appreciated–like a good night’s sleep or being able to exercise.

In time, a learner will understand that feeling gratitude goes hand-in-glove with being mindful. Mindfulness is a learned skill about being attentive in present moments and recognizing positive experiences. Appreciation is another learned skill about knowing how to save and savor moments of positive experiences.

Dear Friends: I enjoy thoughts about practicing mindfulness and appreciation. Diana

What’s Smarts?

Wednesday, May 08, 2024

Today is World Donkey Day, celebrating that most worthwhile companion animal and hard worker if you know how to train one. Over the years, I’ve attempted, and always in vain, to train my donkey, Pimmy. Instead, she’s taught me. I finally understood that a donkey is very different from a horse.

They’re closely related. Donkeys and horses share many distinct physical and behavioral characteristics but are very different to train. Unfortunately, donkeys are stereotyped as stubborn but are very intelligent and typically more cautious than horses.

Donkeys don’t particularly trust new things, which makes training them difficult. Horses basically are willing to do what’s asked, but not a donkey. A donkey needs to comprehend why it’s doing something. Otherwise, it participates unwillingly and escapes training situations as soon as possible.

I learned all that by wanting Pimmy to learn to pull a cart. Cart training began with me using a long lead rope and guiding haltered Pimmy to walk in circles. She refused to walk in useless circles; she never “got it.” Finally, I gave up.

To be truthful, “our problem” more was mine. I lacked the patience to keep Pimmy going until she became more accepting. That taught me that “if you can” when training a donkey is highly related to a trainer’s patience.

Pimmy is bonded to her horses, is loyal, and follows them everywhere. She’s also very alert and protective. Our donkey is a wonderful pet.

Dear Friends: Voting on World Donkey Day for lots more years with sweet Pimmy. Diana

Status Quo

Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Today, I’ll gather the dogs and head out into the countryside with a camera. I plan to search for and record random signs of this spring’s arrival. To me, it’s apparent because my garden tulips are popping. I’m already weeding, and weeds are the green surrounding almost everywhere. However, this green merely seduces me here in Central Oregon since the weather insists on clinging to “cold and dreary.”

I work part-time in a department store and often see customers purchasing lots of summer-style clothing. Most say they plan to depart Central Oregon this week or next and spend time in more summery places, like Mexico, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. I recall wonderful summertime weather and wish for it; am slightly envious of those traveling from cold weather.

As an intrepid homebody, I find those envies situational and momentary. I prefer staying home and making do with what’s around—my dogs, a camera, and, in cooperative weather, a horse to ride. Those make the local surroundings beautiful enough and deeply pleasurable despite our chilly spring times. To me, nearby open spaces are “The Tops.”

Nearby spaces allow for quick escapes from the urban grid. They make staying home as lovely as being anywhere else, and maybe more so. Connecting easily with nature offers a sense of peace and tranquility. Time spent in nature with my animals gives me “elbow room” or “breathing space,” reduces stress, and improves my mental well-being.

If this growing city becomes a more crowded urban environment, I’ll reconsider not wanting to travel. Nowadays, that’s a moot point because Central Oregon still offers the best of both worlds. We can access the excitement and opportunities of urban life and easily find open spaces nearby to relax, recharge, and connect with nature.

Dear Friends: Springtime will happen, is happening; and anticipating is exciting. Diana

Ode to Spring

Monday, May 06, 2024

It’s early today, and no signs of rain, at least not yet. Understand, please, that I love the rain, but mostly while inside and hearing its pitter-patter—and hopefully, reading a book or cooking something up. I like rain much less in times that horses need feeding, and when other stuff needs doing around the barn.

We in Central Oregon desperately hope for heavy annual rains. We want full nearby mountain lakes and heavy water runoffs. Some years, our area stays too dry to maintain farmed crops, keep green an ever-growing population’s landscapes, and adequately feed this area’s famous golf courses.

The point is we couldn’t keep existing without rain aplenty. So, I won’t complain about the rain anticipated this afternoon. And, just my luck, it’ll be a downpour exactly when I must hurry out to the barn and feed my horses.

These aren’t sour notes because now is Central Oregon’s beginning of spring. Plus, it’s May! Shortly, we happily will stash our heavy outerwear, plant beautiful flowers knowing they’ll survive, and go seeking bleacher seats to cheer on the Bend Elks Baseball Team.

Dear Friends: Soon, and right here, abundant summer fun means fine living. Diana

Wildlife

Sunday, May 05, 2024

Today, it’s Cinco de Mayo, enjoy!

It’s another rainy and chilly morning here in Central Oregon. Yesterday, my neighbors told me they had discovered a brown fox, apparently living in our neighborhood, at their pond. They caught it in the act of killing some of their chickens, including the brave rooster, and frightened the critter away. This morning, I have a closer eye on my flock. It has two big roosters, but a fat chance they’d willlingly work together, and they don’t reassure.

Luckily, over the years, predators haven’t terrorized my chickens. Maybe because tree limbs partially sheltering their area deter skydiving, scooping, and escaping. Oddly, neither does an occasional raccoon, evidenced by its footprints, cause damage.

I wondered why a fox would be in a densely populated neighborhood. They’re omnivores and hunt very small animals, like mice and rats. Thinking more about why, I suppose that scavenging in human communities, with freely available pet food and garbage, makes it easier to live. My neighbors are familiar with wild foxes and suggest that this one is likely feeding babies and nesting within a mile of us.

I need our chickens to be safe, and I am curious. I would like to spot a fox with its gorgeous tail. Long ago, while living in LA, I occasionally saw wild possums, and they frightened me. That was before I learned about possums—wonderful creatures—and could appreciate them.

My curiosity invited a real learning experience. My small animal veterinarian said she had rescued a baby possum and that she’d bring it to meet me. That did happen, and the half-grown infant clung to me. She roamed a little, with her toes tightly holding onto my jacket, finally nesting in my hoodie. I fell in love with that little one and have forever remembered the whole episode.

Of course, meeting a fox would be very different, especially if it’s in the act of threatening small domestic animals. Aside from that, I’ve wished to see a wild fox in real life; a whim that somehow might happen.

Dear Friends: Today, remembering that possum, we together, and me learning. Diana

A Bus Above

Saturday, May 04, 2024

One of my all-time favorite movies, released in 1994, is “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” I’ve often enjoyed watching this great comedy because it’s tender and thoughtful and has some excellent performances. Besides, its costumes and cinematography are phenomenal.

The story follows two drag queens and a transsexual who buy a run-down old bus, paint it, and name it “Priscilla.” The three performers set out on a road trip across the Australian Outback in their colorful bus. They’re forced to deal with bus breakdowns and other travel interruptions while also performing for enthusiastic crowds and homophobic locals.

This movie is fun to watch and uniquely grabs more attention by successfully creating a “bus character.” I’m always amazed by how Priscilla transforms into a lead “actor” and becomes equally real to all the others in the movie.

Priscilla was anything but a drag!

In the film, the bus is famously painted bright pink. However, the filmmakers could afford only one bus, so they painted half of it pink and left the other side silver, allowing them to shoot out of sequence.

In reality, Priscilla was a 1976 Japanese model Hino RC320 that was leased to the film’s production company for the shoot in September and October 1993. Afterward, the bus was hired out occasionally, but before long Priscilla vanished without a trace.

Recently, Priscilla was rediscovered. Crucially, some old pink paint hadn’t been removed from a hinge, which made news by enabling an accurate identification of the real Priscilla. It’s been a long and cloudy search for the actual bus because copies were made to support a stage musical and other versions of the story. In the end, old pink paint scrapings were what convinced everyone they’d found the original Priscilla.

And now, she’ll live again!

Dear Friends: Do steam the fabulous comedy, laugh aloud, and love that bus. Diana

Surprise

Friday, May 03, 2024

This is my birthday month, and typically, I ignore my birthdays. However, this year, I feel different. I want to give myself a gift—something special, like a fancy saddle, a new dress, or an Uber laptop. My changed attitude this time around surprises me, but I’m not obsessing about it; I’m simply enjoying the possible fun of self-surprising.

Planning for a self-surprise has me preparing an unexpected and exciting experience–a surprise to inject novelty and wonder into my birthday. It’s a fun way of feeling joy and breaking up routines. Besides, the process will keep me curious for weeks about what will become that special delight.

The gift could be more broad. I could arrange to take a special trip or sign up for a class or workshop to learn something new and wonderful. It could also be a scavenger hunt: I could wrap something that I want or is a special treat and hide it somewhere. I could create a series of clues leading to the hidden gift’s location, stash them, and enjoy my gift later.

In this little mini-adventure, I am blindfolded and exploring. It’s a roll of the dice and requires the element of surprise. Any outcome must be tailored to my interests and above all, very manageable.

Dear Friends: Who knows what’s coming! Diana

Flite Dreaming

Thursday, May 02, 2024

I want to take my horses out and ride them, and today could be perfect. Here in Central Oregon, the weather isn’t yet summerlike enough but it’s warmish. This morning, there’s evidence that a gentle rain fell overnight. I have today off from my part-time job, and it’ll be great for doing almost anything: riding, photography, lunching out somewhere, gardening, reading. Maybe I’ll do it all!

Today’s wetness also has me thinking about a casual plan to go fly fishing with a coworker and expert fly-fisher. My coworker practices catch-and-release and emphasizes the sport over simply catching fish for consumption. I’ve long wished to learn how to choose appropriate bait and cast lines without tangling in surrounding shrubbery.

Past fly-fishing friends have told me that the sport is great fun and that they love being near or in the water and casting out. They explain that fly fishing is a more demanding form than bait-and-tackle; it requires them to master casting techniques, understand fish behavior, and tie their own flies.

They enjoy feeling connected to nature in beautiful, remote locations, immersed in natural sights and sounds. They can unplug and relax, appreciate the outdoors, and feel the thrill of the catch. Tying flies to them is an art form calling for creativity and personalization. Above all, the repetitive casting motions and intense focusing make them meditative, promote stress relief, and give a sense of calm.

I stay hopeful for opportunities to learn from a patient coach, to improve my coordination and control with a fly rod. Regardless of whether or not I catch any fish, a wonderful win would be gaining knowledge and skills to position, toss, and land my lines more correctly on/in the water.

Soon, I might have another opportunity to try again and learn the sport.

Dear Friends: It seems that fly fishing compares favorably with horseback riding. Diana

May Daze

Wednesday, May 01, 2024

Happy May Day. This date is important to Communist countries, such as China, Vietnam, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and the former Soviet Union countries, as a celebration of workers’ rights. My interest in this date, however, stems from some understanding of ancient history.

I learned long ago in grade school that May Day celebrations originated in Medieval Europe. In those times, people considered the First Day of May as marking Spring’s Return. They celebrated by participating in agricultural-themed rites. They gathered and exchanged wildflowers and wove garlands. They used those to decorate Maypoles and dance around them. In my imagination, all was great fun and I long have wished to go “Maypole Dancing.”

I understand that modern May Day traditions still exist in Europe and North America. They include dancing around a maypole, crowning the Queen of May, and continuing the tradition of exchanging May Day Baskets. I recall in my early school years that we kids exchanged baskets.

How to create a May Day basket? How about some popcorn, pretzels, cheese puffs, suckers, hard candy, bubble gum, licorice–snacks and treats, layered in disposable cups outfitted with a pipe cleaner handle, and maybe on the basket a few stickers or ribbons?

I particularly enjoy thinking of today as the first day of spring. Here in Central Oregon where I live, residents know not to plant anything at all before Memorial Day; that’s when our spring usually begins. Starting plants before May mostly ends with them freezing. However, with our weather patterns less predictable, our Real Spring’s “for-sure entrance” seems up for grabs.

Dear Friends: Let’s enjoy thinking about Maypoles, dancing, and pretty baskets! Diana