Past “Magic”

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Long ago, in my career as a learning and development specialist, I designed employee training. My goal was to help various levels of employees understand better and embrace an organization’s goals, and work to achieve them.

Yesterday, I learned that the department store where I work as a part-time clerk must address some challenging goals. Meeting those goals calls for boosting the energy of front-line staff. When our store manager told me about this, my mind activated my training brain.

Last night, I drafted a couple of proposals to address some training-related challenges. For me, that was duck soup: I could create training and development routines in my sleep.

There’s a problem in modern organizations. They don’t offer in-person training and development activities. Companies today provide online goals and skills training. Although perhaps well-presented, hours on the receiving end of computer-generated training can turn learners into brain-dead, unabsorbing beings.

Today, I will take my training proposals to work. Hopefully, the Store’s management team will discuss the suggestions, and all or some will resonate. Improving ways of training staff would help line personnel more fully understand and focus on key goals, to achieve more of them.

Dear Friends: Regardless of the outcome, finding my mojo again is fun. Diana

Music! Moon!

Monday, February 26, 2023

My friend, Julie, joined me at yesterday’s concert by the High Desert Chamber Orchestra. An excellent event. The Chamber Orchestra is perfectly sized for playing and being heard optimally in Bend High’s large auditorium. The Orchestra’s active community support group provides free tickets to concerts with a first-rate program guide detailing musical choices, composers, and guest performers.

An audience of all ages packed the house; nobody made a peep through the performances. The house exploded, however, at each segment finish, with vigorous applause and appreciative cheering. Well deserved by the ensemble!

Its maestro, an accomplished, animated conductor (on whom Bradley Cooper as Bernstein has nothing), encouraged and supported excellence from musicians and guest artists. All guest performers were young and also very accomplished. The double-bass soloist and the viola soloist adroitly handled complex compositions highlighting their instruments. A ten-year-old piano wunderkind perfectly played Tchaikovsky on a concert grand.

Yes, there was “the dress” that, several weeks ago, its wearer purchased over my counter. Yesterday, she wore it while narrating DeFalla’s “Three-Cornered Hat.” I didn’t know that very familiar music has narration; the words and music worked together well. The very active piece draws the audience’s attention to all onstage sections. Drums work almost constantly, brasses stay busy, and strings, including a harpist and pianist, go nearly non-stop.

Last night, a nightcap, as the completely full Snow Moon visibly rose and moved upward in and out through scattered clouds. My view became today’s header photo. I hoped to explore AI and enhance my capture, but other unrelated “evening needs” sidetracked me.

Dear Friends: I will become a season ticket holder for these fine musicians. Diana

Agenda

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Today will be my first time attending a performance by the Central Oregon Chamber Orchestra. This event will be more delightful because the group will perform a woman’s composition, by the Nineteenth-Century French Composer Louise Farrenc. The piece is her Concert Overture No. 2.

I’m eager to become acquainted with this highly praised chamber group. Besides, the concert today represents double fun for me. A talented person will narrate today’s performance and she’ll be wearing an elegant, fancy gown. She purchased it at my register and was excited, talking about the concert and performance group.

A huge perk in my job–operating cash registers in one of this little city’s few large department stores–is meeting interesting people. The area’s population has grown by leaps and bounds and new residents seem to hail from Everywhere! I have fun learning about people’s backgrounds and activities, and best, am feeling more integrated with this area’s growth and potential.

Dear Friends: Today, a concert and the gown, and this evening, a full Snow Moon! Diana

Soon, Snow Moon

Saturday, February 24, 2024

“Oh, how I hate to get up in the morning!” Except when the moon is filling to its uppermost and setting over west before dawn, and is visible from my deck. Today, I sat on the deck in a comfy chair drinking my coffee and watching that moon’s hopeful brightness. It moved quickly as I considered my plans for today and linked them to tomorrow’s. I thought about ways that whatever’s ahead links to happenings yesterday and earlier.

I have learned that allowing myself to enter a state of “moon-watching beauty” is awesome. Our little planet’s huge physicality, so far away and always dependably on schedule, is reassuring. These modern times are turbulent and worrisome. Giving oneself a few vegged-out-sort of minutes to watch the moon while reflecting on whatever’s on one’s mind is comforting.

Tomorrow, our February “Snow Moon” will rise and set and be at its fullest. Enjoy and be thoughtful, even if its moments in your sphere exist only while you’re driving home from work. When that happens to me, it’s a kind of treasure that I remember fondly: an friendly overhead presence with a guiding light.

Dear Friends: I’ll be with a camera and tripod, hoping for good images. Diana

Seasonals

Friday, February 23, 2024

Yesterday was summerlike in Central Oregon and that felt good, but there wasn’t enough sun to dry the deep and slushy muck around a gate where my horses hang out, anticipating me showing up and bringing hay. They hang out and wait, increasing the slush and forcing me into knee-high rubber boots to deliver hay. My boots are tall, but the sucking slush sucks nearly pulls them off.

February’s fullest moon is approaching and I awakened this morning as the almost full version was setting in the west. I took a camera outside and snapped away.

The setting photo I most wanted was that moon with its little cloud hat. This image is unclear, but you’ll get the vision.

My new tripod has arrived. I’ll try it out in real time on Sunday with the moon being at its fullest.

Here’s hoping this great weather holds out and keeps the sky clear for good nighttime captures. I’m seeing some warnings about a sudden deep temperature drop coming, but if the sky remains clear, that coming full moon should be a great photo op.

Dear Friends: Its morning settings are exciting, a wonderful first sight of the day. Diana

Sew-Ups

Thursday, February 22, 2024

I am always searching for the “right towels” for after-showering. The easily available plush, lush, and oversized towels are beautiful, but their soft fibers simply move water dampness around. I search among towel stacks that I stumble on for a type that immediately best absorbs water. That has existed, for I have such a towel.

This good towel has been with me for years, does its job perfectly, and has become irreplaceable. I bought several of “it” long ago–cheap towels–when I was starting out on my own with very little money. Over time, some of those first towels became ragged and got tossed, or became lost, or whatever. Now, I find myself left with just a single really likable one.

In wintertime especially, stepping while still wet from a shower compartment can kind of freeze a body. When sudden colder air hits, there’s less discomfort if a “good towel” has done its work before one leaves the stall.

Yesterday, I was a checkout clerk in the Home Department. That Store stocks new towels for sale in plush and beautiful stacks. I went around feeling fabrics between my fingers, and no surprises, every towel felt too soft to do good work.

I might be an anomaly because yesterday many customers bought those plush, soft towels. Some even raved about the beauty and wonder of soft towels. I did my job by agreeing with them, finally recognizing that it’s high sales of plush that prevent finding rougher towels that (to me) absorb better.

I might have to create “good towels” on my own. There might be available toweling fabrics of various densities and different thread types. I’ll start researching and learn what’s possible. Maybe I could become a self-starter towel builder.

Dear Friends: Someday, I’ll share my ideas for improving bra designs. Diana

Western Horizon

Wednesday, February 21, 2023

Around now, each February, I’m eager to see pauses in the dim and snowy atmosphere. I want clear sights of the Cascades peaks. Last week, one day was perfect for capturing the Middle and North Sisters. In the header photo, they’re snow-covered and gorgeously vivid.

Here’s what things looked like before the sky cleared and made those peaks visible. It’s an annual drama this time of year and often what I see.

I know there are Cascade peaks in that mist, and start watching for an opportunity to make an optimal capture. A clear photo represents a double win for also hinting of more favorable weather coming for those who don’t ski.

Extending the perspective a little are Mt. Bachelor and Broken Top.

There’s more because between the Broken Top and Middle Sister, a South Sister still is hidden from my camera.

Dear Friends: I “heart” alike clear images and the approaching warmth. Diana

Influencing

Tuesday, February 20, 2023

I’m following X (formerly known as Twitter) on America’s post-Presidents’ Day. Many X site contributors speak to the unfairness of Navaldy’s demise, and they express admiration for his widow’s courageous plan. She intends to grasp her husband’s mantle and continue working to achieve his goal of reforming Russian politics. Whew!

Over the years, I’ve come to understand that maybe some people are born with a “risk-taking gene.” They tend to mature into such occupations as firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and professional military. Let’s toss in such work as washing tall-building windows and also hobbies, such as piloting high-flying engineless glide-airplanes. Many professions and hobbies require risk-taking, and lots of folks won’t go near them. Maybe risk-taking genes do exist.

If they do, Navalny was a prime example. Risk-taking drove his decisions and activities. His moves affected Russian politics and ultimately influenced the entire world. His wife, moving forward courageously, will illustrate and teach more about risk-taking and stamina in life-challenging situations. Her life will be/is being challenged already by Putin’s government.

Thanks to all the brave Russian dissidents who preceded this moment. You Go, Girl!

Dear Friends: Despite Putin’s mean, aggressive suppression, Pussy Riot Lives On! Diana

Oh, That Face

Monday, February 19, 2024

Yesterday, this beauty accompanied her person to my checkout station. She’s a mixed breed: Afgan Hound and Aussie. She has an Afgan’s head and that sighthound’s long coat. Her body is stocky, an Aussie-type. Her person adores her, and me, too, upon sighting her.

While working, I have fun saying hello to the dogs there in person. I also get to meet some not inside the store because customers being checked out tell me about their dogs. I’m a “dog person,” and that topic easily comes up. Many customers reach for cell phones, search for photos of their dogs, and share them with me. Those moments are among the best in my workdays.

It’s part of what makes this little city’s biggest department store a kind of family place for its customers and employees. There’s lots of familiarity; for example, regardless of whether I’m working in Intimates, Dresses, Juniors, or the Home and Men’s Departments, customers tell me vignettes, a little about themselves and their families, dogs, and travels, upcoming and past.

I try hard (and often fail) to remember faces and names correctly and who’s told which stories. Sometimes, I don’t recognize my ex-coworkers who shop up shopping. Usually, they identify themselves and we enjoy reunions. My memory distractions are because of focusing on technical elements in my working role. The store’s cash registers, populated with minds of their own, make major a goal of operating them quickly and accurately.

Usually, I recognize customers returning and bringing their dogs and recall their stories.

Dear Friends: This pet-friendly city puts dogs and horses right up there with sports. Diana

Road Warriors

Sunday, February 18, 2024

I’m looking outside at the snow mounds on fence posts and dreading today’s drive to work. Yesterday, the roads were terrible, snowy-slick–and in late afternoon treacherous, especially while rounding the roundabouts. Coming home in the late evening was worse. Some big-truck drivers and risk-takers disliked my 20 mph speed. Despite the threateningly slick street conditions, some were aggressive, racing frighteningly close to pass my car. Finally, I felt lucky to reach my turn-off from the main drags.

Last night, the key streets became plowed and today’s driving might be less awful. The department store where I work faces too few staff in this weather. I resist calling to be out for almost any reason. First, I’m a trooper who doesn’t take working commitments lightly; and second, I tend to overthink situations but am a team player.

Coworkers who avoid driving today will short-staff the store. I’ll get ready to go in earlier than scheduled–and yes, will drive at my usual 20 mph, or slower–despite the threatening, nutsy Road Yahoos.

Dear Friends: This fierce February weather blast soon will become history! Diana