Thursday, February 01, 2024

In my at-work role, I’m a “flex employee.” I’m supposed to get short hours and fill in where there’s a need. Today’s post-holiday workplace environment has me working almost full-time and might for months ahead. Astonishing me is the number of workers calling in and going missing on workdays and numerous others simply quitting their jobs.

These are confusing times. Employers are dealing with missing workers, and that’s made my little flex job almost full-time. Meanwhile, the internet consistently sends everybody information about available jobs and invites easy online applications.

It’s hard to comprehend why so many workers are casual about their jobs. Sure, it’s helpful to know of alternate positions available. Those assist in leaving unrewarding or unpleasant work. Admittedly, I’ve bounced around via the internet for the last couple of years to gain employment experience in the overwhelmingly local retail environment. I’ve accomplished that and feel satisfied with my job.

That doesn’t mean things won’t change. I want to continue enjoying my work and to feel appropriately rewarded. It’s not just about money but equally about being appreciated.

Everything’s related to gaining a personal sense of satisfaction. That calls for clear and strategic thinking with realistic interim goals. Sure, and also means working somehow to accomplish, despite the many worries and doubts that accompany everyday living.

Aside from being an hourly worker, I’m a bit of a sociologist. That increases my learning opportunities. Stay tuned for more, in general, about workplaces and workers.

Dear Friends: All’s confusing–the weather, sociology, economy, politics! Diana

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Goodbye to January! Farewell to snow, ice, rain, and muck–and not a moment too soon.

I spent time this morning watching old videos of Chita Rivera dancing and singing. She was an incredible performer, capable, powerful, and right up there with the very best who worked in movies and on Broadway. About “the best,” some outstanding videos team her with the marvelous Gwen Verdon–the two capably handling Bob Fosse’s challenging choreography.

I grew up in the musical age of movies and was aware of happenings on Broadway. Years ago, I visited a friend in New York–a theater ticket seller–who obtained a hard-to-find seat for a “Funny Girl” performance starring young B. Streisand. She had potential!

BTW, also during that visit, I got to see young Carol Burnette onstage, and funny.

Those are great memories, triggered today by news of Rivera’s passing, and by old videos that keep alive many past superb musical skills and performances.

Dear Friends: In the new-age of Taylor Swift, have a good day. Diana

Monday, January 29, 2024

I spotted this raptor perched again yesterday morning atop my neighbor’s dead tree. Maybe a Red-Tailed Hawk, that’s my first guess because an active pair regularly hunts in this area. Doubtful, however, as this bird appears to work alone.

A very intent creature–here’s a slightly different view.

This morning brings more natural beauty. There’s an early temperature of forty degrees F, a heat wave among our real-time recent experiences. Today’s high temperature is predicted to be record heat for this date. Maybe the warmth will be enough to repair at least a little of my horses’ dry lot! This week, the muck there is very wet and deep; it sucks hard on my boot at each step.

This area annually has a week or two of nearly intolerable conditions, underfoot and on the road, from snow, ice, and rain. We were zapped this year during pre-spring, a period that usually offers relief from a year-ending blast. However, last year closed gently weatherwise following a lasting warm spell, more summer-like than wintery.

My annual challenge has arrived–a brand-new, year-long planner in which I intend to write seriously. I always wish to plan ahead, set goals, and be responsible for achieving them. I can think up my annual challenges, but I can’t consistently detail the needed and taken steps. Nor do I record twelve months of progressing and failing. My excuse is that I am becoming too busy to pause and write. However, my wants are consistent because I give myself high credit for wishing and trying–both are strong medicine.

Dear Friends: Now, to discover what an unusually hot winter day might bring. Diana

Saturday, January 27, 2024

My new camera is a Nikon P950 with 80x+ zoom capabilities. The header image is from this camera and captures some of the area between my neighbor and me. Notice that in the background, a bird of prey perches atop a dead tree and keeps watch.

This zoom shot captured that hawk.

My camera was set on automatic focus, and while these images please, that bird isn’t clear enough. I will experiment with the camera settings to capture small subjects better over distances.

For comparison, here’s an equally long shot of a large subject and with automatic focus. It’s clearer but has Sunni’s head lacking enough satisfying details.

This camera’s incredible zoom capabilities should capture accurately over many distances. With my past cameras, I’ve happily used automatic settings for almost everything they produced. The possibilities of attaining better images with this camera, however, require investing the time and effort, to learn, understand, and apply its settings.

Dear Friends: I’ll be out today for images and fiddling with the possibilities. Diana

Friday, January 26, 2024

I couldn’t fulfill my plan to capture an image of January’s full Wolf Moon. The new camera I was expecting arrived late in the evening and its battery needed charging. I could see the moon rising in the east and decided to try capturing it the next morning while it’s setting in the west.

That’s this morning; however, it has begun raining. Now visibility is obscured, with no gleam of a moon. Shucks!

My new camera sports an 87x-zoom capacity, making image capturing over distances easier. That’ll especially be wonderful in one of my favorite activities–bird-shooting. This camera offers me new features; for example, it has a “moon-zoom setting” that might make moon-capturing more effective and creative. Altogether, the camera’s capacities are designed to produce exact images that excite.

It may also produce images not so exact. I have a wish to be more experimental in my photography, and right now, I’m uncertain what that may mean. Other than I think this camera has the potential to encourage the taking of new directions in sightings.

Dear Friends: I hope you saw and enjoyed last night’s beautiful full moon. Diana

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Yesterday, my part-time job managers realized I was missing from work. They checked the schedule and discovered they’d forgotten to assign me hours. They called, and I went in and worked. They quickly revised the schedule, giving me more hours this week and some for next.

During my days off, I battled ice and treacherous navigating, so I welcomed a period of not working. During the store’s call, I enjoyed hearing I was missed, needed and wanted. The store’s managers are skilled communicators and employ good tones. Excellent communication skills are everything in managing all aspects of business; and equally in managing all aspects of family.

Earlier yesterday, I searched outside for a sign of spring and saw that my Lenton rose plants are looking alive, and encouragement to seek more outside signs of our coming spring. Yesterday, I planned to let the dogs go running, but that’s on hold until I’ve another day off from work. Then we’ll go and with a camera search for more spring.

Dear Friends: Even without sunshine, warmer days and melting are wonderful. Diana

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

January’s Wolf Moon will become completely full on the 25th; that date also happens to be when my new camera will arrive. Recently, I’ve seen that filling moon lowering behind the Cascades and setting. In these early mornings, those are gorgeous sightings. Com’on, new camera!

I’d prefer if today’s header photo came from my camera, but no, It’s an Adobe stock photo that captures the “January moodiness”–or perfectly, “shady atmosphere and full moon.”

I’m not working this week, and our weather is confining, causing in me some cabin fever. Yesterday, what helped was making runs for staples to Costco and BiMart. Today, as CF approaches, I’m thinking the general country-like footing is safe for taking my dogs out to run.

I know, it’s way too early to see signs of spring, but maybe, just maybe, the melt-off might be revealing some.

Dear Friends, The sun is shining and it’s warm outside; oh, Happy Day. Diana