Monday, January 22, 2024

My eldest sister’s birthday yesterday became a period of “family on my mind.” I had two older sisters, neither of whom remains among us. Each contributed significantly and differently to my young self. I especially miss them on their birthdays; those were key days on my calendar. We who outlive a physical family eventually discover time and experience creating agreeable reconnections, despite old squabbles, with some in our past.

I stopped thinking about complicated relationships as the dawn rose, indicating a warmer day that might melt the ice. It did! I slushed downhill to the barn and later slushed easily uphill. I revved up my Jeep for a run to the dump and got rid of a couple weeks’ bags of frozen trash. That afternoon, sunshine appeared and made my spirits leap.

We might never again find ourselves in an equally (or worse) iced-over period. If that should happen, I’ll be prepared. There’ll be strapped-on shoe spikes, pointy walking sticks, effective headlights, goggles as needed, and heated wearables, including gloves, at the ready.

That icy period included warming memories of my sisters. They cared greatly and wished to help and advise me, each in their different ways. We were deeply connected, and at the bottom line, that’s the huge ingredient.

Dear Friends: Picking up & going on, making life interesting and enjoyable. Diana

Sunday, January 21, 2024

After a challenging yesterday evening, I’m off to a late start writing today. I worked until 9 p.m., drove home very slowly on challenging roads, and was outside feeding my horses after 10 p.m. My poor dogs didn’t eat until the horsework was done, but they were in good shape after spending most of the day inside the house.

As of now, I’ve no work schedule. I suppose the store will call and invite me to fill in for employees going missing through this weather. Some of them live in LaPine, others in Redmond; their commutes are challenging, even in decent weather.

I bit the bullet and ordered a new camera. A relatively lightweight Nikon with incredible zoom capabilities is coming. Soon, I will focus on capturing early spring signs, wild birds pausing and in flight, dogs and horses, and special moons (this month’s will appear in a few evenings, and my camera might arrive in time to capture it).

Now, I will don spikes and travel downhill to the barn and waiting horses–amazing animals that have adjusted to these winter weather challenges more competently than I! Well, to steal (and alter) a line from Steven Soundheim and Elaine Stritch, “We’re still here!”

Dear Friends: Warming that’s about to start, soon will offer signs of spring! Diana

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Wild birds frequently clustered around my horses’ heated watering trough in yesterday’s deep freeze and drank. From their perches atop the fence, watch birds observed to warn of intruders while awaiting turns at the water. By moving too quickly, I became the intruder several times, and all the birds flew away. Soon, however, most returned and continued drinking.

The frozen day was hard on living beings. My horses were either slip-sliding or standing still in their dry lot on its frozen ground. The sheer ice forced skating. My shoe cleats, which always work well for walking in the snow, were seriously inadequate for safety on the glassy ground.

My barn is downhill from my house. I worried about walking down and up, to and from my outside animals. They need feeding several times daily, but my property felt too dangerous. Sometimes, namely yesterday, my brain locks into place, and I can’t consider alternatives. In retrospect, I might have gone out to buy a set of ice crampons, but it didn’t occur to me.

Facebook helped me. Friends mentioned ice crampons, and that unlocked my brain. I went and explored a dark space in my garage, discovering long-neglected hiking boots–with strapped-on ice crampons! The boots still fit, and off I went, walking steadily on little metal spikes gripping the ice. I walked safely downhill to the barn, fed the horses, and then hiked up to the house.

So far today, all’s good, but I will test the roadways later. I’m scheduled to work and will give driving there a jolly good try.

Dear Friends: Oregon remains in deep freeze; if you’re outside, be extra careful! Diana

 

Friday, January 19, 2024

Yesterday, I was thankful for not having to go to work. That would have meant having to drive, and icy rain that fell all day froze the already deeply-standing snow. Driving was an awful thought, and walking at home also was challenging.

I had animals to feed down at the barn and periodically went to them. I suited up in heavy outerwear, wore cleated boots, and carried hiking sticks. The pathways worn slick forced me to trod carefully throughout the day and evening. I did manage to care for all my outside critters.

For much of yesterday, my dogs stayed inside, and we just hung around. I wasted hours by streaming “Downton Abbey.” I’ve seen that series numerous times; it’s always fun because of some great characters, especially the wonderful Maggie Smith.

Over the past lousy-weather weeks, I’ve realized in this harsh weather, that the worst part of going outside is thinking about going outside. Once physically out there, it’s less about anticipating than coping, which consumes most energy and brainpower.

So, I’ve been officially hired, but yesterday, there was a sudden rub: The chain is about to lay off some 2,500 employees and close five of its stores! If I wind up having to leave, at least I can claim to have worked well for the store and was appreciated enough to be hired.

Dear Friends: Forever, coping with relationships, weather conditions, and the economy. Diana

Thursday, January 18, 2024

This morning, Central Oregon will be slushy, with rising temps, melting snow, and slick walkways. Maybe the weather-worst is lessening, will relax some high tension from the past ten days or thereabouts. Meanwhile, we shouldn’t feel too optimistic because weatherwise, February and March could prove tough, too.

I’ll be off work for several days, after frequently filling in for some who couldn’t get to work through our heavy snows. I’ve no plans today and tomorrow beyond ensuring that my animals have plenty of what they need and doing any possible cleaning up despite the deep slush.

Actually, I could justify going out and about. I have a package awaiting pickup at my workplace, and I could visit that big hardware store and greet ex-coworkers that I miss. In thinking about these destinations, more stops seem possible. This day could become busy.

Through the bitterly cold days when I’ve been away at work, my dogs have stayed inside the house waiting for me and have been terrific. No battles, no messes, and lots of excitement about going outside again, even in the awful freezing temps.

Our tough, harsh-weather weeks were brief. Annually, we have a couple of such deep-winter weeks. What’s left will be some bone-chilling cold, but the earliest spring buds will soon appear as our days become longer.

Dear Friends: Ahead is a relatively short hunkering-in period. Diana

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

This is a blasting hot morning because temperatures have risen to the mid-30s. Yes, thermometers are popping after days of solidly sticking to or near dead zero. Yes, harsh days, meaning trudging through deep snow, driving on slick roadways, and having freezing finger pains. Yes, warmer, and this deep freeze, please become history!

Despite all the weather blips, I’m happy in Central Oregon. Yes, still happy in this ever-exploding and yet small city populated with friendly, outdoorsy types. I’m even happier because the winter snows have elevated the mountain snowpacks to normal levels, and this spring will yield adequate hay for all our needs.

Already, daylights last an hour more than they did last month, and in another month, they will linger longer. The light and weather returning to normal will feel wonderful and inspiring.

Dear Friends: Now’s a good time to think ahead and renew some plans. Diana

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

We’re still freezing, deeply, with single-digit temperatures. Predictions are for a warm-up bringing rain today or tomorrow, and afterward, a refreeze bringing icy slickness. I’m electing to avoid driving far and canceling a long-held dentistry appointment in Redmond. Instead, I will drive to work, relatively nearby, and again leave the dogs inside my house where it’s warm.

To my absolute delight, yesterday warmed enough to naturally unfreeze my frost-free pumps. And I filled the horse troughs! For days, I worried about having to haul house water down to the barn–heavy work as a gallon of water weighs 8 lbs. and filling a horse trough could take mega-gallons. All made worse for transporting the water through deep snow in a four-wheel drive, not to mention dragging containers from Jeep to troughs, plus lifting each and pouring. Thankful for the slight thaw, a relief!

Horses are wonderful, and also, they’re all about working and worrying.

Now, here’s more about my donkey, Pimmy. Her fan club is growing. I’m finding that bunches of people simply love donkeys. Folks meeting this donkey at the veterinarian’s or learning of her in my workplace are becoming new followers to Pimmy’s FB page, which I’ve been ignoring; but now, seeing how this donkey delights so many people, I’ll update it. New images of Pimmy will entertain her community of followers and provide photos to pass around.

How true, that from little acorns, strong oaks may grow.

Dear Friends: Pimmy is an entrenched IAMASIAM and couldn’t care less. Diana

Monday, January 15, 2024

Into 2024, and now, too, we’re halfway through January!

Last year, at this very time, I was becoming hired by an international hardware store. I expected working there to be transitional, helping me develop a retail resume. The position represented a significant leg up. That turned out to be a fine place to work. I considered staying there but moved on ten months later to learn about modern clothing sales.

What I learned is that clothing sales, these days, aren’t very different from hardware sales. Most buyers pre-shop and order online, and those near a physical store may go there to compare merchandise or simply to pick up their discoveries.

The department store that hired me as a temp through the holidays rehired me yesterday as an official member of its workforce. My new role isn’t full-time, but it makes me a candidate if any position becomes available. I might continue working part-time or want more responsibility; more experience will tell.

The transition represents a warm spot in this freezing, snowy weather. It’s difficult for any reason to leave home and battle slick roadways. Once inside the store, I find there are customers–brave folks, out and about–targeting after-Christmas sales and buying coats and socks. We discussed the harsh weather and how our city is changing.

This morning’s temperature is up a bit, to 4 degrees. It needs to become much warmer and thaw my frozen frost-free pumps. I can’t fill the watering troughs. Luckily, there’s adequate horse water; however, unless it warms soon, I must start hauling house water to the barn area. I used to do that work–it’s hard!

Dear Friends: Speaking of work, I’m off to consider my job’s potential differently. Diana

Sunday, January 14, 2024

The department store is hiring me as a “flex,” a part-time and permanent position. The store hasn’t yet received a renewed budget for personnel, but even so, it wanted to keep me. The managers explain their hard work for an early approval of my new role. We’re all happy.

As a permanent hire, I’ll be in a position to apply for jobs in the store that become available. There’s not much employee turnover, but opportunities do arise. I had wished to sell shoes, and that role opened. Upon inquiring, I was warned that working in the shoe department is very hard, requiring many ups and downs on a ladder and handling huge, heavy boxes of new shoes for stocking. I remain interested in selling shoes despite warnings to avoid that role.

Shoe selling is in my DNA. Many early family members were shoe professionals. My affinity for shoes doesn’t stretch to climbing ladders and hefting heavy boxes. Another DNA area of affinity is jewelry; I could sell the stuff. Of course, the dress department has many lovely articles attracting me, too.

The common theme is personal: fantasies about shoes, jewelry, and dresses–the stuff of old Hollywood movies that informed my growing-up days. So was make-up, but selling that doesn’t interest this horseback rider with her often gritty face. Incidentally, I prefer to avoid selling fragrances for disliking them.

So guess what: I’ll sell whatever is needed because working in that store is more than dreaming and selling. Being there is about family. Simply put, this small city’s large department store is a family place. I’ve felt that and it makes me happy. Customers, too, are family-like, and it’s so interesting.

The header photo captures a couple of GWTs that belong to a customer. The other day, as I checked her out, we discussed our dogs. Soon after leaving, she returned and carrying the little bag with her purchase. She said the bag was too heavy and asked me to carry it out for her. After an instant of surprise, I understood she wanted me to meet her dogs.

The two are beautiful, well-trained hunters. The customer herself trained them and actively hunts with the two. She, on the left, is 14 years old, and he, on the right, is 1-1/2 years.

Dear Friends: Delightful moments crop up and create a yummy workplace. Diana

Saturday, January 13, 2024

This morning, my neighborhood is way beyond frozen at 2 deg.F! Inside of my kitchen refrigerator is warmer than the outdoors. Late yesterday, my frost-free hydrants were frozen for the first time ever. I worked hard to get their levers lifted, and no water came out. This morning, hopefully, the horse troughs won’t need topping.

Maybe my crazy hen, the one that worries me by preferring to roost outside alone, had enough smarts to awaken and go find shelter.

Last evening’s confrontations with sudden weather-related challenges made me fail to blanket my oldest mare, Rosie. She’s plenty fuzzy and in good weight, but a blanket reduces the caloric outputs necessary for maintaining enough body heat. Today, I will blanket her. Last night, too, I carried into the house Rosie’s half-frozen halter, so today, it’ll be flexible enough to get her into.

Incredible that we’re still at only 2 deg., and the hard snow that’s begun to fall likely will become ice. Oh, how I don’t want to go outside in this weather, and worst, I’m scheduled today to work in the department store. I expect traveling to be slow on snowy roads and through slick roundabouts.

Sometimes we’re faced without a choice, and now that’s me. Without question, my outside animals need feeding and I must suit up and go outside. Later, on this cold and snowy morning, I could make a choice by listening to my inner self calculating the pluses and minuses of leaving home and going to work.

Dear Friends: Harness, feed, blanket, and water, hardships now and over in a few days. Diana