Tuesday, January 02, 2024

On New Year’s Day, I worked. The store was open and generally dull without many customers. Bright spots were the moms and teen girls searching through our fancy dresses and looking for formal wear. Yesterday reminded me that schools often schedule formal events at the end of January.

I wonder why they schedule formal school events soon after Christmas, mainly because January’s freezing weather doesn’t invite formal wear. Maybe it’s to fill a gap before the beginning of sports season when the kids start focusing on shaping up and competing.

Anyway, today’s teen girls are way more sophisticated than yesterday’s. Some girls modeled formals for their family members and wore skimpy and revealing numbers. Unlike me, who’s learning today’s trends, the families seemed to take what they saw in stride.

Also illustrating more of today’s culture were grandmothers, returning bunches of adorable clothing that had been Christmas gifts for their young granddaughters. The girls refused to wear them and now would choose replacement clothing. Unlike when I was a kid, refusing a gift would have been a one-time mistake.

Retail clothing sales can reveal great customers, too. The management has passed notes from kind customers thanking me for helping them. Some customers I connected with pause and hug me when they’re in the store. And my coworkers are beginning to be less formal and chatting more with me. A sense of growing family helps explain why the large department store continues to have viability.

Dear Friends: Only two more official working days, and I’ll have time off. Diana

Monday, January 01, 2024

Fun, food, and resolutions! This year’s turnover was lovely, except for the fireworks that disturbed my animals. This morning, they’re recovered and are fine.

Yesterday at work, our store manager started her day wearing new shoes that proved too tight, and in mid-morning, grabbed a pair of feather-topped slippers. She wore them around in the store, hurrying always, as she typically does.

After she went home, we played some. I slipped into an identical pair of feathery slippers, and the night manager photographed me wearing them while hanging clothes. She sent it to the boss who responded quickly with laughter and New Year’s wishes.

That’s some of why working there is fun. Unfortunately, my job ends this midweek because the store is out of budget for temp workers. I’ll be jobless but hopeful, for finally, my retail resume is fuller and more appealing. Also, in February, the store receives a new budget and might invite me back.

I hope all of you enjoyed the annual turnover happily and safely. And hope, too, that through 2024, you’ll keep checking in with me (and mine). We’ll be here with good mornings, and sharing our cheers, complaints, and learnings. And without question always, very much appreciating your friendship!

Dear Friends: Seems incredible, but way back in 2009 I began writing this blog! Diana

Sunday, December 31, 2023

This morning, Kate Beardsley will bring paperwork that lets me adopt Pimmy officially. About a dozen years ago, Kate helped deliver Pimmy here, and she convinced my very surprised and resistant self to keep the donkey. Kate always has considered Pimmy as an adoptee from her non-profit equine rescue, Mustangs to the Rescue. Now paperwork will make it official.

Appropriately, because my well-cared-for donkey could outlive me by many years. If ever we need outside assistance, Kate’s organization will arrange for Pimmy’s ongoing care and affection.

Meanwhile, I do manage to get medications into Pimmy. She dislikes them and argues, refusing to let me catch her in the open. But I can trap her inside the barn by feeding hay in there, and then, can give her meds. So far so good.

She’ll need medications daily for the rest of her life, meaning for another twenty years, or more. Healthy donkeys are tough, sturdy beasts, and can live for forty-some years.

Pimmy is very cool–a special critter. She loves her horses, and other than resisting meds, is easy to care for. I enjoy being her adopted mom.

Dear Friends: On this last day of 2023, a farewell to this interesting year. Diana

Friday, December 29, 2023

My donkey, Pimmy, hopped into the horse trailer yesterday and traveled to her equine veterinarian, who found an abscessed hoof and some infected bone. Finally, Pimmy came home free from pain. Her hoof is bandaged and she’s on antibiotics.

I had help last evening to give Pimmy the antibiotic she was refusing. This morning, my neighbor will help to hold her still for two medications–a final dose of the painkiller and one of the antibiotic. Going forward, she’ll need only a twice-daily dose of antibiotic.

Starting today, I am scheduled to work in the afternoons and evenings through January 3rd. By then, the store will lack funding, until February, to cover a temp’s hours. I’ll use my January time off to focus on medicating Pimmy.

Yesterday, the young veterinarian who diagnosed and treated that sore hoof was smart, capable, articulate, and thoughtful. Kate Beardsley was with Pimmy and me; she had expressed confidence in this veterinarian’s capabilities. The Clinic is constructing a new branch for treating small animals. In the future, I will take all my critters there for exams and treatments.

Meanwhile, everything’s about Pimmy. She amazed everybody at the Clinic for being calm while being handled and examined. The staff said that most donkeys are difficult. I have known only Pimmy; she is a love. Our issue ahead will be our physical strength differences. Pimmy challenges my upper body strength by refusing to keep her head still and steady for medicating.

Dear Friends: Thanks to all for your support; we’ll keep doing our best. Diana

Thursday, December 27, 2023

The header photo, from years ago on an icy December day, captures my Walker Hound, Ranger, a lovable character, happily snorkeling in an irrigation canal. My dear Mr. Loyal…I so miss him!

Early this afternoon, Kate Beardsley is coming, and we plan to load my donkey, Pimmy, into the horse trailer. I will ask my neighbors, Frank and Annette, if they may be available. We might need a whole team to lift and load Pimmy.

Pimmy is going to visit a veterinarian for a diagnosis of leg pain. Right now, Pimmy still limps but at least ever so slightly. Painkiller makes her pain less noticeable and lets her move around more quickly. This painkiller, unfortunately, has troubling side effects and must be stopped. We hope a formal diagnosis will offer a prescribed treatment that keeps Pimmy pain-free and moving.

Donkies are not like horses; they often are tough numbers. Pimmy is special because she’s calm, sweet-tempered, and easy to handle. Plus, she loves her horses and is their constant companion! While my two mares often argue and compete with one another, each comfortably will allow Pimmy into her space.

Dear Friends: Please hold good thoughts today for Pimmy at the vet. Diana

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Yesterday, I worked all day and came home tired. My evening energy was adequate for feeding the critters before falling into bed. Today, I’m still tired.

I grant this is the time of year when it’s normal to feel tired. Now Christmas is over, these days are short, and the weather is glum. Now, we’re into an annual period of waiting, this time for 01 of 2024.

I try to imagine how to make 2024 different–perhaps make it more meaningful (aside from luckily winning the Lottery). For me, right now is too early to drum up doable resolutions, but their beginnings have begun swirling in my head.

Off the top, here are some biggies: (1) my animals’ and Pimmy’s wellness, (2) part-time working, (3) healthful self-caring, (4) financial awareness and learning, (5) property maintenance planning, and (6) relationship strengthening. Each resolution is complicated, requiring careful thinking and planning. Between now and the First, I’ll draft the elements needed to work toward achieving those goals.

I’m interrupted by the heating guys. They’re on their way here to check my furnace. More later.

Dear Friends: Just when I manage to “get going,” life interrupts. Diana

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Happy Afterward!

George and Anna were my hosts for Christmas dinner; they created a lovely and relaxing event. Their huge Aerdale/Poodle, very friendly, too-smart, and participating too, was the evening’s cuddle-bunny.

They’ve been together for twenty years, and we’ve all occasionally met at social events. I know Anna best because we horseback ride together (she’s a wonderful rider). Yesterday, I greeted getting to know George better.

He owns a long-haul trucking company and frequently is away from home. George is articulate about both management and labor elements in the trucking industry. And also, in regard to the sociology of trucking. Yes, he explains, there exists a real and meaningful sociology of driving among truckers.

To me, their home reflects “the real Bend.” Their property is way over on the east side and spacious, with a sky that’s wide and open. I stood, gazing around, and looking upward, and easily could understand why so many newcomers feel drawn to this city.

Now, this one sums the evening better than a thousand more words!

Dear Friends: Lots of love and cheer in their Eastside household. Diana

Monday, December 25, 2023

Merry, merry! Wishing you all an exciting gift-opening morning and a pleasant rest of the day enjoying your findings.

Here in Central Oregon, this Christmas Day will be balmy. A wonderful thing is that today represents a shift toward longer daylights.

Right now, big gifts for me are seeing my donkey, Pimmy, in less pain after several days of receiving painkillers and knowing the meds are working. She still limps but gets around better and now rests her pained hoof flat instead of keeping it tipped up.

I dislike that painkilling medication; it’s effective but has unwanted side effects. Pimmy needs its help until a veterinary evaluation pinpoints the source of her pain and offers ways to help.

More gifts that occur are greetings exchanged with friends, and in so many ways–hugs, cards, texts, and phone calls. My younger self considered such exchanges mundane, but today, our lives are more compartmentalized, and greetings seem more meaningful.

Dear Friends: Have a wonderful time through this Christmas Day. Diana

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Happy Christmas Eve!

Finally, at last, it’s here. Coming next are the bills. I’ve left all my earned money from working part-time there at the store.

Last spring, I was starting to dress and attend the wedding of my friend, Enrique, when I couldn’t find absolutely anything wearable for a special occasion. While carefully considering this, I understood that I was clueless about appropriate special clothing to shop for.

The problem is/was, I’m a horseperson.

Most horsepeople don’t shop. We spend our time outside–in the cold, rain, and/or snow; and otherwise, out sweating in the summer heat. We wear the oldest clothes, often with holes, and wear boots comfortable, with soles worn and caked with you-know-what. We fall in exhausted at bedtime, and maybe still wearing the rags with holes we were in all day.

That’s the long and short of things–we’re busy, too preoccupied to go shopping for non-necessities. And, too, our social gatherings are beyond casual; we wear (clean) rags with holes. Our gatherings are not to judge but to swap stories, collaborate, and support one another.

After my aha moments of searching for something wearable for a special occasion, I began pushing myself toward working in retail sales, particularly clothing. I wished to learn about the world of contemporary fashion and maybe update my wardrobe.

I have learned and updated. So, my earned money stays where I earned it. I’m also relearning how to use a needle and thread. And I have knocked the dust off a long-disused sewing machine.

Tomorrow, I am planning to enjoy a Christmas dinner with my horsey friends. We will be dressed casually (and this time maybe minus clothing holes). As an aside, I feel pretty good knowing that if an occasion calls more for formality, I’m ready.

Dear Friends: This is my story of achieving a full-circle success this year. Diana