Monday, January 08, 2024

Yesterday, my friend Julie and I were at Whispering Winds, hearing classical pianist Dan Chaiken playing several pieces beautifully. The event, arranged by Dan’s sister, Rachelle, was in honor of Fay, their mom. Fay resides at Whispering Winds, and today is her 100th birthday.

About Fay, on being introduced to her one day before her 100th birthday. She is lovely, still beautiful, and has a very good mind and memory. Several weeks ago, Rachelle and Fay traveled by plane and car to mid-America for a reunion with long-time and dear friends.

About yesterday’s event, Dan introduced each piece with some history about its composer, its era in general, and its creative impact. His playing was excellent, and the acoustics were fine. Years had passed since I heard live classical music, and I remembered how very expressive a piano is, and how a pianist’s techniques create different moods and textures. I closed my eyes, and as he played, my imagination accompanied the themes, rhythms, and tones.

After Dan’s program, Julie and I agreed on a readiness to resume listening to classical music. Back at home, I opened a closet containing many long-unheard CDs, selected a few, and began listening. Very enriching and rewarding. Where have I been!

Dear Friends: Stepping away slightly from all-busy and technology-filled moments. Diana

Sunday, January 07, 2024

Yesterday while strolling through my neighborhood, I discovered these pretty girls. They were nearby, watching me and cautious, but none seemed very frightened.

Deer are beautiful, and seeing them migrate through my neighborhood is a treat. They come around less because new construction blocks many of their habitual corridors, and there’s heavier vehicle traffic.

This year, I see fewer wild birds. After restarting my photography, I’ve been searching for birds. They were my inspiration to go walking yesterday, and luckily, in an hour when birds were active.

Wintery skies also are beautiful and nice captures when framed by trees.

This unusually mild and pleasant winter draws my attention and invites participation. During my current unemployment period, I will go out, often with a camera, and frequently with my animals.

Here’s a reminder about today’s free concert at Whispering Winds, in its main dining room at 2 p.m. Classical pianist Dan Chaiken will be performing, to celebrate his mom’s upcoming 100th birthday. Months ago, I missed an opportunity to hear Dan play, but today, I will be there listening to gorgeous music.

Dear Friends: A major personal win is embracing what makes one happy. Diana

Saturday, January 06, 2024 (v.2)

I blew it in yesterday’s blog, thinking that day was Saturday. Really, it was Friday.

A correction: my enthusiasm about “tomorrow’s event” won’t happen today, but will tomorrow on Real Sunday. The concert will take place at Whispering Winds, in the main dining room, and is free of charge.

The classical pianist, Dan Chaiken, will offer a live program of gorgeous music. It’s to honor his mom, Fay, who’ll have her l00th birthday this Monday. Fay loves being around lots of people, and her family is inviting the public to Dan’s concert.

I love hearing live classical music in small venues. The sounds are lovely, creating wonderful connections and astonishing closeness to their tones and colors. Last summer, Dan played at WW, and I was working so couldn’t attend his concert. Tomorrow, I’m free and will be in his audience.

This morning, I’ll shift my focus to last evening. I decided to review lots of my past photos and found that many are impressive. Some simply tell a story, and others are terrific captures.

Today’s header photo of Miles tells a story about his double coat, beautiful with regular combing. Unfortunately, it’s thick and easily mats up until untangling is major work. The photo showing water-loving Miles explains why he’s often unkempt.

I also ran across this accidental capture and posted it on Facebook. A gorgeous shot, with beautiful Miles in his prime and in perfect surroundings.

Dear Friends: Maybe we’ll meet tomorrow at WW; and too, I will post more such photos. Diana

Saturday, January 05, 2024

Fay Chaiken is the mom of Rachelle Chaiken, my friend and hiking buddy. Rachelle says that Fay is about to have a Big Birthday. This coming Monday will be Fay’s 100th! Fay is active and well, loves people, and invites the larger community to enjoy tomorrow’s celebration.

An event in the Whispering Winds main dining room will feature Fay’s son, classical pianist Dan Chaiken. He’s giving a free concert, open to the public; here’s the program:

I will be attending the concert and am excited. Tomorrow offers two Grand Occasions: hearing live gorgeous music and celebrating a strong and independent woman’s life.

Dear Friends, I hope you join the Chaikens and friends in these festivities. Diana

Thursday, January 04, 2024

As of today, my working run has gone on pause. My brain is reprocessing here at home and recognizing how many needs have been on hold. My attention has turned toward cleaning the house, repairing irritating blemishes, and participating more fully with my animals.

On that last point, I’ve been thinking back through the years of working with and caring for my large animals. Those thoughts were recurring throughout my time working in a commercial space. I routinely walked miles daily in that workplace, moving and rearranging merchandise. The ongoing care and attention in providing for big animals require mental and physical strengths that still are boosting my capacities.

Dear Friends: Remembering, refocusing, and restarting; it’s a cycling of events. Diana

Wednesday, January 03, 2024

Today’s my last day selling clothing in the big department store. I’ll enjoy some time off before starting to hunt for another job. I’ll try to stick to selling clothing; it’s enjoyable and doable. One moves around and does little (if any) heavy lifting, and it’s fun to recognize some clothing designs as art forms.

In my couple of months working in the store, I privately altered its motto, Own Your Style, to Find Your Style. After many years of adding only sweats and jeans to my wardrobe, I began enjoying updated styles and colors. Gradually, I adjusted my wardrobe slightly, and now, alongside my sweats and rags for being out with the horses, a few trendy coordinates are for activities with the public.

I feel confident about landing a desirable new working role. As long as our larger economy continues as it’s doing, I hope to continue in clothing sales.

Dear Friends: Building a solid retail resume has taken me a couple of years. Diana

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