Saturday, December 23, 2023

This photo of me holding up a schedule gone amuck has gone viral in the company for which I work. Exactly as I punched the print button to get my weekly schedule, the printer went into malfunction. I desperately fiddled with the printer and couldn’t stop it. Meanwhile, those short pieces continued rolling out.

I radioed the store’s manager for assistance hoping she’d not find me guilty of mishandling the electronics. She arrived, glanced at the printed mass and that ongoing spitting out, and she laughed, couldn’t stop. I didn’t know why she wanted a photo and learned later that she had sent it to everyone.

The next day, I understood. Her photo had caused laughter throughout the organization. In other words, it had created a little “Christmas Cheer Among the Weary.”

I will be working all day today, but neither tomorrow nor Christmas Day. On Tuesday, when next I work, lines of customers will be wanting to return items. On that day and those following, I will be processing many, many returns.

Dear Friends: Have a wonderful day. Diana

Friday, December 22, 2023

On today’s date, two years ago, this header photo captured our local weather. This year’s winter, in comparison, has been balmy. The seasonal balm is welcome but worrisome because this is high desert territory. Its reservoirs annually need refills from abundant snow and rain to support the ever-growing population.

Through a relatively dry winter like this one, we with livestock worry about next spring’s hay crop. Unless hay is abundant, finding available bales becomes challenging and costly. Several recent relatively dry local winters have made it difficult to find and afford hay. As the financial stress of supporting large animals grows from shortages of hay and of property availability and affordability, one wonders how much longer we can manage to keep large-animal pets.

Yesterday morning, my donkey, Pimmy, received a full dose of painkiller. Nonetheless, she limped throughout the day but did have more appetite. Today’s plan has changed, as Kate’s veterinary team postponed its visit to her Equine Rescue. So, this morning, Pimmy needn’t be loaded and trailered for examination and treatment.

Meanwhile, Pimmy will receive daily doses of the painkiller and hopefully soon feel less or no pain.

I will have today off unless called in, and tomorrow will work through the day.

Dear Friends: Practicalities aside, the warmish winter feels wonderful to me! Diana

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Today, I will medicate my donkey, Pimmy by using a syringe. There’s no other choice in order to ease her foot pain. Pimmy’s appetite has fallen, and she’s not consuming enough painkilling powder by mouth. Our past experience with medicating by syringe has made my sweet donkey wary and intent on avoiding my nearness.

I will capture and medicate by getting her into the barn without a chance of escaping. She will follow the hungry horses inside this morning and I will do my thing. Later, I’ll come home from work at lunchtime, feed the horses, and see if Pimmy appears less painful. If the medication works and tomorrow makes her loadable, she’ll be transported to Kate’s for a vet visit. There, Pimmy will be radiographed, re-diagnosed, and receive meds.

Pimmy will be home, in an optimal solution, with ways to counter and control her lameness. Kate loves Pimmy and is a super resource for information, support, and backup. Happily, too, Kate’s equine rescue organization is not far from my place.

Our friend, Julie, will help load and transport Pimmy tomorrow morning.

Dear Friends: In this worrisome period, my donkey and I have a village! Diana

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Yesterday, my donkey, Pimmy, ate most of her painkiller-laced breakfast. At lunchtime, when I came home to feed the horses, Pimmy still moved pitifully. By evening, she was waiting for me at the gate with her painful hoof fully resting on the ground. A good sign, because that hoof previously has been held lifted. Still, however, she walked with a limp and maybe appearing less awful.

Today, more of the same. She’ll have breakfast in the barn, some sort of deliciousness laced with a painkiller. My weirdo donkey! She might or might not eat. Fingers crossed.

While at work, sometimes I’m asked to stay longer because of employees calling in. I’m willing as the store’s super busy, and I like the place. Besides, my work ethic won’t let me refuse. However, there’s a balancing act between working away from home and horse-keeping. The horses need feeding several times daily, and fortunately, mine have decent weights. If that changes, I’ll stop working away from home.

Dear Friends: Thanks to all who have fingers crossed for sweet Pimmy. Diana

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Here I am again, trying to medicate my donkey, Pimmy. She’s limping, and that’s forcing me to get her into a pain-free condition. Last night, I followed her around, trying to interest her in a bowl of delicious something laced with a powdered painkiller. To no avail; she wouldn’t let me near her.

Yesterday, Kate Beardsley took some x-ray photocopies of Pimmy’s pained hoof to an equine vet, who wondered if Pimmy’s pain isn’t from her coffin (hoof) bone but a leg joint. That vet will be at Kate’s on Friday. I hope to load and take Pimmy there for an exam and for more x-rays.

This coming Friday, there won’t be any “loading Pimmy,” unless her hoof supports enough so that she simply can “pop” (as usual) into my horse trailer.

I will end this now to go outside. I’ll put the horses, and Pimmy, into the barn. There, I can capture the donkey. If necessary, a syringe will introduce the painkiller into her system. I hope first for Pimmy to eat what I offer. That would let us avoid the syringe. However it can be done, Pimmy must be free from pain.

Dear Friends: I’m hoping we can get Pimmy more well, and keep her on all fours. Diana

Monday, December 18, 2023

This week, we’ll all do our part for the economy by shopping online, in person, or both ways. Thankfully, the runup to Christmas ends soon, but renewed activity starts right after Christmas as gift returns. That will carry us into January’s mega-gloom–sorting and paying our run-up dues.

All this exhausting year, we’ve been adjusting to post-Covid conditions, coping with an ever-confusing world economy, and trying to absorb the now-occurring wars between nations. Let us include trying to absorb AI’s implications, America’s strange political landscape, and threats of nuclear activity by some brain-twisted leaders (e.g., N. Korea).

Despite some feelings of non-optimism, I intend to create some New Year’s Resolutions that are optimistically upbeat and clearly defined. They will become my path forward. If correctly writing them requires outside assistance, I will tap into AI’s capable and available world.

Again today, my scheduled working hours are strange and also subject to unexpected changes. The confusion will extend through this week and next; maybe I’ll be laid off afterward. Actually, I’d welcome having free time to rest and re-plan.

Dear Friends: Have a wonderful day. Diana

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Here’s another short hello, and this time, not because I must work until the store’s almost midnight closing but because today I’m to be there when it opens. We who work in retail will be incredibly happy when this week is history under our belts.

Fortunately, the local weather has facilitated my weird working hours. Generally, it’s been warmish without much rain or snow. My part-time job is ending in a couple of weeks, and then I will take time off to relax, enjoy my pets, read and learn, and renew casual interests.

My donkey, Pimmy, has contracted an equine disease called “Cushing’s.” One side effect is laminitis or extreme hoof tenderness. Pimmy has begun to limp. Kate Beardsley has offered to coach me in treating Pimmy’s laminitis, which she’s certain is controllable. Kate heads a non-profit horse rescue and is an all-around equine expert. She knows the specialness of this gentle and sweet donkey; along with me and others, she loves Pimmy.

Dear Friends: Now, I must get ready for work, and will see you tomorrow. Diana

Saturday, December 16, 2023

This will be a short hello. Last night, I left work after 11 p.m., the store’s new closing hour until Christmas time. I felt too wired to sleep at home and mostly tossed around during last night’s remaining hours. I’m tired today, with working hours stretching into another late night.

Anyway, I found a familiar and enjoyable old movie to stream. “Somewhere In Time” is a well-directed and well-acted romance with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Many years ago, I watched it several times, and last night, it recaptured my attention until I finally began dozing off.

I’m even dozing off now, so I will end this here. Hopefully, I can start my tomorrow with more productive brain power.

Dear Friends: See you then. Diana

Friday, December 15, 2023

Yesterday, I hemmed a pair of slacks by hand. I hadn’t put a thread to a needle for years. I started by visiting YouTube for hem-sewing techniques. Afterward, and after finally managing to locate needles and thread, I could sense my brain and muscle memory bringing up some basic sewing moves.

I am forced to sew because I’m no longer tall and statuesque at five feet, two and one-half inches, but a shrunken, mere four feet and eleven inches. This is obvious in group photos where everybody else towers above me; and in finding the bottoms of my short-person pant-bottoms clustering on the floor.

On completing the hemline, I got picky and saw tiny bludges that might smudge the finished appearance. My hems needed ironing! Long ago, I had an iron and board, but yesterday, rushed to Costco and found an iron. This one barely resembles any in my past life. Its bottom is a water chamber for standalone steaming or combo steaming and ironing.

I got onto it and finished the job. Today at work, I’ll be Power Girl in Leg-Fitting Power Pants. My schedule is terrible, I’ll work until 11 p.m. because of the store’s extended Christmas shopping hours. Tomorrow’s scheduled shift also will last forever.

Dear Friends: It’s no little matter: I still see well enough to thread a needle! Diana

Thursday, December 14, 2023

I search national news daily to find the most recent accounts of interesting topics. Nowadays, including the war in Ukraine and that in the Middle East. Lately, I’ve also searched for updates about a stock buyout offer for the company that employs me.

I’ve learned that on days when newspapers don’t carry the information I’m seeking, there’s another source to check: AI. I might ask, “What’s the latest news and status of the war between Ukraine and Russia?” AI immediately gathers relevant feeds, summarizes them, and generates an up-to-date, well-rounded, and readable status.

I’ve been working part-time in retail clothing sales for several weeks, an arena new to me. Working in clothing has made me curious about the industry. I wonder why fashion seems important, with some labels seemingly more popular and some designers seemingly more creative. I’ve wondered, quizzed more experienced co-workers, and finally decided to tap AI.

AI’s cogent response cited key fashion-related topics and explained their significance. These include vision and creativity, timeless elegance, quality and craftsmanship, brand identity and storytelling, empowerment and individuality. AI reports that an essential secret is the element of appeal.

The power of garments is in their appeal. They become more than just clothing by creating experiences, emotions, and statements. Certain designs will resonate with women on a deeper level and inspire confidence, creativity, and a sense of self-expression. The best designs aren’t simply clothes; they are wearable art.

Dear Friends: Building on this, exploring might lead toward tattoo appeal. Diana