Sunday, December 03, 2023

This bold Robin, perched to drink from my chickens’ water bucket, is among the Robins that hang around this area through wintertime. It’s a gift that small water sources attract wild birds. When like this Robin, a bird pauses nearby, I enjoy watching its behavior. Similar to the popular idea that cat-petting lowers a human’s blood pressure, maybe the pleasant bird-watching lowers mine.

Today I am up early, drinking coffee, watching the weather, and planning my day. Our weather will be warmish and with heavy rain anticipated. I must go outside and work to improve my dog fencing. My young and very OCD dog has learned to dig under the fence and escape the yard, he’s unstoppable. I must do heavy work to discourage him. If the rain holds off, I can be out gathering lava rocks to align at the fence bottom inside and out.

This morning, I hope at least to stack big rocks near where they’ll ultimately be placed. Completing all the work might take a couple of days. Until the culprit’s digging stops, daily he will be housed in a standalone (and so far) inescapable kennel.

Dear Friends: A last java blast before I head outside isn’t lowering my blood pressure. Diana

Saturday, December 02, 2023

I’m starting to find the kind of fun at Macy’s that I have enjoyed in other jobs. Yesterday, I checked out a woman, an American, who mentioned having lived in England for many years. I wondered why, and she described studying British literature in college and, afterward, choosing to go where her favorite authors had lived, wanting more insight into their backgrounds and evolvement. In that process, she became enamored with England, found a job, and stayed.

Her interests were up my alley, for long ago, I spent years informally studying writings by Jane Austin, the Bronte siblings, and others. My focus was on early 19th-century British women writers, particularly Charlotte Bronte. I then lived in LA, and its large libraries made what I was studying available. Unintentionally, I became an armchair expert on certain British (and American) writers of that earlier era.

For that customer and me, the past snapped forward. We exchanged brief observations about the emergence of women writers against social backgrounds without any interest whatsoever in feminine intelligence and observations. We spoke of admiring early British women writers, talented, having to struggle mightily for recognition and economic viability.

To me, Charlotte Bronte was the epitome of that period drama. She was the eldest of four Bronte siblings who grew up in the most dire poverty. All were creative and talented, and Charlotte was the boldest. She first published under a male pseudonym, until finally encouraged to publish using her own name. A wonderful storyteller, she was bright, insightful, and warm; I loved her works.

So long ago all that learning, and yesterday, the delightful exchange. Remembering renewed my passion for the works of early significant women writers; and appreciating how, finally, they managed to prove their intellectual- and skill-worthiness and start gaining economically.

Dear Friends: Being out and among taps into social and mental relevance. Diana

Friday, December 01, 2023

Starting today, I’ll be an ex-trainee at Macy’s. Instead of mostly shadowing its more experienced employees, I might be assigned to work more independently and in various locations. Until now, I’ve worked in the ready-to-wear section with sweaters, sleepwear, and lingerie. I want to experience working in a variety of the store’s departments.

This morning’s high winds and blowing snow encourage me to wear my plastic blue bubble coat. The outside conditions also remind me to have in my car a windshield scraper. That critical item wasn’t available late yesterday when I left Macy’s. My frosted-over front and back windows offered very limited vision. Instead of waiting until the window ice melted, I crept my car to a nearby gas station, where a kind attendant scraped my windows.

Winter weather impacts everything. We carry certain supplies in our vehicles and are prepared, if needed, to call for assistance. We alter routines with our pets depending on the weather.

I pause here, having just received notice of Sandra Day O’Connor’s death. She’s the third passing in as many days of highly visible Americans. O’Connor, following Carter and Kissinger, was ninety-three. Carter and Kissinger had tiptoed to one hundred years old. O’Connor had memory loss, probably Alzheimer’s. Both Carter and Kissinger remained actively involved in their pursuits until their deaths. All are signals of our aging population.

Dear Friends: Springing now are many associated topics for discussing. Diana

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Every sign signals that Oregon is on the verge of receiving days of huge snowfalls. The first snow here in Central Oregon will fall tomorrow, and most of it, or an estimated 10 inches, will land high atop the Cascades, and our ski resort will open for biz. Tomorrow, we below the mountains will see lighter snow, but that’ll change in the following days as more snow falls and lands lower.

We can plan for a very cold year ending. Especially folks with large animals to care for and feed while keeping warm. To this end, I became interested in a Macy’s coat; it’s full size and made bigger by being a puffer that appears capable of keeping a wearer warm. What particularly was attractive to me is that the coat’s filling isn’t of feathers, but of recycled plastics.

I’ve been thinking about staying warm in the coming snow while outside and feeding horses. Examining that puffer coat, I couldn’t think of why plastic insulation wouldn’t be as warm or maybe more so than alternate fillings. Besides, I heartedly dislike pulling feathers from live birds, even if they provide effective insulation. Besides, too, Macy’s continuing big sales and my employee discount made the puffer gettable.

Yesterday evening, I wore home a new plastic, blue-colored, big, puffer coat. It’s lightweight and was warm in the evening’s cold. It’s interesting, that as I am wearing the coat and walking it makes noises–of a kind that suggests the crinklings of plastic.

Just now, instead of tomorrow, the snowing has begun. Contrary to predictions, it’s landing here solidly on the ground and way beneath the Cascades.

Dear Friends: Today will test my decision accuracy and the new coat’s promise. Diana

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

My neighbor, John, told me yesterday that his nephew and surrogate son, Richard, was recently diagnosed with noncurable late-stage terminal cancer. Everybody, including Richard himself, was caught off guard. John’s obvious distress and mine moved me to tears. Richard is only 53 years old and one of the nicest people. Until recently, he frequently was in our neighborhood. Lately, without dwelling on it, I’d not seen his big white truck rolling into or leaving John’s place.

Last year, Richard told me that he successfully overcame alcoholism in his twenties and thirties. I hadn’t known until yesterday that he was a lifelong smoker. John says that Richard still smokes routinely and adds that it no longer matters.

A few years ago, John lost his older brother to invasive and aggressive cancer. He moved that brother from Canada to Central Oregon to support him through the final months. Now, another one he’s close to is similarly going.

I’m peripherally involved, for often being across the street at John’s where I take my horses to graze on his pasture. Being there introduced me to John’s brother, Steven, and his nephew, Richard. Both these losses impact me, especially Richard whom I know well.

I’m finding that the loss of anyone beloved reminds me of my loss several years ago. My sister, Elaine was a handful in life. Only during her final years did I understand how close we were and how greatly I loved her. I’d be a better sister if more understanding could make it possible to back up and re-do the past. And similarly regarding my mom, I’d be a better daughter.

Loss is a hard teacher.

Macy’s has offered me extra working hours today and tomorrow. That’ll take my mind away from difficult topics. I will continue following Richard’s progress through John.

Dear Friends: The luck of the draw: our genes, parents, habits, and attitudes. Diana

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

He dug out again yesterday. This time, little Mitzvah followed the rotten Chase. They went through a new hole under the fence. I was inside the house when my other dogs started barking with the energy that attracts attention. I looked through a window and spotted Chase down by the horse fencing, about to embark on a path to my neighbors’.

I ran outside calling, and here hurried Mitzvah followed by Chase. I put them into the house before going outside and looking for the escape spot. There it was–Chase’s new hole under the fence–right beside his first dig the previous day. The initial hole was blocked against more digging. I hoped it might end his digging.

I have learned from experience that Chase doesn’t give up. He teaches that neither can I.

For another couple of hours with some rest breaks, I lugged lava rocks to the fence line and set them into a row along its bottom. They’re on its outside to block Chase’s all-too-easy unders, ups, and outs.

If heavy lava rocks can’t prevent escapes, I’ll dig a trench and lower the rocks into it–or will fill the trench with concrete. Weeks earlier, I had sturdied my horse fencing by learning to set posts. That process taught me the basics of mixing and pouring concrete–experience transferable to other fencing.

Dear Friends: Unending creativity, to control Chase and ensure his safety. Diana

Cyber Monday, November 27, 2023

This morning, I spent some hours exploring cyber offerings without clicking any buy buttons. I’ll gamble that throughout this holiday season, almost anything wished for will still be available and on sale.

I did subscribe to streaming platforms. Most are offering deals now. My iPad lets me watch Hulu, Disney, and Premium YouTube. The iPad can help me drift off when I’m too wired to fall asleep.

I started watching the streaming by tuning into “Yellowstone,” a highly acclaimed series starring Kevin Cosner. I couldn’t hang on watching much beyond its opening scenes that suggested cruelty to horses. I’ll revisit the series by ignoring its upsetting qualities and wrapping my head around its potential to entertain.

Yesterday, I blocked the hole my puppy, Chase, dug under the fence and wiggled through, escaping our yard and visiting neighbors. All day yesterday, I watched him and saw him lacking a smidge of interest in the area where he had dug out. He’s probably not intent on escaping but as an opportunist will upon spotting an avenue.

I’m planning to take Chase shopping to widen his perspective. Maybe to Home Depot, where dogs are welcome, and anyway, where I ought to go and say hello to former coworkers. If Chase behaves while in HD, he could accompany me to WinCo, which also allows animals.

Dear Friends: After the slammer sales days at Macy’s, I have some free ones. Diana

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Yesterday, my puppy from hell, Chase, again escaped and went roaming. After digging a large hole, he crawled beneath the yard fence, and fortunately, headed directly to my kind next-door neighbors.

Yesterday on Black Friday #2, Macy’s had scheduled me to work long hours. Early in my shift, Frank texted that Chase was loose. I panicked and couldn’t leave Macy’s until my lunch hour. Frank brought Chase home and secured him in a large standalone kennel that I had made inescapable. He texted that Chase was in solitary confinement, and also, that he had blocked Chase’s dig so my other dogs couldn’t escape.

That standalone kennel still holds Chase. Last night, he was inside when I arrived home late.

Starting today, I have some time off from Macy’s. I will try to escape-proof (again!) my dogs’ fenced large area. I hope Chase may continue being there among his buddies. Unless I stop his escaping, Chase must stay in the standalone when I’m away.

Chase is a Rottweiler/Shepherd, and now is one and one-half years old. He’s smart and driven and also graced with a very good nature. My job is to keep him safe, but he’s an escape artist, constantly testing boundaries and pushing at the slightest give. He’s a master at leaping high, climbing incredibly, and digging determinedly.

Dear Friends: This pup begs an old dilemma, “What’s a mom to do?” Diana

Saturday, November 25, 2023

I survived this season’s official first Black Friday at Macy’s which was slammed with customers. All day and on my feet, I worked a register facing unending lines of folks waiting for “their finds” to be checked out. The Store exceeded its sales goal of $200,000.

With my feet in the fire, I figured out how to operate nearly every function a Macy’s electronic cash register is capable of. The day’s biggest challenge (aside from my sheer exhaustion) was interacting with two Spanish-speaking-only customers wanting checks of item prices and to make purchases. They tried communicating with me using a phone translator app, which didn’t cut it. I had to go searching for a fellow salesperson fluent in Spanish which gobbled up time, and finally found one who could help facilitate the transaction.

Today, Black Friday will continue, and I’ll be working more long hours. Afterward, the worst should be over, until ex-Christmas. Then, as I understand, the store will have customers lined up at the registers and wanting to make returns.

Dear Friends: This is necessary sales experience for my retail resume. Diana

Black Friday, 2023

This will be a rosy day despite my having to be working at Macy’s for ten hours straight. I’ll be supporting the Black Friday rush.

My day will be pleasant by remembering yesterday’s fun at Ashley’s and Jon’s Thanksgiving event. I found myself among many cool and intelligent folks; and this holiday got to meet Ashley’s mom, visiting from California, and her sister and bro-in-law, visiting from Texas. Everybody mixed well, generating palpable energy; and as always, Jon and Ashley (a great cooking team) created food lovely to see and then delicious.

This year, I feel immensely grateful for certain key advantages. Like, living where I’m neither forced to be religious nor to wear a special covering for women. Also, I’m grateful for having good friends; and for an economy (weird as it is) giving me work outside my home. Actively being out, among others, and doing and learning, is keeping me feeling more relevant.

Today’s header photo seals fond memories. It’s of Russ (our good friend); Cynthia (Ashley’s mom); Ashley, me, and Brooke (Ashley’s sister).

Dear Friends: Now, to the extreme, a plunge into the mad weirdness of Black Friday. Diana