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

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The local weather’s warm, the stock market’s hot, and today will be great. For the next couple of days, I have days off from work. I’m making plans: one, go riding; two, roam with the dogs; and three, sight through a camera.

Yesterday morning, while walking across a parking lot, I heard someone yelling hello and stopping her truck abruptly. It was Karmen! My ex-coworker at HD. We enjoyed some catching-up time. I gave two weeks’ notice at my former workplace and worked through them without speaking much about my plan to leave. Truthfully, I didn’t know where I was going; only that I wished to sell retail products other than tools. My informal goal was to find work in a retail clothing environment.

Karmen described her surprise on learning of my leaving, and similarly, among others we worked with. My former supervisor has told HD folks where I am working now, but until speaking with Karmen, I doubted anyone might have noticed I’d gone missing. On being reminded by her that relationships had been established and I had dropped the ball, I will visit my former workplace and say hi to folks.

I’ll visit there this morning, and anyway, I need a couple of its products. Like a baby gate to keep dogs from my spare bedroom; and clothing hangers because I’m kind of crazy in my new workplace. I’m a weird “kind of crazy.” Back while working at an animal feed store, I adopted chickens and puppies; while working in Hardware, I brought home tools and more tools, and now, working in retail clothing is a new round.

It’s fun, playing with clothing and combining items I’d never before have dreamed of wearing. The store is tolerant, with the motto, “Own Your Style.” Many of its insiders play with and wear unique clothing combinations. Today’s social environment allows almost any coverings, and I’m finding fun in being visual and creatively combining articles of apparel.

Dear Friends: Surprised to discover I’m a visual learner, way more than I thought. Diana

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Today will be the last in a “killer stretch” of my part-time work. It’s almost Christmas time, and some employees are not showing up. That is providing me opportunities to spend more hours on the job. It’s also having me learn more and more aggressively involve myself in the store’s routines.

Starting tomorrow, I will be off for two days unless called to cover for a missing colleague. Then, it’ll be next week’s killer days before Christmas.

There are constant pressures from constantly working with customers, straightening conditions of various merchandise, and being exhausted on coming home. But the job is fun. The store is friendly to its seasonal workers and encourages us to be ourselves. I feel propped above just being a gray-haired and slightly bent worker; I feel important.

I’m not particularly important, but I have more self-esteem while working in a women-managed environment–not a drop less profit- and performance-driven, but with a slightly softer management style. Generally, our inside observations and jokes relate to women’s interests. Our store’s female manager reinterprets the chain’s managing men’s directives and competently flows information and goals, keeping us informed and marching together.

Dear Friends: Another early arrival workday, and I must prepare. Diana

Monday, December 11, 2023

I wasn’t planning on working most of this week, but my workplace is dealing with a rush of customers and unanticipated employee absences. My hours are rescheduled, and I’ll be working more days, each for longer hours.

It’s okay because my working hours are passing more quickly. I’ve grasped the retail working routines and can stay busy and productive. Expanding working experience is a learning opportunity. A few weeks as a seasonal employee are remaining for me to achieve the max in my role.

My workplace has a motto, “Own your style!” Its double meaning refers to mixing and matching articles of apparel as one might wish, but thoughtfully. It also suggests being confident in one’s personal self.

The workplace routines are demanding, but the themes are good. I have a brief working timeline, it looms and leaves open what may come next.

Dear Friends: Have a wonderful day on what will be another relatively warm one. Diana

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Yesterday morning, I got my working hours mixed up; I arrived two hours early. My schedule on that day, anyway, called for long hours, and working the extra two meant ten hours. Those passed quickly because there were many customers. On arriving home in the evening, little was left of me.

Finally, I’m learning my job. I’m managing a cash register, handling routines involving the dressing room, locating merchandise and putting it away, finding various product areas, and meeting more of my coworkers. Managers are no longer hovering nearby and breaking in to assist with sales and thus train me. Their relative disappearance is good feedback.

All that’s exhilarating and tiring.

I’m making some lifestyle changes after visiting my new primary care doctor. They will involve my food intake patterns. For years, I’ve maintained a low-carb diet that helps with managing weight. However, now I understand I’m low on electrolytes, like potassium, and am pre-diabetic. Many foods not in a low-carb diet are loaded with electrolytes. My enjoyable wine is loaded with sugar. I will shift toward a Meteranian-style diet and generally avoid wine.

So, I’m saying.

Dear Friends: Know thyself! Both strengthening and diminishing require effort. Diana