Saturday, October 14, 2023

It’s a new day and back to work for me. A wonderful thing for a part-timer is the option to choose to have days off in a string. One can get lots done at home in three days, making returning to work a vacation from being off.

Returning to work will be a vacation, however short, from my obsession with news of the wars in Israel and Ukraine, and no less, America’s dysfunctional House of Representatives.

As a young woman, I perceived that economic and political news were distant, little affecting my daily patterns. Certainly, there were inconveniences like temporary gasoline shortages, but soon my accustomed patterns of needing and having returned. I didn’t perceive a slow and cumulative gathering of periodic interferences to daily living. However, progressive communications technologies today bring a common understanding that all past economic and political stumbles remain relevant and affect us today.

As an example, we remember 9/11 while observing distant developments worldwide. We have learned to be keenly aware of differing perspectives among the inhabitants and leaderships of various nations. While watching what’s going on, we worry that another unexpected dreadful fallout might occur close to us.

Yes, while working at a non-military job, my worries might ease a bit.

Dear Friends: Three days off allow a stretch, for focusing and obsessing. Diana

Friday, October 13, 2023

Happy Friday the 13th. Unless you’re superstitious, and then beware.

Donkey update: I have begun twice-daily to use a syringe and force Pimmy’s twice-daily medicines into her mouth. As anticipated, some liquid spills onto the floor, but knowing there’s some in her is better than the alternative. Practicing with the syringe will lead to delivering her meds more effectively.

War in the Middle East: A disheartening situation. It compounds our anxieties over other military situations, mostly Ukraine, and here nationally, those crazy mega-shifting social, political, and economic dynamics.

Maybe one of the weirdest stories today is in the ongoing trial of young Sam Bankman-Fried, who, in his twenties, built an FTX mega-goliath. For a while, Bankman-Fried grew extremely wealthy with FTX, and his associated company, Alameda Research. His recognized business smarts attracted major patrons. Everything, however, was a facade. He was illegally laundering money, had created a method of borrowing and moving massive amounts to spend however he wished. Testimonies now from former business colleagues who knew he was cheating, would be laughable if their stories weren’t tragic. They had been vulnerable to showers of cash from Bankman-Fried, who was anticipating becoming the nation’s president.

The saga of FTX and Bankman-Fried is comparable to the earlier debacle of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes. Theranos was a healthcare company founded in 2003 by then nineteen-year-old Holmes and touted as having breakthrough technology. For years, it attracted high profile investors. In 2018, Theranos was dissolved upon a public recognition of cover-ups to serious shortcomings in its core technology. Holmes subsequently went on trial and was convicted of defrauding her investors and the public.

Today’s economic and technical worlds may be suckered up by the young, bright, and beautiful, at least regarding Holmes. As to beautiful, Bankman-Fried, not so much. And, we can travel on a short trip to the past and not forget the master of thievery, Bernie Madoff. I could go on, but you get it.

Dear Friends: Much ado nowadays confuses human situations and rationality. Diana

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Yesterday, I practically starved my donkey, Pimmy. Recently, she was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease and requires twice-daily medications, but refuses any food except the hay she’s always eaten. I have combated this by mixing her meds with delectable grains and molasses, even topping my offerings with Cheerios. Pimmy won’t touch a thing, even though she hadn’t received hay all day yesterday. I gave up and forked out hay in the evening, and she dived in.

I will prepare a vial containing warm water and medicated powder this morning and squirt the mixture into her mouth. Experience assures me that most of the liquid will spill to the ground. With the donkey, only practice will let me better control the process.

Medicine waste is a big deal because her meds are very expensive. I gasp unhappily while tossing a too-stale mixture she has refused or seeing medicated liquid spill to the ground. My friends with “Cushing’s horses” describe similar problems in getting their animals to accept the meds. The pill they must forever take daily is very bitter-tasting. I get it, but my situation adds a wild card–the donkey, an animal significantly different in many ways from horses. Pimmy’s willingness to remain hungry might be one of those differences.

Whichever way it might happen, by free- or force-feeding, I must learn. She needs two daily meds now, early on in her treatment cycle.

Dear Friends: Another day with the “different” animal and tackling challenges. Diana

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Today begins a new string of three days off from my part-time job. It’s blustery and rain-threatening today, which could interfere with the hope of riding horseback. This weather also might be a put-off to starting some still-needed fence work. I want to stretch new hot wiring to dissuade the horses from backing and leaning into fencing to scratch their behinds.

Those are minor compared to my biggest need: getting my donkey to consume foods offered with needed medications. She has Cushing’s disease, and so far, with a nose that has her refusing anything, even very tempting with a medical odor. Her big nose seems able to detect everything. I will try another tactic this morning and keep up my hopes for success.

The donkey is a creature of habit. This new way of feeding, by separating her from horse buddies, upsets her. But if she’s offered palatable food while out among the horses, they’ll confiscate it. My only option is to keep marching forward in trial-and-error modes.

Such local challenges are less perplexing and disturbing than those reported in the national and international news. The Washington Post is about to lay off 120 employees because its subscriptions are down. Interestingly, it has tried to balance national and international news, reporting local (D.C.) news and providing advice on social situations. It’ll be interesting to see this famous old newspaper evolve anew and maybe with a changed focus.

For my friend, Ava, who recently moved to San Antonio: Reports today assert that TX homes are rapidly increasing in price because of the many transplants arriving there from CA. The stats now are spotlighting San Antonio as having escalating home prices. You got there just in time!

Dear Friends: Have a great day. Diana

Tuesday, October 09, 2023

I’ve become highly aware of retail theft, a massive problem that worsened with the Pandemic and continues. It’s a serious topic among Home Depot managers where I work. Theft awareness always is visible in the many for-sale items that are caged and locked. Current newspapers name key businesses that have moved or are moving from downtown locations, to combat high theft. Major retailers listed on the stock market report significant income losses from theft. Many brick-and-mortar sellers are fighting back by beefing up their online businesses.

I am at least somewhat informed, nonetheless, my jaw dropped recently when newspapers reported that last year’s retail losses from theft totaled 112 trillion dollars. Last week, the Wall Street Journal published a front-page story explaining how, over time, Home Depot helped authorities bring down a major theft-and-resell ring. The thieves and their disposal of gains had been active for ten years.

That ring leader ran a church charity organization, and on the side paid thousands of dollars to groups of thieves. They worked for him throughout the U.S. providing stolen goods. He in turn sold the stolen articles on eBay. EBay suspected him of selling stolen merchandise but couldn’t move on an assumption. Home Depot’s 2200+ locations have cameras; they made a difference by gathering enough information to launch and assist a police investigation. The story is a fascinating read.

I can’t provide a link because the Journal will require readers to subscribe. However, the story is available in many forms for searching online.

Dear Friends: How many rings are needed for thefts amounting to $112T? Diana

Monday, October 09, 2023

After three days away from my part-time job and doing property work, today’s return to work will be my relief from physical labor. I worked setting fence posts, moving large rocks, hauling discarded old concrete to the dump, and in the evenings fell exhausted into bed. Those hard-earned accomplishments are visible, and so are the differences they made.

Our gorgeous Indian Summer has held on, but there’s a warning that it might rain this week and could start this afternoon. On returning home from work, I’ll tarp anything with an engine that must stand outside. I’m optimistic that our nice weather will continue a while longer, but it’s impossible to count on old weather patterns holding. Last autumn, very early and following many days of Indian Summer, suddenly freezing and snow occurred. Winter’s hit lasted and didn’t let up.

I remember clearly, for not preparing early for a weather change. Many problems confronting me were frozen horse watering troughs, broken guttering, and non-operative snow blowers. Unlike years ago when we could count on the weather changing about a week before Thanksgiving. That’s when we could anticipate the first snow. Now, regarding weather, what changes and when they might happen are up for grabs.

Dear Friends: Okay, let’s start this day, this week, and see what the weather brings. Diana

Sunday, October 08, 2023

It’s one of the funniest sightings in Home Depot. This guy leads a large pit bull and following them, scampering loosely at full speed, a teacup Chihuahua. The guy says he was in Mexico a couple of weeks ago and on a street corner found some people with a basketful of tiny puppies. He brought home this eight-week-old ball of fire.

She couldn’t weigh over a pound, and she’s incredibly cute. Typically, Chihuahuas grow to weigh between three and six pounds, but a mature Teacup usually tops at three pounds.

Here, she’s saying hello to me.

Already, I have enough dogs, and in fact, too many, but suddenly, I want another–a teacup Chihuahua!

The guy explains that Hank, his six-year-old, and calm Pit Bull, tolerates Tachita well. All my dogs would like her, too.

A year and a half ago, I adopted eight-week-old Chase, an adorable puppy that I expected to blossom into a small dog. His rescuer reassured me that he’d remain tiny. Right then, I should have paused and done some homework, for Chase has grown into a muscular mix of Rottweiler/GSD/&etc.

Months ago, a customer in HD asked me, “What would people be without dogs?” I often find myself reflecting on that, and am gobsmacked while imagining us without pets.

Dear Friends: In this gorgeous weather, have a wonderful day. Diana

Saturday, October 07, 2023

Around midnight, after giving the dogs a few minutes of outside time, I could not return to sleep. I laid awake and tried everything; I counted sheep, made lists, and planned ahead. Nothing worked. Finally, I just got up and went to read the morning papers. Now, as this day dawns, I am sleepy.

My easy-to-feed donkey, Pimmy, has never refused any treats until now. She recently was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease and now must take two medications. She hates both, and I hate them, too. Trying to give something to a donkey that the animal doesn’t want is miserable. She has always adored offered apples, but after accepting a slice with a pill buried in it, now refuses to touch another apple.

One of her meds is a powder, and I must learn how to administer it. My starting technique has been to dissolve the powder and a bit of warm water in a syringe, to which I add some yogurt and drops of pancake syrup and shake the mixture. As with the pill, she’s caught on and turns away. When I hold her head and just squirt the mixture into her mouth, much of the liquid (and powder!) winds up on the ground.

In a month or so, after a bloodwork recheck, medicating the twice-daily powder will cease. But, for the rest of Pimmy’s life, the evil-tasting daily pill must continue. Oy very.

I will add that Pimmy is about twenty years old. Healthy donks can last into their forties.

Dear Friends: Now, I’m off to mix her morning brew; wishing I could hop into bed. Diana

Friday, October 06, 2023

Peggy Noonan used to be a key speechwriter for President Reagan and afterward became an editorial columnist for the WSJ. She’s an excellent writer and I often read her columns, viewing her as a thoughtful (“thinking”) conservative. Today, her column seemed extra surprising.

She is distraught over the House Republicans for having ousted Speaker McCarthy and apparently declining into chaos. She declares that today’s House Republicans desperately need a rational, very strong leader, and she specified “a Nancy Pelosi.”

I agree with her and will opine further. To me, in modern years, two American women particularly have demonstrated great bravery and redefined perceptions of excellent public service, thoughtfulness, and leadership. They are Ms. Pelosi and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In these years, American political perspectives greatly conflict; and that affects even my little daily choices. For example, I keep resisting wearing my favorite pair of socks, each sock boasting a clear image of Ginsburg’s face over her favorite lace collar and Court cloak. My socks represent a political perspective that could make me a target of the many bullies that still roam, way beyond those serving in our House of Representatives.

Hindsight is great, but we wonder if McCarthy’s resignation was his best or correct choice. Regardless, it’s left chaos, which anyway had been poised to erupt. We can only hold our collective breath and hope for a reasonable outcome, and we must plan to vote!

Dear Friends: It’s less about creating balance than pleasing mega-cash sources. Diana

Thursday, October 05, 2023

I am surprised to find myself enjoying the work I’m doing with concrete. All I’ve done so far is to mix and fill post holes, but I’m interested in more using the flexible material, and even becoming creative. Those thoughts have me watching how-to videos showing concrete mixing techniques and projects. I’d need to ramp up some mega courage before tackling a bigger-than-post-hole project. There are chances of a novice making construction errors, and dried concrete can’t simply be erased.

I’ve found while fixing broken fence posts that the hardest part of repairing is to haul from a hole in the ground the broken post bottom totally encased in old concrete. If I manage to get the post-bottom and concrete from the ground, there are more cumbersome steps ahead, to rid the property of an unsightly and heavy chunk of trash.

Concrete holds great attraction. When used correctly it’s very flexible in wet form, and very sturdy once it dries. As a beginner in this type of construction, I sense the potential of becoming creative with concrete. There’s so much to learn, and I’ll be on it.

Dear Friends: Today, another early-in to work, so it’s goodbye for now. Diana