Thursday, August 10, 2023

The photo shows the Drainfield Restoration folks yesterday in action, repairing my clogged septic drain field. They are working with a huge machine that sends probes deeply into a section of impacted soil. At some point, the machine begins to pressurize mightily, injects pressure underground, and finally causes an explosion to loosen the soil in an impacted area.

Working on my field revealed juniper roots as causing the impaction. Their remedy included tearing out roots and clearing the drain lines. They finished by leaving me with proprietary chemicals and instructions to apply the chemicals at designated times throughout the next year.

They guarantee their work to customers that adhere to the maintenance instructions. Their method of clearing isn’t cheap but is worthwhile. The Drainfield people estimate they save each customer some fifteen or twenty thousand dollars to replace a drain field.

Upon moving here nearly twenty years ago, I barely understood the concept of septic and totally lacked a comprehension of drain fields. Well, now I’ve found it’s about living, learning, and saving to cover eventual maintenance work.

Dear Friends: The basics of living well include enjoying, learning, and saving. Diana

Wednesday, August 09, 2023

I surprised myself by shopping at the grocery store, Winco, and interacting with former coworkers.

I quit my cashiering job there almost a year ago without giving the store appropriate notice. It turned out that I had disappointed myself by leaving abruptly, regardless of my reasons. Since leaving, I’ve not gone there to shop and say hello to friends.

Days ago, a chance meeting in a Home Depot aisle with Stacy, one of my former coworkers at Winco, propped open the blockage in my head. Deciding to shop at Winco turned out to be fun.

Contrary to my expectations of being disliked for having jumped ship and now a forgotten person, former coworkers recognized me. We chatted and got up to date. A change has eased the cashiering work there, as now the store provides handheld scanners. When I worked there, my job often required me to heave and scan cumbersome items. That was during the pandemic, and the discount grocery was incredibly busy. My nonstop and often difficult work became a dislike.

The store’s management styles, too, were very disappointing, but it was my too-hard job that became a core driver for leaving.

Today, I’m happier for having returned and renewed some acquaintances. In the future, I will shop in the store. It’s part of a large and growing grocery chain and a very economical source for shoppers.

Dear Friends: Recognizing and overcoming self-anger lets a person be better. Diana

Tuesday, August 08, 2023

It’s easy to love today’s header dog; he was beyond relaxed while his person shopped.

It’s time to take my puppy Chase out shopping on a lead. He has been with me on hiking and horse trails, has met strangers and their dogs, and is more trusting and friendly. Now for the next step, and this week on one of my days off, him accompanying me to a business.

Sooner or later, it’s easy to count on everybody showing up at Home Depot. I work in the local Hardware Department situated near the store’s center and carrying construction tools. Its location and products draw customers (and their dogs) to Hardware and nearby aisles.

Yesterday, I was working at our key-cutting machine, heard my name, and turning, saw Stacy, a supervisor at Winco. Back in my cashiering days there, I loved working with her–a super person, open and sincere. Since quitting, I have missed Stacy. There, in HD’s aisle, we caught up with one another, and soon, we will get together again, and with her daughter, Autumn, another favorite coworker from my Winco gig.

A year ago, I quit Winco suddenly and without giving notice. I’ve felt embarrassed by my poor quitting behavior and uncomfortable about shopping there. Now, I will resume shopping at Winco to be more in touch with the friendly folks I miss.

Dear Friends: Workplaces are social environments, unique and powerful. Diana

Monday, August 07, 2023

On my next day off from my part-time job, I’ll resume regular workouts in a gym. My work in a busy tool/hardware department forces me to notice and address some physical weaknesses. I’ve learned it’s easy enough to lift items from the floor, but a struggle to lift something upward and toward a high shelf. Holding onto and lower items from high shelves is also difficult for me.

Upward and downward lifting are key elements in my role, and my coworkers willingly help. But if I’m alone in the department and a customer needs something highly-shelved, it’s my challenge to retrieve merchandise safely. Many customers volunteer to climb a ladder and do the bringing down, but that’s not allowable.

It’s time for routine strengthening exercises and working to improve my arm strength. That’s not enough, however, because it’s a core issue. Everything a body is capable of depends on core strength, and mine has evaporated over the years. A stronger core enhancing back muscles would strengthen my lifting capabilities and straighten my walking form.

Today, I’ll print the upcoming work schedule, identify my first day off, and take myself to one of two gyms (on different sides of town) where I’m a member. Dual memberships allow for quicker, easier access from anywhere I happen to be. That’s one thing, but actually going and doing regular workouts is entirely another thing.

Dear Friends: One’s never too old to address and tackle self-renewal. Diana

Sunday, August 06, 2023

Sometimes in the Hardware Department aisles, I meet folks from the past who were good friends and somehow have gone missing from my life. Yesterday, that happened.

I was helping a couple to find special nails when suddenly the young woman gasped, “Diana!” At my blank stare, she said, “We used to ride horseback together! and I love Pimmy, your donkey. Diana, it’s me, Gabby!”

Of course, dear Gabby! My young friend–now all grown up. Back when she was in college, we rode horseback together. Gabby was an excellent rider and without a horse, so a mutual friend, Kali Kiger, put us in touch. Gabby occasionally got a “horse fix” by riding my pony, Sunni. I’d be on my other mare. Pimmy, my donkey, would be following us loosely. The dogs would be along, too.

While completing her schooling, Gabby and her boyfriend created a closer relationship. That’s when she began having less time and interest in riding. We started to lose touch.

Through the years, I’ve missed Gabby’s friendly companionship, skilled ridership, and good handling of my horse. Now she’s back, thanks to my part-time hardware gig.

In the aisle, she introduced her boyfriend. Their relationship is good, and Gabby wants to ride again. We will link up soon. I’ll love that her rein-handling skills will refresh my horse’s responsiveness. She’ll be an excellent trail companion, and hopefully, explain how her path is evolving.

Dear Friends: Appreciating animals is universal and creates lasting bonds. Diana

Saturday, August 05, 2023

I am gathering that evolving AI programs can assist effectively in the design, writing, and editing of a novel. Years ago, I created a book-length story I still like and hope to complete someday. I am creative but lazy and short on the technical skills and the patience needed to do the complex editing to finish a work.

I intend to re-involve myself with that story by experimenting with AI writing-assist programs. Maybe that could complete it without finding and hiring outside help.

Over the years, and especially in writing this daily blog, I’ve faced challenges. I’ve had to learn to introduce ideas in ways allowing for quick comprehension while keeping topics brief for readability.

My long-ago story has good bones but is overwritten, wordy, and with awkward transitions. Its finish has needed two outside assistants: a professional story editor and a skilled illustrator.

Perhaps AI could fill both needs. I often tap AI for blog illustrations and usually am satisfied with its outputs. If current AI text editing actually helps, my story may again come alive.

I will find out by initiating a learning experiment, that teams my good story bones with today’s AI capabilities. That could enable illustrations that are integrative and, with editing assistance, improve my story’s readability.

Ohmigosh! If successful, my improved story might become a candidate for self-publishing, and by then, with assistance from even newer AI.

Dear Friends: There’s always hope for better options for those with patience. Diana

Friday, August 04, 2023

Yesterday, my last day off from work this week, all the family–horses, dogs, and me–spent some time on the horse trail with a dog-accessible canal. My dogs, trail-weary, hot, and dusty, eagerly refreshed themselves with dips ‘n sips–including Little Mitzvah. Each time following my horses, she lowers more to drink, becomes wetter, and someday might dip totally.

My farrier, Russ Bennett, a skilled and capable hoof expert, recently moved from CA to Central Oregon. For years, he took long drives to be here every six weeks and trim for long-time clients, including me. He planned over a couple of years before making the move. Yesterday, he worked on my horses and said he’s gaining new clients. So the change is working out well, and it’s good having him nearby and handy.

Central Oregon locals: Here’s a rare opportunity. On Sunday, there will be a free piano concert at Whispering Winds. That’s where Rochelle Chaiken’s mom, Faye, lives, and everybody is invited.

Rochelle’s brother, Dan, a classical pianist, is visiting. He will perform this program:

Recital at Whispering Winds Daniel Chaikin, piano, August 6, 2023, 2:00 pm 

Prelude and Fugue No.2 in C minor Johann Sebastian Bach From the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 

Scherzo No.2 in B flat minor Frederic Chopin Opus 31 

Voices of Spring Waltz Johann Strauss II Opus 410 

Children’s Corner Suite Claude Debussy: 

Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum

Jimbo’s Lullaby

Serenade for the Doll

The Snow is Dancing;

The Little Shepherd

Golliwogg’s Cake-Walk

A lovely program!

Dear Friends: Equally compelling to physical needs are touches to feed our inner spirits. Diana

Thursday, August 03, 2023

I’ve promised myself for years to attend a Bend Elks baseball game. Somehow, that’s never happened, but will this evening. On a whim, now near the season’s ending, I bought a ticket. It’s kind of exciting–looking forward to being in the stadium watching a game and eating a hot dog.

It seems very cool that a busy training team is based here. Knowing little about baseball, I secretly think the game might be boring. But I want to learn. My lingering intent to attend a baseball game owes appreciation to the Ken Burns baseball series. It also owes appreciation to my long-time CA friend, Susie Jasper, whose forever and all-out love for the Dodgers fuels interest in the game.

Today is my last one off before tomorrow, returning to work.

I’ll take the critters out this morning and ride horseback with the dogs following. Yesterday, we were in the National Forest, where every one of us got a giant workout. I had anticipated the ease of riding on known trails but hadn’t ridden there for a year, and the trails were slightly confusing. Worst, having lost their manners, my horses constantly tried stopping to eat grass and were handfuls, especially Sunni, the grass-grabber that was being ponied.

All the dogs covered the distance despite eating lots of dust and having no water. It’s time to put a bell on Mitzvah’s collar to alert me that she’s following. A big bell on the halter of my donkey, Pimmy, reveals her presence. It limits my twisting in the saddle to know if she’s following and okay.

Dear Friends: A busy day, with horseback and baseball; wot’s happening? Diana

Wednesday, August 02, 2023

I hope to be out early, enjoying today’s coolest part with my horses and dogs. I’m considering where to ride; there are wonderful choices. I’d like a change from where we’ve already roamed several times, but my dogs make it hard to resist a nearby trail with an available water source. Whether we return to the “canal trail” will depend on my energy as we leave home.

Yesterday, I spent an hour on the phone catching up with my longest-time friend, Stephanie. We were best buddies back in our Burbank High School years. These days, we enjoy recalling mutual memories and catching up. She lives in AZ and described her difficulties in coping with the intense heat that has been striking there.

Also, yesterday, I heard from another long-time friend, Jan, who lives in Kansas City, where she’s witnessing climate change bringing consistent and hard rains, and winds more intense than in any past season of her lifetime in that city.

Here in Central Oregon, we’ve been fortunate having this summer’s nearly perfect weather. We worry plenty, however, because our area increasingly suffers drought conditions. This locked-in high desert community critically needs water availability. Lingering drought bodes no good.

The survival of our booming community depends on adequate moisture. That’s controversial when, for example, this area’s numerous resorts routinely divert huge gallons of water to maintain their large golf courses. Unfortunately, a list of water disuse controversies could go on.

Dear Friends: Heat, rain, wind, and drought, now are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Diana

Tuesday, August 01, 2023

Yesterday, the PBS new series, Amanpour & Company, introduced its viewers to a culture that’s both old-world and modern and uniquely fascinating.

The culture consists of Haenyeo women who have for generations lived in South Korea’s Jeju Island. And almost forever, those women have deep-dived into the ocean to collect shellfish, like abalone and sea urchins, for nourishment and to sell for a living.

They dive suited up but without the assistance of oxygen masks. Each has great body control and in a dive can hold her breath for one full minute. They deeply understand the sea and marine life, and dives to harvest can last as much as seven hours daily, for 90 days a year.

When resurfacing each diver takes a breath and makes a verbal sound unique to her that the group recognizes. Her sound advises the diver has resurfaced and is well. If an individual’s sound goes missing the other divers notice, and immediately, all dive and search for her.

It’s the way of life in a close-knit community. Some of those women have reached their eighties and nineties and still are active divers.

The divers fall into three groups based on the level of experience: hagun, junggun, and sanggun. The sanggun diver provides guidance to the others. Before each dive, all pray to the Jamsugut, goddess of the sea, for safety and an abundant catch.

Their knowledge of the sea and diving is passed down to younger generations by families, schools, and local fishery cooperatives which have the area’s fishing rights. There are Haenyeo associations, a Haenyeo School, and a Haenyeo Museum.

The culture is impacted by commercial activities that are associated to increasing global warming and altering the ocean. Amanpour & Company explores with Haenyeo divers their culture and work, and their attempts to create healthful changes to save their community.

Dear Friends: Lovely and informative journalism that lets us see and learn. Diana