Sunday, August 13, 2023

Yesterday evening my horse fence appeared normal for the first time in years. Gone were weak areas of fencing that I had reinforced creatively with visible, catawampus post supports and weird wiring. The capable Gustavo had intently and creatively reworked bad spots, restrengthening them to soundness.

This week, Gustavo will return and repair the remaining spots of weak fencing.

It’s back to work for me today, with an early clock-in time.

While shopping several times for fence repair supplies the other day, I ran into a little drama. A cashier calling himself “Mr. Bill, ” checked me out twice, undercharging me both times.

The first time his giveaway was small–two 20-cent pencils. He tossed them to me, saying, “Happy Birthday, just take them.” To my surprise, he added, “Today’s my last here; I’m quitting. What can they do, fire me?” I left with the pencils that Gustavo needed, feeling confused over what to do about 40 cents of unpaid merchandise.

Later that day and shopping again, I loaded eight bags of concrete onto a platform cart. I tried to avoid Mr. Bill’s register, but his opened up first. A customer behind me refused to push ahead of me. He insisted I go to the empty register and started pushing my concrete to Mr. Bill.

When Mr. Bill said, “Four bags,” I didn’t correct him but wondered how much product he was giving away.

After the bags were loaded in my vehicle, I moved it and parked, re-entered the store searching for the manager on duty. I described what Mr. Bill was doing, showed my receipt, and asked to pay for four concrete bags and two pencils. The manager looked serious, thanked and checked me out. As I was leaving, he began focusing elsewhere, probably on Mr. Bill.

I had never before interacted with Mr. Bill. Who could know what motivated him to steal from the store blatantly? I embrace a good organization’s values and one biggie is employee honesty. A giant business like Home Depot with hundreds of locations, suffers greatly from the smallest thefts. For example, five dollars of loss multiplied across all its locations adds to millions.

Besides economics in general, the huge reality of theft is that it’s a key driver of higher prices.

Dear Friends: T’was a big day, repairing fence and squealing on a co-employee. Diana

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Gustavo did show up yesterday and repaired one of my two most flimsy, frightening sections of horse fencing. He’s a concrete expert with notably different ways of post-setting. First, he dislikes the popular style of QuikCrete that will set in 10-20 minutes; says it doesn’t hold up long and why my fence posts loosened and broke. Second, he prefers wire-tying fence fabric to posts over using U-nails as it’s stronger and lasts longer.

Several times yesterday, I hurried to and from Home Depot for supplies. He needed bags of old-style concrete, rebar-style wire ties, and cardboard tubular sleeves. This morning, Gustavo is returning, and my errand will be to find the 6″ screws he prefers over nails to connect top rails to posts.

His perception of what works best isn’t what fencers usually say. They prefer the fastest-setting concrete and also hammer-in U-nails. Gustavo, a believable perfectionist, yesterday reset a trio of broken posts into 21″ deep, wheelbarrow-mixed concrete. To my touch, the posts seemed rock solid, but wheelbarrow mixed concrete needs overnight to harden.

Today, he will repair the flimsy posts on a boundary with my neighbor. My horses lean into the fence and drool at the adjoining grassy property. They boom both posts and rails.

Dear Friends: This experience is making me better educated and more capable. Diana

Friday, August 11, 2023

After standing me up a couple weeks ago, Gustavo, a skilled laborer, called yesterday wanting to work for me. He survived my scolding over his not showing up or even calling by explaining that his cell phone had been on the blink. Sure, I believe that–and I also know he can handle almost everything related to property and home.

The header photo is of Gustavo several weeks ago working at my home.

He’ll be here early today to repair the scattered broken fence posts around the horse area. I’ve attempted alone to accomplish thost repairs, but my progress is slow because of too little time and energy for the work.

The broken posts are caused by my horses leaning into the fencing fabric and scratching their behinds against it. Seeing that happening makes me crazy, but horses are what they are. I will stop that behavior by having Gustavo install a solar charger and re-hotwire the fence.

Today will begin, at first, by seeing him show up. Since Gustavo initiated this, he probably will; but experience teaches, so who knows?

Dear Friends: Today might offer up better ways to repair broken posts. Diana

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