Wednesday, May 17, 2023

This is a brief hello since I must clock in by 7 a.m.

If you still are curious about whether I’ve managed to corral my escapee puppy, Chase, the answer is nope.

Over the past two days, my housemate and I heightened the fence that surrounds the dogs’ area. Now, most of it is about eight feet high with new fabric wired to the old. Last evening, Chase searched for a break and leaped at a six-foot spot. His paws caught the top, and he casually vaulted over. In freedom, he romped in circles, a picture of tail-wagging happiness.

Today, at HD, I’ll pick up more rolls of fencing, and this afternoon will resume attending to the fence.

A quick change of subject and a dumb question: Are you tracking what’s going on in Ukraine? Has its long-awaited counter-offensive really begun?

When I was a kid, there was a popular movie entitled, “The Mouse That Roared.” Its lead actor was Zero Mostell. Anyway, these days, relative to Ukraine’s determined combat against Russian aggression, that title remains foremost in my mind.

Go, Ukraine!

Dear Friends: And, go me, Roaring! In an orange vest labeled “waterer,” to save too-dry plants. Diana

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Oh, what a beautiful morning!

This is the last in my string of days off from work. I’ve mostly spent them reworking a fence to keep my escape puppy contained. I must go out for more fencing material and a roll of tying wire, and today should finish the job, or anyway, this phase. He’ll search for a way to get out. If successful, he’ll bounce my efforts back to square one. Already, I’ve had enough!

Last night, I was sleepless with a mind filled with ridiculous worries. The worst was whether or not I had turned off a water pump after filling the horse trough. That’s where I focused trying to recall the act of putting my hand on the pump lever and lowering it to close. I couldn’t remember and worried, until finally, at 2 a.m., after waking my Border Collie and grabbing a flashlight, we headed outside to that trough.

The horses were awake and welcoming, but I was on a mission. “Sorry, girls, no breakfast right now.”

I found the trough quiet and no water running. The pump handle was properly off. I said goodby to the horses.

My dog and I headed back to the house. Finally, I manged to fall asleep.

Dear Friends: Midnight games can play in ones head and create too much noise. Diana

Monday, May 15, 2023

Yesterday, my friend Julie Gilbert and I met for lunch. We parked some lightweight chairs under a giant Ponderosa and sat watching a busy canal’s water ripple by. The relaxed setting had us slowing down to talk and catch up with one another.

BTW, our entrees yesterday were grilled cheese sandwiches stuffed with dill pickles. In the old days, drug store lunch counters typically served those sandwiches with dill pickles. Those pair well, and we two chomped agreeably.

Julie and I have separate lives and activities. What brings and has kept us close is our shared deep appreciation of serious literature, accompanied by thoughtful reflections. We also enjoy horses and periodically get together to catch up.

Yesterday’s setting was perfect for relaxing. Today, I might repeat by taking the dogs, and a lightweight chair with munchies, to an active irrigation canal. I visualize myself there, lulled by passing water with my dogs running and playing nearby. I could take a notebook and jot impressions; something interesting might evolve. The more I consider doing this, the “going for it” feels good.

Dear Friends: It’s inspiring that even brief routine breaks may create fresh ideas. Diana

Sunday, May 15, 2023

My “girls” had their dental needs met yesterday by Jessica Hendrick, an equine dentistry expert based in Burns who travels to Bend.

My housemate, Jan, and I hauled the horses to Tumalo and the Silver View Equestrian Center, a gorgeous modern facility with many inside stalls and also inside arenas. Its owner, Rebecca Parks, drives ponies and minis and is a serious competitor.

Assisting Jessica was my long-time friend, Noell Devenny. Noell breeds beautiful Foundation Appaloosas and often advises me regarding horse-related needs.

My three horses each were scheduled for an hour. Jan and I hung out with Rebecca, talking, and watching Jessica and Noell work. Before long, I suddenly felt very much at home, again, by being among others in “a horse world” and talking about horses, sharing our experiences. I had been away for too long, and those few hours felt lovely.

Back home, Jan and I scurried to clean up after the horses. Each had been partially sedated during dentistry, and the trailer floor was a mess. Floor mats needed pulling and supporting wood thoroughly hosed. Then, we faced even more work. That morning, I hurriedly had given each animal a big-time spring cleaning. Now, Jan and I cleared the barn floor from what seemed tons of discarded mane, tail hair, and shredded winter fur. I felt thankful for her help.

Today, I’m meeting Julie Gilbert for lunch. We’re packing our lunches and chairs to an outdoor area where there’s active water and many trees. We are not bringing our dogs and will hang out, having reserved this as an outing just for us. It’s a catch-up time. Periodically, we pause and share our experiences and thoughts. Each of us has evolved from different backgrounds and life experiences, and yet have shared passions, for books, ideas, relationships, and (also high on our list) horses.

Dear Friends: Happy Mother’s Day, regardless of whether your kids sport two legs or more. Diana

Saturday, May 13, 2023

A sleepless night with worries about my young dog’s frequent escapes and trying to figure out how to keep him confined. Around midnight, I began searching YouTube for videos to discover useful tips. However, those fixers were doing much similar to what I’ve created. Now, I need to do more.

Finally, I did manage to block completely the corner of fencing where the dog was escaping. Observing his frustrated efforts to go over the fence was a relief. Shortly after I turned away, I saw him running loose and toward me! I returned him to the yard and watched him dash to a new spot, leap repeatedly, and finally grasp the top post. He leaped to freedom and came running to me.

His new escape spot looks as challenging as blocking his former corner.

What I must do is transform a six-foot-high fence into an eight-footer. That will mean extending the fenceline supports and adding top fabric. In key places, I will have to install spinning bars to reject grasps.

This puppy’s strength, courage, and boldness have astonished me. Equally so have been accumulated materials, tools, and time spent to dim his determination. All my efforts have barely scratched the surface.

I also have a stand-alone kennel that, so far, still confines him. I leave him in there when I’m away but I prefer him with my other dogs in their large fenced area.

At this point, my options are: (1 [best]) adjust the large-area fence, make it completely inescapable; (2 [okay]) keep kenneling him apart from his buddies in the separated enclosure; or (3 [seemingly impossible]) take steps to rehome him.

It’s a tough situation. I must be able to keep this dog safe. He’s been with me since he was eight weeks old and hasn’t an unknown past with incidents that cause him to challenge fences. He’s never been mistreated nor even punished for escaping, as I want him to stay nearby and come to find me.

Dear Friends: Anyway, today is a dental day for my equines, which postpones puppy stuff. Diana

Friday, May 12, 2023

I sensed that I’d catch a cold by discontinuing mask-wearing while in public, and yep, I did soon. The thing is that often I’m outside working in the Garden Department. On sunny days, a mask creates warmth and feels almost unbearable. Soon after I quit wearing one, there came a cold. Now, I’m a little less debilitated and rethinking my decision not to wear masks.

Many people are continuing to wear masks in public. I applaud them. I’m a cancer patient in remission who has undergone chemotherapy, a process that compromises an immune system. Throughout the pandemic years, I faithfully wore masks, but twice recently, after discarding them, I caught a cold.

This time I’m wrestling again about whether to tolerate heat or face infections. My decision, again, is to wear masks. I’ll remove them periodically to cool off. Sure, wearing a mask may be cumbersome, but way better than being forced to process debilitating colds.

Tomorrow afternoon, my equines have appointments for routine dentistry. An equine dentist who arrives periodically from Burns will be treating patients at a local horse ranch. My horse rig has been tuned-up and is ready to roll. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have an early challenge of brushing the muddy animals shedding in patches after this long winter.

Dear Friends: Next will start riding horseback again, and it’s about time! Diana

Peaches and a giant egg carton

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Today, I must clock in at work by 6 a.m. Aside from that, my mind is blank, and so, no blog today.

Even with a blank mind, I usually can conjure up a paragraph, or two, but now with time very short, all I can come up with is, “Good Morning.”

Dear Friends: See you tomorrow! Diana

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

It’s another beautiful but chilly morning, and I’m to work today at Home Depot. Yesterday, a coworker said we are being required to start logging into a “store phone” every one of our working efforts. Apparently, management needs assurance we’re not wasting time. As a part-timer, my job is doing whatever someone tells me to do, and sometimes I self-assign activities to fill time.

After thinking about this change, I have decided against logging my at-work activities. First, I often clock in after all store phones are taken, so I don’t always carry one; plus, I’ve no idea how to enter such data on a phone. Next, if management considers the store overstaffed and decides to take corrective action, I must go with the flow.

The math is simple: for part-timers that HD might let go, Lowe’s might hire.

This whole thing about ensuring “busyness” is questionable in a retail environment, still seeking more staff and actively hiring. Staffing is a strange business these days. For example, I hear of new HD employees that show up and work for one or two days and then disappear.

It’s our shifting economy that’s forcing attention to the staffing landscape. I used to view economy-driven changes from a management perspective and now see these phenomena from a front-line perspective. So interesting!

BTW, I have made some fence adjustments at home, and so far, Chase hasn’t escaped. However, I’m certain the stubborn fellow will find a way to get free. He’ll be in the stand-alone kennel today while I’m at work, that so far has contained him.

Dear Friends: BTW, I’ve begun stretching and working out at the gym, very proud of myself. Diana

Tuesday, May 09, 2023

Nobody will be surprised to learn that my 14-month-old puppy, Chase, is escaping. Yes, again, and from the large dog area surrounded by six-foot fencing. I thought every escaping possibility had been addressed, but not so. Each fence fix slowed him, but only slightly, for he won’t give up. Now, Chase has learned to reach and go over the top by climbing a slanted support pole. I watched that happening, and again, his bold determination astonished me.

So far, while loose, he’s stayed nearby and responded to my calls. However, his territory will enlarge as he grows accustomed to roaming. I’m challenged to keep him away from a nearby road’s busy traffic and to prevent him from disturbing folks walking past my place, alone or with a leashed dog.

Until I can make another fix to the larger dog-area fence, Chase will be confined in a 10×20 dog pen surrounded by six-foot fencing. He’s already proved he can climb its fence and vault to freedom. I’ve made fixes to stop escapes, and so far, so good. It worries me, however, that he still explores to escape this run.

It’s just who he is. There’s no predicting how his obsessive nature may play out. Primarily, he’s a Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix, and there’s other stuff thrown in, too. Aside from his passion for escaping, he’s a sweet-tempered, enjoyable pup.

This morning, sunny and inviting, ignores predictions of more rain. The Home Depot’s Garden Department will be busy with most plants watered by yesterday’s rain. At home, I am eager to plant, and finally, now seems the right time.

Dear Friends: My gardening must wait until I can put a brake on slanted pole climbing. Diana

Monday, May 08, 2023

A few days back, my nutsy puppy escaped an enclosure that seemed inescapable. That wasn’t the first time he proved my presumptions wrong. I couldn’t identify any likely possibility for his exits until my friend, Bill, pointed out that Chase likely squeezed through seemingly too-small openings just under the top of all three gates.

Instantly, my gaze changed, and so did my perception. My brain stopped considering the openings too small by remembering that Chase has proved stubborn and incredibly bold. Suddenly, I thought Bill might be correct.

Yesterday, after work, I unrolled wire, gathered tools, and started covering gate-top spaces. Afterward, Chase was released from a big stand-alone kennel and allowed into the large dog area. Mitzvah was released from the large dog area to become a schill, and we started walking toward the street.

Our departure upset Chase. He attempted escaping, to join us without success. There were various ways in which Mitzvah and I tested the puppy until, gradually, he seemed more accepting and even relaxed.

This morning, I have a dental appointment. While I’m away, Chase will be with his buddies in their large fenced area. On my return, I expect to find him among them. Later in the afternoon, I will visit SNAP Fitness which I’ve joined. I will figure out a workout routine that might strengthen my upper body.

I’ve discovered in my part-time job that I can lift a weight from the ground but am challenged to lift it upward or overhead. This limitation doesn’t surprise me and might be correctable. It’s an awareness that inspires me to start working out.

Even though I might be uncomfortable in a relatively small gym where mostly young, hard bodies work out. I joined SNAP because it’s located on a route with relatively less traffic, easing my travels to and from. I intend to remain focused on my needs without comparing myself to the gym’s younger and stronger members.

Dear Friends: The others working out there might give me a big E for effort. Diana