(Photo Credit, Antonio Diaz)

Monday, May 22, 2023

My role at Home Depot is about to change. Yesterday, I told the HR manager that I don’t enjoy watering plants throughout my days at work. I said that instead, I could help the organization more in a sales role. She was supportive and decided I would fit perfectly in the Tool Department, which needs salespeople. Later this week, I will transition there.

If I had voiced my druthers, I would have elected Tools, a high-grossing department that could be higher grossing. I’ll be unleashed in it, having fun doing my thing and assisting customers. Another reason to opt for that department is to learn more about the huge range of tools, how they’re used, and the strength needed to handle them. Women do-it-yourselfers need many details to assess their ability to tackle projects independently.

So, six months into working at Home Depot, this is an opportunity to fulfill my hopes for being in Sales and Tools. Ha, goodbye to watering!

I will miss working with Enrique, the Garden Department’s Manager. He’s too nice, and his long-time employees make it tough for newbies wanting to learn and evolve. I don’t expect the Tool Department’s long-time employees to be much different, but I will hold my own as an effective seller.

Dear Friends: I’m circling back to a career path from years ago associated with sales. Diana

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Today’s the big test day. My puppy, Chase, will be left in the yard’s fenced area while I’m away at work. My housemate and I have worked our fingers to the bone, exhausting ourselves, to make the fence escape-proof. In the last few days, Chase has stayed in that area while I’ve been away for an hour or so. While there, hopefully, he won’t feel motivated enough to try escaping today. Regardless of the fence modifications, he might succeed because he’s athletic, stubborn, and smart.

Nonetheless, it’s time to trust him. This won’t be a one-day experiment but the start of an ongoing experiment. If Chase isn’t motivated enough to escape today, that won’t guarantee zero future attempts.

Oh, dear, what’s to do? Should he continue being left separately from his dog buddies in a standalone kennel? And, if so, how long will “separately” be enough? Is his escape focus a “puppy thing” or inherent in his nature?

While writing this and considering the odds for Chase’s welfare if he should escape, I’ve changed my mind. He won’t stay in the larger fenced area while I’m away. Instead, he’ll be in the stand-alone until my return and then will join the other dogs.

By continuing to watch his behavior and his attitude changes I’ll gain insight into his escaping needs. Later, I can revisit where best to leave him without oversight. The bottom line is to ensure Chase’s safety.

Dear Friends: Whew! Got that thought through. Diana

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Yesterday, I visited an oncology provider at St. Charles. She was new to me, very bright and competent, and she will oversee my cancer-related needs. I was sorry to learn she can’t be my primary care provider. She did, however, provide leads toward finding a qualified physician able to accept new patients. She ordered a complete blood panel, which was overdue and drawn following our visit.

So, that completed an important element in my health journey, after my two key doctors retired or moved away. Fortunately, my Medicare coverage is a type that allows for self-referrals to care, which is how I achieved yesterday’s oncology visit. I don’t know how someone, lacking a provider, makes appointments with a Medicare plan requiring physician referrals. My point is that, in this booming economy, finding available healthcare providers is a tough job.

After the medical visit, I arrived home and found my puppy still in the dogs’ fenced area. Later, I had to leave for another hour, and again he didn’t escape. Maybe all those blood, sweat, and tears solved the problem; or, maybe he didn’t feel motivated enough to leap for freedom. Soon I’ll know for certain what’s doing.

Dear Friends: Off now, in this early morning, to water plants. Diana

Thirteen-year-old “Wellsummer” enjoying the spring grass

Friday, May 19, 2023

Today, I’ll be off work to keep a first appointment with my new healthcare provider. Last year, my long-time primary care doctor retired; it’s been challenging to find another associated with cancer care, accepting new patients. This small city is experiencing huge population inflows that keep all its docs busy.

The header photo shows my elderly healthy hen in a cage, outside on new grass. She’s in Chicken Heaven. She’s digging, eating greenery, scratching for bugs, and basking in the sun. All this after a winter inside as a house pet. My Wellsummer is an amazing bird, healthy, alert, and way older than most retired chickens.

Today will test my puppy, Chase, against my newly modified fencing. If he can’t/doesn’t escape, that will make adapting worth all the effort. Heightening the fence has been expensive, time-consuming, and energy-sucking. Now, please, Chase, stay inside!

I don’t want to consider what’s next if he continues leaping to freedom. More fence changes will require an effort akin to starting over.

Dear Friends: Let’s be like Wellsummer, outside and enjoying this beautiful day. Diana

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Whew, it’s warm! Yesterday, I worked wearing shorts and a tee shirt and drank lots of water. Today, I must arrive at work by six a.m., my least favorite schedule; but getting off at 11 a.m. will ease the early starting time.

This morning, also, I will pack eggs for coworkers, a task I should have handled last night, but I was exhausted and couldn’t “do eggs” after working all afternoon to barricade my escapee dog. Later today, I’ll return to that fence project.

For the rest of this month, and likely, throughout summer, as a designated watering person, I’m scheduled in early on workdays. So, instead of complaining about early clock-ins, I should arrange my brain to just show up on time and start watering vegetable starts. Veggies are fragile in small pots that tend to dry out quickly. After the veggies, I’ll water other small-pot plants for the same reason.

Actually, watering isn’t a bad job. I stay busy, time passes quickly, and customers tap me for assistance. The worst part of my job is having to go to work so early. The horses love me being out and feeding them at five a.m. As for my dogs, they’re in the house until after seven a.m. when my housemate feeds and lets them out. Then, their morning noises (like howling with fire engines) may least offend neighbors.

Anyway, now on this early morning, it’s off to chores for me.

Dear Friends: Have a lovely day! Diana

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