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

Sunday, May 07, 2023

Yesterday, Enrique, my manager at Home Depot, remarried Krystal. They’ve been married four years but Krystal wanted a remarriage in The Church. Enrique said he’s happy doing as she wishes.

I do love weddings, which have me laughing and crying. I asked for an invitation, and Enrique said yes and came through. Soon as I entered the church lobby, Enrique greeted me and introduced his father, brother, and other family members here for the wedding from Mexico and California. Everybody was friendly and kind.

The wedding ceremony was lovely. I have explained that weddings make me laugh and cry, and this one wasn’t different. What did seem different was that this wedding felt more modern and more sensitive. The priest didn’t waste time quoting scriptures, but instead, spoke about the couple and their individualities which years ago had attracted them to one another.

After the ceremony, Enrique said to me that he and Krystal are exact opposites. He explained that he’s a freewheeling type while she’s detail-oriented. Already, I had gained insight into their type differences when the priest described Enrique’s love for motorcycles and Krysal’s success as a professional accountant.

Their flower girl was the couple’s adorable four-year-old daughter, Bella. With each step down the aisle, Bella reached into the little bucket she carried and pulled out and dropped flower petals in the aisle. Enrique was waiting at the altar as Bella made her way toward him; watching her and smiling from ear to ear.

I didn’t hang around much after the ceremony, because my neighbor, Frank, texted that my escape-artist puppy, Chase, was running loose in the neighborhood. Before I arrived home, Frank had managed to capture Chase and relocate him in my fenced yard. An hour later, Chase again escaped but showed up when I called.

Oh, Chase, how can I stop your escaping!

BTW, an extra note, that I have joined SNAP Fitness. I plan to start working out and hopefully strengthen my upper body.

Dear Friends: That was quite a day, and today after my HD gig, I will try to stop puppy escapes. Diana

Saturday, May 06 2023

It’s early, and I should be preparing for work and to clock in by seven a.m. But instead, I will play hooky, because later this morning my manager, Enrique, is getting married, and I am planning to attend that wedding.

Enrique is a good manager. He’s fun, even loveable, and highly organized after having worked at HD for many years. He and his wife, Krystal, have an adorable four-year-old. She will be their flower girl at this, their second wedding, and this time In The Church.

Enrique and Krystal have large families with relatives arriving from distant places. There will be many witnesses. I told Enrique I’d like to attend and received an official invitation. He said he’d “look in another direction” when I call in sick on his wedding day.

I will use the excuse of a painful “turned ankle.” Years ago, that occurred when I stepped incorrectly off a curb and landed my foot awkwardly. Today’s faux episode won’t be as dramatic, so tomorrow, I “can work” as scheduled.

Working at HD has introduced me to many likable folks. The workplace is fun as well as challenging.

Today, I will witness a marriage. I will wish Enrique, lovely Krystal, and their adorable “flower daughter,” all the best ahead.

Dear Friends: I prefer being truthful, but occasionally a situation calls for fibbing. Diana

Another Method

Friday, May 05, 2023

Rain today, more expected tomorrow, and temperatures are reasonable. This weather is perfect for plants. Unfortunately, water and warmth aren’t enough because gardens have enemies.

Mine has cutworms! I never gave my own garden a thought about them before finding my Rhubard plant sawed to its very bottom. While hoping it’ll regrow, I thought about a recent HD customer who was seeking a remedy for cutworms, and I helped her. We both disliked pesticides and critter-killing poisons, and together, read labels, evaluated possibilities, and finally, googled for information. We learned online that homemade dish soap solutions will kill cutworms without harming plants. She left the store without buying, opting for a holistic solution.

Yesterday, remembering that customer, I googled to find an easy formula. I chose one calling for a couple of tablespoons of Dawn, and a couple more with vegetable oil, with all mixed into a gallon of water. Those simple and handy ingredients let me create a solution. I filled a spray bottle and marched to my garden.

I sprayed and sprayed, from the plant tops to their bottoms and underneath their leaves. I felt resolute, but deeper thoughts were mixed. I wondered if the solution really could eliminate pests without being unhealthy for plants. I remained firm because worries won’t alter the bottom line, an outcome of healthy plants, or none.

Going forward, I will repeat that process daily. After watering, I’ll wait for the plant bodies dry and then spray the solution. I’m figuring on finding three possible outcomes: (1) bugs disappear; (2) plants sag; or (3) nothing changes, and all was for naught.

Dear Friends: One can’t know unless one tries, and each attempt notches new learning. Diana

Thursday, May 04, 2023

This day is an early-to-work, meaning I will clock in at seven and leave at noon. These hours in the store will be welcome as I need supplies, and being at work makes shopping convenient. Years of never-ending seeking and acquiring teach us to appreciate “convenience.”

Yesterday, I had a dental appointment for a process I always fear, teeth cleaning. I have a new dentist and explained that my receding gums make teeth cleaning painful, especially the “rapid water” method. Hygienists prefer using that fast technique to process more clients.

My dentist listened and arranged for his hygienist to use the instrument-reducing technique. She proved to be kind and capable; the process was painless and felt perfect. She is my go-to in the future. At last, after years of seemingly unavoidable mouth-nerve pain, I won’t dread dental appointments.

It’s five a.m. and a heavy rain is falling. It means a soggy start for me, as soon I will be outside feeding the horses.

Dear Friends: My garden Irises have begun to bloom, and this rain is welcome. Diana

Wednesday, May 03, 2023

Business is booming in Home Depot’s Garden Department. A store representative called yesterday wondering if I would work on some off-scheduled days. “Of course,” I said, without hesitating on a non-brainer. The fact is, I’m watering a garden and flowers here at home and might as well be doing the same there and being paid.

The national newspapers address how rising interest rates reduce sales and profits and impact workers. One way companies tighten up against falling profits is by reducing job opportunities. We part-timers at HD faced reduced working hours but weren’t laid off. HD’s business is picking up, and its re-staffing is rapid and smooth.

I have a dental appointment to precede an upcoming root canal appointment. Long ago, I received a root canal that is now beginning to collapse, something I never knew could happen. Apparently, an old canal filling can dissipate over time, making the tooth sensitive to pressure. I assumed a new cavity was behind my growing tooth sensitivity, but no, instead, the canal needs refilling.

There’s always something! And now I must be off to prepare for the dental appointment.

Dear Friends: We can’t escape the larger economic conditions, but understanding helps us cope. Diana