Thursday, May 25, 2023

Early to work again for a final day in the Garden Department and tasked to water flowers and trees. Tomorrow, and early again, I’ll start working with the folks in Tools & Hardware.

My old Jeep has been spiffed up with new treads–a set of all-terrain snowflakes. These tires hold the vehicle higher than its former road tires. I am relearning how to climb into the driver’s seat. The Jeep now handles differently because the snowflakes have a surprising grip on the road. Starting out, that gripping makes me pause. However, all the differences are good, and I’ll get used to them.

I must get ready to go and clock-in on time this early workday.

Dear Friends: Today, immediately after work, I’ll be on the receiving end of a root canal! Diana

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Can’t believe this morning that I forgot to write a blog. Well, half-forgot, just enough to fall out of the routine. Actually, I awoke early and got busy “doing.” Fed the horses right away, and afterward in my garden, watered and planted, and was walking Peaches when the “missing blog” hit me.

I know everybody’s tired of reading about Chase, but to extend the possibilities, I am working with him. He’s separated from his buddies and going with me whenever possible. Yesterday, I took him to a BLM with a canal, which that big time swimmer loves. His first time out and roaming free as a single with me, he started exploring with caution, his hackles up and avoiding the water. After a quarter mile, he appeared relaxed, and even began having fun. Eventually, he took the plunge and swam in the water’s flow. Then he started playing. The thing is, he never got out of my sight, stayed right with me through about a mile and a half hike.

At one point, a jogger coming toward us put the dog into a protective mode, but he did listen when I stopped his tendency toward aggressiveness. This one person dog may become very protective, which I like and don’t like. Certainly, I’ll sleep well through nighttimes, knowing he’s on alert; but in general, he must accept the presence of others.

Today, he’s wearing an e-collar, to reinforce exciting occasions that require leaving “things” alone. Like this morning. I was feeding the horses while Chase was trying to play with them. He ignored my “No’s,” and so, immediately became kenneled. I am anticipating the collar will help make him respond to “No.”

So, with this, we get the drift and enough about Chase. I’ll let my attention go elsewhere. Tomorrow’s my last day in HD’s Garden Department; on Friday, I’ll report to Tools and Hardware.

Dear Friends: This loving mutt might not find another good home; so, I’ll keep trying. Diana

Ranger, in his most active days!

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

My 14-month-old puppy, Chase, is about the same size as my most elderly dog, Ranger, a hound-mix. Ranger is thirteen and somewhat arthritic. These two have lived together since Chase was eight weeks old. As Chase has grown, he occasionally has tampered with Ranger’s weaknesses. Yesterday, out of what seemed the clear blue, Chase attacked the elderly dog viciously. My housemate, closest to them, struggled mightily to pull Chase off. To the pup’s credit, he didn’t directly battle her, but earned another check mark, this one huge, against living in this household.

Around midnight, I allowed the dogs outside briefly, with Chase out separately. Before letting Chase inside, I set up a baby gate that would separate Ranger. Immediately inside again, Chase approached the gate and Ranger with hackles up. I deeply understand Chase’s one-track mind, and knowing he might knock away the gate, ordered him into a crate.

Here’s the upshot: My young male dog is loyal and people-friendly; he’s also capable of escaping almost any fenced area and of relentlessly attacking a long-time, older. weaker male companion. Finally, I must face that Chase’s inherited Rottweiler/Shepherd genes include some highly admirable and, for me, too challenging to live with.

For the time being, as I weigh whether to keep Chase, he’ll be separated from the pack and in the stand-alone kennel that he’s not escaped so far.

Dear Friends: I’m devasted that this cute puppy’s evolving story is discounting trust and happiness. Diana

(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