Thursday, March 16, 2023

Look what came into the Garden Department yesterday! Norman (6 mos) and Calamity Jane (4 yrs) are gorgeous Bernese Mountain Dogs. Their folks understand and love the breed and told me about its history and capabilities. I’ve assumed that, like St. Bernards, these originally were rescuing dogs. But instead, these giant animals were descended from Roman mastiffs and used to herd sheep and pull carts.

Now transitioning to today, I’m writing this slightly after 3 a.m. to clock in at work by 6 a.m. I will feed the dogs soon, and around 5 a.m., be outside caring for my horses.

Thankfully, the weather has warmed and is without falling snow.

Dear Friends: Have a wonderful day. Diana

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

The live plants have begun to arrive. I drove into the parking lot yesterday as huge semi trucks pulled away. I guessed they had delivered the anticipated plants and soon saw many pallets stacked and plant-filled. These first are bushes, blue and blackberries, and evergreens.

Unloaded and arranged, they’re a feast for the eyes. And yesterday’s new snow covered those plants; they seemed to like that.

It was hard work lifting pots and arranging plants by type and size. Plus, it was cold out there! My manager took me into the store to find warm gloves (small size). Good luck finding something smallish in Home Depot! We discovered one pair that almost fit me, and they helped.

This morning, I’m due in early. I don’t know if more plants will arrive, but I expect many customers. These healthy starts will be examined and purchased by folks who hope that the weather ahead will be good for them.

Dear Friends: Being among healthy plants and breathing the air is invigorating. Diana

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Why am I scheduled to work today for six hours, and to take off one of them for lunch? Why wasn’t I scheduled to work for five hours and then just set free?

Those questions helped me stay awake last night. It’s difficult enough to go to work in a Plant Department that has been waiting for an initial live plant supply. It’s currently overstaffed, and we’re all creatively staying busy. Today’s schedule forcing me to work enough hours, to require a lunch, also shows me as today’s “plant waterer.”

That scheduling is a product of guesswork.

Yesterday, on my day off, new snow fell. More is predicted all this afternoon. Arrivals of one or more semis loaded with live plants seem unlikely. My kind boss might enable me to escape at the five-hour mark.

On the other hand, if plants were delivered yesterday, the anticipated weather could semi-alter the game. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to stand in falling snow doing that watering. Maybe that five-hour escape could happen. I’ll try!

Dear Friends: Just a quick hello before it’s off to work for me. Diana

Monday, March 13, 2023

Yesterday, a customer brought a Rough Collie into Home Depot, where I work. He was the first of that breed I have seen, in person, for years. He might be the area’s only standard Collie, according to my twenty years in Central Oregon. Although according to his owner, he’s originally from a litter in Prineville.

He’s four years old, very beautiful, super friendly, and, although cooperative, also very alert. Here, notice his awareness to my attention.

The sight of him made me think of my Osix. She’s a mixed Collie, which I assume mostly is Border Collie. However, she also suggests considerable throwback. Her coat type, facial expressions, and personality characteristics resemble the Standard Collie. She constantly reminds me of that breed. Here, she’s pictured while in puppyhood, and the resemblances are apparent.

This day is off from working at Home Depot. After the next week, my working schedules will start showing my days off as a string. It’ll be a welcome change that offers opportunities to be more productive and to go adventuring.

Dear Friends: Have a wonderful day today. Diana

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Wouldn’t ya know, I forgot to turn the clock time ahead! Fortunately, today I’m to be at work later, and my slip won’t become a problem.

Yesterday, for the first time in what seems forever, I took the dogs out to run freely. They did, in the usual order with Miles leading (often alongside Ranger), and now, joined in front by Chase. The puppy is a year old, energetic, and muscular.

Chase was all over the map but often visible. Yesterday was only his second time out to run loosely and he dependably stayed in the mix having a wonderful time.

Though always in front, Miles knows precisely where I am. Osix rarely is a frontrunner and instead covers the distance between ahead and back to where I’m walking. Our periodic frontrunner, Ranger, does the same. That pattern reassures them that I’m nearby.

The pack’s little cutie, Mitzvah, ran briefly ahead of me; but mostly marched at my heels, moving quietly without touching or bumping me. Periodically, I turned to make sure she was in place, and the little trooper was always there.

Before loading the dogs earlier to leave home, I felt tired after working at Home Depot all morning. However, once out and moving, and like the dogs having a good time, I began to have a sense of spring, even while trudging through snow. Soon, we will go out again.

Dear Friends: I want to ride and soon, with the horses and Pimmy, will shake off more winter. Diana

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Yesterday afternoon, with snow still on the ground. I started my new battery-operated snowblower and cleared the entire driveway. That machine did a fine job and used only a little of its battery power. Best of all, it sprang into action at a touch.

Earlier, in the morning, after scraping the hardened and new snow off my vehicle, I had a challenging drive to work. On very slippery roads I drove at twenty mph, as did everyone else. To my relief, and for a change, no aggressive followers appeared in my rear-view mirror the whole route.

Right now, working is dull in the Garden Department. It’s overstaffed and has few customers. That’ll change when the spring plants arrive. The rumor is that will happen a week after next, but I wonder because consistently this area is receiving snow. Locally, since this year started, we have had twenty or twenty-five snow days. That’s really great for our skiing economy, but way less so for folks eager to start planting.

Meanwhile, I’ve been bringing home potted plants and they are pleasant. It is refreshing to enter this house and glimpse healthy greenery and budding stems. My Jasmine is loaded with flowers that make this home’s interior a heavenly-scented wonder.

Soon, I’ll head out to work, to clock in for another early-at-work day. If nobody else has handled today’s plant watering task, I will. That’ll let me feel productive for an hour or so.

Dear Friends: Today should warm up, but Monday has rain and Tuesday brings snow. Diana

Friday, March 10, 2023

Today’s another early one for working. This hello will be brief since I must clock in shortly.

The scenario is becoming familiar. Today is early to work after scraping ice and snow from my vehicle. Yes, indeed, more snow fell during much of yesterday. The footing was slick at the barn, and the snow revealed many bunny tracks. The critters obviously are dining on my hay. That’s okay; I like bunnies.

I have a new snow plow that’s been delivered. But, unfortunately, I’ve no time to use it this morning, and besides, the fresh snow might not be deep enough. What’s good is now having a battery-operated machine. Yes, just pushing a button makes it go, and it’ll throw snow thirty-five feet away!

I’ll no longer need to be trying to awaken a gas engine, fiddle with a lazy starter, or, horrors, pull on a resisting rope; or finally, as usual, call for help starting the snow plow.

Except that nothing’s really over. From here on, the gas-driven plow will be parked at the barn. Its job (if its engine starts for me) will be creating pathways to and from the horses. In case the gas engine resists starting, I’ll recharge the new plow’s batteries and roll it down for plowing there.

Dear Friends: I have learned the wisdom of finding alternative ways to achieve what’s necessary. Diana

Thursday, March 09, 2023

Yesterday was exhausting. First, I had to awaken earlier than usual (and my “usual” already is early), to be at work by six a.m. Second, I didn’t notice heavy new snow falling before being outside and finding my car icy and partially buried. Third, I stood in the heavy snowfall while clearing ice and snow from windshields for visibility, and soon as possible left for work.

Driving proved difficult on streets unplowed and very slick. My all-wheel drive vehicle does an excellent job of making me feel safe in general; I help by keeping to low speeds. Yesterday, my rates averaged twenty to twenty-five mph. That’s slow, but from behind the wheel feels about correct.

Even so early and with little traffic, another vehicle appears and follows mine. Its driver follows closely, obviously wanting me to speed up. And unfortunately, my rearview mirror reflects the too-close headlights. I feel pressure but am frightened to go at a higher speed. So, I stay steady and mentally tell off my insistent follower.

Anyway, I safely arrive at work and clock in only minutes late. Then, just after six a.m. I’m in the Garden Department where I work. Nobody is around, no workers or customers, and nothing is happening. So I must figure out how to stay busy. My best option is to water the inside plants for sale, for past experience teaches that the process can consume a couple of hours.

The stressful morning continued. I tried to keep (or at least look) busy. This is a waiting period in the department before the arrival of outside plants, which will bring in customers. It’s good planning that the store pre-staffs “to-be-busy” departments. But for a new hire, the waiting is stressful. I’m wondering why a staff person must be there at six a.m.

The whole morning could have been easier had it not begun with brutal weather and problematic other drivers. I spoke of this to a co-worker. She advised me to turn my rearview mirror up, away, and out of sight and ignore vehicles following mine.

Next time!

Dear Friends: Just grumbling about winter ahead of local springtime, arriving in May. Diana

Wednesday, March 08, 2023

Here’s a day I’ve dreaded. I’m to be at work, all clocked in by six a.m. That early hour tosses a wrench in my daily schedule here at home. Today’s early hour isn’t a stand-alone. In the two upcoming weeks, my schedule gives me at least one six a.m.-er. Interspersed are some 7’s and 8’s. They challenge, too, but 6 is the worst.

Fortunately, those days have me at work only for four hours. So I will get home early enough on those mornings to care adequately for my animals.

The Store has an earlier shift. It starts at 5 a.m. I hope that hour doesn’t appear in my future. Instead, imagine someone having to be alert and in the Garden Department at 5 a.m.

I must get ready to go now.

Dear Friends: Have a lovely day, and hopefully, one lacking yet another mini-blizzard. Diana

Osix

Tuesday, March 07, 2023

Yesterday, I worked at HD for four hours. I spent most of that time watering the store’s inside plants. I’m looking for the best ways to water there. For instance, I climb onto a ladder to water high-hanging plants. This pattern can consume nearly three hours, offering an escape from appearing busy.

All this area’s Garden Departments are in the lull before a spring storm–the arrival of live plants. Of course, planting folks are eager for their appearances. Once that happens, my department will be busy for months.

Many people in this unpredictable weather-belt area spring plant too early. They’re often disappointed when new snow and bitterly cold weather suddenly kill sprouts. Of course, local realists anticipate early-planted failures. Nevertheless, there’s a focused determination among folks willing to get up and replant in another new start.

I’m no intrepid planter, but I bring home young plants. Unfortunately, my gardens don’t achieve bragging quality; but with customers’ input this season, maybe I will improve my methods.

Recently, I purchased a battery-driven tiller for stirring up my planting areas. Besides needing the stirring, I love having battery-driven equipment.

To that end, I am slowly replacing all my existing gas engine machines. Unfortunately, my track record for firing-up gas engines isn’t good, so I can’t resist the specialness of buying into “just getting going” at the push of a button.

Dear Friends: My day off today includes planning another risky spring garden. Diana