Saturday, February 04, 2023

The header image is of a female Fantail Beta in my small aquarium. It’s a perfect capture of grace and beauty.

Public Television has ignored viewers like me in changing from “Plus” to “World.” One of my favorite PBS shows is Amanpour & Co., which appeared nightly at the awful hour of 10 p.m. Awful because I had to stay awake waiting for its start.

I had this same problem with the wonderful 10 p.m. PBS series that preceded Amanpour, the nightly roundtable interviews by Charlie Rose. He was one of the brightest and best interviewers ever. His talent and guests were legendary until several years ago when Rose disgraced himself. He was discovered using his influence to be a sexual predator.

My disappointment at Charlie’s exit from PBS softened when his replacement turned out to be Christiane Amanpour. Her past experience included a wealth of international frontline reporting. A talented interviewer, she routinely could ask direct tough questions and could respond appropriately.

In its change from, Plus to World, PBS reset Amanpour & Co., so that now, it’s at 1 a.m. So, I must catch it on sleepless nights or on another day online with PBS Passport.

Years ago, I asked PBS why Charlie’s interviews didn’t have an earlier time slot. I learned that Charlie didn’t have enough viewers. It’s probably the same with Christiane’s series. Now that it’s in a more awful time slot, I’ll be saved by Passport. I always will wonder why great shows don’t attract more viewers.

Dear Friends: On reflection, viewing is influenced highly by one’s politics and worldviews. Diana

Friday, February 03, 2023

I have begun reading The Tale of Genji. This ancient work in translation is a straightforward read, and contrary to my expectations, it’s easy to follow. It was written at the beginning of the 11th Century by Murasaki Shikibu, a noblewoman in the Heian Japanese Court. The Court’s official language was Chinese, but Shikibu wrote in Japanese.

In the Heian period, the court language was Chinese. The Japanese language was primarily used by women. So, Shikibu’s work wasn’t taken seriously. In addition, most of her story was written in prose, which wasn’t considered equal to poetry. Shikibu’s story has 54 chapters of prose infused with Japanese and Chinese poetry; it has one main character and is regarded as the world’s first novel.

Murasaki Shikibu, 973-1014, was a Japanese novelist, poet, and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial Court in the Heian period. That time was the peak of the Japanese imperial court, noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. Traditionally, Heian women weren’t considered intelligent enough to be taught Chinese, which excluded them from the written language of the government. But Murasaki was raised in an erudite father’s household and showed a precocious aptitude for the Chinese classics. As a result, she acquired fluency, becoming a unique figure as a woman master of the Chinese language and classics.

Murasaki is a fascinating individual, and I have ordered her diary.

All this is preparatory and background before I read the mid-1950s classic novel, Masks, by Japanese writer Fumiko Enchi. Like Shikibu, Enchi was a precocious child who became a fascinating writer. For Masks, she borrowed themes from The Tale of Genji.

Dear Friends: Sadly, but fortunately, I’m a late starter to Asian literature. Diana

  

Thursday, February 02, 2023

I’m surprised to be about to start reading this ancient Japanese tale, supposedly the world’s first novel. Written by Murasaki Shikibu, born in 978; she was a poet in the court of Empress Akiko.

This is all because I had begun reading, Masks, a novel by Fumiko Enchi. Written in 1958, it’s considered an essential, beautifully written Japanese classic authored by a woman. I was struck by the story’s excellent writing and interesting pace early on. Then, I looked into reviews and discovered that Masks incorporates themes from The Tale of Genji, which is recommended background reading. So, I’ll read the ancient fantasy and then resume Masks.

If I’m aiming to read a modern classic that originated in a non-English language, I should prepare in the best possible manner by doing the background work. Rather than tackling these readings independently, I’d prefer to participate in a literature class with a subject matter expert. But what the heck, I’ll go for it as a challenge.

Dear Friends: I’ll dream about ancient Japanese literature on this beautiful day at work. Diana

Wednesday, February 01, 2023

It’s too early for the Robins. But nevertheless, I’m drawn to this springlike image from my archive. I eagerly await the Robins’ return, signaling that winter is over and livening up the territory. Robins, alert and determined, are the “Border Collies of Birds.”

My times in an orange apron and working in the Garden Department had me averaging 12K steps daily. That includes my steps at home. The Garden Department isn’t even busy right now, so we’re fronting and facing merchandise and filling shelves. We expect the department to become a madhouse in a couple of weeks when the plants start arriving.

For the rest of this week, I’ll have to sit and learn by video again. But some videos should make more sense because I’ve worked on the floor. So that could make them more interesting and less brain-freezing.

After clocking out, while leaving the store, I pick up small missing items at home, for which I’m always searching, like bungee cords, rope, and certain screws and nails. I will avoid large interesting items until I hear from customers about how they work and if they’re worthy. The coolest thing about being a salesperson is learning from customers.

Dear Friends: The videos will end, the flowers will arrive, and the Robins will return. Diana

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

This is the last day of this year’s first dark month. And it’s still cold!

Yesterday at Home Depot, instead of watching videos, I spent hours receiving real-time training in the Garden Department. I’d been prepped by my previous job at Wilco, which carries garden and hardware products. So I knew a little about customer needs, the importance of providing service, and how to tidy shelves.

At HD, I will shadow a crew member for a couple of weeks and then follow the department manager for a while. My first day was interesting because we discovered four Traeger Grills mislabeled and “lost” somewhere. My team had to find them, so we walked every aisle. Looking at possible locations meant staring straight upward at aisle shelves’ high tops. A couple of hours gave me a stiff neck but got me near achieving that day’s 10,000 steps. My coworker said that some days while working, she walks 18,000 steps!

As I walked the aisles, employees in all departments voluntarily introduced themselves and welcomed me to the team. The women workers represent all age groups, and most told me they love working at HD. That big store is kind of homey.

Speaking of home, since yesterday was freezing, I let my dogs stay inside when I left for work. Later when I returned, little Mitzvah was first to notice someone entering; her racket woke the other dogs. After letting them outside, I inspected the house; it was clean as a whistle. Great pups!

Mitzvah is as quick as Osix, and sometimes faster, to notice bark-worthy events. Osix has been our earliest town crier, but Mitzvah is an equal. As to the other pups, Miles is our best watchdog, and Ranger is pretty good. And to now, the no-Chiweenie, Chase, is useless, but O so sweet.

Dear Friends: I will give, for free, fresh (and unwashed) eggs to anyone who’ll pick them up. Diana

Monday, January 30, 2023

OMG, how about Zero Degrees! That was yesterday morning’s temperature. It included freezing winds. An incoming gust felt numbing when I opened the door to let the dogs outside. Later, I bundled up to feed horses and chickens, but my heavy wool coat and hat didn’t offset instant face numbing. So I hurried back into the house to my winterwear stash and searched for a face cover.

Almost immediately, my gloves failed, and my fingers began freezing. An infrared heater in the barn helps but thawing fingers are briefly uncomfortable. Usually, a one-time infrared thaw is all that’s needed, but yesterday my fingers quickly began to refreeze.

Meanwhile, my neighbor, Bill, posted on Facebook that Central Oregon’s zero temperature was thirteen degrees colder than Nome, Alaska. I felt every bit of that while outside.

After early feeding my horses, chickens, and goat, I spent most of the day inside with the dogs. I had several later feeding tasks, but outside was sunny, and follow on treks were a little warmer.

Today starts a new warming trend expected to last through the week.

Dear Friends: Thankfully, this area rarely experiences such extremely low temperatures. Diana

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Last night, a little blizzard hit this area and left it snow-covered. This morning’s temps in the early twenties will mean having my dogs mostly inside until it gets warmer. I understand that tomorrow will begin another warming trend.

I’ve worked my way through all the training videos assigned so far at Home Depot. So today I’ll stay home. I will hang out and watch if more beautiful big flakes happen to fall. Otherwise, I will catch up on chores and return to a stack of reading materials.

My new renter, Jan, will soon start moving in and officially reside here in a couple of weeks. We’ve known each other for years, and the arrangement should work well. Of course, it will have me making the big adjustment of living with another person, but the change offers mutual benefits. She’ll be happier here than where she’s been living, and I will welcome help with the property and animals. Plus, since Jan works at Costco, a text can deliver something needed at home.

Dear Friends: There is never a dull moment around here, and new adventures are ahead. Diana

Saturday, January 28, 2023

I was watching a training video at HD when the fellow next to me switched off his monitor, smiled, and said he’d be returning to the plumbing area. I removed my headphones and listened. He explained that he’s been employed at HD for one week, and is a licensed contractor. He couldn’t find enough work to carry him through winter and will be with HD until spring. I asked if he could do repair work at my home. “Sure,” he said.

Central Oregon, where I live, is bustling with new construction. I’m on the opposite end of the tradespeople spectrum. I can’t find qualified individuals unbusy enough to address my home needs, a little electrical, plumbing, and repairing. Working at HD will be a plus, as some will pop up who routinely handle general repairs.

Plus, I can seek advice from those I work with to address some repair needs myself. I am handy with basic tools and usually encouraged by a source of good information. I will be bold with a sense of direction, and sometimes surprise myself by accomplishing something that seemed impossible.

Dear Friends: Now off to sit through more hours of mind-numbing training videos. Diana

Maxwell

Friday, January 27, 2023

Another day of sitting through online videos at Home Depot, orienting to my new job. This will continue for four hours daily for two weeks, which is how HD trains new employees. I have sat through worse orientations, but this one takes the cake for length.

I am a former corporate trainer and am very familiar with informational videos. The Home Depot’s are among the best I’ve seen, but a person can absorb only so much at a sitting. Several instructional videos, one after another, result in a brain freeze.

I got up, walked around, found coffee, and hung out until my energy renewed. Interestingly as I tromped through the store’s aisles, some employees I had met briefly the day before recognized me and engaged me in conversation. The chats were cool and hinted that new friends are ahead. Yes, for me, Home Depot could become a fine working environment.

On another note, my kind neighbor, Frank, texted that he could see my fence sagging in a couple of spots and offered to fix things. He did a masterful job and introduced me to a new style of post-junction stabilizer.

That got me thinking. For most of last year, I was venturing out, seeking part-time work. Learning new skills had me neglecting some property care. Yesterday, I worked off some guilt for having neglected the fence line. I did some needed cleaning and repairing in the horse area. The horses followed me around, and Sunni was after my gloves. Those animals are dear.

Kudos again, Frank, for helping.

Dear Friends: Today’s header is my Maxwell, a very cool kitty about to turn fourteen. Diana

Sunni

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Yesterday, at Home Depot I attended a New Employee Orientation. I figured it would last a couple of hours. Ha! How about it lasted five hours and ended unfinished. I watched training videos and online indoctrinations, to rules and regulations, toxic material handling, etc. I will return this morning to complete the process.

We new hires toured the facility and found all employees pleasant and welcoming. The attitudes were encouraging. Men and women alike and representing all age groups worked in the aisles. My new position might avoid the aggressive ageism that frustrated me where previously I was a part-time cashier.

I learned that working behind a cash register made me very vulnerable to spontaneous opinions. I worked in a busy store where people, lined up and waiting to check out, had the time and permission to study their cashier, to assess speed, capability, and temperament. By the time, I was checking them out, many voiced opinions about me. I was shocked by how many customers, mostly around my age whom I’d never before met, openly scolded me for still working. None were joking, some were cruel. I didn’t respond, ignored criticisms, and unable to speak back as I wished, swallowed anger.

A new cycle begins. I have another employee I.D. and passwords and user codes. This time I’ll be on the store’s sales team, moving around and less vulnerable to being studied. Interactions will be on-the-spot, spontaneous and better for my peace of mind.

Dear Friends: Now, I’ll be off to finish the orientation. Diana