Miss Merry

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Years ago, I suddenly lost my young and adorable Welsh Pony, Merry Leggs. She had been stricken by severe colic, and afterward, for weeks, I sat at a computer, fighting my incredible unhappiness by creating a story for young readers that starred a Welsh Pony.

My lead character, Miss Merry, was pretty, intelligent, and devoted to her family. She was courageous, too, and had many adventures. After initially drafting the story, I continued working on it; gradually, it felt reasonably compelling and maybe worthy of publishing.

A couple of drafting components didn’t go smoothly. Most critically, I couldn’t successfully edit my own creative writing. Upon attempting to make a sentence or paragraph more relevant and stronger, I’d find myself, instead, rewriting whole sections, altering the story’s flow.

My inability to self-edit demanded an outside objective editor, and Merry’s story increasingly called for an illustrator. Talented assistants weren’t available for what I could afford: $-Zero. Little Miss Merry eventually floated into the background and drifted from my active memory. I suppose that happened after I overcame my pony loss enough to move on.

Until yesterday, when a bright young colleague, Lily (who recently introduced me to Chat GPT+), suddenly asked if I’ve ever written fiction, I nodded and complained about self-editing until Lily pointed out Chat’s editing capabilities.

Later, I was thinking about Chat’s abilities and suddenly remembered “Miss Merry.” It needed editing and illustration—both are Chat’s capabilities. Additionally, Lily, a makeup specialist, has artistic skills and expresses interest in perhaps working with the story.

Gosh! A dozen years later, “Miss Merry” might be reborn. First, I must locate the saved story—probably on a disc or a thumb drive. Finding its location is one head-scratcher, and accessing a complete version may be another.

I’ll be off my part-time job today and looking for Merry.

Dear Friends: Revisiting my sweet pony vis-a-vis her alter ego–thrilling! Diana

Disaster

Tuesday, December 28, 2025

Today is a somber anniversary. On this day in 1986, America’s Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight and disintegrated 46,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, killing every crew member aboard. One crew, a non-NASA employee, was a schoolteacher going into space under a Teacher in Space Project.

Because the mission included a civilian, it drew high media interest and live streaming. Adults, as well as many children in schools, watched as video captured the launch and explosion.

Dialogues followed that unveiled “The O-ring Disaster.” In essence, key spaceship suppliers rushing to meet the liftoff date ignored their engineers who were questioning anticipated O-Ring performance.

(Spin forward to Boing’s troubles today because of gross mismanagement and frantic rushing to produce aircraft.)

The spaceship tragedy was caused by failures of the primary and secondary O-ring seals in a joint in one space booster. Record-low temperatures at launch time stiffened the rubber O-rings, reducing their ability to seal joints. Shortly after liftoff, the seals were breached; hot pressurized gas leaked through the joint and burned into an external propellant tank.

The explosion collapsed internal structures, causing rotations to throw the orbiter into aerodynamic forces that tore it apart. The now-destroyed craft flew uncontrollably until a range safety officer destroyed it.

That disaster today is imprinted in memory as firmly as the horrific assassinations of the Kennedy brothers, MLK, and John Lennon.

Dear Friends, Reliving my memories of the Challenger disaster and its aftermath. Diana

Birding Artist

Friday, January 10, 2024

Some time ago, I casually listened as an interviewer questioned the popular and successful writer Amy Tan. I’d not read anything by Tan; I became more attentive as she explained some experiences and interests that turned into creative inspirations. She said bird-watching was a high note in her daily life, and the activity gradually had changed–from being very casual to becoming highly attentive. Best of all, focusing on birds made another of her artistic sides evolve.

I am a great appreciator, a casual watcher, and sometimes a photographer of wild birds. I have two domestic birds in my home, each very different–a retired racing pigeon and a busy Cockatoo. Each is interesting and intelligent (most overtly, the Cocktoo) in its own way.

I long remembered elements of that interview with Tan and wished to learn more about her affection for birds. I finally ordered her book and haven’t been disappointed. In fact, it’s more delightful than I anticipated because her “other artistic side” is pen-on-paper artwork–and her own!

Tan’s bird art is a fine art. Today’s header photo is of the book cover, with birds by Tan, hinting at more art on its inside pages.

She’s an excellent writer, too. Her words share Tan’s observations and delight, bringing readers near the writer’s first-hand experiences.

Dear Friends: It’s an original, a beaut that evolved from wishing to learn. Diana

A Nice Man

Monday, December 30, 2024

Today, I am thinking about Jimmy Carter, who became an American President out of the blue. He died yesterday at 100, less than a year after the death of Rosalyn, his spouse, business partner, and advisor for nearly 80 years. Unlike other Presidents, Carter (and Rosalyn) remained in the headlines throughout their long ex-presidency as socially conscious humanitarians and givers to communities.

Carter was a man for all seasons, an artist who wrote books, composed poetry, and created paintings. He also could work with his hands and helped to construct homes for Habitat for Humanity. Rosalyn worked alongside him, and their partnership was trusting.

One historical incident I’d change in a heartbeat (among many others!) would have been for Carter to have full credit for freeing the Iranian hostages. Reagan’s team scooped their release unfairly, and that stained Carter’s significance in freeing the Americans.

Carter’s humanitarianism taught us how greatly and actively he believed in the value of human life. He and Rosalyn worked to emphasize improving the lives of others and reducing suffering. They were driven by their sense of compassion, morality, and the wish to promote justice and equality.

The years following Carter’s presidency introduced significant changes to the world’s political and social institutions. Through all the changing elements, both Carters remained true to their core beliefs and traditions

Dear Friends: Another RIP to Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter. Diana

Mr. Love

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

I was delighted to see my long-time friend Judy shopping in the department store where I work part-time. She reads my blogs (thank you, Judy) and “loves Chase” (my puppy from hell!). I was about to offer Chase to her, with delivery, but she was too fast; she showed me a picture of her new Corgi puppy. Judy and her hubby Greg are Corgi folks, so they and their yard’s gorgeous garden are safe from Chase.

Yes, Chase is still with me. I hold my breath when coming home from work and going up the driveway. In my head, a little prayer: “Please let him be around, still, confined or loose, and above all, safe.”

Lately, Chase has been greeting me happily from inside the dog-fenced area. Yes, I’ve been letting him stay in there with his buddies because he hasn’t been digging out. Maybe because the wintery grounds are frozen, resisting his efforts. That reasoning doesn’t make enough sense because Chase is a strong and determined critter.

Do you think…could we even begin to hope…that he’s maturing?

In March, Chase will turn three years old, when a dog is considered mature. Oh, how I’ve been waiting–from when he was four or five months old!

That’s when I saw he could boing straight up and successfully climb over any known fence, no matter how tall. That’s when I found him routinely escaping by digging under fencing–any section of it, despite chicken wire–set deeply into the ground–to prevent that.

Aw, Chase!

Well, Mary loves you, and so does Judy. That’s no potential relief for me, as Mary lives far away in CA, and Judy already has a couple of Corgies. So, Chase, you’re still with me, and thankfully, you’re still safe.

Dear Friends: Fun seeing Judy! After the holidays, we’ll catch up over lunch. Diana

Happenings

Friday, September 20, 2024

The header shows my co-worker and friend, Angie, holding my horses, Sunni and Rosie. After we took photos on my property, we drifted toward my neighbor’s pretty “golf course” lawn. The horses immediately went grass-crazy, and Angie held the lead ropes tightly.

She was at my place for a photoshoot. Angie is an experienced photographer. She has opinions and imagines what she wants to capture. She asked me to wear “sparkly boots” and an attention-grabbing shirt (that big Rosie kept sneezing on). She wanted in the pictures both my horses and donkey. On finishing our shoot, she anticipated a big editing job.

I appreciated Angie’s quick eye and camera savvy. To my surprise, she’s an experienced horseperson; she grew up riding busy Arabians. Yesterday, she fell in love with my calm, easy-to-handle horses. We will go horseback riding together.

I will travel to Sunriver today for lunch with several long-time friends. For years, long ago, we all met weekly to discuss our health, medicines, doctors, and “general doings.” We were in a long-running cancer survivor group that weekly drew 10 to 20 participants; it connected us family-like. Several years ago, I drifted away and stayed loosely in touch.

Earlier this week, a member of that cancer group was out shopping, and she spotted me in Jewelry. We immediately renewed a mutual closeness, and she invited me to join her and others from the group who planned to meet for lunch. Today is when that lunch will happen, and I’ll be there. It’s an exciting opportunity to reconnect with old friends.

Dear Friends: There could be a “more social me” peeking from deep inside. Diana

To See & To Think

Saturday, July 27, 2024

I wish Joan Didion, one of the most significant social observers and writers, were still among us and writing. She cycled through the Great Society’s changes, starting with the Kennedy-Johnson years, and wrote about societal situations with worthwhile insights. I would love to have her take on America’s current political landscape and how what is happening suggests for the future.

Naturally, we can all figure out for ourselves the ways that current happenings would frame the future. The male-dominated Republicans, now retreating, are trying to figure out how to combat an increasingly popular woman in a leadership role, without raising the ire of their more progressive followers.

Didion would know; she’d sense the possibilities and their impact on American and world populations. Sure, there are other writers tackling the issues and doing well, but none are doing as well as Didion did.

Her thinking was like a giant net cast over vast areas, captured and offered to us in essay after essay. Now, I want to re-read Didion’s writings to learn if she was predicting at least some of what’s happening today.

Besides, Didion was simply a great writer: spare, clean, and clear; she taught others how to do it.

In my perspective, the Repubs must refigure their fighting of fire with fire. They ought to start by highlighting their significant but reticent women, like Melania, to speak on their behalf about women’s issues. And they ought to reset Niki Haley, putting her in front again to message the general public about welfare in a Republican administration.

I know, I said I’d not be writing about politics. But, friends, this is a very different round; it’s mind-boggling and increasingly demanding attention.

Dear Friends: At heart, I’m forever a student of change. Diana

Agatha

Tuesday, July 09, 2024

High heat remains the topic locally. Today, I’ll return to work after a couple of days off. Guess what: I’m looking forward to being there. With very hot sunshine covering this area, hanging around the house is too warm. So is hanging around outside, with sunshine heating metal garbage can lids, making them too hot for bare hands.

High temperatures forced me to spend most of yesterday draped in an easy chair, facing a high-blowing fan. I had the self-assignment of focusing on Agatha Christie’s first published mystery novel, And Then There Were None. It’s a suitable read when weather conditions discourage concentrating.

I previously read just one of Christie’s books, and that was many years ago, back when I was a big admirer of Charlotte Bronte. In UCLA’s Library, I discovered and loved a book by Christie; no, not a mystery, but a brilliant exploration of Bronte’s life and talent. I noted Christie’s fine writing skills and appreciated her sensitivity and insightfulness toward Bronte.

I never was much interested in mystery stories, but then decided to someday read at least some of Christie’s fiction. This current story, And Then There Were None, became her first published novel. Reading it reminds me of her sparse and clean writing style. To progress the story, she disravels details carefully, one by one. She had to have planned, step-by-step, the mystery’s development and flow of events.

Experience is a great teacher, and I anticipate her following stories (some now waiting on my reading table) to be better designed with more gripping plots. If I weren’t expecting that to be, another great teacher, History, would help me “get it.”

Here’s why: Agatha Christe (1890-1976) wrote 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections; research ranks her the bestselling author in history, reporting that only the Bible and Shakespeare have outsold her works.

I have learned that small everyday events and casual observations could become Christie’s ideas for new plots. She wove glimpses of life and her quick ideas into novels from endless notes in dozens of handwritten notebooks. She saw in her jotted erratic ideas potential plots and characters.

She reportedly dictated her initial drafts into a Dictaphone, leaving the typing to an assistant. She would then meticulously revise the typed manuscripts by hand and re-dictate the pages. To gauge audience reactions, Christie read chapters aloud to her family during dinnertimes. Her stories quickly moved from scribbled notes to finished products.

Dear Friends: I’m in awe, and will continue reading Christie and keeping you posted. Diana

In the Tea Leaves

Saturday, July 06, 2024

Among things I’ve never done: Read a mystery novel by Agatha Christie. That’s about to change because I ordered, on an impulse, several of her classics. They’ve arrived, and I wonder why this seems a time for me to be reading, and why Christie, on an impulse. It’s not easily answerable.

As background, I seek quick information and deeper knowledge from online sources. For a long while, I’ve not sat reading a printed book. I’ve learned that the quick internet offers snapshots and summaries that satisfy most of my explorations, and these days, AI technology often speeds up discoveries.

I suppose Christie’s novels are attractive for various reasons. First, they are enduringly popular. All her books have remained viable for a very long time, testifying to their quality and appeal. Second, for unclear reasons, I lately am yearning to sit awhile and read a tactile book; one that’s well-written, easy to read, and entertaining. Christie popped into my mind.

I’ve been wondering why I’ll read mysteries; the genre never particularly appealed to me. Perhaps it’s that in these days of great political and social turmoil, I wish for the comfort and nostalgia of “simpler times.” Besides Christie’s stories having complex plots, what is also attractive is that her mysteries are solved in the old ways, through observation and deduction, instead of advanced technology.

I’ll start this reading project with, And Then There Were None, considered as Christie’s most popular book.

Dear Friends: On sweltering summer days, light reading becomes very inviting. Diana

Birthday Girl

Sunday, May 26, 2024

I wasn’t expecting anything special on my birthday which was yesterday, so I didn’t mind having to work, although my scheduled hours were kind of crummy, from 5-9 p.m. Here’s what’s about my birthdays: I keep them quiet and don’t let them become big deals. This year, some sort of weirdness altered my attitude and perspective. I became involved in planning for my birthday. I wished for myself the gifts of thinking positively and playing creatively.

A couple of days ago, my friend Susie invited me to dinner on my birthday and also understood my reluctance to ditch work in these days of scarce workers. We agreed to wait for a time when I’m not working (and it’s this evening).

Susie is totally a “people person.” She texted me to have fun at work and be sure to tell everybody there that “It’s my birthday.” A sweet note, but I would ignore her suggestion and keep my birthday a private affair.

Somehow, this year is unlike other years. Before I was long in the store and to my surprise, I told nearby coworkers about my birthday. Before long, suddenly and surprisingly, over our radios came a message from Lisa, our store’s manager. She announced to everybody that it was my birthday and wished me a happy one. What a tickle! By golly, and yet again, Susie was on target (she’s usually right).

Now about me and working, I can be a pest. I do my job and enjoy it, but am an old-school employee who sometimes complains to the managers. Our store has a great management team (not something said lightly because I understand good management skills). Our store’s managers are experienced, know retail inside and out, openly encourage and care for everybody, and, most importantly, they are trustworthy.

I understand training and development and contribute to the store’s efforts by giving feedback to our managers. They usually nod and maybe also ignore my comments. I work hard at keeping potential comments to myself. Sometimes I do feel that I’ve been heard.

That’s a preamble to last evening’s biggest surprise. Lisa came to my station to share a piece she’d published days before on the company website:

See what I’m saying? Reading that blew me away. Finally, I am working in a dream environment. Here, it’s okay to speak up with opinions and ideas; here, the managers are viable members of their whole team; and here, long after finishing my professional career and for the first time, I am reporting to dream managers.

Change keeps happening and that’s so here and now. Lisa is moving on soon to start managing a larger Colorado store. We in the Bend store are unhappy that she’s leaving and also wishing her well. We will buckle down and adjust to whoever shows up to try filling Lisa’s big shoes.

Here’s what’s most important: Whether the store’s leadership change proves smooth or rocky, our managers who have reported to Lisa will still be present and make the “right things” happen. We in the ranks have confidence in their judgment and technical capabilities.

Dear Friends: Why is it that only now am I learning that birthdays can be great? Diana