Grumbles

Friday, December 06, 2024

In our hemisphere, the annual day of least daylight is the winter solstice, which occurs every December 21 or 22. This year, the 21st will bring our shortest daylight. I am already feeding my horses in darkness, around 4:30 p.m., and soon will in earlier darkness, around 4:00 p.m. We who must care for large animals feel stressed in these darkest days of the year.

Aside from having to work in too little light, December’s freezing cold also affects my fingers. Although gloved, my fingers can start feeling frozen and too painful to cooperate. There’s an infrared heater in my barn for thawing fingers, but rapid thawing pains, too.

I’m accustomed to wintertime discomforts, which helps me cope. I am wrapping my head around being in darkness with frozen fingers until the 21st. Then, darkness and freezing will continue, but daylight will increase gradually and noticeably.

January brings lighter days but might introduce very stressful weather. Last year, Central Oregon enjoyed relatively mild weather until the New Year, when everything changed dramatically and brought great cold, blasting winds, snow, and freezing temperatures. None of those eased until just before the Summer Solstice arrived.

Dear Friends: Today’s header image is the hoar frost at my barn. Diana

Shifting Weather

Monday, November 18,, 2024

Yesterday, Central Oregon received a ground-covering snowfall in the late evening. That began while I was outside and just starting the routine of feeding my horses. Finally, when I could return to the house, the snowing was heavy. It made for dim sighting and covered my outerwear.

The horses were covered in snow, too. They eat in the open from hay nets hung from tree limbs. They’re not being blanketed because of their thick, fluffy winter coats. Their good coats usually carry them through the season. However, both horses are old, and I closely watch their weights. If my exploring hands start finding a protruding rib or body joint, I will blanket whichever horse it might be, or depending on overall conditions, blanket both.

Pimmy still has the barn to herself. Her hay is in an inside-hanging net; her coat is wintery-thick, and her weight is good.

I’m still leaving my dogs outside while I’m away at my part-time job. The weather will change that, however, when conditions demand keeping them inside. I plan to come home at lunchtime and let the dogs outside while I feed the horses. The dogs will stay inside again when I return to my job.

I really didn’t expect snow on the ground before Thanksgiving. That’s no longer usual as it used to be. Last year, our weather stayed mild until New Year’s Day. Then, conditions suddenly turned cold, and actually “colder than a well-digger’s arse,” staying as such until nearly mid-June.

Dear Friends: Making plans for coping well enough despite complicated conditions. Diana

Caballeros

Monday, October 07, 2024

I asked my coworker Adrain for a photo of himself minus his full-face beard. He said he’s been bearded nearly forever and would look for a picture. So, I got the capture that’s today’s header, young Adrain, adorable and irresistibly huggable.

The modern Adrain sports a beard covering much of his handsome face. The beard “speaks volumes.” For one thing, he’s a salesperson–easily spotted and remembered. For another, he’s reflective and decidedly an individual.

Here’s Adrain doing one of his favorite things, fly-fishing.

He’s still loveable. If you happen into whatever space Adrain might occupy, he’ll be instantly recognizable. (Tell him, “Diana says hello.”)

Adrain’s fun photos sidetracked me. I had planned an update about my puppy Chase; he might be captured for a while.

Early yesterday, I spent much time attempting to secure his kennel door, which constant pawing can rattle open. That kennel is built to house chickens, not a strong dog. My “fix” had to be quick and easy, for I’m usually hurrying to kennel the dog and leave for work.

The solution became four strategically placed bungy cords tight against the door, keeping it still. That’s successful, at least for now. Yesterday, after getting home from work, I found Chase still kenneled. Whew!

Dear Friends: My earlier working hours force me to quit writing now. 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

Imprisoned

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

That’s my puppy, Chase, in prison. He’s in a standalone kennel with high fencing and concrete flooring; escaping is nearly impossible. This fellow’s determined jumping and digging skills instantly become triggered whenever my car leaves home. I’ve learned, and nowadays, he waits safely imprisoned for my return home.

A new riding mower, assembled and ready to roll, sits outside. Yesterday, I studied its instruction book, tried repeatedly to start the machine, and never got it fired. Yes, oil and gas are in it, so a lack of those isn’t the problem. Maybe its transmission is set in a neutral position for pushing and rolling, which is how the delivery guys moved it. That might require attention wherever such a switch may be found. Today, I’ll reread the instruction book and try to start that motor more.

It is so different from my trusty old 2006 Poulan Riding Mower, which has chopped dependably for years and, in the beginning, was a simple get-in-and-go machine. A week or so ago, Poulan’s underside hit a rock that made its engine instantly fail. After it wouldn’t start again, I debated having it repaired versus ordering a new machine and decided to do both. Repairing would take too long to mow aggressive weeds and grasses adequately. Besides, having a backup mower to carry on in future rock-caused stoppages can’t hurt.

Occasionally, I wish for another brain, particularly when reading and comprehending a modern instruction manual. Whether the manual covers a tool or some heavy equipment, its stuff is complicated and I find its schematics squeezed, undecipherable, and maddening.

Dear Friends: In learning, unique brain-wiring leads to our successes and failures. Diana

Word World

Thursday, June 06, 2024

An article entitled “What’s your nudge word for 2024? Let us help you discover it” caught my attention in today’s Washington Post. I was attracted to the idea of a nudge word after earlier exploring something similar and selecting a word.

The Post set up the discovering process as a game. I studied it and decided to play.

Everything starts by identifying an overarching word. The lead question is: What single word describes your hopes and dreams for 2024? The game then offers many categorical choices: active, optimistic, mindful, relationships, strength, growth, and personal relationships. I chose “mindful.”

Next, another game step was to “Focus on words that will nudge you toward positive change.” Many words related to mindfulness were offered, and I selected such as observe, awe, gratitude, notice, thankful, breathe, awareness, anticipate, and balance. Finally, I found one that summarized it all, and already that word was a favorite: appreciate.

I’ll take it. So, “appreciate” will be my nudge word for 2024.

Last month, I was thinking about “appreciate” in relation to my upcoming birthday. I wished to actively and often feel more appreciative as a change and birthday gift to myself. For several weeks, I paused and focused on appreciating but eventually got too busy and preoccupied with unrelated thoughts.

I appreciate the Post article’s cool word game which helped me renew a pleasing frame of mind. To me, appreciating touches a deep sense of gratitude and recognition, and taps into wishes to feel seen, valued, and understood. I am recommitting to actively being mindful and appreciative and staying on track this time.

Dear Friends: Words, tiny little abstracts that trigger big feelings and thoughts. Diana

Finding Currents

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Daddy Robin perched on a post and watching me. The handsome fellow already had me following several careful, watchful “stops.” He was obscuring the destination for that tasty morsel in his beak. I had already been in the barn and seen Mama Bird sitting on unhatched eggs. The nest is solid and will keep their babies safe. I hope to be unobtrusive and also observe their family and activities. Both parents know my presence, and their staying put is a tickle.

Soon after snapping the header photo, I glanced upward, spotting another gift: a pair of Ravens utilizing air currents to soar and were highly visible under a white cloud. Capturing Ravens in their soaring activities has been one of my dreams. Here’s my earliest sighting.

I watched the pair using currents to gain altitude and then glide downward until they found another updraft. Occasionally, they came low before rising again. Finally, they were low enough and also beneath bright clouds, and my camera could capture more details.

Ravens use various air currents to conserve energy and stay aloft for long periods, scanning for food or traveling long distances during migration. I’ve observed Raven adults in the sky and training juveniles to use air currents. This seems too early in the season for a parent to be training a juvenile, plus that training usually is a group outing. This pair could have been young adults courting in the sky or playing and having fun.

Ravens don’t actually float on air currents but utilize them to soar. That means they use air currents to rise and gain altitude before gliding downward and finding another updraft. This energy-efficient flight method lets large birds cover vast distances with minimal effort. A group of Ravens in training is a spectacular sighting.

During my sky-spotting, I saw this very dim mid-afternoon moon. Capturing that moon with enough visibility forced me to manually focus my camera. I made the foreground trees a bit fuzzy in order to make the moon as clear as possible. This image encourages me to focus manually more often.

Dear Friends: These are thrilling spring signs; I’m anticipating more. Diana

Still Standing

(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Monday, April 29, 2024

Last night, I streamed the 2024 George and Ira Gershwin Awards Show from the Library of Congress, honoring the musicianship of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. That was unusual for me, as recently I’d watched the televised version. That excellent production featured great artists performing key numbers from the duo’s catalog.

What made me want to stream was a clip from the show which turned up on Facebook, featuring Joni Mitchell singing “I’m Still Standing,” Accompanying her, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, and the Sista Strings. As a standalone, the number struck me more deeply than back when it seemed one among many satisfactory performances. That superb performance clip encouraged me to see the whole show again.

Again, this time, I found the event excellent. Many elements of John’s and Taupin’s music make it lasting. The Awards Show highlighted some of their best, with world-class musicians performing. I’m not much of a modern music fan, but their music has slowed me down, and I’m thinking more deeply about their collaboration.

John’s catchy melodies reflect excellent musicianship; his memorable melodies stay with listeners. Taupin’s lyrics have depth and storytelling; his themes are poetic and insightful: about love, loss, hope, and self-discovery. Everything’s personal and relatable.

John’s musical style is genre-bending. He’s an artist at blending pop, rock, and gospel, key sounds that appeal to wide audiences. His musicianship connects deeply by evoking a wide range of emotions. Essentially, John’s and Taupin’s key themes are timeless and enduring.

Their music resonates with all ages because listeners connect to it on personal levels. That all landed home to me while I was re-seeing and re-hearing Joni and her collaborators, “…Still Standing.”

Dear Friends: The super-to-watch, streaming awards show is available on PBS. Diana

Toward Spring

Tuesday, April 02, 2024

Today will be this area’s warmest; I haven’t any pressing needs to take me away from home. I am going to rev up my tractor and clear the horses’ dry lot of dried muck and other ground-awful debris. The pitifully messy area has been on hold until a pause in our long string of wet, windy, and too-cold days, and it’s this one.

Last week, after charging the tractor’s motor, I tested its starter. The engine immediately powered up and with a good-sounding idle. I didn’t do any cleaning that day because it was overcast, and later it rained.

When I first moved onto this property and arranged it for horses, which had been my dream, I knew little about all actually needed. If today I were setting up for horses, many elements would be different. Years of experience teach; and I’ve learned and dealt with many unanticipated needs on my hilly, rocky property.

Hey, I count my blessings, too. Space with a rocky landscape reduces gardening demands; provides room for outside animals–horses, chickens, and a goat; enables privacy when it’s needed; and living up high makes visible a distant, beautiful mountain range.

When the tractoring is done and the dry lot better, I more easily will welcome spring. Already growing weeds need attention; the horses (and dogs) should be out on trails; and my favorite hobbies need resuming.

Dear Friends: A warm day encourages a shift from shrinking to re-engaging. Diana

From Time Immemorial

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Happy Leap Day!

I was having “the dickens of a time” recalling what Leap Years are all about. Soon, I began wondering what “dickens” may mean. I assumed it refers to Chas. whose stories contain worlds of woe and wonder. After some research, I learned that the origin isn’t that Dickens, because way prior Shakespeare had used the phrase.

It turns out the general assumption is that “dickens” originally was a euphemism for the word “Devil.” Back in the history of time, ‘What the Devil” or “the Devil take you” were very serious curses, however, in those very old days, “the dickens” could be freely used.

My mom often muttered, “What the dickens!” The phrase became woven into my learning DNA, and I have loved it. The words perfectly highlight my confusion and struggle to comprehend something complicated or make difficult choices.

Yesterday, somebody at work pointed out to me, that I “overthink things.” Well, maybe so, and maybe that prevents me from quickly processing some kinds of information. From one perspective, it’s a disability, and from another, an asset.

I overthink, indeed! Now, an equally famous phrase, “Face the music,” comes to mind. I am okay with processing thoughts slowly. That lets me separate the thought elements, turn each upside down and around, and examine it from various perspectives. Upon reweaving the elements, I wind up with a decent handle for taking them forward or dropping them.

Dear Friends: What the dickens–it’s snowing again! Enjoy this leap day. Diana