Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:11 pm on November 3, 2026 Permalink  

  A Day 

  All we had planned for this day was to vote.

  All Mother Nature had planned for this day was to have rain falling . . . steadily.

  A phone call from Mark Wendlandt came just as a cup of coffee had been poured.  The coffee and my phone went into my bedroom porch for the duration.  Mark doesn’t call often so there is much to be anticipated.  Mark works in Hastings as a mechanic in a large press operation printing everything from Bibles to obituaries.  On the side Mark enjoys quilting.  I will look up the quilt kit he just had bought and is now delivered.  Judy Niemeyer does amazing designs.  This one is “True North.”

  Mark visited last fall so he and I could finish up a quilt he wanted to take with him when he went to visit his nephew in Arizona.  I am still running across fuzz when least expected.

  The polling place was busy but not backed-up.  Dennis ended up taking a seat in the entry as I was catching up with Connie, who was also one of the election workers.  Never a bad time to talk quilting.

  Our next stop was the grocery store.  I had a short list, but was not prepared for social hour.  Deann worked in the courthouse, just two doors down from where I was at.  Deann has two shoulder surgeries scheduled, six months apart.  Two reverse shoulders coming right up.  As she had never known of anyone having had these surgeries she just needed to visit.  I listened as she vented.  How could I not.  It is a major surgery and there are no do-overs.  I assured her that if her situation was serious enough to go that path, all would be well.  Lots of PT goes with it. 

  Of course, Dee in the bakery, needed a bit of chit chat.  It is her first winter of getting their rural home ready for winter since her husband passed.

  It is now mid-afternoon and a cup of coffee will finish off a very good day.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:01 pm on November 2, 2026 Permalink  

  Sleet 

  The rain that we had this morning was like a driving sleet pelting the skin.  I had only a few footsteps in it to get the recycling bin out.

  Taking the electric coffee pot apart this forenoon for a good cleanup was the last of my fall cleaning.  My home, my goals.  We are now done with the majority of the old dust and dirt and ready to make time and room for the next batch.  I did say majority as there is never ever 100%.  Perhaps I just quit looking.  What I missed I will catch another time.

  Dennis is taking the demise of his little red pickup quite well.  Good tires and a new battery do not qualify for an engine that will fire when the key is inserted and turned.  Steve’s repair will call when they can come and take it to the shop.  Their calendar is full.  I recollect hearing that from someone else.  The car is able to fill in for as long as it takes.  Dennis’ 1989 little red pickup was perhaps due for some TLC.

  It is fluffy waffles to be dropped into the toaster for supper and paired with pre-cooked sausages in the microwave.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:09 pm on November 1, 2026 Permalink  

  The Point 

  Hello from sunny Stauffer Avenue.  The neighborhood is quite quiet.  It’s very unusual when chainsaws and lawnmowers take a break on a day that could bring an end to the jobs of the fall of 2026.

  I have often heard the comment: it was the point of no return.  Today, Dennis and I were at the point of no return in his bedroom.  Yesterday had been a day of tidy, tidy in his room.  When the last load of the clothes drier shut off in the afternoon . . . I kind of did also.

  Last night, Dennis slept under his comforter with no flannel duet over it.  Comforters filled with down and poly fill are generally sewn with the exterior of the baffles having a fine grade of cotton allowing for the comforter to easily slip into the duet.  Yes, Dennis had the electric mattress pad with a setting of five on the display.

  This forenoon, I began the point of no return on getting the rather heavy fluffy comforter stuck into the duet.  Let’s hear it for YouTube!  Two methods were watched.  The burrito method’s concept was rolling the wrong side of the duet with the comforter and then rolling it all up, thus ending with it all hunky-dory, pulling it inside out.  These very packed 36 baffle comforter was not going to roll anywhere up to resembling a burrito. 

  I chose having the wrong side of the duet lying flat tied to the four corners of the comforter . . . both lying flat.  Hanging onto one of the tied corners, reaching in the duet’s opening until I could clutch the tied corner opposite and begin pulling, bringing the right side of the duet with the comforter out of the opening.  That’s when Dennis’ strong arms came into play.  This was done on both sides of the opening, pulling everything right side out.

  There was a whole bunch of Dennis lofting the heft until it came down onto the top of his bed nice and orderly.  Mission completion.  All that remained was for me to close up the duet by buttoning up the plaket.  

  The use of the electric mattress pad can be stalled for a bit.

  There is a reason that this task is done only twice a year.  My hands and arms are still tingly.  Too funny what can be gotten into, all in the guise of fall cleaning.  Tomorrow’s task of wiping down the upper cabinets in the kitchen will be much gentler on the hands and arms.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:18 pm on October 31, 2026 Permalink  

  Better Place 

  What better place than my cherry red chair, plunking out a post while waiting for the laundry to dry.

  There was no intention of what the day would hold when I got up this morning.  As usual, with a cup of hot coffee, I checked out a few items on my laptop.  What did catch my eye was a usual that walks his yellow lab down our street everyday.  Today, he was on an electric scooter and his yellow lab got to do more of a run than the usual walk.  How great, knowing that dogs love to stretch their legs.

  Finishing that first cup of coffee, I glanced into Dennis’ bedroom.  He might have had a restless night as his flannel duet-covered comforter was askew.

  That’s all it took.  The flannel duet cover came off of the comforter.  That in itself gives a workout as each corner of the comforter is tied to each corner of the duet, making sure a restless night allows the duet cover to move with the comforter.

  Dennis needs warmth at night, thus the electric Sunbeam mattress pad.  That came off the bed quite easily as that too was headed to the laundry.  Yes, that label had been checked when it was new over fifteen years ago.  Then, just like today it is checked after its been washed and dried to make sure it is still operational . . . the light came on and with a setting to make sure, the warmth cometh.

  The flannel duet is like washing two sheets at a time.  It likes to ball up in the drier making it necessary to pull it out and begin all over.

  That process allows me to plunk out a post a well as watch some traffic.

  Supper this evening is lightening the load of some tasty leftovers.  Easy, peasy.

  Each day seems to end up with an agenda and that is what makes the tidy, tidy go round and round.

  With that I will take my leave. 

   
• 

  Noreen 2:16 pm on October 30, 2026 Permalink  

  All is Well 

  Dennis arrived home at 7:45 this morning, Friday, from the sleep study in Mankato.  The pulmonary doctor will be in touch.  We had breakfast together and then Dennis sought out his recliner for some real down and deep sleep.

  The skies are all cloudy today.  I can’t recall a single other word from that old tune.  It might be “Home on the Range”.

  On my quest of fall tidy, tidy, I marvel at the cut crystal in my old sugar bowl and creamer.  With no sunlight or artificial light the prisms come to life after a bath in hot sudsy water.  Special.

  Our supper this evening is a 1.5 lb. pork tenderloin that was sealed with a seasoning that I cannot recall.  The grocery store had them as a special.  I cut the meat in diagonal slices and placed it in the round blue speckled roaster.  A can of drained caraway seasoned sauerkraut covered all of the meat.  Not much fuss for a hot supper.  Just like Dennis likes. 

  A fair amount of stitching got done last night.  A good way to close down the day.

  The week comes to a close and next week at this time, with the clocks having been set back one hour, our supper time will still remain at 4:45.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on October 29, 2026 Permalink  

  Sunny Thursday 

  If it weren’t so pathetic, it would be laughable.  The Asian beetles love to get into the house and hang around the kitchen sink.  I swear, when they are flushed down with hot water, within the hour they are crawling up and out the other drain.  My scientific test is to see if they like the dawn liquid flowing and following them. 

  I have been working through my agenda in the kitchen.  Finding easier places for items we use all the time.  I will revert to using the attic steps as my pantry.  Hmm, my sister Elvera had always done that, even right after their one story rambler had been built and there were steps going to into the crawl space over the main floor.  I had, in the past, felt the need to put grocery items in the cabinets in the basement for storage as we brought them into the house.  Funny, how a mind set can change. 

  Dennis will be leaving our home at five this afternoon  He is scheduled for a CPAP sleep study at the East Ridge Medical site at 8:15 at Mankato.  Over the more than 15 years, the read-outs indicate a change in equipment is needed. We talked about it, and having Dennis at his daughter Sandy’s home before dark, spending some time with her and traveling then to the appointment’s short trip.  A good plan. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:38 pm on October 28, 2026 Permalink  

  It’s Coming! 

  You know winter is right around the bend, when . . . the long length of garden hose is stretched out to drain before reeling it up for the last time to be stored in the garage.  Dennis may have made it an all afternoon job, but it was “Mission Completion” all the while remaining upright.  Sweet!

  Marianne came for lunch after her PT appointment.  An unsolicited review of the chicken salad I had made yesterday.  As the second cup of coffee was being enjoyed, Denise stopped in, straight from Cassey’s.  A new pan pizza was being introduced: Chicken Bacon Ranch.  Oh my goodness, this was very tasty.  Dennis is not a fan 0f pizza but indeed took a second helping.  We will remember this offering.

  As the afternoon has been rolling along, so also is the damp gray skies.  The .80 inches we had earlier might well have some added.

  There still remains no stitching being done.  A stubborn cart yesterday in Sam’s plus tackling the rotisserie chicken . . . “uncle” was called for the remaining day and into the evening.

  This afternoon, grain trucks are kicking up a bit of dust as they drive past towards the elevator.  There remains a lot of the corn crop in the fields from here along the highway to Mankato.   

  The fair for this evening’s supper is either the left over pizza, magically warmed over, or chicken salad.  During my busy kitchen time yesterday, Dennis was fixed a Maria meatloaf meal straight from freezer to oven.  It is what it is.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on October 27, 2026 Permalink  

  Hello! 

  Hello everybody, hello!

  This morning by 10:30, we were in the Limb Lab in Mankato.  Dennis, with no toes on the left, receives shoes from the VA.  Both shoes, right and left, are fit with orthotics, one more than the other.  This year Dennis was able to receive two pair.  One pair for walking with one Velcro strap.  The other is a pair of house slippers.  Each pair is fitted with the orthotics.  Both pair are the “step in” at the heel.

  This was a good appointment to do before our winter weather.

  Dennis filled the car with gas at Sam’s Club while I toddled inside.  The rotisserie chickens at $4.98 is a great buy.  I could not believe 12 oz. of raspberries were $1.99.  Here at our local store the price was $3.99 for six oz.  We will be having a treat with ice cream sometime this week.  I will fight the seeds for that treat.

  The ole cowboy is napping and I have the chicken boned out.  Several bags of cutup chicken in the freezer for future use is a good thing.  I did mix up one container as chicken salad for either a sandwich or on a lettuce leaf on the plate.  Of course the option for the sandwich mix had diced up onion. 

  The sun is trying very hard to peek out.  When I look out my bedroom porch windows I see the city crew has done quite the number on Stauffer Ave.  They bladed this way and then that way finishing off by spreading a load or two of crushed asphalt.  Farther to the east, Stauffer is nothing but a washboard.  The asphalt would need to have a packer work it. 

  I haven’t stitched for several days.  Perhaps tonight will work to keep the wrists, arms and shoulders limber and up to speed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on October 26, 2026 Permalink  

  Drip, Drip 

  The early morning rain did a number on lulling me to sleep a bit late.  I had my day planned.  There was no need for time needed to strategize.

  The rain forecast was rain off and on for the entire day.

  When the spirit is willing, the body has already been given the order of total participation to the fruition.  All that remains is to put on a happy face.

  The formula that I just put forth has carried me through the better part of my 80 plus years.  It surely doesn’t work for everyone.  I don’t give a rats ass about everyone or anyone.  Each day: my goals, my home.  Each day: your home, your goals.  They are not meant to be mirrored one to the other.

  I have had a great day and am now content to watch the raindrops go plunk, plunk in the mud puddles on Stauffer Avenue.  Way back in saved photos and currently in my memories is Megan, all of three, in her bright pink rain jacket with the hoodie tied under her sweet chin, stomping down Stauffer Avenue to the east to see how far the raindrops could be splashed out of the puddles.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:47 pm on October 25, 2026 Permalink  

  It Happens 

  The skies are gray.  The traffic noise is telling me that the grain elevator is not open today.  It’s just the usual, less the grain hauling semis.

  As I stab and poke some stitches, there is nothing going on on Stauffer Avenue.

  Then it happened, the needle had fallen away from my fingers.  My eyelids had closed, deciding to check for cracks.  My caffeinated coffee had forsaken me. 

  A break was needed.  I decided today was the day, as we had decided, to take down the flags that have been flying all season.  Easily done now before there is wet or snow underfoot.

  Putting the flags away, I checked on the patio porch kitties.  Snuggles and Harriet were curled together on the seat of the rocker.  The two of them have no problem getting ready for the days when the door to the outside will not be open for them to wander the neighborhood.

  The next order of business was that a snack was needed.  Sitting at the dining table chunking up an apple, I hoped for something to take away the yawning.  A dab of peanut butter on each chunk felt like a treat.  A treat, but not like the dish of treats just an elbow away on Dennis’ computer table.  Dennis is playing solitaire on his computer with the dish to his right.  Hmm.  Perhaps a method is in place here: if the game is won, the treat is had.

  The gray day goes on and the forecast is for several more to come.  Back to the stab and poke.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥