Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:38 pm on November 9, 2022 Permalink  

  Welcomed Rain 

  With several days of rain, regardless how little, it is welcomed.

  I have hit my stride with making all of Luella’s blanket blocks, each like the others.  My routine includes stitching a bit and then ironing what has been stitched.  I do know some stitchers that can stand in front of their machines and are quite comfortable doing so for lengths of time.  Though I could raise my sewing table for that task, I am not ready to try.  I know my old body well enough that I can’t sit in the same chair for any length of time.  A known fact that our Lord and creator did not make our bodies in his image . . . to sit.  I do better to wait until after supper to enjoy my rocking chair from seven until nine and then lights out for me.

  I have not checked out any of the election results.  If there is a winner that will impact my life, I will eventually find out about it.

  The chili for supper last night got rave reviews.  It will have an encore performance for this evening.  I think it is time for a crockpot dish, starting the crockpot in the morning and serving it up at supper.

  The quiet of the afternoon is a good thing.  The trucks of the harvest have come to an end.  The reports of yields is varied.  It matters not as those that do the telling may find the need to embellish.

  Hats off to all on this hump day.  May the day have brought about what was anticipated.  If not, tomorrow we can take another crack at it.

   
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  Noreen 1:51 pm on November 8, 2022 Permalink  

  Good Deed 

  Today after Dennis had his Tuesday’s group up town for coffee, we went and voted.  As well as nationally, there were some local races that we wanted input into.  Good deed was done.

  I had a fair amount of local effort to get done on the first floor of our home.  I am amazed at the amount of paper that the end of our dining room table can accumulate.  Each time a doctor appointment ends, they send you off with a printout of the prescriptions and after-care instructions.  By this time . . . I’ve got it down pat.

  Dennis helps out in the kitchen and with a light colored flooring, the coffee dribbles and a few others are the first to catch the dust off of the shoes as the dribbles are walked on.  This afternoon we are starting fresh. 

  This afternoon, I am making a kettle of chili.  It has been some time since we got the items and  cans of beans out.  I am trusting that I can still get the flavors correct.  What I do not have is an onion to sauté.

  I have decided on some fabric from my stashes to help making all the blocks the same size on Luella’s blanket.  Baby and toddler clothing is all quite light in color.  Down right blah.  I found the perfect addition for some of the blocks.  Looking at this fabric makes me smile.  Towards the end, there will be some pink, as that is Luella’s favorite color.  I did pick up on the pink in many of the items of clothing.

  I am on to the chili making and maybe there will be some time to decide on the thread . . . after I have given the sewing machine a lube job.

  We had a few sprinkles of rain allowing for a gloomy afternoon.  It’s not all bad, it could have been snow.

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on November 7, 2022 Permalink  

  Like the Others 

  I remember the workbooks that were in pre-school and perhaps even in kindergarten.  There were sheets of images and the child had to circle the ones that were not like the others.  That’s where I am at today with Luella’s blanket.

  Luella’s mom cut up some infant clothes for this blanket.  Clothes with labels for 6 months or even 12 months . . . there is not much fabric that is not caught up in seams.  I think my target is a piece of cloth that is 8 inches.  Those would be the items of clothing that has the cute saying on it and those items with colorful designs.  I have decided those items that are smaller than 8 inches will need to be made “like the others.”

  Realizing that I tend to overthink my threads and fuzz . . . I needed a break this afternoon.  Laying some items out on my church tables and giving them a glance once in awhile, may help my process.  Seriously, what does a four year old know about harmonious quilt techniques!  Seeing as how the mother wouldn’t know how to thread a needle . . . I will go with my instincts. 

  I found a ditty in a junk piece of mail that I thought was worth finding its way into my letter box.  The word fail – F.A.I.L. – “First Attempt in Learning.”  The word end – E.N.D. – “Effort Never Dies.”  The word no – N.O. – “Next Opportunity.”

  Clouds may be the ticket for today, but my studio allows me to feel sunny.

  That is about all the wisdom I have to impart today.

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on November 6, 2022 Permalink  

  Blustery Day 

  We seem to be in a wind tunnel today.  Gusts from the northwest that are taking anything and everything in its path to the east.

  Yesterday seven of us first cousins help Aunt Janet do up her 89th birthday in her own home.  The day was spent chit chatting along with quite the variety of foods that each one of us had contributed to.  Janet has never had her own children.  It seems as everyone there has always been in her corner going decades back.  

  Of course, we didn’t work with our clocks last night.  I think right now there are still two clocks in the house that need to be turned back.  It isn’t as if Dennis and I have that much riding on precise timing.  Our next important appointment is November 17th.  By that time we should have all clocks set correctly and have also adjusted to the change. 

  With any project in the studio, there has to be a starting point.  I don’t have firm plans in mind gong forward as yet.  I did know that all the wrinkled t-shirt material had to have Shape Flex ironed to the back.  That is where I started.  Luella’s mom, Amy, had cut some items of clothing helping the cutting process.  There aren’t any two pieces cut to the same size.  I guess I will worry about that as I get into this project.  When Dennis came down, he was amazed how the wrinkled t-shirts looked so different after they had the stabilizer ironed onto them.  In the photo, the lower rows of the project actually look as if they could become attractive in a finished blanket. I would be lost without a 24″ x 24″ sheet of Teflon.  Putting a piece of t-shirt, right side up, onto the Shape Flex and using the Teflon as a pressing cloth, there is no danger of getting the adhesive gunk on the iron.  I have done that a time or two and it’s a coin toss whether the iron can be saved or tossed.

  How wonderful that supper is going to be, some of the tuna oven dish that Dennis had fixed for us on Friday.  Got to love leftovers.  Catch you on Tuesday!

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on November 4, 2022 Permalink  

  Hello to Friday 

  I was a little slow leaving the start gate this morning.  After several cups of coffee, I was on track.  Dennis makes the brew the night before and the coffee pot goes off at six in the morning.  Dennis makes nice strong, rich Folger’s coffee.

  The main goal was swapping out the linens on the second bed.  The twelve noon time line to wrap up that task . . . was met.

  A gal from across the street stopped in and gave us a dozen of their farm fresh eggs.  Their kids are on the farm and the chickens are putting forth more than they themselves need.  She inquired how things were with Dennis and me.  I couldn’t do more than tell her we were doing well.

  I do believe that some people here in the community have doubts about us, mainly as we are not out and about more than what is needed.  Every once in awhile we will go to our local family restaurant.  It seems to be the gathering spot for many our ages.  A good home cooked meal that perhaps is not that easy for some to prepare.  I check out the other patrons and most of them I do recognize.  When I take in the ages of the other fellows, I do marvel at my sweet ole cowboy.  Dennis has anywhere from fifteen to twenty years on some of them.  Dennis can do rings around many of them in his physical activity here on our acre. 

  I do know from my heart of hearts that Dennis has some issues.  One for sure is short term memory.  Now . . . you ask him about his time in Korea or his farming days, you had best get into a comfortable chair. 

  Even as late as the beginning of this week, I made a comment about myself not being able to take things in stride as I would like to.  It only took Dennis a breath and he gave me a pep talk.  It was in part, a list of all my co-workers that he had met when we traveled to conferences that had either passed or were in health facilities.  Those co-workers spanned from Duluth, St. Peter, the metro area, Mankato, etc.  I was due that pep talk.  If I need help, all I need to do is ask and Dennis is there.

  Many, many years ago when Kevin was remodeling our kitchen and bath, I made the comment that Dennis might not step up to the plate . . . and I don’t recall what the example was.  Kevin in a matter of fact tone said, “He might not do it right or good enough for you.”  I can hear those words as if it was this morning.  To this day . . . truer words have not been spoken.  My son knows his mom.

  Well . . . I can tell you, we do not need to go to the local family restaurant this evening.  Dennis has a tuna, pea, Alfredo Sauce pasta ready for the oven.  He was manning the kitchen while I worked in the studio on his great grands blanket.

  I will not be doing a post tomorrow, Saturday.  We are traveling to Brownton to celebrate my aunt Janet’s birthday.  There will be six of us cousins to celebrate with her.  I know we will be traveling home in the very late afternoon.

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on November 3, 2022 Permalink  

  Damp Air 

  It may well be 67 degrees out but my bones are questioning that.  The damp air is a far cry from the last several days.

  By twelve noon I had completed what I set out to do for the day.  One bed’s linens swapped out to the laundry and back on the bed.  Groceries we purchased yesterday are tucked into the pantry cupboards in the basement.  Dennis got the utility check up to city hall and paid the 6 months vehicle insurance via a post stamp.  We are good to go on all fronts.

  After lunch, I sat in my rocker and caught several videos on sewing and quilting.

  I came down to the studio with the intent of working on an ironing board full of Luella’s clothing.  That lasted about as long as it took for me to sit down in front of my laptop and look up some info.  This time of the year, the air in the studio is chilly as the furnace is not running.  The best way to get around that is . . . to get up and start moving.  A day such as this really calls for an afternoon cup of coffee . . . which I don’t have and am not about to brew another pot.

  I am going to close this short post down and get something accomplished down here today.  My grandmother Laura always made sure she gave it her all from sunrise to sunset . . . it’s the least I can do.

   
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  Noreen 2:30 pm on November 2, 2022 Permalink  

  Forceful Winds 

  Today as we were coming home from a doctor appointment in Mankato, the last place you wanted to be for any longer than necessary is driving next to an 18 wheeler rig.  The wind gusts at 45 mph were dangerous.  It felt like the little red pickup was going down the highway at an angle.

  We had great news from Dr. Renee the wound doctor.  The open wound was considerable smaller since the last visit.  We are to stay the course in our home care.  Dr. Renee is putting in an order at our local hospital’s physical therapy department.  Dan Kern, who was one of the therapists, that helped me after my stroke, is also licensed for wound care.  Via ultrasound on an open wound, the healing process can be enhanced.  Dennis’ situation now is such that this could do the trick for the last mile.  It may mean driving the six blocks two or three times a week.  This was the best news ever.   

  The Mankato Hospital and Clinic is adding three additional floors to the existing structure.  Workers need space on the ground for getting supplies hoisted by cranes.  The parking has really taken a beating.  Dennis and I walked a city block and a half to get to the front door and then on to the elevators.  We did it!  It did seem a shorter distance as we were leaving.  Mindsets.

  I gladly did the grocery shopping while Dennis watched people from his seat in the little red pickup.  A rest was needed.

  We are home safe and sound and so very thankful for it.

   
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  Noreen 1:45 pm on November 1, 2022 Permalink  

  Checking it Twice 

  Today I am checking my stashes . . . twice.  Great grand of Dennis’, Luella, has requested the quilt of her clothes be pulled together with pinks.  As we have an appointment at the wound doctor tomorrow, I wanted to make sure I had enough in my stashes that I wouldn’t need to shop for pinks.  I have a variety in my stashes that are of the pink persuasion.

  By the way . . . the wound doctor will be pleased.  Dennis is enjoying wearing matching shoes and he says it feels great for walking.

  When I opened the the tote of Luella’s clothes, I am only cutting up those that have a cute design or a cute saying.  Of course the little pants that have her name on them will be a contender.  The footed PJs of fleece fabric, I am leaving in tact as they are too nice to cut up and could be good hand-me-downs. 

  I do have plenty of the “Shape Flex.”  Shape Flex is ironed onto the back of the t-shirt fabric, making it no different than cotton fabric as it comes off of a bolt of fabric.  There is no fighting with stretchy fabric.  I am set to tackle this.  Dennis has offered to help with the rotary cutter.  A scissor is no longer in my wheelhouse to cut up t-shirts and I wouldn’t expect Dennis to man the scissors either.

  Dennis and his friend, Dwayne, went to Sleepy Eye’s Miller Sellner this morning for Dennis to pick up his 2022 Heston belt buckle.  This one will be added to his collection that he started in their first year of buckles . . . 1974.

  This afternoon, the Russian Sage was cut down.  The pollinators are through with the blossoms.  These stems could very well have been harvested by shucking off all the dried blossoms and bagging it for use in fancy little lace bags and added to drawers to add the wonderful scent.  Ya right . . . maybe in my younger years.

  After having my next agenda checked twice, I am heading out for a walk.  The sun will warm well.

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on October 31, 2022 Permalink  

  Tasks for a Monday 

  With this great weather, we have a load of branches to go to the tree dump on Wednesday or Thursday.  Dennis didn’t want to take a chance of having them buried in snow.  That white stuff has its own schedule.  Just like the grain harvest, the tree dump hours are sensing less customers.  Their hours have been cut back.

  With the the branches on the trailer, the acre got one more swipe with the mulching.  Dennis’ sweater gave testament to the fine job the ace got.

  In between helping Dennis, I did get a walk down Stauffer Avenue.  There are still leaves left on the trees to give that melodious tune with the breeze.  

  The best part of the studio is that I may well have a stitching design going, and then be able to hit pause and help outside when needed.  I can pick up right where I left off.  I do not know what would be the rest of the story if the power would take a bleep.  I will worry about that when that time comes.  Sometime in the near future, the design that I stitched today will be a placemat.  I did put batting under the design as it stitched.  When all has been decided, I will stitch meandering style or stippling style around the embroidery.  I did have this checked material in mind from the start.  I like how it picks up all the hues in the design.  A bit of an old fashioned checked material.  Love my stashes.

  We are having pan fried hamburgers for supper.  Most likely Dennis will make his favorite instant mashed potatoes as a side dish, topped off with pairing the cranberries to finish in the refrigerator.

  Be rest assured, the project at hand will be finished in a timely manner.  I do not believe in UFOs . . . unfinished objects, aka: projects.

  I think I like this weather.

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on October 30, 2022 Permalink  

  Busy Agenda 

  This last week, I reminded myself that I was a bit short on what I had done thus far for Dennis’ great grandchildren.  Luella, the youngest one and also the one born on Dennis’ birthday had not as yet gotten a blanket from my sewing studio.

  Today, I got plunked, onto the studio’s floor, a tote that Luella’s grandmother brought back from Mankato when she went to see Oliver and Luella’s Halloween choices for their parties in school tomorrow.  Within the tote is an assortment of Luella’s clothes from age birth to four years old.  This blanket will be of various memories that were Luella’s favorite to wear.  I did ask what would be Luella’s favorite color to pull this together . . . pink!  There is no rush and it may well be a project that goes into the winter months.  I do have fabrics that incorporate pinks for the sashings.  

  Some time ago, I had shared the fate of a friend.  Judy had been the county assessor of Brown County.  Her and I are the same age and we retired about the same time.  Within two years of her retirement the news for her was that she would shortly be totally blind from macular.  I have stayed in contact.  It was also my opinion that she suffered abuse from her husband in regard to her wellbeing as she managed their home sightless.  Judy did spend these late summer months in a healthcare center in Mankato recovering from hip surgery as a result of a fall in their home.  She returned to their home in the early days of September.  While she was recovering, her husband had purchased a home for them in Mankato that was one floor.  No steps.  She called me to share the news.

  One short week later, Judy’s daughter called to let me know that things had changed.  While navigating the new floor plan, Judy fell.  Judy tried calling her husband who was not home.  He wasn’t answering his phone.  After some time laying on the floor she called 911.  When her husband did get home, he was greeted by a social worker and a deputy sheriff.  Judy was removed from their residence that very same day.  

  That day it all came tumbling out.  Their four children could no more be taken in with what their father dished out as fact.  I can see Judy’s point of feeling totally helpless as to what she endured.  So much like an abused child not severing the ties with the abuser.  Back in the late summer, her husband had been forcibly removed from the healthcare center when Judy was recovering from surgery.  The residence’s nurse had witnessed Wayne striking Judy and at that time it was all glossed over.  No more glossing.

  Judy called me Friday.  Judy is now a full time residence of the Mankato Lodge in Mankato on Adam’s Street.  I was and am so thrilled for her that she is safe.  When I shared this with Dennis he was happy for Judy.  At work functions Dennis and I had gotten to know Wayne.  Dennis would go out of his way to avoid Wayne as he was so easy to dislike.  Judy is still settling in and I know I will visit her in time.

  When and while I come to terms with my life, I have often tried to put myself in a situation similar to my friend’s.  How fortunate I am to have my sweet ole cowboy and our forever home.

  On a sunny warm note . . . this next week is going to be a great one.