Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:53 pm on July 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  I have everything set to begin quilting my scrappy quilt.  Bobbin and top thread decided to be an orange rust color.  The walking foot in on the machine.  I am going to do a three inch grid for the quilting.  As there are numerous individual blocks . . . not all are square with the world. 

  At this time I am thinking of going diagonal.  Not getting caught up with quilting lines that don’t intersect where there should be within a square . . . don’t even try.  This is my project with nothing to prove to anyone, other than not letting it be an unfinished object, aka: UFO.

  Today there is a brisk wind with 83 degrees. The dew point is higher than the humidity . . . making for a sticky wicket.

  Early this morning, with a pruner in hand, I cut back the yellow lily blossoms hopping to leave nothing for the cicada wasps to be encouraged with.  Oh they were about like crazy.  I got one by swatting at it.  Yup, I stepped on him.  With my task complete I went inside.

  When Dennis came home at noon he commented that he had seen the pile of yellow lily blooms in the trash.  He also counted five of the nasty wasps hunkering around the side door into the car garage.  I give up.  A killing frost isn’t too far away.

  In between time, I have a book I am enjoying.  Reading in my bedroom porch is a good break from studio time.  It also caught my eye that across the street, two young fellows were trying to get a huge sofa into their home.  Push and pull, try hard as they might.  They ended up putting it in their garage.  A trick I learned a long time ago when it comes to moving things in and out of a house . . . take the doors off of their hinges,  It is surprising what a few precious inches can make.

  It is a day, known as hump day.  Much has been accomplished thus far this week, with more to come on the horizon.  Goals are in sight.  Hmm.

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on July 19, 2022 Permalink  

  A Corker of a Day 

  Dennis had an eye injection today.  We usually go to our clinic here in town.  Today we motored to Mankato to the clinic.  We were thrilled as our appointment was for ten.  Whew!  We would be home before the brunt of the heat hit. 

  Dennis didn’t get called in until 11:15.  His doctor, Emily, was on vacation.  You would have thought that the Mankato clinic knowing this appointment a month ago, the flow of patients for the day would have been planned accordingly.  Dennis found out that this stand-in doctor had 29 patients for eye injections today.  Oh well.  Next month, we will be back to the usual with our in-town appointment.

  Today was the day that we needed paper and soap products from Sam’s Club.  Forth coming will be all things tidy-whitety.

  By that time, the day was in the heat of it and we decided to do Perkins.  We sat and relaxed over some food items that we would not do at home.  Sweet!

  It is a hot wind blowing today.  What shocked me was that the field corn is tasseling.  Two weeks ago, on the 4th, it seemed so short.  Heat will do that.

  Tomorrow is hump day and we get to stay home.  I do need to get my supplies ready to change the dressings on Dennis’ foot this evening.  Thursday, when we see Dr. Madsen’s second in command, we both are looking forward to good news.  That reminds me of checking out the supplies we have on hand, in case we need to visit the Mayo Store Thursday.  For all the gauze I have gone through since October . . . I could have done up some dandy mummies.

   
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  Noreen 2:46 pm on July 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Studio Weather 

  I didn’t even attempt to be outside this morning.  I looked out the bathroom window and the cicada wasps were thick at the yellow lilies next to the sidewalk going to the patio and into the garage.  I thought, “Okay, you suckers!  Literally, suck up all you can from these flowers as this heat will soon have them wilted and then you can go and find somewhere else to feast at.”

  With the morning taking on a new agenda, I began being busy making sure I was on board with email addresses via text messages.  Gotta love communications.

  I was happy Dennis came in during the forenoon and was content with his Facebook group and their videos on all things important to ole cowboys.  A bottle of water with electrolytes and a sandwich was called for.  Dennis has a history of a slow pulse, so we push liquids that can help.

  With KNUJ on, my time whiled away working with safety pins getting the sandwiched quilt project ready for the next step.  I was surprised how well the pinning went.  I had not intended to do the entire quilt, but slow but sure was all it took.  My teak rocker helps to take breaks.  After the pinning was done, I checked to see what color thread I would use when I machine quilt it.  Choices abound.  Choices to take a wait and see.  This scrappy quilt will be mine to enjoy.  There isn’t a bad choice to be had.  I called it a day and all the lights were turned off in the studio for the day.

  We have been limping along lately when it comes to suppers.  This morning I took out some chicken tenders to thaw and peeled the last four potatoes in the bag.  Hmm.  There was one or two sprouts that needed to be plucked.  Nothing serious.

  Today, I feel the happiness of a contented individual.  All I need is right here at my fingertips.

  Stay safe in this heat and take plenty of fluids with you as you go about your plans.

   
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  Noreen 1:37 pm on July 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Sticky Sunday 

  The nicest part of this Sunday was before nine this morning.

  The traffic has been busy as this is the last day of our county fair.  We heard the fireworks last night and we were content and happy for those in attendance.

  I headed to the studio.  I had cleanup to do from completing the scrappy quilt top.  One thing led to another in the cleanup.  It’s a good feeling when sifting and sorting allows for a few inches of blank shelving to be observed and a few empty plastic containers.  I dug out my baggie of safety pins, getting geared up for the pinning of the scrappy quilt layers.  That was it for studio time.  I have a great novel that I am into in my bedroom porch.  It also gives me a chance for some traffic watching.  It amazes me what I can pick up on.

  Dennis’ grandson AJ was here this morning and spent some quality time with his grandpa.   They have a plan.  When Denis came in for a noon sandwich, I got the full lowdown.  Dennis said AJ had an app on his phone and in pointing it, AJ knew just where grandpa’s small antenna needed to be on the north interior wall of the patio porch.  They rigged it up temporarily and it was all systems go for channels off of the REA tower to the north of us.  As I said . . . a plan is in place for the next visit when AJ has a piece of coax cable that is coming with.  I think its great for Dennis to interact with the grandkids . . . which right now is one out of eight and it is AJ. 

  Quality time with family is fleeting.  We all need it.  We all seek it.  I just had no idea it would involve the little palm sized gizmos.  No matter to me . . . it works for me.

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on July 16, 2022 Permalink  

  Sobering 

  Today there was a crew at our neighbor Bob’s home.  My oh my.  A second dumpster was set on the opposite side of the house.

  There was not one person present that wanted a single item that they may have had an emotional attachment to that had been Bob’s.  The dumpsters had a steady trek of people carrying items.  Some items went to the curb.  Soon it became evident that what was there was for the taking.  I knew enough of Bob’s life to know, there may have been unwanted creepy crawlers within the items.  Very sobering indeed.

  I thought of the decades that I have been living next to Bob.  A happy go lucky person that I could visit with across Stauffer Avenue.  We were not close, but neighbors none the less. 

  When the first of the two dumpsters left, there was a large enough load that allowed the tarp to be tented and heaped over the top.  That told a sobering story.

  We all have our likes.  We all have our possessions that we have accumulated.  I am no different than anyone else.  My prayer for myself, is . . . to keep it reasonable.

  Happy weekend!.

   
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  Noreen 2:46 pm on July 15, 2022 Permalink  

  End of the Week 

  It is a Friday and the month is oh so close to being half over. 

  Good news from the wound doctor, Renee, today.  The wound on the opposite side of the incision on the left foot is growing new pink skin around the circumference.  What had been the size of a quarter is now a bit smaller than a nickel.  We so take the health of our feet for granted.  Dr. Renee did give me thumbs up as she saw my bandage skills when she unwrapped it from the foot.

  It was arranged that after we had seen Dr. Renee Dennis could have all the lab work done for the next angioplasty on the 26th of this month.  That saved us one trip to Mankato. 

  I am not sure what is going on in my stomach, other than my breakfast was skipped.  It sounds like a string quartet is on an audition of some sort.  Two days away from home and my system is rebelling.  We are creatures of habit.  We are now home for the duration . . . until next Tuesday.  Sweet!

  It is a sad day across Stauffer Avenue.  Neighbor Bob had a heart attack in May.  He has not been back to his home since that day.  He is now in some healthcare facility in Mankato.  He has very few close family members.  Today a huge multi-yard dumpster has been put in the driveway. 

  It does give pause.  One minute you could be out cleaning the windshield of your car and the next minute your life as you have known it is gone and uncertain.

  When Dennis saw the dumpster being pulled in across the way, it effected him.  He went on to say that when he saw me taken away in an ambulance after my stroke . . . the things that went through his mind . . . none good.

  We all do live on short strings.

  Today we had good news in relationship to health issues here on Stauffer Avenue.  Dennis and I are never so strong as when we pull together for each other and ourselves.

   
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  Noreen 4:17 pm on July 14, 2022 Permalink  

  The Party is Over 

  The party is over.  That is the party that we had for two days of . . . great temps.  This afternoon the corker of a dew point that is higher than the humidity doesn’t feel that great.  Let’s hear it for those that can call their work day done at five.  Do it!

  Six of us stitchers met today at Baker’s Square for lunch and chit chat about all things relevant . . . and some not relevant at all.

  I tried to keep track of all the web sites that were spoken of today for fabric sales and buys, to no avail.  I know when I need something, I will muddle through.

  I was going to bring supper home for Dennis from the Hy-Vee as I knew I would be home too late to pull something together.  That fare has since been parked in the refrigerator for tomorrow night as Dennis and Dwayne had a late lunch today in the Home Town Café here in town.

  Both Dennis and I had a great day and it feels good to be here in our home.  It’s fun to go but so much better to arrive home safe and sound.

  Tomorrow we meet with the wound specialist in Mankato.  I am hoping we get a good review and maybe a tip as to how to how we can continue taking care of the area next to the little toe on the left leg that had the unfortunate luck to have rubbed raw in the wooden boot that was put on his left foot in October of last year.  Maybe only a half pound of gauze.  We are so close.

   
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  Noreen 1:44 pm on July 13, 2022 Permalink  

  Sweet Day 

  This is a day that would bare repeating.  But the forecast is for more July heat and temps.

  I checked the cicada wasps out this forenoon.  Though their holes are plugged with mothballs, I observed them feasting on the yellow lilies’ stamens.  Hmm.  Perhaps when the blooms are spent and no longer offer goodies, maybe the wasps will disappear.  Just the smell and fumes of the mothballs should render the eggs of the wasps infertile.

  In the first part of June as I was transplanting Hosta from the east portion of the acre, I noticed wasps on the Hackberry tree where a limb had broken off.  There was a huge swarm.  Neighbor Jan came over and she had an app to take a photo of them and then find out what they were.  They were elongated and had transparent iridescent wings.  Those wasps were Ichneumonid wasps that parasitized horntails in decaying wood.  Who knew?

  I tell you . . . there is plenty that keeps me from being outside.  When I am outside, I keep an eye out for icky, yucky bugs.

  Snuggles and I did get a bit of clover pulled up around some of the Hosta.  The clover had made wreaths around the Hosta.  I chose several Hosta to get done and then . . . the black flies were biting.  Of course I did get a few catnip sprigs crimped for the kitties.  I then headed inside.

  Within our small home we have no carpeting.  The Swiffer dry mop does the trick for lint, etc.  Dennis is my major dishwasher and the drip line from the kitchen counters to the floor was evident that I needed to tidy up the floor.  With the skylight that Kevin put into our kitchen ceiling in times past, nothing gets passed what my eye can spy.  I plunked the two lightweight kitchen rugs into the washing machine and proceeded to use the Swiffer floor wet wipes on the bathroom and kitchen floors.  They do have a nice aroma.

  With the weeding and the mopping, I am calling it for “local effort.”  The studio is tempting.  The next step in the scrappy quilt is securing all three layers.  My hands and arms are not up for the barrage of safety pins needed to get the job done today.  There will be another day.

  Tomorrow is not that day as the stitchers are finally getting together at Baker’s Square for lunch tomorrow.  Summer schedules has taken its toll.  Of course, Dennis has several requests while I will be out and about. 

  It is a truly wonderful weather day.

   
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  Noreen 1:40 pm on July 12, 2022 Permalink  

  Pleasant Day 

  I had breakfast coffee on the patio a little after six.  It was beautiful out.

  Today was the day that we were getting haircuts at 11:00 a.m. at The Curry Comb.  I could hardly wait!  When it gets to be a month out, the hair feels like a helmet.  I have fine hair and a lot of them.  Both of my kids have course hair such as their dad did.  At least everyone does have hair.  

  I do need to enjoy the early mornings on the patio.  As the sun begins to warm concrete, plants and dirt . . . we have nasty wasps.  We have the Cicada Wasps in the dirt right next to the sidewalk going to the patio.  They have a bright red band around their bodies.  They have long bodies and bore into the dirt where they lay their eggs.  They are vigilant when we or birds go anywhere near their territory.  Dennis to the rescue.  Tonight at dusk when they settle in, Dennis bought mothballs at Fleet this afternoon.  Those perfect little holes are going to have a mothball plugged into each and everyone of them.   I have watched from afar and I know that under the lilies, there are more holes than I can get to.  It is a two pound box of mothballs, I may put down a nice layer and use my hoe to get them where I hope they will do the best good.

  Underneath the awnings on the north side of the house and under the gutter helmet of the garage, it has kept Dennis busy knocking down the newly formed nests.  When the Mediacom fellow checked the exterior of their coax cable box, he jumped back as wasps had found themselves a tidy hiding spot.  What is it about flying insects that make days less than enjoyable. 

  I will say it again.  I enjoyed the late spring that we had, when the temps were in the 60s during the day.

  I have begun the sandwiching of my scrappy quilt.  I opened the bag of quilt batting and have it unfurled on the church tables.  Getting the kinks out of the tight folds will help in the long run.

  Last Tuesday evening when we had a severe storm with high winds, the back door got away from Dennis.  The closure rod got a nasty bend in it.  When Dennis was at Fleet this afternoon he had “no choice.” There was one to be had and as luck would have it, it would work for us.  Dennis did the pulling to get it to extend to reach the point for the pin to fit in, while I was the one in charge of the pin.  Got that task done.   

  There are good reasons why we have lists when we are in Mankato.  Locally the inventory is less than good.

   
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  Noreen 2:44 pm on July 11, 2022 Permalink  

  A Day to Enjoy 

  It is a Monday!

  Anticipation was high today on Stauffer Avenue.  We were awaiting a service call from Mediacom.  If it had not been for an ethernet cable to allow us to have internet, Dennis would have had his ditty bag packed ready to check into the Super 8 Motel here in town for their internet access.

  Dennis views different sites in groups on Facebook.  Everything from tractors, to horses to the latest reviews on zero-turn lawnmowers.  Since giving up his RFD television channel, Faceb0ok is what has given him satisfaction.

  A young fellow from Mediacom was here at 10:30.  We had purchased Net Gear equipment to supplement us with wireless wi-fi.  As the fellow worked with the diagnostics of it, there was no wireless of anything forthcoming.  We decided to jump back on to Mediacom.  The rental fee for the modem/wireless router, all in one, is $13.00 per month.  I think we can swing that.  The young fellow worked with setting the wi-fi booster that is needed to allow Dennis’ smart television to work in the patio porch.  All is right with the world on Stauffer Avenue.  I will box up what we had purchased of the Net Gear and make a return to Walmart when we visit the wound doctor on Friday. 

  I had a great visit with Linda this morning in the studio.  Linda left with a car full of goodies for their church mission sewers.  The amount of gallon baggies filled to bulging left her speechless . . . but not for long.  I felt joy and relief that what I had to share was going to a great place with some great gals right here in town.  It is a false belief that a body of water needs to be crossed before it is considered “mission work.” It sounds as if this group could be comparable to a chain-gang endeavor.  Everyone has their specialty in the effort of turning out quilts.  Now that the bolts of fabric and the floss has found a home where it will all be put to good use . . . Linda said we need to put our hearts together to pare down the Dueber’s button tree.  Sweet!

  Through all the activity of the morning, I put together a chicken oven meal.  We had purchased some frozen chicken breast meat that was not very tender.  This morning, I thawed until it cubed up perfectly.  I steamed it, added some “Better Than Bullion Garlic” and pepper, a can of corn, cooked pasta and Alfredo Sauce.  Supper will be served in fine fashion.

  It has been a day filled with joy.