Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:22 pm on November 16, 2021 Permalink  

  A Windy Tuesday 

  The winds and temps in the high 40s are making short work of whatever snow we had on the ground.  Not missing that at all.

  This forenoon we had a funeral.  Dennis’ daughter Sue’s father-in-law.  Dennis had known “Swede” his entire life.  One more of the mainstays of our community gone.  Swede was several years younger than Dennis.

  PT was on the docket for me this afternoon.  Good progress is in the works.  The amount of pressure and the length of time on areas where tendons and muscles are at war . . . eventually the area relaxes and then a deeper depth is sought.  In my grandmother Laura’s time, nothing like PT was prescribed or it wasn’t sought out for relief.  Over time, a situation as I am experiencing would have become the usual.  Arthritis loves nothing better than to find an inflamed area to set about calcifying the nearest joint possible enmeshing it for all times to come.  By moving more than resting and taking my walks with long strides, I plan on beating this.

  I had planned on making chili for supper.  What with the PT work today, I will wait until tomorrow and take a long walk instead.  It would have been with a pound of bear hamburger and a pound of beef hamburger.  Folks we know tell us, it is good eating.  I plan on taking it slow with quite a few spices on hand and a lot of sautéed onions.  Dennis added that it is a very red meat.  Time will tell. At least I can share with those that gave it to us that it was tried.

  True to the UPS, the Christmas stockings were delivered to rural Stewart by noon today.  Hard to believe the delivery was in less than 24 hours.  It does pay to do things early in the season.

  As I have been venting, the temperature has risen to 52 degrees and the winds have become stronger still.

   
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  Noreen 4:56 pm on November 15, 2021 Permalink  

  New Week 

  It’s a new week and a new day.  One of the things I needed to check on this morning was the far northwest window of my bedroom.  I had to check on it being locked.  Saturday night the wind was in blizzard mode.  Our replacement windows have served us well and they are tight.  I did awake during the gusts of wind and with the streetlight I could see that valance curtain moved.  Nope . . . I checked everything on the window and it is secure.  Even winds that defy what is secure can find something on an old house to let in the breath of winter’s unforgiving winds.

  The studio beckoned.  The first thing I did was clean my sewing machine of fuzz and wayward threads.  Out came the oil can and a brand new needle was put in.  On Amazon the Organ needles are reasonable by the bulk purchase.  I generally sew with a 80/12 and embroider with a 80/11.

  With socks done, I am back to the baby quilt for the new arrival that is coming in February, thus expanding the Riebe clan.  Applique is fun to do with embroidery designs.  The majority of the real estate is fabric that is stitched around in the scheme of things.  Today it was a reindeer that is going to be added in the quilt.  It was an option of the designs that are already loaded into the sewing machine.  It was a fun way to start the week.  The machine outlines the area that fabric is needed.  Once the larger piece of fabric is stitched down, it can then be trimmed for the statin stitch to finish that portion.  This particular design asks for four contrasting fabrics.

  Half of the blocks will be embroidered and they are now done.  What will take time is to trim each of those blocks down to eight inches square, centering the design.  Measure once, measure twice and cut once.  Dennis sat in the rocking chair in the studio and took in the stitching.  He made the comment and I agreed:  getting requests is nice, but considering the time element it can take away the fun of the studio.  This baby quilt will be the last of the relation’s requests.  Going forward it will be my dime, my time.

  I was at the UPS depot at four.  Having the Christmas socks out of the house and out of my hands felt oh so good.  Surprise, the package will be there tomorrow!

   
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  Noreen 2:25 pm on November 14, 2021 Permalink  

  A Shortage 

  In this day and age it is evident that there is a shortage of moms and grandmas for the younger generation.  What is more evident is that the younger generation took no interest in what they had been exposed to at the elbow of these women.

  With pride I know that daughter Carrie did pay attention and she could sew herself out of a maze in a heartbeat.

  What is ready for tomorrow’s UPS depot is a package to my nephew Larry.  Larry’s mother-in-law, Rita, had a passion for all things threads and fuzz.  She was so good it rubbed off on Larry’s mom, my sister Elvera.  Elvera learned the fine art of piecing quilts and an even finer art . . . pressing seams.  When I last visited Rita to deliver a quilt she had started, Rita was quite ill.  I can still chuckle over a comment when reminiscing quilting with Elvera.  “She spent more time ripping out seams than not and then finally she would just let the mistake slide.”

  So, getting on to my point.  Many younger women do not sew.  They passed on the opportunity to acquire their mom’s sewing machine after they had passed.  When want comes and they can’t do any more than purchase fabric and pass it along with a “please,” the realization sets in that there is a shortage of those that can and those that do.

  I willingly took on the “please” of making three Christmas socks for Larry’s wife, Rita’s daughter.  Family is family.  Admittedly, I could have easily used a working left hand and arm.  My mother-in-law, Esther, repeated often, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”  When I sewed on the hanger for the three stockings, I did feel stronger.  The three stockings were for the fact that Larry’s family has grown since Rita made stockings for everyone.

  The remaining fabric that Jennifer had purchased will remain in my studio on the event that the family again has a growth spirt.  The gamble in that is that I may be the one to guide someone in making more stockings and my role will be strictly supervisor.  Time will tell.

  Now on to the question I will have of my children . . . “Do you need Christmas stockings.”  I am game.

   
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  Noreen 3:29 pm on November 13, 2021 Permalink  

  A Wellness Check 

  Oh my gosh!  Dennis did a wellness check on me this morning.  I had gotten up during the night for a bathroom call and went right back to bed.  At ten this morning, Dennis came and checked on me to see if the covers were moving in concert with my breathing.  Hmm.

  It was a tough PT appointment yesterday.   There is no pussy footing around with tendons and muscles.  Maybe the long ride to Eden Prairie and back in conjunction with a program have added to a bit of a setback in the therapy . . . maybe.  Would I or Dennis have missed it for all the world . . . NO!  There are more appointments next week and we will be staying close to home for some time to come.  I have a great PT person in Mike T and I also have good insurance.  This too shall pass.

  This afternoon on the radio station 105.1, it is Christmas music non stop.  How relaxing.  As I was typing I looked up and out of the studio window . . . and snow is sifting down.  Perfect afternoon after a relaxing morning.  I can tell you the day goes by swiftly when half the day was spent in bed.  As my ole cowboy said, “You must have needed the rest.”

  Dennis got a call this forenoon that the snowblower he had taken out to a rural shop just several days ago was fixed.  Grant it, it is an older snowblower, but has had very little use.  The snowblower needed a new carburetor.  That plus a good grease and oil change . . . it is ready for snow, plus complete with chains on the tires.  Dennis is waiting for grandson Ryan to stop by later to take it off the trailer.  It is too heavy for it to be a grandpa one-man job.

  Wellness checks out of concern are a good thing on any day.

   
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  Noreen 3:26 pm on November 12, 2021 Permalink  

  And the Angels Sang 

  With the mail delivery . . . the angels sang!  The crank for my sewing table came from Home Depot.  True to their word it came in 10 working days.  I will put a very bright string on it and put it away from my actual sewing table.  The loss of the original crank put the fear of God in me.  When I do hang up this crank, Dennis will know where it is as well as my kids.

  Yesterday we traveled to Eden Prairie as Dennis was invited as a guest of grandson Nicholas for the Veteran’s Day program.  What a treat to see the entire student body, first through eight, wave their American flags as the veterans walked in.  Nicholas plays the saxophone in the school band.  The program was appropriate and met with an enthused audience.  Nicholas is as tall as grandpa.  Next year Nicholas will be in high school.   

  We had arrived at Carrie’s in the late forenoon yesterday so we could visit a bit.  It also gave us a chance to visit with Megan.  One of the school’s sport teams had made it to state and the school body was to work at their studies from home.  Megan will be leaving on her senior class trip November 16th for eight days traveling by American Airlines to Porto Rico.  We had to give hugs to this young lady that we had the privilege to grow up with.  Yes, I said that correctly . . . Megan taught the two of us a lot over the years when she would stay with us.

  We arrived home at six safe and sound.  It had been a long time since we had driven in the dark.  The wind had been strong all day and the evening hours brought a chill that one could not mistake.  Winter was on its way.

  This morning our ground was white.  You would have thought as nice at the days prior had been, the snow would not have lasted.  Last it did.

  Enjoy the weekend and know that whatever had not gotten done outside is a true testament to: would have, could have and should have.  Had it not been for the ole cowboy, I would be hanging my head.

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on November 10, 2021 Permalink  

  Fall is Closing 

  With the rain that has begun this afternoon, the curtains on the fall season are closing.  We knew it would happen and thanks be for the great run we did have.  Amazon delivered the thread for the WORX weed whip yesterday at noon and by afternoon coffee time, Dennis had the last of the Hosta trimmed down.  Dennis also did another run with the Cub on the leaves.  His curtain on fall work has also been closed.  

  Yesterday evening it was time to take the final wrapping off of Dennis’ left foot where the surgery had removed the middle toe.  The foot lots great.  With a heavy wool sock on, Dennis took his first flexing steps on that foot since October 16th.  Taking it slow will allow blood circulation as the foot bends at the ankle and the remaining toes also move at their joints.  Praise be . . . I can only imagine how great that shower felt.  It may not have been as long as Dennis would have liked, but the foot is not to be in water for any longer than necessary . . . just yet.  

  Today, as promised, we are having a quiet day.  Dennis is walking with little to no discomfort.

  Tomorrow we are traveling to Nicholas’ school where Dennis will be a guest at a Veteran’s Day program.  Nicholas was worried if we would be able to make it as there were not many veterans of the students in his class to invite.  Not to worry.  Soft slippers on the feet with a cane in case it is needed.  Carrie will be driving us to Nick’s school and I know she will get grandpa as close to the door as possible.  We will throw in the walker as an option.  

  Today, I have felt that strides have been had with the PT visits.  Staying on my feet as much as possible today as tomorrow will be a fairly long road trip.  Not to fear, Friday is a PT session.  Mike T put me down for two sessions in the week of the 15th.  I will be missing out on a luncheon with the stitchers, but my hamstrings come first.

  I have been saving a frozen hamburger pizza for long enough.  The pizza is going to be our supper!  Seeing as how it is a hamburger pizza, in my mind, it can’t be much different than an oven dish with hamburger, pasta and tomato sauce.  The saving grace is that there is vanilla ice cream for later, if needed.

   
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  Noreen 3:49 pm on November 9, 2021 Permalink  

  No Dust on a Tuesday 

  Dennis and I are both on the move on this wonderful Tuesday . . . not letting any dust settle on us.

  Dennis and Dwayne loaded a snowblower that Kevin had sent home with us.  It is now at the repair man’s property that is north of here on Hwy #4.  Charlie said he would have time to do it after the crops were off of the fields.  It will most likely stay on the two wheel trailer until it is ready to use and bring back home.  Those two 85 year young do work well together.

  For me, it was going through the first floor and making tidy.  We do have people dropping in unexpectedly.  With a small home it only takes two items out of place to make it look as if the person to make “tidy” has gone AWOL.

  The PT appointment was at 10:45 and I would not have missed that for all the Folgers on Stauffer.  Mike T admits I don’t have a lot of cushion to protect the muscles and tendons that run across the tail bone.  Consequently it smarts to sit.  I don’t sit very long in any one place.

  As I can stand at my sewing machine, I am tackling Jennifer’s Christmas stockings.  The flannel stockings will be lined.  I am able to add a decoration before sewing the two halves of the flannel together.  The red flannel will be the cuff at the top.  The stocking that Jennifer’s mom made is of vintage flannel and is awesome.  I am beginning with two socks to see how it all comes together.  I enjoy trying new things.  I know that my mom, Lena, made stockings for all the grandchildren many decades ago out of red felt.  Dad, Raymond, cut out the letters that spelled each child’s name.  I don’t remember if they were sewn on or glued on.

  I will check to see if anyone needs a new stocking . . . or perhaps a bigger one.   

  The afternoon is bright with 54 degrees.  I couldn’t take my usual walk on Stauffer as the city has spread crushed asphalt over the entire width of the street.  I really didn’t want to get that in the waffle type rubber soles of my shoes.  I did quite a few laps up and down the drive and also the patio as it winds around the patio porch. 

  On a bright note, the boxelders are slowing down.  It was getting to the point that we were getting pyrenoid when we saw a fuzz on the floor.  My aunt Janet says they bite.  A boxelder never had a chance on either of us to try it. 

  Tomorrow is a free day.  There should be nothing that warrants taking the vehicles out of the garage.  That is subject to change.  Blessed is the calm of a fall day when the only creatures that are in a hurry are the squirrels looking for the sweet spot to bury just one more black walnut.

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on November 8, 2021 Permalink  

  Clocks Have Been Changed 

  Cellphones update those clocks automatically.  Our clocks in the home were changed this morning.  It didn’t seem to matter; move ahead or fall back . . . I slept until 7:45 this morning.  The chatter of the kids getting ready to board the school bus east of our drive is a pleasant alarm clock.  Dennis has been up for some time but the noise he makes as he prepares to hit the patio porch is so usual, it does not shock me awake.

  Sometimes when my eyes are not ready to open, I try to procrastinate.  Maybe I’ll decide to roll over and see how long I can lay still.  Pretty soon it is tick, tick in my mind.  Then the tick, tick becomes tic tock, tick tock and I know the day is beckoning me.  My kids, far away, have been up for ages and it surely does not speak well of me to be a lazy bones. 

  How much effort does it take to toddle to the bathroom for personal comfort and then return to my bedroom and strip off the sheets and punch a few buttons on the washing machine back in the bathroom.  Having done that . . . I feel the day within me has started.  It will not be denied.   Neither will I deny myself a cup of coffee with creamer added.

  The oven was started and preheated for a batch of frozen scones to be put on a baking sheet.  I did get my breakfast in a bowl and put on the dining room table.  I stripped Dennis’ bed of sheets and added that to what would be additional loads of laundry.  I enjoy my breakfast while catching a bit of news on the television.

  The morning spins on as I swap out loads of laundry from the washer to the dryer and have had enough coffee to keep me going.  The small vacuum is taken off of the attic steps and the dust bunnies under the beds . . . beware! 

  By noon it was nice enough to head east on Stauffer for a walk.  Dennis was in the back garage working on tractors and as I passed by the driveway of the back garage, I told him I would have lunch ready for us when I got back from my walk.  So the morning went.

  I spent some time in the studio pondering steps to take in producing Christmas stockings.  I have paper patterns ready.  I must say, the sample stocking that Jennifer sent with the fabric is rather large.  Lots of goodies would fit in them.

  It is now mid afternoon and there are piles of freshly laundered bedding in the living room.  I don’t need any more caffeine to finish up the beds.  Dennis has had the Cub tractor out taking care of more of the fallen leaves.  He is gaining.  I never said anything negative when I looked out this afternoon and Dennis had started a fire next to the Maple tree.  It was handy for him to keep raking leaves onto the fire.  Get as many done so as to not have to deal with them next spring.  Supper is leftovers from Sunday night.  Wham, bam, thank you . . . supper will be a breeze.

  Such is the day that begins with the tick tocking.  We see what needs to be done and we get it done.  Showers after supper will be sweet dreams when bedtime hits . . . . fresh beds.

  Maybe procrastination will be participated in tomorrow.  Tee hee.

   
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  Noreen 2:04 pm on November 7, 2021 Permalink  

  A Dose of Indian Summer 

  Oh my oh my, what a great Indian Summer.  Walking these last several days has been a treat.  There is a Cottonwood down the way east on Stauffer Avenue.  Many times I take a pause and listen to its music.  There remain so many leaves on this tree.  With the fluttering of the leaves as the breeze moves through the limbs allowing the leaves to clatter.  I would like to bottle that sound and do a musical mixer when the wind of a snow storm would play in the background.

  There may be some time in the coming days that I will not be venturing out of the studio.  There is the baby blanket I have started for a family member.  Yesterday the mailman left a Priority Mail package on the front steps.  The package came from Stewart, Minnesota:  Larry Trettin.  I am sure his wife Jennifer had gotten the package ready.  Larry is my sister, Elvera’s, youngest of her three children.

  As with the baby quilt request, there are no moms or grandmothers alive to help out.  I have been requested to make some Christmas stockings.  Jennifer’s mother had made socks for the family as they numbered at that time.  Larry’s family is growing and the Christmas stockings are a tradition.  Jennifer had shopped for fabrics in Hutchinson.  There was ample fabric for stockings, plus one of the Christmas stockings that Jennifer’s mom had made.  I will be able to model the new stockings off of that.  It is doable. 

  The baby blanket is for a baby boy coming in February.  Christmas will be here next month.  Time to regroup.

  I was happy to have cleaned the studio and basement yesterday before I knew what was waiting for me on our front steps.  When I had begun yesterday I knew there were two church table tops . . . they just couldn’t be seen.  Today I am moving a bit slow from the aerobics and antics that was warranted to do the job.  There is a clean slate in the studio.

  As I have sat in my favorite chair off and on today, it gave me time to think things through going forward.  What is really sweet is that Dennis is enthused for me to help others out.  That is not to say that if my two children would need something done tomorrow . . . get out of my way . . . I have things to do for them.

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on November 6, 2021 Permalink  

  The Hunt 

  Today was the day that I was on the hunt for all that should not be.  I spent the majority of the day in the studio as well as all points in the rest of the basement.

  It began when Dennis went to Fleet Farm for some flying insect spray.  The goal was to spray the doorway chase of the screen door of the east house door.  Even with several hard frost mornings, the boxelder bugs come a calling as soon as the sun is out.  We check each other over before coming into the house.  Invariably, one or more beats us into the house.  Dennis and I have commented that had we not had new basement windows put in, it would be a loosing battle.  These bugs may be the payback for not having gnats and mosquitoes over the entire summer.  

  As I began vacuuming the basement carpeted steps and cleaning up dead bugs that had been carried into the house on the bottom of our shoes, it didn’t take me long to decide on doing a clean sweep of vacuuming the entire basement, studio and cistern closets.  It was due.

  Every wall that had something sitting against it was cleared to where the floor met the wall and it was tidied.  My Filter Queen canister vacuum did a great job.  I admit that in times past the open floor area got the brunt of cleaning.  I was determined to hit all the spots and corners.  This should count as fall cleaning and maybe even early 2022 cleaning.  I saved the worst for last in the studio.  Brother Calvin gave us a hemmed jute carpet.  It is not the easiest to vacuum threads off of.  As diligent as days can be, there is always a tuft of this and threads like that, that float to the carpet and immediately become intertwined.  The trade off is that it does feel good to stand on it when ironing.

  There was a short break over noon when Dennis’ niece and her husband from Morris stopped in.  They were taking advantage of the nice temps and making a wide swing in the state taking in whatever family they could catch.  Sweet.

  I have since cooled off from the Filter Queen marathon and had a very successful hunt of all things that should not have been.  I need to make a run to the grocery store for milk and bread.  Dennis has been blowing and raking leaves out from under the lilacs. He may enjoy some vanilla ice cream this evening.  Vanilla is our favorite flavor. 

  In the scheme of things, where would we be if not for a conscious allowing us to be stewards of all that God has given us.