Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:51 pm on December 28, 2025 Permalink  

  My Oh My 

  We are officially in a blizzard.  I am not sure if we are getting a huge amount of snow or the wind gusts are just arranging it.  It’s a good thing we brought our strong leaf bower into the house for getting out the back door.  No, it is not the complete remedy.  A shovel is standing at attention ready to be used.

  The birthday party that we went to for Dennis’ cousin Sam yesterday was a riot of farmers, young and old.  Dennis knew so many people.  It was great to see and hear the fellows reminisce.

  Having spent most of my adult life in Watonwan County, it was not difficult to spend the time visiting with those I had not seen since I retired.  I will say that that machine shed and shop was the ultimate for an open house gathering.

  We opted to forego the lunch at the party as we have had plans since Thanksgiving to visit the Hometown Cafe’, now called the Hometown Table.  New owners complete with new menu options.  The choices were many.  Pasta dishes being a very new addition.  We left feeling that we would be visiting again.  The food was good.

  The wind is roaring and if I close my eyes, it could easily lull me into a nap, which Dennis is already doing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 11:49 am on December 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Lewis Drug 

  Our Lewis Drug here in town can be overwhelmed, as it was yesterday, the 26th.  They service the clinic, the hospital and the nursing home.  Dennis patiently waited it out for my meds.  He got home at four.  When he came home with his tails:  there had been four counting out pills, one full time at the drive through window with two with two tills going.  He had found a chair and visited with others that had sought a chair and were waiting.  Holidays bring challenges.

  I slept well through the night.

  This morning as I was having coffee in my bedroom porch perched on my cherry chair, it was like watching a rodeo through my windows.  The same company that does our garbage out of Wilmar, got the bid for our recycling from the county.  We had gotten the new bins delivered on the 24th throughout the town.  The town was filled with yellow-topped bins, old labeled ones and new labeled ones.  Today the old bins were emptied out, our usual recycling day, and then there were removed by trailers picking them up.  Quite the activity.

  This afternoon we are going out north of town for a celebration of Dennis’ cousin Sam turning 90.  Sam’s mother was Dennis’ father’s sister.  The only such relative left for Dennis.  I am sure the shop on Sam’s son’s farm will be warm and tricked out.  Dennis had been a usual visitor at Sam and Maria’s farm home.

  We have been blessed with Christmas gifts from Carrie and Kevin.  When Carrie’s had come in November, our freezer compartment was filled with prepared meat loaf pans to bake, frozen packets of steamed carrots for oven meals, frozen cookie pods to bake and prepared loaves of zucchini and pumpkin bread to thaw.  Kevin’s have given us ample visits to Subway during 2026.  Sweet treats indeed all around.  Very much appreciated by the both of us.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:26 pm on December 26, 2025 Permalink  

  2nd Day 

  This is Christmas’ 2nd day.  Many decades ago, it was revered.  I remember Lena and Raymond had everything done in the line of chores just like they had done for Christmas day.  It was a quiet day on the farm. Lena’s brother, Norman, and his wife Florence, were expected and the day proceeded with many dealt hands of cards.  A relaxed day on the farm.  It became a yearly tradition for the two couples.

  So . . . The happenings on Stauffer Avenue on this 2nd day finds Dennis getting acquainted with his new cell phone.  For more years that I can remember Dennis has been on his nephew’s plan.  Dennis and the little red pickup were on call for errands that Brett needed for the concrete business.  January first Dennis’ phone would be dropped from Brett’s plan.  When a network of phones needs to drop one, I couldn’t comprehend how difficult it would be.  Radio Shack had two working on it.  Brett needed to do work on his end for the drop.  I wanted to make sure Dennis’ phone number would not be changed.  Wow, it took a long time.  As I have added Dennis to my plan, I got numerous text messages to confirm this and that during the arduous process. 

  As I said . . . Dennis is finding his way.  Though it is a flip phone with all his contacts in place, all he wanted was to answer the phone or call someone.  I am sheltering him from some of the buttons that were not like the old buttons.  I assured him that if he could find his way through Facebook marketplace, the phone would soon feel better.

  My 2nd day of Christmas is slow and steady.  No card games going on here.  I did find a movie on Hulu.  It’s the best $6.00 and some cents that I spend monthly. 

  Some of my meds were in line to be refilled on the 24th.  The computers at Lewis Drug dictate to the licensed pharmacists when the month is able to have a refill.  It’s actually Medicare and my insurance. Lewis Drug closed early on the 24th with no meds ready for me.  It’s totally understandable and patients need to be prepared for such things.  It’s not like I opened the bottle and then found it empty on the 24th.  It pays to cut some pills in half a head of time and be prepared to suck it up, put your big girl panties on.  It happens when modern technology timelines aren’t the way we want it.  Dennis is on it. It will all work out.

  During last year, 2025, I was stitching on a large Christmas sampler with wonderful titles of Christmas hymns interwoven in the designs.  On a floss tube I picked up on a chart that is similar but different.  It came today from a shop in Wisconsin.  Oh my gosh. Inside the priority mailer, the design packet was wrapped in Christmas tissue complete with ribbons.  It just so happened that the Christmas movie I was watching combined with the unexpected wrapped present found me tearing up.  Tearing up and letting the tears flow is good for the soul.  All is well in my soul.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:09 pm on December 25, 2025 Permalink  

  Christmas 2025 

  Christmas Eve was a silent night for us.  Getting a good night’s rest tucked under blankets while the house itself was cool.  It’s the best way to sleep.  It brings deep sleep fit for dreams.

  Santa would not have stood a chance visiting here during the night as Dennis and I were still in bed at eight this morning.  It is the best feeling when your body wants to wake but the eyes are still closed.  One last snuggle under the blankets before the feet hit the floor.

  Rituals in the morning bring me to the bathroom after I hear Dennis close the back door.  His breakfast box in hand, his thermos coffee cup jammed into his jacket pocket . . . Dennis’ day has begun.

  A very hot cup of black coffee leads me to the cherry red chair in my bedroom porch.  This morning with heavy fog the street outside was very quiet.  Either no one wants to travel in the fog or they have all gotten to where they needed to go.

  My agenda for this Christmas day is light.  I will be putting out a hot supper for us about five.  We are not ones to watch sports on television.  Dennis has his favorites to watch on one of his three televisions and I have mine.  I enjoy watching movies on Hulu via my laptop or floss tubes from every corner of the world imaginable.

  A sweet day with nothing to stress over.  As I conjure up memories of Christmas’ pasts it brings bitter sweet thoughts that only I can enjoy.

  May everyone in my world have self same sweet memories as well. 

  The Merriest of Christmases and I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:16 pm on December 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Christmas Eve 

  This is Christmas Eve of 2025.

  The world should be getting ready for the biggest birthday party ever.  I can only speak for myself.

  When I think of the events in my life, it takes my breath away.  I could not have come through it alone without that birth in a manger.  I know that my Savior had his hand on my shoulder during the choices I made along the years of my life, during the results of those choices.  I never traveled alone.

  Christmas celebrations are very unique to each of us.  It seems fitting that Dennis and I are home, in our home safe and sound.  We have had the huge events in times gone during Christmas . . . been there, done that.

  This early afternoon, Dennis was having a pre-supper snack of a peanut butter sandwich and I was enjoying apple slices coated in peanut butter.  It was never about what was going on at Stauffer Avenue. Without any discussion, Dennis and I knew we would be doing Christmas the way it felt right for the two of us . . . quietly.  We were and are truly thrilled that the six kids would be doing their thing, making their own traditions.  

  The best gift that we can give our families is that they know we are here, safely and happily at home.

  Merry Christmas from Dennis and Mom.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:26 pm on December 23, 2025 Permalink  

  Hello Tuesday 

  It is a Tuesday.  Grammie is back from the busy world.

  When we were in Mankato Monday for Dennis’ eye injection . . . it was a busy world.  We went to the eye clinic.  The appointment went well.  As usual the eye remained frozen and would until 8 hours later.  It does not impair his driving . . . I checked.   Dennis got a gas fill-up for $1.29 per gallon.  As I sat and waited for Dennis while he was filling the little red pickup, I watched the lineup to get out of Sam’s Club parking lot to get back onto Madison Avenue.  It was frantic.  We took the back door route and took County Rd 90 to get back onto our route home.  Home never felt so good and we hadn’t even participated in any shopping.

  Our plans for this Tuesday had one agenda.  Brett was reorganizing his phones that he was responsible for.  Uncle Dennis . . . no longer covered as of January 1, 2026, as he had been when he ran errands for Brett.

  I made a trip to Radio Shack downtown.  Dennis wanted a plain flip phone.  The gal at the counter was the same gal to help as I had had when I bought my phone in May of this last year.  It all went smoothly.  Dennis and I had checked his contacts just several nights ago to take out the phone numbers he do longer needed.  After his flip-phone has been on the charger and he takes using it for a run, I will go back to Radio Shack on Monday and have them strip it.  At that time, the phone case that I ordered will be in.  I wanted nothing heavy.  What I will have is a very flexible vinal cover . . . just in case I happen to drop it while in the studio.  Phone meeting concrete would not be a good thing.

  I swear the temperature dropped twenty degrees from the time I went into Radio Shack and then coming out.  Brr.

  Our supper last night was a cheater.  A Maria frozen meal for Dennis and I had a salad plate.  It worked!  Tonight is chicken titties, instant potatoes and veggies. 

  The older ones on Stauffer do take care of business in a timely manner.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:30 pm on December 21, 2025 Permalink  

  In Town 

  There were a few errands to run in town on this sunny afternoon.

  The Family Dollar carries the Tidy lightweight kitty litter in doable plastic jugs.  On a side-note, Brett’s concrete business takes the plastic jugs off of our hands.  While the concrete trucks are on site, having a gallon of clean water is handy for the fellows working with the crete.

  The Dollar General is where we pick up the $1.00 bags of Lemon Heads.  Dennis’ favorite hard candy when his mouth is dry.  No Lemon Heads today.  I did pick up our favorite Progressive Chicken Noodle soup for $2.00 a can.  I had just paid $3.29 at our grocer’s last week.  Same size can.  I also added buying two bags of our favorite chips and get two bags free.

  The grocery store was the next stop for Meow Mix.  The kitties should be in good shape for a while.

  We are invited to Dennis’ cousin’s 90 birthday party on the 27th at his son’s farm in a heated shop.  I had looked up the address on the computer and we did a dry run north out of town on that.

  Our last stop was to pick up a 12″ Tuna Sub before heading for home.  Whew, supper is done. 

  On a note!  I tried loading photos for the blog this afternoon and it was a no-go.  I tried with the photos I had downloaded from my phone as well as from my camera.  I will leave it to the administrator to find the solution.  I was trying to load them from the “Blog File” where I always have done in the past going through the steps of the Next Gen Gallery options.  Time will tell.

  Tomorrow, Monday the 22nd, Dennis has an eye injection at 2:30 in the afternoon in Mankato.  There may well not be a Monday Blog.  Just saying.  The appointment takes a good bit of time and travel time also is a good indicator of “see you on Tuesday.”

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on December 21, 2025 Permalink  

  Testing a photo upload from NextGen, “Dennis” category 

  

   

  

   
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  Noreen 3:44 pm on December 20, 2025 Permalink  

  Christmas Scams 

  A while back, Dennis assured me that if something happened to him, he owes Carrie money and that his money would be in an envelope in his jewelry box.  I never gave it another thought.

  Carrie’s family didn’t make it on the Sunday after Thanksgiving due to the weather.  We set the date to the 16th, a Sunday.  As always I was busy the week before making sure I had everything on hand and done.

  It was great having everyone tramp into the house.  Dennis’ orders “shoes stay on.”  Our driveway was clear of snow and ice.  Jeremy set about helping me in the kitchen.  My two oven dishes were done, perfect timing for them to have arrived at noon.

  I had not visited with anyone first hand since early summer.  One by one I was able to ask questions and find out what had been going on.  It’s not unusual for Megan and Nicholas to check out the patio porch to visit Harriet and Snuggles.  I was eavesdropping on what Jeremy and Dennis were visiting about.

  Without me realizing it, the kids were back in the house and I had a huge gift-wrapped box set in front of me.  Dennis piped up “Merry Christmas Grammie, I bought you a present, and . . . you can open it now.  Wait a minute, just where have you gone shopping, was my reply.  Smirk, smirk.  Go on . . . open it.  Getting help from the kids with the wrapping paper and getting the box, I finally got a peek inside.  There were multiple layers.  First thing out of the box was a beautiful jacket, next came a knit top and last . . . a pair of dress pants.  I was over-whelmed.  Right across the table from me was Dennis with a grin from ear to ear.  “I can still pull one over on you.”  Yes he had.

  When Dennis had gone out to the patio porch to have a cigarette feeling very smug, I was looking for more clarification.  Carrie said one evening she got a call from Dennis and he was very clear in his request.  The end result was that I would have a very nice “pant suit” as I had not shopped for clothes for a long time.  He had apparently re-iterated “pant suit.”

  I believe the last awareness that Dennis had even given a thought to about women’s clothing was the era of “pant suits.”  And . . . when was that era?

  I gave Carrie a lot of credit for not correcting or suggesting anything other than his request for a “pant suit.”  She pulled off just what Dennis had asked for with perhaps a bit of a twist that he would not pick up on.  Bless the ole cowboy.  I had not realized that Dennis and Carrie had been in a huddle while I was in the kitchen.  It truly was a surprise.  Sweet.

  The moral to the story: when Dennis is in his rocking chair with Snuggles on his lap in the patio porch there is mucky, mucking asunder, also known as Christmas scams. 

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:44 pm on December 19, 2025 Permalink  

  A Blizzard 

  I knew we had proportions of a blizzard.  It wasn’t until this morning when I looked out that I realized snow and dirt of equal proportions had been had.  Our driveway was clear.  Our back door catches a whirlwind of what is blowing, be it either leaves, snow or dirt.

  We had agreed that when the wind died down, we would make a trip for milk and distilled water.  We purchase the small container of milk and really have to work at using it before it sours.  The distilled water is gone through quicker than one would believe.  Dennis CPAP machine has a humidifier on it and it takes a fill of two cups every night.  Amazing.

  The wind howled something terrible all yesterday.  I had done my bedding and just for giggles as I was putting it back on after the laundry, I put the small thermometer on the window sill at the end of my bed.  Hmm.  At four in the afternoon it read 55 degrees.  Thankfully the tall heavy evergreen and the plumb shrub, both at the northwest corner of my bedroom porch, take the beating of the winds.  They allow the awning which is the full Width of the porch to remain in place.

  I went to bed at ten and buried myself under the feather comforter that is tucked into a flannel duvet.  I slept heavy and comfortable.  Dennis had an electric mattress pad that has settings from 1-8.  Quite awhile before he goes to bed he has it set at a 6.  I have not inquired if it stays at that setting, but he also sleeps well.  Dennis doesn’t fight me when the thermostat is set at 65 degrees when we go to bed.  If needed it is the first thing I do in the morning is to pump it up to 70 degrees.  When Dennis gets up, he is out of the house within a half hour.  What he walks into in his garage porch that has a furnace . . . I don’t ask.  If Dennis is happy, I am also.

  We have had our first blizzard of this winter and may others that follow be as mild.  

  I bought a pumpkin frozen pie in the grocery store.  It is now in the 375 degree oven to be finished at 5:10 or there abouts.  We have used Mrs. Smith’s pies before and for $4.98 it’s what it is . . . a date at 8:30 this evening to have a schmek, aka: a taste.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥