Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:26 pm on September 16, 2021 Permalink  

  Warm Strong Winds 

  True to forecasts, the winds just continue in strength.  Needless to say, we do not spend any time in the backyard with the wind whipping the long extended Silver Maple limbs.  

  Daughter Carrie arrived at ten, just in time for a breakfast scone.  There was a lot to catch up on.  We had not visited since the end of July.  A few texts back and forth had been the extent.

  We talked about the kid’s school, Carrie’s job, Jeremy’s job and then a bit of politics. 

  Dennis had caught wind, that it was being proposed that any transaction in or out of our bank account of $600.00 or more would be reported.  I had chuckled at the time and commented, “Yes, indeed!  You and I might be laundering money.”  Within several days of that, the lending institution that we use in the small town of Sleepy Eye, sent an email with much the same message and the grief it would cause for small banks needing to look at the number of employees to handle that.  Even when we got haircuts Tuesday, Dennis’ niece commented that a family of six could write out a check that large for groceries.

  Today Carrie mentioned that 2023 is when this reporting was intended to be enacted.

  Someone does not have enough to do and dreams up this stuff.  Perhaps that is why there is an option for an employee to hook to an account that would allow them to earn 8 hours of pay and draw it out without waiting until their entire 40 hours has been earned.  There was a notice recently seen that had the web site info of this type of futuristic banking.  A lot of links from employers to employees would have to mesh.

  All of this is way over this Grammie’s head . . . but then I never thought someone might get fired if they didn’t get a vaccine shot.

  Carrie did take her 44″ x 84″ tablecloth home.  I have sent out two baby blanket to a wee one by the name of Leo Conrad.  I little bit more elbow room in the studio.

   
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  Noreen 2:33 pm on September 15, 2021 Permalink  

  Because I Can 

  Today I took a solo road trip.  Why . . . because I can.  I wanted to see the country side as harvest will soon be upon us.  The smiling face at the end of my trip wasn’t too bad either.  The year is in its ninth month and I have several more solo trips to treat myself to.  There is more to a treat than doctor appointments, and trips to the grocery store.  When the wheels on the Lincoln go round and round, it feels oh so good.

  While I was gone, Dennis had plans to take Snuggles to the vet for his shots.  I casually mentioned that small animals need to have an appointment.  “I’ll take care of it, they know me.”  I said no more as I backed the car out of the garage.

  I got home a bit after twelve noon.  I went into the patio porch to greet whomever I found there.  On the floor was a kitty carrier with the door open.  Snuggles was fast asleep in one of the chairs.  I thought he looked pretty good for the event of the morning.  Dennis came in from the backyard and handed me a business card.  It was a card from the veterinary clinic.  Hmm.  Next week Dennis will need to call for an appointment.  They were booked solid for the remainder of this week.  I took the card and placed it where we will not forget to call.

  In St. James we had two large stores side by side on the west end of Main Street.  One was a grocery store and the other a Pamida store, that became a Shopko.  Both large buildings had stood empty for several years.  This summer the Dollar General took over the Shopko building.  Dennis shared with me that the grocery store will be the new veterinary clinic.  They will be tripling their space.  Sweet!  But in the meantime, they are also short staffed.  This is the cry of the land.  It will take until the late winter before all the work that the building needs is completed.  Right off the bat, a new roof is needed.  A grocery store that had had a Deli . . . I can only imagine that a hot steam sprayer will be needed.

  I got a wonderful opportunity to help granddaughter Megan.  Megan goes to a Christian high school.  Their senior class trip is to Puerto Rico in November.  Megan was excited about the adventure as this would go towards their grades as it is also being a mission outreach.  Each child had their own dollar amount to reach.  That, would include the plane fare, housing and food.  Of course each child would have a few nickels of their own to spend.  Opportunities that I couldn’t imagine for our youth.  When Megan was in ninth grade, the students had the opportunity to spend time in Washington DC.  Amazing!

  When I got home today, I had a message that Megan’s mom, Carrie is coming tomorrow from the metro for a visit.  This will be great to get caught up with her.  Carrie hasn’t been able to get off work for some time.  Again . . . short staffed. 

  Time to think on supper.  My pie pan will be used.  It will be chopped chicken leftover from a rotisserie meal, placed on the bottom.  Prepared Stove Top Chicken stuffing layered on the chicken.  I won’t need all of it for this dish.  We had instant potatoes with the rotisserie chicken.  That leftover is put between two layers of cling wrap and pushed out to resemble a circle.  With a quick flip, the potatoes are the topping of what I call a Sheppard’s Pie.  325 degrees until totally heated through.

  That about does it for the day.  Fall temps are upon us.

   
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  Noreen 1:42 pm on September 14, 2021 Permalink  

  Unexpected Trip 

  This morning at 8:30, we got a call from the Mayo Store that Dennis’ new CPAP machine was ready for him.  That was a no brainer!  We were in Mankato by ten.  The technician was very helpful in explaining options on the machine that were different.  Also allowing us to know that the cost of the machine is done through Medicare and it is as if we are renting it and in twelve months the machine is Dennis’.  At that time the cost of $7,640 will be covered at no out of pocket for Dennis. Wow. 

  This would be the motivating factor of most to work until they are old enough to qualify for Medicare.

  Conversation never is at a loss as we drive.  One small thought brings Dennis to talk about Korea.  This was brought to the forefront when there was a blurb on the radio about some parents not doing the vaccines for childhood illnesses.  Dennis went on to say, that on the way to Korea with 2,500 army solders on a ship that needed to stay at sea for additional time due to an outbreak of measles.  Though it was called the “three-day measles,” it took a long time to run its course.  There are more stories that come to light when least expected.  Interesting info with more road trips in the future.

  I knew that we needed to stop at Best Buy.  The roller ball on the wireless mouse was having issues.  The foam housing around the roller ball was flicking off tiny little pieces and thus . . . not so smooth rolling.  For the cost of $19.99 we are back in smooth business.

  We got home in time to get appointments at the Curry Comb for two much needed haircuts.  It had been five weeks.  The cost of a dog licenses here in town would have been more than what the haircuts were.  Dennis’ niece does a great job and it is very convenient for us and it gave us a chance to visit and catch up.  Brenda was Roger Curry’s daughter.

  I am now heading into the studio to work with the wireless HP printer and get it back online.  It has been a contrary printer from day one.  

  I am back on the first floor after working with the wireless printer in the studio. Mission completion.  With enough quiet time and patience, the printer and I are now in sink again.  

  There is still some time before supper to take in some patio sitting.  Great temps today.  We didn’t get much rain overnight . . . maybe another time.

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on September 13, 2021 Permalink  

  The Best Spot 

  We all need a good night’s sleep.  For me that has been quite easy of late.  I keep busy during the day and can’t wait to go to bed at nine.

  I know that Dennis has been fighting a sinus issue for quite some time . . . more like several years.  Even if his malfunctioning CPAP machine would be in good working order, he would still be up during the night feeling plugged up and not breathing well.  We are waiting to hear that a new CPAP machine is in stock . . . strike one.  We are waiting for an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor in Mankato . . . strike two.  Dennis refuses to give up the smoking . . . strike three.  I can’t imagine what those poor nostrils of his takes in with each puff.  I was the one that pushed for the ear, nose and throat appointment.  I am weary of hearing about the issue . . . literally.  Let’s just get to the nitty gritty of it.

  I must say Dennis takes on each day full bore.  No weeds grow under Dennis’ feet.  When I think he has run out of projects he finds more to do.  We have been caretakers of brother Michael’s moose for some time.  The moose was gifted to us.  The moose was the product of a rescued high line post on the family farm.  Michael enjoyed working with wood.  As recent as last week, Dennis put out the request of two cans of clear poly spray.  We have treated the moose over a period of years with Thompson’s water repellant.  The treatment does not last.  Dennis decided to try the poly on a small portion of the moose to see if it would dry . . . and it did.

  Yesterday while I was at the Dollar General, I picked up some fall colored items to put into the moose.  This morning when I got up and looked out the bathroom window . . . Michael’s moose had made his debut on the patio.  He looks wonderful.  We have always taken the moose in every winter so I am sure this spa treatment will last for some time. Dennis seems to be finding the best spots for his finished products.

  I put in time each morning in the gardens.  What doesn’t get done by noon, will wait until another day.  The best remedy for those aching butt cheeks of yesterday, was to go out and bend over some more.  Work them and not let them stay tight. 

  So . . . the moral to this story is:  we may not always feel like we are on the top of the world, but we pick ourselves up and stay busy.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on September 12, 2021 Permalink  

  Chain Reaction 

  Hmm.  When I sneeze my butt cheeks hurt.  The rest of the story is quite simple.  I have been working in my gardens.  September 12th, and there are many spots that this is the first time this year they have gotten any attention.  I cannot push or use a hoe.  That pulls like crazy across the chest and up and down the incision from the heart surgery.  I can however bend over.  By the way . . . both are allowed by doctors to the degree that I can tolerate.  Bending over I have been doing and stooping to a light degree works also.  Dennis has helped by watering a small area at a time so the sand burrs and clover pulls easily.  No . . . Dennis does not recognize a weed from a flower.  Better my butt cheeks hurt than his butt getting chewed out.  I fully intend to keeps the gardens I have and enjoying them from spring 2022 going forward.

  If the three patio kitties could cry real tears, that would have been the case yesterday and this morning.  It was time to pull up and thin out the catnip patch.  It had gotten way out of hand this summer.  It survived with very little rain.  That allowed us to see the creeping weeds that needed spray.  Dennis filled a small pump sprayer with a solution of Triaminic with water.  We have had the spray for some time.  A good sized patch is the test plot.  If it shows wilting in a day or two, we can use up the rest of it before buying more . . . or something else.  I did leave enough of the catnip that the kitties can still get their fix.

  My joy in these days of becoming reacquainted with the yard is that I found three small evergreens no more than an inch tall.  I have them staked out with hopes of getting something better to keep track of them.  Dennis couldn’t see what I was talking about, but took my word for it.  On the other end of the bed I found a three inch tall Japanese fern.  This I will also note with an indicator.  Japanese ferns are more desirable than the Ostrich ferns that can be found growing around the foundations of homes. 

  Before going into the house and calling it a day, I did run to the Dollar General for some fruit.  Their prices are more reasonable for fruit than the grocery store and yet the labels are the same as to where they were shipped from.

  When I got home Dennis was busy in the patio porch.  He was rearranging his chairs.  The explanation . . . having the traffic pattern change on his indoor/outdoor carpeting he put down earlier this year.   I wanted to laugh, but not at the expense of my hurting butt cheeks.

  Keeping older folks around . . . they are fun to observe.  What?  Who, . . . us?

   
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  Noreen 4:02 pm on September 11, 2021 Permalink  

  Harvest on Stauffer 

  This Saturday was busy for me right until twelve noon. Always a load of laundry. That gave me a chance to bake a batch of scones.  I do not trust myself to go outside while the oven is on.  I vividly remembering boiling a pot of eggs until the kettle was dry.  I couldn’t figure out what the popping sound was as I weeded a flower bed next to the house.  

  When I came into the house I couldn’t see across the room for black suety clouds.  The popping had been the eggs as they exploded.  Egg yolk dripping from the skylight.  I did learn my lesson to stay indoors until burners and ovens can be turned off.

  I did head for the gardens once the laundry was in the dryer and the scones were done.  I had given myself two hours and then call it quits for outside work.  There are plants that should not be in flower beds . . . more telling . . . clover.  With the soil wettened yesterday, the clover pulled easily.  With one hand on the cane, the bending over was safe.  No sudden standing up straight quickly.

  As I was washing off my hands, neighbor Jan came over with carrots.  Twelve huge and long carrots that were ready to be peeled and blanched.  Jan had helped with yard work this spring and I didn’t have the heart to turn her down.  Nor, could I not take them inside and begin peeling them.  Dennis came in and ran the mandolin that had been my mother’s.  The thinly sliced carrots were ready for blanching and freezing.  The carrots will come in handy for hot dishes this winter.

  I did feel it in my legs and hands as the day wound down.

  Saturday is a huge day on the RFD channel.  Tractor Pete and the tractor auctions.  Dennis gets busy telling me about the great deals on the older tractors.  He gets his suspenders in a twist.  I do nod and I know enough lingo about tractors to add a word or two.

  The day has come to a close here on Stauffer Avenue.  Dennis and I have had a good run on it.  Think of a good experience and . . . smile.

   
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  Noreen 3:53 pm on September 10, 2021 Permalink  

  Home from the Big City 

  There are always more stops and more steps than we plan on when we go to Mankato.  Cat food and cat litter is at a price that can’t be beat at Sam’s Club.  That can also be said for coffee grounds.

  Our local Lewis Drug does not work with Medicare prescriptions.  I was trying it at Mountain Lake Drugs.  The provider that they are hooked to, does not allow for a catheter that works as well for me as it could.  Today, I wanted to check with the well advertised Walmart: satisfaction guaranteed and will ship prescriptions and works with Medicare.  I waited in line to speak to a pharmacist.  All he heard was that I was looking for information in regard to catheters and he started to shake his head without me getting out any additional information.  He suggested I go to the medical supply store on the end of the newly-remodeled Madison East Mall.  Off we went!

  The gal that met me at the door with a smile walked me back to her desk.  With a prescription from my family doctor, I can get just what I have been using for the last so many decades.  Sweet.

  We still had time before Dennis’ pulmonary appointment so off to Menards we went.  All that was needed was two cans of poly clear spray for Dennis’ next project.  Our two stores had colors, but no clear spray.  Of course the paint department at Menards is in the farthest corner of the store.  By that time I think the end of my cane was getting over heated.  I am steady eddy with the cane more so than Dennis’ legs that can buckle in a wink of his brown eyes.

  Yet, one more stop at Hy-Vee.  Our store pleads that many items are not being shipped in. Ya, right.  I stocked up on several kinds of noodles and called that stop complete.

  Our pulmonary visit went well and on Monday we can call the Mayo Store and find out when Dennis’ new CPAP machine can be picked up.  They could tell by their computer print out that he had not been using the malfunctioning one for very many hours each night. Hopefully that will be better in the near future.  Dennis is fortunate that he can sleep in his recliner and catch some cat naps in the rocking chair in the patio porch.  Instances of him not catching his next breath, using the CPAP should not be more than five times an hour.  Dennis’ ticker tape had been showing at 4.5 when the machine was working up to par.

  I really don’t know how much more can be blamed on the covid in regard to stocked shelves or people who work in the stores.  Now it matters not . . . we were both tickled to get back home.

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on September 9, 2021 Permalink  

  Up and At’em 

  Yup, I was really up early. No sleeping in.  Ya right.  It was 8:15.  We must have had a busy day yesterday because I beat Dennis by thirty minutes. 

  Dennis had a day of ramrodding some landscape issues.  Fourteen years ago, Dennis’ grandson, Jake, was killed when a school bus t-boned Jake’s pickup on his way home from school.  At the time, the school friends collectively made a memorial garden at their farm place.  In time to come, Jake’s mom died of cancer and son Ken, moved to Arizona.  Dennis and I became caretakers of some items from that garden.  Those items were at the far east edge of the acre in a flower bed.

  As we have already had Kevin till up some flower beds, that far east flower bed that lies in a strip could very likely have grass fill it in.  It was time to bring those cement mementos up next to the patio.

  The cement pheasant wasn’t that difficult to bring up to the patio for a needed spruce up. The 300 lb. deer was another story.  Where would we be without nephew Brett and his concrete crew.  Dennis made a phone call and snagged them as they were coming back into town.  I never knew what a Tommy lifter was on the end gate of a truck.  The truck backed up to the deer and two fellows lifted it a mere six inches high and the deer, on the end gate, was lifted for transport.  We thought they would drive onto the patio.  Not!  Two of the fellows lifted it and carried it across the patio to its resting place, ducking branches, nestled under the lilacs.  Oh for the brute strength of the young.  Our patio area has just been enhanced.  Sweet.

  For the second time in so many days I was on the phone with Mediacom.  Ya sure.  I had the Hp hooked to a new WiFi address and a new password.  When I went to print something yesterday morning it clicked in my head.  We had not hooked the Dell laptop in the studio or the printer to the new WiFi address or password.  No service available.

  I called the same phone number in Florida that I had to get us off the hook of having 12 different units using us fraudulently.  In a heart beat I was transferred to tech support.  Had I used the Mediacom number in the phone book, I would have been put on hold for a long time.  That usually entails going through options up the butt and still not a human to talk to. 

  Lisa Ann was so patient with me.  I had to make a trip or two to the HP on the first floor of our home and then back down to the studio.  I found out more about setting up the printer than what I ever knew what some of those options entailed.  It took Grammie a good hour and I never thought my left hand and arm could hold my telephone for that long.  Whew!

  Both Dennis and I got a lot accomplished yesterday. I have said many times . . . “how can some people our age be bored.”

  Today, we both were busy outside.  I want to take more of an active part in the gardens around the patios.  Lots of clover to pull up . . . not so much as break off as the soil is like concrete.  Dennis got the garden hose out and watered down the area where the worst was of the clover.  I got muddy shoes and muddy hands but a fair amount of area was covered.  It worked slick.  Guess who will be sleeping good again tonight!  You can’t imagine how good it feels to get physically tired.

  Tomorrow we head for a pulmonary appointment in Mankato.

   
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  Noreen 1:07 pm on September 8, 2021 Permalink  

  A Short Day 

  When you first open your eyes and realize it is 9:30 on a sunny day . . . what can I say!  Happy short day.

  I looked out the bathroom window and Dennis was vacuuming his patio porch.  Hmm.  I know since Dennis’ sleep CPAP machine has quit, he is not sleeping the night through.  He was up at five and I got up to use the bathroom, he was heading for his recliner.  I did go right back to sleep and slept through a lot of the morning traffic as well as the garbage truck that stops for us just not so many feet away from the house.

  Friday we head to Mankato to talk to the pulmonary doctor for a new prescription for a new machine for Dennis. Thus the go here, go there will ensue.  We have no choices but to jump through those hoops.  Medicare covers the cost of the machine.  The last one six years ago was a bit over $6,000.  How that is handled is, there is a rental fee charged per month to Medicare until the cost has been covered. 

  It might have been close to noon until I had the first floor of our home tidied, I did get some positive stitching done in the studio.  As I have often thought and said, five steps forward is still a good thing going forward.  Dennis’ take on my “sleeping in,” you must have needed it.  Yup.  As healing continues, I do have a sensation across my chest as if there might have been the flat portion of the shovel end of an aluminum scoop shovel that whacked me a good one.  A bruised feeling with some burning in the deep tissue.  Weird feelings.  I have no idea what is usual and customary after open heart surgery.  Not many acquaintances to compare notes with.  I do know I have more good days and feelings than not.  Sweet life!

   
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  Noreen 2:52 pm on September 7, 2021 Permalink  

  Good Grief 

  Good Grief, what next.  I had noticed last week on a daily basis as I signed in to post on the blog, there was an alert that ran on top of the page that stated an infringement had taken place and Mediacom was the author.  I did not pay any attention and the notice went away.  Ya right.

  Today we get an official letter from Mediacom with much the same info in regard to the infringement.  I immediately looked for a phone number and I called Gulf Breeze, Florida.  Paramount Picture Corporation was filing against us for inappropriate viewing of movies.  WTF!  When it all came down to the nitty gritty, there were twelve systems using our WIFI address causing the problem for the two older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  Again, WTF!  

  The gal on the phone was very helpful.  We now have a new WIFI address with a new password and I have written both items down.  Whew.  Apparently the correction will follow down and Dennis nor I will be charged an enormous fine.  Each infringement called for a $250,000.00 fine.  There would have gone Dennis’ cigarette money.

  After the lengthy phone call, it was time to take in the breeze on the patio.  Is there any wonder where the white hair and wrinkles come from.  I had been having good success in the studio and my next action will be to go down and shut everything off.  The mojo is gone for the day.  Dennis can consider himself lucky as I already had supper planned.