Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:10 pm on August 5, 2021 Permalink  

  Farming 101 

  Yesterday after Dennis had attended his Korean veterans luncheon, Dennis went shopping.  Look out Menards . . . he meant business.  Watching the farm channel, all sorts of ideas can be implanted into the subconscious.

  When Dennis came home he needed just a bit of help balancing a box that needed to be unloaded into the garage.  My goodness, it was large enough to be a coffin.  We now have a sweeper to pull behind the riding mower.  Dried grass, small twigs, leaf tips and Black Walnuts . . . all swept up for a tidy yard.  It took most of the morning for assembly.  I was on hand for a live demonstration this afternoon.  It did all that was claimed.  Running over the walnuts takes a toll on the mower blades.  Dennis will have one spot where he will pull the cord to empty it.  The squirrels will need to bring their shopping cart as the pickings will be quite easy.  One stop shopping. The acre looked as if it had indeed been swept.  Good job for improving the homestead.  A new machine addition can make an ordinary task have new life breathed into it.

  I got a text that the stitching group from Mankato is alive and has made it through the covid lockdowns.  Next week they will be heading out to Lacrosse Wisconsin for a full day of quilt shops and lunch.  I will be passing on this jaunt. It’s a bit too early for me to make a long day of it.  There will be other events to enjoy with the group.

  A clinic appointment this afternoon with a Cardiologist from Mankato was interesting in regard to what is usual and customary after heart surgery.  Come to find out, I am right in the ball park of statistics.  The weariness that befalls me in the late afternoon is the body telling me . . . enough.  “Listen to your body, it does not mislead you.”  I have one clinic visit left this month and that is with our family doctor, who has been pushed back with all the specialty doctors.

  It feels so right to be back in the rut here on Stauffer.  There is no place like it.

  I am going to monitor some of the commercials on RFD.  Our one acre has all the equipment it needs.

   
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  Noreen 2:34 pm on August 4, 2021 Permalink  

  Today is August 4th, 2021 

  Today, I realized in hindsight, that I have missed the ball. 3,000 posts ago, I should have printed out my first posting.  It sure would have been an interesting read.  Since that first post, how the words have tumbled out of me.  It may have been as many as eight years ago.

  When Kevin first suggested a blog, I don’t think I knew what that was.  After Kevin had set it up, I was totally out of my element.  Taking photos with my camera was one thing.  Creating folders, resizing them, labeling them, placing them in various galleries, were all parts necessary to download for viewing as a part of the blog.  There were emails sent asking for clarification more times than once.  This old gal had serious doubts.

  I have taken breaks in posting from time to time while recovering from surgeries and life events.  So . . . why do I continue.  It is basically a diary.  Do I need to know if it is read by others?  Not really.  There was an option of receiving comments and feedback.  It didn’t take long I asked Kevin to remove that option.  How less than desirable people even found it by happen stance was unbelievable.  

  Putting down thoughts and feelings each day is healing.  I can let go of that which I have no control of.  Reading what I have put down the day after, allows me to puzzle through and find solutions in my thoughts, my words and my deeds that are so close but elude me.  Hard to explain but it works for me. 

  My mind is quick and Dennis’ is not.  Mine is like a rapid firing AK-47 gun.  Dennis’ is like a cork gun.  When I need to explain something to him, I hope for a quick response, it’s not forth coming.  The blog is akin to me talking to myself and getting a solid answer.

  What I enter each day is only sharing who I am and what I am . . . a hermit enjoying a very satisfying life with few bells and whistles.  See ya next time.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on August 3, 2021 Permalink  

  Had to Try It 

  Dennis left home this morning for the coffee clutch at MC Donald’s.  I left home to visit a friend that I had just learned was in a swing bed in the nursing home here in town, due to having a stroke.  How could I not go to lend support.

  When I found her room, I knocked and then stepped in.  Leora looked at me and I was invited in.  It took me a short minute to realize she didn’t know who I was.  I took  a chair and made small talk winding the conversation to what may have brought me to visit.  Leora doesn’t know what, why or when anything has happened.  She did say how nice it was to have company.  For the next hour we reminisced about a time long ago when she grew up on a farm in Nebraska.  I was so thankful I knew enough about Leora that I could visit right along with her about farming experiences.  Never once did her current circumstances come into the conversation.  I said my goodbyes and she said I could stop in any time and perhaps the next time she would have some fresh cookies.

  Wow!  What an eye opening visit that I had had with a now, perfect stranger.  I will follow up with her daughter as to what may lie ahead for Leora and possible recovery.  Leora walked every day with her small dog, BJ, and had a wonderful balanced life . . . just as I have now.

  When I got home, the lights went on in the studio.  I had a grateful attitude.  With YouTube running. I had to try one more twist on incorporating miters with fabrics that I had leftover from the tablecloth.  When I stub my toe on projects that don’t want to gel, it sits in the back of the white matter until I find the solution.  Yesterday had been a day that I knew I should not have even turned on the studio lights.  Today, a new day with a better outlook.  I have decide that this 13″ x 13″ finished item could hold a centerpiece in the center of the solid blue of the tablecloth.  I did learn a sweet technique to finish off putting a border on any size of fabric using miters.

  Seeing the day through the eyes of my friend, brought me up short.  Life with challenges is sweet when I realize with thankfulness the arsenal of recovery, grace and patience God has put within me.

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on August 2, 2021 Permalink  

  Patience and Grace 

  Patience and Grace can be a little short sometimes . . . in me.

  The studio is much like a bunker with concrete on all sides and the floor.  It’s the egress that can let out some sounds unbecoming to . . . anyone.

  After I had attempted a new project today by reading in one of my quilting books and running a YouTube video over and over, I went out to visit Dennis in the patio porch.  Dennis was taking a well deserved break from mowing the acre.

  I needed to vent in regard to my proficiency or better yet . . . my lack of it with my left arm and hand.  Dennis looked at me with the puppy dog look he can pull off with his brown eyes.  The comment I got back was “If you weren’t so Goddamn bullheaded and stubborn you wouldn’t be able to do half of what most people that have had a stroke can.  I watch you and have to remind myself what you have been through.”  Bless his heart.  Yup!  I am bullheaded and stubborn enough for the both of us.  

  I am not about to give in or give up.  My middle name is Laura, after my paternal grandmother.  She was basically evicted from her lifelong farm by a greedy son. Laura started her new life being wheelchair bound in a mobile home that my dad and his brother Lester remodeled for her.  She had her trusty treadle sewing machine and the will to make a new home for herself.  Grandma did a bang up job of it.  She was back to baking cookies, bread and pies, all from the height that her wheelchair would allow.  Kevin and Carrie both have a small puff quilt that was made under the needle of her treadle machine while living in her new home.  They each also have an African (that’s what Grandma heard when the word afghan was said) . . . Priceless. What a namesake that I have been blessed with.

  I plan on working hard to fill those shoes of her’s.  I am going to have bumps in the road ahead of me.  A long as I stay upright and breathing I am in it for the long haul.

  Tomorrow is a new day and I have made sure to write down the YouTube title as it is going to be viewed again . . . until I get it and the patience and the grace.

   
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  Noreen 2:25 pm on August 1, 2021 Permalink  

  And the Week Begins 

  Nothing spectacular going on today.  I do have a tuna oven meal ready for supper . . . straight from Mom’s church cookbook.  It is a tuna dish with diced celery and onions, chicken and rice soup, cream of mushroom soup and . . . two heaping cups of chow mien noodles.  Nothing ventured . . . nothing gained.  I always use Albacore tuna that is packed in water.  My best customer said it sure smelled good even before hitting the oven.

  I made a trip to our Fleet store.  I purchased what I hope is a good air freshener for our attic.  We had left the window open for several weeks as well as the attic steps covering.  No . . . it had not smelled any different than any other attic.  Roof vents just don’t cut it.  Time will tell.  Grant it, any cloth items coming down for use, get a good airing out on the clothes line or are inline for a laundering.  In my growing up days the first choice would have been mothballs, my purchase today has a more herbal scent supposedly to last for 60 days. 

  Last night we watched the Antique Road Show on PBS.  It had clips from the early 2000s with the worth of the items in the present day.  Dennis agreed . . . sad that most things we would still deem viable where greatly reduced in value.  More testament that we have become a throw away society.  

  Though we live minimally by choice, what we have we take care of as it may not be able to be replaced due to our resources or, more importantly, it is about the emotional attachment.  I admit, I hold quite a bit near and dear.  I am willing to share with Kevin and Carrie if I hear that they may have an eye on something from my holdings.  Why not!

   
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  Noreen 1:22 pm on July 31, 2021 Permalink  

  Patio Time 

  This was the morning that the patio called to me.  The smoke from Canada was less than the last several days.  Dennis had put up the umbrella, wiped of the chairs . . . all systems go.  I had a full cup of coffee.  It didn’t take long and Snuggles showed up for some TLC as he wandered through the nest of catnip.  That was my clue to break off some of the tips to allow for the aroma to waft through the air.  Snuggles rolled and rolled in it taking time out every once in awhile to take a mouthful of it.

  Dennis came out with his cup and I think we could have stayed there for some time.  After a time I couldn’t believe that there was a swarm, more than four, of the Cicada wasps buzzing around.  I know I have been told they don’t sting.  I still have my doubts and am not going to push my luck.  Dennis noticed several of them disappearing into the holes of the cast iron umbrella’s stand and there was fresh dirt that had come up through the holes.   The umbrella stands over a stump of what was an Oak tree with a fairly large circle of dirt around the stump.  That told the rest of the story.  I exited stage right.  

  The first thing we did was hunt down spray.  Spraying them on the fly is possible if attacked. The second thing we did was dig out the bag of mothballs.  I stood back while Dennis put down the umbrella so he could more easily take the stand and all and set it on the flat patio.  There was commotion of the wasps.  I think Dennis did get one on the fly with the spray.

  Needless to say, I moved over and onto the patio east of the porch while Dennis decided how to handle the umbrella site.  There was one hole in the dirt that has had a lot of mothballs shoved into it.  When in flight they just buzz so close.  Even snuggles headed for the porch.

  Last year they had burrowed into the flower bed next to the southwest corner of the house.  I couldn’t believe how, overnight, they had been able to dig out such a huge pile of dirt onto the drive.  Again, we used quite a few mothballs while shoving them into two different holes.  That was then and today we fought the good fight again.

  We had just mentioned how nice it was to sit on the patio without mosquitoes.  There is a new nuisance in town. 

  Enjoy this day and all it holds, there will never be a rerun of it.

   
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  Noreen 2:26 pm on July 30, 2021 Permalink  

  A Dribble of Rain 

  Smokey air is one thing.  Add to that a dribble of a rain shower.  Not the most welcoming for the weekend.  Never mind . . . it’s the weekend . . . rejoice!

  Right now my church tables in the studio look as if we have nothing going on.  That would be correct.  The tablecloth has been cleaned up of extra threads and fuzz and pressed.  I had an extra wide hanger that I measured to see how narrow the tablecloth would need to be folded widthwise to lie flat over the rod. One fourth of the width did it.  I put a freshly washed towel over the rod before putting the tablecloth over it.  That will keep the cloth from getting a marked fold line in the future.  A clean dry cleaner bag over the top and it is now hanging from a hook in the ceiling of the studio.  The click of the light switch echoed me saying “Amen.”  

  I think I can say with confidence, “If not at 100%, I am going to be just fine with my mobility.”  

  As I sit in my old comfy chair in our west porch watching traffic, I know how I am going forward fixing meals.  No more asking “What are you hungry for”?  If it arrives on the table at supper time . . . it is what it is.

  Yesterday when we were in the grocery store, Dennis picked up a container of Lloyd’s pulled pork from the cooler.  Last night we had hot pulled pork sandwiches on toast.  That took a fairly small amount out of the round tub.  It was very tasty.  I put on my thinking cap.

  I had mentioned we shopped for a variety of staples yesterday. Tonight for supper, in a sprayed 9″ baking dish, I broke up six tortillas to cover the bottom.  One diced onion had been caramelized than I added a can of refried beans to heat them to soften them up.  That was spread on the tortillas.  The Lloyd’s pulled pork was spread over the onions and beans.  To top it off, shredded cheddar cheese to cover.  It will go into the oven at 350 degrees until it hits the heat of 155-160. 

  For sure, this was not in Mom’s church recipe book.  I don’t even know if Dad would have gone for it.  He was pretty much meat, potatoes and what’s for dessert.  Dennis and I both like Mexican flavored food once in awhile.  Do we ever go out for a Mexican meal?  No.  Dad’s favorite saying, “Talk is cheap but it won’t buy whiskey.”  Silly as it is, Dad never drank whiskey, but . . . he wouldn’t turn down a Fuzzy Navel: a shot of vodka with orange juice.

  I got waylaid.  As I have gotten older, meals have been a challenge for supper.  We don’t eat as much as we used to and our pallets have changed.  Wait until I bring out the chow mien noodles.  As I have mentioned, our café up town does not discriminate.  They would take Dennis’ money any hour of any day.

  Rejoice for all, the Lord allows for us to be his stewards.

   
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  Noreen 3:07 pm on July 29, 2021 Permalink  

  A Smokey Day 

  It not only looks hazy outside, it smells like a smoldering garbage fire . . . directly from Canada.  The day is cooler but not a very good trade off.

  We had errands this morning here in town.  Though we had been to the grocery store several days ago . . . we needed to go back.  Last night after looking in the refrig and the pantry shelves, I hit Mom’s church cookbook.  These recipes are the tried and true that sustained farm families.  We needed to stock up on some stables.  Dennis does go with me into the store.  Some items are on top shelves and other items such as a gallon of water for his CPAP machine need his heft.  We had a list and as we surfed the isles I could direct him left and right.  It is a good idea for Dennis to know his way around the store . . . and participate.  I do know when he has gone on his own he is not bashful to stand at an endcap and snag one of the worker bees and ask.  Good for him.

  Today was the last day of sewing on the 42″x 82″ tablecloth with an additional 6″ drop in the border.  I know the first time Carrie uses it, there will be spills and whoops.  It may be thrown in the washing machine, it has been pre-washed to set colors, and forgotten in the dryer until someone runs out of underwear.  That will not bother me one bit.  

  This project was my liftoff to return to the curious person I was in 2020 with all things thread and fuzz.  I needed to prove to myself that I can get it done.  I now know and believe with all my heart that challenging my left arm and hand with sewing is nothing but . . . this or better.  The hand tried and did well.  I can’t imagine not encouraging and engaging it. There were some aspects that I looked at and thought . . . hmm.  I learned much.  I am pleased that when I took this photo of the miters of the tablecloth top and the hem, laying them up close and personal, I was still pleased that I tried something new and it did not disappoint.  As I said . . . this or better.

  Tomorrow with my 3M lint rollers I will work the back side of the tablecloth and take care of unwanted threads.  I love those rollers.  The last step will be pressing the cloth with my Best Press.  A light starch does wonders to allow stains not to penetrate as deeply.  Mom used to lightly starch our pillow cases and the necks of Dad’s blue chambray work shirts.  Farm kids didn’t take a bath every night and with few fans the pillows absorbed a lot of the warm to hot nights.  As far as Dad’s shirts . . . the neck bands wore better before they were so frayed they would need to be taken off and turned over.  Helping Mom do that was indeed an insult to sewing. 

  Take heart the heat is going to subside for a few days.  Remember and never forget . . . it’s the attitude we live by and not the altitude.  Humility is a wonderful attribute.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on July 28, 2021 Permalink  

  Lazy Summer Day 

  I did go out at 6:30 this morning and watched the purple clouds full of rain pass us by.  What followed was very uncomfortable air.

  I am so thankful my old 1999 Dell laptop still is giving good service for the studio.  I do not have a battery on it.  If we have electricity in the house, I have service from it. Today I had a YouTube video that didn’t close down after pausing and starting more times than I could count.  

  I am using a two inch hem on the tablecloth that is under the needle.  I wanted the corners to look as good as possible and not bulky.  It may have taken me until noon, but the four corners of the hem are done with beautiful miters.  Martha Stewart would be proud.  Of all the 4-H and Home Economics projects, doing these corners had eluded me.  The YouTube video that I hooked my star to was the best of the choices.  The length and width of the hems remain to be sewn.  After these corners, that will be a walk in the park.

  Dennis’ patio porch must be a bit warm as he has been in the house for most of the afternoon.  He checked and the outside mid-nineties degrees feels like 102.  I agree . . . us older folks need to be cautious. 

  After being retired since February 2009, I still have to remind myself that a day may pass with me not having much to show for it.  Sometimes what I do have, is quality over quantity.  Most of all,  I am thrilled to have enough interests to allow me to feel like a viable retiree.  Too often I hear gals my age totally depend on coffee clutches.  They have their place. I do not need to live through their experiences or what they are doing with their time.  I still have agendas of my own to complete. 

  My kids need not wonder where their mom is in this heat.  I am home safe and sound.  I have a good supply of books to enjoy after the studio lights are off.

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on July 27, 2021 Permalink  

  At Last 

  Our McDonald’s has opened their interior several weeks ago.  At last, today Dennis and his buds are back on track to get together for the Tuesday morning session.  Many of them had drug card tables and lawn chairs to the parking lot over the extended covid shut down.  That was not up Dennis’ alley.  Good for him.  He was not that desperate to being social.

  While Dennis was out with his coffee group, I was in the studio.  Small steps make the project doable.  Miters are sewn down and all the raw seams, via the overlocking foot and stitch are secure.  There would be nothing more miserable than laundering  a tablecloth and having seams wanting to ravel.  The last step and that may be happening tomorrow is hemming the project.  I will be using my Best Press in preparation before stitching.  Best Press is a light starch and will help prevent any stretching.  We surely do not want a hem that has a ruffle look.

  At last, we got haircuts today.  Being tipped back in the chair was not on the agenda before now.  I am not sure who’s haircut is shorter . . . mine or Dennis’.  It matters not right now. Ease of managing in the hot weather is of prime importance.  A week later new growth will be showing.

  We are having a Chicken Ruben oven meal today.  Cubed raw chicken breast meat in the sprayed bottom of an oven dish.  Sprinkle with poultry seasoning.  Spread one can of drained sauerkraut on top of the chicken.  Lightly cover the kraut with 1,000 Island dressing.  Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degree.  Remove and cover the top of the dish with Baby Swiss Cheese, the kind with the holes.  Return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.   It’s been a long time since I have fixed this and yes . . . I am running out of ideas that really trip Dennis’ taste buds.  Fixing this is more appealing to me than eating out or soup.

  I pray that wherever you are, that if nothing else, not in the sun and air moving about you.