Me, Myself and Memories

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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.

   
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  Noreen 3:24 pm on November 5, 2021 Permalink  

  What a Friday 

  What a busy Friday we have had.

  This forenoon some friends from Madelia stopped in.  Both Doug and Lynette are hunters.  For a cup of coffee and cookies there was a trade off of some bear burger meat and a ring of bear bologna.  Both are mixed with beef and pork at the time of processing.  Their next hunt is in Wyoming.  Lynette shared with me she is ready for some home time.  Her hobby is Cricut paper greeting card crafting.

  I headed out for PT at 11:30.  The right spots have been found.  It can best be explained as a roller ball on the hamstrings, that when worked on, Mike finds the spot where muscle meets tendon.  There is no “uncle” allowed for the time that Mike T has me on the table. I will take whatever he has to dish out.  I want this fixed in as short of a time as possible.

  When I came out of the clinic, my cane needed to be planted securely as the winds were horrific.  When I got home Dennis had had the Cub Lo Boy out and already put away from hitting the leaves in the backyard.  It did a great job.  That is until the last of the Maple leaves drop.  The Northern Red Oak tree is hanging onto its leaves like this would be the last year it would put any out.

  Our noon lunch was barely had when Dennis’ nephew drove up. Brett spent an hour with Dennis in the patio porch as Brett’s concrete business has really kept him hopping to finish jobs before the weather changes.

  When the fellows had solved all the world’s problems, Brett came down to the studio to catch up with his fellow quilter . . . me.  Brett spends his winters in his basement quilt studio.  Brett has gone so far as having his own long-arm to finish his projects.  It seems to be a good transition from pouring yards of concrete from early spring to this time of year.  He knows if he runs short during a project, he can rattle my fabric stashes to pitch in.

  The winds are still howling and we are set to spend a quiet weekend here on Stauffer.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 3:40 pm on November 4, 2021 Permalink  

  Thursday 

  Today was a trip to Mankato Clinic for the reveal.  Dennis’ foot was unwrapped after two weeks since the toe was removed.  Surgery was on October 22nd.  The foot was cleaned and then the stitches were removed.  The surgical site looks wonderful.  The foot was rewrapped and in five days that wrapping comes off and Dennis and his foot can step into a shower.  Only five more days of splishing and splashing in the bathroom.  Not to worry.  The mopping up is a small price to pay for a squeaky clean ole cowboy.  Dennis has been a great patient. 

  Traveling to Mankato we got a phone call that a lifelong friend of Dennis’, here in St. James, had passed away.  A quiet drive ensued.  I am sure many memories flooded through.

  A short posting today.  Many thanks running through my mind that we have arrived home safe and sound and that we are still “us.”

   
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  Noreen 2:08 pm on November 3, 2021 Permalink  

  Tip of the Day 

  My tip for the day: never, ever have a wastebasket sitting close to your sewing table.  Oh yes, it is oh so handy for scrap fabric and threads that want to wander.  The garbage is picked up every Tuesday and the studio stays tidy.  It’s a good habit to get into.

  I had mentioned that the sewing table was at the highest point it could be cranked to these several weeks.  It has made a huge difference not sitting so much.  I have watched quite a few sewing tutorials where the gals do quite a bit of straight seam sewing while standing.  I am not sure I am up for that.  When it comes to actually putting these baby quilt blocks together, the sewing table will be put down to the 21 inch in height.

  Not!

  I have always had the handy dandy crank on the back side of the sewing machine.  Today is Wednesday and as I was getting geared up to the “check . . . check” before turning the sewing machine on . . . there was no crank on the back side of the machine.  Panic!  After doing a brain scan of recent days, I recalled having a lot of fabric on the sewing table over the weekend, pushing it through the needle to do some basting.  With the wastebasket full, I would not have heard the thump of the heavy crank hitting it.

  I wanted to cry!  What would Lena do?  What would Raymond tell Lena to do?  I had gone online for the Husky tables and they had various parts available, but not the crank. I called Home Depot in Mankato and got an “888” number to call for their main contact.  I had the wherewithal to have the correct model number of my table before I called and I had a credit card handy.

  Working with an oriental young woman, it went one arduous step at a time.  I was put on hold several times and each time I had her promise to not drop the call.  I had told her I was an elderly grandmother that needed this crank or my children would chalk this up as one more notch on the “going to a nursing home” belt.  Praise be!  I have an email that I have printed out allowing me to know the particulars, that in ten days or so, I would be receiving the crank at my given home address.  Best blessing . . . no charge. 

  I swear, when that crank shows up, I may wear it as a necklace.  As of today, the wastebasket is over by the ironing board . . . six feet away from the sewing table.  Seriously, the crank may be hung on the button tree when it arrives.

  Sometimes it really hits home hard . . . to clean up your own messes.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on November 2, 2021 Permalink  

  Heavy Clouds 

  Intermittent sun but the clouds trump it.  This weekend promises nice weather.

  This morning was my first PT session with Mike T.  He was sure the hamstrings would be doable.  An elbow in the correct spot can do more good to release nerve endings and bound muscles than any tennis ball.  The best solution going forward . . . keep moving.  Being sedentary is the worst. 

  I had even found during these last weeks that adjusting my sewing table to its maximum height and standing while attaching the hoop for embroidery module worked better than sitting at the machine. Thanks for Kevin’s advice and Dennis’ shopping spree I have that capability of height adjustment with the sewing table.  Ironically, when I visited the Bernina shop last week, Amanda had several of the same tables in the store that had been purchased at Home Depot.  A wise purchase for a reasonable investment.  No vibration makes the table ideal.

  I had been walking every day down Stauffer to the east.  Today, after I had gotten tuned up at the first sessions of PT, I took a second walk.  Taking long strides felt good.  Not using the cane 100% but rather taking each end of the cane in each hand and working it to the right and left in opposite to the step I was taking.  In case of a misstep the cane can come down for the rubber to meet the gravel for full stability faster than a gnat can blink. 

  There were a few potatoes in the garage that begged to be used.  The peeled potatoes after they had been boiled will make great American fries combined with onion slices.  A pound package of hamburger meat allowed for two formed patties to be put in the freezer for future use, while we have two done up for supper.  It always is satisfying to know what will be served for supper before five in the afternoon.  At five in the afternoon when nothing has been planned . . . I feel like a deer in the headlights.

  All that is remaining for me in the kitchen is to whip up a batch of thin powdered sugar glaze to put over the six scones I had baked out earlier.  One a day for Dennis . . . I am off the hook until a week from today.

  How on earth did I ever have time to hold down a full time job!  I am pretty sure the days have gotten shorter in conjunction to my stamina becoming less.  What the heck!   Where am I going!  I keep appointments and I remember what day of the week it is.  It is a win, win.

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on November 1, 2021 Permalink  

  More Impressions 

  Today we motored to Mankato for an Aspen Dental appointment.  Impressions for Dennis and for me.  I will say one thing for the clinic, they are going to make sure that they have done their utmost to give the 100% guarantee when all is said and done.  More appointments later this month. 

  I will admit, when I am totally done, I can almost taste a tender steak . . . someone will have to assist in cutting it for me.  I have practiced using a fork in my left hand while cutting with the right hand.  It does not bode well . . . still practicing.  

  The day has gotten blustery and the wind feels raw.  Dennis commented this morning that as the back acre had looked so manicured after he mowed it on Saturday, it now has a blanket of fallen leaves as a cover.  Time will tell if the blanket remains or if he feels the need to mulch.  

  This afternoon was time to make a phone call for some much needed catching up with a lifelong friend from Boon Lake Township.  Sharon and Ted were neighbors to Orlin and I while we were farming.  Both Ted and Orlin have passed but so many memories that Sharon and I can recall are bitter sweet.  Neither Sharon nor I venture far from our homes . . . thanks be for phones.  When Ted and Sharon had a daughter and Sharon worked at 3M in Hutchinson, I took care of Gail on occasion.  I wonder . . . do chickens still frighten Gail?  Amazing the memories we can conquer up.

  Cousin Mark from Finland, one hour north of Duluth, had a photo this morning on the social network of his deck with a bit of snow on the railings.  I know it will happen in our part of the state . . . just later than sooner would be just fine with me.  Our barometer for colder weather is the three patio porch kitties.  Baskets that allow them to curl up in warm fuzzy blankets from Goodwill beat the cold blowing air any time, any day . . . except for one.  Honey Bunny is the oldest and the one with the least extra body fat.  She insists on holding out until the last straw in the evening when Dennis puts on the outside light, triggering curfew.  She saunters in as if she owns the porch.  No, she doesn’t own the porch, she just has Dennis wrapped around her clawed foot.

  Hopefully this last weekend gave everyone a chance for last minute chores.  This morning when the first light of the day could be seen, I could look out a clean east bathroom window.  Yup . . . we nailed it yesterday.  Let’s hear it for the older ones on Stauffer!

   
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  Noreen 1:42 pm on October 31, 2021 Permalink  

  A Sense of Humor 

  A sense of humor in life is so terribly important.

  Yesterday we tackled some of the last work outside. By the time we came in to shower up for the day it looked as if the backdoor had been left open and the fall grit, grim and shredded leaves had made it into the back entry, kitchen and bath.  Dennis had mowing evidence on his clothes.  My clothes that had had shredded silage on them from the weed whip and the moisture of the Hosta stems eventually dried off enough to shed with any movement.  Thank goodness we have no carpeting in the house.  A dance around the floors with the Swiffer mop made short work of the cleanup.  We vowed to take it easier today.

  Wouldn’t you know it . . . the sun presented itself with a fairly decent day by the time noon arrived.  The bathroom windows are the only windows that do not tip in.  With all the dirt blowing and then the rains and heavy dew . . . it was needed for a washing and cleaning.  It may not last, but we needed to give it our best before cold finger weather.

  Dennis had a long handled brush that took the first swipe with sudsy warm water.  The rinse cycle had vinegar in it.  My mom swore by it.  I do know that some Windex bottles come with ammonia in it.  Mom also used newspaper to dry the window.  Very few streaks.  We did it the old fashioned way with cotton towels.  Dennis, by now, had the stepladder next to the window.  With a very firm hand from Dennis, on my back side, I navigated the three steps on the ladder to do the dry-down.  The firm hand stayed there until I was back on solid ground.  Sweet. Mission completion.  As we put things away, we laughed at the fact that neither one of us can do the entire job solo.  A half plus a half does get the job done.

  True to what we had said this day would be . . . we are now taking it easy.

  Supper last night was Shore Land potato soup mix.  I had prepared a bag of mixed vegetables to add to it.  It makes a batch of eight cups.  Guess what tonight’s supper will be?

  Tomorrow at ten, we will both be at Aspen Dental in Mankato for the final round of dental appliances.  It will be a great task to begin for completion.  While we are in town, a stop at Home Depot for the weed whip plastic thread.  It would be nice to get the last of the Hosta whacked down.  It makes it so much easier in the spring.

  Tomorrow, here comes the first week in November.  Much has transpired in 2021 for Dennis and me.  Son Kevin, has moved into his own shop and daughter Carrie is also working on her own business.  Children finding their joy . . . priceless.  Dennis and I have our joy 24/7 right here on Stauffer Avenue.  It is well . . . with my soul.

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on October 30, 2021 Permalink  

  A Great Bright Day 

  It may be bright and sunny but our early start for this Saturday has been dashed by frost making all things green very wet.  The sun will have to dry us out before tackling the acre.  Dennis told me to cool my heels until he gave me the heads up that he needed help.  Dennis plans on mowing the acre one last time today.

  The lights were turned on in the studio.  I was anxious to see if a plan had worked out.  A software product was purchased from the Bernina shop quite a few year ago.  I have enjoyed using it.  It allowed me to embroider over 40 Pokémon designs by increasing the sizes to allow for each 8″ quilt block.  Kersten loved and still loves her quilt.

  The baby blanket I am currently working on speaks to many bright colors.  Fifteen of the blocks will be on plain blue flannel that has been embroidered on and fifteen blocks will be of a printed flannel.  Ten of the embroidered blocks will have the one to ten numerals in bright colors.  The software program allowed me to make them any size I wanted.  On an 8″ block, I decided on four inch letters.  As the size is determined, the software adjusts the number of stitches . . . allowing for a good looking finished product.  I have learned over the years that a statin stitch need not be as heavy as the program allows for.  I dial it down to 85% density.  I also chose a font that wasn’t heavy looking.

  When I asked Dennis’ opinion, he thought the numeral on a block was lacking something.  I agreed.  I found several small designs that I downloaded and then merged a small design on each numerical block.  Loading each numerical block with the merged designs allows for one hooping . . . keeping it as one design, one stitching under the hoop.  It is really hard to leave as two separate designs.  I know myself that I’d never get it in the correct spot.  As I was cooling my heels waiting for Dennis to let me know he was ready for me . . . I had to try out an embroidered block.  The pen company of Pilot manufactures pens for sewing and quilting.  The markings disappear when a hot iron is applied.  Under the hoop my blue flannel went with a topper of clear stabilizer that can be easily torn off afterwards.  The topper makes sure that the stitching stays on the surface and does not get embedded into softer material.

  After all was said and stitched and tidied up, I am going to be pleased how these ten blocks will turn out.  There is no plan to hurry but I needed to satisfy my curiosity.  The secret is to use the software often enough so as to not forget the steps . . . much like loading photos often enough for my posts.  Even known habits can fall by he wayside.

  Here we are at mid afternoon and sure enough, the yard dried out by noon.  Dennis is on the last of the acre.  Several breaks have been had and his foot is not having any negative effects from the vibration of the mower.  I marvel at my ole cowboy.  Hopefully the leaves will have smooth sailing across the short grass as the wind takes them.  I managed to use the weed whip and 75% of the Hosta have been cut down.  The next time we go to Home Depot we will have to purchase more of the plastic thread for our WORX weed whip.  Lots of Black and decker supplies from a previous weed whip.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on October 29, 2021 Permalink  

  Sunshine 

  I was in the studio and when the sun beams came through the south windows, it caught me off guard.  I thought for a moment the flashlight mode of my telephone had been turned on accidently.

  The morning started in the studio but I knew as soon as Dennis was moving, I would be outside helping him.  All went well.  All garden hoses have been drained and put into the potting shed.  The last two lawn chairs and the small table have been tucked away.  Dennis made one trip to the far east garage.  I have an idea he will try to mow the acre tomorrow.  I will not stop him.  Soon enough he will know if the foot can take the vibration.  He did ask about one of the small kitty pillows, if he could use it if it helped.  What’s the worse that can happen . . . it being run over by the mower.  Through this last week, Dennis said he felt better if he kept busy.  It is one of the best things to avert feeling pain.  I know he can’t hurt the foot.  It looks similar to a football with all the wrappings.

  The Russian Sage was cut off today.  It was still very full of the purple flowers and difficult to call it a season by whacking it.  When we push the season and the fingers get bitterly cold . . . that is not good.  Dennis picked up the huge bundle and I followed behind and picked up what he dropped.  I swear there were bees that followed us the entire way to the burning ring.  It won’t be burned until it dries so the bees can enjoy it until then, just at a different location.  The pungent aroma was all over our clothing.  Number three cat, Harriet, usually likes to have the top of her head scratched.  One sniff of my hands turned her off.  Silly kitty.

  I have been invited to a baby shower.  The grandmother asked me in August if I would make a baby blanket for her son.  She is a second cousin of mine.  There are no moms or grandmas left in their immediate family.  I told her, at that time, that I sew from my stashes and sew from the heart.  Once a non-sewer can dictate, it takes the fun out of it for me. Though I will not be attending the shower in Litchfield, I will work on the baby blanket.  The baby isn’t due until the early part of 2022.  They did find out this last week it would be a boy.  Showers that begin at five in the afternoon, means that the drive home, one and a half hours, would be in the dark.  Neither Dennis nor I have good night vision.  So be it. 

  Considering that I came to have been given fabric this summer, I pulled out flannel for the blanket.  Today the sewing machine was turned on . . . the first time since the servicing. There are plenty of embroidery designs loaded within my machine that will work perfectly.  Today two blocks were stitched out.  Giving myself room to trim them as I continue . . . time will tell how large the blanket will be.  I did pre-wash and dry all the flannel that I will be using.

  The rain gauge said we had 1.8 inches of rain over these last two days and that after the 2 inches we had several weeks age.  This should help to close the gap in the shortage of moisture beginning in early spring.

  One great weekend is forecast.  I know everyone will have no problem finding plenty to fill the hours.