Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from Noreen Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 4:35 pm on July 6, 2020 Permalink  

  Home from the Mayo Store 

  Home at last from Mankato.  Having to take Dennis’ CPAP in today felt like a cluster f—.  The door was locked and apparently they can only have “x” number of people in the store at one time.  Both Dennis and I had face masks on and I can tell you in the bright sun it felt like a long wait with the glare of the sun off the building and all the concrete.

  Good news, neither of us had a temperature.  I had on my mask that can be worn for long periods of time with comfort and my glasses don’t steam up wearing it.  No . . . it was not acceptable.  I had to take mine off and I was given a mask with the properties of a disposable diaper.  Let’s just get to the task at hand.  The staff ran the CPAP machine through some paces; and in the end it was deemed it would have to be sent in for a full check.  Dennis offered to put the face gear on so they could first hand see what the problem was, but with the covid, they couldn’t allow Dennis to take off the disposable mask to put on the CPAP face mask.  Rightfully so Dennis was insistent that he go home with a loaner.  Four nights of bad sleep . . . he had had enough and his prescription was valid for CPAP 24/7.  It was made off that if we would come back in an hour and their tech fellow would have all of the settings transferred to a loaner.  It was well worth the wait for Dennis’ welfare.  We signed ump-teen papers for the loaner and as we drove out of the parking lot, I read over the agreement.  What caught my eye was the $7,500 value on the loaner.  Hmm.

  Home sweet home and now let the afternoon do with us what it wants.  I believe we are calling it a day.  Dennis does have the acre mowed and sometime tomorrow I will have to work on getting the yard around the house done. 

  The week will be as the good Lord deems it.  Patience in the warm temps and realizing that we have shelter from the heat.  I listen to the news . . . the homeless that are in huge numbers in Minnesota . . . not so good.  Thanks be to God for what Dennis and I have.

   
• 

  Noreen 12:33 pm on July 5, 2020 Permalink  

  Feels Good 

  There was an indication that the heat was not going to subside.  The next best thing was to get up early and hit it before our bodies realized that the heat would just keep coming.

  Dennis has been doing fairly well without his CPAP sleep machine.  A break in the middle of the day in the recliner does serve him well.  Tomorrow we will head to Mankato and find out what has transpired with the less than acceptable process of operation for it to be beneficial during the night.  With that being said, Dennis was mowing the acre by 8:30 this morning.  The far east always catches the breeze and is dry and ready to be clipped.

  I passed on mowing the front yard, though I did walk the acre with the weed whip to make all things tidy. I had plants to put into the flower bed next to the house.  Out with cactus and in with Sedums and Russian Sage.  Having had dug out a large amount of dirt, I was manned with Miracle Grow fertilized dirt and some granules of fertilizer to mix into the entire area.  I began the project at 7:30 and by 10:00 I was tickled to have put all the tools and such away for the day.  I will need to add more dirt into the area.  My goal was to get the roots watered in and then tucked in with good soil finished by a firm push around the base of the plant.  That may be on tomorrow’s schedule after we get back from Mankato. 

  If Carrie and the kids had not been here last week, I know I would have ignored that area for the rest of the season.  Shame on me.  Megan was right there giving me tips and types of plants that I could use . . . and here we are five days later and it is done.  

  It is not my usual to put off what can be done.  This little flower bed had just pissed me off with all the cactus that kept coming back.  Ish!  I may see another fingerling of cactus, though I dug out twelve inches down and then got rid of that soil, and I know that I will dig it out immediately.  I now have a vested interest in keep this area tidy.  My goodness, this area is right at eye level when someone comes up our drive.  The Prickly Pears had really done a number on my ability to care how it appeared.

  It is only 1:30 and we are in the house ready to shower up and call it a day.  It feels good.  It does pay to get the worse done first, especially when being outside in the heat could cause problems . . . and not just for us older folks.  Take the week the the way it comes and know that tomorrows are very special.  It’s like having a new piece of paper to draw on.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:56 pm on July 4, 2020 Permalink  

  Out With Prickly Pear Cactus 

  Working with granddaughter Megan’s suggestion, the Prickly Pear Cactus bed got dug out today . . . again.  Actually we dug the cactus out several years ago and they were not about to go away.  Each year there were fingerlings that popped up.  This spring there were some coming up in the crack of the drive.

  While Dennis checked his eyelids for cracks this early morning, Snuggles and I got the wheelbarrow out and started digging the dirt out of this bed next to the house.  Dennis said I could dump the dirt in the far backyard and we would make use of it to fill in a low spot.  The Prickly Pear Cactus would become his challenge.

  As I dug I noticed a wasp hanging around.  When I took a break I realized he was protecting a hill of dirt that I thought was an ant hill.  I got out the Hot Shot flying insect spray and tried my aim on hitting him on the fly.  Whether I got him or just scared him off, I don’t know.  I for sure dug that entire area down quite a ways.  When I came in the house to get some water, I checked on the Internet and it seems the Cicada Wasp makes tunnels in the dirt for their nests.  I don’t think she had quite succeeded in making her nest but it is history now.  I did read to use a solution of vinegar and water to get the best of their area.  I didn’t fool around, I used the vinegar full strength.  I was finished with the dig by nine this morning and came inside to put on dry clothes.  The worst part of any project is starting and now that is behind me and . . . my behind appreciated the dry clothes.

  With a huge amount of dirt removed, Dennis and I did a road trip to New Ulm to Runnings.  We now have six bags of Miracle Grow dirt for gardens.  It is complete with fertilizer.  Dennis had a few want items on his list so the trip was very successful.  He happened to find a bag of Circus Peanuts next to the cash register.  I noticed he pinched them through the bag and must have deemed they were fresh.  Yes . . . he shared a few on the way home. 

  When we got home, the day was called “done” due to the heat.  Tomorrow is another day and there are no hard and fast plans.  It all depends on the weather and if Snuggles will lend a hand again.

   
• 

  Noreen 1:12 pm on July 3, 2020 Permalink  

  Whew – as in Warm 

  They told us it would be warm to hot for this weekend.  

  During the night Dennis’s CPAP machine gave him problems.  Nothing to do with the face gear, but the actual machine itself.  This morning I checked the website for the Mayo Store in Mankato.  The hours for today were from 8-5, closed on Saturday the 4th of July.  That was then our plan for this morning.  Dennis has been using his machine for thirteen years each night.  Dennis has Atrophib, an unregular heart beat.  During sleep it can cause the heart to stop and the CPAP machine is set to send a burst of air into the face mask and give the heart a message to start beating.

  Long story short.  We got to the Mayo Store and there was a message that an unexpected emergency had happened and the store was closed for the day.  I will be sleeping with one ear peeled until Monday when Dennis will be going back to Mankato.

  We did stop at Sam’s Club to pick up some paper products.  Hmm.  No toilet paper and none of the paper plates that we use as good china.  We then headed to Hy-Vee.  Also was noted that there were shelves less than full . . . the the elusive toilet paper was purchased.

  We arrived home at 12:30 and here we are staying for the weekend.  I made sure to water the newly seeded grass area before coming in and shucking my shoes.  Dennis is in his recliner for a nap.  I do know that when the CPAP machine is not used, he doesn’t get the best of rest during the night.  It’s not continual sleep.

  I sure hope everyone is set to take life a bit easy during the weekend.  I usually am not a proponent of putting off for tomorrow what could be done today, but . . . this heat and humidity has me humbled.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:11 pm on July 2, 2020 Permalink  

  They are Good Photos 

  Yesterday when the kids came for the afternoon, we were able to show Megan that her quilt top is now a completed quilt.  She was happy to have one of her own, as in times past she had made Nicholas a Harry Potter quilt.  Megan and Nicholas are both tall as I am.  Seriously?

  I had planned on taking a quick walk this morning down Stauffer Avenue when I spied a large branch that had come down in the far east of the acre.  Taking care of that, I also spied that the two Hosta beds in the east needed some TLC.  We had been so focused on the garages that there was some serious work to be done with unwanted stuff.  

  Dennis had run errands and he was tucked into the recliner for a nap.  I grabbed a bottle of water and several of my favorite garden tools and headed out east.  Slow but sure the damp soil of the last half inch of rain gave up that which was not wanted.  When I headed to the patio porch, I had no idea that it was almost noon.  Dennis had been up and keeping an eye on me from his rocking chair.  With the water bottle emptied, I headed to the house to peel off sweat-soaked clothes.  It is a good thing that I sweat like Dad.  There had been a slight breeze and it made the morning time go by quickly.  It was a good local effort in the Hosta.  

  When I got back to the house, I had missed several calls and text messages.  I don’t carry my phone with as sure as heck, I would lay it down somewhere and forget where it was.  The squirrels would have a heyday of a time trying to bury it.

  One of the text messages was from Megan doing a follow up on the sad little flower bed area next to the south east corner of the house.  Megan has given me tips on what plants I could try that would do good in direct sun for a large portion of each day.  There was also a thought on amending the soil so plants had a chance to thrive.  There!  I got it from the professional that is up for being promoted to assistant manager of the perennial portion of the Mustard Seed Nursery.  Good Lord, how special is that . . . the advice as well as the work ethic that Megan has.

  I have slowed way down for this afternoon.  Showering and putting on dry clothes was the key for enjoying the rest of the day.  Dennis did shake his head about the morning I had, but he also knew it was needed and that he could not have been any help when it comes to good plants and bad plants.  I had his moral support.  That meant a whole bunch.  The only outside chore left is to water down the newly-seeded lawn area.  The sprouts have really been filling it . . . success!

   
• 

  Noreen 4:10 pm on July 1, 2020 Permalink  

  Sweet Day 

  It was a sweet day of surprises.  Carrie brought the two grandkids for the afternoon.   Oh my gosh.  Nicholas is as tall as I am.  Is he excited to be turning thirteen this November . . . a shrug is what the response was.  Megan had the day off at the Mustard Seed Nursery.

  When Megan came in she commented on the small flowerbed on the southeast corner of our home.  Yup . . . she didn’t miss the lack of plants in it.  She noticed the small Prickly Pear cactus that were struggling to re-populate the area.  We have worked hard to kill them off and there are many pencil thin ones that are breaking through the soil.  What brought a chuckle from her was the ferns that have since tipped over and are now brown spears.  I admit, that spot of our yard has not had any TLC this season.  Our young women promised to look into what plants would do best in that spot.

  Nichols helped Dennis haul home some rocks for the front of the potting shed.  As Stauffer Avenue’s road surface is now quite a bit higher than the potting shed, Dennis had dug out a rectangle of dirt large enough for the doors to open easily.  The fine rock used for resurfacing city streets has now been put into that rectangle to prevent the dirt that soon becomes mud when we have rain.  I know . . . it is disheartening to see newly-painted surfaces to be splattered by mud.  Dennis said Nicholas hefted the pails into the pickup before he had even thought about it.  Nicholas’ comment was to the effect that Dennis shouldn’t share this experience with his dad, as his dad would realize Nicholas has muscles.  Too funny.

  It was a great visit on this day.  As Dennis and I sat visiting over supper, we couldn’t help remark on how these two kids have grown up so fast.  So many wonderful hours that the dust bunnies didn’t have a chance to collect and were rousted when Megan and Nicholas would visit.

  Today is hump day.  We have had our supper and Dennis is off to find the tree trimmer with funds.  The bill came in the mail today.  A young fellow with a starting business, surely doesn’t need to have any more clients on the books than necessary.  A good job should be rewarded with the payment due.  

  We had a half of inch of rain during the night.  I won’t have to water the grass seed tonight.  Rain water is bound to have a better effect than faucet water.  There will be many a day ahead when the faucet water will fill the bill.

  For those looking forward to the holiday weekend, take heart.  Just a few more days.  Take it slow and relax while taking in all that is coming your way.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:17 pm on June 30, 2020 Permalink  

  Closing Time 

  It is five in the afternoon and Dennis and I have showered and closed down for the day.

  I finished up quilting Megan’s quilt yesterday afternoon and I kept hearing noise outside.  When I shut all the lights off in the sewing studio and came up the stairs, I looked out the back door.  There was a collection of garage tables out in the drive.  Dennis was cleaning house.  This wasn’t a “lick and a promise” type of cleaning.  It was down to the nitty gritty corner cleaning.  As it was Dennis had wore himself out for a Monday and the cleaning would continue on Tuesday. 

  Continue this morning . . . it sure did.  I heard him get up at five-thirty.  When I got up at seven-thirty there was hardy a square foot of bare concrete showing on the drive.  The car was sitting at the end of the drive.  Snuggles was sitting in the middle of the totally bare garage as if wondering . . . “Are we moving?  Am I coming with?” I was getting myself up and organized and Dennis was heading for his recliner for a nap.  Where naps are concerned, Dennis knows best.

  About nine-thirty the two of us were in sync.  We both tackled the sifting and sorting that was in the drive.  We did have to disappoint two drive-bys that there was no garage sale going on.  It was  humid out and soon everyone was sweating.  We persevered. Blowing out the interior of the garage came first from top to bottom until the battery was dead.  Out came the length of garden hose and the brushes and we tackled the walls and floor.   There were many breaks that were had.  The recycling bin is full as is the garbage bin.  Quite a few things found themselves back into the potting shed where they had hence come from.  It’s so easy to drag items out to use and then plop them in the garage when we are done with them.  Dennis did caution that I needed to be careful how much went into the potting shed as that was the next item to be gutted.  Please, people . . . pray that Dennis will wait for cooler temps.

  My thought is . . . I need to monitor Dennis’ vitamin drink that he takes every afternoon.    

  No monitoring is needed.  Dennis is feeling in good health and there is nothing more satisfying than a good day of local effort.  Younger than us could have whipped this out by ten this forenoon.  It takes the two of us longer but the goal is out there . . . just like the carrot that would have been held just beyond reach of the mule, Fanny, that Dennis tells about from farming days.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:09 pm on June 29, 2020 Permalink  

  Connectivity 

  I believe most of the world today is lacking connectivity.  The virus has closed down so many aspects of staying connected with family and with friends. The history in those connections and the conversations that come from that history is a vital part of that satisfying, contended feeling. 

  Starting from scratch in a conversation is unsettling. 

  Nothing strikes closer to home than a call I made to Aunt Janet on Sunday evening.  We picked up right where we left off.  Sharing what had transpired since our last conversation came easy.  Nothing needed to be explained from the beginning.  Aunt Janet is almost 90 and is a jewel in my world.  She is the last of Dad’s siblings.  We have a lot of history and we like to share that and mix it up with the day-to-day events.  It is not one or the other.  It is a whole.

  The stitchers is another example of connectivity.  A group of us met once a month in Mankato and dang near closed Baker’s Square sometimes.  What had brought us together was curiosity on puzzles that came about with and through machine embroidery challenges.  Some had more experience than others.  We all came away feeling content and satisfied until the next month.  And . . . next month, we picked up right where we had left off.  We all learned something from each other.  It never failed.  Well, that good feeling sure came to a fast halt! We have not seen each other since February.

  I have three siblings.  I terribly miss them.  Two are deceased and the third doesn’t want connectivity.  There is no want of sharing history and linking it to the present day.  It is like totally starting a new relationship with a stranger.  That is not for me.  It is painful but it is what it is and his happiness is worth enough for me to accept him on any level.

  Friends become family, blood family becomes more precious each day.  How precious to have a history with friends that make them feel like they have been in and contributed to my life for more time than I could count.  Abundance to the max.

  Now with my Carrie and Kevin . . . that history could fill volumes and we have many sequels yet to be written. It is what I count on and it keeps me moving each and every day.  Those dang kids they sure can keep me guessing as to what is coming down the pike.  I . . . love it!

  Soon we may be able to pick ourselves up and visit whom we want to and where we want to meet.  Keep the positive and let the naysayers to their own.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:24 pm on June 28, 2020 Permalink  

  A Quiet Sunday 

  Both Dennis and I slept in this morning.  It felt like it was needed.  

  After we had a sit-in on the patio, Dennis’ plans were to clean the filters in the Koi pond.  Hearing that, I put on some gardening shoes and decided to keep busy until the filters had been pulled, cleaned and back in the pond.  The pond isn’t deep, but it’s deep enough if one looses their balance.

  Our backyard is showing some deep cracks indicating that rain would be welcomed.  I found some weeds to pluck and few early plants that had been beautiful and now they needed to be ousted.  About 11:30, we decided to call it and head out of the sun.  I made sure to give the new grass seed a good watering before I came in.  Dennis opted to open all three sides of the patio porch and take in a rodeo on the RFD channel.

  Slow but sure I am working on getting Megan’s quilt under the needle.  There are a few spots that warranted doing some machine embroidery on it, in addition to the meandering quilting.  It is a challenge and I am making it fun.  I had not had the embroidery module on the machine since February.  It took a bit to let the methodology sink in.  

  It is amazing how fast time goes.  It may sound silly but the odometer for me is how fast a bottle of 30 bills is emptied.  Bing, bam there’s another month shot. 

  Not sure what this next week will hold.  All I count on is being thankful that because He lives, I can face whatever comes tomorrow.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:08 pm on June 27, 2020 Permalink  

  Yoga Class is Over 

  I do compare using my push lawnmower to a yoga routine.  The north side of our home is similar to an obstacle course. It is crouching down to push the mower under Lilacs and an evergreen bush that needs tidying underneath.  Pushing the mower around the central AC . . . lunging it forward to the incline towards the house foundation and then pulling it back numerous times.  We now have duel truck tire tracks full of new lawn seeds to maneuver through and around and the ever twisting of the mower to turn it around.  It’s a blessing when I can mow the front of our home and actually have 50′ of lawn for straight runs.  No . . . I am not belly-aching . . . just making light of a chore that must be done and one that brings a whole bunch of self satisfaction.

  I have not even glanced at the temperatures that are outside on this Saturday.  When Dennis was done with our backyard we both sat on the patio with bottles of cold green tea and cooled down.  There was just enough breeze to get the job done.  By that time it was noon and we each crawled off to do whatever we pleased with our afternoon.

  Dennis caught a nap in his patio porch rocking chair.  Snuggles napped on the table at his elbow, a hint that it was too hot to sleep on Dennis’ lap.  I came down into the sewing studio and have been doing some quilting on Megan’s quilt.

  At three I took out some cold juice for us to enjoy together.  Dennis said he enjoyed seeing the yard looking like two people live here that enjoy taking care of their home.  I seconded that.

  After showering off the residue of dust from mowing and having had a bite for supper, we will both be enjoying fresh linens on our beds when our heads hit the pillows.  It might just be a great Sunday morning for sleeping in.  

  May everyone have accomplished what their hearts and minds led them to today.  There are no demands, just being the best that we can be every day that our Lord gives us.  Being stewards is the best.