Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:24 pm on May 17, 2020 Permalink  

  Calm Day 

  It began raining last night at bedtime.  It has not stopped raining since and we are in the late afternoon.  Our gauge holds three inches and that had run over by the time Dennis wet out this morning at seven.

  I slept in until nine this morning.  The rain falling on the awning on the west side of the house was calming.  Other than flitting through the usual morning chores to keep the homestead comfortable, I have not done much.  I do have a book I am working on while sitting in the west porch with a cup of coffee.  It didn’t take much effort to start a load of laundry from the yard work yesterday.  

  Dennis put the vehicles out onto the driveway for the soft rain water to take a layer of dust off.  Dennis was also available to take me to the grocery store.  After having the refrigerator and freezer unit unplugged, we now have it up and running.  Zero for the freezer and 40 degrees for the refrigerator portion, we feel safe in getting a few items back for easy meals.  I need to make sure to not push the freezer items flush to the back of the unit.  It may have been an issue for the self defrost option that caused our situation.

  A calm quiet day on Stauffer.  It feels good.  Tomorrow a new week and doubtless, new challenges.  We aren’t going to prejudge, just taking in one day at a time.  May everyone feel the blessings that each of us have.  I know from myself, it’s so easy to allow ourselves to become overwhelmed with items that matter not.  My daily goal is to keep my eye on the prize . . . there are more good moments each day than not.

   
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  Noreen 2:52 pm on May 16, 2020 Permalink  

  Good Temps 

  A cool and cloudy day . . . just perfect for getting the acre mowed and manicured.  I did sleep in this morning.  I must have been buried deep in the flannels as I didn’t hear much until nine a.m.  When I toddled into the kitchen and peered through the back door that was open . . . hmm . . . lawnmowers were parked in the driveway. 

  I had been awake for a total of five minutes when Dennis came in for a refill of coffee.  Dennis had already been over to the far northeast part of the acre and had been mowing.  Well . . . bless his little heart!  He offered to start my push mower via the pull cord for me.  I did not give him the finger, but it was tempting.  I suggested he go to the patio porch and enjoy his coffee and I would be out in a bit.  My routine of a “bit” is: when the yard work of mowing and trimming is done, the beds have been stripped, laundered and dried,  so as to enjoy the fresh bed after the yard dust has been showered off.  When the washer was humming, I was ready to have the push mower started.  I could tell he thought I would never be ready.  So be it.   

  All I can offer for my lax self is that my rest was required after the day of cleaning yesterday.  I do realize that Dennis forgets that I do what I do with shoulders and arms and knees that have only so much oomph.  There is a reaction to every action.  I know how to rest the body when the energy has been burned through the artificial joints, muscles and tendons.  I don’t make a big deal out of my body, so it’s not unusual for Dennis to forget.  There is nothing malicious from Dennis, he just forgets.

  The yard looks wonderful.  After we had put all the tools away we sat on the patio and enjoyed the accomplishment.  Dennis commented that by me doing the trimming on the acre, after I had the front yard mowed, sure polished the site of the mowing off.  During my “bit” I had taken out chicken for supper.  When we talked about supper, I said I was going to use up the potatoes that were left in the 5 lb. bag.  Before I finished the sentence, Dennis offered to go in and peel the potatoes.  Dennis does know how to show appreciation and I thought that that was a very romantic thing to do.  See . . . it all does work out.  No showing of the finger required.  

  It sure looks like rain.  We could use it.  The rain we have had was soon sucked out of the ground by the strong winds of late.  

  Enjoy the weekend and know that appreciation is out there in the smallest of deeds or thoughts.

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on May 15, 2020 Permalink  

  At It Again 

  Today was the day that Dennis said we would be pulling the refrigerator out from the cavern in our kitchen to clean behind it.  The self defrost had an issue and we cleaned it out from top to bottom and unplugged it several days ago.  It sure brings to mind that at the time we did some work in the kitchen we should have taken the chimney out to give us a bit more square footage.  As this was a used refrigerator from Carrie and Jeremy when they did a kitchen remodel some 16 years ago or so, it was also a time when Dennis and I were a bit more agile.  Dennis got on the attic steps and me in the kitchen . . . trying to walk the refrigerator out into the open kitchen area.  We got it so far and then did some cleaning from one side, then moved it over and did some cleaning from the other side.  We never did get it out totally.  It is a lot better than it was prior.

  After we had the cleaning done and the refrigerator was ready to plug back in to see if the issue had been rectified, we then remembered that the doors had been taken off of it when it was first moved into the house to make moving a bit easier, giving more ability to set it in place.  Well . . . maybe next time we will get that done.  The refrigerator is still empty and time will tell if it is cooling to better temps.  When we had put a thermometer in the freezer area before unplugging it, it went down to 15 above zero, we knew . . . problem! 

  With the area behind the refrigerator being taken care of, why not move out the kitchen range and tidy that area up.  That lead to cleaning and damp mopping the kitchen, bathroom and entry.  Well . . . why not vacuum up the rest of the house.  The nickel that had been put in the slot, was then spent.  It was a time out on the patio under the umbrella. 

  It is so beautiful right now with the Crab tree blooming combined with the Lilacs.  If it could last for another week . . . perfect. We have our patio area tricked out and tidy.  Nothing is more relaxing than to enjoy it and being thankful that we can still put it all together.  Both of us decided we had had enough.  All we have left to do is let the refrigerator run a cycle and see what the readings are inside.  If the readings are still off, we may have to make a call on Monday to Kunz Appliance in Madelia.  Do appliance stores make house calls?  We will find out.  Yes . . . it is a pain not to have appliances in normal operation.

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on May 14, 2020 Permalink  

  Balmy Day 

  Not enough rain overnight to amount to a hill of beans.  First time in a long time, not enough wind to amount to a hill of beans.

  The first thing on my docket this morning was a walk.  Though I didn’t sleep well last night, the legs needed stretching.  Sometimes when I have had a day of a lot of physical work, I pay for it by not being able to close down and relax enough to fall asleep.  Yup, scrapping the garage siding is something I can do as I can’t go above my head and I don’t do ladders.  No, Dennis has not been in on that part of the garage work as he doesn’t realize you have to put a bit of oomph on the scrapper.  As I got to the bottom of the siding boards, the squats were doable on the titanium knees.  In reality it is all doable.  It was all a good workout and the worst is behind me.  And. . . yes, my behind held up well as well.  I suffered no inquiry from doing it.  It was a combined effort of a multitude of body parts which didn’t want to relax when I was ready to.   Tonight is another chance for rest.  It’s a given.  Even lying still is resting.

  The laundry basket was overrunning.  Pushing a few buttons to start the laundry, gave me a chance to deep clean the refrigerator and the top freezer that has been unplugged for 24 hours.  There is no longer a need to keep dry towels in place for water that finds its way onto the shelves.  When we plug it in, is up to Dennis.  He has strong feelings as to when the unit is totally thawed.  

  Dennis has completed Roger the Moose’s spring touch up.  Dennis found the perfect spot for him under the Lilacs.  The moose really soaked up the cedar stain and looks wonderful.  It totally looks better stained than having the Thompson water repellent as a final look.  With a bit of a hint from the ole cowboy, I did visit the Family Dollar Store for some color to be tucked into Roger’s planter belly.  Neither one of us were crazy about putting a live plant in the planter as the cats have a tendency to crawl up and take a nap whenever the mode strikes.  The area under the Lilacs is very welcoming and will be enjoyed as we sit and talk smart to each other on the patio.  By the way . . . the patio umbrella also found its way out of the potting shed.   We are officially open for the summer.  We make sure we have this cabin spoken for each year.  There is nothing like home sweet home.  

  With all the activity, it screams for a Subway supper this Thursday evening.  The empty cavity of a refrigerator helps make that decision.  It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is Friday.  Maybe with a few sits on the patio, Dennis may not take note of the height of the grass.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on May 13, 2020 Permalink  

  Well Done 

  Well done to the older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  The rain seemed to be hovering all day.  The winds were ramping up and we put our heads down and continued on.

  I can now say that the linear siding on the north and south sides of the garage have had whatever paint was loose or threatening to want to chip off has been scrapped and brass brushed off.  Next for Grammie will be the vertical side boards on the garage . . . on another day.  The winds kept me cool and the best thing is that when the temps ramp up next week I won’t be scrapping the siding, standing in the reflection of what white paint remains on the garage.  Another blessing . . . no bugs.

  Dennis had a great day staining Roger the Moose in the pickup garage.  Dennis was right on.  Roger soaked up the cedar stain like a sponge.  Lots of exposed wood that needed to be touched via the brush.  Dennis is going to leave the pickup outside one more night for a second coat to be put on Roger the Moose.  Hopefully tomorrow my arms will feel like taking a photo.  I admit, the scrapping and staining is tough on these two older ones.  We suck it up and get it done.  Stubbornness pays off. 

  Right now, the skies look like they could open up with rain showers.  Bring it on.  Dennis and I transplanted some of our neighbor Bob’s Ostrich Ferns last night after supper.  There is a planter on the southwest corner of the house that had housed cactus.  The cactus got nasty with overrun limbs that broke off and were not the best to be around.  We pulled them out several years ago.  Trying various plants unsuccessfully the last years, Dennis and I looked over at Bob’s and decided to give the ferns a run for the money.  Grandma Esther Schafer always had ferns growing around her home in Hector.  Time will tell.

  Thankfully we have leftovers of the scalloped potatoes from last night.  Neither Dennis nor I have a lot of energy left.  Beside that, the refrigerator got unplugged this morning.  I have swapped out towels in the inside to soak up water of what may have been a problem that was running the refrigerator freezer amok by freezing to a temp of “zero.”  The basement refrigerator is harboring goodies.  Tomorrow after the first floor unit has had a good cleaning, we will see what happens when it is plugged in again.  Truth or dare!  Dennis and I are going to take a wait and see attitude.  Shopping for a new unit is not out of the realm as to what will be needed.  

  Dennis and I will sleep well this evening.  Being good stewards is what life is all about.

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on May 12, 2020 Permalink  

  Doable 

  What a treat to be outside without the strong winds.  The mornings may still be cool and we all know that will change before long.

  With tree seeds and that which the wind can move around, the Koi pond and the filters were in need of cleaning.  After the cleaning it may be that we will will shopping for a new pump shortly.  We tried to remember when this current pump was purchased.  We are thinking it is at least ten years old.  It does duty 24/7 right through the winter months when the Koi are in the horse tank in the garage.  Hmm.  It is amazing that we forget there is a life span for all things.  

  The house is beginning to smell wonderful.  There is a pan of scalloped potatoes with diced precooked boneless porkchops in the mix.  Each day our evening meal has slimmed down frozen contents of the freezer above the refrigerator.  Our goal is that this weekend we will unplug the unit.  It is a frost free freezer above the refrigerator but indications are that there may be a line plugged up and we are finding water on the refrigerator shelves.  Our solution is a good one.  Some items will be put in the refrigerator in the basement that also has a small freezer space.  One way or another we will find out what is going on.  I think the refrigerator must be about sixteen plus years old.  When Carrie and Jeremy moved into their home on Sterling Terrace, the timeline that this refrigerator may have been bought before Megan came along.  Megan just turned 16.  It matters not.  Dennis and I have this!

  Our potting shed was relieved of a few yard art items this afternoon.  We have a wonderful item that my brother Michael made for us.  It is fabricated from a cedar high-line power pole from the home place.  It is a planter that resembles a moose.  Dennis is washing it off getting cob webs and dirt off.  Tomorrow we are going to check out if Roger the Moose will take cedar stain.  Initially, and over several years we have used Thompson water proofing.  It may be that the sun has worked its whiles on it as it looks dried out.  We will find a spot that is not able to be seen easily and give it a test run.  I’ll keep you posted.  There is always something out there to keep us going.  For sure a day such as this is not time to stay indoors.  

  I will say that there is an unrest in regard to people being sheltered in place in their homes as well as businesses not being open due from the virus.  Ironically Dennis and I have not been impacted to any degree as we generally are homebodies.  Hopefully there will be some credible answers coming down the pike.  Lots of ideas, not any real solutions.  My loved ones are my priority for their wellbeing.

   
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  Noreen 3:53 pm on May 11, 2020 Permalink  

  Structure 

  I have been retired since February 2009.  There is still structure in my life, my weeks, etc.  There are some things in my day-to-day life that can very well have some leeway.  Dennis has been retired quite a few more years that I have.  Dennis’ structure has not slacked off one bit.  

  Dennis reminds me of my dad, RW.  RW lived a very structured life in his days of being a farmer.  Dennis’ days include meals that are at the exact time every day . . . each day.  That’s not a bad thing.  Prep for the evening meals such as setting the table, getting prescriptions ready for each evening meal in addition the next morning’s is done by Dennis the exact same time prior to me being in the kitchen for the actual preparation of the meal.

  Do I care for such hardened structure . . . no.  Is the hardened structure such a bad routine . . . no.   As Dennis and I have additional birthdays, there is always a chance that our memories for what those routines should be will diminish if not practiced each day. 

  When I am deep in a sewing segue, and I hear that Dennis is in the house late in the afternoon, putting his routine in place, I do catch myself closing my eyes with perhaps a sigh as I know my segue is being put to rest.  Shutting down the sewing studio with the lights being shut off, the button of the sewing machine being pushed in, the iron being in the resting position shut off . . . all is well on Stauffer Avenue.  There is a schedule in place calling for the both of us to take leave of that, that may very well be overdone to a point of physical weariness or mental weariness.  Dennis may know more than I am aware of.  Tomorrow is another day for the retired on Stauffer Avenue.  What a blessing.

   
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  Noreen 2:04 pm on May 10, 2020 Permalink  

  Great Day 

  The snow pellets that bombarded the skylight in the kitchen this noon . . . we could have done without.  I came up from the sewing studio as I couldn’t place the noise.  I then realized it was similar to the noise last night when I was getting ready for bed.  I looked out and the rain puddles had frozen sheets on them.  The windows had raindrops that had frozen and ice pellets were making a racket.  All I can say is that I hope the amount of nitrogen that we got during this freakish 24 hours does the lawn a good turn.

  What made this such a great day were the two long phone conversations that I received from the two kids.  Warmed the cockles of my heart right up it did.  The restrictions keep contact at bay.  After today, I again feel included.  Yup . . . that’s all it takes for this gal.

  Today Dennis is deep into the re-plays of rodeos on the RFD television channel.  He may have seen them once . . . or twice.  It matters not.  He did check in with me to make sure we were still on for pancakes for supper.  He has his priorities straight.

  This afternoon I finished the Folk Art quilt top.  It truly is what the label stated.  It ended up being 72″ x 82″ and just large enough that I am questioning myself if I want to tackle quilting it.  We have the garage project that will take some time and arm work to have it ready for painting in June.  There is a limit and as time goes by, I can more easily recognize what that is.  Time will tell.  The kit, as it was given to me, will get finished in a quilt for someone to enjoy.  I have never been a fan of purchasing quilt kits as the time that it took someone to select and then cut the yardage that will be needed is sometimes less than good and also raises the price from what the yardage would be if I cut it myself.  I had the blocks laid out.  As I was cutting what went in between the blocks, aka: sashing, I realized that there wasn’t enough of the deep teal to put the 2.5″ border around the quilt top to mimic what was between the folk art blocks.  I dug deep and found some within my stashes that I had to make do with.  A bit darker than what was included.  It is what it was and now it’s history.  I do have enough of the many varied designs of the remaining fabrics that made up the 10″.  I intend to use them up, add a few more from my stashes and piece the back of the quilt top.  Waste not, want not.  Surprisingly it takes a good five yards for the backing.  It also adds to the expense of getting the quilt top into a quilt.

  A bit of a break before pancake flipping time.  Dennis is anticipating cracking open the bottle of apricot syrup.  Me too!

   
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  Noreen 4:11 pm on May 9, 2020 Permalink  

  A Quiet Day 

  Not much happening on Stauffer today.  A walk was enjoyed this morning before the winds got out of hand.

  I putzed in the sewing studio off and on.  The most physical thing I did today was take the bugs off of the front of the car.

  The neighbor came over and helped Dennis find a broken wire on the Cub-Lo-Boy.  Dennis had noticed yesterday when he was mowing that it wouldn’t keep a charge unless he ran it wide open.  The broken wire may well have gotten polarized.  Randy said that Dennis should it run next week for mowing and if that were the case he would take care of it.

  The high winds have brought about a cold shower of rain this late afternoon.  Hmm.  I hope the lilacs and the ornamental crab tree can hang onto their blossoms so they have a chance of showing off their beauty next week.

  It is tomato soup and fried egg sandwiches for supper.  It is the weekend and I am hopping everyone kicks back and takes some time for themselves . . .  I started early today.

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on May 8, 2020 Permalink  

  Farming is Done 

  Farming doesn’t slow down when the temps are cool.  When Dennis and I arise for each new day, we each have our own routines before we meet up to see what the day will hold.

  Dennis came in from the patio porch at 9:30 . . . no “Good morning.” What I heard was “How energetic do you feel today?”  That was all I needed to know.  Good thing I had my walking shoes on, though I knew a walk was not in my future for this Friday.  Two five gallon pails and sand shovels in the back of the pickup . . . we were off to get black dirt from the city lot just east of us that has a huge pile for residents that need a bit.  A few low spots within the yard are in need of being filled . . . after the acre has been manicured. My push mower was checked for oil and it was gassed up complete with the bag attachment.  Dang, it takes one pull and Dennis has it started.  The plan for the two of us is that when the bag is full, and in need of being emptied, I head to the east where Dennis is mowing.  I empty the bag . . . Dennis mows over it, shreds it as it scatters . . . and starts the mower for me to continue on.  We have the plan nailed down.

  Dennis got the Cub-Lo-Boy out of the back garage for his choice of a mowing toy.  It is amazing what a huge swat the Cub-Lo-Boy can take in comparison to the Sear’s rider.  When I finished the area around the house and sought out the trimmer I was surprised that there was no more trimming than when the Sear’s mower had been used.  Over the expanse of the acre there is a fair amount to trim.  Dennis stays away a good amount of area around the trees.  It’s easier to trim around the trees than taking care of the bark when it has been cut through.  We do have two batteries for the trimmer.  I ground the last out of the first battery by trimming the edge of the concrete drive.  I didn’t get it all but next week I will take another wack at the growth of grass that sneaks over the concrete.  Dennis was right behind me with the leaf blower and we deemed that this had been a good day.  Right on track was the brisk wind from the north.  The temps at 47 degrees with a north wind, it did prompt us to keep right at it.  

  The last bit of yard work was getting the lawn art bridge a spot for the season.  The bridge does look sharp with the two coats of cedar stain.  It may last another ten years.  It is solid and it also helps that we take it in every winter.

  No scrapping of the garage siding today.  We have had a full day and will call it complete after we rustle up some supper, get showered up and don the P.J.s.