Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:18 pm on September 26, 2020 Permalink  

  A Lazy Saturday 

  After the usual Saturday house pick-up items, I went down into the sewing studio.  There was a need to pick up some items down there as well.

  Yesterday when the stitchers came to visit and we ended up in the sewing studio, there was some visiting about my slant on everything from storage of threads to storage of stashes and how to find them when they were needed.  Lots on interaction to say the least being able to see my humble sewing studio first hand and today there were items to put back where they belonged.  It is all about organization and being able to find what is needed in a heart beat. 

  What I have picked up on in times past, was that these gals have known each other for quite a few years.  I went with them to one retreat last year about this time.  It was my maiden retreat.  These gals had been going on retreats together for many years.  Their get-togethers were always at a neutral place such as a restaurant or a park . . . or a retreat out of the area.  In early 2019, I had originally seen a posting on Facebook about a quilt shop in Mankato that was trying to get individuals together at said quilt shop to share ideas about machine embroidery.  I went, I saw, I participated.  I was the only stranger there.  The remaining were all from Mankato and had known of each other prior from various events and interests.  After that time those of us that had similar interests began meeting at Barker’s Square once a month.  I sure enjoyed it, including the show and tell and sharing of ideas.

  Being as I was a newbie, what did I know?  Yesterday was quite different for them.  I have been the only one thus far to open up a home for them to glimpse “the rest of the story.”  I had not thought anything about it.  Come on over! Hmm.  This visit as we had yesterday was a visit of curiosity for them and had been anticipated.  It was almost as if it were like a visit into a secret garden, seeing how a stitcher . . . me, actually lives within their home, incorporating fuzz and threads.  Who knew!  I do not take my area of the sewing studio for granted and I also didn’t realize how it would be perceived as for possible ideas that others could take from it.  One of the gals has been wanting a new sewing machine table for a long time to ease shoulder strain.  The prices of the tables offered for “perfect sewing machine comfort” were out of her price range.  Anita will be going to Home Depot and ordering one of the Husky work benches after she sat down at mine and tried the ease of adjusting the height for maximum comfort.

  You never know what will come from interaction with people of like interests, you just have to put your foot out there.  I have gained and grown so much from these stitching gals.  There is no end to what can be obtained for the ease of fuzz, threads and sewing machine techniques.  Once the health threat of getting together in a restaurant comes to an end . . . I can’t wait.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on September 25, 2020 Permalink  

  Best Day Since Covid 

  Here it is, a Friday afternoon and it looks as if it could rain.

  Our group arrived at Stauffer Avenue at 9:30 this morning for brunch.  It is a group of us that love thread and fuzz.  The enjoyment of sharing ideas is priceless.  Several gals had previous plans and I know that we will try for one more outing before it gets cold so the entire group can attend.

  Dennis had the patio set up and we were set.  Even the three cats behaved themselves and stayed under the Hosta’s.  Dennis joined us for lunch and shared conversation about the Koi and how our small lot had become an acre.  There was a brisk breeze . . . what was there not to enjoy!

  There was no way these gals were going to leave Stauffer Avenue without a trip to the sewing studio.  It was a general consensus that the space was wonderful.  I did share that Dennis had had a model railroad setup at one time and then the basement was turned over to the next enthusiast . . . me.  As the gals, one by one visited the bathroom, the main floor of our home was explored.  “For such a small home, there sure isn’t a square inch that doesn’t have utility” . . . yup!

  Dennis announced that he was in charge of the brunch cleanup.  That impressed the gals.  It was time to head to Sherburn to the yardage yard sale.  I had jotted down several items.  Quilt batting and yardage for the backs of quilts were on the list.  There was a mob of shoppers.  There were many, many church tables laden with bolts of fabric that almost made them sage.  The tables were marked in dollar increments with a dot on the end of each bolt that matched the sale price.  It didn’t take long that the bolts were moved and the wonderful scheme of things was just what you could imagine a sale to be . . . rather messy.  There were sale items within the store as well.  Three cutting tables and one cash register.  I have stood in line before.  Patience, patience.   

  It was a welcomed day.  It was the best day since the covid mess.  Dennis checked out my purchases and asked why I didn’t pick up a few more items as the price was very handsome.  Well, truth to tell, it would be similar to the sea of balls at McDonalds play area and someone would ask you to figure out how many red balls there were.  Bolts of fabric going every which way!

  A good day makes for good memories.

   
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  Noreen 2:50 pm on September 24, 2020 Permalink  

  A Night’s Rest 

  A restful night of sleep does wonders.  I cracked open one eye at 8:00 a.m. and realized that we were having a mist of rain.  Sure didn’t last long and the sun was bright.

  Going about the a.m. routine here on Stauffer Avenue sets the tone for the remaining day.  I was geared up to spend some time in the sewing studio.  Busy hands and a busy mind keeps the doldrums at bay.  I had barely gotten the lights turned on when the cellphone’s melodic tune let me know I had a text.

  The group of my stitchers was getting a motorcade organized to head over to Old Alleiy Quilt Shop on Friday to take advantage of a yardage yard sale.  Anita was the organizer and asked if they could pick me up on the way.  Several of the gals do have health issues and are leery with the covid.  The plan was for everyone to take a bag lunch along as eating inside anywhere was not in the plans.  The group was not planning on taking lawn chairs with, due to room with multiple cars.  A city park is what was hoped for.  I countered Anita.  How about stopping here at our home and I would have a brunch ready for the group and then head out for the quilt shop.  The farthest gal would be coming from Jordon, 45 miles east of Mankato.  Being able to sit on the patio with tables and chairs rather than grass . . . complete with a bathroom break if needed, seemed to be appealing.  After all, shopping on an empty stomach can make for less than rational decisions in purchases.

  Anita bantered back and forth via phones and people and by twelve noon it was going to be a done deal.  I got busy and by George, it’s going to all work out.  Dennis is in charge of the patio set up.  Our card tables are under a tarp so they are ready at a moment’s notice.  Dennis had just washed off the plastic chairs on Sunday as he had noticed a few webs where they shouldn’t be.  I now have a cold salad in the refrig, a container of buttered croissants, a bowl of fresh fruit, a container of pickles and a pan of chocolate frosted rice crispy bars.  The beverage of choice is water in bottles.  The guests will arrive sometime around eleven.  Sweet!  Anita had concerns about the effort and the cost.  We had been meeting at Baker’s Square once a month and ordering off the menu and had not done so since February.  The cost of this brunch in relationship to Baker’s Square . . . not even enough to compare.

  Dennis commented that this would be like the old days of lunch on a patio when we would host the secret pal lunches when I worked at the courthouse.  Yes . . . it will and Dennis was all in.

  All I need to do to round out the day is to go down into the sewing studio and get a bit of shopping list ready for myself.  It will be my first purchases in a quilt shop for 2020.  I am in need of some quilt batting.  I am also curious to get some feedback from the gals that have used clear nylon thread on top for quilting, and what would be the choice for the bottom thread.  The quilt of many colors presents that question.   Needless to say the sewing studio lights have been shut off until sometime this weekend.

  The best part is that Dennis will be enjoying for supper the same fare that is awaiting the stitchers.  It doesn’t take much more time to make ample amounts of everything.  

  As I mentioned several days ago, each day does have its surprises.  What a great get together with friends for tomorrow.  Having had a good night’s rest didn’t hurt either.  Here it is at a few minutes before four and all is well.

   
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  Noreen 3:55 pm on September 23, 2020 Permalink  

  The Stauffer Homestead 

  Among the red-letter days comes a day that seems to be unhinged.  Going through the motions, almost like awaiting that zing to hit.  That zing would include a fantastic idea for the homestead’s utility to be upgraded or a zing of an idea in the sewing studio.  Here it is almost five this Wednesday afternoon . . . and I am still waiting.  Hmm.  So perhaps the message I am getting is that a ho-hum day does happen when there isn’t a zing in site . . . thus feeling unhinged.  

  All that is needed is that I talk to myself, allowing self to know that in a matter of six hours I can lay my head on my pillow and call it a day.  I realize there are some days that I get over-stimulated and the bubble can burst at any time.  Within these next six hours I don’t need to work my whiles on anything.  I need to do what other 76-year-old retirees do more days than not . . . watch the clouds go by until the sunset takes over and my eye lids get heavy.  It does remain a good God-given day and I still love myself.

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on September 22, 2020 Permalink  

  Out of my Realm 

  Oh my oh my! That was one of my grandmother Laura’s comebacks when she was asking something out of her realm.

  I really was minding my own business today.  My business for the day was mowing the lawn around the house.  The lawn was extremely uneven.  The Kentucky Blue Grass seed that had been sprinkled over the existing grass had made itself known over the last four weeks.  I had used up whatever I had had on hand prior to that and who knows what blend of seed that had been.  I put the blade of the pusher mower as high as it could be set and let her rip.  It will be the last mowing of the area around the house for 2020.  

  Dennis and his International tractor fellow, Dwayne, were working on the Cub Lo Boy that is sitting off to the side of the drive.  I passed them by as I was going to put the mower away.  I should not have slowed down to greet Dwayne.  I should have put my head down and kept on trucking.  Nope!  As it was, they had dropped a part and neither of the fellows could find it.  That was at one this afternoon.  It is now three thirty and I have escaped the repair area of the tractor.  What ensued was me taking the laptop out to the patio porch scooping out sites for Cub Lo Boy parts.  We now have a new ignition switch coming via the mail.  My homework is to search the web for the wiring harness for the unit.  Ya, sure!  Why not!  Dwayne is the epitome of the fellow that you would want working on your tractor repair.  It is going to be done according to regulations or else.  He had his own IH dealership for years and knows his stuff.  I think that is great.  We are not in a hurry and if the tractor needs to be worked on . . . let’s do it right the first time.  I have the time and I have the fingers that work a keyboard.  I spent $1.00 and did a “Just Ask.”  Via text messages I was given an email address and that company had all the specs for the harness complete with the “starter, generator” aspects that we needed.  What had looked like one wire having been burned through from the vibrating of the old throttle cable was requiring all the wiring to be replaced.  Yup.  We got it ordered.  The Brillman Company out of the state of Virginia specializes in parts for older items.

  That does bring to mind our evening meal.  After I get the grass clippings off of the pants and shoes and the grease off of the finger . . . oh yes . . . I helped seek and search the missing part on the tractor, supper may be eggs.

   
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  Noreen 3:14 pm on September 21, 2020 Permalink  

  Quilt of Many Colors 

  Though it is a beautiful day out, I didn’t have anything on the agenda for the outside work.  I was beckoned into the sewing studio.

  Many years ago when my sister and I would have a coffee klatch at three over the phone lines, we would compare how our day was going.  She was right.  “You can’t be outside all the time, there has to be a choice.”  Elvera would have a project going at her Bernina much like I have with mine.  Elvera wasn’t into quilting until a time after Mom was gone.  She bit the thread and fuzz bug hard.  It didn’t take her long she and her son’s mother-in-law purchased a long-arm quilter together.  It was in Rita’s basement in Brownton, eight miles from Stewart, where Elvera lived.  Today, neither Elvera or Rita are here to swap quilt ideas with.  Hmm.

  In times past, Elvera and I would swap ideas on quilting and we even made a trip or two together to the Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn.  Elvera was just getting into making baby quilts for her up-coming grandchildren, as everyone had larger quilts that she had made and quilted.  The seventeenth, last week, Elvera has been gone for four years.  Time goes by quickly.  At the time of her passing, her daughter-in-law was pregnant as well as her granddaughter.  There were baby quilts waiting for a baby girl and a baby boy. 

  Elvera was right . . . we have choices.  Today, my choice was to work on the quilt of many colors from fabric that was gifted to me by Rita.  The flannel layer cake of 10″ squares is destined to become a 60″ x 70″ quilt.  All the squares have had added an embroidered alternating design.  The stitching of blocks has begun.  I won’t stay at it for hours on end, but . . .  there is now a rhyme and reason to follow.  

  Dennis and his bud, Dwayne, took another load of Dwayne’s goodies to the Storden auction location.  Dwayne will turn the keys to his farm site acreage over to the new owners on October 1st.  The clock is ticking.  Dennis’ little red pickup can handle the large trailer where Dwayne’s old pickup cannot.  What a pair to help each other out.  What a gift it is to lend a hand where needed.  

  Hey . . .  I have a hand to lend as well if needed.  When a need is found, there is always a solution.  

  I have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  That is what is quite wonderful about being retired . . . each day is a surprise . . . how could it ever be boring.

   
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  Noreen 4:05 pm on September 20, 2020 Permalink  

  Smoky Clouds and Sun 

  I do believe we are having some smoky clouds coming from the fires in the far west.  The sun is shining but not with the luster that is normal.  The winds have been high today catching leaves off guard that thought they had more time on the trees.

  Dennis and I took a road date to Mankato today.  I had a list.  I  had three lists in fact.  Our local drug store does not carry some of the over-the-counter items that I like to use.  Walgreens is like the mega store.  Years ago I dropped something on my left foot that the toes did not appreciate.  If left on their own, they love growing a callous from the tip of the nail and end up encasing it.  Kerasal works its way, slow but sure, so the nail has breathing space again.  The dang .48 oz.  tube is $29.00.  It’s worth it not to end up having toes that don’t want to have shoes on the foot.  After all, seasons are changing.

  Jiffy Lube has been our place for the little red pickup’s health and well being.  We were surprised when the windshield sticker let us know that 3,000 miles had been driven.  It surprised us even more realizing that it had been last serviced in the middle of March.  The older ones on Stauffer are not putting on the huge amount of miles that we used to.

  We are now safe and sound at home and have a good supply of our grocery staples in the pantry.  We don’t eat out while we are in Mankato.  It doesn’t seem to be the wisest as most of the world sees the two of us as vulnerable adults.  What I had done was buy a small package of donut balls when I was in Cub’s.  We enjoyed a road date picnic on the way home complete with leftover breakfast coffee.

  The ride also gave us a chance . . . I should say it gave me a chance to broach the topic of the Koi pond.  The Koi pond has had a good run.  Dennis’ three grandsons helped him dig it out when they were hardly able to hold a shovel.  All three are now in their late twenties.  We are at the point of needing to purchase a new filter and pump setup.  It’s been fun.  It’s been a routine that must be kept.  It is becoming more difficult for either one of us to clean the filter and pump during the season of leaves and twigs that plug up the system, as often as once a week when the winds have been blowing.  Being close at hand for safety reasons hasn’t always been the case for me when Dennis gets a wild hair and does it without me being close at hand.  So far, no loss of balance has caused either of us any harm.  Sometimes you have to know when to hold it and when to fold it . . . at least that is what the deceased singer, Kenny Rogers thought.  We are down to five fish and it is no long prudent.  We have plenty on our plates during the spring, summer and fall seasons.  Dennis agreed wholeheartedly.  Whew!

  Time to get out some of that wonderful leftover casserole from last night.  The flavors have co-mingled and it is always more flavorful than the first day.  Hells bells . . . I was counting on leftovers when I filled the round blue speckled roaster to the brim.  

  May the new week be filled with the awareness of what a great life we have.  It has been given to us unconditionally by our Lord Jesus Christ.

   
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  Noreen 3:40 pm on September 19, 2020 Permalink  

  The Smells of Fall 

  Here and there are the smells of fall.  Lush grass being mowed, a few fire rings getting rid of leaves and twigs and a new crop of shelled corn going by.  It is hard to believe but the harvest of 2020 has begun.

  My agenda today was more into the Saturday routine of washing bedding, Swiffering floors and making a casserole for supper.  The pickings in the pantry are getting slim to none.  We had stocked up on many items in late February when the covid was being warned against.  We were determined to get to the back of those shelves as much as we could before restocking.  By the afternoon the beautiful day beckoned me outside.

  Dennis was one of those mowing lush grass today.  It took Dennis a while to get going this morning.  Yesterday was his first injection in his right eye for wet macular degeneration.  Of course, there was a bit of tenderness until the eye has rid itself of all the washing materials prior to the injection.  Every six months we are at the our eye doctors for a check in.  Hard to believe what can develop in such a short time.  The macula is located at the back of the eye.  Unusual blood vessels can build around it, leaking fluid and a bit of blood that causes vision problems.  For right now it will require an injection once a month.  Time will tell.  Dennis never batted an eye . . . literally.  The specialist was in St. James yesterday from Mankato.  She determined what needed to be done and offered Dennis an appointment in Mankato if he wanted to think things over and he said, “Nope, if you can do it right now, let’s get it done.”  Needless to say, I was taken aback when he got home and shared what he had been through.  Wham, bam, thank you doctor.

  While Dennis mowed, I did empty our burning ring.  I had cleaned out the stalks of spent blooms on the Hosta.  A few branches here and there that can cause the rider mower some problems if not picked up.  I must say the Hosta look good for this time of the year.  We must have missed the season of slugs that usually chew holes in them until they look like lace.  It was one of those things that I wasn’t going to put forth any effort into gardening, but the dang things came up and I didn’t have the heart to let them go up in weeds.  By the way . . . it didn’t hurt me one bit to take care of them.  

  The Autumn Joy pink blooms are showing.  The pollinators love them.  If messing around those plants in the fall, be prepared as the bees have first dibs.

  We are content for the weekend.  It is a joy to end each day knowing and feeling that we have been blessed to have a home to take care of.  Be it ever so humble . . . it’s ours and may it be our “forever home.”

   
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  Noreen 4:20 pm on September 18, 2020 Permalink  

  Happy Weekend 

  I worked with a fellow years ago that felt the terminology of “weekend” was incorrect.  He felt we needed to called it “strong-end.”  Monday through Friday was the fight so Saturday and Sunday could come with us feeling strong.  We have conquered!  Ya, well, so much for that thought.

  With the sun being bright in the mornings, the view from the bathroom east window is . . . zip, nothing.  From the season’s dust, rain, wind, etc.,  the spots are too huge to see around.  Out came the fiberglass step ladder.  The agenda for the day was the bathroom windows.  Mission completion!  

  That was the extent of my Friday for local effort.  I did do quite a bit of reading.  Dennis and Dwayne worked on the Cub Cadet today.  I stayed far, far away.

  It is great outside and I hope everyone gets to accomplish what they have been thinking on and of all week.  After all, life is not for the faint of heart.

   
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  Noreen 3:17 pm on September 17, 2020 Permalink  

  Many More 

  I would enjoy many more days such as this one.  It’s hard to stay in the house when there is a breeze blowing, rustling the leaves that tempt some of them to decide to fly away.  Our Hackberry tree in the back has had many leaves vacate the premise.

  It did take me quite a while to patch the exterior hole of the back garage’s west wall.  I worked on it while Dennis had an eye appointment.  A scrap of vinyl siding and the tin snips were what I had to work with.  It was measure twice and cut once.  I can’t tell you how much I rely on the “600” industrial glue.  Of course, the rock that blew through the wall had taken out portions of two slats, one on top of the other, of the siding.  When Dennis came home close to noon, he stood on the east patio and from where he stood . . . “You can’t even see that there was a problem.”  It was a good job to take care of before colder weather comes and a critter would want to take shelter in our garage. 

  Dennis had stopped at the Fleet and Farm store before coming home from the eye appointment.  Checking out the eves, Dennis realized why he has gotten stung by a wasps two different times.  Those buggers sure know how to hide their nests.  Those buggers sure know how to retaliate when their nests are sprayed.  Dennis’ spraying must have made contact as shortly thereafter there were two struggling on the drive.  Can’t struggle too much when my shoe descends on them. 

  I managed to find something to do outside until three this afternoon.  If one stood still, the air felt cool.  Moving around through the Hosta beds cleaning up sticks and branches it was very comfortable.  I did notice that there was not a single Black Walnut off our two trees.  On the other hand, the acorns from the neighbor’s tree were abundant.  I raked up a bushel basket of acorns from under our Lilacs, some shucked and some not.  I think the squirrels had their quota.  Dennis will be slow roasting them in his fire ring in days to come.  Dennis made sure to blow off the patios often as it was like walking on marbles there for awhile.

  I have noticed various school buses going by from other towns.  There must be some normality with extracurricular for the kids.  Our normality hasn’t changed an nth.  We do what we have always done, which is to keep our noses down and take care of what presents itself each day.  Some days are busier than others.  The main thing is each day we remind each other as to what day of the week it is.  Priceless! 

  Thursdays are welcomed as they are the hint that the weekend is not far behind.  Enjoy this wonderful Minnesota weather ya’all!