Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:51 pm on January 9, 2020 Permalink  

  It Feels So Good 

  Dennis and I had not treated ourselves to a pedicure since before Thanksgiving.  Oh my oh my . . .  my feet feel so good.  It is the best $25.00 I could ever spend on my well being.  We could purchase all the equipment that the spa uses and we would not be able to take care of our own feet in the manner that they need to be.  The deep massage of the legs is great.  Those small hands can really pack a punch.  As we were sitting there, I did mention to Dennis that if he wanted to really spoil me, a chair that gives a massage as well as their pedicure chairs do, would be wonderful.  The massage pummels from the back of the head all the way down the spine.  That in itself is worth a lot for feeling good.

  Of course we picked up groceries.  We are not too keen on having to visit a grocery store before we can plan a supper.  Though we don’t have a freezer other than the one over the refrigerator, we can sustain ourselves for a long time with what we keep on hand.  Priceless.  Cub grocery store is just a hop from Perkins where we planned on having our meal of the day.  Dennis filled the little red pickup with fuel for $2.31 per gal.  A savings from what we have in St. James at $2.44.

  Looking at our calendar, all the events that spun off of the holidays and medical appointments are over.  The peace that passes all understanding is here.  I love that.    Yup . . . Dennis and I spoiled rotten in our home.

   
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  Noreen 4:23 pm on January 8, 2020 Permalink  

  Oh My Gosh 

  Oh my gosh what a high adrenaline day.  Today was the day Megan and Carrie would drive from the metro for Megan to take her driver’s test at the courthouse.  I encouraged the two to come early and we could do lunch at Megan’s favorite St. James cafe, the Encore.  

  We had plenty of time so Megan could do some practice driving around town before her test.  It wasn’t hard finding the flags for the 90 degree back up event.  Megan nailed that.  After a bit we found the cones for the parallel parking.  With both being successful I got dropped off at home and Carrie and Megan headed for the courthouse.

  After an hour and a half, I was quite sure Megan had passed as a quick return would have been done if she had failed.  The license center in the courthouse doesn’t take much for jam-up.

  What I didn’t expect to see was the red eyes that Megan had.  As it turned out, the fellow giving the test had been in another person’s car that they were actually taking the test, when he saw Megan pulling out from the parallel poles.  Megan made it through the entire test in good stead.

  As they parked in front of the courthouse for the examiner to go over her results, the first thing he told her was that any practicing at the posted areas on the examine day resulted in an immediate failure.  Through the welling up of the eyes Megan did state that she had no awareness of that.  She did say her mom thought it would be a good thing for a practice, asking where that information was that she missed . . . it is stated on the St. James radio station on Wednesdays.  Dah!  I believe that kids that have taken the training here in St. James may also know of that.  After all that heavy beating in Megan’s heart, he did tell her that she had passed.   What a jerk!  When the two of them came into the courthouse, the first thing he said to Megan in Carrie’s face was “Did you tell your mom what the rules are?”  It was truly an amazing gift from God that Carrie didn’t take him out right there.

  High drama for my Megan.  We are so proud of her to put this chapter to rest.  Carrie and Megan couldn’t stay after the license center work as Megan had to go to her job at six.  Megan works at the community center working with the young girls that are just beginning the lessons on the ice.  

  The day was cold.  The day was high adrenaline.  The day was very memorable for our oldest granddaughter.  Megan is on her way for more independence.  I am a bit sympathetic for her mom and day.

   
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  Noreen 5:09 pm on January 7, 2020 Permalink  

  A Feel Good Day 

  A good night’s rest made for a feel good day that could be had.  With Dennis’ morning to coffee with his fellows up town,  I took my time getting the day started.  Sometimes my pink fuzzy bathrobe and I need a bit more time to begin the rituals of the home.

  Fast forward to the afternoon and I was prepared for a 1:30 coffee guest.  I had not seen Bobby Moody since 1980, or there abouts.  Bobby worked in the probation office of the courthouse next to our assessor’s office.  Bobby had been a visitor to Orlin and I when we lived at South Branch.  Bobby was interested in learning how to can vegetables and butcher chickens.  She was originally from California and had met and married a fellow from St. James and was now a resident.

  Bobby had not changed in personality from that long ago time.  Her hair is as white as mine.  Her children are now all adults as mine are.  It didn’t take long for us to catch up with each other.  She had recently dipped her toe into quilting as there were grandchildren to remember with a warm quilt.  We did visit my sewing studio.  Bobby and her husband live in a 740 square foot apartment here in town.  Her comment about area for creativity made me feel so fortunate for my space.  Coffee and cookies were enjoyable and perhaps there will be more visits in the future.

  After Bobby left, I returned to my sewing studio.  I am puttering around and am anticipating how to totally quilt my eight point pinwheel quilt in time to come.  I have made samples and will be trying out different stitch patterns in time to come.  In the mean time, in between time, I still have 35 pieced blocks to continue attaching together for a completed quilt top before the remainder of the steps.  It’s all about puttering and I am still having a feel good day.

   
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  Noreen 6:00 pm on January 6, 2020 Permalink  

  My Oh My 

  Well . . . that didn’t go well.  An oven meal was prepared for our evening meal.  I got it done before I left for an eye appointment.  Classico brand pasta sauce, pinne pasta, thinly sliced kielbasa, and quartered brussel sprouts with fine shredded cheese on top.  It looked like something out of a Taste of Home magazine.  The aroma filled the kitchen with “good eating” as the oven did its thing.

  As our evening meal was on the table, I took in what was going on with the fellow sitting next to me . . . well, to tell you the truth, it confounded me.  What came to my mind was . . . brats have been grilled and enjoyed here on Stauffer Avenue and at picnics by my meal partner.  Who peels the eatable casings off of brats?  Dennis surely hasn’t. Why would each little round of Kielbasa in this oven dish need to be peeled of a similar casing?  I had to advert my eyes as the serving ladle went fishing around the baking dish to avoid accidentally getting a portion of a brussel sprout in with a piece of pasta, and if the slices of Kielbasa could be pushed aside that also happened.  It took all I had not to burst out laughing.  That would not have been a good thing.  That would have been like rubbing a finely cooked brussel sprout into a wound.

  From my point of view and from my taste buds, the oven meal was very satisfying.  The melding of flavors hit all the marks.  

  Needless to say the conversation at our supper table was subdued.  It is not often that I am speechless.  The Home Town Cafe may see Dennis showing up for the next several evening meals as I can tell you the leftovers will be served up.

  My oh my!

   
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  Noreen 4:47 pm on January 5, 2020 Permalink  

  A Day of Rest 

  Sundays were deemed to be a day of rest.  Man, have we blown that out of the water.  After the demolition project I had going yesterday, I had told Dennis as he went off to the last day of the gun show in Northrup, I was going to lay low for the day.

  As it turned out, Carrie and Megan were planning on driving down.  Megan needed to have fifty hours of driving before she could take her driving license test.  What also had happened was that rather than getting on the list for taking that driving test in the metro and being on a six month list, Carrie had called the Watonwan County office and Megan will be taking her test here in St. James on this coming Wednesday.

  Today gave Megan a chance to drive around St. James and get a feel of the community.  I was in the backseat during the tour and I must say, Megan did a great job.

  Dennis is home from the gun show and I think he may be talked out after three days of chit chat.  Dennis had mentioned on Friday night that there was a fellow who would be sharpening knives.  As a trial, I sent over, for Saturday, two older knives and my mom’s Fiskars scissors.  When Dennis got home Saturday night, we headed into the sewing studio to do several tests on the three scissors.  I do believe that those scissors will be lasting me for a very long time giving great service.

  This morning when Dennis left, he took the entire butcher block of kitchen knives with him.  What I need to do now that Dennis and the knives are back home is give them a good wash to remove any and all oil from them.  The fellow did warn Dennis that I should wash one knife at a time so as to not cut myself or let the knives accidentally touch another.  Dennis spent a total of $46 getting everything sharpened up.  What a guy.

  The wind has gone down and it appears that next week will be of good temperatures.  The weeks go by very quickly.  I may have to drag my feet a bit and slow things down.

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on January 4, 2020 Permalink  

  Home Alone 

  No, it’s not as notorious as the movies that depicted “Home Alone.”

  Function in our home is paramount.  We only have 720 square feet on the main level and it has to work at full functionality.  Dennis left for the Northrup trade show early this morning.  I didn’t really have a plan until I was fully awake.  Getting the beds tidy is one of the first things on the list. 

  The sun decided to shine today and that put a whole new slant on what I was seeing.  The first step several days ago was to take out the tower computer out of the west porch of our home.  That was easy.  Today the sun was giving me power and I tackled the desk that has been in the porch for the better part of twenty years.  It’s one of those that is mostly sawdust and glue . . . and heavy.

  Who knew what was hiding behind the desk!  There were two power strips attached to the back side of the desk to which all was attached to.  It had been a wonderful way to keep miles and miles of cords controlled.  I got a pillow so I could get down on the floor with my titanium knees.  I made sure I took off my slippers as I knew I would need my bare feet for friction control when I decided to get up off the knees and floor.  In the midst of it all was my cell phone.  I was prepared.  I tackled the electronic mess.  We have cable television, we have Internet and up until a short time ago we had landline phones.  Tackling taking the desk apart was the least of my challenges.  I was home alone, I had no one to convince that this was a good thing to do.  I was on my own.  I knew in the end, I needed the modem to be protected as that would allow Internet and television going forward after today.  The rest of the paraphernalia was a slow process of what needed to be saved and what was totally not necessary.

  I checked the desk and of course they had the wonky hexagon screws that held it together.  As luck would have it . . . I had one of those bits to put into a screwdriver.  The working of the screwdriver and the screws took me a very long time.  None of the screws had been stripped but dang those screws were long and my hands called “uncle” several times.  I have no doubt Dennis would have used a power tool.  I had all day and in the end . . . mission completion. 

  At the end of my project, I have tidied up and all tools used have been put back.  The television in the porch works and the precious modem is fully functional.  Nailed it!  I have always enjoyed reading in this porch.  With three sides of windows it has great natural light.  I can envision having a very comfortable chair with a side table for a coffee or a tea cup.  Those plans and dreams are for another day.  

  I know Dennis will shake his head when he comes home and sees the desk in pieces next to the back door.  We had talked about it several times so it won’t be a total surprise.  As heavy as the desk was, we had nowhere that it could have been put to use.  I had measured it for my sewing machine.  It was only 26 inches tall and it would have needed bricks under it to make it work and it was larger than what would have been ideal.  Sometimes in small homes . . . less is more.

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on January 3, 2020 Permalink  

  A Long Sigh 

  So . . . what has brought me to having a long sigh?  Dennis has just left Stauffer Avenue heading to Northrup for a trade show.  Today is setup day for the full bore show on Saturday and Sunday.

  With the long sigh I am having some “stillness” time . . . one on one.  Dennis has left the property.

  There are agendas to be had on Stauffer Avenue.  This morning it was being out to the clinic to have some prescriptions renewed for Dennis.  When the pill bottle has imprinted on the label, “No Refills, face time is required.”  That means that it has been a year since our family doctor has had Dennis sitting in a chair across from him.  It’s a good thing, rather than refilling bottles time after time and not keeping track of patients.  I am asked, by Dennis, to go with to most of his appointment to make sure he has not missed something that was verbally said.  Good move, Dennis.

  After the clinic I was dropped at home and Dennis continued onto the grain elevator with a little red pickup full of five gallon pails.  Dennis did his homework and buying the pails of corn from his friend at the elevator was less than purchasing the 80lb. bags at the Fleet and Farm Store.  Five gallon pails are also easier for the 83-year-ole cowboy to handle.  

  With the corn tucked into the garage, it was Dennis onto getting his first meal of the day.  The cookies that he has in the early morning with his first cup of coffee in the patio porch doesn’t count.  Dennis’ noon meal consists of oatmeal, flax meal, with milk and sugar.  Oh, how could I forget the even layer of the rich brown organic cinnamon on top of the mixture.  Dennis rarely deviates from this.  It satisfies him and that’s all that counts until we have supper.

  The little red pickup had remained in the driveway and as soon as the oatmeal dish had been rinsed, the gun cases came out . . . guns were loaded into the cases . . . and the cases were in the little red pickup.  Dennis has left the property. 

  I am now sitting in the quiet and stillness of our home enjoying a cup of coffee left over from morning.  I have really cut back on coffee and generally have only one cup a day . . . sometime during the day.  

  As you may have gleaned, Dennis’ agenda drives our day.  Lately Dennis has an agenda every day.  Do I mind it? No.  For him being that enthused about the days . . . is priceless.  Sometimes it seems as if an hourglass is hiding somewhere in our home.  Perhaps there is . . . and I am not going to seek it out.

  My agendas are quite flexible.  To have this quiet afternoon to enjoy my “stillness’ is wonderful.  So . . . I give a sigh of thankfulness as I enjoy my wonderful life on Stauffer Avenue . . . with my ole cowboy.

   
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  Noreen 5:14 pm on January 2, 2020 Permalink  

  A Bit of a Disappointment 

  We had a new storm door up in the summer.  It was a Larson brand.  Last week, I noticed that the vinyl sweep that goes across the bottom of the door to keep drafts and critters out had torn loose.  Hmm.  It was disappointing that we had not made it through one season without a draft under the door.  I mentioned it in passing to Dennis and we decided to live with it until spring.

  This afternoon,  I heard a noise by the back door.  The back door was not opening but the noise continued.  My first thought was that Dennis had fallen.  Up the sewing studio stairs I went.  When I opened our back door there indeed was a body.  Our friend Elmer, was on his knees and he was replacing the sweep.  Elmer and I had worked for the county for years and were good friends.  After Elmer retired from the county shop, he had taken up small repair jobs.

  Dennis had taken in the comment I had made last week.  Dennis acted on that comment and had found Elmer.  What a great ole cowboy I have.  What great “people” we have.  Living in a small town, it seems that it doesn’t take long, sometimes, to find someone who can assist in a small repair.

  I had stayed in the sewing studio for most of the day.  When I was on the first floor, the gray day bit me in the butt.  If I stayed in the sewing studio, I didn’t see the gray skies and I continued with my projects.  It is amazing what we can do to protect ourselves from being in a less than good frame of mind. 

  Supper is several precooked pork chops and the remainder of the potato salad that Dennis had made for last night’s supper.  I had boiled eggs and boiled two lonely potatoes and Dennis took it from there.  It was great to have a portion of last night’s supper done for me.  I can share with you that Dennis’ two least favorite things to do in the kitchen is peel boiled eggs and chop onions.  Our boiled eggs have been peeling better since I put some soda and some vinegar in the kettle that the eggs will be boiled in.  Who knew!

   
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  Noreen 4:38 pm on January 1, 2020 Permalink  

  Stillness in the Air 

  The neighborhood is still today.  No cars reving their engines across the street where some younger fellows tinker on their vehicles. The neighbor’s dog, Peaches, hasn’t been heard today.  Peaches usually howls when Bob forgets to let her back in the house.  Could this be a sign that 2020 is beginning with less commotion than 2019?  Wouldn’t that be great!

  I am not a complacent individual.  My dander can get up just as the next’s . . . when it strikes near to home or to family.  What others may believe or say is none of my business.  What has been the usual is that nothing can be said or left without someone coming out of the work work making a big deal about it.  How can so many have the time and resources to pick an argument. I do not believe they are sensitive to the issue, they just need to call attention to themselves in fear that they may be forgotten. 

  Now . . . getting back to the New Year . . . in times past families would get together that perhaps had not had a chance to be together for Christmas.  I am recalling Mom and Dad’s sibling coming over for the new year day to visit, perhaps playing several games of cards. 

  For our family back then, I know one particular new year day,  we took advantage of nice temps by bundling up Carrie and Kevin and heading to Beaver Falls to sled on the pasture hills.  Orlin’s sister had a huge amount of pasture that was nothing but steep hills for their beef cattle to roam on.  In fact, we had such a good time, that later on in the month we invited Elvera’s family to join us.  We each packed food and had a picnic in the snowy hills of the pasture.  Fun memories of times past.

  Whether it was Mom and Dad’s family or if it were my family of my siblings, people don’t gather as they used to.  The reality is, is that people need whatever time they can glean to gather fortitude for themselves to meet the next week of a job or of family schedules.  I remember the times when Orlin and I both held down jobs and it felt like we were meeting ourselves coming and going.  The stillness was gone.

  There no longer abounds “stillness.”  I miss the stillness that I grew up in.  I miss the stillness of the years of raising Carrie and Kevin from the times of their birth going forward.  Now . . . those were special years.  My prayer is that each and everyone can take time for some stillness so they may have special memories in times to come.  

  Here on Stuaffer Avenue we are nurturing “stillness.”  We cherish the fact that drama is not a part of our days.  Rushing through the day is no longer required.  Our job is to stay upright, keep moving, respect the health that each of us enjoys so we can continue enjoying watching the world go around . . . even if it is faster than Dennis or I would like.

   
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  Noreen 4:50 pm on December 31, 2019 Permalink  

  Brr! 

  What an arctic blast we have had overnight.  The wind tore at the evergreens right outside my bedroom.  I was a bit leary to open my eyes this morning for fear we had lost the awning on the west side of the house.  Fear not . . . all was in place.  The wind had done a number on the drifting snow in our driveway.  No to worry with the all-wheel drive on the car as I would need to head out.

  I had a physical therapy appointment this morning.  As it were there was one of the specialists that come to our clinic from Mankato.  Before Mike did my physical therapy he had me see the specialist that deals with nerves.  That doctor just ran me through some movements, answers and questions that would tell him if the issue in my neck was related to a pinched nerve.  It is has nothing to do with a pinched nerve.  Good to know.

  After Mike was through with me, we are now on a two week schedule to see how things go.  What I termed as gristle in my neck that was tight, Mike had the correct language for it and it is much looser than the onset.  I have been doing my exercises followed by heat.  I left feeling as if there were light at the end of the tunnel.

  By the time I returned from the clinic, Dennis had gotten the trusty snowblower going and the driveway was cleared.  

  This is New Year’s Eve!  Dennis and I are tucked into our home and will leave the celebrating to those who are still looking for a reason to be out and about.  I am not making any huge resolutions as each day I try and do better than the day before on all aspects of my life.  

  HAPPY NEW YEAR!