Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:27 pm on October 31, 2019 Permalink  

  Happy Hallowed Saints Day 

  Are we ready for the evening.  Yes!  Dennis has corn candy in his favorite dish . . . and he is not anticipating sharing it with anyone.  Our police department does a great job of having a party for the children of the community.  No age limit . . . open door policy.  I am not above pulling some shades to keep a few stray tricksters at bay.

  After my walk this morning, I decided to warm up the kitchen and made a pan of lemon bars for Dennis.  Right now the bars are more conducive to stirring up and baking rather than doing the individual cookies on the sheet pans.  Dennis picked up the slack this afternoon by stirring up some powdered sugar frosting to put on top.  Who said my grounds keeper was not a multi-tasker.

  We were hungry for pizza for supper.  Had not had any pizza in a long time.  Dennis said he would take care of it and my comment indicated, I didn’t care what kind he got.  Four-thirty the back door was opened and I heard “Pizza is served.”  Well . . . when you put someone in charge you need to let them lead, and lead Dennis did.  We had a medium pizza . . . half taco and half meat lovers.  

  Without batting an eye, I put the needle in the downward position on the sewing machine and made my way up the steps to the table.  It was a great treat and I enjoy cold pizza the next day.  Dennis has his lemon bars and corn candy and I have cold pizza . . . everyone on Stauffer Avenue is a winner.  No spooks anticipated here.

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on October 30, 2019 Permalink  

  I Think Mother Nature Means Business 

  When I looked at the temps before I went walking this morning, I was a bit taken aback when it said the air chill felt like 18 degrees.  I suited up and headed out.  Dressed warmly, I didn’t mind the brisk air.  I always take my phone along in the jacket pocket.  Being safe is what being 75 is all about.

  Dennis couldn’t resist one more swipe at the leaves.  The Hackberry had a blanket of pretty green leaves on the east end of the acre that had chosen overnight to fall . . . no more!  I must say, the yard is ready for the next blanket of covering.  I knew Dennis would put the battery of the Cub-Lo-Boy into the garage for winter’s keeping.  At that point,  I knew . . . Dennis would be calling it quits for being the summer and fall grounds keeper on Stauffer Avenue.  God willing there will be a break before the snowblower has to be brought out.

  Dennis filled the gas tank on the Cub before taking it to the back garage.  I stood by and watched.  It’s what I do.  As Dennis lifted the five gallon gasoline container to the hood of the tractor, there was a dribble that hit the hood of the tractor consistently.  With the weight being what it was, Dennis was leaning onto the hood of the tractor.  I waited until Dennis was finished and then asked for the nylon down-filled jacket as I offered him a trade.  I could just imagine Dennis lighting a cigarette, not realizing how soaked the jacket had become with gas.  Yup . . . Grammie’s ever watchful of the ole cowboy.  I took the jacket into the laundry and sprayed with with Shout and then into the washing machine it went.

  Mother Nature means business, but so do I.  There are plenty of things that can go happen-stance without pushing Lady Luck.

  Dennis and I took all the empty gas cans up to the corner station to fill them.  Dennis added some Sta-bil into each of the three containers.  We are set for a time when the snowblower needs to be  started.  The electric power cord to start the snowblower is right where it needs to be for ease of using. 

  I do believe the older ones on Stauffer Avenue can breathe easy for a day or two.  I am not betting that Dennis won’t come up with something . . . he has been on quite a roll.   Me . . . I’ll always have something going in the sewing studio.

   
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  Noreen 3:45 pm on October 29, 2019 Permalink  

  It Continues 

  I believe it was last Wednesday when I was released from physical therapy by Mike T. for a naughty hip.  I have been walking a bit every day since.  It feels great.

  The first thing that I did when I came home that day of being released was get onto the portal for my Mayo Clinic site and ask my general practitioner for a prescription to be able to have physical therapy for my upper back and neck.  The chiropractor that my GP had suggested who also did acupuncture said he couldn’t help me after several attempts. 

  Today was my first session with Mike T. for the neck and shoulders and upper back.  It does all tie together.  Mike T. has gotten me through a very lot ever since the knees were replaced fifteen years ago.  I know many who have had their knees replaced and are still limping with some discomfort.  Not this gal!

  I believe I am in the best of medical hands possible.  Believing in your doctor is the first step to a better life.

  Speaking of a better life . . . Dennis has had one heck of a great season.  Today the hoses from the sides of the house are being blown out and hung in the potting shed.  May his good days continue for a long time to come.

  Our new Lewis Drug Store is open this week.  It is located out towards the hospital.  I visited out there this afternoon to pick up my one $2.97 prescription and congratulated the staff on having such a nice facility to work in.

  My future continues on to a better life each and every day . . . minding my Ps and Qs.  Oh yes, I remember how that saying came about.  Picking handset type . . . those two lowercase letters could be confused for each other.  It is onto fixing some chicken tenders for supper.

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on October 28, 2019 Permalink  

  The Neighborhood is Alive 

  The neighborhood is alive with the sound of lawnmowers mulching.  Several hard frosts have taken its toll on the leaves that are trying their best to hang on to the tree limbs.

  Dennis and I were right out there with the best of them.  I have a wonderful six inch rake that is just my size for my strength to help get the leaves out of their hiding spots.  Dennis and the Cub Lo-Boy did a great job shredding and mulching.  When I took a gander at the trees, we may be doing a repeat of this afternoon . . . several more times.  I don’t mind it and it’s less work for next spring.

  It was amazing how large a pile of branches we had collected over the last month with the high winds beating and whipping tree stops.  All we needed to do was get them down to a size that would fit in our neighbor’s burning pit.  Neighbor Bob has the hub of a semi tire.  It worked great.  Dennis did add a bit extra.  He used our electric chainsaw and cut down the Lilac tree in the backyard.  It has served us well and with the shade that has taken over the back yard, it wasn’t proud of itself anymore.  Without direct sun, the blossoms were lacking.  Dennis put it out of its depression.

  In between time, I have been in the sewing studio with a mending project.  Dennis loves his down filled jacket that he has for everyday wearing.  It’s lightweight, warm and easily slides over shirts.  Shabby weak nylon zippers . . . ugh!  The point of entry for the zipper process to begin is less than desirable.  One mis-slip and the zipper is not anchored and the zipper will not function.  At that point it may have to be pulled off over the head as the zipper is not running on its rails.  Today I replaced the nylon zipper with a stout metal one.  When we were in Mankato, I headed for JoAnn’s as I needed a 28″ zipper.  Ya . . . right.  Coats and Clark had only stocked zippers to the length of 24″.  It took a bit but I wouldn’t feel bad if Dennis did wear the jacket when he is out and about.  More times than not, the zipper is never pulled all the way to the top.  What was disappointing was the cigarette hole that needed attention in the front of the jacket.  Mend it up and suck it up as Dennis isn’t going to quit smoking any time soon. 

  It is left over pork roast made into hot sandwiches for supper with a side of pork and beans. 

  I might add that since the hips have been working, it feels wonderful to get back to taking a walk every morning.  It may not be the two miles that I had been doing, but not having been able to do any amount of walking, I’ll take this and perhaps work into longer walks . . . or not. 

   
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  Noreen 2:32 pm on October 27, 2019 Permalink  

  Good Aromas 

  There is a good aroma in the home this afternoon.  I slathered seasoning on a pork roast and it has been roasting at 250 degrees since ten this morning.  The best part will be the leftovers and most important the bone that will make a great soup for later this week.  I usually purchase a 4 lb. roast so I can dice and trim for several freezer bags of pork roast to use later on.  It makes for quick meals.

  We did have a bit of outside work left for today.  Now that the fish pond has been drained, we needed to pay attention to  several soft spots in the exterior siding of the potting shed that also has the fish pond bladder attached to it.  Over years of water splashing against it, it needed attention.  Those sneaky little mice would just love to make those vulnerable spots into perfect size holes for them and to then give a shout out . . . “ya all come!”  Some new pitch packs were also placed into the potting shed as we are done with tucking away items into it.

  Dennis set about cutting a piece of trim for me as I want to hang a wall hanging in the living room for the Christmas season.  Nothing fancy, just a piece of trim with a bit of sanding and it will be ready to go.  I have two new 3M Command Hooks for the rest of the story.

  I worked a bit on two pillows that may be what is wanted for a customer.  Time will tell.

  Yup . . . that roast is really wetting the appetite.  A few instant mashed potatoes and some Steamable Birds Eye Frozen Corn and we will be in high cotton.

  A good bit of local effort to close down the day.

   
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  Noreen 6:09 pm on October 26, 2019 Permalink  

  Busy Day 

  After getting the quilts on the clotheslines for the last of the season airing, I headed to Sherburn.

  Cousin Chris lives in Lakefield, Minnesota.  Chris was taking a quilt top to the Old Alley Quilt Shop to have it longarmed sometime in November.  We agreed it would be fun to meet and have lunch together at the Cup and Saucer Cafe.  The two of us had not had a chance for a two-some for quite some time.

  Driving back to St. James it was unbelievable how many combines were out making lots of dust.  The soybeans are pretty much out and now the corn needs attention.

  When I got home, my oh my!  The quilts were off of the clothesline.  Dennis was in the patio porch with Snuggles on his lap.  Where had all the cut off Hosta and leaves gone under the Maple and Oak trees.  Dennis had been using the rake, the leaf blower and a lot of man power to get all of it out and off to the east for being mulched with the Cub Lo- Boy.  That area next to the patios and the patio porch has always been a lot of hard work to get as much of the excess out before the snow would bury it.  If it was not cleaned out, the next spring it was like layers of rotting vegetation . . . much like manure.  That was a huge job.  Lots of arm power. 

  It is now dark out and I am sure Dennis is down for the night.  Showered and fed I believe the tuckered out feeling will fall upon Dennis like the leaves he was fighting the last several days.

  Tomorrow will tell.  Around Stauffer Avenue one can never tell.

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on October 25, 2019 Permalink  

  There’s Activity 

  Put the sun in the sky with good temperatures and you will find activity on Stauffer Avenue.

  Dennis and the Cub Lo-Boy were taking 60″ swats on the leaves in the far east portion of the acre.  There are more leaves to fall but there is nothing like hitting it when inspiration teams with “Let’s get’r done!”  If the snow stays away for a bit, I have no doubt that regardless of the temperatures, Dennis will be repeating his events of today.

  I have been commissioned to do a stitch and sewing project that will be a Christmas present, or several Christmas presents.  The gal on the receiving end of this is a very proficient quilter . . . that put the fear of God in me as to my skills.  Her daughter had caught a Facebook post of mine with a particular design.  Apparently the old barn with the quilt block featured in the gable of the barn would warm the receiver’s heart.  At this point I was given a free hand on how to work on this.  I am to keep a tab on costs of materials.  I am using fabrics from my stashes with purchased fabric for the center of the stitching.  As this plays out it may well be two sofa pillows and one table runner. Thus far two pillow tops are up for review.  Each with a bit of difference.  How did I ever get along without my Fairfax button tree!  If the request had not come this early in the Christmas season, I would have not taken it on.  It’s still October and my thoughts are pretty much nailed down as to how to proceed.

  It is a soup and sandwich kind of supper.  I cleared it with Dennis and he is up for it.  It’s about time to close down the sewing studio.  Tomorrow is another day.  There has been enough activity for today.

   
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  Noreen 5:20 pm on October 24, 2019 Permalink  

  Sweet! 

  After these two old farts have done the best we can to get ready for the change in seasons, we had a road date.

  After haircuts and pedicures . . . life is sweet.  We take care of as much as we can and of course the two of us put the two of us as last on the list.

  The air is cool and perhaps tonight will be a hard enough frost that the hosta can be cut down for the season.  Dennis asked if it would hurt if they were cut back too far.  At this point in time . . . give it all you have.  I may have mentioned that three months of enjoyment in the yard perennials doesn’t pencil out with the numerous appointments for help with injured body parts later on.

  I don’t think I will rethink the flower issue.  My MaMa didn’t raise no fool . . . not honoring what my body can handle is foolish.  After all, they don’t put your name on a brick in the sidewalk out at our Mayo Clinic and Mayo Hospital.  Not even an “I thank you” note for the numerous occasions of frequenting the establishment.  I think there are a few lights that can remain on due to my wonderful health insurance.

  Tomorrow is a day we have not got a single plan for.  We’ll see how it shakes out.

   
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  Noreen 2:51 pm on October 23, 2019 Permalink  

  It’s Hard to Take 

  It’s hard to take, but I am beginning to believe that we are not going to have a nice fall with temperatures that would want one to make leaf angels in piles of raked leaves.  Damp and wet is the forecast.

  Listening to the news this morning was all Dennis needed to hear.  Out came the sump pump and miles of hose.  The draining of the Koi pond commenced.  Six of the chunky fish are enjoying the horse tank in the garage.  With no time to allow the slime to get crusty in the filters, hoses and pump of the outside pond . . . it all went into the basement laundry sink with enough Dawn to float a boat.  Dennis has his storage areas carved out of the cistern closet in the basement.  Everything will be clean and dry for hopefully another year in the spring of 2020.  I do hear a comment once in awhile that perhaps the Koi pond should be closed down.  I don’t comment as Dennis will know when it’s time, or . . . check with us next 4th of July and see if they are still in the tank in the garage.

  This afternoon,  I was released from physical therapy for my hips.  It has been a good two weeks of not having them lock up and hurt.  Was it a coincidence that this morning I finished the heavy duty fall cleaning?  No! I wanted to make sure that what Mike T observed during therapy was the real deal of me having been active.  All I had left was the living room.  With felt pads under everything, everything can be moved out.  Moved out it was . . . right to the middle of the room.  There will always be dusting of surfaces, but the deep down under only gets done twice a year.

  Grain is being hauled into the elevator . . . a sign that the farmers are getting some crop out.  By the mud on the road surfaces, we all know what the rest of the story is.  

  As luck would have it, we can enjoy left-over pasta hotdish for supper.  It’s a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on October 22, 2019 Permalink  

  Not Quite Yet 

  Well . . . not quite the outcome I had anticipated in regard to my eye appointment.  It seems that there is still more healing going on from the cataract surgery of October 7th.  That is not unusual.  The pressure behind the eye had been 39 on the 8th of October.  Today that pressure is at 27.  Ideally 20-21 will be the indicator that I am ready for new eyeglass lenses.  I have waited this long, another two weeks . . . I can do.  Let’s do this right!

  Kevin and Kersten had brought over a magnifier some time ago.  It has been one of my best helpers for seeing things and keeping things in perspective.  The computer screen is a no-brainer as I can easily increase the screen appearance.  Seeing the amount due on a bill . . . that needs my helper.  It will be in service just a bit longer.

  The wind roared last night to no end.  I believe the end of the wind is forecast to be supper time this evening.  Anything not nailed down has been rearranged.  I don’t do raking of the leaves, but I know after a bit Dennis will be using the rider to do some mulching.

  Dennis has prepared supper for this evening.  A chicken pasta hotdish always fills the bill.  Rotisserie cubed chicken, Penne pasta, cream cheese, Alfredo sauce and a package of frozen mixed vegetable that has been diced . . . perfect.  The best part is that he does his dishes up after the prep is done.  We love oven meals.