Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 6:18 pm on July 4, 2019 Permalink  

  Happy 4th of July 

  Our celebration today included flying our American flag.  In the recent years, Dennis and I have been right here on Stuaffer Avenue for the 4th safe and sound.

  I have more memories of the 4th of July than a talk show could cover.  Fifty one years ago today, Carrie and I had taken mother-in-law Esther, Grandma, to Redwood Falls to see Mrs. Connors.  Mrs. Connors  sold Tri-Chem fabric paints and she had Esther as a good customer.  Carrie had been a good traveler and had contained her boredom while we were at Mrs. Connors.  As a treat the three of us stopped at Hardee’s in Redwood Falls for an ice cream cone before we headed home.  I knew we would be getting Esther home in time for us to continue motoring home to help Orlin with the evening  livestock chores.  As we were leaving Hardees, I tripped on an uneven concrete seam in the sidewalk.  It was a fairly good jar.

  I should mention that I was almost nine months pregnant.  That jar began the rest of the story.  We didn’t stop in Hector to take Grandma Schafer home.  We headed straight for our farm in Boon Lake Township.  Orlin had already started the evening chores and was just about to start milking the herd of Holstein milk cows.  Grandma Schafer stayed with Carrie.  Dad came and started the milking while Orlin and I headed for the hospital in Hutchinson.  My, oh my!  How schedules change.  Kevin became the star of that 4th of July and all those that have come after.    

  Fast forward.  Carrie will be 54 this year.  Kevin is 51.  Those numbers don’t mean much to me as they will be my babies for as long as I breathe.  I celebrate my children’s lives every day.  I can’t stop time, but then . . . no one can imagine how much my memory can hold.  I nurture my memories because I can and because they are MINE.

   
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  Noreen 6:02 pm on July 3, 2019 Permalink  

  New Gear 

  The trip to the Mayo Store went well today.  For the first time in eleven years a wonderful young woman took the time to let Dennis try on several types of full face masks for his CPAP machine.  One size does not fit all.  Time will tell tonight.  Air leaking around a bad fit of a face mask means that the machine can’t register when there is a kick of air needed when the heart has stopped.  If Dennis is restless and moves about quite a bit because he is leaking air and not sleeping soundly and the mask gets offset, it can sound like a wounded water Buffalo is on the loose.

  We didn’t spend anymore time than necessary in Mankato.  A stop at Cub’s was needed as I was out of some kitchen staples.  A stop at Sam’s Club for some of the over the counter supplements that we take is always a money saver.  With each stop that we made, we could feel the heat and humidity climb.  

  Dennis enjoys driving the MKX.  It sits so much more comfortable than his pickup.  His pickup does look sharp with new running boards and new seat covers.  I believe we have our forever vehicles.  

  All I did when we got home was make us a light lunch.  It doesn’t pay to eat out while we are in Mankato.  Dennis’ appetite is less than it used to be and if he is content coming home to what I can put out . . . so much the better.  

  The cats have been content staying close to home recently.  I couldn’t help but go out after lunch and take the weed whip out for a light wisp of a trim on the cat nip.  When the stems have been recently cut, the aroma gets them coming and oh how they roll in it.  Fun to watch.

  We are having a safe 4th of July right here on Stauffer Avenue.  Sweet!  I hope it is safe for all of you as well.

   
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  Noreen 4:22 pm on July 2, 2019 Permalink  

  A Check on the Eyes 

  This morning the eye clinic called.  The specialist was at the eye clinic and he wanted to see me back for one more check prior to the cataract surgery that is scheduled for August 5th.  Each eye is measured for placement of a new lens that will be put on the right eye.  Check, check.  It happens that my eyes are not the same size.  Who knew!  Dr. Gaven said it is not totally unusual just as some people have ears that are not of the exact size of the other, or feet that are not of the exact size of the other.  Dr. Gavin wanted to double check as once the new lens is placed there is no do-over.  It may also be due to the fact that each of my eyes had experienced a torn retina and that has been repaired.  It made me feel good to have him that precise.

  We had just under an inch of rain over the evening and early morning hours.  Of course, the humidity is muggy to say the least.  Dennis brought his Cub Lo-Boy home for the final touch ups on the painting and for the decals, but all painting is on hold until a less humid day.  Good choice.

  Tomorrow is road trip date day as Dennis needs to get re-fit for his CPAP face gear.  Dennis has lost about 28 lbs and his face is showing it as well as the gasket fitting over his face.  A good day to check the errand list as long as we are going.  We may well make a second trip over the 4th as there is a sale going on that we have coupons for.  What the heck.  It beats sitting out in the sun and heat swatting bugs.

   
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  Noreen 2:49 pm on July 1, 2019 Permalink  

  Deflated on a Monday 

  I can tell that I am different today than I was perhaps fifteen years ago after a visit from Megan for a weekend.  I don’t bounce back as quickly on the Monday after her visit as I did then.  Then, and in the years going forward, it was all about play time, meal time, craft time and bed time.  No expectations.  Things changed about three years ago.  

  When Megan comes to visit now, it is with a clear agenda.  No mucky, mucking around.  Once Megan had experienced the world of sewing the wheels began turning, turning into finishing a project once it was started.  Sounds like Dennis with his lawn mowing.  Grammie has to keep up with both of them.  No time out may be called.

  This weekend was a full one.  The sewing project had been purchased a year ago at the Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn.  It took both Megan and me time to revisit the fabrics and the pattern.  Getting the lay of the fabric placement was the ultimate.  The quilt shop had included enough of eight different fabrics for completion of the quilt top.  The secret was for wise cutting of each fabric to have enough when all was said and done so it would look like the photo on the pattern.  Hmm.  

  There is no way that I can stay at a quilt project all day, let alone a fifteen year old that only stitches twice a year.  Of course we took a lunch break and . . . a Blue Bunny Carmel Sea Salt ice cream break.  Grandpa Dennis got in on that.  Yum.

  Megan and I did stay on track.  My portion was to press seams as Megan stitched them.  Pressing is oh so important for matching up seams.  When Sunday came we spent some time getting the batting ready.  I did not have one large piece.  What I did have were several of the same weight as had been left over from previous projects of my own.  A bit of fusible web ironed on multiple pieces and we had it nailed.  It was up to Megan to decide what fabric she wanted on the back of the quilt.  I have my instructions as to what to look for.  As there is a fabric that resembles barn yard boards . . . that will be my “go to” seek and search the next time Dennis and I go to Mankato.

  I did some laundry today and then took a good long walk to wind down from the weekend but to also energize me from having a busy weekend with not a lot of physical moving.  I am not, and will not count the rush of mowing the front yard on Saturday.  That was more of a Dennis induced pressure walking. My legs respond to more of a relaxed one step in front of the other type of walking.

  All is good on Stauffer.  I have a frozen dish of meatloaf to bake out for the evening’s  supper.  Stopping and visiting with my neighbor June on the far end of Stauffer during my walk has given me a feeling of normalcy.  Yup, I am no longer feeling deflated.  I feel fortunate to have had this last weekend.  It was priceless. 

  Megan shared with us that next year she can drive herself to come and see us.  Megan’s Grandpa Mark is selling her Grandma Karen’s 2004 Toyota Highlander for $1,500.00 this fall.  It has had little hard use and is low mileage.  Megan’s Grandma Karen can no longer drive and it will be a great opportunity for the grandparents to find a good home for a vehicle that has been gently used.  Megan is excited.  Her Mom and Dad . . . are accepting the next step for Megan gracefully.  Life is sweet.   

  Hmm. Just got an alert on the cell phone that we could possibly have a thunderstorm headed our way.  From the sounds of what I can hear down here in the sewing studio . . . the rain has arrived.

   
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  Noreen 12:54 pm on June 30, 2019 Permalink  

  Summer Steamer 

  When we looked at the temperature outside this morning, it was 82 degrees and the humidity was 82%.  There was nothing to do but call the day a summer steamer.  We also called the day as “not doing anything outside.”  It wouldn’t surprise me if that was subject to change.  Sunday should be a day of rest . . . subject to change.

  On Friday’s post Dennis had declared that the acre would not be mowed until Monday . . . which would be tomorrow.  The heat wave was to last the entire weekend.  I liked that idea as Megan was coming on Friday afternoon and the weekend would be full of “all things Megan.”  Megan is only able to stay for a weekend several times a year and her and I can pack a lot into each visit.

  Saturday Megan and I decided to have lunch at the Encore coffee shop which is adjacent to the Country Collage shop.  It takes us several hours to do both places justice.  Megan and I were close to coming back home when my phone rang. “Do you want me to mow the front yard with the rider mower?”  WTF!  Can’t leave the ole cowboy home alone without him getting into mischief.  The answer was “No.”  The rider mower scalps the front yard to no end. 

  

  The top is 57″ x 76″. Lots of cutting, piecing and seaming. A wonderful project that Megan plans on putting in their basement family room when it is done.

  When us girls got home, Dennis had the mowers sitting in front of the garage.  Dennis’ focus does not allow any portion of the acre to go unmowed if part of it has been started.  I went into the sewing studio and got Megan going on the next portion of her quilt that needed to have fabric cut so she could continue sewing on her project.  She has gotten very good using the rotary cutter on the quilt fabric.   I headed upstairs, changed my shoes, dug out my straw hat and garden gloves and hit the back door ready to mow the front yard.  It was proposed to be a tag team effort.  I knew from the get go that that wasn’t going to happen.  I came in a time later and Megan looked at me.  “Grammie, you are really red in your face.”  Dennis’ goal had been reached.  He retired into the patio porch with a cold bottle of green tea and was content.  Hmm. 

  Today is Sunday and all is well.  After a breakfast of French Toast and bacon, Megan completed her quilt top.  The remaining steps of getting batting and the backing are too involved for this visit.  It will all be here waiting for her when she visits again.  A bit of down time on the tail end of her visit makes for a relaxing time for all of us.  The summer steamer can’t last forever.  Carrie and Nicholas will be coming later this afternoon.  Carrie tells me Nicholas has an agenda with Grandpa Dennis.  Time will tell.

   

   
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  Noreen 6:26 pm on June 29, 2019 Permalink  

  Quite the Duo 

  

  Megan was trying to concentrate on her quilt while Grandpa needed to get up close so he could share some rhyming ditties. We had a great day. These long weekends with Megan visiting us are priceless. There will be more to share as Megan’s project progresses. Times flies when fun is being had.

   
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  Noreen 3:20 pm on June 28, 2019 Permalink  

  Smothering 

  Smothering is the only word I can describe for the air outside today.  It may well be the situation for the entire weekend.  When Dennis came in from the patio porch this morning and announced that there would be no lawn mowing until Monday . . . best news ever.  

  That is not correct.  The best news ever is that Megan will be coming this evening and spending the weekend with us.  Now that is the best news ever!  Megan is going to be 16 this December and the fact that she is still wanting to come and spend time with us makes my heart sing.  She may have plans for her time here.  That has happened in the past that she had an agenda and no matter what it is . . . we are game.  Thanksgiving of 2018 is the last time we had a weekend together.  At that time she had her head down in the sewing studio and whipped out a comforter for Nicholas’ Christmas present.  

  I did make a trip to the grocery store.  Our refrigerator had a gaunt look to it.  French toast has always been a favorite for Megan’s breakfast.  Needless to say, we are now stocked with groceries that will not need to heat up the entire kitchen with an oven going.

  This morning Snuggles looked like he had been out on an all night bender.  In visiting with Jan across the backyard fence . . . Snuggles paid a high price for staying outside for the entire night.  Jan awoke to a cat fight noise like no other.  When she got to their back door, Snuggles was down for the count via an orange competitor.  Curfews are missed sometimes and I am sure fur grows back.  The scratches on the face may take awhile.   

  July is looking us right in the face.  It always amazes me as to how fast time can travel.  The ole adage, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get” still can ring true.  The one I can recall oh so often is one from Esther Schafer, the kids’ grandmother, “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.”  My intention is to continue moving forward with day-to-day plans and find something to smile about each and every day as it sure as hell could be a lot worse than this.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on June 27, 2019 Permalink  

  Dodged the Storm 

  The skies stayed black for most of the morning.  We dodged the storm with no winds and had about a half inch of rain.

  The cookie dough that was stirred up yesterday, has now been baked out with a good portion of the cookies in the freezer.  It’s kind of an “out of sight, out of mind” thing.  With the pending storm, it didn’t get as warm as quickly as they thought for today.  With the oven humping at 350 degrees for several hours, I still felt the kitchen was quite uncomfortable by the time the baking was done and all the dishes and pans returned to their rightful place.  The official sampler, Dennis, gave a thumbs up as he headed out the door.  

  In my mind’s eye, I do not know how Lena kept a family of six in baked goods.  I looked at the amount of cookies from the peanut butter batch, thinking how long would four dozen cookies last with four kids and a hard working farmer dipping into them for two lunches per day.  I kind of remember that there was never a single batch of anything stirred up.  If the oven is already hot and the utensils are dirty . . . go for a double batch every time.  It was the only way a small container could be hidden in the chest freezer in case coffee company came over.

  No matter how my days go, I could never have kept up with Mom, even at the age that I am now and she was then.  I have gotten soft.  I do continue with the home chores just like Mom did.  I take a loaded Swiffer and dance around our floors.  Mom had the Fuller Brush wool dust mop that got a bit of the Fuller Brush furniture oil on it to catch dust bunnies.  We had to shake the dickens out of it multiple times on a Saturday cleaning binge.  No one took shoes off when coming into the house while we were growing up.  That’s what Mom had two daughters for.  For us, nowadays, the debris is minimal.  There are no alfalfa stems or oat chaff that get drug in on chores shoes or in the cuff of the overalls.  More than likely for us, it is the evergreen needles that come in under the shoes or grass clippings after mowing the acre.    

  Secretly . . . I enjoy keeping a home that is tidy.  It is not a chore for me.  I take as much pride in our home as Dennis does in his yard.  We are two fuss budgets, each in our own right.  I like that.  I like it a lot.  Pride in ownership of our home . . . all 720 square feet of it . . . priceless.

  What with this last rain and an inch and a half previously since we last mowed the acre,  I have a sneaking suspicion as to what tomorrow holds.  I will get sprayed down with Bug Soother and we will get it done!

   
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  Noreen 5:06 pm on June 26, 2019 Permalink  

  Working Smarter 

  Several years ago I cared for my friend Lorraine when she was battling cancer.  We spent time going to Mankato on several occasions.  When she learned she had cancer, she also decide not to undergo treatment as the cancer was quite pronounced in her.  Lorraine found out she was ill in February and passed about several months later in the month of May.  Lorraine was 86.  As her daughter was taking care of emptying her apartment, Louise called me and invited me over to Lorraine’s apartment one last time.  Lorraine had left instructions that I was to be given her Kitchen-Aid stand alone mixer.  She had remembered the difficult time I had stirring cookie dough.  The difficulty was from a wrist that was not in such good shape after arthritis had rearranged the placement of the tendons and joints.  The photo on the left would be a normal wrist with the hand being able to be splayed open.  On the right is the scrunched together hand.  By the grace of God, I still can do most things I always have, just with a bit more patience.  When the right hand becomes weary, it is time for a break and tackle Plan B.  The mixer has become a priceless gift to me as it came from Lorraine and it allows me to keep the ever-loving cookie jar filled.  Lorraine had worked for me years earlier as the secretary in our office. 

  I have valued the mixer more times than I can count when it comes to stiff cookie dough.  The temperatures and humidity are going to rear their heads in the next several days.  The cookie jar is getting to look rather sparse.  I decided to do the cookie baking in two steps.  This afternoon I stirred up the peanut butter dough and tomorrow morning while it is still fairly cool out the oven will be going full bore.  Of course I had to start a new jar of peanut butter.  Dang lid.  Out came the handy dandy tool from Kevin and Kersten for just such an event.  We would be lost without it.  It is of a rubber consistency and it can handle quite a few sizes of lids.  Prior to this gadget, I had been known to wander over to neighbor Jan’s if Dennis wasn’t about.  There have been some lids that even Dennis’ strong hands couldn’t budge but the handy dandy gadget spun them right off.  Tools come along in life that make work smarter than harder.

  All is well here.  All is well within my soul.  Amazing how some hymns come to the forefront of the mind.  It’s a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 5:27 pm on June 25, 2019 Permalink  

  The Reveal 

  Today Dennis stopped at home about three in the afternoon and asked if I wanted to go for a ride.  You bet!!  I never pass on a road date.

  We traveled to Brett’s garage and I was given a reveal as to how far Dennis has gotten on painting his Cub Lo-Boy.  This 51 year old mine tractor has a lot of experience under its belt.  Dennis has done a great job thus far.  I am sure the used blue painters tape that fills one of the garbage cans is a testament to the care that Dennis has expended.

  The road date was a bit of a come-a-long.  Yes . . .  I am going to lend a hand with a few of the final details.  Dennis has been using Krylon spray paint as per his body man’s suggestion.  We are now going to get small cans of the same brand and paint colors for some touch-ups.  I can understand how paint spray somehow gets behind the paper that is to protect certain areas.  Having a double overhead door open for air can also cause paper to take off as if it were a sail.

  When we had lunch today, Dennis told me how important this project was for him.  He had something to prove to himself.  He has the desire, he has the will and even if the body retaliates, he is feeling good about it.  That means the world to me.  I know many fellows that are a lot younger than Dennis’ 82 years, that do not try to do anything.  I assured him that whether it’s painting or piecing quilt blocks, it’s all about the fact that we still have our hand in, in what we want to accomplish.  

  Now building materials . . . that’s another story.  We have our favorite carpenter on speed dial.  Cutting off boards twice and it’s still too short is not cost effective.

  Our next quest is to acquire the small paint cans and the duo on Stauffer Avenue will do just fine.