Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:47 pm on June 13, 2019 Permalink  

  Can’t Keep a Good Man Down 

  Thursdays are our lawn mowing days.  I felt I had a chance to get a few things done fore we hit the mowers.  On my list was to bake out some bacon in the oven.  A quick meal of eggs, bacon and toast is always a sure winner.  It is a slow process and one you do not want to walk away from and forget what is in the oven.  Do grease fires happen with stuff in the oven?  I was not taking a chance. 

  Little did I realize that there was no dew on the grass this morning.  Before nine, I heard the mower.  Yup it was Dennis in the far east corner of the acre.  All I could do was finish what I had started and that included a load of laundry.  

  Complete Basements of Mankato was due to be here in the afternoon to check out the sump pump, the back up battery and all else that can be checked.  Joe was here before twelve noon.  We are safe and good to go for another fifteen months.  Joe’s van had barely backed out of the drive, when the Culligan fellows were here with the salt run.  The bags of salt are heavy, and yes, we do pay a bit more to have it delivered and put into the brine tank.  Leave the heavy stuff for the young fellows.

  I did eventually get my push mower going to do the front of the yard and around the house.  Having bought a very light weight trimmer, the trimming of the acre was all said and done in short order.  I thought with the acre being mowed and trimmed we were done for the day.  Not!  When Dennis put the down spouts back onto the house and took a look at all the spider webs and bird pop, out came the garden hoses.  Dennis made a trip to the Family Dollar and came home with a gallon of the cheapest laundry soap he could find to help wash off the house.  As he is just finishing up, the entire yard smells like Lavender.  Priceless.

  I think my ole cowboy is going to sleep like a log this evening, or he will have a hard time shutting down.  Time will tell.  Once Dennis gets started, there is no talking him down.  Whatever the reactions of his actions, he was doing what he wanted to do, when he wanted it done.

   
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  Noreen 12:33 pm on June 12, 2019 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  When signing in with passwords, it really ticks me off when my pinkie finger is flailing out in the wind and has clicked the caps key, thus giving me an obnoxious message.  Oh well.  Computers have their jobs to do.  I need to pay more attention.  

  Tonight we are going to an evening banquet for the Korean veterans at the VFW in Mankato.  Dennis has belonged to this group for some time and has made new friends.  It’s not all bad when you step out of the comfort zone and mix it up a bit from the St. James gangs.  This is a huge night out for the older ones from Stauffer Avenue.  We definitely are mixing it up a bit ourselves.

  While in Mankato we have a few items on a tick list to take care of.  Shopping locally is wonderful but not all things can be obtained.  

  The temps are great and this would be my wish for the rest of the summer season.  It would have been a great late afternoon being out in the gardens.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a repeat.

   
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  Noreen 4:33 pm on June 11, 2019 Permalink  

  A Day on the Road 

  My friend Anitia closed her quilt shop in Mankato last July.  Cost of rent and competition didn’t pencil out for her.  As it turned out a new doctor came to Madelia from out of state and his wife had always wanted to have a quilt shop.  Whatever Anitia had in inventory on her last day was purchased for a new quilt shop in Madelia plus additional newly purchaed inventory of every thing quilt related.  Anitia offered to drive from Mankato to Madelia, about 60 miles round trip to help a newbe learn the ropes.  It was a full time job as there was no history of owning a quilt shop or how to go about setting one up.  The Madelia gal jumped in head first and became a Brother’s sewing machine dealer.

  Several of us stitchers, including Anitia, meet once a month in Mankato for lunch and chit chat.  As the months have gone by Anitia has shared she has been swamped in Madelia.  Inventory coming in, in droves.  Brothers dealers are encouraged to carry as least 26 different models of machines and have a licensed repair person for customers.  Wow.  I had stayed away from the Madelia shop as I have been working out of my stashes, and quite successfully I might add. 

  Anitia had been inviting me to stop in, in Madelia, as she works Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Today was the day.  I got rained out in the gardens.  The quilt store is beautiful.  It is loaded with inventory.  The building that the new gal purchased was a revitalized gas station with a service bay.  Lots of square footage.  Total re-do was done, first class.  Business has been very slow.  Summers usually are as there is a small window of getting things done with families.  

  Today Anitia was handing in her three week notice of leaving the Madelia quilt store.  She has come to realize that with closing her store and inventory and jumping right in to help in Madelia, she needs some down time.  I surely couldn’t blame her.  I was tickled that I had chosen today to visit her.  The showroom of new machines is beautiful.  The quilt fabric is arrayed wonderfully.  What is lacking is the clientele.  It will be interesting as to how it will turn out.  A shop bell needs to ring and ring often to pay the overhead plus inventory.  I looked, I touched but I needed nothing.

  On a brighter note, I drove over to Fairfax to visit Kersten at her place of employment.  It wasn’t exactly on my way home, but I felt it was important to stay in touch.  It was a rainy day and the rest of the week was booked.  This worked out great.  

  I had a wonderful day on the road.  A bit of encouragement for Anitia as she takes time for herself.  Doing what she has been doing in an act of support for someone who had not a clue, can wear on body, soul and mind.  My last words as I left her was, “Take care of your mind and your body, it’s the only place you have to live in.”

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on June 10, 2019 Permalink  

  Price Comparison 

  

  What is the real price of the full set of Weather Tech mats for our car when the multi-level Kitty Condo that has been created . . . and tested with full approval, is on board?  Pet Expo has missed out on a purchase.

   
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  Noreen 4:56 pm on June 9, 2019 Permalink  

  Like Days of Old 

  They claim that what has been learned in the past is not forgotten.  I did ride a bike to no end in the past.  I wouldn’t trust myself on one today.  Put a scissors with thread and fuzz anywhere near me and I am in it . . . big time.

  We had gone to Walmart in Fairmont last Monday.  Dennis was purchasing paint and I schmoozed the dry goods.  I found a cotton summer top.  Me and summer is all about the breathable cotton.  I liked the style, I liked the fit, I liked the $13.99 price tag.  Hmm.

  This morning, I laid said top down on the sewing tables and took a good look at it.  Quite simplistic.  Out came a few containers of fabric stash.  I found some that I thought would work.  The purchased top was stripped.  The time spent on making a paper pattern I felt would be well spent.  If I want to repeat this process, I would have it.  I have seen some people lay an existing garment down with new fabric underneath it and away they go with scissors just a snipping.  My luck  . . . I would slice and dice into the garment that was being used as the pattern. 

  The sewing went well.  I had not done a rolled neckline that was cut on the bias in decades.  It did come to mind that if Megan’s project comes into fruition, the rolled neckline would indeed need to be done well.  When all was said and done, I found just the right buttons from the Fairfax Button tree for the 3/4 length cuffs.  No . . . there were no cuffs on the Walmart garment.  My fabric was just shy of being the right width and the shirt was one piece from one sleeve to the other.  Improvisation was needed.  The cuffs needed to be added for the sleeves to be the correct length.

  I had purchased a dress form from Amazon a bit ago.  I dubbed it Mini-Meg as I hope to work on a skate competition garment for her later on this year.  It seemed to be the perfect addition to the sewing studio.  Today it was sweet to put my garment on Mini-Meg as I could judge as to how the rolled neckline laid.  I liked the results a whole bunch.  Like days of old, today was enjoyable doing something I had not tackled for decades.  Grammie still has it!

   
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  Noreen 4:14 pm on June 8, 2019 Permalink  

  Lightening the Load 

  It was a huge decision to put down the huge perennial flower bed last fall.  I had created it, tended it and decided when I had enough.  The flower bed had given me hours of enjoyment.  As the plants had done well, many of my friends had received slips and roots for their enjoyment.  Now the  scene of green grass is enjoyable.

  With my friend Doreen, we had each traveled over the summer months and had located a variety of garden art.  You name it, we had found it and hauled it home.  Dennis and I have our favorites to put out around the patio and under the Maple tree and Lilacs.

  This spring I had let Dennis’ two daughters know that I was ready to lighten the load in the potting shed.  Both have small grandchildren who enjoy helping with placing the goodies.  Susie was the first to visit during the Memorial weekend.  She looked, she touched and decided on several items to take back to Silver Bay.  Sandy came today.  Sandy had moved to Mankato just a year ago.  She had her yard ready for some of our garden art.  Yup, we lightened the load in the garden shed.  After hinting to Carrie, I realized that metro properties don’t go into garden art to any extent.  That was all well and good as their yard has multiple raised wooden beds for vegetables.  I would take fresh veggies over decorations any day.

  Dennis and I are hoping for some nice temps tomorrow.  I have noticed that the humidity has dropped by 30 points since this morning.  We may see a few rain drops in the change.

  Last Wednesday I took the advice of “one who knows,” I ordered the Weather Tech mats for the car.  In ordering the cargo mat in addition to the front seat and back seat mats, the shipping would be free.  Today, right after Noon, the Fed X delivered the goods.  Talk about fast service.  I admit, I am contributing to the decline of the store fronts.  If I can order what I need and not have to visit various sites seeking and searching, I am all in.

  We are taking the late afternoon with whatever it brings.  It is warm outside . . . even in Dennis’ beloved patio porch.

   
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  Noreen 4:33 pm on June 7, 2019 Permalink  

  Hot and Breezy 

  I do believe that breezy might be a bit short as to what we had coming from the south.  Brisk and gusty with full sun makes for the need of getting my four plants watered.  Four plants in four inch pots is enough for me to take care of after they were planted where needed.  I was out and watering them this morning by 7:30.  I didn’t stay outside any longer then needed as the gnats had the welcome mat out.  I didn’t want to spray myself with Bug Soother for such a quick trip outside.

  As part of my days this week, I am making sure to use the new, used car each day.  It is quite an adjustment, but a very pleasant one.  I sit so much higher in this model and have better visual.  The seat control knows it is me when I start the vehicle, via a button, and all items adjust for my settings.  Who knew!  We have yet to have the second driver’s control set.  Yes, my ole cowboy will be the second driver, as long as the cigarettes are checked at the door.  I had realized in the 20-year-old model, I had a hard time getting the gas cap off and then on again.  If I didn’t get it on correctly, it would signal a “Check engine light.”  With us being unaware of the connection, it cost us $40.00 to have that message checked out at our local repair shop. Yup, the gas cap had not been tighten as it needed to be.  Now, I only need to get the nozzle into the hole on the driver’s side and I will be set.  My hands will be grateful.  The car is a learning experience.  Never too old to learn.

  The sewing studio on warm days such as we had today is the best way to stay busy and forget about what is going on outside.  Dennis went over to his nephew’s late this afternoon.  The concrete guys had checked out at three this afternoon from laying a parking lot in Fairmont.  One unlucky fellow was left behind as he was in charge of scoring the concrete after the appropriate time.  

  We always know what is in store as Minnesota’s seasons arrive.  It just takes some mental and physical adjustment.

   
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  Noreen 5:02 pm on June 6, 2019 Permalink  

  Wanted: Goats 

  Within a week, Dennis commented how the grass is seeding out within seven days.  That is a very good thing for shoring up a good thick stand.  The thicker the grass the fewer weeds that have a chance.  The end of the day the acre is mowed and manicure.  From Thursday to Thursday, it was badly needed.

  Dennis began mowing in the far east portion of the acre.  He came up to the house for a drink and also to get out of the heavy grassed area where the gnats had banded together and they were bound to aggravate him to no end.  Before Dennis headed out, I sprayed him with the Bug Soother from Kersten and Kevin.  The report upon completion of mowing: no gnat issue experienced after the spray.  I was able to trim and I saw plenty gnats, but no new bites.  The bites that I got Monday and Tuesday, before we got the spray, are actually festering.  Nasty business.

  The Maple tree airplanes seeds are lessening.  Coming right up behind them is the white cotton seeds coming from the northeast.  Our neighbor in that area has the mother of all Cottonwood trees.  Dennis was thankful he mowed today, as by tomorrow, his air filter on the mower would have needed a clean out. 

  Late this afternoon, I had an eye appointment.  After the checkup that included dilation, via drops, I was worthless.  The pupils are so huge there isn’t any chance for clear vision.  I will be seeing a specialist in a week or so to have a tiny spot of pigment checked out in my right eye.  Wonderful service to have a specialist to come to St. James.  

  In thinking it over, if we had goats to take care of the acre, we would need a fence.  We would need a water supply for them.  We would need to wear five buckle overshoes that could be hosed off after stepping on all the manure.  They are not like pigs that have one special spot for doing their duty.  Goats are indiscriminate.  Hmm.

  All is good on Stauffer Avenue!

   
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  Noreen 3:19 pm on June 5, 2019 Permalink  

  Bountiful Hosta 

  

  This huge heavy cement goose will forever bring my departed friend, Doreen, into my mind when I garden. Her and I found this at a nursery near Rochester. How we managed to get it into her van will forever be a mystery.

  It may have been a late spring by all measures.  It does show up in the farming schedules.  For my acreage it seemed to have turned out just fine.  Yes, we had more rain than we needed.  No, it didn’t seen to hurt the Hosta.  In fact they are huge and looking very good.  I spent two days with the Mantis tiller working up the soil in between the Hosta plants.  Some were too full to take a ram into them and break off stems.  It could use one more day with the tiller, but life does seem to get in the way.  To be honest, it was the bugs.  Within those two days, I was totally chewed up from gnats and small flies.  I made sure to wear a long sleeve shirt but it was the neck, ears and hairline that really got it.

  When I left New Ulm on Tuesday I stopped in to show Kevin my new used car and came home with a wonderful treat.  Kersten had found in Fairfax a product called Bug Soother.  This morning, I needed to clear off the patios and driveway from Maple airplane seeds, and the gnats got behind my glasses and I almost tripped trying to rid them.  I got the Bug Soother and Dennis sprayed my arms and neck and I stayed outside for most of the morning.  It has Lemon grass oil, Castor oil and a few other natural ingredients.  It smells wonderful and it did the trick.  Kevin thought it would have to be reapplied every 4-5 hours, but I had all the time I needed to get done what I needed to before settling in with some things in the house.  Yes, summer is here along with all the less than desirable flying insects.  

  I do need to find a perennial that would vine up the iron works that Calvin has made for me.  Our next door neighbors have put up a new storage building and it was the perfect back-drop to move the iron works to.  The Dr. Seuss birdhouse found a new home after the back garden was tilled up.  When we decided to downsize the flower gardens, it was amazing how everything fell into place.  I have plenty to keep me busy and I need not worry about contending with unwanted weeds and a garden that stood under water more times than I can count. 

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on June 4, 2019 Permalink  

  Whew! 

  

  I am very short of words right now. Grammie finally traded cars. I know my 20-year-old Lincoln still has a lot of life in her, but it was time to let her go as the small repairs were beginning and they would only become larger items. As I left Chuck Spaeth Ford in New Ulm, the skies were getting dark. This photo is not of the color that was purchased. The Crystal Champagne vehicle is safely in our garage. Photo op was not an option with storms threatening. As I said, I am speechless in this huge decision.