Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 6:33 pm on March 4, 2019 Permalink  

  Snow Raking 

  

  No, you are not having problems with your eyes. This Grammie knows enough to stay far, far away from those who have a job to do. Looking out our bathroom window was a safe place for me.

   
  When Nephew Brett dropped Dennis off last night, he didn’t waste any time getting home to his own family. This morning was a different story. Grandson Ryan was here ready to use the roof rake. Brett pulled up right behind him with a large Bobcat. Ryan works for Brett. When Brett saw our yard and the snow on the garage, Ryan must have felt like someone was pulling him by a choker chain. Yup, it was his boss, Brett. Ryan had been given instructions before Brett and Dennis left.  I am sure he had planned on getting over here, but time flies when the boss is gone. Oh well.

  Today the garage that Kevin has worked so hard on, to continue standing, is free of snow on the roof. Brett took out the 4′ high and 90′ long snowbank that was between what our neighbor Randy had created with his snowblower and Stauffer Avenue.  That Bobcat had push power as well as a huge bucket.  Our backyard is filled with a lot of pushed together snow.  All is well that ends well.

  Oh, for the ass chewing that Ryan most likely got.  It can’t be easy for Brett having a nephew working for him some days.  The best part was that Grandpa Dennis never had to say a word.

   
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  Noreen 5:37 pm on March 3, 2019 Permalink  

  Dennis is Home!! 

  After four weeks and one day, the ole cowboy is back at Stauffer Avenue.  5,720 miles of safe travel.  Too bad it’s this cold out.

   
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  Noreen 6:26 pm on March 2, 2019 Permalink  

  Before I opened my eyes this morning I… 

  Before I opened my eyes this morning, I knew by the sound of all the birds chirping the kind of day that I wanted.  Opening my eyes and seeing all the snow that the boughs of the evergreen held, I knew my day was not going to be what I wanted or needed.  

  Forty nine years ago, this time of the year would have had me raking the yard with two little ones tagging behind me, messing up the piles of dead leaves I had just raked together.  Jackets would have been needed as one can never trust early spring temperatures that had totally taken away the snow to allow so many shades of green to show themselves.  No caps had been issued, rather kerchiefs out of Orlin’s big blue hankies so the ears would be totally covered.  Two large hardwoods to the south of the area was the perfect fit for a hammock.  It wasn’t the type that collapsed and would be hard to maneuver.  Both ends had braces that keep the inviting area ready to plop wee ones into, complete with a snack.  Today I pined for a spring such as that and the memories it evoked.  

  Today the sun was shining.  When it was time to greet the three cats in the patio porch, the snow creaked under foot.  It was a cold sunny Saturday on the second of March, 2019, with just a degree or two above zero.  There had been enough additional snow flurries since late afternoon to coat the east patio.  Without a second thought, I opened the slider door and went out to the patio armed with my Toro electric leaf blower.  By gum . . . the cats were going to have bare concrete to get their morning exercise.  Honey Bunny rolled and rolled until her silver gray fur was standing on end.  Snuggles has put on enough weight over this winter, his roll was more like a “do-over.”  Harriet sat in the open doorway all hunched up.  Not going any farther.  I spent time in the patio porch rounding up all their toys and piling them up on one spot and I hit the vacuum.  Just a bit of a tidy.  

  At five this afternoon, I happened to glance out the bathroom window and mama deer and the two fawns were already at the treat dish on our patio and what the next door neighbor has out.  The two fawns have really gotten big.  I believe mama brings them early to make sure they get some of the good food.  Sometimes later at night, I have tried to count . . . I loose track after seven as the shadows play tricks on my counting.

  The ole cowboy called this evening, warning me they are on their way home.  I know it’s about 1,600 miles from where they have spent the last week.  I told him I would leave the light on!  Isn’t that what Motel 6 has as their pitch line?

   
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  Noreen 6:18 pm on March 1, 2019 Permalink  

  This dense snow fall was not needed by… 

  This dense snowfall was not needed by any stretch of the imagination.  It might have been three inches but at this time of the year, it could have just as well been six inches.  The birds have the right attitude.  They tweet, they chirp and I am almost positive, the Thrush are back.  There have been Thrush bird nests in the anchors and braces of our front awning for quite a few years.  Their reappearance and determination  gave me second winds to get out there and clear off the snow.  On the first wave of energy the back door, front door and car garage doors got cleared.  If that snow is moved and pushed into the driveway about 15 feet west towards to the main street, Randy will blow it all to the south leaving me with not having to pitch it over the tall snow bank that borders our driveway on the south.

  The three cats sat in the patio porch watching . . . and waiting.  Nope, it was time for this Grammie to take a break before heading their way.  A cup of hot tea hit the mark.  I have some tea that has Turmeric and Licorice infused into the tea.  I did use the largish cup in the cupboards and it was wonderful.  My very last second wind was kicking in.  Let’s get this done!

  Yesterday the cats were able to wander onto the bare concrete of the east patio.  Today, all three hunkered in the open doorway waiting for me to clear the area.  One by one they followed behind me and the snow pusher.  It is comical.  It is endearing.  No one wants spring to come more than those three critters.  On second thought, the Thrush are going to seek and search nesting material far and wide.  I am resigned.  Taking one day at a time . . . still thankful that Dennis has not been home this month.  Ya, right!  Like he would take a break from the snow removal and have a cup of tea . . . not!

   
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  Noreen 6:15 pm on February 28, 2019 Permalink  

  It’s Still Up There 

  For a short time today the sun was bright and it made me feel happy.  The sun didn’t last long but I still remain happy.  The sun has power this time of year.  I never miss a chance to open the blinds on the south side of our home and catch those rays regardless of how cold it is outside.  The warmth is there.  When that sun does shine, it doesn’t seem to matter what the temperature is.  There is something to be said for becoming accustomed to our surroundings: it’s snowing, the wind is blowing, it is frigid.  As the snow hit our area over and over, the routines continued and we all acclimated.  

  I have tackled many things in my sewing studio.  Quilts have gone from scrappy, small size, large king size and many intricate.  It is safe to say that within the last three years, Kersten’s and mine were the two quilts that I would label intricate.  Today I worked on a stitching project that I plan on giving to Carrie for an annual event they have coming up that uses the silent auction to raise funds.  Last year, it was mentioned to late, so I decided to jump the gun and get started for the event that is in April.  True to my pledge, to myself, I am not purchasing any yardage for what I want to do.  I think in the days to come, my stashes will be turned inside out, upside down, measured, ironed and handled until I find just what I need.  Stay tuned!

  Friday promises to bring snow.  I have enjoyed these last several days of leaving the scoop and pusher leaned up against the back  door.  Thursday evening is one of my favorite evenings for watching several PBS shows.  Unfortunately they tend to have plenty of re-runs just like the rest.  I have a book waiting in the wings that I can take up.  With that being said, it’s time to role out the robe and slippers.  The bad side of that is, the eyelids take advantage of that and tend to want to close.  When that happened to Dad, he would disavow that he was napping, “Just checking my eyelids for cracks.”

   
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  Noreen 6:22 pm on February 27, 2019 Permalink  

  Waiting, to no Avail 

  I was going to wait until it was warmer out, but to no avail.  Errands needed to get run as the four-day outlook doesn’t really give much hope.  Our Fleet and Farm store was a busy place.  They do carry a multitude of items for the home and farm.  There was enough corn through Saturday in the garage, but as long as I was out and about, why put it off.  There were no more 50 lb. bags of shell corn.  The huge fellow gladly put two 50 lb. bags of cracked corn in the back seat of the Lincoln.  No way would I get them out of the deep trunk.  There are three of us neighbors who are helping out the deer.  They most likely feel like they are privy to a progressive buffet.  

  No way can small town grocery shoppers visit the store, pick up what you need and be back home quickly.  More than likely the cold snowy month had many of us cruising the isles to fill the empty refrigerator shelves.  What I had forgotten was that Wednesdays are senior citizens day.  An hour and a half later, I was back in my car with a sales receipt that showed I saved $2.68 on my discount and had visited with more town folk than I can count.  Good fellowship over the meat counter.  

  I have found a very good mystery author.  A stop at the library for me to return two books of hers and had them seek and search several more.  If a book is not within our library, they swap books in and out with other locations and will send an email when they come in.  Very good service.  Aunt Janet in Brownton is also an avid reader and we share authors when we find a good one.  Reading has been very beneficial in giving my stiff shoulders and neck a break.  I have an old book stand that gets moved from point to point when I want to read.  With wrists that have seen a whole lot of activity that has made them contrary, holding a large book is not something that I can manage.  Maybe tomorrow I will flick the switches on in the sewing studio.    

  On a light note: when Dennis is in the patio porch in the mornings, he usually has a pre-packaged breakfast bar of some time type to have with his coffee.  When the wrapper is being opened and barely opened, Snuggles shows up and usually gets in on the fare.  When I got home today, I took one of the bags of corn out of the car and set it next to the workbench.  Oh my Lord!  Snuggles was all over the bag.  The sound of the plastic bag must have made Snuggles think, “Dennis is here and I hear the crinkle of the bag.  I get a treat!” I finally opened the bag and let the cat realize what was inside.  Bummer

   
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  Noreen 5:12 pm on February 26, 2019 Permalink  

  Yipee, No Snow Today 

  It does happen that the body doesn’t know where it would be the happiest.  The area between the shoulders is tight and it travels up into the neck.  It surely couldn’t be that the scooping, the pushing and the shoveling of snow could have something to do with it this last month!  Assured . . . I have been taking my time, taking stock of how I have been doing all of the above.  No reckless abandonment has taken place.  

  The most comfortable spot to sit right now in the evenings is not my favorite nighttime chair.  The most comfortable is one of our dining room table chairs which is nothing more than an office chair with arm rests and rollers.  Quite sure that the soft chair allows my shoulders to rest on the arms of the chair, thus lifting the shoulders up a bit and letting something less than good to happen in conjunction with all the exercise of the resent past.  Armed with my heating pad to put across the top part of my back and then switching off to the jell ice packs seems to give some relief.  I also have exercises to do for the shoulders which happens often regardless of where I am in the house.  No lights in the sewing studio today was also on the agenda to allow for some rejuvenation of the ole body.

  It was a no snow moving day.  Top priority was getting the cats started with a chance to go out on the east patio so they could check out smells.  I know there is the scent of the deer.  There have been no stray cat paws around for some time but all surfaces must be sniffed at.  I have bare areas for them to roll and get their fur ruffled.  I thought only horses did that.  After cleaning the litter box from the night and putting on the cat’s favorite television show,  I sat in Dennis’ rocking chair for a bit waiting for the cats to quit prancing from paw to paw and come inside.  Yup, their patties are tender.  I have not touched the thermostat since Dennis left.  It is by no means shirt sleeve temps in the porch, but with the sub-zero outside, the heat in the inside feels good.  The lowest the furnace can be set at is 45 degrees.  I do know that Dennis prefers it warmer when he is home and God bless him, he can have it as warm as he wants.  His porch, his domain.  By the way, he wouldn’t be happy in the house right now either, as I have it set at 65 degrees.  I like having a chance to wear my warmer flannel shirts in the house.  Things will get back to the norm when Dennis returns to Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 6:54 pm on February 25, 2019 Permalink  

  Checking out Resources 

  An embroidery design had been haunting me to try.  When a design is downloaded, it could come from a source that champions a certain brand of thread.  Every company puts their own spin on the names that they assign to each color of thread.  My aunt has invested in multiple brand names . . . not this stitcher.  My brand is Isacord and I am sticking with it.  It does happen to be the brand of thread that Bernina touts.  If I buy a design from the website that they support, the color codes match what is in my thread boxes.  Today . . . I was on my own looking up sites that do have thread comparisons from various companies.  It just took time and I had it to burn.

  After I got the machine to begin stitching, there is that time where I can fill in with dusting in the sewing room, checking out the next great attempt, etc, until it is time to change the color of the tread to continue the stitch project.  Out came the drawer that is all about holes.  A review was needed.  Holes punched into any and every venue you can think of.  The pretty pink tool is called a Crop-a-Dial.  It will set snaps, grommets and also punch holes.  My best luck is using it for punching holes as it will take on leather, vinyl, cork and multiple layers of paper.  My hands don’t work the best to line up the snaps and such with the settings while still having a firm grip on the pliers handle.  The Cricut Silent Setter also does holes as well as having a soft bed for snaps and such and the fabric to lay while I use a mallet to pound the hell out of the steel handle to crimp the metal items secure.  While the sewing machine embroidered, I reacquainted myself with all the resources that the drawer held.  Yup, it was still all viable and usable according to what my hands could do.  

  When Carrie and Kevin were babies and toddlers, there was no end to snaps that I put into their clothes.  Entire inseams of their clothes were snapped, as it was quicker to undo the snaps in the inseam than take off the entire garment to change diapers or training pants.  These fancy tools that I now have were not in my world at that time.  It was more like a metal punch and a hammer to set the snaps.

  With that being mentioned, I have gone to several baby showers in the last year.  Oh my gosh!  The fancy knit clothing that looks more like doll clothes than baby clothes . . . it is unbelievable.  What struck this old timer was . . . no snaps in the inseam.  Nothing like wrestling a wee one out of a one-piece item of clothing to get to that sweet little butt.

  I do have to add that when I opened my eyes at eight this morning, the first thing that my eyes focused on was the snow that was falling, much like confetti.  Yuck.  Not enough to warrant Randy and his snowblower, but I did shovel snow out of doorways and my all time favorite paths.  We are on the last week of the month from hell.  Ya, I heard.  March may have a bit of snow left that needs to harass my ass.

   
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  Noreen 6:46 pm on February 24, 2019 Permalink  

  White and Not Quiet 

  The good news is that all is well here on Stauffer Avenue.  35 mph winds did shake some branches down in the backyard.  The winds kept everything white with blowing snow, it was hard to tell just how much snow we received.  The howling wind was so consistent over night, it was a lulling effect.  Our Emergency Management sent out phone calls that all Watonwan County roads were closed until further notice.  

  Later on this afternoon, the sun came out.  The sunshine on the swirling snow made it look magical . . . crystals flying in the air.  It was time to get suited up and clean up around some doorways.  Nothing magical about five minutes in when the fingers began getting cold.  Our driveway is clear, via Randy.   

  Dennis called from Arizona and there are plans for golfing tomorrow.  Dennis is in charge of driving one of the carts.  Good deal for Dennis.  The sewing studio is closed down and I am looking forward to a hot meatloaf sandwich for supper.

   
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  Noreen 5:55 pm on February 23, 2019 Permalink  

  For a short time there was a feeling… 

  For a short time, there was a feeling and a scent of spring.  At 32 degrees the three cats went out for a short time on the east patio.  With the snowbanks that border the patio it’s much like a play pen.  Which of these three critters is brave enough to take the leap up and over not knowing what lies beyond?  None today.  Red Cardinals sat in the lilac bushes and took in the antics of the cats, knowing full well, there was no threat today. 

  Clearing the patio of the new snow we received overnight can seem like an effort in futility, but it brings good exercise.  Neighbor Jan must have seen my red stocking cap sticking up above the snowbanks as she came out.  The two of us had a great visit, not across the backyard fence, but across snowbanks.  Jan asked where we were getting our shell corn for the deer.  As it was, when Randy had been called out for repairs for John Deere during the combine season, he carried with him buckets in the truck when it was corn harvest.  When it called for portions of the combine to be cleared, Randy collected the corn. The deer from our backyards have been privy to his stash, which was now depleted.  Randy went to Fleet and Farm and bought what they had on hand today, which was cracked corn.  The deer came early today.  It was the first time I have seen them come at 4:30.  They know the weather is changing.  

  The warm temps today allowed for me to clear the ice that had built up right outside our backdoor.  In the last days, if you walked on it, an ice pack had been created.  Not to worry, as spring weather comes, we are ready for it or not.  Both Jan and I commented on what each of us would be in for.  In her case it was seepage in their basement.  For Dennis and me, it will be having the little red pickup sit in the driveway for a time as we move everything out of the patio porch and put it in the pickup garage.  We have done it before and have the evacuation down to a science.  It’s all part of living in Minnesota, taking it the way it comes.