Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:15 pm on June 25, 2018 Permalink  

  Dennis and I sat on the patio this late afternoon. We checked . . . neither one of us has any grass growing under our feet. I got rained out yesterday with my weed pulling agenda. That freaking rain lasted off and on until evening. This morning there was a bit of standing water in the far east portion of the backyard.

  Dennis was determined to pick up the entire carpet in the patio porch. He did the sniff test and knew there needed to be a clear wood deck on the patio porch floor to assure everything would dry properly. Out came the little red pickup out of its shelter and in came everything that had once been the wonderful hide out of the patio porch. Not to worry. The flat screened television is putting out the wonderful choices that Dennis likes . . . just in a new location. Dennis has moved his chairs into the pickup area and all is well with the world. He was right. It is better to be safe than sorry with anything that can retain moisture.

  The sun came out with a breeze. Scrub pail in hand with Dawn dishwashing liquid and the garden hose, I tackled scrubbing off the aggregate stone patio surface. Yes . . . the water went down. No . . . what remained was not nice. There was a scum on the patio. It took a bit of elbow grease but with coffee for encouragement the patio is in good shape. I made sure as I scrubbed and rinsed not to allow more water to be used than what the trench around the patio could absorb.

  In hindsight . . . everything should have been built on stilts. Realistically . . . there are more wonderful days to be had with our yard and patio than not. We were not alone with challenges in our community. God works in mysterious ways and is not above using Mother Nature to drive home a point of humility. Being mindful of blessings and nurturing each other for strength to work together is priceless. Dennis and I make a fantastic team of “Us.”

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on June 24, 2018 Permalink  

  Kitty Condo 

  It has been a busy day here on Stauffer Avenue.  With the tremendous amount of rain, it was only prudent that we pay attention to the plywood floor in the patio porch.  There obviously had to be water that had flooded the concrete floor, how could it not when the entire area around it had two to three inches of rain waiting to abate.  There were air holes drilled into the plywood flooring for air circulation as well as the areas at each of the door sliders.  Last night we picked up the carpeting as best we could, put fans on and let the air flow to make sure drying can be going on the best as we could down under the floor.  How long do you think it took for the cats to realize . . . a new toy!  This is a new design on the usual kitty condo.  Snuggles and Harriet soon found paths under the lofted carpet.  Tabetha chose several spots to try out.

  

  This morning I awoke at 6:30 and took my time getting up.  I said my prayers and with the coffee pot going off it was time for the feet to hit the floor.  Regardless of all factors that might present themselves, I was going to hit the square garden and get rid of some weeds.  My next door neighbor commented yesterday how easily the weeds pulled for as wet as the ground was.  I put on heavy jeans, long socks that went half way up my calf, and Dennis’ heavy chambray shirt.  Coffee cup in one hand and a can of mosquito spray, I headed to the square garden.  I put spray on my hands and then circled my neck, behind my earls, swabbed my forehead as well and the cheeks.  I wore a pair of shoes that I knew I could wash off under the faucet.  I headed in and the cats sat in the doorway and watched.  The first fist of weeds I grabbed let loose a gray swarm of mosquitoes.  Head down I kept on.  Yup, the weeds really pulled easily.  The largest challenge was not loosing my shoes as they progressively got heavy with mud.

  I had gone half way through the square garden and the heavens opened with rain.  What the heck!  I was dirty, I was muddy and I pushed on. I could feel the butt of my underwear was getting wet through the jeans via all the bending over.  I kept going until the lightening strikes were intimidating.  I took the time to take all the piles of pulled weeds that were within the garden and put them next to the fire pit so they would dry out enough to burn them.  That may happen sometime about the 4th of July. I knew when it was raining hard enough that the water was standing on top of the dirt that I was S.O.L. The bug spray was washing into my eyes and I could taste it.  I had checked the weather radar and this rain had come from nowhere.  I marched right to the water faucet on the east side of the house and let the clean water wash over my hands, pant legs and garden shoes.  Looking once, looking twice, I stood at the back door of the house and began peeling off the soaked muddy clothes.  Yuk.  Smart ole cowboy just watched from afar knowing when to hold it and when to fold it.

  On a very bright side . . . I received a text and photo from Carrie.  The photo was of Megan on her first day of working in their church café.  She had her protective hat on with her latex gloves and best of all . . . was the smile as she was assisting some of the parishioners.  Priceless!

  So here we are at the end of this Sunday.  My muddy clothes have been washed and they are ready for me to try this weeding project again.  The worst part is starting, just as in any less than desirable project.  This weeding was the first time this summer I had gotten in there.  There seems to have been a good amount of carry-over of the Preen of last year.  The weed I was pulling is the wild version and similar to what the greenhouses call Wandering Jew.  One base root with a lot of flowing greenery.  I checked . . . no indication of webbing in between the toes.  It has been raining off and on all afternoon with intermittent sun that brings the humidity with it fast and hard.

   
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  Noreen 3:32 pm on June 23, 2018 Permalink  

  It seems as though with the water situation it has been hard to keep track of what day of the week it is. This noon as Dennis and I were having lunch, you couldn’t help but notice all the traffic going by in search of where the city celebrations were taking place. I asked Dennis if he wanted to take some of the activity in . . . “No.” I feel the same way. I felt the same way yesterday, I feel the same way today, and I know I will feel the same way tomorrow and beyond. I ask him point blank if that was a bad thing for the two of us . . . Dennis felt it was not. If our family thinks that we have become too much of homebodies, or if they have any opinion on this, they will need to speak out. Silence is consent. Dennis and I may well continue being on Stauffer Avenue and doing what makes us happy and that apparently is . . . being on Stauffer Avenue in our home.

  For myself, I enjoy people and I can interact with people on many levels, i don’t often seek people out. My world is far from small. My activities are quite varied and it has been known to expand from time to time within reason as to the amount of my resources and the physical area the interest may take.

  Indepth soul searching is important to do from time to time. Taking stock of what is around you . . . is it a positive or is it a negative. I always have the ability to adjust it or change it. It’s not as if I have a timeline. I have today, the entire 24 hours.

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on June 22, 2018 Permalink  

  Amazingly the water has receded to a huge degree in the backyard. Don’t try to walk to the backyard unless you are prepared for the wetness that will soak through your shoes right to your socks. Sump pumps are an amazing tool to have on hand. By supper time last night Dennis had the patio area sucked down and there were spots that showed drying in progress.

  This weekend is the city’s summer festival. It actually started yesterday. The city crews have been working hard to make sure the event areas are dry or have found a replacement site.

  At noon Dennis commented on how many lawnmowers could be heard. Hmm. Dennis won out. He headed to the far east of the acre where it was high and fairly dry. The backyard will need to wait until another day. I agreed to push mow the front yard and bag it. Other than the ground being very soft, it mowed great. I didn’t venture to the north side of the house as I was not about to bag more water than grass. All in all the acre looks as tidy as it can for the weekend.

  I can report that the cistern closet is just about done having water seep in. I took my handy dandy flashlight for an up close and personal look at its perimeter. There is a spot on the east wall about two inches from the floor that is sporting a marker in black. Yesterday that very spot was as busy as a free flowing water fountain. When all is dry, I will be visiting with the experts in Lowe’s to see what can be done in regard to a sealant. Ya know, dang nab it, when you own a home there is always – and I repeat, always – something that needs attention. I am just the person to get it checked out and get it done.

   
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  Noreen 4:16 pm on June 21, 2018 Permalink  

  June Rains 

  

  It is not surprising that rains lasting over a period of 24 hours and amounting to seven inches can cover our entire yard. Not a whole lot to do about it. The sewing studio is dry, thanks to all the attention we have paid to our basement for just such an event as this. We do have a closet that was once a cistern with the dipped floor. That area does not have access to the tile as the remainder of the basement has. Once the seepage in the closet reaches a certain height the water runs over the step and down into the tile. As our sump pump has been running every 20 seconds to empty the tile around the perimeter, I have been using our wet vacuum to keep as much water sucked up in the closet rather than add to what the sump pump has to deal with. Dennis has a pump sitting on the front patio and pulling water from the patio onto the driveway and then into the street. It is surprising how much that has helped. We can see by the level of debris on the sidewalk that he has made progress. Thanks to our false floor in the patio porch that floor is dry. I know that there is water under it and it will take a bit to get it dried out once the water has gone down outside around it. Lots of fan power. All in all from what we have heard from others around town . . . we have it under control. For the first time in a long time the sun is out. It will be interesting to count the Koi in the pond to see if any floated out. The ledge of rock around it should have protected them. Time will tell. Well . . . it’s time to start the wet vac and add to the water going down the toilet. Glub, blub.

   
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  Noreen 4:06 pm on June 20, 2018 Permalink  

  It was my day for a solo trip north. Bird Island, Minnesota, is the best place to take a sewing machine for expert service by a licensed Bernina technician. There may be a shingle out here or there for sewing machine repairs, but they do not have access to Bernina components. I have total confidence in Kelly and Amanda. The plus is picking Amanda’s brain on techniques. I also took Mom’s New Home brand sewing machine with and that one needed to stay as some parts are needed. What a great reason to head north again sometime soon. Do I need to have Mom’s machine in working order . . . not unless I could grow several more arms or . . . get Dennis to saddle up for stitching. It seems a shame or a waste to not have it fixed. I cannot get myself to believe that sewing is a passion that is lost on Millenniums. Someday, somewhere the disposable style of living will come crashing down and that type of creativity will be alive and well again.

  I stopped in Fairfax for a “Kevin Fix.” I would never miss an opportunity to see family. Phone calls and text messages have their place, but feeling and touching is the ultimate. The old Lincoln just veered into Kevin’s place of work automatically. Now, on the other hand, when Megan and I having texting conversations that is simply priceless. She is busy with violin lessons and now she is preparing to teach a class of kindergarten age in Vacation Bible School. But . . . she still has time for Grammie. The 60 years of difference in our ages transcends into sweetness.

  As I was driving home south the clouds got thick. Twenty six miles from home the windshield wipers needed to be turned on. That was right after dinner time, twelve noon. Now at 5:00 p.m. the rain never has stopped. It’s something about a weather pattern that is stalled. It goes on and on and on and we persevere. Hey . . . I’m set. The sewing machine has been given a clean bill of health, I have threads and I have ideas.

   
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  Noreen 2:31 pm on June 19, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Judy   

  What the heck? Another 1.5 inches of rain during the night? Glub, glub! My gardening shoes are going to need the dust blown off of them in time to come . . . or the city weed inspector may be making a home visit.

  I had a 10:00 a.m. appointment with an eye specialist, Dr. Gaven, who comes to St. James from Mankato. He happens to be the same doctor who did the laser work a decade back when both of my retinas detached within six months of each other. At the time I was questioned quite intensely as to whether I had taken a hard fall with a blow to my head. The answer was no. Just a fluke. Torn retinas left untreated do end up in blindness. I do visit the eye doctor every six months without fail. From the time of December, 2017, to May, 2018, a small hole had appeared in my right retina. Thus was the consult today to get an opinion on what was happening. Both the specialist and I were amazed that yes, he could see the hole, but . . . the hole was not as large as it had been in May and the eye was producing its own scar to close the hole. Basically that is what laser surgery on a torn retina does . . . it attaches the retina and the scar then holds the retina in place. Dr. Gaven checked both retinas and the work of a decade ago was A.O.K. Whew! The comment was given that I have a very good immune system. I’ll take that to the bank any day.

  I had driven myself the six blocks uptown and believe me I was glad when I drove into the driveway coming home. The dilation solution had really done a number on my vision to a greater degree than I could remember from times past. It may have been stress, relief or lack of comfort from not being able to have my eyes focus, but I was a mess that came with a nasty headache. I sat down in my favorite chair, closed my eyes and chilled.

  What came to my mind was my friend Judy. She retired from Brown County about the same time I retired from Watonwan County. A month after her retirement she was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. It is an incurable disease of the center portion of the retina and thus the center portion of vision is distorted or totally lost. Over the course of the disease as it progressed, Judy has auras of light, but nothing that could be considered as vision. Judy did go to Arizona where they had the option of harvesting her own stem cells and injecting them into her eyes, but it was not successful to any meaningful result. She can listen to e-books. Her mobility is with help and what she has trained herself to remember in her home. She has never seen her great grandson. She remembers her family and friends via their voices.

  This afternoon, I sat in my disoriented state with my eyes closed and gave blessings to the Lord my Father how fortunate I have been and am. I might add, my eyes did leak a bit for Judy and all she has lost.

  On a light note. Later in the day I went with Dennis and we picked up the ole cowboys two-wheel trailer that is now sporting two new tires. Needless to say, Kevin and Kersten can attest to the fact that the old ones were running on the grace of God. A good day for us on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 3:36 pm on June 18, 2018 Permalink  

  A gloomy day with more precipitation than we had expected. Who cares! The ole cowboy got a clean bill of health today after all he has been through with those dog-gone carotid arteries! We are fortunate that the surgeon is only a trip to Mankato for the news. We celebrated with a trip to Culver’s. Dennis loves their shakes and fish sandwiches and their Strawberry plate salads aren’t shabby either. Lots of pecans, blue cheese chunks, diced berries, small tomatoes, a diced grilled chicken breast with just the right amount of the greens to call it a salad.

  Tomorrow I have an eye appointment with a specialist that comes here to St. James. Our family eye doctor had detected something that didn’t quite sit right with him when I went for my six month checkup. Why mess around and wonder . . . let’s just get it done.

  I know when the skies dry up we are going to be making hay on the acre.

  Doctor’s reports and, or yard work doesn’t really phase Dennis or me. It’s a wonderful pleasure to enjoy life and all it holds. That was driven home no longer than three days ago when the property on the back side of our block was the scene of a double murder. We have known the Engelbrecht family for years. Who knew? So sad.

   
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  Noreen 3:46 pm on June 17, 2018 Permalink  

  A sunny bright Father’s Day. Each of us have special memories of the dad we were blessed to have in our lives. The special ones are those who still have a dad to spend time with, joke with and continue making memories with. Do I miss Dad. Every day. Dad gave me all that I needed to make it in life . . . a will to try, the gift of logic and a sensitive heart. Because of these gifts, it is as if he were still at my elbow. Sometimes grinning, sometimes a stern look, but never turning his back on me. That option was open to him many, many times. So with that being said. Dads . . . those who were, those who are . . . Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 4:20 pm on June 16, 2018 Permalink  

  The house was quiet last night and I slept like an infant . . . until the lightning and thunder woke me this morning. We watched the weather channel last night and we were not in any path for storms. We had rain until one this afternoon.

  Yesterday I had gotten an old pair of shoes out and they were going to be the gardening shoes regardless of how much mud they would collect. I have a patch of perennials that need some TLC. The can of mosquito spray was parked right next to the shoes. The sun came out about two this afternoon and I was still going to check out the possibility of weeding. When I opened the back door and the humid steamy air hit me I could have cried. I thought thunderstorms were to break the hot air path . . . not.

  Here we are at supper time and the outside air is at a nasty 92 degrees. Needless to say the shoes and spray are still parked where they were last night. I can perhaps take getting muddy as I do clean up quite nicely. I no doubt could do both mud and mosquitoes . . . but not the heat and humidity on top of the mosquitoes and mud. I am beyond doing that to myself.

  Tomorrow is another day. So far the perennials are able to be seen above the extra foliage . . . I’ll just go with that for today and be thankful I don’t have to do any watering for the plants.