Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:59 am on May 17, 2017 Permalink  

  Rain Can Always Use Help 

  

  We may have had two tenths of rain this morning, but all it did was loosen up the grim on the house from the spring dust. Dennis finished it off in good stead. The muddy streams from the siding, the screens and behind the shutters made me very happy that our planning of having enough hose handy to get the job done. The city construction has allowed for a parade of every type of truck that can be imagined to pummel our concrete street since April first.  Concrete and tires make a lot of dust.  There is no sign of that slowing down, but it was rewarding to see our little home white again.

   
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  Noreen 5:17 am on May 16, 2017 Permalink  

  A little piddle of rain. Not what was anticipated . . . but . . . just enough to wet the Preen that I have applied to most of the flowerbeds. It was getting to the point that I was planning on stringing the garden hoses out. Put on turned over black dirt and then moistened, Preen does a great job of helping with volunteer weeds. One spot is about to get a second dose of Round Up. An invasive plant is spreading year after year. It does put out a white flower that lasts perhaps one day but the foliage is dense. When dug up there will be a cluster that looks like tiny onions. I dug out the perennials among it that were worth saving and they will be relocated. You can bet I will be cleaning those roots thoroughly to make sure a little bulb doesn’t tag along. Dirty fingernails is just what this gal needs right now. Getting lost in the gardens is better than any sedative.

   
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  Noreen 7:22 am on May 15, 2017 Permalink  

  Most of the time Mediacom does great. This weekend it has been maddening. Granted when the weather is nice, being outside is more enjoyable than checking out what the Internet can offer.

  Since I had not been able to be on the world wide web prior to the weekend, I have had a successful colonoscopy, awaiting the lab results. How much trouble could two small polyps create. I did miss out on several graduation parties here in town and will make contact with those families this week.

  I have had a great Mother’s Day. The sun was bright, the breeze was smooth and the back patio was a great place to begin a new novel. Cards and phone calls all added to the weekend. The plus was that our beautician was able to make a house call. I knew Dennis and I were getting shaggy but the pile of hair that needed to call on the Swiffer was amazing.

  Hopefully the Internet connection will be continuous. Dennis and I are normal people: we want what we want when we want it.

   
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  Noreen 7:17 am on May 12, 2017 Permalink  

  Another great spring day and all is well. The acre has been manicured, Subway gave it up for a great supper for Dennis. Life is good.

   
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  Noreen 4:51 am on May 11, 2017 Permalink  

  Peeking and Seeking 

  

  Today, as more garden work progressed, I always have a light hand as to where I point the Mantis tiller. It is only eight to nine inches in width, making it possible to go between most of the plants. They are small but two Japanese ferns have been discovered under some of the larger perennials. I believe they have self-seeded from a fern that was located several feet away. I have transplanted them into a spot that will allow them to grow unto themselves. It is a good thing I started cleaning the flowerbeds from the farthermost point and am working myself towards the house. I can see the end is near. My body does get weary but it does not hurt. Four hours is the max that I will put in each day. The plus was when Dennis brought out two fried eggs, over hard, for a snack. It was a great break. Doesn’t sound good?  The days prior to a colonoscopy have definite guidelines as to what can be enjoyed.  We managed to put out some garden art and called it a day when it was really trying hard to rain . . . it did not.

   
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  Noreen 4:44 am on May 10, 2017 Permalink  

  One good day after another here on Stauffer Avenue. At this time of the year, I can’t stay in the house. Plants are working hard to make their appearance so it behooves me to prep the flowerbeds so they can show themselves at their best. This gardener does not need to be out and about buying plants, I am excited to take care of the plants as they come up with the option of dividing them or moving them to a better location.

  I did have to take a break from the dirt as it seems prior to a colonoscopy a physical needs to be had by the primary doctor. In thinking about this as I will be under sedation via an IV during the surgical procedure, I do have plans for my life and it is comforting to know that I am in tip top shape. Surgeries don’t always involve an outward scar, but taking out polyps if they are present is invasive and may need additional caution for excessive bleeding. I have to admit. I am a polyp producer. Five years ago there were eight of them removed. If by chance there are none found, I would not have to return for ten years rather than the five year schedule I have been on. I can wish. Either way, a less than good several days of the prep and the actual is still better than the colon cancer.

   
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  Noreen 4:30 am on May 9, 2017 Permalink  

  Quite the Change 

  When I came back from my walk this morning the air was chilly.  I believe the high for today was to be about 60 degrees.  Dennis and I went in and had a late bite of breakfast before deciding what the rest of the day would bring.  I have a colonoscopy scheduled for Friday.  I know myself well enough that I will feel the after glow of this procedure for the better part of Saturday.  There is no way a fart will be taken for granted.  The wonderful prep effects can last for more than the procedure.

  I did decide to work on the far east garden along the east line of our original lot.  I knew I would be in shade for the time it took me to work up the dirt with the Mantis Tiller.  The south breeze turned to a brisk wind gust every once in a while.  I had green tea on hand as well as coffee very close at hand.  It was about 1:30 before I finished, and when I did, I realized it had gotten quite warm out.  Dennis came out and clued me in that it was 84 degrees with a very warm 15 mph wind.  Wow!

  Needless to say, I had a great day and that flower bed looks wonderful.  The perennials have had the dirt worked up and the dirt is quite nice.  Had the hard crust been allowed to remain from the winter, the next rainfall would have washed off the surface and the plants would have been lacking. 

   
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  Noreen 5:58 am on May 8, 2017 Permalink  

  It is six on this Sunday evening and Dennis and I are shot; wore out, pooped. It would have been easier on us if we had stayed home and puttered around in our yard. A birthday party started the day at 11 a.m. in Sibley Park in Mankato for four-year-old great grandson Oliver. No one could have asked for a more beautiful morning. Oliver and his mom and dad enjoyed having the family come to enjoy the event, enjoy a picnic and watch all the comings and goings of Oliver and a lot of other toddlers. Next year at this time, Oliver will be a big brother. Great news. We are always ready for a new baby in the family.

  We returned to St. James in time to head over to Dennis’ daughter’s home to have a chance to visit with granddaughter Cheyanne who is home from Seattle for a week to catch up with the “down home” folks. Cheyanne made the trip via car as she has a dog and a cat that needs to remain close to their owner and not be put in a shelter. It was great to see how well she is enjoying her new life.

  So anyhow . . . Dennis and I are “socialed” out. We admit it. We are spoiled. We have the blessings of families and being a part of all the excitements that come into their lives and them wanting us to participate. At the end of days such as these we know there is no place we want to be other than in our home adding to the memories that we will hold for a long time.

   
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  Noreen 4:39 am on May 7, 2017 Permalink  

  It is official. Summer is upon Stauffer Avenue. The patio umbrella is up and the Mantis tiller worked full steam ahead . . . that is with me at the throttle. Dennis did paint touch up on the front steps. We are all about tidy, tidy, tidy. As we sat under the umbrella catching a breeze we decided that the Hometown Café was our choice for supper. We now have weary bodies and full stomachs, and now it’s all about getting showered up and calling it a day. It was a great day on Stauffer.

   
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  Noreen 4:29 am on May 6, 2017 Permalink  

  There are some days that make me feel so good . . . no words are needed.